Mayor Hawtin joins ‘Team Saskatchewan’ delegation advocating for flexible federal infrastructure support

The message to Ottawa is loud and clear: Saskatchewan municipalities are united in their needs for a flexible federal infrastructure program.

North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin joined a provincial-led delegation to advocate for the needs of Saskatchewan communities this past week, where Mayors of several municipalities, the Minister of Government Relations, and representatives from SUMA, SARM, and New North gathered to deliver this message to various federal government ministries.

“Municipalities know what municipalities need,” commented Mayor Hawtin. “During the last federal infrastructure funding program [ICIP], the City of North Battleford secured funding for a new sewer force main, a critical infrastructure investment which will support a growing North Battleford. Other municipalities invested in recreational infrastructure using funds from ICIP. This time, our critical infrastructure need is recreational, with the Battlefords Regional Arena & Events Centre. This is why our delegation has made it clear to the federal government that every community’s vital infrastructure upgrades are based on needs unique to those communities. We believe this message has been well received by the federal government.”

Mayor Hawtin noted that she is encouraged by the federal government’s response to the Battlefords Regional Arena & Events Centre project, but underscores the importance of an expedited approval to ensure the project can break ground in 2027.

“This is a transformational and defining moment for growth for northwest Saskatchewan,” said Mayor Hawtin.

The City of North Battleford applied for the Build Communities Strong Fund – Direct Delivery Stream, a federal infrastructure funding program through the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada. The City’s application of $30 million was submitted in July 2026, which was bolstered by the Provincial Government’s commitment to match approved federal funds.

Housing another key discussion point for Saskatchewan delegation

With housing an important component of community wellbeing, Saskatchewan Mayors met with CEO of Build Canada Homes, Ana Bailão, and other officials from the newly-established Federal Crown Corporation.

“We understand that housing and social supports are not directly under the City’s jurisdiction,” noted Mayor Hawtin. “However, the City can connect developers and organizations with federal funding, bring together partners to support housing projects, and identify available local land. Having these direct conversations with federal funders goes a long way toward learning more about what resources are available for North Battleford.”

In addition, the delegation met with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Jennifer McKelvie, Hon. Eleanor Olszewski (Minister of Emergency Management and Minister Responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada), Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Kody Blois, the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Tim Tierney, Saskatchewan Senators Tracy Muggli and David Arnott, Secretary of State for Rural Development, the Hon. Buckley Belanger, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, and several Saskatchewan Conservative Members of Parliament, including Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake MP, Rosemarie Falk.

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For more information:
Candace Toma, Public & Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator
306-441-0713 | publicrelations@cityofnb.ca