Meridian Source - April 4, 2024

Pioneer celebrates healthy air funding

Residents, staff and visitors at Pioneer House and Lodge won’t have to hold their breath much longer for the startup of a high-tech air fil tration system for both retire ment buildings.

The Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF) has donated $250,000 to the Lloydminster Region Housing Group (LRHG) to purchase and install the system.

“This is ultimately lifechanging for residents of Pio neer Lodge and House,” said LRHG CEO, Stephanie Miller, at Tuesday’s cheque presenta tion at Pioneer Lodge.

“We’re very excited to pro vide them with an enhanced living environment, but also for the staff,” said Miller.

The project is set to start in the next couple of weeks with the initial assessment of the optimal location.

The filtration technology will target and remove air borne viruses and improve air quality to minimize outbreaks and pollutants to improve the living and working environ ment of residents and staff.

Leslie Lorenz, director of operations at Pioneer House and Lodge, says the donation is a great morale booster for healthcare staff after two tough years through the pandemic.

“What a feeling of commu

GEOFF LEE STAFF

Museum hosts hoppening good time

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos

The Lloydminster Museum and Archives was the place to be last Saturday as attendees from near and far took part in the annual Easter Pysanky dip-dying egg event.

Protesters take stand on border

Anti-carbon

Honking horns and flags in the wind were heard and seen on April 1 as carbon tax protesters congregated at the Saskatchewan border on the east side of Lloydminster.

The message behind the protest is simple: axe the carbon tax.

“Drop the tax altogether. I don’t want the 23 per cent gone, I don’t want a pause. Across Canada, Canadians want the carbon tax gone altogether,” said protest organizer Miranda Courts, amidst honks of support near the old Lloydminster Visitor Information Centre.

“This is organic and it will grow as more people talk. The people that came here talked to their friends and family. It’ll only grow from here as we continue on in this protest,” said Courts.

Courts says they aren’t against environmentally-friendly programs or initiatives, but funds from taxpayers

at the old Lloydminster

shouldn’t leave Canada.

“If you want to talk about money for initiatives to help the environment, I’m down for that … but as long as you’re sending one dollar out of this country, I’m not paying a carbon tax.”

She said it was exciting to see so many people come out to sup -

port the protest, but the thing that surprised her the most was the support of those passing by.

“The one convoy, the one slow-roll that they did out of here was incredible,” she said, adding many people passing through joined in on a whim.

Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source

tax protesters gathered

Visitor Information Centre on Highway 16 on April 1 to join the nationwide protest against an ever-increasing carbon tax.

JEANNETTE BENOIT-LEIPERT STAFF WRITER

“They wanted to be a part of it and a lot of them joined into it just put on their hazards and joined in and were honking away. That to me was great because they’re engaging.”

Courts wants people

to know that they’re in it for the long haul.

She says they, along with others across the country, won’t leave until the carbon tax is discontinued.

“I want people to know that we’re out here 24/7. We’re out

here until the carbon tax is dropped. I want people to know that I know it’s an inconvenience for locals and it adds some extra time onto them, but in the end, if and when we succeed at this everybody benefits,” said

Courts.

“Everybody gets a pay increase. Everybody’s going to have more money in their pockets.

“I’m not trying to be violent, not trying to be threatening. I just want to be able to afford my rent.”

Anyone can join the protest, and there is room for vehicles, tents, and campers. All they ask is that people register on arrival and abide by the code of conduct outlined at nationwideprotestagainstthecar-

bontax.ca.

They are accepting donations of food, water, fuel, and any other supplies that will help their cause.

Members of law enforcement have been cooperating with the group of protesters to ensure their safety and the safety of those passing through.

“The police cooperation has been good, which is great because nobody wants to be arrested, but I’m absolutely willing, and I’ve informed them of that.

“I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not backing down,” said Courts, adding the more people that come out the more voices will be heard.

“We’re always welcoming out here because this isn’t a black or white issue, a left or right issue … this is an everyone issue.

“This is affecting children up to seniors, and I’m tired of watching the despair, I’m tired of seeing it. We’re in this across Canada at all locations.”

Jeannette

Fishing guide baits Lloyd anglers

It’s nearly hook, line and sinker time in Saskatchewan lakes and rivers for members of the Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association.

Association president, Dwayne Davison, is already visualizing his catch of the day when the season opens on May 5 in the southern management zone covering the Lloydminster region.

“Walleye are probably the most targeted fish along with northern pike, perch and whitefish,” said Davison, who noted members don’t have to go that far to find a good fishing hole either.

“If you go 30 miles out, you’re at quite a few lakes. Turtle Lake is a big attraction for fishing. It’s a big lake, with lots of cabins around it. There’s walleye, pike, perch and whitefish,” he said.

For those who don’t mind travelling further, the 2024 season opens in the central zone on May 15 and the northern zone on May 25, according to this year’s Saskatchewan Anglers Guide.

The new guide details the regulations, policies and practices that guide recreational fishing in the province, including a comprehensive listing of water bodies with specific catch limits and special regulations.

“Saskatchewan is lucky to be home to some of the best freshwater fishing in Canada,” said Environment Minister Christine Tell in a statement.

“With the 202425 guide now available, we encourage all anglers to review the guide to ensure your fishing activities are compliant with the regulations.”

Davison fishes from his family cabin at Loon Lake in the summer and sometimes at Keeley Lake, north of Meadow Lake where he successfully closed out the ice fishing season on Easter Sunday.

“We did pretty good. The weather cooperated quite well. There was a little bit on the wind for the most part, but temperature-wise, it was pretty good,” he said.

Davison says from all accounts, ice fishing was pretty active this past winter.

“Overall, everybody would say it was pretty good other than that cold snap we had in January with that -40 stuff,” he said.

Attention now turns to the association’s upcoming Fish Fry at the Moose Lodge on April 18 with commercially caught e-boned jackfish or northern pike on the menu.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with supper served at 6 p.m.

“It’s not a big fundraiser for us. We don’t make much money at it. It’s just for members to come out and the general public,” said Davison.

“We sell 200 tickets for it and it pretty much sells out every time.”

Tickets are $25 each from Wildside Outdoors, but Davison doubts there are many left by now.

In the meantime, members can download the new anglers guide and bone up on catch-and-release practices, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and information on how to measure your catch and properly package it for transport.

Anglers aged 16 and older are required to purchase an angling licence to fish in Saskatchewan, except for Saskatchewan resident seniors aged 65 and over.

Saskatchewan and Canadian resident Armed Forces veterans who were honourably discharged are eligible to receive a free angling license, subject to verification.

Angling licences are available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be stored on a phone or other digital devices.

Supplied Photo

Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association member Joe Miazga caught this northern pike at Amish Lake over Easter weekend, which also marked the final weekend of ice fishing this season.

National overdose crisis stats staggering

With Canada’s overdose crisis being one of the most serious and unprecedented public health threats in the country’s recent history, now might be the perfect time to talk to your kids about the dangers of drug use.

It is driven by the illegal drug supply, which is unpredictable, rapidly changing and growing increasingly toxic. The overdose crisis is tragic and has devastating impacts on individuals, friends, and families across the country, leaving no community left untouched.

A recent national data release on opioid-andstimulant-related harms shows an average of 22 people are dying in Canada every day, with approximately 80 opioid-related poisoning emergency department visits per day.

Additionally, from January to September 2023, there were 33,015 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responses for suspected opioidrelated overdoses.

The rapidly changing and volatile illegal drug supply is a key driver behind this increase in deaths, hospitalizations, EMS responses, and emergency department visits.

Of all accidental apparent opioid toxicity deaths in 2023 from January to September, 82 per cent involved fentanyl – this percentage has increased 44 per cent since 2016 when national surveillance began. Newer substances and contaminants, such as xylazine and nitazenes, are more frequently found in the illegal drug market.

The Government of Canada has taken a range of actions to address the overdose crisis.

Guided by the recently renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS), Canada’s model puts in place a comprehensive and evidence-based continuum of supports, including drug prevention initiatives to educate Canadians on the risks of using substances before substance use begins. The newly launched Youth Substance Use Prevention Program is one

example of efforts to build protective factors that promote overall health and well-being and prevent substance use harm among youth.

Harm reduction is also an important part of our approach. This includes measures to support people who are currently using drugs to ensure they do not turn to the deadly illegal drug supply and to help them connect with health and social services.

As of October 2023, over 53,000 overdoses have been responded to in supervised consumption sites across Canada.

These sites reduce public drug use, the spread of infectious diseases, and the strain on emergency medical services.

Additionally, more than 424,000 referrals were made to connect people with health and social services, including primary medical care, counselling, and housing and employment support.

Gleichen RCMP interrupt crime

On Feb. 22 at 1 p.m., Gleichen RCMP were on patrol when they witnessed an armed robbery outside the Gleichen Liquor Store on Main Street.

Officers saw a male exit the liquor store carrying a bottle of vodka, being followed by a store employee. The male pulled a knife on the employee and then walked northbound into a residential area. Police pursued and arrested the male, finding in his possession methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other weapons.

Justin Brett Decoux, 32, a resident of Lloydminster, was charged with:

- Robbery

- Uttering threats

- Possession of a controlled substance x2

- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose x3

- Possession of ammunition while prohibited

- Possession of an explosive substance while prohibited

- Possession of a weapon while prohibited After a Judicial Interim Release Hear -

ing, Decoux was remanded into custody and will be appearing next in Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane on April 9.

On March 26 at 1:30 p.m., Gleichen RCMP on patrol witnessed a male waving a machete around outside Gleichen Family Foods on Main Street.

Police saw the male yelling at people on the sidewalk while carrying the machete.

Teddy Lyndon Yellowfly, 34, a resident of Siksika, was arrested and charged with:

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

File Photo

Students fix climate change in a jiffy

Grade 7 students at Bishop Lloyd Middle School are coming up with climate change solutions for agriculture on the quick.

In just one short lesson, students used their technology smarts to simulate an ondemand watering system for plants grown indoors.

It happened last Thursday under the direction of education technology consultant Cornelius Krahn using MicroBits and Climate Action Kits.

“What we can do with the Climate Action kit is to program it using MicroBits to only water when plants need watering,” explained Krahn.

“What that does is it stops us from using too much water. We’re only watering something on demand instead of all the time or waiting for the clouds to open and rain to pour down.”

Krahn calls the assignment a practical application using coding, so students can build skills to apply to an agricultural setting.

The exercise also fits in with climate change studies taught by Grade 7 teacher

Patti Tremmel.

“We’re looking at soil erosion and how we can improve the way we use the land to sustain what we take from the land and hopefully keep it for future generations,” said Tremmel.

She said Krahn is showing her students how to create something unique with technology in terms of watering plants.

In a nutshell, students were tasked with programming their MicroBits to help simulate a pump that would be used to self-water a plant by sticking a tube into a full cup of water to pump into an empty cup.

Mason Adams is one of many students who thought the exercise was really cool.

“I like coding and we went through the processes like the alligator clips (attached to a breakout board) and the programming and the pump,” he said.

“It was really interesting to watch the water flow from one cup to another. I like how we can show how we can water plants a lot easier. It was pretty easy, but it was really fun.”

The youth teamed up with classmate Jack Fitzsimonds who also nailed all the steps in the assignments by trial

and error.

“It was pretty simple, but we just had a few mistakes that we had to fix,” said

Fitzsimonds who reacted to how it pumped the water.

“I was surprised on how it worked,” he said.

GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Education technology consultant, Cornelius Krahn, helps Grade 7 students, Mason Adams and Jack Fitzsimonds at Bishop Lloyd Middle School connect a breakout board and program a MicroBit to create a selfwatering system for plants as a technology solution for climate change.

Beauty showcased at Lakeland College

hairstyling and esthetician students have fashioned something beautiful.

Lakeland College

The first annual Border Beauty Showcase was held in late March at the Lloydminster campus, featuring hair and esthetic competi -

tions and a trade show.

“We’ve known for a long time that our region has many creative and skilled hair and esthetician artists.

“Today many of those artists will come together to showcase their individual talents and compete, while pushing each other to excel,” said Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland College president and CEO, at the outset of the showcase.

“Here at Lakeland we always strive to put our hands-on learning right at the forefront, and here’s a great opportunity to see just what our students can do,” she said, adding the day wouldn’t be possible without the students in the hair and esthetician programs who planned it.

Denna Koch and Grace Kitchen are the two students who took

the lead in making the event a reality.

“I think my favourite part was getting to see all of the different industry professionals come together and work together as one, especially in the avantgarde, they all had one vision and it went together perfectly,” said Kitchen.

“And then just meeting all these different businesses and barbers and hairstylists and just asking about their journeys was really cool for me.”

Koch said she enjoyed watching some of the high school students immerse themselves into their world.

“It gives them the

opportunity to show off their work, even if it’s not what they want to do with their life—it gives them that opportunity,” said Koch, adding she wishes it was around when she was in high school.

Another thing that she enjoyed about the day was being one of the MCs, and being able to announce some of the competition winners.

“Just being that person made me really, I don’t know how to explain it. You just see a different spark in people, it’s exciting. Being MC kind of kept me on my toes all day,” said Koch.

JEANNETTE BENOIT-LEIPERT STAFF WRITER

Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source

Samson Okwera, Jordy Opper and Kristian Korkis take part in the live barbering competition as part of Lakeland College’s Border Beauty Showcase, held at the school in late March.

Fantasy and reality enrich learning

Grade 8 students at E.S. Laird Middle School rolled up their sleeves during a cross-curricular landbased learning day that brought their book learning to life.

Pemmican making, skinning a rabbit and fire starting are some of the traditional Indigenous survival skills students practised last week after reading about them in a fantasy novel, The Barren Grounds.

“The purpose is to enrich the learning that is going on in the classroom. These are just the hands-on enrichment activities to make it more real and applicable to life,” explained teacher Leslie Hyland.

“We wanted them to have hands-on experience. What does pemmican taste like, because the characters eat pemmican? All these things are directly connected to the novel, but they also tie into our science curriculum.”

Skinning rabbits related to trapping, traplines and survival food in keeping with the book.

The skill was demonstrated by Derek Hyland who teaches a land-

In the live barbering competition, Samson Okwera placed first, followed by Kristian Korkis, second, and Jordy Opper, third.

In the high school formal updo category Jayda Hill took the top spot, with Sophie Graham in second and Patience Littlewolfe, third.

In the high school formal makeup competition Ava White came in first, Tylar Clemence took second place, and Linnea Joy was third.

The avant-garde competition was a team effort, with 4-6 contestants in each group.

The top spot went to Samson Okwera, Emily Shepansky, Brianna Palmer, Glazia Capiral, Elizabeth Rody and Belle Ludu.

based cultural leadership program at Bishop Lloyd Middle School with students like Tayton Graham taking a turn using a pocket knife.

“We were cutting the skin off so we could skin the animal right around the leg part,” said Graham with fellow student Bennett Amos working on another part of the rabbit.

Graham says the exercise teaches survival skills if they ever need to skin and eat a rabbit, something he can relate to on his family’s farm.

“I’ve skinned beavers and stuff like that, but never rabbits,” he said, noting he would probably eat it in the wild if he had to.

Teacher Christine Johannessen was on hand to talk about fire starting fits into the curriculum and the book.

“Today, we’re learning about states of matter, so the students will start their fires and then they’ll put ice in a tin can to show the change in state from a solid to liquid and gas.”

“We are also tying it to their novel study, The Barren Grounds, where it’s a bit of survival.”

The catch was, students only had three matches to get their fire going.

Students Gaven Sutton and Kolby Miller teamed up to create a flame on their second match.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

In second were Ellie Sears, Trysten Kuhn, Ilya Smirnov and Jalynn Machatis. The third-place team members are Lauren Duke, Kamryn Noeth, Kammi Feland, Darby Wells, Hope Adamson and Sumiah Prill.

Koch said something that stood out for her was watching the judges and how they made their decisions.

“Even just looking at the judges who are in our industry and seeing what they’re looking for in a competition is also what they’re looking for in real life too,” she explained.

“It kind of gives you something to think about when you’re going out into the industry after school.”

Kitchen said she

learned a lot about perspective at the showcase.

“I definitely learned how different everybody’s views are, and it’s the same thing but they have like 10 different views on the one thing,” said Kitchen.

“Each person sees something different. Which is why every salon isn’t going to be for you.”

Both students emphasized the tremendous teamwork that went into planning and executing the event.

Nearly 60 hair and esthetics students worked together to make it all happen.

“It’s very cool to have it here, especially since beauty and hair shows aren’t really big in Canada anymore,” said Kitchen.

GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

E.S. Laird Middle School Grade 8 students Bennett Amos and Tayton Graham take their turn at skinning a rabbit as part of a cross-curricular land-based learning day.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Grade 8 students Gaven Sutton and Kolby Miller warm their hands on a fire they started using special materials during a land-based learning day.

Viewpoint

OP-ED: HOUSEKEEPING

It’s always a great deal more fun to write about controversy and conflict, especially about politics. Our political arena often seems more like a gladiators’ contest in the Forum rather than the sober, albeit boring, business of doing what’s best for our people.

However, that is not what the day-to-day process of government is about. When one ignores the bellowing and posturing and looks at the “routine” stuff, we

see most of what government does is about making sure the snow gets cleared off the roads, the garbage gets picked up, we get water flow when we turn on a shower, the street lights turn on at night, and the traffic lights work.

The March 11 meeting of Council dealt with a couple of interesting “housekeeping items” having to do with road-way repair, water and sewer replacement, and landfill (garbage dump) con-

struction. While I realize this is about as interesting as watching paint dry, it might be a little more engaging when you realize that the combined budget for this work is about $6,250,000. The rationale for all this money is interesting. The City has split up the road program into two sections. One that deals with the primary roads and major projects, and the other which focuses on the local, or residential areas.

Border Banter with Benoit-Leipert: What’s

An article I recently read described us millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) as the generation who lived an analog childhood with a transition into technology as we got older. Not wrong.

I’ll be the first to admit technology changed everything.

Supper? There’s an app for that. Money management? There’s an app for that. Lost

LEARNING FROM PAGE 9

Sutton said the trick is to “block off the wind, put your hand and body in the way,” while Miller noted their fire starter kit included a mix of wax, sawdust and some dry lint.

The hands-on learning also extended to a dissected fetal cow to teach body systems to students.

Hyland called the event a total school collaboration.

in a generation?

in the city? There’s an app for that too!

Then I read forward to the generation that all five of our kids fall under—Gen Z. (19972010).

It said they were born into a time where they are constantly connected via one device or another. That sounds exhausting.

I remember getting off the bus after a long day at school and either having a snack and going outside if

the weather was nice or watching something on TV before doing homework.

If I had a rough day at school or had been bullied on the bus those things stayed in those places. Home was my safe space.

If a friend really needed to talk to me, they could try calling the landline, which was also used for my parents’ business, and occasionally as a fax line as well.

Nowadays, kids are constantly connected. But also disconnected in a lot of ways.

I think it’s so important to make time for device-free family activities, especially outdoor activities.

It’s important to teach them how to do things without those apps because who knows what the future may hold. How would today’s kids do in a fully analog world? Food for thought.

Leeway from Lloyd: Kid Canada rolls on

They say age is just a number. Today, I turn 75, so I will be sticking with that number for a while.

Time flies for sure and it seems to speed up as you get older. That’s why I am trying to feel youngish by being in shape.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve liked my playtime, and over the years, that’s led to run -

HOUSEKEEPING FROM PAGE 10

ning, hockey, skiing, and triathlons and for the last 10 years, mostly skating, swimming and cycling. I’m calling myself Kid Canada with a bald spot to fake youth.

I just registered for a 96-kilometre bike race in August as these events give me a goal, which I think all of us seniors need. I know I will have to retire soon, too, and I will need to set a ton of other goals. I don’t want to feel isolated and start nailing fried eggs on the wall

They did this to ensure local residential roadways did not get shuffled to the back of the bus when it came to making the choices of what projects did or didn’t go forward each year.

The water and sewer

and lose my mind.

As a senior who lives on a budget, I value health and fitness above wealth, but I could use a lotto win to end financial anxiety.

My plan B is to become a swashbuckling porch pirate named Captain Goodlife and hawk pilfered loot online to pay my bills. Har!

I may recruit some fellow senior members of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society who are also finding it

replacement programs are directed to those older sections of the city that may still be operating with older, dated inferior infrastructure.

If you’ve ever seen what happens to a basement when heavy rain overpowers older, inferior sewer systems, you

hard to make ends meet.

It also seems there are so many local senior issues on the agenda that never get fully resolved, like the replacement of Jubilee Home, changing laws to allow seamless cross-border sharing of health information, the recruitment and retention of healthcare staff and new subsidized housing to meet the growing demand.

Now that I am one of the older folks in the room and about town, I can honestly reveal, that

can appreciate the need for these upgrades. If it happens often enough, the insurance carriers simply won’t give you insurance, which is a real bummer.

The last item is the land-fill project. Besides being a blinding glimpse of the obvious, as

I don’t have any plans to write a novel, trek to Argentina or sketch gorillas in the wild in my later years.

For now, at least, I

long as people keep bringing garbage to the dump, it’s got to go somewhere.

In this case, it’s a little more complicated than just dumping stuff, packing it and dumping more stuff.

The work is highly regulated by provincial and fed -

will keep writing gems like this column and scaring the neighbours cycling by in spandex— as Kid Canada rolls on for another year.

eral legislation and a good deal of civil engineering and construction work must be done to ensure that our junk damages the area to the smallest possible degree.

So, that’s how you spend $6.25M.

- Darrell Dunn

STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

File Photo

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.

Passport to YLL

To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147

Cards, games, food, meetings and live music

BINGO IS BACK!

Bingo is back at the Moose Lodge every Monday and Wednesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Must be 18 to play.

Legacy Dinner Theatre Tickets Available

Tickets are now on sale for the Legacy Centre’s 12th annual Dinner Theatre, featuring the Lloydminster Little Theatre presenting “Barefoot In The Park,” scheduled for April 25-28. Tickets are $55/ person and can be purchased at the Legacy Centre.

Grace United Church Fundraiser

Grace United Church, located at 4708 – 50 Ave., is hosting a fundraiser on April 4-5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with incredible bargains and treasures. Donations are welcome and appreciated. Con -

tact Lynda for pickup info at 306-821-2575.

D12 & Obie Trice at Cheers Live

D12 with Obie Trice will be performing live in Lloydminster April 5 at Cheers Live with Robbie G. Tickets are $42.46 and available on Eventbrite. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Britannia Wilton Rural Crime Watch AGM

The Britannia Wilton Rural Crime Watch AGM will be held on April 5 at the Marshall Community Hall. Supper is at 6 p.m. followed by a short business meeting. Guest speaker is RCMP firearms expert Cpl. Jason Dussault. Tickets are $25 each in advance only and available at RM of Britannia and RM of Wilton officesThose not wishing to attend the supper are welcome to come for the meeting and guest

speaker at no charge. Everyone Welcome.

Community

Garage Sale

The Lloyd Ex is hosting a community garage sale on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Bexon Construction Prairie Rooms. See you there!

Green Shirt Day

On April 7, wear green to remember the Humboldt Broncos Bus Tragedy and in honour of the Logan Boulet Effect. Let’s continue to inspire one another because when we register as organ donors, and tell our family and friends, we are Together Strong.

Marwayne PBR

The 12th annual Marwayne PBR, with all proceeds going to the Marwayne Arena, is back on April 12 with wild pony races at 6:30 p.m. and bulls at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 at the door with live music provided

by The Prairie Dogs (dance-only tickets are $20 ... there WILL be an ATM on site). Get yours today!

Legacy Supper

The Legacy Centre will be hosting its monthly supper on April 12. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m., then dance the night away to The Plaiders. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY. Please purchase or reserve tickets ($25 each) by noon on April 11. All members and guests welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Gord Bamford in Turtleford

Gord Bamford is bringing his Canadian Dirt Tour to the Turtleford Commnity Centre on April 12 with special guest Dallas Alexander. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., tickets are available at showpass.com.

Islay Crib Tournament

The Islay Community Association is hosting a crib tournament on April 13 in the Islay Hall. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., registration cut-off is 10:15 a.m. and play commences at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $25 per person, which includes noon lunch. Please pre-register by calling Linda at 780581-0570.

Islay Jamboree

There will be a Jamboree on April 21 at 1 p.m. in the Islay Community Hall. Admission $15, participants free. Everyone welcome. Lunch served. For more info call Dixie at 780-744-2204.

The Bellamy Brothers

The Vic Juba Community Theatre will be hosting country music legends The Bellamy Brothers (yes, it’s really the original brothers) on Tuesday,

April 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $65 and available online or at the Vic Juba box office. Call 780-872-7400 for more info.

Classified @

The Civic Canadian rapper and record producer Classified will be live at the Centennial Civic Centre on May 18. Tickets are $45 and available through Eventbrite.

- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

- Failing to comply with conditions

After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Yellowfly was remanded into custody and will be appearing in Alberta Court of Justice in Siksika on April 11.

Gleichen RCMP assures residents they are diligent, dedicated and committed to keeping their community safe.

Supplied Photo

Moose Lodge Lloydminster member Bruce Cowan presents a cheque for $2,000 to the Legacy Centre’s Carrie Pollard in a recent photo-op. Funds were raised through the lodge’s bingo nights and Moose members were more than happy knowing the donation would be going to the Legacy Centre.

Interesting times in farmland sales

I have been facilitating land sales and purchases for over 20 years now but must admit the past few months have presented more than a few unique challenges.

Farmland sales are no longer just offering a title, they can range from all the improvements in the home quarter to the dissolving of a complete corporation or agri-business.

Let’s start with share sales.

The late 80s saw a change in federal tax policy for owners of farmland leading many families to roll their land base into a corporation.

Today, those farmers are ready to retire and, to minimize their

capital gains liability, want the next owner to buy all their shares in the company which, in turn, is the registered title holder to the assets.

These assets may enclose both land and structural improvements like bin yards.

This approach has been common practice in the commercial world for decades, but farmers still seem somewhat slow to adopt it.

Of course, if you buy the company, you are also buying any liabilities it may have in the background, so sound diligence needs to occur.

It is a straightforward process. Retaining an experienced lawyer to advise on the decision pathway is prudent.

The new owner can use the incoming com -

pany’s assets proactively for their own forward planning, but again, positioning them should involve a competent accountant.

All of which costs more in professional fees and extra time, another deterrent. But it may be the only way the farm can assemble more property.

Increasingly our Group is in discussions with landowners looking to divest some of their non-core land

base to redeploy capital into another venture, reduce debt, or simply to “right-size” their operation.

Again, normal business practice is borrowed from the commercial world.

However, it goes counter-culture to landowners of a certain age (like me) who were indoctrinated by their parents and grandparents to never sell land. Heresy!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

MIDWEST MINUTE VERN McCLELLAND

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at least 12 of the 24

Easter egg decals displayed at selected locations. No ‘yolking’, this outdoor fun will keep you active as you solve the clues!

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 TO SUNDAY, APRIL 7

lloydminster.ca/EggHunt

CLUES!

1

Opening in 1966, this dome shaped arena is used seasonally for ice hockey. There’s a hill for sledding and family friendly recreation

cold for swimming. You don’t have to go inside this City of Lloydminster facility with it’s rustic charm. Search high and low to discover the egg’s location on one of the customized metal signs which shares information with drivers.

2

Did you know it took 11,248 plastic bottles to Martin Browne School site, plus the painting talents of a local artist? Ice skaters can take a break from skating or playing hockey inside this 2021 neighborhood addition. During the rest of the year, folks use this as a rest area, to watch a game of basketball or to enjoy nature. You may have to walk around this colourful gazebo counter clockwise a few times as this egg is “eggceptionally” tricky to spot.

3

Lloydminster’s largest park offers a variety of shelters, pickleball, swimming and more. The park centre is where ice skaters warm-up, visitors around this building. Hint: For some cardio fun, be physically active and climb the deck steps opposite the playground to discover this egg.

4

sound of fuzzy balls being hit on an outdoor surface surrounded by fabric covered fencing, this racquet sport is growing in Lloydminster.

this Olympic sport is a fan favourite. Games and tournaments are held here as players attempt to neutralize their opponents serve. Search high and low around the outside of these large courts to serve up this sporty egg!

5

As you wander down a paved path past the garden maze at Bud Miller Park, you’ll discover a picnic shelter in a clearing. This beautiful green space is home to birds and wildlife of various habitats. This is a great spot to take a break and breathe in the fresh scents of these natural “eggsplore” nature. Did you happen to notice the birds nesting up high in the rafters and claiming sight to behold!

6

This may not be the largest sun dial in the world but Lloydminster folks are very proud of it! Pavers make up the hour lines and posts indicate the time degrees. The surrounding wooden posts and steel pipes indicate north, east, south and towards the yellow bar which is called a gnomon. The gnomon’s job is to cast a dark shadow and in the shadows of time.

7

Batter up and let’s play ball! Look for two ball diamonds with bleacher seating and score a homerun with this egg. Nearby is the Lloydminster Hospital and an elementary school which is home of the Jaguars. Attention fans... bases are loaded, the score is tied and it’s a Grand Slam! The players are scrambling out of the dugouts as the home team has won. Search around these dugouts. Be on the alert for a high curve ball as you may have to step up to the plate

8

Located close to the railway tracks and across from residential homes, this older ball diamond is also a few blocks away from the home of the Q. E.

it’s a neighbourhood favourite. This green space on Lloydminster’s north end has plenty of parking and is sidewalk accessible. You may have to hit a foul ball over the backstop from home plate and Happy hunting!

9

Ready for some cardio fun and active outdoor

overlooking Dog Bone Lake and the nearby home claim to fame is, “I’m the Egg of this Hill!” Be on alert as this egg likes to play games; it may be in

when you’re having outdoor fun. The lake ice is unsafe to walk on as we slowly welcome the “eggciting” return of spring.

10

Phew, you won’t have to climb that big hill again! However, you may want to run around the bases

green space and paved trails, this neighbourhood park is a multi-seasonal favourite. Go sledding in the winter, play ball in the summer and hike

Then reward yourself with a visit to the nearby

11

gym and more! This family-friendly Alberta park has a variety of outdoor features for folks

scenery as you walk the trails and go off the main path. In one corner is Lloydminster’s only

and instructions. Head on over to the ball diamond and run around the bases. Then take a rest behind the backstop to catch your breath. Look way up!

12

This Alberta park has many different entrances

neighbourhood includes the First Lutheran Church, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and St. Joseph School. Using your keen sense of direction, search around the entrance which is closest to Bud Miller Park. The elusive egg will ‘participating’ in this park’s fun.

hidden in this K-park!

13

Once you have found the eggs, email recreation@lloydminster.ca with their locations by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 to be entered into the Easter basket prize draws.

This Lakewood playground is nestled in a corner of a Saskatchewan neighbourhood park. A walking trail gently divides this green space. Do you remember the Norwegian fairy tale, Three Billy Goats Gruff? It’s about three hungry Billy goats who wanted to cross the bridge to eat grass on the other side. An unfriendly Troll lived under this bridge and threatened to eat anyone who dared to cross. In the end, the third Billy goat bravely stood up to the Troll and after that everyone got safely across. Are you brave enough to cross this bridge?

14

The prairie settlement of the Barr Colonists began in 1903 and now straddles the provincial border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. This City of Lloydminster facility preserves their stories, artifacts and history. There’s also an amazing Gift Shop featuring unique items. Programs, tours, birthday parties and more are also offered. You don’t have to go inside this facility; carefully search around the building dedicated to sharing our heritage with visitors from around the world. Clearly, it’s an “eggceptional” location for this culture focused Easter egg!

15

Lloydminster’s newest park was built in the summer of 2022 and it’s so much fun! From the paved path to the colourful crooked playhouse, this whimsical park on 35th Street is sure to create outdoor memories for kids and adults of all ages. There’s plenty of green space to roam and the mulched playground area is full of unique equipment. The blue and white playhouse appears to be right out of a fairy tale storybook and includes many fun features to discover together.

16

This neighbourhood arena was built in 1976 and winter and book the space for other sports or community events in the off-season. This multipurpose building is named after R. R., who was a distinguished mayor of Lloydminster. His many contributions to our border city deserve recognition. Search high and low on the outside of the arena;

17

PRIZE SPONSORS

Prizes will be drawn on Monday, April 8 and announced on the City of Lloydminster’s Facebook page at noon.

Winners will be contacted by email.

Used during the winter, this Skate Shack provides a spot for lacing up skates and getting ready for a game of shinny or speed skating around the oval. You won’t be able to get into this seasonal building; however, this shy egg is clearly visible from the parking lot fence. It bravely stands out against the sun warmed metal background and is game ready. This egg with a kind-hearted message encourages you to keep solving the clues and searching for the hidden Easter Eggs. Don’t forget to enter your name in the draw before the deadline!

18

skateboarders of all ages have an opportunity to land an Ollie or perform a 360°. Quarter pikes, ramps, rails and stairs are part of this two-level park. This active sport has it’s own lingo and elements to carve a trick or two in the air. Safety

Nearby is a large recreation facility and traces of the giant oval used for outdoor ice skating are visible. Hint: Look on the back of an information sign.

19

recreation facility is a favourite destination. First for large bus and RV parking at this City of Lloydminster facility. The egg is safely hiding and knows not to play on the paved road. Instead, let’s play a game of Hot & Cold! The black fence and sidewalk past the garbage bin towards the SSC, you’re getting colder. Hmmm, the tall solitary post which lights up at night is very hot!

20

As you walk around this recreation location in Saskatchewan, you’ll wonder why you failed to see this egg as soon as you arrived into the 18 Street parking lot. Towering high above this regulation sized ball diamond is a large score clock. Many balls have been hit over the Co-operators Field fence to earn a home run. It’s not part of the PA system, but this egg is posted as part of the communication announcements. No Google Map pins needed for this post!

21

Each park in Lloydminster has unique features including this one! For adults, this playground equipment brings back memories of getting dizzy

modern fun and nestled beside paved walking trails, this Saskatchewan park is near a regulation sized ball diamond. This Co-operators egg may have gotten a bit scrambled on the merry-goround though, but it managed to roll over to the blue climbing equipment for some vertical recreation. Do you see it now?

22

First look through a wire fence to catch a

Lloydminster which was built in 1903. Nearby is a log cabin, display shop, and other heritage buildings. Resting quietly on the prairie land is a variety of agricultural implements used by which is the start of your historical journey. Open seasonally from May to August, you’ll have to walk slowly around the outside of this reception

23

welcoming front window display to their friendly a pleasure to shop here and discover how special this corner Toy Store truly is. For that special person in your life to everyday fun, there are unique items for all ages and budgets. This white house will put a smile on your face. The Easter Egg can clearly be seen from the outside and wishes you a Happy Easter!

24

This Easter Egg is having fun at the 18th Street location on Lloydminster’s south side safely away from the full or self-serve pumps and propane

fresh food options, hot or cold beverages, a variety of confectionary treats for folks and so much more. Friendly staff will greet you as they serve the community from this location. The egg can clearly be seen from the outside, or you may want to visit the cheery atmosphere inside too. Happy Easter!

Steer clear of wild horse foals

Do not disturb. That’s what Help Alberta Wildies Society, a provincial wild horse advocacy and watchdog organization, is asking the public about

new spring foals in the wild over the next few months.

“Wild horses throughout the province start foaling in April and it’s not uncommon for outdoor and recreational users on Crown Land to see them while out enjoying a day in the backcountry,” said, the organization’s president Darrell Glover.

“Newborn and young foals are particularly vulnerable during this time as they can easily become separated from their mothers and their natal bands if disturbed, making them prime targets for starvation or predation.”

According to Glover, many times when a wild horse band or mare is spotted, a young foal may be resting and lying in the bushes nearby.

Getting too close or travelling too fast through the area may cause the band to flee, leaving any young foals behind.

“Alberta’s wild horses

are a precious natural resource and attract scores of visitors and photographers from around the world who want to see them roaming wild and free in the backcountry, especially in the spring when foals begin to arrive,” said Glover.

“We just ask that when doing so, people are respectful and cautious. Give the horses some space; don’t scare them or give them a reason to flee.”

Glover says the wild horse foaling season is critical to the sustainability of the species that is unique to Alberta according to DNA analysis and unlike any other horses in the world.

“Predation in the backcountry especially in the Sundre Equine Management Zone ( is particularly high,” he said.

“We estimate only 10 per cent of the foals born annually survive, so it’s critical as many foals as possible make it to adulthood.”

Sask camping reservations now open

open at 7 a.m. daily.

Reservations for Saskatchewan Provincial Parks 2024 camping season kicked off on April 1 for seasonal campsites and April 2 to 9 for nightly, CampEasy and group campsites.

The good news is there are no fee increases this year when visiting a provincial park and reservations

Reservations for camping at Candle Lake, Good Spirit Lake, Meadow Lake, and Saskatchewan Landing opened on April 2.

The remaining reservation schedule for 2024 for seasonal campsites is as follows:

Seasonal campsites:

April 4: Douglas, Echo Valley, Makwa Lake, Narrow Hills, Pike Lake.

April 5: Danielson,

Great Blue Heron, Greenwater Lake, Rowan’s Ravine, The Battlefords.

April 8: Buffalo Pound, Bronson Forest, Duck Mountain, Moose Mountain, Porcupine Hills.

April 9: Blackstrap, Crooked Lake, Cypress Hills, Lac La Ronge.

For a complete listing of fees to experience Saskatchewan’s provincial parks, visit Sask Park’s online reservation site.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Be advised, it’s Asbestos Awareness Week

April 1-7 is Global Asbestos Awareness Week which provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos in the workplace.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was regularly used in buildings until the late 1990s. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny fibres are released into the air. When they are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and stay there for many years. Over time, these fibres can accumulate and lead to serious health problems.

“Saskatchewan has taken many steps to ensure that workers are protected from the dangers of asbestos,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don McMorris said.

“The online Asbestos Registry of Public Buildings was created to ensure that information about the presence of asbestos is easily accessible. This is just one of many educational tools avail -

Many retiring farmers, or their beneficiaries, choose to rent out land, at least initially, instead of selling it.

And whether they realize it or not, they are now an investor.

Land rents are slow to follow the current increase in land values; often three to five years before fundamental adjustments are seen.

But in all fairness, the decision to judge what is an appropriate “return” on investment should factor in both the annual cash flow and the gain in equity simply by holding on to the property.

If you were to buy a term certificate, the principal amount would remain fixed; all you are benefiting from is the interest payment and of course, the bank’s guarantee

able to protect workers from asbestos-related harm.”

The Public Health Act of 1994 requires the provincial government, Crown corporations, health regions and all facilities used as public schools to provide and post information about the presence of asbestos in those buildings.

Currently, Saskatchewan is the only provincial jurisdiction to

the funds won’t reduce in value.

There are, of course, many alternative places to invest capital; some are more lucrative than others, but also come with their own risks.

We listen regularly to this group of owners struggling with taking their equity out and using it for their own retirement or distributing it while they can see its impact, whether it be to loved ones or favoured charities.

With ownership of half of the land on the Prairies in the hands of people who do not farm it personally, tenant relations have also become a major undertone to the discussion.

Thankfully for most family farms, being able to access land without the carrying charges associated with owning it, remains a viable option.

have an online asbestos registry available to the public.

To date, over 5,200 facilities have been registered in the searchable online tool.

In the 2024-25 provincial budget, $230,000 in new funding is provided to replace the current asbestos registry. This will ensure that the registry continues to protect workers when doing repairs or reno -

However, our clients, especially the ones in the 35 to 55 age bracket, tell us what they are striving for is an appropriate balance between the number of acres they own with the amount they rent.

Just this week, one took the time to walk us through the income and expense projections for the upcoming crop year, based on over 12 years of analysis of actual results on his farm.

Impressive to say the least. He knew the risks and outlined the steps he was taking to mitigate them.

I’m pretty sure his lender is supportive given the skilled management being demonstrated.

Friends, this is not your ma and pa’s operation anymore.

It makes me feel very positive about the future

vations to public buildings identified as containing asbestos.

Before the late 1990s, asbestos was used in over 3,000 different manufactured products. The only way to find out if a material contains asbestos is to have a sample tested at a qualified laboratory.

Learn more about the dangers of asbestos in the workplace, including information about understanding,

of the family farm.

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation.

Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing vernmcclelland@remax.net or calling 306-821-0611.

identifying and handling asbestos. Visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/asbes -

tos and WorkSafe Saskatchewan https:// www.worksafesask.ca/ asbestos/.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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ASK THE MONEY LADY

Dear Money Lady Readers,

I often get asked about how to help people deal with money issues and many Canadians want to know how to change their partners, especially if you’re a saver and your partner is a spender. Often,

our financial decisions are deeply rooted in what we’ve learned as a child, including our past socioeconomic status, culture, experiences, and our parent’s attitudes toward money. Let’s face it, life’s expensive – especially nowadays. It’s easy to go into debt without really indulging. We’re all trying to cut

back and spend less, but understanding your relationship with money helps you find ways to improve your situation.

There are seven money personalities that researchers have divided us all into – and of course, some of you may have a combination of a few.

Which trait do you most relate to? Once

you have decided, try to see the differences between you and your partner and then you can work on a plan to help each other.

First up is the Worrier. This is a person who constantly worries about losing money. It doesn’t matter how much money they have – they are always worried about losing it.

Typically, they lack the confidence to believe they can ever be financially stable, and I like to call this trait the Money-Prepper –always preparing for the worst, always anxious, and always expecting a disaster to happen sometime in the near future.

On the other end of the spectrum – is the Gambler. This type of person takes big risks with money, but the problem is they also have extreme mood swings.

Sure, they love the thrill of risky money moves but then tend to crash hard when luck isn’t on their side. Be careful with this trait. Gamblers will often go into debt or use savings to take more risks to make up for past losses.

Then there’s the compulsive saver.

This is someone who saves money endlessly and views their money as their security. This is a BIG bargain shop -

per and will take being cheap to the next level. They’d wrestle a discount out of every sale if they could, and they’re happiest when they’ve snagged something for nothing.

Opposite them – is, of course, the compulsive spender. And we all know what this person does. This is usually someone who spends when emotionally depressed or in need of immediate gratification. Even if they have a lot of debt, these spenders will continue to go shopping.

In extreme cases, this person tends to hide large purchases from family and friends, and even though they feel remorse, they can’t stop and often are at risk of going bankrupt.

The compulsive money maker is the next one. This is someone who believes life is better when you earn more. This could also be a workaholic.

CHRISTINE IBBOTSON SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE

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Sask appoints new firearms officer/deputy commissioner

After an extensive and competitive process, Murray Cowan has been selected as the new Deputy Commissioner and Chief Firearms Officer of the Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO), effective April 1.

Cowan will oversee the central administration of the SFO and report to the commissioner.

Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner, Robert Freberg, will have oversight of the entire SFO and be responsible for external relationships and advocacy, strategic planning, and advancing government priorities.

Freberg will continue the important work he has been doing for Saskatchewan citizens in his expanded role as the Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner.

“Keeping Saskatchewan people safe and promoting responsible firearm usage and storage are critical priorities for our government,” said corrections, policing and public safety minister Paul Merriman. “Mr. Cowan’s track record speaks volumes about his dedication to representing the interests of our firearms commu-

MONEY LADY FROM PAGE 20

These people believe their top priority is making more money and will want recognition for their financial success, for example, a trophy house, an expensive car, or some type of toy that represents their wealth.

Next up is the person who is indifferent to money. This person rarely thinks about money. They never worry and are not very responsible with their finances. They feel that money shouldn’t influ -

nity. With his expertise, we are confident in our shared mission to promote safe and responsible firearm practices across our province.”

I am eager to collaborate with dedicated and skilled professionals of the Saskatchewan Firearms Office in my new role, to navigate the complexities we face, and to seize the potential for positive change. “

Cowan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Saskatchewan Firearms Office. He has over 45 years of firearms-related experience, nearly 40 years of service in public safety, and served with the Estevan Police Service for 30 years, rising to the role of Deputy Chief of Police in 2017. He has been an active member of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police and is an avid outdoorsman, hunter, target shooter and firearms enthusiast.

“We are thrilled to welcome Murray to our team,” Freberg said.

“His breadth of experience, firearms knowledge, and deep understanding of the Saskatchewan people we serve will be instrumental in guiding our office toward achieving our objectives and delivering effective programming.”

“I am excited and honoured for the opportunity to become a part of the Saskatchewan Firearms Office and will be dedicated to upholding the rights and safety of legal firearm owners in our province,” Cowan said.

“I am eager to collaborate with dedicated and skilled professionals of the Saskatchewan Firearms Office in my new role, to navigate the complexities we face, and to seize the potential for positive change. This includes working alongside our law enforcement partners, Indigenous governments in Saskatchewan and all our community stakeholders.”

The Saskatchewan Firearms Office

ence important decisions and usually believe that they only need a modest amount of money to be happy.

The last money personality type is the saver and spender. This is probably most of us. Someone who saves a little and spends a little. This person is smart with their money most of the time, but then given the right circumstances, spends impulsively out of nowhere, usually regretting later.

So how did you do?

These traits are taken

is responsible for supporting safe communities by managing the ownership, purchase, movement and use of firearms within the province through the administration of federal firearms legislation.

As well as promoting our proud heritage of responsible firearm ownership. Having Cowan serve as Deputy Commissioner will enable the SFO to broaden its capabilities, fulfilling its mandate to ensure public safety and protect the rights of lawful firearms owners.

to the extreme in my opinion, but it is a good exercise to uncover your reaction to each trait and perhaps work on changing your relationship with money for the better.

Good Luck and Best Wishes,Money Lady

Christine Ibbotson is an author, finance writer, National Radio Host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and CTV News @6 syndicated across Canada. Send your questions through her website at askthemoneylady.ca

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF File Photo

Murray Cowan has been selected as the new Deputy Commissioner and Chief Firearms Officer of the Saskatchewan Firearms Office

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Sorting out those small-business finances

Keeping up with all your bills and expenses can be a stressful and time-consuming task. It can be doubly challenging if you own your own business.

Here are some tips to help you stay on top of all your finances.

Divide and conquer

While it may be tempting to run all

your business expenses through your personal credit card, you should have a dedicated business credit card. You’ll thank yourself when tax time comes and you have an easy-to-view record of your business expenses.

You should also have separate chequing and savings accounts for personal and business use.

Hire an accountant

Even with all your paperwork properly organized, it’s typically worth investing in professional help to manage your books and file your taxes.

No matter how good you are at running your business, there’s simply not enough time in the day to do it all. Take the guesswork out of your finances by hiring an

Figuratively. Cloudbased programs are automatically backed up and remotely accessible to anyone you give access to.

With a cloud-based accounting program such as FreshBooks, you can automate things like invoicing and sending out late-payment reminders to help with your cash flow. And you can set up your accountant within the platform, which gives them real-time access to your financial data so they can offer you the best help.

accountant. Use cloud-based software

If you’re a smart business person, you probably already do a lot of your work in the clouds.

Small business owners can also apply for the Canada Digital Adoption Program to help fund cloud-based accounting solutions.

Prepare for tax time

As they say, the only

sure things in life are death and taxes. As a business owner, you face a double hit of personal and business taxfiling deadlines.

You should know what those are so that you can file and make required payments on time to avoid penalties.

For example, the tax filing deadline for the self-employed is June 15 every year (or the first business day after if it falls on a weekend).

If you don’t have the funds available to pay your taxes when they’re due, consider applying for a business loan or using a secured line of credit to pay them off and avoid interest and penalties.

Learn more about cloud-based accounting for your small business at freshbooks.com.

Sask small business tax rate holds at one per cent

Last week, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced legislation to provide relief to small businesses in the province.

As outlined in the 2024-25 Budget, The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2024 maintains the small business tax rate reduction in Saskatchewan at one per cent until June 30, 2025. “Small businesses are the backbone of our provincial economy,” Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said. “We are pleased to maintain the small business tax reduction to help sup -

port their growth and allow owners to reinvest in their businesses.”

Saskatchewan temporarily suspended the small business corporate income tax rate of two per cent in Fall 2020 to support small businesses in the province through the pandemic and the ensuing recovery.

Following an extension in 2022, the rate was scheduled to gradually return to two per cent, beginning at one per cent on July 1, 2023. It was then set to return to two per cent on July 1, 2024, but it will now remain at one per cent until June 30, 2025.

With the extension, an estimated 31,000

small businesses in Saskatchewan will save $56 million in corporate income tax. The small business rate was first lowered in 2020 and is expected to save Saskatchewan’s small businesses an estimated $416 million in total.

Saskatchewan businesses continue to enjoy a very competitive tax environment. The province currently has the second-lowest small business tax rate in Canada.

In addition, the amount of eligible business income on which the small business tax rate applies remains at $600,000, which is the highest threshold in Canada.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Steelers crowned provincial champs

While most were hunkered down at home enjoying Easter weekend with family, the U13 AA Western Financial Steelers were busy winning a provincial gold medal on home ice.

We knew they’d be good from the start, but we didn’t know how good or how special they were.

The U13 AA Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) provincial championships were held at the Servus Sports Centre over the weekend, with the Steelers beating the Calgary Fire 3-1 on Sunday in the gold-medal game.

The provincial championship capped the Steelers’ storied season, which saw them wrap the regular season with a 21-0 record before representing Zone 7 at the Alberta Winter Games in Grande Prairie from Feb. 16-19 where they got their first taste for gold.

Provincials kicked

off last Thursday with the Steelers first facing off against the Central Alberta Twins, beating them 1-0 before losing 4-3 to the Fire on Friday. Despite the loss, the Steelers bested the St. Albert Raiders Bolts 9-2 that same day before a tight 5-4 win over the Sherwood Park Mustangs on Saturday, punching their ticket to Sunday’s gold-medal game.

With plenty of Fire fans in the stands, the Steelers had to block out the white noise and leave everything on the ice, which is exactly what they did.

Lloyd’s Ashley Oborowsky, who was also Sunday’s player of the game for the home team, was first to light the lamp at 10:31 in the first before teammate Scarlett Aultman made it 2-0 at 5:26 in the second.

Aultman got her second of the game at 3:05 in the third for a 3-0, but Calgary’s Hadley Herman was able to sneak one past Steelers netminder Brielle Winter, breaking her shutout, at 8:05 in the third for a 3-1 final.

Head coach, Ryan

Payne, who’s seen his team accomplish incredible feats this year, was somewhat speechless following post-game celebrations.

“It feels awesome. We can’t believe it at this point; we’re super excited,” said Payne. “The girls played a great game.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos

Top: The U13 AA Western Financial Steelers celebrate their provincial gold medal after a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Fire at the Servus Sports Centre over the weekend. Above: Scarlett Aultman hits the brakes on Sunday afternoon during the U13 AA provincial championship game at the Servus Centre.

Local girls win first-ever U13 AA gold

Oborowsky and teammates, Avery Newton and Alyssa Payne, all agreed the win felt great, especially considering this was the first year the AFHL has hosted a U13 AA female championship with

the growing number of players.

After such a successful season, the three forwards attribute their on-ice success to a strong family dynamic, something coach Payne saw from day one.

“This is a very spe -

cial group of girls,” he said. “We knew they’d be good from the start, but we didn’t know how good or how spe -

cial they were. They all listen, work hard, and put in effort in practice, and it seemed like every time we were down a

bit, someone, or a group of them, stepped up.”

Not only was the weekend-long event a season highlight for

players, but it also had Michelle Skilnick, manager of events and community engagement with Hockey Alberta, buzzing.

“It’s a huge weekend,” she said on Saturday afternoon. “It’s the top teams in the province competing for the championship, and being the first year for a U13 AA championship, it’s a huge accomplishment for them.

“We’re very happy to have this level of hockey, and having Lloyd step up to host has been great.”

Skilnick noted the tournament featured the local and five league teams, with Lloyd playing an excellent host.

“It’s a great facility and it’s got lots of people in it right now. It’s always nice to have the stands filled and be able to cheer on everybody.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos

Top left: U13 AA Western Financial Steelers netminder Emma Howe shares a moment of shock with teammate Hayze Bensmiller after winning the Alberta Female Hockey League championship title on Sunday afternoon at the Servus Sports Centre. Above: Ashley Oborowsky, who was Sunday’s player of the game for the Steelers, moves the puck around the back of the net during third-period action at the multiplex.

Local riders to honour memory of mentor

WEAVER EDITOR

The local motocross scene may not be what it once was, which is even more reason to remember riders we’ve lost over the years.

That was the thinking behind the Levi Gilchrist Memorial Ride Day, sponsored by Lloydminster Honda, which will be taking place on May 11 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and hosted by Charity Bachman and local pro, Jesse Royan.

Gilchrist passed away on Aug. 27, 2023, during a race in Unity, Sask. at 38 years old, leaving behind his wife, Kendra, and two young daughters.

Over the years, Gilchrist was a big inspiration for the local motocross community and always helped riders in any way he could. He was always generous with his time through sharing his knowledge of the sport, something Royan and Bachman want to continue doing.

“Charity and I thought remembering him and memorializing him by giving back to the community like he did when we were young was important,” said Royan.

“Growing up racing, Levi was always there to help, and I thought it was important to give back like that.”

When Royan first

started racing as a young kid, Gilchrist was one of the guys always offering to help when needed, leaving a lasting impression on the rider who, now 22, offers up his time to help young riders.

“Levi and his brother Luke were always willing to help, and since I was 11, he was always there,” said Royan. “I’m now trying to be a role model for young riders the way he was for me.”

For Bachman, whose brother, Lucas, passed

away in a car accident in September 2011 and was memorialized through the renaming of the local track, the event hits home.

“Levi was such a huge part of the Lloyd moto community, just like my brother, so being able to keep his memory and honour him means so much to so many people,” she said.

“When I finally got into racing, Levi was already a good family friend of ours and really became a part of the family.

“If I ever needed help, he was always there to give a hand.”

Check out the Levi Gilchrist Memorial Ride Day Facebook page for more information on the event.

HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating 60 Years: 2024 marks 60 years since the incorporation of the County of Vermilion River. Save the date for June 11, 2024. A special celebration in recognition of this milestone year is being planned!

PROTECTIVE SERVICES: A partial fire ban is now in effect for the County of Vermilion River, effective Thursday, March 28, 2024. All fire permits are suspended, however, recreational fires and burning barrel fires are still permitted.

Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment: If you are interested in volunteering with one of our stations (Blackfoot, Clandonald, Dewberry, Islay, Kitscoty, Marwayne or Paradise Valley), please contact the County at fire@county24.com

PUBLIC WORKS: Road Ban #01-24 went into effect on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:01 AM. Certain County of Vermilion River roads will be banned at 75%. Visit our Permits and Road Bans webpage to view an interactive map and detailed list of roads included in the road ban.

PLANNING & COMMUNITY SERVICES: Effective April 15, 2024 the hamlets of McLaughlin, Streamstown, and Rivercourse civic addressing updates will be rolled out. The updates aim to rectify inefficiencies with the current civic addressing system, reducing confusion for ratepayers, County Staff and Emergency Services. The Planning & Community Services team is working diligently to provide the updated addresses to Canada Post, utility

Source File Photo

Local pro, Jesse Royan, leads the pack during a September 2022 SMA/ACM Shootout at the Lucas Bachman Memorial Raceway. Royan and local rider Charity Bachman will be hosting the Levi Gilchrist Memorial Ride Day on May 11 with free training for kids under 16 from a handful of local riders. Mature riders are also welcome to train by donation if time allows.

TAYLOR

Sextortion scam targeting Sask youth on rise

Saskatchewan RCMP is warning the public of a rise in reports of financially motivated online sextortion scams targeting youth across the province.

Financial sextortion is a form of blackmail involving someone online threatening to send a sexual image or video of the victim to other people if they are not paid.

Financial sextortion is not a new concept but has been evolving with the complexity of social media in the last year and continues to affect more and more youth.

Saskatchewan RCMP began investigating after receiving multiple reports of a scam targeting youths of all genders between the ages of 13-16.

In the reported cases, victims were approached by indi -

viduals who identified as females of a similar age online or through apps targeting teenage audiences. Once initial contact was made, the victims were asked for their Instagram usernames and to exchange intimate photos.

There are people and resources available to help you and there are tools that exist to remove the images online. “

The photos were then used as blackmail in exchange for financial gain.

Once reported to Saskatchewan RCMP, files of this nature are investigated by the Violent Crime Linkage Analysis Section (ViCLAS) and the

Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit, due to the victims being underaged.

The investigations into the reported cases remain ongoing and no charges have been laid.

Online child sexual exploitation cases are on the rise across Canada. The rate of policereported incidents of online child sexual exploitation has more than doubled since the tracking of cybercrime began in 2014. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation unit responded to 931 cases, in 20232024 that number is expected to surpass 1,000.

With the increase in online sexual exploitation and sextortion cases targeting youth, parents are encouraged to talk to their children about online activities.

Here are a few tips to help keep both adults and children safe online:

- Never answer messages or friend/follow requests from people you don’t know;

- Do not send photos of any kind to people you don’t know;

- Always answer video calls with the camera turned off until you know who the per -

son calling is.

If you or your child have been targeted, please do the following:

- Report it to your local police or online via cybertip.ca.

- Immediately stop all communication with the suspect.

- Ensure you and/or your child do not comply with the threat.

- Keep any correspondence between

you or your child and the suspect.

- Remember, you are not alone.

“What we want victims of any age to know is, that they are not to blame, they will not get in trouble for reporting it, and most importantly, there is life after something like this happens,” said S/Sgt. Scott Lambie of the Saskatchewan

RCMP Major Crimes Branch.

“There are people and resources available to help you and there are tools that exist to remove the images online. If you feel comfortable, reach out to your local police detachment or get more information at Cybertip.ca – and remember, you are not alone.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF ..................................

Current in-demand jobs in Canada

Over the last few years, Canada’s job market witnessed significant changes, presenting numerous opportunities across various sectors.

Since the pandemic, more people are working remotely, organizations have adapted and lots of people are seeking new jobs. Fields like health care, transportation and technology offer promising job possibilities for those seeking employment. It’s a great time to start your career.

Here are five indemand jobs in Canada to consider:

Truck driver Transportation is a critical sector in the Canadian economy. Truck drivers are needed in almost every Canadian province and territory to transport goods from coast to coast.

There is high demand for all types of goods transport in Canada, creating various opportunities for those look -

ing to join the industry.

Web developer

The last few years have highlighted the importance of an online presence for every business and company – making a web developer one of the top jobs in Canada today. Web developers create custom websites, applications, and software that allow companies to engage customers with their brands and products.

Customer service representative

With the growth of online stores and e-commerce, more employers are looking for candidates to work with their online customers. Customer service representatives have a broad scope of opportunities, including finance, technology, retail and more. Customer service representatives are great at connecting with clients, answering questions, resolving issues and maintaining records.

Human resources

manager

It’s no surprise that there’s been a significant amount of turnover for various jobs in the country over the last few years. Because of this, the role of human resources managers is now more important than ever. People in this role must sort through many candidates to find the best hires, while also catering to the evolving needs of their employer

and current employees. Human resources managers play a vital role in maintaining supportive and respectful workplaces, both online and in person.

Registered nurse

The healthcare field has been widely known to have faced several challenges over the last few years, making nursing one of the top in-demand jobs in the country. After the pandemic, lots of health

facilities have established new and effective processes, extra support for nurses and new incentives – making nursing a great career choice.

Being a nurse for Indigenous Services Canada means practic -

ing autonomy, as well as enjoying benefits such as competitive wages, career growth opportunities, health-care coverage and, potentially, living allowances.

Learn more by visiting canada.ca/nursesforfirstnations.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

File Photo

QUEEN CITY

ANTIQUE & VINTAGE MARKET

Friday, april 19

12 noon - 8 pm

Saturday, april 20

10 am - 4 pm

Callie Curling Club 2225 Sandra Schmirler Way, regina

Admission $6

Antiques, VintAge & ColleCtibles from ACross the prAiries 306-552-8528

queencityvintage1 @gmail com FB @queencityvin tagemarket

Advertise your classified in this space.

Call

306-825-5111

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $799 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@ awna.com for details. 1-800-282-6903, 780434-8746 X225. www. awna.com.

BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269/wk (based on 25 words or less). Reach almost 80 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903 Ext 225; www.awna.com.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

Motor scrapers, dozers, excavators, rock trucks, packers; wide range of machines.

Lots of work all season. 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. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

FARMLAND WANTED BARLEY

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land. NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

Saskatchewan born and raised, I know farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

BARLEY – * NEW-AB Standswell* Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN USE EFFICIENT CEREAL IN CANADA.

OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Esma, Sundre. WHEAT – Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01 Super Oat. PEAS – Very Early Yellow Pea Forage Peas. ALSO AVAILABLE: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403556-2609.

*New - AB StANdSwell* Smooth awn, high yielding, grain and forage great lodging reSiStance 1St NitrogeN uSe efficieNt cereAl iN cANAdA cerveza, eSma cdc auStenSon, cdc maverick, Sundre wheAt Pintail, forage or grain oAtS ac JuniPer, ac morgan, ac muStang, derby, cdc So1 SuPer oat PeAS very early yellow Pea forage PeaS, AlSo AvAilABle

PoliSh canola & SPring triticale mastinseeds.com 403-556-2609

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 49 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306649.1405 or visit www. swna.com for details.

Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www. swna.com or call 306649-1405 to find out how!

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.

PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

CRIMINAL RECORD?

Why suffer employment/ licensing loss? Travel/ business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www. accesslegalmjf.com.

PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

CRIMINAL RECORD?

Why suffer employment/ licensing loss? Travel/ business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www. accesslegalmjf.com.

MERIDIAN SOURCE CARRIER OF THE MONTH

CONGRATULATIONS

ROMAN CHEESMAN

our carrier of the month for March!

Roman received a $25 Gi Certificate from Canadian Tire!

To nominate your carrier email distribution@meridiansource.ca

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