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Issue 15
SERVING THE ENERGY CITY SINCE 1903
Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
ESTEVAN’S
SOURCE FOR LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS
National party Aspiring physician concludes her year in Estevan leader visits Estevan By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
Estevan area residents had a rare opportunity to hear from one of the federal party leaders when Maxime Bernier, the head of the relatively new People’s Party of Canada, spoke at the Beefeater Plaza on July 29. Bernier covered a gamut of topics during a 45-minute speech to a crowd of about 100 people, the vast majority of them party supporters. He also spent about 25 minutes answering questions. He was in Estevan to support Phil Zajac, who is the candidate for the PPC in Souris-Moose Mountain for the Oct. 21 federal election. It was a speech filled with bluster, and at times, he didn’t pull punches. The loudest applause came when he called for the reworking of the federal equalization formula, but he was also cheered at various other points in the evening, including when he told the crowd that he expects the party will form the next government, even though the PPC is only a year old and currently polling at five per cent. “If you are voting for us, you’re not splitting the vote,” said Bernier. “I don’t believe that here in Saskatchewan, that Justin Trudeau will be able to elect one member of Parliament.” Bernier also drew parallels between the federal Liberals and Conservatives numerous times during the evening, and explained how a PPC government would differ from both. He was a member of the Tory caucus from 2004-2018, and held several cabinet positions in Stephen Harper’s government. Bernier also ran for the Conservative Party’s leadership in 2017, and led in polling throughout the night, before finish second to Andrew Scheer on the final ballot. But he left the party last year, and quickly established the PPC. At one point in the evening, Bernier said he would never seek a merger with the Tories. Earlier in the day, Bernier was at the carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at the Boundary Dam Power Station – the first time he has viewed the facility. “The technology, it is great,
but also, I was there to learn, to learn about carbon capture and the technology, and I did. I was impressed by the technology and also the people working there. It’s very high-tech technology.” He concedes there are questions about CCS, but he believes it’s beneficial for the environment, and a great way to keep coal-fired power in the electrical generation mix. “I know that they’re receiving a lot of subsidies from the provincial government, and I hope one day it will be sustainable and it will be profitable,” he said. If the PPC were to form government, he doubts the party would provide additional money for the technology. The Tories gave $240 million in 2008 when they were in power to retrofit Unit 3 at Boundary Dam with CCS. “Right now … they have to be able to be profitable, and we had a good discussion about that, and I think it will come,” said Bernier. “They are able to sell some of the gases that they are capturing to the oil and gas industry, so that’s a good income for them.” Bernier was scheduled to tour the coal mines operated by Westmoreland Mining LLC, but didn’t have time to get there before the dinner. So he says he will have to come back, and he hopes to do so this September to help Zajac with his campaign. His day in Saskatchewan started in Regina, when the PPC presented its candidates in the province to the media. Bernier said the PPC has a full slate of 14 candidates in this province, and they have 305 in Canada. Their goal is to have a candidate in all 338 constituencies before the end of the month. Bernier used the press conference in Regina to share the party’s platform on issues such as equalization, lower immigration numbers and pipelines. The PPC leader said they are ready to use Section 92.10 of the federal constitution to give the feds the full authority to approve pipelines, and prevent provinces like B.C. and Quebec from blocking the projects. “A province won’t be able A2 » BERNIER
The aspiring physician who spent a year in Estevan through the longitudinal integrated clinical (LIC) clerkship practicum program has wrapped up her time in the city, and found the experience to be informative and fulfilling. Lindsay Richels spent a year working at St. Joseph’s Hospital, learning the ins and outs of the medical industry. Her final day in Estevan was July 18. The past year afforded her some great learning opportunities, and she couldn’t have asked for more, between St. Joseph’s, the staff and the community. “I was able to rotate with pretty much every physician there,” said Richels. “I definitely got a taste of all the corners of St. Joseph’s, and all of the different practice models that the physicians have, how each of them functions in Estevan at St. Joseph’s, and in their practice in the community.” Richels worked particularly closely with Dr. Edward Krickan, who is among the main preceptors of the LCI program in Estevan. She really liked the variety associated with the LIC
program. If it wasn’t busy, she could go to the emergency department to help out, which was a favourite area of the hospital and of her time in Estevan. If there was an urgent case in the operating room, she was pleased to assist there, because she felt like she was part of the team, and a valued member of a small hospital. “I always felt really wanted to be around, and helpful, and I really enjoyed that,” said Richels. She also enjoyed procedure days, with joint injections, mole removals and other tasks. The past year spent in Estevan will help with her confidence as she enters her fourth year of medical school. “I’ve already noticed competing with residents in Regina to do procedures, or to see patients. I’ve definitely appreciated my role in Estevan, and seeing what happens there just gave me the hands-on opportunities and allowed me to build my skill set.” Richels would welcome the opportunity to practice in Estevan once she completes her medical training and her residency. Her husband is A2 » TWO
Lindsay Richels has wrapped up her time in Estevan through the longitudinal integrated clinical clerkship program. Photo submitted
The threshing man Keegan Schindel demonstrated threshing techniques during the Souris Valley Antiques Association’s Threshing Weekend activities in Midale on Sunday. Farming history was celebrated during the weekend with threshing demonstrations, tractor parades and other activities for the public. For more on the event, see Page A3
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