New Permit Fees for Heritage Investigations

Summary#

This bill changes Saskatchewan’s Heritage Property Act. It lets the government charge application fees for permits to do archaeology or palaeontology work (like surveys, digs, and collecting). It also lets the government set those fees by regulation and apply them back to April 1, 2026.

• Allows the Minister to require an application fee (described as non-refundable in the notes) when people apply for investigation permits.
• Requires applications to use a form set by the Minister.
• Gives the provincial cabinet (Lieutenant Governor in Council) power to set which permits have fees and how much they cost.
• Lets fee regulations be retroactive (apply back to an earlier date) to April 1, 2026.
• The amendment takes effect on assent and is deemed to have been in force since April 1, 2026.

What it means for you#

• Researchers and consultants (archaeology/palaeontology)

  • You may need to pay an application fee when applying for permits to survey, collect, or excavate heritage property.
  • Fees will be set later by regulation and, per the notes, are non-refundable.
  • If you applied on or after April 1, 2026, a new fee could still apply because the change is retroactive.
  • Plan project budgets and timelines to include possible fees.

• Developers, builders, resource and utility companies

  • Projects that require heritage investigations may face new application fees for permits.
  • Expect modest added costs and paperwork using forms set by the Minister.
  • Retroactive rules could affect work started or applications filed since April 1, 2026.

• Municipalities, Crown corporations, universities, museums, and community groups

  • If you apply for these permits, you may need to pay an application fee.
  • Budgeting may need to account for new, non-refundable application costs.

• Landowners and the general public

  • Day-to-day rules for protecting heritage sites do not change.
  • No direct fee unless you apply for an investigation permit yourself.
  • The change mainly affects people or organizations doing formal archaeology or palaeontology work.

Expenses#

Estimated budget impact: likely a small increase in provincial revenue from new application fees; costs shift to permit applicants.

• The bill does not set fee amounts; they will be set by regulation.
• Fee regulations may apply back to April 1, 2026.
• No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Fees help cover the cost of reviewing applications and overseeing digs, rather than funding this work entirely from general taxes.
• Clear authority to charge fees and set forms can make the process more consistent and predictable.
• Aligns with common practice in other areas where permit fees support program administration.
• Non-refundable fees may discourage incomplete or low-quality applications, saving time and resources.
• Retroactive effect avoids gaps, ensuring everyone who applied since April 1, 2026 is treated the same.

Opponents' View#

• New fees add costs for researchers, small firms, community groups, and students, which could strain tight project budgets.
• Retroactive fees may feel unfair to applicants who submitted before the fee rule was announced.
• Non-refundable fees could penalize applicants if permits are denied or projects change.
• Added costs might discourage proper permitting or reporting, which could put heritage sites at risk.
• Leaving fee amounts to future regulations creates uncertainty for ongoing and planned projects.