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Your City; Your Newspaper August 26, 2021

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VOLUME NO. 15 - ISSUE 32

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COVID-19 Vaccinations and Living with COVID-19 While the public health order is lifted, COVID-19 will continue to circulate, particularly among unvaccinated populations. Being fully vaccinated is the best protection against COVID-19 and all residents will continue to be offered first and second doses through pharmacies and Saskatchewan Health Authority clinics.

September Council Meeting Dates Please Note: With the commencement of Step 3, under the Provincial ‘Re-Opening Roadmap’ and ease of restrictions, upcoming Council Meetings are set to resume in person. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk.

There has been continued progression around the delivery of vaccines with the increase in number of vaccine clinics and eligibility for the public expanding as vaccine becomes administered and available.

Regular Council Meeting- September 7th Committee of the Whole- September 14th Regular Council Meeting- September 21st

Dedicated vaccination clinics are beginning to wind down but opportunities for vaccinations are available through pharmacies and pop-up clinics.

The Regular Council Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers in Martensville City Hall at 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5PM.

A comprehensive resource is available at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine and includes information around vaccines as well as a gateway for online booking and what you should have ready prior to your vaccine.

Civic Services Under the Lifting of the Public Health Order - What You Should Know!

City Hall is Open - Masks are no longer mandatory, but wearing a mask remains a reasonable precaution and individual choice. Online and contactless payment options remain available for customer convenience, such as online banking, e-transfers, preauthorized payments or TIPPS. Cheques can also be dropped off after hours in the drop slot at City Hall. Please do not visit City Hall if you are feeling unwell, experiencing flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is presumptive or tested positive for COVID-19. Current Status of Public Facilities as of August 20th Martensville Athletic Pavilion - Operations completely resuming, including drop-in programs. Contact the MAP or Martensville.ca for information on upcoming programs or questions. Aquatic Centre - Open for the Season, capacity restrictions lifted, pre-registration no longer required or available. City Hall - Open North Ridge Centre - Re-Opened for Bookings Heritage Centre - Re-Opened for Bookings Sports Centre - Closed for the Season Wheatland Regional Library (located in the Civic Centre) - Open

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details. The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca.

Our Online Program Registration is Changing As of August 16th the online registration software has switched to ‘Perfect Mind’. Active members at the MAP may have recently received an email indicating how to activate your new account. The Recreation Program portal can still be accessed on the Martensville.ca homepage. Please look for the ‘Program Registrations’ icon. Please contact the MAP for questions around our programs or registering.

Recreation Program Update - Monster Garage Sale, Regional Race, Fall Geocache and Culture Days

The Fall Monster Garage Sale is coming September 17th and 18th and is a great way to declutter your home and make a few extra dollars! Register your house with City of Martensville and have your address distributed on Flyers throughout the city! Those who register will get a Garage Sale Sign, balloons, their address on all flyers and City pages

City Staff are available to work with the public via phone or email. Questions or inquiries can be directed to City Hall via phone (306-931-2166) or inquiry@martensville.ca

Registration: Starts August 30th! Registrations will be accepted until Tuesday, September 14 and can be done at City Hall, calling the MAP

After Hour Water and Sewer Emergencies- should still be directed through the Emergency line at City Hall, (306) 931-2166, ext.1.

Regional Race, Martensville to Warman - September 25th - This is a 5km or 10km run from Martensville to Warman. There will be shuttle services at 5km and 10km for people to head back to Martensville. All proceeds will go towards KidSport which benefits Martensville, Warman, and area. Go to www.kidsport.ca/warman for more information.

Business Property Tax and Utility Update

The City has re-implemented the suspension of interest on property taxes and utilies for commercial or industrial properties retroactive from November 2020 until July 31st, 2021. Questions about Facilities or Programs? City Staff are available to work with the public via phone or email. Questions or inquiries can be directed to City Hall via phone (306931-2166) or inquiry@martensville.ca OR the Martensville Athletic Pavilion (306-6835576) or mapreception@martensville.ca.

More Ways to Pay!

The City of Martensville is now accepting Ineterac e-Transfer as a payment option for your Property Taxes as well as utility bill, and licensing fees. E-Transfers can be providing using payments@martensville.ca , please reference your roll number or account number when making payment. The Deadline for 2021 was July 31st Questions about Taxation can be directed to City Hall at 931-2166.

Fall Geocache: September 27 - October 4th - The coordinates and a clue for the first geocache of our multi-cache event will be released on the City of Martensville Facebook page. You will have one week to find all the hidden geocaches around the city using any GPS device for a chance to win a family prize. Culture Days 2021 - Culture Days runs from September 24th and October 24th and celebrates our diverse cultures and traditions. Culture Days is free to attend and offers a wide variety of programs and interactive opportunities. Activities this year include: Wood Carving- October 2nd, 2-4PM at the MAP Salsa Dancing- October 2nd, 7-8 PM at the MAP Pierogi Making- October 7th, 6-8PM at the North Ridge Centre Wanuskewin Programing- October 24th, 2-4PM To Register or learn more about Culture Days contact the MAP or email jmcculloch@ martensville.ca.

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Martensville Curling Club Hosting Event to Promote Mixed Doubles Curling in SK Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville Curling Club (MCC) is always looking for new ways to grow and gain exposure both in and outside of the community. This is what led to a new and exciting announcement that was recently made. On July 29, the MCC shared via social media that they would be hosting the first ever Aly Jenkins Mixed Doubles Memorial from September 15-19. This event will be the first of its kind for Martensville, and the MCC couldn’t be more excited to bring this exciting opportunity to the community. The purpose of the event is to not only promote the local curling club, but also to help promote the sport of mixed doubles curling within the province. The Aly Jenkins Mixed Doubles Memorial will consist of a 36-team, round-robin format with 12 qualifiers. “We have some Saskatchewan mixed doubles teams that are up and coming, and we want to help profile them. In addition to that, an event like this can help get the Martensville Curling Club on the map,” MCC representative Cara Zukewich explained. A partnership between Curling Canada, Curling Zone and title sponsor First Nations Capital & Infrastructure Agency of Saskatchewan is what makes this event possible. Additionally, SaskTel will be contributing by helping support the installation of cameras within the facility so all games can be live streamed. The MCC is also looking for additional sponsorship to help increase the prize money, which currently sits at approximately $30,000. Not only is the prize money an incentive for teams, but Curling Canada has also provided a spot within the Olympic trials for the winning team of this event. “This is an event that we are super excited about. It will feature some high-profile mixed doubles teams from across Canada and is not only a big deal for our Curling Club, but also for the City of Martensville as it will bring people to the community,” Zukewich explained. Martensville doesn’t currently have a mixed doubles league, so the hope is that the Aly Jenkins Mixed Doubles Memorial can help encourage interest and potentially get a league up and running. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go towards the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. “We are hoping that people will come out, support this event, watch their favorite curlers and help us promote the sport of mixed doubles in our province. This is something that can help put our club on the national stage and we would like to see this event become an annual one,” Zukewich added. More information about this event can be found on the ‘Aly Jenkins Mixed Doubles Memorial’ page on Facebook, or by emailing alyjenkinsmemorial@gmail.com. More details, such as names of participating teams, will be announced as the event nears.

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City of Martensville Launches New Program Registration Software Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

A new registration software called Perfect Mind will now be utilized by the City of Martensville, as the previous version, which was also used by many other communities throughout Saskatchewan, is no longer available. Angie Reddekopp, City of Martensville Program Coordinator, explained that there are numerous new features and functions that will now be offered with the software. She also noted that following multiple test runs, they have found that the new system is user-friendly and more appealing to the eye than the previous version. This version will also include more advanced communication tools, with the added bonus of a calendar on your account that will show what activities you are currently registered for. Another new feature is the addition of available dates for facility rentals in the community; however, you will still be required to call to book a date and time. Previously, when registering for a program, if someone signed up before you were able to complete your transaction, you would lose your spot; however, the new software will hold your spot for five minutes while you complete your transaction. “We are really excited about the new features and think that people will really appreciate the new options,” Reddekopp said. All active membership holders were moved over to the new system prior to the August 16th launch and for anyone else looking to register for a program, they will be required to create an account. When creating an account, you are able to enter your entire family under one login, which will include birth dates to ensure that individuals are the correct ages for the programs they are registering for. You can register by visiting www.martensville. ca. Once there, scroll down on the website and click on ‘Program Registrations’ or ‘Recreation Schedules’. “We are excited to launch this and excited about the opportunity that this will provide for the residents of our community. We do ask that you bear with us through the initial launch of the program. We will do our best to help and assist everyone if they are having any issues,” Reddekopp stated.

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KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD

Camping Season Continues in Sask Parks

Campsites are available in nearly all Saskatchewan Provincial Parks until September 30, with most services and amenities available. Campsites can be reserved online at https://parks.saskatchewan.ca. "September can be one of the most beautiful and relaxing times of the year to camp in our parks," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. "It is the perfect opportunity to extend your summer and enjoy nature while the parks are less busy." In addition to campsites, swimming pools at Buffalo Pound, Cypress Hills and Pike Lake Provincial Parks will be extending their hours of operation so visitors can take advantage of the warm September days. • Cypress Hills pool hours: daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until September 5. September 6, 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Pike Lake pool hours: September 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Buffalo Pound pool hours: September 2-5 from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Sept 6 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and September 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. A number of Sask Parks businesses will remain open to offer a variety of activities and services for campers to enjoy during their September camping trip. Some of the businesses include: • Blackstrap: JT's Beach Café and Tiki Bar (September 30) • Buffalo Pound: Fresh Trails Mountain Bike rentals and lessons (year-round) • Cypress Hills: Tree-o-six Adventure Park (September 26), Cypress Hills Golf Course and Cypress Hills Segway Tours (September 30), and Lakeview Grill (September 13) • Echo Valley: Echo Ridge Golf Course (October 11) • Makwa Lake: Loon Lake Golf & Country Club (September 30) • Good Spirit Lake: Par-tici-putt Mini Golf & Rentals (available as long as weather permits) • Greenwater Lake: Greenwater Marina and Greenhills Golf Resort (September 30) • Rowan's Ravine: Mama Bear's Den (September 23) For visitors looking to continue enjoying Sask Parks experiences this fall, there are a variety to choose from. On September 11, Sask Parks will be offering a backcountry hiking experience on the Boreal Trail targeted to those newer to hiking. This experience will include an information session followed by a guided interpretative hike. Participants have the option to book a campsite or enjoy lodging at Flotten Lake Adventures Resort. Echo Valley Provincial Park is hosting an event that will include guided hikes, self-guided geo-caching, pick-up park activity kit’s (PAKs) and other familyfriendly activities. New this year, the third annual Smoke'n the Valley backyard barbecue competition will be hosted in Buffalo Pound Provincial Park on September 11 and 12. The event will include a streaming of the Saskatchewan Roughriders football game on Saturday afternoon with beer gardens, as well as an evening performance by country music artist Justin LaBrash. Visit "Smoke'n the Valley" on Facebook for details. For more information about Sask Parks during any season, follow SaskParks on Facebook and Instagram.

ANNOUNCEMENT Congratulations Ike & Evelyn Dyck celebrating 60 years of marriage on Sept 1

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Back to School Plans Announced For Local Schools Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger The start of the 2021/22 school year has been a topic of controversy lately as families appear to be torn when it comes to the safe school plans that are in place. The Government of Saskatchewan is not requiring any specific prevention measures for COVID-19 within schools, and instead has given the individual school divisions the option to decide on what practices to utilize within the schools to keep everyone safe; however, in a news release, there was information provided with guidance on masking and case identification. Because there is no COVID-19 vaccination currently approved for children under the age of 12, the Government of Sasaktchewan recommends that children under 12, and unvaccinated teachers and support staff wear masks in common spaces such as hallways, washrooms, lunchrooms, libraries and school buses. Once seated in their classrooms, masks can be removed. Outdoor activities will not require masks. As information and vaccine availability changes, these recommendations will be revisited and modified as required at the time. When it comes to cases being identified within the schools, school divisions will continue to be notified by public health officials in order to inform students and parents, and contact tracing will continue to occur. Unvaccinated close contacts may be directed to self-isolate as deemed appropriate by public health. There will be school-based vaccination clinics offered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, which will provide accessibility for students and staff who have not been vaccinated, or who have received their first dose only. Individuals that will be turning 12 this year are immediately eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of their actual birth date. For PSSD, Director of Education Darryl Bazylak, provided a letter to families which included a lay-out of their back-to-school plan. PSSD will be following recommendations from local Medical Health Officers and the provincial government. The PSSD school year will begin September 1, and will offer in-class, daily learning with several safety protocols in place to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. “Our focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of students and staff members,” Bazylak said. PSSD will have mask requirements for any students born in 2010 or later as well as older students who are in the same cohort as these students. Additionally, students and bus drivers will be required to wear masks while on PSSD buses, and buses will be cleaned and sanitized regularly and will follow assigned seating plans. Masks will not be required for outdoor activities. If a staff or student have any COVID-19 symptoms, they are expected to stay home and when a positive case does occur, contact tracing will be practiced. Visitors to schools will be able to access the school building this year, following a personal pre-screening and mask requirement. There will also be alternate options available aside from in-person learning. These measures may change as the school-year progresses, depending on the current situation. More information and safety measures regarding the start to the 2021/22 PSSD school year can be found by visiting www.spiritsd.ca. “We are looking forward to a new school year with a continued strong focus on student learning in Prairie Spirit schools. We want to ensure a smooth transition for everyone at the start of this new year. We are committed to providing regular updates to parents. Thank you for your patience and support,” Bazylak added. Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) also shared their 2021/22 Safe School Plan this week, which included a four-level system. Level one consists of pre-pandemic in-class learning, level two is full in-class learning with safety protocols in place, level three is reduced in-class learning and level four is distance learning for all students. Following consultations with local Medical Health Officers, GSCS will be starting the year at Level 2. This plan means that typical COVID-19 measures will remain in place such as self-screening, good hand hygiene, online education options, etc. Masks will be required for students, staff and visitors within the elementary areas of GSCS schools, and are recommended for high school students, staff and visitors, especially in common areas. Strict cohorts are not required; however, schools may choose to cohort students at specific times such as recess or lunch. Buses will include seating plans with mask requirements and will be sanitized on a daily basis. M o r e information about the GSCS Safe School Plan can be found by visiting www.gscs.ca.

POLICE

BEAT

Multiple Impaired Drivers Removed From the Roads

On August 16, at approximately 7pm, Corman Park Police Service and and Martensville RCMP received a report of an impaired driver from Saskatoon Police Service. The driver had just left the city and was headed north to Martensville. Members intercepted the vehicle at Lutheran Rd in heavy traffic and the vehicle eventually stopped on Highway 12 just south of the Martensville overpass. The driver was arrested after failing an ASD demand. The driver was transported to the Martensville RCMP Detachment and provided two breath samples of 130mg%. The driver was charged with impaired operation and was later released with a future court date.

On August 21 at aproximately 10:45pm, an officer spotted a vehicle parked on the side of Range Road 3045 and Township Road 352. The driver stated they had no alcohol to drink. A mandatory demand was read. The driver provided a sample with a result of a FAIL. The driver was arrested and transported for breath samples at Saskatoon RCMP. The driver provided two samples of 100mg% and 90mg%. The driver was charged with exceeding 80mg% and later released with a future court date. Police remind the public that no matter the consequences or who the individual might be, please report impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1. You may just save a life.

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Saskatoon Police Warn of Fraudulent Door-to-Door Solicitation The Saskatoon Police Service Economic Crime Section is advising members of the public to be aware of potentially fraudulent door-to-door solicitation in Saskatoon. Recently there have been reports of people representing an organization called HopeCo who claim to be collecting money for charity. It has also been reported that they are attempting to recruit young adults for potential employment, should they answer the door. This is also believed to be fraudulent activity. Recruits are asked to transfer money to the potential "employer" who does not exist. According to the Better Business Bureau, HopeCo is not registered with the Information Services Corporation or with the City of Saskatoon and is flagged for high risk behavior or practices. Residents who are visited by people claiming to represent this organization should be vigilant and refuse all solicitation. If you have been the victim of fraudulent activity visit https://saskatoonpolice.ca/economic/ for more information on how you can report.

Assistance From Public Helps Lead to Arrest On August 20, Warman and Martensville RCMP released a notice stating that they were looking for public assistance locating a wanted male. RCMP members responded to a complaint of an assault that occurred at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park on Penner Road northeast of Saskatoon on August 16, 2021. Investigation determined an adult male entered the building. A verbal confrontation occurred between the man and staff members and then an assault took place and threats were uttered. On August 18, 2021 around 7:15 p.m. Warman/Martensville RCMP responded to a ABOVE Ryan Mattock complaint of an incident on 71st Street just north of Saskatoon. Investigation determined a white SUV and an orange SUV stopped at a red light. A verbal confrontation occurred between the individuals in the two vehicles and then the white SUV backed into the orange SUV. Ryan Mattock (1980-10-08) was charged in relation to these incidents with: 2 counts, assault, section 266 of the Criminal Code, 4 count, utter threats, section 264.1(1) (a) of the Criminal Code, 1 count, utter threats to burn property, section 264.1(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, 1 count, dangerous operation of a conveyance, section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code, 1 count, Mischief to property, 430(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, 1 count, Assault with Weapon, 267(a) CC, 1 count, dangerous operation of a conveyance, section 320.13(1) and 1 count, Mischief to property 430(4). A warrant was issued for Mattock’s arrest in relation to the incidents and thanks to assistance from the media and the public, Mattock was located in North Battleford on August 20 and was arrested without incident by local RCMP.

Meet Your Fire Department The Martensville Fire Department (MFD) has been taking time to showcase their members and the most recent one features firefighter/first responder Levi Schutz. Schutz is a recent graduate of the University of Saskatchewan where he earned two degrees in both Anatomy and Cell Biology, as well as Physiology and Pharmacology. Having joined the MFD in 2018, Schutz had relatively zero firefighting experience; however, since then, Levi has completed his fire inspector and investigator courses. He also serves as treasurer for the department’s association and is also a member of the technical rescue team. For Levi, his favorite part of being a member of the MFD is the camaraderie that comes with the job, the fact that he never has the same day twice and also that he is someone the community can rely on in a time of need. Outside of the MFD, Levi enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends at the lake and refereeing hockey for WHL, USport and SJHL.

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Provincial Politics with

Murray Mandryk

Long-Standing Canadian Grievances Need Perspective

It would be a bit too much to expect this federal election to bring us all together. Elections accomplish precisely the opposite — especially in a first-past-the-post Westminster Parliamentary democracy that you can form a healthy majority government with less than 40 per cent of the vote. Add the reality that Justin Trudeau — a Liberal Prime Minister whose disdain in rural Saskatchewan and much of the West has reached mythical proportion — really had no reason to call this election. Yes, this is a minority government and minority governments usually last only two years in this county, but it wasn’t exactly as if the federal Liberal government was threatened by the loss of power through a non-confidence vote. Having this campaign now is the last thing the opposition parties wanted and it surely isn’t what Canadians want in the middle of the pandemic, but what’s clearly frustrating for voters also goes beyond the pandemic risks. A majority of Canadians are frustrated by an electoral system — and a system of governance — that clearly doesn’t reflect government intent. Perhaps that is where this conversation begins. Or at least, it might be slightly more productive than other conversations going on that seem to surround this election campaign. There is something very wrong in a country when the hope of Westerners is that separatists from Quebec now deprive Trudeau of the majority government that he desires and even if this happens, it’s doubtful that it will satisfy very many. Canadians in Ontario and Atlantic Canada won’t necessarily have the majority government for which they voted. Separatists in Quebec will also be frustrated with results, and the rest of the nation will continue to be even more frustrated that Quebec is still imposing its will on the rest of the nation. But it’s here in Western Canada — and especially in rural Saskatchewan — where the frustration may be greatest. It would seem unlikely that there will be any meaningful change in Saskatchewan from the 2019 election that saw 14 Conservative Party of Canada MPs elected (although the Liberal candidacy of NDP MP Buckley Belanger in Desenthe-Missinippi-Churchill River adds a bit more intrigue to this campaign). About the only other slightly intriguing thing is how well other parties to the right of the CPC — Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada and the Maverick Party with its own Western separatist sentiments - may fair in Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, moving towards those latter sentiments doesn’t help much. One gets the frustration of this with not only our vote but also with our entire system of government. Accompanying this campaign is a growing and unfortunate sentiment that people out here identify more with this province as Saskatchewan people than they do as Canadians. There’s nothing wrong with having pride in where you come from. We are, after all, a vast country separated by language and regional economic issues that have always made it difficult to bring us together as a nation. Defining exactly what it means to be Canadian is our perennial struggle; however, there is something even more wrong with dwelling on the notion that we should only identify with our region and that is then what this election is exclusively about. Obviously, things need fixing in this country — perhaps beginning with an electoral system fixated on creating large majorities when regionalism and the very way we vote suggests we want something different. Does this mean something like proportional representation in our electoral system that would create perpetual minority governments? That, too, might be a difficult conversation, but come September 20th, what it does mean is adopting a view that your vote is about something bigger. It’s a vote about which party can make it. This federal election is about which party can make a 155-yearold federation better. That is something worthy of your vote.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature Drought Assistance for Farmers - Saskatchewan has seen its share of challenges, and the extreme drought conditions we are currently experiencing have been no exception. Pastures and crops have been severely affected while many dugouts are dry or have poor water quality due to a lack of spring runoff and little rainfall, combined with hot, dry weather throughout the summer. Our government is helping producers retain their breeding herd with $119 million in direct support under the AgriRecovery program. This program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, with funding shared on a 60-40 federalprovincial basis. Full federal participation would deliver $200 per head to cattle producers, and we look forward to working with the federal government to ensure producers receive the support they need. The amount of the per head payment will be finalized pending federal agreement. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have already provided an increase to the 2021 AgriStability interim benefit payment percentage, from 50 per cent to 75 per cent, so producers can access a larger portion of their final AgriStability benefit early. In addition, Saskatchewan has announced temporary increases in the maximum rebates for livestock producers under the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program for dugouts, wells and pipelines for agricultural use, from $50,000 to $150,000. Saskatchewan also introduced changes to the Crop Insurance Program to divert low-yielding crops to feed use. I encourage crop producers to consider how these changes could work for their operation or enable them to help a neighbour. Across the province there is a need for feed and straw this winter and, if you have feed, many websites and social media groups can connect you with livestock producers who are in need. The livestock sector is a vital part of our agriculture industry, and a significant contributor to our provincial economy. We know that producers are struggling and that is why we are taking action to support them during a challenging year. The Farm Stress Line – a confidential service, available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week – is available for support should producers need it. The toll-free number is 1-800-667-4442. COVID-19 Update - If you are not yet partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19, immunizations are continuing through walk-in and pop-up clinics at public venues across the province, as well as through participating pharmacies by appointment. Appointments booked online will continue for some smaller centres where pharmacy immunization is unavailable. All information related to vaccines and clinics will be available at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine or through the Saskatchewan Health Authority social media channels. Vaccination and breakthrough data demonstrates that it is unvaccinated people who are in-hospital and facing the most severe COVID-19 illness and death. Vaccination has proven to be the best protection against COVID-19 transmission and illness. While proof of vaccination is not required by the Government of Saskatchewan for events or venues, we know that there are some locations within Canada that are requesting that documentation. Residents who would like a record of their COVID-19 vaccinations now have access to a new one-page printable vaccination record from their MySaskHealthRecord account. This includes date and location of vaccination and brand of vaccine administered. If you do not have a MySaskHealthRecord account, you can visit eHealth Saskatchewan at www.ehealthsask.ca/ MySaskHealthRecord/MySaskHealthRecord/ to set one up. Preparing for Upcoming 2021-22 School Year - On the topic of COVID-19, our appreciation goes out to our teachers, education support staff and families whose hard work and creativity supported students throughout the pandemic the past year. The Government of Saskatchewan has developed a one-year Interim Provincial Education Plan to support schools as we begin to emerge from the pandemic. Nearly $21 million in additional funding will be provided to school divisions with a focus on three key priorities: • Additional reading supports for grade 1 to 5 students. Reading data will be collected from students in grades 1 to 5. This will allow educational professionals to create specialized reading plans where needed to meet students at their individual skill levels. • Supportive learning opportunities for students whose education may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. High school students will be able to obtain credits through a variety of educational avenues, such as classes offered out of grade order, special project credits and online classes. • Mental health supports for students and staff as they return from a challenging year. This includes nearly $600,000, provided in the 2021-22 Budget, to support initiatives related to bullying prevention and promotion of positive mental health and student safety. It also encompasses nearly $500,000 committed by the Government of Saskatchewan for Mental Health First Aid training to school divisions. Using these three priorities as a guide, school divisions and participating First Nations education authorities will build their own plans to meet the unique needs of their students and schools. Veterans Service Club Support Program Applications - A reminder for registered, non-profit veteran service clubs in Saskatchewan: the second intake of applications for the Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program are being accepted until August 31, 2021. Clubs are eligible to apply for grants up to $25,000. I’m proud to say that this program provides grants for facility projects, upgrades, renovations or repairs, access to programming, meetings, and events. Grant money can also be used toward special events, programs and activities that engage the public and advance the work of veteran 21085ss0 service organizations. The first intake supported 39 veteran service clubs around Saskatchewan with over $634,000 in support already delivered. More information about the program, guidelines, applications, and eligibility are available through the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command at 306-525-8739 or admin@sasklegion.ca.

Letter to the Editor

The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 Martensville, SK S0K 2T0.

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Travel and the Covid Vaccine

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

The future of travel will look different for quite some time with the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, and new variants continuing to show up. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), which is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services, they do not recommend travel internationally until being fully vaccinated. International travel can still pose additional risks of getting and even possibly spreading some of the COVID-19 variants, even in fully vaccinated travelers. New and concerning variants differ from country to country, and travelers are urged to pay close attention to conditions concerning COVID-19 at the destination they are going to before traveling. If you travel, whether you are fully vaccinated or not, you are required to follow CDC’s international travel recommendations and guidelines. Travelers are urged to understand and follow all airline and destination requirements related to travel, as well as mask wearing, testing, or quarantine. Different rules apply in certain countries, with the U.S. being one of them. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry. Be prepared to wear a mask on planes, trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States. All U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations require masks indoors. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas such as on open deck areas of a ferry, or the uncovered top deck of a bus.

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If you are entering the United States by air, all travelers, including fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before boarding a flight to the United States. If you are not fully vaccinated, you should get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip. After travel, it is recommended to get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms. The CDC recommends that travelers who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask and maintain physical distance when traveling. Avoid crowds and wash hands often. If you are not vaccinated, after travel you must get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel. After returning home, you are asked to avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms and follow all local recommendations or requirements. Although several months ago Canada’s health authority gave the green light to mix-andmatch COVID-19 vaccines, another issue travelers are having is that not all countries and some cruise lines are not recognizing certain mixes of vaccines as fully vaccinated. Some vaccines distributed in Canada may cause problems for travellers abroad.

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