News Archives
January 16, 2018
Municipalities Today – January Issue
2018 January
Articles in this month’s newsletter include:
1. Municipal Administrator’s Corner
2. 2018 Municipal Heritage Forum
3. Ministry of Government Relations to Host Tradeshow Booth at Annual SUMA Convention in Regina
4. Separate School Divisions that Choose to set their own Mill Rate for Education Property Tax
5. Civic Address Registry Training
6. Overland Flood Insurance
7. Education Property Tax Exemption and Abatement Application Process
8. Municipal Minute – Conflict of Interest
January 9, 2018
New Access and Privacy Legislation Coming Into Effect in 2018
Released on December 14, 2017
Improvements to Saskatchewan’s access and privacy legislation will come into effect with the start of the new year.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2017 (FOIPP) and The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2017 (LAFOIPP) will both come into force on January 1, 2018.
“The coming into force of this legislation will modernize access and privacy in Saskatchewan and ensure we are consistent with other Canadian jurisdictions,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said. “We thank the Information and Privacy Commissioner for working with us on these changes, and look forward to continuing to work with him to maintain the appropriate balance between access and privacy in Saskatchewan.”
Some of the amendments include: •a duty for government institutions and local authorities to assist applicants in obtaining information and a duty to protect personal information;
•extension of the privacy requirements under FOIPP to MLA and cabinet ministers’ offices;
•extension of LAFOIPP to include police services;
•increasing the penalties for offences; and
•creation of a new offence for snooping by an employee of a government institution or local authority.
This legislation adopts the majority of the recommendations made in the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2014-15 Annual Report.
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For more information, contact:
Noel Busse
Justice
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8959
Email: noel.busse@gov.sk.ca
January 9, 2018
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Cannabis To Be Sold by Private Retailers, Regulated by SLGA
Released on January 8, 2018
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) will issue approximately 60 cannabis retail permits to private operators in as many as 40 Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nation communities.“The federal government has established very aggressive timelines for the legalization of cannabis,” Minister Responsible for SLGA Gene Makowsky said. “Our government is being diligent to ensure the sale and regulation of cannabis in Saskatchewan strikes a balance between public safety and access for consumers. It’s also important to our government that the 40 municipalities and First Nations selected for retail locations have the opportunity to decide whether they want cannabis retail stores in their community.”
The initial allocation of retail store permits will be in municipalities and First Nations with populations of at least 2,500, with larger communities being allocated additional permits. Eligible First Nations and municipalities will have the option to opt out of having a retail cannabis store in their community if they choose. The final number of retail permits will depend on the number of community leaders that decide to opt out.
Both wholesaling and retailing of cannabis will be conducted by the private sector and regulated by SLGA. Cannabis retailers will be required to establish a standalone storefront operation, with the option to also operate an online store. Stores will be limited to selling cannabis, cannabis accessories and ancillary items. Stores must also have the ability to track and report cannabis inventory to help ensure consumers only have access to safe, legal product from regulated wholesalers.
An independent third party will be engaged to assist SLGA with selecting retail operators using a two-phase process. The first phase will be initial screening for financial capacity and the ability for proponents to track and report inventory. Phase two will be a random selection (lottery) of the qualified applicants. Successful proponents will be required to meet ‘good character’ criteria as part of the permitting process.
Specific details regarding application criteria, permit licensing fees, application timelines and other associated details will be finalized over the coming weeks. A decision on the minimum age for cannabis consumption will be made later this spring.
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For more information, contact:
David Morris
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1721
Email: dmorris@slga.gov.sk.ca
