Today, while delivering the Premier’s address at the 2019 Convention of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Premier Scott Moe announced an Innovation Challenge to find creative solutions in connecting would-be land users with rural private property owners to access land. The Innovation Challenge stems from proposed changes to The Trespass to Property Act, which would require people to get permission from rural property owners to use their land for hunting, and other recreational activities.
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), with support from Innovation Saskatchewan, is leading the challenge and asking Saskatchewan technology startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students to find technology solutions to the following question: “How can technology be used as a tool to obtain permission from rural property owners before accessing their land?” The ideal solution should create a convenient way for communication to occur between those seeking permission to access land and the landowners.
“Saskatchewan has a long history of innovation and entrepreneurial achievement, and right now the technology sector in our province thriving,” Moe said. “We think there’s an opportunity to continue apply our Saskatchewan innovation when it comes to rural property access. We’re calling on our vibrant tech sector to bring ideas forward on how we can make it easier to ask for permission to access private land, and easier for property owners to respond to those requests. With the strong leadership and commitment of SARM, we’re hopeful our innovators and entrepreneurs will answer the call.”
“Providing the public a tool to assist with receiving permission from rural property owners is important,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Ray Orb said. “SARM hopes this initiative will assist in finding an innovative solution.”