A municipality or organized hamlet may wish to change its name. Section 66 of The Municipalities Act provides the authority for a municipality to apply for a name change.
Process
It is recommended that a public meeting be held to discuss council's desire for a name change.
Once a final decision to apply for a name change has been reached, the municipal council must pass a resolution and submit it to the Ministry of Government Relations. The resolution should be accompanied by a letter setting out the reasons for the request and an outline of any public consultation that was undertaken.
If the Minister is of the opinion that the name of the community should be changed, the Minister will issue an order changing the name of the municipality.
Once an order is made for the name change:
- notice of the name change will be published in the Saskatchewan Gazette;
- any seal formerly used by the municipality continues to be the seal of the municipality until it is changed by council; and
- the change of name does not affect any obligation, right, action, land or improvements incurred, established, taken or acquired before the change.