By Cam Lee

SARM looks for provincial help to deal with abandoned buildings, yards

Feb 19, 2025 | 12:19 PM

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is lobbying the provincial government for help in dealing with abandoned buildings and yard sites.

The organization said in a news release that many RM’s “struggle with limited funds, legal powers, and technical know-how to effectively manage derelict buildings in a timely manner.”

SARM said provincial government support could ease the challenge and help communities remain safe and attractive.

“Derelict buildings and yard sites pose significant financial burdens and jeopardize public safety through heightened fire hazards, potential structural failures, increased criminal activity, and health risks from pests and mold,” said the release. “As well, environmental regulations around the disposal of these buildings have become increasingly costly.”

According to SARM, the properties also negatively impact property values and the visual appeal of communities.

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“If the RM has been forced to assume title of the property, it becomes their financial burden and responsibility to maintain, demolish, or re-purpose,” explained the release.

They say by the time the RM gains title through tax enforcement proceedings, most of the structures are unsafe for entry. Environmental and demolition regulations and cleanup of the properties and distance to landfills equipped to deal with the disposal of the materials makes the prospect extremely expensive for the rural municipalities.

“Derelict buildings and yard sites are not only an eye sore but also threaten community safety,” said SARM President Bill Huber. “SARM invites the provincial government to step up and assist in the removal and remediation of these buildings.”

Huber said it’s discouraging for the RMs to have a surplus of abandoned buildings and yard sites, when they want to encourage people to live in rural Saskatchewan.

The news release cites several locations in North America that receive grants to deal with derelict buildings and properties, including the District of Kitimat in British Columbia that has developed a grant program to demolish vacant and derelict buildings and properties.

“SARM is advocating that the provincial government develop a Derelict Building Grant program, similar in nature, to aid RMs,” said the release. SARM suggested that to assist in the removal and cleanup, the property could be built on again, or return to native grass.

“Grant funding would target the decommissioning of impacted sites, landfill management, and clean-up of derelict buildings, and enable RMs to mitigate environmental risks, improve public health, and foster long-term economic opportunities in rural Saskatchewan.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com