Kamsack Times 2023-03-30

Tımes Kamsack

Kamsack U11 Flyers win league banner

The U11 Kamsack Flyers won the C side banner of the Major Hockey League, defeating the Yorkton U11 Deneschuk Homes Terriers.

“We were excited for the full year [we] put in and [excited] to be rewarded at the end with winning that last game and that championship,” said Jared Ruf, one of the assistant coaches.

There were two games in the series. If either team had won a game each, there would have been a 10-minute mini-game after the second game to determine the winner.

It did not come to that. The Flyers won their first game on the road 8-7.

The second game was more one-sided.

“We played at home and we had a very dominating game – 9-1 in front of a full house at the Broda SportsPlex in Kamsack.”

As for the season in general for the U11 Flyers, Ruf said he was happy with how it went.

“We had a strong year with lots of tight games and saw our team improved greatly. We finished the year winning eight games in a row.”

As for how the team will look next season, Ruf said it was hard to determine as some of the team

Kamsack welcomes new dentist

Dr. Natasha Anwer has moved to Kamsack from Toronto with her husband and five-year-old daughter.

The new Kamsack Dental dentist said she has always wanted to live in an area like Kamsack, a small town.

“Toronto is a metropolitan city. You see people from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different cultures. For Kamsack, what really attracted me was this small beautiful town and Saskatchewan. I wanted to bring my child up in that environment as well. I want to keep her away from the hustle and bustle of the city and really

explore a true Canadian living experience,” Dr. Anwer said. She originally came from Pakistan to Toronto where she pursued her passion in health care and eventually dentistry with the University of Toronto.

“I knew that’s what I wanted was just dentistry. I feel the work itself makes such a big difference in people’s lives. Obviously, you have the doctors and surgeons and everyone but I think the work-life balance with dentistry was very important for me, I wanted to have a family and at the same time be able to give back to society.

“Being able to work in health

care, such as dentistry, you know, it’s just such a mix of art and science. I’ve been a very artistic person and I love sciences. I’m always very interested in certain chemistry and physics and biology and all those things. I think this was the perfect combination of both handwork, the artistic aspect of it, and then you know, studying and you have to be good at your studies. This was the perfect combination, I get to work with my hands. I get to sort of express my artistic skills. At the same time, we have a patient and we have the healthcare aspect of it. We’re

members would be moving on to U13, while others would be staying.

“Three of the minor hockey groups – U9, U11, U13 – all look like they’ll have stronger teams next year.”

The U11 Kamsack Flyers won the C side banner of the Major Hockey League. From left, starting in the back, are Assistant Coach Jared Ruf, Head Coach Deven Shabatoski, Assistant Coach Chris Leis and Manager Shanneen Tataryn. In the middle are Jacob Stevenson, Payson Erhardt, Kaylum Semeniuk, Liam Shabatoski, Bryden Leis, Houston Keshane and Dominick Palmer. In the front are Flynn Ruf, Ashton Leis, Brodie Hunter, Quin Summers, Rumor Gervais, Lucas Stevenson, Anna Reilkoff and Morgan Lawless. Photo courtesy of Kamsack U11 Flyers

Dr. Natasha Anwer (right) and her colleagues, Ann Cruz, left, and Janet Castonguay, centre.

Benefit for person needing kidney a success

A benefit dinner and comedian show with Joel Jeffrey and Lachlan McWilliams as entertainers was organized for Tracy Strijak to help raise money to ease the financial stress that Tracy is going though with all the trips and stays in Saskatoon.

She continues to wait for that “call” from the Kidney Transplant Clinic.

The benefit was held March 18 at the Endeavour School Complex.

“Tracy is in desperate need of a kidney, O+ is her blood type. So, please if anyone would like to share a kidney please contact myself or go directly to the Kidney Transplant Clinic in Saskatoon at St. Paul’s Hospital,” said organizer Debbie Yaremko, who’s Tracy’s aunt. “Just a reminder: sign your donor

cards. You could save a life.”

Yaremko acknowledged the support she received from the community.

“When I started calling to set up this event I had no clue how it would go over or how many to prepare for, I live six hours away and needed helping hands from back home to help do the running around to pick stuff up and contact businesses for auction items.”

Yaremko said family, local businesses and other individuals within the community helped out.

“To all the people that helped setting up the day of, and the day after, too many to mention but you know who you are, I really appreciate everyone’s support and help,” stated Yaremko.

“I couldn’t have done it

with out all of you.”

Yaremko said she was pleased with the results.

“The event was a huge success with 168 guests that attended and between the 50/50 sales, dinner tickets, auction items, donation boxes, cash donations and E-transfers to support this event, we raised $15,000. The 50/50 was won by Melissa Purdy and she donated half back to Tracy,” she said. “I am personally so proud to come from a community that is so supportive and caring. On behalf of Tracy, Trenton, Haley, Izzy and our families we are so grateful. Without each and every one of you this event would not have been successful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” concluded Yaremko.

SUMA happy with provincial investments

Provincial investments are important to improving the quality of life in Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages, resort villages, and northern municipalities.

With the release of the 2023-24 provincial budget, SUMA recognizes the province’s effort to improve the lives of Saskatchewan’s residents, particularly through increased funding for infrastructure and health services, stated a release. With members in Saskatchewan’s north, SUMA is pleased to see an investment of $89.4 million to build, operate,

and maintain the transportation system in northern Saskatchewan.

The additional $6 million for the preservation and maintenance of northern roads to support the province’s forestry industry will also help support economic development in Saskatchewan’s northern communities. All of Saskatchewan’s hometowns will benefit from the record investment of more than $297 million in Municipal Revenue Sharing, a 13 per cent increase from the 2022-23 year. However, with more than 80 per cent of

it’s so strongly tied to not only Kamsack but the surrounding area.

Saskatchewan’s population calling an urban municipality home, SUMA believes the funding allocations need to be adjusted to reflect where Saskatchewan’s population lives and works, while recognizing the greater cost of providing services in Saskatchewan’s northern municipalities.

“Municipal Revenue Sharing helps fund the projects that matter most to our communities,” SUMA President Randy Goulden said. “As Saskatchewan’s population continues to move to our villages, towns, and cities, we need to ensure

the revenue sharing model recognizes that shift and enables our hometowns to provide and maintain the infrastructure and services residents expect.” With a projected $1 billion surplus, SUMA is disappointed that PST will continue to be applied to municipal construction projects. While the increased Municipal Revenue Sharing is welcome news for Saskatchewan’s hometowns, municipalities will be returning a significant portion of the funding to the province through PST on municipal construction projects.

Data gathered by SUMA showed that medium-sized cities in Saskatchewan returned 24-39 per cent of their total Municipal Revenue Sharing grant back to the province in the form of PST on municipal construction projects in 2021.

“We could do so much more in our communities if the funding stayed in our municipalities,” Goulden said.

While health is a provincial responsibility, hospitals, health centres, and long-term care homes are in Saskatchewan’s hometowns and impact the well-being of residents. SUMA has

continued to raise concerns relating to access to health care, particularly in smaller centres. SUMA welcomes the 6.7 per cent increase in health care funding, bringing the total provincial investment to $6.867 billion. SUMA is especially encouraged by the funding focused on implementation of 250 full-time positions and enhancement of part-time positions in hometowns. An additional $8.8 million to enhance emergency medical services and provide more reliable emergency health services is also welcomed.

actually working on real human beings. I love the interaction and I love everything that the industry has to offer.”

Dr. Anwer also mentioned that she fell in love with the Kamsack Dental office because she was impressed with how much of an impact it has on its community. How

“This clinic itself, it’s so deeply entrenched and like it’s very central to the entire community. That is rare to find in a lot of dental clinics. I really loved how deeply connected it was to the community and each of our staff members as well. They were been born here. They’ve been brought up here and they

have very strong ties with the community. That was very important for me. I always wanted to like do volunteer work. I know suburban Canada, and far away smaller towns are very underserved. So, I think this fits the bill perfectly.”

Anwer, when asked if she has partook in any local sports or activities, said she unfortunately hasn’t had the time, with all the moving and work she just quite hasn’t had the opportunity. However, Anwer has still been enjoying herself.

When asked about any hobbies she has she said,

“I think this is my hobby. I know how sad it sounds, somebody whose hobby and profession are the same. I think I really enjoyed the industry and I just thought about it. After I graduated, I was like, ‘can I ever imagined myself doing anything else?’ No, I really, really, really love my work and I think that’s very important because for me because I spend most of my days here like I’m more here with my patients than I have with my family. Like I hardly ever get to see anyone except on the weekends or during the late evenings, they’re busy with their own

stuff.

“I am really fortunate in the sense that I really enjoy my work. I’m the happiest when I’m here. And when it’s the weekend. Again, as bad as it sounds like I started having anxiety worrying about when am I going to go back to work?

So that’s interesting about how I feel about my work.

So yes, I don’t really have a lot of hobbies.

“I do like exploring the outdoors. And as I said,

you know in this condition, again, nice weather conditions. We don’t go hiking or anything because we’re not very familiar with a lot of places. But we do go for long drives, like all the time as soon as my husband would pick me up from work, we’ll just go for an hour-long drive just exploring in and around Kamsack. So yeah, that’s pretty much the only two things I do, drive around with my husband and then just work here.”

Work to be done on Highway 8 near Kamsack

A local highway will be seeing some work done to it over the summer construction season.

Nine kilometres of Highway 8 between Keeseekoose First Nation and Pelly will be paved sometime during 2023.

Thirty-five kilometres of Highway 8 beween Kamsack and the junction of Highway 10 will undergo some pavement sealing.

The provincial highways ministry said both projects are to be tended for competition at the end of this year’s construction season.

The work was announced as part of the March 22 provincial budget. Province-wide, 1,000 kilometres of highway will be seeing improvements.

A benefit dinner and comedy show with Joel Jeffrey (pictured) and Lachlan McWilliams as entertainers was organized for Tracy Strijak to help raise money to ease the financial stress that Tracy is going though with all the trips and stays in Saskatoon. Tracy continues to wait for that “Call” from the Kidney Transplant Clinic. The benefit was held March 18 at the Endeavour School Complex.

Judge grants bail to Quewezance sisters

BY LISA JOY SASKTODAY.ca

A judge has granted bail to Odelia, 51, and Nerissa, 48, Quewezance who have served approximately 30 years in prison for a 1993 murder in Saskatchewan. After court adjourned, applause erupted in the gallery.

Justice Donald Layh handed down his decision on March 27 in Yorkton Court of King’s Bench. He ruled that the sisters’ application for bail wasn’t frivolous, they aren’t a flight risk, and don’t pose a danger to the public. The sisters appeared in court in person.

The Quewezance sisters, from Keeseekoose First Nation, were convicted in 1994 of second-degree murder in the death of Kamsackarea farmer Anthony Joseph Dolff. However, they have maintained their innocence. A young offender – who admitted to committing the murder alone – was sentenced to four-years in prison.

Justice Layh pointed out that Innocence Canada laywer James Lockyer had previously asked the Saskatchewan government

to reduce their three-decades old second-degree murder convictions to manslaughter but the province had turned it down.

Nerissa and Odelia have the support of high-profile advocates such as Senator Kim Pate, Innocence Canada, Kim Beaudin

from Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and the late David Milgaard.

In addition, Justices Harry LaForme and Juanita Westmoreland-Traore said their case is a possible miscarriage of justice and called on the Parole Board of Canada to release them. The two justices were appointed by Federal Justice Minister David Lametti in 2021 to head the creation of the independent Criminal Case Review Commission [Bill C-40, David and Joyce Milgaard’s Law], to review wrongful convictions.

Lametti’s office is currently reviewing Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance’s 1994 convictions as a possible miscarriage of justice. If Lametti orders a new trial, then the case will go back to Yorkton Court of King’s Bench for a possible new trial. If Lametti orders an appeal then it would go to the Court of Appeal.

Man wanted in Toronto area arrested at Canora motel

A 50-year-old man suspected of launching fireworks at three Toronto-area police divisions was arrested at a Canora motel after some resistance.

According to a release from the Peel Regional Police, the fireworks were launched on March 12. They believed the suspect was driving a 2017 black Ford Explorer with a

push bar on the front and a Saskatchewan license plate.

On March 16, the man allegedly contacted three Peel Regional Police divisions and uttered threats.

The man was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for three counts of mischief, one count of flight from police, and three counts of uttering threats. Peel Regional Police

Service requested assistance from the Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team.

On March 17, at around 12:30 p.m., the Yorkton Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team saw a vehicle parked at a Canora motel with its licence plate removed, Saskatchewan RCMP said.

Police said investigators saw the 50-year-old man and

he was told he was under arrest. He did not comply with investigators and locked himself in a motel room. After further investigative efforts and a brief foot chase, the man was arrested.

The Yorkton Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, with assistance from the Canora RCMP and Yorkton RCMP Forensic Identification

Services, executed a search warrant on the motel room and vehicle, Saskatchewan RCMP said. Officers located the missing licence plate along with 28 assorted Saskatchewan and Ontario licence plates, all confirmed to belong to the man.

The man was to be returned to Peel Regional Police Service to appear in court in Ontario.

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Nerissa and Odelia Quewezance embrace for the first time in 18 years when they appeared in November 2022 at Yorkton Court of King’s Bench.

Photo by Ryan Kiedrowski / SASKTODAY.ca

123 First Avenue East (Box 746)

Canora, Saskatchewan

Phone: 306-563-5131 · Fax: 306-563-6144

ceremony was held to officially open accessible playground equipment at the

It is interesting how certain random occurrences create thoughts of a much larger scale.

Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 8 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm Tues.: 8 am – 12 pm, closed afternoons

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Grade 3 students had the opportunity times were like for many pioneers durWeek Appreciation Day at the Preeceville prepared a set of questions for the seniors time when they were growing up and at-

LOOKING BACK A decade ago

For example, I was recently reading Gardener’s Notebook by Debbie Hayward, and she made reference to borage.

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School students and staff celebrated an open house.

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Week was acknowledged by both the Volunteer Fire Department and the Sturgis

fundraiser. The idea was created by Les Bobyk in 1997, and the actual bed was made by a local Kamsack Farmer, Les Bobyk’s uncle, Nick Bobyk with some bicycle parts and a bed. *****

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Regional College announced its strategic plan the new academic year.

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School kicked off its annual magazine

The Kamsack branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation held an ice fishing derby at the old Kamsack Reservoir. Out of 26 fishing holes in the reservoir, not one brought any fish. So by the end of the derby, instead of the prizes won by those with the best catch, a draw was made by those who endured the cold. First place was a payout of $130 that went to Jerry Yagelniski ; second was $78 to Darryl Fesik , who donated back to the branch, and third Bryan Petruk, $52. *****

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We all need to consider the importance of tackling the global water crisis

An after-school program was hosted by Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre with Grade one school teacher Keri Lindsay, and around 50 children attending. Israel Gamble , Declane Ganaille , and PaytenLee Kakakaway were some of the children that attended the program. *****

SGI would no longer be issuing license

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The town of Togo hosted a curling fundraising supper, with ticket buyers asked to guess when a car parked on a frozen body of water off Highway No.8 would drop into the water when the ice melted.

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agriculture minister and Greg Steward, Farm Credit Canada signed a partnership recognizing Saskatchewan as the first province partner of the Agricultural More Than program is an initiative focused on industry and improving the perceptions of Canada.

Every year agriculture students from the University of Saskatchewan push a bed from Saskatoon to Regina as part of a Telemiracle

While Hayward was referring to borage in terms of a garden, my mind jumped back several years to when there was talk in the farm sector in Saskatchewan that it could become an important niche crop since the plant is also commercially cultivated for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds.

to become important crops as the sector looked to diversify.

simply disappeared for most.

Lise Rochefort of Kamsack was the winner of a 50/50 draw for $11,907.50 hosted by Sask Alpine and its member clubs. *****

There are times, when you have written a column weekly for more than 30 years, coming up with a topic to fill this space is a chore – a chore seeming harder than cleaning stalls like I did when I was a youth on the farm.

Thankfully, this week the topic was rather obvious.

Borage seed oil has one of the highest amounts of γ -linolenic acid (GLA) of seed oil, and in herbal medicine has a long list of applications.

George Musqua , an employee of the Good Spirit School Division, told two legends, to celebrate First Nation Storytelling Week, to the Grade 7 students of Pelly.

Of course, the general concept of crop diversification faded as prices for familiar cereal and oilseed crops jumped. Why take risks with a new crop if the value of wheat and canola penciled out as profitable more years than not?

The Ag Scene

As it turns out, March 22, the date this column first saw print, happens to be World Water Day.

World Water Day became a UN observance day in 1993. It seeks to focus attention on the global water crisis.

The crop never quite achieved the level of production one might have expected from the ‘hype’ at the time, although to be fair there was a long list of crops that were thought

At first glance, a day dedicated to water might not seem likely a particularly agricultural topic, but ultimately water is pretty much essential to everything farming once you think about it a moment.

Crops simply don’t

Niche crops, of course, are also a greater risk with limited markets, and almost none locally.

Battleford where thousands of people got sick including about 50 people hospitalized. The source of the outbreak was from the city’s surface water treatment plant.

And, because the markets are limited it takes only moderate swings upwards in production to see prices decline.

grow without moisture, something farmers are all too familiar with. If timely rains do not happen, neither does a good harvest, and that impacts our food supply.

Now a drought, even over an area as large as the Canadian Prairies doesn’t mean starvation, at least if the drought is only a year or two long, but it will push up grain prices, and higher prices are a hardship to poor countries and their people.

need a source of water for irrigation, and that can lead to some issues.

And, in the case of canola, there was a level of diversification within the crop with identity preserved varieties offering farmers some added premiums for production.

The same sources of water may also be used for communities, the water coming from the taps of residents, and that is used by industry too.

That does not mean the crops are no longer grown, but broad interest has certainly quieted.

And, in 2000, there was the Walkerton E. coli outbreak, the result of a contamination of the drinking water supply of Walkerton, Ont. with E. coli and Campylobacter jejuni bacteria.

So our water resource can be a far more fragile thing than we think about often.

It’s not a crop-only phenomenon either.

Imagine a longer-term drought and dwindling sources of water. At that point, who gets that water?

In the process, interest in crops such as borage, lupins, caraway, coriander, fenugreek, hemp, seabuckthorn and many others

For many higher value crops, vegetables and fruits, irrigation helps prevent drought, but you

We don’t often think about water security, although there have been incidents that showed how fragile the resource is.

For example, in 2001 there was an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in North

But water, whether out of the tap to drink, or to fuel manufacturing and crop growth is essential. Celebrated annually, World Water Day raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis, but only if we take the time to think about our water resource.

be imal. story case ostrich, bellied rabbits, again stock hogs plode feed, and fit fertilizer. a time, climbed, issues jumped, tential prospects dimmed. versifying well is one oilseed may denly or good

Orchids can add that extra something special to a

The many benefits of using compost in a garden

f the many wonderful things you can do for your garden, the most important has to be the addition of compost.

Compost is natural, organic, pure brown gold that will leave your entire garden saying, “Wow!”

Composting is easy to do, and a valuable way to “recycle” organic material.

say is the most exotic flower? For been the orchid. I can still remember Hawaii many years ago, I was asorchids were used in such abundance: for arrangements in restaurant lobbies, huge hanglush cattleya orchids in the Royal to garnish our luncheon plates on anything be more amazing? And before when Keith brought Mom and me orwear to a cousin’s wedding that seemed luxury!

Compost is decomposed organic matter, rich in nutrients, helps to improve soil structure, and improves soil fertility. It improves the condition of your plants and increases yield. And best of all, it costs practically nothing to make!

So where do we begin?

By mixing the right recipe of material, air, moisture and heat, you can speed up the composting process

that occurs naturally out doors every day. There are many types of compost bins available, or you can make your own. Our first compost bin was a struc ture made of three wooden pallets, nailed together to form three sides, and was open at the front. Our current composter is a tumbling bin. Compost bins come in all sizes, there is one suited to any garden. What goes into a compost bin? All kinds of organic waste, from potato peels, apple cores, banana peels, grass clippings and leaves. It’s simply a matter of layering “brown” (dry) and “green” (fresh) organic matter. The only thing to be careful with are grass clippings, because they are fine and tend to clump, and

with orchids continues. We have one to us last year by some dear friends. that orchids were very delicate, very and had very specific light and water after hearing from gardeners in the are to grow, we decided to be optiAnd guess what? Success. After the the plant when we received it faded, giving us five beautiful lime-green a long time, and have since faded, new stem is appearing. So exciting! thousands of varieties of orchids, but my always been the moth orchid, the phalaeone branch of blossoms that swoops the dark green leaves is so serenely

The Garden Grapevine

DEBBIE HAYWARD

The Garden Grapevine

one of the most important things in a compost pile is aeration.

compost pile? Most definitely. Do not add any dairy items, or meat or fish scraps. These will smell and might attract visitors you don’t want to have! And anything that has been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides should never be added to a compost pile.

is a difference.

When the day comes that you have some usable compost, you will feel like you have a treasure for your garden!

Earth Day is Saturday, April 22.

Some orchids also grow in soil: restrial, and a good example is beautiful cymbidium, which comes of colours, is also a terrestrial. On programs on TV, they showed how to the locals, they were almost treasure they are to us here!

After you’ve begun and have the various layers, there is nothing much more to do than wait. A couple times a year, you will have to get your garden forks and turn your compost pile over, to allow air and moisture to circulate and to have the less-composted top of the pile now at the bottom.

beautiful, like Canada geese about to take flight.

Orchids include more than 25,000 species, and did you know that there are orchids on every continent except Antarctica? Orchids in the home like to live under the same conditions that they would in nature, so these are the things to watch for: water, air movement, temperature, and sunlight.

You also want to make sure that the compost pile is moist, but not wet. With these raw materials, moisture and time, you will have some usable compost in about a year. It will be the texture of rich, dark peat moss; just loaded with nutrients, and the best part is that you made it for free from something you were throwing out anyway! Are there some things that should not go on a

Most of the orchids we have in our homes are epiphytic, that is, they are used to living on trees or other vegetation, surrounded by moss and bark, not anchored in soil. Their roots that stick out of the pot gather moisture from the air. So it is important to provide a loose potting medium of bark or moss, moderate humidity, indirect light, and air movement. And in our northern climes, orchids shouldn’t be too close to a chilly window in the winter.

If you have the idea that compost piles are smelly, that is completely incorrect – a healthy compost pile smells like a freshly opened bag of peat moss –a nice earthy smell. If the compost pile has an unpleasant aroma, it is time to investigate, because maybe you have too thick a layer of green matter, or too much moisture. You do want your compost to decompose, but not rot. There

Plus there are oncidiums, dendrobiums, the list goes on and on! We’ve the orchid bug, you continue to want each more exotic than the last. So in awe of them to have reached this are just hoping that the orchid we

The orchid plant is definitely beauty for a long time, so if you a store sometime, treat yourself collection. You won’t be disappointed!

Did you know that there are Earth Days celebrations in over 170 countries, involving more than one billion people? The celebrations begin with ceremonial tree planting, and this year Earth Day Canada is partnering with McMaster University to plant 250 trees. We can’t do that just yet, but if this is the year that your yard is getting a new tree, it will be fun to consider the possible choices before planting time.

Have a nice week!

In gardening, things are the Usually by this time, we should dens, pulling out our annuals; but we still haven’t had a really hard blooming annuals are still bravely attracting bees and other pollinators. where they are, even if it means us. Gives us more time to enjoy

Enjoy your garden today and

Winters with my twin brother – Part 3

My late twin brother Kjell and I received a pair of brand-new crosscountry touring skis as Christmas presents back in 1956. The skis replaced the old hand-me-down skis we had been using, and our dad showed us how to apply wax on the skis according to the conditions. Blue Swix was considered the wax to use when the temperature was colder than -5°C, which it was for the most part of the ski season.

We quickly got used to our new skis. In fact, we were on our skis all the time. We skied to school, which was a distance of about 1.5 km one way. After waxing our skis dad drove us up to Sognsvann, where he parked the car and got us set up. Mom had packed our lunches, which we had in our backpacks along with an assortment of ski waxes, dry wool toque and a pair of wool mittens as well

as an anorak in case the wind would pick up.

Nordmarka is Oslo’s winter sports haven. There are many kilometers of groomed crosscountry ski trails of various lengths. The trails have colour-coded warning signs from yellow (easy) to blue (intermediate) to black (expert). We were not confident enough for the black trail, so we chose a blue trail.

We had a leisurely ski through the woods and came to a clearing overlooking a small acreage at the bottom of a steep hill. On the acreage was a nice two-story house with a café and a small barn. The hosts offered skiers to come inside the main floor café and get warm while eating our packed lunches.

There was a sign naming the hill “Slaktern” (the slaughter hill). Very aptly named, as there was a tall rock fence at the bottom of the hill

Observations

KAARE ASKILDT

with a small opening to ski through. If we missed the opening, we would slam into the rocks. After having seen a few skiers missing the small opening, we as well as a number of other skiers decided to snowplough down the hill.

We skied through the opening and found a Red Cross First-Aid Station there complete with a medic and two dogs hooked up to a dogsled to ferry injured (read wall-smacked) skiers to a waiting ambulance. There were more dogs in a dog pen and more dogsleds ready for more victims. I don’t know of any other country

that operate with free dogsled ambulances for injured skiers. We went inside the café and enjoyed our mom’s sandwiches and the thermos of hot chocolate. Then we stepped into the ski bindings and set off down the trail. A lot of skiers had brought their dogs along, so we had to be observant for any dogs running on the tracks. They usually did their business off the track, so that was not a problem.

However, some of the larger breeds like German Shepherds or Labradors might shed some fur on the track and that could get stuck

in our wax and cause a sudden stop. Then we had to stop, scrape off the strands of fur and rewax. The last part of the ski trail was a gently undulating downhill called “Damefallene (Stumbling Ladies). The end of the trail was at Ullevålsletta, a large field. We called our dad from a payphone, and he came and picked us up. Ah! The good times my twin and I had when we were young!

Ole and Sven were enjoying their lunch of shrimp sandwiches at Moe’s Bottoms Up Bar and Grille, with shots of Akevitt and Moe’s special lager.

“Many years ago, I was bushwhack skiing with my then girlfriend up north in Saskatchewan,” said Ole, “when we heard a rumbling behind us. It was a black bear that was charging towards us. The girl I was with was not a good skier.

“I had heard that

black bears can’t climb trees. I pulled my girlfriend along while the bear was gaining on us. I found a tree and we took off our skis. I boosted her up so she could climb up higher. The bear was now only a couple of jumps from us. The lowest branch was about eight feet, but with the adrenaline boost I was able to jump up and grab it. I had no sooner swung myself up to sit on the branch when the bear lunged for me and bit into my ski boot. So, there I was with no strength left to fight off the bear who had jumped and sunk his teeth in my boot and started pulling my leg, just like I’m pulling yours now!”

The lunch trade was abating, and Moe joined them for cherry pie and coffee.

“You know,” said Moe, “cross-country skiing is a great sport if you live in a small country!”

Are you willing to pay for social media?

BY NICK KOSSOVAN

Are you willing to pay for access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, etc.?

The Internet was founded on the premise that information should be freely available, which ironically turned out to be one of the Internet’s biggest drawbacks.

Only a decade ago, everyone was questioning how Facebook makes money. No one asks that anymore. We now know that “free” access to the Internet and social media platforms comes at a cost: Advertising and collecting your personal data.

The critical component of social media companies’ business models is to micro-target individuals with ads. This requires massive user surveillance and using engagementjuicing algorithms to keep users onsite as long as possible. Hence, the Internet we have today: An advertising-dominated digital landscape filled with misinformation and privacy concerns.

Yes, access is free; however, the trade-off is that you are the product.

Social media companies make their money in the billions off your attention, eyeballs, clicks and, most of all, the information you voluntarily provide. (Statista estimates in 2023, U S companies will spend over $94.4 billion on social media advertising.) Influencing beliefs, desires, and behaviours is

lucrative.

Obviously, not all Internet content is free.

A thriving pay-to-play market (aka. subscription services) for music, books, movies and television exists on the Internet.

Consumers are comfortable paying for access to the content I just mentioned. So here is the million-dollar question: Would consumers pay for Facebook-style social experiences or LinkedInstyle networking with professionals in their field and industry?

Two more questions:

1. If we paid to access the Internet and social media, how would it change?

2. Would paying to access the Internet and social media solve its problems?

I can see the marketing strategy: Tired of the online cesspool? You can access a clean social media version for a nominal fee.

Successful subscription models (e.g., Netflix, Bodyselfie TV, Amazon Prime, Scribd, Wall Street Journal) exist because subscribers feel they are getting something of value; access to films, games, news, TV series, books or fitness instructors. With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, etc., the “something of value” is largely intangible.

I will put aside the Internet’s privacy issue everyone claims to be concerned about since

the solution is simple: Stop freely sharing your personal information. Instead, I will speak to the Internet’s and social media’s real danger: We have lost our collective cool.

Online, anger is cheap and can be expressed autonomously. Taking advantage of how easily we get angry and offended, social media companies, using algorithms we train when we use social media platforms, repeatedly immerses us in tribal indignation to increase our screen time. Perversely, our outrage has become valuable because it serves the interests of advertisers who keep the Internet and social media free.

An Internet truth : Every lie on the Internet serves someone’s purpose. Next time you scroll through your social media feeds, envision yourself sitting in an algorithmguided car, giving you a free ride through adfilled digital landscapes. Imagine your car has learned which arguments push your hot buttons and presents them to you, enticing you to linger and engage.

If we paid for our social media presence, the outrage would cease to be cheap to us and valuable to social media companies. An additional benefit of paying to access social media is it would discourage trolls and malcontents since they would lose anonymity, which is what makes it easy to be a jerk

online.

If you are wondering why social media companies are not working feverishly to make their platforms toxic-free: Ad revenue keeps them too well-fed to pursue alternative revenue streams seriously, such as charging their users.

Social media platforms are choosing to operate in ways that do not benefit our collective good but profit their business.

Would a pay-to-play social media structure affect user composition? Would social media become an extrovert’s playground if autonomy were gone? (I assume

many anonymous social media accounts are created by “shy people.”)

Would a pay-to-play social media structure result in higher-quality content since users would be more invested?

Undeniably, the current state of social media has many people angry – namely, the rapid decline in civility. People are finally becoming aware that social media is destabilizing our mental health, fracturing our attention spans, and spreading misinformation globally.

Though it is impossible to say with certainty, I believe the Internet and social media would

improve significantly if we had to pay for it; undeniably, it would be less toxic. On the other hand, would having to pay to access the Internet and social media turn many people away? Probably. However, I would argue that in a socially holistic sense, we would be better off spending less time online.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Nick Kossovan is the Customer Service Professionals Network’s Social Media Director (Executive Board Member). Feel free to send your social media questions to nick.kossovan@ gmail.com. On Twitter and Instagram, follow @ NKossovan.)

EARLY EASTER DEADLINES

Our office will be closed on Good Friday, April 7

The deadline for the Thursday April 13 edition of the Preeceville Progress will be 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 6.

The deadline for the Thursday April 13 edition of the Canora Courier remains 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 10 and for the Kamsack Times, 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 10.

Have a happy Easter!

U13 Girls hockey team plays in Canora in front of family and friends

After winning tournaments in Melville and Portage la Prairie, Man. earlier in the season, the U13 Parkland Prairie Ice girls hockey team finally had the opportunity to play closer to home at the Canora Civic Centre on March 20, in what was the last game of the 2022-23 hockey season in Canora.

Billed as a U13 Female Hockey Showcase Game, the Ice hosted the Balcarres Barracudas, a league team that is presently involved in provincial playoffs. Balcarres needed to stay sharp between series, while the Ice were looking for more opportunities to play together as a team.

The final score was 4-2 for the Barracudas, but the Ice could have easily won, according to Assistant Coach Jess Harper of Canora. Harper was filling in for Head Coach Nicole Korpusik, who was unable to make it to the game.

“Our girls played well, especially for not playing together for a while,” said Harper. “Since our last tournament we’ve only been able to have one practise, which was over a month ago.”

Harper said the team really appreciated the fan support. With players from Canora, Kamsack, Sturgis, Norquay, Keeseekoose First Nation and Yorkton, the game provided the opportunity for families and friends to make the trip to Canora and see them play in person.

“It was awesome, we had the best crowd I’ve seen all year for a U13 game. The stands were full, the lobby was full, it was great.”

The Ice players appeared to be nervous for the first few minutes, but after Harper Danchilla of Yorkton scoring the first goal with an assist from Avery Masley of Sturgis, “the game was really on,” according to Harper.

“As the game went on, our girls played well in all areas, backchecking and forechecking, carry the puck, passing was good and right on the tape most of the time. Our goalie, Ty Northrop, was excellent, made big saves, especially on closein shots.”

Balcarres tied the game later in the first period, but then another goal by Harper Danchilla, this time assisted by Rowyn Johnson of Norquay, gave the Ice a one-goal lead for the second time in the game.

Even though they had a number of quality scoring chances later in the game; that would be the last goal for the Ice. Balcarres tied the score later in the second and potted the only two goals of the third period to wrap up the victory.

When asked what this team needs to

keep improving, Harper’s simple answer was, “Play together more. We’re hoping to carry this team into next year. Jamie Johnson of Norquay, our manager is doing a great job, we’ll see what next year brings.”

Harper said he has really enjoyed being a part of this team during its first season in existence.

“It’s been great, nobody new what to expect. We won the A final in two tournaments. We watched those girls come together, like they’d been playing together for years, when in most cases they had never met before other than playing against each other for their community teams.

“It’s amazing, they formed a bond and they’re standing up for one another.

“Nicole has been a tremendous head coach, all of the coaches have been great to work with.”

Manager Jaime Johnson echoed the thoughts of Harper that it’s been a very successful season for the ice.

“The overall goal was to simply introduce these players to girls’ hockey,” said Johnson. “Many of them have only ever played co-ed, so we wanted to expose them to female hockey in the hopes that they will want to keep playing next year in the Female Hockey League. Many girls stop playing once they reach U15 as that is when contact play is allowed and the size difference between boys and girls becomes more apparent.”

Practises were held approximately once a month during the season. One of the biggest challenges was finding ice time that was workable for all the players, since they came from five different community teams in the Major Hockey League.

“We were hoping to play in one more tournament, but we couldn’t make it work with all the conflicting schedules,” Johnson continued. “Despite the limited play, I think the girls had a great experience, which in my opinion, means the season was a success. They experienced how fun girls’ hockey can be, made some new friends and learned from a fantastic and inspirational female coach – the two tournament wins were just an added bonus.”

Members of the U13 Parkland Prairie Ice during the 2022/23 season were:

Ryea Harper, Cassidy Wolkowski, Tessica Mydonick and Chloe Doogan of Canora; Quinn Keshane of Keeseekoose First Nation; Rowyn Johnson and Ty Northrop of Norquay; Camryn Kosokowsky of Kamsack; Morgan Olson, Avery Masley, Allie Babiuk, Rylee

Coleman and Makayla Johnson of Sturgis, and Avery Lammers, Harper Danchilla and Isabelle Smith of Yorkton.

The team was led by Head Coach Nicole Korpusik of Norquay; assistant coaches Jess Harper of Canora, Greg Olson of Sturgis, Brent Danchilla and Greg Smith of Yorkton, and Bowdrie Northrop of Norquay, and Manager Jaime Johnson of Norquay.

Most of the players will be moving into the U15 division next year, so the intention is to transition this team into the Female Hockey League as a U15 team.

“Our hope is that most of the girls will want to continue playing for the Ice, but we will see what next season brings,” said Johnson.

“I’d like to extend my appreciation to the MHL for creating the Parkland Female Hockey umbrella, which allowed these

girls to play together and experience female hockey. I’d also like to thank the coaching staff and the parents for dedicating their time and effort to making this team a reality and giving the players this awesome opportunity.”

Even though she was unable to be at the game in Canora, Head Coach Nicole Korpusik was eager to share her thoughts on the season and the players.

“They could have treated this team as a way to showcase their own skills but instead they worked together and brought out the best in each other,” said Korpusik. “I know I’m looking forward to seeing what these girls are capable of when we get to spend a full season together, we only had a handful of practices and were able to come away with some great successes, I can only imagine what we can accomplish!”

Harper Danchilla of Yorkton snuck in behind the Balcarres defence and picked the top corner for her second goal of the game, giving the U13 Parkland Prairie Ice (white jerseys) a 2-1 lead in the second period.at the Canora Civic Centre on March 20.

Doing her part to keep the Ice close, Ty Northrup of Norquay made a number of big saves on shots from all over the ice.

The Ice players showed off their team speed all over the ice, including Rowyn Johnson of Norquay eluding defenders and wheeling the puck into the Balcarres end.

Buchanan’s Bazarski rink wins A event in Men’s Bonspiel in Norquay

A men’s curling bonspiel was hosted in Norquay from the 16th to the 18th of March with 10 teams in the event. The first event winner was the Leonard Bazarski rink of Buchanan, the second event winner was the Lorne Mydynski Rink of Arran and the third event winner was the Rick Kinaschuk Rink of Benito.

This year there was a surprise player in the bonspiel, Lionel Dutchak. Dutchak said when asked about his experience in the bonspiel, “It’s only my second bonspiel in Norquay. If it wasn’t for our skip Lenard Bazarski I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to curl. The people and supper were great. I would definitely curl there again. It was a fun time.”

Spring Vaccination Clinic

When:

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Where:

Ebenezer - Fire Hall 9:30-10:00 AM

Canora - Good Lake Electric, 110 1st Ave W 10:30-11:00 AM

Stenen - Town Hall 1:00-1:30 PM

Norquay - The Legion 2:00-2:30 PM

Pelly - Community Hall 3:00-3:30 PM

Services to be Provided:

Routine canine and feline vaccinations

Deworming

Flea/tick medication

No appointment necessary. Please call the clinic if you have any questions.

The Leonard Bazarski rink of Buchanan won the first event of the Norquay Men’s Bonspiel. Left to Right, Leonard Bazarski (Skip), Brenden Halchyshak (Third), Rory McDonald (Second), and Lionel Dutchak (Lead). Photo courtesy of Rubieann Kluke

The Rick Kinaschuk Rink of Benito. Left to Right, Rick Kinaschuk (Skip), Ken Newell (Third), Wes Lylyk (Second), and John Sandborn (Lead).

Photo courtesy of Rubieann Kluke

The Lorne Mydynski Rink of Arran. Left to Right, Lorne Mydynski (Lead), Blake Zielinski (Third), and Darcy Zielinski (Skip). Hunter Pierce (second) was unavailable for the photo).

Photo courtesy of Rubieann Kluke

Classifieds

OBITUARIES OBITUARIES WANTED

JOHNSTON - Mrs. Doris Johnston wife of the Late Leslie Johnston of Norquay, more often known to many, as a woman that lived and breathed being a nurse. Doris passed away surrounded with love and support from her family on Saturday, March 4, 2023. She was ninety years of age. Doris Vivian Adeline (Erickson) Johnston was the middle child of Adolf and Edna (Nelson) Erickson, born on October 17, 1932 at their farm home, known as the Makowsky place, north of Norquay, with her aunt Minnie Nelson as the midwife. Doris attended Grand Ravine school completing Grade 8, studied Grade 9 & 10 by correspondence. She was part of the first graduating class at Norquay High School. Doris then decided that she should enter nurses training so she and her sister Phyllis would not have to be apart so much. On November 10, 1956 Doris married the love of her life, Leslie Johnston at Grantsburg United Church. They moved to Flin Flon, MB then moved to a farm north of Norquay after Brian was born. Almost two years later Wendy was born, just over a year later Colleen came along and in eleven months David arrived. With all those little kids, Doris kept a stall ready in the barn for the kids while she milked cows. Doris had nursed in Flin Flon and went back to work at Norquay part time, until accepting a public health nursing position. She found her passion in public health nursing. In 1974 Doris hesitantly accepted the Director of Nursing position at Norquay Hospital and eventually found that it was nursing that was her passion, in any role. Doris nursed first with her eyes and ears, then with action. Family, friends and neighbors recognized this intuitive gift because Doris was so often their first call in times of trouble. Dr. McKitterick also saw her gift and had told Doris that she was the best teaching doctor he had ever had. The kids remember their mom: instilling that work was a necessity then there was plenty of time for play; camping trips; Sunday rotisserie chicken; angel food cakes; dragging her along whenever there was a need or event and knowing, she prayed. Grandchildren remember Gramma making New Years Eve candlelight suppers for grandchildren only, with special gifts; Gramma’s heartful greeting and food, like the endless fresh roll-ups for them and all their friends, whenever they burst through the door. Doris supported Leslie on the farm until January 6, 1994, when Leslie went home to heaven. She prided herself with seeing and getting whatever Leslie wanted, without him saying a word. A few years after Leslie passed, Doris sold the farm and moved to Norquay. In June 2020 Doris moved into Norquay Long Term Care. She passed away peacefully on March 4, 2023 with family giving back by holding her hand as she had held the hand of so many as they left this life. Family that Doris will join in Heaven are: husband Leslie, parents Adolf and Edna, brothers-in-law Herb Blomquist and George Theissen, great-grandaughter Brooklyn Rudachyk and grandson John Naclia. Living to honor her memory are: son Brian Johnston (Karen Esakin) , daughters Wendy (Brian) Naclia, Colleen Rudachyk (Glen Nagy), son David (Charlene) Johnston, sister Phyllis (Colin) Jones, brother Gordon (Genoveve) Erickson, Brother in law Dennis (Marie) Johnston, Sisters in law Sheila (Joe) Wesnoski, Marge Hansen, grandchildren; Kris (Ange) Naclia, Danaye (Douglas) Yarycky, Bobbie (Trent) Roebuck, Dustin Rudachyk, Fawn (Tayber) Yastremski, Ashley Johnston (Renaud Lehmann), Serena Johnston (Mitch Garrison), 15 great grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, Emily Schweigert, Gay Tower and many other friends and relatives. A visitation for family and friends was held on Friday, March 10, 2023. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 11th from the Norquay Covenant Church with Pastor Eric Friesen officiating. Interment took place in the Covenant Church Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Doris may be made towards a blanket warmer for the Norquay Health Centre as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be sent to the family at preecevillefuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to Preeceville Funeral Home.

First 20 Words: $7

Extra Words: 22¢ each

Add photo: $15 each Call 306-563-5131

LOCAL COLLECTOR

Looking for:

CANADIAN PAPER MONEY BILLS AND SILVER COINS

Contact: BARRY (306) 272-0504

ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Stephen’s R.C. Church Winners of the Ticket Raffle:

I. $100.00 Cash - Elaine Krasnioff

2. 450.00 Gift Card from Home Hardware - Karan McKay Regina

3. $75.00 Cash - Garrett SearsSpring, Texas

4. $50.00 Gift card from Lams Restaurant (Kamsack) - Kim Hauserman

5. $50.00 Cash - Dave Barton

6. $25.00 Cash - Betty Burback - Runnymede

Door Prizes Winners:

1. Copper Snack Set- Charlie Thomas

2. After Eight Chocolates - Sylvia Boychuk

3. Tote Bag - Phyllis McKave

4. Pen and Note Pad - Joyce Maclean

5. Bottle of Wine - Evelyn Banks

COMING EVENTS

61st DRAGGINS CAR SHOWApril 7 and 8 at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. Check out the “Battle of the Automotive Technicians”!. Draggins Rod & Custom Car Club. Visit our website; Draggins.com.

PRAYER CORNER

SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church services: Sat. April 1 Preeceville 5 p.m. Sun. April 2 Kamsack 9 a.m. Canora 11 a.m. Norquay 1:15 p.m.

St. Stephen’s and St Philip’s church schedule: Sun April 2Palm Sunday Kamsack 9 a.m. St. Philip’s 1 pm. Holy Thursday April

6 St Philips 4 pm Kamsack 6 pm. Good Friday April 7 Kamsack at 3 pm St Philip’s 5 pm.

FOR SALE - MISC

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

WANTED

FOR SALE - MISC

Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www.swna.com or call 306-6491405 to find out how!

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649-1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

HEALTH SERVICES

HIP/KNEE Replacement?

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?

The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $30,000 Lump sum refund

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide! Providing assistance during Covid.

Expert Help:

1-844-453-5372

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In the estate of TRACY LYNN COTE, late of KAMSACK, Saskatchewan, deceased. All claims against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 14th day of April, 2023.

Attention: KYLA M. EIFFERT Solicitor for the Executor

KONDRATOFF PERSICK LLP Barristers & Solicitors 36 Fourth Avenue North Drawer 188 Yorkton, Saskatchewan S3N 2V7

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND WANTED

FEED & SEED

ED ANAKA DLF

For all your forage needs, alfalfa, grass blends, oats & barley Call Ed Anaka today: 306-563-6261 or cell: 306-621-7546 Gotlitz,Sask

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN HEATED... LIGHT BUGS... TOUGH MIXED GRAIN SPRING THRASHED WHEAT... OATS PEAS... BARLEY CANOLA... FLAX “ON FARM PICKUP” WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN 1-877-250-5252

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

REQUIRED

IMMEDIATELY:

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca

www.sellyourfarm land.com

Land For Sale

WANTED

Colleen Danielle McGrath

1981-2023 It is with deep sadness that the family announces the passing of courageous Colleen Danielle McGrath on March 21st, 2023. Beloved daughter of Philip McGrath and the late Laurel (née Kazakoff), sister to Harmony Dawn (Daniel Gavere). Colleen was an animal lover who had a special bond with horses and her dogs. She loved to travel and adventure with friends and family. Her sense of humor brought joy and laughter to those around her, even in the most difficult situations. Colleen’s compassion for others was most evident while serving as an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police, Ottawa Detachment. Gone much too soon, Colleen leaves us with a lifetime of memories and whiskey! A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. Online condolences and donations can be made by visiting: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/kelly-kanata.

RM of Livingston 331, 1/4 section SW313531West of the First, Type F land, 120 cultivatable acres. Highest or any offer may be rejected. For more info call Joe at 204-238-4413 best to call in evening or leave a message

HOUSES FOR RENT

2 and 3-bedroom houses for rent. Phone 542-3501, (306)331-7012.

FEED & SEED

AGPRO SEEDS LTD. BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED OFFGRADE CANOLA & FEED GRAINS. #1 buyer on the prairies, top price paid! Call/text: 306-8730481, AgPro Seeds bids: agproseeds.com, Email: sales@agproseeds.com

Person to COOK & CLEAN for heavy construction camp this winter with possibility of year round. Winter location: Arborfield, SK. Must have valid driver’s licence and safe food and handling ticket.

Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: needed this winter for dozers, excavators, rock trucks: near Carrot River, Sk. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d.

Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

Province posts $1 billion surplus budget

BY JOHN CAIRNS SASKTODAY

Strong economic numbers and resource revenues is allowing Saskatchewan to post a $1 billion surplus budget for 2022-23.

Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer delivered the budget in the legislature March 22. It contains no new taxes or tax increases, as well as increases across the board to health care, education, social services, public safety and the justice system, municipal revenue sharing and capital projects.

There is also a record $3.7 billion in capital investments, a reduction of up to $1 billion in operating debt, and a net debt-to-GDP projected to be 14.1 percent as of March 31. It is also projected to drop to 13.2 per cent by the end of 2023-24.

In a media conference with reporters prior to her address in the legislature, Harpauer pointed to figures released March 22 showing the Saskatchewan population grew by over 25,000 in 2022.

Harpauer also pointed to the Saskatchewan economy leading all provinces in growth in 2022, with private sector forecasts projecting the second highest growth in the nation in 2023.

She said the goal of the budget is to ensure that growth continues.

While there is plenty of spending in the 2023-24 budget, the budget will not please everyone. The question Harpauer faced from reporters was one they anticipated would be asked by the public: why there wasn’t more spending on targeted programs with a $1 billion surplus.

“We have to be very careful as a government not to take one-time revenue and incorporate it and bake it into our year-over-year operational costs,” said Harpauer. “Because what happens when that one time revenue falls, and you’ve seen that time and again, because we are fortunate to have resource revenue… but they’re volatile. And if you’ve lived through the downturns of revenues and if you’ve baked it into operational costs the following year, where do you find that money to continue a program or the expenditure?.”

Financials

On the financial side, the province is forecasting revenues of $19.7 billion, up $2.5 billion from last year’s budget, powered by $9.6 billion in taxation revenue from Corporate Income, Personal Income and Provincial Sales Tax revenue, a $1.5 billion increase over last year.

Non-renewable resource revenue is forecast at $3.3 billion, up $435 million over last year, driven mainly by solid potash and oil price expectations.

On the flip side, expenses are forecast at $18.7 billion, up $1 billion or 5.9 per cent, from last year’s budget. The net debt to GDP ratio is second lowest among provinces at 14.1 per cent.

Harpauer noted debt retirement and lower borrowing generated $117 million in annual interest savings, which is

“money that will be reinvested in people, programs and projects.”

Here are highlights of what the various ministries will be spending money on in the 2023-24 budget: Health Care

As expected, health education and social services will make up the lions share of the budget at 70 per cent.

The 2023-24 budget calls for a 6.7 per cent increase to the Ministry of Health budget up to $6.9 billion. It includes $98.8 million— “an increase of $82.7 million over last year’s budget for the Health Human Resources Action Plan,” said Harpauer.

$55.5 million is going towards recruiting 250 full-time positions and expanding part-time positions in rural and remote areas around the province, an increase of $44.9 million.

The budget also includes support for recruiting internationally educated health care workers and for the College of Medicine in new academic and research positions, special residency seats and family medicine seats.

The budget includes a $42.5 million increase to the surgical wait time strategy. Harpauer said it will fund the largest volume of surgical procedures in history: 6,000 more surgeries this year for a total of 103,000. It will also reduce the waitlist to its pre-pandemic level a year ahead of schedule, by March 2024.

Mental health and addictions programs and services are getting $518 million including a targeted investment of $12.4 million over last year, with the province touting it as the highest investment ever in Saskatchewan for these programs and

JOB OPPORTUNITY R.M. OF COTE

The R.M. of Cote No. 271 has a seasonal full-time employment opportunity for 2023.

For further information please refer to the municipal website at: www.rmofcote271.com, e-mail: rm271@sasktel.net or contact the office at 306-542-2121.

services.

Advanced Education

In Advanced Education, $25.2 million in new funding goes to expanding training programs, with around 550 seats to be added across 18 training programs. $10 million will support the 150-seat expansion in nursing programs and $2.4 million to train internationally educated health care providers. $539,000 goes to support five new veterinary training seats for Saskatchewan students.

Seniors Care

The province is putting an additional $39 million to seniors care, with $17.6 million to 133 long-term care beds in Regina and $9.3 million for third-party long-term care providers. $5.5 million is set aside to hire 75 continuing care assistants, fulfilling the last phase of the government’s three-year commitment to hire 300 CCAs to deliver home care and support services for seniors in long-term care facilities.

As well, to reduce wait times, there are increases of $7 million for more medical imaging, primarily CT and MRI scans, and $2.6 million more for more endoscopy procedures.

Social Services

The budget for social services and assistance is $1.7 billion, up $41.2 million, including an additional $26.6 million to support those with low incomes, families and seniors.

Education

The budget for pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary education is over $4 billion, up 6.2 percent.

$3.1 billion, an increase of $192.8 million, is going to schools, early learning, child care and libraries.

The 27 school divisions are to receive $2.04 billion in operating funding, an increase of $49.4 million. The province is also providing $7 million to school divisions to retain over 200 Educational Assistants hired since Sept. 2021.

Distance learning is also getting funding. $23 million is going to support start-up and operation of the new Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation offering flexibility to students and a wide variety of online courses.

Early learning and childcare is seeing an increase of $72.1 million to $382.4 million. As of April 1 child care fees for families of children up to age six will go to $10 per day, on the heels of the recent federal-provincial announcement to that effect.

Police and law enforcement

The budget is calling for $968.5 million to go to protection of persons and property. This includes $7 million towards establishing the new Saskatchewan Marshals Service, a commitment announced during the fall sitting of the Legislature.

Agriculture

The agriculture budget is $548.2 million, a 19 per cent increase. It includes $89.8 million for strategic initiatives under the federal-provincial Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, $1 million to target invasive weed control on agricultural Crown land pastures, and $408 million to fund a suite of federal-provincial risk management programs including Crop Insurance and AgriStability.

RM of Keys NOTICE ASSESSMENT ROLL 2023

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of The Rural Municipality of Keys No. 303 for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the Assessor from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday inclusive from March 28, 2023 to April 28, 2023.

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who desires to appeal his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal accompanied by a $200.00 fee per assessment appeal which will be returned if the appeal is successful with: The assessor, R.M. of Keys No. 303, Box 899, Canora, Sask. SOA OL0 by the 28th day of April 2023.

Dated at Canora, Saskatchewan this 28th day of March 2023

Barry Hvidston, Assessor

A representative from the RCMP will be in attendance with a local crime report. Katey Makohoniuk, Plant Health Officer from SARM, will be in attendance with a short informational presentation on pests and clubroot. Council will have an open question and answer session.

Finance Minister Donna Harpauer spoke to reporters prior to release of the budget in the legislature.

Photo by John Cairns / SaskToday

Throwback Thursday: From the Kamsack Times files

( EDITOR’S NOTE: These items were printed in the 1985 issues of the Kamsack Times.)

More than 100 cub scouts of the Parkland district met at Kamsack to participate in an annual Kub Kar Rally.

Ten enthusiastic Kamsack school students agreed to help support the Kamsack Figure Skating Club by volunteering to compete for the club’s carnival crown contest. From left were: Nicole Chernoff, John Cymbalisty, Jodi O’Neil, Gillian Eger, Sharon Cote, Tammy Franklin, Annalisa Dey, Lisa Bleich, Belle Marie Musselman, Stacy Strelioff and Cheryl Frank.

Two Teddie Bear figure skaters were part of the Kamsack Figure Skating Club’s

carnival titled, As The Beat Goes On.

Arnold Becker cut a ribbon to mark the official opening of the Kamsack library’s history room. From left were: John Moriarty, chairman of the Celebrate Saskatchewan committee; Becker; Norm Lusney, Pelly MLA; and Carl Eggenschwiler, retired long-time Kamsack librarian.

Enough of the snow at the Riverside Golf Course at Kamsack had receded to allow the season’s first golfers onto the course. Getting into the swing of things and enjoying their mid-term break were Kamsack school teachers Bruce Tysowski, left, and Dave Wenner.

Su-Chong Lim, who has performed on four continents telling folk tales, and singing wistful melodies while performing with various exotic instruments, was at Kamsack as part of a Stars for Saskatchewan series sponsored in the community by the Kamsack Arts Council. Five-year-old Jimmy Morosoff of Kamsack averted what might have been a major accident. Jimmy showed the photographer what he did to stop an unattended, rolling half-ton truck. Watching Jimmy re-enact his role as a lifesaver was Amanda Giest.

The Raku pottery made by John Floch of Runnymede was selected to advance to a provincial competition. Inspecting Floch’s pots was Norma Stimpson, president of the Kamsack Arts Council, sponsors of the Kamsack competition.

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Among the many interesting and unique items which were to be sold during a fundraising supper, held at the Kamsack Wildlife Federation in aid of the habitat trust fund, was this limited edition, numbered print, created by former Kamsack resident, James Carson, left. While in Kamsack, Carson presented the wildlife print to John Chutskoff, president of the Kamsack Wildlife Federation.

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U7 Cross-Ice Jamboree held

On March 11, a U7 CrossIce Jamboree was held at the Broda Sportsplex, with various raffle prizes to be won, a 50/50 draw, and a concession stand. This event was organized in collaboration with Hockey Saskatchewan and Skate Canada Instructors.

Michelle Guilette an organizer for the event said,

“We appreciate the many sponsors who donated items to our prize table and to the treat bags and hot dogs that were provided to all players. A fun time was had by all in attendance!”

According to information provided by Hockey Saskatchewan, “Hockey Saskatchewan believes the first years of hockey need

to be a positive one. A fun and exciting start gives young players the opportunity to enjoy hockey for life! Jamborees are a funbased event where players develop and learn basic skills and build confidence, through skill sessions, as well as Cross-Ice games, freeze tag and obstacle courses.”

Busted! SGI’s top five insurance fraud cases

Insurance is there when you need it, but some people create deceptive stories to collect it even when they don’t.

That’s where SGI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) comes in.

In 2022, SIU busted hundreds of fraudulent claims – resulting in $5.8 million in savings for SGI. This important work preventing insurance fraud helps keep insurance rates low for valued customers.

Here’s a look at some eyebrow-raising attempted insurance frauds

from 2022, according to a release: Heist hoax

A customer – we’ll call him Cole* -- reported his vehicle missing. He claimed the vehicle had been parked in front of his house with a spare key locked inside.

One hour after Cole reported the vehicle missing, police found it a short walk from his house, on the front lawn of someone else’s property. It had collided into a nearby parked vehicle and a tree.

Cole then filed a theft

In loving memory of Prentice Hilton

February 24, 1982 – March 28, 2016

Seven years since you left us Prenty. But for me, time stands still. Even though you’re not here in person, you still make us laugh from the wonderful, funny memories you left behind. Thank you.

I love you with all my heart. We miss you so very much. Be happy in Heaven, you’re with the best.

Mom & Rod

and collision claim with SGI, while another customer filed a claim for the parked vehicle and property damage was also submitted.

SIU found security footage that showed the subject vehicle travelled at a high rate of speed, lost control and collided with a parked vehicle, then the tree. The footage shows a person matching Cole’s description walking away from the vehicle and locking it with a fob. Cole confessed to causing the collision following a celebration - saying he should not have been driving.

Cole was on the hook for $50,000 in vehicle and property damage.

Rollback rip-off

Jessie* submitted a claim saying she drove her truck through a “dip with standing water,” which caused the engine to quit. The truck needed a costly engine repair or

replacement. SIU found that, during the investigation, the vehicle’s odometer had somehow been rolled back. Investigators discovered that Jessie rolled back the truck’s odometer to show 150,000 fewer kilometres than what should have been on the engine, in order to increase the value of the truck.

Jessie withdrew her claim after being confronted with the SIU findings – saving SGI $7,000.

Turnoff tales

Connor* told SGI he and his girlfriend were travelling around 55 km/hr through foggy conditions in the early morning hours when he missed a turnoff and hit an abandoned vehicle on the shoulder of the highway. He said they panicked and walked to a nearby house for help, rather than calling the police.

The residents of the

home reported to police that the couple said they did not want police to know about the collision.

Police visited the collision site and saw several concerning items inside the vehicle, including drug paraphernalia. Additionally, there was no evidence of fog that morning and no nearby turnoff that the driver could have missed. SIU discovered the vehicle was travelling at double the reported speed, and additional witnesses claimed Connor and his girlfriend were both very intoxicated. SIU found Connor’s account of the incident was unreliable and vague. His claim was denied for misrepresentation and saved SGI $40,000.

Deer dupe Allison* filed a claim stating she hit a deer and left her vehicle at the roadside. She said when she came back to the vehicle,

it had been completely burned.

SIU contacted a witness who saw two people remove belongings from the vehicle before the vehicle went up in flames a short time later. SIU discovered the vehicle was not registered at the time of the collision – and registration had been purchased by Allison less than an hour after the crash. SIU believes Allison also returned to set the vehicle on fire in order to receive a payout.

The claim was denied, saving SGI $5,000 Sleeping scam Katherine* filed a claim with SGI, stating she fell asleep while driving and collided with a parked vehicle. Katherine admitted to significant financial hardship and had recently spoken with a bailiff about repossession of her high valued SUV the day before the collision.

SIU conducted several interviews to confirm Katherine was in financial trouble. It was discovered she had lied to her bank about being able to make her delinquent payments in order to “buy herself some time.” Crash data retrieval evidence showed the vehicle was fully idle five seconds before the collision. That evidence showed that this was followed by a fast depression of the gas pedal, which sent the vehicle propelling forward, with a peak speed of 31 km/h upon impact. SIU believes Katherine caused the collision intentionally to avoid having the vehicle repossessed.

*All names in these scenarios have been changed.

Asher Guilette was one of the many kids who attended the U7 Jamboree.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Guilette

Silas Guilette, a helper for the U7 Jamboree, oversaw part of the raffle table.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Guilette