Meridian Source - January 2, 2020 by Meridian Source

Thursday, January 2, 2020

VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 27

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Seniors value allies for ambulance services GEOFF LEE WRITER

.................................. The Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society expects to make more progress in 2020 on increasing ambulance services in the Border City. Their optimism stems from their final meeting in 2019 with Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young, Wainwright-Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Garth Rowswell and Lloydminster mayor Gerald Aalbers providing updates at the Legacy Centre. “We are pleased to see that we have our MLAs and our mayor working very hard on this issue,” said Graham Brown, president of the seniors’ advocacy group, at the late December meeting “We do have good communication and co-operation among all three. What we hear from the mayor today is that he is pushing hard on it.” Brown says the city has been promised two full time ambulances with advance life support or ALS paramedic services provided by WPD Ambulance, but that hasn’t materialized. “We have one and sometimes two. We’re looking that we need at least two full time.We need to expand the ambulance service,” he said. Aalbers had represented

the Border City at a fall ambulance conference in Saskatoon and reported delegates offered more than 600 suggestions for improving service in the province. “From our perspective, it’s ensuring that there’s good communication all the way around from ambulances to the health care professionals here in town, to the ambulances going into the big cities,” said Aalbers. He says one of the continuing challenges is being a border city with two sets of operating protocols from colleges of physicians and government health authorities — the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and Alberta Health Services (AHS) providing services. “It makes it very challenging, but we’ll try to rise up and find a solution that’s the best for the community we can,” said Aalbers. He says the goal is to ensure there is a reasonable number of ambulances in the city with that number to be determined by working with respective health services and a contractor. “Will we get it solved in 2020? I’d like to say we will. If we don’t, we’re going to keep hammering away in 2021.” Brown says it’s encouraging to know the the Memo-

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Graham Brown, left, president of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society, is optimistic increased ambulance service will come to the Border City in 2020. His hopes are based on reports from Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young, mayor Gerald Aalbers and Wainwright-VermilionLloydminster MLA Garth Rowswell at the final meeting of 2019 at the Legacy Centre.

randum of Understanding on how AHS and SHA operate EMS services in Lloydminster is also being renegotiated. “There seems to be a lot of discussions with the ministers and assistant deputy ministers. Hopefully we’ll be able to start moving some of these issues forward together,” he said. Colleen Young noted there are still some issues in regards to recruitment of paramedics for Lloydminster. “There are still more issues between the private operator (WPD) and the government on the contract that’s in place and those are being worked

on,” said Young. She noted those issues include wage disparity and workload for part-time vs full-time employees. Young says until SHA and the ambulance resolve issues around protocol and work/ life balance with EMS personnel, they can’t determine what ambulance services under two contracts or one contract would look like in the Border City. She is optimistic the yardsticks will move quickly in 2020. “I think we have some conversations going on between the minister of Rural and Remote Health in Saskatch-

ewan as well as the minister of Health in Alberta,” said Young. Rowswell is also trying to make the EMS issue in Lloydminster an action item for AHS in 2020. “I think the ministry (AHS) is aware of the problem. I’ve expressed it to them,” said Rowswell. “I’m trying to get fully informed and see where the roadblocks are and get them taken down.” Rowswell says the issue in his mind is it appears like Lloydminster doesn’t have an appropriate number of ambulances. “I’ve been making the minister aware of that and trying to get them to act on it,” he said. He is also hoping there can be a legislative change in Alberta to expand Connect Care for sharing health information across the border. “We also need legislation from Saskatchewan to do it reciprocally as well so what I’m trying to get is when and where is this legislation going to be dealt with,” said Rowswell. “I’m going to aim for this spring and if I get commitment that way then I’m going to be talking to Colleen (Young) to say ‘is there anything you can do on your end’ to make it reciprocal.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Lloyd MX named Club of the Year

Lloydminster Motocross Club winners, from left, Ethan Lorenz (most sportsmanlike), Dion Forget (most improved), Keagan Nasby (rookie of the year), Brendan McKee (high point male) and Abby Bergquist (high point female) show off their hardware. The Lloyd MX Club enjoyed a banner season capped with the honour of being named Club of the Year at the Saskatchewan Motosport Association (SMA) banquet. Brendan and Ethan McKee cleaned up at the 2019 SMA banquet with the latter taking first place in the three classes he rode, the Barker award given to a pro or intermediate rider with the most points and the Most Sportsmanlike Large Wheel award. Ethan also captured first in his classes, picked up the Dedication and Desire award and brought home the Most Sportsmanlike Small Wheel prize. Submitted

Alta-Sask taxes to hit pocketbooks Taxpayers in Alberta and Saskatchewan will pay more in provincial taxes in 2020, but those earning under $200,000 will have more money in their pockets from all tax changes. Those are some of the findings from the release of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s (CTF) annual New Year’s Tax Changes report—noting the impact of bracket creep in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Bracket creep is due to both provinces not indexing their tax brackets to inflation which can bump a salary hike into a higher tax rate. That could cost a two-income household in Alberta between $70 and $222 in 2020, depending on income level. Bracket creep was introduced in the 2019 Alberta Budget and in Saskatchewan’s 2017-18 budget. Provincial taxes in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are also rising from bracket creep. The CTF report includes the tax changes from employment income taxes, including Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), health taxes, federal income taxes and provincial income taxes. To show how the tax changes

affect different taxpayers, the report looks at eight income levels from $30,000 to $200,000, and compares inflation adjusted taxes from 2019 and 2020. The most significant change in 2020 is the increase in the federal basic personal amount from $12,069 to $13,229. This tax credit will increase over the next four years until it reaches $15,000 in 2023. In 2020, this change will reduce federal income taxes by $138 everywhere except Quebec. The benefit from this cut will be reduced for taxpayers with incomes over $150,473 and is reduced to zero for taxpayers with incomes over $214,368. The CPP tax rate is increasing by 0.15 percent for 2020, after increasing by the same amount in 2019. This will cost taxpayers up to $97 in increased CPP tax, however the total tax cost is a bit less after accounting for the tax deductibility of the increased CPP tax. For a person making $60,000, the net cost of the increase is around $70, but varies depending on the province. An EI rate decrease for 2020 will save workers outside of Quebec up to $20. The tax rate is being lowered from 1.62 to

1.58 percent, because of a rate setting mechanism that is meant to ensure the tax collected is equal to benefits paid out. Carbon tax Jan. 1 Motorists in the Border City could pay more at the pumps this week. Both sides of the Border City have been under the umbrella of the federal carbon tax in Saskatchewan that came into effect a year ago on Jan. 1, 2019. A federal carbon tax increase from $20 to $30 per tonne of carbon equivalent including Saskatchewan went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The federal carbon tax in Alberta, in effect since Jan. 1, starts at $20 per tonne and increases to $30 in April 2020. For drivers in Alberta that will mean paying around seven cents more per litre of regular gasoline and just over eight cents for diesel. This will also mean a tax tacked onto home heating bills for those who use natural gas. The federal government will issue rebates directly to Canadians to help offset the prices of the carbon tax. The federal tax will rise to $50 per tonne by 2022.

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Thursday, January 2, 2020

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Lakeland has safe spaces for LGBTQ+ A visual representation of support for individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) are in various areas of Lakeland College. Marked around the Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses are rainbow-hued Safe Space stickers, a design approved by the college student body, that share a message of safety and inclusivity to LGBTQ+ students, staff and community members. “We want to identify safe places on both campuses where students can approach and talk to individuals without judgement,” said Chantel Walker, a counsellor for Lakeland’s student and aca-

demic services and past LGBTQ+ Committee chair. “Taking this action is aligning the college’s policies and procedures with human rights legislation and with other post-secondary institutions. Schools have a responsibility to create an inclusive environment for all students.” The Safe Space stickers also identify college faculty and staff who attended a Safe Space workshop in June. The college invited Tim Ira, student diversity and inclusion coordinator from NAIT, and William Yap, a fourth-year business degree student, to host the session. “Just because you don’t have a Safe Space sticker doesn’t mean you aren’t a safe space,”

said Walker. “Those with stickers have taken training to understand some of the stereotypes, myths, statistics for LGBTQ+ persons and best practices on how to create a welcoming environment for all.” The Safe Space init i a t i ve w a s l a u n c h e d approximately two years ago by Lakeland’s LGBTQ + Committee. This cross-functional committee, with representation from both campuses, includes faculty, administration and students, was created to investigate ways to improve inclusivity at Lakeland. Other initiatives to come out of the committee include Lakeland’s Pride Awareness Week, which was attended by more than 200 students, gender-

neutral washrooms, coming-out events and education initiatives for staff and students. The committee also reviews and updates policies with gender neutral language, and research into gender neutral change rooms and housing. While everyone deserves a safe space, added Walker, the purpose of the stickers is to raise awareness for the most at-risk populations for mental health distress. “We’re a college,” said Walker. “It’s our job to educate people. We need to take the lead in our communities and set an example. All people regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender, race or religion must be treated with respect.”

Preparing for the Winter Games

The Lloydminster Border Blades speedskating club will be sending 12 athletes to the Alberta Winter Games in Airdrie from Feb. 14 to 17. Representing Zone 7 are: Danika Baert, Samantha Lothrop, Jayva Andersen, Kaylee Kisser, Emily Johal, Spencer Stephens, Leland Lopez, Donovan Swanky, Gabe Wennekamp, Lance Gueverra, Ashford Stephens and Zachary Newton. The 2020 Alberta Winter Games speedskating competition will take place on the Olympic Oval in Calgary meaning the kids need to practise outdoors on the Lloydminster Oval to prepare. Practices started over the Christmas break and will continue twice a week, regardless of weather, in addition to the team’s regular indoor short track skates. Submitted

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Thursday, January 2, 2020

Bobcats right wing Mack Stewart drives past a Pontiacs defender.

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Bobcats fall short against Pontiacs JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The year 2019 has kicked the Lloydminster Bobcats in the pants for the last time. It recruited the Bonnyville Pontiacs for the task this go around and the rival ‘Yaks (2610-2) embraced the challenge beating the Bobcats 5-2 in front of a split-crowd of each team’s supporters at the Centennial Civic Centre on Monday night. An inert power play also contributed to the home side’s woes with the Bobcats (6-28-3) squandering five second-period chances with the man advantage that stretched into the opening 3:15 of the third. Nigel Dube, head coach and general manager of the Bobcats, said they created a few opportunities on

goal-mouth plays and pucks around the blue paint in the middle frame only to fall short of lighting the lamp. He said that led to the guys gripping the sticks and trying to force plays in the final 20, which ended up pushing them the wrong way. “We got one powerplay goal (late in the third) and gave up one shorthanded, which counts for two against,” said Dube. “It’s something we’ve got to clean up. Especially coming off a break, we’ve got to make sure we fine tune it and get back at it.” The Pontiacs’ Lucas Thorne and Daine Dubois tallied the only markers of an evenly played first period. Bobcats defenceman Tyson Kowaluk brought the score to within one halfway through the second on

a blast from the circle, but Reilly Connors restored the two-goal advantage late. Thomas Kramer recorded the backbreaker 15 minutes into the third corralling a Josh Diaz clearing attempt near the point and firing the puck into an open cage before the tender could regain his crease. Bobcats right wing Mack Stewart got that one back 18 seconds later poking through a Chance Adrian rebound in front. Dube said the 43 shots they generated on the Pontiacs net

shows that the boys competed, but there is still a need to get the puck home when it’s lying near the crease. He said they have to keep pushing, put in the work and contribute everyday as teammates to get it done. “You’re lucky to score three-plus goals a game,” he said. “We have to create (to get) that and find ways to put those behind them. The posts and shinpads don’t count for anything. So, it’s finding ways to continue getting offence and adding our D into the occasion.”

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Thursday, January 2, 2020

Source Sports 2019 Top 10

Lloydminster Liners U14 the best on championship Sunday JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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Taking a swig out of the MacLean-Ross Cup seemed tempting to

Lloydminster under14 Liners pitcher Sarah Minish, but studying for the next day’s math exam rightly took

precedence. Minish shut out the top-ranked St. Albert Angels through the opening four innings of the Girls Prairie League Softball (GPLS) MacLean-Ross Cup championship at Legion Ball Park on June 23. Reliever Briza Zacharias then held the fort during the last three frames allowing the Liners to walk away with a hard-fought 3-1 win and well-deserved GPLS title. “These girls played unbelievable,” said Liners head coach Dustin Orr. “They played to their capabilities. When we put this team together, this is what we envisioned. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I couldn’t be prouder of these girls than I am today.”

Liners right fielder Chloe Dorchak led the charge by driving an Isabella Pankiw pitch into centre field for a single during the game’s opening at-bat. Third baseman Shaye Thompson brought Dorchak home for the early 1-0 lead shortly after on a double to right field. Minish hit the eventual game-winning RBI in the cleanup spot by lining a Pankiw throw just off the first baseman’s glove to bring home Thompson. She then induced two harmless grounders and a fly ball to centre field to retire the side in the bottom of the first inning. “From the last game we were still pumped up and ready to go,” said Zacharias. “We

just wanted it so bad that we just jumped into it to start it off.” A pitcher’s duel broke out during the second to fourth innings with the Angels finally getting on the board in the bottom of the fifth on a single to left field by Brielle Lajoie that scored Lexie Brian. Liners first baseman Lylee Orr got the run back in the top of the seventh plating Avery Somers with a hit down the middle. Minish, now playing shortstop, connected with Lylee to get the first out in the bottom of that final frame, while Thompson in her new spot behind the plate threw out Brian’s steal attempt for the second. Zacharias struck out Angles pinch hitter Kaylee Schlesiger

to end the game. The Liners (6-9 through the GPLS season) entered Sunday’s action needing backto-back wins against the Red Deer Rage (105) and Calgary Kaizen (11-4), which beat them 12-5 on Saturday afternoon, just to make the final. With their backs against the wall, the girls bested the Rage 11-9 and the Kaizen 9-7 to earn a shot against the Angels (13-1). “We were feeling hyped up from our first win on Saturday,” said Minish, who headed straight home after the championship to study for that math exam. “I think that’s what motivated us to get the three wins today.”

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

The Lloydminster U14 Liners, with Rose Rusteika, Emily Hourie, Shaye Thompson, Hannah Barnes, Olivia Medernach, Chloe Dorchak, Lylee Orr, Briza Zacharias, Kenlee Hines, Avery Somers, Sarah Minish, Jayva Andersen, coach Dustin Orr, coach Evan Zacharias, coach Sheldon Minish and manager Cara Zacharias, won the GPLS MacLean-Ross Cup at Legion Ball Park on June 23.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Submitted

The Lloydminster PWM midget AAA Steelers won a bronze medal at the Alberta Female Hockey League championships in St. Albert in late March.

PWM Steelers win provincial bronze JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Lloydminster PWM midget AAA Steelers enjoyed a bittersweet ending to a historic season. The Steelers captured a bronze medal at the Alberta Female Hockey League championships in St. Albert in late March. The girls dropped their opening match 3-2 to the Calgary Fire, rebounded with a 4-1 win against the Red Deer Chiefs, fell again to the host Slash 4-1 and finally held on for a 2-1 victory versus the Chiefs in the threefour game. “We weren’t going to take fourth,” said Steelers goalie Bella McKee. “We wanted to medal and even though it wasn’t gold, we weren’t going to turtle, not play and just lay an egg. We wanted to win. We had a big game out there. We definitely didn’t want to lose against the Chiefs. So, it was nice to get that bronze.” Steelers forward Jadynn Mor-

den staked her team to a 2-0 lead in the first period, but a series of penalty calls against helped the Chiefs get back into the play. McKee and the kill held strong through a lengthy disadvantage at the start of the middle frame only to give one up during a five-on-three in the opening moments of the third. “They pressed harder especially once they scored,” said McKee. “They were desperate and ready to score again, but we didn’t back off. That was nice. We kept playing our game.” Payton Laumbach, an assistant captain for the Steelers, said bronze might not have been the colour they aimed for, but it still means a lot to each of the players and to the program. She said they left everything on the ice against the Chiefs to come home with a provincial medal. “There was no way that we were backing down from this just because we didn’t end

up with the one we wanted or were playing for the one we wanted,” said Laumbach, who lines up on left wing for the Steelers. “It still means a lot for our program to even get a medal. We were the first 20 players to ever medal.” McKee said the weekend marked the final time eight Steelers, herself included, would step onto the ice in their minor hockey careers. She said they knew this past season would feature a series of towns and arenas that wouldn’t be a part of their future, so they’re proud to have provided a bit of history along the way. “I wanted to leave with an Esso Cup and that didn’t turn out, so to get the bronze was nice,” said McKee. “To know I’m leaving a legacy in Lloyd is a huge thing. I think the Steelers program is growing and it’s going to leave its mark in a couple of years.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Two-sport athlete wins Canada Games gold JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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Branden Troutman has pledged to put school before sport during the next few weeks. The MacEwan University open studies student needs the catch-up time after spending the past eight to nine months travelling across the globe for practices and game action as a Canadian wheelchair rugby team starter. Despite that busy schedule, he did find a bit of time to capture a Canada Games gold medal as part of the Alberta wheelchair basketball team. Troutman, a Lloydminster Comprehensive High School graduate, said the sport of wheelchair basketball

has jumped in and out of his life during the last four or five years, but he decided to take it a tad more seriously over the past little while knowing the chance of winning a national gold in his home province was coming up. He said Team Alberta had a target on their backs having won a junior nationals title in Montreal last year, which made their ability to come out on top at the Red Deer Canada Games on Feb. 21 that much more incredible. “The stands were loaded and everybody was really into it,” said Troutman, 20, noting 4,800 people crammed

into the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre for their gold medal final against Team Ontario.

“

It was tough to stay focused a lot of the time because the crowds were so awesome. They were so loud and cheering you on. It’s your home town right, so you’ve got all your family and friends around.

“For some of the people out there it was their first time watch-

ing wheelchair basketball and I think they had a nice game to watch. The gold medal game was a three-point match and it was tight.” The see-saw battle between Alberta and Ontario went the latter’s way through the opening frame only to fall back into the former’s hands by the half and after three quarters. However, Team Ontario fought back in the fourth to pull close late only to come up short by a 51-48 score. “There was a lot of pressure on us to try and win,” Troutman added. “Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, especially, played really well against us. It was just tough to stay focused a lot of the time because the crowds were so awesome. They were so loud and cheering y ou on. It ’s y o u r home town right, so you’ve got all your family and friends around. It was just a great experience.” Troutman didn’t have much time to savour the championship having to fly to Leicester, U.K., for competition with the Canadian wheelchair rugby team at the King Power Quad Nations tournament as soon as the Canada Games basketball final wrapped. From there, he flew to Vancouver for a two-week national rugby camp before finally heading back to school in Edmonton this week to complete the academic year. “I’m taking two

Submitted

Lloydminster’s Branden Troutman captured a gold medal with the Team Alberta wheelchair basketball team at the Canada Games in Red Deer.

online courses right now and two in-class,” he said. “In-class are a little bit tougher, of course I’m missing a lot of school, but I’m trying to keep up the best I can.” Regular monthly travel to Vancouver and Toronto for national rugby camps has become a part of everyday life, noted Troutman, but the gains made proves the trek worthwhile. Troutman earned a starter’s job with the Canadian wheelchair

rugby team at a tournament in Australia last summer and regularly plays 35 minutes a game this season. “We have tournaments all over the world,” said Troutman, noting the hope is his exams will be over in time for their next challenge at Denmark during the middle of April. “Other teams love inviting Canada. We’re great competition and great people to have around. We’re very respectful and I think the rest of the world knows it.”

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Steelers running back Byford Mason spots a Guard Dogs defender heading his way.

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Steelers earn first victory of the season JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Lloydminster peewee Steelers are coming into Rod Kirby Day on a roll. The Steelers earned a

hard-fought 32-18 road win against the Wainwright Guard Dogs at Encompass Credit Union Field on Sept. 22. The victory marked the Steelers first in at

least a season-and-ahalf. “Just winning this game, everybody is happy,” said Steelers second-year centre Jackson Lovett. “The

coaches are happy. The parents are happy. Some of the second and third-year parents never experienced winning a game. It’s fun for them too.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Paul Amundrud, head coach of the Steelers and president of the Lloydminster Minor Football Association, said Rod Kirby Day brings the players, their families and fans together for a celebration of the sport. He said minor football serves its community as it gives the participating kids a place to exercise, play, socialize and learn valuable life lessons. “Football teaches the kids about teamwork,” said Amundrud. “We put an effort into everything we do out there and the kids see positive results about how that continues on.” Amundrud said minor football saw a steady increase in participation numbers between its start 12 years ago for peewee and 14 seasons past with bantam to the recent downturn in the economy. He said the Catholic and public school divisions have since initiated flag football programs geared toward getting younger chil-

dren engaged with the game leading to another wave of interest. “It doesn’t matter what size you are, there is a spot for you on the field,” he said. “You could be the biggest kid in your school. You can be the smallest kid. We tend to line you up size on size and as the kids grow they move positions quite a bit, so it doesn’t really matter how big or small you are. There is always a spot for you.” Lovett said minor football presented an opportunity to get in shape while also experiencing what it’s like to be a team leader. He said practices and battling in games can be hard, but the rewards are something to saviour. “There are some times when I want to quit,” said Lovett. “But, football has also been one of the greatest sports I’ve played. It’s just enthusiastic. And, it feels good to finally win a game.”

PAGE 10 Thursday, January 2, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

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2017

Roughing it on the Prairies SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS

I love where we are. I love the freedom that we enjoy. With the exception of six-toseven months of bitterly cold winter days, where would you want to live other than along the border of northern Alberta and Saskatchewan? Happy New Year Lloydminster. And, despite being a little bit belated, Merry Christmas too. I sprout a facial tick when discussing the wonderful winters we enjoy, but, really, don’t we all. It’s usually 40 below and snowing and the only thing we want to do is get outside… except it’s 40 below and snowing. I love Canada and its people’s hardiness through these trying times. We’re not perfect, but if cli-

mate change brings a new ice age then we’re at least ahead of the curve. I’ve never swam in the ocean and I doubt I’ll get an opportunity during the next couple of months. I’ve also never braved a hurricane, but the people I know from warmer climes who have seem to be a pretty solid bunch as well. Just to give you an example of what I mean, I refer to a nice island lady who I met in a small prairie town diner. She recently immigrated to Canada from her Central American island paradise in search of greater employment opportunities. The wife and mother wasn’t very chatty with me at the beginning, but I determined that if I used my well-honed skills as a reporter that I could at least get to know a bit of her story. In stopping by for my daily coffee, and occasional pastry, I determined she wasn’t very fond of Canadian winters, was

trying to raise a small family on even-smaller wages and was one of the bravest and nicest people I’ve ever met. Her eyes twinkled when she spoke of her island only to turn fierce when describing the errors made by its government toward providing greater prosperity for its people. She cast them down in thought and fidgeted nervously when trying to express her thoughts in English. I asked how she could leave the life she’d always known for something as different as a Prairie winter. Her answer, overall, was to gain the chance to earn a more prosperous career, while also giving her loved ones more opportunities. There are an incredible amount of people from all cultures, climates and countries roughing it out in the Prairies that we can point to with a sense of pride. Our winters may be harsh, but where else could anyone truly want to live?

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

Thursday, January 2, 2020

The Lloydminster Border Kings’ families gathered together for the 50th reunion of their run to the Canadian championship series on June 1.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Renewing lifelong hockey friendships JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The ties that bind a hockey team and their families together can never be broken. Around 30 members of the Lloydminster Border Kings family gathered at Vic and Lynne Smith’s farm on June 1 for the 50th reunion of the team’s run to the Canadian championship series. These players, wives and their children travelled to Lloydminster from homes now spread across Western Canada to reminisce about that special 1968-69 season as well as the many experiences, good and bad, which connects them. Lynda Clements, whose husband Gary played defence for the Border Kings from the fall of 1966 to the spring of 1974, said they joined the team as a young couple struggling to build a life for their two little boys. She said the games gave them an opportunity to meet other members of the community, while the fellowship built between contests provided a friendly and fun loving beginning to their adult lives. “It felt like a family,” said Clements. “We had lots of hard times and lots of good times and we stuck together. It was a neat experience being with that many people

who you’ve never known before. We’d just moved to Lloydminster and we were with them for eight years. Our kids started school and everything. They were together with the other players’ children and they grew up with them.” The Border Kings entered the Western Saskatchewan Intermediate “A” Hockey League (WSIHL) in 196869 after a year of playing exhibition games due to the demise of their longtime Alberta-based division. The team won the inaugural league championship against Kindersley, beat High Prairie for the Alberta title, displaced Powell River in the Alberta-B.C. series and won their second Western Canadian title in three years with a victory over Fort Francis, Ont. Due to an uncoordinated Eastern title series coupled with an Air Canada strike, the Border Kings had to wait 19 days without having ice to practise on, as the Centennial Civic Centre had already removed theirs, before starting the Canadian championship series in La Tuque, Que. The boys dropped three straight and the series in the Quebec pulp and paper town, but the times had during that spring provided lifelong memories. “I was fortunate, I think, to make the team,” said left wing Jim MacLean. “It wasn’t like I was a star

Submitted

The Lloydminster Border Kings, with back row from left, Al Moan, Bill Armstrong, Garry Checknita, Owen Rogers, Frank Mapletoft, Frank Roggeveen, Jim MacLean, Dave Boyer, Gary Clements, John Glass, Larry Nordquist; front row, Cliff Galloway, Gordon Smith, Vic Smith, Ken Prior, Jim Fleming, Henry Hodgson and Al Butt, pose with the Western Canadian Championship trophy after beating Fort Francis, Ont., in the spring of 1969.

hockey player or anything like that. And the Canadian championships in my first year of senior hockey, so to speak, was obviously an opportunity that not everyone gets.” MacLean, who grew up in Hazeldine, Alb., travelled to Lloydminster for the Border Kings 50th reunion from his home on Vancouver Island. He noted playing that rookie season of senior hockey helped lead him into continuing with athletics as a physical education teacher in Vermilion followed by a coaching career with the Concordia University Thunder hockey team. “Everybody has differ-

ent experiences,” he said. “As a 19-year-old kid from rural Alberta, to go to all the places we went with that hockey team and to have the chance to experience (that playoff run) was pretty significant.” Bill Armstrong, who lined up alongside MacLean on the Border Kings blue line, said fellow defenceman Al Butt proposed the idea of holding a 50-year reunion, while centre Vic Smith and his wife Lynne offered their yard as its destination. He said it took a bit of time to find phone numbers and email addresses for the surviving players, but that just makes it more special to

finally get back together and renew those friendships. “We were a family,” said Armstrong. “To be successful we had to not only play with each other but for each other. We had some pretty tough struggles and it just bonds you together as a result. If we got whacked and knocked out of a competition in the first round we wouldn’t have gotten the experiences that we did. We were successful right through to the Canadian championship, which were many series of hockey. I think that put us closer together. We had some great experiences and some great successes.”

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Thursday, January 2, 2020

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

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 780-8710513. 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. EVERY TUESDAY — SENIORS MEET The Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society meets at the Legacy Centre from noon - 1:30 p.m. Lunch is available for $8. Please reserve before Tuesday morning at 780-875-4584. Everyone welcome. EVERY WEDNESDAY — CRAFTERNOON Join Midwest Family Connections at the lower level of Prairie North Plaza and bring your budding artist to explore and create with materials in the craft centre. EVERY TUESDAY & SATURDAY — FARMER’S MARKET

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

Downtown Farmer’s Market at the Fred North Community Centre (5002 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster) from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Tues) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sat) We’re on Facebook. JAN. 8 – CHILDREN’S GRIEF SUPPORT Walking Through Grief Society is offering children’s grief support, Hope After Loss- Audra’s Legacy. Sessions for 10 weeks will begin Jan. 8 Lloydminster, Mid West Family Connections Tuesday 6:30-8 p.m. and Vermilion Monday 6:30-8 p.m. or Tues. 4-5:30 at J.R Robson school. Pre Registration necessary. Registration deadline Dec. 14. Registration cost $20. individual or family subsidy available. To register contact 780-8462576 or 780-871-1750. JAN. 9 – FUN WITH NUMBERS Lloydminster Learning Council will be offering Fun With Numbers, Jan. 9 - Feb. 13, 2020, Families come together once a week for 6 weeks. A program for parents/caregivers of children (4-6 years) which uses stories, games and rhymes to develop numeracy skills in a fun and meaningful way. Free Call 780-875-5763 to register for classes. JAN. 16-19 – HOCKEY DAY IN SASKATCHEWAN The Hockey Day in Saskatchewan event at Hillmond begins on Jan. 16 with a sledge hockey demonstration for Hillmond Central School students followed by a celebrity hockey game at the Redden Arena featuring Wade Redden and friends. On Jan. 17 a banquet showcasing special guests Redden, Tom Renney and Marty McSorley will take place at

An Indie bear thank you

Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster would like to thank local Calendar Club operator Arne Baron for donating Indie bears to the agency before Christmas. The Calendar Club customers donated over 1,200 bears to charities in and around the Border City. Building on the initial grass roots response established in earlier years, Calendar Club’s Indie is the company’s eighth generation bear. The first bear, named Austin, was offered to customers in 2011. The Barton bear, in 2012, was so well received by people wanting to donate him locally that stores from coast to coast to coast set up donation boxes and chose a community organization charity to support. In the years since, tens of thousands of bears named Charlie, Dylan, Eddie, Finnegan, Gus and Harold have found their way to new appreciative homes. Submitted

the Lloydminster Stockade. A cabaret will follow with performances by Jordyn Pollard and the Dirt Rich Band. Three games featuring the North Battleford midget AAA male and female teams as well as the junior A Battlefords North Stars take over the Redden Arena on Jan. 18. The final day of festivities on Jan. 19 includes a lineup of minor hockey games at Redden Arena. For tickets, visit Paradise Hill Farm Supply, Olive & Birch, Kat Salon, Relay Distributing or any arena board members. JAN. 17 – FREE LEGAL CLINIC FREE Legal Advice Clinics by Community Legal Clinic, 4419-52 Avenue, Lloydminster, Jan. 17, March 21, May 16, July 18, Aug. 15, Oct.17 and Dec. 19, 2019. Call 1-587-789-0727 for eligibility and bookings. Watch our Facebook page.

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. 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, 6:30-8:30 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., Fe e : $ 125 .0 0 , Ca l l 780-875-5763 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

Thursday, January 2, 2020

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Lloydminster product named Canada’s best defenceman JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) presents the Top Defenceman Award to a player in recognition for their efforts during the season, but it’s a strong next campaign that this year’s recipient is keeping his eyes on. T.J. Lloyd, captain of the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints, captured the nation’s defenceman of the year award in early May. The 19-year-old Lloydminster product earned the honour through a balloting and voting process completed by each of the CJHL’s 10-member leagues. Lloyd, who also won the AJHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman award, recorded a career-high 11 goals and 45 points in 53 games for the Saints in 2018-19. He also capt a i ne d T e a m C a n a d a West to a bronze medal victory at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge this past fall. Being able to help with breakouts and moving pucks up the ice have always been a big part of his game, said Lloyd, but a chance to add some leadership to the Saints as a third-year AJHL player also came into play this past season. He said then getting rewarded with a few points along the way can be attributed to the guidance of the Saints coaching staff and the help of a few Border City instructors. “Kyle Tapp with IHD, he does a great job with skill development,” said Lloyd. “Also Cujo Conditioning, (they) help a bunch with offseason training and get guys feeling really ready for the season. I’ve got to give credit to those local guys who I think have helped me a ton over my career.” Lloyd’s many accomplishments as a junior hockey player include a World Junior A Challenge gold medal in 2017, an AJHL championship with the Saints during the spring of

2018 and twice being named to the AJHL North All-Star team. He will suit up for the Bowling Green State University Falcons in 2019-20 on a NCAA Division 1 scholarship. A bit of early off-season rest is the focus right now, but Lloyd noted it won’t be long before he’s back in the gym and on the ice. He added the plan is to head down to Bowling Green around the middle of August to start training with the Falcons in preparation for an early-season tournament that a familiar on-ice adversary will also be playing in. “RIT is one of the first games we have this year,” he said. “So, that will be cool to suit up against Kobe (Walker). Then right after that,

the next week, I play against two of my former teammates from Spruce Grove. They played in the Lloydminster rinks, Parker Saretsky and Logan Ganie, and they’re at Michigan Tech.” Lloyd said winning the CJHL Top Defenceman Award is a great accomplishment and he’s very fortunate to have had an incredible group of friends to play with these last three years. He said junior hockey has left him with many wonderful memories, but staying focused on the future is his priority. “I’ve got to get ready for college,” said Lloyd. “Guys are going to be bigger and stronger. I have to enjoy my summer and living at home, but definitely I need to have a hard-working off-season.”

Submitted

T.J. Lloyd, right, captured the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s Top Defenceman Award in early May.

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Thursday, January 2, 2020

Riding to end Multiple Sclerosis JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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A local cyclist realized his limit and then pushed past it to support others in need. Donovan Swanky, 12, completed an 89-kilometre trek from Leduc to Camrose during the 30th annual MS (Multiple Sclerosis) bike ride on June 22. The about-to-be Grade 7 student at Father Gorman School raised over $2,000 for MS research in the process while also showing support for a family member who suffers from the disease and his loved ones who dedicate their time to the cause. “Last year was the first time that I got to see my grandpa do

it,” said Swanky, who was accompanied on the ride by his grandfather Ian Scott and aunt Nikki Scott. “So, I decided that, hey, I might as well do it.” Swanky’s grandfather and aunt have been completing the ride for the past four and five years, respectively, in support of Ian’s brother Colin who battles MS. This June marked Swanky’s first time taking part. It began with a Dec. 1 pledge to raise $1,000 for MS research, which Swanky accomplished by Christmas and doubled by the ride thanks to the support of Father Gorman Community School teachers and family friends. He started to physi-

cally get ready around New Years first at home on an indoor trainer before taking the bike outside for 15, 20 and finally 40-kilometre practice runs.

“

I raised a lot of money to support MS research and I completed an 89-kilometre bike ride at the age of 12. I would like to do it again next year.

The work helped get him through to the first checkpoint, noted Swanky, but starting off too strong made him sore from there. How-

ever, he said an early pep talk from his grandfather pushed any thoughts about quitting from his mind. “At the start, he said ‘just remember why you’re out and why you’re riding,’” said Swanky. “And, that’s what I did.” Swanky completed the 89-kilometre ride up and down the hilly secondary highways from Leduc to Camrose in about four hours. Throughout, he leaned on the support of his grandfather and aunt, the accompanying 1,609 riders who also participated and a desire to help those in need. “I feel great,” said Swanky. “I raised a lot of money to support MS research and I completed an 89-kilometre bike ride at the age of 12. I would like to do it again next year and the year after that and the year after that.”

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Father Gorman Community School Grade 7 student Donovan Swanky rode 89 kilometres from Leduc to Camrose in a bid to end MS.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Rustlers curlers battle at nationals JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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It took a few months of searching, but the Lakeland College Rustlers men’s curling team found their game. The Rustlers squad of skip Carter Babij, third Dale Mizera, second Connor English and lead Jared Mason battled to a 4-3 record during the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championships at Fredericton, New Brunswick’s Willie O’Ree Place from March 15 to 19. The opportunity of coming back to the Prairies with a medal came down to an all-or-nothing final round robin match against the Humber College Hawks, which went their opponent’s way thanks to a draw to the button on the last shot of the 11th end. Dusty Makichuk, coach of the Rustlers men’s curling team, said they were up by three at the break only to suffer a tough sixth end that allowed the Hawks

to come back. He said they fought backand-forth through the remainder of the match before Babij and company forced an extra end with a steal of one in the 10th.

“

I knew they had the ability. They’re a good team. They’re good throwers. It’s just a matter of trying to get it all together.

“It was just some very well executed shots,” Makichuk said about the 10th end. “We gave him a hard, about 20-foot, runback that he had to stick in and he didn’t quite make it. We just applied a lot of pressure. Everybody played really well.” Makichuk said Babij, Mizera and Mason are all rookie college athletes and the chance to compete at

Submitted

The Lakeland College Rustlers men’s curling team, with from left, skip Carter Babij, third Dale Mizera, coach Dusty Makichuk, second Connor English and lead Jared Mason, went 4-3 at the CCAA finals in Fredericton, New Brunswick, last March.

nationals is a first for the entire rink. He said they were feeling good about themselves coming out of last month’s Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championships with a bronze medal, but they still had a bit of nerves playing in the national spotlight

and on unfamiliar arena ice. The Rustlers looked like proven veterans in their opening contest against last year’s silver medallist Fanshawe College Falcons scoring two points in the seventh and two more in the 10th to come back for a 5-3 win.

They dropped their next two games against ACAC rivals Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Ooks and Concordia University Thunder before powering past the Confederation College Thunderhawks and Sault College Cougars to force the tie-breaker versus the Hawks. “I knew they had the ability,” said Makichuk. “They’re a good team. They’re good throwers. It’s just a matter of trying to get it all together.” Makichuk noted the team has shown consistent improvement since their fifth place showing at the ACAC Fall Regionals. He said they turned a corner at Winter Regionals taking two must-win games on the final day of competition to book a ticket to the ACAC finals, which makes him optimistic for the gains they could make next year. “They grew a lot,” he said. “It’s what you want to see in a team. They get better all the time and they work hard at everything they do.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Barons Blast brings out the Raiders best JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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It’s time to get fired up! It’s time to get fired up! When I say fire, you say truck! Fire! Holy Rosary High School Raiders power Ben Omorodion broke the tension with that chant shortly before helping his team capture their third-straight Barons Blast senior boys volleyball championship at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School on Oct. 19. The Raiders took the title besting the Ministikwan Cree Nation’s Island Lake School Warriors 25-19, 25-20. “We had momentum from the last games,” said Omorodion. “From the start, our serves, hits and blocks were good. We were all getting up. Everyone was hyped, happy and excited for everything. That’s what gave us the courage and strength we needed to beat this team.” The Raiders never trailed in the opening set, but that didn’t stop the Warriors from pushing back in the second. Gerard Stick led off the comeback attempt with

an ace to the back corner for an early 2-1 advantage. Avery Wever and Toby Ajegbo recorded kills shortly after to bring the play back to the Raiders side, but that drive was matched by the Warriors’ Sylken McCallum midway through the frame on a tip, crosscourt spike and ace leading to a 19-19 score. The Raiders’ Jake Fleming then took over tallying four straight kills including the winning point on a hit to the far side off a long volley. “My team didn’t want it enough,” said Warriors captain Sebastian Bearboy, noting the Barons Blast marked their fifth straight second-place finish. “But, this should actually help us. It shows us what we need to work on. How we need to keep pushing all the time.” The host Barons fell 19-25, 26-28 to Vermilion’s St. Jerome’s Catholic School Spartans in the three-four game. Aiden McLennan had two aces to open the first set

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

The Holy Rosary High School Raiders senior boys volleyball team, with back row from left, coach Dean Sexsmith, Justin MacDonald, Landon Daschuk, Benedict Omorodion, Avery Wever, Toby Ajegbo, Jake Fleming, Raff Delfin, Dominick Villasor, assistant coach Connor Sexsmith; front row, Kalan Billard, Carter Johnston, Noah Alexander and Angelo Toribio, won their third-straight Barons Blast championship on Oct. 19.

leading to a 5-0 charge out of the gate, but the Spartans kept picking away eventually tying the score at 17 before going on a run during Levi Nicolson-Mitchell’s serve. The second match went back-and-forth with each team moving one or two points ahead only to fall back. Nicolson-Mitchell scored the winner on a block. “We played pretty good

especially on the first day, but it could have gone better today,” said McLennan. “We were just having some troubles, dug ourselves into some holes and couldn’t quite get back up. But, overall, I feel we had a pretty good weekend.” Omorodi o n, We ve r and Ajegbo had an opportunity to compete on that first Barons Blast championship

squad three years ago only to decline coach Dean Sexsmith’s offer and remain with their friends in junior varsity. The tournament win is the Raiders senior boys’ first this season. “It feels good,” noted Wever. “They just better win it again next year,” added Ajegbo.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Toby Culham practises the caber toss at the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School rugby field in late April.

Training for the Highland Games JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Highland Games heavy events are starting to catch on in the Border City. Toby Culham, a local Strongman competitor,

can be found practising the caber toss, stone put, hammer throw and weight throw a few evenings a week at the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School rugby field.

He started training for the Highland Games heavy events about two years ago and quickly caught the fever of where it can take him and what it involves. “It’s just fun,” said Culham, who competed at Highland Games events in Red Deer, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Elkton, MD, last year. “All the guys are so supportive and it’s just a real light-hearted thing. You’ve got to be competitive and you’re throwing for all you can, but it’s one of those things where all the guys are behind you and if they see a way to help you out, especially with me as an amateur, then they’re right on it.” Culham said the camaraderie shown while competing in the heavy events is only one part of the great experience that the Highland Games provides. He said the events are a social gathering involving piping and drumming bands, dancing and feasts of Scottish food and drink in celebration of the Highlands culture. “The one I did near Philadelphia last year made me laugh because one of the events involved a full-sized keg, empty, and it was the same as weight for distance,” he said. “You throw the keg per distance. But, it’s just another fun part that they did. The part that really made me laugh is they got a state record for it.” The heavy events

resemble Strongman competitions, noted Culham, due to a competitor’s need for full mobility strength. He said everything shoots f rom y ou r f eet u p in order to gain an optimum upper-body release. The caber toss involves hoisting a log upright and attempting to throw it endover-end off a short run with the goal of having it land in a 12-o’clock position. The stone puts include two heavy stones and resemble a track-and-field shot put competition. The hammer throw tasks the competitor with whirling a fourfoot shaft attached with a heavy metal ball at its end over their head before flinging it for maximum distance. The weight throw challenges the participant to swing a heavy weight by its handle or chain before tossing it as far as they can. “It’s a full explosive thing,” said Culham. “When you’re throwing the weight over bar you’re pulling it right

MERIDIAN SOURCE

from the ground. For me, it’s a 42-pound weight and I’ve got to one arm it as high as I can over a bar and it keeps going up and up. The caber toss is the same thing. It’s all about core strength.” Culham said no experience or previous weight training is needed to get involved in the Highland Games heavy events. He said the main thing for anyone interested in trying it out is to just give the caber toss, stone put, hammer throw or

weight throw a shot to se e i f th e y e nj o y th e challenge. “I don’t mind people coming out to the field and I’ll give them whatever I can,” he said. “I’d be more than willing to help people out. And, usually, if you can start a smaller group it just blossoms. If people want to see what it’s like or want to ask about it they can stop by and talk to me anytime.”

PAGE 18 Thursday, January 2, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Agriculture

University of Saskatchewan’s PlotVision speeds up seed development The future of seed development is set to become more efficient thanks to PlotVision, a new image analysis soft-

ware product from the University of Saskatchewan’s Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre (P2IRC).

Developed by P2IRC research associate William van der Kamp under the leadership of USask computer scientist Ian Stavness, PlotVision is a Software as a Service (SaaS) product for analysis of agricultural field imagery that has become the basis for an early-stage start-up. PlotVision identifies individual field plots within unmanned aerial vehicle images and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse their colour, 3D shape and more, helping to predict outcomes such as harvest yield and disease resistance. Researchers can use this data to identify the most viable pesticides, fertilizers, and crop varieties. “Plant breeding re s e a rc h e rs a nd s e e d companies have to assess a large number of field plots to create new crop varieties and Plot-

Vision will help increase the efficiency of this process and the quality of insights,” said Stavness, lead of P2IRC’s Deep Learning for Phenomics project. “PlotVision has the potential to play an important role in improving the seeds that farmers use.” Unlike similar software on the market, PlotVision does not rely on human analysis, instead using automation and artificial intelligence to reduce costs and turnaround times while increasing the quality of information generated. P2IRC is a digital a g ri c u l t u ra l re s e a rc h centre funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) and managed by the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at USask on behalf of the university. “The goal of P2IRC is

to help accelerate breeding and innovation, providing industry and all other stakeholders with the tools to address their major needs,” said GIFS Chief Executive Officer Steven Webb.

“

PlotVision has the potential to play an important role in improving the seeds that farmers use.

van der Kamp, a USask computer science graduate, was recently recognized for his innovative project by Saskatchewan technology incubator Co.Labs at the finale of a competition for early-stage tech startups, winning a $10,000 prize and a spot in the next Co.Labs cohort under the startup name Cropper.

Twelve startups, including Cropper, have been accepted into the Co.Launch initiative. The members participated in a threemonth program, which included weekly sessions to assist them in building their startups and concluded with a competition for a cash prize and a spot in the Co.Labs cohort. Cropper was one of two winners at the finale. Half the $10,000 prize was sponsored by USask’s Innovation Enterprise to support the tech startup sector in Saskatchewan. “The Co.Launch program is great because it gives potential entrepreneurs a great chance to work on their ideas, become better founders, and sharpen their pitch,” said van der Kamp. “It’s an exciting time for Saskatchewan innovators.”

PAGE 19 Thursday, January 2, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

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