Released on November 26, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced a landmark update to municipal legislation that places public transparency and easy access to municipal information at the forefront of local governance.
Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz tabled The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act, a bill that updates The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act, and The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010. The most significant advancement in this legislation is a new requirement that, starting in 2027, every Saskatchewan municipality must publicly post council meeting minutes, audited financial statements, and municipal bylaws on a publicly accessible website.
“These changes directly respond to what ratepayers expect today—clear, accessible information about how their communities are governed,” Schmalz said. “Saskatchewan residents interact with municipal services every day. Ensuring that decisions, finances, and bylaws are posted online strengthens trust and helps councils remain accountable, responsive, and transparent.”
To support this transition toward consistent province-wide access to information, the Government of Saskatchewan will begin posting municipal financial statements to saskatchewan.ca beginning in January 2026.
Key Amendments in the Legislation
1. Strengthening Public Transparency (starting 2027)
- Municipalities will be required to post:
- Council meeting minutes
- Annual financial statements
- Municipal bylaws
- These documents must be made available on a publicly accessible website so residents can easily find and review the information that affects their community.
- This shift establishes a common standard of transparency across all municipalities—regardless of size, location, or local resources.
2. Enhancing Local Governance
- Municipalities must provide orientation training for council members after each general election to support effective governance.
- Harassment protections are being strengthened by making harassment of municipal employees an offence under the municipal Acts.
3. Reducing Red Tape and Improving Efficiency
- Streamlined and fairer property assessment appeal processes.
- Better tools to address dangerous animals, illegal dumping, and unpaid taxes from delinquent oil and gas companies.
- A simpler taxation tool will replace special service areas in rural municipalities.
- Removal of duplicate forms and unnecessary reporting requirements for newly elected councillors.
Background and Next Steps
These amendments are the result of province-wide consultations in 2024 with residents, municipal leaders, and industry stakeholders. Upon passage, most measures will come into force immediately, with the transparency requirements taking effect in 2027 to give municipalities time to prepare their systems.
The Ministry of Government Relations will continue working with municipal partners to develop supporting regulations and provide education, training, and technical assistance.
More details about The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act are available online.