Marketplace 2023-04-14

Norquay and Kamsack Firefighters attend Canadian Firefighter Curling Championship

Courtesy of Kamsack Times

The Canadian Firefighter Curling Championship recently took place in Prince Edward Island, with teams from across the country participating.

Ken Newell, a member of the Saskatchewan team originally from Kamsack and Norquay, spoke with the Kamsack Times about his team’s experience at the championship. He said, “Well, it was an honour, that’s for sure. It was an honour to represent Saskatchewan and our

little town and all of the fire departments in Saskatchewan. It was, it was quite an experience. We’ve never curled in anything like that before in our lives. So it was a learning curve for us a little bit. The people there were phenomenal. Fantastic. The camaraderie between the fire departments and the firemen themselves was just unbelievable. So, I’m looking forward to trying to get back next year already. It was a real good experience.”

Newell’s team went

three and six overall, finishing sixth, which he said was not too terrible for a first-time team, saying, “There were a couple of teams there that were really, really good. And we gave them a run for a little bit, but then they ended up beating us. So overall, I think we performed fairly well. Everybody said that we represented well, on and off the ice. So that means a lot.”

He hopes to make it to the championship again next year, which will be held in Moosomin, Sask. “I’ve

The event was held in Prince Edward Island, the team won three and lost six overall, finishing sixth in the Championship

been trying for the last eight or nine years to make it and my team has lost the provincial final three out of the last six years, and I think a semi-flat final one other year out of that. So we’ve been there, like right there for over the last six years. We finally made

it this year, and you just have a little more incentive to get there since now we know what it’s about. The people you meet and everything is just phenomenal, just unbelievable. It’s an experience that since I’ve curled for 41 years I’ve never felt anything like this

experience that we’ve just had. So it was unbelievable,” said Newell.

The championship is open to any interested fire departments that meet specific regulations, and the provincials will be held in Prince Albert next year.

Local bowlers do well at provincials

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Local bowlers represented the North East zone at the Open Provincials in Saskatoon on the weekend.

The event was a qualifying event with gold medal-winning teams advancing to Nationals in Edmonton for the Canadian Open

Championship May 30-June 3.

The Canadian 5-Pin Bowling championships are a 3-step event, having to qualify in your zone, then win provincials to attend nationals.

The local team of Diane Syrota (coach), Jenn Haas, Cole Painter, Holly Stratulat, Sharla Schrader, Brent Krochak, and Cole

Krochak came home with provincial bronze medals.

Other teams representing the North East were as follows:

Men’s team: Carter Zich, Stan Salisbury, Cam Loutit, Chris Wilson, Matthew Dekker, Orest Shular, and coach Leigh Ann Beihn

Women’s team: Casey Bogdan, Megan

invites you to a

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St. Anthony’s Parish HallRama, Saskatchewan

Doors Open at 12:30 • Concert at 1:30 pm FREE Admission • 50/5Os • Door Prizes

For more information, contact Mary Kowalyshyn (306) 593-6120.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

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Saturday, April 22 - 10am-5pm

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Submitted Photo

Lyons, Myrna Ruthven, Theresa McKenzie, Laurie Unger, Brittany

Schaefer, and coach Wanda Sweatman The men’s team came

in 5th place, while the ladies finished in 4th place.

Photo (left to right): Diane Syrota (coach), Jenn Haas, Cole Painter, Holly Stratulat, Sharla Schrader, Brent Krochak, Cole Krochak.

The Sask team in the Canadian Firefighter Curling Championship consisted of, Ken Newell (Skip), Evan Rostotski (Third), Jason Lukey (Second), Jared Lukey (Lead), and Ian Wainright (Director).

IN BRIEF

Breaking the rules

A google search of “wise inspirational thoughts of the day” brought up these “7 Rules of Life”. There are people who spend time thinking these up, just to have someone with no respect for their “wisdom” come along and tromp all over them. And … that person would be me!

“Let it Go. Never ruin a good day by thinking about a bad yesterday”. Although letting things go, especially circumstances we have no control over, may be valid advice, it seems that this particular gem is lacking substance. I know it’s not the “in thing” to ever feel sad, but you won’t die if you don’t feel happy all the time. Sometimes a bad day is normal.

“Ignore Them. Don’t listen to other people. Live a life that’s empowering to YOU”.

No need to wonder why narcissism is the fastest growing psychiatric problem in society today. Don’t listen to other people? Seriously?! Never listening or learning from others? Could there be WORSE advice?

“Give it Time. Time heals everything”. Who thought this up? Time heals nothing. The only thing time is helpful for is allowing us to age, so our brains atrophy and we eventually forget. It’s not time that heals the worst in our pasts. It’s dementia.

“Don’t Compare. The only person you should try to beat is the person you were yesterday”. What if you liked yourself yesterday? As far as beating yourself goes … I know I was a more successful student when I had someone else in my class who was “the kid to beat”. Healthy competition is not a bad

PATTIE JANZEN

Laugh at Life... Revisited

thing. Would anything in our world advance if we only tried to “beat” our measly selves?

“Stay Calm. It’s okay not to have everything figured out. Know that IN TIME you’ll get there”. Again with the time! If you’re living with this as your mantra, you might as well paste a post-it note to your forehead with the words “Lazy Oaf Waiting For Something To Happen” written in bold letters. Again, “time” is not a wisdommaker. Lets face it — highly successful people

Student – Teacher hockey raises near $12K

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The 34th annual Student – Teacher Benefit Hockey Game was held at Westland Arena on April 5.

The match featured 16 student players from Sacred Heart High School and the Yorkton Regional High School up against 17 teachers as well as referees from both groups.

“This year we had two students that we were supporting,” said Rhett Reeve, Student Support Teacher at the YRHS, in an interview with Yorkton This Week, noting Lilly Hartman from SHHS and Lois Narido from the YRHS would be the beneficiaries of the raised funds.

Reeve said Hartman was born with Spina Bifida and Narido was recently

diagoned with Lupus.

Reeve noted the funds will be helping with some of the different supports the students need as a result of their illnesses and disabilities and said the funds would be split down the middle for the pair.

“We’re still anticipating some to come in but as of right now we were just shy of $12,000,” said Reeve in regard to the funds raised.

“This is the first year we’ve had it since I want to say 2019–pre-COVID was the last one,” said Reeve of the match that saw the teachers win.

“We were very happy with the turnout–there was a bit more people there than we were expecting,” said Reeve, adding, “we were more than pleased with the attendance and the support from the community was awesome.”

haven’t sat around doing nothing. Stay calm, sure, but you’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll get more things figured out if you get to work!

“It’s On You. Only YOU are in charge of your happiness”. Again, is it really only about YOU and how happy you are? Think about the moments when you’ve felt happier and more fulfilled. Is it when you think only of yourself as the most important person in the universe? Or is it when you’ve done something for some-

one else or showed you cared by helping another person … even when it didn’t make you feel particularly excited? I hope I never meet the person that thought these up! If I do, the temptation to slap them upside the head might overtake me. Then I’d go to jail and wouldn’t feel happy. Since happiness is the only goal for this, “the ridiculous seven” , I better never meet this person.

“Smile. Life is short. Enjoy it while you have it”. What a mouthful of … crap! Not that smiling is a bad thing but if you’re only out for kicks and giggles in the vapour of a lifetime you’ve been granted, guess what? You are going to be sadly disappointed … hmm … I’m guessing at least eighty percent of the time!

As you can tell, I feel concerned if this is what

is considered “inspirational” now. Although I believe in a healthy selfesteem, I know that only happens when we think of others more than ourselves. That may sound wrong these days, but it’s not. Try experiencing real joy and a feeling of accomplishment on the other side of working hard for something, or doing things for someone else. Help others! Yes - even at the expense of your own comfort. You’ll never feel better than when THEY smile because you’ve helped to lift them up. Life isn’t all posies and peppermints. Sadly, if the above seven points is what “inspires” people these days, I’m not surprised that our suicide rates are up. I encourage everyone, myself included, to break these 7 rules and start caring about others, more than ourselves! (pdjanzen.com)

A shootout for the youths was held during an intermission at the benefit game.

Toronto Sixes take Isobel Cup

The Toronto Maple Leafs might be in the midst of the longest Stanley Cup drought in the NHL – it is a very long time since 1967 – but TO does have a championship hockey team.

The Toronto Six won the 2023 Isobel Cup March 26, emblematic of being the top team in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).

“What a surreal moment for all of us,” Winnipeg-born defenceman Kati Tabin told Yorkton This Week in a recent interview. “It was an absolute grind for the whole playoffs.”

The final was a classic needing extra time before the Six edged the Minnesota Whitecaps 4-3. It was the first vic-

tory by a Canadian team – Montreal is the other franchise in Canada having just joined the PHF this season.

Tabin said there is no doubt the dramatic finish added to the emotion of the win.

“Obviously, if we had won 5-0 I don’t think it would feel as good,” she said. “Going into overtime and winning adds to it . . . It was just crazy. It’s still hard to put into words.”

Considering the Six are a fairly new franchise -- the team was founded in 2020 with their inaugural regular season held in Lake Placid, New York due to COVID – the team was still a confident bunch in the final.

“In between (periods)

CALVIN DANIELS

Sports

we all had confidence in each other . . . We were all just trying to pump each other’s tire,” said Tabin. “There wasn’t a moment in the game I felt we were going to lose.”

Tabin said it was a case of the Six finding confidence way back at the start of the season, and building on it.

“From day one we built connections,” she

said.

Tabin said there was a realization the Six has “this incredible group,” one they felt could “go all the way this year.”

In Tabin’s case it was contributing as best she could as the schedule moved on.

“I just try to help as much as I can every single game,” she said.

While the win was

huge for the Six, it was also a big one for the continued development of women’s hockey.

Tabin said to start it’s just great the PHF exists giving women a place to play and get paid, adding that has not always been the case.

When Tabin was five she said, “I never saw a future, a dream of having my NHL.”

The PHF is the dream for young female hockey players today, suggested Tabin, adding she believes the opportunities will continue.

“It’s just going to continue to grow,” she said.

Tabin said things such as having games on TSN and ESPN add profile and put more eyes on the game, which is huge. She

said building an audience is a challenge.

“That’s the hardest part, just getting people out,” she said, adding once people attend games they will see a good brand of hockey.

A championship for a Canadian team is another “step in the right direction,” said Tabin, adding it helps the sport and league gain some recognition amid the varied pro sport options in Toronto.

The PHF was established in 2015 with four teams and has since grown to seven: the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force and Toronto Six.

Wildlife Club acknowledges avid hunters and anglers

Courtesy of Preeceville Progress

The Preeceville Wildlife Federation hosted its 73rd annual banquet and awards acknowledging hunters and anglers for their prize-winning entries at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall on March 25.

Heather and Greg Gawrelitza shared the master of ceremonies duties for the evening. Kaeley Rioch said grace prior to the supper that featured elk and moose roast, wild meat sausage, meatballs, boar bites, smoked turkey, pork cutlets, perogies, potatoes, vegetables and desserts. The meal was catered by Charlotte Chernyk.

A slide show was presented of all the hunters photographed with their entries during the supper.

Numerous fun games were played through the evening with individuals having the opportunity to win prizes. Trevor Bilan won a Savage Axis AP Scope Combo 270 Winchester rifle through the ping pong auction. Other games included plinko and a lucky buck and doe raffle. The live auction featured Greg Skurdal auctioning off several auction items.

The club also featured a live auction with Bruce Schapansky Auctions from March 30 to April 6.

Greg Gawrelitza, the Preeceville Wildlife president, helped to

First-time

present the awards portion.

Fish awards

James Bodnar received the Frank Arnie Memorial trophy for largest overall fish that weighed 42 pounds, ½ ounce; Brett Geistlinger received the Dan Hort Memorial for largest walleye, nine pounds, 12 ounces; Claire Masko received the Rob Neitling Memorial for junior pike, 13 pounds, two ounces; Kirby Pankratz won the Mark Tonn Memorial, largest perch, 1.4 pounds; Mikayla Madsen received the Peter Steppan Memorial for ladies elk, 181 inches, women’s non-typical mule deer, 185 7/8, inches and women’s trout, 27 pounds, seven ounces; Bernadette Shiplack, women’s north-

ern pike, 12 pounds; Lyndon Gawrelitza, junior men’s walleye, 2.8 pounds; Greg Gawrelitza, small mouth bass, 3.3 pounds and Taylor Sliva, men’s lake trout, 42 inches.

Big Game awards

Shelby Sliva received the Bob Masko Memorial award for largest moose, 160 2/8 inches; Justin Jakubowski, Lorin Tonn Memorial award for largest elk, 290 2/8 inches; Owen Myhr, the Sam Bowey Memorial award for largest white-tailed deer, 159 2/8 inches; Nathaniel Lisoway, men’s white-tailed deer, 142 2/8 inches; Norman Johnson, men’s moose, 141 2/8 inches; Steven Geistlinger, men’s antelope, 76 0/8 inches; Katryna Englot, women’s white-tailed

deer, 141 7/8 inches; Aspen Nagy, women’s mule deer, 171 7/8 inches; Karen Vandewoestyne, women’s archery, bear, 17 3/16 inches; Shayna Geistlinger, women’s moose, 153 inches; Carter Halkyard, men’s junior white-tailed deer, 148 2/8; Seth Reynolds, junior men’s non-typical white-tailed deer, 138 6/8 and Quirin Nelson, junior women’s white-tailed deer, 141 6/8.

Blair Mitchell won the only bird award for pheasant, at 37 bars.

Greg Gawrelitza, Preeceville Wildlife president, gave a few acknowledgements and spoke on the firearm safety program that Norman Johnson had taught for many years. Unfortunately, Johnson

had to step down due to health issues and Brad Steppan stepped up to instruct the program.

First-time hunters were acknowledged with medals: Boden and Kacey Heskin, Claire and Sarah Masko, Amber MacDonald, Izzy Payette, Peyton Lisoway, Leah Thideman, Seth Reynolds, Carter Halkyard, Wyatt Scheller, Shannon Nelson and Jaelyn Orban.

Preeceville Archery supplied some of the live auction items and Corey Nelson sponsored the top prize. “Corey was the recipient of Weyerhaeuser’s truck driver prize and selected the Preeceville Wildlife Federation as the organization to receive the $1,000 donation in his name,”

said Gawrelitza. The Preeceville Wildlife Club had previously donated and sponsored: SWF convention, Habitat Trust, fish artwork contest at the Preeceville School, the Sturgis Gun range, Sturgis Archery Club in the form of bows and arrows, maintenance of Preeceville Wildlife campgrounds, firearm safety program, Habitat Golf and Clay Shoot, Preeceville Curling Club, Annie Laurie Lake family fire pit, and the Crystal Lake land purchase.

hunters received acknowledgment with medals at the Preeceville Wildlife awards and banquet evening held at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall on March 25. Those who received medals from left, were: Leah Thideman, Jaelyn Orban, Shannon Nelson, Ripley Pristie, Boden Heskin, Carter Halkyard, Seth Reynolds, Peyton Lisoway, Sarah Masko, Kacey Heskin and Claire Masko. Unavailable for the photograph were: Wyatt Scheller, Amber MacDonald, Izzy Payette.

Game let’s you explore for ‘black gold’

When it comes to board games it’s always fun to give some exposure to an indie-produced Canadian game, in this case ‘The Oilman Game’.

The name pretty much tells the game’s theme. Yes, you are gaming in an oilfield in this Albertaproduced effort.

From the box: A game that captures the true to life excitement and drama, success, and failures of the international oil magnate. Using the unique 3-dimensional board, oil companies bid for leases world wide, drill for oil, and erect oil wells. The object ... to become the most successful oil company in the world. The amazing game board design ensures the game will never be played the same way twice. For two or more players or teams.

To start with it’s interesting to note, based entirely on theme, that this one reminds of Black Gold, which sticks in one’s mind since it was created in Rhein, Sask.

Next, when you open a game box and you see a stack of paper money, your mind will automatically flip to a memory of Monopoly, which some will be encouraged by, while others might cringe.

So what is Oilman all about?

Well, Sanford Greve explains the game is not exactly new, but the edition is.

“The original game came out in the 1980s and was called International Oilman Game,” he explained.

Through the 1990s and early 2000s, the name was changed to The Oilman Game and in 2004, production came to a halt.

“We owned an early copy of International Oilman Game and had lent it to some friends for their family Christmas gathering in 2017,” said Greve. “It went missing and we never saw the game again.

“This began a quest to

THE MEEPLE GUILD (YORKTON)

meeple.guild@gmail.com

find a replacement game and many visits to garage sales and second-hand stores came up emptyhanded. Demand for the game was growing as it was difficult to find a copy and prices of used games on eBay and Kijiji had gotten as high as $400-500 for a game that originally sold in 1994 for $42.95.”

But the search continued.

“In my online search for a game, I stumbled across an article about the guy who had been producing the game until 2004,” said Greve. “This piqued my interest. Was he still around?

“After a few online searches and a phone call to one of his prior businesses, we made contact.

“A few months and several meetings later, a deal was agreed upon and three oilfield guys from Drayton Valley, AB were in the board game business.”

For Greve he came to the business as a game fan.

“I enjoy playing games with family and friends and have a fairly extensive collection of board games from the 1970s through the present,” he related. “One of the most frequently played games in our home is Sequence, which is a great game for three people to play. Many games are designed for even numbers of players. The Oilman Game also works well for threeperson play.”

So with Oilman what were the trio trying to achieve?

“In my own search for a game, I saw that

demand was growing and that many people were hunting for a copy,” offered Greve. “A 15-year hiatus was long enough and in 2019 production began on the new version of The Oilman Game. Much had changed since 2004 in graphic design and printing, so the look of the game was updated to utilize the tools of the high-resolution world we live in today while maintaining a connection to the previous versions of the game.”

Greve said the game is one he believes can have broad appeal.

“From eight to 80 years of age, just about anyone can enjoy this game,” he said, adding the goal is rather straight forward.

“The goal is to be the most successful oil company in the world.

“Players name their oil company, purchase property through bidding, collect a salary with each turn, and then make decisions between purchasing more property, drilling for oil to try to increase their salary, passing on their turn and collecting salary only, going for it and drilling full-depth on the hole of their choice.”

In terms of game play there are 180 holes in the game top where players can choose to drill using the three different lengths of drill stems.

The deeper you drill, the more it costs and offshore is more expensive than drilling on land but has better returns if oil is struck.

“If you spend all of your money buying property, you won’t have the

money to drill on it,” noted Greve.

“If you drill all of the holes on your property and don’t strike oil, you won’t have the funds to buy more property.

“You need to find the right balance between buying property and drilling.”

The score cards assist players as they track their costs and salaries each round.

So in Greve’s mind what is the best element of the game?

“A couple of years ago, two gentlemen in their 70s or 80s drove several hours to come and buy a game from us in person,” he relates. “They had been playing the game for decades and wanted to buy a new one.

“They brought along their old well-used game to show us and we gave them some new game money and score pads for it.

“As they were about to leave, one of the gents asked, ‘Do you know what the best thing is about this game?’ I asked him

to tell me. He responded, ‘You make all of the decisions. There are no dice to roll, you don’t rely on chance. If you want to bid on property, you bid. If you want to pass, you pass. If you want to drill for oil, you decide’.”

Greve said the game has some replayability built into its design too.

“There are three hidden levels inside the game that need to be randomized prior to play,” he said. “This is a very hands-on action and many households have their own rules as to how to go about it to ensure that nobody gets an unfair advantage.

“One family makes sure that each player has a hand on the game as it is shaken.

“There are many other styles of shaking the game that players use. The hidden pieces inside determine where oil will be found on three different depths and the randomization makes it so the oil will never be in the same place twice.

It is the game’s most

unique feature.

“The feature that sets this game apart from other games is the randomization of the game board prior to play,” reiterated Greve. “The players begin the game with nobody having any knowledge of where they might find oil hidden within the game, but gain clues of where or where not to look for it as the game plays out.

“There are always surprises as a player will be absolutely certain of striking oil on a particular hole, but then hits a duster.

“Also, because there are three levels, a duster on level 1 does not mean that oil will not be found in the same hole on levels 2 or 3 deeper below.”

In addition, Greve noted; “Another special feature is that this is a game that has been developed and manufactured in Canada and helps support Canadian workers and suppliers.”

For more information, or to order a copy check out theoilmangame.com

The Oilman Game

Canora Minor Hockey awards evening celebrates successful season

Courtesy of Canora Courier

The Canora Minor Hockey Recognition Social marked the end of the Canora minor hockey season on April 2 at Rainbow Hall.

President Stacy Vangen looked back on a strong season.

“2022/23 was a success for Canora Minor Hockey,” said Vangen. “We are very proud of our players, teams, and volunteers and all of their accomplishments.

“This year we took a little bit of a different approach, and opted for a Sunday afternoon award celebration followed by the supper and ice cream sundaes. With the increasing costs all around us, our executive members decided to prepare and serve the meal to wrap up our season. We hosted about 150 people as we celebrated our players, team staff, and volunteers.”

Due to the large enrollment of young players, there were two local U7 teams during the past year. The U7 Red Cobras, the younger players, were led by Head Coach Dayne Babchyshyn.

“Team Red was focused on the basics, learning to skate and an introduction to hockey,” said Vangen. “The U7s hosted a jamboree in January and had approximately 65 players in attendance. These youngsters progressed by leaps and bounds throughout the season and provided some great entertainment on the ice.”

Just like the other age groups, deserving players on the U7 Red Cobras received awards: Axel Nordin (sportsmanship), Reba Monich (most dedicated), Jay Menton (Jerry Mydonick award) and Lachlan Baillie (most improved).

Kelly McTavish was the head coach of Team Black, the older U7 team, made up of U7 and U9 players. This team was focused on the basics as well but also entered a number of tournaments to learn the game of hockey. This group hosted a tournament in February, which brought seven visiting teams to Canora. McTavish reported that the players grew in their skills, knowledge of the game, and developed a competitive streak through their tournament play.

The award winners for the U7 Black Cobras were: Aliannah Herriges (sportsmanship), Carmen Mydonick (Jerry Mydonick award), Mae McTavish (most dedicated) and Tyler Menton (most improved).

Unfortunately Canora Minor Hockey was unable to ice teams in the U9 and U11 age groups during the past season.

“However we are so proud of our players that went to Yorkton and Preeceville to play at these levels,” said Vangen. “These players celebrated successes with other teams this year, however we want them all to know we are honored to see them representing Canora and we hope to have them

back in Cobras jerseys soon.”

The U13 Cobras team was a relatively large team this season, with 10 male and six female players, and hosted a two-day, eight-team tournament in the fall. Head Coach Terry Demchuk had nothing but good things to say to his players.

“You went from a team that was previously at the bottom of the standings to challenging the top teams. You left the lower teams behind, it was really good work on your part.”

For his efforts this season and in past seasons, Demchuk won the Jerry Mydonick volunteer

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award. As Stacy Vangen put it when introducing him, “Terry Demchuk has volunteered for many years. He loves his family, friends and Canora Minor Hockey. I should have made notes, because this guy has done so much for this community.”

Also winning awards from the U13 Cobras were: Ashton Strelioff (sportsmanship), Kasen Heshka (most improved), Cassidy Wolkowski (Jerry Mydonick award), and Rowyn Johnson (most dedicated).

The end of the season marked the end of an era for these boys and girls playing coed hockey. Going into next season, the U15 girls will be working toward having a female team in town, and the male players will be looking at joining up with surrounding communities as the Highway 9 Predators.

This past season, the U15 Highway 9 Predators played out of Canora. This year’s team had players from Canora, Sturgis, Norquay, Kamsack and Keeseekoose First Nation. They also hosted a tournament to kick off the season in the end of October.

Head Coach Jeff Sznerch praised the play-

support the growth of the female hockey program. Whether it be from local teams, or teams combined with other communities, we hope to have U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U18 teams as well as U15 female and U18 female teams. We are working with surrounding communities and our main priority is for long-term growth and maintenance of teams in as many age levels as possible. In small towns especially, every player matters so that we can continue to have viable teams. We encourage all players that want to try hockey to sign up. It’s never too late to join this great sport.”

ers for coming together as a team.

“We grew as a group, from the start of the season right to the end,” said Sznerch. “We worked very hard and played some good hockey. I’m very proud of our team.”

Members of the Preds recognized with awards were: Bracyn Konkel (Jerry Mydonick award), Avyn Seerey (most improved), Wyatt Wolkowski (most dedicated) and Darian Serdachny (sportsmanship).

A number of U18 players from Canora travelled to Preeceville and Yorkton to play hockey this season, “and celebrated many successes throughout the season,” according to Vangen. “We are proud that they started playing minor hockey in Canora. Locals had a chance to see the U18 Preeceville Pats in action at the Civic Center for a couple of regular season games.”

For the upcoming season, the focus will be on building programs at all age levels.

“Canora Minor Hockey strives to provide an opportunity for all kids to play minor hockey locally from U7 to U18,” said Vangen. “We also would like to

In addition to Vangen, members of the Canora Minor Hockey executive for the past season were: Parker Rice, vice-president; Lizemari Menton, secretary; Crystal Reine, treasurer; Sherri Roebuck, registrar, and Candace Doogan, webmaster.

Prior to the meal at Rainbow Hall, U15 Highway 9 Predators Captain Wyatt Wolkowski led in saying grace.

“Dear Lord, we thank you for this day. We thank you for watching over all our players, coaches and parents during this hockey season. We thank you for allowing us to play this amazing sport. Thank you for times like this when we can gather and celebrate our season. Thank you for all the lessons you have taught us on and off the ice.

“Please bless this food we are about to receive and bless the hands who have prepared it for us today. May this food nourish us and keep us strong for our next hockey season. Amen.”

The menu included: buns, pulled pork, coleslaw, Caesar salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and pickles. Ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings were very popular for dessert.

“We are so thankful for all the fan support we had throughout the season for all of our teams,” concluded Vangen. “We look forward to the 2023/2024 season and all the hockey it will bring!”

Women shine at pickleball event

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Pickleball Yorkton hosted a ‘You Go Girls’ ladies only tournament

April 1.

The event, held at the Gloria Hayden Centre attracted 48 players.

In the 3.0 and above division gold was captured by Gail Frohlick and

3.0 and under division

The Jerry Mydonick award for volunteers of the Canora Minor Hockey Association went to Terry Demchuk. Making the presentation was Crystal Reine, Canora Minor Hockey Treasurer.

Grace Thauberger with Bonnie Englot and Lisa Trembley finishing with the silver and bronze won by Kelly Wilcox and Karen Larsen.

In the

Madalina Kozushka and Rosalie Hilderman took gold, with Wanda Kaul and Linda Wilson the silver medals and Kim Hladun and Arlene Lozinski the bronze medalists.

Saskatchewan bison industry

‘exciting & bright’ says SBA director

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

The bison industry remains vibrant in the province, with an even brighter future.

At least that is the view of Denver Johnson a member of the Saskatchewan Bison Association’s Board of Director in an interview with Yorkton This Week on the weekend.

“I’m really excited about the state of our industry,” said Johnson who was in Yorkton for the SBA AGM and breeding stock sale.

Like all farm sectors the bison industry has seen it’s ups and downs, said the Prince Albert area farmer, but he added the bison business is in good shape at present.

“I see a brighter future ahead too,” he said.

Johnson said it’s often a case of meeting challenges head on to find solutions.

For example, at one point most bison were exported live for processing, most to the United States.

While export remains a significant part of the Saskatchewan industry, some producers are now processing their own animals – Johnson included – and marketing directly to consumers.

Even COVID was one of those

things which was both good and bad for the industry depending how one approached it.

The negative was the closing of restaurants, with high end establishments a key market for bison, noted Johnson.

But the pandemic also had people staying home and looking for local food options.

“And we have this amazing product right here,” Johnson said of bison.

The AGM is another indication the industry is doing well right now.

“We’re really excited about the weekend,” said Johnson he estimated representatives about 50 of the province’s bison ranches were in attendance. He added there are about 300 production units in Saskatchewan, about half of those members of the SBA.

While the AGM was in-part about the business of the SBA, it is also an opportunity to bring speakers in to inform and educate, offered Johnson. This year that included;

*Meat sale regulations - Chris Smith (Ministry of Agriculture), Kelsie Dale (Ministry of Health)

*Whit Hibbard, Stockmanship Journal - an introduction to low stress bison handling

There was also a speaker from Farm Food Care Saskatchewan on how to

build consumer trust, said Johnson.

In that area Johnson said bison are well situated to earn such trust.

“They are very natural,” he said, adding as naturally as possible makes sense for the animals, “. . . That’s when bison do best. They don’t do well being locked up for long.”

A number of the big beasts – 40 –were stabled at the AgriArena for the weekend ready to go under the auction gavel.

The sale is a chance to add new genetics to the herd, and Johnson said there a lot of fine animals among the 14 bulls, and pens of heifers.

The Saskatchewan Bison Association held its AGM and breeding stock sale in Yorkton last week.

Tisdale-area man’s invention improves grader operator safety

By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Humboldt Journal)

A grader operator from Sylvania has come up with an invention that will make the work of other grader operators safer.

Richard Fedirko, who grew up in between Rose Valley and Archerwill, is making a name for himself with his newly patent pending and trademarked invention, a connecting arm handler/ wing stand for graders to attach and remove snow wings safely.

He recently attended the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)

Convention with his newly created company, RF Wingmaster, and has learned there is a lot of interest in the future for his product.

He has worked for the Rural Municipality of Barrier Valley for the last eight winters and was changing the grader side arm with his co-worker the first year.

They were using a tractor and chains, crowbars and putting the connecting arm on first and having to put it on pieceby-piece, which he said this is how most RMs install these.

He figured there had to be a better way. It was taking two employees a full day to attach these snow wings.

The next winter, there wasn’t as much snowfall and he was able to study the grader in the shop more closely and came up with a stand to make this process safer and quicker.

For his first model of the stand, he said, he used scrap metal and lawn mower wheels, made a jack, and welded it all together. Over the years, he has tinkered and made changes to his invention that has made this process quicker, safer and now can be done by one employee in 30 minutes. He also now uses foam wheels rather than air wheels to prevent them from going flat.

His plan was not to start selling these but his son Kalum told him he hasn’t seen anything like what he was using and encouraged his dad to patent his idea. He talked to local Tisdale lawyer Gordon Klimm who put him in touch with a patent company out of Winnipeg. It was in November last year, when they found out his idea was the first. Fedirko then got his idea officially trademarked a few days before the SARM convention in March and it is currently patent pending. He now is protected in over 170 countries.

At the SARM convention, he was approached by several RMs and currently has sold five stands at the time of writing the article. One RM bought the model he had brought to the convention. He said

he had many RMs very interested and they were planning on going back to their council tables to get official motions to purchase these stands, unofficially more then 10 more stands would be purchased once

those are approved. Fedirko thought once multiple orders come in, they could build one stand per day. He was also invited to bring RF Wingmaster to the AMM (Association of Manitoba Municipalities) for their convention.

Fedirko recently got engaged at Christmas time last year to Milly White who also contributes to the new business as the office manager. Milly’s daughter, Lindsey helped them get their new website rfwingmaster.com up and running. Fedirko said his entire family has helped in creating this new business venture including his daughter LoriAnn. His shop is located in Sylvania just 10 miles south of Tisdale. You can also find him on Facebook at RFWingmaster Inc. Snow Wing Handlers.

Richard Fedirko of Sylvania exhibits his invention, the RF-1000 Connecting Arm Handler and Wing Stand, at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Convention. It makes it so grader operators can safely and efficiently install and remove their snow wings without the use of chains, skid steers, loaders and overhead cranes. Photo courtesy of RF Wingmaster / Facebook

Photo courtesy of RF Wingmaster / Facebook

Livestock & forage research funded

A total of $6 million in funding was announced recently by Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food MarieClaude Bibeau and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit for livestock and forage research activities.

Provided through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), funded under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this will support a total of 34 new scientific projects for 2023.

“The work of Canadian scientists is helping to make our agricultural sector the leader it is, both in terms of productivity and sustainable development,” said Bibeau. “Our government will continue to invest in this vital research to support the success of our

producers.”

“Scientific research is the engine that drives innovation and competitiveness and helps keep Saskatchewan’s worldclass agriculture producers doing what they do best,” Marit said. “These investments enable researchers and institutions to do the work that helps position our producers to meet the global market needs of tomorrow. Research drives sustainability in the livestock sector.”

This year’s projects, which are submitted annually and awarded funding on a competitive basis, focus on topics such as developing water quality test kits for agricultural ponds in Saskatchewan, developing economic thresholds and sampling plans for lesser clover leaf weevil in red clover,

and development of an effective, multivalent vaccine to control foot rot in cattle.

In addition to the federal-provincial ADF funding, a total of $288,530 for 12 livestock and forage projects was contributed by seven industry co-funders:

• Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Development Commission

• Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission

• Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association

• Saskatchewan ForageSeedDevelopment Commission

• Sask Milk

• Alberta Milk

• Results Driven Agriculture Research

“Investment in research is a cornerstone for the growth of our

industry,” Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association Chair Arnold Balicki said. “Saskatchewan beef producers value projects that focus on priorities such as increasing the nutritional value of forage or better managing their herd’s health, which leads to more profitability on their operations. We are pleased to see both the federal and provincial governments partnering with us and ensuring this essential research is adequately funded.”

“A sustainable forage seed production system helps Canadian livestock producers have a consistent, reliable and affordable supply of high-quality feed, and Saskatchewan’s production of red clover seed used for sowing supports Canada’s pos-

NFU encourages land donations for Community Land Trusts

Canada is facing a farmland crisis. If left unaddressed, it will only worsen as farmer demographics shift drastically over the next decade. The need to address barriers to access for new and existing farmers is urgent: farmland is being sold for urban development, land prices are escalating, interest rates are rising, investment companies are buying up farmland, and many farmers are retiring without naming a successor. We need to address farmland access to be able to create the just, vibrant and sustainable food systems Canadians want.

Community land trusts

(CLTs) help provide a way forward. CLTs are non-profit corporations created to acquire and hold land for the benefit of a community. First developed by black farmers in the US in the 1960s, CLTs have evolved to help with many issues in the real estate, farmland and housing markets. We see great potential for Canadian CLTs to also secure and preserve farmland and to create avenues for farmland succession. The Agrarian Trust/Commons in the US is a great example, showing how CLTs can better manage equitable farmland leases and support longer term ecological

best practices by separating ownership of housing from land ownership, and building a community of farmers with a long-term commitment to working together.

Making it easier to donate land to CLTs would help Canadian CLTs address the farmland crisis. A petition to Parliament calls for changing the Canadian tax code to allow landowners to donate to CLTs on the same basis as land donations to ecological land reserves. Since 2006 these donations have been exempt from capital gains tax in order to make land donations less costly for the

donor. This petition seeks to include Community Land Trust donations in this exemption. The NFU urges people to join in supporting CLTs by signing this petition by the February 28b deadline as one way to address the farmland crisis.

ition as the number two exporter of this seed to the European Union and the number one exporter to the United States,” Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission Executive Director Jo-Anne Relf-Eckstein said. “Determining economic thresholds for timely control of the lesser clover leaf weevil—the first research done on this pest—is a crucial project. Our growers are grateful to the ADF for this support to help ensure sustainable red clover seed production in Saskatchewan and its use for planting as a good component in livestock grazing mixtures, or as a cover crop to improve soil

health and fix nitrogen.”

The ADF is supported through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories, including a $388 million investment in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture. The CAP ends on March 31, 2023.

— Submitted

Funds support environmental farming initiatives

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Brandon Sun)

Métis farmers looking for ways to make their operations more environmentally friendly can now apply for funding to help the implement best management practices on their farms.

Last month, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) rolled out its On-Farm Climate Action Program, which offers $75,000 in funding to implement nitrogen management, rotational

grazing and other practices.

With partial funding from the federal government’s On-Farm Climate Action Fund, a $200-million initiative to help farmers tackle climate change, the action program is the MMF’s way of offering targeted support to more than 200 Red River Métis agriculture producers, MMF Agriculture Minister David Beaudin said.

“The program was created to address the distinct need of our Métis agricultural producers,” he said. “This is going to

go a long way to helping them re-establish their best practices, but also work towards climate change initiatives on their own farms.”

The costs for programs such as nitrogen management such as improved manure management and nitrification inhibitors will be shared between a 95 per cent non-repayable contribution from the program and a five per cent in-kind contribution from each producer. Mentoring Métis young farmers, gifts of meat, feed, fur or hides, and other traditional offerings to citizens in need, labour costs and other activities count as in-kind contributions.

To be eligible to apply for funding, producers must be Red River Métis citizens living and residing in Canada who are at least 18 years of age and whose businesses are at least 50 per cent Red River Métis owned.

Some of the practices used in the program, such as cover cropping, where plants are used to cover the soul rather than for the purpose of being harvested, and intercropping, which involves growing two or more

crops in close proximity, hearken back to traditional Métis land-based wisdom and agricultural practices, Beaudin said.

Beaudin is hoping that if the program is successful, the MMF can expand even more into the agricultural field, creating awareness about the industry and the job opportunities that exist.

“Farming is not just growing grains and working with cattle. There’s a whole food science end of agriculture that people can have very long lasting, stable careers with,” he said. “We need to create a program that has

enough knowledge to let people know that there’s good careers in agriculture.”

While the federal government has proven very supportive of Métis agricultural initiatives like the action program, Beaudin said the province of Manitoba needs to meet with the federation as well to better meet the needs of Métis farmers.

“We’d really like to see an investment in agricultural education for Métis citizens,” he said. “That’s a really big concern for me right now, the education side of things, and I would really like the

province to step up to the table in that sense.”

The Manitoba government is listening to and engaging with all Manitobans on their concerns, Ross Romaniuk, press secretary for Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson, told the Sun in an emailed statement.

The department of agriculture seeks feedback often through consultation and online engagement, Romaniuk said, including with producers and others in the industry on programs, legislation and initiatives.

Last month, the Manitoba Métis Federation rolled out its On-Farm Climate Action Program, which offers $75,000 in funding to implement best environmental practices.

Students learn about supply chain, food waste

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Brandon Sun)

Grade 5 and 6 students at Riverview School in Brandon learned about the costs of food waste and how to reduce it as part of Canadian Agriculture and Literacy Month.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people from all areas of the agricultural sector have been able to bring their

knowledge to in-class sessions, in conjunction with Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba.

On Friday, Leanne Sprung, a leadership specialist with Manitoba Agriculture’s youth development branch, returned to Karissa Kirkup’s class to continue an interactive conversation with students.

Having visited the class before, Sprung refreshed their memory of the steps in the food supply chain, from the farm to transportation,

processing and finally to retail stores and into homes. Using interactive cards the students read out, she helped them discover how food loss can happen at every part of the process.

“We want to make sure that we decrease food waste as much as possible,” Sprung told the students.

Some ways Sprung told the students to cut down on food waste were to buy food in bulk and then package it up at home, freezing some of

it to save for a later date. The class enthusiastically agreed that leftovers were a delicious way to cut back on food waste.

“Save your food. Put it into little baggies and put it in the freezer,” Sprung said.

After the presentation, Sprung told the Sun she was impressed by Kirkup’s class.

“The students are always just so engaged and so willing to participate,” she said.

Although not many of the students had a direct connection to farming, Sprung expanded the way they think about the agriculture sector by pointing out that jobs such as truck driving or working at Maple Leaf Foods or Saputo are also part of the industry. With some parents working at those places, it was easier to make the connection, she said.

“A lot of kids have relatives or parents that work in different aspects of the food industry,” Sprung said. “There are so many ways that you can be involved in agriculture.”

For Charlotte Gurr, an 11-year-old Grade 5 student, learning about food

loss was an eye-opening experience.

“It costs a lot for food to get thrown away,” Gurr said, adding that she plans to cut down on food waste at home by encouraging her family to eat more leftovers and to think about what they’re buying at the grocery store.

Success Okesola, another one of Kirkup’s students, said he thought it was interesting that you can still eat food after the best-before date, as long as it hasn’t gone bad.

“Food is limited,” Okesola said. “We need to know what to throw

out, what to buy.”

Sprung is hopeful that for next year’s Canadian Agriculture and Literacy Month, even more volunteers like herself will step up to help teach kids about the importance of the agriculture industry.

“I would encourage anyone who has an ag story, whether you live on the farm or not, to think about volunteering next year,” she said.

A total of 6,997 students in Manitoba have taken part in this year’s programming, which aims to advance agriculture literacy across the province.

Sales S Rentals S Repairs

Chloe Mallery, a Grade 5 student at Riverview School, reads a card during an Agriculture in the Classroom presentation by volunteer presenter Leanne Sprung on Friday afternoon.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Province, feds, invest in crop research

The world of role playing games holds something of a special place in terms of my personal gaming journey as I was introduced to Dungeons & Dragons not long after arriving in Yorkton as a journalist opening the door to many hours of adventure in the years since.

So when I came upon Battle for Diratia, being touted as ‘an easily accessible and elegantly simple Wargaming and RPG hybrid’ I was of course curious.

That the game system is from a collective in Montreal simply meant I had to know more because it is always a bonus to support Canadian efforts in this space.

Thanks to email it was a relatively easy task to con-

nect with Dylan L. Dionne with Productions Diratia, and quickly learning the crew are players first.

“We are avid gamers, both on the table and computer,” he offered, adding, “our favorite tabletop RPG’s are GURPS and Fate.

“Our favorite regular board games are Chess, Catan, Poker and Diplomacy.

“And our favorite video games are Mount & Blade, Battle for Wesnoth and Final Fantasy Tactics.”

That is a rather diverse range of games to draw from when it came time to create Diratia.

“Both of us (Dionne and Francis Clarkson), being roleplaying game masters of regular games for multiple years, we often had issues where

the rules were not appropriate for the situations we wanted to recreate with our players,” said Dionne.

“We do not believe in creating something for the sake of creating something, so we searched to make sure nothing else could do what we wanted before even starting to work on our game.

“The goal was to create a set of rules that could accommodate most situations a roleplaying game could require, especially when looking at combat and tactical decisions.

“That way, games can go from duels between two wizards, to small adventuring parties traversing dungeons, to leading a 100-man army to battle before creating a kingdom and conquering cities while managing a 2000 men army.

“Our goals were to give the players a similar experience to our favorite videogames, on the table with their friends. Such as the rags to riches experi-

ence provided by Mount & Blade or the campaign team building of Final Fantasy Tactics.”

In the end Dionne said they have created something they feel is unique.

“What you should not expect is either a standard roleplaying game or typical wargame,” he said.

“This game is at its best when used as a hybrid where players are going from social encounters to battles of many different sizes.

“You are going to have the most fun when playing a tactical roleplaying game where positioning is important and strategic thinking will make the difference between success and failure.”

Diratia came together over two years but Dionne noted they want to keep this game in constant development for as long as possible providing free updates to the player base improving the base game and creating additional content based on player

feedback.

“Saying this, we do understand that the game is not perfect and does not include rules for very specific use cases, but we are always open to feedback and requests and act on the feedback we get,” he added.

So, what was the most difficult aspect of designing the game?

“We mainly face two major challenges,” offered Dionne.

“Firstly, balancing complexity and immersion.

“We try to create rules for most situations and to make them as realistic as possible, while not making them so complex the game is not playable. Creating rules is easy, making them simple is not.

“Secondly, this is a passion project and not our full-time job, so finding time and energy to put the team together and keep updating the game is not always easy.”

So in the minds of its designers what is the best element of the game?

“The reason why we decided to play this game ourselves rather than others is because of the versatility,” said Dionne. “We constantly play different games, from WW2 platoon wargames to Napoleon era Fleet warfare and our game can accommodate any type

of game we want to play without us having to learn a new ruleset.

“If you just want to play a single way, for example “army scale sci-fi wargames”, then this game is not for you.

“Most wargames will offer you a solid and simple combat system, focusing on a single theme and scale, but will not be able to adapt outside of their scale or theme without breaking the system.

“Most roleplaying games will offer rules for both social encounters and skirmish combat, but again will not adapt outside of their scale or theme without making the rules so clunky it is unplayable unless battles are simply narrated by the GM and not played.

“Again, our system will not be better than a specialized system but will be great for players who change types of game regularly or play games that evolve.”

Of note, Diratia uses special six-sided dice that allow the game to give unique results while not unbalancing the game when playing at different scales or with units of varying skill, said Dionne.

As Dionne noted the system will not be for all, but it is certainly one to take a closer look at for those wanting a single offering covering a range of play scenarios.

PERENNIAL FORAGE

Converting marginal cropland to perennial forage cover using a blend of tame grass and/or legumes.

$35/acre annual payment

With up to $100/acre establishment payment

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Seeding cover crops for grazing, baling, silage, or intercropping a cash crop with another cash or cover crop.

$35/acre annual payment

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See our local dealers at Canora Farm Service and Canora Auto Electric.

File Photo

Program helps Manitoba farmers, families with mental health challenges

By Dave Baxter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Winnipeg Sun)

A program working to help farmers and their families who are dealing with mental health issues celebrated a

significant milestone this month, and those who run the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program say one year after starting up, it is proving to be a success.

“What we learned in our first year is that the program works, is val-

ued by those who use it, and it should be continued,” MFWP vice chair Roberta Galbraith said in a media release celebrating the one year anniversary of the program, and announcing plans to continue offering it in Manitoba.

On March 1 of last year, MFWP was launched as a not-for-profit to offer free one-on-one mental health counselling sessions to farmers and their families.

Statistics released in 2016 showed a high rate of mental health issues among farmers and those in the agriculture industry in Canada, as according to a study from the University of Guelph, 35% of Canadian farmers met the classification for depression, while 58% of farmers met the classification for anxiety, and 45% of farmers reported high levels of stress.

Stress and anxiety levels have also been high among farmers in Manitoba in recent years, after the province saw record drought in 2021, followed by record precipitation levels in 2022.

MFWP chair Marcel Hacault said because of the stress farmers are often under, and because they are often dependent on things they have no control over like the weather, it is important to make sure producers are looking after not only their

farms and crops, but also their mental health, and the mental health of their families.

“We saw a need and with overwhelming support from the industry, we are excited to announce we are continuing this service in Manitoba,” Hacault said.

“We are thankful for the growing community of sponsors and supporters that see value in the program, and we are in a great position for the future.”

According to Hacault, MFWP is hoping to raise funds this year to be able to support 160 Manitoba

farmers and their families, while he said they will also look to increase awareness about the program among farmers and those who work in the agricultural industry, as well as with health care professionals.

Through MFWP, farmers and their immediate family members can access six free, confidential one on one hour long counselling sessions with a registered counsellor with a background in agriculture.

Anyone looking for more information on MFWP can visit manitobafarmerwellness.ca.

Extremely dry and cracked soil can be seen in a canola field near Ile des Chenes, south of Winnipeg in July of 2021, when much of the province was dealing with severe drought conditions.

Dave Baxter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Investing is like farming, you plant the seed and watch it grow.

By John Cairns, SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA - The lone Saskatchewan United Party member of the Legislature mixed it up with the provincial Minister of Agriculture on Thursday over rising costs faced by farmers.

In particular, Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson was roasting Agriculture Minister David Marit over hikes of rental prices on farmable Crown land by 22 per cent.

The exchange between Wilson and Marit was recorded in Hansard. Wilson: — “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s clear that this government is not interested in cutting taxes. Instead they think we should applaud the fact that they did not

Animated discussion on agriculture at Leg

raise taxes, but even that isn’t entirely right.

Mr. Speaker, why does this government continue to crush farmers by hiking the rental prices of farmable Crown land by 22 per cent — 22 per cent? Is that not a tax on the farmers that feed this province, Mr. Speaker?”

The Speaker: — “I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.”

Hon. Mr. Marit: — “Mr. Speaker, we have addressed the Crown land rental rates for the ranching community here in the province. We froze them to 2022 levels in the Crown land lease with the ranchers, Mr. Speaker. We also added another part to that as well, that if there’s a drought situation in their pasture, they can pull those animals off

and their rent will come down as well at least 50 per cent, Mr. Speaker.” Marit then went after Wilson over accusations from the Progressive Conservatives that were reported in the media.

The PCs had claimed that the Sask United Party had stolen the PCs’ data in a takeover attempt of their party.

Hon. Mr. Marit: — “Mr. Speaker, it’s really kind of ironic that a party that claims to be so concerning about protecting people’s private information is now accusing and taking private information from another party, Mr. Speaker, and then using to invade people’s privacy by sending unsolicited emails, Mr. Speaker. Maybe the member wants to explain why is she trying to grab

money and email lists...”

The Speaker: —”I’d like to caution the Minister of Agriculture not to engage in a political party’s discussions or actions. Please just keep it to the topic. I recognize the member from

Saskatchewan Rivers.”

Ms. Wilson: — “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well clearly you’re not listening to the rural farmers, the rural landowners. Mr. Speaker, this government is clearly profiting off of the inflationary crisis. It’s

always rules for thee and not for me. They raise rates on farmers to pad their bottom line and say, sorry, it’s due to inflation, while raising their own salary because oh, it’s due to inflation.

Continued on Page A16

Minister of Agriculture

David Marit speaks to reporters following Question Period on March 30, 2023.

Photo by John Cairns

Rustling remains a problem

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Cattle are being taken on an all too regular occasion.

That might sound like something referring to an old John Wayne movie, but it’s happening today, said Bob Solomon district manager with Livestock Services of

Saskatchewan.

“Cattle rustling in ongoing. It’s been there ever since I started as a brand inspector,” he said.

In fact, there seems to be more rustling today than has been the norm.

Solomon said when prices are good it tends to bump thefts.

It is also getting eas-

ier in some senses to take cattle. While stock have long been pastured often well away from an owner’s residence, there are fewer rural families to see anything unusual going on, noted Solomon. And, it is also getting easier to sell stolen stock.

While in Saskatchewan and

Alberta stock taken to auction barns, like Heartland in Yorkton, have brands inspected.

Solomon said they recently caught cattle trying to be sold at the Whitewood auction with two brands, the owner’s and one added by rustlers, so inspection helps.

East of Saskatchewan sale barn brand inspect-

APAS Livestock Summit looking to find solutions to challenges facing producers

In response to requests from Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) members over the past year, APAS is hosting a Livestock Summit at the Saskatoon Inn on April 5 to bring together academics, producers, and industry to help identify solutions to the current circumstances impacting livestock producers – including cattle, bison, and sheep.

“Livestock production is a vital part of Saskatchewan’s agricultural landscape,” APAS President Ian Boxall said. “Our members have been raising

alarms about the future of this sector in our province, as producers have struggled over the past number of years with the impacts of drought, rising production costs, and large spreads between farmgate and retail prices. Representatives at our General Meeting in December passed a resolution for APAS to bring together stakeholders to find solutions to these challenges.”

Saskatchewan is the second largest cattle producing province in Canada and is home to more than a third of the country’s native and tame pastureland. According to the latest Statistics

Canada reports, however, the provincial cattle herd has decreased by approximately 90,000 head since January 2021. Land that is best suited for livestock production is at risk of being converted to cropland, which creates further challenges for the longterm success and future viability of the sector.

The APAS livestock summit will look at the factors causing the trends as well as policy and program options to help promote future success. These include recognition of livestock’s positive ecological and environmental contribution, improvements

to business risk management programs, and work being done currently to process and market livestock from Saskatchewan.

“Success for livestock producers means success across the province,” says Boxall. “The more agricultural groups work together to focus our efforts and support each other, the more we can accomplish. At the end of the day, we all want success for agricultural producers.”

Registration for the livestock summit is now open. Visit apas.ca/ policy/livestocksummit to register.

ors are no more, so no one is watching for brands on cattle that were stolen, noted Solomon.

As a result, Solomon said cattle stolen in eastern Saskatchewan are being hauled into Manitoba to be sold.

There are efforts to better check cattle being hauled east.

Livestock Services now has a dedicated livestock investigator working out of Regina who is an RCMP officer. The officer is currently working with detachments in Eastern Saskatchewan on what to look for when stopping cattle trailers.

So right now, rustling activity is on the rise; cows, steers, heifers and

even horses, are going missing.

“We’re getting more files,” said Solomon.

Solomon said cattle producers can help by making sure their animals are branded.

“There are still cattle walking around with no identification on them,” said Solomon. If unbranded cattle come into a sale barn it’s near impossible to determine ownership beyond whoever brought them in.

So get a registered brand, and use it, said Solomon adding that’s as easy as contacting his office (306-786-5712), and applying for a brand which will be unique to your farm.

ANIMATED

Continued from Page A14

“The people of Saskatchewan do not have it so easy, Mr. Speaker. They don’t have the privilege of setting the rules to make it so they profit from a crisis. Mr. Speaker, my question is simple: why is this government so content to profit off of the inflationary crisis on the backs of the farmers?”

The Speaker: — “I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.”

Hon. Mr. Marit: — “As I said in my previous answer, Mr. Speaker, we have done a lot of good things for the ranching community and the pastures here. We have. We froze the rates to 2022. We didn’t increase the rates. There is a formula for the rates on pasture land, and it’s all reflective of the price of cattle, Mr. Speaker. We also added a factor in where we’ve mandated the

level. If they take cattle off of those pastures, we will reduce their rent as well, Mr. Speaker.”

In speaking to reporters outside afterwards Marit explained what he was talking about with respect to cultivated Crown land.

“There was an increase but those rates are set every year, usually we use the fall pricing forecast. That’s what we do. And if we would’ve used that, the increase would’ve been a lot higher than what it did go. We actually, through the minister we could reduce those rates, so we did. So they went up about 22 but they could’ve been around 45 per cent.”

For the pasture land, they froze that at the 2022 levels. “Plus, we also put another add in that if the patrons have to pull some of the animals off, whenever they pull off an animal, will

take that off of their rental rate as well to a maximum of 50 per cent.”

In the legislature, Wilson had also attacked Marit over an increase to the Ministry of Agriculture. Marit later clarified to reporters that it was only the budget overall that went up by 19 per cent, but Wilson had accused the ministry of expanding the size of its bureaucracy and red tape.

Ms. Wilson: —”...It seems like inflation is the order of the day for this government. While they inflate rate hikes on farmers, they are also inflating the size of their own bureaucracy with a 19 per cent increase in the size of the Ministry of Agriculture.

“… Why is this government continuing to crush farmers with more bureaucracy and more red tape? Thank you.”

The Speaker: — “I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.”

Hon. Mr. Marit: — “Mr. Speaker, I’m very proud of the people that work in the Ministry of Agriculture. They’re very dedicated to the industry, Mr. Speaker. If you look historically at the number of employees that work for the Ministry of Agriculture, it has been reduced — Mr. Speaker, over years, it has been. But these people are very dedicated to the sector. They’re very dedicated to the industry.

“I will not take any lessons from the member opposite on people working for the largest industry in this province, in the Ministry of Agriculture, that do their job and do it very, very well and making sure that we deliver the programs to the farmers and ranchers of this province, Mr. Speaker. And we will continue to do that by making sure that the dollars are delivered in a very timely manner, whether it’s through the Ministry of Agriculture or whether it’s through Saskatchewan Crop Insurance as well, Mr. Speaker.”

When Wilson went on to accuse the government of imposing a tax “on the farmers that

feed the province, that feed the country” by hiking the rental prices of farm Crown land by 22 per cent, it was at this point that Premier Scott Moe got involved.

Hon. Mr. Moe: — “Mr. Speaker, as Leader of the Saskatchewan Party and Premier of the province of Saskatchewan, I’ll take no advice from that member opposite or any of these members opposite when it comes to supporting Saskatchewan agriculture and Saskatchewan farm families.

“Mr. Speaker, this past year we saw record investment in our business risk management programs in this province. We saw record exports, agricultural exports of $18.4 billion, Mr. Speaker. Some of the most sustainable product that you can produce in the world is being provided to other North Americans, creating continental food security, and to people around the world, Mr. Speaker.

“We are very proud of the investment in our business risk management programs, very proud of our investment in agriculture in this province…”

Ms. Wilson: —” … The inflation keeps going and while raising their own salary — oh, it’s due

to inflation. But can’t we do something for the people of Saskatchewan with inflation? They desperately need help and direction from this government. Thank you.”

Hon. Mr. Moe: — “Two hundred and ten thousand people have moved here over the last decade and a half, Mr. Speaker. Those members thought that was farcical, Mr. Speaker. And most certainly we are going to continue to grow that.

“People are coming to Saskatchewan. And why they’re coming to Saskatchewan is to work in industries that are being invested in — over $15 billion, Mr. Speaker. Billions of that is into the agricultural sector, not only in primary agriculture where we lead the world, but in the canola crush plants, Mr. Speaker. Canola crush plants here in the city of Regina, in the city of Yorkton, and across the province.

“Again, Mr. Speaker, it’s this party that talks to farmers each and every day when we go home. It’s this party that continues to support our agriculture industry. And it’s this party that continues to listen and support the people of the province of Saskatchewan”.

Relationships are the new bottom line on family farms

Wildfong suggested attending the meeting itself was a positive step indicating a willingness to “better yourself through continuing education.”

In the end though relationships are built through good communication.

“Sixty per cent of family enterprise failures are caused by lack of communication,” said Wildfong.

With communication there needs to be transparency and honesty for it to work, said Wildfong, adding that will help solve conflicts and build

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

When operating any business, the family farm included, relationships are critical.

That was one of the messages those attending a FCC Young Farmer Summit in Yorkton Wednesday heard.

“I want you to treat your relationships on your farm as just as important as your bottom line,” said speaker Danielle Wildfong, adding that is not a new idea, suggesting “relation-

ships have long been the bottom line.”

Wildfong, a professional advisor, told the producers attending that relationships are the new bottom line on their farms, and those relationships need to be constantly worked on.

Too often people simply fail to communicate in such a way that they don’t build the relationships they should whether with family, or staff.

“I don’t know why people lead with fear … but it doesn’t help you,” said Wildfong, add-

ing fear can create rifts and misunderstandings which can linger.

It’s a situation where you need to build positive relationships as a foundation.

“You have the opportunity every day when you get up to decide how you will treat other people,” said Wildfong.

To be successful the decision must be to treat people with love and respect, trust and honesty.

Wildfong said of course relationships need work, but people

can be better dealing with them if they try.

“I want you to believe you can make changes for the better,” she said, adding it is a case of mindset.

In that respect it helps to visualize, suggesting those attending close their eyes to “think about who you are today”, and then about who they want to become and how they will get there.

How one gets to where they want to be will mean having a willingness to “evolve and adapt.”

In that regard

the key relationships.

If the communication isn’t there it can lead to resentment, sometimes of others, but often of oneself because you haven’t stood up for what you need, she said.

So be sure to talk on the farm.

“Everybody needs to feel appreciated. Deep down it’s what everybody needs,” said Wildfong.

So start things by having discussions.

“If you get the foundation right you’re good to go to work through tough stuff,” she said. “. . . Trust is built on communication.”

It is as important to our future as it has been for thousands of years.

Danielle Wildfong

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Manitoba Beef Producers names new president

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Brandon Sun)

Manitoba Beef Producers has a new president.

Matthew Atkinson, who owns a cow-calf farm near Neepawa and pastures some cattle near Ste. Rose, stepped into the role after previously serving as vice-president of the non-profit organization — which represents 6,300 beef producers — since 2021.

Atkinson first joined the board of Manitoba Beef Producers in the spring of 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic ground normal life to a halt in Manitoba and across the world.

Initially, Atkinson joined the board to get more involved in bringing positive change to the province’s cattle sector.

“It was a good opportunity to meet and get to know folks who wouldn’t otherwise have many similar interests,” Atkinson said. “We can bounce ideas off one another.”

At that time, tensions around Crown lands were running high —

something Atkinson has described to the Sun before.

Currently, leases and permits that provide access to additional land for agricultural purposes are put up for auction by the province every year. And while the province introduced a temporary rent reduction for forage leases on agricultural Crown lands last fall, some producers are still unsatisfied with current lease conditions.

Lease terms can vary from five to 21 years long, depending on the type, according to the province. But Atkinson told the Sun in January that’s not enough time to modify the landscape to suit the farmer. Many producers will also shy away from bidding on Crown land that returns to an open auction format after the lease expires.

Those same issues regarding Crown lands are just as important for Manitoba Beef Producers now as they were in 2020, Atkinson said.

“It’s been a big, big focus that’s taken a lot of time. It’s a challenge.”

Currently, the organization is focused on making sure Crown land

Don’t Take Chances!

is used in the best way possible for producers. This involves making sure land use stays within its proper designation, Atkinson said.

“If you attach a higher value to that land, you

need to make sure that it’s used as per the rules set out,” he said. “If it’s a hay parcel, that needs to be to be growing hay and not canola.”

Whatever the field is for was purposely cul-

tivated by the previous lease holder, so it only makes sense that the next lease holder add value to it by using it for the same purpose, Atkinson said.

Another focus for Atkinson and Manitoba Beef Producers is to campaign for better risk management tools for cattle producers. Currently, he said, forage producers don’t enjoy the same level of protection as grain producers do.

“That’s a challenge and something that we’re always working on, provincially and nationally, and that we work on together across all the provinces. We really need to get that.”

Highlighting the positive impact the cattle sector has on the environment is also high up on Atkinson’s goals for his

time as president. Too often, cattle producers are seen as working in an industry that damages the environment, while the helpful parts of their operations are overlooked.

The Beef Cattle Research Council of Canada said that while cattle generate more greenhouse gases than other livestock because of methane that is produced as they digest feed, grazing cattle are also an integral part of the grassland ecosystem and play an important role in nutrient recycling. Pasture lands are important stores of carbon and provide habitat to many species at risk, as well as preserve wetlands that otherwise may be subject to cultivation.

Continued on Page A20

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Matthew Atkinson, who owns a cow-calf farm near Neepawa and pastures some cattle near Ste. Rose, is the new president of Manitoba Beef Producers, a non-profit organization that represents 6,300 beef producers across the province.

File photo

Continued from Page A28

Atkinson has a quarter-section of pasture that contains water systems that wildlife use. Other parts of his land include natural grassland prairie.

“It’s sequestering a lot of carbon. It’s mitigating a lot of flood and drought extremes,” he explained. “Some recognition of that would be outstanding.”

Cattle farming works in harmony with nature, Atkinson added.

Recently, Manitoba Beef Producers has also worked with a conservation group for the Manitoba burrowing owl, which makes use of cattle foraging habitat to build its nests.

“I think we have a little bit of a skewed view in the eyes of some people

that what we’re doing is harmful to the environment. And I think we’re doing just the opposite.”

Finally, Atkinson said cattle producers need strong support in dealing with predators that put their cattle and livelihoods at risk. As the Sun previously reported, the issue of wolves and other problem predators such as foxes, coy-

otes and bears came up at a Manitoba Beef Producers meeting in February.

Claims under Manitoba’s wildlife damage compensation program indicate that wildlife damage averages about 20,000 acres annually but can fluctuate greatly from year to year due to factors such as crop selection,

weather conditions and food availability for wildlife. The program indicates there are about 1,900 claims for predator attacks on livestock in Manitoba annually.

Leading the organization in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is sure to pose challenges, but Atkinson said he’s eager to take them on.

And with recent record-

high cattle prices on calves, there’s reason to be hopeful for the future of the cattle industry across Manitoba, despite the challenges that remain, he said.

“We’ve had a tough few years that have moved folks into the red, and we need to get them back on their feet a little bit more. But I’m optimistic.”

USask project to improve soil health through knowledge sharing network receives $1.4 million from Weston Family Foundation

SASKATOON – A new project at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been awarded $1.4 million through the Weston Family Soil Health Initiative to develop land-based training workshops for First Nations communities,

land managers, and producers who farm First Nations lands.

The $10 million Weston Family Soil Health Initiative seeks to expand the adoption of ecologically based beneficial management practices (BMPs) including cover

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The project, Indigenous Soil Health Learning Circles for Resilient Prairie Agroecosystems, aims to establish a network to share evidence-based, culturally significant outreach and education to improve prairie soil health, biodiversity, and soil organic matter for First Nations agroecosystems.

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The Soil Health Learning Circles will share soil health knowledge from both an Indigenous and Western science-based perspective with First Nations and farmers who farm First Nations lands across the Prairies, focusing on the prairie-parkland region of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba.

“Our project will expand soil science training beyond the walls of the university—alongside teachings of Indigenous ecological knowledge— onto lands that are of significance to the First Nations we are in partner-

ship with,” said Arcand, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.

Conventional agricultural production is the main economic land use on First Nations in the Canadian Prairies, most of which is farmed by non-Indigenous producers. Many First Nations are now actively engaging in agricultural land management for improved economic outcomes and to establish stronger connections to Indigenous values around ecological stewardship and biodiversity.

The Soil Health Learning Circles will also share outcomes from the Agricultural Climate Solutions Living Lab Project “Bridge to Land Water Sky” led by

Mistawasis Nêhiyawak in partnership with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and other organizations. The Indigenous-led living lab, funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, aims to see farmers and First Nations working together to improve agricultural practices while honouring Indigenous values, communities, treaties, lands, and resources.

“I’m excited to exchange soil knowledge with First Nations land managers, producers, and community members on their own lands within their communities, and to continued building of respectful and reciprocal relationships for the benefit of the land and soil health,” said Arcand. — Submitted

Concerns raised over federal pesticide decision

The governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan are urging the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to reconsider its decision on a crucial insecticide for farmers.

The PMRA recently changed approved uses for lambda-cyhalothrin, an effective pesticide that many farmers rely on to control grasshoppers and flea beetles.

Among other changes, it can no longer be used for any crop that may end up as livestock feed and as a result, its manufacturers have pulled their products from Western Canada.

Due to a continued drought in some parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, grasshoppers are again likely to be a significant concern in the 2023 growing season, and the PMRA’s decision leaves farmers with one fewer tool to address potentially destructive pests.

It could also mean the inability for canola

producers to sell their products as livestock feed which could impact availability for cattle and lamb producers. It could also impact total food production in a time of world food insecurity.

“At a time when our farmers are finally finding their footing after a rough couple of years, this decision could set many of them back,” Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Nate Horner said. “I urge the federal ministers and the PMRA to reconsider their decision and make it easier, not harder, for Alberta’s farmers to feed people in Canada and across the world.”

“Without access to effective insecticides, Saskatchewan producers are at risk of being placed at a competitive disadvantage and will be facing significant losses,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said.

“Saskatchewan supports industry’s calls for an extension to the lambdacyhalothrin re-evalua-

tion decision to alleviate pressure on producers and help ensure a stable supply of feed for livestock.”

“With extreme flea beetle pressure, hotspots for grasshoppers and cutworms across the prairies and forecasted outbreaks, the lambda-cyhalothrin decision could severely impact our yields, our livelihoods, feedstocks and food prices,” Alberta Canola Chair Roger Chevraux and SaskCanola Chair Keith

Fournier said. “Lambdacyhalothrin has a significant market share, and it will strain farmers to source alternative products. The PMRA needs to base its decisions on sound science and be aligned with our largest trading partner.”

In 2019, the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency removed restrictions on lambda-cyhalothrin’s use. The PMRA made the opposite decision, which has led to confusion about what will be done

about livestock feed coming in from our largest trading partner.

Minister Horner and Minister Marit have written to the ministers of Health Canada and Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, outlining producers’ concerns and urging them to encourage the PMRA to reconsider its decision.

The prairie provinces’ farmers need a solution for the coming growing season. It is possible for the PMRA to enact an emergency reinstate-

ment of the product’s use to ensure our farmers can use it for the coming growing season and give it time to make a more informed decision, but we would need that immediately.

To ensure western farmers have an effective solution for the coming growing season, the PMRA would need to enact an emergency reinstatement immediately, which would also give the agency time to make a more informed decision.

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By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – The Days Inn and Suites is the recipient of two awards from the company this year. The President’s Award and the General Manager of the Year Award were announced earlier this month for the Yorktonbased hotel.

“The President’s Award is awarded to hotels that maintain a four or higher rating with respect to surveys that go out, cleanliness, service, value, willingness to return and willingness to reccomend,” said John Anderson, General Manager of the Days Inn and Suites Yorkton in an interview with Yorkton This Week.

The award is also based on information and reviews pulled from websites like Trip Advisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com according to Anderson.

“To top that off we have to maintain a 94 per

cent or higher quality assurance–that’s where Wyndham or Days Inn Canada comes in and inspects the property,” said Anderson.

“As for the General Manager of the Year Award–we have to maintain all that as well as [score] really high on guest service that’s offered and the viability of the hotel–there’s a bunch of little metrics that are involved in deciding on the General Manager of the Year Award.”

Anderson said he had no idea he was even in the running for the GM of the Year Award and was up against 109 other Days Inns from accross Canada.

“I was very very surprised–I didn’t even know that I was considered for it or that I was even in the running for it,” said Anderson, adding, “they don’t even tell you that you’re being considered for it–I found out when they sent out the awards and it was by video where

I found out that I was GM of the Year.”

“All that being said—I wouldn’t have been able to win either one of these awards without the staff that I have—from my assistant Laurie Steele right down to my front desk staff to my housekeepers– they are amazing to work with,” said Anderson, adding, “they take very much pride in the property—as much pride as I do—and that definitely shows with these awards,” and “it couldn’t have been done without my staff.”

Anderson noted his and the hotel’s support for local minor sports and charities was probably a factor in consideration of the award.

“I’m a very big supporter of the local sports in town here—be it soccer, minor football, minor hockey, the Yorkton Terriers, the Yorkton Maulers,” said Anderson.

“I guess I’m humbled by it,” said Anderson, “it’s definitely an honour to receive it.”

Sask. reports 236 more job offers to RNs from Philippines

By John Cairns, SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA - The provincial government is reporting that Saskatchewan’s second recruitment mission to the Philippines for registered nurses resulted in more job offers.

The mission in midMarch saw 236 conditional job offers to Registered Nurses.

That brings the total number of Filipino RNs offers to nearly 400 according to the government’s news release. That follows on 162 conditional job offers extended to Filipino RNs back during their first recruiting mission in Dec. 2022.

Health Minister Paul Merriman said there is a process where the recruits go through the immigration process, and once that is done they enter through the bridging program and then come over to Saskatchewan.

“I don’t want to say it’s a long process but it’s an important process that we go through, making sure the credentials are all verified. If they need some support in coming over we have up to $10,000 for them to be able to come over, that pays for some of their licensing, some of their travel. Moving from the Philippines to Saskatchewan, I’ve done that trip and it’s a long haul I just did it for a week, but going and moving halfway around the world does take a little bit of time. But we do have some on the ground

and we have more in that bridging program so it’s coming along really well.”

On the job as nurses are about a handful right now - less than 10 according to Merriman. Most are “in that bridging program that we’re trying to streamline that process with the regulatory bodies,” Merriman said to reporters.

“And we have a good process that we’re going to be looking at if there’s options to issue temporary licences, and then have them micro-credential up to an RN, just because we want to have as many people in the health care system versus in the classroom as soon as possible.”

Merriman explained

most of the nurses who have come in are coming as continuing care aides and are being microcredentialed up to RNs.

“We have to remember that our RNs in Saskatchewan are highly trained. This is a highly skilled position so we want to make sure that they’re orientated into our system as soon as possible and being done in a safe but efficient time.”

The second recruiting mission in March saw officials from the Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority head to Manila and Cebu, Philippines, where they conducted job interviews over the course of a week with potential recruits. Also there, according to the province, were Health Recruitment and Retention Navigators from the government, and nursing experts from post-secondary training institutions and nursing partners.

Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat reacted to the latest health care recruiting news by telling reporters it was “encouraging to see that offers went out, but offers do not equal boots on the ground.”

“We definitely need folks here today who can help with a crisis that exists in our healthcare system. The government has failed to plan for this healthcare staffing shortage and we have been calling for a real strategy around human resources for years now.”

Mowat also once again noted the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses had

called for the creation of a task force that would tackle some of these chal-

lenges, and pointed to the need to address the issue of retention of workers.

Courtesy John Anderson

John Anderson was the recipient of the GM of the Year for Days Inn and Suites.

Health Minister Paul Merriman speaks on latest numbers from government on the recruitment of nurses from the Philippines.

Photo by John Cairns

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The family of the late Dennis Kuzek would like to thank everyone who supported us through Dennis’s illness and after his passing. The gifts of food, cards, phone calls and donations will never be forgotten. Thank you to Father Mel Slashinsky, cantor, choir, pall bearers and the Orthodox Ladies for serving the lunch after prayers, Ron Sebulsky and Cheryl Bilokreli for preparing the lunch in Theodore after the funeral and a thank you to Garry Gawryliuk for the eulogy. Also a special thanks to the staff at Bailey’s Funeral Home for their caring and professional matter for getting us through a difficult time.

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The family of the late Kirk Neibrandt wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the numerous cards of sympathy, flowers, gifts of food, the generous donation Education Trust Fund, visits, phone calls and support from relatives and friends following the loss of my husband and our father. Thank you to the Doctors, Nursing Staff of ICU and 1st West, Home Care Treatment Nurses and Palliative Care of the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. The Doctors and Nurses of the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, Regina, Regina General Hospital and the Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, for their care of Kirk. A special thank you to Dr. van Heerden and staff and Louck’s Pharmacy also. We also wish to express our thanks to Vern and staff at Christie’s Funeral Home for their professional service, Pastor Dan Moeller for officiating the service, Jackie Guy - soloist, for her special songs, the Rhein Lion’s Club for the use of the hall and the many people who helped with set up of hall, lunch and clean up. Thank you to everyone who shared with us and our families, Kirk’s Celebration of Life on August 15, 2012. Your support was overwhelming. “You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he lived; Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

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— With healing hearts, tears in our eyes, Wendy, Brandi and Dana Neibrandt.

The family of the late Pauline Spelay wish to extend their heartfelt thanks for cards of sympathy, mass cards, flowers, gifts of food, donations, visits, phone calls from relatives and friends following the loss of our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Pasqua Hospital - Regina, St. Peter’s Hospital - Melville for their care. Also a special thank you to St. Paul Lutheran Care Home, Melville for your excellent care during this past year. We also wish to express our thanks to Larry and staff at Bailey’s Funeral Home for their professional services, Father Ray Lukie, Father Peter Pidskalny, Father Joakim Rac for officiating the services, the cantors, choir and the Knights of Columbus for leading the holy rosary, the grandchildren and great grandchildren for being pallbearers, crossbearer, epistle reader, and giving the eulogy, the luncheons as served by the St. Mary’s Cultural Centre after the prayers, and the Royal Canadian Legion after the funeral service.

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STATEMENT

OF OWNERSHIP

Published weekly by Boundary Publishers Ltd., a subsidiary of Glacier Ventures International Corp.

The Glacier group of companies collects personal information from our customers in the normal course of business transactions. We use that information to provide you with our products and services you request.

AGRO-FORESTREE FARM: Up to 25% off on bundles of 25 tree seedlings. For shelterbelt and fruit trees text/call Seanna Kirchner at 306-452-7965. Pickup in Yorkton. Visit our website agroforestreefarm.com

Domestic Help Wanted HELP WANTED - looking for assistance

Reason The reasons for the amendments are:

On occasion we may contact you for purposes of research, surveys and other such matters. To provide you with better service we may share your personal information with our sister companies and also outside, selected third parties who perform work for us as suppliers, agents, service providers and information gatherers. Our subscription list may be provided to other organizations who have products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to participate in such matters, please contact us at the following address: Yorkton This Week, 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 2X3. For a complete statement of our privacy policy, please go to our website at: www.yorktonthisweek.com or stop by our office and pick up a copy.

1) To accommodate subdivisions of the quarter section for proposed twelve (3.5 acre) parcels for the intended use of highway commercial and light industrial. Public Inspection Any person may inspect Bylaw Z2/12 at the municipal of Yorkton, Saskatchewan during regular of and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Copies are available at cost.

Yorkton This Week is owned and operated by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp.

Written Submissions

Any person(s) may make a written submission to council regarding proposed Bylaw Z2/12. Submissions will be accepted either by mail or at the public hearing. Mailed submissions should be forwarded to: Rural Municipality of Orkney No. 244 26 - 5th Ave. N., Yorkton, SK S3N 0Y8.

5105. Langenburg, Saskatchewan. www.vcherefordfarm.com

Public Hearing Council will hold a public hearing on October 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., at the R.M. Of ce at 26 - 5th Avenue North, Yorkton Saskatchewan, to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed Bylaw Z2/12. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing, or delivered to the undersigned at the municipal of before the hearing.

Issued at the R.M. of Orkney No. 244 this 21st day of September, 2012.

Donna Westerhaug, Administrator

Week marks volunteer contributions

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

National Volunteer Week is upcoming April 16-23, and Monday Yorkton Council heard why the nationally marked week is important.

“Volunteers are essential for healthy, vibrant communities and National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize and thank volunteers in and around Yorkton, Saskatchewan and Canada for their time and energy,” Lisa Washington, Manager of Community,

General Employment General Employment

Seniors, Parents, Children!

Earn some extra cash (possibly of up to $400/month depending on route size), get exercise and work only a few hours a week too!

Be a Yorkton This Week Carrier!

• No early mornings

• No collecting

• We pay by direct deposit on the last Friday of every month

• Weight bonuses

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• Any age welcome

• Only 2 days or less per week

If you would like a route, please e-mail us at: circulation@yorktonthisweek.com or telephone circulation at: 306-782-2465

Culture and Heritage with the city told the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

This year “. . . we celebrate the contributions of Canada’s millions of volunteers: their actions, their understanding, and their genuine concern for the world around them.”

The theme this year, “Volunteering Weaves us Together”, celebrates our individual and collective actions in creating strong, interconnected and vibrant community.

“Volunteering builds the strength and vibrancy of our communities through the interconnected actions we take to support one another. These diverse forms of sharing our time, talent and energy strengthen the fabric of our community,” said Washington.

“Through volunteering we experience our interconnectedness, making our lives more meaningful. Getting involved in various ways, we find friendship, develop trust, and link our relationships. Threading these connections, we come to belong as we contribute towards the same goals.”

Washington expanded on the idea of volunteerism being akin to weaving.

“Like each individual thread makes weaving

stronger, every volunteer’s experience, perspective, and abilities add to our collective resilience. Woven together from coast to coast to coast, volunteering reinforces our ability to grow, thrive, and create change within Yorkton, the Parkland area, Saskatchewan, and nationally,” she offered.

Washington also noted volunteering can take varied forms.

“Knowing our volunteer contributions are valued and meaningful creates a greater sense of purpose and dedication. From helping build a home, cleaning up a park, or coaching a sports team to cooking for an ill friend, checking in on a neighbour, or helping a stranger, each action we take impacts our community’s overall wellness, now and for future generations,” she said.

“During National Volunteer Week 2023, we celebrate our collective impact: through our kindness, generosity and commitment to volunteering, we weave our lives together. We ask our residents to stop and reflect on the contributions of our community’s volunteers and volunteer organizations and thank them for their time, energy and commitment to the betterment of Yorkton.”

Yorkton Legion Banner Program launched for 2023

The popularity of the Yorkton Legion’s Honour Our Veterans banner project continues to grow with sixteen new applications received this year, the fourth year of the project. That means over 220 veterans will be commemorated on Broadway, Darlington and Third Avenue street lights in October and

Join our team now.

Check out the code to see the qualifications. If this sounds like you, we want to meet you!

Deadline April 23, 2023

Rejoignez notre équipe

November.

As in the past, the city welcomes banners for all veterans who have a connection to Yorkton and Treaty Four Territory. Banners feature veterans from Boer War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, peacetime service and RCMP.

The Legion has a dedicated committee

who process applications, order and install hardware backets, and promote the project.

Chad McDowell, Yorkton Regional High School Art / Photography teacher, takes photos, some almost 100 years old, and edits them making each clear in the large banner format. This painstaking process is a challenge,

EISNER AUCTIONS

EISNER AUCTION CENTRE

but McDowell says, “I believe in giving back to the community, and this is one way to do that. The Yorkton Legion does great work promoting remembrance and supporting veterans in our community.”

One of the sixteen new veteran banner this year is William Lyle Fedorn, who resided in Yorkton and served with the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry in WWII, enlisting in 1942. In addition to serving in the Korean War from 1950 – 1953, his service took him to Britain, the Mediterranean Sea, Europe and throughout Canada.

The Legion would like to thank the City of Yorkton for their continued support, as well as Miccar Aerial Limited, Flaman Sales and Rentals and Maple Ag. The feedback from the community and visitors about the project has been very positive.

LAWRENCE EISNER AUCTIONS

LAWRENCE (204) 525-2225

RYAN (204) 734-0191

visit www.gartonsauction.com. DAY#1 – LARGE EQUIPMENT CLOSE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023 AT 7:00 PM

TRACTORS, VEHICLES: Kabota tractor BX2380, only 82.2 hrs, 23hp, 3cyl, diesel, 18hp PTO, 4x4, incl loader, tiller, weight box; 1999 TS-110 NH tractor MFWD turbo diesel, FEL/grapple, 10,650hrs; 2018 Sno Blo 6 skid steer mount snow blower; 1952 CAT D6-9U bulldozer, hyd angle blade; other tractors, etc; HD semi-trailer axle with brake system–NEW; 2005 GMC Duramax 2500 HD crew cab, 6.6l diesel; 2007 GMC Canyon 2wd, reg cab, 230,000km; 2007 Cadillac SRX4, 7-passenger, 207,800km; 2002 Freightliner, 6-cyl Detroit Diesel, 10 spd, etc; other vehicles; Snow plane, 2-seater, rebuilt Ford; FARM MACHINERY: Koenders Mfg 10’ pull-type drum swath roller, 15” tires-NEW; NH 357 grinder mixer with bale feeder; 2007 CaseIH RBX563 round baler, exc cond; 40’ Flexi Coil Eclipse 700 air drill; 2018 30’ drying cube silage/ farm wagon; universal tire changer for sprayers–NEW; sprayers, tanks, fertilizer spreader, grain augers; qty of large hopper bins, and much more.

DAY#2 – SMALLER ITEMS - CLOSE THURSDAY,

APRIL 27, 2023 AT 5:00 PM

BREEDERS: LIVE Quail Jumbo Coturnix 5-breeder sets, 6-12mos old; 8 Cayuga ducks; egg incubators; DISPLAY MATERIALS: Lge quantity of display and glass shelving units, racks, counters, etc, with hardware; YARD, GARDEN, RECREATION: JD X320 lawn tractor, 44” snow blower, mower deck, 100 hrs, good cond; Yardman garden tractor, GT1846, 18hp, 46” cut, etc; other yard/garden equipment and tools; Kawasaki 4x4 quad, 4550km, windshield, winch; sheds, gazebos-various sizes; recreational gear, horse saddles, dog training; TOOLS, SHOP, BUILDING MATERIALS: MANY NEW ITEMS; Lighting, building materials, electrical supplies; variety of small power and other tools; welders, saws; generators, air compressors; tool cabinets; large variety of stainless steel tubing and much more.

BID

More information and banner applications can be found on the Yorkton Legion website and Facebook page, by phoning the Legion at 306783-9789, or by emailing yorktonlegionbanner@ gmail.com

Yorkton youth headed to Jr Pats

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

YORKTON – A youth from Yorkton has been selected to play for the Saskatchewan Jr Pats.

Nine-year-old Ben Blenkin will play in three tournaments with the team, including the Brick Invitational in Edmonton which hosts

teams from all over North America.

“I’m very excited, it’s a dream come true and I’ve worked hard to get here,” said Blenkin in an e-mail correspondance with Yorkton This Week Blenkin most recently played for the U11 AA Terriers in 2022-23 and helped the team to a league title victory in

March.

Blenkin said he’s been training to make the team for the past two years and his regiment is composed of training at the gym, shooting, power skating and on ice skills training.

“I hope to play the best I can and have fun playing against the best kids my age from Canada

and the United States,” said Blenkin, adding, “the Brick Invitational is for first year U11 players. The athletes get one chance in their entire career to play at this event. This year it is 2013 born athletes.”

“Dale Derkach pulled Ben aside a little over two years ago after a training session in

Fishing Guides for new season online

The 2023-24 Saskatchewan Anglers Guide is now available online for fishing enthusiasts.

The guide is conveniently downloadable to your cell phone or tablet, making it possible to quickly reference the province’s regulations, practices and catch limits. Physical copies will be available at Ministry of Environment field offices, most provincial park offices and select retail outlets in early May.

“Fishing is a time-honoured tradition in Saskatchewan and a great way to relax and reconnect with family and friends,” Environment Minister Dana Skoropad said. “I strongly encourage anglers to review the guide before heading out, so they can fully enjoy casting a line in one of our many beautiful freshwater lakes or rivers this season.”

In addition to provincial regulations, the guide supplies vital information to anglers about catch-andrelease best practices, fish identification, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and how to accurately measure and package fish for transport.

The new season opens on May 5 in the southern management zone, May 15 in the central management zone and May 25 in the northern management zone.

Angling licences are available online and through the SK Hunt & Fish app and can be stored on your mobile device.

To download the guide, find more information or to purchase an angling licence, visit saskatchewan.ca/fishing. — Submitted

Regina and suggested he consider trying out for the Team Sask Brick team,” said Chad Blenkin, Ben’s father, adding, “he shared with him that it takes more commitment than just showing up at the rink, it also takes working out at the gym, dryland training, skills training, nutrition, and then some.”

“From that day for-

ward Ben set his mind on making this roster and worked tirelessly to achieve it,” said Chad.

“There have been many skills trainers and coaches that have helped me achieve my goal–special thanks to my dad for coaching me and to skills trainers Dale Derkach, Steve Serdacnhy and Brett Peppler,” said Ben.

Courtesy Chad Blenkin

Nine-year-old Ben Blenkin, pictured here with Regina Pat phenom Conor Bedard. “Like many kids, Conor Bedard has become Ben’s idol. The day Dale Derkatch sat Ben down to chat with him about the Brick Team, he got to meet Conor Bedard for the first time,” said Chad Blenkin.

Nancy Johnson nancjohnson@me.com

306-745-7578

Residential Specialist

Esterhazy, Yorkton and Area

Gladys Secondiak

Gladys.Secondiak@outlook.com

306-620-9700

Residential, Agriculture Specialist

Yorkton, Canora, Preeceville, Kamsack and surrounding area.

Jeff Chapple chappleremax@gmail.com

306-740-7161

Commercial/Agriculture Specialist Eastern Saskatchewan

Ray Nordin r.nordin22@gmail.com

306-730-8151

Agriculture, Residential Specialist Eastern Saskachewan

Personal, professional service.

Whether buying or selling, if it’s a residential property in smaller communities you’re interested in, acreages out in the rurals, recreational properties, investment land or a complete farming operation, I’ve handled the transactions for all of them and would be honoured to help you with your Real Estate needs. Give me a call and we can discuss your particular situation, what’s most important is “you”.

Marcel DeCorby mhdecorby@gmail.com

306-745-7755

Agriculture Specialist Eastern Saskatchewan

SPY HILL, SASKATCHEWAN MLS®#: SK910013

LAND MLS®#: SK920101

OF STANLEY QUARTER STANLEY RM NO. 215, SASKATCHEWAN S0A2P0 MLS®#: SK921036

RM NO. 214, SASKATCHEWAN MLS®#: SK919007 VALLEY EDGE ACREAGE SPY HILL MLS®#: SK911566

RM NO. 181, SASKATCHEWAN MLS®#: SK910679

HAMILTON ROAD, YORKTON MLS®#: SK903098

2ND AVENUE, YORKTON MLS®#: SK907012

BROADWAY STREET E, YORKTON MLS®#: SK904538

MAIN STREET, ESTERHAZY MLS®#: SK915499

3RD AVENUE N, YORKTON MLS®#: SK890331

BROADWAY STREET E # 3 & 4 MLS®#: SK908728

3RD AVE NE, PREECEVILLE MLS®#: SK923257

SHADE FARM, RM OF BUCHANAN MLS®#: SK923861

MAIN ST, CANORA