Meridian Source - February 6, 2020 by Meridian Source

Thursday, February 6, 2020

VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 32

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

SEE INSIDE FOR YOUR COPY OF THE CITY OF LLOYDMINSTER SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAM GUIDE 2020

Gow legacy lives on through new Barons’ vans TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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The Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) Barons, along with staff and students throughout the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD), will be safely riding in style after a generous donation from the Gow family in memory and honour of husband,

father, business owner, coach and mentor, J. William Gow. Two 15-passenger vans were purchased by Diane Gow, with Lloyd Comp taking delivery of one van on Monday afternoon, in memory of her late husband to get students and athletes to tournaments safely, as he was a big fan of and coach of

local teams. Diane thought there would be no better way for people to remember him. William Gow passed away in a motor vehicle incident on Oct. 21, 2017, at the age of 57. He also gave back to his community through his interest in sports as an assistant coach of the SAIT women’s team in 1988, coach of U of C Elite Boys team, and eventually, head coach of the SAIT men’s volleyball team, where he met his wife, Diane. The two would go on to get married and have daughters Soleil and Sonnet, and son, Shepherd, and eventually own the McDon-

The Gow family presented one of two 15-passenger vans to the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School on Monday afternoon in honour of William Gow, who passed away in a motor vehicle incident in 2017. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

ald’s locations in Cold Lake and Lloydminster for over 15 years. “About 10 or 15 years ago Will put some money in this account so we could distribute it for scholarships and donations, and this is one of our largest donations we’ve done to date,” said Diane. “In September we started talking about buying a couple of different vans for the school through this account, and it’s finally here.” Stickers on the vans read “In Memory of William Gow, 1960-2017, Husband, Father, Coach” on the left rear door and “Donated by By: Diane, Soliel, Sonnet & Shepherd Gow” on the right rear door, but also features #WillPowered across the top, something Diane found very fitting. “Will was a big fan of mental toughness and will power, so we actually brought that into a hashtag, #WillPowered, and we wanted to show everyone the van is powered with

will power through William. It’s a big moment for us because we want people to remember William, so hopefully, this will go a long way,” she said while holding back tears. The second van will be delivered in a couple of months and will be used by the entire LPSD for anything from a field trip to various academic and arts events. “I think this is a great way to honour an absolutely incredible man who has had an incredible impact on our school system and our young folks in the community,” said LPSD director of education, Todd Robinson. “I am the father of a daughter who was coached by Will, and I can speak first hand to the impact he’s had on her growth and development as a young person, and this just seems like a really fitting way to pay tribute to a person who’s going to have an amazing legacy in our city.” Robinson was quick to add an example of what made William such a great mentor and coach came down to commitment and about giving your best effort in tough and in good times, and in supporting your teammates. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Pillar in ag community announces retirement job is to sometimes make tough decisions, but he’s always been very good to work with from the board’s point of view, and from what I’ve seen with his interactions with employees and volunteers, it’s nothing but positive.

“ Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association general manager, Mike Sidoryk, announced his retirement last Thursday following a 38-year career filled with unforgettable memories. TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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It was an emotional afternoon at the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association as general manager, Mike Sidoryk, announced his retirement after a 38-year career with the Exh. Sidoryk made the announcement last Thursday to a lobby full of supportive friends, family and Exh goers, but the moment was still bittersweet. “I knew it was going to be a tougher day, but the vision is so bright for this association, for this community, and even for myself,” said Sidoryk. “I’ve had 38 years of some of the best experiences of my life, shared with my family, and this association. I cannot even think of a better community to live it and to work in.

Everything we do here supports the development of the Lloydminster area, and I am so thankful and proud of that opportunity. “It’s a great opportunity for me to step forward, take some time for myself and for my family, and continue to grow.” Sidoryk explained he believes now is his time to move forward to allow the association to grow, as it’s good to have fresh faces and fresh ideas coming into the fold to continue to drive things in the right direction. “We’ve had such a strong relationship over the last 38 years, and it’s like a big family, and I keep saying that about the Lloyd Exhibition, we are a big family, and family works together. That process continued all through that discussion, and we all see the positive move for-

ward to see us all grow and continue to prosper,” he said. “My family being here (today), they all grew up here, they’ve been a part of this association alongside me forever. They gave up a lot of time with their dad (so I could) be here, and it was a great life experience for me and my kids.” Vice president of the Exh board, Ron Weaver, who worked with Sidoryk for almost a decade, described him as an icon in the community and how there are few people who would ever disassociate the association from Sidoryk. “He sets the tone as far as how this place functions and that family feel. There’s never really a decision made around here that doesn’t involve a number of people’s opinions,” said Weaver. “He understands his

My walk off into the sunset moment is being able to walk away from this association knowing I’ve left it as good as I found it, and I do believe I have, and it’s been a strong part of my life, my whole families life, and to me, that’s my walk off. That’s all part of it.

“He’s a tremendous manager, a tremendous asset to this organization and to this community.” Weaver said his first reaction to Sidoryk’s retirement announcement came as somewhat of a shock, but after 38 years, he expected the news to eventually come. “Congratulations (just) seems so hollow. The feelings the board has towards Mike’s contribution to this place is so, so much greater, and I’m sure people in the community would reiterate what Mike means to this community and to this association, and we wish him nothing but the best,” he said. “He’s the kind of person that will abso-

Barons gifted 15-passenger vans from Gow family FROM PAGE 1

“When I think about (my daughter’s) experience, it was all about being the best she could be (and) not measuring herself against somebody else, but against her own potential, and I think Will really made her a better athlete than she thought she could ever be and she had a great experience, and it’s something she looks on very positively as a result of that, so this is a great moment

for me to be a part of this, and just to recognize the impact that Will’s had on our system and all the athletes in Lloyd public.” LCHS principal, Dwayne Marciniw, explained how safety is always the top priority and that these vans aren’t your typical 15-seaters. “(They have a) high wheelbase, we made sure they had all of the safety features necessary (such as) dual

wheels in the back and lane departure, all of the warning systems in place to make sure our kids and staff members can get to and from their activities safely,” he said. “It’s an extreme honour. I think we’ve been given an extreme honour to have these vans d o na t e d a nd t o h a ve our kids rally around #WillPowered and to keep Will’s and the Gow family’s memory of Will alive.

“Just an extreme thank you to the Gow family, Diane, Shepherd, Sonnet and Soleil, and it’s an incredible thing they’re doing (by) helping Barons’ athletics and students, not only in LCHS but in the division. The Gow family has always been supporters of athletics in our divisions and within Lloydminster, and they continue to have a positive impact on individuals.”

lutely succeed at whatever he chooses to do. He will flourish in any environment and I wish him

nothing but the best in whatever he chooses to do after this.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Church Directory

New doctor Rx for clinic growth

Call our sales team if you would like to advertise your church in our directory

306-825-5111

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Dr. Abdalla, a new family and internal medicine doctor, is taking new patients at the Lloydminster Family Medical Clinic. Abdalla was hired from England and speaks English, Arabic and some Spanish. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Having a new family physician on staff is good medicine for the Lloydminster Family Medical Clinic and area residents. Clinic manager, Amanda Vickers, says the arrival of Dr. Abdalla from England advances their plans to expand patient services. “We are hoping that FROM PAGE 3

Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers sent Sidoryk warm wishes, stating, “On behalf of the City of Lloydminster, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mike all the best in his retirement after 38 great years of ser-

we can bring on more full-time physicians because we know the community is in need of it and we’ll be going from there,” said Vickers. The clinic, located at 4806 50 St., is owned by Rubicon Pharmacies. Vickers says their long-term goal is to hire three more fulltime physicians with hopes of recruiting a

female physician. Abdalla was the first doctor to be hired from Rubicon’s active online ad seeking one fulltime family physician for the family medical/ walk-in clinic, run out of Remedy’s Rx Pharmacy in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a news release

vice to the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association. Mike leaves the Association on a great footing with multiple annual events that serve our community, our neighbours and others from far and wide. Thank you, Mike, for your ser-

vice and commitment to a great organization. I hope you find that fishing pole and make use of it in your spare time.” At 57 years young with 38 years in the books at the Exh, Sidoryk described his “walk off into the sun-

of his arrival with Canadian credentials, describing him as a British family physician trained in family and internal medicine who speaks English and Arabic. “He’s highly trained, highly educated; he’s a pleasure to work with,” said Vickers. “The patients that he’s seen so far are very comfortable it seems with him, which is important. He works well with the other (part-time) physicians we do have here since the clinic opened about a year ago. “Every day is getting better and we are getting busier.” Abdalla is accepting full-time patients and walk-in patients Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with plans to bump up those hours if the demand is there. To book an appointment, phone the clinic at 306-825-0545 or walk in. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

set moment” as, being “able to walk away from this association knowing I’ve left it as good as I found it, and I do believe I have, and it’s been a strong part of my life, my whole family’s life, and to me, that’s my walk off. That’s all part of it.”

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Co-op ready to spread kindness

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Melissa Plamondon, left, chair of the Beyond Borders Circle of Change coalition, teamed with the Kristine Knourek, marketing and communications manager of the Lloydminster and District Co-op, to launch the Co-op’s 10th annual Kindness Win campaign at the Co-op Marketplace on Monday. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Kindness is on a winning roll in Lloydminster thanks to the Lloydminster and District Co-op and their community partners. The 2020 Kindness Wins campaign that advocates for compassion, kindness and acceptance kicked off at the Lloyd Co-op Marketplace on Monday. The campaign is supported by the sale of pink coloured Kindness Wins merchandise at select Co-op locations and generates awareness against bullying in the lead-up to national Pink Shirt Day on Feb. 26. “This is our 10th anniversary and community support is one of the principles Lloydminster Co-op is founded on,” said Kristine Knourek, marketing and communications manager with Lloyd Co-op. “So for us to be able to support youth and

local citizens through this campaign, plus help present a really important message in our community, it means the world to us.” The Co-op will donate a portion from the sale of Kindness Win merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies, toques, bibs and new baby bandanas, to Beyond Borders Circle of Change. The amounts will range from $1 from the sale of a $10 Kindness Wins T-shirt to $2 from the sale of a $20 hoodie effective Feb. 3. “From every piece of merchandise that we sell through the Kindness Wins campaign, some of the money is going back to support youth in our community,” said Knourek. Circle of Change is a local non-profit organization whose work focuses on anti-bullying training, programming, and education across

the Lloydminster public and Catholic school divisions. “It’s a great support for us,” said Melissa Plamondon, Circle of Change coalition chair and a counsellor at Holy Rosary High School. “We’re very happy to have such a solid partnership with them because it’s through their support that we are able to do some of the good things that we continue to do.” Plamondon says 15

schools in the area are doing Kindness Wins projects and initiatives throughout the month. Schools can apply for Kindness Wins grants, funded with proceeds from Kindness Wins merchandise, encouraging students to conduct acts of kindness throughout the month of February. The grants are administered through the Circle of Change coalition. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

“We know the best antidote to bullying is kindness, so we want to promote that as much as we can so that kids will have the opportunity to grow up great in our city and know that adults believe in them and their ability to affect positive change,” said Plamondon. She says they will also use some of the funds donated by Lloyd Co-op to help some of the Red Cross (RespectEd) teams in the city to do some more facilitation work with elementary school students on bullying prevention. The Lloydminster Jr., A Bobcats will also host a “Pink in the Rink” home game in February. Knourek says the Lloyd Co-op is happy to do their part in bringing awareness to the simple things people can do year-round to make life a little kinder for their friends, neighbours, and families. The Kindness Wins c a mpa ig n h a s ra i s e d nearly $30,000 to promote acts of kindness since 2011 through the

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Investigation into officerinvolved shooting continues

FROM PAGE 5

sale of the campaign’s Kindness Wins-branded merchandise. To mark the decade of kindness, Lloyd Co-op worked with the Meridian Source through an online and in-store contest to develop a new campaign logo. Lloyd Co-op originally modelled Kindness Wins after the national Pink Shirt Day event to encourage Lloydminster and area citizens to don the colour pink on the last Wednesday in February in solidarity with those who stand up against bullying. “You know it’s February when you come to one of our Lloyd Co-op locations and see our teams dressed in Kindness Wins gear,” said Knourek. “We’re proud of the movement and the ripple effect the campaign has created across the community and region.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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On Feb. 2, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding two officer-involved shootings that took place in Lloydminster, which resulted in the death of a 27-year-old male. Lloydminster RCMP had been investigating a complaint of a stolen vehicle and received information from the owner of the vehicle that it had been seen driving in Lloydminster. RCMP members located the vehicle just west of the city. An encounter occurred between the occupants of the vehicle and members of the RCMP, during which the vehicle left the road and one police officer discharged his

service pistol. The vehicle returned to the road and fled from police, who pursued and maintained intermittent contact with the vehicle until it was once again located in the area of the 4200 block of 56 Avenue in Lloydminster. At that location, officers approached the vehicle and anot her altercation occurred, during which another police officer discharged his service pistol. The 27-year-old driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene and two RCMP members were taken to hospital as a result of their injuries. The female occupant of the vehicle was uninjured and was taken into custody by the RCMP. Investigators are asking anyone who

may have witnessed either of the incidents in which a firearm was discharged and anyone who may have taken video of those incidents to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483. ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the actions of police during this incident, while

the RCMP will maintain responsibility for the investigation into the circumstances that led up to the incident, as well as the surviving occupant of the vehicle. As the investigation is underway, no further information will be released at this time.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Multilingual doctor joins Family Medical Clinic team

FROM PAGE 4

“We are hoping soon

over the next couple of weeks we will start a Sat-

urday clinic, but we are just waiting to see how busy we get before we start advertising,” said Vickers. “We want to make sure we have enough patient base for that to happen, but I am sure we will.” Abdalla says afternoons are busiest lately and they may offer extended hours as well. “So basically, anything outside of 9 to 5 will be subject to demand,” he said. Abdalla came here to work as he flew from England on Jan. 17 and checked into the clinic on Jan. 20. “I hit the ground running straight away,” he said. His early impression of snowy Lloydminster is a positive one. “It’s quite nice and a lovely place—white and

peaceful let’s say,” he said. As for the cold, he says he arrived just as the weather improved, but he is used to the cold from his time working as a doctor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Abdalla explains he chose to practice medicine in Lloydminster partly from loving the rural experience in Alaska. “I know there is more need for doctors in rural areas so I thought I can make a difference,” he said. Abdalla was born and raised in Dubai, qualified for medical school in Egypt and trained in the U.K. and America, including New Mexico, where he picked up some Spanish. “You call me an international citizen if you

want,” he said, noting he last worked in an urban city with a diverse population and many foreign language refugees as patients. Vickers says it’s a plus for clinic patients in the Lloydminster area to speak with Abdalla in English or Arabic. “It’s beneficial and it’s comforting for people who are also new to the country or to the town that they can speak freely and be understood and get their medical needs addressed,” she said. His last name is Abouebeid, but he says that’s way too hard to pronounce, so he’s sticking with Dr. Abdalla professionally. He has found a place to live and once he’s more settled in, his wife and four young kids, including a four-month-old, will

follow from England. “Amanda did a fabulous job trying to get everything sorted before I landed,” said Abdalla. He says his biggest work challenge at the clinic so far is to establish a proper database for each patient that any other doctor in the future could access. “In England, all patients are under one database in one big server, so when the patient moves from one clinic to another clinic, they just release the information,” said Abdalla. He says the solution may be above his pay grade, but he plans to book longer appointments and “try to go through all the details at the beginning to help me provide better advice,” as he put it.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Marks Work Warehouse in Lloydminster donated 216 pairs of T-Max Heat socks from their Red Sock drive to The Olive Tree for needy kids at the Lloydminster public and Catholic school divisions. Becky Schille, centre, director of The Olive Tree, presented half of the socks along with some previously-collected socks to Alison Fulkerth, community education coordinator LCSD, and half the red socks to Gina Nelson, the liaison for LPSD.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Briefcase students network for jobs GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. You only get to make a good first impression once. That’s why Jeru Lopez, a first-year accounting student at Lakeland College, took his instructor’s advice and wore a suit and tie to the 2020 Business Job Fair, held in the cafeteria at the Lloydminster campus. “She told me to go all out,” he said with his resume in hand. His game plan was to meet representatives from Leckie & Associates, MNP and Metrix Group Ltd. that he researched prior to the event last Thursday. He says that’s where he’s heading with his accounting studies. “I’m looking to make a first impression and a summer job to get some work experience as an accountant,” said Lopez. The ninth annual event was coordinated by Leanne Griffiths, Lakeland’s student

employment advisor, who offered some advice for business administration students meeting any of the 12 available employers. “We are always encouraging them to get their name out there and network, act professionally, bring their resumes—and it’s a great way to make a great first impression with an employer and possibly get their foot in the door,” said Griffiths. That’s what Lakeland business admin alumni Nadrae Gordon Gray did when she attended the job fair as a business admin student. “I first came to a job fair and that’s where I sold myself and sold my expertise,” she said. She landed a summer job at Servus Credit Union and is now a fulltime financial advisor at the Servus Credit Union in Lloydminster. Gordon Gray was on hand to advise existing students to speak with the business

recruiters, bring their resumes, do well in school and network. “Don’t be afraid to network because that’s how you get to be successful,” she said. Lakeland College business administration students are a soughtafter resource with the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency, or SAMA for short. “They come to us with the education we are looking for,” said Brad Aasen, an HR consultant for SAMA in Regina. “It’s always wonderful to be here and field their questions and tell them a little bit more about SAMA.” He says SAMA provides property assessment services for municipalities throughout Saskatchewan. “It’s typically our assessment services division that we’re recruiting for,” he said. He notes appraisal and assessment is the

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Jehan Emara, left, a small business student at Lakeland College, gets some help from business alumni Nadrae Gordon Gray at the 2020 Business Job Fair, held at the Lloydminster campus cafeteria on Jan. 30.

second-year specialty of the two-year business program at Lakeland, which is only one of three education institutions that offer the specialty. “We have summer student positions in four or five different regions that we are recruiting for and one full-time position in the Yorkton region,” he said. Brent Gossner, a CPA

with MNP in Lloydminster, was looking to hire an accounting technician position, which comes from the twoyear diploma program at the college. He says it’s no surprise more than half of their staff went to Lakeland. “The kids are local, which helps us get over the hurdle of the community, and they

embrace the community and want to be here long term, and that’s attractive to us as an employer,” he said. Gossner says despite the economy they are still trying to grow, and are always looking to add the right people to the team. “It’s a big part of what we do and why we come to this event every year,” he said.

PAGE 10 Thursday, February 6, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Viewpoint

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 Catherine Kruining catherine@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.

2017

MP Stubbs on Trans Mountain Expansion ruling

he Federal Court of Ap p e al r u l ing is w e l come, but it is not

enough. The reality is the Liberals’ mistakes and failures directly delayed the Trans Mountain Expansion by more than two years. It was supposed to enter service two months ago, in December of 2019, but instead, that was when construction started. The Federal Government’s own 2018 Fall Fiscal Update says a lack of pipelines reduced investment in oil and gas causing over 200,000 jobs lost in the oil and gas sector. One pipeline that can export to global markets is not enough. The Liberals eliminated two other recent opportunities to do the same by killing the approved Northern Gateway and Energy East pipelines. The existing Trans Mountain Pipeline is not an export pipeline, as it currently transports 53 per cent of its oil to the United States and a further 24 per cent to the Burnaby refinery. The Liberals passed a law - the ‘no more pipelines’ Bill C-69 that private sector experts and economists say will result in no

new private-sector pipelines proposed or built in Canada. There is no plan to give the private sector the confidence to invest in building the new infrastructure required to get Canadian energy to global markets. There is no public timeline, inservice date, or budget for the construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion. The Liberals have no plan to deal with anti-energy activists that are prepared to break the law to stop this project. Here is what opponents say, they will “continue to fight this project and their international allies will support them in whatever way they can,” that “attempts to block expansion will be “even larger and more disruptive than last year,” that “no matter who approves it, this pipeline will not be built,” and that “we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to stop this pipeline.” When asked, the finance minister would not say that all of the legal obstacles to the construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion ended with this ruling. He cannot confirm this because groups opposed to the Trans Mountain Expansion cur-

rently have an application before the Supreme Court challenging the Liberals’ second approval of the project in June of 2019. This does not include the speculation by parties to this legal challenge that they would appeal the results of today’s ruling to the Supreme Court in the near future. This is why it is concerning the Liberals still refuse to tell Canadians what they will do differently this time than what they did in 2016 to ensure construction proceeds. The Liberals failure to use the full powers available to the federal government to move this project forward, and their continued moving of the goal-posts to approve the Teck Frontier oil sands mine, is what is causing the crisis in confidence of job creators and investors that Canada is a place where big infrastructure projects can still be built. The Liberals made Canadians owners of the Trans Mountain Expansion – they owe it to Canadians to answer these questions.” - Shannon Stubbs, Conservative MP for Lakeland

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

PAGE 11 Thursday, February 6, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Opinion

Leeway from Lloyd: How to speak French fluidly! STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

This is French Education Week in Saskatchewan and an occasion for marking 50 years of the Official Languages Act. It’s the start of the Quebec winter carnival on Feb. 7 All of this conspires to steer me towards memory lane to the mid60s, when our Grade 10 French class in the Toronto area went on an exchange trip in Quebec for Carnaval. Back then, the extent of my French was a

couple of fractured French phrases at best. Fortunately, I knew how to drink as a teen and found myself billeted by a Francophone family with two bar hopping boys, or was it three? Booze should have been an official international liquid language along with hand language as it got me through. I vaguely remember being at Carnaval on a cold winter’s day, and I am sure I had a hangover. I did see the mascot Bonhomme, but back then I likely would have spelled it bun hum!

If I didn’t fail French I came pretty close. When it was time for my family to host a student from Quebec we ended up host ing an attractive girl who I took a shine to and vice versa. Since her English was as bad as my French we sort of resorted to booze as a tongue loosener. Our friendship got a little too close for my parents’ liking, however, as they caught us “networking” so to speak. C’est la vie! The second time I fell for a French woman was on a deserted beach in Vancou-

ver Island during the hippy-dippy days in 1973 and I hitchhiked with her to Quebec City and learned some of the basic French I should have acquired for Carnaval. I tried my hardest to speak French when I skied twice at Mont Tremblant in the 90s, motivated once again by a fine-looking ski instructor who told me to angulate, angulate (it’s an ankle thing)! The message got through and I became a pretty good skier in both languages, but not well enough to ask her over for a bowl of poutine. C’est dommage!

Through the reader’s lens

Thanks, John Van Cleemput, for sharing this great winter photo with us! If you would like to see your photos in the Meridian Source, email them to taylor@meridiansource.ca

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

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.

BINGO EVERY MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY Bingo is held every Monday and Wednesday at the Moose Lodge, at 5213-57 Street, with a 7 p.m. start. EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT LONG WEEKENDS There will be Square Dancing from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Legacy Centre, 5101 - 46 Street, BACK Door (West door). Singles & Couples: inexpensive FUN & ACTION in a Co-operative, Brain Active, Mildly Aerobic Environment. Your first evening is free. No experience needed. Call Kendall, 306825-3770, or email Esther, moment101@hotmail.com for more info. EVERY TUESDAY — VOLLEYBALL Drop in volleyball from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Takes place at the Servus Sports Centre and everyone is welcome, non-competitive and no experience is necessary. Come for fun and exercise and meet some great people. EVERY TUESDAY — ADAPTED YOGA From 10 – 11 a.m. at the Community Service Centre. For more information please contact Ann-Dee at 780-871-0513. EVERY TUESDAY — DIABETES 102 The new schedule for PNRHA Diabetes Education Classes is ready! Everyone starts with Diabetes 101 and then follows up with Diabetes 102 (people on diabetes pills) or Diabetes 103 (people on insulin). All classes are scheduled on a Tuesday morning from 8:15 a.m. to noon. Please contact Nancy Johnston at 306-820-6096 or H e l e n R o g e r s a t 306-820-6291 to pre-register

Passport to YLL

EVERY TUESDAY — SENIORS MEET The Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society meets at the Legacy Centre from noon - 1:30 p.m. Lunch is available for $8. Please reserve before Tuesday morning at 780-875-4584. Everyone welcome. EVERY WEDNESDAY — CRAFTERNOON Join Midwest Family Connections at the lower level of Prairie North Plaza and bring your budding artist to explore and create with materials in the craft centre. EVERY SATURDAY — FARMER’S MARKET Downtown Farmer’s Market at the Fred North Community Centre (5002 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster) from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sat) We’re on Facebook. FEB. 6 – KAISER TOURNEY The Legacy Centre is hosting a Kaiser Tournament on Feb. 6. Play begins at 10 a.m., cost is $10 to play and $10 for lunch. Everyone welcome. Call the Legacy Centre at 780-8754584 for more information. FEB. 7 – LEGACY SUPPER The Legacy Centre is hosting a monthly supper/dance on Feb. 7. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m. and supper is served at 6 p.m. Menu is roast beef with entertainment after supper by the Studio Encore-Highland Dancers, then dance the night away to te tunes of Memory Lane. Tickets are $22 per person, please reserve before Feb. 6. Call the Legacy Centre at 780-875-4584 for more information. FEB. 8 – CONCERT AT NEILBURG COMMUNITY HALL Classic country, new coun-

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

try and old rock ‘n roll! All featured at the upcoming concert by Travis Dolter and the Travis Dolter band on Saturday, Feb. 8, presented by the Manitou Pioneers Museum. Location: Neilburg Community Hall, Neilburg, Sk. Time (M.S.T.): Cocktails - 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m. (by Coolidge Country Catering), Concert - 7:30 p.m. In addition to great food and great music there will be a Door Prize, Draws and a Cash Bar to round out the evening. (Must be 19 years or older to attend). Tickets are $50 each or buy and reserve a table for $400. Tickets available from Marsden or Neilburg Credit Unions or any member of the Museum. More info? Please phone Dale H at 306-893-8242 FEB. 14 – VALENTINE’S DAY TEA The Lloydminster Loving Care Auxiliary Special Valentine’s Day Tea is being held on Feb. 14 at 7402, 29 St, Lloydminster. The Bake Sale and Tea is scheduled from 1:30 3:30 p.m and includes door prizes, raffles, crafts, and mystery prizes. Admission is $3 and everyone is welcome. Guilded tours of the cottages are available. For more information please contact Recreation at 780-874-3920 or Karen at 306-825-3295. FEB. 20 – 500 CARD TOURNEY The Legacy Centre is hosting a 500 Card Tournament on Feb. 20. Play begins at 10 a.m., cost is $10 to play and $10 for lunch. Everyone welcome. Call the Legacy Centre at 780-8754584 for more information. FEB. 25 – PANCAKE BREAKFAST There will be a pancake breakfast at St. John’s Anglican Church on Feb. 25 from 5-6:30 p.m. Adults are $8 and children 12 and under are $5.

Everyone welcome! FEB. 26 – SPONSORSHIP WORKSHOP Are you a local non-profit, charity or community organization looking to secure more corporate sponsorship dollars? Are you in the hunt to get more renewals from existing sponsors? If so, you will want to attend the City of Lloydminster’s Sponsorship 101 Workshop! The workshop is being held on Feb. 26 from 1:30-5 p.m. at the City of Lloydminster Operations Centre: Training Room, 6623 52 Street, Lloydminster. Registration is $10 and refundable upon attendance. FEB. 29 – OVERNIGHT TRIP TO CAMROSE The Legacy Centre is off for an overnight trip to Camrose from Feb. 29 to March 1 with shopping in downtown Camrose upon arrival. Hotel stay, supper and show at the Camrose Casino Resort plus breakfast the next morning included. The Show is a Tribute to “Dolly & Reba,” should be a good one! A great “ONENIGHT GET-AWAY”! Call Legacy office for more info and cost at 780-875-4584 MARCH 3 – QUIT SMOKING Have you thought about quitting smoking? The Saskatchewan Health Authority is here to help with a support group help at PNHC, Suite 115, 4910-to Street. Support group starts on March 3 from 6-8 p.m. for six weeks. To register please call 306-820-6243. LLOYDMINSTER LEARNING COUNCIL - Registration Night for English Language Programs, Monday Jan. 21, 2020, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Community Services Building, Workshop Room, 4419 - 52 Ave. Fee: No Charge,

Call 780-875-5763 for any questions - Technology Series for Adults, 5 Wednesdays, March 6, to April 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fee: $125.00, Call 780-8755763 to register - English Language Classes being offered: Beginner, Advanced, Intermediate, 10 weeks, Tuesdays & Thursdays, Jan. 29 - April 4, 2020, 7-9 p.m., Fee: No Charge, Call 780875-5763 to register - English Language Classes for Women, 10 weeks, Wednesdays, Jan. 30 - April 3, 2020, 1-3 p.m., Learn day to day conversational English, pronunciation, reading and writing for everyday activities (work, doctor appointments, children’s school), Fee: No Charge, Call 780-875-5763 to register - Registration Night for English Language Programs, Tuesday January 21, 2020 6:307:30pm, Community Services Building, Workshop Room, 4419 - 52 Ave. Fee: No Charge, Call 780-875-5763 for any questions - English Language Classes for Women, 10 weeks, Wednesdays, January 29 - April 1, 2020, 1-3 p.m., Learn day to day conversational English, pronunciation, reading and writing for everyday activities (work, doctor appointments, children’s school), Fee: No Charge, Call 780-875-5763 to register - Technology Series for Seniors, 5 Wednesdays, Feb 5 - Mar 4, 2020 6:30-8:30pm, Fee: $125.00, Call 780-8755763 to register Conversational Spanish for Travelers, 10 weeks, Tuesdays, Feb 25 - Apr 28, 2020, 7:009:00pm, Fee: $125.00, Call 780-875-5763 to register - Microsoft Office Series, 5 Tuesdays, Feb 25 - Mar 24, 2020, 6:30-8:30pm, Fee: $125.00, Call 780-875-5763 to register

Thursday, February 6, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Money Matters Tax Free Savings Account vs. Registered Retirement Savings Plan LECKIE & ASSOCIATES LLP SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE

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Both RRSPs and TFSAs shelter you from any tax on the income earned if the investments stay held within the registered account.

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So, if you’re deciding between the two options, the question boils down to whether you should pay the taxman now or later.

With an RRSP, you can deduct the contribution from your income, which earns you a tax refund, but the money becomes fully taxable when you take it out. The TFSA is the reverse. You don’t get a tax break on contributions, but you don’t pay tax on withdrawals. So, if you’re decid-

ing between the two options, the question boils down to whether you should pay the taxman now or later. That answer depends on your tax rate. If you’re in a higher tax bracket when you put the money in than when you take it out, it’s better to use an RRSP. Basically, your original RRSP contribution gives you tax savings now, and the taxman takes a smaller bite on withdrawal. However, if you take the money out when you’re in a higher tax bracket than you’re in now, it’s better to go with a TFSA. There are always other considerations when deciding which option is the best fit for you. Make sure to have a conversation with your accountant or financial advisor. • At the retirement age, depending on your income level, if taken out your RRSP’s this increases your income even more and

File Photo you run the risk of Old Age Security Clawback and loss of Guaranteed Income Supplement or other provincial senior benefits. • RRSP or TFSA contribution room and limits should always be verified. • Are the contributions funded from cash

withdrawn from a corporation? It might not be to your benefit to invest outside of the corporation.

• You can invest in the same types of investments in either, but the RRSP contribution gives you some

cash back on your taxes paid during the year that you can use to pay off debt, book a vacation or invest more.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Vive Le Carnaval in the Border City

TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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Jeux Carnaval à Lloydminster. Opening ceremonies for the Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) Carnaval celebrations kicked off at École St. Thomas on Tuesday morning, and aside from the many students smiling from ear to ear, there were some special guests in attendance. “We are celebrating 35 years of French immersion in the LCSD and thought it would be appropriate to include a tribute and invite some alumni back, get them to see how much it has grown, and just kick off our week with that celebration,” said Mme Lisa Marie Kreese, principal at École St. Thomas Elementary School. “It’s been a real pleasure reaching out to the people that started this program years ago. They had a dream and a vision, and they didn’t

expect the growth (we’ve seen) to this rate. “They really wanted French for their children, and now a lot of their children, and even grandchildren are living in French (culture) or have use for French in their lives, so their dream and passion paid off over time, and I’m really proud to be part of that history.” Carnaval celebrations will see students taking part in a variety of activities including ice skating, snowshoeing, treasure hunts, and a variety of outdoor competitions. “It’s Jeux Carnaval today, which means there’s tug of war competitions, running races and snowshoeing, and all the things that Canadians did 100 years ago, and when the voyageurs were making their way across Canada we celebrate that history as well as the future partnerships between the

people in Canada,” said LCSD director of education, Nigel McCarthy. “I think one of the things that’s the most fun is the King and Queen of Carnaval who were crowned this morning. “That’s a big experience for the students (because) they elect their King and Queen, and those students will spend the week taking pictures and doing stories throughout the building.” A graduate of French immersion education, McCarthy described bilingual education as a wonderful experience which he benefitted from both within Canada and internationally. “It’s important for us to highlight the people and the history who built this program and made it happen,” he said. “I think when you have a French immersion school, a big part of building the commu-

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source nity for French immersion comes from what

is it that French is. It’s not just a language, it’s

a culture and a history, and it can be fun.”

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Alberta RCMP play cupid with #VehicleValentines MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Alberta RCMP is sending out valentines on behalf of people’s vehicles for the month of February. Twice a week valentines will be sent from the Alberta RCMP social media accounts with tips about how to keep their vehicles safe from thieves. Last year, there were almost 10,000 thefts of motor vehicles in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction. Over 6,500 of those thefts were trucks, SUVs, or vans. Cars made up a smaller portion of thefts accounting for just over 1,200. There was a 5 per cent decrease in vehicle thefts from 2018 to 2019, but there is still room for improvement. In February 2019, there were almost 700 vehicles stolen from Alberta RCMP jurisdiction. One of the most important tips is to lock your vehicle and remove the keys. If you plan to start

your car to warm it up, you need a remote starter or plan to stay with your vehicle. Here are some easy steps to keep your vehicle safe · Lock the doors · Remove all valuables · Use a steering wheel lock · Lock your garage · Remove garage door opener from vehicle · Use a vehicle tracking system · Park in a well-lit area F o llo w the Alb erta RCMP on Facebook (@ RCMPinAlberta), Twitter (@RCMPAlberta) and #VehicleValentines for more tips on keeping your vehicle safe. RCMP encourages the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity to police. Reports tell members where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by

using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. Vehicle Valentines I want you to be mine, Valentine. Stay with me while I’m running. You are wheelie awesome. Please lock my doors so we can stay together! You auto be my Valentine. Buy me a steering wheel lock and I’ll be yours forever! Remember to lock the garage, and you’ll always have a parking spot in my heart. You’re just my speed. Let’s get a vehicle tracking system so we can always go places together. I think you’re towtally great. Please remove the keys so we can stay in a long-term relationship. Valentine, you drive me crazy. Remember to remove your valuables! Remove the garage door opener when you park and you’ll always be mine. 20021JJ0

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Bobcats champion giving back

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Nigel Dube, general manager and head coach of the Lloydminster Bobcats Jr. A hockey team, spoke to the Rotary Club of Lloydminster this week on the team’s rebuilding plans and team culture. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. The Jr. A Lloydminster Bobcats are shooin champions of the AJHL when it comes to community involvement with the potential

to make the playoffs next season. That’s the belief of Nigel Dube, the team’s general manager and head coach, who spoke to the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Mon-

day about rebuilding the team culture starting with his hiring in November 2019. “We needed to make significant changes when they brought me in. We are the youngest team in the league,” said Dube. He’s stoked that 21 of the 22 players on the roster are eligible to come back next season, including two goalies and all defensemen. “We talked from dayone when I took the job here of establishing a foundation of success, and that’s a piece of our foundation that we have, is being able to return players for the next season,” he said. He’s hoping as many as 14 players will return and says he loves the core. Dube says whether they are 60-0 or 7-38 as they were at Rotary,

20021SS0

the Bobcats are going to be very involved in the community. “Without this community, we would literally not have a hockey team. We wouldn’t be able to do without the sponsors, the volunteers and the fans and the billets that we have. Junior hockey wouldn’t exist in Lloydminster,” he said. “We want to live by our motto and live by the core values we have and truly be a Border City Built team.” He says it’s no secret they are working the phones and watching game video footage to recruit a few guys that can put the puck in the net. “I think our scouting staff has done a great job by identifying those, and I think no matter the record, Lloydminster is a city that players want to play in,” said Dube. The team budget has been cut from $1.2 million during the RBC

Cup season in 2016 to $760,000 this season with all new staff since Dube came aboard, except for volunteer assistant coach Kris Wiebe. Dube says when the team talked about rebuilding the culture, one of their priorities going forward was to develop great kids and great people. He says they have 22 C+ hockey players who are A+ humans who help others. “The biggest thing about being a community-owned team is giving back,” said Dube. “Players are in the community every week between school visits, to dealing with minor hockey, to (just) about anything we can get involved in to give back.” Players have put together Easter hampers with their billets as a team builder and they made 55 winter bags for the homeless

with their billets. “We’re trying to working towards involving how to give back to the community where we can,” said Dube. “It goes all the way back to if some of our billets have kids and they have teams or dances or whatever, that they will be part of those events too.” He says the Bobcats are looked at as a junior hockey team that provides entertainment, but he says when you build relationships in the community like Lloydminster, that’s much bigger than that. “ It c a n b e a b r i g h t spot in a lot of people’s d ay s w h e th e r i t be a player reading a book to a young kid or just passes him by on the street, and being able to acknowledge a kid you saw at a school and being able to say hi to him,” said Dube. “That goes above and beyond any hockey game.”

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Necessary evils PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

We’ve all had ‘em: medical exams. This whole unpleasant subject was thrust upon me recently as I drove a friend to her colonoscopy appointment. I thought I’d share my thoughts on it with you. You can thank me later. Until the moment my friend walked into the hospital and stood at the admissions desk, I wasn’t sure if she would even go through with it, but swilling back a gallon of grape flavoured laxative isn’t something you do on a whim; escape was futile. Turning to me as we scuffled off down the hallway, she hissed, “They asked for photo ID, can you believe it? Who in their right mind would want to fraudulently attend someone else’s colonoscopy appointment? They’d have to be crazy!” I giggled uncomfortably, feeling her pain. I’ve undergone various tests too. In

fact, as you may well expect, I have a tale to tell along this theme. (Insert disclaimer here). In order to set the scene, you must know that prior to this procedure I was single and friends had invited me to a dance. It had been a lovely evening. We’d eaten well, cavorted about the dance floor and met some interesting people, one of whom was a strikingly handsome fellow with an aristocratic bearing and impeccable style; a poor sense of humour perhaps—but I could’ve worked around that. Fast forward a week. I entered the Manitoba hospital, where I lived at the time, and was handed disposable blue booties and the usual backless gown. Yay. Once attired in these offensive garments, the nurse led me along a cheerless passage and through swinging doors to where an icy, steel slab awaited my presence. Double yay. With his back to us, the physician busily clattered

instruments onto a tray and instructed the nurse to have me lie down. Then whirling around with a grim smile he began to introduce himself. But, amazingly we’d met before—he was the man from the party— and I was having a barium enema. ACK! My face must have registered the horror I was experiencing, but apart from that first jolt of recognition, he quickly smoothed his features into a mask-like neutrality. “Roll over please,” he stated calmly, “and extend your posterior, this may hurt a little. Try to relax.” “RELAX?” a voice screamed in my head. Was he for real? The whole episode had taken on a nightmarish quality not unlike an old Alfred Hitchcock movie. RELAX? REALLY? What kind of nut could feel at ease when a handsome, eligible man sees you, not only attired in paper slippers and sackcloth, but is required by his profession to run a tube up your butt and intro-

MERIDIAN SOURCE

File Photo duce a foreign substance into your cramping bowels before snapping photographic evidence of the event for later consideration? ARGH! Of course, people have managed to form lasting relationships in the midst of some rather strange circumstances, but once an enema has been administered it’s pretty much over. We parted ways without further eye contact or com-

ment and never spoke again. Medical procedures are important, but as a precursor to lasting relationships—not so much. From 1-4 p.m., this Saturday, Feb. 8, I’ll be at Coles Bookstore in the Lloyd Mall to sign the first edition of my book Prairie Wool. Drop in to say hi and pick up your very own copy. Follow me at myprairiewool.com

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Exh set for another great year at Agri-Visions MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Agri-Visions is back and better than ever for the Feb. 12-13 show. There are multiple conference packages available to fit everyone’s needs including a student discount. There will be sessions related to the cattle and grain industries as well as the overall agricultural industry while looking to the future. This year’s speaker

line up is: - Gerry Ritz - Kayne Ireland and Sarah Lefoy - Angie Fox - Danielle Wildfong - Dr. Don Buckingham - Carol Bouck - Agronomist Panel - Dr. Temple Grandin - Jody Wacowich - Alanna Koch - Rex Murphy - Sandy Russell - Gerry Hertz The Exh is excited to have a Sprayer Inno-

vation Zone back with demonstrations and product technology. The Tradeshow, which features more than 120 exhibitors, is only $10 to attend. The Border City Seed Show will be in conjunction with Agri-Visions and will also be a feature event during the Heart of the Farm Banquet, where the champions, auction Champion and Junior Champion Seed Samples will be

acknowledged. A portion of the proceeds from the auction will also be donated to STARS Ambulance – something the Exh is excited to incorporate into the auction. The Exh is also honoured to induct Hall of Fame inductee Rudy Jurke during the Heart of the Farm Banquet. Guests will also be treated to a keynote address by renowned columnist and writer

File Photo Rex Murphy. For more details on

this year’s Agri-Visions, visit lloydexh.com.

Saskatchewan introduces first electronic pipeline registry in Canada MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Government of Saskatchewan is modernizing and strengthening its regulatory oversight of oil and gas pipeline infrastructure in the province, with the proclamation of the Pipelines Amendment Act, 2019 (the Act). “This is the culmination of several years work and delivers on our promise, made in 2017, to ensure that

Saskatchewan citizens and our environment are protected to the highest standard,” Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “The introduction of substantial enhancements to our pipeline licensing system will also provide more efficiency and regulatory certainty for our oil and gas sector.” In recent years, the province has enhanced

regulatory systems to monitor and review pipeline construction and operations, with more stringent inspection, investigation, penalty and audit powers. The new Act and regu lat ions w ill e xp and regulatory oversight to include retroactive licensing of approximately 80,000 flowlines across the province over the next four years and more stringent scrutiny of appli-

cations at higherrisk locations, such as waterways. With these changes, the Ministry of Energy and Resources has fully addressed all outstanding issues raised by the Provincial Auditor regarding the integrity and safety of pipelines in Saskatchewan. This is the first system of its kind in Canada to adopt an entirely electronic registry of pipeline licensing and

administration. The Act establishes a new module in the Integrated Resource Information System (IRIS) for an Online license registry, similar to the Saskatchewan Land Titles Registry, which will issue and administer licenses for the oil, gas and mining sectors. “In developing the pipeline regulatory framework, the Government of Saskatchewan worked to ensure both regulatory efficiency and predictability for operators,” Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) Vice-President of Western Canada Operations, Brad Herald said. “The new pipeline module, with its Online licensing registry, highlights the province’s

commitment to monitoring and upholding the highest standards of safety for the public and the environment; standards that are also continuing priorities for industry.” The new system will also streamline the review of applications and reduce the time required for routine approvals. In addition, the introduction of administrative penalties will complete the overall compliance framework tied to pipeline regulation. The Pipelines Administration and Licensing Regulations are now in effect, along with Directive PNG034: Saskatchewan Pipelines Code, which clarifies and enhances requirements set out in previous regulations.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Consultation opens on local election rules

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Alberta government has opened consultation on the rules that govern municipal and school board elections in order to ensure they meet the needs and expectations of Albertans.

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Albertans expect local elections to be fair, transparent and inclusive. This consultation will determine if and how we, as a government, can better meet these goals.

While the Local Authorities Election Act was reviewed and revised following local elections in 2017, government continues to

receive feedback suggesting gaps exist in the legislation. As a result, the government wants to hear from Albertans – including voters, elected officials, community advocacy groups and campaign volunteers – on how the rules can be improved to enhance transparency and participation in local elections. “Albertans expect local elections to be fair, transparent and inclusive. This consultation will determine if and how we, as a government, can better meet these goals,” said Kaycee Madu, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “While this will not be a wholesale review like the one in 2018, we are looking to Albertans for feedback on areas that can be

improved before the next round of municipal and school board elections.” Take the survey online From Feb. 4 to March 4, Albertans can provide their feedback online at Alberta. ca about: - the length of campaign period - nomination process - campaign finances - third-party advertising - recall of municipally elected officials Government will also hold focused discussions with representatives from municipalities and community advocacy groups. Feedback may be used to inform potential changes to the legislation, which could be brought forward in a future session of the legislature.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

WHISPERS OF THE PAST SANDRA L. BROWN

Lloydminster’s Board of Trade annual meeting in 1924 began with 30 members and guests present. The president’s first order of business was suggesting several honourary members from those recently competing at the Chicago International Stock Show. Mr. Weaver, whose horse Wee Donald, won the Grand Championship for the third time in succession. The Hill Brothers, having won the Grand Championship for Field Peas for the second time in succession. Mr. Allen placed 19th for Wheat out of over 500 competitors. There were nine winners overall showcasing Lloydminster and district. Other winners included 4th in Field Peas; 11th, 13th and 26th in Wheat; 19th and

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Board of Trade 1924

21st in Oats. A banquet in their honour was scheduled for January 22, 1925. Invitations were sent to a long list of distinguished guests from across Canada. During the reading of the minutes and correspondence, it was noted there had been “14 executive meetings, three special banquets and a successful ladies’ night” during the past year. Several grants amounting to $475 had been received. The Treasurer reported they had begun the year with $28.60 in cash. Membership fees were $5 each for town members and $1 each for country members. A list of expenses followed leaving a net balance of $160.70 cash. Memberships in the Board of Trade were up and their goal was to reach 100 town and 100 country members in 1925. A discussion followed about the expense of print-

ing pamphlets and whether the cost of $475 was financially justified. One member expressed that Lloydminster’s placing at the Chicago show provided a greater means of advertising than any pamphlets ever could. He suggested that advertising in agricultural publications across Canada would be more beneficial. Very little road work had been completed, however, the additional six miles north and south on the Meridian Road would tentatively begin in spring 1925. Several bad spots were repaired and the Board was willing to listen to complaints. “The official critic for the year not being present, the Board was saved his possibly severe criticism.” Hmmm, a rather offhand comment with an interesting story behind it I’m sure! It had been their best year yet with many outstanding

File Photo accomplishments. These included “the Cut Knife branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway, efforts to get Lloydminster as a divisional point, the Meridian Road, the issuing of new pamphlets, Cup donated at the Seed Grain Fair, Post Offices facilities at Hillmond, livestock certificates for shipping cattle …” The district had a fair crop and with the increased price made equal to last year’s value. In the dairy industry, there

were 375,000 pounds of butter made in Lloydminster. Four carloads of poultry, 75 cars of hogs and 240 cars of cattle were shipped by rail. No businesses failed. The election of officers for the following year completed the annual meeting. The local winners of the Chicago Show repeatedly brought fame to our district. In a short time after homesteading on the prairies, locals won international prizes and raised the bar for farmers across Canada.

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Sask develops new strategy to manage, reduce waste MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Environment Minister Dustin Duncan released a new Solid Waste Management Strategy for the province last week. This strategy is a starting point to providing a practical and sustainable solid waste management system to achieve specific goals over the next 20 years. Used packaging, food scraps, electronics, plastic, paper and scrap materials are a few examples of solid waste. Saskatchewan produces the second-highest amount of waste per capita in Canada – an amount equivalent to each resident of the province generating about 842 kilograms of waste. This is roughly the weight of 60 regular household bags of garbage per person per year. The strategy was developed in an effort to change that statistic and move toward more responsible waste

management. “This strategy is about working together to address the ongoing challenges of waste management and to identify potential new economic opportunities for industry,” Duncan said.

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This strategy is about working together to address the ongoing challenges of waste management and to identify potential new economic opportunities for industry.

“This is important because the status quo is unsustainable and the province needs a comprehensive and strategic action plan to address the unique challenges posed by solid waste management.” Since 2018, a Solid Waste Management Advisory Commit-

tee engaged extensively with stakeholders, which led to a list of recommendations for government to consider when developing the strategy. The strategy outlines six goals to reduce the amount of waste generated per person by 30 per cent by 2030, and 50 per cent by 2040, based on 2014 baseline levels. The six goals are to - Enhance education, awareness and technical understanding of waste management best practices and the risks of improper practices across Saskatchewan; - Encourage regional collaboration to enhance the cost effectiveness of waste management infrastructure; - Foster innovative and sustainable solutions to manage waste; - Demonstrate government leadership in waste management; - Provide a modern, efficient and effective regulatory system for waste disposal and

management; and - Enhance waste diversion throughout Saskatchewan. - Meeting these targets will require dedicated efforts to educate and better inform waste management decisions by all Saskatchewan residents. It will also require innovation and local solutions to better understand the value of the province’s waste as a resource, and build upon the success of Saskatchewan’s established recycling and waste stewardship programs. “It’s no secret that waste is an issue in Saskatchewan and around the world,” Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee Chair Richard (Porky) Porter said. “This strategy is a significant start and will help our province develop policies and programs to address a number of ongoing challenges related to waste management.” Effective waste management is essential to responsible growth.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Tall crop, long harvest

GREEN FILE MARK & BEN CULLEN

This is indoor hobby season. Woodworkers hunker down and turn a

bowl or build a table. The logical place to find the raw material is, of course, at a lumber store. But what if you grew your own? Consider the trees we have lost, such as the

millions of trees in Canada that were devoured by Emerald Ash Borer. Where did THAT wood go? Can we salvage it and put it to other use? The answers are yes, and yes. You can grow our own wood if you have t he real est at e, and there is still dried ash available for woodworking. First, if you choose to grow your own, you will require some patience. American Bruce Thompson, author of “Black Walnut for Profit”, estimates that a stand of 250 30-yearold black walnut trees growing on one acre will provide about $100,000 (USD) in income. The idea is to sell the available wood for veneer to professionals. The key is to never hammer a nail or turn a screw into your trees, otherwise they are useless, you must be diligent about the spacing

of the trees and timely pruning. Wood is an environmentally friendly building material. It is naturally renewable, captures carbon from the atmosphere as it grows and stores it for as long as it is not burned or decomposing back into the ground. Ben’s brother-in-law Martin, an architect and environmentalist, beams (pun intended) at the possibility of building ever taller buildings in wood as we learn more about concrete’s disastrous impact on the environment. Unlike wood, concrete production is responsible for 8 per cent of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. We love wood. It is as warm as it is useful. When Ben was married last spring, Mark built a table for he and his bride Sam out of walnut and oak that grew on Sam’s grandparents’ farm outside London, Ontario. The legs are of hemlock salvaged from a local barn. A physical metaphor for Ben and Sam’s marriage and functional art in the form of furniture. Virtually anything made of wood becomes art. The natural grain makes every piece unique, and the characteristics of each tree species can become a lifetime of study. While it might seem morbid to plant a tree for its eventual value as wood, we believe that it is no different than

Supplied Photo planting a vegetable for harvest. Trees are just a “long crop”, they take years to mature. Here is our short list of trees we recommend for wood harvesting: R e d and w h i te o ak (Quercus rubra and Quercus alba) are two of the most coveted hardwoods. With distinctive flecks in its grain. Red oak is light brown to pinkishred, and white oak is coloured creamy white to yellow. Oak wood is very strong. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) produce the best maple wood, also known as “rock maple” a hardwood, vs. fast growing red or silver maples (Acer rubrum or Acer saccharinum). A sugar maple makes a great specimen tree on properties that accommodate their 6 to 8-meter breadth. Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) a gnarly lumber to mill and not as strong as sugar maple, this fast-growing tree redeems itself with streaks of red throughout its grain. Black Walnut. The #1 favourite for hardwood veneer. Harvest in 30

years, if the trees are allowed adequate space and pruning. Note that every part of the Black Walnut contains a toxin called juglone. Growing many plants under or near one can be problematic, though, we do list juglone-resistant garden plants on our website HYPERLINK “http://markcullen.com/juglonetolerant-plants/” http://markcullen. com/juglone-tolerantplants/. Planting trees for harvest is a long game, so remember to enjoy the benefits trees provide us in the interim – living beauty, shade, fresh air and habitat. After harvest, plan on planting more trees. Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster, tree advocate and Member of the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of University of Guelph and Dalhousie University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @markcullengardening, and on Facebook.

FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

French immersion numbers across province higher than ever

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The week of February 3-7, 2020, is French-Second-Language Education Week in Saskatchewan. It is a chance to celebrate the growing number of Saskatchewan families recognizing the value of French language education in our schools. This year’s theme is “50 years of French Immersion, 50 years of the Official Languages Act.” Over the last 10 years, enrolment in French Immersion programming around the province has risen by 30 per cent, with more than 16,500 students enrolled in French Immersion programs for the 2019-20 school year. “It is wonderful to see so many students learning French from an early age,” Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Gordon Wyant said. “French Immersion is one of the many opportunities students have to learn a second language, enhance their communication skills and gain the benefits that come with being

bilingual.” There are now 77 schools offering French Immersion programming in the province. In the 2019-20 school year, Saskatoon’s École Silverspring School began offering French Immersion to accommodate increasing enrolment in the city. French Immersion programming has also expanded in schools around the province, including the addition of Grade 2 at École Traditions Elementary in Warman, Grade 6 at École Lumsden Elementary, Grade 8 at École Dundonald School in Saskatoon, Grade 10 at Greenall High School in Balgonie, and Grade 12 added at Carpenter High School in Meadow Lake. “With the French Immersion program taking root in Saskatchewan more than 50 years ago now, the steady enrolment growth we are seeing reflects the high value an increasing number of parents are placing on official bilingualism and is another terrific example of how we all connect as Canadians,” President of Canadian Parents for French

– Saskatchewan Janet Loseth said. “CPF-SK is proud to organize this annual proclamation and last year more than 5,800 students participated in celebrating French-Second-Language Education Week around the province. We acknowledge all our partners who are creating lifelong opportunities for our youth during this week and throughout the year.” French Immersion allows students the opportunity to learn French as a second language, with French used for a large part of the school day and as the language of instruction for most courses. Students who are in French Immersion become proficient in English while also developing a strong foundation in French. School boards make requests to the ministry annually to designate schools and grades offering French Immersion programming based on their local needs. Additional funding is provided to school divisions to support the purchase of resources for Immersion programming. An additional $3.4 million is being provided for French Immersion programs around the province in 2019-20. The Ministry of Education also supports French Immersion programming through the development of curricula and resources. Recently developed

resources, including Treaty resource kits, are available in both French and English. Saskatchewan schools offering French second language programs also benefit from funding from the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Minority-Language Education and SecondLanguage Instruction. In 2018-19, about $6.3 million in federal-provincial funding was allocated to various organizations and school divisions to support French second language instruction in Saskatchewan’s K-12 schools. French Immersion is one of three main options available to learn French in Saskatchewan’s Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system. Another 31,000 students around the province are enrolled in a Core French second-language program, where French is taught as an individual class, and

the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises offers French first-language

education to more than 1,900 students around the province.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Kenney to promote investment and pipelines MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Premier Kenney will advance Alberta’s position as a top-ranked investment destination and advance key bilateral and trade interests while in Montreal and Washington, D.C. The Feb. 3-9 trip builds on government’s work to drive investment, expand Alberta exports and get pipelines built. “Alberta’s economic future depends on new private sector investment,” said Premier Jason Kenney. “That’s why I have put a priority on meeting with key investors to tell them about the tremendous opportunities that exist in Alberta, and the policies that are making

us one of the most competitive places for job creation in North America. That’s what I will be doing in Montreal. “We also have critical issues at play with our largest trading partner, the United States. That’s why I will be travelling to Washington, D.C., to meet with state governors and key congressional and administration officials. I will be discussing the future of NAFTA and the construction of pipelines, like Line 3 and Keystone XL, while in the U.S. capital.” In Montreal, the Premier will speak to a roundtable of top business leaders, and will meet with CEOs of some of Canada’s largest corporations. He

Local United Conservative Party supporters listen to Premier Jason Kenney speak in Lloydminster last April. File Photo will also conduct several media interviews to underscore how all Canadians benefit from a thriving energy sector, and why Alberta

is a preferred source of energy in both environmental and social terms. While in Washington, Premier Kenney will attend meetings hosted by the National Governors Association, along with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Quebec Premier François Legault and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

He will hold bilateral meetings with governors of U.S. states with strong ties to the Alberta economy, and with members of the House of Representatives, the senate, and the administration. Premiers Kenney and Moe will deliver a joint presentation to the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, and Pre-

mier Kenney will meet with the United States Chamber of Commerce, the American P e t r o l e u m Ins t i t u t e , the American Enterprise Institute, and the School of Advanced International Studies. Three political staff will support the Premier’s mission at a total estimated cost of $32,000.

FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sask Vape product legislation now in force promotional signs in areas where young persons can enter; - provide the ability to restrict the sale of flavoured tobacco and vapour products by reg-

File Photo MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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In order to better protect Saskatchewan youth from risks associated with vaping, The To b a cco a n d V a p our Products Control Act took effect Feb. 1.

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The Lung Association and its Youth4Change groups congratulate the government on the implementation of The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.

“I’m excited to have this legislation in place,” said Minister of Health Jim Reiter.

“This legislation will protect Saskatchewan youth from the harmful effects of vapour products. If you never smoked, then don’t vape.” The new legislation is similar to measures found in other provinces and territories in Canada with vaping legislation in place. “Vapour products are highly addictive, trendy and extremely popular among teens and young adults,” Vice President of Community Engagement at the Lung Association of Saskatchewan Jennifer May said. “The Lung Association and its Youth4Change groups congratulate the government on the implementation of The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act. This is a great day for lung

health as there has been a dramatic rise in youth vaping over the past few years and this will help protect the health of Saskatchewan kids.” To address vapour products, The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act contains provisions that: - restrict the sale of vapour/e-cigarette devices and products to individuals 18 years of age and older; - prohibit the display of vapour/e-cigarette products in a retail business where young persons have access; - restrict the use of vapour/e-cigarette products in and around public buildings, including schools and school grounds, in the same manner as our provincial tobacco legislation;

- prohibit the sale of vapour/e-cigarette products from specified facilities such as amusement parks, arcades, and theatres where youth frequent; - restrict advertising of vapour/e-cigarette products in the same manner as tobacco products by prohibiting advertising signs and

ulation; and, - expand the authority of tobacco enforcement officers to include enforcement of vapour/e-cigarette product restrictions.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

FROM AROUND THE PROVINCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Historic investment in addiction treatment spaces MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Alberta is creating an additional 2,172 spaces for life-saving addiction treatment over the next three years. “If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, please know the Alberta government is working for you,” said Premier Jason Kenney. “We will continue to add publicly funded mental health and addiction treatment spaces across the province because we believe all Albertans should have access to life-saving treatment, regardless of their financial situation.” The province is providing up to $4.3 million per year to fund treatment spaces at Fresh Start Recovery Centre and Sunrise Healing Lodge, both in C a l g a r y , a n d T ho rp e Recovery Centre near Lloydminster. Thorpe Recovery Centre will receive up to

$2.21 million per year to fund 574 more treatment spaces over the next three years. This includes both residential addiction treatment and medical detox spaces. “The government needs to be recognized for its commitment to eliminating barriers to recovery,” said Teressa Krueckl, chief executive officer, Thorpe Recovery Centre. “We have been struggling with empty beds to fill and a wait list over six months long, knowing we could be doing more for these people. However, without a proper funding model, we were unable to support them. This announcement couldn’t come at a better time. We are so grateful to be a provider of treatment in Alberta and are proud to be helping more of our community in need.” This historic investment will expand access

Premier Jason Kenney, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan, local MLAs, and recovery advocates celebrate a historic investment in addiction treatment spaces. Photo courtesy of the Government of Alberta Flickr to addiction treatment and supports to give Albertans more options for recovery. “I am pleased to partner with such reputable and respected residential addiction treatment providers to create much-needed publicly funded treatment spaces,” said Jason Luan, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.

“Our government is ensuring every Albertan who needs it can get the opportunity to get well and find their path to long-term recovery, regardless of where they live.” Fresh Start Recovery Centre will receive up to $1.56 million per year to fund 294 more treatment spaces over the next three years. “Over the course of

my career in the addiction recovery field – spanning more than three decades – I have not witnessed this kind of government operational funding commitment,” said Stacey Petersen, executive director, Fresh Start Recovery Centre. “This kind of support for abstinencebased treatment and long-term recovery is

unprecedented. Not only is there a recognition of what it takes to support a recovery-oriented system of care, but decisive action and investment to supporting this system for Albertans. This is a game changer.” Up to $518,300 per year will fund 156 more treatment spaces over the next three years at Sunrise Healing Lodge.

PAGE 27 Thursday, February 6, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sports

Rustlers prove too strong for Wolves JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s basketball team enjoys a distinct advantage over every other Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) rival. The Rustlers (14-4) dress and, at points, send three players onto the court simultaneously who can muscle the ball inside for high-percentage shots thanks to their considerable size advantage. Despite competing at a time when most teams are going small and relying on the three, the Rustlers’ old-school tactic seems to be working, evidenced by their second-place position in the ACAC North and two recent wins against the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves. Brianne Hergott, a six-foot-one fifth-year post/forward from Humboldt, said the focus is to look inside, get into the lane and draw fouls whenever possible. She said they can shoot from behind the arc if need be, but their

bread-and-butter is the lay-up. “The teams are trying to zone us most of the time to make us shoot,” said Bilge Topaloglu, who hails from Istanbul, Turkey. “But, with Jaden (Cook) and the rest, we have a good group around us. If they zone us, we just make threepointers. So, they’re struggling to defend us.” Topaloglu, a six-footfour third-year post, earned player-of-thegame honours following the Rustlers 75-47 win against the Wolves (1-17) at the Lakeland College gym on Saturday afternoon. She scored 18 points, drew defenders to the middle of the paint leading to bounce passes inside for baseline runs and was perfect from the foul line on four attempts. Hergott and Topaloglu combined for the Rustlers opening six points against the Wolves. Ellie Lieffers, a sixfoot-two first-year forward from Saskatoon, came off the bench to score the Rustlers next

bucket. “I love the team aspect,” said Lieffers, who is enrolled in the University Transfer program like her fellow two bigs. “Everyone is really close and I’ve never been on a team that is so tight knit. And, the play is super competitive. As a rookie, I don’t get as many minutes as Bil and Bri. But, I’m happy to do that because I learn so much from them.” The Rustlers, which captured an ACAC bronze medal last spring, headed into the New Year on a 12-1 roll only to drop their first two contests of the second semester to the top-ranked Keyano College Huskies (16-2). They’ve bounced back to win four straight and are looking to make it 10-in-a-row before the start of the postseason in early March. “We would like to be first, obviously, but it didn’t work out that way,” said Hergott. “But, I think we’re in a good spot. If we keep winning we’ll put ourselves in a great position for playoffs.”

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Rustlers post Bilge Topaloglu scored a team-high 18 points against the Wolves.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Cobras and Raiders play for city title JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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All may not be settled between the College Park School Cobras and Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) Raiders. The Raiders built an early fourth-quarter lead on the Cobras in a tightly contested girls middle school basketball city final at HRHS on Tuesday evening. But, the Cobras refused to go quietly, draining three straight buckets late forcing a nail-biting final minute. With the Cobras pressing, Raiders guards Charlene Anacio and Chloe Dorchak slowed the pace. Poised and confident, the girls dared the opposition into making the first move before driving into the lane to kill seconds on the clock and score shots from the free-throw line. Both girls made good on one of their two foul attempts moving the game into a two-basket win at 46-41. The result seemed scripted since the beginning of the season for the powerful Raiders team, but even

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Cobras guard Kamryn Hanley comes under the watch of Raiders counterpart Chloe Dorchak.

playing in the final wasn’t a given for the Cobras until a recent push. “At the start, we were struggling a bit because everyone was new to basket-

ball,” said Cobras forward Jayva Andersen. “There were a lot of new players. But, we practised really hard and we put all of our effort into the games. It really has

shown because we played this team and lost by a lot at the start of the year. So, we’ve grown a lot. And, we’re very proud of each other.”

Andersen noted they worked together to get stops and score buckets in the final. She added that leaves a good feeling despite coming out a few points short. “When we started the game we were kind of doing our basic run-throughs, but then realized we had to step up,” said Dorchak. “We changed a couple of things and just brought in some old plays.” Dorchak said they jumped out of the gate strong at the beginning of the season only to fall back a pace or two near midpoint due to a couple of hard tournaments. She said they’re back in a good place after this win and hope to carry that momentum into the district finals at Meadow Lake this Friday and Saturday. “We don’t have any expectations,” said Andersen, whose Cobras will join the Raiders at the district finals. “We just want to try and focus on the process and not the results because the results will follow. So, we’ll just go, do our best and see what happens.”

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Bobcats forward Ty Mosimann slides the puck past Wolverines tender Connor Ungar.

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Bobcats shutout by Wolverines JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Lloydminster Bobcats enjoyed upwards of 20 to 30 grade A scoring chances during a weekend doubleheader against the Whitecourt Wolverines. Unfortunately, only a single puck crossed the goal line leaving the ‘Cats with 3-1 and 1-0 losses at the Centennial Civic Centre on Friday and Saturday night. The local boys competed hard, despite playing shorthanded due to a suspension for the opening contest and a banged-up blueline throughout, but the bounces refused to fall their way. “This is close to our 20th one-goal loss of the year,” said Bobcats head coach and general

manager Nigel Dube. “We’ve talked about how close we are and the fine line. I know they use the saying in football that it’s a game of inches, and it’s a game of inches for us right now.” The forward line of Chad MacLean, Nolen Coventry and Chance Adrian enjoyed a great opportunity to open the scoring minutes into the second match of the doubleheader, convening at the top of the crease for a jamming session after a Ryan Nause shot. Bobcats left wing Ty Mosimann then found himself alone with the puck in front of the Wolverines ne t mid w ay throug h the second frame, but couldn’t tuck it past Connor Ungar’s stretched out leg.

Wolverines forward Ryan Waltz notched the sole marker with three minutes to play in the middle period on a shot from the point that missed the net, only to bounce back off the end boards to the side of the crease where it hit Bobcats netminder Garrett Larsen and trickled into the open cage. The final 20 minutes belonged to the home side indicated by their 16-6 shot advantage, but their best chance on a Mack Stewart scramble play in front was kicked away. “At the end of the day we don’t get one behind them, but we didn’t do anything bad on the negative side of it,” said Dube. “We executed a pretty strong game plan and just didn’t

find a way to score a goal. We’re not looking at the game as a ton of mistakes. There were very few. The one they did get went off the backboard, off our goalie and in the net. It’s a tough pill to swallow.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Raiders and Predators meet at Hugh Morrell JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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Basketball is a game of runs. The Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) Raiders and Moose Jaw’s Albert E. Peacock Collegiate Predators exchanged moments of hot and cold scoring streaks during the 30th annual Hugh Morrell Border Classic senior girls bronze medal

game at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) on Saturday. The Raiders used a 14-point run highlighted by aggressive defensive play late in the first quarter to build an early doublefigure lead only to fall flat in the final frame when the Predators outscored their opposition 17-7 to pull out a 70-61 win.

“It was stressful at times because they were up and we were down, and then we were up and they were down,” said Raiders guard Chloe Doucette. “At the end of the day, we really have to push through even if we’re behind and, hopefully, just work together as a team.” Anna Maelde, a wing for the Predators, said they were forced to play short a few bodies during the Border Classic due to a couple of girls not being able to make the six-hour winter trek from Moose Jaw. But, they’re still happy with getting in a few games and putting their top-ranked city defence and offence to work. “The competition was really good,” said Maelde, who roamed the court driving to the basket, hauling in rebounds and shooting the occa-

sional three. “We didn’t know anyone or what to expect. Most of the teams are from Alberta, which we don’t get to see. I think we all played good and we dug in deep. It was tiring, but everyone pushed through.” Doucette said the Predators’ game along with earlier matches against the LCHS Barons and Camrose Composite High School Trojans provided a good challenge for the team. She said they’ll likely see a few of these clubs again this weekend when they host a tournament. “This week in practice we’re really going to focus on our passing,” said Doucette. “We’re hoping to finish first (at the HRHS tourney), obviously, and I think we have a pretty good chance if we work really hard.”

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Raider Maddy Copeland attempts to break through the Predators defence. 20021OS1

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Rustlers battle Wolves

Lakeland College Rustlers guard Akeem Phillip tries to move past a Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves defender. The Rustlers (9-9) split a doubleheader against the Wolves (3-15) at the Lakeland College gym this past weekend winning 101-68 on Friday and falling 89-84 in overtime the next afternoon. Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Searching for a new goaltender SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS

Some writers who are more involved in the hustle and bustle of NHL player movement than I ever will be have expressed thoughts on what certain teams are looking for and who might be available to fit these needs leading into the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Postmedia reporter Michael Thaikos, for instance, recently stated the teams residing north of the border may be the most active. He describes the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets as buyers, the Ottawa Senators holding the lone seller position and the Vancouver Canucks sitting pretty with what they already have. Thaikos opined the Leafs, Habs and Jets could make moves to bolster their roster due to the immense pressure faced of making the playoffs despite currently residing outside of a postseason berth. The Oilers and

Flames aren’t exactly sitting comfortably, but neither team’s fan base seems ready to take the sell-off route. Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen is supposedly being dangled for backend help, Oilers malcontent Jesse Puljujarvi could be moved for support on the wing, and the Flames need to somehow address their last line of defence. The Sens are reportedly shopping faceoff specialist Jean-Gabriel Pageau and veteran tender Craig Anderson, but I’m sure breakout winger Anthony Duclair could also be sent packing if given the right offer. The Jets need bodies on the blueline and the Canadiens are a mess. With all due respect to Thaikos, I think both clubs are past their best-before date, and if they realize that fact, Habs steady blueliner Jeff Petry and scoring leader Tomas Tatar along with Jets left wing Mathieu Perrault may hit the market. The NHL trade deadline should be a national holiday. How often have you pretended to be the gen-

eral manager of your favourite hockey team orchestrating makebelieve moves and revelling in their illusionary success? This wishful thinking breaks the frustration of watching a beloved team struggle through another non-contending year. If we didn’t use this escape, we’d probably all have to move to Boston. I don’t have any ideas how to fix the Leafs, Habs or Jets. I don’t care about making any further improvements to the Canucks. The Senators are my team, but at this point a start-over in Saskatoon might be the best medicine. As fake GM of the Oilers and/or Flames, I imagine making a call to Washington Capitals counterpart Brian MacLellan about goaltender Braden Holtby. The Lloydminster native will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and, just guessing, might look toward playing closer to home next season. Both Alberta teams need a tender, so why not get out in front for a Stanley Cup win-

ner. Plus, I hear he’s a strong pugilist.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

PAGE 32 Thursday, February 6, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Agriculture

Co-op accepting community funding applications MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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From spaces that teach nutritious cooking, to local wildlife education areas, to local arts and culture centres, Co-op is truly creating places for everyone. Co-op Community Spaces was launched in 2015 to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. Since then, the Co-op has provided $8.5 million to 115 projects, including parks, greenhouses and sports fields. Entering its sixth year, Co-op is dedicating up to $150,000 per project in capital funding; they’ll be accepting applications for community-driven projects that will bring

people together in local spaces across Western Canada. “Co-ops have always re-invested their profits in their local communities; that’s just a core value that’s essential to who we are” said Vic Huard, Executive Vice-President of Customer Experience and Stakeholder Engagement at Federated Cooperatives Limited (FCL). “Co-op Community Spaces is another way Co-ops are bringing this value to life. Supporting projects that bring people together helps to develop and strengthen these local communities for the benefit of individuals and families across Western Canada.” Between $25,000 and $150,000 of capi-

File Photo tal funding per project is available. Co-op invites registered non-profit organizations, registered charities or community service co-oper-

atives to apply online between Feb. 1 and March 2, 2020. Program funding categories include recreation, environmental conservation and

urban agriculture. FCL administers the giving program on behalf of more than 170 independent local co-ops across Western Canada that form the

Co-operative Retailing System. To learn more about Co-op Community Spaces or apply for funding, visit communityspaces.ca.

PAGE 33 Thursday, February 6, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Careers

Roughly 8,100 jobs expected from $2B investment MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers expects total investment in oil and gas will be $37 billion this year – up $2 billion from $35.1 billion in 2019.

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This increased investment of $2 billion will support approximately 8,100 jobs here in Alberta and 3,700 jobs in the rest of Canada.

Since being elected, government has focused on attracting investment and send-

ing a strong message that Alberta is open for business. Initiatives such as the Job Creation Tax C ut and sp ec ial p ro duction allowance on crude oil are spurring investment in Alberta’s energy sector. “I am extremely pleased to see capital investment beginning to return to our province. Government is taking concrete steps to show that Alberta is open for business and results like this prove our plan is working,” said Minister of Energy Sonya Savage, . “This increased investment of $2 billion will support approximately 8,100 jobs here in Alberta and 3,700 jobs in the rest of Canada. Alber-

File Photo ta’s energy industry already provides more than 533,000 jobs across the country.” The Job Creation Tax Cut has reduced Alberta’s corporate tax rate to 10 per cent – the lowest across Canada – and it will continue to be reduced until 2022. “We are very happy

to see an increase in capital investment expected for 2020. It’s a reflection of the hard work and determination on many fronts to bring the industry into a more competitive position,” said Tim McMillan, president and CEO, CAPP. “That includes the

World-renowned conservationist to speak at Lakeland MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Conservationist and Lakeland alumnus Brian Keating will be the keynote speaker at the second annual Conference on Environmental Management presented by Lakeland College on March 19. Keating, a distinguished Lakeland alumnus is an honorary conservation advisor for the Calgary zoo, an adjunct assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Calgary, and an international speaker with too many awards and achievement to list. He will share his story of survival in Antarctica during the conference. “In this troubled world of ours, we need effective and real environmental leadership,” says Keating. “There are historical mentors who I believe we can look to for inspiration, who we can attempt to emulate to give us the courage and focus required to tackle

our present issues.” Lakeland’s bachelor of applied science: environmental management degree program will host the Conference on Environmental Management at the Regional Centre in Vermilion. The event will feature: • Keynote speaker and Lakeland alumnus Brian Keating • A variety of guest speakers • Industry tech talks • Student capstone presentations • Networking opportunities “We learned so much at our first Conference on Environmental Management last year and are excited to make this year’s bigger,” says Dr. Nicole Nadorozny, a Lakeland College environmental sciences instructor and practicum coordinator. “It’s an opportunity to raise the profile of our students and their capstone presentations, as well as to bring together alumni and industry for a day

of learning and networking.” Tickets for the conference are $80 for general admission and $20 for students, and

are available to purchase online. The deadline to purchase is March 6. Lunch and coffee breaks are included.

corporate tax cut by the Government of Alberta, and incenting crude by rail under curtailment, which is helping to attract business and investment.”

These combined actions are returning Alberta to a predictable, attractive place for investment and promoting future job growth.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Protect yourself: don’t be scammed twice

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) is alerting the public that some individuals who have already been impacted by a scam may be targeted again. The “recovery pitch” scam and the “victim list” scam may be happening in the province. The “recovery pitch” scam involves a consumer or investor that has previously lost money in a fraudulent situation. Scammers will target these individuals with the claim that they will be able to recover all or some of the funds lost in the previous scheme. Sometimes the caller is the person who scammed the individual

in the first place. The scam artist may claim to be a member of law enforcement or other type of authority to gain credibility. The “victim list” scam involves a list that is shared or sold among various underground scam artists. When a consumer or investor has been scammed and shares money or even personal information with a scam artist, the person’s name is added to a “victim list”. These scammers will contact the individuals on the list with various pitches in the hopes they will fall victim again. “Be wary of anyone claiming they will be able to recover your money that was lost on a previous investment

File Photo or scam,” Deputy Director of Enforcement with FCAA Harvey White said. “Whether someone contacts you directly, or you happen across a recovery website on your own, anyone proposing to get back your money from a previous

scam, should be treated with caution. Typically, it is all but impossible to recover money lost on an investment scam. While it may be tempting to work with these folks, who tend to promise large settlements in exchange for small fees, we urge you

to be cautious of such claims. If something sounds too good to be true, it often is.” Here are some red flags to watch out for - Being contacted out of the blue. - Promises that sound too good to be true. - Being pressured to act quickly. - Unusual payment methods. Tips to protect yourself - Do not talk to people calling out of the blue claiming they can get your money back. - If someone calls,

emails or texts asking for your banking information, do not give it to them. - Take time to think things through, regardless of what promises they make to try to entice you. Always be cautious and seek advice from a professional advisor. Never agree to anything you do not understand. - Be suspicious if you are asked to pay with gift cards, bitcoin or other digital currency. If you have been contacted by someone offering to recover lost money, contact the Securities Division at 306-787-5936.

Sask seeking home-based child care providers MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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To meet the needs of a growing province, the Government of Saskatchewan is encouraging residents to consider the idea of operating a licensed child care business right in their own home. “As part of our government’s Plan for Growth, we are committed to increasing the number of quality early learning and child care opportunities in Saskatchewan,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said. “Grant money, professional supports and training opportunities are all being offered to assist new licensed home-based child care providers get their business started.”

The results of a recent survey of existing licensed home-based child care providers in Saskatchewan shows that people may not be aware of the many government supports available to them. Under the CanadaSaskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, funding has been provided for the creation of new licensed child care home spaces in Saskatchewan. Whether it be stay-athome parents, retirees or those who simply like working with kids, not commuting to work or the idea of owning their own business, there are plenty of Saskatchewan residents who might do well as a licensed child care provider, but have never considered it.

PAGE 35 Thursday, February 6, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridiansource.ca

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December 22 – January 19 You may be pressured to make a big decision. Before you do, however, you should take the time to gather all the available information so you can weigh the pros and cons.

AQUARIUS

January 20 – February 18 At work, you’ll find yourself with a mountain of urgent work to be completed. This situation may be stressful, but it’ll prove useful to your professional development.

PISCES

February 19 – March 20 Even if you prefer to remain on the sidelines, you’ll be in the spotlight this week. You’ll find yourself in a situation that requires you to come out of your shell, such as on stage or in front of a crowd.

ARIES

March 21– April 19 If it’s been a while since your kids moved away from home, you may decide to sell the house in order to gain a little more freedom. If you’re in a new relationship, you can expect a marriage proposal.

TAURUS

April 20 – May 20 There will be lots to talk about this week. At work, you’ll expand your client base and succeed in bringing your staff together to make things run more smoothly. Your suggestions and advice will be appreciated.

GEMINI

May 21 – June 21 Finances are a source of stress for many. Take the time to get in touch with the right people who can help you find practical solutions and give you a break.

CANCER

June 22 – July 22 You’re practically ready to conquer the world. You’ll undoubtedly have the inspiration to take on a stimulating professional or personal challenge.

LEO July 23 – August 22 You appreciate good company and devote yourself to those you love. Some may take advantage of your good nature, and you’ll let them continue to for a while.

VIRGO

August 23 – September 22 It’ll be a stressful week for one reason or another. You’ll be motivated to take better care of yourself, if only by doing more exercise.

LIBRA

September 23 – October 22 Unforeseen circumstances can put you behind schedule. Leave some time between appointments to avoid stressing if things run late. This is an excellent time to strike out on your own.

CROSSWORD

SCORPIO

October 23 – November 21 Some friends will invite you to join them on a spontaneous trip. Nothing brings you more joy than breaking up your winter routine and burying your feet in the warm sand.

SAGITTARIUS

January 30 Answers

November 22 – December 21 You’ll experience a whole range of emotions. You may clean up your circle of friends, as some of them are parasites who don’t deserve your time.

SUDOKU January 30 Answers

ACROSS 1. Kettle and Bell 4. Has 8. Latest word 12. Swiss mountain 13. Brawl 14. Forget 15. As ____ your request 16. Contribute a share 17. Building’s location 18. Florida Key, e.g. 20. Musical beat 22. Goose’s cry 24. So-so grade 25. Pertaining to the eye 27. Bagel topper 28. Function 31. Itty-bitty

32. Charm 34. English beverage 35. Cease 36. Bled, as a color 37. Pleasing 39. Band’s booking 40. Rural hotels 41. Sign 45. Large vases 47. Skin of an orange 48. Ms. Winningham 50. “____ a Living” 53. Besides 54. Hem 55. Floral necklace 56. Narrow board 57. Poverty 58. Position

DOWN 1. Plan out a route 2. Pub offering 3. Moved at full speed 4. Exam type 5. Chablis, e.g. 6. Santana’s “She’s ____ There” 7. Sound systems 8. Curious 9. Throw off 10. “Gone ____ the Wind” 11. Flower part 19. ____ lodge 21. Spells 22. Inventor Elias ____ 23. Unfold 24. Held tightly

26. Shipment 28. Implements 29. Perceived 30. Gobbles 33. Postal carriers 38. Take the gold medal 41. Luxurious resorts 42. Holler 43. Southwestern land formation 44. Smudge 45. Yearning 46. Clarinet component 49. Lemony refresher 51. Casual shirt 52. Tend a baby

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Rentals

Real Estate

Property Management NEW LISTINGS

NEW PRICES

2729 57A AVENUE CLOSE

333,900 MLS 65357

4821 - 37TH STREET

• Custom home with big sq. footage, in a coveted cul-de-sac location backing a park. • Features include formal dining room, hardwood flooring, a/c, in-floor & forced air heat. $

• 1245 sq. ft. family home with fresh paint in a fantastic location. • Bungalow has supersized double detached garage on a corner lot with back alley access. $

464,900

MLS 65901

2721 57B AVENUE

282,000 MLS 65365

299,999

MLS 65925

5705 40TH STREET

• Quiet Steele Heights location, close to schools & Bud Miller park with back alley access. • Updates include windows, doors, trim, bath & harwood floors. $

• Open concept 4 level split home with 4 bedrooms & large family spaces. • Nicely located across from park & nearby schools.

219,900

257,000

MLS 65923

MLS 65907

5612 - 53RD AVENUE

5002 - 56B STREET

• Affordable 3 bed / 1 bath single wide starter home on owned lot. • Many updates including furnace, hot water tank, electrical panel & fridge.

• Spacious 4 bed / 2 bath home with single detached garage. • Newer shingles, siding & furnace.

164,900

229,900 MLS 63506

MLS 65886

LEADING YOU HOME

MLS 65891

LOT 12 CHRISTIE PLACE

MURPHY LAKE

• Beautiful lake lot with sheds, well, power

KITSCOTY

GREENSTREET

80,000

& septic services. • Many options to set up as you desire.

69,500

SK SK

399,900

MLS 65658

$389,900

MLS 65488

$359,900

MLS 64764

COMMERCIAL

ST. WALBURG

344,000

249,900

MLS 65151

229,900

$329,900

MLS 65536

MARWAYNE

MLS 65843

$244,900

$275,900

MLS 64978

AB $2,400,000 MLS 65659

MAIDSTONE

MLS 65361

$229,900

MLS 65741

MLS 65222

$214,500

$900,000

$159,900

MLS 65752

$535,000

$989,000

MLS 64583

$549,900

MLS 65320

GLEN E. NEILSON INDUSTRIAL PARK

MLS 65396

$350,000

Rick Schesnuk Realtor®

Jennifer Gilbert Pattie Todd Associate Broker Associate Broker

MLS 64145

LASHBURN INDUSTRIAL PARK

PLAZA 51

MLS 63884

Brad Gilbert Broker/Owner

HWY 16 EAST

PARADISE HILL

MARSHALL

IRON WELLS

HWY 16 WEST

MARSHALL

MLS 65885

MLS 65793

Judy Bexson Realtor®

Each office is independently owned & operated.

3812 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster, AB T9V 3M7 Jackie Gartner Associate Broker

Sandy Hardy Realtor®

www.coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

780-875-3343 facebook.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty

Amanda Warner Realtor®

Caleb McLean Realtor®

instagram.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty