The Government of Saskatchewan announced an Innovation Challenge to find creative solutions in connecting would-be land users with rural private property owners to access land.  The Innovation Challenge stems from proposed changes to The Trespass to Property Act, which would require people to get permission from rural property owners to use their land for hunting, and other recreational activities.

 Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Tina Beaudry-Mellor said, "We have made some changes to our trespassing laws, which means for snowmobilers or hunters they will need permission before going onto rural private property. One of the things we have done through Innovation Saskatchewan, we have issued what is called an innovation challenge. That is our way of connecting individuals with landowners, we solicit application proposals from technical entrepreneurs across the province. They submit a proposal to us, and those proposals are vetted and then there is a pitch event. Which will be held at the cultivator here in Regina. At that event, we will choose the winner, and the winner will receive $10,000 and an 18-month residency with a host organization to help develop a prototype for the app we are looking for."

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), with support from Innovation Saskatchewan, is leading the challenge and asking Saskatchewan technology startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students to find technology solutions to the following question: “How can technology be used as a tool to obtain permission from rural property owners before accessing their land?”  The ideal solution should create a convenient way for communication to occur between those seeking permission to access land and the landowners.

"Prior to the April 30 deadline for applications, there will be information sessions held in Regina, Saskatoon and online. A winner will be selected through a competitive process involving input from key stakeholders."

The Innovation Challenge was first launched in 2017 with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice.  The challenge sought technological solutions to address rural crime.  Saskatoon’s Rivercity Technology Services Limited won the challenge and developed a prototype during the 16-week residency.  The company launched BeeSecure, an application-based tracking system device to alert about irregular activity related to their property.

For more information and to get an application www.innovationsask.ca.