Rebecca Row officially moved into the role of Executive-Director of the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) at the beginning of January.
She brings eight years worth of experience with the P4G process to the table.
The former Director of Planning for the RM of Corman Park stepped down from her position with the municipality at the end of November. After 11 years in the RM’s planning department, she took a few weeks break before moving into her new job at the helm of the regional planning entity that includes Corman Park, Saskatoon, Warman, Martensville and Osler.
The former P4G Executive-Director, Neal Sarnecki, resigned in the summer of 2021, after the P4G Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning bylaw were finalized and the P4G District Planning Commission was in the process of being established.
During the 18-month interval following Sarnecki’s departure, the P4G Executive-Director position was left vacant, while Row, in her capacity as Director of Planning for the RM of Corman Park, filled in and kept the process moving.
“The main priority at the time was the transition from the Corman Park-Saskatoon Planning District to the new P4G Planning District, including the recruitment for a new P4G District Planning Commission,” said Row. “Responsibilities also shifted to helping RM staff in day-to-day administration of the new planning district and continuing the momentum of the P4G committees and work plan.”
In the summer of 2022, the P4G Regional Oversight Committee (ROC), made up of elected officials of the partner municipalities, revisited its membership and mandate while agreeing to continue meetings. The focus of the ROC shifted toward achieving the P4G growth vision, regional infrastructure projects, market studies, concept plans for future developments, and a renewed commitment to reconciliation efforts.
The ROC also decided at that point to open up the hiring process for a new P4G Executive-Director. Row applied for the position.
“I put my name in,” said Row. “I was ready for a bit of a change, and I felt I had the qualifications and experience they were looking for. I was very happy to be chosen for the role, and I’m very much looking forward to the opportunities and challenges.”
Row said one aspect of her role is to facilitate cooperation and partnerships between the municipalities in the region.
“With five municipalities, there is always a natural tendency toward competition,” said Row. “But when I look back over the past eight years and see how far things have advanced, it’s quite remarkable. There’s a high level of trust that’s been built up, and an overall, cooperative-minded focus.”
Row said one of her roles is to be a spokesperson and point of contact for the P4G region.
“I’m representing the five P4G municipalities on a regional level,” she said. “If it’s higher-level questions about regional planning, municipal partnerships, large-scale infrastructure and services, that’s my area.
“If people have questions and are unsure where to go or who to talk to, I can have an initial conversation with them and steer them in the right direction.
“But if people have specific questions about building or development permits, business licenses or land uses for their own particular municipality, they need to talk to the planning department in that municipality. That’s where the day to day pieces fit.”
She said one of her main priorities in the immediate future is to help establish “government to government” relationships with First Nations and Metis communities in the region.
“That’s a priority for P4G,” she said. “We have to work with each First Nation and Metis community on that, respecting their own communication protocols as well as the duty to consult.”
Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood said she was sorry to see Row leave the Director of Planning position at the RM of Corman Park. But, at the same time, she is “thrilled” to see Row step into the role of P4G Executive-Director.
“It’s a best-case scenario,” said Harwood, who also serves as chair of the P4G ROC. “Rebecca is exceptionally knowledgeable and very familiar with both the geographic area and the P4G process. So in many ways it’s a natural transition for her.”
Harwood said since almost all the future development decisions directly involve Corman Park, Row’s knowledge of the rules and regulations for the P4G Planning District are invaluable.
“We’re very fortunate to have her,” she said.
The RM of Corman Park is currently in the process of hiring a new Director of Planning. Harwood said she expects the healthy pace of new development in the RM to continue into 2023. Last year saw record levels of construction in Corman Park, hitting its highest levels in a decade.