SUMA Regional Meetings Fall 2012 Policy & Communication Services

SUMA ’ s Advocacy Role SUMA seeks to be the leading voice on urban issues in Saskatchewan We promote, protect, and defend the interests of our members Four full-time, one part-time, staff dedicated to advocacy

Principles that Guide our Work Elected officials determine the direction Interests of members drive the work Work is relationship-based, long-term, pragmatic, principled, and fact-based Govt-to-Govt, Elected-to-Elected

Core Interests of our Members Funding: –Sufficient, sustainable, predictable levels of operational and capital funding Autonomy: –Legislative, regulatory and funding environment that maximizes local freedom Capacity: –Urban governments must operate responsibly and have sufficient and sustainable level of local and/or regional capacity

Five Areas of Work 1.Research –Turning problems into solutions 2.Policy Development –Turning solutions into actions 3.Advocacy –Turning actions into results 4.Communications –Telling your story 5.Member Engagement

How is our work structured? Ministries: –Each Board member has a Cabinet minister to shadow –Each ministry assigned to one of our policy advisors Committees –Board members sit on SUMA policy committees –All issues flow through these committees

How is our work structured? Four policy committees: –Environment –Public Safety & Health –Community & Economic Development –Intergovernmental Affairs Committees meet as needed Each committee provides advice to the Board

Environment Multi-Material Recycling Program Saskatchewan Environmental Code –Solid waste –Wastewater CCME Wastewater regulations Regulatory Impact Analysis Strengthening relationship with govt and partners

Public Safety & Health Changes to The Fire Safety Act Photo radar Medical professionals recruitment Primary Health Care Redesign JEPP funding

Community & Economic Development Urban Highway Connector Program Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities Housing Immigration Recreation policy

Intergovernmental Affairs Long-term infrastructure programs Municipal Operating Grant Debt limits Changes to municipal legislation Growth agenda Partners in Building our Saskatchewan

PCS Contacts Che-Wei Chung, Policy Advisor –Environment file –Community & Economic Development file – –Phone: Sean McEachern, Senior Policy Advisor –Public Safety & Health file –Intergovernmental Affairs file – –Phone:

PCS Contacts Tiffany Wolf, Communications & Web Coordinator –Handles our website, Urban Voice, Urban Update, other member communications – –Phone: Mark Cooper, Director – –Phone: