Saskatchewan is the sixth-most populous Canadian province with 1,132,505 residents as of 2021 and is the fifth-largest in land area at 588,244 km2 (227,122 sq mi).[1] In 2021, Saskatchewan's 774 municipalities covered 52.1% of the province's land mass and were home to 94.9% of its population.[2][3][a] These 774 municipalities are local government "creatures of provincial jurisdiction" with natural persons power.[4] One of the key purposes of Saskatchewan's municipalities are "to provide services, facilities and other things that, in the opinion of council, are necessary or desirable for all or a part of the municipality".[4] Other purposes are to: "provide good government"; "develop and maintain a safe and viable community"; "foster economic, social and environmental well-being" and "provide wise stewardship of public assets."[4]
The Government of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Municipal Relations recognizes three general types of municipalities and seven sub-types – urban municipalities (cities, towns, villages and resort villages), rural municipalities and northern municipalities (northern towns, northern villages and northern hamlets).[2] Cities are formed under the provincial authority of The Cities Act, which was enacted in 2002.[5] Towns, villages, resort villages and rural municipalities are formed under the authority of The Municipalities Act, enacted in 2005.[6] The three sub-types of northern municipalities are formed under the authority of The Northern Municipalities Act, enacted in 2010.[7] As provincial laws, these three acts were passed by the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan with royal assent granted by the Lieutenant Governor.
Of Saskatchewan's 774 municipalities, 454 of them are urban municipalities (16 cities, 147 towns, 250 villages and 41 resort villages), 296 are rural municipalities and 24 are northern municipalities (2 northern towns, 11 northern villages and 11 northern hamlets).[2] The Cities Act, The Municipalities Act and The Northern Municipalities Act stipulate governance of these municipalities.[5][6][7] Saskatchewan's Ministry of Municipal Relations is responsible for providing provincial programs and services to municipalities.[8]
In 2021, just over 43% of Saskatchewan's population resided in its two largest cities. Saskatoon, the largest city, is home to 24% of the province's population (266,141 residents), while Regina, Saskatchewan's capital city, is home to 20% (226,404 residents).[3] The resort villages of Krydor and Waldron are tied as Saskatchewan's smallest municipalities by population with 15 people each.[3] The largest municipality by land area is the Rural Municipality of Hudson Bay No. 394 at 12,399.12 km2 (4,787.33 sq mi), while the smallest by land area is the Resort Village of Greig Lake at 0.10 km2 (0.039 sq mi).[3]
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2021 and 2016 censuses – 100% data". Statistics Canada. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
munitypeswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference
2021censuswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c "Municipal System – History and Types". Saskatchewan Municipal Relations. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
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MuniActwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
NorthMuniActwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Programs & Services". Saskatchewan Municipal Relations. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
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