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REGINA – The Government of Saskatchewan is developing a pilot framework that would allow participating municipalities to work with volunteer fire departments to dispose of problem, municipally-owned structures for fire fighter training exercises.

According to a release, derelict buildings pose both public safety and economic issues for municipalities, hindering redevelopment and posing safety hazards.

Municipalities have raised concerns about the financial burdens and safety risks of managing these structures. 

“As a municipality that absorbed a village in 2017, we have experienced first-hand the financial burden accompanying the demolition of derelict buildings,” Reeve of Kellross Rural Municipality No. 247 Thad Trefiak said in a statement. “This program will help us with the ongoing challenges related to aging infrastructure.”

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) also supports the changes, recognizing the potential benefits for rural municipalities. 

“SARM is pleased to hear the provincial government is initiating a pilot program to assist rural municipalities with the removal and remediation of derelict buildings they have been forced to assume title on,” SARM president Bill Huber said. “Rural municipalities want to encourage families to live, work and stay in rural Saskatchewan, and nothing is more discouraging than a surplus of abandoned buildings.”

It is anticipated that details of the framework will be available to municipalities in summer 2025. 

During the spring legislative session, the Government of Saskatchewan will address any regulatory or legislative changes required to support this pilot framework, the release adds.