Regional News-Optimist April 20, 2023

Takeaways from Trudeau’s visit to Regina

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was back in Saskatchewan Thursday, this time for events in Regina promoting the recent federal budget.

Arriving in the province following his visit to Manitoba the day before, Trudeau began the day at Sherwood Co-op Harbour Landing, where he touted the affordability measures in the budget for affordability. The Co-op was the backdrop to highlight one aspect of the 2023 budget, that being the grocery rebate.

Trudeau later arrived at the First Nations University of Canada for a nearly two-hour long Budget 2023 Town Hall event on the campus. There, Trudeau took questions from a diverse representation of students and community members in the audience.

But a lot of the topics Trudeau fielded questions on at both the Town Hall event, and at the media availability at the Co-op earlier in the day had little to do with the budget and more to do with the other issues facing his government in the province. At the media availability, reporters wanted to know about the future of the local RCMP Depot and of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, among other topics. In his Town Hall appearance, topics also included Indigenous issues, the licensing of foreign health professionals seeking

work in Canada, and the war in Ukraine.

Here is a sample of some of the key takeaways from the Prime Minister’s visit to Regina Thursday. Divided reaction

Perhaps not unexpectedly it was a mixed reception for the Prime Minister in Saskatchewan, a province in which the Liberals do not hold a seat.

While crowds were enthusiastic inside the Sherwood Coop, and friendly at the First Nations University of Canada event, outside was a different story. A number of protesters gathered outside the Co-op appearance with placards and flags with slogans such as “F*ck Trudeau.” There was also a Canadian flag seen held up upside down.

Trudeau was asked about the reception outside, but he instead pointed to inside and “the number of happy families who appreciate the grocery rebate that we’re announcing today,” pointing as well to $10 a day child care and the Canada Child Benefit.

Trudeau made it clear he wasn’t bothered by any negative reactions he received.

“It’s always great to meet people with a range of voices. There will be people who are more positive, more negative, that’s one of the great things about Canada, it’s one of the great things that politicians can come out and engage with people in such an open way.”

Continued on Page 5

Support for Dekker Centre drag queens

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Months after the Dekker Centre, North Battleford’s performing arts centre, was inundated with calls from congregants of a local church demanding that the Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser for Battlefords branch of the Canadian Mental

Health Association be cancelled, residents of Battleford took to the streets to support the event on April 15.

“After seeing the negative pushback from some people in the community, I thought it was really important to send a message that diversity is supported and

Continued on Page 5

Residents of Battleford demonstrated in front of the Dekker Centre in a counter-protest to support the Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser. |

Photo by Miguel Fenrich

Trial wraps up for youth charged in Gatzke murder

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.CA

A four-day trial for a young offender charged with second-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Ryan Gatzke wrapped up Tuesday in Battleford Court of King’s Bench.

Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown reserved her verdict but a date for her decision hasn’t been set. The case was prosecuted by Senior Crown Prosecutor Jennifer Schmidt and the youth was represented by Saskatoon defence counsel Katherine Pocha.

There is a ban on publication of the details of the youth’s trial until the trial for his co-accused, Jacob Ballantyne, concludes in June. Charles McLean and Isaac Melko were also charged with Gatzke’s murder. In March 2022, Charles McLean pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison. In February, Isaac Melko was sentenced to 12 years in prison on a charge of second-degree murder.

The young offender, who was 17 at the time of Gatzke’s murder in 2019, can’t be named in

accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The young offender was also charged with break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Police found a badly injured Gatzke in a house in Battleford in October 2019. He was taken to the North Battlefordhospital where he was declared deceased.

RCMP investigating after bullets hit house, vehicle

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

Police are investigating after a house and vehicle were hit with bullets Tuesday morning.

At approximately 12:45 a.m., on April 18, members of the North Battleford RCMP Detachment responded to multiple com-

plaints of gunshots in the area of MacKenzie King Crescent in North Battleford.

RCMP officers determined that a residence and vehicle had been hit with rounds from a firearm.

Police say no one was injured.

The RCMP are seeking any information regarding

the shooting, including any video from the areas of MacKenzie King Crescent or St. Laurent Drive from midnight to 1 a.m.

Anyone with information or video is urged to call the North Battleford RCMP Detachment at 306-446-1720, or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

will determine if man accused of killing mom stands trial Rosetown RCMP search for wanted man

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.CA

RCMP are asking the public’s help locating 40-year-old Sheldon Nickel who failed to attend two separate court appearances in Rosetown and Biggar.

A warrant has been issued for Sheldon Nickel’s arrest and Rosetown RCMP are actively working to locate him.

He is also wanted by Rosetown RCMP for possession of stolen property, Outlook RCMP for charges including break, enter and commit and theft over $5,000, and by Biggar RCMP for obstructing a peace officer.

Sheldon Nickel is about six foot one and 210 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He is known to travel to the Rosetown, Saskatoon

and Kindersley areas, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

If you see Sheldon Nickel or have information on his whereabouts, contact Rosetown RCMP at 306-882-5700. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477) or www. saskcrimestoppers.com.

Join us for our Annual Meeting

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled to determine if there’s enough evidence to proceed with the case against a North Battleford man charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 72-year-old mother. Walter Geering, will

appear in North Battleford Provincial Court Nov. 20 for the hearing.

The court will examine the evidence presented by the prosecution to decide whether the case should proceed to trial.

Geering was charged in connection with the death of his mother, whose body was discovered at their family home in North Bat-

tleford on June 22, 2022. Crown Prosecutor Kofi Nkruman-Young had requested a second psychiatric report on Walter Geering. He is represented by defence counsel Bill Archer.

The charge against Walter Geering hasn’t been tested in court.

Cemetery bylaw amendments passed by Town of Battleford

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The council of the Town of Battleford passed a bylaw amendment at their April 10 meeting that will see changes to the town cemetery’s regulations that include updating marker sizes for different grave sizes and updated requirements, including the material of the markers and the addition of a concrete base.

Administration suggested the amendments following a recently conducted review of the monuments and markers section of the bylaw. The review, comparing regulations between Battlefords and other communities, found that Battleford’s marker sizes are smaller than average.

“Increasing the allowable limits of

the markers should not create any additional problems ... for maintenance of the graves,” reads the report from Jordan Schechtel, the manager for the Parks and Recreation Department.

The town worried that the smaller sizes would lead to difficulties, including inscriptions on the headers or incorporation of flower vases.

“... in the new section, they’re all level with the ground, correct, and that’s still allowed?” Councillor David George asked, to which Schechtel said yes.

The cemetery bylaw had not been substantially amended since its creation in 1990 and now has several additional regulations that the town feels will better serve residents of Battleford who want more options, outlined more clearly , for grave markers.

Hearing

For more see our Crime, Cops and Court section on

First substantial update since creation in 1990

New and departing CSOs recognized by North B’ford council

Big North Battleford plans for upcoming events in 2023

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

The City of North Battleford Parks and Recreation Department has some big plans for events happening in the city later this year.

Director of Parks and Recreation Cheryl DeNeire outlined some of the plans in remarks to the regular city council meeting on Monday night.

The first big event planned is for Canada Day, July 1. DeNeire said the plan is for a day full of activities on Canada Day going beyond just the fireworks. She noted community partners including the Western Development

Museum are looking to be involved.

“That will be a day with fireworks, activities, and pancake breakfast for brunch. And we’re excited. I think with the help of our partners that we’re working with, we’ll be able to come up with a nice lineup for the day.”

Another event is New Year’s Eve fireworks. DeNeire said that back during COVID-19 times the fireworks had to be deferred from July 1 to New Year’s Eve.

That “went over spectacularly well,” she said. So the plan is to expand on that and have a full day of activities on New Year’s Eve.

Finally, DeNeire said the City is bringing back the community barbeques.

These were community-building events that had been staged before as part of community safety initiatives, encouraging people to get to know their neighbours. DeNeire said they will be working in partnership with Protective Services and other community partners to bring back the events.

DeNeire would not confirm details on where the events will be but did say there would be at least two community barbeques, maybe three. She pledged there will be more details coming up shortly on that.

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.CA

There have been a few changes recently to the composition of North Battleford’s Community Safety Officers.

At the regular North Battleford council meeting on Monday, Director of Protective Services Lindsay Holm introduced some of the new CSOs and those shifting to new positions within the force. He noted Jerry Koliniak had taken on the role of unit commander, taking over from Alain Manibal.

“He started this position in 2022 and has brought forward a number of great initiatives that has helped the CSO program advance,” Holm said.

Holm also noted several new CSOs who had started with the program since 2022. He also noted the CSOsnow included an Indigenous member, Lyndsey Livingston, and he also introduced a new firefighter Misty Hulit, who is also Indigenous.

Holm also mentioned one notable departure: Barry Adams, who had been with the program since be-

fore the change to Community Safety Officers, will be retiring.

He thanked Adams for his “dedicated service to this community. He does his job every day with great diligence and I think he has become one of the most reliable officers the city has had.”

Mayor David Gillan and members of council congratulated the CSOs, and said to Adams “I wish you and Gail the very best in the future — I hope that you travel the world and enjoy yourselves and relax because you’ve earned it.”

Premier Scott Moe touts economic opportunity in address to SUMA convention in Saskatoon

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Premier Scott Moe touted economic opportunity in his address to delegates at the 2023 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Convention in Saskatoon.

“We in this province are on the very threshold of continued unprecedented growth,” said Moe to SUMA delegates Monday morning. “Growth that will and already is unlocking Saskatchewan’s true potential.”

He acknowledged there is a “swirl of uncertainty” being seen around the world, but said “in an uncertain world people everywhere can count on Saskatchewan… Saskatch-

ewan remains an indispensable provider of food, fuel and fertilizer to over 150 countries around the world and now more than ever the world needs what we’re producing right here at home.”

In his presentation the Premier presented a video shown on trade missions around the world to promote Saskatchewan. Moe spoke positively about the trade missions the government has undertaken, including one to India he went on that also included Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He also pointed to a new trade and investment office in Germany.

“Delegates, we are planting your flag, our

Saskatchewan flag in key markets around the world. If we want this province to continue to grow years into the future, we need to be out there, we need to be protecting those existing markets that we have. We need to be working in those markets to expand our market share and then as well work to open new markets in various places around the world.”

The Premier also pointed to economic growth in the mining, energy and ag sectors. He pointed to economic projects such as the Jansen mine, the addition of $2.8 billion to the energy sector, investments by Cargill and Viterra, Richardson Pioneer doubling their plant in Yor-

kton, and Louis Dreyfus doing the same. He also pointed to investments in the forestry industry and Cameco reopening their MacArthur River mine.

The premier also referenced the signs the province has put up in airports across the country that are part of their Sustainable Saskatchewan marketing campaign.

“We should be proud not only of what we produce, but we should be proud of how we produce it,” said Moe, saying they had some of the most sustainable products in the world.

In past years at the SUMA convention, the Premier’s address would be accompanied by an-

nouncements on what municipal revenue sharing would be in the budget. But the move of the convention to a regular April date brought an end to that annual tradition.

Instead, Moe spent most of his time Monday talking about measures already included in the 2023 budget that was already passed, as well as various government initiatives either before or already passed at the Legislature this session,

Moe touched on familiar themes during his address, pointing to initiatives as the Saskatchewan First Act, the Saskatchewan Marshals’ Service, the highways work being done in 2023, as well as the four point health care recruit-

ment and retention plan. He assured SUMA delegates that the government was listening to them in addressing health care recruitment challenges.

Moe’s address Monday is part of what is expected to be a heavy provincial presence at the SUMA convention throughout this week. Also planned are addresses from Opposition Leader Carla Beck and Minister of Government Relations Don McMorris.

On Wednesday, Premier Moe and provincial cabinet ministers are scheduled to be at SUMA for a bear pit session to close the convention, taking questions from convention delegates on a variety of topics.

David Gillan, Officer Ashton Brogden, Officer Lyndsey Livingston, Firefighter Misty Hulit, and Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services Lindsay Holm.

Letter Pierre Poilievre wants to defund CBC? Really!

Dear Editor

I disagree with Poilievre’s push to defund the CBC for many reasons, not the least of which is that I like to watch and listen to relatively balanced objective reporting on current events and issues. I think it is unfortunate when we see a politician, a party leader no less, who would like to replace the intellectual stimulation offered, especially on CBC radio and internet offerings, with the more subjective one-sided views of his preferred silo. I say silo because when you limit yourself to the reporting and coverage of one worldview, whether left or right on the political spectrum, you are disqualifying yourself from being a representative of the “common” good.

CBC radio is commercial-free for reasons that Poilievre and much of his following understand but don’t like because it removes the ability of corporate advertisers and advertising dollars to control what is broadcast. I place a lot of value in the ability to get differing political perspectives so I can make an informed decision, that makes common sense to “me,” without having to sift through the ever-growing mass of mis/ disinformation that is so prevalent on some of the commercial stations and outlets that have been well funded but provide, in some cases, less than balanced content.

If Poilievre is so cost-conscious, why haven’t the Conservatives proposed cutting the several billion that is subsidizing the enormous profits of the oil and gas industry?

If Poilievre is concerned about deficit budgets, why hasn’t the Conservative party introduced a bill to reform the tax laws so corporations and the ultra-rich pay progressively higher taxes to adequately participate in the funding of the fundamental social needs of society?

There is an almost endless list of things that Poilievre and his band of obstructionists could be doing to improve the lives of Canadians, but instead, they are more content to do nothing but complain, block and promote discontent on subjects they would have no intention of addressing if in power.

If Pierre Poilievre truly wants to become the steward of our society, why are he and the Conservative Party all but denying that climate change is human-caused and that the world, including Canada, has a responsibility to educate, regulate and act on the existential threat that puts the future of mankind at risk?

If Poilievre wants to reduce the crime rate, why not submit a bill to study and implement universal basic income, or reform our electoral system to a proportional representation model as designed by a citizens’ assembly?

The questions are numerous, however, Pierre Poilievre refuses requests for interviews from most

Transparent democracy something to be cherished

Dear

Editor

Having read the News-Optimist front page headline April 13, I at first felt it was unfortunate that the Blades/ Pats Hockey game was pre-empted on Access Now TV in favour of broadcasting the North Battleford regular Monday council meet-ing.

However, on second thought, I have always envied those communities like North Battleford that broadcast their council meetings. North Battleford is lucky to have open transparent municipal governance. Democracies are not always as open and transparent. We need to guard against our right to information being chipped

mainstream media. Is that a leader who believes in transparency or democracy? Unfortunately, Pierre is a great complainer, but when it comes to real solutions, well, he just doesn’t seem to have any.

Erik Hansen Unity

away. We need more openness and transparency and more people paying attention if we cherish our democratic rights.

Valerie M. Tootoosis Bull Little Pine First Nation

Letters welcome

Letters to the editor are welcomed by the Regional Optimist. All letters, including those which are faxed or emailed, must be signed and bear the address and telephone number of the writer. The name of the writer will be published. Letters are subject to editing. Personal attacks will not be printed. Letters will be rejected if they contain libelous statements or are unsigned.

Gordon Brewerton Senior Group Publisher Administration

Kylie Cooke • Elisha Parkinson • DTI/Receptionist

Editorial Jayne Foster Editor SASKTODAY.ca

Lisa Joy Reporter • Miguel Fenrich Reporter

Advertising Sales

Candace Mack-Horton Sales Manager

Claude Paradis Prepress Manager

Stuck for a word

The There is a fancy word for people who create problems and then provide solutions, but it escapes me although it used to the on the tip of my tongue and point of my pen. I am weakened by lack of sleep over this matter.

I was meditating the other day that after eight years of being our prime minister and ten years as leader of the Liberal party, perhaps Mr. Trudeau should consider stepping down and not

WoodPile

risk being too long in the limelight. What, I mulled, will posterity accord him – high praise for his accomplishments or otherwise.

Firstly, he has legalized marijuana and it is now available to all in different forms – pills, gummies, smokies and muffins. Some benefit from partaking while others do not. Infinitely worse, monies have not flowed as anticipated into the national exchequer and some investors and entrepreneurs have lost heavily.

Secondly, we come to the wonderful but extravagant care and consideration shown to us all (except truckers) during the Covid crisis. The national debt has doubled, perhaps by some $40 billion more than was necessary, and our annual deficit is being maintained by an amount which equals the annual interest payments on the federal debt. Some people must find this rather confusing.

Thirdly, as is constantly clarioned, we should all be grateful for

the $10 a day daycare and dental programs. These are laudable but to be perfectly honest – and Mr. Trudeau studiously avoids mentioning this, the kudos for the inception of these programs is due almost entirely to the NDP and ever so humble Mr. Singh.

My final achievement choice has to be the detested carbon tax now foisted upon us. There is no way that a Peter Polly government, especially a minority one, can rid us of this expandable but necessary revenue source disguised in

green camouflage. Be not deceived, this tax is inflationary while other programs are a response to robbing Peter to pay Paul policies.

If you ask Mr. Trudeau a simple question such as “What time is it?” he will respond with criticism of the Conservative party, Liberal party propaganda, and a recitation of the acronyms for the programs and committees created to resolve problems arising from his years in office. I am sure he will know the word I am searching for.

Residents voice support for Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser

Continued from Front that kind of hateful energy being directed at the event was inappropriate,” demonstration organization Kelly Waters said to the News Optimist/SASKTODAY.ca at the April 15 demonstration on the steps of the Dekker Centre.

“It’s a fundraiser for mental health, for goodness sake. That’s just wrong. I’m not okay with it ... that hateful energy is not OK. Everyone should feel safe and welcome,” Waters said.

“We’re just sending out a message of love and support to the people of the Dekker Centre,” Bobbi Sue Thompson, president of Battlefords Area Pride, said voicing concerns that the workers at the Dekker

Centre have been forced to take the brunt of the hatred.

“The ones that they’re yelling at, they’re working here, they had no choice. They didn’t make the decisions, but they get the c**p for it,” Thompson said.

“We’re just here to send a message of love and peace. We’re just here to send out a positive vibe. We have to show that we’re not about hate, that’s not what this community is about. We’re about being inclusive and loving,” Thompson added.

In February, when pastor Keith Klippenstein of Territorial Drive Alliance Church asked his congregants to “ring up the Dekker Centre” and ensure that their voices

were “seasoned with salt,” dozens of people called the Dekker Centre to voice their complaints about the event.

The Dekker Centre then released a press release, followed by the City of North Battleford in support of the event.

City of North Battleford Councillor Bill Ironstand was also present at the demonstration to voice his support, not only as a councillor but as a citizen of the Battlefords.

“I think the Dekker Centre and the community really stepped up and showed our true colours. We know that our community isn’t about hate and racism, and an outpouring of support for events like this is huge,” Ironstand

Takeaway from Trudeau

Continued from Front

As he departed the Sherwood Co-op, Trudeau was greeted by booing and jeers from the protesters, but simply smiled and waved at them as he entered his automobile and headed off in the motorcade.

No meeting with Scott Moe again

During his last visit to Saskatchewan to a rare earth elements plant in Saskatoon earlier this year, Trudeau was criticized by Premier Scott Moe for failing to inform the Premier he was coming and not arranging a meeting.

As for why there was no meeting with Premier Moe this time either, Trudeau told reporters that they had reached out to Moe’s office in advance and was told he wasn’t in town that day. But Trudeau said he “very much looks forward to seeing him sometime in the future.”

Trudeau added that he thanked Moe for his “leadership particularly on health care,” noting his work as one of the three Premiers leading those talks.

RCMP Depot future

The future of the RCMP training Depot in Regina has been under the spotlight in the past number of days after a recommendation in the Mass Casualty Commission report into

the killings of 22 people in Nova Scotia, to close RCMP Depot and replace it with a three year program offered across the country.

Trudeau said they would look “very carefully” at the report recommendations and while the Prime Minister spoke favourably about Depot, he was nevertheless non-committal regarding its future.

“Depot is a Canadian institution just as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are,” he said, citing the great work that Depot does. “We know how important it is for the local economy.”

But Trudeau added “we all recognize there have to be changes in how we move forward to ensure communities are safe.” He said those are conversations they will continue to have, and they will take things “one step at a time.”

Natural Resources Transfer Agreement furore

A major brouhaha that erupted in the past number of days came over the recent remarks to First Nations leaders by Justice Minister David Lametti that he would commit to looking at the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.

That touched off a reaction from Prairie premiers including Premier Moe

said.

Some demonstrators even drove in from Saskatoon to voice their support of the event.

“We’ve had drag protesters show up at our events … I was one of the first in-person drag story times at the Saskatoon public library, and we had some haters show up, and we just really need to show some solidarity with drag performers in our community,” drag monarch Killa Watt said.

“... some of my drag performer friends in Calgary had their shows rushed, you know like the different types of threats are escalating. It’s also (against) our queer and trans community. We just

need to make sure we’re checking in on our communities,” they said.

Funds raised by the sold-out fundraiser event

for Battleford’s branch of CMHA will support mental health in the Battlefords, Saskatchewan and Canada.

that the Feds might review or overturn that agreement. The three premiers issued a joint statement calling on Trudeau to “immediately retract these dangerous and divisive comments.”

On Thursday Trudeau specifically said “we will not be touching the NRTA.”

“National resources are constitutionally directed to be the purview of the provinces. We are not putting that into question.”

But he did add that what was important was “we all be having real conversations about reconciliation,” and said that is what his government is committed to doing.

Revenue Canada strike possibility

On another issue that could impact Canadians waiting for their tax refunds, Trudeau was asked about the prospect of a strike by workers at Revenue Canada.

“We obviously want to ensure we’re doing everything we can to avoid a strike,” said Trudeau, saying “that’s why we’re working hard at the bargaining table.”

He added public servants had “worked incredibly hard” to deliver services and supports particularly through the pandemic, and acknowledged they faced challenges with the rising cost of living.

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Everybody has a story

SASKTODAY.ca’s editor embraces change

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

It’s pronounced “Jan,” not Jane. Yes, it’s still spelled like Jayne.

But Jayne Foster, former reporter, automotive paint mixer, telephone operator, graphic artist, dance instructor, darkroom technician, editor for the Battlefords News-Optimist, and now editor of SASKTODAY.ca, is used to answering to any variation of Jayne or Jan.

“... as you can imagine, I’ve always answered to Jane,” Foster said, noting her parents wanted to name her Jan, but in order to avoid a possible mix-up with her older brother Ian’s name, they chose an unusual spelling after one of the most popular film stars of the day, Jayne Mansfield.

Foster’s love of the written word and her creative spirit developed at an early age, ironically enough, leaning over large sheets of blank newsprint at her family’s kitchen table.

While she waited for her brother and sister to come home from school, Foster said, “I’d draw. I’d sit at the table all day long and draw.” Foster said.

Drawing segued into a desire to write in cursive, and by teaching herself how to write, the preschooler learned to read.

“I thought cursive writing looked really cool, and my mom had beautiful handwriting … you should see, my cursive writing now is horrible. It’s illegible,” Foster said, laughing.

“I was really, really lucky with my parents. They encouraged me, especially my mom, encouraged all my artistic things,” Foster said. “And I also take after my dad, who was a voracious reader of fiction and non-fiction,”

Even the neighbours contributed to Foster’s creative tendencies. The blank newsprint from the pre-school days was sent out to the farm of Alan and Ruth McLeod by the postmistress from the nearby hamlet of Ruthilda.

“It’s a creative thing,” Foster said, noting her love

of music. “My mom’s family is extremely musical. There’s hardly a member of the first two or three generations that hasn’t at one time or isn’t still a professional musician, including my mother.”

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Foster even tried playing in a band, first drums and then bass. But decided she’d rather listen. Later in life, however, she would enjoy singing women’s barbershop. A thousand jobs and passions

After graduating from North West Central High School in Plenty, Foster married her first husband, who was planning to move to the Battlefords to train to be a commercial pilot. Foster saw an ad in the paper, searching for a reporter and she applied.

“... and what do you know? I got the job.”

Starting in 1979 working for the Bill Warwick family, Foster worked through several positions at the AdvertiserPost and Battleford Telegraph, including reporter, photographer, news editor and production editor. And during her 40-odd years working in news media, including through a merger with the News-Optimist when one company bought both papers, with a few quasi-retirements sprinkled throughout, Foster has also worked at other jobs. Jobs that range from boiler technician to telephone operator.

“I actually saw a lot of changes in that industry … in the short time I was there,” Foster said, speaking to her three-year stint with SaskTel.

Other than the newspaper business, however, one of the greatest passions of her life has been dancing.

While Foster was working at the paper, she met another like-minded, creative soul, Greg Schneider, who was working in the sales department at the time.

“Greg and I went to watch my friend dance in Saskatoon.” It was at a ballroom and Latin dance showcase put on by what

was then an Arthur Murray studio. “We were absolutely gobsmacked, and we both said, ‘We have to do this.’”

And it wasn’t just that they were going to learn to dance. They were going to do it well enough to become teachers.

“He right away moved to Saskatoon and started taking lessons, and within a few months, he was teaching. He became my teacher.”

Though she considered moving to Saskatoon to teach there as well, she eventually decided, as a single mother, to stay in the Battlefords in her job in the newsroom. When she remarried, she started her own dance studio with husband Scott, whom she describes as her all-time favourite dance partner.

Foster ended up teaching ballroom, Latin, swing, and country dance to hundreds of adult students in the Battlefords area for close to 20 years. She also became fascinated with belly dancing, teaching it as well.

A shifting landscape for news media

Despite other passions, the news industry always drew her back. She started in 1979 without a journalism degree under the mentorship of Susan Warwick, a summa cum laude graduate of Carleton University,

during a time when the building hosted the printing press for several papers and did commercial and novelty printing.

Gone are the days of linotype and typesetters, the original copy and paste and an office filled with a half-dozen reporters. Now, everything has changed.

“I like learning new things … my motto is, ‘if you’ve learned something new, it’s a good day … technology’s the biggest change,” Foster added about the changes she’s seen during her life.

“It’s been exponential. The changes have come faster more recently. But because you go through those changes, you have a background of what the news [world] has come from.”

Foster used the example of the original copy and paste, something with a long history before laptops or the photocopier. Instead, Susan Warwick taught Foster about the news writing pyramid by showing her how to rework her story by cutting up the page it was typed on and taping it back together.

A news pyramid, Foster explained, is where a reporter puts the most crucial information at the top of a story, and the further down you go, add less important information.

“If someone is busy lay-

ing out the paper and they have a piece of what was called film, which had the text on it, and they’re cutting it up, and they’re putting wax on it, and they’re laying it out on a page, and it’s too long? They cut the bottom off.”

But even Foster didn’t imagine how quickly things would change.

“When I first heard about the World Wide Web, I thought, ‘That’s really interesting, but it’s probably not something that’s ever going to affect me.’”

However, a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to adapt has allowed Foster to thrive in a constantly changing environment and industry, allowing her to stay ahead of the changes. The birth of SASKTODAY.ca

And everything must change. Before the creation of the News-Optimist’s first website, reporters at the News-Optimist started blogging, knowing the internet was the future years before SASKTODAY.ca was born.

“Because (of) the way we are out here, somebody came up with the bright idea … to get all of the local news into one website, rather than have 14 different websites.”

After striking a group, Glacier Media decided to amalgamate 14 individual newsrooms into one provincial newsgroup to better serve the public under one joint name.

And SASKTODAY.ca was born.

“I don’t really know of anything else quite like us in Canada, where you would take 14 newspapers and put them together in basically one newsroom and have one website that is both local news and provincial news.

“Local news is no longer just local. We’re such a global community now, and Saskatchewan is so big with so few people compared to other places in the country and the world that if we bring it all together, the local news becomes everybody’s news.”

And eventually, Foster

was chosen to be the curator of SASKTODAY.ca.

“... that’s the future of the industry,” Foster said about the growth of SASKTODAY.ca in recent years — growth for which she was recently recognized with her acceptance into Glacier Media’s 2023 president’s club, which will see Foster in Mexico for a week in April.

Gord Brewerton, the publisher of the News-Optimist, as well as vice-president and group publisher for Glacier Media’s Prairie Newspaper Group feels that her recognition is well deserved.

“I had the opportunity to work with Jayne as she was in the position of editor at the News-Optimist, and I saw the passion she had and the pride she took in growing our online audience,” Brewerton said, noting that Foster knew online news was the future.

“... she’s just an amazing person. Huge heart. (She) would do anything for anybody.

“... out of all of Glacier Media, she had the largest year-on-year audience growth on the website,” Brewerton added.

The Future of News And Foster doesn’t see an end in sight.

“You can’t get ink out of your blood, once it’s there, it’s there. It pulls you back,” Foster said.

“It’s addicting. So, you tend to be a news person, you don’t just work as a news person,” Foster said as she works as an editor for both SASKTODAY.ca and the News-Optimist.

“And (it’s) because I have the family I do. Scott takes care of all the shopping and all the cooking.”

Noting that having gone through various changes in the industry throughout her career has given her a particular skill set, things will have to evolve when that skill set finally does go away.

“If I ever do retire — I’ll probably more likely die it will change because they’re aren’t very many people left who’ve been in the business as long as I have,” Foster said.

Jayne Foster, editor of the Battlefords Regional News-Optimist, SaskToday.ca, and member of the Glacier Media President’s Club. | Photo courtesy Jayne Foster

N. B’ford and Flin Flon mayors wager over SJHL championship

By Miguel Frenrich Staff Reporter

North Battleford mayor David Gillan has finalized a friendly wager with Flin Flon mayor George Fontaine to cheer on their hometown teams in the upcoming Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship as they battle for the Canterra Seeds Cup. Both mayors have agreed that the losing team’s mayor will don the winning team’s jersey at their next city council

meeting.

“It’s always exciting when your community hosts a championship event, and certainly, the SJHL finals between the (Battlefords) North Stars and the (Flin Flon) Bombers will be very entertaining,” said Mayor Gillan.

“As a hockey fan, this year’s season has been a very electric one to watch, and I definitely look forward to seeing Mayor Fontaine donning a North Stars jersey at an upcoming council meeting,” continues Gillan.

Summer beckons for Student Works Painting

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Jordyn

Nachtegaele,

again this summer,” Nachtegaele said.

• full WCB Coverage for all employees

“We’re very excited to face off again against the Battleford North Stars in what’s sure to be an exciting final. As we host the Canterra Seeds Cup in just a matter of days, we are very much looking forward to seeing Mayor Gillian in burgundy and white,” counters Mayor Fontaine.

The best-of-seven series begins this Friday, April 14, in North Battleford for the first two games before heading to FlinFlon for games three and four starting April 21.

Funds for ball diamonds

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The council of the Town of Wilkie discussed a request from Wilkie Minor Ball at their March 27 meeting, deciding whether to donate money for the purchase of shale for the group.

According to a letter from Wilkie Minor Ball, purchasing new shale comes at a significant cost to the club.

“The shale is purchased from Colored Shale Products Inc. in Moose Jaw. We were quoted $6,600,” reads the letter shown to the News-Optimist/ SASKTODAY.ca

With other councillors voicing concerns over whether there was justi-

fication for the expense, Councillor Alex Majewski noted that two provincial teams will be playing on the ball diamonds in 2023, which include U13 and U11.

“Can we figure that into the budget?” Mayor David Ziegler asked, mirroring the concerns of other councillors regarding the cost.

“We could definitely fit it in,” Lana Gerein, the town’s administrator, said.

“I think just because minor ball typically hasn’t asked for a lot over the years, it would be nice to try and support them,” Gerein said.

“We do support them with minor ball day through the recreation board, but they typically

haven’t been going to the community very often. I think some kind of support would be nice.”

Majewski also noted that when a town project involves the ball diamonds, Wilkie Minor Ball often contributes to the expense.

“... this isn’t something that comes every year, so I don’t think it’s that big of an ask,” Gerein noted again.

“Remember, we have to save enough for the rest of the community. It’s going to be a tough budget this year,” the mayor noted before council passed a motion for the purchase of shale for the Minor Ball diamonds at the Wilkie Regional Park for $6,600.

Everybody has a story

Continued from Page 6

And beyond the changes that have already come, there are many more in the foreseeable future, including a shift toward remote work and artificial intelligence.

“If prompted carefully, generative AI can create content that is unbiased, and that’s what the news world needs,” Foster said, saying that many media outlets are too biased right now, not because of the government or large corporations throwing money at the news industry.

“That isn’t necessarily the case. Nobody tells me what to put on SASKTODAY.ca except my news people when they send it to me. What happens, and it mostly comes out of what’s happening in the States … there are too many people disseminating too much information that isn’t correct.”

Foster feels people don’t necessarily understand what the truth is anymore, which may be where AI

could come in. Though no one is sure how AI will affect the industry, Foster keeps an eye on it while she watches the industry.

“I think it’s up to the media to be brave enough to write things as truthfully as they can … It’s going to be really hard to earn the trust back of the public,”

Foster said.

“Who would have thought that things would be like they are now?” Foster asked.

Certainly, the answer is no one, but after the vast changes, Foster has seen during the span of her career, who knows where we’ll be in another 40?

owner of the Student Works Painting franchise in the Battlefords, is looking forward to the summer as she hopes projects will ramp up into the spring and summer months.

2023 is her fourth year running Student Works, she is the title holder of the 2022 Battlefords BOB awards for best contractor/home improvement and a finalist for BBEX’s 2022 young entrepreneur award.

“I am thrilled to continue providing my hometown with exceptional painting services

Nachtegaele is currently scheduling estimates for their pre-season, which is in April, to book projects for the spring and summer, which run from May to August.

The Student Works

Painting teams complete both residential and commercial projects for

• Interiors: walls, trim, doors, etc.

• Exteriors: siding, windows, fascia, stucco, wood soffits, etc.

• And decks and fences

With every project Nachtegale’s crews complete, they provide:

• $5,000,000 in liability insurance

• three-year written guarantee of quality warranty

• 10 per cent off at the time of the quote, if scheduled for the summer

• Final payment upon satisfaction

Five dollarsfrom every job completed is also donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Summer Works has painted several businesses in the area, including North West Regional College, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70, both A&W Restaurants, Living Sky School Division, the Fred Light Museum and more.

Marit apology after Queen’s medal nominee pleads guilty

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Agriculture Minister

David Marit has issued an apology after nominating an individual charged with domestic abuse for a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

The apology was issued shortly after Global News reported Marit had nominated Jim Wickett, treasurer and secretary and former chairman of farm advocacy organization Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, for the medal after Wickett

was charged with domestic assault.

The Global story cited court documents they obtained from Freedom of Information indicating Wickett was charged with assaulting his wife and for possessing a firearm without a licence in 2022, and had pled guilty to the assault charge on Feb. 9, 2023.

Marit has issued the following statement on the situation which is printed here in full:

“It is not appropriate for someone who is guilty of domestic abuse to re-

ceive a medal or an honour from the province.

“As Minister of Agriculture, last year I accepted ministry recommendations and put forward nominations of individuals who have served in the agriculture industry for the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

“Last week, I learned of the legal circumstances of one of the nominees, including a domestic violence charge and guilty plea. As a result, this individual was immediately asked to return the medal and he has done so.

Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Registration

Light of Christ Catholic School Division and Living Sky School Division are accepting students into the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Programs for the 2023-24 school year. Students must meet the following criteria:

Kindergarten:

Children who are five years old as of December 31, 2023

Pre-Kindergarten: Children must be 3 or 4 years of age at the time of application. Please see the LOCCSD website (www.loccsd.ca) or the LSKYSD website (www.lskysd.ca) for further Pre-K criteria.

Please contact your local school for registration details.

North Battleford Schools –Light of Christ Catholic Schools

Holy Family (Pre-K & K) 306-445-2360

St. Mary (Pre-K & K) 306-445-5152

Notre Dame (Pre-K & K) 306-445-0283

Ecole Monseigneur Blaise Morand 306-446-2167

French Immersion (K only)

North Battleford/Battleford Schools –Living Sky Schools

Battleford Central (Pre-K & K) 306-937-2112

Bready (K Only) 306-445-4954

Connaught (Pre-K & K) 306-445-3661

Heritage Christian School (K Only) 306-446-3188

Lawrence (Pre-K & K) 306-445-4944

McKitrick (Pre-K & K) 306-445-3851

St. Vital Catholic School (Pre K & K) 306-937-2233

Growth That Works For Everyone

New Investments in Policing Build Upon Success

The 2023-24 Provincial Budget includes over $1 billion in investments in public safety and the justice system. This year’s budget builds on past investments to advance programs and services in policing and corrections. This has resulted in removing dangerous drugs, guns, and ammunition as well as making human trafficking interventions. While there is more work to do, we are seeing progress in making our province safer for everyone. Learn more at Saskatchewan.ca.

306-445-5195

306-893-2619

Art Notes

Fun fascination with fascinators

By Pam Beaver Battlefords Art Club

Fun and excitement at the club on Tuesday! Our latest group project was creating the most delightful array of fascinators for the Fred Light Museum.

This being the club’s second year making these little hats for the museum’s fundraiser, they will most certainly wow the crowd. The fascinators, embellished with fanciful trinkets from the donated jewelry collection of Cheryl Cook Taylor, simply radiate delight.

The annual Museum’s Old Fashioned Strawberry Tea is happening at the Fred Light Museum on Mother’s Day and tickets are, unfortunately, sold out.

If you’d like to get in on the fun and join Battlefords Art Club, we’d love to have you. Simply email battlefordsartclub@gmail.com.

Seedy Saturday returns to the B’fords April 22

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Seedy Saturday is returning to the Battlefords for the first time since 2019 on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is being held at the Living Faith Chapel, 1371 - 103rd St,, North Battleford. Returning from a three-yea r hiatus due to COVID-19, Seedy Sat-

urday allows Battleford residents to connect with outdoor enthusiasts and features five seed vendors with heirloom varieties, local vendors, information booths and a seed exchange if you bring your own seeds.

The event also offers three workshops throughout the day:

• 1 p.m. - Bokashi Composting with Rhea Good

• 2 p.m. - Beginner Gardening with Judy Tournier

• 3 p.m. - Seed Saving with Rachel from Prairie Garden Seeds

There will also be a children’s area with crafts and activities, with lunch available on donation. For more information, email Midwest Food Resources at battleford.mwfr@gmail.com or call 306-446-2684.

Three groups ‘band together’ for April 20 Dekker Centre concert

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The John Paul Collegiate High School Band, the North Battleford Comprehensive High School Band and the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band are coming together for a night of music and entertainment at the Dekker Centre on Thursday, April 20th at 7 p.m.

“This collaboration promises to be an unforgettable event for music lovers of all ages,” reads a release from NBCKB.

The show will feature

each band performing their own set of music before combining into a large band. The concert will also feature a range of musical genres, including staples from the wind band repertoire, jazz works and popular music.

“The bands have been rehearsing for weeks, and audiences can expect nothing less than a spectacular show.”

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the J.P. Band and the Comp. Band,” said Chinley Hinacay, the Kinsmen Band director.

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the talent of young musicians in our community, and we can’t wait to share the stage with these amazing musicians.”

Tickets for the concert are now available and can be purchased online at www.dekkercentre.com or at the Dekker Centre’s box office.

Amy Francais is the director from JPII, Jackie Kroczynski is the director from NBCHS and Chinley Hinacay is the artistic director and general manager from NBCKB.

Hon. Scott Moe, Premier, MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook scottmoe.mla@sasktel.net 306-747-3422

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for The Battlefords office@jeremycockrill.ca

Ryan Domotor, MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford domotor.mla@sasktel.net

Art club members model their fascinating creations. | Photos submitted

A seed exchange and workshops will be hosted at Living Faith Chapel. | Getty Images

Serving the producers of the Northwest

RancheR FARMER

LDC to double canola crushing capacity

Yorkton facility’s capacity will be over two million metric tons

Staff

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has announced it will expand its canola crushing facility at Yorkton.

“This major investment by LDC is good news for Saskatchewan canola growers and good news for workers and the economy in Yorkton and right across the province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said.

“This expansion brings Saskatchewan even closer to several of the 2030 Growth Plan goals, including the ambitious goal of crushing 75 per cent of the canola produced in the province. This investment strengthens the province’s position as a global leader in agriculture value-added processing and will further increase Saskatchewan’s international exports.”

The facility’s new capacity will be over two million metric tons, which is more than double its current capacity. LDC initially

opened the Yorkton facility in 2009 and currently employs approximately 120 people.

“This investment supports the group’s strategic growth plans by reinforcing core merchandising activities, in this case with additional capacity to originate and process Canadian canola seeds to provide nourishment for people and livestock,” LDC Chief Executive Officer Michael Gelchie said.

“It also positions LDC as a strategic feedstock provider to renewable energy producers and accelerates our contribution to a global energy transition that we are excited to be a part of.”

Canola oil and canola seed were among Saskatchewan’s top three agrifood exports in 2022, with a value of $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. Construction of the additional canola crushing line is expected to begin later this year.

Objectives for better beetle management

By Keith Gabert

Canmada

Canola Council of

Flea beetles are the pest of greatest economic risk to canola production, according to our 2022 Canola Council of Canada survey of canola growers.

With more striped species, which emerge earlier in the spring and seem more tolerant of common seed treatments, and with spring weather conditions that challenge rapid crop emergence, flea beetle damage seems worse than ever.

Canola growers have two major objectives to reduce the risk.

Scenarios that require multiple in-season foliar sprays are often the result of a slow-establishing, non-competitive crop. Many factors can cause this, including moisture, temperature, plant populations, seed treatment and overall flea beetle numbers.

Management steps to reduce the risk include:

• Seed shallow into warm, moist soil. Consider seeding cereals first as they can tolerate cooler spring soils.

Seed canola after soils have warmed up and ideally just before or after a spring rain.

Canola growers have two major objectives:

Rapid canola emergence

Effective foliar sprays

seed row at rates of 20 lb./ ac. of actual phosphate. Higher rates of seedplaced fertilizer can add more stress, slow the pace of growth and reduce the stand.

Objective B: Effective foliar sprays

Fields under moisture stress may not meet objective “A”.

However, in warm weather with actively feeding flea beetles and slow-growing crop, this threshold can be passed quickly.

Growers will want to anticipate the speed at which damage is developing and proactively begin spraying before 25 per cent defoliation.

shelter in the soil and don’t feed as much. In these conditions, insecticides, which all rely on contact with the flea beetle target, will have lower efficacy.

Second, consider the temperature effect on insecticide efficacy.

On spray days with highs over 25 C, malathion and Sevin XLR may provide better results. On days with highs below 20 C, pyrethroids (Decis, Pounce, Perm-UP and others) will show better results. Pyrethroids have restrictions when temperatures exceed 25 C.

medium nozzles. Check labels for specific nozzle recommendations. Lowdrift nozzles, which are good practice for some herbicides, produce a coarse spray droplet that may not provide efficient flea beetle contact. Without coverage, results may not be as good as hoped.

This is just a quick overview of the top points. Continue regular scouting for flea beetle damage until your crop is well established.

Objective A:

emergence

Rapid canola

The ideal flea beetle buster is a canola crop that establishes quickly with five to eight plants per square foot.

More plants mean more food for the flea beetles, which limits the damage per plant.

• Use an advanced seed treatment to improve flea beetle protection in highrisk areas.

These include Buteo Start, Lumiderm, Fortenza and Fortenza Advanced.

• Use safe rates of seed-placed fertilizer. The recommendation is to use only phosphorus in the

Flea beetles love dry conditions, crops don’t. In that case, growers should set up for effective foliar insecticide.

What makes a spray effective?

First, apply it at the right time. Action thresholds for canola are when damage exceeds 25 per cent cotyledon or leaf area loss.

In some cases, early spraying around headlands may be enough when damage is localized from flea beetles entering the field edge.

“Right time” is also when flea beetles are most active. Warm, dry and calm are good conditions for spraying.

In rainy cool weather, flea beetles often take

Third, achieve coverage. Flea beetle insecticides do most of their work through contact.

Because young canola plants take up only a small percentage of the ground area and because flea beetles are small targets, effective contact requires adequate water (at least 10 gal/ac.) and

For more on flea beetle management tips and how to make the spray decision, please see our agronomy-based articles in the Insects section at canolawatch.org/ fundamentals.

– Keith Gabert is an agronomy specialist and insect management lead for the Canola Council of Canada. Email gabertk@ canolacouncil.org.

Canola oil and canola seed were among Saskatchewan’s top three agri-food exports in 2022, with a value of $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively. |

Photo by Sergey Ryumin/Moment/Getty Images

Canada invests $57.5M for emergency response

Submitted

Canadian Cattle Association

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) welcomes the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland of the proposed creation of a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank with an investment of $57.5 million over five years to develop emergency response plans and establish the vaccine bank. With the threat of FMD remaining high given the recent outbreaks in Asian and African markets, the establishment of this vaccine bank is critical and

helps provide necessary insurance to protect Canada’s export markets.

“While we hope this vaccine bank is never needed, we are grateful for today’s investment and its establishment,” said Nathan Phinney, CCA President. “We appreciate the Government listening to our concerns and understanding the critical need to put in place emergency preparedness plans to control the spread of the disease and protect our export markets for Canadian beef.”

CCA supports the increased limit to interestfree loans under the Advance Payments Program from $250,000 to $350,000

for the 2023 program year, from which, beef producers across the country continue to benefit.

CCA was also pleased to see a commitment towards the recovery of species at risk, with $184 million over three years being allocated towards strengthening the Species At Risk Act. We will be engaging with the Government of Canada to ensure beef producers are at the table as key stewards of lands where species at risk live.

“Canadian beef producers are proud stewards of the environment, from protecting species at risk and biodiversity, conserving Canada’s endangered native

grasslands, while sequestering carbon,” shared Phinney. “As the Government of Canada continues to look at climate change, biodiversity, and other green spend-

ing measures, we urge them to include support for protecting Canada’s grasslands in the future.”

CCA looks forward to future discussions with the

federal government to look at how Canadian beef cattle producers can take advantage of today’s announced budget.

North West Terminal launches $2 million offering

North West Terminal Ltd. has announced the launch of a $2 million proposed subordinated unsecured notes offering through a non-brokered private placement. The notes will carry a 10 per cent per annum interest rate and have a five-year maturity date. The private placement will be conducted in accordance with the accredited investor exemp-

With the threat of FMD remaining high given the recent outbreaks in Asian and African markets, the establishment of this vaccine bank is critical and helps provide necessary insurance to protect Canada’s export markets. |

tion.

The net proceeds from the offering will be used for the construction of warehouses for the aging of alcohol and for general corporate purposes. The offering has a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum of $2 million with a minimum investment of $25,000 per investor. The expected closing date for the offering is April 26, 2023.

“The board is excited

to be launching this funding series, as it provides potential investors an opportunity to earn interest income directly from the Company,” said Brad Sperle, president of NWT. “The money raised under this private placement is expected to assist with building warehouses for aging alcohol. This new business line is part of NWT’s strategic goal to add value to grain produced in Saskatchewan,” Sperle added.

by

Sperle, who farms near Unity, Saskatchewan, leads the farmer-shareholder owned company based in the North West region of the province.

NWT owns and operates an inland-grain terminal and a plant-based fermentation facility at its Unity location. NWT is also a minority owner of Alliance Seed Corp. (ASC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Alliance Grain Terminal Ltd. (AGT) in Vancouver, B.C.

Photo

Peter Olsen Photography/Moment/Getty Images

Borden calls for federal gov’t to absorb costs

Rural areas will also experience RCMP pinch

SASKTODAY.CA

The Village of Borden has responded to the federal government’s disappointing decision to pass unbudgeted and unaccounted-for costs on to municipalities.

Despite months of municipal advocacy led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), provincial-territorial associations and local leaders

across Canada, the federal government has indicated in the most recent federal budget it will not be meeting the request to absorb the retroactive costs associated with the latest RCMP collective bargaining agreement.

Tuesday’s budget further confirmed communities across Canada that are dependent on RCMP services for local policing, in-

cluding the Village of Borden, are expected to cover these costs — a decision falling well short of the call from municipalities to fully absorb the costs.

“Our council is extremely disappointed in this confusing decision made by our Federal Government that leaves small municipalities on the hook for large sums of money. We will be challenging this

decision prior to releasing any funds,” states a press release from the village.

Local governments were not at the table for these negotiations, the release asserts. And while cost estimates were provided to some municipalities, these turned out to be far below the final agreement’s increase over six years, with retroactive pay going back to 2017. The

cost to the Village of Borden associated with these retroactive payments is expected to be substantial.

This decision is an example of a federal commitment that deeply impacts municipalities, without municipalities being properly consulted or involved, according to village officials. Municipal governments are paying a growing share of policing costs

but cannot run deficits and have limited revenue tools.

FCM has clearly reiterated the need for municipalities to be actively involved in any future processes regarding contract policing, calling this recent decision unacceptable. This is a position supported in full by the Village of Borden. Retroactive pay goes back t0 2017.

UK’s accession to CPTPP disadvantages beef producers

Submitted

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is disappointed the Government of Canada has announced that Canada has reached a market access agreement that will form the basis for the United Kingdom (UK) to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) with-

out achieving viable access for Canadian beef to the UK.

While full details of the deal remain unavailable at this time, we are aware that other members of the CPTPP have achieved unlimited beef access in their bilateral agreements with the UK. We have been informed that similar access for Canada is “off the table”. There is also no current progress being made to address the main

obstacle to the UK market – the full acceptance of Canada’s meat hygiene system which is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. CCA will draw a hard line that this barrier must be addressed in Canada’s bilateral agreement with the UK.

“Yesterday’s announcement of the UK’s accession to the CPTPP further disadvantages Canadian beef producers and is fundamentally unjust,” said Na-

For more see our Agricultural news visit

than Phinney, CCA President. “If the Government of Canada brings a ratification bill to Parliament without addressing the UK barriers to Canadian beef, CCA will approach all Parliamentarians to defeat that bill.”

At present, the terms of access for Canada-UK beef trade are those inherited from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) established between Canada and the European Union (EU) in 2017. When the UK departed the EU, a temporary agreement was reached to continue to apply the CETA provisions to Canada-UK trade until a permanent agreement could be reached.

Under these continuing terms, British beef has access to Canada at a 0 per cent tariff in unlimited quantities; Canadian beef has access to the UK at a 0 per cent tariff within the limits of a tariff rate quota. The TRQ limits on Canadian beef are 2708 tonnes fresh and 1161 tonnes frozen annually.

For 2021, the UK exported 2733 tonnes of beef valued at C$16.3 million to Canada. For 2022, UK beef exports to Canada grew to 4414 tonnes for C$33.2 million. By contrast, Canada exported 657 tonnes of beef valued at C$7.6 million to the UK in 2021 and zero in 2022.

To date, CCA has supported negotiations with

the UK to rectify the lopsided benefits that British beef producers enjoy under the pre-existing agreement to ensure true reciprocity and access to each other’s markets to create a winwin for both industries and consumers across both markets.

The CPTPP has been an excellent agreement thus far with the initial participants implementing a high standard for trade liberalization. CCA believes that an agreement with the UK that leaves a significant barrier in place does not meet the standard of the CPTPP and the UK’s bid to join should be rejected until they can do better to meet the progressive trade principles of the CPTPP.

Travel club explores London, Paris,Rome/Pompeii

By Saidai Mosher

Grade 9 MHS

Maidstone Travel Club has returned from an amazing tour of London, Paris and Rome/ Pompeii. Twenty-one youths and 18 adults flew out of Saskatoon April 4,

returning April 13 at 11 p.m.

In England, we saw Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, royal horse guards, the Tower of London, Big Ben and London Bridge and chose either the Wicked Play or Jack the Ripper tour. We

also rode the London Eye, the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world with a nearly 40-kilometre view of London.

We travelled to France by train and toured by bus and boat, taking in the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc

Maidstone and District News

By Kathy Utri

Correspondent

Audrey Carlson passed away in Maidstone Health Complex April 7 at the age of 82. The memorial service was Monday, April 17 in Lloydminster. Audrey took part in many Maidstone community events and was a member of Maidstone Museum. Condolences are extended to Ron and Christine Carlson on the passing of his mother.

The winner of the Fields Store colouring contest was Josie. Congratulations on submitting an amazing picture and winning a Fields gift card.

Maidstone’s Jess Parker and Waseca’s Victoria Hult of team Rusty’s took part in Lloydminster Filipino Basketball League’s tournament last weekend. Dave’s Auto took first and Rusty’s won second. In addition to midget (kids), men under 30 and over 30, a ladies’

division (ages 13 and up) was introduced with four teams entering. Rusty’s other members are from the Philippines/Lloydminster, Onion Lake and Paradise Valley.

Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club joined the provincial public speaking participants and three other District 35 clubs for a fun evening of five-pin glow bowling at Lloyd Lanes April 15.

Continued on Page 22

de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles and Eiffel Tower. We also enjoyed an evening river cruise on the Seine River. Then we flew to Italy where we visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel,

Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Catacombs in Rome, Ponte and the archaeological site of Pompeii. It was an educational and enjoyable adventure with knowledgeable tour guides. The food was fantastic and some of us

even took a pasta-making class in Rome. We also had time to shop and explore on our own. Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible with special mention to organizer Michele Bailey. It was truly a spectacular trip of a lifetime.

23044GE0

Above, Maidstone Travel Club in London with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background. At right, Maidstone Travel Club in Pompeii. | Photos submitted

Teams of all ages participated in a Lloydminster Filipino Basketball League tournament last weekend. Maidstone’s Jess Parker and Waseca’s Victoria Hult are members of team Rusty’s. |

Photo submitted

NIKIFORUK: RAYMOND

KACHMARSKI: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Michael Kachmarski on Sunday, April 9, 2023 at Battlefords Union Hospital.

Richard, the oldest of two children, was born Sept 27, 1954, to parents Mike and Mary Kachmarski. The Kachmarski family lived on a farm near Speers, Saskatchewan where they raised cattle, pigs, and chickens and cultivated cereal crops on the fertile land.

Richard started farming in 1976 and eventually led to him taking over operations of the family farm. He married Maureen Brehon in 1979 and together they raised two sons, Jeff and Evan. Richard was an avid sports fan cheering on both the Maple Leafs and the Roughriders. He could often be heard reminiscing about his time playing fastball with multiple teams, including his time with the Ruddell Raiders. Richard had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren. He was proud to teach them about life on the farm and always made time to take someone for a tractor ride. Richard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Maureen; his son, Jeff (Twila) and their children: Logan, Kaden, and Jace; his son, Evan (Katie) and their children: McKenna and Easton; his brother, Leon (Ruth) and their children: Darryl and Shanda (Brad) Johnson and their children: Rylan and Blake; his mother-in-law, Gladys Brehon; and uncle, aunts, and In-laws. Richard is predeceased by his parents, Mike and Mary Kachmarski; his niece, Amanda Kachmarski; and his father-in-law, George Brehon. A Celebration of Life Service was held Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Don Ross Centre with Reverend Janice Trost officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to STARS Air Ambulance STARS Donations

1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570 Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 or the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation 1 – 345 Third Avenue S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M6 would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium - Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

BLOM: It is with deep sadness that the family of Dick Blom announces his passing on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Battlefords Union Hospital. Dick was born in Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands on June 28, 1943. In 1952 he and his family immigrated to Canada and settled in Saskatoon. After attending school he apprenticed as a meat cutter in Kindersley. He later moved to North Battleford and became co-owner of JB Lockers Ltd., a career he enjoyed for 50 years. In 1968 he married Ines Perinotto, and together they raised two daughters, Michelle and Nerina. He enjoyed family life and found great joy in being a grandfather. Dick was active in in his community and a long-time member of Kinsmen and K40. Left to lovingly cherish his memory are his wife, Ines (Perinotto) Blom; daughters: Michelle (Rick) Godbout and Nerina (Chris) Fetter; granddaughters: Nicole Godbout and Vanessa Godbout; siblings: Vincent Blom, Margo Blom, Lucia (Gary) Clark, Caroline Blom; brother-in-law, Silvano (Ronalda) Perinotto and many nieces and nephews. Dick was predeceased by his parents: Theodore and Ann Blom; siblings: Mary Desender, Theodore Blom, John Blom, Tony Blom, Peter Blom, Fred Blom, Michael Blom, Louise Kreger, Liz Kristian; nieces: Anna Kosmas and Caroline Kosmas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Diabetes Canada, www.diabetes.ca, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences for the family can be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium – Elle Dell Funeral Director.

DOIG: Betty Ann Maridee (Uhrich), most recently of Battleford, Sask., died at Battlefords Union Hospital April 5, 2023 with her grandsons by her side. Betty Ann was born Oct. 17, 1938, in Regina to Harry and May Uhrich. Harry was a CN station agent, so Betty Ann moved from place to place with her parents throughout her childhood. One posting was in Loverna, where she met William Robert Paul (Bob) Doig and they were married in October 1955. They lived for a time in Kindersley then moved to Chamberlain in 1958 where they operated the Sonny Boy Esso service station at the junction of Highways 2 and 11 for more than 40 years. Their children, Bryan and Brenda, attended school in Chamberlain and Holdfast. Betty Ann was a homemaker and helped with the service station business for many years, but in the early 1980s she struck out on her own. She established King Kone in the lot beside the service station and her ice cream business became a must-stop mecca for many travelling on Highway 11 and for the locals who knew where to go for a well-deserved treat guaranteed to be satisfying. Her pride in her business was evident in her meticulous attention to product quality, generous servings, customer service and the highest standards of cleanliness. Betty Ann is predeceased by: husband Bob (December 2022); daughter Brenda; brother, James Allyn Uhrich and her parents. She is survived by: son Bryan (Rebecca), Battleford; son-in-law Terry Price, Sylvania; granddaughter Kathryn (Luc) Blanchard, North Battleford; grandson Jordan (Kendel Lennard) Price, Saskatoon; grandson Cameron (Kari) Doig, Battleford; great-grandchildren Alfred and Francis Blanchard, Jett and Winnifred Doig; a brother Kevin (Norma) Uhrich, Outlook; sister-in-law Helen Uhrich, Zelandia; sister-in-law Lori Doig, Regina; and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty Ann’s family wishes to express sincere thanks to Battlefords Home Care for their years of excellent care that allowed her to remain in her home as long as possible. They also thank the staff of Battlefords Union Hospital and her physician Dr. A. Dunhin and the medical team and others who helped with her many complex health problems, and the staff at Harwood Manor for their care during her brief time there. In Betty Ann’s memory, donations may be made to the Chamberlain Cemetery Fund, Box 4, Chamberlain, Sask. S0G 0R0

BOECHLER: Jack Boechler was born December 25, 1942, Prince Albert, SK and passed away March 25, 2023, North Battleford, SK at the age of 80 years. Jack is lovingly remembered by: his wife: Carol (nee Booth), his children and grandchildren: Daphne (Keith) Boyer of Saskatoon, SK and family: Kaitlyn Boyer, Lance Boyer (Elliott), Vincent (Christine) Boechler of Saskatoon, SK and family: Jennifer (Scott) Maitland, Andrew (Hailey), Gregory (Shyanne), Megan (Dave), Vicki (Jamie) of Spiritwood, SK and family: Bryanna Trach, Dylan Trach (Jasmin), Kayleen (Troy), Nola of Prince Albert, SK and her son: Lucas, his great grandchildren: Farrah, Kaidyn, Bruce, Grayson, Paisley, Adeline, Annabelle, Benjamin, and Bennett, his sister-in-law: Pat Boechler, his brothers-in-law: Don (Diane) Booth, Ken (Adele) Booth, Bret Johnston also numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was predeceased by: His parents: Andrew and Margaret Boechler, his brother: Mark Boechler, his brother and sister-in-law: Les and Marlene Boechler, his parents-in-law: Herb and Julia Booth and his sister-in-law: Shirley Johnston (nee Booth). A Funeral service to celebrate Jack’s life was held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Civic Centre, Spiritwood, SK with Delores Beaulac officiating. The eulogy was given by Wayne Belisle and an honor guard was formed by members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Honorary pallbearers are considered “All those who shared in Jack‘s life”. The urn bearer was Jack’s great grandson Kaidyn Blixrud. Jack’s final resting place will be in the Mildred South Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Mildred South Cemetery in memory of Jack Boechler as tokens of remembrance. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, R. Mark Muir Funeral Director, Spiritwood, SK (306) 883-3500.

Born October 13, 1924 to Andrew and Vasylyna Nikiforuk in North Battleford, SK. He passed away peacefully at the age of 98 in his home at Harwood Manor on March 28, 2023. Ray is survived by his wife Olga, his partner for 73 years; son Myron (Tracy Abbott), former wife Arlene and their childrenNicholas (Jessica Lawrence): Daniel, Charles and Michael; Janelle (Dallin) Cox: Kaylee and Macie; Danielle; daughter Patricia Weber and her daughter Natasha Keemp; son Welsey (Donna) and her children- Tiffany (Kevin) Austin: Cooper; Colter (Jillyan) Hahn: Parker; and younger brother Yaroslaw (Stella). Ray was predeceased by his parents and 7 of his siblings and spouses- Mary (Walter) Sochaski, Olga (Andrew) Borsa, David (Eileen), Steven (Joan), John (Helen), Gordon (Marge), and Alice (Peter) Kowalsky. Ray grew up on a farm in the RedfieldDominion area and was an active member of the community. He participated in the Redfield-Dominion Softball Club as a teen when they took part in the community Sports Days, sometimes even coming home as the winners. He was also active in the local farmers hockey club; they cleared off snow from frozen ponds or made their own rinks and held games there for fun. Since his youth he belonged to the local “SUMK” (a Ukrainian youth organization existing across Canada) which included contests in public speaking, reciting poetry, Ukrainian dancing and singing. As a farmer he was a member of the National Farmers Union and the Wheat Pool. He was a proud member of the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Volodymyr and belonged to the church choir tenor section. This church was built in 1933 and still stands in its original site. Ray’s father Andrew was one of the farmers who helped build it. Ray farmed in the Redfield- Dominion area until his retirement in 2008 when he sold the farm and moved into the city of North Battleford. Ray, better known as Slim, had a mischievous smile, and you couldn’t walk into his home without that smile greeting you at the door, followed by being asked if you would like a drink. Ray always enjoyed company and would stop whatever he was doing to visit, have a drink, share a meal, and laugh with anyone that came into their home. We will miss him dearly but our memories of him will always live on. Ray’s friends and family gathered to celebrate his life April 5, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in North Battleford, SK. Interment followed at the North Battleford City Cemetery.

Card of Thanks

The family of Ray would like to thank the following: the staff at Harwood Manor for treating Ray with respect, compassion and truly making it his home; The Very Reverend Bohdan Demczuk for the heartfelt service; Wesley for writing the touching eulogy and sharing it with us; John Sendecki for serving as the Altar Server; Jim Shevchuk for serving as Cantor; Ted Ciona and Dale Pluta for serving as Cross Bearers; KC Kitchen for providing and serving the fellowship lunch and Chic and Shabby for the beautiful spray for the casket. Thank you to the pallbearers Wesley Nikiforuk, Nicholas Nikiforuk, Dallin Cox, Michael Nikiforuk, Andy Ciona and Nestor Kowalsky; Ray would have loved it knowing you carried him to his final resting place. Thank you to everyone for memorial donations made in honor of Ray. Thank you to everyone who called, dropped by, sent cards, sent flowers, brought food, or baking, shared memories and offered help in anyway. Thank you to everyone who attended Ray’s celebration of life and to everyone who shared in his life in ways we’ll never even be aware of. Thank you to Trevor Watts, Andrea Hoffman, and the staff at Eternal Memories for their kindness and sympathy at our time of need.

In Loving Memory Pearl (Wintonyk)

Eternal Memories

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

BGC Battlefords will be holding their AGM on Thursday, May 18th, 2023 at 7:00pm.

It will be held at Blend Restaurant (1602 100th Street, North Battleford). Please RSVP via email at ed@bgcb.ca by Monday, May 1st.

For more information, call 306-445-0002

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS for

the Board of Directors

DISCOVERY CO-OP is looking for vibrant, forward thinking, community minded directors.

As a member of the Board of Directors, you will help set direction and monitor the progress of this progressive retail organization with annual sales of over $150 million. Representing a membership of over 18,000 the nine-member board is responsible for strategically planning the future of Discovery Co-op and providing sound governance over the organization as it fulfills its goals. For more information, you may contact Mike Nord, CEO, (306) 445-9800, or e-mail administration@discoverycoop.com

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023

Discovery Co-op

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

HOUSES FOR RENT

INDEPENDENT ADULT LIVING apartments in Martensville, SK. Spend your retirement years in a community close to family/friends in the Saskatoon area that has large city services and small town safety and charm. 2 bedroom suites available. More information at www.chateauvilla.ca, 306-2814475 or chateauvilla@sasktel.net

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

Application for Re: Liquor Permit

Under the provisions of The Alcohol and Gaming Regulations Act, 1997,

Notice is hereby given that Rick's Place Restaurant Ltd. has applied to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) for a permit to sell alcohol in the premises known as Battleford Pizza and Donairs at 1821 100th Street, North Battleford SK, S9A0X1

Written objections to the granting of the permit may be filed with SLGA not more than two weeks from the date of publication of this notice. Every person filing a written objection with SLGA shall state their name, address, and telephone number in printed form, as well as the grounds for the objection(s). Petitions must name a contact person, state grounds, and be legible. Each signatory to the petition and the contact person must provide an address and telephone number. Frivolous, vexatious or competition based objections within the beverage alcohol industry may not be considered and may be rejected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission, who may refuse to hold a hearing.

Write to:

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Box 5054 REGINA SK S4P 3M3

Dated at North Battleford, Saskatchewan, this 20th day of April, 2022.

Public Notice – RM of Round Hill No. 467

Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the RM of Round Hill No. 467 (RM) intends to consider the adoption of three bylaws under The Planning and Development Act, 2007. The RM will establish a new Official Community Plan, a new Zoning Bylaw and a new fees bylaw.

Intent: The proposed Official Community Plan bylaw will establish municipal land use policies, goals and objectives for the RM. The proposed Zoning Bylaw will implement land use policies, establish zoning districts, prescribe permitted and discretionary uses within each zoning district, establish a development permit process, prescribe a process for appeals and provide a provision for amendments. The proposed fees bylaw will establish fees for municipal services, including planning and development services.

Affected Land: The proposed bylaws will affect all land within the incorporated area of the RM.

Reason: The Official Community Plan will provide the RM with direction on development decisions and municipal goals. The Zoning Bylaw will help direct and manage growth and development within the RM. The fees bylaw will provide a schedule of fees to be charged for services provided by the RM.

Public Inspection: Any person may inspect the proposed bylaws at the RM office during normal office hours. Copies of the bylaws are available at cost.

Public Hearing: Council will hold a public hearing on Friday June 9th, 2023 at 10:00 am. The public hearing will be held at the RM of Round Hill No.467 office. Any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaws is welcome to attend or to submit comments prior to the meeting. Council will consider all comments received.

Issued at the RM of Round Hill No.467 April 20th, 2023

Christina Moore Administrator

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF GREAT BEND NO. 405

NOTICE OF CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that nominations of candidates for the offices of:

COUNCILLOR FOR DIVISION NO. 4

will be received by the undersigned on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Municipal Office – 200 Shepard Street, and during regular office hours from April 17 to May 1, 2023 at the Municipal Office – 200 Shepard Street.

Nomination forms may be obtained at the following locations: Municipal Office – 200 Shepard Street Email: rm405@sasktel.net.

Dated this 17th day of April, 2023.

Tonia Derksen Returning Officer

Notice of Preparation of Assessment Roll RM of Blaine Lake #434

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the R.M. of Blaine Lake No. 434 for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 9 a.m. to 12 pm and from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Thursday, April 24 to June 24, 2023.

A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person wishing to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the R.M. of Blaine Lake No. 434, Box 38, 118 Main Street, Blaine Lake, SK S0J 0J0. A notice of appeal must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision, ADR Saskatchewan Centralized Board of Revision Inc. PO Box 328, Nokomis, SK S0G 4R0 by the 24th day of June, 2023. The assessment appeal fee of $300 is to be made payable to the RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, PO Box 38, Blaine Lake, SK S0J 0J0. If the appeal is successful, the appeal fee will be returned. Dated this 21st day of April, 2023.

Linda Klimm, Assessor.

Resort Village of Aquadeo

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Resort Village of Aquadeo for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each Friday of the Month, April 21 to May 19, 2023.

A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. Any person wishing to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the Resort Village of Aquadeo, Box 501, Cochin, Sask. S0M 0L0. A notice of appeal, accompanied by a $100 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision, Western Municipal consulting, Box 149, Meota, Sask.

S0M 1X0, by the 23rd day of May, 2023

Dated with 21st of April, 2023

battlefords humane society

Gina Bernier Assessor

A lil spitfire of a kitty! I came to the shelter almost a whole year ago! I’m currently playing with all my friends at the cat café in Saskatoon. If you need more love in your life then here I am!

A bouncy and energetic boy who loves meeting new friends! I am a quick learner and am sooooo much fun! Talk to my buddies at the shelter to meet me! See you soon!

battlefordshumanesociety.com

VILLAGE OF KRYDOR

OFFERS FOR SALE BY TENDER THE FOLLOWING LOTS

LOT 13, BLOCK 2, PLAN R2049 IN KRYDOR, SASK. LOT 14, BLOCK 2, PLAN R2049 IN KRYDOR, SASK. LOT 21, BLOCK 2, PLAN R2049 WITH HOUSE IN KRYDOR, SASK. LOT 22, BLOCK 2, PLAN R2049 IN KRYDOR, SASK.

THE ABOVE LOTS ARE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE BY TENDER. HIGHEST OR ANY OFFER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED.

SEALED TENDERS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED BY MAIL ONLY TO:

VILLAGE OF KRYDOR BOX 12 KRYDOR, SASK. S0J 1K0

TENDERS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MAY 31, 2023

IF ANY QUESTIONS, CALL 306-280-6626

Hi

TAX ENFORCEMENT

Public Notice Tax Enforcement List

NOTICE is hereby given under the Tax Enforcement Act, that unless arrears and costs appearing opposite the land described in the following list are sooner paid within 60 days of this notice, the Administrator will proceed to register an interest based on a Tax Lien in the Land Titles Registry as required by Legislation.

(ALL West of the 3rd Meridian)

EastHalfSection204215$676.63$20.00$696.63

Delmas,PlanE216030to333$4,972.91$20.00$4,992.91

NE274115$2,111.98$20.00$2,131.98

SE344115$1,940.15$20.00$1,960.15

SE284115$1,460.78$20.00$1,480.78

SE164216$816.15$20.00$836.15

Delmas,PlanC347424,252$450.50$20.00$470.50

Delmas,PlanC34741,23$449.14$20.00$469.14

PartSE214417$2,769.36$20.00$2,789.36

Dated this 20th day of April, 2023.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

FISHER’S DRUG STORE

Fisher's Drug Store is a large independently owned pharmacy operating under the Pharmachoice banner. We offer a friendly work environment and have very attractive store hours. We are open from 9am to 7pm during the week, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays and holidays.

We are looking for a Pharmacy Assistant or Technician

to join our team to provide a high level of personal, professional service to our customers. We provide a wide range to services to our clients, including compliance packaging, ostomy products, athletic and injury bracing and many more. Experience is a asset but not required as we will train the appropriate person for the job

Duties will include the following:

•Assisting in filling prescriptions, under a pharmacists supervision, as provided for by the regulations of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals.

•Be aware of and abide by government regulations, and any policies of the employer, in regard to control, safekeeping, sale, return and disposal of pharmaceuticals, under the supervision of a pharmacist.

•Be responsible for general housekeeping duties, and the general appearance of the pharmacy area.

•Be familiar with all merchandise carried in the department, as well as new products, especially those pertaining to the pharmacy and retail pharmacy area.

•Assisting in customer complaints within the policies of the employer.

•Assisting with inventory in the pharmacy area-ordering and receiving pharmaceuticals under the supervision of a pharmacist, and other duties related to inventory in the pharmacy area, (as assigned by management).

•To provide prompt courteous, friendly, caring service to customers.

•Other duties as assigned by management.

To apply, please contact Darren at Fisher's Drug Store by: Phone: 306-445-6153 Fax: 306-445-7114 email: fishersdrugstore@sasktel.net

FEED & SEED

AGPRO SEEDS LTD. BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED OFFGRADE CANOLA & FEED GRAINS. #1 buyer on the prairies, top price paid! Call/text: 306-8730481, AgPro Seeds bids: agproseeds.com, Email: sales@agproseeds.com

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN HEATED... LIGHT BUGS... TOUGH MIXED GRAIN SPRING THRASHED WHEAT... OATS PEAS... BARLEY CANOLA... FLAX “ON FARM PICKUP” WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN 1-877-250-5252

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS & LABOURERS WANTED

For all heavy equipment: ie. dozers, excavators, scrapers etc.

Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0;

Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www.

CERTIFIED SEED Wheat AAC Goodwin, Go EArly, PintAil Oats AC JuniPEr, AC MorGAn, AC MustAnG, dErby CdC so1 suPEr oAt Barley Ab stAndswEll, CErvEzA, CdC AustEnson, CdC MAvEriCk, sundrE Peas vEry EArly yEllow, ForAGE PEAs, Polish CAnolA, sPrinG tritiCAlE mastinseeds.com 403-556-2609

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY:

Person to COOK & CLEAN for heavy construction camp this spring with possibility of year round. Spring location: Arborfield, SK. Must have valid driver’s licence and safe food and handling ticket.

Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0;

Fax: 306-769-8844

Email:

brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www.

brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

RM of Meeting Lake No. 466 is Accepting Applications for Seasonal/Full-Time Grader Operator

General Skills and Abilities

- Valid driver’s license

- Experience operating grader

- Willingness to learn

- Knowledge of machinery maintenance

- Be safety conscious and pay attention to detail

Duties May Include but not Limited to

- Road and general maintenance

- Service and maintenance of equipment

- Installation of signs and installation/maintenance of culverts

Submit resume including

- Work experience

- Education and skills

- Certifications

- Current drivers abstract

- Three references

The candidate must have well developed interpersonal and motivational skills, be able to take direction from Foreman, must be able to complete physically demanding work and work independently or as a team.

RM offers a comprehensive benefit package, municipal employee pension plan and competitive wages.

Please submit resume as soon as possible to:

RM of Meeting Lake, Box 26, Mayfair, Sask. S0M 1S0 Fax 306-246-4974

E-mail: rm466@sasktel.net

We thank all applicants in advance. Only those under consideration will be contacted.

Betty Johnson/Administrator

Borden Lions elect new officers for 2023-24

By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

Borden Lions held their election of officers for 2023-24 at their April 6 meeting. Officers taking over in September are president Tom Redhead, vicepresident Cody Bradshaw, secretary Kendall Redhead and treasurer Justin Bisson. Retiring executives are president Perry Nicol, vicepresident Sharon Assman, secretary Bob Wardhaugh and treasurer Sandra Long.

A vote of appreciation was given to the retiring executive for a job well done.

The Borden Lions Scholarship of $500 to a post-secondary student was presented to Danika Pidwerbesky, who is enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in education and kinesiology.

The Lions Club will be hosting a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14, in the Borden Community Centre, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the proceeds will be going to diabetes. There

will be a basket draw and activities for the children, so plan to attend and support the cause.

The Martensville Lions Club extended an invitation to attend their guide dog walk May 28, but many felt there was enough activity going on in Borden that we would decline.

The club approved donations to the Borden School breakfast program of $100 each month until June 2023. The Club is busy with Chase the Ace draws every week and the winners have been Jillian Orchard for week 6 and Stuart Toews for week 8, both from Borden. Thank you to Kris Derbowka who won in week 7 and donated his share back to the Lions Club. The Ace of Spades has not been drawn yet so the jackpot continues to grow with tickets available from the village office, Roadside Inn, Lion Bev Assman or e-transfer to bordenlionsraffle@gmail. com, and you can watch the draw live on Zoom on the Borden Lions Facebook

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

RM of Meeting Lake No. 466 is accepting applications for SUMMER STUDENTS GENERAL LABOURER

Duties May Include (but not limited to):

• Installation of signs

• Mowing

• Rock picking

• General maintenance

• Other tasks as directed by Foreman

Skills and Abilities:

• Skilled in equipment and small tools

• Work well with others or independently

• Professional, positive and friendly attitude

• Driver’s licence would be an asset

Must be between 15 – 30 years of age (inclusive)

Work 32 hours per week with minimum of 8 weeks

Please submit resume stating qualifications, experience and references by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10 , 2023 to:

R.M. of Meeting Lake, Box 26, Mayfair, Sask. S0M 1S0

Fax 306-246-4974

E-mail: rm466@sasktel.net

We thank all applicants in advance. Only those under consideration will be contacted.

page.

The Borden Friendship Club held their monthly business meeting April 12, with O Canada played by Rosann Carr and one minute silence held in memory of Donald Dyck, a lifetime member and Lions member, who passed away April 11.

Bev Assman reported the bus trip to Meacham May 6 is full and everyone has paid up. A donation had been given to the Langham refugee sponsorship and a thank you card was read thanking the club for the donation. The club also donates $100 to the Borden School Breakfast program each month, Rosann had sent out four get-well and sympathy cards to members and a thank you was extended to Bev Assman and John Longmore who had thoroughly cleaned all

the tables in the club room.

A report was made from the Interagency meeting held March 23 and Bev Assman is giving the village office an inventory of the club’s tables and chairs but we do not want them to go out of the Community Centre. We welcome school volunteers to help set up for potluck suppers, and the club is not in favour of joint fundraisers.

Brenda Tumbach is the nominating person for the annual meeting April 27 at the potluck supper, and the program will be local talent for that night. We will be inviting other clubs for supper and a program on Thursday, June 8.

The chairs need to be cleaned so Gary Palmer will look into getting an estimate before the May meeting. The last bingo for the season will be held

April 19 at 7 p.m. and the club thanks Bev Assman, Gary Palmer and Ron Tumbach for working at all the bingos and to all those who have brought lunch.

Saturday, April 22, the Borden Museum and Village of Borden are remem-

bering the flood of 2013 by putting on a supper, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Borden Community Centre with admission by donation. They will be serving food pertaining to that time 10 years ago with a program to follow.

Mayfair and District News: Jack Archdekin champion junior showman at Beef Expo

By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

Whitkow community is saddened to hear about the passing of a fellow who moved to Alberta as a young man. Sixty-sevenyear-old Donnie Buziak left this world two months ago. Older generation students would have remembered him and his two brothers, Ernie (deceased) and Edwin riding the Whitkow school bus to attend the school in Mayfair. Decades ago, that school had more than 250 students in attendance as the families were substantially larger.

My neighbours Rick and Pam Lamontagne are grandparents to another baby boy named Kasey Richard Bassa. First-time parents are Brandi and Derrick Bassa who farm near Winnipeg. Brandi is the oldest of Lamontagne’s four daughters. Shirley Lamontagne of Shell Lake is a great-grandmother to this newest arrival. Congratulations to everyone.

In the April 2 edition of

this newspaper, I informed everyone that a former Mayfair lady celebrated a 90th birthday with all the bells and whistles. As you can see in the photo Genieuve Russell is aging beautifully.

The award results from the Thickwood Hills Wildlife Federation fish fry April 8 are as follows:

Rainbow trout - junior 6 lbs. 3 oz. Joey Lange; adult 7lbs. 9 oz. Glen Rafuse;

White-tailed deer - ladies’ 142 4/8 Lisa Saccucci; typical 143 2/8 Joseph Lange; junior ladies’ 123 2/8 Marin Moore; junior 147 5/8 Dominyk Saccucci; 168 3/8 Cody Zyznomirski;

Moose - ladies’ 135 4/8 Lisa Saccucci; men’s 148 3/8 Nick Lesko;

Mule deer - typical 166 1/8 Mitchell Pollard; Nontypical 183 2/8 George Kotelko.

We have a talented young 12-year-old boy who is excelling in showing cattle in our neighbourhood. Jack, son of Sara and Ryan Archdekin of Alticane won champion junior

showman at Saskatoon Beef Expo last week. Raising a heifer from his cow is a big accomplishment for a young fellow. Jack won his first buckle with her at the Young Ranchman’s show in Swift Current. The heifer and cow showing together this spring and summer will be at many cattle shows. As his Mom says a few years ago he was outside running catching butterflies with no worries in

the world. This child has learned from his parent’s hard work pays off. While enjoying the calmness of a beautiful park a half mile from my seniors’ park while writing my news a five-yearold was fishing in a large Yuma, Ariz. pond. His Father made sure every catch was released. With much excitement, nine small fish were caught in half an hour.

Bordon Lions Club members Carly and Jenna presenting the Lions scholarship cheque to Danika Pidwerbesky. | Photo by Lorraine Olinyk

Ninety-year-old Genieuve Russell as her family and many close friends gathered for her birthday party in Hafford. | Photo submitted

Jack Archdekin with the heifer he showed at Saskatoon Beef Expo, where he was named junior champion showman. | Photo submitted

Baljennie News

By Dorothy M. Mills Correspondent

Volunteers at the North Battleford Western Development Museum were among those recognized April 16 to 22 during Volunteer Appreciation Week. The theme was Weaving Us Together.

Volunteers are working in the shop. One notable project is a stationary engine donated 30 years ago. It came from Alberta and was cleaned up and returned to running condition. A few parts had to be fabricated to achieve that.

A mini replica of a Rumley is almost complete and will be running soon.

The museum held a

Maidstone and District News

farewell dinner for Grant Russell, who has retired. He worked at the museum for 15 years. He lives in Battleford.

New volunteer co-ordinator Heather O’Neal has been working to organize summer events. There will be museum school days June 8 and 9, inviting schools in the area to visit.

When the village is up and running offering wagon rides and demonstrations, more volunteers will be needed.

Interest has been expressed in forming a car club to keep the village vintage vehicles up to date.

Visiting with Stanley and Dorothy Mills were Don and Lynda Kulias of Battleford.

Continued from Page 16

Members are working hard on projects and preparing record books for achievement day May 28 at Milleton Hall.

Maidstone Museum’s monthly meeting on April 17 was attended by eight members. We welcomed Helaynea Croke as a new board member. Plans were made for spring cleaning of buildings/grounds and flower planting. If anyone has perennials to share, please call me at 306-8932799. The museum will be open Saturday-Sunday June 3 to Sept. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. or call 306-893-2890 to book a tour or event anytime. The annual corn roast will be Sept. 6. Our raffle fundraiser starts on May 1 with draws on Canada Day at the museum. Prizes are

two $500 meat packages, a Yeti cooler with refreshments and a dump wagon with accessories. Only 500 tickets will be printed so get them early.

Saturday, April 22 is Earth Day. Take time to clean up your environment, plan a garden or tree planting, conserve water, reduce, reuse and recycle. We can all do our part to help the earth.

Maidstone Legion Club Room is holding a cornhole tournament Saturday, April 29 at 11 a.m. in the club room parking lot. Preregister by April 26: $50 per team, equipment provided. Phone the club room at 306-893-4048 or Bobbie at 780-205-1446. The Chase the Ace jackpot is over $2,500 and growing: it must go April 27.

Maidstone Travel Club has a planning meeting

Thursday, April 27 at 7 p.m. at Maidstone High School for their next trip in 2025 to France, Germany and Switzerland. This is open to students currently in Grades 7 to 10 and their families.

Town-wide Garage Sale is on Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year it includes Maidstone, Paynton and rural addresses. Contact Chantal Koski on Facebook or email chantalslaney81@gmail. com to be put on the map.

Waseca Community Centre is having a Mother’s Day Brunch Sunday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Other Reminders:

April 23 - Waseca Community Centre Pie Bingo

at 1 p.m. with new 50/50 (drinks and snacks available).

April 26 - Minor hockey spring meeting in the arena warm-up room at 7 p.m.

April 29 - Waseca Fish

Fry April 30 - Bloomer’s Greenhouse in Maidstone 2023 opening day

May 6 - Girl Guides bottle drive (Saturday). Call 306-441-7571 for pick-up.

May 6 - Waseca Spring Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (wasecacommunitycentre@gmail.com)

If you want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help.

Worship Together

Paddle and Sail hosts Louisiana Hayride Show

By Lorna Pearson Correspondent

MEOTA — The bridge players got together again in the Pioneer Hall for their weekly games. Tuesday winners of three-anda-half tables were Lucille Gregoire and Vern Iverson. Second, were Linda Ard and Cletus Scherman. Tied for third were Bea Prutti and Gerry Craig and Donna Scherman and Bernard Gregoire. Thursday they played a charity game to support the American Contract Bridge League Educational Foundation, with three tables. High score went to Anne Crozier and Cletus Scherman followed by Barb Mitchell and Donna Scherman.

There was a good turnout of folks at the Edam Manor Tuesday for their weekly pie and coffee. That evening there was a good turnout for their weekly singalong under the musical direction of Joyce Wall, including a variety of songs. The manor offered coffee and cookies at the closing of the evening, which was most enjoyable. The Edam Manor is again holding their spring beauty raffle. The three prizes will be a flowering planter, a large hanging basket and two $25 gift certificates to Greenpark Greenhouse. The draw will be made May 13 at 2 p.m. at the manor. Tickets are available at the manor,

credit union and post office.

The Edam and District Recreation Board AGM will be held April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Edam Seniors’ Center.

Meota Lakefront

Paddle and Sail

Music of the Louisiana Hayride Show will light up the stage at the Meota Community Complex Saturday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. in a fundraiser for the Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail Club. Enjoy the hits of Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and so many more with Gil and Lori Risling, Shannon Risling and other members of the Louisiana Hayride Show.

This group has per-

formed across Canada and the United States. Tickets are $25 each and include the show and a light lunch following the show. There will be a cash bar, concession, 50/50 draw and more.

For more information call or text Caroline Van Ee at 306-260-2110 or to pick up your tickets visit the Meota Credit Union, the Meota Hotel and Bar or Warren and Elaine Iverson at 306-441-0399 or 306-892-2229. Tickets can also be purchased online at

www.showpass.com

Edam West 4-H Club

(By

Ella Grant)

I am a member of the Edam West 4-H Club. This year we have 23 members. Members are in beef projects (market steer, heifer) or sheep (market lamb, ewe). Some members are in both. We try to meet once a month for a meeting and also have an activity. We were able to play bingo with the residents of the Edam Enriched Manor this month. The mem-

bers enjoyed themselves. The next day the members were able to gather and bring their animals to work on for the afternoon and clip, brush and lead them around.

Achievement day is May 25 at the Edam Community Centre. Please join us that day to see our members show off all their hard work and at the end of the day, we will have supper that we would love to share with the community.

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