Saskatchewan — Open Meetings & Public Notice Law

Sunshine Score

29/100

Weak

Methodology v0.1

Advance Notice	1 day
Public Comment	Not required
Closed Sessions	7 permitted categories
Minutes	Required
Recording	Not required
Remote Participation	Allowed
Enforcement	Voidable, legislature exempt

How is this score calculated? →

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings

1 day

Special Meetings

1 day

Online posting: Not required

Regular council meetings: notice is satisfied by publicly posting the regular meeting schedule. Special meetings require at least 24 hours' notice to council members and the public, stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting. Notice must be posted at the municipal office.

Public Participation

Public Comment

Not required

Written Comment

Not allowed

The Act does not mandate public comment periods at council meetings. Public participation in planning matters may be required under the Planning and Development Act, 2007.

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation

Allowed

Counts Toward Quorum

Yes

Public Remote Comment

Not allowed

The Act was amended to authorize electronic/remote participation by council members. Municipalities may adopt bylaws permitting members to attend by electronic means; members participating remotely may be counted toward quorum.

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required

Yes

Online posting: Not required

Content requirements: The administrator must prepare minutes of each council meeting recording all resolutions and decisions. Minutes must be adopted by council at a subsequent meeting and signed by the presiding officer.

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required

No

Broadcast Required

No

Enforcement

Violation Effect

Voidable

Standing to Sue

Any person may seek judicial review of a council decision made in violation of the open meeting requirements.

Enforcement Body

No dedicated open meeting investigator. Affected parties may seek judicial review in Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench. The Local Government Administrator of Saskatchewan (LGSK) provides guidance but has no enforcement role.

Scope

This law applies to:

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Sources & References

Notes

Cities and towns in Saskatchewan are primarily governed by the Urban Municipality Act, 2012 (SS 2012, c U-11.11), which has parallel open meeting provisions. The Municipalities Act applies to rural municipalities, villages, and smaller urban municipalities. Section numbers given refer to the Municipalities Act.