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While Duck Lake is setting a precedent for selling the town’s naming rights, it’s not the only community struggling to afford infrastructure maintenance.
Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) President, Randy Goulden said she was concerned when she heard about the potential name change on a media release. But, she said maintaining infrastructure is one of the top three concerns held by the organization’s members.
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“The infrastructure that’s needed to provide the services and the safety — and the programming that our residents are requiring in our communities across the province — is becoming more and more difficult when you’re only relying on property tax,” Goulden said.
According to Goulden, communities are performing asset management to understand the lifespans of infrastructure, allowing them to determine when structures will need to be replaced and the funds it’ll take.
While she said towns are looking at innovative ways to get that funding, she’s never heard of one putting their name up for sale.
“This has not been one of the options that I’ve heard of for trying to get their infrastructure deficit down. This is something new,” Goulden said about Duck Lake’s decision.
Even though the town’s council voted in favour of selling the name, Goulden said the process is still in the early stages.
She said the Minister of Government Relations Eric Schmalz would need to approve the decision.
In an emailed response, the provincial government said: “Section 66 of The Municipalities Act says the council may request a name change and approval would be required via Minister’s Order.”
Under the current legislation, there’s no guidance or restrictions on the name a municipality can choose.
“The Ministry of Government Relations is not in a position to speculate on whether such an application would be approved until a submission is made,” the response said.
The government said that councils are responsible for working with residents to ensure decisions “reflect the best interest of the community.”
Based on Goulden’s understanding, that approval would require showing there was community consultation and explaining why it’s needed.
A petition started by Melanie Epp, who’s listed as a Duck Lake resident, to stop the sale of the town’s name already had 602 signatures on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 28).
With Goulden estimating the community’s population to be a little over 500 people, the petition has amassed more signatures than residents.
The petition includes several paragraphs about the importance of preserving the name including the line, “Duck Lake is more than a label; it is a legacy that deserves preservation for future generations.”
Goulden said she’s “not certain at all of where the town is with the process,” but this situation highlights “the dire need that many municipalities are in.”
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