FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020
WEYBURN THIS WEEK - PAGE 5
SaskEnergy offers rebates
Program to support heating efficiency and safety
Taking a walk on a warm November day
Photo — Sabrina Kraft
Students from Queen Elizabeth School took advantage of the warm weather on Nov. 4, as they took a walk from their school over to the site of the new elementary school, Legacy Park Elementary, under construction on Fifth Street. Teacher Caroline Gillies, at rear right, wanted her class to check out the progress of the construction of the new school, which will open in September of 2021.
Fed government moves to improve connectivity By Brian Zinchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The 80s may have wanted their MTV, but 2020s rural Canada wants their Wi-Fi. And the federal Liberal government is doing something about it, announcing a $1.75 billion program to improve connectivity, principally in rural areas of the country. And in an era where Elon Musk’s SpaceX is developing a low-earth orbit constellation of satellites called Starlink to provide high-speed connectivity to rural areas around the world, accessible by consumers, the Canadian government is turning to a made-in-Canada solution, using Ottawa-based Telesat. Telesat’s model is to work with other providers to provide the consumerfacing product. In a press conference in Ottawa, Prime Minister Trudeau said on Nov. 9, “Our government is launching the $1.75 billion universal broadband fund to connect all Canadians to high speed Internet. “This fund will be used to build infrastructure across the country, almost
entirely in rural and remote communities. And for places that are just too far to reach, including in remote areas in the north, we’ve reached a $600 million agreement with Telesat for satellite capacity to improve broadband, along with the $2 billion we’ve already put down for broadband through the Canada infrastructure bank’s growth plan. We’re making real investments in Canadians, their success, and in their future.” Trudeau continued, “Today’s investment puts us on track to get 98 per cent of Canadians connected to high speed Internet in the next few years, and everyone connected a few years after that. These are ambitious targets, and we’re ready to meet them. In fact, to accelerate our progress, right now, these need to succeed.” Trudeau said his government had spent $6 billion over the last five years to connect 1.2 million households to high-speed Internet, nearly 10 times the $700 million the previous Conservative government had spent. The fund was boosted
$750 million from the original $1 billion in the 2019 budget. Information provided by the government notes the strategy is to connect every Canadian by 2030. The strategy is to reach 98 per cent of the population by 2026. Elements of the program include a “rapid response stream,” with up to $150 million allocated for projects that will be completed quickly and be in service by Nov. 15, 2021. For large-impact projects, the Canada Infrastructure Bank will be brought in as a partner for projects that are “transformative in terms of results and scope,” according to a backgrounder provided. There’s also funding for “a diversity of projects,” from “small ISPs (internet service providers), municipal-led projects, Indigenous projects, as well as projects from the larger ISPs.” A further $50 million is included for mobility projects benefitting Indigenous peoples. This includes along highways and roads, as well as Indigenous communities. The agreement with Telesat is to secure high-
speed Internet capacity over Canada through the company’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Telesat’s constellation will utilize next-generation technology to significantly improve connectivity in rural and remote Canada, including the far north. Telesat’s website says its LEO network is truly global, noting, “every point on earth is covered, including polar regions.” The company plans on expanding its low earth orbit constellation to 298 satellites by 2023, with plans to build out its constellation to up to 1,600 satellites down the road to meet demand. Under the agreement, the Government has committed up to $600 million to secure capacity on Ottawa-based Telesat’s LEO satellite constellation. This capacity will be made available to Internet service providers at a reduced rate in order to provide high-speed, reliable Internet access to the most challenging rural and remote communities in Canada, Telesat noted in a release.
As the winter heating season begins, SaskEnergy has launched three programs to assist homeowners across the province with home equipment upgrades, maintenance and safety. SaskEnergy’s Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate, the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rebate, and a second phase of the Tune-Up Assistance Program (TAP) are available to residents as of Nov. 2. Building on its successful Residential Furnace Rebate in 2019, SaskEnergy has renamed and expanded the program for 2020-21 to include monetary rebates for the purchase and installation of qualifying high-efficiency natural gas furnaces, boilers, combiboilers, HRVs, and water heaters through SaskEnergy Network Members. Rebate amounts will vary depending on the eligible equipment being installed. “Last year, SaskEnergy provided more than $1 million in support for Saskatchewan customers through rebate programs,” said Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Responsible for SaskEnergy. “The expanded Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate will support homeowner investments in upgraded, energyefficient equipment and optimize home energy use, which will save customers both energy and money.” As the temperatures drop and furnaces across the province are firing up, it is important that home-
owners take steps to ensure that their furnace(s) run as efficiently and safely as possible through proper maintenance. SaskEnergy’s Tune-Up Assistance Program (TAP) has provided quality furnace maintenance to 1,300 low-income homeowners across the province over the past four years. The 2020 program was launched in June, and SaskEnergy is now opening a second application period to reach additional homeowners this winter. Qualified applicants receive a free Home Heating Tune-Up from a local SaskEnergy Network Member, two furnace filters, a carbon monoxide alarm, and up to $100 in equipment repairs if required. In addition to the program expansions, SaskEnergy is also offering a rebate on carbon monoxide alarms from participating retailers across the province. The $10 rebate will be applied at the point of purchase in 139 stores across 75 communities until Jan. 31, 2021. Carbon monoxide alarms are the first line of defense when it comes to protecting residents from carbon monoxide poisoning. More information about the Residential Equipment Replacement Rebate, the Tune-Up Assistance Program, and the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rebate can be found at www.saskenergy.com. Interested applicants can also contact SaskEnergy’s Customer Solutions at customersolutions@saskenergy.com.
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