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Lobbying by Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities: its registrations, its lobbyists, the bills it has named and every meeting it has reported with federal office holders since November 2021.

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Client of a consultant lobbyist

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities

Meetings this Parliament
24
With MPs
16
Since Nov 2021
37
Active registrations
1

Most recent reported meeting: Sep 1, 2026.

Registrations in effect

Consultant In effect since Oct 11, 2026

Consultant Darren Steinley

Consultant lobbyists

  • Darren Steinley

Institutions they may lobby: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian Energy Regulator (CER), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), Competition Bureau Canada (COBU), Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), Elections Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Farm Credit Canada (FCC), Finance Canada (FIN), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Health Canada (HC), House of Commons, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Justice Canada (JC), National Research Council (NRC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Parks Canada (PC), Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Public Safety Canada (PS), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Rural Economic Development (Minister’s Office), Senate of Canada, Statistics Canada (StatCan), Transport Canada (TC), Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (Port Metro Vancouver)

What they're lobbying on (73)
  • Trade corridors: Advocating for national trade corridors as part of a greater grain transportation system which includes railways, ports, trucking and warehousing.
  • Rural Transit Solutions Fund: Establish a multi-year operating stream with predictable federal and provincial contributions.
  • Productivity Mega Deduction: Advocating to pass the upcoming bill without delay and publish practical guidance.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Advocating for funding to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness and operational readiness across emergency services, ensuring responders can mobilize, communicate, and access critical information without disruption during an emergency.
  • Bill S-7 An Act to modernize certain regulatory and administrative processes: advocating for transparency in regulatory decisions.
  • Bill C-39 An Act respecting certain measures to strengthen the economy "Building Canada Strong Act": advocating for permanent prairie interswitching and that rural municipalities are not left funding infrastructure needs for proponent projects.
  • Bill C-31 A second Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament November 4, 2026: advocating for adequate capacity so risk-based prioritization and scientific credibility on pesticides improves.
  • Wildfire Management funding: the need for a funding program for volunteer fire department training and equipment to help prepare for future wildfire emergency responses.
  • Wildfire Management: the need for an enhanced federal-provincial agreement for emergency fire preparedness planning and response to wildfires in Saskatchewan.
  • Transportation policy and regulation with regard to agricultural commodities and agri-value business products.
  • Trade and tariffs: With regards to the impact that tariffs are having on Saskatchewan agricultural producers and the importance of trade export markets for the agriculture industry with emphasis on agricultural commodities and agri-value products.
  • Trade Agreements: Internal and international trade agreements are vital to global food security and the Canadian economy. Trading market stability needs to be forefront for the long term sustainability for agricultural producers.
  • The Rural Municipal (RM) Tax Loss Compensation Fund and the Rural Municipal Specific Claims Tax Loss Compensation Fund, which are related to the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement, continue to decrease in funds and is unsustainable to rural municipalities and First Nations. The agreement needs review and amending as the framework in the agreement is unsustainable.
  • Rural Healthcare: Increase recruitment and retention initiatives and funding for health care workers in rural and remote areas.
  • Rural Health Care Infrastructure: funding for virtual care infrastructure to help with service delivery in rural and remote communities.
  • Rural Health Care: Boost Canada Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility and amount to those that working in rural and remote communities over the repayment term of the loan.
  • Rail: Shortline railways need a distinct funding stream in the National Trade Corridors Fund.
  • Port Infrastructure and the need to improve capacity and efficiency at ports to help move agricultural products to international markets.
  • Pesticide regulations: strongly support a science based approach to pesticide management. The regulation of pesticides needs to take into consideration the importance of food security and its relevance to contributing to Canada’s economy.
  • National Food Strategy – recognize that this strategy begins with the producers like agricultural producers. Funding is needed for irrigation infrastructure to enhance this strategy. Saskatchewan needs funding, not a loan.
  • Fisheries Act; ensure it effectively balances the need for habitat protection with the need for rural municipal infrastructure development.
  • Bail Reform: Enhancements to the Criminal Code in which decisions are made regarding bail and sentencing decisions to ensure they take into account the serious harm drug trafficking inflicts on rural communities.
  • Energy- policies and programs are needed for renewable energy infrastructure’s end-of-life management and recycling.
  • Energy – Nuclear energy regulatory process needs to be streamlined and efficient to have a faster stable supply of Canadian-made clean energy.
  • Energy Infrastructure: Energy corridors are needed to accommodate pipelines, transmission lines and rail/port connections.
  • Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) with respect policy changes to increasing the compensation for use of a rural municipality’s own assets.
  • Infrastructure funding programs: should be created with a formal rural lens applied across federal policy, spending, and program delivery so that geography, fiscal capacity, and rural economic contribution are considered in funding program applications.
  • Broadband and cellular coverage- Requesting government investment to enhance reliable service delivery in rural Saskatchewan.
  • Agriculture: Advocating on policies with regards to research and technology that advances the agriculture industry through innovation that maximizes productivity, reduces emission reductions, and enhances soil health.
  • Business Risk Management Programs: Ensure program design and delivery effectively meet the needs of both new and established agricultural producers, with supports that reduce operational risk and assist the long-term stability of agriculture producers.
  • Livestock traceability: Ensuring agricultural stakeholders are engaged in the early development of legislative and regulatory changes to address cost pressures, implementation feasibility, and regulatory burden.
  • Bill C-273 An Act to Amend the Feeds Act, the Fertilizers Act, the Seeds Act, the Pest Control Act and the Food and Drugs Act: to ensure it give farmers faster access to safe and reliable new technologically advanced products or more crop input options.
  • Bill S-238: An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts – climate-aligned financial reporting will be a cost burden for agricultural producers, local municipal governments and small businesses in rural Saskatchewan.
  • National Highway Funding - the need for a dedicated and permanent funding model.
  • Firearms: Participating in consultations on reducing rural crime and policy consultations to acts, regulations and programs relative to the possession, acquisition of firearms and disposal of firearms.
  • Emission reductions - Focus on the agricultural practices in Saskatchewan that are contributing to carbon emission reductions while improving the competitiveness and profit of producers.
  • Emergency Management - concerns that rural municipalities have with respect to obtaining operational and capital funding for training, equipment and infrastructure for rural Saskatchewan emergency responders.
  • Critical Minerals - The importance to rural economic development, future energy needs, the economy and agricultural producers in Saskatchewan as well the importance to the Canadian economy and to global food security.
  • Telecommunications: Radio license fees and renewals for public safety responders- discuss the importance for radio license fees and renewals to be at reasonable rates for volunteer emergency responders.
  • Bill C-2: An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures. Concerns over wait times, drug trafficking, immigration, and funding.
  • Bill S-230: An Act respecting the development of a natural strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement. The importance of working with municipal governments when determining a national strategy.
  • Water treatment systems; alternative water treatment technologies continue to be explored to allow options for rural municipalities.
  • Water Infrastructure – the need for funding to develop and enhance water storage, conservation and distribution infrastructure for potable and non-potable water.
  • Vaccines: SARM would like more federal investments into VIDO here in Saskatchewan for vaccine development, research and storage.
  • Species at Risk Act (SARA) - providing input on consultations to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and amendments to SARA.
  • Rural Crime: ensuring rural Saskatchewan is represented in discussions on public safety.
  • RCMP: more presence in rural Saskatchewan. Preventing rural crime.
  • RCMP costs - rising policing costs, rural crime and the number of calls contributes to increased financial burdens for rural municipalities and RCMP staffing needs.
  • Projects near water review process (DFO). Timely approval of these reviews is a concern as this impacts project construction timelines that are time sensitive.
  • Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption: increase needed for agricultural producers.
  • Infrastructure Funding: Ensure that eligibility criteria and thresholds enable rural municipalities to access infrastructure funding, while also maintaining consistent funding programs that account for inflation and meet ongoing rural needs.
  • Volunteer Emergency Responders funding - Volunteer emergency responders have very little source revenue. The establishment of a fund or grant will help provide the financial resources they need to continue providing essential services and to update equipment to appropriate safety standards.
  • Rural Economic Development - SARM seeks to find ways to expand the rural workforce, explore ideas that foster innovation, be a catalyst for economic investments and provide rural municipalities with the much-needed tools to ensure that Saskatchewan can continue to support Canada's economic growth and development.
  • Drought - Business risk management programs will have to be enhanced to address the increased drought conditions and occurrences.
  • Broadband - SARM's key focus is to assist with addressing long-standing issues affecting broadband connectivity; and, advise and direct actions leading to a shared strategy, investment, and vision.
  • The Canadian Navigable Waters Act and its associated regulations: through consultations, ensure that this policy reflects use of navigable waters and meets the needs of rural municipalities and is less administratively cumbersome.
  • AgriStability - ensuring that it serves the needs of agricultural producers and offering suggestion for improvements to this program.
  • Ag Labour - Provide agricultural operations with the eligibility to apply for the Class 1A licensing for their employees through a grant funding program. In addition, provide grants for agricultural operations to use on employees to enhance agricultural skills training necessary for the job.
  • Food Security – the importance of enhancing agricultural infrastructure, mitigating food inflation and rising fuel costs, ensuring fertilizer availability and recognition for sustainable farming practices.
  • Energy- Reliable source options and the importance of affordable access for rural Saskatchewan and the need for providing incentives for agricultural operations to adopt emission-reducing practices.
  • Mental Health – the need for the building of more treatment centers for mental health issues and treatment for addictions. The importance of funding for mental health support for youth and accessibility for help options for youth.
  • Municipal access to Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant for class 1A driver training.
  • Bridge and Road Funding – Supply chain impacts Canada’s economy which shows the importance of maintaining strong transportation infrastructure. Rural Saskatchewan needs more funding for maintaining bridges and roads in order to carry agriculture, mining and forestry products to market..
  • Animal Health as it relates to the Bovine TB testing process and compensation to the livestock owner. Enhancements in the process are needed especially around communication and transparency to all stakeholders.
  • Ag Labour – Incentivize employment and employee retention programs in rural areas of the country to aid in stabilizing much needed labourers.
  • Railway/supply chain concerns especially around being able to move the crop from harvest to ports. Declare railways an essential service.
  • Mutual aid agreements; formalizing mutual aid agreements is important because RMs need assurance that they will be reimbursed for providing emergency services to neighbouring municipalities and First Nations.
  • Landownership - concerns over regulating out-of-province landownership in regards to land use and management in ways that interest the local community. Stricter regulations on land purchases.
  • Emissions regulations – industries are heavily dependent on fossil fuels to produce energy, food, fertilizer, products and commodities needed around the world. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gases should not disadvantage one region of Canada more than another
  • Control of Richardson Ground Squirrels with regard to research and control methods, including the use of Strychnine
  • Chronic wasting disease; policies to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease.
  • Broadband – continue the investments in rural broadband and meet the CRTC’s targets of download speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps
  • Ag Labour- Focus on timeliness and efficiency of immigration applications and reduce barriers so employers can access readily available employees. Federal government to constantly evaluate its processes and the requirements for newcomers to get proper permits to enter the Canadian workforce.

Registration 957641-377563-16. Look it up in the official Registry

Reported meetings

Spreadsheet

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    Trade Agreements; including Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), our request is to better international trade for agriculture producers. Read more

    Transportation policy and regulation with regard to grain, grain products and products for agriculture generally.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    Firearms: Participating in consultations on reducing violent crime; consultations on Canada's gun laws. Read more

    Capital Gains Inclusion Rate - The number of farms could dwindle and plans for succession may be hindered by the introduction of this new tax policy change. Also it could negatively affect the unemployment rates in this country and scare away future investors and entrepreneurs.

    Transportation policy and regulation with regard to grain, grain products and products for agriculture generally.

    Carbon tax; impact of carbon tax on Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers and municipalities.

    Trade Agreements; including Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), our request is to better international trade for agriculture producers.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    • Jean-François Tremblay · Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
    Carbon Tax/Offset – Requesting Canada follow the EU and remove carbon tax from natural gas bill. Carbon credits would help balance between environmental protection and economic growth. SARM participating in development of provincial offset program that is meaningful for agriculture producers and equivalent to a federal program. Read more

    Carbon tax; impact of carbon tax on Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers and municipalities.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    • Arun Thangaraj · Deputy Minister, Transport Canada (TC)
    • Brigitte Diogo · Associate Deputy Minister, Transport Canada (TC)
    Railway/supply chain concerns especially around being able to move the crop from harvest to ports. Declare railways an essential service.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    Water Infrastructure – the need for funding to develop and enhance water storage, conservation and distribution systems to mitigate drought conditions. Read more

    Railway/supply chain concerns especially around being able to move the crop from harvest to ports. Declare railways an essential service.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    • Eric Costen · Associate Deputy Minister, Health Canada (HC)
    • Frederic Bissonnette · Executive Director, Health Canada (HC)
    Pesticide regulations: strongly support maintaining a science based and evidence based approach to pesticide management. The regulation of pesticides needs to consider the importance of food security. Read more

    Control of Richardson Ground Squirrels with regard to research and control methods, including the use of Strychnine

    Mental Health – the need for the building of more treatment centers for mental health issues and treatment for addictions. The importance of funding for mental health support for youth and accessibility for help options for youth.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    • Frederic Bissonnette · Executive Director, Health Canada (HC)
    Control of Richardson Ground Squirrels with regard to research and control methods, including the use of Strychnine Read more

    Pesticide regulations: strongly support maintaining a science based and evidence based approach to pesticide management. The regulation of pesticides needs to consider the importance of food security.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    • Gudie Hutchings · Minister of Rural Economic Development of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    • Sony Perron · Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    • Josie Brocca · Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    • Harry Burton · Director of Operations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    and 2 more
    • Kasi McMicking · Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    • Berry Zinga Nkuni · Regional Advisor, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    Canada Community Building Fund; eligibility requirements and thresholds. Requests to maintain the Fund and to reduce related administrative requirements for RMs. Read more

    Broadband - SARM's key focus is to assist with addressing long-standing issues affecting broadband connectivity; and, advise and direct actions leading to a shared strategy, investment, and vision. The SARM Broadband Action Committee is committed to achieving broadband infrastructure parity by 2024, and exceed the CRTC standard by 2027, for all Saskatchewan residents, regardless of location.

    Infrastructure funding; ensuring eligibility requirements and thresholds allow rural municipalities to access infrastructure funding.

    Water Infrastructure – the need for funding to develop and enhance water storage, conservation and distribution systems to mitigate drought conditions.

    Economic Development - SARM seeks to find ways to expand the rural workforce, explore ideas that foster innovation, be a catalyst for economic investments and provide rural municipalities with the much-needed tools to ensure that Saskatchewan can continue to support Canada's economic growth and development.

    Infrastructure funding programs for municipalities with regard to the need for continued and increased levels of funding.

    Ag Labour – Incentivize employment and employee retention programs in rural areas of the country to aid in stabilizing much needed labourers.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    • Kelly Gillis · Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
    • Jeff Waring · Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    • Erin Lynch · Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    • Duncan MacQuarrie · Senior Advisor, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    and 1 more
    • Veronique Brisebois · Senior Advisor, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
    Broadband - SARM's key focus is to assist with addressing long-standing issues affecting broadband connectivity; and, advise and direct actions leading to a shared strategy, investment, and vision. The SARM Broadband Action Committee is committed to achieving broadband infrastructure parity by 2024, and exceed the CRTC standard by 2027, for all Saskatchewan residents, regardless of location. Read more

    Infrastructure funding programs for municipalities with regard to the need for continued and increased levels of funding.

    Canada Community Building Fund; eligibility requirements and thresholds. Requests to maintain the Fund and to reduce related administrative requirements for RMs.

    Infrastructure funding; ensuring eligibility requirements and thresholds allow rural municipalities to access infrastructure funding.

    Economic Development - SARM seeks to find ways to expand the rural workforce, explore ideas that foster innovation, be a catalyst for economic investments and provide rural municipalities with the much-needed tools to ensure that Saskatchewan can continue to support Canada's economic growth and development.

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    and 8 more

    Aboriginal AffairsAgricultureEconomic DevelopmentHealthInfrastructureJustice and Law EnforcementLabourMunicipalitiesTaxation and FinanceTelecommunications

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    InfrastructureTaxation and Finance

    Official report

  • Reported by Darren Steinley · Consultant

    InfrastructureTaxation and Finance

    Official report

From the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying's open data, published November 5, 2026. Reports cover oral, arranged meetings with designated public office holders since November 22, 2021; lobbyists file them by the 15th of the following month. Names of MPs are matched to the current House of Commons, and bills are linked when the lobbyist's own description makes clear which bill it means. Contains information licensed under the Open Data Licence Agreement — Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying. Licence. PolitiKit is independent and is not endorsed by the Commissioner of Lobbying.