On November 26, 2025, the Saskatchewan Government introduced The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act (the “Act”). This Bill amends The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010 for the following reported reasons:

1. Strengthen local governance;
2. Increase transparency for ratepayers; and
3. Reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens (red tape).

The Act was introduced in response to the Ministry of Government Relations’ consultation with and local feedback from stakeholders and the public on The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010 in 2024.

Amendments

The proposed amendments at present in The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act include:

1. Improving public access to municipal information by requiring municipalities to post meeting minutes, financial statements, and bylaws on a public website starting in 2027.
2. Supporting local governance by requiring municipalities to offer orientation training after each general election in order to better support council members in their roles. The training will cover roles and responsibilities, conflicts of interest, financial administration, and maintenance of a harassment-free workplace.
3. Additional amendments will also strengthen provisions related to harassment by making harassment of municipal employees an offence under the municipal Acts.
4. Red tape reductions including:

1. Improving the fairness and efficiency of property assessment appeals through the following:

1. The parties to an appeal will have more opportunities to enter into agreements to adjust the assessment; and
2. Appeal boards will have more flexibility to consolidate appeals so that similar ones can be heard at the same time.

2. More efficient tools to address:

1. Dangerous animals: council will be able to declare an animal dangerous instead of needing to obtain an order from a judge.  Council will also be able to make an order requiring leashing/muzzling/fencing requirements, but only a judge may order that an animal be put down.  However, a new bylaw is required for council to make these orders;
2. Illegal dumping: municipalities will now be able to fine vehicle owners for illegal dumping if the vehicle is identified, similar to parking violations;
3. Collecting tax arrears from delinquent oil and gas companies: it will be easier for municipal administrators to obtain information about oil and gas properties in arrears, serve notice to delinquent companies, and recover the taxes owed;
4. Allowing the municipality to issue an order to remedy with respect to bylaw contraventions occurring on Crown or municipal lands by the owner or occupant of adjacent land who caused the contravention.

3. Replacing special service areas in rural municipalities with a simpler taxation tool.
4. Removing duplicate forms for newly elected councillors and unnecessary reporting requirements to government.
5. Potentially circumventing LAFOIPP requests for certain information, such as contracts entered by the municipality, accounts paid by the municipality, among other documents.

Status

The Act is expected to pass during the spring 2026 sitting of the Saskatchewan legislative assembly. Upon passage, the majority of the amendments would come into force immediately.

Once the Act is passed, it will require changes to current practices, new policies, etc. For example:

1. A new policy will have to be passed regarding how residents can request the documents circumventing LAFOIPP requirements as noted above. 
2. A bylaw will be required if council would like to make dangerous dog declarations. 
3. Training materials will need to be prepared for the mandatory training sessions following municipal elections.

If you would like any help in identifying and implementing the required new policies, practices, or bylaws, please let our office know.

Related News and Articles