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MARCH 29 - APRIL 6 |
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Multicultural Council seeks hygiene products to help newcomers get established
The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC) and the Moose Jaw Newcomer Welcome Centre are holding an ongoing hygiene product drive to help support Moose Jaw’s newest residents this January.
The hygiene product drive began on Jan. 13 and will conclude on Friday, Jan. 31.
“All the products that get donated to the MJMC are included in our welcome packages that we give to every new refugee family that arrives in Moose Jaw,” announced Sharayah Bjelde, community connections co-ordinator for the MJMC.
“The reason why we decided to do a hygiene product drive is because we are (now) running low on some of our hygiene products,” she added.
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All donations will be used for the organizations’ newcomer welcome packages that include products like shampoo and conditioner, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, baby products, diapers, and even warm winter clothing and some cooking essentials like pots, pans, and dinnerware.
These kits play a valuable role in helping newcomers get established in Moose Jaw.
“Lots of (these newcomers), when they first come… the only thing they come with is the clothes on their backs,” Bjelde said, noting that it typically takes around one month before they receive their first financial support from the government.
“So, we use our donated hygiene products to provide them with everyday essential items that they need for these first few weeks. Other than (these) hygiene products, we also provide them with clothing (and other essentials)… (and) we do our best to support them with all of their basic needs,” she said.
According to Bjelde, the newcomer welcome packages are typically distributed to around 20 to 30 families annually and each
family can average upwards of five to 10 members to provide for. Since November 2024 alone, she said around five such families arrived in the city.
Bjelde said support from the community has been “very good” so far, and the complementary Warm Hearts campaign led by the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council saw approximately 80 jackets donated from its drop-off location at The Wandering Market in Moose Jaw. Of these, most have already been distributed by the MJMC.
“They (Warm Hearts campaign volunteers) were repairing used winter jackets and then donating them to various organizations in Moose Jaw,” she explained. “We got lots of support from them, which is wonderful because that’s another thing we’re always in need of — warm winter items for families that arrive in the wintertime.”
One specific item that has been underrepresented so far is warm winter boots and, Bjelde noted, “other than hygiene products, our donation room is actually quite well stocked which is wonderful.”
In her concluding remarks, Bjelde said, “We are just looking for help from community members in Moose Jaw who have been very generous in the past. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to collect some more items for our newer families coming soon (to the city).”
All donations can be dropped off in person at the MJMC office, located in St. Andrew’s United Church at 60 Athabasca Street East anytime on Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The MJMC office can be reached at 306-693-4677 and the Newcomer Welcome Centre can be reached at 306-692-6892.
For more information visit MJMCInc.ca or ‘Moose Jaw Multicultural Centre’ on Facebook and MJNWC.ca or ‘Moose Jaw Newcomer Welcome Centre’ on Facebook.
Finding an appropriate work-life balance can be difficult for some people, but the Business Women of Moose Jaw (BWMJ) is hoping an upcoming speaker can offer some helpful advice.
Robyn Cunningham will be the guest presenter during the organization’s luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tourism Moose Jaw visitor centre. Tickets are $17 each, while annual memberships are $50 and offer access to exclusive events annually.
To purchase tickets, visit the BWMJ’s Facebook page.
Cunningham is the former owner of the Yoga Loft and now teaches yoga online, while she is knowledgeable and expe-
rienced in teaching people how to manage their work-life-family balance, explained Kelly Carty, the BWMJ vice-president.
During the luncheon, she will discuss how to live life healthily so life isn’t so overwhelming, Carty said. Sometimes, a job can push people to “go, go, go,” which can be stressful, so Cunningham will also discuss some de-stressing techniques.
“I think it’s something that we didn’t use to talk about (because) you just did what you had to do,” she continued. “And then everyone dropped dead when they were 65 because they worked so hard and did so much in their life.
“Our society sometimes puts work over your personal life and we need to have a balance. …
Your job is important, but your family and health are actually more important.”
The BWMJ usually brings in knowledgeable speakers who can help members build their businesses, negotiate and network, said Carty.
“We always choose a speaker that is going to help enrich our lives. We don’t bring in some-
Women of Moose Jaw
the pandemic, it is now working to re-establish itself and be more visible publicly.
This comeback includes the appointment of new executive officers. Besides Carty as vice-president, Crystal Froese is the new president — she is a founding member and held this role previously — and new member Tara Johanna Manninen is the new secretary.
Froese works in communications, Carty works in the business and tourism industries and Johanna Manninen is an entrepreneur in graphic design.
There are still some positions available on the executive.
Carty noted that she met with Froese — the “driving force” behind the group’s revitalization — last fall, with the latter wanting to ramp up the group because she thought it was important for businesswomen to have an organization to call their own.
More than 100 individuals in some of the poorest areas of Guatemala will soon receive top-notch health-care treatment thanks to a dedicated group based in Moose Jaw.
The Moose Jaw International Medical Mission (MJIMM) will soon fly to Central America, where 32 health-care professionals — surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, family physicians and support personnel — will treat Guatemalans who lack regular care.
The group — comprised of people from across Western Canada, including many from The Friendly City — jets south on Wednesday, Jan. 29, meets the next day to outline its activities, and then visits homes in poor neighbourhoods in Guatemala City on Saturday, Feb. 1.
The team heads up the mountain to the Town of Patzún on Sunday, Feb. 2, where physicians will begin performing surgeries. Other members will begin installing indoor stoves and water filtration units in residents’ homes. After completing this work, the group returns around Feb. 11.
The team expects to treat roughly 100 people in the surrounding villages and perform almost 50 surgeries at the hospital.
The MJIMM team has been travelling to Patzún since 2014 to help residents living in extreme poverty. It also works alongside Clinica Corpus Christi, a small hospital and orphanage in the area.
Jackie Wilson, a registered nurse in Moose Jaw, expressed excitement about returning to the country.
“Oh my gosh, I love it. This is my ninth trip going and I can’t wait to get back down
one who will talk about makeup or something like that,” she chuckled. “It’s always like an inspirational business guest.”
The comeback Carty encouraged women to join the BWMJ because it’s a great opportunity to network with our women, meet like-minded people and learn from other business owners and leaders. She joined in 2019, and while it became inactive because of
Guatemalans
there,” she said.
“Over the years, we’ve gotten to know a lot of great people that work down there and with some of the people we work with,” the RN continued. “So, we’re excited about seeing our friends there again and … do some good for the people who could use a break.”
While Guatemala is beautiful, one thing Wilson appreciates is how well the team comes together. She enjoys seeing members learning more about people there and better
understanding their life circumstances, which helps them realize the big effect they have on patients.
Wilson hoped that the team’s efforts instilled hope in the residents’ lives, especially with the health information they gave people that could last for generations.
The MJIMM will install 24 stoves and water filtration systems, and while the stoves are wood burning, they are more efficient and cost-effective since they require less wood,
The changeover in leadership happened recently after the current executive and previous executive met online to discuss the future of the organization, which had been inactive for several months, the vice-president recalled. It was important for Froese and Carty to revive the group since it was well-known in the community for activities like the PRISM Awards, which featured jewelry designed by Hillberg and Berk.
Besides Facebook, the Business Women of Moose Jaw can also be found on Instagram.
she continued. Furthermore, the stoves have chimneys to direct smoke out of the homes, which is healthier than residents’ current methods of cooking over a campfire on the floor.
“You’ll see in their homes (that they’re) just covered in soot. We call them sootsicles (because) there’s soot hanging from the ceilings in there, so you see a lot of (residents) affected with that,” said Wilson, adding that this damages residents’ lungs.
Community support
The MJIMM held several fundraising events this past year, which were successful because of how “super supportive” Moose Javians are, the RN said.
However, opportunities still exist for people to continue donating, including sponsoring items such as a stove, water filtration kit, a surgery, or an entire day in the emergency room. Afterward, the team will send sponsors either pictures of those objects in use or stories of how appreciative patients are of the treatment they received.
The MJIMM group has its supplies ordered and packed, so it’s just a matter of flying down and beginning the work.
“So say some prayers for us that we get all of our luggage down there,” Wilson laughed, “and that everyone on our team gets there healthy and ready for a big week of work.
“I hope it’s a very meaningful experience for everyone on the team and, even more so, I hope we can bring some hope and a little bit of health to the people we’ll be working with in Guatemala,” she added.
Robyn Cunningham, a yoga instructor and inspirational speaker, will present during the Business Women of Moose Jaw’s upcoming luncheon. Photo courtesy Facebook
The new executive for the Business Women of Moose Jaw. From left, are Crystal Froese (president), Kelly Carty (vice-president) and Tara Johanna Manninen (secretary). Photo courtesy Facebook
Members of the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission team gather with residents in Patzun, Guatemala after delivering toothbrushes and offering dental hygiene in February 2024. Photo courtesy Facebook
Chinese Lunar New Year celebrated for the first time at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall
The Chinese Lunar New Year was celebrated under a canopy of vibrant red, the rhythmic beating of traditional drums, and several presentations to mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall on Jan. 25.
The celebration also marked an historical moment as the mall hosted the New Year celebration for the first time in its history.
“Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday in China, and it’s important that you’re out there celebrating and trying to bring good luck and prosperity (to yourself and your family),” announced Jonathan Shiplack, a Hung Kuen Association member who wrapped up his martial arts performance moments earlier.
The occasion was celebrated with a Lion Dance Extravaganza and Kung Fu performances by the Regina-based Canadian Hung Kuen Association, as well as calligraphy workshops, giveaways, and free food and drinks provided courtesy of Alice Asian Superstore General Merchandise Inc.
“We opened originally in May 1985, and we’ve been doing performances for the Lunar New Year since then,” Shiplack said about Hung Kuen. “It’s actually our 40th anniversary this year.”
The Canadian Hung Kuen Association had been performing at the Victoria Square Mall in Regina for years now and was invited to Moose Jaw on behalf of the Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation who owns both malls as of January 2024.
The association demonstrated hung gar, a traditional Shaolin martial art known for its strength, precision, and health benefits. Made popular by such films as “The Drunken
Country Mall on Jan. 25.
City
Master” and “36 Chambers of Shaolin,” hung gar balances combat skills with conditioning, using techniques like empty hand forms and heavy weapons for strength building.
Hung gar embodies the Chinese principle of yin and yang and teaches both self-defence and healing with roots in traditional martial and medicinal practices.
“I was using a large weapon called guan dao and it’s named after a really important patron saint of martial arts called General Guan Yu,” Shiplack shared. “He’s part of the Three Kingdoms story, which is an original Chinese novel (about) the original division and sepa-
provides a safe ride for 150 passengers on NYE ‘25 thanks to Moose Jaw Transit, SGI
The City of Moose Jaw announced that the “Find A Safe Ride Program” launched in “Canada’s Most Notorious City” saw participation from 150 passengers this New Year’s Eve. The free service was provided courtesy of the City of Moose Jaw, who operated in partnership with SGI, and it ran from 7:55 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2024, until 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 1.
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In total, there were 147 passengers from the city’s fixed bus routes and three additional trips were taken through the city’s Paratransit service.
This year marked the 35th anniversary of the City’s partnership with SGI where the two organizations provided the free transit and Paratransit services to usher in the new year. Each year, the program helps ensure revellers have a safe and reliable way to get to and from their seasonal festivities.
In 2025, the City expanded its services by adding a few extra shops near popular venues that were hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The City extends its gratitude to everyone who chose to “Find a Safe Ride” to welcome in the new year and wished to thank SGI for its ongoing sponsorship for this important community initiative.
For more information visit MooseJaw.ca.
lieved to be opportunities for growth and to cultivate greater wisdom.
For more information about the Canadian Hung Kuen Association call 1-306-5512203 or visit FUHOK.com.
The Town ‘N’ Country Mall is located at 1235 Main Street North and is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. For the latest announcements on new developments at the mall visit ‘Town N Country Mall’ on Facebook.
ration of the different (Chinese) states (from 220 to 280 CE)… And so, every martial arts school will typically use that… (to honour) what he represents.”
The martial arts demonstration was preceded by the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance performance. Two dragons and a Big-Headed Buddha dazzled the crowd as they intricately moved throughout the main hallways followed by a drumming group. The Buddha donned a mask and yellow robe and guided the dragons with playful and symbolic movements meant to bring joy and good fortune in the new year.
The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and calmness — qualities rooted in its clever placement during the mythological Jade Emperor’s legendary race.
Known for their strategic nature and introspection, those born in the Year of the Snake are advised to wear red in 2025 to ward off misfortune, as challenges this year are be-
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Photo by: Aaron Walker
Photo by: Aaron Walker
A member of the Regina-based Canadian Hung Kuen Association performs a martial arts demonstration at the Town ‘N’
Photo by: Aaron Walker
A member of the Regina-based Canadian Hung Kuen Association performs a martial arts demonstration at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall on Jan. 25. Photo by: Aaron Walker
These two dragons meandered through the Town ‘N’ Country Mall during a performance of the Chinese Dragon Dance on Jan. 25. Photo by: Aaron Walker
A Moose Jaw transit bus drives past city hall on Main Street North. Photo by: Jason G. Antonio
Photo by: Aaron Walker
JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express EDITOR
February 1
National Freedom Day
No Politics Day
Well, we all know that February 14th is the day to celebrate love but everyday should be a celebration. Here is a list, including some wacky ones to use as a theme for a party and have some fun.
Spunky Old Broads Day
February 2
Candlemas
Ground Hog Day
National Tater Tot Day
February 3
Feed the Birds Day
The Day the Music Died – Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash in 1959.
National Carrot Cake Day
February 4
Create a Vacuum Day
National Homemade Soup Day
Stuffed Mushroom Day
Thank a Mailman Day
February 5
National Shower with a Friend Day
National Weatherman’s Day
Editor’s Note
February 6
International Frozen Yogurt Day
Lame Duck Day
National Chopsticks Day
February 7
Bubble Gum Day – The first Friday of the month.
National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
Send a Card to a Friend Day –Obviously, this day was created by a card company.
Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day
February 8
Boy Scout Day – This holiday celebrates the birthday of scouting.
Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day – The first Saturday of the month. Kite Flying Day – Who flies a kite in the middle of winter!?!
February 9
National Pizza Day
Superbowl Sunday – It’s Superbowl 59. The date varies every year.
Toothache Day
February 10
Clean out Your Computer Day – It is held on the second Monday of the month.
National Flannel Day
Umbrella Day
February 11
Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day
Make a Friend Day
National Inventors Day
White T-Shirt Day
February 12
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
International Darwin Day
National Lost Penny Day
Plum Pudding Day
February 13
Get a Different Name Day
National Wingman Day
February 14
Ferris Wheel Day
National Organ Donor Day
Valentine’s Day
February 15
Candlemas – on the Julian Calendar
National Gum Drop Day
Singles Awareness Day
Susan B Anthony Day
February 16
Do a Grouch a Favor Day
February 17
President’s Day – It’s celebrated third Monday of the month.
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Spice Up Your Life Day
February 18
National Battery Day
National Drink Wine Day
February 19
National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20
Cherry Pie Day
Hoodie Hoo Day
Love Your Pet Day
February 21
Card Reading Day
February 22
George Washington’s Birthday Be Humble Day
International World Thinking Day
National Margarita Day
Open That Bottle Night – The last Saturday night of the month.
Walking the Dog Day
February 23
International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
National Tootsie Roll Day
Tennis Day
February 24
National Tortilla Chip Day
World Bartender Day
February 25
National Clam Chowder Day
Pistol Patent Day
February 26
Carnival Day
Carpe Diem Day
National Pistachio Day – It’s a nutty day!
Tell a Fairy Tale Day
February 27
National Chili Day – The fourth Thursday in February.
Paczki Day in Poland – The Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
Polar Bear Day
No Brainer Day – This day is for me!
February 28
Floral Design Day
Public Sleeping Day
National Tooth Fairy Day – and/or
August 22
Orange Door Collective Wellness to expand with ladies-only ‘Studio Orange’ project
Orange Door Collective Wellness, a provider of holistic health services in Moose Jaw, is announcing its latest expansion with the proposed ladies-only “Studio Orange” wellness and movement project set to open this winter.
The announcement was formally made on Jan. 20 and marks the four-year milestone for the local business with a new expansion. An exact opening date for the new studio is yet to be determined but is expected in March.
“Studio Orange will be an extension of Orange Door Collective Wellness,” announced Kate Bookout, owner and operator of Orange Door Collective Wellness.
“Currently, I operate on a (per-)session base, offering a variety of classes to women in all stages of womanhood. Expanding to Studio Orange will give me the opportunity to expand my class offerings and add an additional piece to the women’s wellness community in town here.”
Studio Orange aims to create a niche collective of women who share values centered on moving the body for mental health and personal enjoyment, rather than “keeping fit” with all that mindset entails. The studio’s approach is flexible, evolving alongside the
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needs of women in the community to ensure it continues to support their well-being effectively.
“I think our offerings will be unique to the community, because we’re offering an approach that is (based on) finding what works best for you and meeting your body where it’s at,” Bookout said.
“If it works good for you to be consistently coming in for two days a week, then that’s what’s going to work best for you, and we’re happy to help you promote those goals.”
The initiative reflects the company’s
mission to address the unique health and wellness needs of women in Moose Jaw. To achieve this, Studio Orange combines modern fitness equipment with thoughtfully designed programming including spin classes, strength training, TRX, and 55-plus programs.
One-on-one training is also offered out of three studio spaces for women who are pregnant or postpartum, and includes postpartum pelvic health rehabilitation as one example, with menopause coaching coming this year.
“For the past three years I’ve been working primarily in pregnancy and postpartum,”
A look inside the all-ladies wellness space at Orange Door that offers an alternative for women of all walks who seek to keep active in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. Photo by: Kate Bookout (submitted)
Bookout said, adding that she’s been building her clientele along the way to around 40 currently active members. In 2024, she started to grow her project and aims to continue with this in 2025 as she expands to include services for all demographics of women.
The reason for the ladies-only format, she explained, is to provide a space that’s inviting and judgment free.
“Entering a space where exercise is offered is sometimes a little bit daunting for women, especially when it might be in a larger setting. So, we’ll be offering more intimate class sizes… It’ll be more along the lines of personable sessions with like-minded women who are just there to move their body to feel better,” she said.
Bookout personally leads each class and is a local entrepreneur dedicated to creating a welcoming space for women who might benefit from a tailored movement and wellness routine, but who currently approach the idea with hesitation.
To learn more about Orange Door Collective Wellness and upcoming program options phone 306-630-5264 or visit OrangeDoorCollective.ca or ‘Orange Door Collective Wellness’ on Facebook.
Legion presents service pins to members
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 Moose Jaw recently presented annual membership service awards to 28 veterans and members.
Longest years of service by veterans were Ken Pilsworth and Robert O’Reilly, members for 55 years.
Receiving 50 years of service pins were Alex Cameron, Ernest Horseman and Ron Johnson.
Mike Gagnon was awarded a 45 year pin, with 40 year pins to Darryl Walker, Ron Ponto, and Wilfred Gudmundson.
Al Davey and Charles Schulties received 35 year pins with 30 years going to Randy Crashley and Adam Brade.
Twenty year service pins were for Dennis Biden, Sue Knox and Christine Simpson, with 15 years to Justin Edelson
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and 10 years to Robert Miller.
Five year pins went to Jeffery Walpole, Maurice Ruel, Rodney Moran, Jack Kienlen, Terry Florkiewicz, Bertrand Hatin and Gary Dahlman.
Associate member service for 45 years pins were awarded to Robert Davis, Darron Hoover and Jane Horton with 40 years to Russ Becker and Nancy Bellegarde.
Sandy Davey and Patricia Watson had 35 year pins with 30 years to Kathy Crashley, Brad Johnson, Sharon Kanz, Christopher MacAulay, and Ernest Terry.
Twenty-five year pins went to Lori Bernt,Diana Young and Gord Ponto with 20 years to Jesse Gamble.
James Pawsey and Dianne Bruck had 15 years with 10 years to David Dolo-
mount, Adelbert Anderson, Mary Singer, Gord Miller, Robert Glassford. Five year pins went to Kim Dyck, Reg Dyck, Karen Walpole, Margaret Moran, Wyatt Mealing, Dorothy Keinlen, Janie Fries and Tracy Edwards. Among affiliate members 25 years service pins went to Harry Startup and Don Shanner.
Ten year pins went to Michael and Nancy Dougherty, Marlene Eastwood, Barb Wallace and David Gilkes with five year pins to Ron Anderson, Derek Kaytor and Don Purington.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@ sasktel.net
Kate Bookout is the owner and operator of Orange Door Collective Wellness in Moose Jaw. Photo by: Submitted photo
Alex Cameron Norma Richardson photo
Westmount School students take the lead on podcasting project
Westmount School is giving students a creative voice and teaching valuable skills with an ongoing podcast project now led by around eight students at the school.
Through the “Word on Westmount” initiative, four podcasts have been published so far this academic year giving students a platform to share their stories, opinions, and ideas, all while honing their skills in communication, technology, and teamwork.
The latest podcast, “Anticipation of the New School,” was led by students Jordyn and Jaxton who interviewed Grade 3 student Attica and Grade 6 student Hannah about their thoughts on the new Coteau Hills Elementary School published on Jan. 15.
“Here we are in January with all that prep work done, and the students are now putting together their podcasts and then we’re uploading them to Spotify. Then, we’re able to pump it out to the public so that they can hear what’s going on around Westmount,” announced Trish Alexander, the school’s principal.
The three earlier podcasts included an interview with Wesley Erskine, a Grade 4 student whose concept art was selected for the new Coteau Hills Elementary School logo, an interview with the school’s curling
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team, and interviews with students who are preparing for the upcoming Heritage Fair in March.
The podcast program began as a teacher-led initiative around two years ago and was the brainchild of Mr. Angus McIntosh, the former vice-principal at Westmount.
“He would interview staff and students around our building about different events that were happening,” Alexander recalled.
“Then, he was given a job at another school and the podcast equipment kind of sat in the back for a bit.
“One day when I was back there, I thought, ‘Well, we need to rejuvenate our podcast club,’” she said. Instead of continuing in the same format, she decided to have students lead it this time around.
The project teaches students how to interview effectively, speak thoughtfully, and how to engage an audience with genuine and authentic conversations. Students also gain technical expertise from using podcasting equipment, preparing for interviews, and crafting meaningful questions.
Alexander hopes the club can now produce a consistent weekly podcast on Wednesdays.
Some of their peers are currently run-
Around eight elementary school students have taken the lead on what is hoped will become a weekly podcast at Westmount School.
ning a similar student-run live announcement program in a green room set up at the school, with weekly announcements shared on the school’s YouTube channel, @westmountschool5434. The podcast club will now adopt this concept using a professional soundboard and audio-only content.
The project has been off to a slow start, Alexander noted, but once students get better at the technical details it’s expected to take off and gain a larger following. Two
additional podcasts are now completed and are expected to be launched in February — which is also when she hopes to see regular weekly podcasts begin.
The pending move to the new Coteau Hills Elementary School isn’t expected to hinder the podcast program. “We’ll definitely have a podcast club there as well,” she confirmed.
Her optimism stems from observing a growing student confidence through the program and their increasingly thoughtful interview questions.
“I just think it’s awesome, and it’s student led. That, to me, is more important than anything,” Alexander said. “It’s about them learning the skills to… maybe be on the radio someday, or somebody (may) take a career in this area — because they were part of a podcast club in elementary school.”
Westmount Elementary School is located at 1100 Currie Crescent and can be reached at 306-694-5999.
The student podcasts can be accessed through the school’s Facebook page, ‘Westmount Elementary School,’ or on Spotify by searching for ‘Word on Westmount.’
Prairie South addresses cockroaches reported in four Moose Jaw schools
The Prairie South School Division (PSSD) in Moose Jaw has issued a letter advising parents about recent cockroach sightings at four local schools. The division is now actively investigating the extent of the issue and implementing measures to ensure the ongoing health and safety of students and staff.
Although these schools have not been specifically listed for privacy concerns, each principal will have already contacted parents and guardians to inform them of the situation on or before Jan. 24 when the last letter was published.
In two of the schools, only one or two cockroaches were discovered, and all cases were reportedly an isolated situation, according to Ryan Boughen, director of education for the PSSD.
Although the exact source of the cockroaches has not been confirmed, these insects may have entered the schools inadvertently by a student or faculty member via a backpack, hoodie, or other personal items.
An assessment by a professional extermination company indicates that the presence of a single cockroach was likely an isolated incident rather than evidence of a larger infestation, and said this is common in such high-traffic environments.
The PSSD emphasizes that the well-be-
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priority. As a precautionary measure, schools have intensified cleaning protocols with a focus on areas where cockroach activity has been reported. Specifically, the division is working closely with a pest control team to clean, trap, and carefully monitor the situation for any indication of an expanded cockroach presence. Limited fumigation has already been carried out and the team will be notified if any further cockroaches are trapped — with no further insects reportedly caught as of Jan. 24.
sticky trap for little insects like that. In all of the cases where they’ve (set up traps), there has been no evidence of further infestation,” Boughen confirmed.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) provides guidelines on controlling cockroach infestations. Everyone should recognize the importance of eliminating food and water sources, sealing points of entry, and administration should continue strategically applying pesticides. As well, the earlier letters sent to parents and guardians were requested by the SHA as a standard operating procedure in such scenarios.
Parents and guardians will continue to be informed through regular communications from the PSSD. As well, the division encourages families to promptly report any concerns or observations they may have encountered to school administrators.
“You know, sometimes these things
happen in schools and (wherever) there’s a lot of people,” Boughen noted. “We take the health and wellness of our staff and students seriously. Even when there’s evidence of (only) one (cockroach or other pest), we’re on it.
“We’re involving a professional service and the situation is being addressed and monitored. I’m quite confident to say that our schools continue to be a safe place for kids and staff,” he concluded. “We feel quite confident that we’ve got things under control.”
For more information or to contact the Prairie South School Division office in Moose Jaw, call 306-694-1200 or visit PrairieSouth.ca.
To learn more about how to respond to cockroaches, more information is available at SaskHealthAuthority.ca by searching for “Allergies: Controlling Cockroaches” under “Your Health.”
Photo by: Westmount School/Facebook
Although cockroaches have been reported in four local schools under the Prairie South School Division, director of education Ryan Boughen said the situation now appears to be under control. Photo by: Prairie South School Division (PSSD)
From The Kitchen
By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
Birthday menu items change as tastes mature
Over the years I’ve mused about what my birthday party menu would offer to guests, and I’ve noticed in my memory, that the menu constantly changes. Is that because I’ve thrown off childish things and am now more mature in my tastes?
Whatever the reason, I have a few thoughts this week on what my birthday menu would contain — if only I didn’t have to prepare it myself!!!!!
• • •
MOM’S 24 HOUR SALAD
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup pineapple or fruit cocktail liquid
1 cup whipped cream
64 mini marshmallows, plain or coloured 20-oz. can cubed pineapple chunks or fruit cocktail
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional
1/4 cups halved maraschino cherries
In large saucepan, beat eggs slightly. Add sugar, flour and liquid. Whisk and cook slowly until mixture is thick. Remove from heat and put egg mixture into a large bowl.
Fold in whipped cream and as many marshmallows as bowl can contain. Add pineapple or fruit cocktail. Stir in walnuts, if using, and cherries.
Stir one last time. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours. Garnish with more sliced cherries. This may be used as a salad or dessert, with the bithday cake.
• • • PINEAPPLE PORK CHOPS
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsps. paprika
8-10 pork chops, bone in butter for frying Sauce:
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tbsps. or more brown sugar
2 tbsps. vinegar
Mix the flour and spices together then dredge the pork chops on both sides. Fry until both sides are brown in a large frying pan with an ample amount of butter.
Butter a large casserole dish. Place pork chops in the dish.
Mix the juice, sugar and vinegar and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Pour over the pork chops. Cover the casserole and bake at 350 degrees F for
about 30 minutes or until chops are very tender. Note: sauce ingredients may be doubled for more coverage or if using more pork chops. Serve with riced potatoes or rice.
• • • MOM’S CHOCOLATE CAKE
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour milk
2 tbsps. cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour dash of salt
2 tsps. baking soda, dissolved in 2/3 cup boiling water
In a large bowl mix ingredients in order given, beginning with butter and ending with soda. Stir and mix well after each addition.
Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F until toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.
Cool and then frost with a cream cheese icing or other favourite topping.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel. net
Hunger in Moose Jaw serves up skills for aspiring young chefs
Family mealtime can often be a hectic part of the day, but help is on the way for parents with budding young chefs thanks to the Junior Chef program offered by Hunger in Moose Jaw.
The free to attend after-school program is offered at the Hunger in Moose Jaw office for children aged nine to 12 and will run across four consecutive weeks from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a pending February start date.
Registration is now open and the program is intended to help children develop a basic understanding of culinary skills under the supervision of an experienced cooking instructor. A few of the culinary skills each participant will learn includes essential cooking techniques, food preparation and safety, how to properly clean up, and even knife handling tips to allow children to be more confident
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the TOWN OF PENSE intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw No. 2/2023 known as the Zoning Bylaw.
INTENT
The proposed bylaw will add clarity to side yard setbacks development regulations for duplexes and semi-detached dwellings , townhouse, triplex/fourplex dwellings units that require separate title.
AFFECTED LAND
The a ected land is all Districts that permit duplexes, semi-detached, townhouse, triplex/fourplex dwellings within the legal municipal boundaries of the Town of Pense.
REASON
The reason for the amendment is to provide for clarity to side yard setbacks development regulations for duplexes, semi-detached, townhouse, triplex/fourplex dwellings units that require separate title.
PUBLIC INSPECTION
Any person may inspect the bylaw at the municipal o ce at 243 Brunswick Street Pense, SK between 9:00 am to 4:00 PM on M, T, T, F, excluding statutory holidays. Copies are available at cost.
PUBLIC HEARING
Council will hold a public hearing on February 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Town Council Chambers, 243 Brunswick Street Pense, SK to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the municipal o ce before the hearing.
Issued at the Town of Pense this January 22, 2025.
Jennifer Lendvay Administrator
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
— and helpful — in the kitchen.
Part of the instruction also touches on educating young participants about healthy nutrition goals and demonstrates how to create a nutritious, balanced diet.
“Our Junior Chef program is a four-week program conducted here at the Hunger in Moose Jaw office…,” announced Sharla Sept, executive director of Hunger in Moose Jaw.
“(Participants) will learn to cook a meal and they get to take that home for supper, so it kind of lands at the perfect time,” she added, noting that parents also benefit from a free dinner afterwards.
The program will be instructed by Janet, a Hunger in
Moose Jaw employee who co-ordinates the Junior Chef program. During the course, Janet will work one-on-one with each participant and she’ll set out a recipe and all necessary supplies ahead of time so the group can focus on cooking.
In previous Junior Chef intakes, two participants have typically attended each session to ensure there’s enough space to work and that each guest receives ample supervision.
As Janet is only available to run the program at certain times throughout the week, prospective guests are asked to email her in advance to book a time for their child.
The Junior Chef program provides a unique opportunity for children and is complemented by the Online Community Kitchen program at the venue. While the Junior Chef program focuses on aspiring young cooks, the Community Kitchen program is designed for families and older adults, offering them a chance to learn together and explore practical cooking skills. The latest Online Community Kitchen class was held on Jan. 23, and details about the next available adult-oriented counterpart in February will be shared as it becomes available.
“It’s just a great opportunity,” Sept noted about the Junior Chef program in her closing remarks. “It’s a free program so you can’t knock that, and it’s just an opportunity to learn new skills.”
To register for the Junior Chef program contact Janet at JuniorChef2021@gmail.com.
Courses will take place at Hunger in Moose Jaw’s main office located at 269 Stadacona Street West. To learn more about Hunger in Moose Jaw call 306-692-1916 or visit HungerInMooseJaw.org or ‘Hunger in Moose Jaw’ on Facebook.
Assessment Notice
Village of Tuxford
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Tuxford for the year 2025 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the o ce of the assessor from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., on the following days: Monday to Thursday, January 29 to March 31, 2025, by appointment. 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 against their assessment is required to le their notice of appeal in writing, accompanied by a $200 fee for each assessment being appealed with the Assessor, Village of Tuxford, 5- 1410 Caribou St W Moose Jaw SK, S6H 7S9, by the 31st day of March 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Please also send the appeal to the: Secretary to the Board of Revision, Nicolle Hoskins, Western Municipal Consulting Ltd. Box 149, Meota, SK S0M 1X0 before the 31st day of March, 2025.
Dated this 29th day of January 2025
Raena Wilk-Morhart
Assessor
USask to Offer Nursing Education in Ten Saskatchewan Communities
By: Kylie Kelso, Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist, University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing
“I found this to be such a great opportunity to attend the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and have access to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program right in my community of La Ronge,” says USask College of Nursing BSN student Leandra McLeod.
McLeod is completing her third year of the BSN program at the USask College of Nursing distributed nursing site in La Ronge.
Since 2012, USask College of Nursing has been offering the undergraduate BSN program at a number of locations throughout Saskatchewan.
Currently, students can complete their entire BSN degree in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, La Ronge, Île-à-laCrosse, Yorkton, Lloydminster, North Battleford, and Muenster.
“We listened to the people of Saskatchewan and over the last two years announced our expansion to four additional locations in the province where students previously did not have access to the BSN program,” said USask College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur).
“It is important our program offering is inclusive of rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan. When the students at the distributed nursing sites complete their nursing degrees, they will help to fill unmet registered nursing workforce needs in rural Saskatchewan. We are decreasing the likelihood of these communities experiencing a registered nursing shortage, as the students will likely practice in the community once becoming licensed.”
Beginning September 2025, students from Swift Current and Weyburn will also have the opportunity to complete their entire nursing degree in their community.
“Becoming a nurse was something I knew I always wanted to do, but as a single mother, moving away from Prince Albert to complete my nursing degree was not realistic,” says USask College of Nursing student Desiré Hoare, who is finishing her fourth year in the BSN program at the USask Prince Albert Campus.
Both McLeod and Hoare say the opportunity to learn where they live has been a wonderful experience.“The small class sizes in La Ronge and the additional help you get from instructors when needed means there is a lot of one-on-one time,” says McLeod. “I would recommend the BSN program to anyone who has an interest in healthcare.”
It took McLeod six years to take the leap, but watching a number of peers go through the BSN program in La Ronge ultimately motivated her to apply.
The College of Nursing Learn Where You Live model has proven successful at distributed sites like La Ronge and Île-à-la-Crosse. Since the first students entered the BSN program in La Ronge and Île-à-la-Crosse, 68 nursing students have completed their degree in northern Saskatchewan.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to study nursing in Prince Albert,” adds Hoare.
For more information on the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, please visit https:// admissions.usask.ca/nursing.php
University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing student Desiré Hoare at the Prince Albert Campus. Credit: Submitted.
University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing student Leandra McLeod from the La Ronge distributed nursing site. Credit: Megan Heyhurst Photography.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic business students transform learning into real-world success
One of the great benefits of a polytechnic education is applied learning—a method where students take what they learn in the classroom, shop or lab and apply it in a real-world setting. Instructors at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship embrace the concept and are expanding opportunities for students to connect their program learning with partner organizations, business and industry before they graduate.
Academic chair Kirsten Downey has been tracking applied learning initiatives in the school and is pleased to see such variety across a wide range of courses. “All of our students should have the chance to take the concepts they learn from their instructors and apply them to see actual results,” she says.
Ashley Hatley, who teaches marketing, guided her class on a market research project initiated by the City of Moose Jaw. “Students presented their findings to City of Moose Jaw
representatives in early December,” reports Hatley. “The project gave students an in-depth look at economic development opportunities and then allowed them to practice presenting what they learned in front of an actual client.”
Human resources instructor Genelle Payant connected her class with Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association. Without dedicated human resources expertise, Thunder Creek’s job descriptions were out of date. Students created new job descriptions and used them to write job postings.
Executive director Chad Topp was pleased with the work, saying, “The ideas and drafts we received helped us to make attractive and enticing postings. We had been using job descriptions as postings, and this project helped us understand how the two are different and what makes for a great job posting.”
Payant notes she has done similar exercises in the past but this was the first time working with a real
organization. “Knowing they were working with an actual client made it exciting for the students as they knew they had to deliver,” she explains.
Instructor Megan Moulding’s business insurance students had an opportunity to work with Saskatchewan Insurance Professionals. Students took turns staging a social media takeover, where they created videos about an insurance-related topic or about themselves and why they chose insurance, then posted them to the organization’s social pages. “The students really enjoyed the assignment and used a lot of creativity,” shares Moulding.
The results were impressive, with one takeover post generating more than 1,000 impressions and the daily average for all student posts close to 550. “For a small organization, that’s real reach,” says Moulding.
Practicing what you have learned by doing it before entering the workforce is key to making connections, notes Downey. Some
opportunities are part of instructors’ curriculum and others are add-on opportunities that require students to apply.
Two students specializing in Sport Management were selected to travel to the 2024 Grey Cup Festival in Vancouver, where they assisted with the Sask Polytech and Canadian Football League’s Player Association (CFLPA) partnership activation.
Robyn Dutertre and Joshua Grant helped with a kickoff party where they had the chance to connect with CFL alumni and other attendees.
Instructor Chelsea Jones says it was a great opportunity to work with a sports organization of that calibre. Dutertre agrees, “Our trip to work with the CFLPA deepened our understanding of the sports industry and provided practical insights that will benefit our future.”
For more information visit saskpolytech.ca/business.
Big dreams. Bright future.
Business pathways start at Medicine Hat College
Taylor Hicke chose Medicine Hat College (MHC) for its small size, welcoming community and proximity to his hometown of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, but the connections he made and the opportunities he had led to his decision to stay.
“The biggest highlight of my experience was the relationships I was able to build through my two years at MHC,” says the Sport & Event Marketing and Management graduate from the School of Business. “Some of my instructors became mentors and that was a big part of my success within the program.”
MHC’s School of Business is deeply connected to Southeast Alberta, providing real world learning experiences for students across all of its programs. In addition to specialty programs like Sport & Event Marketing and Management and Service Dog and Canine Management Studies, the school offers a robust Business Administration diploma program with majors in accounting, financial services, management and marketing, plus pathways to further education like degrees and professional designations. A diploma in Administrative Office Management and certificate options for Administrative Office Professional, Advanced Accounting, Intermediate Accounting and Marketing (new for Fall 2025) are also available.
As Taylor discovered, students in MHC’s School of Business don’t just study. They engage in immersive experiences, learn directly from seasoned industry professionals, delve into real company case studies, and, in select programs, participate in transformative workplace integrated
Written by Medicine Hat College
learning. For Taylor, that meant handson group work to create marketing campaigns for local businesses, provide support for sporting events, and fundraise for community causes.
Now Taylor is putting his education to work as a member of the marketing team at South Country Coop’s Business Support Centre.
“My studies at MHC really prepared me for my career and everything I am doing on a daily basis like marketing plans, sponsorship and graphic design,” says Taylor. He also continues in his role as basketball game night lead for Rattlers Athletics, utilizing his event management skills and keeping him connected to MHC.
“We’re here to help students
discover their passions,” adds Dr. Morgan Blair, dean of the School of Business and Continuing Studies.
”Through rigorous coursework, networking opportunities, and enriching extracurricular activities, students cultivate the professional they aspire to become. Connected. Confident. Capable. When you enroll with us, you’re not just starting a course or program –you’re launching your career.” Get started today! Visit www.mhc. ab.ca/welcomeSK
Photo provided by Medicine Hat College
How will history view Justin Trudeau?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is weeks away from leaving the Canadian political scene.
Most Canadians will say: “Good Riddance.”
Trudeau was behind the eight ball with many Canadians when he entered politics. His father Pierre, the prime minister, was disliked/hated by many perceiving him as arrogant and hating his introduction of the metric system.
Others didn’t think it right for the son of a prime minister to become PM – the sins of the father were visited upon the son.
Justin, a young fresh face promising reforms, was elected.
Just how will future historians view Justin Trudeau?
His accomplishments will be tempered by his failures.
An avowed supporter of gender equality, his first cabinet was half male and half female. But he failed miserably in dealing with his female justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould over the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
That failure was compounded when his female health minister resigned in protest.
His attempted demotion of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland cemented perception of his feminist views.
Along the way Trudeau collected few points for scandals: accepting free vacations from wealthy persons dealing with government. And there was the We-too charity scandal where he denied family members were paid by the charity that was working for government.
For all these incidents Justin Trudeau will likely be
labelled wanting in the area of ethics.
His promise to reform first-past-the-post elections was never achieved.
Even with a string of faults, Trudeau and the Liberals made a number of significant legislative accomplishments, albeit some controversial.
His most controversial was the hated carbon tax intended to reduce marginal use of petroleum fuel.
Other controversial ones were assisted dying legislation, legalization of cannabis and the run-up of debt to keep Canada from a long severe recession after Covid-19.
He was possibly perceived as a good prime minister for Indigenous people, negotiating many financial settlements and slowly working towards reconciliation.
Achieving the goal of poverty reduction came with the Child Care Benefit which took 400,000 children out of poverty.
Also assisting poverty reduction was the introduction of $10 a day care across Canada. The problem with $10 day care has been providing enough spaces to meet the demand. Some provinces like Alberta are dragging their feet on implementing the plan.
Most industrialized countries have a public program for pharma care and dental care.
With a push from the NDP, that kept his minority government in power, Trudeau legislated those two social programs for Canada. Both assist seniors and youth.
The dental program, after some concerns, appears to be cemented in place.
The pharmacare program languishes with no prov-
By Ron Walter For Moose Jaw Express
ince yet signing an agreement to implement the program. Both pharmacare and dental care could be axed if Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister and carries out promises to cut spending.
To implement his social programs Trudeau piled on even more debt, explaining it away because Canada’s debt situation isn’t as bad as other industrial nations. (I think) that Canadians don’t seem to care about that. They care about inflated grocery costs, inflated rent and mortgage costs.
Trudeau, just like the Democrats in the United States, got the blame even though no national government seemed to be able to control inflation caused by the Covid-19 years.
In summary: (I personally) think future historians will view Trudeau as needing better interpersonal skills with his heart in the right place, and granted marks for game-changing legislation in child care, child benefits and pharma/dental care.
Ron Walter can be contacted at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The Board of Police Commissioners has approved the Moose Jaw Police Service’s updated 2025 budget, which sees a decrease in the request for operating funding of almost three per cent.
The police board met on Jan. 24 to review and pass the updated capital and operating budgets, which city council rejected during its Jan. 20 budget meeting because the initial requests exceeded the cost-of-living index “by a considerable margin” and were unaffordable for residents.
The initial police service (MJPS) budget featured an operating funding request of $13,155,774 — an increase of $909,871, or 7.43 per cent over last year — and a capital funding request of $344,000. This would have translated into a municipal tax hike of 2.35 per cent.
However, the updated budget features an operating
request of $12,830,258, which represents an increase in net funding of $584,355 or 4.77 per cent over last year, according to a board report. However, it is 2.66-per-cent less — a decrease of $325,516 — compared to the first budget demand.
This operating request also includes $330,000 from the automated speed enforcement fund for traffic safety initiatives.
Since one percentage point of municipal taxation this year is $387,402, the police service’s overall request could add 1.51 per cent to the municipal tax hike.
This decrease in operating funding occurred because of more unexpected or unanticipated retirements and resignations since the first budget’s development, the report noted.
Meanwhile, the capital funding request has decreased by $110,569 — or 31.8 per cent — to $234,431, the report said. The police service is also carrying forward $79,569 in capital funding from 2024.
The changes are due to reductions in projects with office renovations, a sidewalk replacement and contributions to the elevator replacement fund.
The second-floor office renovation project was divided into two phases, with phase 1 using capital budget funding and phase 2 using capital reserve, explained Acting Chief Rick Johns.
Phase 1 included constructing additional office space to “help with a growing organization” of more officers, while phase 2 focused on extra renovations — new carpet and tile — to ensure a consistent interior design in the new office, he continued.
However, the MJPS will postpone phase 2 and apply the nearly $80,000 reserve money to the capital funding
request. Furthermore, the sidewalk repair and replacement will be delayed until 2026.
“I have no issue with postponing that (office renovation project) to assist with the budget and we can kick that down the road,” said Johns.
Furthermore, the agency should be OK with punting the sidewalk replacement into next year, as the maintenance manager has done well in patching that infrastructure, he continued. However, it must be replaced “in the near future.”
Police leadership also reviewed the risk of reducing funding to the elevator replacement fund considering the machine’s age and availability of parts and determined, based on the most recent inspection report, that they could squeeze out another year with it, added Johns.
Commissioner Jamey Logan inquired about the budget’s training and education expense line, noting that it had increased; this year, it’s $170,000 compared to $100,000 last year.
Finance officer Lisa Renwick replied that the category supports sending the new provincially funded officers to the Saskatchewan Police College, while it also allows current officers to attend expensive training this year. Specifically, a new forensic identification officer must go to Ottawa for a three-month course.
After the board approved the MJPS’s updated 2025 budget request, Logan pointed out that the document would go back to council for consideration. Should that group reject the document again, it would have the power to set the operating percentage increase and the police board would have to determine how to make that work.
“Stay tuned,” chuckled board chairman Mayor James Murdock.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES
THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JAN. 27, 2025.
The public works and utilities division wants money to create a road closure business unit to support traffic safety initiatives, whether it’s closing streets for Sidewalk Days or purchasing supplies for construction zones.
During its Jan. 20 budget meeting, city council voted 6-1 to use $80,273 from the traffic safety reserve for road closure projects in the public works and utilities (PWU) division’s operating budget. Moreover, the reserve — and not the operating budget, as originally suggested — will fund this program in the future.
Coun. Heather Eby opposed the motion because she didn’t agree with how the initiative would be funded.
Broken down by category, the funding will support:
• Computer software purchase: $1,557
• Education and meetings: $15,936
• Equipment rental charges: $10,000
• Maintenance supplies: $42,000
• Advertising and promotions: $2,600
• Labour wages: $6,725
• Employee benefits: $1,455
City hall started “significant efforts” last year to improve road safety around job sites through activities such as traffic bylaw revisions, training a supervisor, procuring traffic control software and working with the Moose Jaw Police Service on a communications campaign, the report said.
Some work that PWU pursued last year included:
• Minor repairs and maintenance to bridges and protective railings
• Grading and maintaining gravel roads
• Assisting with Christmas lights, downtown lights and emergency response scenes
• Road and sidewalk repairs and maintenance
• Snow plowing and hauling
The division continues to review, discuss and adjust the scope of work, methods, resources and gaps in its ser-
Budget25: New public works program to support traffic safety initiatives
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
vices, while two factors spurred the need for roadway closures using reserve funding, the report continued.
One factor is the need to increase support for road safety, including using a third-party contractor to oversee, inspect and support projects, work-zone training for staff, software training and support for traffic plans and implementation, ongoing renewal of barricades and no-entry signs, traffic and information signs, and developing a traffic control manual.
The second factor is the offering of in-kind services, where PWU provides staff, resources, supplies and services for events such as Sidewalk Days, the Hometown Parade and the Santa Claus Parade.
“The city offers these services at no charge, with an estimated value of $20,000,” the report said. “Additionally, supplies and service are provided for numerous smaller events throughout the city.”
Administration told council that the automated speed enforcement cameras generate $800,000 to $900,000 annually in revenue, some of which goes to Moose Jaw’s traffic safety reserve fund; that account contains over $1.9 million. Besides supporting budget-focused capital initiatives, that fund also addresses the MJPS’s traffic safety initiatives; the agency wants $330,000 this year.
Council discussion
Coun. Chris Warren thought the road closure initiative was valuable, especially since council wanted to keep safe all city crews and the public around construction zones.
However, Warren asked administration whether it required this funding annually to support the business unit and if the reserve account would supply the money. Moreover, since $80,000 represented 0.2 per cent of a mill rate increase, he wondered whether council would have to cover that in 2026.
Finance director Brian Acker replied that the reserve
account would fund the business unit this year, while in 2026 and beyond, administration may fund that unit through the operating budget. Furthermore, if the business unit required $80,000 next year, unless council found another funding source for it beyond operating, that would add 0.2 per cent to the mill rate.
“It would be a very minor amount,” he added. “Certainly, there are changes that occur in the budget every year … (because) things cost more to deliver.”
Warren later said that the traffic safety reserve should fund this initiative always, considering administration usually asks for more staff positions and increased resources for projects, all of which increase taxes and affect residents. He also understood that while using reserve money may mean less funding for capital projects, he wanted council to keep its spending in check.
Administration told council that it is shifting $1.4 million from that reserve to the general capital reserve for projects such as traffic controls and structure upgrades.
Coun. Dawn Luhning wanted the traffic safety reserve to fund the business unit annually because she didn’t want to add 0.2 per cent to next year’s tax increase. As an elected official, she wanted to ensure residents received value for the tax increases they faced.
Coun. Jamey Logan agreed, while he was particularly excited about the creation of a traffic control manual, which was “imperative” to protect the safety of city crews and contractors from inattentive motorists who drive through closed work zones.
Coun. Patrick Boyle also supported using reserve funding, saying he was “a little leery” about council potentially adding to next year’s mill rate increase during current discussions. He thought that was “a little bit of a risky practice” because the 2026 budget could start with a large tax increase.
A storage area in the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre’s basement is crumbling and posing safety hazards to staff, so city hall plans to decommission the space and seal it.
During its Jan. 20 budget meeting, city council voted unanimously to spend $115,000 to address critical structural concrete repairs in the basement of the Cultural Centre — now known as the Centre for Arts and Culture (CAC). These repairs are expected to mitigate safety risks and prevent further deterioration while ensuring minimal disruptions to the venue’s operations.
The expense includes $105,500 for structural repairs and a front-entrance sidewalk replacement and $9,500 for monthly rentals for the temporary shoring-up equipment.
Most funding will come from the facilities building reserve account and some from carry-forward money — and will not affect the tax increase. Moreover, using reserve funding will not affect ceiling repairs in the Mae Wilson Theatre.
This option will require the closure of the front entrance sidewalk for six to eight weeks so the space can be sealed.
The storage area is beneath the theatre entrance sidewalk on Main Street and presented safety concerns because of exposed rebar and crumbling concrete, possibly
leading to falling debris, a budget report said. So, last year, CAC staff removed all stored materials and restricted access to the area pending an engineering review.
The department of community services assessed the area in 2024, while an engineer recommended temporary shoring of the room and a sidewalk closure for public safety, the document continued. Installation of temporary shoring occurred in late November and concluded in early December, allowing the sidewalk to reopen.
“The structural assessment identified significant deficiencies due to the building’s age and prolonged moisture exposure, particularly under the main entrance and rear mechanical areas,” the report said. “Immediate hazards (included) severe corrosion of reinforcing materials, concrete spalling and deteriorating brick columns.”
The city performed structural upgrades in 2002, but the sidewalk design and protruding columns make the venue susceptible to water damage within 10 to 20 years, the document noted.
Decommissioning the space would reduce the risk of future crumbling and associated repair costs, while staff no longer need that area for storage and say its elimination would not affect operations.
The temporary shoring-up of the space has reduced immediate risks to the area, which will allow contractors
to conduct repairs during the building’s annual shutdown in late August and September, the report added. This timing minimizes disruptions to the venue’s operations and avoids closing the sidewalk during the tourism season.
The budget report contained pictures of the space and the front entrance sidewalk overhead, something that caught Coun. Jamey Logan’s attention.
“I’m not sure if people in this city are aware of how many buildings actually do that, where the building is dug out underneath the sidewalk and the sidewalk runs over top, which is crazy,” he said.
“So, I’m certainly in favour of … decommissioning the space entirely. We could spend a bunch of money and fix it, but honestly, down the road, we’re just going to have the same problem,” Logan added.
Coun. Heather Eby was pleased that, based on the proposed funding source, council wasn’t deferring the theatre ceiling repairs to 2026 like it did last year. Moreover, she thought the photos showed the “weird thing” that was under Moose Jaw’s sidewalks.
“That is why sometimes strange things happen in downtown Moose Jaw with other structures and (corner) bulb-outs and such,” she said, adding that residents should visit the city website to see the pictures.
CITY HALL BUDGET ’25
THE NEXT BUDGET MEETINGS ARE JAN. 15, 20 AND 23.
With Moose Jaw’s landfill nearing the end of its operational life, city hall is adjusting how it operates the venue by — among other things — changing the hours and increasing tipping fees.
The landfill’s current summer hours are 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Sundays. In the winter, the hours are 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Sundays.
However, the new summer hours will be 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. In the winter, the hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
A budget report noted that reducing hours will save $48,000 annually in staffing costs, while in 2025, those savings will be $16,000, with city hall using the remaining savings to implement the changes.
Meanwhile, the standard rate per tonne for residents will increase to $105 from $90 and for non-residents will increase to $120 from $100. Furthermore, the standard waste fee for a half-ton truck or small vehicle will increase to $14 from $12 and for non-residents will increase to $21 from $18.
Also, for specially handled wastes like asbestos or medical, for residents, the flat fee remains at $350 while the cost per tonne increases to $105 from $90, and for non-res-
Budget25: City hall making big changes to landfill hours, fees, services
Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com
idents, the flat fee remains at $400 while the cost per tonne increases to $120 from $100.
Meanwhile, with the city’s waste collection efforts, residential recycling fees are increasing to $5.54 per month from $5.44 per month, while the residential waste collection rate will increase to $31.80 from $30.87.
The increase in landfill tipping fees and the change in hours will occur on Tuesday, April 1.
Council approval
During its Jan. 23 budget meeting, city council unanimously approved the new landfill hours and the increase in tipping fees. It also approved the public works and utilities (PWU) branch’s request to spend $525,000 to purchase a roll-off bin truck, four roll-off bins and a crew truck, with that money coming from the solid waste capital account.
Council also approved an expense increase to the branch’s landfill operations business unit this year of $456,344, which brings the total landfill operational budget to $1,799,696.49.
Other changes
Besides the current landfill, the branch will use this new equipment at the future solid waste management venue after that site — once selected and built — becomes operational.
Until then, however, the municipality will close the active garbage face to the public and implement a dropoff system where users deposit their waste in the bins, and landfill crews haul the materials to the active face and dump them, the report said. This will “improve safety and allow
operators to provide focused, controlled lifts of waste.” “… the closure of the active face represents a significant operational change, which will be communicated to users,” the report noted.
PWU plans to spend roughly $72,000 to prepare the landfill for the drop-off depot and purchase materials to help people navigate the site. The branch will fund this work from the solid waste operating account. It will also spend $56,000 to change the site layout at the waste and diversion depots.
Another change city hall is making includes staffing the High Street recycling depot with full-time supervision from April to October and part-time supervision from November to March, the report said. Further, PWU may install fencing around the depot, which would cost $10,000.
Similarly, the branch will add a second recycling/waste diversion depot at the landfill, which would cost $10,000 per month or $120,000 annually in contractual services.
Crews will add signs at the High Street recycling depot to inform users about the landfill’s recycling depot, its compost bins, and the materials accepted, the report said. The municipality will also include SARCAN in its waste diversion strategy; that entity now accepts flexible plastic, foam packaging and non-deposit glass.
City hall plans to add 4.3 full-time equivalent (FTEs) positions to support landfill operations, services and depot management, the report added, which will cost $254,345 this year and $295,000 annually thereafter.
Budget25: Changes to landfill operations ‘long overdue,’ city says
The changes that city hall is making to how it operates the landfill over the next five years are “long overdue” and “will be significant,” city administration says.
With Moose Jaw’s dump nearing the end of its operational life, city hall is adjusting how it operates the venue by changing the hours, increasing tipping fees and eliminating the public’s ability to access the landfill’s active side to deposit their garbage.
These changes are the most the landfill has ever seen, “arguably since the times when … you could go to the landfill and collect things and it was just a complete rodeo … ,” Bevan Harlton, director of operations, said during the Jan. 23 budget meeting while discussing the venue.
“I do want to note, again, that the landfill is full and the intent with this report and in 2025 is to focus on what we can do … to increase diversion and try and run this facility better,” he continued, adding that the operations department would monitor the landfill’s capacity twice a year and present further reports to council.
As part of the changes, the operations department — via its public works and utilities branch — plans to spend $525,000 to purchase a roll-off bin truck, four roll-off bins and a crew truck, which will support activities at the current landfill and the future solid waste management venue. It
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also plans to hire more staff.
Harlton explained that the roll-off bins are necessary because public works is closing the landfill’s active face to users. Instead, residential users will deposit their materials in the bins and crews will take the containers to the face and spread the garbage themselves. This allows staff to control where garbage is placed and helps them with compaction efforts.
However, commercial entities or entities with high volumes of garbage can continue depositing the refuse themselves, with landfill staff having the power to veto those activities if necessary, the operations director said.
Harlton added that an employee would oversee the four bins to ensure no one deposits material like bricks in them, while that person would give the municipality a better understanding of where it’s short with its services.
“Initially, it’s going to be chaos for the contractors … so we’re certainly going to have to be proactive on the communication piece on that and warn them ahead of time,” said Coun. Jamey Logan. “Or, they’re going to be paying out-of-town rates and won’t be thrilled with that.”
Some users may be upset that they can’t deposit the garbage themselves, so city hall could consider — as other municipalities have done — establishing a transfer station
beside the dump, where landfill operators could scoop the debris into bins, he continued.
Also, it might help to create a spot where less physically capable people can drop their trash instead of throwing it into bins and a spot where people can pull up to the bins instead of backing in, Logan added.
Staci Dobrescu, manager of public works and utilities (PWU), addressed the issue of how landfill staff determine where people are from, saying people who don’t have a Moose Jaw-based postal code are considered out-of-towners. However, some people only have PO box numbers, so the PWU branch must determine whether they qualify as residents.
Harlton clarified that contractors must show their business licences or a demolition permit when depositing their garbage to claim the in-town rates since it’s the location from where the refuse comes that matters.
Meanwhile, Loraas, which handles Moose Jaw’s recycling, is not yet accepting No. 1 plastics, although the provincial regulator is looking at allowing that next year, said Dobrescue. City hall is working with the regulator to sign an agreement that would allow residents to deposit more plastics into their bins. This transition may take six to eight months.
Budget25: City’s dust control efforts to include Stadacona West this year
City hall will apply dust control liquid to three kilometres of gravel roads this year, including to one street where business owners submitted a petition to city council demanding action.
The public works and utilities (PWU) branch will spray magnesium chloride on several gravel streets to help neutralize dust, improve drivability and enhance maintenance efforts, explained Bevan Harlton, director of operations, during a recent budget meeting.
Data shows that the City of Moose Jaw manages 51.5 kilometres of gravel roads and 95.6 kilometres of gravel and paved alleys, he continued. While it’s possible to pave some of those roads — “the will to improve and change is there” — the issue has been money.
For example, it would cost $175 per square metre to pave a gravel industrial road, so if the municipality paved 1,400 metres of Caribou Street East from 11th Avenue East to Highway 1, that would start at $3 million, the operations director pointed out.
So, city hall is relying on magnesium chloride to tamp down dust on certain roads, with crews applying 1.8 litres per square metre last year on Caribou Street East, 12th Avenue Northwest, 16th Avenue Northwest and Manitoba Street West near the ball diamonds and dog park, Harlton’s report said.
That cost 72 cents per square metre, along with internal resources and expenses for site preparation and watering.
Harlton told council that his department met regular-
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ly with the Rural Municipality of Moose Jaw last year to discuss projects, issues and challenges, which proved valuable as they addressed many problems “before they became contentious.”
The department also learned that, since 2014, the RM has consistently used magnesium chloride on its gravel roads, making it the largest municipal user in Saskatchewan, Harlton continued. That’s great news for the city because it now has a nearby partner willing to support its dust control efforts.
According to the RM, in 2019, it spent $5,164 per kilometre to maintain a gravel road, but those costs decreased by 78 per cent using magnesium chloride, the report said. Moreover, graders went from making 10 to 17 maintenance passes annually to two to three trips, while such roads required 50-per-cent less gravel.
In 2019, it also cost the RM roughly $9,210 per kilometre to apply two 1.8-litre-per-square-metre applications, so city hall believes the “theoretical cost” for a similar application in Moose Jaw is $1,136 per kilometre.
Public works is reviewing locations where it can apply this liquid, including streets near RM roads, commercial areas, school zones and health-care centres, the report continued. The city estimates that two applications on three kilometres of gravel roads will cost $45,000.
The document added that by the end of 2025, the city will compare the traditional costs of gravel road maintenance with maintenance using magnesium chloride.
Coun. Dawn Luhning pointed out that council received an informal petition last year from business owners on the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Stadacona Street West wanting their dusty road addressed. She wondered if other areas had also complained, while she noted that if public works prioritized commercial areas this year, she wanted that street done first.
“That’s an absolutely fair position. That’s a location I intend to complete next year, is that area of Stad (because) it’s a commercial location,” said Harlton. “It’s immediately adjacent to Thatcher Drive, which is a critical arterial road. So that work will occur there.”
He added that other locations have complained about dust issues and his department would consider them too.
Luhning hoped Harlton kept his word, saying she didn’t want to hear from those Stadacona businesses in the fall that the work hadn’t been done. She pointed out that the dust is awful on that street in the summer, especially when it’s hot.
She added that city hall should communicate directly with those businesses when the magnesium chloride program begins so they understand the plan.
Public works may delay applying the dust control liquid on the 1700 block of Stadacona Street West because it must first complete other upgrades there, including drainage and ditch work, said Harlton. However, that work won’t affect the 1600 block, so magnesium chloride could go there.
CITY HALL BUDGET ’25
THE NEXT BUDGET MEETINGS ARE JAN. 15, 20 AND 23.
Residents who use parks and recreation venues will pay higher rates starting April 1, but they won’t pay an extra fee that would support capital improvements to those venues.
City council had a tense discussion about whether to approve a parks and recreation venue improvement fee during its recent 2025 budget meeting.
The proposed fee would have seen “modest charges” applied to admissions, memberships and rentals, with the extra revenue going into a dedicated capital reserve account to support renewal projects and reduce pressure on the municipality’s overall capital budget, which is short $69 million over the next five years, a budget report said.
Of that shortfall, $29 million belongs to the parks and rec branch, including $13 million for a new outdoor pool, the report added. Meanwhile, the fee would have generated roughly $46,036 in revenue this year and $73,307 annually starting in 2026.
Council saw things differently, however, and voted 4-3 against creating a capital reserve account for the fee. In favour were Mayor James Murdock and councillors Heather Eby and Jamey Logan, while opposed were councillors Chris Warren, Caral Delaurier, Patrick Boyle and Dawn Luhning.
Furthermore, council voted 4-3 in favour of the proposed 2025 parks and recreation rates and fees increases — which typically go up annually — but excluded implementing the venue improvement fee. In favour were Warren, Delaurier, Boyle and Luhning, while opposed were
Budget25: Rec users won’t pay extra fees to support venue upgrades
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City administration is searching for ways to pay for the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the Thunderbird Viaduct, a structure with about 10 years left in its nearly 100-year-old bones.
Administration provided an update about the Fourth Avenue bridge during the Jan. 23 budget meeting, including the fact that the city is likely responsible for 85 per cent of project costs, based on a recent Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) mediation decision.
The project design is 90-per-cent completed and tender- or shovel-ready, but because of how long mediation took, the two railway companies must re-approve the design, said Bevan Harlton, director of operations.
Furthermore, the city assessed the 1929-built Viaduct in 2020, which found that a full structure replacement is required in 15 years, otherwise, “the structure will not be fit to stand by 2035,” he continued.
The past two inspections showed the city should upgrade the bridge within five years, while the next inspection is this year and in 2028, the operations director said. Meanwhile, to strengthen the structure, the city installed a catcher beam in 2022, which has a lifespan of 20 years.
In 2023, city administration estimated that the bridge’s reconstruction cost was $22 million, but that has jumped to roughly $25.17 million, according to the budget report.
City administration has $4.86 million for this project that it’s bringing into 2025 from last year, while it expects to have $5.53 million next year, $5.97 million in 2027 and $5.97 million in 2028, with $3,244,476 expected from the rail companies.
Based on the CTA’s decision, Moose Jaw is responsi-
Murdock, Eby and Logan.
Boosting membership
A budget report said the parks and rec branch prefers to boost revenues through higher attendance levels while keeping services and programs affordable, which is a more sustainable, long-term approach. That is why it doesn’t significantly increase annual rates because that leads to reduced attendance and usage.
With the slight increase in rec rates and fees this year, the city expects net revenues to increase by $167,730, leading to an overall cost recovery of 51 per cent from 47 per cent in 2024.
City administration told council that the parks and recreation levy — which charges all property owners $65 yearly — generates $1,092,000 annually for capital improvements. However, the proposed fee would be separate and would support one-time projects, such as installing a concrete floor in an arena.
“The whole premise behind this is that users of the facilities are contributing directly to the improvements that are occurring within those facilities and not necessarily relying on the general tax base to fund some of those things, as the levy does,” said Derek Blais, director of community services.
Council comments
Eby liked pursuing higher attendance levels over significant rate increases since it kept admission and membership prices affordable. Moreover, she liked the improvement fee because it was an easy concept to defend since it
supported venue upgrades.
Luhning struggled with the improvement fee because she didn’t see the difference between it and the levy, while she thought the levy should be sufficient.
“My gut tells me not to approve the improvement fee at this time because we’re already building a reserve for capital projects and capital upgrades,” she said. “I really don’t think having little pots of money all over the place for the same thing … will seem different to the average citizen.”
Luhning added that the proposed improvement fee — which she thought was a fairer approach than the levy — was just another way for administration to acquire more tax money for venue upgrades because the levy wasn’t enough.
Warren liked the improvement fee concept, but because the mill rate increase was 3.99 per cent and the water and wastewater utilities were each increasing by four per cent, he didn’t want to impose that expense now.
Logan approved of increasing the regular rates and fees and approving the improvement fee, noting that recreation users — through the latter fee — would likely be happy paying an extra 50 cents on drop-in admissions or $5 per hour extra for ice rentals if it meant capital enhancements to those places.
“It’s more money, but it’s spread out among so many people, and it’s not every taxpayer,” he added. “If you don’t go to the facility, then you don’t have to pay that fee.”
rebuild
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ble for roughly $21.9 million (85 per cent), while Canadian Pacific Kansas City is responsible for over $3 million (14 per cent) and Canadian National Railway is responsible for just over $200,000 (one per cent).
“As disappointing as this outcome is, it gives clarity to operations about what we’re looking at and what it will take to build or construct the bridge,” Harlton added.
When the work does commence, city hall will hang netting so nothing interrupts CN or CPKC activities, Harlton said. However, if the structure deteriorates before that happens, the city may conduct “more intrusive upgrades” that include working on the support piers.
If city hall converted the bridge to a pedestrian-only structure, the cost-savings would be minimal because it would still have to be safe to use, while if the bridge deck sunk, the structure would be lost, he continued.
“I think people are looking for the silver bullet here … (and) the way out or through this, and demolition isn’t it,” the director stated.
Harlton noted that it cost Saskatoon $41.2 million to demolish its 300-metre-long traffic bridge, while Winnipeg estimates that it will cost $17 million to $20 million to tear down its 600-metre-long Arlington Bridge.
In comparison, Thunderbird Viaduct is 420 metres long.
The operations director pointed out that if the three parties can’t reach a solution, it will likely cost nearly $50 million to demolish the structure in 15 years.
Meanwhile, the rebuilding would take 12 to 18 months and would create a 30-tonne structure — it’s currently 10 tonnes — with a 50- to 75-year lifespan
Harlton noted that the Ninth Avenue bridge could “shoulder the load” of extra traffic if the Fourth Avenue bridge were closed for construction. However, his department plans to perform repairs on the former in 2028 and 2029 because it requires work.
Harlton encouraged council to consider whether it was useful to continue investing in the bridge versus putting money into other structures or roads. He also encouraged them to think about the effect the bridge has on the community and what would happen — particularly to businesses — if it ceased to exist.
City manager Maryse Carmichael said the CTA decision helped administration realize where it stands with the project and realize it may need to analyze whether continued investment in the Viaduct is warranted. Conversely, it could be better to invest in other places, such as a bridge at 16th Avenue Southwest.
Carmichael added that 16th Avenue would only be viable if city hall spoke with CPKC to determine whether it would accept a new structure there.
“It’s disappointing that the funding didn’t come in different with the railroad, but I guess we shouldn’t be all that surprised,” said Coun. Heather Eby. “I think … it would be great to hear from the community and see how they’re really feeling.”
Eby didn’t think demolishing the Viaduct and constructing a bridge at 16th Avenue would “hit the budget book anytime soon,” while she pointed out that a new bridge would be unnecessary for the new South Hill school because those students wouldn’t need to cross it.
City council has rejected the Moose Jaw Police Service’s 2025 budget request because of how expensive it is and has sent the document to the police commission for further refinement.
Council unanimously approved a motion during its Jan. 20 budget meeting to decline the police service’s 2025 operating and capital budgets requests that the Board of Police Commissioners had submitted on the agency’s behalf. Moreover, council asked the commission to review the document and find ways to reduce the overall request.
The police service is asking for operating funding of $13,155,774 this year, which is an increase of $909,871 — or 7.43 per cent — over last year. It is also asking for capital funding of $344,000.
City administration says this proposed increase would likely translate into a municipal tax increase of
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2.35 per cent, since one percentage point of taxation this year is $387,402. Moreover, the request would add $3.64 per month or $43.68 per year to taxpayers’ bills.
Coun. Jamey Logan, Coun. Patrick Boyle and Mayor James Murdock are members of the police commission and agreed with sending the budget request back for revision, saying while the previous board approved the proposal in November, they wanted the new group — including the newly elected council members — to “put (their) stamp” on that submission.
Moreover, the board needed to ensure the request was in line financially with other requests in the proposed 2025 city budget since, as Logan put it, the costs of the agency’s request exceeded the cost of living index “by a considerable margin and are not affordable to the citizens of Moose Jaw.”
Coun. Dawn Luhning said, “The amount that the
(police) service is requesting is — I hate to say excessive, but when you consider what we’re looking at as a city as a whole, I’m hoping the police commission … can take a look at it and see where they can make some changes.”
When asked what the cost-of-living index number is in the proposed 2025 city budget, finance director Brian Acker said that number was three per cent. He noted that that is an estimate that city hall shared with the police service.
Said Coun. Chris Warren, “I know the Moose Jaw Police Service does incredible work in the community, but I would like an opportunity for our current board to take a look at that and engage with our police service.”
The Board of Police Commissioners will likely meet in the next week to review the budget submission and make recommendations to reduce the amount requested. Budget25:
CITY HALL BUDGET ’25
THE NEXT BUDGET MEETINGS ARE JAN. 15, 20 AND 23. City council is divided over creating a new stormwater utility, with the crux being either to impose more taxes on residents or let infrastructure crumble and pay more in repairs in the future.
City administration wants a stormwater utility created to ensure there is sustainable funding for daily operational expenses and future stormwater infrastructure projects and maintenance costs, a 2025 budget report said. These financial resources would improve the overall condition and functionality of stormwater assets.
Annual operating costs this year are expected to be $326,122, representing almost one percentage point of taxation. Meanwhile, city hall spent $1.15 million last year on stormwater capital projects.
The estimated replacement value of all stormwater infrastructure items — which are “in poor to very poor condition” — is $210.73 million, with 79.8 kilometres of pipes being the highest valued at over $156 million, the budget document said. Upgrading all items connected to just the Spring Creek system is expected to cost $20 million.
The monthly fee that administration wants to charge would be based on a lot’s surface area since that method “is reasonably equitable,” is information the municipality has available and could be implemented quickly, the report continued. Aside from agricultural land, all properties would face this charge.
Single-family residential properties would all pay the same charge; multi-family properties, such as apartments and condominiums, would have lower monthly fees than residential because of their denser property footprint; and commercial, industrial and institutional would pay the second-highest fees because of their surface area and the amount of stormwater runoff they generate.
The report noted that the proposed fee structure would be based on lot size in square metres (sqm), number of properties of that size, rate per month, and total revenue generated per month from that group:
• Up to 2,000 sqm: 12,490 / $5 / $62,450
• 2,001 to 7,000 sqm: 633 / $22.50 / $14,243
• 7,001 to 12,000 sqm: 191 / $47.50 / $9,073
• 12,001 to 17,000 sqm: 131 / $72.50 / $9,498
• 17,001 to 22,000 sqm: 44 / $97.50 / $4,290
• 22,001 to 30,000 sqm: 33 / $130 / $4,290
Budget25: Council conflicted over adding more fees with new stormwater utility
• 30,001 sqm and up: 179 / $170 / $30,430
City hall expects to collect $134,273 per month or $1,611,276 annually from all those properties.
For homeowners, the $5 per month would translate into $60 per year, while for commercial/industrial/institutional, the $170 per month would equal $2,040 per year.
Conversely, administration said a flat fee for all properties would be $10 per month. However, the “disadvantage” to that is those properties — mainly commercial/industrial — that contributed more stormwater runoff wouldn’t pay more. Prioritizing projects
Since most single-family residential properties pay an average of $1,800 annually in municipal taxes, they would pay $15 less per year if the mill rate dropped by almost one percentage point if stormwater expenses were removed from the operating budget, said Coun. Chris Warren.
However, the utility’s creation would add an extra $60 annually to their bills, which would be “a significant expense” for most people, he continued.
Warren understood that the city has significant shortfalls in the stormwater utility infrastructure while the capital budget has competing project priorities in areas such as roads, parks or buildings. Yet, the proposed tax hike was already over five per cent, not including other utilities and levies.
The councillor then asked administration if it had considered amalgamating stormwater into water and wastewater, with the goal of collecting tax revenue in a single stream and prioritizing projects in those three assets.
Stormwater is separate from water/ wastewater because they have different rate structures, and while all three could be amalgamated, administration would still face the same dilemma of insufficient capital funding, said finance director Brian Acker.
The problem is the municipality receives only eight per cent of all tax revenues, while the province and the feds receive the rest, which puts a significant burden on taxpayers, he continued. So, council needs to either find a funding source for stormwater rehabilitation or quit doing other capital projects.
“… a lot of work has to be done. It’s just a matter of time till it’s a crisis with our stormwater,” Acker added. “And it’s not very far away, to be honest.”
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While it’s great to have a report about the condition of infrastructure, council should be spending within its means and not always raising taxes, said Warren. He wanted council to rank and prioritize storm-water-wastewater projects and determine whether they were in crisis mode and should be done first.
Warren added that the city is facing a huge infrastructure revenue deficit, but he was hesitant to ask residents to pay more.
Taxes and services
Coun. Dawn Luhning said she understood that council faced capital budget deficits and was doing its best to administer tax dollars and manage its municipal responsibilities, but couldn’t “stomach” putting another water charge on taxpayers’ bills.
“People in this city already think their water bills are high. It’s a fact,” she said. “People (also) feel their taxes are too high.”
Based on emails and calls she’s received, Luhning said people correlate what they pay in taxes to services they receive, such as seeing a snowplow clear their streets — or never seeing one. She didn’t think she could justify a six-percent tax increase to people whose streets were never plowed, nor would that increase be accepted well since people “get antsy” when council adds fees.
Luhning thought water-related infrastructure projects needed to come before other initiatives like an outdoor pool, arena upgrades or a new landfill, because if Moose Javians didn’t have water or couldn’t flush their toilets, “this city is in big trouble.”
She pointed out that council doesn’t have the money to support all of administration’s proposed budget initiatives, while taxpayers don’t have more money either because of inflation. Moreover, council can’t take money from the water/ wastewater utility reserve to cover capital deficits because that’s for the new Crescent View Lift Station (CVLS).
Eating the elephant Council faced the same challenge with tackling the cast iron replacement project, which was similar to “a huge elephant” and figuring out “how to eat the whole thing,” said Coun. Heather Eby. Yet, council started small, and while its efforts “seemed like a drop in the ocean,” the city made progress.
With the stormwater utility, Eby thought council could start with a drainage fee first and then increase it as the years progress.
Eby used her own tax bill to show that, while she didn’t live “in a fancy house” or neighbourhood, her family paid $156.18 last year for utilities. Moreover, over Christmas, she spent $150 to have snow cleared from in front of her house and her daughter’s — and then a city grader filled that space again.
“So I get a pretty good deal from the City of Moose Jaw for $156 a year for public works (services),” Eby said, noting that utility bill expenses look big, but they’re “really, really reasonable” if broken into separate service categories. “I’m not saying it doesn’t hurt when you add a tax increase or levy, but the benefit … is tremendous.”
Eby said she was “willing to eat a little bit of the elephant this year” and launch the stormwater utility this year, while she saw no point in upgrading Crescent Park’s Serpentine Creek when the upstream infrastructure was crumbling.
“I don’t want to pass along more increases to citizens, but we have been working in crisis mode for pretty much as long as I’ve been here,” she continued, pointing to cast iron pipes and Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant as past crises and the CVLS as a possible crisis if council didn’t make it a priority.
“I don’t want to wait … (until) the storm sewer is a crisis and then we’ll deal with it.”
Heads in the sand
Coun. Jamey Logan said he was initially opposed to this utility but also realized council would be punting this issue down the road if it didn’t address stormwater infrastructure. Moreover, while hindsight was 20/20, he thought council should have acquired the biggest loan it could have pre-COVID-19 because of how much inflation has increased expenses today.
“None of this is going to go down in cost. And putting our head in the sand is not going to make this go away,” he said. If council creates this utility, then commercial and industrial properties will be particularly hard hit because they’re already paying 1.8 times the tax rate as residential properties, he added. Those owners — who would also pay a fee for their residences — would likely pass on those increases to their already struggling tenants.
Because of this issue’s importance, council tabled the report to the Jan. 23 meeting for further discussion.
Budget25: City to hire three more lifeguards to enhance safety at pools
The City of Moose Jaw will enhance its safety efforts at both pools this year by adding more staff to both venues to keep a more watchful eye on patrons.
The city’s aquatic safety policy currently stipulates that two lifeguards must always be on duty for a one-to-75-bather ratio, but forthcoming amendments dictate that two qualified lifeguards must always be on deck, including for private rentals, a budget report explained. This change is the result of an internal review the community services department conducted last year after an incident at one of the pools.
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The review recommended that two lifeguards must be assigned exclusively to scanning the pool area while one or more lifeguards can be scheduled for swim lessons or fitness programming, the report said.
“Additional lifeguards stationed on the pool deck would ensure more vigilant supervision, faster response times and a safer environment for all swimmers,” the document added.
During its recent budget meeting, city council unanimously approved a request from community services for an extra $94,315 in operating funding to hire more aquatic staff to support increased lifeguard-to-patron ratios.
Community services currently employs seven full-time aquatic staff and 30
While two lifeguards are typically scheduled at the Kinsmen Sportsplex and Phyllis Dewar pools, one sometimes serves as a swim or fitness instructor or performs tasks such as changeroom checks or pool tests, the document continued. This often leaves one lifeguard actively scanning the pool.
causal staff, while the extra funding will allow the department to recruit one new full-time staff member and two causal employees, the report said. The extra staff would work on weekday mornings and afternoons and would cover Saturday swim lessons and noon swims, resulting in an additional 2,950 staffing hours annually.
The report added that because aquatic programming has been performing so strongly, the department expects to see an increase in revenues from the Sportsplex pool program this year of $69,820.
Administration told council during the meeting that the city is operating its pools within the mandated provincial legislation. However, even with those minimum provincial standards, it’s important to have more lifeguards because of the layout of the pools, where the employees are positioned, and the fact that some em-
ployees are teaching swimming lessons.
Asked about liability issues, administration said the extra lifeguards are about enhancing services over protecting against lawsuits. Moreover, answering a question about liability was difficult because it depended upon the circumstances of the situation.
Coun. Patrick Boyle said he struggled with the cost of this request, especially since council had already approved other expensive initiatives and because the municipality was already meeting the minimum aquatic staffing standards.
“This represents a situation for us that can create a safety risk, and if something happens, we would be subject to litigation because of a known issue,” he added. “This is something we have to do to support safety and avoid a potential (lawsuit).”
CITY HALL BUDGET ’25
THE NEXT BUDGET MEETINGS ARE JAN. 15, 20 AND 23.
Big Brother will not be watching over residents and tourists in downtown Moose Jaw after city council declined to install security cameras in the area.
City administration presented a report during a recent 2025 budget meeting about installing such technology in the downtown core, based on a motion council passed in October.
However, after reviewing this possibility, administration recommended that the City of Moose Jaw not proceed with installing cameras on traffic and road infrastructure in the area. Council agreed, voting unanimously to receive and file the report.
The municipality operates video cameras in various city-owned buildings and on some buses, with these systems functioning independently and video footage accessible on request, a budget report said.
The department of community services is responsible for accessing and maintaining the video recording equipment in buildings, while the transit department oversees the video system on buses.
Budget25: Council rejects installing security cameras in the downtown
The city uses WatchNET to record videos in buildings and consulted with the tech company about this initiative, but because the project’s scope was poorly defined, that made it difficult for administration to estimate costs, the report said.
Hardware costs would vary based on the number of cameras purchased, their quality and the required coverage, while basic systems start at roughly $2,000 per camera, the document continued. Furthermore, electricians would be required to install the technology, while wireless internet availability could pose a challenge.
“Managing individual camera systems installed around the downtown core and on traffic light infrastructure would be complex,” the report stated. “Ensuring their continued functionality would require regular maintenance visits by staff.”
Since the cameras would generate plenty of data, city hall would need to develop a data retention strategy policy to handle it, while extra storage could be necessary to archive videos in compliance with
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that policy, the document added.
Wade McKay, director of information technology, told council during the meeting that the department doesn’t know of other municipalities with this type of technology that it can copy. Furthermore, the Moose Jaw Police Service plans to equip officers with body cameras, so that may reduce the need for security cameras.
McKay noted that he contacted WatchNET and struggled to answer its questions about the project since it wanted to know whether the cameras were for crime prevention, traffic shaping, how big the downtown core is, and other issues.
Although administration recommended against installing the cameras, “it is possible” to create such a system even though there are challenges, he said. For example, a few standalone cameras are easy to manage — especially if they’re on a bus — since staff could easily pull videos them. Yet, it would require plenty of work to manage independent cameras.
McKay added that administration
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City hall’s information technology department plans to spend $260,000 this year to support a new online permitting system and a software program that tracks vehicle and equipment assets.
City council unanimously approved the department’s capital funding requests during a recent 2025 budget meeting, with $110,000 supporting the permitting software project and $150,000 supporting the fleet management software project.
Although IT expects to take 14 months to complete the permitting project, the system will become operational later this year, a budget report said. This system will feature an online portal that enables users to complete the entire permit process digitally, including payments.
The department expects the system to have several positive outcomes, the document continued, including faster service, fewer errors with the application approval process, better tracking and record-keeping, “repeatability” of business processes, the possibility of selling more permits and having higher compliance levels, and cost recovery to support the system.
The report noted that the department will use this money to “backfill for staff” who are assisting with this project and establish a contingency fund for any unexpected changes.
Meanwhile, the fleet management program could be part of a larger asset management system planned in 2026, the report added. The IT department will ask for $350,000 next year to purchase and install an asset software program to track all municipal assets — from trucks to fire hydrants to benches — and will use leftover funding to purchase the fleet management software.
Extra employee
Wade McKay, director of IT, explained that this permitting software project needs the support of a “subject matter expert,” so the department must temporarily recruit someone from the planning and development branch to help “get over the hump of
the extra work.”
This secondment requires the hiring of someone to backfill in planning and development for several months, so its daily activities continue to happen.
Meanwhile, city hall is creating a communications plan to reach community stakeholders like contractors and construction companies, who have been asking for an online permitting system for years, he continued.
When asked about the proposed asset management program, the IT director said it would be on a scale similar to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software program.
City hall wants to catalogue every municipal-owned vehicle and piece of equipment to create maintenance routines, which would reduce repair costs and allow departments— especially operations — to evaluate the total cost and value of the equipment, he said.
“It’s a massive project across the city,” continued McKay, adding that IT and the geographic information system (GIS) branch have created a digital system to help mechanics and work crews record information the same way.
City manager Maryse Carmichael said city staff currently track and catalogue equipment manually, with mechanics recording information on paper and then filing that sheet in a cabinet.
“That is not efficient (and) that is not 2025,” she added.
Coun. Chris Warren liked how city hall was pursuing an asset management program in 2026, while he also liked IT starting with a smaller fleet management program so staff could work out the bugs and become comfortable using it.
However, Coun. Dawn Luhning wasn’t convinced that IT could tackle both projects simultaneously because of insufficient staffing levels and the thousands of help-desk tickets it handles.
Furthermore, she wasn’t convinced that council was receiving “good bang
for our dollar” with these systems, noting McKay’s report failed to list cheaper software options. This forced council to “take these numbers as gospel” that they were appropriate expenses.
Luhning added that she wanted administration to report back over the next three months about the projects’ progress.
Carmichael replied that they would,
needed more guidance before it pursued this project.
Coun. Carla Delaurier pointed out that safety issues have been identified in Crescent Park near the washrooms, while some residents have seen other people using drugs in the area.
“Myself, walking through the park, I’ve come across a lot of questionable behaviours in that area,” she said. “So … in the future, if we decide to move ahead with cameras, then that area could perhaps be looked at closely for benefits for the safety of our citizenry.”
Coun. Dawn Luhning said she was interested in protecting the safety of downtown businesses, some of which have already begun installing video cameras outside their doors that can assist police when issues arise.
Luhning added that some municipalities have traffic cameras installed on roads to monitor the weather, but she thought that “might be too rich for (council’s) blood.”
while she pointed out that these projects are helping upgrade city hall’s various systems, such as the ERP system, which is nearly completed. Meanwhile, directors followed the city’s procurement policy to acquire these software systems, which ensured that the municipality paid an appropriate price for them.
CITY HALL BUDGET ’25
THE NEXT BUDGET MEETINGS ARE JAN. 15, 20 AND 23.
The changes that the Board of Police Commissioners made to the Moose Jaw Police Service’s 2025 budget request are positive and good for the community, the board chairman says.
“I’m appreciative that Acting Chief (Rick) Johns was able to tweak and fine-tune some things, so I think it will go a long way in the community (in) letting the citizens know that everyone is trying to do what they can with the budget,” Mayor James Murdock said, following the special board meeting on Jan. 24.
The original budget — which city council rejected for being too expensive — included an operating funding request of $13,155,774, an increase of $909,871, or 7.43 per cent over last year, and a capital funding request of $344,000.
The amended budget features an operating request of $12,830,258, which represents an increase in net funding of $584,355 or 4.77 per cent over last year, but is 2.66-per-cent less — a decrease of $325,516 — than the first budget demand.
The 2.66-per-cent decrease is “very helpful” since it’s important to find savings everywhere, while the board
Reduction in MJPS’s budget request ‘very helpful,’ mayor says
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wants to ensure residents receive the services they require “but at a proper dollar amount,” Murdock continued.
The board chairman praised Johns and his leadership team for reviewing the budget and finding ways to reduce the funding request, with those efforts being noticeable and something for which the board is thankful.
Johns told reporters that when police leadership reviewed the budget, they wanted to ensure that any cuts they made didn’t reduce service levels in the community. The capital projects they chose to remove from this year’s budget were things they knew they could defer to future budgets or manage within the existing budget.
“We don’t anticipate any reduction in service based on this budget, but we don’t have a crystal ball and there could be things that pop up throughout the year,” he said. “So, we’re always mindful of that as well (and) keep an eye on those potential costs.”
During the media scrum, Johns also addressed the travel and board expense category in the 2025 budget. This year, that category proposes spending $56,500 compared to $5,000 last year, an increase of $51,500 or 1,030 per cent.
Johns pointed out that Police Chief Rick Bourassa — currently on medical leave — has announced that he will retire this year. So, the previous board implemented a contingency fund to support the search for a new chief, which may involve hiring a search team or an international firm to find the new leader.
Another expense Johns addressed was the cost of supporting the eight new provincially funded officers. The province has provided the Moose Jaw Police Service with $952,000 in salaries for these positions, with $747,700 coming this year.
However, Johns noted that funding does not include money to outfit new members with items such as clothing, weapons or vests, so the agency must bear those additional expenses.
In its 2025 budget, the police service plans to spend $40,200 on boots and related clothing and $87,000 on uniforms and related clothing, which are increases of $3,200 and $24,000, respectively, over last year.
The acting chief added that it would cost roughly $5,000 to $7,000 to equip an officer with full gear.
Budget25: Rec users won’t pay extra fees to support venue upgrades
Residents who use parks and recreation venues will pay higher rates starting April 1, but they won’t pay an extra fee that would support capital improvements to those venues.
City council had a tense discussion about whether to approve a parks and recreation venue improvement fee during its recent 2025 budget meeting.
The proposed fee would have seen “modest charges” applied to admissions, memberships and rentals, with the extra revenue going into a dedicated capital reserve account to support renewal projects and reduce pressure on the municipality’s overall capital budget, which is short $69 million over the next five years, a budget report said.
Of that shortfall, $29 million belongs to the parks and rec branch, including $13 million for a new outdoor pool, the report added. Meanwhile, the fee would have generated roughly $46,036 in revenue this year and $73,307 annually starting in 2026.
Council saw things differently, however, and voted 4-3 against creating a capital reserve account for the fee. In favour were Mayor James Murdock and councillors Heather Eby and Jamey Logan, while opposed were councillors Chris Warren, Caral Delaurier, Patrick Boyle and Dawn Luhning.
Furthermore, council voted 4-3 in favour of the proposed 2025 parks and recreation rates and fees increases — which typically go up annually — but excluded implementing the venue improvement fee. In favour were Warren, Delaurier, Boyle and Luhning, while opposed were
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Murdock, Eby and Logan.
Boosting membership
A budget report said the parks and rec branch prefers to boost revenues through higher attendance levels while keeping services and programs affordable, which is a more sustainable, long-term approach. That is why it doesn’t significantly increase annual rates because that leads to reduced attendance and usage.
With the slight increase in rec rates and fees this year, the city expects net revenues to increase by $167,730, leading to an overall cost recovery of 51 per cent from 47 per cent in 2024.
City administration told council that the parks and recreation levy — which charges all property owners $65 yearly — generates $1,092,000 annually for capital improvements. However, the proposed fee would be separate and would support one-time projects, such as installing a concrete floor in an arena.
“The whole premise behind this is that users of the facilities are contributing directly to the improvements that are occurring within those facilities and not necessarily relying on the general tax base to fund some of those things, as the levy does,” said Derek Blais, director of community services.
Council comments
Eby liked pursuing higher attendance levels over significant rate increases since it kept admission and membership prices affordable. Moreover, she liked the improvement fee because it was an easy concept to defend since it
supported venue upgrades.
Luhning struggled with the improvement fee because she didn’t see the difference between it and the levy, while she thought the levy should be sufficient.
“My gut tells me not to approve the improvement fee at this time because we’re already building a reserve for capital projects and capital upgrades,” she said. “I really don’t think having little pots of money all over the place for the same thing … will seem different to the average citizen.”
Luhning added that the proposed improvement fee — which she thought was a fairer approach than the levy — was just another way for administration to acquire more tax money for venue upgrades because the levy wasn’t enough.
Warren liked the improvement fee concept, but because the mill rate increase was 3.99 per cent and the water and wastewater utilities were each increasing by four per cent, he didn’t want to impose that expense now.
Logan approved of increasing the regular rates and fees and approving the improvement fee, noting that recreation users — through the latter fee — would likely be happy paying an extra 50 cents on drop-in admissions or $5 per hour extra for ice rentals if it meant capital enhancements to those places.
“It’s more money, but it’s spread out among so many people, and it’s not every taxpayer,” he added. “If you don’t go to the facility, then you don’t have to pay that fee.”
Budget25: New sewage plant an expensive but important project
City administration’s most important upcoming infrastructure project is likely constructing a new Crescent View Lift Station (CVLS), because without it, the City of Moose Jaw would likely be uninhabitable.
Administration provided an update about the $66.41-million Crescent View headworks venue during the recent budget meeting. Furthermore, it secured city council’s approval to issue tenders this year and start construction in 2026 on the lift station, septic receiving station and grit separator while supporting the project with in-house funding.
Specifically, the operations department will use $24 million in carry-forward money from 2024, $5.45 million in 2025, $10.74 million in 2026 and $26.12 million in 2027. City hall may have to borrow $30 million if the feds or province fail to provide funding.
Headworks refers to the initial stage of a wastewater treatment plant where raw sewage first enters the system. Its primary role is to prepare the wastewater for the subsequent treatment processes. This preparation involves screening large debris, removing grit, and equalizing flow rates to ensure that the treatment system functions efficiently and effectively.
According to a report, the headworks will meet several objectives, including:
• Serving a population of 45,000 people
• Providing a screening and grit removal system — the
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primary treatment — and an upgraded pumping system to handle a one-in-25-year storm event for a community of 45,000 residents; the system could handle up to 1,526 litres per second during such a storm
• Providing upgraded septage receiving and potable water truck filling systems
For the community
City administration has been focusing on the Crescent View project for years and has reached the point where it must construct the new headworks for the sake of employees, taxpayers and the community’s future growth, said Bevan Harlton, director of operations.
The new headworks will have a revenue-generating septic receiving station where residents and commercial businesses can dump their waste and a two-stage grit separation system, which will minimize coarser material from going through the plant, preserve the sewage treatment plant’s lifespan and improve outgoing treated sewage, he continued.
The municipality will demolish the CVLS because it’s not possible to upgrade the venue with the newer pump system or other technology, Harlton stated. Also, once construction begins, most existing funding opportunities will likely be eliminated.
When asked what guarantees council had that the project wouldn’t increase in cost before construction began — in 2023, it was estimated at $26.6 million — Harlton re-
plied that the best way to secure a project’s price is to award the tender and begin construction; regardless, all significant capital projects carry the risk of increased costs.
The operations director added that the CVLS serves the entire community since every sanitary main or force main ends at that venue.
Council’s comments
“I think this community understands that this is a major project (and) it is very much required … ,” said Coun. Chris Warren.
Although this project is in the millions of dollars, it will help Moose Jaw with its future growth target of 45,000 people, which may take “quite a few years” to reach, he chuckled. However, this initiative is setting up the community in a positive, long-term way.
Coun. Dawn Luhning pointed out that council may have to borrow $30 million to pay for this project if more provincial or federal funding opportunities don’t arise.
“I really think it needs to be reiterated and stressed how expensive this project is, but also how very important it is,” she said. “We are looking at significant tax dollars doing into this.”
Luhning added that the city will likely pay $3.9 million in PST charges alone on this project because of the policy the province instituted in 2017 on major construction initiatives.
By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express
Yes, Quebec residents pay federal income tax BIZWORLD
During a conversation Quebec was mentioned.
“We don’t want them,” said one of the five at the table. “They don’t pay any federal taxes. They keep it all for themselves.’’
“That doesn’t make sense,” responded one fellow.
“You are misinformed,” said another.
“No I’m not misinformed. I read it somewhere.’’
A Google search turned up the facts from Government of Canada Accounts contradicting this fellow’s misguided belief.
Accounts show in 2023 Quebec residents paid personal income taxes as in other years.
The Quebec economy has done well in the last 20 years, largely attributed to a 1960s Parti Quebecois government that gave free post-secondary education tuition. That change in a few generations developed a skilled educated labour force that can compete with anybody.
In addition to $4.2 billion personal income tax Quebeckers pay corporate income tax and GST to Ottawa. They pay 15.7 per cent of Ottawa’s personal income tax revenues, paling in comparison to Ontario.
Ontario pays the most personal income tax with $11.6 billion of the $27.5 billion collected.
Third most personal income tax comes from British Columbia with $4.16 billion followed by Alberta at $3.39 billion and Manitoba at just over $1 billion.
Saskatchewan residents paid $871.5 million, or 3.1 per cent of the total.
One per cent of these taxes were paid by non-residents, Yukon and the Territories.
To further respond to this apparent conspiracy theory the question arises: how much money do the provinces receive from the federal government from Canada Health, social programs and equalization?
In the fiscal year ended March 2024 the feds paid provinces $87.67 billion, with about one-quarter in equalization payments
Equalization is intended to prop up poorer provinces so they can offer comparable levels of services.
The largest share of federal payments was to Quebec for $27.4 billion with two-thirds in equalization.
Second largest was Ontario at $23.8 billion (about $1 in $7 in equalization).
British Columbia was next at $8.4 billion and no equalization. Fourth was Alberta at $7.1 billion and no equalization,
The views and opinions expressed in this article
Fifth was Manitoba at $5.1 bullion, with 60 per cent in equalization.
Next came Nova Scotia at $4.1 billion, over half in equalization, followed by New Brunswick at $3. 6 billion with two-thirds in equalization, Saskatchewan with $1.09 billion and no equalization was eighth.
Ninth was Newfoundland and Labrador at $1.6 billion and no equalization payments.
Last was Prince Edward Island at $765 million, twothirds in equalization funds.
The equalization formula reduces eligibility based on resource revenues. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia have petroleum revenues that eliminated them in 2023-24.
Resources revenues from hydro electricity in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador aren’t part of the equalization formula, creating an injustice.
The point of this column with the data load is to convince people to think carefully and ask for sources when presented with good or bad sounding information. Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
Moose Jaw responsible for 85% of Viaduct’s rebuild cost, nat’l agency rules
The City of Moose Jaw is likely responsible for paying most of the $25.1 million costs to rebuild the Thunderbird Viaduct, based on a recent decision by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).
The city has been negotiating with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Limited for several years about cost-sharing for the rehabilitation of the Fourth Avenue Bridge, but neither party could reach an agreement and sought mediation through the CTA, a budget report explained.
The agency held mediation sessions in July 2022 and January 2023, but neither meeting resulted in an agreement. So, in the spring of 2023, city hall applied to the CTA seeking orders to:
• Determine whether the proposed bridge work constituted reconstruction or maintenance
• Apportion the costs of the proposed work equally between the City of Moose Jaw and CPKC
Both parties filed final submissions on July 19, 2024, and on Dec. 16, 2024, the CTA released its decision, agreeing with the municipality that the proposed work is “of such magnitude” that it constituted a rebuild of the bridge’s superstructure, for which the originally 1929 agreement did not apply, the report said.
However, the CTA did not divide the costs equally between the parties. Instead, it ruled that of the work that constituted the basic grade (road) separation:
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• Moose Jaw was responsible for $21.9 million (85 per cent)
• Of the remaining 15 per cent, CPKC was responsible for over $3 million and Canadian National Railways was responsible for over $200,000
• The city was responsible for 100 per cent of the additional features, such as the bollards and artwork
• Moose Jaw was responsible for all maintenance costs of the substructure, superstructure and retaining walls
• CPKC and CN were responsible for maintaining all railroad-related items like tracks and drainage
The CTA ruled that the project was primarily a road development, and, in referencing its guidelines to apportion costs, said that for basic grade separation projects, the road authority (the municipality) is responsible for 85 per cent of costs and the rail company(s) is responsible for 15 per cent, the budget report said.
“The resource tool also states that the costs of construction and maintenance of additional features are normally to be paid by the party requesting those features,” the document stated.
While the CTA decision was “not favourable” to Moose Jaw, it provided clarity about the railway companies’ funding obligations, the report continued. So, this year administration will engage with CPKC to discuss options and determine the latter’s willingness to contribute to — and help advance —
this project.
The report added that city council and administration must consider the function of the Thunderbird Viaduct beyond being simply an “engineered structure” to one that provides a valuable service to the community.
“The decision is one that we were hoping would result in more cost-sharing than was awarded, but perhaps CPKC would be saying it should be less,” Andrew Svenson, city solicitor, said during the Jan. 23 budget meeting.
“So (the decision is) somewhere in the middle of where the parties went to the board for a decision, but we are currently evaluating that decision and options going forward,” he continued.
The city could appeal the CTA’s decision — it must do so by Sunday, Feb. 2 — but because of how the report is worded, there’s little chance the appeal would succeed, said Svenson.
Further, the city has no automatic right to appeal and must seek leave from a higher court to do so — but only if there is an error in how CTA applied the law, he noted. The city can’t find any errors because of how the report is worded, as some phrases it disagrees with are written as findings of fact more than law.
Svenson added that a federal court is the ultimate authority to which the city could appeal, not the federal minister of transportation.
Moose Jawg Road Race set to return as part of new ‘Running Festival’ in 2025
The 21st annual Moose Jawg Charity Road Race may still be months away, but it’s never too early to start preparing for this year’s event in support of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation and a race date has just been confirmed.
The 2025 charitable road race will take place on Sunday, June 8, with registration opening on Friday, Mar. 14. This summer, the race director is partnering with 321 Go Running, a Saskatoon-based company whose mission is to help facilitate and direct charitable racing events. Under the guidance of 321 Go Running, the returning annual event will further develop into a brand new running festival set to debut in Moose Jaw.
“This year we’re going with what we have for the last 21 years — a five-kilometre and 10-kilometre route — but this year we are bringing out a half marathon route (as well),” announced Andrea Amiot, owner of The Attic Spin Studio and the returning Moose Jawg Charity Road Race director.
“There’s not a lot of half marathons in the province, so we are really excited to grow with this,” she said about the planned 21.1 kilometre addition.
The newly coined “Moose Jaw Running Festival” is designed to be a long-term project set to grow and expand each year — all while continuing to raise funds for charity and attract more visitors to The Friendly City.
“We’ve partnered with 321 Go Running… to create this kind of Saskatchewan running festival of events,” Amiot shared. “With their help, we’re able to try and
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make the Moose Jawg event bigger and bring more people (to the city and out to participate)….”
The partnership is a new development and Amiot
previously collaborated with another Saskatoon-based organization, Prairie Run Crew, in 2024.
“321 Go Running operates events in Saskatchewan cities, and they actually do the largest run in Saskatchewan in Saskatoon,” she said about the annual Step Up for Mental Health Run. In 2025, the organization will expand into Lloydminster, Sask., and then into Moose Jaw during the Moose Jawg Road Race event.
“This will be my third year as the race director, and we substantially grew it last year,” Amiot said.
“We tripled the amount of money we were able to donate to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (in 2024), and we will continue to do that,” she confirmed. To achieve this, she hopes to double the number of registrants and see more than 500 racers turn out.
“My goal is to get over 500 people (out to participate) and to be able to give back… to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (and to support local) mental health (initiatives).”
The Attic Spin Studio is located at 237 Main Street North. For more information contact Andrea Amiot at 306-690-4814 or visit ‘Moose Jawg Charity Road Race’ on Facebook for the latest announcements.
This year’s route maps have not been published, but you can view last year’s routes at MooseJawg.com to get an idea of what to expect.
Once registration opens this March, applicants can register online by visiting 321GoRunning.ca.
Hot Pressure Washers!!
Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors split weekend set with Estevan Great North Bears
Warriors take 5-1 victory Saturday, drop 7-5 decision in rematch Sunday afternoon in Sask Male AAA Hockey League action Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
The Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors made things interesting but couldn’t find a way to pull off a sweep of the Estevan Great North Bears in Sask Male AAA Hockey League action.
The Warriors opened the weekend with a 5-1 victory at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Saturday before dropping a 7-5 decision in the rematch Sunday.
Moose Jaw continues to hold down first place in the SMAAAHL with a 26-72 record, while Estevan improved to 1615-2 and are comfortably in the eighth and final playoff spot.
Warriors 5, Estevan 1
Things were as close as could be through the first two periods, as Keaton Lesperance scored for Moose Jaw in the opening frame and Gunner Moore tied things up for Estevan in the second for the only offence though 40 minutes.
The Warriors got things rolling in the third, though, with Ryan Gibbs giving Moose Jaw the lead at the 1:51 mark, followed by Kierin Osberg with 9:06 to play, Maxx Fuessel with five minute remaining and Brennan Brown with 1:02 to play. Brown, Fuessel and Lesperance each had two points in the contest.
Luke McKechnie stopped 27 shots to earn the win in goal, while Cole Ivey had 30 saves for the Bears.
Estevan 7, Warriors 5
The Warriors would twice get to within a single goal in the third period, but Estevan always had an answer and would hold on for the win.
Jase McNicol, Cooper Flath and Kobe Wotta all scored in the first period for the Bears as they built a 3-1 lead. Maxx Fuessel had the lone goal for Moose Jaw in the opening 20 minutes.
The second period was back and forth, with Flath making it 4-1 at the 9:03 mark before Brown replied with 6:16 to play. Roan Burgess restored the
three-goal lead 56 seconds later, but Maxon Johnston got one back for Moose Jaw with 2:32 left in the second. Carson Deichert scored on the power play with 5:19 gone in the third to get the
Warriors within one, but Brendan Jones replied for Estevan on the man advantage just over a minute later.
Moose Jaw looked to pull off a lategame comeback when Gibbs scored with 8:41 remaining, but Dylan Brass capped scoring for the Bears with 3:59 to play.
Brady Carr stopped 42 shots to earn the win, Kaleb Page had 29 saves for the Warriors.
The Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors return to action on Saturday, Feb. 1 when they host the Saskatoon Blazers for a twogame weekend set. Puck drop is 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
The Estevan Great North Bears return to the ice on Thursday when they host the Yorkon Kinsmen Maulers. Game time is 8 p.m. at Affinity Place.
Moose Jaw Warriors’ Lynden Lakovic cracks TSN mid-season NHL draft rankings
Saskatoon product Roger McQueen, Macklin’s Cole Reschny, Whitewood’s Reese Hamilton also named in Bob McKenzie’s annual ranking Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
Despite missing the last month with an upper-body injury, Moose Jaw Warriors forward Lynden Lakovic continues to attract attention from National Hockey League onlookers in advance of the 2025 Entry Draft.
Lakovic was among 17 Western Hockey League players named as top 80 draft-eligible prospects as TSN’s Bob McKenzie released his mid-season rankings last week.
The West Kelowna, B.C. product continues to lead the Warriors in scoring with 17 goals and 39 points in 31 games despite having not played since Dec. 28 when he was injured in a game against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Lakovic was on a 13-game
point streak when the injury took place.
Three players from Saskatchewan also cracked the list.
Saskatoon’s Roger McQueen continues to be a consensus top-10 pick, coming in at seventh overall despite having played only eight games for the Brandon Wheat Kings this season. What he did in those eight games was something special, though -- eight goals and 11 point in eight games -- and that’s kept the 6-foot-5, 193-pound forward high in the rankings.
Macklin’s Cole Reschny is ranked 29th overall, having put up 15 goals and 52 points in 39 games with the Victoria Royals.
Whitewood’s Reese Hamilton is list-
Moose Jaw Warriors forward Lynden Lakovic is ranked at 14th overall in TSN’s mid-season rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.
ed at 62nd, with the Regina Pats defenceman putting up a goal and five points in eight games after scoring once with three points in 20 games with the Calgary Hitmen earlier in the season.
Swift Current Broncos defenceman Peyton Kettles is also listed at 45th, having scored three goals and six points in 31 games.
It’s the second set of mid-season rankings to be recently released, with NHL Central Scouting doing the same last week, and you can check those out right here.
https://chl.ca/whl/article/sixty-six-whlplayers-named-to-2025-nhl-centralscouting-midterm-rankings/
CFB Esquimalt defeats 15 Wing Moose Jaw for Canadian Armed Forces Canada West basketball title
Tritons go undefeated through tournament, including a 75-59 win over Prairie Flyers in gold medal final Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
The CFB Esquimalt Tritons capped a perfect week with a victory in the gold medal game Thursday during the Canadian Armed Forces Canada West Men’s Basketball Championship at 15 Wing.
The B.C.-based Tritons went unbeaten through the round robin with a 4-0 record and kept the roll going in the playoffs, defeating the tournament host Prairie Flyers 75-59 in the gold medal game.
A/SLt. Joel McCrossin was the player of the game for Esquimalt in the final, while 2Lt Derek Haines took the honour for Moose Jaw.
Esquimalt advanced to the championship final with a 71-43 win over Manitoba-based CFB Shilo, with Lt(N) Owen
Murphy the game star for the Tritons and Cpt. Carlin Schulenberg for Shilo. Moose Jaw had a closer time of it in their semifinal, downing Alberta-based 4 Wing Cold Lake 67-62. Cpl. Norman Sigua was named 15 Wing’s top player and Cpl Tyrus Hamilton was Cold Lake’s game star.
Esquimalt’s round robin run included a 104-44 win over Shilo, 76-46 win over Vancouver Island’s 19 Wing Comox, 9256 victory against Cold Lake and 81-50 win against Moose Jaw.
Be sure to check out the PSP Moose Jaw Facebook page for all the scores and players of the game from the tournament.
The CFB Esquimalt Tritons took first place in the Canadian Armed Forces Canada West Men’s Basketball Championship on Thursday night at 15 Wing.
WINMAR Warriors logo
Warriors losing skid hits 11 games as post trade-deadline struggles continue
Moose Jaw falls 6-4 to Calgary at home before dropping 5-1 decisions in Edmonton and Calgary
The Moose Jaw Warriors have had a hard time finding the win column since the Western Hockey League trade deadline at the start of the month, and those issues continued this past week.
The Warriors dropped a 6-4 decision to the Calgary Hitmen at home Wednesday before hitting the road for a pair of weekend games, falling 5-1 to the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday and 5-1 to the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday.
Moose Jaw falls to 10-30-4-2 and are now winless in their last 11 games, going 0-9-1-1 in that stretch.
Calgary 6, Moose Jaw 4
The Warriors showed resiliency through the first two periods and took the lead early in the second while also tying the game midway through the period, but Calgary would pull away i in the final frame to secure the win.
“I know this is a very good team and certainly I respect how good they are, they can make plays, they’re fast,” Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary said of the Hitmen.
“But when you’re in the third period and you’re down by a goal, the power play goals that they got, they were killers. I just thought we did a lot of good things throughout the game to keep it close. To play a team like that and be close in the end, it hurts. But I was happy with the bounce back. We weren’t happy with our last game against Edmonton (a 7-0 loss on home ice). I thought our effort and com-
Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
pete was much better here tonight.”
Owen Berge scored for the Warriors in the first as the game was tied after the first 20 minutes, while Krzysztof Macias and Pavel McKenzie had their second period goals and Calgary took a 4-3 lead.
The Hitmen ran their edge to 6-3 with a pair of early third period goals, but Eric Johnston would get one back for Moose Jaw with 9:15 to play, making for an interesting finish.
The Warriors wouldn’t be able to get any closer, though, and Calgary had their
two-goal win.
McKenzie capped the contest with two points.
Ben Kindel had two goals and five points for Calgary, while former Warrior Kalem Parker, Tanner Howe, Sawyer Mynio and Brandon Gorzynski all had single markers.
Matthew Hutchison had 39 saves in the Moose Jaw goal, Daniel Hauser stopped 16 for the Hitmen.
Edmonton 5, Moose Jaw 1
The Warriors ran into early penalty
trouble and found themselves playing the majority of the first period in their own zone while being outshot 18-2.
Lukas Sawchyn and Adam Jecho scored for Edmonton in the first before Miroslav Holika made it 3-0 Edmonton with the lone goal of the second.
Cole Miller and Sawchyn padded the lead to five before the 10 minute mark of the third, but their would be no shutout -- Macias scored with 8:35 remaining to snap Ethan Simcoe’s bid for a clean sheet.
Simcoe finished with 19 saves, Josh Banini stopped 38 for Moose Jaw.
Red Deer 5, Moose Jaw 1
The Rebels wasted little time getting going, as Jhett Larson, Matthew Gard and Brett Calhoon all scored in the opening 20 minutes for a 3-0 lead while outshooting the Warriors 16-3.
Things would remain there until the third period when Derek Thurston and Beckett Hamilton scored to give the Rebels a 5-0 edge.
After cutting it close to getting shutout the night before, it was even tighter this time around, but Ethan Semeniuk would score with 10 seconds remaining to snap the bid.
Chase Wutzke had 21 saves in the win, Banini made 35 stops.
The Warriors will now have a week off before hosting Brandon on Friday and Red Deer on Sunday. Both game times are 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
Moose Jaw product Atley Calvert named ECHL Mid-Season All Star in rookie season
Former Warriors standout leads Wheeling
With the amount of success Moose Jaw Minor Hockey product Atley Calvert had in his final season in the Western Hockey League, it seemed the transition to the pro ranks would be smooth and that’s been exactly the case, as Calvert has turned in a stellar season in his rookie campaign with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Calvert, 21, was named a Mid-Season All-Star on Wednesday, one of three players from the Nailers to receive the honour. After putting together the best-ever season by a Moose Jaw-born player as the Warriors won the 2024 WHL Championship, Calvert took little time to get going after officially joining the Penguins orga-
nization this past June, picking up points in his first three ECHL games.
The former Prairie Hockey Academy star scored his first professional goal on Nov. 2 against the Bloomington Bison. Calvert’s hottest stretch came in late November, where he had five goals and 10 points across six games, including his first pro hat trick on Nov. 23 against the Fort Wayne Komets.
Calvert also had four goals and 11 points in seven games to close out December.
All told, Calvert is leading Wheeling in scoring with 13 goals and 35 points in 35 games and is plus-13, good enough for
a tie for 18th overall in ECHL scoring.
The solid start to his pro career had helped Wheeling put together a solid record in the Eastern Conference, with their 26-8-2-0 mark sitting a single point back of the Florida Everblades for first place.
Calvert entered the ECHL after putting up 47 goals and 95 points with the Warriors in the 2023-24 regular season before adding another eight goals and 20 points in 20 playoff games.
Be sure to keep an eye on www.echl. com for updates on Calvert’s progress all season long.
Former Moose Jaw Warriors standout Atley Calvert was named an ECHL Mid-Season All-Star on Wednesday. Wheeling Nailers
Warriors forward Krzysztof Macias celebrates after scoring Moose Jaw’s second goal on Wednesday night. Nick Pettigrew
Rylan Kleiter defeats Steve Laycock to claim SaskTel Tankard men’s curling title
Saskatoon Nutana foursome take 8-5 victory over Swift Current’s Laycock in championship game Sunday Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
There’s a new king on the throne of men’s curling in Saskatchewan.
Rylan Kleiter and his Saskatoon Nutana foursome of third Joshua Mattern, second Matthew Hall and lead Trevor Johnson turned in a dominant performance on their way to an 8-5 victory over Steve Laycock on Sunday evening at the SaskTel Tankard men’s provincial curling championship in Kindersley.
Kleiter had things going well early, and a three-spot in the third end and another three in the fifth would give their rink a 6-2 lead through five.
Laycock and his Swift Current rink of third Shaun Meachem, second Chris Haichert and lead Brayden Grindheim would get one back in the sixth, but Kleiter would add two more in the seventh before holding Laycock to one in the eighth and a steal in the ninth. From there, it was just running out of rocks in the 10th and Kleiter would do just that, securing the victory.
The Kleiter foursome will now represent Saskatchewan at the Montana’s Brier in Kelowna at the end of February.
“It’s amazing, I can’t believe it,” Kleiter said when asked about what it means to go to his first Brier during Curl Sask’s broadcast. “These have been my best buddies for a long time, we’ve played together for awhile so it means a lot to have all the hard work pay off and go to the Brier together.”
The win was Kleiter’s second of the day after he took a 7-5 win over Saskatoon’s Dustin Kalthoff in the semfinal on Sunday morning.
Here’s a end-by-end rundown of skips’ stones and important shots from the SaskTel Tankard final:
First end -- Laycock hammer
Kleiter takes out Laycock stone in eight foot and rolls to four foot to lay three. Laycock hits rock in four foot and rolls behind cover in 12-foot to sit second shot. Kleiter comes around guard to sit buried in eight foot and lay two. Laycock draws to four-foot and takes one.
1-0 Steve Laycock
Second end -- Kleiter hammer
After a series of great shots by the front ends led to a clean house for skips’ stones, Laycock draws behind a high centreline guard to the four-foot. Kleiter makes the takeout and rolls to edge of 12foot. Laycock hits and rolls to touch the eight foot behind the t-line with backing. Kleiter hits and rolls out for the blank.
1-0 Steve Laycock
Third end -- Kleiter hammer
Kleiter lays three heading into Laycock’ first stone. Laycock goes for triple takeout but nose hits and rolls to edge of 12-foot, Kleiter lays two on either side of house in eight foot. Kleiter draws behind cover in eight foot above t-line to lay three. Laycock attempts double and gets one, rolling to button wide-open. Kleiter gets open take-out to sit in four foot. Kleiter scores three.
3-1 Rylan Kleiter
Fourth end -- Laycock hammer
Cluttered house with plenty of back-
ing, Laycock laying one on the button. Kleiter gets tap back to lay first and second shot in the four foot. Laycock hits and rolls behind cover to lay shot stone in four foot. Kleiter draws to the button behind partial coverage, setting up potential double. Laycock makes shot but rolls too far, settling for one.
3-2 Rylan Kleiter
Fifth end -- Kleiter hammer Hall has a great shot to clear out four rocks in the house, putting the blank in play. Laycock goes for takeout with Kleiter laying two wide open but flashes. Kleiter draws to the top of the 12-foot with own stone backing in the eight foot. Laycock goes for double but just gets stone in 12-foot. Kleiter has open draw for three, draws to eight foot. Kleiter scores three.
6-2 Kleiter
Sixth end -- Laycock hammer
Kleiter has three stones in four foot behind the t-line, including shot stone on
the button, Laycock has second shot at top of four. Kleiter throws big weight takeout to lay two in four foot, Laycock third shot in back eight foot. Laycock comes in touch heavy, tapping Kleiter stone and rolling into eight foot, Kleiter lays two in four foot. Kleiter hits Laycock stone and rolls in to lay three in four foot. Laycock hits and sticks on button for one.
6-3 Kleiter
Seventh end -- Kleiter hammer
A mostly clean end saw Laycock freeze to Kleiter’s shot stone at the top of the four foot with his first shot. Kleiter hit the frozen stone and spilled a cluster of rocks around the house to sit biting the eight foot. Laycock partially draws behind cover to the top of the four foot to sit one. Kleiter gets runback double and sits in four foot to score two.
8-3 Kleiter
Eighth end -- Laycock hammer
Kleiter makes takeout with first shot to sit four, three sitting around house in 12-foot and another in four-foot. Laycock draws to the eight foot. Kleiter makes takeout to once again sit four. Laycock gets nose hit with final rock to sit in eight foot and score one.
8-4 Kleiter
Ninth end -- Kleiter hammer
Kleiter kept things clean as possible, with Laycock sitting one on the button as the lone stone in play at skips’ stones. Laycock throws high centreline guard. Kleiter peels off guard. Laycock draws to top four foot. Kleiter goes for double but jams, Laycock steals one.
8-5 Kleiter
Tenth end -- Kleiter hammer
The Laycock front end stacks three guards, but Hall clears all but one from the front and after Haichert draws in, runs off the guard. Meachem puts up centreline guard. Mattern peels off guard. Meachem puts up centreline guard. Mattern peels off guard. Laycock draws to eight foot to lay two. Kleiter gets the double, Laycock runs out of rocks.
Kleiter wins 8-5
Fountain Tire takes over sole possession of first place in Original 16 Cash League
Schon foursome improve to 10-2 on season after win over HK Henderson in latest round robin action
Fountain Tire has moved into sole possession of first place after the most recent night of round robin action in the Original 16 Cash League.
Chris Schon and his foursome improved to 10-2 on the campaign with a 9-6 win over HK Henderson (Wade Gray, 4-9) on Wednesday night at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre, moving percentage points ahead of BTN Chartered Accountants, who dropped to 10-3 with an 8-1 loss to KMS Construction (Ben Gamble, 9-2).
Things were close early between Schon and Gray, with the teams exchanging
Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
deuces the first two ends and sitting tied 3-3 through four. Schon looked to take control of things with a steal of three in the fifth, but Gray picked up a deuce in the sixth and stole in the seventh to tie things up 6-6 coming home. Schon then had a solid final end and would pick up three for the win.
Gamble got off to a fast start against the Barker foursome, building a 3-0 lead through three ends. The edge was 3-1 when Gamble put up a three spot in the fourth and then stole two more in the fifth to bring things to an early end.
Young and Young Automotive (Stan
Barnsley, 3-11) returned to the win column thanks to a 6-3 win over EMJ Marketing (Joe Gunnis, 4-10). It was another close one early, as with the game tied 1-1 through three ends, Gunnis would steal one in the fourth to take the lead, only for Barnsley to come back and tie things up the next end. A steal of two in the sixth gave Barnsley the lead for good, and after Gunnis picked up on in the seventh to make it 4-3 heading to the eighth, a deuce there would make it a three-point final.
Points in four straight ends proved to be the difference as RK Sunview Farms
(Dayne Heisler, 6-8) defeated M & T Feedlot (Ryan Wenarchuk, 4-8) 5-1. After blanks in the first two ends, Heisler got on the board with one in the third and proceeded to steal single points the next two ends for a 3-0 lead at the break. Two more in the sixth made it a four-point game, and Wenarchuk would pick up one in the seventh to wrap things up.
Leeville Construction (Dustin Woloschuk, 8-5) received the bye.
Action in the Original 16 Cash League takes place every Wednesday night at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre.
Rylan Kleiter and his Saskatoon Nutana foursome are the 2024 SaskTel Tankard provincial men’s curling champions. Curl Sask YouTube
Nancy Martin wins first Viterra Prairie Pinnacle provincial women’s curling championship
Martin
The third time was the charm for Saskatoon’s Nancy Martin.
Martin and her Nutana Curling Club foursome of third Chaelynn Stewart, second Kadriana Lott and lead Colleen Ackerman battled to a 9-7 victory over Regina Highland’s Jolene Campbell in the championship final on Sunday afternoon in Kindersley.
It was the third straight appearance in the title game for Martin and her first win after falling to North Battleford’s Robyn Silvernagle in the 2023 final and Moose Jaw’s Skylar Ackerman in 2024.
Martin took a 4-0 lead in the fourth end with back-to-back steals, but Campbell -- who took the ice with third Abby Ackland, second Rachel Erickson and lead Dayna Demmans -- got almost all of that back with three in the fifth. The teams exchanged single points the next two ends before Martin went up 7-4 with a deuce in the eighth.
Campbell came up with the big end in the ninth to score three and tie the game, but Martin would put together a solid 10th while facing a time-clock crunch and get a deuce for the win.
The victory was made even more heartening by the Martin foursome overcoming a touch of adversity -- regular lead Deanna Doig suffered a hip injury late in the tournament and was sidelined, with Collen Ackerman stepping in and doing an impressive job, especially in the final.
“My team played amazing, I tried to give this game away three times I think, so they were determined,” Martin said on the Curl Sask YouTube broadcast shortly after her win. “I was able to make a couple and then Colleen stepped in when we needed her… [the team] stayed with me and I can’t thank our families and our sponsors enough.”
It was the second game of the day for Martin, who took a 15-8 win over Saskatoon’s Ashley Thevenot in the semifinal.
Earlier on Sunday it was announced that Penny Barker rink second Taryn Schachtel was named the Marj Mitchell Award winner for the 2025 tournament.
defeats Regina’s Jolene Campbell 9-7 in championship final in Kindersley
Randy
Palmer - MooseJawToday.com
The event is presented every year to the most sportsmanlike player, as voted on by the players.
Barker and her Moose Jaw Curling Centre rink of third Lindsay Bertsch, second Schachtel and lead Danielle Sicinski qualified for the playoffs with a 5-3 round robin record but fell to Saskatoon’s Ashley Thevenot 8-5 in the Page Playoff 3-4 game.
Here’s an end-by-end breakdown of how the championship final played out:
First end - Campbell hammer
Martin draws behind centreline guard in the four-foot to lay two, Campbell wrecks on guard with final stone, Martin scores two.
2-0 Nancy Martin
Second end - Campbell hammer
Martin doubles off stones in eight and 12-foot to clear house while shooter hangs on edge of 12-foot, Campbell puts draw into eight foot perfectly behind guard, Martin comes around from outside for takeout as shooter rolls out, Campbell hits stone on edge of 12-foot for blank.
2-0 Nancy Martin
Third end - Campbell hammer Martin draws behind cover to four foot to lay two, Campbell tries to follow but wrecks and pushes Martin stone in to lay three, Martin draws to top 12-foot
centreline to close off port, Campbell attempts angle raise to four foot and comes in an inch heavy. Steal of one for Martin.
3-0 Nancy Martin
Fourth end -- Campbell hammer
End set up with Martin laying three until double takeout by Ackland cleans things up and leaves Martin laying one and Campbell second. Martin attempts to draw to four foot but wrecks on one of five guards in front of house, Campbell attempts to draw through other side and also wrecks, leaving seven rocks in front. Martin taps off guard to top of eight foot to lay first and third shot. Campbell comes in thin on raise takeout attempt, leading to measurement of stones in eight foot. Martin gets steal of one.
4-0 Nancy Martin
Fifth end -- Campbell hammer
Martin attempts to hit Campbell shot at front of house but misses and takes out own shot rock in four foot, leaving Campbell as shot rock. Campbell draws in behind cover to touch four foot to lay two. Martin attempts to draw in but crashes in front. Campbell draws to four foot. Campbell scores three.
4-3 Nancy Martin
Six end -- Martin hammer
Campbell faces wall of rocks at back of 12 foot with first shot, with Martin sit-
ting first and fourth shot, Campbell second and third. Campbell hits and rolls to eightfoot to sit three. Martin gets double and rolls to eight foot to sit one. Campbell hits and sticks touching four to lay two. Martin has nose hit take-out to sit in four foot. Martin scores one.
5-3
Nancy Martin
Seventh end -- Campbell hammer
Martin hits Campbell stone in four foot to lay three across the house: one t-line 12-foot, one full eight foot and one touching back four foot. Campbell hits stone in eight foot to become second shot. Martin takes out stone Campbell just threw to again lay three. Campbell hits stone touching four foot to lay one full four foot. Campbell scores one
5-4
Nancy Martin
Eighth end -- Martin hammer Martin laying four at skip stones. Campbell gets double and rolls to back 12-foot, Martin sits two. Martin draws full eight foot to sit three. Campbell gets great touch-weight double but sits second shot. Martin gets wide-open hit and stick. Martin scores two
7-4
Nancy Martin
Ninth end -- Campbell hammer
Great shot by Kitz doubles off two Campbell stones and leaves Martin laying three. Martin throws centreline guard. Campbell makes a great double and rolls to sit in front of Martin stone in 12 foot. Martin attempts to draw in but wrecks on red guard, pushing it into the house and giving Campbell a draw for three. Campbell draws back four foot. Campbell scores three.
7-7 tie
Tenth end -- Martin hammer
Both teams under time crunch and playing fast. Campbell taps back Martin counter and remains open in four foot. Martin hits and rolls to eight foot to lay three around the house, all behind t-line. Campbell come up light on shot to four foot. Martin doesn’t have to throw final shot.
9-5 win for Nancy Martin
Judo Sask welcomes youngest board member from Koseikan Judo Club
A decade of dedication to judo has earned Kolbi Fenrick an opportunity to help shape the future of the sport as she takes on her new role as a board member with Judo Sask starting this winter.
Fenrick’s three-year tenure began in October 2024 and will conclude in the fall of 2027.
This is also the first time she’s ever served on a board and, at 18 years of age, she is the youngest currently serving Judo Sask board member.
Fenrick’s primary job is to represent athletes and address any problems, concerns, or conflicts they might have.
“So basically, I represent the athletes,” she said. “If there’s something that the athletes think we could improve on, I bring it up to the board and then we discuss it as a group and decide where we should go from there.”
Originally from Pense, Sask., Fenrick has been involved in judo for the past 10 years and has trained consistently at the Moose Jaw Koseikan Judo Club for the past six. She currently lives in Moose Jaw while studying to complete her education.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
“I first got involved (in judo) in my hometown of Pense. There was a club there, and then that club kind of shifted more into jiu-jitsu,” she explained. Preferring to stay committed to judo, Fenrick spoke with a coach from Moose Jaw and switched dojos.
The Koseikan Judo Club is one of the largest judo club dojos in Saskatchewan and is well known for regularly hosting
tournaments and other events. The central location makes it easier for athletes to participate without travelling far and classes for several ages and skill levels are available.
One decade later, Fenrick was chosen for the Judo Sask board because of her involvement, deep understanding of the sport, and considering her ongoing role as a high performance team athlete — traits that keep her closely connected to the judo community.
“I think it means a lot what the board thinks of me…,” she said. “I’ve been involved in judo for a long time, and I’ve seen many people on the board come and go. I hope that I can make a difference and show (more) people what it’s really like.”
While serving, Fenrick plans to foster an inclusive environment where athletes feel comfortable voicing concerns, and she’ll use their feedback to boost involvement and drive improvements.
She also aims to grow Moose Jaw’s judo club by encouraging more teens and older adults to try the sport, emphasizing that it’s never too late to start training.
“I think judo is a sport for everyone, and it doesn’t matter your age, skill level, or anything,” she said. “We are very open, and we value respect a lot. That’s a big thing in our sport, and that’s something we teach and all the athletes should show.
“I think anyone who wants to try it should feel free to reach out,” she added.
“There are clubs in Moose Jaw and Regina, and anywhere that works for you. We’re always looking to grow our (club).”
If you’re interested in learning more, anyone can attend a regular practice night or upcoming event. On Friday, Mar. 21, the Moose Jaw Koseikan Judo Club will host the Judo Sask Female Retreat, and on Saturday, April 5, the Judo Sask Provincial Championships will also be held in Moose Jaw.
To learn more about Judo Sask visit JudoSask.ca.
The Moose Jaw Koseikan Judo Club is located at 801 Hochelaga Street East and can be reached at 306-691-0051. For more information and weekend adult class options visit MJJudo.com.
Kolbi Fenrick (left) instructs a younger athlete on a new technique at the Moose Jaw Koseikan Judo Club in 2024. Photo by: Kolbi Fenrick (submitted)
Nancy Martin and her Saskatoon Nutana foursome celebrate with the Viterra Prairie Pinnacle Trophy after winning the provincial women’s curling championship on Sunday afternoon. CurlSask YouTube
Sudoku #5 - Challenging
6 4 7 1 5 3 9 2 4 7 2 7 9 7 4 5 8 5 4 5 7 3 3 5 7 5 6 8
"There's a great power in
Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.
ACCESS, BATCH, BOOST, CARGO, CATCH, CONTRACT EMERGENCY, ENOUGH, EQUIPMENT, FINAL, FLUKE GAZELLE, GRASP, ICONIC, ISLAND, LOPE, MARE NUMBER, POLAR, PROBLEM, RUDE, SEASON, SEVERE SITUATION, SPIT, STAND, STUDY, SYNCHRONOUS, TEASE THRUST, TWICE, UPPER, VENDOR, VERIFY
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork. Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.
ACROSS 1. Celtic language 5. Hemorrhage 10. Garden tool 14. Depression 15. Immense 16. Rewrite 17. Gauntness
19. Not up 20. Soviet space station 21. Peak 22. Brown shade 23. Painter’s studio 25. A small island 27. Antiquity 28. Guess 31. Rot 34. Abatement
35. Go up and down 36. Computer symbol 37. Sensational 38. Thick slice
39. Before, in poetry 40. Terror 41. Accomplishments
42. Vestment
44. Used in baseball 45. Manager
46. Noteworthy 50. Decree 52. Overact 54. What we breathe 55. Glance 56. Seer 58. Osseous tissue 59. Breathe noisily while asleep 60. Magistrate of old Venice 61. Once, long ago 62. Aromatic compound 63. Took to court DOWN 1. Swelling 2. Send, as payment 3. Trap 4. And more 5. Trumpeted 6. Subsequently
Greek goddess of discord
Self-centered
Lair 10. Ransom 11. Suitable for adoption 12. Flightless bird 13. Europe’s highest volcano 18. In an unfriendly way 22. Lingerie item
24. Not fatty
26. Wall upright
28. Spooky
29. Frog
30. Declines
31. Perishes
32. Beige
33. Compulsions
34. Midday meals
37. Nonclerical
38. Bristle
40. Surveyor’s map
41. Specified days of the month
43. Pool-table hole
44. Irritate
46. French for “Our”
47. Marshy area
48. Feudal lord
49. Made a mistake
50. River to the North Sea
51. A swinging barrier
53. Debatable
56. South southeast
57. Commercials
Daily Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, January 22, 2025
205 WANTED
Seeking Born Again Christian Business partner with potential ownership in Second Hand and Flea- Market business. Male, Female or Family must be interested in Salvation, Healing and Deliverance Outreach Ministry . Serious enquiries only please. 306-684-1084, 5 pm- 8pm ONLY (because of scam calls) I pay cash for unwanted firearms, ammunition, and other firearm related items. Also, free pick up of unwanted yard, garden, and acreage equipment, chainsaws, ATV’s, snowmobiles, etc.. Call of text 306-641-4447.
Looking for outdoor TV antenna, 5’x6’. Please call 306-693-4704.
Looking To Rent - Garage/warehouse/ or unused semi-trailer unit. Prefer downtown area. Will consider other options. Can be reached at 306-684-1084.
210 SERVICES
Moving jobs done reasonably: appliances, furniture, dump runs. Call to do it all. $45.00 a load. 306-630-2268
CLASSIFIED ADS
Need work done? Contact Bill at 306630-2268 . Interior/exterior, renovations, formwork, framing, finishing, tiling, painting and all construction, roofing/sidingno job too big or small. Reasonable rates, 30 years experience.
Cleaner with 20 years experience, professional and bondable, please call Rebecca at 306-990-0387
Junk to the dump in and around Moose Jaw, $60 and up. Will pick up, move, haul, and deliver any appliances, TVs, furniture, or anything large in and around Moose Jaw, $45 and up. 45-gallon plastic barrels, great for rainwater, $20 each. 1000 Litre plastic totes - $60. Dry cut up firewood 10 - 14” lengths - Split wood - $50/row, Not Split - $35/row, one row across truck box. 306-681-8749
160 MISCELLANEOUS
FOR SALE - Sunset Cemetery Last Supper Cremation Plot #212. Asking $1600, open to reasonable offers. Please call 306-693-2003.
Media Alliance celebrities behind ‘Voltage: Legacy’ walk the red carpet at Joe’s Place
The Joe’s Place Media Alliance celebrated its most successful event yet with a red carpet gala that drew over 150 attendees to honour the cinematic talent behind the recent Voltage Legacy film on the evening of Jan. 21.
Held in true Hollywood style, the event highlighted the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the young film crew who continue to make the Joe’s Place Media Alliance a thriving hub of talent and collaboration.
“The event was amazing. We had just over 150 (guests) in attendance… and the event did exactly what it was meant to do,” announced Joe Dueck, founder and director of Joe’s Place.
“It honoured the incredible talent of
the many youths in our Media Alliance program and thanked our sponsors and the many volunteers who made it all possible,” he continued.
“Voltage 2024: Legacy” was produced by the alliance and premiered just before midnight on New Year’s Eve during Voltage 2024. In the multimedia presentation, Media Alliance members carried out a dramatic skit aligned with the theme of this year’s Voltage event, superheroes.
The red carpet event began with a touch of glamour as Media Alliance youth pulled up in a limousine provided by Wrapture Limousine. The young celebrities were greeted by friends and family who gathered outside of Joe’s Place to cheer them on and capture the moment before a sponsor-cov-
ered photo wall inside.
“Everyone enjoyed some amazing food from some great local businesses,” Dueck said. “Then, we watched the Voltage Legacy movie, which was amazing, courtesy of Jesse Adam, Lampblack Studios, and Ruggieri Productions.”
A few youths and volunteers were recognized on stage for their significant contributions to the film, Dueck said, noting that Kaeley Shilling and Blaze Colenutt stood out for logging the most volunteer hours during the project.
“But the funniest thing is that, when the movie end credits rolled, the kids just (went) crazy seeing their names highlighted,” he said. “We actually rolled the credits a second time and had every youth who was involved stand up to applaud when their name rolled by.”
With a cast and crew of 101 participants, Dueck said the cast photo was “pretty impressive.”
“We handed those out to everyone and they spent another hour just signing autographs on each other’s photos. This went on until about 10 p.m.,” he shared.
You can watch the full production of “Voltage 2024: Legacy” on the Joe’s Place YouTube channel, ‘Joe’s Place Youth Centre,’ and a link is available through the organization’s Facebook page, ‘Joe’s Place Youth Centre (official).’
For more information about Voltage visit Voltage-SK.com.
Joe’s Place is located at 402 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-6935637. For more information visit JPYC.org.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Photo by: Submitted photo
Photo by: Submitted photo
Photo by: Submitted photo
Photo by: Submitted photo
Obituaries / Memorials
KATHLEEN MARY ELLEN CHURCH (NÉE:
HEAPE)
It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to the dearest, sweetest, love of my life and best friend, Kathy who passed away on Thursday, November 28th, 2024. Kathy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Al. She was predeceased by her parents, Sam and Olive Heape; Al’s parents, Howard and Helen Church; sister, Meg (Richard) Baker. Kathy is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Carol (Tom – deceased), Evelyn (Dave – deceased), and Linda (Wayne – deceased); Al’s family: brother, Kelly (Sue); sisters, Fern Cameron (Leo – deceased) and Darlene Haney (Bob – deceased); as well as by many nieces and nephews that Kathy was very proud of and dearly loved every one of you.
A Memorial Tea in Kathy’s Honour was held on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Pastor Marvin Seaborg officiated and interment has taken place in Rosedale Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Kathy’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
Rev. Dr. John Kreutzwieser is a retired pastor from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK. He graduated with a doctorate degree in 2006 from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
SectReaders of this column periodicly send in requests to research a particular word. This week’s word was submitted recently. If you would like to have a word researched and an article written about it, please email me: wordwisdom2021@gmail.com
What started as a sect within the political arena of the United States of America has blossomed into a historic comeback victory for Donald J. Trump. The Tea Party movement in American politics began in 2007, the movement focuses on a significant reduction in the size and scope of the government. The name ‘Tea Party’ is a reference to the Boston Tea Party, a protest in 1773 by colonists who objected to British taxation without representation and demonstrated by dumping British tea taken from docked ships into the harbor. The event catapulted colonial protests into American independence. While the Tea Party was not a political party, research published in 2016 suggests that members of the Tea Party Caucus voted like a right-wing third party in Congress, a sect of the Republican party.
A sect is a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader. Its usage in English started in the 1300s to describe a dissenting or schismatic religious group regarded as extreme or heretical. There have always been dissenting groups within the Christian Church that challenged the orthodox teachings of the Church or criticisms of the power and abuses of the Church. Sect was used to label the Lollards in the 14th century. Lollards were the followers of the English priest John Wycliffe (13301384) who advocated for drastic reform of the Church. Their name may derive from a derogatory term applied to them by critics from the Dutch word for someone who mumbles prayers. John Wycliffe had the Bible translated from Latin into English, granting access to the scriptures to anyone who could read Middle English. The sect was persecuted throughout the 15th century but survived as an underground movement and emerged again after the English Reformation under King Henry VII and Thomas Cromwell in the early 1500s.
Sect has developed to imply any smaller group of adherents within the whole umbrella of a religion. The 2.5 billion Christians in the world are divided into over 45.000 denominations or sects, such as Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Lutheran, etc. The two
main branches or sects of Islam are Sunni (1.7 billion people) and Shi’i (190 million followers). The three major sects of Hinduism are Vaishnavism (400 million), Shaivism (390 million), and Shaktism (300 million). Buddhism has three main branches or sects: Theravada (140 million), Mahayana (375 million), and Vajrayana (19 million).
Sect comes from the Middle English secte, which was derived from the Latin word secta meaning following (participle of sequi – to follow). Thus,a sect follows a particular understanding or leader within the whole group.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) used sect in a nonreligious way. In the play Henry IV, Part 2, Act 2, Scene 4 Falstaff says, “So is all her sect.” Falstaff is commenting on Mistress Doll Tearsheet’s reaction as typical of women (all her sect), as a fraction of humanity. In Measure for Measure, Act 2, Scene 2 Shakespeare writes, “All sects, all ages smack of this vice.” Here he means all the sections of humanity.
Synonyms of sect include bloc, body, coalition, faction, party, side, and wing.
Bloc means a combination of persons, groups, or nations forming a unit with a common interest or purpose. The Central American countries do not have a trading bloc like the EU to put pressure on looming tariffs. Body implies a group of individuals organized for some purpose. The high school’s student body put pressure on the school board to effect changes in the music program.
Coalition denotes a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action. The NDP / Liberal coalition has enabled the federal government to last as long as it has existed
Faction means a party or group that is often contentious or self-seeking. The chair of the committee was able to force the various factions with the group to come together and approve the program.
Party suggests a person or group taking one side of a question, dispute, or contest. The parties involved in the lawsuit were able to reach an acceptable agreement. Side implies a position that is opposite to or contrasted with another. There are two sides to every story. The relief pitcher struck out the side in the ninth inning for his 50th save of the season.
Wing means either of two opposing groups within an organization or society. The right wing of the party forced concessions at the national convention.
Sect is often viewed in a negative connotation, especially when used in religious, philosophical, or political contexts. The sect, a group with different beliefs or understandings, is frequently regarded as extreme or dangerous by the majority. Yet those within the sect are convinced they are more right, faithful, or truthful than the greater part of the group.
If you label something a sect it immediately erects barriers to unity. Naming a group a sect puts up barriers to reconciliation because it incites animosity. Be cautious using the term sect and take time to try to understand each position. Perhaps they are not so separate as they appear at first and have much in common that can be compromised.
Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to wordwisdom2021@gmail.com . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
Indigenous Storytelling Month to be celebrated at the public library this February
February marks Indigenous Storytelling Month in Canada, which is traditionally a time to slow down, reflect, and share stories as communities celebrate the oral traditions and teachings that define a people.
With nearly 130 events planned across Saskatchewan through the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples (LSSAP) organization, this year’s program is set to feature Indigenous storytellers, musicians, and artists as they unite to share their knowledge and foster a sense of connection.
In Moose Jaw, Indigenous storyteller Carol Rose GoldenEagle will deliver a presentation at the Moose Jaw Public Library — another partner of the LSSAP — on Wednesday, Feb. 5, starting at 10:30 a.m.
“In the Indigenous tradition, wintertime is usually set aside for storytelling,” explained Jessica Generoux, the Indigenous Storytelling Month co-ordinator with LSSAP.
“Storytelling as a custom in Indigenous communities… is a very important way of… keeping their identity alive and maintaining that connection between those spiritual teachings, and (fostering) that spiritual understanding of the self and the connection there,” she shared.
Generoux has worked with GoldenEagle before and said the award-winning author “has so much love in her heart to share” and she “really connects with the children in a very positive and meaningful way.”
Another Indigenous motivational speaker and storyteller from the Waterhen Lake First Nation, Robert Gladue, will offer virtual storytelling with a focus on building a positive mindset and mental health and wellness for Indigenous men. Residents across the province can attend virtually while staying warm at home on Monday, Feb. 4, starting at 7 p.m.
Gladue’s upcoming presentation can be viewed online at
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Rose
during an earlier class presentation.
a presentation on Indigenous storytelling at the Moose Jaw Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Photo by: Submitted photo
LSSAP.ca.
“I had a difficult childhood surrounded by alcoholism and in order to get through those difficult times, I focused on culture,” Gladue said. “It was my ability to sing, to pick up the drum and use it for positive vibes, (and) it was a (new) lifestyle that led me to a better place.
“Storytelling is not just for entertainment to our people,” he continued. “Stories carry who you are; they teach you why life is the way it is and how to stay on the right path. They give you a solid foundation to stand on.”
The event will embrace a new name this year and be known as “Indigenous Storytelling Month” instead of “Aboriginal Storytelling Month,” a move that intends to be more
inclusive.
The term “Indigenous” has replaced “Aboriginal” to better demonstrate respect for the First Nations people who are honoured as the first peoples of the land in North America. This inclusive term acknowledges the diversity of Indigenous nations — including Cree, Metis, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, Salteaux, Dene, and Inuit in Saskatchewan alone — and aligns with global reconciliation efforts.
“In many of our Indigenous languages, we refer to ourselves as the original people of the land,” Generoux explained. “We’ve always been here, our ancestors have been here for hundreds and hundreds of years, and there’s nowhere else where we came from but the land.”
Indigenous Storytelling Month is officially proclaimed by the Government of Saskatchewan in February throughout the province each year. The Moose Jaw Public Library is hosting GoldenEagle’s presentation as part of the government’s call to action to support reconciliation efforts, celebrate Indigenous culture, and to preserve the oral storytelling tradition.
“It creates that inclusive community by creating and offering programs for everybody and that highlight the importance of learning, collaborating, and coming together with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people,” she added.
According to Generoux, around 75 to 80 per cent of Indigenous events hosted by the LSSAP are set in historically underserved rural areas, and the organization brings its programming to as many communities in the province as they can each year.
For more information including a full schedule of upcoming events visit LSSAP.ca.
The Moose Jaw Public Library is located at 461 Langdon Crescent.
Prairie Skies invites the community to discuss newcomer challenges and opportunities
You’re invited to an upcoming community event hosted by the Prairie Skies Integration Network of Moose Jaw where newcomers can share their struggles and successes on the topics of immigration and integration this February.
The community conversation is completely free and will take place at the Moose Jaw Events Centre from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
“It’s a community conversation on integration, and basically it’s a collaborative event designed to foster meaningful dialogue and build stronger connections between newcomers and the host communities in our region,” announced Jide Kassim, assistant project manager of Prairie Skies Integration Network.
The goal of the event is to develop a mutual understanding between residents and to address, explore, and find meaningful solutions to some of the biggest challenges that new residents face in the region.
“We all know about immigration, and we know that immigration has these opportunities,” Kassim said. “It also has challenges. So, we want to create an atmosphere whereby newcomers and host communities come together to discuss and talk, understand each other, and to bring up some good solutions (to any ongoing issues or concerns that they have).”
The conversation will take place across two broad formats and will begin with a lunch provided courtesy of Prairie Skies.
A panel discussion will start the afternoon event and panelists selected from a diverse range of backgrounds will speak
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
with an opportunity for questions and answers to follow.
These speakers will represent the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT), Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), business owners, settlement agencies and service providers in the area, and newcomers themselves with voices from Davidson, Sask., to Assiniboia, Sask.
This lineup includes Craig Hemingway, the director of strategic growth for the City of Moose Jaw, Jaella Wiebe, executive director of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC), and a representative from Simpson Seeds.
Next, everyone will be invited to form smaller breakout discussions to continue the dialogue and speak their mind on the topics of immigration and integration.
“We know that some people might not want to talk to the open audience, so we want to give them the opportunity to be able to speak among a smaller group of people,” Kassim said.
The objective is to raise awareness about immigration, explore its impact on local communities, gather insights to
better understand what barriers exist for newcomers, and to strengthen existing partnerships with local stakeholders.
The three key topics for the day will include an exploration of the business benefits of multicultural teams, how to navigate opportunities and challenges from a newcomer’s perspective, and how to build “stronger, lasting communities.”
A follow-up report will then be compiled through Prairie Skies and later shared with related authorities on a consultation basis.
“When it comes to policy implementation or development, hopefully that (additional information) will help,” he said.
Kassim wished to share that, despite numerous challenges during the immigration process, there are “also very wonderful opportunities and successes… as well.”
“We just encourage everyone to come out on that day and let your voices be heard,” Kassim said. “Most importantly… let’s build communities that help every single person to succeed.”
Although the discussion is free to attend, organizers ask prospective guests to “purchase” a ticket online through EventBrite.ca at https://tinyurl.com/3xehvzej. This is meant to ensure enough food is provided for the free luncheon and to account for the limited venue capacity of 120 guests.
Prairie Skies Integration Network is located at 432 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-690-2324. For more information visit PSINetwork.ca.
The Moose Jaw Events Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.
The right tires make winter fun happen.
Carol
GoldenEagle (centre) drums
She will share
Chamber announces nominees for annual citizen and group awards
Six individuals and six community groups have been nominated as part of the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 group and citizen of the year awards. These awards recognize the significant contributions that citizens and groups make to building up the community’s quality of life, both socially and economically.
This year’s Citizen of the Year nominees are Bill and Laurette Keen, Bobbi Ingalis, Crystal Harvey, Jared Mathieson and Rachel Mullens.
This year’s Group of the Year nominees are the Moose Jaw Community Players, Moose Jaw Family Services, Moose Jaw Housing Authority office staff, Sask. Selects Football Program, Square One Community Inc., and Women Fore Women Hillcrest Ladies Committee.
The presentation of nominees will occur during a cocktail reception in the Moose Jaw Events Centre’s Founders Lounge on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets
By MooseJawToday.com staff
Certificates that the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce distributed during its 2023 Citizen and Group of the Year Award program. File photo
are $15 per person, while people can register at www.mjchamber.com or call the office at 306-694-6414. Pre-registration is required.
The winners will be announced during the first intermission of the Warriors’ home game that evening against the Washington state-based Wenatchee Wild.
Residents must purchase tickets in advance of the nominee presentation, while the deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 31.
Also featured at this year’s event are a presentation from CAE Inc., greetings from Mayor James Murdock and greetings from Michael Biette, board president of the chamber.
The 2023 Citizen of the Year Award went to business owner Alex Carleton, who operates The Crushed Can Rec Room and Bar, while the 2023 Group of the Year Award went to the World Para Hockey Championship committee.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOOSE JAW
If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@ moosejawexpress.com
Square One Community Fundraiser will be held on January 30th at the Crushed Can. Dinner from 4:30-6:30pm – ribs/baked potato/salad. Tickets $25pp. Advance Tickets required. Please contact Square One Community for additional information.
The Moose Jaw Camera Club February meeting kicks off the second half of the season at 7:00 pm on February 10th at Cosmo Sr. Citizen’s Centre. The meeting will have a Critique on images depicting “Action/Speed/Motion” followed by a PostProcessing Presentation by amazing local photographer Michael St. Laurent. New members always welcome! Half-season rates for new members now apply. Guests welcome for a $10 fee. For more information: Rachel at 306-693-0159 or Betty 306-3715220.
Square One Community Inc Walk For Warmth will be held on Thursday, March 13 from 7-9pm - Start at Square One Community 138 Fairford St. W. Walk as an Individual. Walk as a Team. Raise pledges as an Individual. Raise pledges as a Team. To register and receive your pledge forms and walk information, please visit: https://www. squareonehousingmoosejaw.com/walkfor
The Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF) third annual “Healthcare Rocks!” fundraiser will be held at the Mae Wilson Theatre on Saturday, March 15. Doors open for 7pm and free hors d’oeuvres will be provided courtesy of the Grant Hall Hotel. Elton John-themed merchandise will be available in a silent auction and a specialty drink called “Rocket Man” will be offered at the bar. There’ll also be “a few surprises” in store for guests.
Tickets are $50pp plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be purchased online at MooseJawCulture.ca or at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture box office at 217 Main Street North. For more information call 306-693-4700.
Superannuated Teachers of Sask. Moose Jaw Branch Future Meetings: Wed. March 19, 2025/Wed. May 21, 2025
Lawn Bowling is a sport for all levels of ability. During winter, Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling club invites everyone to try it on the turf at Yara Centre now at @10amInstruction & play (at your pace) will be available Tues & Thurs mornings@ 10am. For more info phone or text 306-630-8160 or visit www.moosejawlawnbowling.com
Moose Jaw Parkinsons Support Group meet at 1:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the following months: January, February, March, April and May. No meeting in December. Call or text 306 756 2819.
The Prairie Hearts Quilters Guild is held every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7 pm at St Andrews Church until May. Learning, comradery, fun challenges, quilting and Community Projects.
New Youth Pipe Band in Moose Jaw “The White Heather” for youth aged 8 to 12. Further information may be obtained by contacting Michelle Carline at mcarline@hotmail.com
The Moose Jaw Stamp Club will resume meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. The first meeting will be at 6:30pm, in Lindale School staff room, 1322 11th Avenue NW (north entrance). Phone
306-693-5705 for information.
Moose Jaw Town N Country Square Dance Assoc. Winter 2024 Program on Monday nights from 7-9pm at St. Mary’s School, 720 – 5th Ave. SW. Dance in a square with family and friends. For information contact Valerie Wright at 306.691.0579. Beginners, singles or doubles welcome!
Scottish Country Dance Classes for all ages on Thursdays at 7pm at 510 Main St. N (T. Eaton Bldg). No partner required. Call Val @306.630.5790.
Nature Moose Jaw will hold their meetings on a once-a-month basis to take place on the third Friday of each month
Church of Our Lady Bingo takes place at the Church of Our Lady Community Centre, 566 Vaughan Street on Tuesday evenings. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m.
Are you struggling with addictions? Do you know someone who is? Or do you want to learn more about overcoming addiction to help others? Pastor Cory Havanka and his wife Brenda will be offering an in-person, small-group, course that will explore how to overcome addiction that is based on Biblical foundations. For questions - Call or text Cory at 306-684-1464 or email firmfoundationministries.inc@gmail.com
Firm Foundation Ministries provides other services as well:-Bible study - Monday evenings at 630 p.m/Prayer meetings - Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m/Pastoral counselling. Check Facebook or Instagram for updates on services, events, bible study notes and words from the Lord.
Nar-Anon Meetings every Monday 7—8pm (Moose Jaw Nar-Anon Family Group) is a twelve-step program for relatives and friends affected by someone else’s drug use and is in-person at Moose Jaw Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place. Come in Main Doors – Meeting Rm 103. Your anonymity and what you say at meetings will be carefully guarded.
TOASTMASTERS organization provides communication and leadership skill training that fosters confidence building, personal and professional development in a supportive environment. Moose Jaw is home to 2 clubs: TAP and Big Country. TAP meets on line on Tuesdays@7. TAP club is transitioning to a resource for building environmental awareness.
BIG COUNTRY meets Wednesdays@7 at Saskpolytech & on zoom(hybrid). For information text 306-690-8739
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Weight Loss Support Group Meets at the Cosmo Senior Citizen’s Centre, 235 – 3rd Ave. N.E. The group meets every Wednesday morning. Weigh ins are 8-8:45 am. Meeting to follow. . scale weighs up to 350 pounds. Join for friendship and support on your weight loss journey. For more information go to www. tops.org
Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL), 461 Langdon Cres. Phone 306.692.2787. Visit their website at https://www.moosejawlibrary.ca or visit ASK@MOOSEJAWLIBRARY. CA
Some library programs require registration by calling 306-692-8210 or emailing nsetter@ moosejawlibrary.ca
CHILDREN’S PRGRAMMING:
BABY STORYTIME Tuesdays 10:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages: 0 to 2 and their caring adults! Drop-in Program.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Wednesdays 10:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages 2 to 5 and their caring adults! Drop-in Program.
DAYCARE STORYTIME Thursdays 10:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages: 2 to 5 and their caring daycare providers! Drop-in Program.
LEGO WEEKENDS! Every Saturday and Sunday Open hours in Children’s Department Ages: 4 to 12 self-guided activity.
CSA TOOLKITS & ACTIVITIES Available in the Digital Library Check out toolkits and curriculum linked learning activities for youth and educators like OBJECTIVE: Moon. Learn about the moon from an Indigenous perspective, command a rover in a simulated environment and more!
YOUTH PROGRAMMING:
DIGITAL D&D Fridays Time: 4-6pm at MJPL Youth Discord Channel Ages 16-25 Registration required Email youth@mjlibrary.ca to inquire.4
Bath Bomb Making for Teens Wednesday, January 29 6:30- 8:30pm Ages 12 to 19. Registration Required. For more information call the Library at 306-692-2787 or email youth@ mjlibrary.ca
HOOPLA Retro Crush BingePass - Relive the golden age of anime with the RetroCrush BingePass on hoopla digital. Whether you’re nostalgic for Astro Boy or seeking out Martian Successor Nadesico, stream your favorites and discover something new!
ADULT PRORAMMING:
DOCUMENTARY NIGHT Thursday, January 30 @6pm in MJPL Theatre Ages: Adults Dropin program Movie: Moonage Daydream TECH TIME Available by appointment Time: Open hours Location: Main Library Ages: Adults By appointment only - please call the Library at 306-692-2787 to schedule an appointment. MAGIC GET INSPIRED WITH KANOPY Films for New Year’s Resolutions! Explore inspiring documentaries and instructional videos on Kanopy that will ignite your passion and elevate your spirits as we head into 2025! Access this collection with your library card today.
The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 59 Moose Jaw, 268 High St W Moose Jaw Contact: 306-692-5453
Facebook @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGIONBranch 59 Moose Jaw Instagram: @Royalcanadianlegion59 BINGO – Monday @ 6pm
CRIBBAGE –Tuesday @ 1:30 pm - Please sign-in by 1pm
MEAT DRAW & CHASE THE ACE - Saturday @ 3pm - Everyone welcome
Moose Jaw and District Seniors: For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: Email: mjsenior@shaw.ca . The centre is now open Mon-Thurs 8am – 8pm. Fitness Level & Indoor Walking Track open M-Thurs 8am-8pm and on Fri 8am-4pm
Wood working area – Mon- Fri 8am – 4pm
Timothy Eaton Cafe open Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cinnamon Buns on Thursday’s. Tuesday is pie day. Everyone is welcomed. Billiards daily 8a.m. – 4p.m.; Monday & Thursday evenings 4:30 – 8 p.m.
Pickle Ball – Monday & Thursday mornings @ 9a.m/Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons @ 1 p.m./Monday & Thursday evenings @ 7 p.m./ Weds pickleball @5pm Fitness- Chair/Low Impact Fitness Tuesdays 11:30 & Thursdays @ 1:00 p.m.
Cribbage – Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.; Whist – Tuesday @ 9:30am; Hand & Foot Card
Game for Beginners – Thursday @9:30 am.; Mah Jong – Wednesday @1 p.m. Beginners is Monday @1pm; 500 Cards – Thursdays @ 1 p.m; Spades – Tuesday and Fridays 1pm ON HOLD
Full Body work out – Monday’s 10am
Scrabble – Monday’s at 1pm
Line Dancing – Tuesdays @ 10 a.m.
Intro to Line Dancing – Wednesday’s @
11am Art & Crafts – Monday, Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.
Floor Shuffleboard – Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 1 p.m.
Paper Tole – Tuesdays @ 1 p.m. Circle Dancing – Thursday 2:15pm Nickle Bingo – Fridays @ 1 p.m.
Quilting – Every Friday 9am to 4pm Lounge – Friday’s from 2 p.m.
Senior Citizens’ Centre Weekly
3rd Ave. N.E. Phone
or email cosmo@sasktel.net Check them out on Facebook. Monday: 9:30am-Pickleball/1pm-Floor Shuffleboard/7pm-Camera Club – only on the 2nd Monday of the month Tuesday: 9:30am-Jam Session/1pmPickleball/7pm-Friendship Bridge/7pmBeginners Only Pickleball Wednesday: 8:30am-TOPS/8:30amPickleball/1pm-Floor Shuffleboard Thursday: 10am-Line Dance/1pm-Pickleball Friday: 9:00am-Beginner Pickleball/1pmRegular Pickleball
Moose Jaw ANAVETS: Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit #252 – 279 High St. W, Moose Jaw. 306.692.4412 or anaf252@ sasktel.net
Every Wednesday, open 12-6 pm, Smear –Starts at 1 pm Every Thursday, open 12-7 pm, Smear –Starts at 1 pm, Crib starts Sept. 5th; registration at 1 pm; Crib starts at 1:30 pm. Bring a partner or sign up as a spare. Every Friday, open 1-10 pm, drop in shuffleboard. Register at 1 pm. Play starts at 1:30 pm. Bring a partner. Drop in pool and darts. Register by 6:30 pm. Play starts at 7 pm. Bring a partner.
Every Saturday, open 1-7 pm. Meat draw starts at 4:30 pm, 10 meat draws, 4 free draws, gift card and 50/50. Everyone welcome. Hall rentals available – book now!
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES #3395
EVERY THURSDAY: Ladies Auxiliary “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 5:30 pm, draws start at 6:00 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, “Chase the Ace” EVERY SUNDAY: Aerie “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 2:30 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, Mystery Draw, “Chase the Ace” MONDAY THRU SATURDAY – DROP IN POOL – 1:00 pm to 1:30 start time. Singles and Doubles. Partners draw from those attending to play.
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY – Aerie meeting – 11:30 am FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY – Ladies Auxiliary meeting - 7:00 pm
DROP IN DARTS - Every Wednesday evening and continues until April, 2025 - $2.00 per person, draw for partners, starts at 7:00 pm. DROP IN CRIBBAGE - Every Monday evening and continues until April, 2025$2.00 per person, registration between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm – play starts at 7:00 pm. Western Development Museum; 50 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw. For more information, visit the museum’s website at WDM. ca/Moose-Jaw. Call 306-693-5989 or email ajones@wdm.ca
Paddy Wagon restaurant expands to Moose Jaw’s former Cornerstone Bar location
The Paddy Wagon, a popular Regina-based eatery known for its Smash Burgers and vibrant atmosphere, is expanding its culinary footprint to Moose Jaw. The establishment has announced the acquisition of the former Cornerstone Bar & Grill earlier in January with plans to open its doors to the public next month.
The new restaurant is set to open on Friday, Feb. 14, and the first 100 customers will receive a promotional free Smash Burger to mark the occasion.
“So, a gentleman approached me here not too long ago about creating a partnership. He’s opening a country music bar in Moose Jaw on Main Street and he’s a retired police officer,” announced Kyle Forrest, owner of The Paddy Wagon restaurant.
Larry Baker is the former police officer and he plans to open his own country music establishment at the venue called “The Cornerstone Country Music Bar” — tying back to the former “Cornerstone Bar & Pub” location.
“I just thought it would be a really good idea so we decided to join together and bring Smash Burgers and country music to the good people of Moose Jaw,” Forrest added.
Established in Regina, The Paddy Wagon has built a loyal following because of its diverse menu and community-centric approach to business. Operating from its location at 348 Broad Street, the restaurant offers a variety of signature dishes including the Shawshank Cheesesteak and the Smash and Grab Burger — both of which have received high praise from customers.
The decision to expand into Moose Jaw aligns with the company’s vision of
bringing its unique dining experience to a broader audience and Forrest is no stranger to the area.
“I’ve had my eyes on Moose Jaw for a while,” he said. “I grew up around this area, and Saskatchewan has been my home since day one. We’re doing so well here in Regina that we thought, ‘Why not give Moose Jaw a shot?’”
Forrest has also worked alongside
Taco Time Moose Jaw’s owner, Johnny Beam, for several years in the food truck industry.
“He (Beam) called me and he’s like, ‘Moose Jaw would love to have you. I think your Smash Burgers would be a perfect fit,’” Forrest said, noting that both business owners share a lot of the same ideas — especially when it comes to community involvement.
Forrest and Baker already plan to bring some “pretty big shows” to the city
some meaningful ways to get involved with the mental health scene in Moose Jaw.
The former Cornerstone Bar & Grill presents an ideal location for this venue as it’s situated in the heart of downtown Moose Jaw, which is an ideal spot for the new restaurant to get established and integrate into the local community.
The expansion isn’t just a business move, but also marks an ongoing commitment to community engagement. The Paddy Wagon has a history of supporting local events and initiatives in Regina, and there’s an expectation that this community-focused approach will continue in Moose Jaw.
As well, the new restaurant is expected to bring its original range of menu options — but with the addition of “an elevated bar menu” and “Moose Jaw’s hottest wing.”
The new location will also carry on the company’s traditional burger challenge, where customers who can finish an 11-patty burger, half pound of fries, and a large Coke within half an hour receive a free meal and a sweater.
“We’re super excited to come to Moose Jaw and bring one of the Prairie’s original Smash Burgers there,” Forrest concluded.
Once launched, The Paddy Wagon will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. six days of the week excluding Sundays, and on Friday and Saturday nights it will remain open until 2 a.m.
For more information call 1-306-5438603 or visit ThePaddyWagonQR.com.
The former Cornerstone Bar & Grill is located at 8 Main Street North.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
Moose Jaw’s newest restaurant, The Paddy Wagon, is set to open on Friday, Feb. 14. Photo by: The Paddy Wagon/ Facebook
Coral Kitchen announces grand opening, returning full mall food court after 15 years
The aroma of sizzling spices and savory stews will soon fill the Town ‘N’ Country Mall as a new restaurant featuring Nigerian cuisine, the Coral Kitchen, announced its grand opening last weekend.
The announcement came after a formal ribbon cutting ceremony led by Rob Clark with the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, and with attendance by a lively crowd eager to celebrate the latest accomplishment of owner and entrepreneur Temitope Adewumi on the morning of Jan. 25.
The announcement also marks the first time that the mall’s three food court spaces has been fully booked in approximately 15 years — a development that assistant property manager Jennilee Novak said was one of the first goals of the Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation who assumed ownership of the mall on Jan. 12, 2024.
“My prayer is that this becomes the beginning of something amazing, not just for me, but for my African community, for Moose Jaw as a whole, and also… for the Town ‘N’ Country Mall,” Adewumi announced.
“For me, this place (the mall) represents a relaxing retail therapy,” she added, recalling the days of walking through the mall from Sears to Zellers since arriving in Moose Jaw around 15 years ago.
The restaurant complements another enterprise at the mall owned by Adewumi, the Coral Ethnic Market. The market was originally founded in 2016 on High Street West and moved to the mall location in February 2024.
All of Adewumi’s dishes are inspired by a mixture of family recipes and some creations of her own.
Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express
explained with a playful grin. “We fight and we make up very quickly. So, we’re going to showcase them for this (first) month.”
She described the restaurant as providing “the warmth of home.” “I want you to eat my food and remember grandma,” she said, reminiscing about her grandmother emerging from the kitchen with a home cooked meal.
“You should really come (down and visit) the mall,” she said in her concluding remarks. “There are so many stores opening up, and the more you come support us, the higher the likelihood of other entrepreneurs thinking, ‘Oh, I can also open a store down there.’ Before we know it, (the mall could) become that bustling center of activities again.”
The Town ‘N’ Country Mall is located at 1235 Main Street North and is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Her dream of running her own business started back in the Canadian equivalent of Grade 9 in her former home in Nigeria.
“My home teacher taught us how to make fish rolls, so I went home and told my mom, ‘We’re going to make a lot of money,’” Adewumi recalled.
Her mother gave her around $5.00 worth of ingredients like flour, margarine, and mackerel, and she tried cooking for the first time in her life.
“We didn’t make millions, but I made enough money to buy candy,” she said
“I am very traditional when it comes to recipes,” she said. “I don’t like varying away too much from the foundational way of making it.”
with a smile. “Honestly, it was a good experience because I learned that I could use my hands to make something that I’m passionate about. Not only can people enjoy it, but I can earn a living from it.”
Adewumi now plans to start a rotating feature with dishes that showcase a new African country each month. In February, she plans to start with food from Ghana, which she playfully described as Nigeria’s “cousin.” The first signature dish will be Banku, a popular Ghanian dish made from fermented corn and cassava dough served with a variety of sides like grilled fish or okra soup.
“Ghana is another country in West Africa (and they are) like our cousin,” she
To place an order at the Coral Kitchen call 306-690-7423.
please join us for this 90 minute seminar over a great meal ~ invite a friend or family member as well ~
people are making it a priority to look after their own arrangements. Find out how to control costs, provide peace of mind to your family and executor, and fund those costs in advance (with a convenient monthly payment or a lump sum). Purple Shield Plans are totally customized to the wishes of the individual.
Monday, February 3 rd
~ Houston Pizza
117 Main Street North, Moose Jaw 6:30pm (from the menu)
Tuesday, February 4 th
~ Rodo’s Pizza Event Room
9th Avenue South & Grandview Street, Moose Jaw 6:30pm (from the menu)
Tuesday, February 18 th
~ Houston Pizza
117 Main Street North, Moose Jaw 6:30pm (from the menu)
Tuesday, February 25 th
~ Rodo’s Pizza Event Room 9th Avenue South & Grandview Street, Moose Jaw 6:30pm (from the menu)
Since a complimentary meal will be provided, we would request hearing of your plans to attend by calling Moose Jaw Funeral Home 306.693.4550
Michael Penner Purple Shield Representative
With this month’s launch of the Coral Kitchen restaurant, the food court at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall is now completely full for the first time in around 15 years. Photo by: Aaron Walker
Temitope Adewumi (left), owner of the Coral Kitchen, waits with anticipation to cut the ribbon announcing the restaurant’s grand opening alongside Rob Clark (right), CEO of the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall on Jan. 25. Photo by: Aaron Waker