Meridian Source - January 23, 2020 by Meridian Source

Thursday, January 23, 2020

VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 30

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Hockey Day takes over Hillmond

Gun show targets a refresh GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Videre Images By Jason Whiting Ex-NHLers Marty McSorley (left) and Wade Redden (right) take the ceremonial faceoff, delivered by Hillmond Hitmen alumni Brue Mann, at the Hillmond Redden Arena last Thursday to kick off the celebrity hockey game, as Hillmond played host to the 13th Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

Next year’s Lloydminster Gun and Outdoor Sportsman Show will target new vendors, youth, and more interest from women. It’s the proverbial bigger and better concept that will carry forward with Janelle Mysko as the next show chair. Mysko is a sales associate at Wildside Outdoors who will aim to build on the success of this year’s show, held at the Servus Sports Centre this past weekend. “This year went really well, so I am excited to head it up next year,” said Mysko on the final day. “The vendors have been really excited about the traffic even though it’s been so miserably cold, and we’re hoping today has a great turnout as well.” Mysko says the new committee will continue to attract new vendors and products that appeal to younger crowds. “We are exhausting our role to get some

new vendors in here and I’ve worked some of the shows so I know what they are looking for, what kind of needs they’re after, and how to get some excitement about it,” she said. Mysko is also looking to draw more women to the show as an avid hunter and angler herself. “We do a lot of women’s shoots here in town and, of course , I’ve got a lot of connections in the industry, so we’ve been kind of getting them down here,” she said. Mysko says this past year she really only focused on hunting bear and deer, but she hopes to get some geese next year. She says last year she mentored a 15-year-old girl who never shot an animal before. “We took her out and she learned the baiting process, setting up tree stands, trail cameras— that kind of stuff—dispatched her first animal which was a great and very successful hunt,” she said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

RCMP hear residents’ concerns at town halls lytics, which showed a four per cent increase over 2018, were discussed, and a concern that many in attendance shared was the amount of property crime and vehicle theft in the city.

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Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Lloydminster RCMP Insp. Lee Brachmann addresses residents’ concerns in regards to local crime during a town hall meeting last Wednesday night at the Legacy Centre. TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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The Lloydminster RCMP was all ears last week during town hall meetings with local residents. The RCMP held two community town hall meetings at the Legacy Centre, 5101 46 Street, Lloydminster, on Jan. 15 at noon and 7 p.m. The meetings started off with a presentation by Insp. Lee Brach-

mann, who noted this was a great opportunity for local residents to engage with the Lloydminster RCMP and the community at large. “The purpose is not simply to hear concerns, but to actively listen and partner with the community in a collaborative way to jointly shape the direction of police services in Lloydminster,” said Brachmann. Last year’s crime ana-

As small and meaningless as it might seem at the time, it is very beneficial to us because those little bits of information help us paint that bigger picture.

“If you see suspicious activity, it’s always worthwhile to call the RCMP so we can create a file for further information,” said Brachmann. “Even if we’re not able to act on it at that time, every little piece of information we get helps fill out that whole picture.” “As small and meaningless as it might seem at the time, it is very

beneficial to us because those little bits of information help us paint that bigger picture,” echoed Staff Sgt. Brad Lazicki. The Lloydminster RCMP currently has 50 active members on staff with eight fresh faces coming to the city in the next few months upon completion of training at Depot in Regina. The game plan for the Lloyd RCMP for 2020 focuses on reducing overall property crime and vehicle theft, while also addressing crime hot spots and prolific offenders. “In 2019, compared to the end of 2018, we saw a 10 per cent reduction in vehicle theft as well as a six per cent reduction in thefts under $5,000,” said Brachmann. “Unfortunately we also saw a 36 per cent increase in break and enters, so we’re focussing in on those areas now.” The Lloydminster RCMP will continue to work with the public to address these issues

Mysko taking aim at next year’s gun show FROM PAGE 1

A lot of women acted as volunteers to help out at this year’s show. About 1,400 people took in the how on Saturday that featured what could be a record 258 booths according to Dwayne Davison, chair of this year’s show. “Saturday was wonderful. We had very good traffic and all the vendors were quite pleased with the traffic flow,” said Davison. “It was a steady traffic flow. I can’t say enough about it. People came out—we’ve got several new vendors so maybe people wanted to check out the new vendors and maybe the weather helped us out too.” One of the many new vendors this year was Lane Logan, an Edmonton knife collector who came to sell off his collection of about 220 knives.

“I’m g ettin g to th e age where I’ve got to downsize—a little pressure from the wife maybe,” said the 72-year-old. Logan was selling everything from $10 advertiser knives to a custom made knife by renowned Spruce Grove craftsman Emil Bucharsky for $1,850. He said he met lots of interesting vendors and sold about 60 knives on the opening day. “I’m pretty happy. It’s my first time as a vendor at a gun show” he said. The show is a fundraiser for the Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association that is holding its annual Family Wildlife and Awards Banquet at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds on Jan. 25. He says the gun show circuit is definitely dominated by older people and that could be a problem in the

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Janelle Mysko, a sales associate at Wildside Outdoors, bought some cheap disarmed single-action revolvers for teaching purposes at the Lloydminster Gun and Outdoor Sportsman Show at the Servus Sports Centre Jan. 18-19.

near future. “We need the younger people to pick up the pieces and continue on,” said Davison. “We’re all about youth. I know this

year we’ve got a couple of members on the gun show and Janelle is going to take it over next year and we’re just happy to have that happen,” he said.

throughout 2020 to keep the community safe, while also looking

at options such as bait cars to reduce vehicle theft.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Costco builder in sight?

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. could award the proposed construction of a Costco Warehouse, Liquor Pod and Fuel Facility in Lloydminster to a general contractor any time this month. That’s the belief of one of the general con-

tractors that submitted a bid proposal via BuildWorks Canada before the tender deadline of Dec. 16. “We submitted our price just before Christmas and we haven’t heard anything back from the owner on who they are awarding it to,” said a project estimator for the company on Jan. 16.

“I would like to think we’ll hear by the end of January for sure.” Without a formal offer in hand, the bidder’s identity and spokesperson are being withheld, but they are listed in the BuildWorks tender, available to member companies of the Lloydminster Construction Association. Many Lloydminster companies and subtrades submitted prices to the bidding process. The Costco proposal calls for the construction of a warehouse, approximately 148,000 sq. ft. in size, with a 4,636 sq. ft. liquor pod and a fuel facility at a site north of the electric substation at 12 Street and 75 Avenue. The company couldn’t provide a cost estimate for the Lloydminster project, but a smaller 127,000 sq. ft warehouse recently approved for construc-

tion on Stony Plain Road in West Edmonton is tagged at $6.3 million. “I haven’t spent a whole lot of time looking at what we have put together for our budget until we hear,” said the spokesperson. “Generally, any Costco stuff I’ve been a part of—usually Costco is pretty quick to make a decision on stuff.” If his company is chosen to build the Lloydminster Costco, he says the next step would be going through contract stuff with the owner and making sure all of that’s good. Then he says, if everybody agrees to everything, you sign the contract and you start with the subtrades negotiating all t hose cont r act s wit h the trades. “Then we kind of sit and wait until the site gets developed to

File Photo where we can actually start building,” he said. The estimator says the project developer in Lloydminster is taking on the task for the earthworks themselves, noting whenever that work starts, it could take about three months to complete. “We just kind of sit and wait until they’re done and say ‘there you go’. Then once they turn the site over to us where it’s at rough grade, then obviously

we can get building,” he said. He says there is about two feet of topsoil at the site that has to be stripped off, then the site has to be brought up to grade. “I think in some spots it’s 10 if not 12 feet below grade,” he said. The company expects the Costco warehouse project to be completed at the end of August or early September in 2021 if it’s approved.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Students define Canada bilingually GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Canada is more than hockey, maple syrup and similar stereotypes. That’s apparent in the displays that a History 30 French immersion class at Holy Rosary High School presented to parents, teachers and students last week to define Canada’s identity.

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These are all displays on Canadian identity, different ways we view or perceive Canadian identity.

The students were tasked with picking a topic from 20th century Canadian history and defending why their topic is a good example of Canadian identity. “These are all displays on Canadian identity, different ways we view or perceive Canadian identity,” said their teacher Beatrice Bonilla. “They are talking about the Avro Arrow; they are talking about the Persons Case when women were legally declared as “persons” —they are talking about Expo 67. “They are talking about the hostages in Iran during the Cold War, Newfoundland becoming part of Canada in 1949 etc.” Bonilla says they had to explain how even negative events like Canada’s refusal to accept Jewish refugees in the Second World War jives with how we perceive Canada’s identity. “The visuals are all in French, but they are able to present in English as well depending on who’s standing in front of them,” she said. She says she gave them some options, things to look for, and they did some research. Grade 12 student Victoria Marmulak took on the topic of our national anthem, explaining how it’s a part of what defines us as Canadians. “I talk about how it’s

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Grade 12 Holy Rosary High School student Victoria Marmulak, right, explained how our national anthem defines our Canadian identity to Ecole St. Thomas principal Lisa Marie Kreese. Marmulak’s History 30 French immersion class presented displays in French to parents, students and teachers last week and explained them in French or English.

in French and English and that the French version was written first. It brings us together as a nation,” she said. “It highlights our multiculturalism and lots of things we do have in common; even if it’s hard to identify what it means to be Canadian, we all share the national anthem.” Marmulak also knew the words in French and English in case she was asked. The Constitution Act of 1982 enshrined the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in our constitution and stoked student Michaela McPherson to explain how it’s become part of our identity. “I think it is really important for people to be more aware about who we are, because we don’t know who we are,” she said. “People don’t know a lot about our government in Canada. I feel the American government over shines what’s going on in Canada and people aren’t really focused on it.” McPherson says it’s great that her school has events like this. “So it is cool getting to know more about your country. It kind of makes you feel like a part of something and that you actually have a purpose—it makes you more proud of your country, honestly,” she said.

Church Directory

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Polio survivor shares her story

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Imagine living your life in an iron lung. That could have been the fate of Lloydminster resident Susan Brazeau, who spoke as a polio survivor at the Rotary

Club of Lloydminster’s Monday meeting. An old iron lung, once used to help save the lives of children whose diaphragms and lungs were weakened or paralyzed by the disease, sat ominously at the back

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of the Prairie Room at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds. Brazeau says she was infected with a milder case of the poliovirus when she was just two and a half years old. “Even though I have said very little about my polio to other people throughout my life, I thought that it was significant to speak to Rotary because of their polio plus program,” said Brazeau. Rotary International has made eradicating polio worldwide one of its major priorities and success stories for more than 30 years. There were 94 cases of wild poliovirus reported globally in 2019, compared to 33 in 2018, so the fight goes on. She says she learned about the Rotary polio campaign in 1988 as soon as it started from her husband, who was a Rotarian at the time. Polio is a highly contagious virus trans-

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Members of the Rotary Club of Lloydminster gathered around this museum piece iron lung, once used to help children with the most severe cases of polio to breathe. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for decades.

mitted only between humans by touch or oral contact that can affect persons of all ages. There is no cure, but as Brazeau pointed out, it is preventable through vaccinations, and it can be fully eradicated worldwide through vaccinations. “One person that has the live poliovirus in

them can infect somebody else who hasn’t had a vaccine and we can just see a domino effect,” she said. Brazeau says she knew the value of vaccines as she got the disease in 1953, two years before an effective vaccine was available. She suffered weakness in her upper arm,

weakened or atrophied muscles in her abdominal area, weak ankles and a shortened left leg with her left foot turned inward. She had to wear special corrective shoes. “I still look down to see where my feet are pointing,” she said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Learning to play and live together en Français

Photo Courtesy of the Lloydminster Catholic School Division. TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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The Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) is très excité as they celebrate 35 years of French immersion in the Border City. This milestone anniversary couldn’t come at a better time as it closely aligns with French Education Week, Quebec’s Carnaval, as well as the province of Saskatchewan celebrating 5o years of French immersion. “We are celebrating 35 years of French immersion in the Lloyd-

minster Catholic School Division, but it’s part of a larger celebration, as the Saskatchewan Minister of Education, the Honourable Gord Wyant, proclaimed 50 years of French immersion in Saskatchewan and 50 years of the offic ial Lan g uag es Ac t,” said Mme Lisa Marie Kreese, principal at École St. Thomas Elementary School. “It’s a big deal across the province and we wanted to highlight the fact that we’ve been doing this as well for 35 years. We always celebrate Carnaval, this

is not something new, French Education Week (Feb. 3-7) is a very special week for us, so we thought we’d put it together and pay tribute to where we’ve been over the past 35 years.” Kreese explained how French immersion in the LCSD started with only 38 students from Kindergarten and Grade 1 at Mother Teresa Early Childhood Education Centre and continued to grow from there. “When I came in 2002 we had 148 students in the program, and the program had grown into the high school,” she said. “By the time we celebrated our 25th (anniversary) we had about 300 and some students, and now we have 550 students, so we’ve been an anomaly in the government for a while with growth at this rate.” LCSD director of edu-

cation, Nigel McCarthy, is a firm believer in the value of multilingual education, as it gave him all sorts of opportunities both in Canada and internationally, that he wouldn’t otherwise have had. “French immersion is education you start in Kindergarten, and

most of our students start out with no French at all, but they’re immersed in French language where you’re given the opportunity to learn, which little children do the first two or three years, then in Grade 3 you bring a little bit of English into it and there’s an evo-

lution of your French,” McCarthy said. “But, one of the things this approach allows us to do is ensure that French is part of the grammar DNA for all kids, and we know that students who grow up multilingual receive all sorts of benefits from that training as they grow.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Local shares polio story with Rotarians FROM PAGE 6

She has acquired some new side effects as well as she ages. “We’re seeing something called post-polio syndrome affecting a lot of us, even 40 years after our initial diagnosis, and it is even hitting people harder than the initial polio hit some people,” said Brazeau, who is now 68. “It is putting people in respirators.” Common side effects include chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, hypo-

c ho n dria an d stress, and in Brazeau’s case, difficulty breathing and swallowing. “The first was when I was 11; I had the first episode of my breathing stopping,” she said. “It used to be frightening for me when I was younger, but I have learned to live with it by relaxing when it happens.” Brazeau also found it emotional to speak about her experience and had to rewrite her speech several times.

“It was so emotional because I hadn’t spoken to very many people about it,” she said. “In fact, there are more people in this room right now than I have ever told about having polio.” Brazeau works parttime providing practicum supervision for human services students from Lakeland College. She previously spoke to Rotary in September about being one of the British Home Children.

Vermilion RCMP investigating attempted robbery MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Vermilion RCMP is investigating an attempted robbery on Jan. 18 where shots were fired and a struggle ensued. No persons were injured, and the suspect fled with no money. At 2:53 a.m., RCMP was dispatched. Investigation reveals that a heavy set masked male carrying what was believed to be a .22 rifle attempted to rob a hotel in Innisfree. As he entered the closed hotel, he fired two shots from the rifle. A struggle with a hotel employee ensued, which ended with both subjects outside. The suspect fled in a new black F350 truck with a female passenger. A vehicle and suspect description was disseminated to surrounding detachments, but the truck was not located. The Vermilion RCMP continue to investigate, including seeking any video surveillance available in the area of 51 Street and 50 Avenue.

If you have any information about this incident or recognize the male and/or truck in the attached photo, please contact the Vermilion RCMP at 780-853-5781. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can 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

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Fiddlers to ward off winter blues GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. A cure for cabin fever may be found in the cozy basement of Hal and Rhonda Burns. The Lloydminster music lovers are hosting their third Home Routes concert of the season for travelling artists Nathan Smith and Emilyn Stam from Ontario. The concert will take place at 5732-51 Street on Jan. 29 with the door opening at 7 p.m. Smith plays the fiddle and guitar and Stam plays the piano, accordion and fiddle as a folk/trad duo. “They both play fiddle very well, so we’re expecting some kind of duelling fiddle tunes, which is always good— they’re promising a more u p be at kind of show,” said Hal. “It should be a fun evening. We’re hoping people will have cabin fever by now, so maybe people will be looking

at getting out and have some fun by then.” Admission to the concert is $20 per person with youths 12 and under free with snacks provided. Smith and Stam will be making their first musical tour through this part of the country. They will be bringing two fiddles, an accordion, an acoustic guitar, and an electric piano to the home concert along with the promise of a good time for all ages. “We play a mix of heartfelt and optimistic original acoustic folk songs and fiddle tunes as well as an eclectic selection of our favourite traditional numbers,” said Smith and Stam in a joint email. They noted they draw inspiration and tunes from bluegrass, country, folk-rock, traditional Quebecois, and French traditional dance music.

“You’ll be hardpressed not to sway, bop, or tap your toe in time!” they exclaimed. Stam is originally from Smithers B.C. and was mentored by fiddle innovator Oliver Schroer. She regularly crosses over into other art forms, collaborating with improvising

clowns, theatre groups, contemporary dancers and poets. Smith is a native of North Bay Ont. who grew up playing old-time fiddle tunes alongside classical violin.

The combined influences and pursuits of Stam and Smith include bluegrass, old-time, Scandinavian, and Western European traditional music. The Home Routes concert at the Burns’ will

be their 27th show in their fifth season as hosts. “It’s been a lot of fun so far and we’ve experienced a lot of different and new music,” said Hal, who notes there are at least two more shows to go. The full concert line up is available on Facebook under Lloydminster Home Routes Concerts with an events tab for the fine details.

Folk/traditional duo Nathan Smith and Emilyn Stam from Ontario will be performing an evening house concert at the home of Hal and Rhonda Burns in Lloydminster on Jan. 29. Supplied Photo

PAGE 10 Thursday, January 23, 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

Leave it to Weaver Could you spare me a Loonie,Toonie, or a Gordie? EDITOR Taylor Weaver

So, the Bank of Canada is reaching out and seeking public consultation to identify a “truly banknote-able” Canadian to feature on a new $5 bill. The Canadian $5 bill currently features Sir Wilfrid Laurier — Canada’s prime minister from 1896 to 1911, which came into circulation in 2013 as part of the “Frontier Series.” This hunt for a new face on the five has been making the rounds on social media feeds and has Canadians sharing ideas as to whom they think is deserving of the honour. Examples of potential new designs are all over Twitter and feature notable Canadians including Terry Fox, John Candy and, my personal favourite, the late and great Gord Downie. Those are pretty important

names in Canadian history, and who wouldn’t want to pay for a coffee with an “Uncle 5 Buck?” One Twitter user also shared his thoughts on potential designs featuring fictional unsung Canadian heroes such as The Littlest Hobo, The Friend ly Giant a nd H a mmy Hamster. The consultations will be similar to those that led to the choice of Viola Desmond for the $10 bill, which began circulation in 2018. With that said, I did a bit of digging for notable Canadians from Lloydminster and was pleasantly surprised. Now, most Lloydminsterites are aware of the long and celebrated history of professional hockey players who call the Border City home, names such as Wade Redden, Lance Ward, Tyler Weiman, Braden Holtby, Scott Hartnell, Cory Cross and Colby Armstrong, among many others. But did you know Keith Mor-

rison, a broadcast journalist and correspondent of Dateline NBC since 1995, was born in Lloydminster in 1947? I’m not saying I’d want to see his face on the new $5 bill, but I had a good little chuckle when I found out he’s a Border City native. My vote is going out to former Tragically Hit frontman Gord Downie, and it’s not solely because I’m from Kingston, Ont., where the band was formed. The man did a lot of good for the music industry and the country, and was a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation before his passing in October 2017. So I ask you again, could you spare a loonie, toonie, or a Gordie?

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, January 23, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Opinion

Leeway from Lloyd: Self driving could end fines STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

Driving in Saskatchewan while brushing your teeth or preening yourself in the mirror will come at a hefty price this year. Distracted driving penalties will get tougher in Saskatchewan on Feb. 1 when fines will soar. First offence tickets will double to $580, a second offence will

cost $1,400, and a third infraction will hit you for a whopping $2,100. Distracted drivers will continue to face a seven-day vehicle impoundment and four demerits on their licence. In Saskatchewan, distrac t e d driv in g is one of the top three factors involved with

fatal vehicle collisions. Under Saskatchewan’s Traffic Safety Act, it is illegal to “hold, view, use or manipulate electronic communications equipment (cellphone) while driving a motor vehicle on a highway.” Other offences include eating, using a GPS system, reading maps, and personal grooming. Even talking to other passengers constitutes an offence and could land you a fine if a collision occurs.

Distracted laws basically came into effect due to people using cellphones while driving. However, all of these restrictions could go the way of the Dodo bird once self-driving vehicles become mainstream. There simply won’t be any need to be alert behind the wheel so we can all go back to the days when we could read maps or enjoy a three-course meal! Some vehicles already have self-driv-

ing features so it won’t be long before you can drive while asleep. However maybe by then, the sleep police will give out tickets for excessive rapid eye movement or failure to use a pillow! Until then distracted driving laws and fines are welcome by lawabiding motorists who share the road. How can you feel safe when a driver coming in the opposite direction is texting for example? According to the National Safety Council,

a distracted driver, even if looking away from the road for just a few seconds, could fail to see 50 per cent of their driving environment. The best deterrent is fines to drive home the message. Alberta motorists may find it difficult to get full insurance coverage at reasonable rates if convicted and insurance can go up by as much as 25 per cent after a distracted driving conviction. No worries, the sleep police are coming!

Letter to the Editor: Less Talk! More Action! Through the reader’s lens P

John Van Cleemput Submitted to the Meridian Source Thank you, John, for sharing another great photo from one of your photography adventures.

Mike from Canmore Submitted to the Meridian Source

If you would like to see your photos in the Meridian Source, please email them to taylor@meridiansource.ca

remier Kenney’s ‘Fair Deal Panel’ was in Lloydminster last Monday evening seeking taxpayers suggestions on steps our Alberta government could/ should take to get a ‘Fairer Deal’ for Albertans. The following letter to the Editor was my suggestion to the panel. Less Talk! More Action! This is the second time in many of our lifetimes that a federal government, supported by eastern voters, has destroyed a generation of Albertans’ accumulated wealth along with the hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands of families, businesses and communities. In both cases it happened as a result of a direct, calculated and concerted attack on our energy industries. Despite having their wealth and their economy devastated twice in two generations, Albertans have managed to send approximately $600 billion net to Ottawa during the past 30 years. Now our eastern voters have once again elected a federal government whose leader has publicly mused about shutting down our oil sands, and who is ‘doubling down’ on their cultlike belief in the wealth redistribution climate hoax known as The Paris Agreement. Thank you for recognizing the unfairness of that and for seeking our input as to what

actions Alberta and Albertans might take to insure that we do not continue to be the East’s ‘Sugar Daddy’ while simultaneously being their ‘Whipping Boy.’ I have read Premier Kenney’s mandate letter to your panel and I am generally in agreement with the nine points listed. As you know, the majority of these ideas are contained in what has become known as ‘Alberta’s Firewall Letter’ which was first published Jan. 24, 2001. Reading the mandate letter reminded me of my last medical check-up, Dr. Sayeed said “Too much talk and not enough action, Sonny” That was my exact thought when I looked at the mandate letter. So my recommendation to you and to our government is: Get busy and Get ‘er done! However, we all realize that most of the points identified in Premier Kenney’s letter are the political and economic equivalent of planting a tree. Their primary benefits will come to fruition in about 30 years and do very little to address the dire situation that our province, our community and our people are suffering through. Alberta’s current situation requires, in fact demands, more urgent action and that is what I want to address today. I have four suggestions in no particular order.

Number 1: Immigration: My understanding is that Canada created approximately 300,000 jobs in 2019 and is now planning on welcoming 450,000 or more new immigrants. What sense does that make? I suggest that Alberta restrict immigration, as Quebec is doing. Number 2: Size and Cost of Government: If Alberta spent the Canadian average to provide services to taxpayers, we would save $8 BILLION dollars. Do that! Number 3: Equalization: $10 plus billion per year that originates in Alberta and ends up in Eastern Canada in the form of Equalization. Premier Kenney should demand an immediate renegotiation of the equalization formula. I mean May 2020! Number 4: The Paris Agreement is a wealth redistribution hoax. With 0ur wealth! Get Canada out of the Paris Agreement or get Alberta out of Canada. Finally: Two generations of wealth DESTROYED is two too many. Don’t let them do it to us again. Albertans want these issues dealt with sooner rather than later. Twenty years of talking is enough! Time for action. Our government has the proverbial three choices: Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way! We expect them to lead! Thank you! - Danny Hozack

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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, noncompetitive 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

Thursday, January 23, 2020

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

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 780-8754584. Everyone welcome.

JAN. 26 – PANCAKE BREAKFAST There will be a pancake breakfast at the Legacy Centre on Jan. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10/person ($5/12 yrs and under). Everyone Welcome! Call Legacy office for more info at 780875-4584.

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.

JAN. 26 – JAMBOREE/DANCE There will be a Jamboree/ Dance at the Legacy Centre that starts at 1:30 p.m. All Musicians Welcome. Lunch provided. Cost is $12/person at the door. Everyone Welcome, for more info contact Legacy office at 780-875-4584.

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. JAN. 24 – ROBBIE BURNS NITE The Edgerton & District Historical Society is sponsoring the 32nd annual Robbie Burns Nite on Friday, Jan. 24, at the Edgerton Ag Hall. A happy hour and silent auction is planned for 5:30 p.m. and supper is scheduled for 6 p.m. with Ceilidh to follow. The guest entertainer is Sheldon Frissell. Tickets are available at the Edgerton Village Office, 780-755-3933, Toys and Treasures Wainwright, 780842-3903, or at the door. Adult entry is $25, while children under 12 is $5. JAN. 25 – CRIBBAGE TOURNEY There will be a Cribbage Doubles Tournament at the Dewberry Senior Center on Jan. 25. Registration at 10 a.m. with play beginning at 10:30 a.m. For more details contact 780 847-2282.

JAN. 26 – CRIBBAGE TOURNEY There will be a Cribbage Tournament at the Hillmond Hall on the fourth Sunday of each month. Next tournament January 26, starting at 11 a.m. M.S.T. Lunch served at noon. Everyone welcome. JAN. 27 – PARENT SUPPORT GROUP The Connecting Parents Supporting Families first meeting of the year - Heather Reid Nutrition-101, is being held on Jan. 27 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Richard and Barbara Klinger Conference Room in the Prairie North Health Center. 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. 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 306820-6243. LLOYDMINSTER LEARNING COUNCIL - Registration Night for English Language Programs, Monday Jan. 21, 2020, 6:307:30 p.m., Community Services Building, Workshop Room, 4419 - 52 Ave. Fee: No Charge, Call 780-8755763 for any questions - Keyboarding, Wednesday Jan. 30, 2020, 6:308:30 p.m., Learn proper hand positioning to touch type to improve speed & accuracy, Fee: $40.00, Call 780-8755763 to register - Technology Series for Adults, 5 Wednesdays, Feb. 6-March 6, 2020, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fee: $125.00, Call 780875-5763 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 780-875-5763 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 - Beginner French 10 weeks, Thursdays, January 16 - March 19, 2020 Time: 7 - 9 p.m. Fee: $125.00 - Registration Night for English Language Programs, Tuesday January 21, 2020 6:30-7:30pm, Community Services Building, Workshop Room, 4419 - 52 Ave. Fee: No Charge, Call 780-8755763 for any questions - English Language Classes being offered: Beginner, Advanced, Intermediate, 10 weeks, Tuesdays & Thursdays, January 28 - April 2, 2020, 7-9 p.m., Fee: Free, Call 780-875-5763 to register - 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, 7:00-9:00pm, 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, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Local Christian author to sign books GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. There is a first time for everything, and that includes an upcoming book signing by Lloydminster Christian fiction author Katrina Hamel.

The Sheepskin Loft will also be hosting a signing for the first time in its history this Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. when Hamel brings her two books to the store. “This will be my first signing. I did a trade

show out in Hillmond,” said Hamel. “This is a stretch out of my comfort zone. I write because I like the behind the screens. It’s a different experience being out there face to face.” Hamel self-published two books for an adult audience in 2019 starting in March, with a novel called Dividing Sword and her latest work As The Stars in October. “As The Stars is my newest one, but Dividing Sword is the one that I’m most passionate about,” said Hamel. Dividing Sword is a Christian historical fiction novel set during the Gospel of Matthew and it explores the struggles of encountering Christ. “As The Stars is a collection of 45 bible fiction short stories, so it functions as a devotional where people read the short story and then it introduces them to scripture and some

questions for discussion,” said Hamel. Hamel describes herself as a Christian member of the First Baptist Church in Lloydminster, a wife and a mom of four who loves to write. She says her kids think it’s neat that she’s become an author. “All my kids are reading so it’s kind of fun for them to see the process and it opens ideas in their own heads ‘hey, maybe I can be a writer,’” she said. Hamel grew up on an acreage near Greenstreet, and except for a short year in Bonnyville, has lived in Lloydminster all of her life. “I always wanted to be a writer and I grew up as a Christian, so it was kind of a natural progression that I would move into Christian writing,” she explained. “Mostly, I want a way to explore my faith through creative means.”

Supplied Photo

Lloydminster Christian fiction author Katrina Hamel, who wrote two books in 2019, will hold a booking signing at Sheepskin Loft this Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

Hamel says she learned how to self-publish from Google, YouTube and a few online writer’s communities. “I was originally thinking of publishing with a group in the United States, but when their editor kind of went MIA (missing in action), I picked up the slack myself and finished the process on my own,” she said. Hamel is currently

doing research for a ne w bo o k se t d u r i ng the Book of Acts in the Bible. “I will be following a woman in the Bible named Joanna,” said Hamel. Her first two books are sold on consignment locally at Mama Bear Maternity, Sheepskin Loft and the Lloydminster Public Library, and can be purchased online at Amazon.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

The life and times of Archie Miller WHISPERS OF THE PAST SANDRA L. BROWN

Officially dedicated in February 1967 by the Arena Committee, the Archie Miller Arena as part of the Kin-Kinette Park had year-round usage. This same committee two years earlier was responsible for the construction and operation of the Civic Centre, which was Lloydminster’s first artificial ice in 1965. James Archibald “Archie” Miller was inaugurated into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1972. Archie Miller was born in 1896 (Ontario) and attended school in the log church building in 1904. This was the first school accommodations in the new settlement of Lloydminster. Other students included some of Rev.

Lloyd’s children, Les Rendell and Stephen Hall. As with many of our early settlers, the Miller family initially lived in a tent. This tent was overtopping a schooner built on wide bobsleds. Archie had tried out for the Victoria team, but decided that professional hockey wasn’t for him. As a serious hockey player, he was a clever stick handler and a great skater. A knee injury benched him for a while. With Archie as the coach, Lloydminster was proud of its one and only hockey team in the winter season of 1917-1918. Along with the Rendell brothers, he managed one of the earlier open-air rinks. They were faced with taking on this responsibility, rather than not having any skating or hockey that winter. As an outdoorsman and a very avid sports-

man, his favourite activities were hockey, soccer, hunting, camping, swimming and motoring.

“

This same committee two years earlier was responsible for the construction and operation of the Civic Centre, which was Lloydminster’s first artificial ice in 1965.

Many lifelong achievements and accolades are listed in the history book, 75 Years of Sport and Culture in Lloydminster. He started his illustrious career in the business world as a

retail clerk and fur buyer. From 1929-1972, he was a very successful life insurance agent. Naturally, he was also involved in Fish and Game Associations, Ducks Unlimited, Rotary Club mem-

ber, Elks Lodge member, honourary Jaycee of the Year, in the Kinsmen Sports Hall of Fame and an honorary life member of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce. CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Hockey was his true love though; first as a player, then as referee and coach. As a time-keeper for more than 20 years, he encouraged many Lloydminster youngsters to get on the ice and skate. Folks would agree that “Archie and the ice surface were synonymous.”

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

A Roman adventure PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

Winter break for teachers and students is right around the corner. Some folks head for a warmer climate, but my friend Cindy and I once walked the ancient streets of Rome during this icy February break. I thought I’d tell you a little about our adventure, plus include several travel tips that could apply when visiting any overseas country. Also, since it’s long, I’ll spread it over two columns. The first tip is to scout out your lodgings ahead of time, so you know the area. Taxi drivers in any big city can take advantage of tourists who are suffering jetlag and feeling overwhelmed. We caught the latenight train into Rome f r om t he air p or t bu t

Photo Courtesy of Helen Toews didn’t feel like trudging the many blocks to our rental. We called a cab. I’m not sure if he purposely meant to drive us all around the area for extra fare, or if he honestly missed our turn, but thanks to Google street view, I knew exactly where we were. As he shifted gears; rushing past our street in a flurry of dry leaves and loud Italian music, I leaned forward and pointed it out.

“Scusa signora,” he smiled, deftly wheeling the small car around and heading back. My next pointer involves mistakes that can be made when translating a foreign language. The morning after our arrival, I left my friend sleeping and went out to explore. The sky was a bright, icy blue and the air crisp as I wandered the narrow cobbled

streets, ducking under branches bent low with unwanted oranges. What a change from the frigid prairies. Spying a negozio di alimentary (groc e r y sto r e ) I p o p p e d in to buy coffee, fresh fruit, warm ciabattas, and a small pat of butter. Won’t Cindy be pleased when she awakes to find breakfast, I thought gladly. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Sask Polytechnic launches Bachelor of Applied Management program

tarting in 2020, graduates with a non-business diploma or journeyperson certification can enrol in the Bachelor of Applied Management program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and earn a bachelor’s degree in just two years. The program is unique in Saskatchewan and was developed to assist non-business graduates gain necessary skills to move up in the workforce. This is the third stand-alone degree developed by Sask Polytech in direct response to labour market

demand. “Sask Polytech graduates are driving the economic engine of this province,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO. “Diploma graduates and journeypersons applying for this baccalaureate program will bring their knowledge and prior work experience to their studies, will have the opportunity to put into practice what they’ve learned, and will bring their new leadership and management skills to their future workplaces.” Building on their technical expertise and

work experience, students in the Bachelor of Applied Management program will develop administration and leadership skills for management positions. The program provides theoretical knowledge and technical training through applied learning opportunities. Students will receive hands-on, flexible learning that makes it easier to obtain a degree while working. “Bachelor of Applied Management graduates will receive applied learning and skill development in the areas of strategic manage-

ment, leadership and business,” says Dr. Has Malik, provost and vicepresident, Academic. “The Bachelor of Applied Management program provides a unique, new pathway for journeypersons and other professionals to earn a degree.” This program will be of great interest to students who are midcareer professionals in various trades, engineering, and computer technologies roles, as well as those who are in the health and biological sciences, human services and other sectors. Students can look for-

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Photo ward to building knowledge and skills in a wide range of leadership and management areas including accounting, human resources, com-

munications, change management, marketing, finance, risk management and business analytics. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Academic path leads LaFleur from USask to around world BY JAMES SHEWAGA

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Jamie LaFleur’s road to convocation has featured a few stops and starts and twists and turns, but most importantly, a long list of lifechanging experiences. The 31-year-old University of Saskatchewan (USask) honours student in anthropology from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band graduated with a bachelor’s degree at Fall Convocation 2019, and is now working on her next degree—a master’s in community health and epidemiology. A cornucopia of courses and countries— studying geology, kinesiology and anthropology, along with trips to New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Thailand and Ukraine—have helped LaFleur find her true calling. “I was always interested in health and well-being, which is one of the reasons that I wanted to go into kinesiology,” said LaFleur. “But I just realized that it was way more fulfilling for me to focus on Indigenous social determinants of health, especially within Saskatchewan.” LaFleur started studying geology at USask in 2006/07, but left school to work full time, later moving to New Zealand where she became a certified personal trainer. She returned to university to take kinesiology, but became fascinated with her elec-

FROM PAGE 18

Experiential learning will include simulations, case studies and collaborative projects with industry. The Bachelor of Applied Management will begin in September 2020, with required bridging courses for journeypersons launching in January 2020. Admission requirements include comple-

Supplied Photo tive courses in anthropology, which quickly became her new passion. LaFleur’s studies took her to Africa, Asia and Europe as she experienced new cultures and traditional healing around the world and now speaks six languages: Cree, English, Norwegian, Russian, Thai and Ukrainian. “I was always interested in health and medical practices globally and being able to experience that just opened my eyes to different modalities that people use to address their health issues,” said LaFleur, who earned a USask Indigenous Student Achievement Award for Research in Health Sciences in 2018, after being nominated by one of her

first professors on campus, Dr. Ulrich Teucher (PhD) in psychology. “Biomedicine can’t do absolutely everything for everyone and just finding a lot of parallels between Indigenous medicine here and other Indigenous Peoples world-wide, has been really interesting.” It was USask’s study abroad program that presented the proverbial passport to the world for LaFleur. “It’s such a valuable experience, especially when you have all the resources that we have here at this university,” said LaFleur, whose experiences abroad included getting married in Norway on a bikepacking tour with her husband Morgan in 2016.

tion of a two-year, nonbusiness diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution or completion of a journeyperson certificate issued by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission or interprovincial equivalent. Students can apply for the program online at saskpolytech.ca/ bamgtdegree. Through flexible,

hands-on learning, students taking the Bachelor of Applied Management at Saskatchewan Polytechnic are able to work and earn their degree simultaneously. With the unique combination of education and experience, graduates will be well positioned for career advancement in management and leadership roles.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Where the wild pigs roam BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

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In 2013, Ruth Aschim—along with 99.9 per cent of the population—was unaware wild pigs were roaming rural Canada. Today, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) doctoral candidate is an expert on the animals, where they thrive and the destruction they can cause. But landing a wildlife

research position at a university is no easy task, she explained. “Wildlife research is expensive; you’re using GPS collars and aerial surveys and things like that. A lot of people are interested in it, so it was hard to find a program that would take me.” Among the academics she approached was USask Associate Professor Ryan Brook, whom she’d heard about as an

undergrad. The wild pig problem emerged from livestock producers’ desire to diversify their herds for export markets. The boars proved more difficult to manage than expected. They rooted under and jumped over fences, while producers also simply opened the gates and let them go. Many thought they would not survive in the wild.

They were wrong. And although there are large numbers of them, they’re not easy to find. “Because we’re looking at a nocturnal species, an elusive species … we couldn’t use aerial surveys, the conventional wildlife monitoring technique, because we didn’t even know where they were. How were we going to go looking for them? CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

FROM PAGE 19

“It’s something everyone should experience,” she added. “You go to any country in the world and you come back to Canada and you realize that there are these same communities that live within Saskatchewan. You learn more about the cultural mosaic, as some people say, and it gives you a better understanding of where you’re living in Canada.”

In addition to the scholarships that helped fund her study abroad opportunities, LaFleur is grateful for the supports that are now available for Indigenous students on campus, as well as guidance she received from her professors. “I don’t think that I would be as strong of an academic or as strong of a person, if it wasn’t for my professors in anthropology,” said LaFleur.

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Start your degree at Medicine Hat College

r. Nicoelle Wanner has been going to Medicine Hat College (MHC) for as long as she can remember. She recalls following big footprints through the hallways when she attended early learning programs as a child, singing with the MHC Girls’ Choir as a teen, and studying in the cafeteria for high school finals. More recently, she goes to the college to work as one of the physicians in the campus medical clinic. “Medicine Hat College has always been here for me,” says Wanner. When the time came to start her post-secondary education, the decision was a no brainer. “I could have moved away to another city or another university, but that was never really high on my priority list. I knew that I could get a very good education here with the added logical benefits of cost saving and smaller class sizes,” she explains. “The college gave me the education and training I needed, in the environment that I needed during that time in my life. I never had to sacrifice anything by staying here.” After completing two years of university transfer science courses, she

went on to finish a Bachelor of Science at the University of Calgary. It was there she had her first real ‘a-ha’ moment about what made a MHC education so special. “I was sitting in my first big lecture hall with four hundred students and thinking ‘Oh my God, what is happening?’ because that was

not what I was used to. At MHC, you just had so much more one-on-one time with your instructors which improved the education for sure, but quite frankly it improved the fun.” In addition to the solid education she received at MHC, she also had the opportunity to connect with people and develop 20014MM0 20014MM1

relationships – skills that have served her well in her career. Wanner finished her medical degree at the University of Alberta and returned to Medicine Hat for her residency. With strong roots in the community, she established her medical practice, started her family and began building the life she wanted to have. After 13 years, the busy mom of three closed her practice and moved to

the MHC campus clinic, allowing her more time for family activities and non-clinical initiatives. “The thing I love most about my job is the opportunities it’s given me. My training has allowed me to create the job that I want and give me that independence to really tailor my work,” says Wanner, who is also involved with improving pediatric mental health services in Medicine Hat. Being back at MHC,

Wanner says she has come full circle. “In a way, I see myself in so many of the students that come to see me. I know they just want to get to where they’re going, but I want to tell them to sit back and take their time. Enjoy the ride - you’re going to get there eventually if that’s where you’re meant to be.” Learn more about the programs that MHC offers at www.mhc.ab.ca/ ProgramsandCourses.

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

Wildlife research helping protect rural Sask FROM PAGE 20

“I did all my data collection through social science techniques. I spoke with stakeholders and wildlife professionals. I would travel around Saskatchewan going to wildlife-related

meetings or events or fundraisers, giving presentations and just talking to people. “Then I spent three months living out of my vehicle (in summer 2015) and I camped across Western Canada,

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talking to conservation officers and biologists.” Results showed that wild pigs are the most widespread in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta; smaller populations exist in B.C., Ontario and Quebec. But despite all the research, it’s still impossible to say how many wild pigs are out there. But why does establishing the numbers and habitats of wild pigs matter? “Disease is a huge concern with wild pigs,” Aschim said. “They can be transmitted to domestic livestock, wildlife, and humans.

“Then we have environmental issues, which are huge with wild pigs. One of the main problems is the rooting behaviour; they upturn the soil because they like to eat the roots and tubers of vegetation. It’s essentially like a rototiller went through an area.” Bare soil is open to weeds, erosion and nutrient cycle disturbance, as well as a loss of biodiversity, she said. Another concern is water quality. Wild pigs wallow in wetlands, causing bank slumping, erosion, water sedimentation and—because of

Supplied Photo defecation and urination—algae growth and disease transmission. Furthermore, one would not want to surprise a boar. They’re not aggressive unless threatened, but their four sharp tusks—the top tusks sharpen the bottom ones—can slash

someone quite seriously. Considering the many problems created by wild pigs, Aschim is often asked how she feels about her research subjects. “I don’t like them,” she tells her questioners, “but I respect them.”

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Two cases of diphtheria confirmed in Onion Lake

ealth officials say two cases of diph-

theria have been confirmed in Onion Lake Cree Nation.

A medical health officer for Indigenous Services Canada

recently sent a notice to the chief of Onion Lake Cree Nation Philip Chief, informi n g h i m t h a t t h e c a s e s w e re d i a g nosed in the last month. The First Nation’s director of operations says one confirmed case was in Onion Lake while the other

was in the surrounding area. Chief says he doesn’t have details, but it’s concerning. The notice says people may be at risk of infection because the vaccination rate for diphtheria in the Onion Lake area is below the desired target.

Chief says reserve staff have been informed and will be asking members to ensure they are updated on their immunization and booster shots. Health officials say diphtheria is a rare but infectious disease that is preventable through vaccines.

FROM PAGE 16

A cold hand of fear clenched at my heart as I returned to see her trustingly take another bite of the tan-coloured, somewhat crumbly mixture she’d spread thickly on her bread. Noting the words written across the package, Lievito di birra, I quickly consulted my pocket translator. “STOP!” I hollered, as she raised the bun to her lips once more, “You’re eating yeast!” The lesson here is twofold. Keep some sort of language translator on your person at all times, and maintain a sense of humour. Things will always go

wrong, but if you can take it in stride, your trip will go smoother. Forgiveness and understanding are great qualities too. Not everyone could ingest half a package of compressed yeast on their morning bun and laugh about it, but she did. Happily, we made it up by strolling the bustling streets of Rome, sitting at a small sidewalk café to enjoy frothy cappuccinos and wandering through a lively market. Travelling is a wonderful adventure. Follow Helen at myprairiewool.com

Of course, purchasing groceries, or items in a drugstore, is always a little risky when it’s in a different language. Obviously, I knew what bread looked like, and I could smell the coffee, but cream and butter took a bit of guesswork, especially without my translator. However, I forgot all about it as Cindy seated herself at the table to eat, while I poured our hot drinks. “This stuff tastes weird,” she called presently. “It may be some type of cheese—but it’s sure not butter.”

Thursday, January 23, 2020

FROM PAGE 15

At the July 1 Onion Lake Sports Day (1974), Archie was named “Honourary Chief Big Bear.” Another honour was being awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal. Known as “Lloydminster’s Good Will Ambassador,” Archie further earned this title by attending over 125 conventions in Canada and the United States. During these, he continually shared the potential and good life of his home town. Mr. Miller’s funeral was held on the ice surface at the Civic Centre in April 1978 with over 1400 folks attending. Forming a guard of honour in paying their last respects, his Onion Lake friends attended in their regalia. What a fitting way to honour this man who left behind a lasting legacy with his generous contributions not only to hockey but also to the community.

Sask Provincial Parks ready for 2020 reservations MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Campers can mark their calendars – reservations for 2020 campsites are scheduled to begin Monday, April 13 for seasonal and Wednesday, April 15 for nightly and Camp-Easy. “We are looking forward to another exciting camping season in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said. “Whether a seasonedcamper or first-time visitor, our parks continue to provide a variety of outdoor activities, programs and special events that offer unique and memorable experiences for all.” Reservations for campsites will open at 7 a.m. on the scheduled days below, with the queue opening at 6:40 a.m. Staggered launch dates and the queuing

system will be implemented again in 2020 to help manage the volume the site experiences. The schedule is as follows: - Monday, April 13: Seasonal campsites - Wednesday, April 15: Pike Lake, The Battlefords, Narrow Hills, Blackstrap - Thursday, April 16: Bronson Forest, Meadow Lake, Makwa Lake, Lac La Ronge - Friday, April 17: Saskatchewan Landing, Douglas, Danielson - Monday, April 20: Buffalo Pound, Rowan’s Ravine, Echo Valley, Crooked Lake - Wednesday, April 22: Cypress Hills - Thursday, April 23: Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake - Friday, April 24: Candle Lake, Great Blue Heron, Moose Mountain Seasonal, nightly and

group campsites can be reserved through the online system https:// saskparks.goingtocamp.com or through the call centre at 1-855737-7275. Camping information, along with reservation, cancellation, change and no-show fees is available on www.saskparks. com. There will be no fee changes for 2020. At the time of reserving a site, customers will have the option to purchase a vehicle entry permit. A Saskatchewan Provincial Parks Annual Vehicle Entry Permit, available for $75, is a great way to enjoy unlimited camping, day trips, park activities and events throughout the entire year. A valid park entry permit is required yearround. Th e 2020 c a m p i ng season officially kicks off on Thursday, May 14.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

PAGE 26 Thursday, January 23, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sports

Rebels help local player reach for his dream JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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Lloydminster’s Mason Ward is taking a chance on the Red Deer Rebels. Ward, 17, has manned the blueline in 41 games for the Rebels (15-23-23) this season. The six-foot-four and 194-pound rearguard started as a seventh or eighth option for the Brent Sutter-led crew and has slowly worked his way up to the second pairing. “I just trusted in what my coaches were telling me,” said Ward. “I played simple and, I guess, they (developed) more trust in me. That’s essentially why I’m moving up in the lineup.” An email invitation to an August prospect camp a couple of years ago led Ward to the Rebels. He impressed at the tryout scoring a spot on the team’s protected list. The 2019-20 main camp marked his first with the club, but he said a decision wasn’t yet made to sign if given the chance. A strong performance led to the Rebels offering a contract following their black-and-white game and the indication he’d see minutes on ice forced his hand into committing. “I’m out there for the penalty kill, but not the power play,” said Ward, who has tallied one goal

Mason Ward has played 41 games as a rookie defenceman for the Red Deer Rebels this season.

and nine points so far. “I’d say I play a pretty big role because we have a lot of young D-men on our team.” Ward noted playing two seasons with the midget AAA Bobcats helped him develop as a person and grow confident in his game as a two-way physical

defenceman. He said adjusting to the Western Hockey League this winter has been tough due to its need to move the puck quickly and constantly be aware of who’s on the ice. “When you’re out there against those high draft picks it’s kind of

cool, but it just makes you play harder and bear down on them,” he said. “You don’t want them to be good against you or your team.” Playing home games at the Westerner Park Centrium in front of 3,000 to 4,000 screaming hockey fans is still taking a bit of getting

Courtesy of Rob Wallator - Red Deer Rebels used to, noted Ward, but their dedication is always amazing. He added the teachers in Red Deer have also proved very supportive helping him complete high school studies while also playing WHL hockey with a goal of moving into the professional ranks one day.

“Playing with the Rebels has been great,” said Ward. “Our coach, Brent, has been really great to me this season. He knows a lot about the game. I’m just trying to take in as much as I can from him, put it into my game and try to be the best I can be.”

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Rustlers young core leading the way JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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A young core is leading the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team to great heights. Second-year University Transfer students and first-year of eligibility players Jana Laing, Jenay Varga, MacKenzie Yole and Madison Blain all saw action in the Rustlers 25-27, 25-12, 25-22, 25-9 win against the Keyano College Huskies at the Lakeland gym on Saturday afternoon. The victory marked the Rustlers 12th in a row following a shaky 1-3 start to the season. “I think we’re still learning how to win with this team,” said Yole, who comes in off the bench as an outside for the Rustlers. “It’s the second semester, but we’re slowly getting there. And, I think we’ll be there through playoffs.” Laing, the Rustlers starting setter, said

2019 graduating players Ahnika Kuse, Shelby Becker and Rae Sigurdson helped them understand the demands of college volleyball while they red shirted last season, but there was still a bit of nerves at the beginning of this campaign. She said fourth and fifth-year Rustlers Bailee Weiler, Belle de Vries, Avery Maginel and Brooklyn Boehm helped guide them through and their coach, Austin Dyer, pushed everyone in practice to step up their training. “As first years, our coach has a lot of trust in us,” said Blain, a Lloydminster Comprehensive High School graduate and the Rustlers starting outside hitter. “When we have bad games he keeps us in there so we can stick it out and learn through the experience of not playing well. He doesn’t just take us out, which

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Rustlers setter Jana Laing gets ready to serve the ball.

helps me a lot.” Varga, who is also starting as an outside, agreed with Blain and Laing that the opportunity to lead the Rustlers onto the court came as a surprise. She said an ability to watch from the sidelines last year helped in the transition, but as this season moved along they also became more comfortable with each other and gained

increased confidence in their own abilities as proven by the team’s dominant last three sets versus the Huskies. “We got more consistent with our ball control,” said Laing. “We went on a few serving runs, well Jenay did, and that helped us get a lead and feel more comfortable. The Huskies are a good scramble-y team, so we tried to stay focused.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

The Kitscoty High School Cavaliers basketball team, with from left, coach Zac Billingsley, Grayson Crawford, Keano Crawford, Connor Tiller, Drake Curtis, Eric Tiller, Josh Blackman, Derek Venance, Michael Feener, Harrison Hu, Kale McAllister, Hessten Zack, Carter Wartman and Keian Cochrane, captured gold at the Holy Rosary High School Raiders junior varsity tournament on Saturday.

Cavaliers win Raiders junior varsity tournament JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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Sticking to the game plan helped the Kits-

coty High School Cavaliers boys basketball team earn their second tournament banner of

the season. The Cavaliers adjusted their defence to combat the sharpshooting backcourt of Wainwright’s Blessed Sacrament Thunder in the final match of the Holy Rosary High School Raiders Junior Varsity tournament on Saturday evening. The move toward the wing took some time to pay dividends, but coupled with a timely motivational cheer from the home-friendly crowd

eventually led to a 24-13 breakout in the fourth quarter and an 81-66 win. Kale McAllister, a forward for the Cavaliers, said they spread their zone defence wider following the first 10-minute period that saw the Thunder hit three treys, including back-to-back corners by Mathew Mattom. He said their minds were in the right place and they were ready to run following the switch

despite the opposition still draining buckets from beyond the arc when given the chance. The Cavaliers led 21-19 after the first quarter and trailed 42-41 entering the halftime break. The deficit would have been larger if not for a stuff under the basket by Hessten Zack and another block courtesy of Eric Tiller at the corner in the final seconds of the second frame. A back-and-forth third period led to a 57-53 Cavaliers advantage after 30 minutes. Two quick buckets by Grayson Crawford and a Tiller layup early in the final quarter started the team’s last run. Mattom said they played the Cavaliers close in the first half, but a lack of tourna-

ment action and proper conditioning played a factor in the second. He said they started to cramp up near the end due to poor hydration over the two-day competition. “We’ve got to get our stamina up,” said Mattom, a point guard/ shooting guard for the Thunder. “We believe we can beat them the next time around if we’re more conditioned and trained.” McAllister credits their moves on defence as the catalyst for the offensive push late in the game. He said they stand at 9-2 overall to this point and the hope is this tournament win leads to further defensive development and a greater confidence in their playmaking ability.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Second period troubles lead to Bobcats loss JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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A 10-minute stretch early in the second period cost the Lloydminster Bobcats a chance at back-to-back wins against two of the top teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The Bobcats (7-324) started the Gold Horse family weekend with a hard-fought 4-3 win versus the Brooks Bandits (38-5-1) at the Centennial Civic Centre on Friday night. But they couldn’t sustain the ride due to a couple of calls, missed and made, during the late stages of the first period and opening moments of the second in their Sunday matinee against the Okotoks Oilers (36-6-3) that seemed to get the boys off focus. “We beat Brooks, the No. 1 team in Canada, on Friday and that was the first full 60 we played this year,” said Bobcats right

wing Chad MacLean. “It shows what we’re capable of. But, it’s stretches like (the one against Okotoks) that kill us. That’s part of our game that we need to try and improve on and mentally keep it together.” Louis Jamernik and the Bobcats’ Mack Stewart traded goals in the first 20 minutes. But, with the home side reeling in the middle frame, the Oilers seized the opportunity. Jack Works and Eric Parker scored with 1:10 of each other near the middle of the period and Dylan James added an o ther at th e 13:43 mark. MacLean and Tyson Kowaluk, who took what appeared to be an uncalled Oilers high stick to the mouth in the dying minutes of the first, provided replies but the team ultimately fell short of time in the 5-3 loss. Bobcats defenceman

Jordan Wood, who was acquired from the Oilers a week-and-a-half ago, suffered a deep cut to his forearm after getting tangled up and falling to the ice with an opposition player in the final minute of the first period. He immediately headed to the dressing room and was attended to by Bobcats athletic therapist Hailee Dayman. “It was a great job by Hailee to get in there right away, do what she needed to do from a health perspective and make sure everything was all right,” said Nigel Dube, head coach and general manager of the Bobcats. “He didn’t lose his normal mobility or anything. It’s just he needs some time to heal back up.” MacLean said they could have gotten more pucks on the Oilers net and caused a bit more traffic in front, but oth-

erwise played well for the 50 minutes surrounding the early part of the second. He said that work coupled with their compete level against the Bandits should provide a boost. “Now we have building blocks,” said MacLean. “We don’t have any excuses to lose here in the near future because we beat the best team. So, I think we can put a (winning streak) together.”

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Bobcats assistant captain Ty Mosimann chases down the puck.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

All bundled up and somewhere to go SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS

Last week’s attire included three pairs of socks, two pairs of long johns, four pairs of gloves, a toque, a face

mask, a winter coat and winter boots. So, you know what that means. It’s January on the Prairies and my car has decided to fly south. Despite replacing the battery in March,

a blast of winter air once again strangled my vehicle. I went to start it at the beginning of this past cold snap, after only a couple of 20-below temperature days, and it politely refused. It didn’t give a hiss or a fuss. It just sat there, lips clenched and staring off into the Heavens. I admire its rebuke. Unfortunately, I couldn’t follow suit. According to “An Invitation To Health”, 40 to 80 per cent of those looking to break a bad habit lapse back into it within six weeks. Now, remember this is just a crappy statistic and, considering the wide percentage, should be taken with a grain of salt. So, if you’ve made a New Year resolution to quit a bad habit or start a good one, then stick to it. My resolution has been to get in better shape, although I didn’t think of walk-

ing across town in -40 C weather being the means to do it. I moved the exercise bike out of my bedroom, where it did a great service as a clothes rack, to the living room where I’d have to stare at it. It looks OK just sitting there not moving like my car outside. But, that wasn’t it. I bought a chin-up bar that can be installed between door jams, though that part hasn’t quite been accomplished yet. Apart from the walking, there hasn’t been any actual exercise done. However, dear readers, it’s to be remembered that these things are a process and the most important point is to have a goal. You’re supposed to start slow anyways, right. So, yeah, I’ll consider trekking through snowdrifts as sticking to my resolution. A wise man, Ken

Rutherford, has helped me through the January blahs. He told me to take the battery out of my car, let it warm up in my apartment over-

Raiders VS. Barons

night and attach a charger to it. It worked perfectly. Although, now I don’t have an excuse to avoid the exercise bike.

Holy Rosary High School Raiders (HRHS) junior varsity basketball player Ryan Ocampo, right, and Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) Baron Serg Levya battle in the HRHS tournament on Saturday. The Raiders and Barons will meet against at LCHS on Feb. 25 with the senior boys taking to the court after the match. Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

PAGE 32 Thursday, January 23, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Agriculture

Updated clubroot distribution map released MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Last Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan and SaskCanola released an updated version of the Saskatchewan Clubroot Distribution Map, which outlines the rural municipalities (RMs) where clubroot has been identified. Since 2017, visible symptoms of clubroot have been confirmed in 51 commercial canola fields. This has increased by eight fields since the release of the map in January 2019. In addition, the clubroot pathogen was detected in five fields without visible symptoms in 2019. These results were compiled through ministry surveys or through reports or samples submitted to the ministry

and SaskCanola by producers and agrologists. “Clubroot awareness and management is of increasing importance for the agriculture industry,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “We want to help farmers prevent further spread of the disease. Knowing where clubroot exists in the province helps us do that.” The ministry and SaskCanola offered farmers the opportunity to take home soil testing kits to fill and mail in for testing. There were 180 kits submitted and sent to Discovery Labs, where they were tested for the clubroot pathogen. Of these kits, four returned positive results. Visible symptoms were also known to be present in two of the four fields. Sask-

Canola covered the costs of testing the submitted kits. “The soil testing kits were a big help in determining where in the province clubroot is located, and we’d like to thank all of the producers who took the time to send one in,” SaskCanola Board of Directors Chair Lane Stockbrugger said. “With clubroot’s potential to negatively impact the canola industry, this survey is a very important investment for SaskCanola. By actively participating in submitting soil samples, farmers are helping to ensure a stronger, more resilient sector for everyone.” The ke y t o manag ing clubroot, a declared pest under Saskatchewan’s Pest Control Act, is keeping pathogen lev-

els as low as possible to minimize potential impact on canola yields. A proactive and science-based clubroot management strategy should include the use of clubroot-resistant canola varieties in a minimum three-year rotation. An extended crop rotation helps minimize yield losses while protecting the effectiveness of clubroot-resistant canola varieties. More than 1,700 fields were tested as part of the survey during the summer and fall of 2019. The landowners of all fields with visible clubroot symptoms or the presence of the clubroot pathogen have been contacted. The locations of these fields have also been shared with the appropriate RM office if the RM has

enacted a clubroot-specific bylaw. The ministry is working with RMs and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities to ensure a farmerdriven approach to clubroot management. As part of this approach, the landowners and/or producers of fields with visible clubroot symptoms will be required to develop a clubroot management agreement. This agreement must fit their production

practice and include science-based clubroot management strategies for infected fields. All clubroot-infested fields will be monitored by an appointed Pest Control Officer in subsequent years.

PAGE 33 Thursday, January 23, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Careers

Alberta recognized for progress on red tape MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has upgraded Alberta from an F to a B-minus for its work tackling red tape over the last seven months.

“

I thank the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for recognizing our work to cut the unnecessary red tape that has been affecting the growth of Alberta’s economy.

After three years of failing grades, this is the first year the Alberta government has received a positive grade. The grade coincides with CFIB’s Red Tape Awareness Week, an event dedicated to raising awareness of red tape that impedes businesses and job creators at all three levels of government. “I thank the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for recognizing our work to cut the unnecessary red tape that has been affecting the growth of Alberta’s economy,” said Premier Jason Kenney. “We made a commitment to do this and this grade is evidence that we’re on the right track.” Since the formation of the Associate Ministry of Red Tape Reduction in June 2019, numerous actions have been taken across government to address Alberta’s red tape problems. Moves that have had a direct and positive result on Albertans include:

- Reducing delays for forest management agreements and small-scale and lowimpact hydroelectric developments. - Making it easier to provide consent for organ donation through the online registry. - Reclassifying and harmonizing oil well service rigs - Relaxing alcohol consumption rules for parks, campgrounds and festivals. - Introducing the use of e-transfers and multi-year grant agreements to reduce the administrative burden on non-profits so the y c an fo c us o n delivering programs and services. “For three straight years, the previous government received a failing grade from the CFIB for their inaction on addressing red tape in Alberta. Now, we received a B-minus – our best grade yet,” said Grant Hunter, Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction. “I’m pleased with our progress, but know there is more work to do to make Alberta one of the freest and fastest moving economies in the world.” Last year, the Associate Ministry established industry panels to leverage expert advice from leaders in each sector of Alberta’s economy. Input from Albertans will continue to be sought on our website CutRedTape.Alberta.ca and through engagement with small groups. “The Alberta government has taken quick action on reducing time-consuming, stressful and needless government regulations,” said Laura Jones, executive vicepresident, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “Moving from a fail-

Photo Courtesy of the Government of Alberta Flickr

Premier Jason Kenney and Associate Minister for Red Tape Reduction Grant Hunter receive a B- Grade on the 2020 Red Tape Report Card from CFIB executive vice-president Laura Jones.

ing grade to B- recognizes the government

does believe in the importance of account-

ability and developing a measurement to

quantify Alberta’s regulatory burden.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Sask receives ‘A’ for reducing red tape

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The province has proclaimed January 20 to 24, as Red Tape Awareness Week. The week highlights the importance of government ministries, agencies and Crown corporations’ efforts to reduce red tape and

modernize regulations in order to help businesses grow and be more successful and to encourage further investment in the province’s economy. “The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that reducing red tape and regulatory burdens for our

province’s businesses is imperative for their growth and competitiveness in the economy,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “The province’s Growth Plan has outlined numerous action items that illustrate our government’s commit-

ment to supporting the citizens and businesses of Saskatchewan by reducing red tape.” The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has given the Government of Saskatchewan the highest ‘A’ grade ranking for the second year in a row, in their 2020 national

Red Tape Report Card, for efforts in reducing red tape and modernizing regulations. “We are pleased the Government of Saskatchewan has maintained its ‘A’ grade in 2020,” CFIB VicePresident Western Canada and Agri-business Marilyn BraunPollon said. “The grade is the result of the provincial government exceeding its clear targets for red tape reduction. As of 2018-19, Saskatchewan has publicly reported more than $450 million in cumulative, forecasted red tape savings over the next 10 years. The government’s ‘Help Cut Red Tape’ webpage also continues to be useful at identifying and addressing red tape headaches for entrepreneurs. Clearly, red tape reduction remains a top priority for the Government of Saskatchewan.” During Red Tape Awareness Week, the CFIB hosts a number of activities and events including their annual Golden Scissors Awards to be announced January 23. These awards acknowledge leadership from politicians, public servants, or other Canadians, for their work in cutting red tape and regulatory burdens for business. Harrison is nominated for this year’s awards for creating Saskatchewan’s ‘Help Cut Red Tape’ web page, launched in January 2019. The ‘Help Cut Red Tape’ web page is available to Saskatchewan citizens and businesses to provide feedback on how the province may offer services more effectively and efficiently. Since inception, until the end of 2019, the web page had 2,684 visitors from outside of government and 44 red tape irritants submitted. Nearly all submissions have either been resolved or forwarded to the appropriate Municipal or Federal govern-

ment for consideration. For example, one submission identified the need to streamline the appeal process under the Residential Tenancies Act that affected more than 8,000 appeals per year. This red tape issue is now in the process of being resolved. Action items in the Growth Plan to reduce red tape and regulatory burdens are aimed at encouraging businesses to expand and invest in the province. In addition, the 201819 Regulatory Modernization Annual Report from government identified an achieved forecasted savings of $229.7 million over the next 10 years across government and Crown corporations. Overall, this will contribute to the province’s main goal of increasing jobs by 100,000 and reaching 1.4 million people in population by 2030. Specific red-tape reduction action items outlined in the Growth Plan include: - Appointing a business advisory panel from communities across the province to identify priorities for the Government of Saskatchewan’s Red Tape Reduction Committee; - Address issues identified by individuals and businesses through the ‘Help Cut Red Tape’ web page; - Keeping the province’s finances strong and investing in priorities such as infrastructure and health care, which are areas of concern for small businesses; and - Utilizing the Government of Saskatchewan’s Direct Cost Estimator to make informed decisions. For more information on how to Help Cut Red Tape, visit the web page at http://saskatchewan. ca/help-cut-red-tape. More information on the 2020 Red Tape Awareness Week is a v a i l a b l e a t h t t p s : // www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/ red-tape-awarenessweek.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

PAGE 36 Thursday, January 23, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridiansource.ca

Announcements

Miscellaneous

Classifieds Feed & Seed

Feed & Seed

Services Offered

Blairs.Ag "Pursuit of Excellence" Bull Sale Tuesday, February 4, 1:00 pm at the Jackson Cattle Co. sale facility in Sedley, SK. Featuring 120 Two Year Old Black and Red Angus bulls. For more sale information or a catalogue call Kevin 306-365-7922, Blake 306-528-7484 or T Bar C Cattle Co. at 306220-5006. View the catalogue online at www.buyagro.com (PL #116061)

FARM LAND WANTED

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

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

Agriculture

manufactured homes

Health / Fitness

For Sale

STEEL BUILDING SALE ... "REALLY BIG SALE IS BACK - EXTRA WINTER DISCOUNT ON NOW!" 20X21 $5,929. 25X25 $6,498. 28X31 $7,995. 32X33 $9,994. 35X33 $12,224. One End Wall Included. Pioneer Steel 1855-212-7036 www.pioneersteel.ca

Livestock

Auctions AUCTIONS are our business! Contact Copeland Auctions Ltd. located in Lloydminster, AB for all your auction needs. Call Russ 780-870-1181 or visit our website: www.copelandauctions.co m

Wanted

Advertise your classified in this space.

WILD FUR WANTED: Coyote, fox etc. home: 780-755-3860 cell: 780-842-7153

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

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Obituaries & Memoriams

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

Share your jubilations, love and best wishes in the Meridian Source newspaper.

Call 306-825-5111 To celebrate the happenings in your life.

Local Business Directory

Thursday, January 23, 2020

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HOROSCOPES CAPRICORN

December 22 – January 19 Take some time to recharge your batteries, your body needs a bit of rest. You may also devote your body and soul to the one you love and share exceptional experiences with them.

AQUARIUS

January 20 – February 18 Don’t bury your head in the sand; people will rely on you this week. An active social life starts with planning and organizing among friends.

PISCES

February 19 – March 20 People will be counting on you and you’ll find yourself with a lot on your shoulders. You may need to take a step back in order to get things done.

ARIES

March 21– April 19 In order to make your dream vacation possible, you need to be determined and organized. A few changes will be necessary in order to achieve your goals and live according to your principles.

TAURUS

April 20 – May 20 You’ll be preoccupied by a difficult situation, but it’s important to put your priorities first. A flash of inspiration will allow you to create a masterpiece.

GEMINI

May 21 – June 21 At times you go with the flow and at others, you’re uncompromising. Even if people don’t always know what to expect from you, they know they can trust you.

CANCER

June 22 – July 22 A clean up at home or at work allows you to see things in a different light. Get some rest to avoid getting sick.

LEO July 23 – August 22 You’ll act heroically and be a great help to someone in distress. They’ll be forever grateful to you, even if all you did was lend an ear.

VIRGO

August 23 – September 22 You’ll spend lots of time at home; more than one of your children will need your attention. One way or another, you’ll look after a family member.

LIBRA

September 23 – October 22 You’ll witness a strange situation. Talk to those closest to you, they may be able to demystify things for you. A friend will confide in you.

CROSSWORD

SCORPIO

October 23 – November 21 You’ll feel the need to redecorate or at least move the furniture around. If you’re feeling confined at home, you may start to think about buying a house and moving.

SAGITTARIUS

January 16 Answers

November 22 – December 21 The planets are in the right position: it’s time to take action. You won’t hesitate to make the right decisions. Something you post on social media may go viral.

SUDOKU January 16 Answers

ACROSS 1. Ship’s pole 5. Society woman 8. Grating 12. Canyon’s answer 13. Affirmative 14. Hard to come by 15. Auto safety device 17. Freshly 18. Common flower 19. Herringlike fish 21. Prune 23. Explodes 27. Quilting party 29. Trendy 31. Gold purity measure 32. Sound receivers

34. Public transport 36. Certain parasites 37. Precincts 39. Lump 41. At once 42. Panties 44. Phonograph record 46. Floral necklaces 48. Friend, in Barcelona 51. Preposition 54. Spread rumors 56. Stadium part 57. Preschool downtime 58. Fat 59. Health clubs 60. Blue above 61. Shady trees

DOWN 1. Tableland 2. Poker holdings 3. Smashed 4. Carrier 5. Tinting agent 6. Electric swimmers 7. Scrub 8. Happening bit by bit 9. Managed 10. Anger 11. Morning drops 16. Upper edge 20. Big boat 22. Riotous crowd 24. Foremost 25. Mexican dish

26. Hearty soup 27. Suitor 28. Make money 30. Used a shovel 33. Mariners 35. Lay lawn 38. Look at 40. Inclination 43. Road markers 45. Grin 47. Drench 49. Wheat ____ 50. Evens’ opposites 51. That thing’s 52. Puppy’s bite 53. Brewed beverage 55. Agent 007, e.g.

May you touch dragonflies & stars, dance with fairies & talk to the moon. Meridian Source’s Birth Announcements If you wish to have your baby’s birth announcement published in our May you grow up with love & gracious hearts & people who care. Thursday edition of the Meridian Source FREE OF CHARGE, please come in and fill out a form or email admin@meridiansource.ca Welcome to the world little one. It’s been waiting for you! Deadline is Tuesday at noon for the Thursday edition.

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Thursday, January 23, 2020

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