20 minutes longer to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic

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Patients in Saskatchewan had to wait on average 51 minutes to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic last year, which is 20 minutes longer than in 2021, according to the latest data provided by Medimap, a Canadian tech company that helps patients book appointments online at walk-in clinics, pharmacists and with allied health professionals across the country to simplify access to care.

The average wait time to see a family doctor at a walk-in clinic is now 14 minutes longer than the national average, which increased to 37 minutes across Canada in 2022.

Patients in Regina experience the longest average wait times in the province, waiting on average 39 minutes to see a doctor, while patients in Moose Jaw experienced the longest average wait times of 78 minutes.

National data released by Medimap indicates wait times vary across the country:

• Patients in British Columbia and Nova Scotia experienced the longest wait times;

• Ontario and Manitoba have the shortest average wait times;

• On average, British Columbians had to wait more than triple the amount of time (79 minutes) to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic, compared to Ontarians who waited an average of 25 minutes;

• While Ontario has the lowest wait time across the country, it increased to 25 minutes in 202, up form 15 minutes in 2021.

See You at the Theatre Community Players add a bonus production

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Battlefords Community Players

Battlefords Community

Players are already well into the 2023 year and we are in rehearsal for the third show of our season “Strawberries in January” that will be produced from March 14 to March 25. The show is a light drama with 17 crazy scenes including flashbacks that will entertain you from beginning to end with performances by Jeff Arndt, Amanda Gies, Marno Auchstaetter and Holly Briant as Francois, Sophie, Robert and Lea.

We are again offering two show-only evenings on March 14 and 21 and six dinner theatre shows March 16, 17, 18 and March 23, 24 and 25. Get your ticket by calling 306-446-3133 or email bcpdrama@sasktel. net and we will get back to you. I would encourage you to book soon as we have been very fortunate to find ourselves with full houses for the first two shows of the season.

Are you interested in learning the art and craft of acting?

BCP is offering Traditional Acting 101 classes for the beginner. Learn and practice foundation skills and to feel comfortable onstage, in a creative, non-judgmental environment. Gain valuable knowledge of how to prepare for a role, and create believable characters onstage. Feel confident to come out to audition.

This class is also an opportunity for experienced actors who haven’t been on stage for a while to brush up and practise and further develop skills. Like any other skill, the art of acting develops through repetition and practise.

Professional performers continue to practise their craft, after years of profes- sional full-time training, and to receive coaching over their careers.

We are also offering an acting improvisation class to develop performance skills, which employs basic acting preparation techniques, and theatre games to develop imagination, stimulate creativity and to create improvisational theatre scenes. This class is also an opportunity for writers to develop their scene ideas through improvisation with the class participants. We may have performance opportunities that develop from this class as well. If you are interest-

Here’s a canned squirrel, waiting for treats from local trekkers. This is another installment of a new feature for the News-Optimist courtesy of Blake Feist, who would like to see people get outside and get excited about nature. “There is a whole world out there.

It’s been itching for a visit from you.” | Photo by Blake Feist ed call 306-446-3133 or email Karen Silva Bayne at imedicinedancer@yahoo. com. Dates and times will be set if there is sufficient interest to proceed.

The bonus show is called “Grace & Glorie” by Tom Ziegler and features Rena Weikle and Danielle Barrett in a two hander that is being directed by Jim Walls. Grace is a feisty 90-year-old cancer patient who has returned to her beloved cottage in the mountains of Virginia to die alone. Her volunteer hospice worker, Gloria, is a transplanted New Yorker with Harvard MBA. As

Wild’s Window

Glorie attempts to care for and comfort Grace, they learn from each other about the resiliency of women at every age.

This show is not part of our season but we are thrilled to offer it to our patrons and the community of the Battlefords. It is set to run for four performance only, April 11, 13, 14 and 15 and many more details will be available soon. But you can book your tickets anytime as you don’t want to miss out.

Watch for more exciting things from our club. Buy tickets, volunteer or become a fellow thespian.

Planning Business Succession Planning Agricultural Program Assistance Partners

Kelsey Shiloff, BComm, MPAcc, CPA, CA

Beverly Allison, CPA, CMA

Barry Svenkeson, BComm, CPA, CA Office Locations

1682 100th St, North Battleford 306-445-7448

761A 106th St, North Battleford 306-445-1677

116 Main Street, Maidstone 1-866-210-9844 www.saacpa.ca • info@saacpa.ca

4 Reasons To Entrust Your Return To A Tax Pro

Though there are a number of tools to help you complete your own tax return, letting a professional oversee this task is a good idea. Here’s why.

1. YOU’LL AVOID OVERSIGHTS

If you file your own taxes, you may accidentally omit claimable expenses. Your tax specialist, however, will ensure nothing slides through the cracks and can even advise you on which invoices to save for the following year.

2. YOU’LL DECLARE THE RIGHT AMOUNT

A lack of knowledge or experience may cause you to inadvertently record a wrong amount or claim a tax credit you aren’t eligible for. These mistakes could be perceived as tax evasion. Your tax professional, however, is familiar with what’s permissible and how to avoid mistakes

3. YOU’LL MAXIMIZE AVAILABLE TAX CREDITS

There are a variety of refundable and non-refundable tax credits you can claim. This is especially the case if you’re self-employed, have dependants or are retired. Accountants and tax specialists are well versed in the vast range of claimable expenses, and consequently, they know how to maximize your tax declaration.

4. YOU’LL STAY ON TOP OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS

From one year to the next, what expenses you can rightfully deduct from your taxes differs. Tax professionals stay abreast of changes so they can help you make the most of any modifications that apply to your situation.

To minimize the amount you need to pay on your income tax return, trust an accountant or other financial professional in your area.

Steady Progress in Attracting and Recruiting Health Care Workers

Saskatchewan continues to attract and recruit healthcare workers from home and abroad as part of the province’s Health Human Resources Action Plan. Since last fall, progress has been made in approving a total of 31 Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive packages for various healthcare professionals. These one-time incentive packages are available in 52 Saskatchewan communities for up to $50,000 for a three-year return-of-service agreement for nine eligible health professions. For more information, visit saskatchewan.ca/HHR.

306-893-2619