The Biggar Independent Volume #114 Issue #28

Field Operative ... Farmers are putting in long hours, getting feed and awaiting this year’s crop. Here, swaths are laid out, some bales ready for pickup - the lazy days of summer are upon us! (Independent

Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Summer Sizzle, a music teacher symposium and learning experience came to Biggar this past Monday to Wednesday, giving teachers and students amazing access to composers. It was a time of learning, sharing, performing, making new friends and honing their musical skills at various facilities in Biggar. Developing the artistic voices and expression through music gave attendees new-found abilities that will carry them to greater and greater levels of musical skill. Area music teacher, Peggy L’Hoir (below picture) received the Hugheen Ferguson Distinguished Teacher Award. Peggy’s commitment to enhancing the landscape of Canadian music and encouraging Canadian composition is inspiring. She has twice spearheaded the all-Canadian composers and clinicians for teachers and students Summer Sizzle Symposium. Congratulations, Peggy!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

Registered Nurses from the Philippines

beginning to arrive in Saskatchewan

Five Registered Nurses (RNs) from the Philippines will arrive this week in Saskatchewan.

This is the first of several groups of Filipino RNs with conditional job offers that will arrive to Saskatchewan on a regular basis for their in-person training. Once their in-person training is completed they can begin their employment with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Biggar RCMP report

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment

This past week we had 59 calls for service.

The majority were traffic related calls, including the arrest of a 34-yearold female from Wilkie found driving her grey Chev Uplander with her two young children on board while she was three times the legal limit. Serious tragedy was adverted thanks to a few concern road users that managed to keep the vehicle contained until police arrived.

There was a two-vehicle collision in Biggar on Ontario and Sixth, resulting in charges to one driver for failing to yield to oncoming traffic at a yield sign. A 43-yearold male was charged for driving his F-350 while suspended.

In total 21 traffic charges and seven warnings were issued through out the area. This including a number of stop sign tickets issued in town after the collision, and two for speeds over 35 km/h greater then the speed limit on the highway.

CN reported escaped

sheep nearing their tracks in the RM of Perdue. Complaint of loud music being played in the Village of Perdue, as well as one house fire that resulted in damage to the deck and home. A second fire reported in the RM of Perdue in a garage, resulted from a battery charger malfunction - the home owner was able to contain the damage.

We are still experiencing thefts from vehicles in town, as well as a report of a stolen plate from a vehicle that was replace with another. This was discovered when the driver was stopped by traffic services. Good reminder to check your plate once and awhile or more frequently then your next hotel stay.

Two calls for suspicious activity, three alarm calls, one warning for misuse of the 911 service, two calls of fraud for the old publishers clearing house scam - glad they did not say Ed McMahon would be bringing by the big cheque. A brick was thrown through a window at a business in the Town of Biggar - charges pend-

Bingo Numbers for JULY

ing on this matter along with warrants issued for all our prolific offenders that missed showing up for court. Three calls on our homeless resident, sleeping in the post office and disrupting other areas in town. However, he has been compliant when asked to move along. He has informed us that the city shelters don’t take dogs and he has no interest in going anywhere else as the Biggar streets are safer then the city. In fairness, I would have to agree with that logic.

Take care out there!

“We’re thrilled to welcome the first group of nurses recruited from the Philippines to start on their pathway to a successful career here in Saskatchewan,” Minister of Health Paul Merriman said. “As home to a thriving, vibrant and growing Filipino community, our province has experienced great success in welcoming and integrating Filipino health care professionals. I look forward to these RNs completing their training and joining our health care workforce.”

Following the two recruitment missions to the Philippines in winter 2022 and spring 2023, the province has recruited more than 400 Filipino RNs. The internationally educated nurses are moving through the RN Pathway, which includes language assessment and training, online and in-

person education leading to licensing.

In late August, Saskatchewan will implement an accelerated, streamlined pathway for internationally educated nurses that shortens licensure timeframes from months to 14 weeks, once all documentation is received, and will support applicants through the process, from recruitment through to their work placements and settlement in a new community.

A majority of the RNs recruited from the Philippines will be enrolled in the new 14-week program.

Additional progress is being made on multiple initiatives of Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain more health care workers.

HHR Progress Update

Highlights:

• Since December 2022, the SHA has hired 485 grad nurses from the province and across Canada.

• Progress continues toward the target of recruiting 250 new and enhanced permanent full-time positions to stabilize staffing in rural and remote areas, with 157 positions now filled and ongoing work to fill the remainder.

• The Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive of up to $50,000 is available to new employees in nine high priority classifications in 53 rural and remote areas. The incentive, provided in exchange for a three-year return-of-service, continues to be offered, with 140 incentives conditionally approved to date.

• The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan is expanding the undergraduate program by adding four seats to the upcoming fall 2023 intake of medical students. This will increase the total number of seats from 100 to 104.

• The Final Clinical Placement Bursary program is currently available to students in eligible health disciplines with their final health clinical placement between April 1 and September 30, 2023. The program is already seeing a high uptake, with 60 bursaries conditionally approved.

• Job shadowing opportunities are available for high school students (Grade 12) or adults considering a career in health care. The SHA has hosted 84 job shadow opportunities since September 2022.

Barracuda’s host home meet ... Biggar Barracuda Swim Club hosted their home meet this past Saturday at the Aquatic Centre, bringing in top swimmers from across the province. Furious action in the water meant fast times and top-notch racing. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Fines recognized for “Gift of Life” donations ... Biggar’s Jack Fines recently received his 75 donation certificate from Canadian Blood Services. Fines has been donating blood for some time and is actually well past 75 ... 80-plus at last count! Congratulations, Jack! (Submitted Photo)

The Test of Time: Battling to Keep Canadian History Alive by Emma Haynes, Executive Assistant for Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence

(Editor’s Note: This column first appeared in C2C Journal)

This is my “David and Goliath” story, except that it’s not about a Biblicalera youth staring down a nine-foot-tall man. No, it’s about the pebble that was used to bring the giant to the ground.

My Goliath was a decade of genuinely useless social studies in elementary and secondary school. The pebble was Mr. Rajala, my Grade 10 history teacher at Fort Frances High School in northwestern Ontario. Mr. Rajala was an amazing storyteller who was passionate about his subject and opened my eyes to the vastness and wonder of history. I had entered his class with a vague and fragmented understanding of my country’s past.

I left it the way a reader feels after finishing a great book: thrilled by a gripping plot, filled with new insight and actively searching for more to devour.

In today’s environment, it’s safe to say that stu-

dents are unlikely to leave their history classes loving Canada. Whether they are a 10th-Grade student in Ontario leaving the only high school history class they will ever have, or are taking a university course that teaches them Canada’s past is an embarrassment, we are failing as a nation at teaching students how to even talk about our country’s history.

Unlike David, we face more than one Goliath: there is the growing hatred for certain histories because they do not align with the current cultural conversation, and there is the lack of prioritization of the subject in our schools. This is occurring from coast to coast. Alberta, to take just one example, has been fighting on both fronts since the UCP government two years ago introduced a revamp to the elementary school curriculum that includes more on the basics of Western history and more instruction on facts in general. It was immediately criticized by school boards, academics, teachers and even some parents, who claimed the curriculum was too Eurocentric and was “the stuff of nightmares.” An NDP MLA called it irrelevant to

Provincial Viewpoint

Murray Mandryk

The good news is that Saskatchewan is growinggrowing faster than we’ve seen in a century.

The latest news from Statistics Canada reveals that in the first three months of 2023, Saskatchewan’s population grew by 6,821 to a record 1,221,439 people.

This also means 33,101 more people living here compared with one year

students, claiming there was no point in teaching about historical figures like Genghis Khan.

These disputes around Canadian history are not attempting to speak to our story, but instead are responding to a moment in time when disagreement is taken by one side to mean rejection. Calls to cancel Canada Day and the tearing down of statues are just two manifestations of this unfortunate trend. Last year, as Blacklock’s Reporter discovered, “Management at the national archives has deleted a website feature honouring John A. Macdonald as ‘redundant’ and ‘offensive.’ The content including historical facts and photos for schoolchildren was deemed out of step with ‘our diverse and multicultural country’,” archivists were quoted as saying. This outrageous move elicited a few squeaks of protest, but no eruption of outrage from Canada’s senior historians or educators.

Destruction seems the only answer for those who don’t know how to work through the more dubious aspects of our past without destroying everything in the process. Two years ago the BC Museums Association

encouraged museums, galleries and heritage organizations to reinforce the calls to cancel Canada Day by cancelling all of their planned events as well, and by advocating that people participate in “service disruptions” against those who chose to celebrate. This was a protest of Canadian history and national pride from a group meant to preserve it.

On the activist website rabble.ca, a blogpost entitled ‘A settler’s guide to cancelling Canada Day: July 1st and beyond’ suggested that, “If you’ve

been invited to a private [Canada Day] BBQ, respectfully note that you won’t be celebrating and use the opportunity to talk about why.” It went on to encourage instead spending the day tearing down statues, and celebrated the actions of those who toppled Sir John A. Macdonald’s statue in Montreal, gleefully pointing out that

Population gain may now less exciting

earlier - the largest yearly population growth in the province since 1914.

“Saskatchewan continues to break population records thanks to strong and effective policies that welcome newcomers to our province,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a news release.

“With one of the nation’s lowest costing utility bundles, thousands of great job opportunities, and a strong and growing economy.”

It’s a remarkable achievement that probably has caused some to already some to forget about our past. After all, since the province’s population began to surge upward around 2004, Saskatchewan has only seen one quarter in which we experienced a population decline.

Those of us whose memories go back more than

two decades may have a better sense of how truly remarkable this is. Losing our child to other provinces has pretty much been Saskatchewan’s brand.

Since the 1930s when Saskatchewan was hit even harder by the Great Depression than most anywhere else, we have been losing our children to other provinces where they sought better opportunities.

Governments of the day were consistently blamed. It’s always been great political fodder. In fact, the three times in the last 40 years in which voters has sought government change, the key campaign issue was our declining population and bringing our children home.

But the simple reality is that this has never come easy to any Saskatchewan government. That’s

because even in the good times when our kids had less reason to leave, there were still better times and opportunities in places like Alberta and B.C.

So perhaps the Saskatchewan Party government can somewhat be forgiven for its boastfulness, given this is the first administration to preside over an extended period without population decline.

The thing is, though, the great news isn’t causing the stir it once did. There may be a few reasons why.

First, the boom is not being enjoyed equally by everyone. In fact, it’s pretty much confined to the two major cities and even there, growth isn’t exactly happening equitably.

In fact, Saskatoon saw the lion’s share of growth in 2022, with 7,666 more people, pumping its population up to 347,536.

the vandalism broke off the statue’s head. This kind of destruction doesn’t aim to advance the understanding of history. It is born of anger and nihilism, it seeks to polarize and divide, and it even attempts to speak for those who have no desire to be a part of such violence.

Regina only grew by 1.7 per cent or 4,429 people to 268,804.

But Regina was a boomtown compared with most everywhere else in the province. Prince Albert lost three people, Weyburn lost seven people, Moose Jaw lost 27 people and Estevan lost 141 people, while Yorkton gained 30 people and Swift Current gained 127 people.

Outside the two cities and their neighbouring bedroom communities, Saskatchewan growth is sputtering.

Admittedly, the first three months of 2023 look great, but everyone’s numbers look great coming out of this pandemic.

Saskatchewan’s 2.8 per cent growth was third lowest in the nation well below Alberta’s 4.5 per cent growth.

Also, what accounted for the 33,101-person gain in population in the first

three months was 35,820person net international migration.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing in new people, but it’s not completing satisfying for those still hoping a boom will bring the children home.

However, what this boom in the cities has created is a series of problems catching up to us.

The cities are seeing crowded classrooms, difficulties finding a family physician, higher housing costs and homelessness.

Many of these problems like doctor shortages are now spilling over into the country.

Sure, growth is still a positive in Saskatchewan. After all, we are a province whose success has been on newcomers coming here. But population numbers may not be quite as exciting as they once were.

Notable Notes

You shoulda been there

To some, these little pieces may seem kind of dull in themselves, but that “theoretical economy” bit is enough to make a hyper activist yawn. Anyway, that kind of thinking might as well wait until we’ve got a good grip on “practical economy”.

I apologize for letting my thoughts - and penwander all over the place. I’ll try to get back to what I started out to tell.

Bob Mason

It should be pointed out that this little article turned out all wrong the first time it was written. The intention was to show how much a lot of us brag about the things that have happened to us, good or bad. But somehow it got into the philosophy of “theoretical economy” and on and boring on. Everyone knows how dull that gets!

I imagine that everyone, especially those from the farm, has heard about the Dirty Thirties. That dirty bit was accurate enough because there was so much soil in the air when the wind blew. Heck, I remember driving horses and wagons south of Perdue when one couldn’t see over the piled-up sand along the fence lines! It was “dirty” at times, all right,

but there were nice days too. We seldom mention them.

“The air was so full of earth you could cut it with a knife.” Well, it made a good story.

Also, I imagine many of you have heard about the “Hungry Thirties.” Stuff like, “We threw another gopher in the stew,” or “fried roof shingles don’t taste too bad.”

There might have been real hunger somewhere but not at our place. Every year we butchered a steer and a couple of hogs. Mind you, an animal wasn’t worth much on the market - and neither was grain, but we ate like millionaires.

Say, there’s a thought! I wonder if a millionaire feels different than a peasant when he’s hungry?

There probably were some really extremely

Easy remedies for summertime afflictions

Summer may be your favourite season, but with longer days, warmer weather and often more time spent in the great outdoors, there are a few common and annoying conditions to watch out for.

Ensure you’re prepared so you can continue living life to the fullest and enjoying all the season has to offer. Afflictions affecting your health

You’ve heard it before, but applying and reapplying a broad-spectrum sunscreen really is the best way to prevent the

painful effects of sunburn or melasma, including serious outcomes like skin cancer. If it’s too late and you’re already burnt, be sure to drink a lot of water, take a cool shower, use a moisturizer containing aloe vera and stay out of the sun.

Heat stroke is dangerous and can occur with too much exposure to high temperatures. Watch for signs like no more sweating, excessive thirst, exhaustion or shortness of breath. Humidity and heat also make heat rash more likely. It occurs when sweat gets trapped

under the skin. To avoid heat illnesses like these, wear breathable clothing, drink plenty of water and take breaks from the hot temperatures in an airconditioned space.

Annoying skin and body conditions

Summer is the season when warts tend to be more common. Though harmless, warts can still be annoying. However, at-home remedies can help get rid of common or plantar warts easily and discreetly, without having to visit your doctor.

rough times in the 1930’s but I never noticed them that much, and when someone gives out with a colourful tale about those “lean” years I often wonder if I am expected to be impressed?

Without a doubt there were some really desperate times, but in some situations I am often led to wonder...

Actually, it sometimes makes a person feel a little better when we tell about them anyway.

“Boy oh boy was it ever hot that summer.”

I’ve often heard about that day in 1937 - I even remember it. It was nice and cool in the basement of our house, though, and even the cattle had enough sense to stand in the shade.

Every now and then some older type tells me about the terrible winter of 1948.

“The snow was so deep that we never got to town for two weeks!”

Heck, as kids on our farm south of Radisson, one good winter we seldom got to town twice all winter long.

Sometimes I think that these exaggerated tales of “The Way It Was” are part of our way of life, though. Life out here on the lone Prairie often isn’t as colourful as we’d like and some stories would get kind of dull.

Enough about the 1930’s.

I met a fellow some time back who gave one great dramatic description of World War Two.

“Oh, there was blood and dead men all over,” he said. “You should have been there.”

He might have been right, I dunno. I never found out because I’d stopped listening when

he couldn’t remember what regiment he’d been in.

But it sure sounded good.

Of course, if I’m going to criticize those people who spice up an otherwise dull story until it is listenable, I’ve got to expect them to wonder about me. Sometimes I imagine I can hear their comments right now, “Who does that silly old scoundrel think he’s fooling with those oddball tales that he sends in to The Independent?” Stuff like that.

Instead of writing, “You shoulda been there,” maybe I should close this article out with something different like, “I’m glad you weren’t there, because it sure as heck wasn’t very nice.”

Grads from days gone by

by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the

Biggar Museum and Gallery

Another Graduation Day in Biggar has come and gone!

I loved the parade. I got to see all those children I have met over the years, several inches taller,

more mature and all on their way to adulthood!

Some could become doctors, lawyers, financial wizards, environmental scientists, mothers, and fathers. I just want to see them thriving and improving our world.

Here some graduation

pictures from days gone by in Biggar. Our town has come a long way from a one room school at the back of the Biggar Hotel, three schools later into Biggar Central School 2000!

Biggar High School June 1948 in front of the Presbyterian Church. (Photos for The Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery)

Biggar Graduating class 1957 in front of the United Church.

Ask The Money Lady

Christine Ibbotson

Dear Money Lady Read-

ers, Now in an economic environment where people are struggling, it is important to remember that charity comes in many formsmonetary of course, but also by being helpful, understanding, loving and generous with your time and support.

It is a common assumption that those people stuck in the cycles of poverty, are personally responsible for their situation. This is a widespread belief by many who arbitrarily assign moral meanings to poverty.

It is very easy for outside observers to see ways that the poor should better their situation. Those with money often say, “if they wanted it bad enough, they would find

a way to improve.”

Passing judgement on those impoverished is not the Canadian way.

As a country, we support many world-wide charities and are very empathetic to those in need. What about those people around you in your dayto-day life, those people who make up your “personal bubble”? Scarcity can be found everywhere, even in our own families. Borderline poverty affects your ability to make decisions and ultimately derails both the motivation and ambition of those who live in poverty. Poor people, especially single parents, and the elderly, have a lot of challenges and not having enough money for ordinary things that others take for granted causes many in poverty to make less rational decisions.

When you are preoccupied with money worries you cannot help but feel challenged, in every way, every day.

There was a study done many years ago (Mullainathan/Shafir) that compared the IQ of those who had money and those that did not. The respondents were chosen because their IQ levels were the

same at the beginning of the test. These were people from all walks of life, with all different education and ethnicity’s, from all over the country - the only requirement was that they had the same IQ score at the beginning of the study.

All participants were given the same problems to solve and were told to relate the situations to their own lives. When faced with a financial challenge about their future, let’s say an expensive car repair, the ones that had the money to pay for the repair seemed to have a higher IQ with the balance of the testing.

This was interesting. Why was this?

Researchers theorized that the wealthier respondents did not have the “brain drain” of finding a solution to this problem because the answer to the question about how to meet the challenge of the car repair was relatively easy. They knew they could pay for the repair out of their savings or on credit, and their brains were free to move on to the next problem.

This was not the same for the poorer respon-

dents, who were stuck on the financial question since it was more difficult for them to know how to meet this personal challenge. The study showed that those with less monetary means seemed to lack the mental bandwidth available for the IQ test. It seemed the more questions poorer respondents had to solve when it came to monetary requirements the lower their IQ levels became.

You see, being preoccupied by financial concerns makes everyone who has less, measurably unable to do the things that others can do because they have no worries about their future and the dayto-day monetary commitments. This is an ongoing problem in Canada especially now that inflation and interest rates are on the rise.

Poverty does not discriminate by age - it effects the young to the very old. Canadians categorized as living in poverty, are those that have income below the 50 per cent median income in the area in which they live.

We must remember that it is harder for those impoverished to improve

their situation than it is for those in our middleclass society, and we should never judge someone for what you believe is their lack of determination to improve their situation. There are many poor that have much more drive, determination and fortitude than those that have money. Many struggle with hardships that most upper-middle-class Canadians would never be able to endure.

Remember, financial scarcity is generally not a

one-time event, it has long lasting consequences and for those that can overcome it, they have indeed climbed the mountain and triumphed.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and CTV News @6. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at askthemoneylady.ca

by Trudy and Dale Buxton

We continue our trip into British Columbia and on the Crowsnest Pass.

Known for its great beauty as you drive through the mountains, the Crowsnest Pass is also know for lots of tragedy. In 1903 the tip of Turtle Mountain broke loose and came down on the village of Frank, and pretty much wiped out part of the village.

With the coal mining there have been many disasters.

In 1914 in Hillcrest, there was a coal mine explosion that took the lives of 189 people. With a total of 228 workers calling Hillcrest their place of work, the accident is still rated as the worst mining incident in Canadian history.

Most Albertan coal mines have been closed for a number of years, while there are some open pit coal mines on the British Columbia side that continue to provide a vast employment base in the area.

The Crowsnest Pass is also noted for its “rumrunning” during the Prohibition days between 1916 and 1923 when the Pass was used by many to transport illegal liquor to the USA through the mountains of British Columbia.

When your driving through this part of Crowsnest Pass the scenery is absolutely fantastic, and the road is fun to drive on, especially for a motorcycle.

Next up is the com-

munity of Sparwood, the second largest community on the Elk River, a 220 kilometre long river that originates from the Elk Lakes near the Continental Divide, through the Elk Valley, joining the Kootenay River in Lake Koocanusa.

Sparwood has a population base of around 4,200 residents and was named because of the trees that grow in the region, used to manufacturing spars or masts for ocean vessels. The local economy of Sparwood is very dependent on the steel and coal industry as the main primary industry with tourism and lumber coming after that.

Sparwood is home to the “Terex Titan” which at one time was the world’s

largest haul truck. There was only one 33-19 truck built and was in operation for 13 years. The truck was restored and now sits on the entrance of the city as a tourist attraction.

In the late 1800’s Sparwood was only a brief stop on the railroad and it wasn’t until the early 1960’s that a collection of communities consolidated to become what Sparwood is today.

The history of the area dates back 11,000 years with the history of the First Nations people who travelled through this area to capture the bison on the nearby plains.

There are many attractions in the area with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. You can do lots of camping, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing and canoeing. You can also simply stop by a roadside picnic area and have a quiet lunch in the wilderness.

Stay Tuned for more adventures of The Saskatchewan Traveller.

Senior Girls Volleyball Awards

Presented by Miss. Minish

Junior Girls Basketball Awards

Presented by Miss. Minish

Senior

Presented

Junior/Senior Curling Awards

Presented by: Mrs. Thomson & Mr. Tollefson

Senior Boys Volleyball Awards

Presented by Ms. Arnal & Mr Samuel

Junior Boys Basketball Awards

Presented by

Senior

Presented

Barry MemorialKennedy Award

Presented by Miss.

Presented by: Ms.

Track

Presented

Most Valuable Athlete: Division III

Presented

Presented by Miss. Minish

Presented

Rookie of the Year: Emily Hodgson

Noah Park Chloe Bartusek Heath Trayhorne Jaryn Doell

MVP: Noah Park

Arnal

Rookie of the Year: Rei James Dalisay

Most Improved: Jeremy Tebb MVP: Hayden McMahon

Rookie of the Year: Chloe Evans Most Improved: Adriana Sanchez MVP: Chloe Bartusek

Rookie of the Year: Carl Labuca

MVP: Noah Park

MVP: Corbin Neugebauer

Rookie

Rookie of the Year: Noah Kreller-Rojas Most Improved: Kieran Massie MVP: Hayden McMahon

Rookie

Rookie of the Year: Rei James Dalisay

Rookie of the Year: Braxton Delorme Most Improved: Aiden Fecht Corrine Herzberg Memorial: Rei James Dalisay

Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels

When you have been involved with fairs and exhibitions as long as I have - roughly 20 years showing stock and now roughly 35 as a journalist - you have seen a lot of beef on the hoof.

I was reminded of that this past week as I attended the Yorkton Regional 4-H Show that was part of the local summer fair.

There is always something nostalgic for me in attending livestock shows. I was not a 4-H member as a youth but I was in the show ring at age five, so I have an appreciation for the work associated with exhibiting stock, and

Misinformation damaging public perception of agriculture

with the exhilaration of a red ribbon, and the disappointment when your animal does not catch the judge’s eye.

But, this year the show generated a different feeling, one where I found myself wondering what the fate of such shows may be, and in fact what will the fate of cattle production be.

Shows, especially smaller ones, may eventually face new rules relating to tracing cattle movements that will mean book work and red tape and extra hours for volunteers - and we all know finding volunteers seems to be an ever-increasing struggle of its own. Some exhibitions will simply cancel shows, and that is unfortunate because that is already too much of a trend with many small fairs cancelling livestock shows through the years. But the fate of shows is perhaps the least of the concerns for livestock and

in particular cattle.

Cattle have been painted as environmental villains because like most mammals they pass gas, gas which is not good for the atmosphere.

In a world where you can look to the sky almost anytime and see jet vapour trails, cars are more numerous than ants, coal power generators spew smoke around the world, and many countries have limited, if any regulations on business greenhouse gas emissions, the cow is the scapegoat.

Do we need to be concerned about greenhouse gas emissions?

Of course we do.

We see climate change and what it can meanmore severe weather events in Canada and the resulting forest fire devastation of lightning strikes - and while one might argue it’s a natural change we can’t afford to hope that is in fact the case and do nothing.

But, we also need to be reasonable in that response.

Demonizing the cow is not reasonable.

Still, as I watched the recent show I wondered if a largely agricultureignorant public might not push equally ill-informed legislators to limit cattle production because cows are an easier target than big corporation emitters.

Penton on sports

Bruce Penton

Now that he’s officially a member of the Chicago Blackhawks after being chosen No. 1 in the NHL draft, Connor Bedard will be under more scrutiny than a paroled shoplifter at Walmart.

So here’s some advice for the soon-to-be 18-year-old:

- Don’t get discouraged after finding out the NHL goaltenders aren’t fooled as easily as the kids he faced in junior hockey.

- Don’t allow too much of his spare time to be eaten up by commercial enterprises that want to use his name, image and likeness for product endorsement.

- Be cautious around

Rock On! Elks @ Rid-

ers

by Travis Longman

It’s all the same, only some names have changed.

Every game it seems the talent is wasting away, this past week they played the green and gold, fans drove all night just to get back home! There the Roughriders, the football field is where they thrive! Wins are wanted, wanted dead or alive!

Last week over 27 thousand fans flocked to Mosaic Stadium to watch their beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the lowly Edmonton Elks.

Saskatchewan entered this match-up having lost seven consecutive home games and Edmonton hadn’t won a game all season, something had to give in the provincial capital.

gorgeous gold-digging females, who will only be after him for his money.

- Be nice to members of the media, just because they’re probably really nice people.

- Avoid getting too bigheaded when he sees his face emblazoned in lights on the side of the Sears Tower.

- Be careful about getting a sore arm from throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Cubs and White Sox games on back-to-back days.

- Consider keeping his hair at a decent length so he’ll always be ready for Great Clips commercials.

- Be wary of those reprobates in Edmonton who will be stuffing the ballot box in the vote for ‘NHL’s Best Connor’.

- Lie if he has to - and he’ll have to, because he has never in his life eaten fast food - but tell Chicagoans how much he loves Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

- Do not antagonize Chicago citizens by mispronouncing ‘the Bears’. It’s ‘Da Bears.’

- Don’t worry about liv-

ing up to expectations in his rookie year. Like, if he doesn’t hit his sweater number in goals (98), there’s always next year.

- Never forget to tell people how much he admired Richard Daley, even though he might have to check Wikipedia to find out who Richard Daley was.

- Don’t become buddies with Chicago’s most famous athlete, Michael Jordan, because he’s likely to take him for a financial ride on the golf course.

- Do not skip hockey practice and slack off downtown just because a neighbour said it was the 37th anniversary of the release of the Chicagobased movie ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

- Avoid telling the media that he doesn’t like windy days.

- Don’t try too hard in practice to avoid ruining the confidence of the Blackhawk goalies.

- Maintain his humility when he’s voted the most wholesome and nicest player in the NHL.

- Laugh at the jokes

people make about him being able to skate on water, whether it’s frozen or not.

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “ABC news reported a pair of bald eagles with twin hatchlings were nesting above an Arizona golf course. If you’re scoring at home, that’s a double eagle on top of two birdies.”

• Steve Simmons of Sunmedia: “With signings of Corey Perry, Nick Foligno, and the deal for Taylor Hall, the Blackhawks are apparently surrounding (Connor) Bedard with the 2015 NHL all-star team.”

• Comedy writer Gary Bachman: “Tuesday, July 11 is the MLB All-Star game or as Mets players call it - a day at the beach.”

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “Nothing says the Fourth of July in today’s America like Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut winning the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. After all, as our founding fathers said in the Declaration of Independence, ‘All men are endowed

with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of gorging ourselves on processed animal parts.’”

• Jack Finarelli at his website sportscurmudgeon. com, on a proposed NBA in-season tournament helping to spike interest in the playoffs: “Hey, it could happen - just as it could happen that next year’s Kentucky Derby winner will be a latterday Mr. Ed and give his own interviews after the race.”

• Finarelli again, after referencing the 16-inning 1963 MLB game in which Juan Marichal of the Giants threw 227 pitches and the Braves’ Warren Spahn threw 201 as both went the distance: “A pitching coach somewhere just felt a twinge in his elbow simply because I typed that information.”

• A groaner from RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “A recent workspace disagreement between two German circus families escalated into a melee with stick swinging, fisti-

Be careful out there, Connor Bedard REPORT

The Elks had an opportunity to score the games opening points but kicker Dean Faithful missed the field goal, the Elks got on the board but only a single. One is the loneliest number, a popular song by Three Dog Night and also a theme for Edmonton’s game in Regina.

On the next Saskatchewan possession the Roughriders were Rollin’ down the field until a turnover on downs gave the ball back to Edmonton. The Elks had the ball to end the first quarter with a 1-0 lead.

In the second quarter the Elks kept living single when Jake Julien sent two punts into the end zone to make it a 3-0 game until the closing minutes of the first half Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris found Mitch Picton for

gains of 39 and 17 yards on the final Saskatchewan drive of the half. The Roughriders got all the way down to the Edmonton eight yard line setting up a 16 yard field goal attempt. Brett Lauther sent the ball through the uprights tying the game at three, the score remained that way at half-time.

Everyone in Rider Nation was hoping there wouldn’t be a heartache tonight but did not have a peaceful easy feeling with the game being tied at half time. Would Rider Nation be celebrating good times at the end of the game or would it be Edmonton leaving on a jet plane with the two points and a rare win.

The Elks opened the scoring in the third quarter when Julien once again punted the ball into the end zone for an Edmonton single. All the single points, all the single points made it a 4-3 Elks lead. Later on in the third quarter the game’s first touchdown was scored when Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius was able to break on through to the other side of the goal line and score from one yard out. Edmonton took an 11-3 lead and the score stayed the same through three quarters of play.

To paraphrase a line from former Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora, the Saskatchewan Roughrid-

ers couldn’t do diddly poo offensively for the first 58 minutes and 56 seconds of the game. The Roughriders trailed 11-3 with just over a minute to go in the fourth quarter. Harris once again connected with Picton this time for a four yard touchdown! The Riders found the end zone and now trailed 11-9. Sixty-four seconds remaining, Saskatchewan needed to go for two to tie the game.

On the ensuing play Trevor Harris remained clutch, finding Kendall Watson in the end zone for two! The two point convert was successful and the game was tied!

Then the CFL happened.

The old phrase never turn off a CFL game in the final three minutes because anything can and probably will happen was true in this one. Saskatchewan tied up the game with one minute and four seconds left in the game. The very next play Brett Lauther sent a booming kickoff over the head of the rookie Edmonton returner, CJ Sims, the ball bounced into the end zone for a single point. A more experienced returner would have known to bring the ball out and not give up the point in a tie game but the rookie American forgot that rule and gave the Riders the lead by conceding the

cuffs and finally shots being fired. Police at the time said it was like a hockey brawl, but more in tents.”

• Headline at fark.com: “Good idea: Livening up the ballpark with events like a dog night or a fireworks show. Bad idea: Livening up the ballpark with a dog night and fireworks show on the same night.”

• Another one from fark. com: “Wimbledon dismayed to find its prayer rooms are being used by patrons to score lovelove.”

• Steve Simmons again, quoting the late sports columnist Jim Hunt, who posed a question to Argos QB Chuck Ealey, a religious man, after he threw five or six interceptions. Ealey explained it by saying it was ‘God’s will.’ Without missing a beat, Hunt from the back of the pack, said: “Can’t God read defences either?” Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca

rouge. Saskatchewan led 12-11 on the Edmonton mistake.

In a New York Minute, anything can change. Saskatchewan now had the lead but Edmonton had plenty of time on the clock to try and get into field goal range. Taylor Cornelius from the shotgun formation found Maurice French over the middle for a 30 yard gain. The play was mired by controversy because it appeared Cornelius was over the line of scrimmage which would of negated the big play but Rider nation found out that you can’t always get what you want. The command centre ruled that Cornelius did not cross the line of scrimmage prior to the ball being thrown and the big play stood.

The Elks were moving the ball, they had it at the Saskatchewan 50 yard line with plenty of time on the clock. On first and 10 Taylor Cornelius’ pass was incomplete intended for former Roughrider

Kyran Moore. Second and 10 at the Saskatchewan 50-yard line, Edmonton lines up in the shotgun formation. Taylor Cornelius looks down-field for his Edmonton teammate instead finds Nic Marshall of Saskatchewan, Marshall intercepts Cornelius to seal the win for the Roughriders. For the second consecutive week Marshall was the hero with the game winning interception. On the next play Saskatchewan would kneel down to kill the clock and end the game.

Final score Riders 12 Elks 11.

The Roughriders improve to three wins and one loss but a lot of fans on social media feel the record isn’t pretty, it just looks that way. The Roughriders are off to a strong start and have a 3-1 record but it’s a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll. Next up is a home date with the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.

Busse Law ProfessionaL CorPoration Barristers & Solicitors

Stuart A. Busse, KC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B.

302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

306-948-3346

…serving your community since 1972

Attention: Deanna Stevenot

Please proof Business & Professional directory ad to be published for the next 52 weeks (year) for $403.00 plus gst. Bill has been sent

Franchise Advertising Payables & Inquiries #102 - 9622 - 42 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya Phone: 780-448-2166; Fax: 780-438-1233; email: CSC-Edmonton.accountspayable@hrblock.ca

PROOF

Please check this copy carefully for spelling and accuracy. When you OK this proof, we cannot be held responsible for any errors that remain

Please approve and return by:_______________________ OK as is.

Make corrections as noted and schedule additional proof. Make corrections as noted and proceed with production without additional proof.

Initials____________

THURSDAY,

Business & Professional …

- together with -

Co-Ed Fitness

Centre

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar 306-948-9750

www.newufitness.ca

ARIES – Mar 21/ Apr 20

Aries, there are tips and tricks to learn through observation of others, particularly if those people are doing something with style. Keep your eyes peeled for inspiration.

TAURUS – Apr 21/ May 21

Taurus, let other people know what you are feeling by wearing your heart on your sleeve a little more often. You don’t have to be stoic all of the time. It is alright to ask for help as well.

GEMINI – May

22/Jun 21

It may seem like the days this week will trickle by at a snail’s pace, Gemini. It is perfectly fine to enjoy some slow-moving days for a change to help you recharge.

CANCER – Jun

22/Jul 22

Cancer, kick up your flirtatious nature, particularly if you have your eye on someone and are eager to start a relationship. Those who are attached can rekindle the passion.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, share your optimism and level-headedness with someone who could use your support right now. You have an uncanny way of making others feel relaxed just by being in your company.

FLOWERS CUSTOM WEDDING DECORATING & EVENTS RENTALS

306-948-9750

102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, Sask. newufitness@sasktel.net

VIRGO – Aug 24/ Sept 22

An interesting travel opportunity comes your way, Virgo. However, at first glance it might not seem like the type of trip you would normally take. Keep an open mind and be surprised.

LIBRA – Sept 23/ Oct 23

Libra, if you do not like the way things are going in one of your relationships, it is alright to speak up and encourage change. You are an equal partner and compromise is necessary.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you have to jump on every opportunity to get ahead that is presented to you, even if it may temporarily upset your schedule and life. The investment will be worth it.

SAGITTARIUS –Nov 23/Dec 21

Get involved with helping others as much as possible, Sagittarius. This way you will be in the unique position to help someone close to you who needs it soon enough.

CAPRICORN –Dec 22/Jan 20

$50.00 + $2.50 gst = $52.50

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-13 HAULING

Rockin D

Trucking & Cattle

• Cattle Hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer

• Grain Hauling

• round and large square bale hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers

• also buying and selling straw and forage

• also Machinery Hauling

Dan • 306-948-7843

306.237.7671

Troy May, owner/operator

Fax: 306-237-TROY

email: tmay@hotmail.ca

HEATING

306-948-3389

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff Biggar, Sask.

2 col/6

Capricorn, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish when you lay on the charm. Others will flock to you this week and want to hear what you have to say.

Passenger Services

2

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Dr. Kirk Ewen

Dr. Michelle Skoretz Doctors of Optometry In BIGGAR

122 Main St. - Biggar Depot Macklin to Saskatoon & towns in-between Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments

Brett…

Enjoy every meeting of minds that you encounter, Aquarius. Each relationship and discussion can help broaden your horizons, and you can use that information wisely.

Price… 2.5 inches = $201.50 plus gst per 6-month prepaid commitment.

PISCES – Feb 19/ Mar 20

Pisces, no matter how good a partnership looks on paper, if you are not meshing with this individual then it is not a partnership worth pursuing. Focus your attention elsewhere.

Please get back to me with changes/corrections by return email this morning.

Thanks Urla

Monday

or 306-951-0098 SERVICES Naty/Michael…

This

GALLARDO Liner

ester of acetic acid

42. Sodium 44. Military official (abbr.) 45. Lighted 46. Took off 47. All 48. Ohio city 50. More abject 51. A radio band 52. Controversial tech product (abbr.)

Do you like meeting people? Would you like to sell a product that helps families protect themselves?

54. Monetary unit

String Bean Salad

1lb fresh green and yellow beans

2tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1tsp maple syrup

2tsp WATKINS ORGANIC GARLIC SALT GRINDER

MUSIC

1/2tspWATKINS GROUND BLACK PEPPER

-clean and cut fresh beans into 3 to 4 in., long pieces

61. The Golden State

62. Home of the Longhorns

Lo-Cost Entry and Free Education For More Info: dale@dtjssb.ca or 951-7700 948-3344

55. Passed with flying colors 57. A way to win a boxing match

-bring medium sized pot, half filled with water to a boil

-add beans.

-Cover

D.J. Music for all occasions, pop, rock, country, new, edm, light show included Marriage Commissioner For More Info: dale@dtjssb.ca or 951-7700 948-3344

-bring back to rolling simmer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes

-drain

-in a bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, WATKINS ORGANIC GARLIC SALT GRINDER and WATKINS PEPPER

-until combined

-add warm beans and toss to coat

-cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, up to 24 hours

FARMERS

John Thomas Nakonechny passed away on July 1, 2023 at the Biggar and District Long Term Care Facility at the age of 92 years. John was born on November 21, 1930 to Konrad and Anastasia Nakonechny in Dodsland SK.

On November 8, 1952 John married Doryne Margaret Kilback. They farmed and resided on the former Claude Robinson farm southwest of Ruthilda until after Doryne’s passing when John moved to Biggar in 2017.

John is survived by two sons: Darryl Nakonechny (Elaine) and their daughter Kira Martindale (Pat and their daughters Reese and Sydney) of Lethbridge, AB and son Kevin Nakonechny (Kendal and their son Brighton) of Calgary, AB; and Murray Nakonechny and his son Jason Nakonechny (Lea and their son Brady) of Dodsland and his daughter Jennifer Nakonechny of Saskatoon, SK.

He is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Vi Kilback of Nanaimo, BC and Helen Kilback of Burnaby, BC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

John was predeceased by his wife of 64 years Doryne, an infant son, daughter-in-law Myrna Nakonechny, his parents, Konrad and Anastasia, brother Peter, sister Mary, parentin-laws Valentine and Margaret Kilback, brothers-in-law Ken Jewell, Norman, Harold, Jim, Don, Morgan, Walter and Gordon Kilback, sisters-in-law Joyce Nakonechny, Eileen, Laura and Joyce Kilback and half sister-in-law Annie Stratillo.

John grew up on a farm south of Plenty until 1943 when he moved with his family to the

Myles McMillan farm six miles southwest of Ruthilda. He attended school at Garvagh, Glengarry Plains and Ruthilda.

John actively participated in baseball, hockey and curling. He was an exceptional pitcher and played on teams from Ruthilda and Plenty. He also enjoyed watching sports, in particular his teams the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Blue Jays.

His love of gardening resulted in more produce than they could use and was happy to share the extra with others. In addition he had a beautiful yard with many flower beds and containers which kept him busy with watering during the sometimes hot and dry summer months.

He loved to fish and hunt and made numerous fishing trips to northern Saskatchewan. Hunting waterfowl resulted in lifelong friendships with hunters from Minnesota.

John enjoyed being active in the community and served on the advisory committee of the local Saskatchewan Wheat Pool at Downe siding. In addition, he always helped out at the yearly Ruthilda sports day.

John will be remembered as a welcoming and caring person, who enjoyed visits with family and friends. Details for the celebration of John’s life will be announced at a later date. Tributes for John may be directed to The Canadian Cancer Society or The Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan. Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.

Celebration of Life

ROBERT “BOB” GORON TYLER

will be held on Saturday July 15th at11:00a.m. at the Biggar United Church with lunch to immediately follow at the Biggar Community Hall. Internment will be at a later date.

Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, Telemiracle or the Biggar United Church

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life will be held at New Horizons, Biggar on July 15 at 2 PM.

The family invites all those who knew Joyce to attend and share their memories. Lunch to follow.

OF BIGGAR PRESENTS

Backyard Kids Club

For ages 8-10

Tuesdays 10-11am at 412 7th Ave West Games, stories, snacks, crafts, prizes and all around fun!

Call Becky at 250-462-2824 for more info

Thank you all for cards and best wishes on my birthday.

Thanks to my family for the lovely tea party and barbeque.

Thanks to all who sent condolences on the death of my brother Charlie Martin

St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330

Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m.

Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m.

our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis

Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.

Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans

St.Pauls Anglican Redeemer Lutheran 205 4th Ave. E 319 7th Ave. E

AUGUST 27 at REDEEMER LUTHERAN ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!

Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately)

Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar

Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

All are welcome to come and join us Biggar United ChUrCh

No Services for July

Next Church Service is August 13, 2023 For Emergency Service please call the Church office phone.

INQUIRIES CALL CHURCH OFFICE 306-948-2280

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

SATURDAY SERVICES

BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m.

CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m. 320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-948-2481

3 abn www.amazingfacts.org

NEW

“The Lord’s mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness(Lamentations3:22-23)”

You are Invited

Sunday Tea and Coffee -10:15am Worship - 10:30am NEW HORIZONS 117 3rd Ave. W, Biggar For more info - Philip Watson - 250-487-8476

Carruthers

Sincerely Monique

Biggar RCMP continue investigating telemarketing scams

by Cst. Chad Mehl, Biggar RCMP

The Biggar RCMP have received a number of complaints this past week regarding telephone scams, specifically, scammers claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House.

The scam process works like this.

Scammers from highly organized and large call centres, such as in India, get a hold of telemarketing call lists for a particular area in North America. These call lists contain the first name, last name, and telephone number of a recipient. Because ninedigit telephone numbers in North America have internationally standardized three-digit long distance area codes and the next three-digit numbers are pre-assigned to a local province or state, with a simple Internet search, the geographic location of the area code and region codes of a nine-digit number are easily found online.

That’s how the scammers are able to tell the country, province, and town location of the person on the call lists.

The scammers often

make it sound like they know where the person lives, when in fact they only have the previous information. In this example, the scammers said they are from Publisher’s Clearing House and told the recipients of the calls that they won $6,000,000, a new house, or another large prize. In order to obtain the winnings, the recipients were asked to provide the scammers money, such as $500 or other agreed upon amount. The scammer asked the recipients to go to a store, buy a preauthorized credit card, or iTunes card, et cetera. The recipient would then have to provide the credit card number or iTunes card numbers to scammer over the phone, which can be cashed in by the scammer anywhere on the planet and is not traceable. In one report, the scammers insisted on meeting with the recipient with a cheque to deposit in their account for a fee for their services. If the recipient agrees to that arrangement, undoubtedly, the cheque would be counterfeit, and an excuse made as to why the scammer could not be physi-

cally present with them to make the deposit.

The scammers use prepaid telephone numbers from all over North America to call from and communicate on the telephone number with a computer and microphone. If they believe their telephone number is compromised, they move onto using the next prepaid telephone number and continue the scam. The scammer will often speak with a foreign accent, but will use English North American, very generic first and last names when they introduce themselves.

The Biggar RCMP are advising the public that you will NEVER have to provide money to collect any prize and that this is always a scam.

If successful or if they have a suspicion they will be successful on a recipient, the scammers will flag the victim on their local computer for future repeated attempts at telephone scamming. Sometimes the scammer will call repeatedly many times a day and be relentless with calling over and over and over again day after day.

It is best recommended

to immediately cease all phone contact with these scammers and, if possible, block the scammers’ numbers. Never provide scammers any personal identifiable information, such as confirming your full name, date of birth, SIN number, credit card number, address, or mailing information.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to stop these overseas, very organized telephone criminals. The best way for preventing falling victim to a telephone scam is education, to recognize the signs that it is a scam to begin with and upon doing so, tell them they are scammers, immediately, hang up, and cease contact with the scammer. Eventually the scammer will move on to a potential next victim on their call list.

Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it is a scam.

If you have been the victim of this recent Publisher’s Clearing House scam or any other telephone scam and you have lost money as a result, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-88-495-8501.

More people working in Saskatchewan

More people are working in the province than ever before with 604,700 people working today in Saskatchewan. Regina and Saskatoon are also seeing record levels of employment at 148,300 and 198,800, respectively.

Newly released labour force figures from Statistics Canada for June also show strong labour force growth in Saskatchewan with 3,300 new jobs when compared to June 2022, and 1,800 new jobs when compared to May 2023.

“Saskatchewan has seen more than two years of consistent job growth and has asserted itself as a province of growth and opportunity, adding nearly 8,000 new jobs since the start of 2023 alone,” Minister of Immigration and Career Training Jeremy Harrison said. “Our government is looking to the future as the province sees exceptional labour participation rates and continued private capital investments, both of which are propelling Saskatchewan’s continued growth.”

The provincial seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 per cent ranked third among provinces, and below the national average of 5.4

per cent.

June 2023 saw all-time historical highs (aged 15 and over), with: Saskatchewan’s labour force reaching 623,200; Saskatchewan’s total employment reaching 604,700; Saskatchewan’s full-time employment reaching 503,200; Regina’s employment reaching 148,300; and Saskatoon’s employment reaching 198,800.

Major year-over-year gains were reported for: Transportation and warehousing, up 5,000, representing an increase of 19.9 per cent; Business, building and other support services, up 3,300, representing an increase of 30.3 per cent, and; Professional, scientific and technical services, up 3,200, representing an increase of 10 per cent.

Saskatchewan has seen growth across several key indicators in recent months. The provincial population grew by 6,821 to 1,221,439 in the first quarter of 2023, and is the largest population increase in more than a century. Saskatchewan also led Canada in GDP growth last year at 5.7 per cent and is projected by the Conference Board of Canada to see strong

provincial GDP growth of 2.5 per cent in 2023, and 1.9 per cent in 2024 while continuing to lead Canada. When paired with record breaking exports of $52 billion globally, $29.3 billion to the Unit-

ed States, and 45 per cent increase to year-overyear wholesale trade in April, Saskatchewan continues to show healthy and robust provincial and economic growth.

Biggar Central School teachers attend Ottawa conference ... On June 9 and 10 Biggar teachers travelled to Ottawa for the Canadian Playful Schools Network (CPSN) conference at the University of Ottawa. Biggar teachers Stephen Hadden, Molly Clark, Jennelle Minish and Angela Sparks (left to right) visited Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek MP Kelly Block (centre). In Ottawa, the teachers gave a presentation on the BCS2000 outdoor education activities from this past school year. While in Ottawa, the Biggar teachers were a guest of Block, attending a Question Period. The trip was funded by a grant from CPSN. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Angela Sparks)