Moose Jaw Express April 22nd, 2020

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A1

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Mental Health Association in Moose Jaw launches helpline for mental wellness support

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Larissa Kurz

As of April 13, the Moose Jaw branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association has an open phone line for anyone struggling with their mental health due to COVID-19 anxieties.

The Emergency Wellness Response Line is a new helpline that the CMHA is implementing all across the province, to offer mental health support and resources to those who are feeling the negative effects of the pandemic right now.

“There’s a lot of research that during pandemics like this, like the Spanish flu and SARS that’s happened in the past, that a lot of Canadians displayed symptoms of depression and PTSD, because of everything that’s going on in their lives, and that people who have pre-existing issues may become more vulnerable during these negative times,” said Moose Jaw program director Nema Atsu.

The current pandemic is likely causing stress in many individuals and isolation can be very hard on people, said Atsu, Canadian Mental Health Association

Emergency Wellness Response Line

306-630-5968

COVID-19 MIRACLE? PAGE A5

You may be feeling stressed lately due to disrupted school and work routines, feelings of loneliness as we practice physical distancing, and considering the implications a global

STRANDED BY COVID-19

PAGE A10

pandemic will have on the various systems around us.

CMHA Moose Jaw would like to reach out and encourage wellness in the community of Moose Jaw during this time of uncertainty. Our new Wellness Support Response line is

‣ Peer Support ‣ An understanding ear to listen ‣ Information about available community programs, resources and Government benefits ‣ Relaxation and wellness tips ‣ Tips for reducing anxiety, depression, and isolation ‣ Assistance finding further help or

support

available to all members of the community Monday to Friday.

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which is why the CMHA has decided to offer another means of connection with mental health supports while CMHA centres are closed right now.

“It’s our way of supporting our community, because we usually meet people in person but right now we’re not able to,” said Atsu. “We just want to offer our services and help the people who may be feeling isolated around this time, or may be experiencing an increase in mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Nema Atsu is the new branch Each branch of the CMHA director of the Canadian Menis opening their own local tal Health Association (CMHA) line, meaning Moose Jaw — Moose Jaw chapter. Photo by and area can call the local Jason G. Antonio line at 1 (306) 630-5968 and speak with staff from the Moose Jaw branch of the CMHA. The helpline is not necessarily a crisis line, said Atsu. Staff will be available to talk about mental health concerns or offer information about local resources like the Food Bank, or to offer advice in dealing with rising anxiety or depression caused by isolation.

The CMHA is also encouraging youth aged 12-19 to consider using the Provincial Youth Line at 1 (306) 730-5900 to talk about mental health at this time.

The local helpline is open to anyone, said Atsu, and she encourages anyone experiencing negative effects on their mental health due to COVID-19 to reach out.

The Emergency Wellness Response Line is available Monday to Friday during the day. It will be monitored by local CMHA staff, and Moose Jaw residents are encouraged to leave a message or call back if the line is busy when they reach out.

Atsu stressed the importance of seeking support during times of strain, especially when dealing with mental wellbeing, and encouraged anyone experiencing distress to call the CMHA helpline or reach out to a loved one.

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PAGE A2 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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Saskatchewan farmland trading between $800 and $3,900 an acre: FCC

By Ron Walter - For Agri-Mart Express

Even with lower commodity prices and unharvested crops, farmland prices in Saskatchewan increased 6.2 per cent last year.

That was less than the 7.4 per cent increase in 2018, says the annual Farm Credit Canada farmland sales report.

Across Canada farmland prices increased an average 5.2 per cent, a reduction from 6.6 per cent in 2018.

Price increases have slowed every year since the double digit jumps between 10.4 per cent and 24 per cent from 2011 to 2015.

Farmland in this province traded between $800 and $3,900 an acre last year. In 2018 farmland changed hands between $600 and $3,300 an acre.

Price increases varied among the province’s six regions between 9.2 per cent in the east central region to 3.8 per cent in the southwestern region.

“Saskatchewan saw an increase in the number of landlords who either put their land up for tender or sold to long-term renters,” says the report.

“Sales of superior quality land began to level out, while sales of small parcels or lower-quality farmland increased in 2019. Some producers sold land further from their main operations and purchased land closer to gain

efficiencies. In most areas of the province, land was bought by local producers with medium-to large-size operations.”

The smaller southwest price increase reflected a softer market than 2018 when prices went up 12.5 per cent.

Large producers were less “aggressive” than previously.

Demand exceeded supply in the southeast, boosting prices six per cent compared with 1.7 the year before.

A limited supply of land in the northwest and northeast pushed land prices up by six and 7.1 per cent respectively.

Strong demand and supply and out-of-province buyers drove a 9.2 per cent increase in the east central region.

In the west central region strong demand added 5.9 per cent to land prices but there was no strong demand on the west side close to the Alberta border.

The rate of land price increases in Alberta of 3.3 per cent was less than half the 7.4 per cent in 2018. Land prices in that province ranged from $1,000 an acre in the Peace River region to $12,000 in the southern irrigated region.

Manitoba saw an increase of four per cent, up from 3.7.

Land prices ranged between $800 in the north and central regions to $6,300 in the southeastern region.

Only three provinces — P.E.I., Nova Scotia and Manitoba – had larger rates of increase than in 2018.

Highest priced farmland was in B.C., ranging between $900 an acre in the northeast to $186,000 on the south coast.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Learning from history: Spanish Flu website offers historical insight into COVID-19 Educational resource by Defining Moments Canada offers in depth information on influenza outbreak from a century ago Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

Groups of people wearing masks. Hospitals crowded with patients. Streets and whole communities all but empty of life due to lockdown procedures.

That might sound like scenes straight out of today’s news cycle, but they’re actually over 100 years old, from the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-19.

The lessons learned in that battle against an influenza outbreak led to the creation of many of the policies and plans that are in place and being used today, a sign that even with our advanced medical knowledge and technology, sometimes learning from the past is just as important as what we do now.

The story of the Spanish Flu has been recounted many times by many sources over the last few weeks.

At the end of the First World War, a strain of influenza spread throughout the world in three waves, infecting 500 million people and killing as many as 100 million, according to some reports. The first wave came across as a mild, if somewhat more deadly, version of the regular flu in January 1918. As recovery rates started to give hope, a second wave of a mutated Spanish Flu virus hit, taking advantage of wartorn Europe and crowded conditions to kill millions in only a matter of months.

That wave began to slow in October, and

by November, the pandemic was largely

A makeshift hospital cares for victims of the Spanish Flu in 1918. Photo courtesy Defining Moments Canada over. A third wave hit in the spring of 1919 but was far less virulent as preparations and planning as well as large-scale immunity ensured no further major outbreaks would occur. By the summer of 1919, it was over.

Today, with the world battling the COVID-19 outbreak, a look back at the Spanish Flu pandemic can offer insights and information that might be of use –

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and with the similar scenes to 1918 happening today, lessons can almost certainly be taken.

That idea has led to the creation of a commemorative website by Defining Moments Canada documenting the history of the Spanish Flu throughout the world, but specifically how it affected communities across the country.

“If we take a moment to really understand

the history of what happened a century ago, we’ll be far better positioned to use those learnings to make the changes we need coming out of this crisis,” said Neil Orford, co-founder of Defining Moments Canada, a heritage education organization.

The project is as impressive as it is expansive, offering an easy to follow guide to how the influenza outbreak started, spread, the societal effects it created and the lessons learned by the medical community. In addition to acting as a public resource, the site also features a host of teaching tools for educators.

“We’ve taken a macro-Canadian story – the 1918-1919 pandemic – and refracted it through a micro-historical lens,” explained Orford, a retired teacher and winner of a Governor General’s Award for history education. “The content provides educators with content, modules and lesson plans on how to take a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching a global topic with both immediate and historical resonance.”

The website is completely free to use and can be found, along with other information and lessons on timely topics, at definingmomentscanada.ca. https://definingmomentscanada.ca/thespanish-flu/

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A3

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Celebrating 40 years of Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope Larissa Kurz

It was 40 years ago on April 12 that Terry Fox set out on his cross-Canadian Marathon of Hope, dipping his foot in the Atlantic Ocean to begin a historic journey that would change the path of cancer research across the country.

From that moment, Fox would travel 5,373 kilometres from St. John’s, N.L. to Thunder Bay, Ont. before his cancer would reach his lungs and cut his journey off early.

The Marathon of Hope was a dream of Fox’s, who was determined to raise awareness for cancer research and show everyone who saw him run that while cancer may have claimed his leg, it had not limited his spirit.

His goal was to raise $1 million for cancer A group of walkers taking part in the annual Terry Fox Run in research as he ran his marathon, and while he 2019 head out on the trails alongside Thatcher Drive. (photo by didn’t get to dip his foot in the Pacific Ocean Randy Palmer) on the shores of B.C, his incredible 143-day journey has led to a continued legacy that has more than surpassed his goal.

Fox himself raised $1.7 million for the Canadian Cancer Society during his journey and since then, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $750 million in Terry Fox’s name for cancer research initiatives in Canada.

In honour of the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope, the Terry Fox Foundation is asking every Canadian to donate $1 to the cause, in reflection of Fox’s dream of raising $1 for every Canadian with his run.

The Terry Fox Run continues each year, with millions of Canadians stepping up to the starting lines in their communities to join Fox on his run in solidarity and respect.

This year’s annual Terry Fox Run will take place on Sept. 20 across Canada, including Moose Jaw which saw a great turnout at last year’s run.

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Don’t return an empty pie plate: rural wisdom

Did you know that the colder the outhouse, the warmer the bed?

Did you know you should invite lots of folks to supper because you can always add more water to the soup?

Joyce Walter Did you know a good For Moose Jaw Express neighbour knows when to visit and when ronjoy@sasktel.net to leave?

Did you know the softer you talk, the closer folks will listen?

Did you know you should visit old people who can’t get out because someday you will be old?

Those bits of wisdom come from a Facebook post on a friend’s timeline and credit goes to the writings called “Wise advice from a farmer’s wife.”

The farmer’s wife had other homilies that could be applied nicely to today’s living, but those mentioned caught my attention more than others, perhaps because I had often heard those or similar pieces of advice from ladies and gentlemen around me when I was growing up in a rural community. Some bits of advice were mystifying then but now I understand the message and the lesson.

This particular farmer’s wife had another piece of advice which I heard as a child and to this day, I subscribe to the theory of sharing put forth by the farmer’s wife and to my Mother who had her own version.

“Whenever you return a borrowed pie pan, make sure its got a warm pie in it,” said the farmer’s wife.

“Never return an empty dish,” said my Mother.

And so my Sister and I still live by this rule. We don’t necessarily put a warm pie in dishes we return to their owners, but the thought is there, and it is the thought that counts, after all.

At Christmas when the Sibling sends home the containers that might have included home baking, some extra turkey and dressing, bit of gravy and a hefty portion of turnips, there is always a little something in at least one of the dishes. It might be a muffin, a brownie, or some candies but she never forgets to send something home in one of the dishes.

I return the favour when I have containers to send back to her house. It might be a few crackers, some cough candies from the candy drawer and if she’s really lucky, I might send a bit of homemade soup, a piece of Christmas cake I’ve saved in the fridge. Or if she’s unlucky, it might be one or two brussels sprouts.

When my nephew and niece moved to Moose Jaw, they very kindly began sharing with us and we especially enjoyed her Christmas baking and that mix she makes with cereals and pretzels and other things. I always make an effort to find something to put in her dishes.

One day I made the comment that I didn’t have anything to put in her container and she looked at me and asked if that was a Moose Jaw custom or a family custom? She had never heard of it until she moved to Saskatchewan. I tried to explain. She is too polite to come right out and say we’re goofy but she might just be thinking it.

We still have a Christmas container that has to be returned someday. Maybe after social distancing is no longer the rule, we will return her container — with something edible inside.

Meanwhile, here’s another gem from the farmer’s wife: “You’ll never catch a runnin’ chicken but if you throw seed around the back door, you’ll have a skillet full by supper.” Yum! Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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Check our website or call for updates, postponements or cancellations.

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PAGE A4 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Phone: 306.694.1322 Fax: 888.241.5291 32 Manitoba St. West, Moose Jaw SK S6H 1P7 www.mjvexpress.com

Publisher: Robert Ritchie - rob@mjvexpress.com Editor: Joan Ritchie - editor@mjvexpress.com Sales: Wanda Hallborg - sales@mjvexpress.com Bob Calvert - sales@mjvexpress.com Gladys Baigent-Therens - Sales2@mjvexpress.com Steve Seida - Special Sales Thank you to all the contributing writers, without your time and support, the paper would not look the same.

Send your stories, events and pictures to; Joan Ritchie Ron Walter Joyce Walter

editor@mjvexpress.com

Jason Antonio Larissa Kurz

Randy Palmer Dr. Steven Heidinger Wanda Smith

She has written a memoir, ‘A Victory Garden for Trying Times’ giving individuals a perspective on how she dealt with the final year of her husband’s death, and how growing a garden brought her a sense of peace and normalcy to her grieving heart. While her husband was being treated for cancer, she admitted she needed something to distract her, but Joan Ritchie EDITOR also to remind her that life goes on.

“I’ve always found being in the garden a wonderful solace,” she said.

Her thoughts are that growing a garden now during this pandemic might help to alleviate some of the stress individuals feel as our world has turned upside down. As we all know, it takes a lot of patience to grow and nurture a garden and with more time on our hands, it just might be a good fit for many.

In this season of social distancing as individuals hunker down at home, gardening could help to pass the time, as well as providing fresh vegetables during the uncertainty of our present food supply.

The health benefits of gardening have long been known to lower stress; in fact, it’s a known fact that many have said they get more satisfaction from gardening than from having sex. Sort of a funny analogy but I guess if that’s what floats your boat, good for you.

The idea of a victory garden is certainly not new. During WWI, citizens in Britain were encouraged to grown gardens in an effort to help ease food shortages. As we are well into this pandemic and spring planting season quickly approaching on the prairies, tending to a garden would be a great distraction.

Bringing this to a local perspective, it fits right in with the conversation that was going on at city hall during the April 9th pandemic preparation news conference. There is an article in this edition by Robert Thomas, Back Alley Potato and Petunia Gardens will not see enforcement action, regarding questions directed to city manager Mr. Puffalt. Puffalt stated that at least for the time being, a ‘lives over lawns’ approach was more in order. He stated, “I don’t believe in this condition that we would be over drastic on what we are proposing, and I don’t believe we were planning to actively enforce.”

I’m not sure if any of the citizens of Moose Jaw are able to put any weight to these comments as it seems city hall has not been very forthcoming with absolutes, but time will tell.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Send your letters to the editor to: letters@mjvexpress.com or 888-241-5291 All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express.

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All ads in the Moose Jaw Express are published in good faith without verification.

The Moose Jaw Express reserves the right to refuse, classify, revise or censor any ads for any reason in its sole discretion. This paper may include inaccuracies or errors.

The Moose Jaw Express does not under any circumstances accept responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of any ads or messages in any of the publications editions.

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All users are advised to check ad and message details carefully before entering into any agreement of any kind and before disclosing personal information. If in doubt, please take legal advice.

SHA announces tighter screening at healthcare facilities, mandatory masks for workers

Larissa Kurz The Saskatchewan Health Authority recently implement- patient or resident areas of facilities will also be required ed more extensive screening processes for anyone enter- to wear a mask at all times, as a COVID-19 measure. ing an SHA facility or program with the use of masks as “Safety is our top priority,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said in a press release. “That mandatory for all staff in patient areas.

The new screening processes will require all staff, physi- is why we continue to escalate our efforts to protect our cians, trainees, vendors, and contractors to confirm daily patients and health care providers. Requiring these daily that they have no influenza-like symptoms before enter- screening practices and adapting our approach to masking will help us stop the spread of COVID-19 and help ing any SHA facility.

This includes long-term care facilities and programs, protect our workforce to ensure our health care services hospitals, primary care facilities, and affiliates working are there when needed.” alongside the SHA. The standard practice, said the SHA, The SHA also asks that the public continue to do their will be daily screening and temperature checks, with part in protecting healthcare workers and their patients by complying with the ongoing no-visitation and self-isostaff continuing to also self-monitor themselves.

SHA staff and physicians working or travelling through lation orders.

Public reminded to seek emergency and hospital care when needed

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) reminds residents to continue to access available emergency departments (EDs) and hospitals for the care patients need. Local EDs and hospitals remain safe places for individuals to go for acute care services.

Hospital emergency departments (EDs), cancer services, and urgent and emergent medical imaging (x-ray) and surgical services continue to be provided. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) also continue to meet patient needs.

If you feel unwell and think you require urgent or emergent care, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency department.

Medical professionals are there to care for you, just as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SHA has taken precautions to ensure a safe and protected care environment for all patients. Among the steps implemented are enhancing screening of patients to ensure the right precautions are being taken, increased cleaning of the care environment and equipment, and limiting visitors and public use of SHA facilities.

EMS Services are also taking all necessary steps to eliminate spread of the coronavirus during care. This includes proper cleaning of the ambulance and its equipment, use of proper personal protective equipment, and enhanced patient screening.

Patients can access their family physician or community clinic for everyday health needs.

Assessment and treatment sites for COVID-19 are in place at locations across Saskatchewan to reduce in-person visits to Emergency Rooms, other primary care clinics and physician clinics. These sites provide in-person care, assessment and treatment for individuals presenting with escalating symptoms consistent with COVID-19, those confirmed positive with COVID-19 who have other health conditions, or those in self-isolation due to travel or a public health directive.

Official testing sites are open in 38 Saskatchewan communities, with assessment sites open or opening soon in 27.

The public is reminded that visitors are not permitted in SHA-operated hospitals, clinics, community and continuing care facilities, except for compassionate reasons. Compassionate reasons may include immediate family during end-of-life care, family of patients prior to a major surgery or visitors aiding in clinical care (at the discretion of the patient’s care provider).

LETTER TO THE

EDITOR

Send your letters to the editor to: letters@mjvexpress.com or 888-241-5291

All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express.

Submitted by Assiniboia & District Chamber of Commerce To the Assiniboia & Area Business Community As you may know, the Golden South Wind project has restarted construction. Everyone involved with Golden South understands the stress and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 global health pandemic and the impacts on families here in Assiniboia and across Saskatchewan. We want to assure you that our company will always put the health and safety of the community and the Province first.

We know that the Assiniboia community has questions around how the risk of COVID-19 is being managed at the project and we are taking additional steps to communicate with the community about the strict protocols we have put in place to ensure everyone’s safety, but also to listen to any concerns they may have and do everything we can to address those.

We have posted (and updated) an open letter to the community addressing these concerns on our website www.goldensouthwind.com. Our lead contractor Borea has also posted their industry-leading COVID-19 protocols on their website (www.boreaconstruction.com). These protocols, which include having a nurse on site and temperature checks for everyone entering the area, have been reviewed and approved by Saskatchewan Public Health, the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, as well as South Saskatchewan COVID Response. You will find a link to those protocols on www. goldensouthwind.com as well.

Additionally, we will be implementing a COVID-19 Q&A section on our website within the next few days where we will receive and answer the community’s questions. As part of our health and safety protocols, out-of-Province workers at the project will be segregated from the community for their first 14 days, and all workers at the project are being directed to maintain that segregation during their entire time on site as long as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

To facilitate this segregation, we are implementing a “Virtual Work Camp” protocol where workers are restricted to either their accommodations or at the work site and avoiding entering town for food or supplies. However, Golden South and Borea would like to ensure that your local businesses can continue to participate in economic activity related to the project. For this reason, we are reaching out to you to understand what services you can offer to our workers either remotely or through deliveries, and to discuss how those services can be provided under the Virtual Work Camp protocol.

Please contact Potentia’s Juergen Kraus (goldensouthconstructionservices@potentiarenewables.com) if you have any ideas, are interested in proposing your services/product or have further questions. We look forward to working with you to move our exciting project forward and increase economic activity in Assiniboia while ensuring the local community and our workers remain safe and healthy.

200 WELLINGTON STREET WEST - SUITE 1102 TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M5V 3C7 To Members of the Assiniboia Business Community

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A5

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Saskatchewan could be on verge of COVID miracle

By Randy Palmer

Saskatchewan is pulling off a COVID-19 miracle.

Well, maybe not quite yet, given the long and winding road ahead over the next two months, but as of right now, yes, something special is happening in this province.

It was at the beginning of the month -April 5 to be precise – that we saw the start of a what would become a trend of single digit day-to-day increases in the number of cases in the province. Incredibly, since that day, only once has the total number of new cases broke 10 in a single day.

Only once.

And it’s not for a lack of testing, either.

Saskatchewan has conducted a minimum of 500 tests a day over that span and has more often hit 800 to 1,000 tests. With the new and improved testing capacity revealed on Apr. 12, testing will only improve going forward.

It stands to reason that more tests will lead to greater numbers of cases found, but that hasn’t materialized.

And once again, it’s because Saskatchewan is listening.

It’s come to the point that by not becoming a pariah, you’ll be branded a pariah.

Social distancing and turning yourself into an outcast has become an artform if Facebook and social media is to be believed, and a source of pride, rightfully so.

And here in this province, people are doing such a great job of it that something stunning has begun to happen: Prairie South School Division employee – and Moose Jaw lacrosse legend – Barry Stewart has compiled a daily graph on Facebook showing the number of cases in the province and how they relate to recovered, ongoing cases and deaths.

As of Saturday, April 11, the number of recovered cases in the province – 147 at that point – officially exceeded the number of current cases – 138.

A day later, and the gulf had grown even further, and as of this writing on April 13, sits at 164 recoveries to 130

current cases.

If that trend continues, by early May and possibly as soon as the end of April, Saskatchewan could be COVID-19 free.

If that isn’t a miracle, then I don’t know what is.

----An interesting metric to show just how successful Saskatchewan’s battle with COVID-19 has been going is comparing our results with that of our southern neighbours on a state-by-state, population-per-million basis.

As of Sunday, only Minnesota had fewer cases per million population at 293. A week ago, we would have been the fifth best. Deaths per million? Only Wyo-

ming is better, but that’s due to no data being reported. West Virginia is tied with four.

In only a week, Saskatchewan has improved to the point that it would have the best response of all but two states in the U.S. By next week, we’ll be the best, and by hundreds of cases at that.

---Now here’s the thing about all this.

Now is not the time to relax, it’s not the time to let up and it’s not the time to start thinking about re-opening the province. That’s a dream that’s even in the best-case scenario above, isn’t happening until at least May because the second we relax, this is going to wreak havoc.

And it won’t take long, either. It’s been seen over and over again in the U.S. and around the globe, sudden outbreaks and even deaths because a group or even an individual flouted a public safety order.

COVID-19 doesn’t care if you’ve been cooped up in the house for a month, and it’s the undisputed world champion of hide and seek at this point. The only way to stay safe is doing exactly what we’re doing.

Stay home. Wash your hands. Social distance. LISTEN. We’re still winning, but we still have a long war in front of us.

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chinery contacting electrical equipment in 2019, which is up slightly from 314 the previous year. There were no reported deaths or injuries in 2019, but sadly this is not often the case.�

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PAGE A6 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

France teaches Google Alphabet the ABCs of competition fairness Digital technology has allowed news aggregators like Google to steal from media outlets for too long

Digital technology has, for the most part, been a boon to consumers. Think of how digital technology has enabled Uber to break the taxi oligopolies, Amazon to open up the world of online product choices and Airbnb to deliver affordable alternatives to hotel stays.

None of this, however, justifies the use of digital technology to engage in theft.

And yet theft is in effect what large news aggregators like Google have been doing for years to the product of news media outlets.

These companies ‘aggregate’ the hard work that countless journalists and editors have gathered, vetted and sweated over, and then they re-post that content with – surprise! – their own advertising revenue streams reaping the benefits.

Readers naturally figured out pretty quickly that they could get a broad selection of news instantaneously from media outlets around the world online for free, with neither the obligation to buy a subscription or to view the local ads.

In industry speak, it means the business model has become broken. Media outlets that invested heavily in the resources to do proper journalism have watched helplessly as their resources steadily, inexorably dried up.

We’ve seen the result in mass closures of newspapers and news websites, and the gutting of the newsrooms that have man-

By Doug Firby, Columnist - Troy Media pumping out subsidies to help them stay aged to keep operating.

With the watchdogs in effect smothered to afloat – an idea that’s as appalling as it is death, governments at all levels no longer outrageous (not to mention pretty much face the daily scrutiny they once did. And a non-starter with crisis funding related the best stories – the ones that require a to COVID-19 sucking up breathtaking reporter to walk the beat instead of track- amounts of public money). We all know – sorry CBC – that media funded by goving Twitter trending – go untold.

What’s less obvious to some is the almost ernment will one day have to pay the pipincalculable loss in quality of the con- er. tent that gets delivered: stories written France, God bless it, has now shown the by overworked, and often junior, staff, guts to do what all governments should stories rife with typos because they’re be doing about these news aggregators. not edited, and – let’s lay the cards on the France’s antitrust regulator, the Autorite table – stories that are much more vulner- de la concurrence, guided by a recent Euable to factual error and sometimes even ropean Union law, has ordered Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, to deliberate deception.

There’s been much hand-wringing over start paying media groups for displaying what to do about this disaster to our de- their content. It argues that the search gimocracy. Media outlets, for sure, have ant’s practices caused “serious and immebeen the authors of their own misfortune diate harm” to the French press sector. by failing to recognize the threats bearing Damn straight they have. down on them, and then responding too Alphabet has already indicated it doesn’t little, too late with some pretty lame at- want to play nice. It previously argued that European news publishers derived tempts to innovate.

Numerous attempts at erecting paywalls significant value from the eight billion have been tried and abandoned, although visits they receive each month from users it’s worth noting that over time they’re who search on Google. gaining ground. Still, any revenue gained Alphabet has also said it will oppose the from subscriptions is just a small piece of new regulation, and – get this – warned the revenue puzzle that must fit together that articles, pictures and videos would if news media is ever to get the money it be shown in search results only if Google wouldn’t have to pay. If a media outlet reneeds to function at a high level.

In Canada, major media groups have im- fuses Google’s terms, only a headline and plored the federal government to keep a bare link to the content will appear.

Search engines such as Google account for between 26 and 90 per cent of traffic redirected on news websites, the competition regulator said, based on data from 32 press publications.

That traffic is “crucial for publishers and press agencies who can’t afford to lose any digital readership given their economic hardships,” the authority said.

They had “no other choice than to comply with Google’s display policy without providing financial compensation.”

Is it just me or does Google’s threat sound pretty close to extortion?

As a lifelong news person, I’m heartened

by France’s get-tough approach with aggregators. Making Google pay for content it profits from will not solve all the news media’s financial problems, but it’s unquestionably a significant and concrete start.

And it’s so much more attractive than asking taxpayers to subsidize private enterprises. News media need to find their own way out of the revenue darkness. With this new rule, at least they won’t be doing so with one hand tied behind their backs.

If this works, Canada should follow France’s lead and make the aggregators pay here, too.

Veteran political commentator Doug Firby is president of Troy Media Digital Solutions and publisher of Troy Media.

Signs of Optimism MLA’s Column

Warren Michelson Moose Jaw North

Warren Michelson, MLA

Those signs of spring that generate optimism in prairie people have been slow to come in Saskatchewan. This certainly is the year that we could use some encouragement to stay optimistic. Focusing on those things for which we can be grateful is an important step in maintaining good mental health.

As the people of our province do; they are coming up with creative and thoughtful ways to show compassion and kindness.

Parades of vehicles drive by the homes of people having a birthday, including seniors in care homes. Windows are decorated with hearts to show appreciation to our health care workers, emergency services workers, truck drivers and grocery store personnel. I was touched when I heard about the show of support for the family of NHL player, Colby Cave, who died of a brain bleed recently. Vehicles

lined Highway 16 near North Battleford, when Cave’s family was expected to drive by on their return home from Ontario; where Cave was receiving care.

Thanks to the diligence of many, we have seen days when there are more recoveries than new cases of COVID-19. Good news leads to optimism, but we will have to be patient in continuing to follow restrictions and infection control procedures.

Relaxing restrictions will only be done cautiously and with good medical and scientific information.

Premier Moe has offered a ray of hope for small businesses that are suffering due to COVID-19 restrictions. Last week he announced a $50 million program to provide financial support to small and medium-sized business that have been forced to temporarily close or severely curtail their operations due to restrictions

placed by the battle against COVID-19.

The new Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment will provide a onetime grant of 15 per cent of a business’ monthly sales revenue – to an amount not exceeding $5,000. A key feature of that plan is that the grant is flexible and does not need to be used on any specific cost pressure. Premier Moe is encouraging all of us to get behind our local businesses once they re-open, because recovery will only happen if we support the businesses in our communities. Businesses can also access federal government supports implemented to assist them through the impacts of COVID-19.

One of my Legislative duties includes co-chairing the Saskatchewan Construction Panel, an organization of construction executives and legislative decision makers. I have been watching closely how the construction industry is faring.

Construction has been designated as an “allowable” industry during this time.

The Saskatchewan Construction Association is working with the Government of Saskatchewan to keep their workers and the public safe while keeping our important construction industries operational.

They have created an industry task force

and put on webinars to ensure construction businesses have the knowledge and a solid understanding of what is required to work safely with specific focus on COVID-19 restrictions.

Construction professionals must follow lifesaving protocols every day. They have increased their protocols to protect Saskatchewan families, communities and themselves. They have published best practices, which include maintaining physical distancing of 2 meters or more, not sharing tools or vehicles, sanitizing shared surfaces, pre-access screening, and a number of other safety protocols.

With additional safety measures in place, important construction projects and jobs within the industry will continue as the construction season begins for another year.

Thank you to individuals, businesses and industries who are working in many ways to reach out and encourage optimism as we patiently wait for spring to come, and our circumstances to improve.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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PAGE A8 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Spotlight: Moose Jaw Police Chief Rick Bourassa Larissa Kurz

For Moose Jaw’s Chief of Police Rick Bourassa, his job in the service is more than just a position behind a desk.

“Every day I wake up thinking about how lucky I am to be in this position. I still love it, I can’t imagine doing anything else, and I still feel so fortunate that I’m here,” began Bourassa in an interview with the Moose Jaw Express.

Bourassa took the position of Chief of Police with the Moose Jaw Police Service in 2013, leaving his position as director of court security and prisoner transport with the Ministry of Justice to return to his hometown here in Moose Jaw. “I knew that I wanted to get back into policing [when the position of chief came open]. I had also been looking at the Moose Jaw Police Service with the previous chief,” said Bourassa. “And I thought that would be a really cool police service to be involved in.”

The majority of Bourassa’s policing career prior to his position here at MJPS took place in Regina, where he served in

Moose Jaw police Chief Rick Bourassa shakes hands with Gov. General Julie Payette during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Oct. 31, 2019, where he and 39 other police services personnel received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces medal for their service. (photo courtesy Moose Jaw Police service)

Moose Jaw Chief of Police Rick Bourassa helms the Moose Jaw Police Service from his busy office, but he maintains a serious open-door policy to stay connected with his members and community. (photo by Jason G. Antonio) the Regina Police Service from the age of 21. Bourassa held a number of positions with the RPS, including the principal researcher and superintendent.

He also worked with the Saskatchewan Police College in a number of roles, and has completed a Bachelor of Psychology and a Masters of Public Administration.

The many years of experience working within the policing side of the justice system certainly plays a prevalent role in Bourassa’s work as the Chief of Police, and he finds that he is able to marry his knowledge of human behaviour and public administration every day doing what he does.

A day-in-the-life of Chief Bourassa It’s nearly impossible to map out a regular day at the police chief’s desk, says Bourassa, and there is never a moment where he isn’t wearing his title.

“There’s no such thing as a typical day [for me]. And it’s seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day,” said Bourassa.

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cuses on the administration end of the service, working to keep policies updated so the service is operating in a way that is in-synch with the community, both locally and across the country.

“One thing I think would be most surprising to most people, and was surprising to me when I was younger and in the police service, is that it’s not about police operations. That’s a really small part of what I’m involved in,” said Bourassa.

As chief of police, he helps design the policies that govern MJPS members in their daily operations, but Bourassa himself generally doesn’t get involved in regular operations unless something serious has happened.

“Fortunately, those are seldom, they’re few and far between,” said Bourassa. “I’m aware and I’m informed, but people [in the service] make good decisions and I let them make those decisions.”

As chief, he handles disciplinary actions that require his attention and reviews all complaints against service members, but the majority of operations are managed by a senior team of officers.

Bourassa is also responsible for engaging MJPS personnel and he has made it a personal focus to create a representative workforce that provides new perspectives.

For the most part, Bourassa is busy with the inner workings of the organization, so to speak. He spends a lot of time maintaining a myriad of network connections locally, provincially, and nationally.

His priority, as chief, is working on maintaining the trust and confidence of the people in the community, through both policy and community engagement.

“One of the ways [we do that] is making sure that all of our operations, processes and our policies are built around maintaining people’s freedoms, and doing not only the right things but doing them the right way,” said Bourassa. “That’s what frames what I do.”

Bourassa works with numerous community voices on the local level, serving on the community-based coalition, the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee, and the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association, to name just a few.

“There’s only about a quarter of what we do that actually has to do with policing.

All of the other pieces are parts of community well-being,” said Bourassa.

He takes part in all strategic planning alongside the MJPS Board of Commissioners, to determine the appropriate budget and future plan to stay “ahead of the curve” in terms of policing needs within the community.

He also serves as the liaison with the provincial Ministry of Justice, to monitor the funding provided for the Combined Traffic Services officers at MJPS and the Police and Crisis Teams (PACT).

On a provincial level, Bourassa works closely with the Saskatchewan Police College, offering input for training program development and even providing his own

services during training programs.

He stays in contact with other police services, as a member of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police and is the committee chair for the Criminal Intelligence Service Saskatchewan.

He also serves as an executive member of the University of Regina Senate, as both an alumni and representative from the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police.

Nationally, Bourassa works with Criminal Intelligence Service Canada on the executive committee and is also the chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Victims of Crime Committee.

“That’s part of my job as well, is connecting with other bodies and other police services and chiefs across not only the province but across the country, so we can support each other and reach out all the time,” said Bourassa.

Being the chief: a perspective Bourassa’s role makes him responsible for both the short-term and long-term strategies implemented within the MJPS. Every task that crosses his desk is looked at with the service’s values in mind, and Bourassa takes his role as a public servant very seriously.

“As it was explained to me when I was a younger cop moving up the ranks, when you become a chief member, you become public property,” said Bourassa. “And that was bang on, and it’s important.”

Amongst all of the committee responsibilities and meetings, Bourassa operates with an open-door policy at the station and spends his weekends and evenings attending community events when he can.

“I have a very open-door policy because it’s important. People need to talk to me and see me, and I mean not only people in our community but [MJPS] members as well,” said Bourassa. “Being seen in the organization is as important as being seen in the community, so I spend a lot of time doing that.”

Bourassa is happy to put in the hours, he says, because it’s what the job requires and he is dedicated. He has to stay up-todate and ready for anything that hits his desk during the day.

The coronavirus pandemic is a perfect example of how quickly and thoroughly Bourassa has to work to keep the MJPS operating safely and effectively in the community, by revising the operations policy to protect both civilians and officers.

One of the most satisfying aspects of his role is the opportunity to recognize community achievements and works at local events, said Bourassa, and to host the MJPS annual service awards ceremony to recognize both community and MJPS members for their contributions to community well-being.

“To be able to participate in that, to recognize people every year, that will always be a highlight for me,” said Bourassa.

Travelling to Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Ont. to meet the Governor-General on two separate occasions — one of which was to receive the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2019 from Governor General Julie Payette — were also highlights that came to mind for Bourassa.

It was an honour to receive the Order of Merit, he said, but felt it was more a testament to both the police service and the community’s dedication to bettering Moose Jaw. “That’s what I love to see, [and] to be able to work with people who are just outstanding in their fields,” he continued.

“Seeing how committed everybody is, not only here but provincially and nationally, really continues to make our city, our province, our country into better places.”

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A9

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From The Kitchen

S e afo o d d i n n e rs at h o m e o f fe r h i nt o f M a r i t i m e s

By Joyce Walter For Moose Jaw Express

Travelling to the Maritime provinces this summer might not be an option, but there’s no reason to deprive us of some of the seafood dishes we would enjoy on a trip to those provinces.

This week’s recipes are three that can be prepared in Prairie kitchens, using seafood items we might have been stockpiling in our freezers or being lucky enough to find at local grocery stores.

•••

Seafood Casserole

1 1/2 cups chicken broth 1 lb. fresh or frozen scallops 1 cup fresh or frozen oysters and juice milk 1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 1/2 cups sliced, fresh mushrooms 1/2 cup diced green pepper 1/2 cup flour 1 cup light cream 1/2 tsp. dry mustard 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cooked lobster 1/2 lb. fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled, deveined and cooked salt and pepper to taste 1 1/2 cups soft, buttered bread crumbs Bring chicken broth to a boil and add scallops. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Add oysters and juice. Cover and simmer until edges of oysters curl. Strain off liquid and measure. Add enough milk to make 2 1/2 cups of liquid.

Heat butter in a frying pan and add onion, mushrooms and green pepper and saute until onions are transparent. Remove from heat and stir in flour.

Gradually add the liquid to the pan and stir to blend well. Return to heat and cook until smooth and creamy, stirring almost continually.

Add the cream, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Reheat and add scallops, oysters, lobster and shrimp. Season with salt and pepper.

Pour into a greased 2 litre baking dish.

Sprinkle with crumbs and bake at 375

Rewrite your life

by Sheila Webster, MA Certified Counsellor and Coach This topic is not new to myself with some of the clients I have had the privilege of working with in the past. There are all types of situations that help this type of issue to flourish. Unresolved trauma, unprocessed grief, loss, toxic relationshipsand addictions &/or mental health issues complicate life.

Each layer of challenges that someone has can bring a certain unique flavor to the type of desperation and make us feel isolated without options. As people unpack these layers with a competent person each bit of understanding brings pockets of relief and gives a new buoyancy to life no matter what the particular situation.

Here are some quick tips for readers today on relieving desperation in isolation.

degrees F until bubbly, about 35 minutes.

Serve with biscuits.

•••

Scalloped Scallops

1 1/2 lbs. scallops 1/4 lb. butter or margarine 4 cups bread crumbs 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. parsley 1 tsp. chives 1 tbsp. lemon juice Grease a large baking dish. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix butter with seasoning and lemon juice. Add bread crumbs and mix.

Make alternate layers of crumbs and scallops, ending with the bread crumbs.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

•••

Canned Salmon Chowder 3 tbsps. butter 3/4 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery

1 tsp. garlic powder 2 cups diced potatoes 2 carrots, diced 2 cups chicken broth 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. dried dill weed 2-16 oz. cans salmon, bones removed 1-12 oz. can evaporated milk 1-15 oz. can creamed corn 1/2 lb. cheddar cheese, shredded Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion, celery and garlic powder until onions are tender. Stir in potatoes, carrots, broth, salt and pepper and dill. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Stir in salmon, milk, corn and cheese.

Cook until heated through. Serve hot.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

Isolation & desperation

1. Engage a support network, whether it is rebuilding an old one or starting new.

Look for these qualities a) non-judgmental persons b) stable people c) mix of professionals and non-professionals d) people that let you know their boundaries - hours available - type of support offered - reasonable time frame to answer you - have things they won’t cross a line for - confidential - human (don’t have to be perfect!)

2. Practice good routines for health. a) wake and sleep times b) eating c) drink 6 - 8 glasses of water - this helps flush toxins - helps you make better decisions - naturally calms d) cleansing routine

- including teeth - wash up, shower, bath, sponge bath - clean clothes e) move your body every hour f) limit or break up screen time 3. Small achievable goals 4. Journal - the act of pen or pencil to paper itself if therapeutic for some - it can be done on any device if you prefer - it can reduce chronic pain, anxiety and other challenges significantly just by releasing your emotions to an outside source 5. Gratitude - no matter the darkest situation or issue simply finding small things to be grateful for releases positivity and mental health.

Breathe and keep on breathing! One breath at a time can change your world.

Parking fees waived at hospitals throughout province Saskatchewan Health Authority decision comes as COVID-19 crisis continues Moose Jaw Express Staff

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has taken another step towards making the fight against COVID-19 a little easier on frontline workers and their patients.

The SHA announced recently that all parking fees at hospitals throughout the province had been waived, including at the Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw. “To help support our staff and physicians who remain focused on delivering care and services and to help ease the burden for our patients, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is temporarily suspending parking fees for all patients, employees, and physicians at all of our facilities effective immediately,” the SHA said in a press release.

Visitors are asked to follow signs at their hospital or clinic in order to ensure proper parking procedures and that they are parking in the right area.

The removal of parking fees does not indicate a relaxing of other restrictions that remain in place, with the SHA reminding the public that visitors are no allowed at SHA facilities except for compassionate reason.

“Compassionate reasons may include immediate family during end-of-life care, family of patients prior to a major surgery or visitors aiding in clinical care (at the discretion of the patient’s care provider),” the SHA said.

These enhanced restrictions are in place until further notice.

PAGE A10 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Pandemic strands Moose Jaw man on ship near India Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Darin Baumann was working in the oilfields off India’s west coast when the Indian government suddenly shut down all ports because of the coronavirus, leaving the Moose Javian stuck 12,000 kilometres from home.

Baumann, 46, an offshore construction superintendent with Kreuz Subsea, had worked a stint from mid-November to February, before returning to Canada for a two-week break. He then left on Feb. 24 and travelled to India, where he and a crew of saturation divers worked to replace aging oil pipelines on the seafloor.

“Overnight, one day, with no warning, the port closed. No off-signers allowed,” Baumann wrote in several emails to the Moose Jaw Express.

The sudden closure of all ports on March 23 was bad news for Baumann and his team. He explained that he needed advance notice of at least four days — he was given four hours — to get his men off the boat, followed by three days of decompression and another day to monitor for decompression bends before they could fly.

As his team was going through decompression precautions, their ship and another one sailed east toward Mumbai.

However, they learned that the port was closed since the situation in Mumbai was becoming poor.

Missing flights home Canadian consular services lined up several flights from April 5 to 7 to get Ca-

A team of divers replaces old oil and gas pipelines on the sea floor northwest of Mumbai, India. Photo courtesy Darin Baumann

Darin Baumann of Moose Jaw is an offshore construction superintendent with Kreuz Subsea, which replaces old oil and gas pipelines on the sea floor. Baumann and his crews are stuck off the northwest coast of India since all ports have been closed. Photo courtesy Darin Baumann nadians home. However, there was no chance Baumann or the other two Canadians with him could make those flights since the port was closed until April 14; that closure was later extended to April 30.

“The sixth special flight to repatriate Canadians from India leaves tonight (April 9). Two more scheduled and that’s it in the books, the consulate has just informed me,” Baumann said. “People complaining about being trapped at home. Multiple Canadians trapped abroad. Wouldn’t be bad if we at least had a timeline as to when we can return.”

Baumann’s company, Kreuz Subsea, has two vessels working in the area, with 100 people on his ship. A Canadian on one of the ships attempted to leave via a crew boat just as the lockdown went into effect; he was turned back at the port. Baumann noted the man has a pregnant wife who is experiencing complications, so the co-worker is stressed.

One of the big concerns of Baumann and his crew is that one of their family members could have an emergency at home, become sick, or get into an accident, and they would be unable to help.

The company has sent provisions by supply boat — deemed an essential service — to the two ships, while both have

The ship on which Moose Javian Darin Baumann works. Photo courtesy Darin Baumann

enough fuel for a month. The crews have to be out of the field by Sunday, May 31 since that is when the monsoon season arrives. They have considered sailing to Singapore or Sri Lanka to catch a flight — if those countries allow them in, that is.

There is a job in Vietnam that starts in June, but Baumann didn’t want to go straight there. He noted he and his crew will be ready — “Ready now, actually” — for downtime by then.

Communicating with family “Where we will go is yet to be determined, (however),” Baumann said. “Luckily, my wife (Teresa) is used to my long absences, but it isn’t making it any easier with the kids being home from school — Peacock and Lindale — and the country at a standstill.”

Baumann hasn’t verbally spoken with Teresa since February when he left for India.

The satellite phone on his ship is poor; the rolling of the vessel hampers the signal; and sending and receiving updates over the internet is done by satellite, which means updates take a while. However, WhatsApp has allowed the couple to communicate daily.

The app has also allowed Baumann to speak with three of his six kids. He learned his one daughter in British Columbia keeps receiving job offers as a paramedic but cannot take the position since the pandemic has shut her down.

Besides his crew — a multinational unit composed of Kiwis, South Africans, English, Indians, Americans, Germans, Thai, Malaysians, and Filipinos — Baumann also has friends in the Middle East and West Africa who are in the same situation.

“I see Canadians on social media making jokes or cracking wise about being stuck at home with the wife and kids during the global pandemic …,” he said. “You people at home should enjoy the time spent with family (as) not everyone is with their families right now.”

Taking care of crews’ health One of Baumann’s divers who hails from the United Kingdom managed to get home before the lockdown since he had

some scheduled time off. However, he contracted the coronavirus at home and now “coughs until he can’t cough anymore. Not fun, by the sounds of it.”

“This is like watching a bad science fiction/post-apocalyptic movie on one hand,” Baumann wrote. “On the other hand, if it wasn’t for talking to our families via WhatsApp texts, we wouldn’t even know anything was going on.”

Baumann looks after his health by taking walks on the helideck and by using the gym. He noted that keeping the crew healthy is a priority at all times and not just during the pandemic. There is also a large onboard digital library for people to download movies and TV shows to their computers or tablets.

There was talk among both crews about anchoring near the port and waiting, but psychologically, Baumann and the project team on the beach decided it was best to keep working. That would keep them occupied and have them continue a normal routine of 12-hour shifts to support the divers.

A floating workplace Baumann’s vessel is not currently anchored. It is a dynamic positioned boat with thrusters that the hull computer controls, which keeps the ship in position while he deploys the diving bell. This allows the divers to work on the pipelines on the seabed. GPS monitoring systems, along with a weighted taut wire and transponder beacon, all feed data to the bridge computer to keep the boat in position.

The team’s two boats are currently positioned in the Mumbai High Oilfield, about 110 nautical miles (204 kilometres) west-northwest of Mumbai.

“Mentally, we go through phases, when someone gets going about the lockdown,” said Baumann. “(But) I change the subject. Try to just keep on, business as usual.”

Keeping the ships clean To prevent the coronavirus from coming on board either ship, Baumann suspended all crews changes and has allowed no one on or off. If the port does open but there are no flights, the Indian nationals can go home but will not be replaced.

When supplies arrive, the crews disinfect the outside of the container — it comes in larger chilled sea containers — and then wipe down the inside. The company supplying the supplies is also following strict rules by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The crews’ temperatures are checked daily and a quarantine room has been set aside, should anyone show symptoms; there have been no issues yet.

“When I left Canada in February, if I had known this was going to happen, I wouldn’t have left,” Baumann said, noting when he travelled through Hong Kong in 2009 during the H1N1 pandemic, he received temperature checks at the airport.

“Who would have thought we would shut the planet down over a virus with such a low mortality rate. Being outside of the country, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion,” he added. “The speed at which everyone gave up their civil liberties was shocking.”

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A11

Western Development Museum collecting photos of the pandemic Saskatchewan Views the Global Pandemic campaign sees WDM gathering pics of how people and places are dealing with COVID-19 Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

History is best remembered by the photos of the time.

That sentiment is being taken to heart by the Western Development Museum in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WDM – including the local branch in Moose Jaw – recently announced the launch of a new online exhibition designed to commemorate the outbreak and how it was viewed through the lens of Saskatchewan residents.

The exhibit, entitled Saskatchewan Views the Global Pandemic, can be found at saskviews.ca and offers a crowd-

sourced photo collage of people from all over the province with their photos and stories about how COVID-19 is affecting individuals, families and communities.

“We want to see peoples’ photographs of the ways the COVID-19 outbreak has affected them and Saskatchewan as a whole,” said exhibits manager Diana Savage in a press release “From the impact of self-isolation and social distancing, to changes in the way we work, communicate and care for each other, the implications of this crisis are far reaching.”

Participants can submit their photos and

a short story about their picture and how it relates to them and the pandemic at www.saskviews.ca. The format sees the photos in a collage-like layout, with the story popping up as each photo is moused over.

A total of 13 photos have been posted as of Wednesday, with the WDM hoping to see hundreds from as many people and places possible in Saskatchewan.

“These stories will help document the impact of the pandemic in Saskatchewan,” Savage said.

Legion cancelling annual Decoration Day memorial service due to COVID-19 The Moose Jaw Royal Canadian Legion has decided to cancel it’s annual memorial service for Decoration Day, due to continued concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

“We decided to cancel because of COVID-19, because [the service] brings the community together to plant Canadian flags together on the flags of veterans,” said Legion second vice-president Sue Knox.

The Decoration Day Memorial was to take place on June 7 in the three cemeteries in Moose Jaw, followed by the annual afternoon parade in Crescent Park, but the COVID-19 precautions have prompted the planning committee to reconsider the event.

The annual service involves a number of groups including the Legion and local veterans, military personnel from 15 Wing, ANAVETS members, Boy Scouts, and local cadets groups. Knox and the committee felt that it would be too difficult to organize the event with all of the uncertainty and closures during this time.

Larissa Kurz

“It’s a planning process, it takes about three months to get it organized,” said Knox. “And there just isn’t enough time to do it, even if they let everybody go back to doing their normal things in a couple of weeks.”

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The Decoration Day Memorial has only been cancelled once in the last number of years, said Knox, in 2017 due to excessive rain and mucky conditions in the cemeteries. Although this year will be cancelled, the Legion is hoping to find an alternate way to still celebrate Decoration Day for veterans and families.

The committee will be meeting in the next week to discuss an alternate solution for the service, possibly an online format that will allow veterans and families to still share their memorials of lost loved ones.

The Legion hopes to see the traditional service return to normal next year.

“We’re hoping to have it next year, once this whole situation calms down,” said Knox.

More details about the possible online service will be announced in the future, and any questions about the cancellation can be directed to Sue Knox at 1 (306) 6845593.

PAGE A12 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

- Moose Jaw’s Source for News! -

Prairie South School Division

Local news, weather and sports Your connection thesome worldschool programs Deadlines approaching to registertofor Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Since it will hopefully be safe to return to school at some point, both Moose Jaw school divisions want families to know there are certain registration deadlines approaching.

Prairie South School Division is reminding families that: • Pre-kindergarten applications are due Monday, June 1; • Kindergarten registrations are due by Friday, April 24;

• Students beginning Grade 9 at any Moose Jaw high school should register by Friday, April 24; • Students should apply for scholarships online by Friday, May 1.

All documents to register for these programs can be found at www.prairiesouth.ca. Forms can be completed and submitted online’ emailed to cartman.elizabeth@prairiesouth.ca’ or mailed to the division office at 1075 Ninth Avenue Northwest, Moose Jaw, S6H 1V7. There is a mail slot at the front door.

Holy Trinity Catholic School Division wants families to know: • Registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten are open to all families • High school counsellors will contact students about all available scholarship opportunities, including for post-secondary education More information can be found at www.htcsd.ca.

Prairie South to run deficit next year to maintain staffing levels Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express Since it does not receive enough money from the Ministry of Education, Prairie South School Division will run a deficit next year to ensure it has the necessary staffing levels.

Based on the most available data, during the 2018-19 school year, Prairie South School Division (PSSD) had revenues of $83.3 million and expenses of $87.6 million. Under expenses, the instruction category — composed of salaries of teachers and employees — was $57.5 million.

The budget required for minimum staffing levels for the 2020-21 school year is $64.9 million, or an increase of $1.47 million from the current year, according to a board of education report. The Ministry of Education will provide $833,000 in grants to cover part of the increase.

About $780,000 is for teachers’ salaries through the collective bargaining agreement, a two-per-cent increase in

the cost of living allowance (COLA) for teachers, and an extra $53,000 for PSSD’s budget.

PSSD will have to — and is preparing to — cover the remaining deficit of about $700,000 for the upcoming school year.

The board of education discussed the issue during its most recent meeting.

“This year (2020-21) in particular is going to be quite challenging as we staff schools, as we’re going to have an extra month in hand if this (motion) passes,” said education director Tony Baldwin.

The document presented to trustees breaks down staffing levels by area, he continued. Staffing allocations will be roughly the same next year as they were this year. Division administration expects there to be minimal growth in the student population.

Within the $1.47 million salary increase is a two-per-cent increase in COLA for teachers and a 1.5-per-cent COLA in-

TAX ENFORCEMENT LIST TOWN OF PENSE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN Notice is hereby given under the Tax Enforcement Act that unless the arrears and costs appearing opposite the land described in the following list are fully paid before the 23rd day of June, 2020, an interest based on a tax lien will be registered against the land.

Note: A sum for costs in an amount required by subsection 4(3) of the Tax Enforcement Act is included in the amount shown against each parcel.

crease for CUPE and out-of-scope employees. Two teachers will also be hired.

Conducting budget matters in increments is irresponsible and the wrong move, said trustee Brian Swanson. He believed approving staffing levels before the final budget was completed was “particularly dangerous when you’re operating in the red in deficits.” Trustees have also been told they might receive less money in preventative maintenance and renewal (PMR) for buildings, so PSSD could face a deficit of more than $1 million.

It might be status quo with staffing, but the budget is not status quo and the division is not receiving extra funding for operations, Swanson continued. PSSD has less purchasing power than last year, so he didn’t think the board should be “biting off a huge chunk of the budget” with staffing without knowing how the rest of the budget will look.

Swanson attempted to have the matter tabled until the 2020-21 budget finalization meeting, but that motion was defeated.

Staffing makes up about 80 per cent Prairie South’s budget, said trustee Shawn Davidson. It’s important to get ahead of this issue since there are 26

other school divisions in Saskatchewan — and hundreds across Canada — competing for the same top educators.

This move also reassures staff that the division is not making major cutbacks in personnel.

The board has put millions of dollars in reserves over the years through aggressive budgeting, Davidson said. That has given trustees the ability to consider deficit budgeting.

“It is definitely a rainy day,” he added, “and it is appropriate entirely to use up some of those reserves.”

One issue with staffing levels each year is the number of people who retire, said trustee Lew Young. He wondered how many employees had decided to retire this year.

There are about 12 teachers who will retire this year, said Diana Welter, superintendent of human resources. However, she didn’t have the data about how many support staff were retiring and would have to find out.

PSSD already plans to add 2.1 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers for next year, said Baldwin. But it might have to add more educators to replace those who are retiring.

R.M. OF TERRELL NO. 101 2020 ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Assessment Roll of the Rural Municipality of Terrell No. 101 for the year 2020 has been prepared and is now open to inspection at the office of the assessor (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY) during open office hours from 9:00am to 4:00pm on the following days Monday to Thursday, April 15th to May 20th, 2020.

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of “The Municipalities Act” has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal with: The Secretary, Board of Revision, Rural Municipality of Terrell No. 101, P.O. Box 60, Spring Valley, Saskatchewan S0H 3X0, by the 20th day of May, 2020, accompanied by a $30 fee for each property or parcel of land being appealed, which will be returned in the appeal is successful.

Dated this 22nd day of April, 2020 Jennifer Lendvay Treasurer

Dated this, 15th day of April, 2020.

Kimberly Sippola, Assessor

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A13

Prairie South School Division Vulnerable pre-k students in PSSD to continue to receive support Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express Prairie South School Division will continue to fund 10 pre-kindergarten programs worth $400,000 even though it does not receive any extra money from the Ministry of Education to do so.

These particular 160 pre-kindergarten spots for kids ages three and four were first created during the 201718 school year when the board directed $1 million in reserve money to support the initiative. After that year, PSSD paid for the program as a regular budget item.

The 10 division-funded programs are located in Central Butte, Coronach, Glentworth, Gravelbourg, LaFleche, Lindale, Palliser Heights (two), Rouleau, and Sunningdale. There are six other pre-k programs in PSSD that the Ministry of Education funds.

During their most recent board meeting, trustees discussed a motion that would see Prairie South School Division (PSSD) stop supporting non-provincially funded pre-kindergarten at the end of this school year and direct that funding toward kindergarten to Grade 12 programming, with the specific purpose of addressing the issue of classroom composition complexity and to minimize the challenges from that.

The vote on the motion ended in a tie, which meant it was defeated. In favour were trustees Brian Swanson, Tim McLeod, Shawn Davidson, Al Kessler and Robert Bachmann. Opposed were trustees Lew Young, Mary Jukes, Giselle Wilson, Darcy Pryor and Jan Radwanski.

Board discussion PSSD has more pre-k programs than any other school division, said Swanson. Some don’t have any pre-kindergarten initiatives, while some use fee-for-service or community programs.

No new provincial funding has been allocated to PSSD since it expanded the program, while it has had a static budget for two straight years, he continued. The initiative will not spread to other schools given PSSD’s financial position; three of the division-funded programs do not even have full enrolment.

“K to 12 is our mandate. We have 6,860-plus students in K to 12. Having a non-funded pre-k is a luxury. It’s

not what we can afford anymore …,” Swanson said, who thought the province should cover that cost.

There are 3.75 full-time equivalent teacher positions and 3.75 FTE educational assistant positions involved in the 10 programs, explained education director Tony Baldwin. If the motion passed, PSSD could re-allocate those teachers to other areas and roll the EAs into the system.

Programs part of history This is a topic that the board has discussed often during the last 10 years, said Young. The pre-kindergarten program is close to his heart and has been part of his re-election campaigns. This program has also been part of the division’s history, dating back before the amalgamation in 2006.

This program is unique since no other school division in Saskatchewan fully funds its pre-k programs, he continued. While the provincial government funds special programs sporadically, Prairie South believes the programs are a benefit to kids — about $2,500 is invested in each child — and are a high priority.

“Early education gives a head-start to children, as they begin their education career,” Young added. “This has been a hallmark of Prairie South.”

The number of students in the program (160) is equal to the size of three or four schools, said Young. The board would not close such schools — or programs of this magnitude — without first consulting with stakeholders. To do it now would be wrong.

Addressing classroom complexity The board has given clear direction to Baldwin and division office staff: it wants classroom complexity and composition — mainly student behaviour — addressed properly, Baldwin said. PSSD administrators would work to mitigate those concerns if the $400,000 became available and would use that money to support students.

Trustees should know that this would be a major adjustment in their strategic direction, he continued. However, they have the authority to adjust that direction, which would focus less on three- and four-year-olds and more on students who are in K to 12.

While trustee McLeod has been a long-term supporter of the pre-k programs, he said that he couldn’t deny the programs fall outside of PSSD’s mandate. Educating the youngest comes at a cost since the division has not received extra funding for this. Furthermore, K-12 teachers have told trustees they need help in the classroom.

Money needs to be found to address that concern.

Helping vulnerable children The board would do a disservice to classroom teachers by eliminating these programs since at least 48 pre-k students who require extra support would be sent into the regular system earlier than necessary, said Wilson.

The timing is also poor since the board can’t speak with school community councils about this.

PSSD is unable to catch all the vulnerable students anyway since some students who show up in kindergarten could have qualified for a ministry-funded program, said Davidson.

The most pressing issue PSSD faces is supporting vulnerable students and addressing classroom problems, he added. Teachers are not addictions counsellors, social workers or psychologists; they are trained to teach and should not be expected to perform these roles.

Use available reserves The board should consider using some of its reserves to fund this program since it could sit on this money forever, said Jukes. The division-funded pre-k programs are an enhancement of the main K-12 program and should be supported.

Reserve money is not suitable for operational expenses, and if the board is going to support something, it should focus on its K-12 mandate, said McLeod. It’s not appropriate to dip into reserves to deal with classroom problems since those should be addressed continually. PSSD would run out of reserve money if it did that.

“If there’s any use of reserve funds, it should be for a luxury. I would not call the pre-k program a luxury,” he added. “It is outside of our mandate.”

Staff absences in PSSD will be tracked normally during pandemic Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express Prairie South School Division’s board of education normally receives a monthly report about staff absences from the month before, but one trustee thinks the reports will be pointless during the pandemic.

During their most recent board meeting, trustees received reports for the period Feb. 24 to March 17 that looked at absences for teachers, CUPE staff, bus drivers, and out-of-scope employees. After introducing a motion to receive the report, trustee Lew Young pointed out these reports will be of little value during the next four months since the coronavirus has forced all school divisions to suspend school and keep teachers and staff at home.

Administration might have difficulty keeping track of absences and how education is presented, he added.

Nothing will change with how the division office tracks absences, said education director Tony Baldwin. It was “a weird week” from March 23 to 27 since everyone was working from home and that was counted as working time. However, starting March 30, if staff are absent, they report that in the same manner as they normally do.

There will be people who are away from work for the usual reasons, such as medical appointments, doctor appointments, vacation leave, or sick leave, he continued.

The only issue that the division foresees is the potential of a larger-than-normal accrual of vacation days built up for employees who are on a 12-month pay schedule.

“The third and fourth components of our pandemic plan have some pieces con-

R.M. OF ELMSTHORPE NO. 100 2020 ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Assessment Roll of the Rural Municipality of Elmsthorpe No. 100 for the year 2020 has been prepared and is now open to inspection at the office of the assessor from 8:30am - 12:30pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm on the following days Monday to Friday, inclusive, April 16th to May 15th, 2020.

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of “The Municipalities Act” has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, accompanied by a $25.00 appeal fee per parcel which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with: The Assessor, Rural Municipality of Elmsthorpe No. 100, P.O. Box 240, Avonlea, Saskatchewan S0H 0C0, by the 15th day of May, 2020.

Dated at Avonlea, Saskatchewan this, 16th day of April, 2020.

Jaimie Paranuik Assessor

nected to mitigating that exposure to the board, which could be a fairly significant financial exposure if vacation time accrues and accrues and accrues and nobody takes it,” Baldwin continued.

The division office should be able to fill the staff absence report normally from now until the end of the year, he added. It will simply have to record if vacation time builds up and report it to the board.

The data likely won’t be accurate as it can be, but the only thing trustees can do is wait to see the final result, Young remarked.

Report data Teacher absences and substitute usage were recorded from Feb. 26 to March 17. Based on 427.77 full-time equivalent (FTE) teacher positions, the data showed:

• A total of 741.30 FTE absences occurred; • 73.64 per cent of teachers required a substitute teacher; • Substitute teachers provided 545.90 FTE in coverage; • A total of 15 actual days of teaching was affected, out of a possible 6,416.55 FTE days.

Bus driver absences were recorded from Feb. 24 to March 19. Based on 107 FTE staff positions, the data showed: • 153.50 FTE days were missed; • A substitute driver was required for 98.37 per cent of the time; • A total of 18 actual days of driving was affected, out of a possible 1,926 FTE days The next board of education meeting is Tuesday, May 5.

Moose Jaw & District Labour Council

Honours and commemorates the

National Day of Mourning April 28, 2020

With a virtual candlelight ceremony, online due to the Covid 19, you can follow us on MJDLC facebook.

There will be a wreath laid at the Cenotaph Moose Jaw Union Centre To mark over 1,000 workers who have lost their lives in the workplace and many more that aren’t counted by our workers compensation system.

Please remember to practice social distancing and stay safe.

PAGE A14 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Prairie South School Division Avonlea demands that Prairie South pay outstanding property fee Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The Village of Avonlea has sent a letter to the Prairie South School Division (PSSD) demanding that it pay an outstanding fee that was assessed on a school property nearly three years ago.

The village assessed a local improvement levy in 2017 to pave a street — adjacent to Avonlea School — that services community businesses. According to the letter, the division was given until Dec. 15, 2017 for pre-payment of the special assessment.

Since that time expired, the division was bound to the option to pay the special assessment on the annualized instalment basis that also included interest.

The special assessment was levied with the division’s taxes starting in 2018, with the assessment to end in 2022.

Avonlea — located southeast of Moose Jaw — has not received any payment from PSSD for the local improvement levy and

no response to the tax notices, reminder letters, auditor’s letters and emails that have been said, wrote administrator Jaimie Paranuik. She spoke with the division’s accounting technician on March 22, 2019, and was assured this would be handled.

Paranuik sent email copies of the overdue notices that day after they were requested, and again on March 25, but did not hear back. “(Village) council requests a written response from your board to explain why this has not been paid, why the letters and emails have not been addressed and what … your future plans (are) to rectify this matter,” Paranuik said.

The village contacted the Ministry of Government Relations, which assured the municipal council that school divisions are not exempt from local improvement levies. Furthermore, after reviewing

similar cases, the village learned Court of Queen’s Bench and the Saskatchewan Municipal Appeals Board both ruled school divisions are liable for improvement levies and all costs that the municipality incurred for the appeal.

During its most recent board meeting, PSSD trustees voted to table the issue and refer it to the board’s Committee of the Whole — which meets only in-camera, or private — for a discussion and decision.

The board will have to decide on this issue soon, particularly since division staff are involved in handling this, explained education director Tony Baldwin. Board office staff has worked carefully under board advice to this point, but eventually, a decision will be required.

Trustee Shawn Davidson agreed with Baldwin, adding the board needs to have a more comprehensive discussion about

its strategy with the decision it wants to make. The board can then bring forward a motion once it has spoken about what it wants to do.

Of all the businesses affected by the project, only PSSD appealed the assessment levy, Paraniuk told the Moose Jaw Express by phone. The school division’s assessment — “a fair bit,” Paraniuk said — was not greater than the cost of the project, so it had to pay. The village council still went ahead with the project despite PSSD refusing to pay.

When reached for phone, Mayor Marlyn Stevens would not comment since the matter had been tabled and would be dealt with later.

The next board of education meeting is May 5.

Extra learning material should prepare kids for the fall, says education director Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Students in Prairie South School Division (PSSD) who participate in division-organized learning activities now — whether online or offline — should be well prepared for school in September, the director of education says.

The division implemented its pandemic preparedness plan in March after the provincial government ordered the closure of all schools. This included beginning phase 1 of its supplemental learning plan, which included posting material to Face-

book and the division website, and having educators teach students digitally and even dropping off homework at students’ homes.

“In some ways, it is an adequate replacement and in other ways not so much,” said education director Tony Baldwin. “It really depends on the individual situations for kids, families and staff. (But) I’m confident the work we’re doing is going to mean the kids will be able to return to school in September.

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“We might have a little bit of cleanup to do in mathematics (since that curriculum is tricky), but in all the other curricular areas they’ll be ready to go and they won’t miss a beat.”

Phase 2 of PSSD’s pandemic preparedness plan kicked-off on Monday, April 20 and runs until Friday, May 15. This phase will focus on family well-being and further planning for the future.

Phase 3 begins in late May and runs until June 30. Phase 4 would run in July to August, while Phase 5, if necessary, would occur in September if students are unable to return.

“I’m feeling good about the opportunities the kids have. And I’m feeling good about their prospects for success when we get back … ,” said Baldwin.

Family well-being School staff will reach out to families during the week of April 20 to see how remote learning is working. Parents can then identify anything that would help support them and their children.

School principals will also reach out to families to make arrangements to pick up possessions from school. This means if your kid left a tuna sandwich or shoes in a locker, you can pick up those items by appointment.

In a letter sent to families, the division office acknowledged some families are re-

ceiving too much material from schools.

Families are encouraged to let the teacher know to slow the flow of information.

Conversely, there are many enriched learning opportunities in which families and students can participate. This includes incorporating cooking, yardwork and house projects in students’ learning schedules.

Since teachers normally prepare classwork for a five-hour school day, educators are still learning how much work to push out, Baldwin said. Some of that work has been similar to drinking water from a fire hose — it’s a lot. However, he thought it was better to have too much work than too little.

There is a physical distancing plan at every school, which means teachers and school employees must tell the division where they will be working. Baldwin noted caretakers are working as normally as possible at schools, while teachers are either at home or in their classrooms.

The supplemental learning appears to be popular at Central Collegiate, he added.

One teacher there believes at least 400 students have accessed the material online.

For more information about Prairie South’s supplemental learning, visit www.prairiesouth.ca.

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Of note, recent weather conditions have made it difficult for farmers to complete their 2019 harvest.

“It means double the work in a spring when stress is already high in the farm community,” said APAS president Todd Lewis in a press release. “Not only are

folks unable to finish their harvest and start seeding, but we’re hearing more and more about how the impacts of COVID-19 are making the situation more difficult.”

To that end, one-third of respondents say that COVID-19 has resulted in disruptions to the purchase and delivery of farm inputs, as well as to the sale and delivery of their farm production.

Another issue highlighted by farmers is poor telecommunications service. Fifty-one percent of respondents said they are experiencing higher-than-average disruptions to cell and internet service.

The latest survey is up now and is available until April 20 at apas.ca/survey.

There you will also find the full results to last week’s survey.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A15

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PAGE A16 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

‘I live it day-to-day:’ COVID-19 practices just everyday life for the immunocompromised Larissa Kurz

For Rockglen resident Marie Lerminiaux, carrying hand sanitizer in her purse to use after handshakes isn’t a practice she has had trouble adjusting to amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The recommended and mandated social distancing practices have certainly made changes in many people’s lives, some on a large scale. People have been left scrambling to track down disinfectant wipes and bottles of hand sanitizer, and are lamenting the restrictions on gatherings larger than ten.

But for Lerminiaux, not much has really changed in her life because as an immunocompromised individual, she started doing all of these things several years ago.

“It bothers me, what’s happening in the world, but for my own safety and my own sanitation and all that, I have no fear because I live it day-to-day,” said Lerminiaux. “I feel like I’m doing everything I possibly can already, because it’s my daily regime.”

Lerminiaux received a kidney transplant in 2018 after being on dialysis, and because of her transplant, her immune system has been left weakened and more susceptible to infections and diseases.

“It is a whole new world because I obviously feel awesome and great, but it’s a lot of care, right, and a lot of new normals,” said Lerminiaux about her transplant.

“There’s all of these things we have to be aware of and be clean about.”

Lerminiaux, and everyone in her life, had to begin practicing “social distancing” long before the pandemic made it a wide-

spread lifestyle. She has always thought about how many people have touched that jug of milk in the grocery store and used sanitizer after shaking hands with other people.

She takes care to avoid crowds, especially during flu season and keeps Lysol wipes in every room of her house for visitors.

“It’s our normal, like every day, and it’s a very good thing, but it’s hard for others to comprehend,” said Lerminiaux.

For immunocompromised people like Lerminiaux, something as simple as catching a cold is a big concern because her immune system is less capable of fighting illnesses.

“A cold or flu to a healthy normal person might last one to two weeks, right, where for an immunosuppressed person [it could take] a month to six weeks to get rid of,” said Lerminiaux, recalling a recent experience of her own.

And Lerminiaux isn’t the only person who lives with these daily concerns.

HIV/AIDS patients and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments are immunocompromised, as well as people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, lupus, diabetes, and lung disease. There’s also a number of rare genetic disorders that leave people immunocompromised, as does malnutrition, some medications, and plenty of other factors.

“For myself, it’s because I have an organ transplant. To somebody else, it could be something different,” said Lerminiaux.

The current pandemic has only thrown that feeling into a spotlight, as the whole

Marie Lerminiaux is an organ transplant recipient, and she feels hopeful that the pandemic measures people are getting used to could change the way they behave around immunocompromised people in the community even after the outbreak is over. (supplied) population is now facing the same reality that immunocompromised people face every day.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is continually warning individuals who are immunocompromised to be careful about who they come into contact with, and to practice strong infection prevention to avoid contracting COVID-19.

“Patients whose immune system are compromised because of pre-existing conditions or medications that suppress the immune system might be at increased risk of complications from COVID-19,” said the SHA, in an email.

For Lerminiaux, seeing the whole province take on widespread sanitation practices due to the coronavirus feels like a perfect opportunity for everyone to understand the daily experience of immunocompromised individuals like herself.

Lerminiaux’s hope is that even after the provincial mandates are lifted, people will continue to be aware of how their daily routine can affect immunocompromised people, even indirectly, through germ transmission.

“I think I can speak for many that it’s not just [important during] this pandemic. I want it to be like an ‘aha’ moment,” said Lerminiaux. “I think the positive spin on all this is maybe people will just be mindful, after [it’s over], for their own health and safety.”

Things as simple as respecting people’s space in public, coughing into a sleeve, and staying home when sick with a cold or the flu would help not just people like Lerminiaux but everyone maintain their health.

She hopes that while people are regularly doing things like wiping down grocery cart handles and avoiding touching surfaces in public spaces because of the coronavirus right now, they will also continue to do these things even after the outbreak is over.

“We have to be mindful of the pandemic, but in essence, we’re also helping everybody else that might be [immunocompromised],” said Lerminiaux.

Four hundred fewer jobs in this region year over year

By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Four hundred jobs were lost since last year in the Moose Jaw-Swift Current labour region.

There were 49,600 people working here at March 30, according to the Statistics Canada monthly labour survey.

Unemployment rate in the region increased from 5.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent — second lowest of the five regions and lower than the provincial rate of 6.7 per cent.

The Saskatchewan rate of unemployment increased from 5.6 per cent to 6.7 per cent

Lowest unemployment rate in five provincial regions was Yorkton-Melville, losing 100 jobs but maintaining a 5.2 per cent unemployment rate.

The Regina-Moose Mountain region shed 3,700 jobs with the unemployment rate almost doubling to 7.2 per cent from 4.7.

In the Saskatoon-Biggar region job losses amounted to 3,500 for a 7.3 per cent unemployment rate - up from 5.8 per cent

The Prince Albert Northern region lost 1,500 jobs, putting unemployment at 8.1 per cent. up from 7.2 per cent.

There were 68,900 people employed in the Moose JawSwift Current labour region, an increase of 3,200 from last year.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Another U.S. farmer bailout possible

By Ron Walter - For Agri-Mart Express

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cash.

President Donald Trump tweeted he would give farmers more money while they wait for the Chinese trade deal to boost commodity exports.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture pre-

dicts ag exports to China will reach $14 billion this year, up by $4 billion, but far from the $40 billion China promised to buy.

U.S. farmers have already received $23 billion in bailouts from the Trump admin-

istration to offset losses of exports over the tariff wars.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A17

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PAGE A18 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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Students can still showcase heritage projects through online Heritage Fair

By Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The closure of all schools prevented most students from physically participating in heritage fairs this year, but Heritage Saskatchewan has allowed youths to showcase their displays digitally.

Since most regional heritage fairs and the provincial heritage fair had to be cancelled when the pandemic was declared, the organization is holding a virtual Heritage Fair open to all students in grades 4 to 8 across the province, especially — but not exclusively — for those who were already doing projects in their schools.

Students can submit their projects by email or through the Heritage Saskatchewan website, at heritagesask.ca. The deadline for students to enter is Thursday, April 30.

“Heritage Saskatchewan chose to continue the program in a new format because we felt that this is an important project for students at this time. Many of them had already completed their projects prior to school closures and we wanted to give the students the chance to share their work,” explained Katherine Gilks, co-ordinator of heritage fairs for Heritage Saskatchewan.

A Heritage Fair project gives students the chance to connect with their families — even if physically distancing — and explore a topic they are passionate about, she continued. That passion shines in

A heritage fair display on Vikings was presented in 2019 during the regional heritage fair. (Ron Walter photograph) their work and is shared with the community during the regional and provincial fairs. Moving the provincial fair online allows the community to remain part of the program.

Only two of the 11 registered schools in the Moose Jaw area held their schoolbased fairs to determine which students would advance to the regional fair, explained Heather Rauscher, chairwoman of the Moose Jaw and District Regional Heritage Fair committee. Since the regional fair has been cancelled, the committee won’t be involved in the provincial Heritage Fair until next year when it starts

to plan again.

As a parent herself, Rauscher worked with her son over the Easter break on his project that he will submit to Heritage Saskatchewan’s virtual fair. His school managed to hold its fair before it closed, while his project was one of the few chosen to advance to regionals. Rauscher joked that her son had no help from her in achieving that honour.

“He was very disappointed that the regional fair was cancelled but is excited for the chance to still be able to share his project, just in a different way,” she added.

Heritage guides society and is something people turn to during tough times, such as learning how others in the past dealt with adversity, Gilks said. It also helps people recall that hard times will not last forever, while the more fun aspects of life, such as museums, zoos, sports, arts, and entertainment, will return.

“The Heritage Fair is a chance for many of us to learn something new about Canada,” she added.

During May, projects will be judged virtually and winners will be announced at the end of the month. There is no higher level to which students can advance since this contest takes the place of the provincial Heritage Fair. However, Canada’s History Society is also running its national contests if students are interested in participating.

The virtual judging will be done using modified rubrics, as judges are unable to ask questions and may only have a photograph with which to work. Projects will be judged for their content, creativity, and communication. Prizes will be offered.

Projects can be on any topic relating to Canada.

“We have some entries from the Moose Jaw region already,” Gilks added, “but we would love to see more as there was record participation at the school level in the Moose Jaw region this past year.”

TRADING THOUGHTS

Federal Conservatives need to deal with virus infecting leadership Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer boasted a few weeks ago that he saved Canada from a Trudeau dictatorship.

The Conservatives strongly objected to Liberal plans for the short session of Parliament to pass legislation giving the Liberals absolute

by Ron Walter power to tax and spend until Dec. 31, 2021. The Liberals argued these powers were needed to cope with unexpected issues arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Conservatives rallied other parties around their objections and the Liberals withdrew the absolute power request. Parliament passed a financial aid/tax deferral package.

The Conservatives made much of their victory, a victory from a battle that delayed availability of the package by a few days.

Scheer’s chest thumping over the victory was mostly petty partisan bickering, simply because the Trudeau

Liberals have no majority in Parliament.

If the Liberals had a majority, Scheer would have definitely stopped any potential abuse and should have been applauded for his stand.

Given the Liberal minority — a position Scheer used to force the Liberals to withdraw the absolute power clauses — it is questionable whether Trudeau and the Liberals would have gone overboard with taxing and spending.

With a minority position anything the Liberals would have done would have faced intense scrutiny from the majority opposition after Dec. 31, 2021.

A Liberal majority would have run over any post Dec. 31, 2021 objections.

Instead of chest thumping over this partisan win, Scheer, and the Conservatives, should be showing a unified effort to effectively combat this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic situation.

Scheer, Trudeau and the other federal party leaders should be standing shoulder to shoulder encouraging Canadians to take and continue taking precautions to avoid this damaging deadly virus.

The apparent need for the absolute powers came with-

in weeks when Trudeau announced the wage subsidy program. Before it could be executed, the government now needed Parliamentary approval.

Scheer took time out from his criticism that business wasn’t getting federal funds fast enough to delay the wage subsidy in a dispute over whether the next emergency session of Parliament would be online or in the House of Commons.

It was the second time Scheer delayed approval of financial aid to those hurt by the pandemic, yet he criticizes the Liberals for not being fast enough with assistance. How ironic!

Conservative supporters must be anxious for the upcoming leadership convention, postponed by the virus pandemic.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A19 20045IR0

PAGE A20 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

- Rhino’s Ramblings -

Why Did You Ask That?

It’s something I was asked by a few over the phone and that is why I asked questions about the City of Moose Jaw not advertising in the Moose Jaw Express?

What value do I see in asking a question which would help a ‘competitor’?

Quite simply, I came out of the newspaper industry and despite what so many younger and not so young people are telling you, newspapers – such as the Moose Jaw Express still play a very pivotal role in not just ours but other communities, as well.

I base it upon not just my own experiences at the local paper almost 30 years ago but what people tell me.

To fully understand why you just need to look no further than the demographics. Seniors make up a large part of this community.

Many still rely on the local newspaper.

Anecdotally I am also hearing from seniors in my own neighbourhood – either on the phone or when I take that thrice weekly walk to pick up…God forbid the mail what exactly is the City doing?

I am still finding more than a few asking me questions of where to find the basic information they need to get through the Covid – 19 pandemic successfully.

And these are people who are in that risk group, or just shy of it, we are trying to help and save.

People need to understand, and in my opinion, at least a couple at City Hall need to realize this, news for a majority of older people, amongst others, comes in two main forms into their homes.

And they are television and the newspaper.

I do not know how many countless times people have asked me since September why hasn’t Moose Jaw changed their signs from 40 km/hr in school zones when the “news” on television tells them it is now 30 km/hr?

The fact is school zones and their speed limits are set by the local municipality and what people are watching is in fact the Regina news.

It seems to be a fact missed during what many are seeing as a crisis. A crisis where the necessary facts are not permeating out to the community in the manner that they should.

Personally, I am starting to worry the people most vulnerable, the people who the authorities are trying to help with this lockdown, are missing the information they may well need to get through this.

The thing is we will never really know.

By Robert Thomas Opinion/Commentary; April 11, 2020 That is unless some time in the future a family approaches the local media about the impact not knowing some vital information had on them.

Here is hoping it is not a tragedy.

It is a story I do not want to write, plus one I’m guessing City Hall does not want to respond to is my best guess.

During the news conference and its rapid end many have asked – through Direct Messaging or actually posting – what is the City trying to accomplish with these news briefings that in many ways tell us nothing new?

First off, this is the opportunity to address the citizens of Moose Jaw and keep its citizens advised of what’s happening and try to place some calm out there in rapidly changing and turbulent times.

It is sort of like what you have been seeing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump do on a daily basis.

Reassure the nation with what you are doing, take media questions and then often abruptly end it for the day to repeat the cycle once again.

But in Moose Jaw’s case, they are also trying to reach the Regina media to call in and ask questions.

Something which largely has not happened.

I have spoken to a few I know personally in the out of town media and in reality Moose Jaw in many ways is off of their radar.

Especially during the Covid – 19 pandemic when there is more than enough to cover locally and disseminate throughout the province as a whole.

And besides the local Moose Jaw, media is well aware of what is transpiring and has this covered.

The big bump and a report out of Moose Jaw to the TV just is not happening unless it is major crime related it seems.

But was more said beneath the covers so to speak at the news conference.

In my opinion, trying to deflect my questions of not getting the City’s message out in the newspaper itself and not doing its job lacks a full understanding of what’s happening. It could well be called buck-passing by some.

But here is the problem as I see it.

The City has sort of laid the blame on the Moose Jaw Express if their message is not getting out through press releases; [according to the city]there is or should be no need for ads.

It does not take very long to see that many could hold an

opinion if there is no need for ads but the City’s message is getting out OK through news releases, media contacts and the weekly news conference why is the City buying on-line ads at Discovermoosejaw.com which is powered by the radio stations?

Why isn’t the City holding them up to the same standards as the Moose Jaw Express?

Is the City saying they trust the Express to get the message out more effectively so they don’t need to buys ads but they don’t when it comes to DMJ? In my own opinion, it’s all a little bit confusing.

I certainly hope it is not a case of favoritism on the part of City Hall in tough times for local small business.

This is just my opinion but is the City placing their bets on a medium less likely to ask hard questions or venture into the controversial?

A City Hall which has for well over a year before the Covid – 19 pandemic struck, done more and more business in-camera and behind closed doors then it’s predecessor did in four years. And that is a factual statement.

It is also – whether they like to admit it or not – a City Hall in my opinion seemingly drifting more at arm’s length and distant from many of the ordinary residents it serves.

Social distancing in my eyes has been going on for quite some time in other forms; we just have as a city not been able to admit it.

The sad part is the people seemingly paying for it right now are the very people who we are trying to protect in this Covid – 19 lockdown.

At least a few cannot get the direct local information they used to get through a City paid ad in the newspaper, which could end a lot of stress and save lives.

Something which is handy, does not require a computer nor time to boot up.

Here is hoping [that the lack of attentiveness to advertising pertinent news to a vulnerable population, including seniors] does not lead to tragedy because of it. https://www.mjindependent.com/opinion/2020/4/11/ ynzeutdw89fypgo1p4eqvijveb3qm8 The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Back Alley Potato And Petunia Gardeners Will Not See Enforcement Action

By Robert Thomas, April 10, 2020

If you are growing potatoes or petunias in your back lane you likely won’t have to worry about a Bylaw enforcement officer coming out and fining you – that is for at least the time being. The Covid – 19 pandemic has the City taking a ‘lives over lawns’ approach.

During Thursday morning’s (April 9th) pandemic preparation news conference city manager Jim Puffalt said the City would not be out actively enforcing the new encroachment policy when it came to people growing gardens and flowers on City-owned back lanes.

At their December 10, 2019 meeting Council approved a new pro-active enforcement policy regarding encroaching on City-owned property.

Bylaw enforcement would actively seek out and potentially take action against those using City-owned lands without prior authority.

Previously the City had utilized a complaints-based enforcement approach.

The approach proposed at that meeting was for the City to first issue letters and

publicly educate residents whose properties encroached on City-owned properties but also at a later stage if there was no compliance to potentially utilize enforcement as the last action.

Asked whether the City would be enforcing the new policy when it came to residents growing vegetables and flowers on City-owned properties - back lanes - Puffalt said he could not see the City doing so.

“I don’t believe in this condition that we would be over drastic on what we are proposing. And I don’t believe we were planning to actively enforce. It was more so at this point of time establish some standards and communicate to the public,” Puffalt replied.

As a note MJ Independent asked the question because two seniors had expressed concerns to us they wanted to continue to have their back lane and vacant city property gardens this year due to fears of Covid – 19 related shortages.

Purchasing some products in local stores - such as potatoes – has been difficult as more people are cooking at home and oth-

Oh Clark’s

ers have hoarded them.

The food industry has said there are no long-term shortages expected in food availability.

“I don’t think we would do that in any case. Flowers are a positive and people getting outside especially during this time is really positive. Again anything we do we try to temper it with judgement and reason. And that would be one to us not to not make sense at this point in time,” he said.

MJ Independent did not ask any further follow up questions – as the media was told before the news conference began to keep their questioning to COVID – 19 City related issues only.

In documents previously obtained in January by MJ Independent through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding the change of policy when it came to encroaching on City-owned property the issue was discussed at least once at a strategic planning session.

Documents on MJ Independent.com news-blog reveal before the new policy

was adopted Puffalt had requested Administration review what other communities were doing regarding the encroachment issue.

In gathering data for their report Administration asked other communities what they were doing about encroachment issues.

One of the questions asked was what was being done about people growing gardens in back lanes or other publicly owned property.

It is unknown if Puffalt received a report containing what was being done about guerilla gardners in other communities or if Council had discussed taking action against back lane potatoes and petunias.

Bylaw enforcement has been declared an essential service by the City during the Covid - 19 pandemic as they are required under various City bylaws. h t t p s: // w w w. m ji n d e p e n d e n t . c o m / new-blog/2020/4/10/2eg612dccma8aspr9yns1c81d1rw9m

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A21

Moosejawtoday.com goes viral

Rob’s Raves Rob Ritchie

Okay, if you know me, you probably have figured out I am not very good at blowing our own horn; you might only get a pat on the back at the best-of-times when you do something special; I’ve been that way for years!

Personally, I prefer the rants to keep people accountable, but when something is good, its well, good.

First, I need to comment on our loyal staff. We, like most businesses, are facing different times. Its not easy for anyone at this time, I’m sure; however, together more than ever, we will get through all this.

Kudo’s to our staff, from the top down, in making concessions to keep on the job.

Its a testament to our staff. I’ve said it numerous times, we have the best group we have had in years, to bring you the news accurately through our media outlets MooseJawToday.com and Moose Jaw Express newspaper. Our team is still

LETTER TO THE

EDITOR

on fire.

Of mention is a great article ‘Saskatchewan could be on verge of COVID miracle’ written by one of our veteran reporters, Randy Palmer stating more were cured of COVID-19 than infected in Saskatchewan.

Seriously, we owe a lot to the premier of this province for taking a quick and bold stand and making cities and municipalities understand that in this time, their guidelines rule...period. We are not a bone on our own; thank God for that.

But as a community, we might owe a little gratitude of thanks to Randy Palmer, who is bringing a positive spotlight to the city with people from all over the country looking at Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan for the solid health and lifestyle advantage offered here.

Randy’s story went viral, picked up by Vancouver is Awesome and Prince George Today and other publications, still escalating the readership, over 213,000 unique visitors so far this month at today.com; page views are well over 1/2 a million and his story has been shared over 50,000 times as of this writing.

I have always been proud of the honest news our staff are reporting, but this just tells me, we are and have

always been on the right track, bringing trusted news to our readers.

To our staff, thank you! Day in and day out, from our cleaners to our circulation staff, from our carriers to our reporters and to the sales staff, designers, editors and accounting, all I can say is Stay Safe, Stay Strong, the community needs you now more than ever! From me personally, thank you, we are proud of you all, you make us look good every day.

To our advertisers...if you are not on our site, you are missing potentially 100’s of thousands of customers.

Are some council persons coming to their senses?

And finally, I do need to also tip my hat to councillors Luhning, Eby, Swanson and McMann, for making a solid business decision on the Canadian Tire non-refundable deposit. Sincerely, thank you. Simply put, either you want to be here or you don’t: no begging; no deals; as citizens, we’re all in this together.

Stay well and thank a trucker, a care worker, and all essential business as you support local business as much as possible at this time. Let’s keep the Moose moving; together we all win.

Send your letters to the editor to: letters@mjvexpress.com or 888-241-5291

All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express.

Taxes and Reduced Spending It seems we have a lot of time on our hands these days due to social distancing and isolation. One thing it allows us to do is think. Perhaps it’s time to ask what our elected officials are really doing for us.

Lately I’ve heard talk about the financial difficulties some Canadians are having. We’ve heard reports about some folks in arrears on their mortgages; the demand for food banks is increasing; and many are struggling to just make ends meet.

While government at every level is quick to provide statistics, one number seems obviously absent: the contribution government makes to tougher financial times for Canadians. It seems no matter what we do government is first in line to reduce our financial resources.

Canadians on average pay 42.5% of their income on some kind of government tax.

It begins with income tax deducted before the worker sees a dime, then the taxes on taxed earnings: GST, PST, and environmental surcharges, fuel tax, carbon tax (plus GST) along with import taxes and other surcharges. And we must not forget property taxes. All these taxes while politicians assure us they represent and are fighting for us.

Looking at Canada’s annual rate of inflation over the past ten years we’ve averaged around1.57%. And yet, when we look at increases in property taxes, water rates, waste removal, and now the carbon tax it seems our governments find it quite easy to exceed the rate of inflation. Many Canadians have not seen wage increases, but government continues to reach into their pockets.

Canadians need to speak up and address the real issues that are cutting into their financial resources. We have a Prime Minister assuring us a carbon tax would be revenue neutral, although he didn’t tell us it would be subject to GST. The Saskatchewan Government has turned to picking pockets too. Expansion of the PST from five to six percent has taken a chunk out of disposal income. Then there is the multiple taxing of goods when you have to pay sales tax on used vehicles.

Oh, and let’s not forget municipalities. They too have their way of reaching into our pockets.

In Moose Jaw I guess we’ll see brown grass again this year. People find it expensive to

water grass, which includes a sewer charge for every litre put on the grass or garden. And I guess I should mention the six percent increase in water utility fees and a five percent hike in sewer rates. We’re told it only accounts for about six dollars a month. That’s not just spare change if you’re on a fixed income. Remember when our garbage collection was reduced and collection fees went up nine percent.

Our City Council likes to spend money, but I wonder if it understands how to spend it efficiently?

Tax arrears on Moose Jaw properties for 2018 were over three times as much as they were in 2013. City Council needs to ask why. Perhaps folks are trying to feed their families, keep them warm and put a roof over their heads.

Some council members want to ring bells downtown again, while stopping people from growing vegetables along their back ally. Hello, growing vegetables in the ally helps keep weeds down and puts food on the table. However, perhaps ringing bells downtown might wake up some city councillors to the real needs in our city.

With governments willingly increasing their fees, perhaps we should not question when workers ask for raises. After all, they’re just trying to feed their families, pay utilities, keep up with increasing taxes, and hopefully put something away for retirement.

What we need at all levels of government is affordable taxation and responsible budgeting and spending. It’s a novel idea, but it might just reduce the financial burden on Canadians and perhaps reduce the demand on the food banks and leave some finances for families to enjoy.

Taxes fund important government services. However, we shouldn’t simply assume that higher taxes provide better government services.

While we have time to think, let’s remember we’re supposed to have municipal and provincial elections this fall. Let’s ask ourselves if we’re really getting value for our tax dollars, or if governments need to become fiscally responsible. Perhaps it’s time to elect effective leaders and not just politicians.

A. W. Allan, Moose Jaw

Ontario senator wants more assistance than credit for agriculture

By Ron Walter For Agri-Mart Express

An Ontario senator, who raised concerns EXPRESS about the impact on agriculture from the Covid-19 pandemic, hopes for more assistance to the industry.

Sen. Robert Black of Fergus, Ontario told Real Agriculture in an interview that he has heard concerns from the dairy, cattle, grain, mushroom and other parts of the industry.

On the cattle and pork side, concern focuses around keeping packing plants open since a Quebec pork processor shut down, an Ontario beef plant has closed for safety measures, and a Calgary beef plant closed temporarily when a worker tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

AGRIMART

The plant closures have impacted feed grain producers and animal producers across the country.

When a plant closes because of a worker with Covid-19 “you can’t just put new people in there. We need to incentivize our workers to stay in agriculture.”

Black hopes for more federal assistance for agriculture.

“What we have is just an extension of credit. The farmers have to pay it back.”

He said the temporary foreign workers program issue has been partly resolved with foreign workers coming into Canada but there are still some concerns with having to quarantine for 14 days before working.

The industry is concerned as temporary farm workers are needed for planting, maintenance and harvesting of labour-intensive crops from vegetables to fruit.

The seed potato and vegetable industry in this region relies on the program.

Black, appointed to the Senate in 2016, said Federal Minister of Agriculture Anne-Marie Bibeau is doing a good job listening and dealing with issues.

When the pandemic is over Black hopes a high level group is put together to develop measures to cope with situations like the pandemic and to ensure food security.

Since that interview the federal government has announced a $50 million program to offset wages paid temporary foreign workers while they are in quarantine for 14 days. The plan offers farmers with temporary foreign workers $1,500 per worker.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

PAGE A22 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

City Hall Council Notes

MAKE A COMPLAINT

As it seems that Moose Jaw City Hall does not seem to acknowledge citizen complaints, if you are disgruntled about the lack of communication at City Hall or feel you have a viable complaint with how the City of Moose Jaw is conducting their affairs and spending our taxpayers’ money, please make your voices known to the Ombudsman’s office in Saskatchewan.

Ombudsman Saskatchewan promotes and protects fairness and integrity in the design and delivery of government services. They take complaints about provincial government ministries, agencies, Crown corporations and many health entities. They also take complaints about municipal entities.

Ombudsman Saskatchewan offices are located at 150 – 2401 Saskatchewan Drive Regina Sask. S4P 4H8. Back in July the Ombudsman was Mary McFadyen; she can be reached by phone at the Regina office at (306)787-6211, Fax 306.787-9090 or e-mail ombreg@ombudsman.sk.ca. Let them know how you feel and get them to investigate.

Line of credit could add extra $15 million to city’s debt level Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

A line of credit (LOC) could help the City of Moose Jaw cover its projected expenses, but in the process, it would also add to the municipality’s debt level.

During its April 13 executive committee meeting, city council voted 6-1 on a recommendation to authorize the mayor and city clerk to sign the necessary Scotiabank documents to establish a line of credit of $15 million should the city’s bank accounts become overdrawn, while city administration would prepare a borrowing bylaw for this amount.

Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.

The recommendation must be approved at a future regular council meeting to become official.

Background The report about the proposed line of credit and current and future cash flows was written on March 9, before the coronavirus pandemic took off, explained finance director Brian Acker.

“The unforeseen event of a pandemic does underline the need for a line of credit,” he said. “Even if it is something that doesn’t happen often, it is important to have for most organizations.”

The process to establish an LOC can take several months, Acker continued. A council has to ratify a recommendation about setting up a line of credit, while city administration needs to bring back a bylaw that requires three readings before the LOC goes into effect.

The line of credit will affect the city’s debt limit, which has sufficient room to accommodate the LOC, he pointed out. The current debt is $59.2 million and the limit is $95 million. The LOC — if fully used — would increase the debt level to $74 million.

Moose Jaw has never had a line of credit before, Acker added.

“This is prudent planning. It’s interesting to note we have not had a line of credit before, but we are in interesting times,” said Coun. Crystal Froese. “This is a good safety net for us.”

Financial details The municipality has about $10 million in bonds that mature each year, which gives flexibility with cashflow needs, Acker said. During the past few years, the municipality has maintained a large bank balance due to favourable interest rates. This has “resulted in ample (financial) balances” and eliminated any need for an LOC. Since 2015, city hall has spent between 34 per cent and 69 per cent of its allocated capital budget on projects.

The municipality has committed to spending between 85 per cent and 90 per cent of its capital funding in 2020 and beyond, which would increase demands on cash flows, he continued.

“The city has sufficient short-term monies available for its operating fund, but may not have sufficient funds at all times for its capital needs due to the large capital demands,” said Acker. “This includes over $82 million in planned capital and equipment spending in 2020 alone.”

The planned capital spending this year will be funded by using municipal revenue and non-invested reserve sources. However, uncertainty around the timing of provincial and federal grants, plus uncertainty in the arrival of land development proceeds and reimbursements for those costs, has created “the potential for the city to overdraw its short-term operating funds,”

Acker noted.

Estimated cash flows There was $38.3 million in short-term funds available to start 2020. Acker’s report listed the cash inflows and outflows for all four quarters of this year: • Quarter 1: $64.4 million/$29.2 million • Quarter 2: $66.4 million/$34.1 million • Quarter 3: $59.6 million/$41.3 million • Quarter 4: $43.8 million/$29.2 million This means the net cash flow — or difference between the inflow and outflow — during all four quarters of this year is expected to be: • Q1: $35.1 million • Q2: $32.2 million • Q3: $18.2 million • Q4: $14.5 million The cash flow forecasts indicate Moose Jaw should remain in a positive position this year, however, the potential to overdraw its short-term resources is a possibility, Acker admitted.

Scotiabank can provide the LOC for an overall interest rate of 1.7 per cent. The LOC would be tied to the municipality’s bank accounts and would be accessed if the accounts “dropped below a specified level.” The city would only pay interest, Acker said, on any balances for however long the LOC was used. The LOC could be used for weeks or months to bridge funding shortfalls or short-term scenarios.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 27.

However, similar to this last meeting, the media will likely be locked out of the meeting and prevented from attending in person.

Non-essential community businesses could receive short-term financial help Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

With federal and provincial emergency benefits geared toward workers, Coun.

Dawn Luhning wants action taken to financially help community businesses that were forced to close after being deemed non-essential.

To kick start that action, Luhning submitted a motion during the April 13 regular council meeting to have city administration provide council with a list of non-essential businesses that pay property taxes per month, with the municipality to potentially eliminate those taxes.

Council voted 6-1 in favour of the motion; Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.

Council discussion Opening the 2020 budget to find savings is a good idea, but it’s too slow to help people, especially non-essential businesses, Luhning said. Workers are receiving all the new emergency benefits, but business owners — who have to pay taxes, utilities, insurance and overhead costs — are receiving none.

Since these businesses are unable to generate revenue, eliminating their bills

could help in the short-term, she continued. Some business owners have told her there are incentives to attract new businesses to Moose Jaw, but none for established companies.

“I understand that we have limited resources and we are struggling … (and) as municipalities we can’t do this very often,” Luhning said. “But this is (an) unprecedented time. This is an emergency.

This is something we’ve never faced … in our lifetime.”

If council doesn’t support established shops now, they won’t be around later and that will cause more problems, she added.

The provincial government has defined which businesses are essential and non-essential, so that list can be added to the resolution, said city manager Jim Puffalt. Council will have to do “unusual things” during this emergency, which may mean making changes to help get businesses through this.

Luhning’s idea to help non-essential businesses might be too expensive, but

that won’t be determined until city administration looks into this, he continued. If some businesses can’t pay their taxes at all, then eliminating the 2.3-percent tax increase this year as council is considering probably won’t help them.

City administration will work with the business community to ensure it takes advantage of all federal and provincial programs.

While Coun. Heather Eby supported the motion, she was hesitant to craft a specific program since she was unsure what it would look like. Such a program, she thought, would either suggest giving people more money or not forcing them to pay their bills.

“It’s a bit of a slippery slope,” she said.

“There has to be criteria (with a program). Then someone has to administer that criteria … there’s just not going to be enough money for everyone.”

Eby added that she does care about community businesses since she is a business owner who has also been shut down, yet, the municipality doesn’t have the re-

sources to help every shop.

It’s ironic that — before this conversation — council eliminated a clause in a motion to reduce the operating budget by about $800,000, but now wants to approve a motion that will cost millions, said Swanson. It will also cost millions of dollars for city administration to review what businesses are non-essential and how much they pay in utility bills.

Swanson sympathized with the business community, but though this particular motion would undermine the stability of Moose Jaw as a functioning operation.

He preferred to reduce expenses over writing off property bills.

It’s disappointing that some councillors want to politicize this issue, said Luhning. She didn’t think residents cared right now about such pettiness since they have their worries.

“The idea that my motion would cripple the city (is ridiculous). The motion of a zero-per-cent tax increase would cripple us as well,” she added.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A23

City Hall Council Notes

Penalties for overdue taxes suspended as part of economic package to help community Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

City council has taken more steps to ease the financial burden on everyone whom the pandemic has affected, but still encourages residents to pay their bills if they can.

City council unanimously approved several economic relief measures during its April 13 regular meeting. They include: Property tax measures All penalties and surcharges for overdue outstanding tax balances are suspended from April 1 to Sept. 30. This applies to current and arrears balances.

All property tax bills will continue to be delivered this May, which is consistent with prior years, with the revised payment terms noted.

Utility payment measures Late payment charges on all utility accounts will be suspended until Sept. 30.

Redirection of collection activities Collection activities will be redirected to work with tax and water customers to establish payment plans.

The tax instalment payment program (TIPPS) and the water instalment payment programs (WIPPS) will be reviewed

and revisions will be brought to council for approval to provide additional flexibility for these programs.

Utility charges will continue to be billed on the same basis as previously (quarterly), but with the relaxed terms and conditions.

Management of operating budget City administration will continue to manage the operating budget by identifying decreased revenues and identifying potential program and service reductions to help offset those lost revenues.

City council will continue to be informed of any major plan program changes in a separate report and be asked for approval to make the changes.

Management of the capital budget City administration will prioritize the capital budget based on the urgency of a project, cash flow requirements, and the effect on local contractors.

City administration will develop a list of projects that could be delayed and provide city council with the list for approval.

The finance department estimates that relaxing property tax and utility pay-

ment penalties will cost about $260,000, finance director Brian Acker said. This revenue shortfall would be made up by reducing expenses elsewhere.

The pandemic’s effect on the capital budget will hinder certain projects, which city administration can use to conserve the municipality’s cash flow, he continued. All work will be completed, but some will be delayed or deferred.

Council discussion City administration looked at giving property owners some type of discount if they paid their utility bills early, Acker said. However, giving a discount would conflict if the tax roll was opened again, while issues could arise if people who paid early were given an extension.

Besides, Acker added, there wasn’t much of an incentive to provide since it would be only a one-per-cent discount.

SaskEnergy has created an 18-month repayment plan for customers whom the pandemic has affected, where the Crown corporation will waive late payments and interest during the first six months, explained Mayor Fraser Tolmie. This is then

followed by taking the late fees and interest of the next six months and stretching out those payments for a year in equal instalments.

“That is what I would like to see for the business community,” he continued. “I don’t want to defer taxes and then penalize them for this … they need to get back up on their feet and it is going to take a while for businesses to do that.”

A tax payment instalment program could come to council by May for approval, Acker said. Since council plans to reopen the 2020 budget, that will delay the approval of the mill rate bylaw. It will also delay when tax notices go out.

City administration is in contact with community and provincial groups about the type of repayment plan that could be implemented, he added. The Ministry of Government Relations is providing advice; provincial finance officers from cities meet regularly; residents and businesses provide input; and council also gives advice.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 27.

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Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express EVERY SIZE SAMPLE PRICE Although it was finalized in December, city council will Another action council could take is to accept a pay cut council’s salary if that’s where we get to.”

BASED ON 3.5 Xsets 8.5a clear goal AVAILABLE reopen the 2020 budget to see how it can be changed to of about 20 per cent, since that is what other people are Aiming for a zero-per-cent tax increase make life easier for taxpayers affected by the pandemic. business and sports, Swanson added. for elected officials, Swanson replied.

It shows that counfor 16pt doing addin$4 FULL COLOUR 2 SIDES During its April 13 regular meeting, council voted unan- Long-term financial plan needed cil can live within its means, which is important for many Design if required $10 Design if required $20 imously on a motion to reconvene the budget committee This is going to be a long-term situation that council will people who are experiencing the “harsh realities” of the to revise the 2020 operating budget. The initial motion have to handle financially, said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. pandemic. He doubted residents had sympathy for counhad a clause that directed the committee to provide a Municipal revenue sharing from the province is going to cillors who couldn’t find a few thousand dollars in savzero-per-cent tax increase while reviewing the budget. be lower in two years, so council will have to develop a ings in a $45-million budget.

However, council voted 6-1 to remove stable financial plan.

Working as 500 a teamFULL COLOUR 2.5that Mstipulation; FEATHER FLAG TRI-FOLD Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed since he had intro- What Tolmie didn’t want to see was a repeat of past mis- It’s unfair to say landing on a zero-per-cent tax increase FLAG duced the motion with that clause. OR TEARDROP takes where council was unable to complete projects or shows goodGLOSS leadershipBROCHURES or that council completely unReopen that budget was hindered from doing so. He wanted to ensure that the derstands the community’s situation, remarked Froese.

INCLUDES: Of the three levels of government, municipal governmunicipality was capable of completing these initiatives There are seven people on council with different back100# STOCK BAG ments have the least amount of room to manoeuvre fi- — such as the cast iron replacement program that is 30 grounds and connections in the community, who likely STAND nancially since they can’t print money or run deficits, years’ overdue — since they generate money. know the problemsPRINTED residents face.

SIDED 2 SIDES PRINTED Swanson said. However, one area that city council&can Don’t reduce the tax increase “We have finite abilities as municipal leaders because of control is the operating budget.

FLAG Coun. Crystal Froese didn’t think pursuing a tax in- (provincial) legislation. So we will do what we can, but “If ever there was a year where we could show restraint crease of zero per cent should be council’s goal; instead, we will do it in a democratic fashion … ,” she added. (and live within our means), I think one could argue this it would be more important to look for reductions and “Working as a team is very important. It is what our citiwould be the year,” he said. how they affect the budget. Specifically, a recovery strat- zens are looking to us to do, that we find solutions to get The operating budget is passed, but the bylaw has not egy should be developed since it will cost extra money to through this.” been prepared yet, so technically it’s not official, he start up programs that have been shut down.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 27.

Design if required $20 Design if required $20 continued. While council’s options are limited, it could “I would also have the hesitation about being held to the However, the media may once again be locked out from eliminate the two-per-cent tax increase as a sign of lead- zero-per-cent (increase). What if we get down to half a attending in person. ership. Some initiatives could also be pushed off to next per cent? I don’t know,” said Coun. Heather Eby. “I’m year. willing to open (the budget) up. I’m willing to … reduce

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PAGE A24 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

City Hall Council Notes City could lose millions in revenue if pandemic lasts until new year Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The City of Moose Jaw could lose millions in revenue depending upon how long the pandemic lasts, but city administration is hesitant to provide hard projections for any short- and long-term scenarios.

The coronavirus pandemic could affect up to $66.7 million in total annual budgeted revenue, with taxation and utility revenues the hardest hit since portions would become uncollectable, said a report presented during the April 13 regular city council meeting. “The uncertainty around the pandemic’s timing makes it very difficult to estimate potential revenue losses,� said city manager Jim Puffalt. “This is because the length of the pandemic will directly affect the amount of revenue losses. We are attempting to model some of these potential shortfalls, but those models are changing on a nearly daily basis.�

The worst-case scenario would see millions of revenue dollars lost from the operating and capital budgets if the shutdown continues until Dec. 31, he continued. If the pandemic subsides by June, the best-case scenario would see less than $1 million lost.

The Moose Jaw Express asked city hall if an actual figure or projection of revenue

losses could be provided. Finance director Brian Acker responded in an email, via communications manager Craig Hemingway. “The biggest variable in any estimate that the city produces is the amount of taxes and utility billings that may become uncollectible. Given, this is something that will be directly impacted by how long the pandemic shutdown lasts (longer will have more impact) and how much our citizens and businesses are impacted,� Acker wrote. “Ultimately, the financial condition of our citizens and businesses directly impacts their ability to pay their taxes and utility billings and at this point, which is still early on in the pandemic, speculating on these amounts would in all likelihood turn out to be inaccurate and really serve very little purpose.�

Acker then referred the Express back to the statement about best-case and worsecase scenarios.

Expense reductions City administration expects to find savings of $3.1 million in more than a dozen areas, Puffalt told council, such as: • Temporarily redeploying streets and roads staff: $249,633

• Fewer repairs of water main breaks: $165,1124 • Reduced transit services: $337,500 • Stoppage of parking enforcement fines: $161,250 • Vacant positions remaining empty: $300,000 • Closure of outdoor pool: $166,176 • Reduction in sports field maintenance: $156,846 • Closure of municipal-owned recreational buildings: $488,600 The $3.1 million figure is the estimated savings if these measures remain until December, Acker explained in an email.

Currently, the municipality is saving about $250,000 a month with restrictions in place; another $975,000 is being saved in specific summer work and programs that might not be possible or feasible.

Mitigation strategies The municipality’s capital budget mitigation strategy focuses on three areas, Puffalt told council: • Project priority: crucial projects such as water supply, sewer services, and those with safety implications are rated highest; • The project’s short-term cash flow implications: a project’s cash needs in the next six months and ways to minimize the

needs are considered; • Effect on local contractors: where possible, a project will be considered a priority if it can benefit hard-hit community contractors.

Major projects City administration had budgeted $82 million this year on equipment purchases and capital projects in the engineering and parks and recreation departments; up to 90 per cent was expected to be spent.

However, administration recommended that several projects valued at $29.3 million be delayed or deferred.

This would leave about $36.5 million to be spent on priority projects, such as castiron water main replacement and electrical upgrades at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. About $19.9 million can be funded from current cash flows.

Council later unanimously approved a motion to adopt the report’s financial measures; that municipalities need financial assistance from the provincial and federal governments; that parking meter fees be waived effective April 14; and that city administration ask third-party groups that receive municipal funding to reduce expenses as they can.

Appeals board approves three property projects that contravene bylaw Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Granted. Granted. Granted.

That’s the message the Development Appeals Board gave to three Moose Jaw property owners on March 17 after they asked for permission to undertake projects that contravene the zoning bylaw. With the approvals, R. Victor Salzsauler at 1029 Oxford Street East, Allan Graas at 159 and 163 Fairford Street East and 224-Second Avenue Northeast, and Pat Petrisor of 1069 James Street can now proceed with their initiatives.

A report about the board’s decisions was presented during city council’s April 13 regular meeting. Council voted unanimously to receive and file the document.

1029 Oxford Street East Salzsauler asked for permission to construct a secondary suite that was 91 square metres (980 square feet) in size, contrary to the maximum size of 65 square metres (700 square feet) in the zoning bylaw, the report said. The by-

Under the provisions of The Alcohol and Gaming Regulations Act, 1997,

Notice is hereby given that 102031978 Saskatchewan Ltd. has applied to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) for a Special Use - General Home Delivery permit to sell alcohol in the premises known as Chubby’s Bar & Grill Restaurant at 303 Regina Ave Belle Plaine, SK S0G 0G0 Written objections to the granting of the permit may be filed with SLGA not more than two weeks from the date of publication of this notice.

Every person filing a written objection with SLGA shall state their name, address and telephone number in printed form, as well as the grounds for the objection(s).

Petitions must name a contact person, state grounds and be legible. Each signatory to the petition and the contact person must provide an address and telephone number. Frivolous, vexatious or competition-based objections within the beverage alcohol industry may not be considered and may be rejected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission, who may refuse to hold a hearing.

Write to: Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Box 5054 Regina Sk S4P 3M3

law regulates the size of secondary suites to ensure they remain smaller than the principal dwelling.

Salzsauler said he purchased the lot and demolished an old house that was on it since he planned to build a new house with a secondary suite in the basement to rent to a young family. He also planned to take advantage of the five-year tax exemption program.

The board concluded that Salzsauler’s request would be granted for three reasons, including the variance request would not harm the neighbourhood aesthetics, while there would be sufficient off-street parking; the proposed secondary suite would not restrict airflow, sunlight or access to the rear yard; and the variance would not injuriously affect the neighbouring properties.

159 and 163 Fairford Street East and 224-Second Avenue Northeast Graas wanted the permission to construct an apartment building with a proposed rear yard setback of 9.1 metres (30 feet), contrary to the 4.5 metres (14.76 feet) prescribed in the zoning bylaw, the report said.

The property is composed of six vacant lots and measures 150 feet by 125 feet. It is zoned as C2 high-density commercial district; this district prescribes a rear setback of 4.5 metres for residential uses on corner properties, the report continued.

The proposed apartment would provide a rear yard setback of 4.27 metres (14 feet) on the main floor level. The upper levels would overhang this open area by 0.914 metres (three feet) from the rear property line.

The appeals board granted the variance request for three reasons, including the variance would not deter from neighbourhood aesthetics and the main floor’s setback would be .76 feet less than the bylaw requires; the airflow, sunlight and access would not be affected due to the location of the proposed building; and the variance would not injuriously affect nearby properties but could enhance the aesthetics.

1069 James Street Petrisor wanted to construct a detached garage with a proposed floor area of 96.6 square metres (1,040 square feet), contrary to the 83.6 square metres (900 square feet) in the zoning bylaw, along with a proposed height of 4.7 metres (15.5 feet), contrary to the 4.5 metres (14.76 feet) in the bylaw.

The property is a single lot that is 60 feet by 120 feet in size and is zoned R1 large lot low-density residential district, the report said. The height restriction for accessory buildings is determined by the height of the principal building. In this situation, the height and floor area of the house is greater than the proposed detached garage.

Petrisor told the appeals board he wants a bigger garage for his work truck, which he uses for his business Snap On Tools. Only one neighbour had a problem with the height of the garage, while he has few customers visit his house to conduct business.

After analyzing the situation, the board granted the variance for similar reasons as the previous two appeals.

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A25

City Hall Council Notes

Get even more local news and opinions online at:

Canadian Tire postpones project instead of cancelling altogether Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

Canadian Tire nearly pulled out of the deal to purchase municipal property because of the pandemic, but city hall managed to convince the company to postpone the project for a year.

Canadian Tire Real Estate Limited has spoken with the City of Moose Jaw since 2016 about purchasing property on the exhibition grounds. On Dec. 16, 2019, city council agreed to sell 4.78 hectares (11.95 acres) to the company for $3.17 million.

The original contract was supposed to close on April 16, 2020, while Canadian Tire had to commence construction before Oct. 31, 2021. However, based on the renegotiated contract, Canadian Tire must start building before Oct. 31, 2022. This means it could be 2023 — if the company still goes ahead with the agreement, that is — before a new building is constructed.

During its April 13 regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to have the city clerk and mayor execute the revival and amending agreement with Canadian Tire Real Estate, subject to the company paying a non-refundable deposit of $200,000 —five per cent of the project cost — by Wednesday, May 20.

The original motion did not include the demand for the deposit; council voted 4-3 on an amendment to include that clause. In favour were councillors Brian Swanson, Scott McMann, Dawn Luhning and Heather Eby. Opposed were Mayor Fraser Tolmie and

councillors Crystal Froese and Chris Warren.

The original revival and amending agreement would have allowed Canadian Tire to put its first deposit of $50,000 into a trust that its solicitor would hold. The company’s second deposit of $200,000 would have been due by Jan. 15, 2021, while the final payment would have been due April 1, 2021, instead of this June.

Council discussion “I reached out to them and asked them to seriously reconsider,” Tolmie explained. Both parties have put significant time into this agreement, while it was only in December that the agreement was approved. To reject this economic development activity “wouldn’t send a very good message to our city.”

This project is four years old and was initially approved by the previous council, said McMann. Even without the pandemic, he didn’t think CT had dealt with Moose Jaw in good faith.

CT spoke in 2017 about proceeding, but that hasn’t happened yet. Moreover, this land wasn’t even advertised and there could be other parties interested in it.

“There is very little skin in the game on their end …,” McMann added.

“They are stringing us along further and further. COVID-19 is unfortunate, but that happened in the last four weeks and this project has been in the last 4 years.”

Poor negotiation skills

CT approached the municipality last September and renegotiated the agreement, which meant Moose Jaw received less money, said Swanson.

If the company wanted, it could have opened a new building two years ago.

CT only extended this project since it has little invested, he continued.

City council and city hall “have been played in this.” Furthermore, prime land on Thatcher Drive has been tied up, while 19 additional acres nearby could be restricted for decades.

“I think the City of Moose Jaw has not demonstrated good negotiation skills in this matter …,” Swanson said. “We have a history of investing money in land projects that don’t come to fruition.”

CT’s vice-president was clear about the challenges the company faces, said Tolmie. Yet, the company was receptive to Moose Jaw asking it to stick with the project. CT did not ask for a better deal; it’s the same deal.

“If Canadian Tire has put its business on hold, who’s to say someone won’t come along with a different offer,” Tolmie added. “We are better off to look at the deal we’ve been working on and continue talking with Canadian Tire.”

Possibility CT could still walk away This deal has put council in a bad position, especially since nothing has happened in four years, said Eby. She didn’t know if approving the amended motion was a victory since CT could

still walk away.

Some of the delays occurred since the municipality didn’t complete enough work, city manager Jim Puffalt said Some land analyses weren’t completed, while there were parcels that had to be consolidated. He thought CT was sincere about proceeding even before COVID-19 struck. No one has inquired in the last two years about that property, anyway.

It’s unfair to blame the municipality for the delays since CT asked about exhibition property that wasn’t even for sale, said Swanson. Since CT wanted the land, it had plenty of time to conduct land and environmental analyses Mega-store could bring jobs One of CT’s more recent builds occurred in Grande Prairie, Alta., with the process starting in 2014 and the mega-store opening in 2019, said Froese. This gave her confidence that the company would act in good faith. Yet she wasn’t sure if tying up this project for a year was possible, especially due to the pandemic.

“Canadian Tire mega-store style employees a lot more people. There is the potential for that area to grow,” she added. “Maybe it’s going to come to our city when we need it most after we get through this.”

The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 27.

Pandemic takes multi-million-dollar bite out of city’s investments Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express The coronavirus pandemic has taken a small bite out of the City of Moose Jaw’s financial investments, but how much money has been lost depends upon the calculations used.

The municipality has invested $100 million in the stock market, including $27.56 million in a moderate-term portfolio and $62.47 million in a longterm portfolio, according to a report from manager RBC Dominion Securities. As of March 25: • The moderate portfolio had declined by $1.5 million, or 5.56 per cent; • The long-term portfolio had declined $6.4 million, or 10.28 per cent; • The total decline was $7.9 million.

Furthermore, an additional $2.7 million had been withdrawn from the moderate-term pool to fund land development in the Southeast Industrial Park and $372,700 had been withdrawn from the same portfolio to fund recreation enhancements in West Park.

This means, based on RBC’s numbers,

the municipality’s investments have declined by $10.97 million through purposeful reductions and market fluctuations.

However, during the April 13 regular council meeting, different figures on how much money has been lost during the pandemic were presented during finance director Brian Acker’s presentation and in his report.

Half of the overall portfolio is held in guaranteed investment certificates (GICs). Those yields are higher than high-quality government and corporate bonds, and the municipality’s operating account, Acker said.

By holding GICs — which generate $1.2 million annually — the municipality has avoided some market volatility over holding bonds. Moose Jaw has also cushioned the decline of its portfolio value by underweighting in equities and overweighting in GICs. The municipality had withdrawn $1.74 million from its investments before the downturn to meet budget require-

ments, Acker’s report said, although what those requirements were was not mentioned.

As of March 30, according to Acker’s report: • The value of the total portfolio was $93.1 million; • The moderate-term portfolio had declined by $1.3 million, or 4.85 per cent; • The long-term portfolio had declined by $5.6 million, or 9.02 per cent; • An overall portfolio decline by $6.9 million.

However, during his presentation, Acker provided updated numbers as of April 9. Those numbers showed: • The moderate-term portfolio had declined by $964,500, or 3.5 per cent; • The long-term portfolio had declined by $4.1 million, or 6.61 per cent; • An overall portfolio decline of $5.09 million “There have been some losses, but because of care and prudence of the (investment) committee and council,

a lot of that has been mitigated,” he added.

In reading the report, Coun. Brian Swanson thought the portfolio had lost $6.2 million based on the cited percentage losses, while a report from December indicated $7.4 million might have been lost. Acker replied that the true decline was about $3.5 million, based on the withdrawal of $1.7 million in budget requirements and stock market losses.

“So are we down $6.2 million?” Swanson asked again.

“You can interpret that, but based on the principal (amount of $100 million) we are down about $3.5 million,” replied Acker.

Council later voted 6-1 to receive and file the report, Swanson was opposed.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 27. However, similar to this meeting, it’s likely the media will be physically locked out of the building again.

PAGE A26 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 20044CH1

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A27

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Seaborn wins Clippers basketball rookie of the year honour

Former Central Cyclones stand-out has solid first season in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

Anyone who saw Riley Seaborn and the Central Cyclones during their run to the 2019 Hoopla high school provincial boys championship knew exactly how dangerous he could be on the basketball court.

But the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference is a whole other level in the sport, and it would have been easy for the Briercrest Clippers first-year guard to just bide his time learning the game.

Instead, a spate of injuries forced Seaborn into regular action – and by the time the campaign had concluded, the Clippers had most certainly noticed.

The team announced recently that Seaborn had been named their rookie of the year for the 2019-20 campaign.

“I was surprised when I got it; we had a lot of good rookies this year who really played well, so it was a really nice honour,” Seaborn said.

“I didn’t expect to play as much in my first year, but we had quite a few injuries at the start and that helped me get more playing time and pick up the game a little more, which helped a lot.”

Seaborn would start 11 games and average 6.7 points a

game while seeing 18 minutes a night. Those numbers were tops among all the Clippers’ first year players.

As one might expect, the level of play at the ACAC is a large departure from provincial-level ball in Saskatchewan, and even a player with Seaborn’s skill needed some time to adjust.

“It’s a lot different than high school; everyone is so big and physical and the game is so much faster than high school,” he said. “I liked it, though, it was hard to adjust at the start but once you get used to it it becomes the new normal... I think after the first month or two of practicing I was able to get a better feel for it, and the first couple games were a bit tough at the start, but you get used to the pace and the physicality.”

The Clippers ended up missing the playoffs after taking a mid-season run at a post-season spot, and therefore had their campaign come to a close before the COVID-19 pandemic took full hold. That’s not to say things haven’t had an effect, though, as Seaborn and his teammates have spent the last month online distance learning.

That’s taken away some potential gym development time, but it’s all part-and-parcel with today’s times.

“You can’t really get into the gym at all, but I have a court at home so I can go and shoot out there. You just can’t really play games or anything,” Seaborn said. “It’s just shooting and doing what you can to develop your skills.”

Three Moose Jaw minor hockey players named to Sask First female team

Jasmine Kohl, Brooklyn Nimegeers land on U-16 team, Larissa Bohlken cracks U-18 squad Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

The Saskatchewan Hockey Association released their SaskFirst female rosters on Wednesday afternoon and Moose Jaw is well represented.

Defenceman Larissa Bohlken was the lone local player named to the Under-18 Top-29 team, while forward Brooklyn Nimegeers and forward Jasmine Kohl both cracked the Under-16 South squad.

Bohlken, 17, has spent the past three seasons with the Regina Rebels of the Saskatchewan Female AAA Hockey League, finishing the 2019-20 campaign with six goals and 17 points in 30 games.

Nimegeers, 14, played up two age groups this past season with the Moose Jaw Mavericks in the Sask Female Midget A league and still managed to finish second in team scoring with 14 goals and 23 points in 12 games.

Kohl, 15, suited up for the South East Gold Wings in the Bantam AA female league and led the team in scoring with seven goals and 12 points in 23 games.

Normally, the North and South teams in the two age classes would gather for a

Brooklyn Nimegeers looks to find space in traffic.

SaskFirst tournament in the spring, with this year’s event originally scheduled for the Apr. 10 weekend, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all SHA-sanctioned events have been cancelled.

With no evaluation tournament, coaches selected players based off player evaluations conducted at identification camps in February.

For the Under-18 program, the top 29

players will take part in a virtual workout and team builder in June. From there, an orientation camp has been scheduled for Aug. 8-9 in Regina. The final camp for these prospective Team Sask players will be in Saskatoon on Sept.17-20 for a series of exhibition games. Following the Saskatoon weekend, the final roster will be selected to attend Nationals in Dawson Creek, B.C. in early November.

The U-18 team is coming off a silver medal at the 2018 national championships.

The U-16 program will be sending two teams to the Swift Current Wildcats Preseason Showcase scheduled for September 10-13. The Top 34 players include 17 players from the north region and 17 players from the south region of the province. This format allows for more players to progress in the provincial program and develop their skill in a provincial setting.

Ahead of the tournament, the Under-16 program will conduct their Summer camp this August alongside the Under-18 program.

Softball Sask suspends sanctioned activities until mid May Games, practices put on hold for another month as COVID-19 outbreak continues

Softball Saskatchewan offered an update to its membership last Thursday, beginning with an announcement that all sanctioned activities are being postponed to Friday, May 15 at the earliest.

That decision also included a provision that may see the organization open to an earlier start than other provinces if the current positive trend of COVID-19 cases continues in the province.

“It continues to be our position that we keep any suspension deadlines as short as possible to be able to react as quickly as we can to the ever-changing environment, we are in,” Softball Sask executive director Guy Jacobson said in the update.

Jacobson also offered a handful of answers to common questions the organization has been receiving, starting with whether or not there will be a season at all.

To that end, Softball Sask plans to start up in June or even July if necessary, with the goal of having plans to play in place for a quick and efficient start-up.

Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

“The new softball season may not be for everyone, but we believe it is important to be able to provide programs and services for those that are ready to take part,” Jacobson said.

The provincial championships are also still on the docket, with the ‘A’ registration deadline moved to June 1 and the tournaments themselves possibly played in August. If that’s not possible the competitions could even be pushed into the fall.

The news wasn’t all in a positive direction, though.

All athlete, coach and umpire clinics will remain suspended for the forseeable future as is the case will all player activities including evaluations, games and tournaments. Plans are being put together to offer online coaching and umpire clinics.

“Stay safe and please adhere to the directions provided by our Provincial Health Officer and our municipal, provincial and federal governments,” Jacobson said.

“Take care and keep up the hope that our sport of softball will be back stronger than ever.”

It will be awhile before scene like this will be found on local diamonds.

PAGE A28 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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Bojustu classes go online during COVID-19 outbreak Taking social distancing and martial arts training to a new level Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

A fortuitous turn of events has helped a local martial arts group not only offer online classes during the COVID-19 outbreak, but do so with near television-studio production quality.

Kim’s Taekwondo Moose Jaw’s bojutsu class has continued to offer instruction through Youtube videos produced by the group’s instructor, Nathan Douglas. What makes it unique is just how well things look – Douglas’ classes take place in what appears to be a professional studio set up with top quality lighting and audio.

That’s all by design and a product of perfect circumstances, Douglas explains.

“With all the restrictions we can’t do any training in person anymore, but I’m fortunate enough that I’m the weapons instructor for Global Martial Arts University, which is a world-leading online university for distance training,” Douglas said.

“I talked to the director and he was okay with me using the space to film my local classes as well. I’m already actually really well equipped, I have professional audio and video equipment and everything is shot in HD with high quality audio. And I’m familiar with how to teach in front of a camera, there’s a specific way that we do it and it’s a real benefit that we can use this for our local students.”

Bojustu is a martial art that blends a variety of striking

Members of the Kim’s Taekwondo Moose Jaw bojutsu class gather for a group photo. styles using the bo-staff as a training implement and a combat device. Videos of local students showing off skills akin a Hong Kong action flick can be found on their Facebook page, and that’s all just part and parcel of picking up and learning to use the staff.

The martial art has grown exponentially in recent months in Moose Jaw, and many students expressed a wish to somehow continue training despite social distancing and lockdown efforts to combat the virus.

That’s where GMAU came in, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.

“A lot of them hadn’t seen the studio space since it’s different from where we train, and they were impressed,”

Douglas said. “They like it, the picture quality is good and the videos are easy to follow along with. They’re geared towards people following along in the class and doing it with me.

It’s kind of like having a training buddy with you when you’re going through the videos.”

Since Douglas regularly works with GMAU students through distance learning, he’s also set up to give easy feedback to his local crew.

“I regularly interact with students and send them video feedback on their progress and technique and that sort of thing,” he explained. “If any student wants feedback, I break down their technique in front of the camera, what opportunities we have to change things and what they’re doing well. It’s kind of a nice balance for students for them to get that direct feedback still.”

New students can sign up anytime, and will receive access to Douglas’ bo-staff instructional curriculum in the process, a further series of home training videos that act as supplemental material to regular classes.

“So any new students who would be interested in training with us, they could start training right away,” Douglas said. “It’s like you’re learning a martial art at home and it does work.”

For more information, check their Kims Taekwondo page and give them a look on Facebook.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS! McEwan excited for Western Hockey League opportunity

Television station in 500 Texas catches up with Warriors prospect after U.S. BUSINESS CARDS

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Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express FULL COLOUR 2 SIDES made sure he’s able to keep training, When the Moose Jaw Warriors selected The 5-foot-11, 174-pound forward was EVERY SIZE SAMPLE PRICE $ but played95 BASED ON 3.5 X AVAILABLE though, with a hockey net8.5 and plastic ice Texas prospect Cameron McEwan in the born in Austin with the Dallas 14pt set-up to help him work on his shooting first round of the 2020 U.S. Prospects Stars Bantam Major AAA team, scoring for 16pt add $4 FULL COLOUR 2 SIDES $ and stickhandling skills.

Draft last month, it would have been easyDesign 22 goalsifand 56 points in 59 games while required $10 Design if required $20 “Just seeing where I’ve come from and all to think it would all fly under the radar going plus-50 in the process. the work I’ve put in, it’s pretty special,” back home for the 15-year-old youngster.

He certainly didn’t hurt his draft standMcEwan said.COLOUR But as it turns out, when one of the best ing at the 2020 WHL U.S. Challenge this 500 FULL FEATHER FLAG And,TRI-FOLD of course, the elephant in the room. junior hockey leagues on the planet 2.5 calls Mpast fall, scoring twice and putting up five FLAG On Jan. BROCHURES 15, 2020, it hit -25 C in Moose on you to join their ranks, people takeOR no- TEARDROP points in four games with the Dallas Stars GLOSS Jaw. tice.

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INCLUDES: 100# STOCK Dallas, Texas that same day? 27 C, withMcEwan was recently featured on Fox 7 McEwan’s parents have naturally been ONE BAG STAND out PRINTED the minus.

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20th overall in the inaugural U.S. Draft.

“I think it’s pretty exciting, coming from “It’s a small town, too. The small town “About halfway through this season I a non-traditional hockey market and be- Cameron McEwan atmosphere brings all the people togethstarted getting calls from scouts inonly the ing picked for major junior, that hasn’t only WHL and I was like ‘holy crap, I have a happened before,” McEwan’s father Grant Like many players right now, McEwan is er, and they live and breathe hockey up Design if required $20 there.” if required $20 shot at this’,” McEwan said in the televi- said. “It’s a great progression from when currently at home after all sports in the Design state of Texas were shuttered due to the sion piece. “This is just one of the fruits of he was prospering on the ice at five years COVID-19 outbreak. His parents have old.” my labour, it’s a long journey.”

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A29

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Sports aren’t coming back to Moose Jaw for a long time, folks. Settle in.

Risk of playing with COVID-19 still wild and unchecked deemed by experts as too dangerous Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

A recent article from Sports Illustrated detailing what needs to happen in order for professional sports to return made one point very, very clear – it’s not only the highest level of the games we love to watch and play that are going to be shuttered for a long time.

Of course, the risk of, say, 40,000 fans gathering for a baseball game in midJune is a far cry from a Miller Express game against the Swift Current 57s.

Smaller crowds mean fewer people to pass on COVID-19, and that would make the risk seem that much less.

But the problem is this – it just takes one.

One person, possibly even asymptomatic, could kick off a whole new wave of the virus without even knowing they were doing so. And as soon as the source is found, that means quarantine and self-isolation for not only the crowd, but likely both teams and the crew of umpires and volunteers on top of it all.

Just like that, two teams and anyone in-

volved in that game are off the schedule for at least 14 days.

It’s the same for sports across the board, too. Soccer games, even house league contests, might normally only have a few dozen moms and dads looking on.

So, say, a gathering of around 30 people, players included. Not too bad, and we might even be at the point where gatherings of 50 or more are allowed if soccer is being played.

But the sport is massive in Moose Jaw, with dozens of games being played on any given night. That’s hundreds of players, all on the field, all giving it their all.

That means plenty of hard breathing, sweating, the general thing that happens when you play a sport.

And it only takes one.

All of a sudden, you have the potential for hundreds of cases, if not thousands, in an instant. Never mind just his or her compatriots, who did that player or coach, or fan interact with at that game? And the

one before it, and the one two days later? If it was an official, how many games did they work? Knowing soccer officials in this community and the amount of time they put into the sport, catching COVID-19 could turn any of them into a Typhoid Mary without them even knowing it, just for doing something they love.

And how heartbreaking would that be?

So one COVID-19 case, and you have to shut it all down. Simply have to.

What it all comes down to – and something that’s been echoed by doctors and public health officials for quite some time – is that before sports at all levels can return, there will have to be a vaccine.

Clinical trials are already underway in the U.S., a fast-track virtually unheard of in the past and a testament to the ability of modern medicine and the tireless researchers behind it. But that piece of good news is always followed by its qualifier – we have to make sure the cure isn’t more dangerous than the disease. That

means clinical trials, and a best-case estimate of a novel coronavirus vaccine by early to mid-2021.

Basically, this same time, next year.

We might have to face the facts that sports, as we know it, will not be played in a major way until spring of 2021, at the earliest.

No baseball season, no football season.

No soccer season, no lacrosse season. No hockey season.

That’s our reality.

Maybe things will change, maybe the virus will mutate and become far less virulent and harmful and die off shortly after.

Maybe we’ll see that kind of a miracle.

But for now, we’re just going to have to accept it: Sports aren’t coming back for a good long while, folks, and we might not be gathering to watch a game until next summer.

And that’s just the way it has to be.

World record, World Cup medals: Graeme Fish looks back on incredible season Breakout campaign didn’t come without a hitch after late COVID-19 scare

As Moose Jaw’s Graeme Fish made his way home from the International Skating Union World Cup #6 in the Netherlands at the beginning of March, he had to have carried with him an immense sense of accomplishment.

He’d just capped a stunning break-out season on the ISU speedskating circuit with a second-place finish in the 5,000 metres in Heerenveen, giving him a total of 306 points on the season and third-place overall in the World Cup standings.

But no sooner was the 22-year-old back on Canadian soil when bad news hit: a passenger on his plane, only three rows behind, had tested positive for the novel coronavirus that caused COVID-19.

The disease hadn’t taken a serious foothold in Canada at that point – Alberta had just reported its first presumptive case – but Fish wasn’t taking any chances, immediately going into a 14-day quarantine.

“My roommates and stuff, they were there, so it wasn’t bad,” Fish said in an interview from his Moose Jaw home last week. “Maybe I was asymptomatic and had it and didn’t even know it, so it was definitely something that had to be done.”

Fortunately, no symptoms presented themselves and once the 14 days were up, it was back to training and looking back on a season that not even Fish himself would have expected in his wildest dreams.

The third-place finish in the World Cup distance standings would be enough to indicate a stunningly impressive season for a rookie on the full-time circuit.

But then there was the day of days on Friday, February 14.

Fish, skating in the 10,000 metres at the Single Distance World Championships in Salt Lake City, was coming off a surprise bronze-medal personal-best performance in the 5,000 metres a day earlier, giving him his first world championship medal.

The thing is, the 5,000 wasn’t his specialty, and winning that ducat was a sign that things were going exceptionally well.

“My 5K in Calgary [the weekend prior], that was my first time ever medaling in the 5K, and then the next weekend when I had a 6:06 and won bronze, I thought I had a chance at a medal [in the 10k],” Fish said. “So going into it I was confident that I was going to have a good weekend, but as it turned out…”

‘Good’ was quite possibly the most understated description possible for what would happen that afternoon.

Fish would skate the 10,000 metres in a time of 12:33.868, knocking nearly two and a half seconds off the world record mark on his way to winning gold. And right behind

Randy Palmer - Moose Jaw Express

Moose Jaw Graeme Fish celebrates his medal win in Calgary. him was teammate and former world record holder Ted Jan Bloeman, finishing in 12:45.010 to land silver.

It was a fitting finish given how much Bloeman and fellow World Cup teammate Jordan Belchos had worked together throughout the campaign.

“I think at the start of the season, that I’d be a world record holder by the end of it, I don’t know if I’d have believed it. Maybe if I was in my late-20s,” Fish said. “I was skating with Ted, who’s the world record holder, he was showing me how to do things, and Jordan as well. But I didn’t think it would happen this quickly, it’s kind of surprising, for sure.

“We all support each other, which is why I think all three of us did really well this season. We all try to do what we can to help each other and with a good team, anything can happen. It showed this year.”

The race itself is a long one, covering 25 laps of the 400-metre oval. It was at lap 15, with 10 to go, that Fish officially took the lead for the first time. And at that same time, dipped below world record pace.

“They started showing the time on the screen and my coach was telling me ‘oh, you’re a second off the world record’ and every time I went past they were yelling ‘world record, world record’ so I knew I was on pace,” Fish said. “And I knew where Ted’s pace was when he did it. So I knew it was close, and then all of a sudden I was under it.

“So I just focused on my technique and maintaining my execution and I ended up getting it.”

And just like that, Graeme Fish, the former Kinsmen Moose Jaw Speedskating Club competitor few outside of the Friendly City had heard about before that weekend, was all of a sudden a Canadian Olympic medal hopeful.

The Beijing Games are still two years away, of course, and lots can happen between now and then. But as of a right now, Fish is one to watch.

“I haven’t really been thinking too much about that, the Olympics are still a ways away, but I know they’re going to be looking at me because I set the world record and all that,” Fish said. “But I’m just going to keep working as hard as I can because anyone in Canada or the rest of the world could come up and set a new record. And I still have to make the Olympic team and qualify for that. That’s a ways away, but I’ll keep working on it and focusing on improving as much as I can.”

For now, though, it’s a matter of dealing with today. In a normal season and normal times, Fish would be gearing up to return to Calgary at the end of the month and start preparing for the 2020-21 campaign.

But that will likely be on hold for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ve just been kind of relaxing right now, we start up again on April 27,” Fish said. “The thing about skating is it’s nice to train with people, but you still have dryland you can do. We all have the same goals and are doing the same thing, but we’re in contact with our coaches and following the plan. It’s tough, but there’s nothing you can do to change it.”

The main long track training schedule kicks in at the end of June, and even that late of a date is still up in the air.

“So it could be an extended stay here, since we won’t be training as a group,” Fish said. “You just have to think positive about what you can do in the moment. Training is fun for me whether with or without someone. I’m not expecting anything soon, who knows if we’ll be training together in the next two months? So we’ll just wait and see and hopefully we’ll be able to get together soon.

Graeme Fish poses with teammates Ted-Jan Bloeman after winning the 10,000 metres in world record time on Feb. 14.

PAGE A30 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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EL SUITE ASKING $900.00/ MONTH PLUS DAMAGE DEPOSIT OF $500.00 WASHER, DRYER, FRIDGE, STOVE, DISHWASHER, MICROWAVE. UTILITIES PROVIDED, SEPARATE ENTRANCE, GARAGE PARKING, ADULTS ONLY, NO PETS, NO SMOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JO ANN (306) 692 8737 OR EMAIL jelybn@live.ca REAL ESTATE “House for sale” 1055 Oxford St E Moose Jaw. Built in 2013 & 2014 bungalow style. Front terrace 2’ w/ accent stone, main floor, country oak hardwood, linoleum in kit, baths, laundry. Lots of maple cabinets. 9’ ceilings. Built in dishwasher.

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Calgary beef processor re-opened For Agri-Mart Express

AGRIMART

T h e a rEXPRESS Hmony beef processing plant in Calgary was only closed for a few days after an employee tested positive for Covid-19.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency

worked with provincial health authorities and management on providing a safe workplace.

Harmony Beef made the decision to close the plant. Inspectors were allowed to work while risk was assessed and none refused to work.

Harmony Beef resumed operations on

March 31.

Meanwhile High River’s Cargill beef processing plant has gone to one shift a day as a precaution to prevent Covid-19. That reduces throughput by 1,500 head a day to about 3,000 head.

Some U.S. beef plants have also reduced production.

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MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A31

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Découverte Pharmac Tout le monde en parle (N) Téléjour.

Coronavirus: New Reality NCIS: New Orleans NCIS: Los Angeles (N) News Block God Friended Me (N) Zoey’s-Playlist The Rookie (N) I Do, Redo Kitchen Evenings on TWN Storm Overnight on The Weather Network Overnight on TWN Zoey’s-Playlist Good Girls “Opportunity” News The Spirit of Detroit Emeril To Be Announced What’re You At?-T. Power Standing Standing The National (N) God Friended Me NCIS: Los Angeles (N) Joel Osteen The World’s NCIS: New Orleans (6:00) American Idol (N) The Rookie (N) News Coronavirus Bensinger Castle Simpsons Duncanville Burgers Family Guy Vagrant Queen (N) Mobile MD Paramedics: (5:00) Curling Curling Final. From March 8, 2019.

(6:00) NHL Classics NHL Classics NHL Classics Game 2.

To Be Announced Motive “The Dead Name” American Idol “313 (Top 20 Sing for America)” (N) Matchmaker Mysteries A romance writer is murdered. Nancy Drew Outlander (N) (:15) ›››› “Strangers on a Train” (1951) ››› “Requiem for a Dream” (2000) (:45) Gravity Raymond Raymond Man-Plan Man-Plan Man-Plan Man-Plan Last Man Last Man (6:00) 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days (N) 90 Day Fiancé 90 Day Fiancé Naked and Afraid (N) Naked and Afraid (N) Lone Star Law (N) Lone Star Law (6:00) Movie Movie The Office The Office (6:00) ›› “Tokyo Joe” ›› “House of Bamboo” (1955) Robert Ryan.

“The Hollywood Revue” A Discovery of Witches A Discovery of Witches (:01) ››› “Taken” (2008, Action) Liam Neeson.

Drag Racing eNASCAR iRacing Pro Series eNASCAR (5:40) “The Hate U Give” VICE (N) Homeland (N) Penny Dreadful: City (6:20) “Lucky Day” (2019) “In Fabric” (2018, Horror) Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” American (:40) “Good Girls Get High” (2018) ››› “First Man” (2018) Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy. “Bad Education” (2019) Allison Janney.

Westworld (N) Insecure (N) Run “F...”

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MOVIES

8:00

7:00

7:30

MOVIES

8:00

8:30

SPORTS

9:00

9:30

SPECIALS

10:00

10:30

Rétroviseur L’épicerie Dans l’oeil du dragon (N) Bonsoir bonsoir! (N) Le téléjournal (N) Survivor (N) (:01) SEAL Team (N) S.W.A.T. “Wild Ones” (N) Global News at 10 (N) The Masked Singer (N) (:01) Transplant Stumptown Big Bang etalk (N) (5:00) Evenings on The Weather Network Evenings on TWN Overnight on TWN Chicago Fire “Badlands” Chicago P.D. “Mercy” News Tonight Show-J. Fallon Seth Meyers Coronation Family Feud Ordeal by Innocence White House Farm (N) The National (N) (:01) SEAL Team (N) S.W.A.T. “Wild Ones” (N) Two Men Late Show-Colbert Corden Housewife Single Who Wants to Be News J. Kimmel Nightline (N) J. Kimmel Chicago Med Chicago Fire “Badlands” Chicago P.D. “Mercy” Paramedics: Paramedics: All Elite Wrestling SportsCent. NFL Plays SC Plays of the Decade SC With Jay SportsCent.

(6:00) NHL Classics NHL Rewind Game 3 of the first round. From April 20, 2015.

NHL Big Bang etalk (N) Criminal Minds Goldbergs Big Bang Housewife Goldbergs “Unleashing Mr. Darcy” (2016) Ryan Paevey. › “The Best of Me” (2014) Michelle Monaghan. (:10) ›› “The Deep End of the Ocean” (1999) ›› “White Oleander” (2002) Alison Lohman.

Raymond Raymond The Middle The Middle Frasier Frasier black-ish black-ish (6:00) My 600-Lb. Life (N) My 600-Lb. Life LaShanta relies on her kids.

My 600-Lb. Life Expedition X (N) Undercover Billionaire Undercover Billionaire Rob Riggle Goldbergs Fresh-Boat Friends Friends Friends Friends Big Bang Big Bang Magnificent (:45) › “Expensive Women” (1931) ›› “When a Man Loves” (1927) John Barrymore.

(6:00) ››› “Gran Torino” (2008) ››› “Top Gun” (1986, Action) Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis.

Ultimate Disc From Aug. 12, 2018. (N Taped) 1979 500 NASCAR Race Hub (6:45) ››› “Creed II” (2018) Michael B. Jordan. ›› “Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018, Suspense) “Blinded by the Light” Homeland Penny Dreadful: City VICE Jurassic (:05) ›› “Little” (2019) Regina Hall, Issa Rae. ›› “Welcome to Marwen” (2018) Steve Carell.

(6:25) “Brexit” (2019) Enthusiasm “Autism: The Sequel” My Brilliant Friend Insecure

PAGE A32 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Phone calls, emails help WDM remain connected with its many volunteers Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

With the coronavirus pandemic preventing almost everyone from meeting in person, Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum (WDM) is finding new ways to stay in touch with its volunteers.

There are more than 100 people in Moose Jaw who volunteer in some way at the WDM, explained Karla Rasmussen, education and public programs co-ordinator. Many of these people are seniors and some of them faced physical and social isolation even before the lockdown was put in place.

Volunteering at the museum was one way for some of these seniors to connect with others and feel a part of the community.

“We really didn’t want to lose that at The Western Development Museum has created a Coffee Club to not all,” Rasmussen said.

To stay in touch with the volunteers, only help combat loneliness and social isolation, but also to educate visiRasmussen began sending out emails tors about lesser known artifacts. Photo courtesy WDM with information about what the WDM was doing online and how they could continue to stay connected. The first email was sent about a week after the museum shut down, while the second email was sent in mid-April.

Phone calls have also been made to the volunteers who don’t have computers or email.

Reaching volunteers by phone is a good feeling since it’s nice to hear from them, she continued. They also feel valued, while Rasmussen can tell them how much they mean to the organization. She pointed out the WDM couldn’t run its programs without the support of volunteers.

“It sounds kind of corny, but we really are a big WDM family,” she said.

The week from April 19 to 25 is National Volunteer Week. Rasmussen hopes the WDM can maintain its connections with its many volunteers so that, when the lockdown is over, they will want to return to help and will feel engaged to do so.

One program the WDM in Moose Jaw runs every spring is the Museum Learning Day for schools. This day features many history activities that usually requires up to 25 volunteers to ensure it runs smoothly. By sending out emails with resources and ways to stay involved, this can help strengthen the connections with people.

Some volunteers have emailed Rasmussen and thanked her for keeping them connected and in the loop. One volunteer even sent her a poem as a show of appreciation.

“It’s very touching to see that people (are) still thinking of us and we’re definitely thinking of them,” she added. “I get kind of emotional just talking about it …You appreciate them more when something like this happens.”

For more information about the Western Development Museum and to access many of its online learning resources, visit https://wdm.ca/moose-jaw.

Massive sales increases, declines driven by pandemic concerns

By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic saw consumers switch normal buying patterns and hoarding certain products.

We’ve all seen the empty shelves that used to stock rolls and rolls of toilet paper. Somewhere down the road as consumers use their stashes of toilet paper sales of the product will be crappy.

Virus concerns have spurred online sales and driven up sales of some products according to an infographic by Katie Jones of Visual Capitalist.

E-commerce sales of disposable gloves are up 670 per cent. An unlikely candidate for increased sales — bread machines – rose 652 per cent in sales. And yeast to make bread is disappearing from store shelves too.

Cough medicine sales rocketed 535 per cent.

Among food products, soup sales steamed up 397 per cent; rice and dried grains are up 386 per cent; packaged foods shook up 377 per cent; fruit cups are up 326 per cent with milk or cream up 299 per cent.

Deprived gym users pushed up sales of weights 307 per

NEW LOCATION

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St. Barnabas

cent and fitness goods sales went up 170 per cent.

Dishwashing supply sales sudsed up 275 per cent while toilet paper wrapped up 190 per cent.

Vitamin sales were boosted 166 per cent, just ahead of the 159 per cent in pet food sales.

Tenth on the list was a 99 per cent increase in pain relievers.

Top ten fastest declining online sales categories were led by a 77 per cent decline in luggage, 77 per cent in briefcases, 64 per cent in cameras, 64 per cent in men’s swimwear.

Already declining online apparel sales fell even further.

Bridal wear dropped 63 per cent; men’s formal wear lost 62 per and women’s swimwear 60 cent Athabasca Street East fell 59 per cent Rash guard306-692-0533 sales dropped 59 per cent, same as boys’ athMinister: letic shoes. Rev. Jim Tenford Music Director: Karen Purdy The comparisons are with March 2019. th Sunday, May 14 , 2017 RonWorship Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net Service 10:30am & Sunday School

St. Andrew’s United Church

Celebrating Inclusion For All

60 Athabasca Street East 306-692-0533 Minister: Rev. Jim Tenford

Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer Sunday 11:30 am (new time) Coffee & fellowship after the service

Music Director: Karen Purdy • Choir Director: Jenna Nash

For more information contact: Fr. Glenn Galenkamp, Rector 306-691-2715

Sanctuary Services and Sunday School at St. Andrew’s United have been cancelled until further notice.

All Are Welcome!

www.saintbarnabasmoosejaw.ca

We are more than a month into this worldwide pandemic and I hope and pray that by the time of publication, we’ve seen more encouraging results come forth from our great province regarding COVID 19. What a time we are living in! Most certainly, it has been a time of uncertainty. We have faced changes daily, sometimes hourly, causing many to feel their lives are out of control.

Thankfully, those who are followers of Jesus know how our story goes. We know He is our ever-present refuge, protection, friend and guide. We also know we have an enemy and although it seems Satan has taken a lot of hits at stealing, killing and destroying; ultimately, we have the victory over him. Praise the Lord!

It is wise to understand the times and seasons as the sons of Issachar did in the Old Testament times. Not only did the sons of Issachar understand chronological time, they also understood political and spiritual timing. We, too, can have that anointing on our life if we desire it. We can discern what God is doing and when He is doing it.

We can discern when certain political leaders are falling/rising or who the next leader should be. Issachar’s sons were so sharp the entire nation of Israel depended on them to know what to do and when. As the sons of Issachar, we can also excel in wisdom and understanding; discerning the times and seasons we are in.

It is important to note that we are in a new era; we are getting a worldwide reset. Many prophets have been suggesting that something of great magnitude was going to affect our world. And here it is. Cindy Jacobs, a trusted international prophet with “Generals International,” gave a word in early January about a reset. “It is a year of reset. This is the day when we will be anointed for reset. This reset will bring a breakthrough for relations, for families, for the nation. God’s going to turn impossible situations around. ...This reset is also going to bring restitution. ...God wants to re-establish what Satan has robbed from you.”

As we tap into this prophetic word, we need to understand some principles about resetting and restitution.

First off, we need to acknowledge Satan is a thief. Don’t be mad at God. God is a good God. Satan is the one who steals, kills and destroys. We need to use our authority in the name of Jesus to tell him, “Satan, you cannot have my family, my finances or my peace.” God sacrificed His son, Jesus, to give us abundant life; and we must realize that it is not automatic. We must claim the promises of God over our lives, even in the midst of COVID 19 (especially now) Don’t let Satan run over you, steal from you or destroy your health! Use your voice (this is the Year of the Voice!) and decree and declare: “This is my reset year!” Faith does not look at the circumstances.

Faith has eyes to see the promises of God come to pass in our lives. In an economic downturn, we can receive insights and new ideas for innovative ways to do business, increase business and gain wealth. Make a clear and definitive decision: THIS is my year of complete realignment, reset and restitution. Use this time wisely to fill up on His Word, spend more time in worship and prayer, reassess priorities and make adjustments. My prayer is that you will be as the sons of Issachar, knowing the season you are in. God bless you this week!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

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Now worshipping at

The beautiful home of Central Lutheran Church

Reset

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Traditional Anglican Parish 27 Hochelaga St. W., Moose Jaw

On the Front Porch

by Wanda Smith

Sunday, April 26th, 2020

Rev. Jim will be presenting his message on Youtube/Facebook this Sunday.

E-mail: st.andrews.mj@sasktel.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/StAndrewsUnitedChurchMooseJaw Website: http://standrewsmoosejaw.ca

Obituaries & Memorials 3.3" X 4" in Full Color

Picture included Approx. 200 words – $100 Additional Inch – $25/inch Email: mjexpress@sasktel.net

(306) 694-1322

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A33

ALAN JOHN SAUER 1953-2020 Alan John Sauer passed away on April 11, 2020 at the Regina General Hospital, at 66 years old. He was born in Kelvington, SK on October 16, 1953. He resided in Lintlaw, SK from 1953 to 1960 and then the family moved to Moose Jaw in July 1960. He is predeceased by his parents John and Jean, siblings Joanne, Karen, Kenny, Garry and nephews Michael Sauer and John Probert. Alan is survived by his sisters Linda and Lorraine, and brother Donnie, all of Moose Jaw; niece Kathy Probert-Quinn (Allan) of Charlottetown, PEI, niece Amanda Vantassel of Dartmouth, NS, nephews Alexander, Shaun & family, all of Moose Jaw, nephew Dylan of Charlottetown, PEI, and cousin Dianne Kelly (Rick) & family. The family extends their thanks to Diversified Services, CNIB, and MJ Transit. Thank you to the nurses and doctors at Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, Regina General Hospital, EMS, and Dr Amanda Waldner. Thanks very much to all of the caregivers who made his life more enjoyable. As an expression of sympathy donations in Alan’s name may be made to the Covid19 Pandemic Emergency Response Fund – c/o The Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 55 Diefenbaker Dr, Moose Jaw, SK, S6J 0C2. When the current restrictions of Covid19 are lifted, we will gather for a Celebration of Alan’s life with the date to be announced. In living memory of Alan, a memorial planting will be made by JonesParkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com or www. parkviewfuneralchapel.ca (Obituaries).

Kelly Scott - Funeral Director

RADU, JACK GEORGE Jack passed away April 11, 2020 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, at the age of 92. He was born on the homestead, on July 3, 1927, to Militia and George Jr. Radu. He grew up in Flintoft, Saskatchewan. He is predeceased by his parents, Militia and George Jr. Radu; his brother, Edward Radu; and his sister, Ruth McManaman. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Ruby Radu; his sister in law, Eunice Edwards, his sister in law, Marion Radu; his brother in law, Allen Muntean; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service will take place at Rosedale Cemetery at a later date. Memorial Donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Cancer Society.

In living memory of Jack, a memorial planting will be made by Jones - Parkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson. com or www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca (Obituaries).

Stephanie Lowe - Funeral Director

EDITH ANNIE CORNELIA HALE 1925-2020 Edith Hale passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at the age of 95. Edith is predeceased by her parents Amy and Jack; husband Forrest. She will be sadly missed by her children Rose, Robert (Hazel), John, Yukon and Joe; seven grandchildren; greatgrandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. A private family service will take place at a later date. In living memory of Edith, a memorial tree planting will be made by Jones-Parkview Funeral Services. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson. com or www.parkviewfuneralchapel.ca (Obituaries).

Stephanie Lowe - Funeral Director

CRAIGEN It is with heartfelt sorrow that the family of John Francis Craigen announces his sudden passing on Friday, April 17th, 2020 at the age of 77 years.

John was a loving husband, devoted father, and superstar grandpa.

He was born January 31st, 1943 in Moose Jaw, SK to John J. and Mary (Duck) Craigen. John was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Jeannette King. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Liz, his four children Shelly (Kelly) Storozuk of Calgary, AB, Cindy Craigen (Claude Lavigne) of Montreal, QC, Kevin (Linda) Craigen of Kelowna, BC, and Todd (Monique) Craigen of Oakville, ON, his sisters Liz (Ben) Lomheim of Airdrie, AB, Carole (Dave) Whitty of Niagara Falls, ON, brother-in-law Murray King of Saskatoon, SK and their families.

John spent his entire life in Moose Jaw working as a general contractor. Following in his father’s footsteps, after high school, he attended Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon and became a journeyman mason. John started work alongside his dad and together they managed Craigen Construction Co. Ltd. (est. 1927).

He took over the business in 1977 when his dad retired.

John ran the company until his retirement in 2007, when Craigen Construction celebrated 80 years of business in Moose Jaw. John cherished all the friendships he made along the way. In retirement, he enjoyed his daily morning coffee at Prairie Oasis with the boys that often carried through lunch. John will be remembered as an outstanding gentleman who was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and never shied away from a hard day’s work.

Of all the titles John earned over his life, the most important one to him was grandpa. He loved being a grandpa more than anything else in the world.

“Gramps” as he was affectionately known, was adored by all nine of his grandchildren. He will be best remembered for movie nights with nachos, ice with a splash of ginger ale, frequent trips to the Snow Hut for ice cream, and his elaborate Halloween costumes.

Left to mourn gramps passing with heavy hearts are Cody (Ellen) Carey, Brady Storozuk (Kristen), Tyler Storozuk (Jackie), Alysha Hales (Jacob), Jayda Hales (Damian), Chloe Craigen (Matt), Carley Craigen (Michael), Zach Craigen, and Hugh Craigen.

As a result of the restrictions associated with COVID19, a Funeral Service will be scheduled at a later date. The family of John Craigen wishes to thank the front-line workers for the excellent care that he received during his brief time at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 110-1525 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 8R9. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com

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Please include the Moose Jaw Health Foundation in your estate plan to help your community for generations to come.

Please contact us for more information.

Moose Jaw Health Foundation 55 Diefenbaker Drive Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2 Phone (306) 694-0373

www.mjhf.org

Obituaries & Memorials 3.3" X 4" in Full Color

Picture included Approx. 200 words – $100 Additional Inch – $25/inch Email: mjexpress@sasktel.net

Going ABOVE and BEYOND expectations

Tradename for W. J. Jones & Son Ltd & Parkview Funeral Chapel

Jones Funeral Home 106 Athabasca St E 306.693.4644

Parkview Funeral Chapel 474 Hochelaga St W 306.694.5500

(306) 694-1322

Dayna Chamberlain General Manager

Stephanie Lowe Funeral Director

Serving you in life’s most turbulent times!

is what sets us apart

PAGE A34 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

COVID-19: What’s cancelled and closed in Moose Jaw The following is a running list of groups, businesses, and organizations that have been closed or cancelled upcoming events due to concerns about COVID-19.

Moose Jaw Express staff will be updating this list as needed.

If you would like your notice added to this list, contact us at news@moosejawtoday.com.

For information about the status of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, or for more information on symptoms and preventative measures, check saskatchewan.ca/ coronavirus.

Saskatchewan has declared a provincial state of emergency, limited public gatherings to 10 people and implemented restrictions on businesses and health facilities, and public health urges all residents to avoid public contact whenever possible.

Education:

The provincial government announced that all schools in Saskatchewan, from pre-kindergarten to high school, have been closed since March 20 with Distance learning resources now available.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has cancelled programming and classes on campus but online courses and alternative delivery options are available.

All non-essential events are also cancelled. Campuses remain open but with limited services.

The University of Regina will be providing instruction from a distance for the remainder of the semester. A decision about how final exams will be conducted is yet to be made.

Organizations:

SARCAN is closed until further notice.

SGI is no longer offering road tests until further notice.

Those who have already booked an appointment will be notified to reschedule.

Riverside Mission has suspended its daily lunch program until further notice but is still providing supper service with increased safety protocols. The shelter is also not taking leftover food donations or clothing donations at this time, and men’s emergency shelter capacity has been reduced from 10 beds to 4 beds only available to Saskatchewan residents at this time.

The Western Development Museum is now closed to the public with all upcoming events cancelled until further notice.

The Wakamow Valley Authority office is closed to the public with staff continuing to take phone calls and emails.

The Moose Jaw Police Service is suspending some services such as criminal record checks, inspection tickets and civilian fingerprinting until further notice, although the building on Fairford St. remains open.

City Hall is closed to the public until further notice.

The Festival of Words office is closed to the public but can be contacted by phone or email.

Tourism Moose Jaw will be closed until further notice but is available to be contacted by phone or email.

1856 Moose Jaw Schools Cadet Corps Royal Canadian Army Cadets is cancelled until further notice.

All cadet activities with the #40 Snowbird Royal Canadian Air Cadets have been cancelled through the month of April.

The Moose Jaw Elks Lodge No. 7 has cancelled its Friday meat draws and Wednesday night dart league until further notice.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 59 is now closed to the public. Veterans in need of assistance can contact the Legion service officer at (306) 681-3835.

TOPS Chapters across Canada are cancelling weighins and meetings; please check with TOPS to see when they will resume activities.

All churches in Moose Jaw are closed to the public, but most can be reached by phone.

The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council is closing its office and the Newcomer Centre to the public until further notice. Staff and settlement workers are still available to contact through phone or other digital communication.

Big Country Toastmasters Club continues to provide Leadership and Communication SKILL training at 7pm on Wednesday evenings via ZOOM. Check the website or call 306 690 8739 for the link.

The Moose Jaw & District Senior Association will be closing Timothy Eaton Gardens and Timothy Eaton Cafe until further notice.

The Cosmo Centre will be closed until April 30.

The Moose Jaw Public Library is now closed until further notice. Book deadlines will be extended to accommodate, and overdue fines will be waived for the time being.

The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery is closed. All events and programs during this time will be postponed

and rescheduled at a later date.

All grief support groups from Jones-Parkview are cancelled until further notice.

South Central ECIP has indefinitely suspended all home visits and has cancelled all Learn and Playu and Zumbini groups effective immediately.

Hunger in Moose Jaw will be closed to the public, and available by phonecall, email, and social media messages.

Prairie Hearts Quilters Guild meeting are cancelled until the end of April.

Bel Coro, which meets on Monday evenings at the Moose Jaw Public Library, has cancelled meetings until further notice.

All Girl Guide meetings and events have been cancelled until further notice.

The Moose Jaw Humane Society is suspending all volunteer activities and opportunities at the shelter until further notice and will be closed to the public for the next two weeks. Adoptions and cremations are still available by appointment, as are emergency services.

SCRAPS has closed its 9 Lives Boutique at the Town ‘n’ Country Mall until further notice.

The Moose Jaw Genealogical Society has cancelled their monthly meetings at the Moose Jaw Public Library until further notice.

Joe’s Place Youth Centre has closed its centre to the public and is now only offering online programs until further notice.

Moose Jaw Families for Change has cancelled all upcoming community events and has postponed regular programming.

Heritage Saskatchewan has cancelled all heritage fair events in the province.

Sports and Recreation

All gyms and fitness centres are closed by mandate of the provincial government.

The Western Hockey League has suspended the remainder of the 2019-20 season indefinitely.

The Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League has been cancelled.

Moose Jaw Minor Hockey has closed the office to the public, effective immediately. You can reach the MJMHA via admin@mjhockey.com.

Gymtastiks has cancelled pre-school drop-in gymnastics until further notice; classes are suspended until further notice.

Martial arts classes, including programs at Empire School, are cancelled.

Moose Jaw Special Olympics has cancelled all programming until May 1, including bowling, floor hockey, curling, bocce ball, and the Active Start and FUNdamentals youth programming. The board meeting will also be rescheduled for May 7.

The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins have cancelled all training until further notice.

The Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation has cancelled its Walleye Challenge, which was scheduled for June 12 and 13.

JJ Soccer Ltd. will be closed until further notice.

The Moose Jaw Tennis Club is now shut down until further notice, including both indoors and outdoors.

Events

All recreational and entertainment venues are closed by mandate of the provincial government, as part of the state of emergency declaration. Additionally, all gatherings of over 10 people both indoors and outdoors are currently not allowed.

The Fitzgeralds at the Cultural Centre on May 6 will be rescheduled for a later date.

BeeGees Gold at the Cultural Centre on May 9 has been rescheduled for May 8th, 2021.

The Moose Jaw Band And Choral Festival on May 11-14 has been cancelled.

The Moose Jaw Royal Canadian Legion has cancelled its annual Decoration Day Memorial on June 7.

Luncheons, Banquets, and Coffee Groups, etc.

The Moose Jaw Humane Society has cancelled its upcoming Jail & Bail fundraiser in April.

The Moose Jaw Shriners’ annual gourmet windup banquet has been postponed. A new date is to be determined, with the May long weekend a possibility.

The Moose Jaw Right to Life Annual Banquet, which was scheduled for April 24, has been cancelled.

The What Women Want trade show on April 24-25 has been cancelled.

The Early Childhood Intervention Program’s Mother’s Day Craft and Trade Show on May 9 has been cancelled.

Businesses/Facilities

Effective March 26, all non-essential business services as outlined by the provincial government are no longer offering public-facing services, but may continue offering online, take-out, or delivery services.

The Moose Jaw Express office is closed to the public but staff can still be contacted by email or phone. If no one is available to answer, please leave a message. Our newsroom is still taking tips and both The MooseJawToday.com online daily and Moose Jaw Express newspaper are operational as an essential service and putting out the news.

Visitors are not allowed in any hospitals, clinics, or continuing care facilities operated by the Saskatchewan Health Region. Some exceptions may be made for compassionate reasons, such as family visiting a patient at end of life care, or family of patients prior to a major surgery. All community gatherings at SHA-operated facilities are on hold, as are volunteer services from those over the age of 65.

All city arenas and facilities, including YaraCentre and the Kinsmen Sportsplex, are now closed until further notice.

The Cultural Centre is closed to the public, with all events to be rescheduled at a later date. The Box Office can be contacted by phone or email during regular operating hours during this time.

Effective immediately, Points West Living condos are restricted to essential visitors only. Essential visitors are defined as those who provide care necessary for the well-being of a resident and visitors attending to a resident who is at an end of life situation. Visitors are restricted to one or two persons at a time and must be immediate family or designated support persons.

Visitors will be required to go through a screening process.

Dance Images by BJ has closed the studio for the time being, and classes will be made available by video.

The Gift Shop and the Canteen Cart at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital will be closed until further notice.

Casinos Moose Jaw and Regina have suspended operations.

The Moose Jaw Warriors office is now closed.

Leisure Time Bingo is now closed until further notice.

Arts and Culture:

Primary Eye Care Centre is closed temporarily. You can still contact the office by phone at 1 (306) 6938584 for emergencies.

The Performer’s Cafe on April 30 has been cancelled.

Wrapture Spa & Boutique has suspended its spa and massage services. Staff is still available for contacting and the boutique remains open for deliveries at this time.

The Humane Society Bookstore will be postponing its Fill-A-Bag for $10 sale while the shelter is closed over the next two weeks. The sale will return when the shelter reopens to the public.

The Tunnels of Moose Jaw is closed.

The Saskatchewan Country Music Awards in Regina scheduled for April 17-19 will no longer take place due to the ban on gatherings. The SCMA will instead host a Virtual Awards Show on May 16 at 8 p.m., airing on Access7 Cable TV and streaming on their website.

Main Street Dental will be closed until mid-April.

Clients with appointments will be contacted about cancellations.

National Canadian Film Day at the Cultural Centre on April 22nd has been cancelled.

The Moose Jaw Music Festival, which was scheduled to begin April 25 has been cancelled.

Trevor Panczak at the Cultural Centre on April 25 will be rescheduled for a later date.

Hotel California at the Cultural Centre on April 30 has been rescheduled to April 29, 2021.

The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Masquerade Ball, which was scheduled for May 2, has been postponed. A new date has yet to be determined.

Restaurants:

As of March 23, all restaurants, lounges, bars, or nightclubs have been closed to the public by mandate of the provincial government, as part of the state of emergency declaration. Deliver, take-out, and drivethrough services are still operating.

Rosie’s On River Street is closed until further notice.

Mitsu Sweet Cafe is closed until further notice.

The Flats Eatery + Drink is closed until further notice.

The Kinsmen Cafe is closed until further notice.

Prairie Oasis Restaurant is closed until further notice.

MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020 • PAGE A35

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Market Place REAL ESTATE

National agriculture federation calling for emergency into your life! pandemic fund for farmers, food industry Larissa Kurz

T h e CanaEXPRESS d i a n Federation of Agriculture (CFA) hosted a virtual press conference on April 16 to shine a light on the agriculture industry’s growing challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and to call on the federal government to offer help to the food production industry.

Mary Robinson, president of CFA, wants to see more government response to keep the food production industry functioning despite the many unprecedented uncertainties being caused by the pandemic.

Livestock producers are just one portion of the food industry struggling with is“One in eight Canadians rely on the sues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. food economy for their livelihood, and all Canadians rely on the essential food we make, but there are real chal- and having to flatten the curve, we with healthcare, we will be making lenges that require immediate support also have to feed 36 million Canadians those investments to ensure that Cato prioritize keeping agriculture and every day, and we have to make sure nadians are healthy and safe,” said food strong now as an engine for our we’re in a position to keep doing that,” Robinson. “And with food production, post-COVID recovery,” said Michael said Robinson. “Right now people we’re asking the government to treat Graydon, CEO of Food and Consumer have many concerns, and having ac- food production much the same way.” cess to healthy, nutritious food should Producers are currently facing a shortProducts of Canada (FCPC). age of labour, as temporary foreign The CFA, alongside FCPC, feels that not be one of them.”

The CFA is asking the Canadian govworkers are being delayed at the borthe government needs to focus on supernment to create an emergency fund der, and an unpredictable market leadporting domestic food supply chains as a top priority behind healthcare or financial backstop of some kind to ing into spring seeding and harvest as services, to ensure the food chain is provide farmers with financial help it’s unclear whether labour shortages secure for both producers and con- while navigating the industry issues will affect processing in the fall. caused by COVID-19.

Some farmers are considering not sumers.

“As we respond to people’s illnesses “It’s very difficult to forecast the ex- planting spring crops at all, said Robpense of that, but we do know that inson, while others are concerned they

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won’t have the labour force needed to seed their 2020 crops. Many producers are also unsure of what crops they should be planting, to best address the industry’s future needs.

Producers are also facing an increased financial burden, as they are now required to provide necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers and are being forced to keep livestock longer than anticipated due to meat processing plant closures.

“If we do not, as a nation, address the rising challenges immediately, Canadian consumers could see a decrease in the amount and variety of food at their local grocery stores as well as higher prices, in the months ahead,” said Robinson.

The CFA is asking the public to contact local MPs and express their opinions on the value of food producers and prompt immediate support for farmers across the country.

“When the dust settles on this experience and Canada comes through having fought this pandemic, we want to ensure our economy is best positioned to recover,” said Robinson. “Investments in agriculture are really going to put Canada in the right spot to recover from all of these unprecedented expenditures we have has to appropriately make to deal with COVID.”

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PAGE A36 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 59 Moose Jaw is temporarily closed, as we are trying to keep everyone safe.

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