More than 1,000 municipal leaders from across Saskatchewan are gathering in Saskatoon this week for the 2025 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention and Tradeshow.
Running April 13–16 at TCU Place, the annual event brings together representatives from cities, towns, villages, resort villages and northern municipalities to discuss issues facing urban centres across the province.
This year’s convention offers a packed agenda of networking, education and policy discussion, with presentations from Premier Scott Moe, Minister of Government Relations Don McMorris, Leader of the Official Opposition Carla Beck, and Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) President Scott Pearce.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to visit more than 200 booths at the Municipal Marketplace, presented by Kinetic GPO, and attend a series of educational sessions focused on governance, innovation and community wellbeing.
Two high-profile keynote speakers are set to take the stage during the event. Pamela Barnum, a former undercover drug enforcement officer and federal prosecutor turned trust strategist, will deliver a talk on body language and building trust through communication. Her session promises practical negotiation tools and engaging real-world insights.
Dr. Gabor Maté, a physician known for his groundbreaking work in addiction and mental health, will also address delegates. Drawing on more than a decade of experience working in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, Dr. Maté will explore the root causes of addiction and the broader social, economic and political factors driving the crisis.
SUMA says the convention is not only an opportunity to learn, but a vital space for urban municipalities to collaborate, reflect on shared challenges, and shape the future of Saskatchewan’s communities.