December 17, 2020

• Complete Automotive and Tire Service Centre • Journeyman Factory Trained Technicians • Easy Vehicle Repair & Accessory Financing Available FREE courtesy cars available Open 7:30-5:30 Monday - Friday

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Call: 306.975.2140

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MARTENSVILLE PHARMACY Monday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 10-3 Closed Sundays & Holidays

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ARTENSVILLE

ESSENGER

17 Centennial Drive North

306-931-2868

Over 9 Years Making Your Real Estate Dreams Come True!

Please note the Martensville Messenger will NOT be publishing a paper on December 24 or December 31, 2020.

Thank you to all who have supported us this past year.

May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home with many blessings.

Your City; Your Newspaper

Locally Owned and Operated Celebrating Thirteen Years of Community

December 17, 2020

VOLUME NO. 14 - ISSUE 48

www.martensvillemessenger.ca

Spreading Christmas Cheer For All To Hear

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

home & floral boutique Bay #5 239 Centennial Dr Martensville www.sashomeandfloral.com

Ph. 306.651.7277

ABOVE: The Martensville and District Kinette Club pulled some strings and managed to bring Santa Claus to the community this year. The Kinettes, with some help from friends and family members, hit the streets of Martensville on December 5 & 6 and 12 & 13 with Santa in tow for people to have their photos safely taken with the big man himself in exchange for a donation that will go towards TeleMiracle.

Pink & Tidy Cleaning Services (306) 930-0738 15% OFF First booking

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Merry ChristMas We wish you and your family a Christmas Holiday season filled with cheer, warm memories and happiness.

All the best in 2021 City Council and Staff

Page 2 - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - martensville messenger

Police Warn of Parcel Delivery Scam

The Saskatoon Police Service has received several reports recently about a text message scam involving parcels.

The complainants reported receiving a text message indicating that they had a parcel waiting for pick-up but additional fees were required in order to collect it. When the victims clicked the link in the text message, they were guided through a series of steps and prompted for their credit card information. A diagram is attached that details the steps victims went through. At the top, the logo is meant to look like UPS, but is IPS.

Police wish to remind the public that parcel delivery services will not contact you via text message and request additional funds. Do not click on links in text messages or e-mails from unknown sources/senders. Never give your personal information or credit card information out.

At a time of year when people may be utilizing online shopping, please take a moment to be extra aware of how your parcels are expected to be delivered.

Drug Trafficking Investigation Leads to Charges for Osler Man

On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, officers from the Saskatchewan RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit North (FSOC-N) were conducting an ongoing drug trafficking investigation in Osler, Saskatchewan. Information obtained by the Saskatchewan RCMP FSOC-N led to the execution of a search warrant at a residence located on the 200th block of Parkview Cove in Osler.

A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of the following drugs and items; 1448 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 476 grams of suspected cocaine, 278 grams of suspected fentanyl, $4,445 in Canadian currency, .32 caliber handgun and ammunition and Paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

The quantity of fentanyl seized could be broken down into potentially over 1000 individual doses. Fentanyl is odorless and tasteless, and therefore hard to detect. A lethal dose of pure fentanyl is potentially less than two milligrams – that is equivalent to about two grains of salt.

As a result of this investigation, completed by FSOC-N with assistance from the Prince Albert Integrated Crime Reduction Team and Warman RCMP, 28-year-old Dustin Troy McDougall, from Osler, SK, has been charged with the following offences; Three counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; Possession of Proceeds of Crime Under $5000 contrary to Section 354(1) of the Criminal Code; Failure to Comply with Court Order contrary to Section 145 of the Criminal Code; and Three firearms related offences contrary to Sections 86(2) and 91(1) of the Criminal Code. Dustin McDougall is scheduled to appear in court on December 11, 2020, in Saskatoon.

"When we look at the impact of drug trafficking in our communities, we see the regular use of violence and property crime. These are just some of the many illegal activities that ruin lives every day. Preventing illicit drugs from spreading even further in our communities, plays a huge role in maintaining public safety," says Staff Sergeant Jason Kerr, of the Saskatchewan FSOC-N. "The presence of illicit drugs and fatal overdoses are occurring in small towns and rural areas – this is not strictly a big city issue. Anyone can feel the impact of drugs when it reaches their community."

The Saskatchewan RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit works in conjunction with domestic and international partners to disrupt, dismantle and support the prosecution of serious and organized crime groups and their members.

If you have information about people trafficking drugs, you can report it to your local RCMP detachment or police service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report it to Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS. RIGHT: RCMP seized a wide variety of items from an Osler home. (Saskatchewan RCMP)

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martensville messenger - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - Page 3

Winter is Here and Snow Removal is Too – What You Need to Know

The snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access to goods and services in the community.

Our crews strive to deliver excellent services, however sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and snow and ice control activities may vary. Every reasonable effort will be made to remove snow and ice and create safe driving and walking conditions in a timely manner. There are ways you can help to ensure to keep streets clear and safe.

- Do not shovel, blow, or push snow from private property onto the street – this causes snow ridges on your driveway when our plow cleans your street.

- Do not plow or pile snow on streets or hydrants – this can block access to manholes, water valves and access to water in case of fire.

- Clear your driveways in advance of the city’s snow clearing operations - this helps our operators clear your street more efficiently as well as more clearly see driveways to avoid ridging.

- Do not park your vehicle in an area where it could obstruct snow removal procedures. This hinders our operations and could result in a snow ridge blocking your vehicle in place.

- Do not leave large piles of snow at the corners of driveways – this snow can be caught by a raised snow-gate blade and topple over into your driveway or the street.

- Prevent snow from piling up on the front of your driveway by moving it near your tree/lawn areas behind your walkway.

- Watch for posted areas for Snow Removal - In case of snow and snow removal, crews need to have roads cleared of all vehicles on posted streets. If you are going out of the City over the holidays, please have your vehicles off City streets. Vehicles left on the street per the traffic bylaw are ticketed and towed (to a non-posted area).

Snowmobiles in the Parks are Not Permitted

The City of Martensville has received numerous complaints about snowmobiles being driven through city streets, parks, municipal reserves and drainage systems. The use of snowmobiles in parks is a safety concern as well as a maintenance issue due to the potential damage to trees, plantings and other landscaping. Snowmobiles operating in the parks are subject to fines under the Snowmobile Bylaw.

- Prevent snow from piling up on the front of your driveway by moving it near your tree/lawn areas behind your walkway.

- Watch for posted areas for Snow Removal - In case of snow and snow removal, crews need to have roads cleared of all vehicles on posted streets. If you are going out of the City over the holidays, please have your vehicles off City streets. Vehicles left on the street per the traffic bylaw are ticketed and towed (to a non-posted area).

- Stay Clear of Sanding Trucks - Crews apply a mixture of salt and sand on our streets and intersections to ensure safer driving conditions. If you are near or behind the sanding truck you are reminded to stay back 15m to allow the truck to disperse materials and to prevent materials from potentially hitting your vehicle.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca.

Civic Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic - What You Should Know!

City Hall is Open, however with some guidelines currently in place. Continue to utilize online and contactless options when possible. 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.

Residents and Customers are encouraged to carry out transactions electronically such as online banking, preauthorized payments or TIPPS. Cheques may also be dropped off in the drop slot at City Hall.

- Stay Clear of Sanding Trucks - Crews apply a mixture of salt and sand on our streets and intersections to ensure safer driving conditions. If you are near or behind the sanding truck you are reminded to stay back 15m to allow the truck to disperse materials and to prevent materials from potentially hitting your vehicle.

The City had implemented a number of measures to assist property owners and businesses during the pandemic, including extending the Property Tax deadline from July 31st to October 30th.

Property Taxes are now due with interest charges on overdue accounts now accruing.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca.

Stay Informed! -The City of Martensville has created a dedicated webpage to provide information, updates, and additional resources around the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is accessible through the homepage at Martensville.ca.

Council Presented With Information to Bring a Hope & Healing Centre to Martensville

Please continue to follow us, media sources and information from the Province of Saskatchewan for the most current information around updates or new measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

This week marked the final Council meeting of 2020. The next time Council meets will be for the first Committee of the Whole meeting in 2021 which will take place on Tuesday, January 12th.

This week’s meeting started off with a presentation from Jenna Morgan from Morgan Safe Community Consulting who spoke to Council about plans to create a Hope & Healing Wellness Centre for Depression & Anxiety in Martensville. Morgan explained that this centre would be a place for children, teens, adults and seniors.

In the information provided to Council, Morgan explains that this would be a 14 to 30 day program for people who suffer from depression and/or anxiety in a safe homelike environment to obtain tools needed to create a recovery program tailored to heal the specific causes of their depression and/or anxiety. Morgan added that there will be a team of highly qualified individuals and medical experts on site.

Morgan noted that she would be looking for Council to get on board with the project and that she would require ten acres of land and would like to see two members from Council be involved in this project, adding that the Minister of Health

is currently reviewing the proposal as well. According to Morgan, a similar project is running across the United States and has seen much success.

Council will review the information and get back to Morgan with their thoughts at a later time.

The remaining items on the agenda this week were mainly follow-up items from the previous week’s Committee of the Whole meeting such as discretionary use approval from Paws Republic Centre for Pets for a satellite training facility on 9th Street North and a motion to freeze 2020’s rental and admission rates into next year.

“2020 has certainly had its ups and downs! Throughout it all, our community has come together to celebrate and make the best of our situations. From the unique graduation parade that parents organized, the many take-out orders you made with our local businesses, to the incredible support of the MCRP and the new recreation facility, we are getting through this together. I wish you all the very best this holiday season and here’s to a happy and healthy 2021,” Mayor Kent Muench stated via social media.

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Page 4 - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - martensville messenger

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Martensville SK 306-244-4950

KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD

The Season of Giving Inspires Local Business to Help Give Back Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Martensville Corner Store Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season and a New Year Filled with Peace & Prosperity

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ABOVE: Alpyne Apparel in Martensville is hosting a Secret Santa for Seniors this Christmas.

(Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

Christmas is the season for giving, and this year is no exception. There have been numerous businesses and organizations doing extraordinary things to help bring joy this holiday season such as; the Martensville and District Kinettes bringing Santa to the streets of Martensville, the Gift of Sport through the KidSport program, the Giving Tree at Canadian Tire, and the Christmas Hamper Program with the Martensville Fire Department, to name a few.

Alpyne Apparel in Martensville took note of other businesses doing ‘Giving Trees’ in Martensville and neighbouring communities and thought it was a great idea. Owner Cole Flath was more than willing to join in on the generosity, after his wife Courtney suggested that their business organize a ‘Secret Santa for Seniors’!

When visiting Alpyne Apparel, you can find cards located on a Christmas tree and are encouraged to take a name and then head out into the community and find any of the items on their wish list. Some of their requests include items such as; flavored tea, nail polish, books, scarfs, etc. Once purchased, you can drop the gifts off with the name tag back to Alpyne Apparel and they will have them delivered to the seniors by Christmas.

“We are proud to have our own giving tree at Alpyne Apparel. Seniors need extra joy this holiday season. Residents haven’t seen their families for months and won’t get to see them in person for Christmas either,” Flath stated, adding that “The response has been incredible and cards are going fast.”

If you are interested in helping to bring some extra joy to seniors this holiday season, stop by Alpyne Apparel at 800 Centennial Drive North in Martensville.

Terry Jenson, MLA Martensville-Warman

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Yellow Backing plate

office@terryjenson.ca 306-242-2111

20201214_Jenson_Martensville Messenger_5x3.indd 1

306-931-1903 441 Centennial Dr N Sign can with 5” letter edge(black).

Silver background and black border in opaque vinyl Turquoises gradient, red and white in translucent vinyl

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K & M Auto Body Aug 7

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Please note once the proof has been approved the client is responsible for all costs associated with any subsequent changes.

wishing you a blessed christmas!

CHA - Exterior

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CSR: Russ

Colour may appear slightly different between monitors and will be printed as supplied.

Wishing You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year

12/14/2020 3:37:04 PM

Giving Tree Provides Gifts For Children in Martensville and Saskatoon

martensville messenger - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - Page 5

Season’s Greetings FROM

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Christmas is often regarded as the most wonderful time of the year; however, for some, it can prove to be quite difficult to manage with additional expenses. Because of this, the idea for the Giving Tree was created. Each year, the ‘Giving Tree’ is set up at Canadian Tire in Martensville donned with ornaments made by students at École Holy Mary Catholic School. Each ornament includes a child’s name, age and gender and people can take an ornament from the tree, purchase a gift for the child, return it under the tree and keep the ornament as a reminder of what Christmas is really about. Since 2016, the ‘Giving Tree’ has provided gifts for approximately 120 children in Martensville and Saskatoon each year.

This year, the ‘Giving Tree’ was set up from November 16 to December 11 and once again, the community has shown generosity with all ornaments chosen from the tree, meaning every child listed will receive a gift. “These children are so thankful each year, but with this year being more difficult than ever, they really needed the extra Christmas spirit. It truly means so much to them. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Giving Tree with your generosity, the students of Ecole Holy Mary for the beautiful ornaments, and Canadian Tire and their amazing staff for all their help with the tree over the years. It means so much to so many families,” Giving Tree organizer Margaret Lamont stated via social media.

Centennial DENTAL CLINIC

New and Emergency 306.242.8788 www.centennialdentalclinic.com Patients Welcome

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Happy Holidays from Extended hours now available

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'Best Wishes to all this Holiday Season' From the Management and Staff of We hope your holiday is merry, bright and magical.

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Crystal Car Martensville

We’d Like to Shout It From the Rooftops: “Merry Christmas, Everyone!”

We’d Like to Shout It From the Rooftops: “Merry Christmas, Everyone!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We hope your holiday is merry, bright and magical.

Rooftops: “Merry Christmas, Everyone!”

Thanks for being great Christmas, neighbours and customers!

Like to Shout It From the Rooftops: “Merry Everyone!”

s merry, bright and magical.

We hope your holiday is merry, bright and magical.

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Martensville Thanks for being great neighbours and customers!

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We’d Like to Shout It From the Rooftops: “Merry Christmas, Everyone!”

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Wed - Dec 23 – 8am - 5pm Thurs - Dec 24 – closed Fri Dec 25 – closed Sat - Dec 26 – closed Sun - Dec 27 – closed Mon - Dec 28 – 8am - 6pm

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Page 6 - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - martensville messenger

COVID-19 Update: New Measures To Further Reduce Transmission Risk

While Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 case trends are relatively stable, case rates continue to create significant, on-going community transmission and increasing pressure on health care services. Additional public health measures are being introduced based on the transmission patterns observed in Saskatchewan.

“Re-open Saskatchewan guidelines have been effective at reducing transmission in those settings where we have implemented measures like restaurants and retail settings,” Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said. “It’s the in-between places, the social settings, where COVID-19 transmission is happening. In our breakrooms and staff rooms, by inviting new people into our homes, we are letting our guard down.

“We can still celebrate the holiday season. After a difficult year, it’s more important than ever to connect with loved ones but it must be done at a safe distance or virtually. Share time with friends and family but keep everyone safe.”

Public Health Orders

These public health measures are in addition to those in effect as of November 27, 2020. All public health measures will remain in effect until January 15, 2021. At that time they will be reviewed by the provincial Chief Medical Health Officer.

• The public health orders for licensed establishments; sports, fitness and dance; places of worship; and mandatory masking remain in place.

• Public health continues to emphasize working from home, whenever possible.

• Public health continues to strongly recommend that only one member of a household do required shopping, and limit shopping to essential items as much as possible.

• All non-essential interprovincial travel is discouraged.

Each sector has guidance under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan at https://www. saskatchewan.ca/re-open.

In the event that there is any disparity between the Re-Open Saskatchewan guidance and the public health orders, the public health orders must be followed. Enforcement of public health orders is permitted under The Public Health Act, 1994.

Effective December 17

The following measures will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, December 17.

Private, Indoor Gatherings • Private, indoor gatherings will be limited to immediate household members only.

• Single individuals are permitted to meet with one, consistent household of less than five individuals for the duration of the order.

• Co-parenting arrangements are permitted to continue.

• Caregivers and support services in the home are permitted to continue.

Outdoor Gatherings • People may meet and greet outdoors with up to 10 people only, provided physical distancing between households can be maintained.

Effective December 19

The following measures will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, December 19.

Personal Services and Event Venues • Casinos and bingo halls must close.

• Personal services may operate at 50 per cent capacity, including staff and clients. Personal services include hairdresser/barber, esthetics, massage therapy, acupuncture, tattooing, etc.

For a complete list of personal services, see https://www.saskatchewan.ca/re-open.

• Event venues, conference facilities, arenas, arts venues, museums, movie and live theatres and banquet facilities may still have events up to 30 individuals. During events in these venues, all guests must be seated for the duration. Food and drink are not permitted unless explicitly stated in the order.

Note that the guidance for weddings and funeral ceremonies and places of worship is 30 individuals only. Concurrent services may not occur within multiple locations within one facility.

Effective December 25

The following measures will be in effect as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, December 25.

Retail • Retail services must reduce their capacity to 50 per cent.

• Large retail locations are required to limit their capacity to 25 per cent capacity. Large retail locations are defined as retailers with a square footage larger than 20,000 square feet. For details see Public Health Orders at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-healthorders.

General COVID-19 Information - General public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca.

VMS Rocks Out

On Thursday, December 10th, the staff and students at Valley Manor School dressed in their ‘rock star’ best to celebrate grade seven teacher Julie Chiesa, who is retiring at the end of December. Throughout the month, staff has been planning a song to play for Julie each morning, and a gift to present to her from grade alike groups. Congratulations on your retirement Mrs. Chiesa!

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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FARMLAND WANTED

Late model, clean CAT, JD equip; winch, dump, gravel trucks, and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca Labourers Wanted: Duties inc, in part: pressure washing heavy equipment, trucks and trailers. Cleaning shops. Assisting where required. Heavy lifting involved.

Mechanical aptitude an asset; must be safety conscious and able to work around heavy equipment.

Must have a clean driver’s abstract.

Position located in Arborfield, Sk. Camp accommodation provided if necessary.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

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NOTICES 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.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

MISCELLANEOUS

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martensville messenger - DECEMBER 17, 2020 - Page 7

MLA Report with Terry Jenson COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

In a tough year, there is good news Saskatchewan people can look forward to – a vaccine for the COVID-19 pandemic will be available in the coming weeks. This does not, however, suggest that it is time to ease up and become less disciplined in our approach to preventing its spread. We all have a role to play in slowing the transmission of this virus and our government continues its work to ensure that resources are available to our health care providers. We continue to ask that you follow public health orders and frequently wash your hands, practice physical distancing, wear a mask and stay home if you have symptoms.

Your cooperation with public health orders, along with direction from Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer, will help our province continue to weather this storm.

With the announcement of Saskatchewan’s vaccine rollout plan, the people of our province can feel encouraged for the future. We have worked closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and will be ready to administer the COVID-19 vaccine once the first shipment is received. The Vaccine Delivery Plan is a phased approach that will begin vaccinating residents this month. Under a pilot project this week, approximately 1,950 people at Regina General Hospital will be receiving the first vaccinations. Those eligible for the vaccine include health care workers in the Regina hospitals, as well as staff at testing and assessment centres. This pilot will be delivered in two doses, with the second vaccination being administered 21 days following the administration of the first.

Phase One of the Vaccine Delivery Plan will begin later in December across the province with more frontline health care workers, elderly residents in care homes, seniors over 80 and residents in northern remote communities. Keeping our most vulnerable populations protected has always been a priority.

The second phase of the Vaccine Delivery Plan is anticipated to begin in April 2021. We will continue to immunize priority populations while providing the vaccine to our general population. At this time, distribution will move to public health clinics and other vaccination delivery sites in the province.

While we are well on our way to provide safe vaccines once they arrive, there is still more work to do. Our government is committed to keeping the public up to date with accurate information on the status of the COVID-19 vaccine and delivery. For more information on our Vaccine Delivery Plan, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19vaccine.

Saskatchewan Health Authority Surge Plan

As we see increased COVID-19 cases Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is moving forward with its surge plan to meet the expected demand for patients. Service slow downs will support the redeployment of up to 600 full-time equivalent staff to aid in our response to the pandemic.

This surge plan will create capacity for 64 COVID patients requiring ICU care by mid-December. It will also create capacity for those requiring inpatient hospitalization, as well as capacity for contact tracing to keep pace with the projected demand. To help our frontline workers, please limit your social bubble as much as possible.

Redeploying our services on this scale will facilitate a service slow down to maintain an appropriate balance between the urgent needs of the pandemic response and the need for Saskatchewan residents to have access to everyday health services. The SHA and its partners have a targeted approach to minimize patient, client and resident impact while maximizing the ability to mobilize full-time staff to other areas.

It is crucial that we act now and ensure those in need receive the help that they need. By ensuring our existing capacity does not become overwhelmed, this timely slowdown has the potential to help us provide critical care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.

Soon, one hundred made-in-Saskatchewan ventilators will be available to support the needs of our province’s residents. These ventilators are being made as part of a collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and RMD Engineering Inc. based out of Saskatoon.

The President of RMD Engineering was inspired by his daughter to develop ways to assist our health care system. She is a nurse at the Royal University Hospital and knows firsthand how important this equipment is, especially to someone who may be suffering from the virus. We are grateful for their dedication to develop a Saskatchewan-made solution to support the needs of patients.

As always, for more information on the current public health measures, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19.

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.

COVID-19 Needs a More Objective Approach

As we approach Christmas, Saskatchewan remains caught in the middle of an epicentre of rising COVID-19 cases. To the east of us, Progressive Conservative Premier Brian Pallister announced Manitoba’s lockdown measures will extend past Christmas. To the West, United Conservative Party Premier Jason Kenney announced tough lockdown measures that now surpass those in this province and caught in the middle is Premier Scott Moe — who surely has problems of his own.

The latest and greatest of these problems has to do with COVID-19 gaining a foothold in nursing homes in Regina and elsewhere — a frightening prospect, as this is the very thing that caused death totals to rise in other jurisdictions.

As of the writing of this, there have been 66 COVID-19 deaths in Saskatchewan, including 11 deaths at Regina’s Extendicare Parkside. Sadly, both totals are expected to rise in the coming days, as total cases have soared past 10,000 and hospitalizations are at 117 including 27 in ICUs.

One long-time ICU doctor recently posted on Facebook that he has never seen so many people in ICUs for a single disease. The frightening reality is that it is only expected to increase as ICU beds become even more scarce for not only the people with COVID-19, but also people involved in accidents or suffering from heart attacks.

This has become the story on the Prairies of late and much is being made that all three Prairie provinces are run by conservativeminded governments. Perhaps this needs to be put in perspective.

It is true that Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta share governments that are decidedly pro-business. It’s also true that doctors in all provinces have expressed frustration with the slowness of political leadership to implement measures that might have more effectively clamped down on transmission.

But if you look around, you quickly notice COVID-19 problems are everywhere and

Provincial Politics with

Murray Mandryk that it may be a pretty big oversimplification to suggest that the struggle to get a handle on surging second-wave cases is only a problem in this part of the world.

The second wave has hit the U.S. even harder than the first wave —not only in red Republican states but also in blue Democrat states like New York, California and Massachusetts that has shut down restaurants and public gatherings and while there is no denying that Canada’s COVID-19 hotspot right now is the prairies, this, too, needs a bit of perspective.

It’s hit every province from B.C. to Quebec — provinces run by very different political administrations — have struggled despite their own measures.

Quebec banned most social gatherings, organized sports and closed restaurants, bars, gyms, libraries and museums since Oct. 1. Yet that province is now cancelling surgeries because of the COVID-19 swell in its hospitals.

People from elsewhere like to bundle the prairie provinces as one place, but there has been important differences in both policies and messaging. For example, in Manitoba, Pallister is now being hammered for not only the lockdown in his province but also calling out anti-maskers and anyone carelessly disregarding social distancing other measures aimed at stopping the spread.

Of course, one would expect a bad reaction from the extreme right, still trying to convince the rest of us that this pandemic is not real. But shrill criticism also came from some of the left who just can’t give those political leaders they don’t like any credit for anything. It was disheartening.

So let’s end off with some good news. As previously mentioned, Saskatchewan COVID-19 daily counts are still too high at around 272 cases a day, but there are signs that seven-day rolling average may be finally levelling out a bit.

In Manitoba, daily case numbers are slightly decreasing. Could it be a sign measures are finally working? Hopefully. Hopefully our leaders will be encouraged for doing what’s right.

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