Thursday, February 4, 2021
VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 32
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
SHA commits funds to recovery centre GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Lloydminster’s Residents in Recovery executive director, Tyler Lorenz, has every reason to smile lately, even while wearing a mask. He’s thrilled the downtown addictions treatment centre has secured a threeyear commitment of $170,000 in annual operating funds from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) with the need for treatment soaring during COVID-19. “The demand for our program is just; it’s unfathomable. Between the two provinces, I think we have a waiting list in excess of 200,” said Lorenz. “We get 10 calls a day just to get into the program. We have no capacity to even come close to matching the demand.” Lorenz says the funding is well-timed while fearing the worst may be yet to come over the next six months to a year from the fallout over COVID. “It’s going to help us manoeuvre a little bit
and do what we can to support as many people as we can,” he said. Lorenz says they are also looking into running another sober living recovery house to go with the two men’s houses and two women’s houses they operate on each side of the provincial border. “Hopefully, we can do that and help a few more people,” he said. Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young made the funding official last week during a news conference at the centre, noting the contract with SHA was signed on Nov. 27. “We are eager to see as many positive results from this program and we wholeheartedly support it,” said Young. Turning to Lorenz, she added, “I am so happy to see the Government of Saskatchewan and SHA have finally seen the value and the importance of the work you are doing here.” Young says the funding is part of the $135 million the province has committed to mental health and addictions. “SHA has put that
Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Stan Parke, left, chair of the Residents in Recovery Society board, joined the centre’s executive director, Tyler Lorenz, to hear Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young announce a three-year operational funding contract with the Saskatchewan Health Authority for $170,000 annually, with the demand for addictions treatment soaring.
in their budget and is transferring it to them on an annual basis,” she said. Lorenz says the funding speaks to how successful their treatment programs have been, even on a shoestring budget. He says three of the people in the original program are now working in treatment programs in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“We have multiple people with one and two years of clean time that lived a life in shelters and incarcerations. It’s really been life-changing for so many people,” he said. He says the success of the program means other rural communities who contact them for help can be supported by a program like theirs and not just in big cities.
“What we do with $170,000, most treatment programs can’t even operate a month,” said Lorenz. “We can support a number of people at a fraction of the cost. We can build this in many communities very effectively.” Lorenz called the investment from SHA a huge relief coming nearly a year after the centre almost shut its
doors due to a lack of funding. “The community has just been unbelievable in supporting us,” he said. “It got us through that rough patch at the beginning of last year. And then COVID hit and we were fortunate enough to receive some COVID funding to kind of get us through the summer.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Final penalty date on property taxes fast approaching MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Residential and commercial property owners have until Wednesday, Feb. 10, to pay amounts owing on 2020 property taxes before additional arrears penalties are applied to outstanding balances. Property owners were mailed the 2020 property tax notices in May 2020, and these taxes were first subject to penalty on Nov. 10, 2020, under the City of Lloydminster’s Payment Option Relief Plan. The plan was devel-
RECOVERY FROM PAGE 1
The centre also received some federal government funding to help bridge the financial gap. “We’ve kind of piecemealed it together until this finally happened. Now, it gives us the flex-
File Photo oped to help alleviate some of the financial pressure caused by COVID-19. Those making payments are encouraged to use online payment options to reduce inperson transactions at City Hall. Payment methods are provided
on the invoice and can also be found at Lloydminster.ca/payments. More information about the City of Lloydminster’s COVID-19 response, including frequently asked questions and a business toolkit, is available at Lloydminster.ca/COVID-19.
ibility of doing some of the things we really need to do,” he said. Looking back, he says it’s been pretty stressful this past year for him and his staff in the search for funding. “Many of us went more than one or two
months without a paycheque to bridge this and get us through to this point,” he said. “Our landlord is very supportive. Everybody’s really done their part to make sure this works and get us here to this day.”
Thursday, February 4, 2021
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Cenovus resets Lloyd in budget GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. The Lloydminster area will play a big role in the plans of Cenovus Energy to reduce its net debt to less than $10 billion in the short term. Strong free funds will flow in 2021 from the Lloydminster upgrader and refinery, acquired from Husky Energy in a takeover completed at the start of the year. Cenovus says these assets are well-positioned to capture heavy oil to synthetic diesel and asphalt margins as part of its 2021 budget and production forecast announced on Jan. 28. The Calgary-based company says its capital spending will be between $2.3 billion and $2.7 billion. This includes $2.1 billion in sustaining capital and $520 million to $570 million related to the rebuild of the Superior Refinery in Wisconsin, which was damaged in an explosion and fire in April 2018. The rebuild will boost throughput capacity to 49,000 barrels per day with up to 34,000 bbls/d of heavy oil capacity along with increased asphalt capacity. Cenovus is projecting total upstream production of about 750,000 barrels of oil equiva-
lent per day and downstream throughput of about 525,000 bbls/d in 2021. The budget includes
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As we get into 2022 and 2023 you’ll see an entirely different development plan in areas like Lloydminster.
a target of nearly $1 billion of synergies from the integration of the two companies this year. The synergies come from ongoing job cuts of 20 to 25 per cent across the combined company, the consolidation of IT systems and moving to single planning and HR platforms this year. At the field level, savings will come from applying Cenovus’s subsurface optimization techniques and standard operating practices across the former Husky operations— keeping one Lloyd thermal off the front burner. “Spruce Lake North remains on hold while we focus our capital spending on drilling wells and implementing Cenovus’s subsurface optimization techniques,” said company
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president and CEO Alex Pourbaix in a conference call. Other Lloydminster thermals and Foster Creek and Christina Lake oil sands will receive $900 million for sustaining production. “We are not spending money in places this year like Tucker, Sunrise and Cold Lake,” said CFO Jeff Hart, explaining they need to reconfigure the development costs to bring them down. The company’s COO, Jon McKenzie, says Cenovus thinks there are lots of opportunities to invest in former Husky assets in Lloydminster, Tucker and Sunrise to bring down sustaining capital and operating costs through time. “As we get into 2022 and 2023 you’ll see an entirely different development plan in areas like Lloydminster, Sunrise and Tucker,” said McKenzie. “It’s going to reflect those economics and you’ll continue to see those netbacks get better and better and the sustaining capital cost continues to come down.” McKenzie says there
are lots of opportunities in the assets they have acquired to bring Cenovus operating and development practices to those assets. “We see lots of opportunity through time to drive operating costs and sustaining costs down from where we are today,” he said. He says about 130,000 to 140,000 barrels a day, or about half of the production they acquired in the transaction, is SAGD (steam-assisted gravity drainage) and that’s what they do really well. Pourbaix says new regulations and the massive disruption of capital spending in the energy business in the lower 48 States due to COVID, is creating a positive situation for heavy oil in Canada. “One of the things we’re finding really interesting is a very, very strong demand for the heavies (heavy oil) down in the U.S. and frankly offshore,” said Pourbaix. “So I think all of that sort of directionally bodes well. I for one, I don’t think anyone in our industry should take any pleasure
from seeing our industry peers having challenges, whether it’s by
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political decree or otherwise.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Library will wheel into mall
Supplied Graphic The conceptual design plans for the new Lloydminster Public Library include a space for teenagers and children. The library is officially moving into space at the LloydMall formerly leased by Ardene in the southwest corner of the mall this summer. GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. The Lloydminster Public Library will literally be wheeled out of its existing downtown location in the basement of the Atrium Centre into its new space in LloydMall this summer. Head librarian, Ron Gillies, spoke about how that will happen after the library officially revealed its future home in the southwest corner of the mall along with a new visual identity in a Facebook video last week. “I’ve done this quite a few times in the past. There is an art to it. I know enough of it to know when my ability to move furniture around stops and you bring in the professionals,” he said. “Not only do they know how to do it, they can do it safely.” Gillies says hiring two CENOVUS FROM PAGE 3
“9 in 10 Canadians read newspapers each week in print, on websites, tablets and phones.” newspaperscanada.ca
He says whether that prompts Cenovus to increase production at its prized Foster Creek, Christina Lake operations will depend on their balance sheet and pipeline access out of Alberta. Pourbaix called the abrupt cancellation of
guys with strong backs and a van is out of the question when Craftex Builders completes the renovations. They need to hire a moving company that s p e c i al i z e s i n th i ngs like libraries and law offices and architects with huge files when the time is right. “We need specialized equipment, we don’t want to destroy the freight elevator and things like that,” said Gillies. He says the mover has to keep the books in order and be able to do a one-for-one transfer using very large boxes on wheels that look like shelves on wheels. He says after the library figures out the furniture and equipment they need, they will tender a mover. “It’s the kind of thing you’d find in Edmonton or Calgary or Saskatoon or Regina. They
may have a local agent here who will coordinate things on site for them,” said Gillies. Meanwhile, Craftex is already at work to reconfigure the approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of space formerly leased to retailer Ardene for the new library. There will be more space for people to do things ranging from a maker-space and recording studio, to collaborative spaces along with the standard books and magazines, onsite programming, and computers with Internet. “We’ll also have more private study areas that are hopefully more resistant to sound than we are currently able to offer,” said Gillies. He says being in the mall with a 10-year lease with Triovest property management checks a lot of boxes for the library.
the Keystone XL permit by U.S. president Joe Biden a tragedy. “...You are already s e e i ng th e i mp a c t o f thousands of workers in Canada and the U.S. losing their jobs,” he said. He added there are other options to move oil out of the province
with Enbridge Line 3 and Trans Mountain Pipeline going head but he sees the axing of Keystone XL being pointless. “But it...yes, it certainly is...was not happy news and I think unnecessary, unwarranted and damaging for both countries,” he said.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Travelling outside of Canada? It’ll cost you Feds tighten border security, mandate mandatory testing, introduce hotel quarantines
TAYLOR WEAVER
EDITOR
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Debating whether or not to take that longoverdue vacation somewhere warm and sunny? Well, you may want to put your vacation plans on hold as the federal government announced new travel restrictions last Friday. The new travel restrictions, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are intended to keep new highly-contagious variants of COVID-19 out of Canada, keeping caseloads under control, as well as ensuring hospitals aren’t overwhelmed. So, if you’re safe and sound at home; stay there. If you’re currently abroad, be prepared for new measures upon your return to Canada, including mandatory COVID-19 tests at the airport prior to flying or hotel quarantines, which you the traveller will have to pay for out-of-pocket. “With the challenges we currently face with COVID-19, both here at home and abroad, we all agree that now is just not the time to be flying,” said Trudeau outside his home at Rideau Cottage. Effective Feb. 3, all international passenger, private and charter
flights, including from the U.S., will land at the Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal airports. Cargoonly flights will remain exempt. The prime minister said the government will soon be introducing mandatory PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) testing at the airport for people returning to Canada “as soon as possible in the coming weeks.” That’s on top of the pre-boarding test already required. Travellers will then have to wait up to three days at a government-approved hotel for their test results, at their own expense, which Trudeau said is e x p e c t e d t o b e m o re than $2,000. Transport Canada said there will be “very limited exceptions.” Those with a negative test will then be able to finish their 14-day quarantine at home, with increased surveillance. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam added that returnees will also be swabbed on day 10. “We know that just one case of the variant that comes in could cause significant challenges and that’s why we need to take extra measures,” Trudeau said. “Yes, it is extremely low, the percentage of cases that are traced back to international travel, but it’s not zero.” He also said that, in the coming weeks, Canada will begin requiring
non-essential travellers to show a negative test before entry at the land border with the U.S. Friday’s move follows weeks of mounting political pressure on the federal government to tighten up border travel.
Canada’s move is not without precedent. Australia has been requiring most travellers to quarantine at a government-arranged hotel for 14 days for $2,800 AUD per adult and $4,620 AUD for a family of four.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Library excited for move FROM PAGE 4
“First of all, it’s going to put us squarely where we want to be in a visible, accessible high-traffic location—it should give us some real visibility in a prime area,” he said. “It’s just a more pleasant, usable space that isn’t in a basement that can be easily accessed by people.” Gillies estimates it will take three to four months of construction to get everything done. The to-do list includes reinstalling the library’s technology, getting everything up and running and getting their phone systems reprogrammed. “Then we have to go through the work of physically moving what we have here over to the new location.” He estimates there will be a week or two of downtime when the move takes place with the contents being COVID safe. “Most the stuff is
File Photo going to sit in storage in a semi-trailer van for a few to several days to a week or more. That’s going to safely handle the matter,” said Gillies The public Facebook announcement was a relief to Gillies and his staff as it ends months of speculation as to where the library would go. “It was time. It was a good run here in the Atrium Centre, but the building and the downtown have changed a bit,” said Gillies. The Facebook video features a few words from library board chair Stephen Tao and City
of Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, in place of a live event at the mall with Triovest reps. “We simply weren’t able to get more than a few people that close in front of the doorway in front of the mall,” Gillies explained, noting it was still one of the happier days for the library in months. “I would be truly happy if we could drop out of our COVID mode and get all of the people who normally use the library back in using it, but that’s going to take a while for all of us,” said Gilles.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Rowswell touches base at Rotary GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell covered everything from his new role on a Pacific Northwest Economic Region committee to a “moon shot” in his progress report on Zoom. Rowswell told the Rotary Club of Lloydminster luncheon on Monday he planned to attend his first committee meeting on regional economic co-operation on Feb. 4. “It seems like a really neat group, so I can’t wait to get involved. Who knows what economic opportunities might lie out there,” he said. Rowswell says if something comes up and fits, he’ll bring it to the attention of Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, who was a Rotary guest on Zoom. “I know mayor Gerald is very aggressive looking for new opportunities,” he said.
Rowswell noted he was talking to Premier Jason Kenney last week and told him he was fortunate to have really good mayors and councils in his constituency. “They come with good business plans and keep me posted on how I can help them and we try to work together on it,” he said. The moon shot is a reference to Alberta signing an existing memorandum of understanding in August with Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick to explore the development and deployment of small modular nuclear reactors. “So, Gerald got on that and said ‘maybe we should talk to the jobs and economy minister’ and we did that,” said Rowswell. “That’s kind of a way down the road. It’s kind of a moon shot, but if you get it, it would be a big deal.” Meanwhile, Rowswell says his United
File Photo
Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright MLA Garth Rowswell speaks at a Rotary meeting in August 2019.
Conservative Party of Alberta is poised to remove a provision of the Public Health Act giving the government the right to order mandatory vaccinations. This follows the completion of a committee review of the Act in October, along with recommendations for more transparency. Rowswell also highlighted some of the funding initiatives that he’s helped to bring to Lloydminster over the past year. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Kindness Wins, brings community together TAYLOR WEAVER
EDITOR
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It’s the kindest time of year in the Border City as the Lloydminster and District Co-op kicked off its 11th Annual Kindness Wins campaign at Co-op gas bar and grocery store locations on Monday. Inspired by national Pink Shirt Day, the Kindness Wins campaign encourages Lloydminster and area residents to wear the colour pink on the last Wednesday of February in solidarity with those who stand up against bullying. “Shortly after the conclusion of last year’s Kindness Wins campaign, COVID-19 hit our local market,” said Lloyd Co-op CEO Leanne Hawes. “Despite the constant changes required to our locations and services, our teams across all Co-op locations witnessed the power of positive interactions. Even though we’re still in the midst of the pandemic, there’s no restriction on kindness, and our members have proven that.” Since its inaugural year, the Kindness Wins campaign has raised over $30,000 through the sale of branded merchandise.
Photo courtesy of Taylor Olivia Photography This year’s campaign is a little special as the Lloyd Co-op teamed up with Lloydminster native and renowned artist Brandi Hofer, who was tasked with designing the limited-edition apparel, and all clothing was produced by Lloydminster’s own Flagship Clothing Company. Lloydminster and area schools are also once again on board with the campaign and will include kindnessbased curriculum throughout the month of February. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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PAGE 10 Thursday, February 4, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
Viewpoint Letter to the editor ...
5921-50 Avenue, Lloydminster, SK S9V 2A4 Phone: 306-825-5111 Toll Free: 1-800-327-3899 Fax: 306-825-5147 meridiansource.ca Mail: Box 2454, Lloydminster, SK S9V 1W5 Hours: 8AM to 5PM Monday to Friday THE MERIDIAN SOURCE is published once a week, on Thursday. All material printed in the Meridian Source is copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. The Meridian Source reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial material at its discretion. Columns and letters are the expressed view of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Meridian Source.
Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca
Staff Writer Geoff Lee geoff@meridiansource.ca Sports Editor Jamie Harkins sports@meridiansource.ca
Marketing Manager Deanna Wandler deanna@meridiansource.ca
Marketing Consultant Ashley Miazga ashley@meridiansource.ca Publisher: Reid Keebaugh Production Manager: Amanda Richard CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING admin@meridiansource.ca NEWSPAPER DELIVERY If you’ve missed a paper, to start or stop delivery, or for carrier applications, please call 306-825-5111 for information. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be 500 words or less. A name and daytime phone number is required for verification. Priority will be given to letters exclusively written for the Meridian Source. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, spelling, grammar, punctuation and libel. Unsigned letters will not be published. Use of pseudonyms will only be allowed in special circumstances, at the discretion of the editor and the publisher, and only if the author’s identity is known to the editor. Publication of a letter does not imply endorsement by the Meridian Source. Send to taylor@meridiansource.ca
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What if Canada Post were part of the post-COVID recovery?
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n Jan. 18, Canada Post Corporation CPC) announced that 2020 was a record year for parcel delivery. Obviously, public health measures had something to do with it. But parcel delivery at CPC has been growing exponentially for the past five years, and it shows no sign of slowing down. With this kind of growth, a corporation like Canada Post must roll up its sleeves and review its values, its commitment, and the service portfolio it offers to the population, including businesses. Canada Post already has the infrastructure and the network it needs to be an integral part of the post-COVID recovery and to become a leader in sustainable development. In doing so, it would create jobs across the country and be part of the government’s environmental plan, while also respecting its mandate to be financially self-sustaining. To achieve this, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has launched a bold campaign called “Delivering Community Power.” Whether in the city or in the country, in remote areas or in the suburbs, post offices are everywhere throughout Canada. CPC has more than 6,400 outlets, the largest retail network in the country. CUPW proposes to accelerate the electrification of Canada Post’s vehicle fleet. CPC operates more than 20,000 vehicles, generating 65 kilotons of CO2 every year. The acquisition of electric vehicles would benefit the environment, stimulate the automotive sector and create decent jobs. Now, imagine if Can-
ada Post installed charging stations at its facilities and made them available to all, creating the largest network of charging stations in Canada. Imagine you are driving on the highway or an isolated road, but the battery of your electric car is running low. No more worries, because you know you will find a charging station at the post office in the next village. COVID has brought to light the problem of high-speed Internet access in hundreds of communities. With its extensive presence
in those communities, Canada Post could play a central role perfectly in line with the government’s commitment to bring high-speed Internet access to all communities. This also fits with Canada Post’s mission, because it supports online shopping, and online shopping fuels parcel delivery. In 62 countries, the post office also provides banking services. Canada’s extensive postal network could also provi d e c ru c i al ba nki ng services, especially in remote, rural and Indigenous communities, which have been aban-
doned by major banks. Did you know that there are only 66 bank branches in all 700 First Nation communities? A postal bank would have the power to reinvest in communities through infrastructure or social housing, for instance. In addition, a more inclusive postal bank would reduce the dependence of thousands of workers on payday lenders and their usurious interest rates. Finally, imagine letter carriers knocking at the door of someone who lives alone.
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PAGE 11 Thursday, February 4, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
Opinion
Leeway from Lloyd: Anti-oil folks don’t see communities STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE
Many opponents of the oil and gas sector and those who applaud the recent cancellation of the Keystone XL seem blinded by a utopian vision of a world suddenly powered by sun, wind and fluttering butterflies. Many others like myself living at the real community level, see smiling happy kids playing minor sports supported during the pandemic by hurting oil and gas companies. It’s many of their employees who volunteer as coaches and mentors, particularly for hockey. Just about every oil and gas employee I have talked to has
played the game or knows someone else who plays it, because the oil and gas industry is a hockey culture. But, who needs community sports if we could just do away with oil and gas period? In Lloydminster, sports teams, arts groups, and charities are not supported by Greenpeace or Tesla or the Tooth Fairy, but by real oil and gas companies—even though some can’t really afford it. Opponents of oil and gas must find it odd why so few, if any of the thousands of laidoff workers in Alberta are happily installing solar panels or building bird feeders as we speak. Sure, I love renewable energy and electric vehicles, but these sectors give absolutely
nothing back to the community where I live. Oil and gas companies do and that’s why I am defending the industry at the community level. Next time you are at a rink in Lloydminster, check the name of the sponsor companies that have logos on the ice and none of them say, Tesla. Also when it comes to cutting carbon, oil and gas companies are leading the way to reduce emissions to meet climate change targets and minimize carbon taxes. Teslas, by the way, are not made of fairy dust and generate a lot of carbon themselves in the manufacturing process and only the rich can buy one. Oil and gas companies are working
on solutions to greenhouse gases too at the source. They also pay a ton
of taxes that contribute to the well-being of communities where they operate. The MD
of Wainwright gets 70 per cent of its taxes from oil and gas. Tesla pays nothing.
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Thursday, February 4, 2021
Money Matters When should you start your child’s RESP savings account?
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s a parent, if you’re simply focused on getting through this strange and challenging school year, you’re not alone. But, while virtual and modified in-person classes may take up a lot of headspace, neglecting long-term plans is a costly mistake. This includes post-secondary planning. When it comes to making sure your child has a solid education that doesn’t put them into a ton of debt, starting early with their Registered Education Savings Plan is the best option. Here, Ryan Weiss, vice-president, group customer product and
File Photo experience, for Canada Life, explains why it’s important to make an RESP a priority now: Access to free money – Only avail-
able through an RESP, the Canadian education savings grant kicks in a 20 per cent matching contribution, equal to $1 for every $5 you
put in, for up to $500 a year to a maximum of $7,200. If money is tight, the Canada Learning Bond, aimed at lower-income families, provides an initial $500 lump sum just for opening an RESP – no contributions needed. You might also qualify for a provincial grant. Every little bit adds up – If you can save $50 a month in an RESP, over 18 years that equals $10,800. Even $5 a week can quickly add up, especially when the Govern-
ment of Canada adds money to your savings. The best part? Grants, bonds and any investment income grow taxfree until withdrawn as education payments, which are taxable to the student. Since students often have low or no other income, these payments could even be tax-free. Prepare for an unpredictable future – COVID-19 is proof that life is uncertain. If you’re banking on your teen working for the summer to save up for school, consider the challenges of this past
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year that saw many student-level jobs cut. Putting aside money now will help take care of the surprises later. It’s easier than you may think – Thanks to online banking, you can do anything from paying bills to renewing your mortgage online. Now, when a company offers a Canada Life RESP in their employee benefits plan, those employees can open an RESP as easily as setting up an online bill payment, without touching pen to paper.
Rowswell talks area investments ROTARY FROM PAGE 8
That includes allocating $21 million for Alberta’s share of $35 million to renovate schools in Lloydminster public and Catholic divisions, including their high schools. “We came through and announced it in the fall. Holy Rosary has way too many kids in there for their capacity,” he said. “ T h e p ubl i c s c h oo l board—it’s going to help them consolidate some schools. I was glad the education minister was able to deal with that.” Rowswell’s funding highlights from 2020 include $2.2 million a year for three years for the Thorpe Recovery Centre. The funding followed a facility tour including Rowswell and Marshall Smith, Chief of Staff Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in Alberta. Rowswell says Smith described the facility to
him as a “jewel we just can’t afford to lose.” Residents in Recovery and their sober living programs also got a $60,000 boost from Alberta in 2020.
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It’s going to allow them to expand with bigger plans down the road. The city says they can find some good uses for the $1 million.
“They are probably the most efficient users of cash. The ministry saw them as a valuable source as well,” said Rowswell. He also noted visits of various ministers to Lakeland College in Vermilion landed the college over $17 million for the renovation of the student-managed Commercial Beef Farm. “It’s being renovated as we speak. That
houses agricultural studies, environmental studies and HR studies,” said Rowswell. He also helped Lakeland secure $800,000 for beef and pulse crops research from $3.2 million of research funds transferred to colleges from the province. “Lakeland has a reputation in government of being an ef f icient user of tax dollars,” said Rowswell. He also touched on the recent $1 million Alberta grant for the Lloydminster Exhibition Association to buy land from the city. “It’s going to allow them to expand with bigger plans down the road,” said Rowswell adding, “the city says they can find some good uses for the $1 million.” His report included progress on the rural property assessment for oil and gas facilities and related infrastructure projects in the region.
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Lloyd RCMP traffic stop leads to arrest of wanted male MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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On Jan. 28, members of the Lloydminster RCMP conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on 50 street and 48 Avenue.
RCMP arrested an occupant of the vehicle who had outstanding warrants and was found to be in breach of several release conditions. Upon search of the vehicle and the
male, officers located several prohibited weapons and break-in tools. Tyler Smith, 25, of Lloydminster, Sask, has been charged with: • Obstructing a peace
officer • Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon • Possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose (x3) • Possession of break-in tools • Possession of prohibited weapon knowing that it is unauthorized • Unauthorized possession of a weapon in a vehicle • Failure to comply
CANADA POST FROM PAGE 10
They could offer this check-in service at the request of a family member who could receive a notification saying that everything is fine, or that help has been called in the case
File Photo with release order (x4) • Failure to comply with Probation Order (x4) Smith was remanded
into custody, and scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Saskatchewan Provincial Court on Feb. 1.
of an emergency. The postal service in France and Japan already offers this service. My 56,000 brothers and sister from CUPW will not accept that Canada Post is sitting idly, refusing to change its
old values and habits. I urge you to contact your Member of Parliament to demand a strong postal service for the future. It’s up to you! - Brahm Enslin, Postal Worker 21023P0
Be a part of positive change KINDNESS WINS FROM PAGE 9
Kindness grants, administered through the non-profit Beyond Borders Circle of Change, will also be offered, and new for 2021, self-care packages will be assembled for all teaching staff across the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) and Catholic School Divisions (LCSD). Beyond Borders Circle of Change is a local non-profit organization that focuses on antibullying training, programming and education across the LPSD and LCSD. “Last March teachers were asked to finish the school year online, and they proved their resilience while keeping student success at the forefront. To me, that was kindness and compassion in action and we want to acknowledge their hard work and commitment,” said Melissa Plamondon, a school counsellor, at Holy Rosary High
School and Chairperson of Beyond Borders Circle of Change.
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The rainbow represents ‘without the rain there would be no rainbows,’ and the thumb print represents how everyone is an individual. Everyone is unique, and inclusion and accepting one and other is so important.
“Some of the proceeds from this year’s K i n d n e s s W i n s c a mpaign will fund kindness grants in local schools. We really see the power of this message when our students find creative ways to bring kindness to life.” Hofer was honoured and excited to be a part of this year’s project as she said “it’s super close
to my heart; everyone has been touched by bullying in one way or another.” “There’s not one person who has not experienced some form of bullying in their life, so of course I jumped at the opportunity to design this year’s logo,” she said. “We came up with the design and included some symbolism–the rainbow and the thumb print– so the rainbow represents ‘without the rain there would be no rainbows,’ and the thumb print represents how everyone is an individual. Everyone is unique, and inclusion and accepting one and other is so important.” Pink Shirt Day is Feb. 24 so don’t forget to pick up your Kindness Wins gear! Kindness Wins t-shirts a only $10, hoodies and crewnecks are only $20, and 10 per cent of all merchandise will be donated to Beyond Border Circle of Change.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
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PAGE 16 Thursday, February 4, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
Sports
Rustlers battle to stay positive during latest restrictions JAMIE HARKINS
WRITER
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Challenging may be the best word to describe the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team’s 2020-21 season. The Rustlers have ceased sport cohort team
practices and intrasquad games this semester due to the Alberta government COVID-precaution restrictions that were put in place on Nov. 27. The new restrictions came on the heels of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC)
cancelling a proposed winter semester competition season. Austin Dyer, head coach of the Rustlers women’s volleyball team, said they have shifted to meeting virtually as a way to check in on each other and continue building relationships this winter. He said the players are also taking advantage of the looser Saskatchewan COVIDprecaution restrictions, going in groups of eight to work out at the Servus Sports Centre gym five days a week along with doing yoga on Thursdays to aid in recovery and boost mental health. “They’ve been really good, but I know this round is really starting to wear on them,” said Dyer about how his players are coping.
“We’re approaching two full months of not being able to train. And, with t hose r est r ict ions in place, it takes a toll on people.” Dyer noted athletes and even everyday people who simply enjoy staying active are experiencing a detrimental impact on their mental health due to not being able to enjoy the practices they are accustomed to. However, he said the girls are hanging in there and the hope is they continue to stay positive and remain optimistic that things are going to get better. “Only time will tell,” he added. “I think as long as the restrictions are in place it’s not just the harder it is on our athletes, but the harder it is on everybody. So, hopefully we can get things sorted out here and get this virus under control within our province and country. Then, hopefully people can go back to living at least somewhat the way they were used to.”
Brooklyn Boehm, a fifth-year middle for the Rustlers, said they are trying to organize some team gatherings outside whenever weather permits, but apart from that never really get to see each other. She said some players have returned home as well since there are no practices to attend, which presents further challenges to staying in contact. “It’s been something no one could have expected, but I think we’re doing our best to just maintain good grades in the classroom with our extra time off, to be active outside and to continue working out at the gym,” said Boehm, who has remained on campus while studying toward a Bachelor of Commerce-Marketing degree. “We’re hoping the restrictions will lift soon, so that will allow us to start training.” Boehm said they do feel fortunate that despite not being able to play other teams
Supplied Photo were allowed to move forward with an exhibition-style setup of practices and regular weekend intrasquad games in the first semester. She said the team also continued to be engaged in the community during the fall by filling boxes for Operation Christmas Child, challenging other athletes at Lakeland College to do the same and making a donation of feminine hygiene products to the Salvation Army. “This semester we’re still working on what we’re going to do,” she said. “In the last couple of seasons we’ve done a food drive with the men’s volleyball team with all the donations going to the Salvation Army. So, we’re planning another event. Hopefully, it’ll be something we can do virtually. But, that is to be determined.” Dyer said all 16 players, including Boehm thanks to an ACAC decision that this campaign would not count toward someone’s five-year window of eligibility, are currently planning to return for the 202122 season. He said that makes a recruitment drive unnecessary, but they still did manage to sign one new player out of Prince Albert. “I’m just crossing my fingers that the vaccine rollout and the process that the government is taking right now is going to set us up to return back to some normalcy and that hopefully come fall we’re going to be able to get back to it,” said Dyer. “If that happens I should have a full roster returning and we should be very competitive.”
Thursday, February 4, 2021
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Are flights to Dunedin banned? SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS
Baseball needs a change or two, but I don’t think 2021 is the year it happens. Anybody got any ideas out there on how to make watching the game on TV more entertaining? And, no, this time beer isn’t the answer. The MLB needs more action and less game time for it to happen. However, that doesn’t mean most of its traditions need to be discarded or rearranged. I don’t care if baseball games move to seven innings instead of nine, National League teams embrace a designated hitter or extra innings start with a runner on second base. All three of these ideas were included in an MLB proposal to the play-
er’s association late last week centred on pushing back spring training from Feb. 17 to March 22 and opening day from April 1 to April 28. The player’s association rejected the proposal. But, I believe their objections had more to do with receiving a full paycheck than improving the on-field product. The proposal did include a few headscratchers that should be rejected no matter what day pitchers and catchers report. Expanding the playoffs to 14 instead of 10 teams is fine by me, but bringing in a selection show where seeded clubs can pick who they’ll play in the first round definitely is not. The great thing about the postseason, in any sport, is the chance that a lower seed can upset a higher seed. This is possible
because some teams are built for the playoffs while others are constructed for regular-season success. The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks provided a glimpse into this reality last August. The Hawks had guys like Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane and Corey Crawford who knew what it takes to grind out a win and the Oilers didn’t. That’s why the Toronto Blue Jays stepped up to the plate this off-season signing former World Series MVP George Springer to the biggest contract in team history. While I’m not sure about the term, Springer should at least help the young core of Vladimir Guerrero, Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio grow into perennial playoff performers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19
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Subdivision and Development Appeal Board - Call for New Members Do you want to become more involved in City affairs? We’re looking for new board members. Bring your experience and share your passion! The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) is responsible for appeals regarding various issues as determined by the Alberta Municipal Government Act. The nature of these appeals include minor variances, demolition, architectural controls, misapplication of the Land Use Bylaw No. 5-2016 in issuing a development permit, refusal to issue a development permit, refusal of a subdivision application and any condition of a zoning order issued on a property. The SDAB is an independent board composed of members appointed by City Council. Members serve a three-year term. The Board meets as required. Time commitment varies, depending on the number of appeals received. Hearings are typically held during business hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. One full-day of training will be required for all board members. Dates to be confirmed with successful applicants. Please submit your application to cityclerk@lloydminster.ca by Wednesday, March 10, 2021. For more information, visit www.lloydminster.ca/SDAB.
lloydminster.ca
PAGE 18 Thursday, February 4, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
Agriculture
Helping farmers monitor mental health MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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Following a recent province-wide Innovation Challenge, Innovation Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, unveiled a new tool for agricultural producers to track their mental health. The mobile app, Avail, was developed by Saskatoon-based Bridges Health and offers producers a confidential system for actively recording and analyzing their mental health, accessing online resources such as articles and videos, and finding and accessing care providers in their communities. The app encourages
regular check-ins and allows producers and their care providers to find patterns in the data they log. “Mental health in the agriculture industry is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan, and we know farmers and ranchers face unique challenges when it comes to accessing mental health services,” said Innovation Saskatchewan Minister Jeremy Harrison. “Avail helps address many of those concerns, and provides a made-in-Saskatchewan solution for producers looking for support in tracking their mental health.” Calls to the Farm Stress Line show pro-
File Photo ducers are looking for resources to maintain their mental health. In 2019-20, the toll-free line received more than 1,000 calls. “Producers face a number of factors that are out of their control, many of which can have a negative impact on mental health,” said Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister David Marit. “This tool allows producers to take an active role in monitoring their mental health and accessing supports.”
Careers Layoffs take effect at Cenovus PAGE 19
Thursday, February 4, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE
GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Cenovus Energy is delivering its plan to reduce its workforce by 2 0 t o 25 p e r c e nt following the completion of the takeover of Husky Energy at the start of the year. A major round of job cuts kicked in this past week in all areas of the combined company including former
Husky operations in Lloydminster. The loss of 1,720 to 2,150 jobs is part of $1 billion in synergy savings from the integration of the two companies discussed during a conference call on Jan. 28 on the company’s 2021 budget and production forecast. “We wanted to move quickly and respectively to address this,” said
Cenovus president and CEO Alex Pourbaix. “Since January 1, we have completed a significant portion of our planned workforce reductions although there will be additional adjustments over the rest of the year and into 2022 as we continue our integration work.” The combined company began with a workforce of about
8,600 employees. Pourbaix says the bulk of the layoffs have taken place in January, but he didn’t provide a statistical breakdown of the affected locations. “They’re all over where the combined entities had operations. The majority of those are coming out of the Calgary head office,” he said.
Cenovus head office in Calgary, Alta. File Photo
Stepping up your small business digital game SPORTS FROM PAGE 17
The 2021 MLB season is going to be another weird one with, likely, no fans in the stands, the Jays playing home games somewhere in the States and contests getting cancelled now and again because of COVID precautions. But, with another deep freeze upon us, it’s nice to at least look forward to spring and summer sport.
MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
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In the COVID-19 era and beyond, businesses that take advantage of data insights and digital tools can help drive more customers to their stores and websites. According to a recent poll by RBC, while most consumers value local businesses, 41 per cent of these consumers say that businesses need a more robust digital presence. Yet, only a third of
business owners said increasing their online presence was a priority, suggesting a gap between consumer expectations and business owners’ preparations. Here are some tips to help you get started: Explore digital apps and all-in-one solutions. You don’t need to be a computer whiz to get your business online – there are conveniently bundled solutions that now offer simple ways to set up an
online storefront, payment and shipping all in one go, while platforms can amplify your digital presence in the local community. Tap into key data insights to make decisions. In addition to publicly available market research, innovative solutions such as RBC Insight Edge data filters and insights that outline how, where and when target clients are making purchase decisions. By leveraging
both aggregate consumer data to identify big trends and keeping an eye on analytics from customers, decision making can be based on objective, real-time market information rather than gut feeling. Try digital solutions
to streamline back-office activities. Invoicing, payroll, cash management and employee health services can all go online to unlock more efficiency and value for your business, employees and customers.
PAGE 20 Thursday, February 4, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridansource.ca
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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 $995 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. 1-800-2826903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com.
FIREARMS WANTED FOR FEBRUARY 20th, 2021 LIVE & ONLINE AUCTION: Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Militaria. Auction or Purchase: Collections, Estates, Individual Items. Contact Paul, Switzer’s Auction: TollFree 1-800-694-2609, sales@switzersauction.com or www. switzersauction.com. FEED AND SEED LOOKING TO BUY feed barley or feed wheat. Call Gary at 780-674-0673 or Schmidt Livestock at 780-674-2851. HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252. FOR RENT
Approximately 120 acres of farmland, 3LSD’s. Nine miles south of Lloydminster, SK. Power & Gas cross property. No oil or gas leases to contend with. Taking offers. Ph: (306) 821-7608 REAL ESTATE VERY INEXPENSIVE 2 QUARTERS OF PASTURE LAND, Central SK, for sale. 8 other good quarters may be available. Requires fencing. Great hunting $74,900. Call Doug at 306-716-2671. TRAVEL * Vacation IN Alberta. * carbonvalleyranch.com * Stay Extraordinary! *
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AUCTIONS MISCELLANEOUS
AUCTIONS are our business! Contact Copeland Auctions Ltd. located in Lloydminster, AB for all your auction needs. Call Russ 780-870-1181 or visit our website: www.copelandauctions.co m
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SUDOKU
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January 28 Answers
ACROSS 1. Swine food 5. Soothing medicine 9. Not young 12. Grandma 13. On the briny 14. Sorrow 15. Superior to 16. “____ Might Be Giants” 17. North-Pole helper 18. Aromatic herb 20. Strangely 22. Bro’s sib 24. To’s associate 25. Fine wool 29. Crack and roughen 33. Yuck! 34. Prize medal 36. Bother
37. Not shallow 39. More nutritious 41. ____ Zeppelin 43. Affirmative vote 44. Record-album material 47. Oklahoma city 51. Bad humor 52. Prickly feeling 56. Window part 57. Boar’s mate 58. Accurate 59. Send out 60. Carpenter or army 61. Ogler 62. Audition tape
January 28 Answers
DOWN 1. Snooty person 2. Volcano’s output 3. Small bills 4. Church district 5. Club 6. Powdery residue 7. “Malcolm X” director 8. Municipal official 9. Was in the red 10. Lounge around 11. Resist openly 19. Succotash bean 21. Snow White’s pal 23. Basted 24. Shuttle boat 25. Cow chow 26. Time period 27. “____ Stoops to
Conquer” 28. Dashed 30. Exclamation 31. Beverage 32. Pea’s envelope 35. Food plan 38. Fabric layer 40. Brought to pass 42. Upper crust 44. Travel document 45. Pumping ____ 46. Certain amphibian 48. Margarita ingredient 49. Skinny 50. Low female voice 53. Endeavor 54. Stage signal 55. That woman
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