News

Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP applications are open

The pre-approval application deadline for the Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP is August 31, 2022. Cow-calf producers interested in protecting their water resources by preventing spring runoff from entering their livestock facilities can apply here. https://rmofcupar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Beneficial-Management-Practice-Pre-Approval-Application-Form.pdf

Producers are encourage to review the Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP before applying to see if they are eligible.

For more information view Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (CAP) Farm Stewardship Program: Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP virtual presentation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QB6ZJTtY_Y&list=PLU6lNl6H8OCAHHM7z5B_ZN4u3CtMTO-NM

SARM response to Strychnine ban

SARM unhappy with PMRA decision to pull strychnine

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is appalled to learn that the Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has made final decision to cancel the approved use of strychnine to control Richardson Ground Squirrels (RGS). The PMRA’s decision is based on anecdotal assumptions, not recent research. In 2019, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (SMA) completed a study on the use of strychnine. This study indicated that despite a large number of non-target species present, death from strychnine was limited to only four deer mice.

“With such a small proven environmental impact PMRA should be using SMA’s research to support the continued use of strychnine, not to discontinue it” expressed President Ray Orb. “We plan to meet with Minister Marit and decision makers in Ottawa” said Orb “SARM will take all steps needed to have the decision overturned or at minimum have our producers compensated for any crop damage due to gophers.”

PMRA’s plan is to phase out the product over the next three years, making the product unavailable after March 4, 2021 and fully banned for use March 4, 2023. There is currently no alternative to control RGS.

In 1992 to 2001, 2% liquid strychnine wasn’t available causing RGS populations to explode resulting in millions of dollars in losses to producers. In the years it has been made available populations have declined. Dry years with no effective method of control will result in devastating losses.

“I hope the Province can appeal or at least delay the decision” said Orb, “Our producers don’t need to be enduring anymore hardships.”

SARM stands up for rural Saskatchewan and will continue to act in the collective best interest of rural municipalities.

Changes to Veterinary Antibiotics

Changes in Access to Veterinary Antibiotics

After December 1, 2018, Health Canada is moving all medically imported antibiotics to the federal prescription drug list.This change will help to ensure prudent use of antibiotics. This means:

Producers will no longer be able to buy antibiotic products from retail stores, only from veterinary offices or pharmacists, or mixed in feed from feed mills;
Producers will need a prescription from their veterinarian for all livestock and/or poultry antibiotics; and
Veterinarians must have a valid relationship with their client before writing an antibiotic prescription.

If you don’t already have a veterinarian you work with regularly, now is the time to find one.

For more information, contact Wendy Wilkins, Disease Surveillance Veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture, at 306-798-0253 or [email protected].

Emergency Vehicle reminders

Yorkton RCMP sent out this reminder today and it bears repeating

Last night #YorktonRCMP responded to THREE priority 1 calls (lights, sirens & GO!). Our members were called to residences within Yorkton & were called out to assist Melville members on Highway 10.

An EXTREMELY dangerous trend has started in the community and surrounding area. When police vehicles have their lights and/or sirens activated ALL motorists (north, south, east, west travelling) MUST pull to the right and STOP their vehicles immediately. While responding to these calls NOT A SINGLE VEHICLE pulled to the right and stopped.

Some drivers pulled the right but maintained highway speed-NO! You must STOP your vehicle. Some vehicles didn’t even move out of the lane-NO! Pull to the right & stop! It doesn’t matter if you’re making a left turn at the next intersection, pull to the right & STOP your vehicle immediately!

This is not a request, this is not a suggestion, this is the LAW. If you see 1 cop car, chances are there will be another followed by a fire truck and an ambulance.
We could be responding to:
-an active threat at your child’s school
-a robbery at the bank where your daughter works
-your father in cardiac arrest
-a car accident where your son is trapped
-a structure fire where your pets are home alone
Our vehicles need space, MOVE to as far to the right as you can & STOP!

We absolutely do write down plate numbers & serve tickets of $125.00 for “Fail to yield/pull to the right & stop for an emergency vehicle using emergency equipment”. If the fine doesn’t deter you, you can explain to the families why emergency services wasn’t able to make it in time to save their loved one(s)

Snow Plow Safety

Reminder – we have adopted a new blue and amber light combination for snow removal equipment.

The blue lights will make snow removal equipment more visible while clearing snow. This will allow motorists to distinguish between snowplows, graders, and snow blowers and other flashing lights on our highways. This will ultimately add to the safety of our operators and those on the road. Previously, our equipment used only amber lights.

We encourage everyone to spread the word to their friends and family about this new blue and amber combination, as well as how to safely navigate when there is snow removal equipment on the road. Stay back and stay safe. It is illegal to pass a snow plow in operation at a speed greater than 60 km/h. If you come up behind a snow plow and want to pass, remember that it will pull over every 10 km or when it is safe to do so.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE – HOW HUNTERS CAN HELP

To maintain the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife population, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) is encouraging hunters to submit heads for Saskatchewan’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing this hunting season.

CWD is a disease that affects the nervous system of deer, elk and moose, and while infected animals may appear healthy for more than a year before signs appear, it is a fatal disease for these animals.

Although there is no evidence of CWD impacts on humans at this time, the potential is uncertain. The World Health Organization, Health Canada and Ministry of Health recommend hunters not eat any animals known to be infected with CWD, and as such the need for testing is imperative. Hunters should also take precautions when field dressing and processing animals.

“This disease isn’t something that hunters can easily detect in an animal themselves,” says SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe. “They need to submit the heads for testing, and we can’t stress enough the importance of this, as this disease will have permanent and devastating effects on our wildlife.”

To help encourage hunters to participate in CWD testing, the SWF will offer a draw for six pairs of binoculars. Simply turn in heads to any Ministry of Environment field office and your name will be entered into the draw.

Hunters can help slow the spread of CWD by not introducing the disease to new areas of the province by leaving gut piles on site and properly dispose of carcasses and meat from CWD-infected animals.

This disease has the potential to change herd structure across the province. By helping to monitor for CWD, hunters will help maintain the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife population for generations to come.

For a listing of field offices,

visit http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/directory?tab=browse&ou=%7bCEFCDC1B-D7CA-4E50-ABA3-1EE557C5F2D7%7d,

and for more information on CWD,

visit www.swf.sk.ca/resources/for-hunters/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Darrell Crabbe, SWF Executive Director

(306) 692-8812 or cell (306) 630-8780

Election Results

With a great turn out of 313 voters yesterday at the Municipal election, we are pleased to welcome our new and returning Council members to the boardroom table:

Reeve – Ray Orb

Councillor Division #1 – David Mills

Councillor Division #3 – Daryl Frank

Councillor Division #5 – Greg Ermel

The RM of Cupar would like to thank all the candidates who took an interest in running for Municipal government.

RE: Carbon Pricing

SARM Upate on Carbon Pricing:

Carbon Pricing

Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that all provinces must have a carbon pricing in place by 2018. Provinces can choose between two options: a direct price on carbon or implement a cap-and-trade system.

In a September 26 media release, SARM stated we are apprehensive of an approach to reducing greenhouse gases that does not consider the unique situation of various industries in each province and that we are opposed a federally imposed price on carbon that is not created through consultation or meaningful discussion with stakeholders.

President Orb also spoke about this issue on BNN. Watch President Orb discuss the negative consequences of carbon pricing on the ag sector and economy overall.

Friday Funny kind of

Taken from a the blog “Lost Girls Guide”

According to Andrew’s experiences, here are just 10 things (of many!) that are different from Eastern Canada.

1. Taking the Grids
We’ve a lot of land, and not too many people to fill it. That’s why you’ll find roads of varying construction around Saskatchewan. With 26,000 kilometres of paved road, but 134,000 kilometres of grid roads you often need to ‘take the grids’ to get to your destination. What we simply mean is that you need to drive on graveled, unpaved or unsealed roads designed in grids to get to where you’re going.

2. Bleeding Green
This isn’t so much a term as a way of life. In Saskatchewan we both wear and bleed green in the form of the Saskatchewan Roughriders gear and pride. If, for some odd reason you aren’t familiar, the Riders are our local CFL football team that we’re pretty passionate about. So passionate in fact, we like to carve out watermelons and wear them on our heads at games in support of the team.

3. Sloughs
Spelling slough is almost as tricky as figuring out what one is. In Saskatchewan, they’re the equivalent of a small wetland, swamp or pond. Considering the province has over 100,000 lakes and rivers, you’ll find quite a few sloughs, especially on farmland.

4. The R.M.
Saskatchewan is known for some strange town names: Moose Jaw, Elbow and Eyebrow to list a few. That’s why it wasn’t surprising when Andrew was uncertain where “the arm” was located in Saskatchewan. What he was really hearing were people talking about the RM – or rural municipality – our version of counties or townships.

5. Heading to the Cabin
Most families in Saskatchewan own a cabin on one of the thousands of lakes I mentioned earlier. In our short summer season, you’ll often hear people comment they’re heading to the cabin for the weekend. Out east, people refer to cabins as cottages, and understand cabins to be a basic shed, often without indoor plumbing. If you’ve seen the cabins-that-are-essentially-homes on our lake shores, you’ll understand why Andrew was a bit confused by this terminology.

6. Bush League
A bush league call by a ref in a hockey or football game will leave fans upset and fired-up. Since we’re pretty passionate about sports, it’s no surprise we have a variety of terms dedicated to voicing our opinions when we disagree with what’s happening on the field or on the ice.

7. “In the rhubarb”
Most people are familiar with rhubarb in the form of a plant used in crumbles, crisps, and pies. But in Saskatchewan, it also means hitting the ditch. Keeping it out of the rhubarb isn’t always easy in our icy winter driving conditions.

8. Gotch
I couldn’t help but giggle when he told me, but Andrew wasn’t quite sure what people meant when they were talking about gotch. Out east, men’s underwear are simply referred to as boxers or briefs and not ‘gotch’ or ‘gitch’.

9. Ordering a Pil
No, it’s not a shady drug deal going down in your local bar, it’s actually someone ordering one of Saskatchewan’s favourite beers: a pilsner. Molson is one of the most popular and also happens to be the beer brand of choice that sponsors the Saskatchewan Roughriders. We also love the Great Western Brewing Company pilsners brewed right here in Saskatoon and popular across western Canada.

10. Politeness of the Prairies: The Small Town Wave
Once you leave the city behind, you enter a different world of friendly people and country charm. When you pass another vehicle on the grids, you automatically give them a hand wave or a nod as you go by. We’re also guilty of smiling and saying ‘hi’ to strangers, something that might be deemed as peculiar in a big city.

Thinking of Running for Council (Part 2)

Understanding the Role, Time Commitment and Powers of Municipal Council

As a member of council, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of your municipality. Any ideas or proposed changes you have in mind cannot be achieved without the support of other council members.

Responsibilities

A common role of municipal council is to provide essential core services to the community such as:

Roads and transportation;
Water treatment and sewer facilities;
Snow and garbage removal;
Recreation facilities and programs;
Land use planning and economic development;
Building code regulations;
Crime prevention;
Fire prevention;
Animal control; and
Emergency planning.

While all of the above responsibilities are important aspects of municipal responsibility, council members are not directly responsible for providing these services. Council members’ individual responsibilities can be broken as follows:

Representation and Accountability
- A councillor’s responsibility is to serve the people who elected them to office. A councillor should engage regularly with the public to take into account the views and concerns of all members of a community when voting on matters of concern.
Governance
- Municipal council is responsible for shaping the future of the municipality by implementing new policy, by-laws and community goals. Many decisions that council makes are the result of extensive community consultation, research and advice from community members and groups. It is important for council to remember that they must represent the people who voted them to office. Failure to do so may result in a limited term in office.
Management
- Members of council are generally responsible for ensuring that municipal staff follows through on the policies, priorities and direction that council has set forth. Council members should also expect to be active members of committees and boards in the community to ensure that they possess the required knowledge to pass on to council.

When you take office, you will not be starting off from scratch. There will be local legislation existing in the form of bylaws, which will remain in effect until they are amended or repealed. It would be a good idea to contact your municipality and become familiar with local legislation prior to running for council so that you have a good idea of what policies exist in your community, and what kind of changes you might want to consider.

Time Commitment

Many, if not most, council members have full-time jobs outside of municipal council. It’s important not to underestimate the amount of time and dedication required to be an effective member or council.

You will either be elected to a four year term of office and expected to participate in monthly (sometimes bi-weekly) council meetings. Being a member of council, your responsibilities are not restricted to attending regular council meetings. In addition, you will be expected to attend and participate in:

Council committee meetings;
Meetings of boards and agencies in which you are appointed as council’s representative;
Learning workshops, training seminars and conferences; and
Cultural, social and public events promoting or representing your municipality.

You may also need to spend a significant amount of time talking to the public, business, colleagues in other municipalities, municipal staff and your administrator. Continuing interaction with these groups is an essential part of making an informed decision as a council member.

Municipal council derives their authority from The Municipalities Act, The Cities Act or The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010. Individual members of council are not permitted to make decisions on their own on behalf of the municipality. Any election promise you made during your campaign can only be carried out if you can convince a majority of council that it is in the best interest of the municipality.

Representation and Accountability
- A councillor’s responsibility is to serve the people who elected them to office. A councillor should engage regularly with the public to take into account the views and concerns of all members of a community when voting on matters of concern.
Governance
- Municipal council is responsible for shaping the future of the municipality by implementing new policy, by-laws and community goals. Many decisions that council makes are the result of extensive community consultation, research and advice from community members and groups. It is important for council to remember that they must represent the people who voted them to office. Failure to do so may result in a limited term in office.
Management
- Members of council are generally responsible for ensuring that municipal staff follows through on the policies, priorities and direction that council has set forth. Council members should also expect to be active members of committees and boards in the community to ensure that they possess the required knowledge to pass on to council.