By François Biber

SUMA backs inquiry into MMIW, pushes to keep revenue sharing stable

Feb 4, 2015 | 5:22 AM

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) joined a national voice by supporting the call for a federal inquiry in missing and murdered indigenous women on Tuesday.

“First Nations are a growing percentage of our population and there’s a disproportionate number of missing and murdered women and this is unacceptable and more needs to be done and we need to take action,” said Deb Higgins, mayor of the City of Moose Jaw.

On the second day of the annual SUMA convention, a dozen resolutions were discussed and debated at TCU Place in Saskatoon. One of the most anticipated resolutions was a motion put forward from the City of North Battleford, asking the SUMA delegation to jump on board with Canadian premiers and cities across the country, who have called for this inquiry.

However, not everyone supported the motion. Nancy Brunt, councillor with the Town of Kamsack, expressed concerns about the cost and results of a national inquiry.

“I’m against the word inquiry because of the cost and the lack of action that happens in an inquiry. A roundtable discussion needs to be the focus, where there is action; and action is the most important thing that needs to come out of this,” Brunt told the convention.

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Saskatoon’s Coun. Charlie Clark favoured the push for a roundtable discussion – something that’s already been on the radar of the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

“There was a real desire to figure out across the country what it is that is leading to this nationwide phenomenon of 1,100 women who have been missing or murdered,” Clark said.  

The SUMA delegation passed the motion and will now lobby the federal government to lead an inquiry or a roundtable on missing and murdered indigenous women. 

Other resolutions

The SUMA delegation also passed the motion to urge the Brad Wall government to keep its promise and share one per cent of the provincial sales tax in 2015 and 2016.

In light of the falling price of oil, Wall told the SUMA convention Monday that the provincial government is projecting a shortfall between $600 – $800 million. While he didn’t say it would affect revenue sharing, he didn’t confirm that the revenue sharing portion would go down or stay the same.

SUMA president and Mayor of Weyburn Deborah Button said municipalities were promised their share of the provincial sales tax for 2015 and 2016 in July, and towns and cities have already passed budgets dependent on that funding.

The SUMA delegation also supported the motion to lobby the provincial government to allow tax-free municipal bonds to governments can fundraise locally for major infrastructure projects.

The City of Prince Albert’s motion to create a blanket provincial law making it mandatory for cyclists to ride with a helmet was passed.

SUMA is also committed to lobbying Saskatchewan Government Insurance to re-examine its best practices to approve municipal bylaws which allow for broader use of golf carts within city boundaries. The motion came out of the Town of Kamsack where a plethora of golf courses has the town’s administration wondering if golf carts can be used for transportation beyond the links.

The SUMA convention continues Wednesday in Saskatoon with a bear pit session.

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