S10:E05 Working Better TogetherS10:E05 Working Better Together
MuniCast
Three partner organisations explain how pooled insurance, shared investments and intermunicipal collaboration can strengthen Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities. The conversation focuses on practical ways councils can manage risk, grow reserves and build long-term capacity together.
37:02•13 May 2026
Working Better Together: Insurance, Investment and Collaboration for Stronger Municipalities
Episode Overview
- SUMAssure is owned by participating Saskatchewan urban municipalities, pooling risk and profit while providing specialised municipal insurance and practical risk management tools.
- Pooling municipal insurance and buying excess coverage collectively helps communities access better rates and insurers they might not reach on their own.
- SUMA Invest lets municipalities pool a portion of reserves in a diversified portfolio, aiming for higher returns than term deposits while keeping funds accessible.
- Smaller municipalities can participate alongside larger ones with relatively low minimum deposits, benefiting equally from professional investment management.
- CEDA emphasises that intermunicipal collaboration is essential for sustainable communities, offering coaching, regional action planning, and support to over-stretched local leaders.
“Collaboration is no longer an option. It really isn’t.”
What can we learn from those who have battled with tight budgets, growing risks, and limited capacity in their communities? This conversation zooms in on how Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities can work better together by pooling insurance, investments, and economic development support. First up, SUMAssure CEO Tanya Wedling breaks down why a municipal-only insurance program matters.
She explains that SUMAssure is owned by the municipalities it covers and says, “We live and breathe municipal insurance… we remember where we came from and who we serve.” She talks about shared risk and shared profit, pooled claims, and practical tools like risk management bulletins and checklists to help communities prevent everything from trip-and-fall incidents to arena fires.
Next, SUMA Invest’s manager of community partnerships, Jonah Toth, shares how municipalities can put reserve funds to work through a pooled investment portfolio. Smaller communities, resort villages, and towns feature strongly here, thanks to a low minimum deposit and the ability to withdraw funds at any time.
As Jonah puts it, the goal is to be “better off working together, trying to earn more for our communities,” while acknowledging that “historical results do not guarantee future success.” Rounding things off, CEDA CEO Barona Thibodeau talks about economic capacity and the reality of stretched CAOs and councils. CEDA supports communities through coaching, regional action planning, and a firm push toward intermunicipal partnerships. Her message is blunt and memorable: “Collaboration is no longer an option.
It really isn’t.” Throughout the conversation, the tone stays practical, friendly, and honest – ideal for leaders who are juggling multiple pressures and want straightforward ideas for sharing risk, growing reserves, and building long-term prosperity. If your council table has ever asked, “How do we do more with what we’ve got?” this chat might spark your next move.
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