Following a vote of the membership, Municipalities of Saskatchewan will be transitioning back to the name SUMA.听
听
鈥淎s a member-focused association, our members will always have the final say on important decisions,鈥� said Mayor Rodger Hayward, President of Municipalities of Saskatchewan. 鈥淲e respect the decision that has been reached through an open and transparent membership vote.鈥澨�
听
The membership vote was held electronically from June 1 to June 3. As per the association鈥檚 bylaws, each municipality was afforded a number of voting delegates based on population, to vote on their municipality鈥檚 behalf.听
听
In total, 364 votes were cast. Ninety municipal representatives voted in favour of the organization changing its name to Municipalities of Saskatchewan, and 274 were opposed. Of the association's 12 regions, two of the regions were in favour of proceeding with the name change. Given the importance of the vote, the Board of Directors set the threshold for success of the rebranding as a supermajority, with 60 per cent of participating voting delegates needing to vote in favour, as well as a simple majority in at least seven of the association鈥檚 12 regions.
听
To ensure impartiality, voting was conducted electronically by Data On The Spot.
听
鈥淣o matter our name, our values and principles remain the same,鈥� said President Hayward. 鈥淲e continue to represent the interests of Saskatchewan鈥檚 hometowns 鈥� the cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities that more than 80 per cent of Saskatchewan鈥檚 population call home.鈥澨�
听
The transition back to SUMA will begin taking place over the coming weeks.
