SaskEnergy offers rebates

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 highspeed 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.

SaskEnergy offers rebates Program to support heating efficiency and safety

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 homeowners 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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Weyburn hosts Radville for U18 league game

Photo 5231 — Melissa Beres

The Weyburn Barber Motors U-18 team hosted the Radville Nats on Friday evening at Crescent Point Place, which was Radville’s first regular season game. Radville came away with the 5-1 victory. Those in attendance sat in their household groups and wore masks, as per COVID guidelines.

Weyburn Red Wings see lots of positives during home opener

By Sabrina Kraft

The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings hosted a home game against the Notre Dame Hounds on Saturday evening to open their regular season. The Red Wings lost 5-4 to the Hounds in overtime.

“Overall, there were lots of positives about the game,” said Rich Pilon, head coach for the Red Wings. “There was a span of 11 minutes where we were disorganized, but it was nice to see our team get their attention back on the game.”

Pilon noted that a few different lines stood out, but overall everyone was good. “The lines were pretty solid. Since we are still a younger team, there was a little bit of a few guys who couldn’t manage the puck, but that will come. We just need to get the players to have their mindset on the game.”

In the first period, Jackson Hassman opened up scoring in the last five minutes of the first period, with assists from Drew Kuzma and Shayde Peterson. The Hounds dominated the second period by adding four goals, one of which was scored during a power play.

The Red Wings tied up the game in the third period. Dante Ballarin scored in the first two minutes, assisted by Shayde Peterson and Ian Maier. Liam Antoniuk scored later in the period, with assists from Graham Skinner and JD Hall. Braden Birnie added the tying goal late in the period, assisted by Mathew Rathbone and Liam Antoniuk. In the overtime period, Notre Dame claimed the win with a goal scored in the first 50 seconds.

The Red Wings were going to play the Hounds in Notre Dame on Monday night, but the game was postponed due to the weather conditions.

Pilon feels that the Hounds would present a good challenge for the Red Wings this season. “They are also a young team. They skate very well and we will have to work hard to match their speed.”

The next home game for the Red Wings will be Friday, Nov. 13, when they face up against Melville at Crescent Point Place at 7:30 p.m. Due to COVID-19 restrictions; the Red Wing hockey club can only allow 150 people into the game. There will be a online auction of tickets on their Social Media pages.

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Shot on net blocked by goalie

Richardson Pioneer Red Wings centre Mathew Rathbone checked over his shoulder as his shot from the back of the net was blocked by the Notre Dame Hounds goaltender. This was part of the Wings season home opener held on November 7 at Crescent Point Place. They were edged out in this game by 5-4 in overtime by the Hounds, and their Monday night game was postponed due to weather. Photo — Sabrina Kraft

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