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Doggie Delight Did you know that February 22nd is National Walk Your Dog Day? While we don’t need a special day to get out and enjoy a walk with our furry friends, and we may be a little early in the month, it still seemed worth mentioning. We are confident that the dogs of Martensville will appreciate the reminder!

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Page 2 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 - martensville messenger

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. 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. 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. 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 Use of Masks are Mandatory in Saskatchewan - Residents are required to wear nonmedical masks in indoor public spaces to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This is a Public Health Order and is subject to enforcement and fines. Health officials strongly recommend wearing a non-medical mask anywhere outside the home. Current Status of Public Facilities as of January 14th, 2021 Martensville Athletic Pavilion - Drop in and Pick-up programs are cancelled in accordance to changes in the Saskatchewan Re-Open Plan North Ridge Centre - Provincial gathering guidelines Heritage Centre - Provincial gathering guidelines Sports Centre - Open Wheatland Regional Library (located in the Civic Centre) - Open 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 during this time. After Hour Water and Sewer Emergencies - should still be directed through the Emergency line at City Hall, (306) 931-2166, ext.1. Protective Services - There are no changes in duty or status to Protective Services such as the RCMP, Martensville Fire Department, and Ambulance Service.

Water Line Freeze Ups- Service Interruptions

If you have an interruption of water service to your home, you may have a waterline freeze up. If you experience a waterline freeze‐up, or any other interruption in service, please call (306) 931‐2166 to report your issue. If this happens outside of regular business hours, please follow the prompts to be transferred to the emergency after‐hours contact. Thank you for your co‐operation!

Snow Removal – Safety Reminders

The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access for to goods and services in the community. -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 and Snow Removal Equipment- Sanding and Snow Removal Equipment make frequent stops or may change direction at any time. If you are near or behind the sanding truck or snow removal equipment you are reminded to stay back 15m to ensure heavy machinery can safely operate and sanders can spread materials in intersections without risk to your vehicle. -Snow Dump Area is Restricted- The snow dump area located along 10th Avenue S, is a restricted area for city crews and contractors to dump and pile snow. This is not a recreational area and we ask that the public remain out of these areas due to potential hazards. Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca

February Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: The upcoming Council Schedule or location may be subject to change based around any potential new developments or ease of restrictions around the COVID-19 Pandemic. Anyone interested in attending is strongly encouraged to contact the City Clerk prior to planning to attend.

Water and Sewer - These services remain unimpacted and unchanged, including water quality testing. Meter reading will continue to take place under the Read/Estimate schedule; however, staff will not be doing reads of meters located inside of homes or occupied buildings. In these cases, estimates will be taken or reads can be provided into City Hall. In respect to water and sewer emergencies, city staff may not be able to enter resident homes at this time and private contractors should be considered.

Committee of the Whole- February 9th Regular Council Meeting- February 16th

Water Meter Read/Estimate Schedule - The Water Meter Read/Estimate schedule is in place continues to be extended into foreseeable future. Visit Martensville.ca, ‘Reading Your Water Meter’ for schedule information or watch Facebook for reminders about submitting your reading.

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.

Utility Accounts - Water service will not be discontinued due to non-payment or overdue account status. Garbage and Recycling - Services remain in place and on schedule with no anticipated service delays at this time. Organics collection has now closed for the season and will recommence in May 2021. Road Maintenance - will continue as required and is not expected to change at this time. Playgrounds, Parks and Sports Fields - Playgrounds are currently open. Sports Fields have reopened but users should continue to follow activity guidelines as may be provided under the Provincial Re-Open plan. Trails and passive park spaces remain open for use, but we continue to urge residents to incorporate safe practices.

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.

The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca.

martensville messenger - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 - Page 3

Route 11 Creative Arts Centre Offers Many Opportunities to Local Communities Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Route 11 Creative Arts Centre is a grassroots local creative community located in the old library building at 101 Klassen Street West in Warman, Saskatchewan. This community service, not for profit organization is managed by the Route 11 Arts Cooperative, a volunteer board of directors, and is City of Martensville partners with the City of Warman. The Notice idea behind Route 11 Creative Arts Centre was the concept and dream of Bylaw #2-2021 a team of volunteers. Starting in 2016 Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Martensville, pursuant Public notice istohereby given that the Council of the City of Martensville, pursuant to Section 207 o the group began negotiating with the Section 207 of the Planning and Development Act, 2007, intends to consider Planning and Development Act,Zoning 2007, intends to consider a bylaw amend Zoning Bylaw No. 1-2015 City of Warman to create a home base a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 1-2015, by zoningtothe proposed parcels zoning the proposed parcels ashatched shown section on the hatched section the map for Arts and Culture in and around our as shown on the of the map shownofbelow fromshown Futurebelow Urbanfrom Future U communities. Development toDevelopment C2A Arterial Commercial. to C2A Arterial Commercial. From there, a mix use facility was formed in June of 2017, providing space for Artist Studios, Gallery, Workshop and Community Space. A ABOVE: The team at Route 11 Creative Arts variety of creative activities, workshops Centre; (L to R) Back Row: Tracy Buechler, and classes, for all ages, along with art Martie Giesbrecht. Front Row: Anita Grace, exhibitions by professional and emerging Ray Keighley and Sandy Lockhart. Artists are available to the public. Run by volunteers, Route 11 offers Memberships to help support the development of arts and culture in our communities. The members of Route 11 are given the opportunity to develop their creative practice by attending members only studio time, engage in monthly creative prompts and be part of the annual members gallery exhibition. “Growth has been slow and steady. Board members and studio artists have changed, but the goal of creating professional quality art and culture workshops, classes and activities at affordable prices for all ages and demographics has consistently grown,” Creative Workshop Facilitator & Art Instructor Tracy Buechler said. For more information and to find out what is going on at Route 11 please visit https://www.route11creativearts.ca, follow along on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out at route11artscentre@gmail.com or drop in Thursdays 4pm-8pm and Fridays 10am-2pm. REASON: TheREASON: zoning ofThe thezoning parcelofoftheland is to allowis for commercial development to occur in L parcel of land to allow for commercial “Due to the world pandemic, Route 11 has had to slow expansion of programming development to occur in Lake Vista. for the time being, which has given us a wonderful opportunity to reflect onVista. all our accomplishments. Route 11 is excited for the future and looking forward to offering some outstanding gallery exhibitions and great art experiences to our communities,” Buechler EXAMINATION OFThis BYLAW: may be examined by interested EXAMINATION OF BYLAW: bylawThis maybylaw be examined by interested personspersons at City Hall on added. at City Hall on any judicial day between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. judicial day between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Copies of the Bylaw and Notice are availab

Public Notice Bylaw #2-2021

BELOW: Route 11 Creative Arts Centre is a grassroots local creative community located in the old a cost of library building at 101 Klassen Street West in Warman. (Facebook)

$1.00.Copies of the Bylaw and Notice are available at a cost of $1.00.

PUBLIC Council HEARING: will hold a public on 16, February 2021p.m. at the Ci PUBLIC HEARING: willCouncil hold a public hearing onhearing February 2021 16, at 5:00 at 5:00 p.m. at the City of Martensville Council Chambers via Zoom (link to to hear any pe Martensville Council Chambers via Zoom (link to be contained on the Council Agenda) be contained on the on Council Agenda) tobylaw. hear anyCouncil person or group wants towritten comm or group that wants to comment the proposed will alsothat consider comment on the proposed bylaw. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the City Hall prior to February 10, 2021. received at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the City Hall prior to February 10, 2021. th

Dated at Martensville this 20 day of January, A.D. 2021.

Dated at Martensville this 20th day of January, A.D. 2021.

Bonnie Gorelitza Bonnie Gore Planning Manager

Planning Man

Page 4 - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 - martensville messenger

MCRP Community Build Project Nearing Completion Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP) has been instrumental in the process of bringing a new multi-purpose recreation facility to the community. Throughout the past five years the MCRP has held numerous fundraisers to help raise money towards this project such as their annual hockey draft, 3 on 3 tournament, TUFF Run and cabaret/dance. Currently, work is being completed on their newest fundraiser, a Community House Build located on the corner of 4th Street South and MacCormack Road. The exterior ABOVE: The MCRP Community House Build located on the corner of 4th Street South and MacCormack Road is nearing completion and will be listed on the market once finished.

of the home is almost complete, with the interior well on its way. Once completed, the home will be put on the market for sale with proceeds going towards the new recreational facility which will be located west of Highway 12 across the overpass. This project was successful due to the support from local businesses and individuals that donated material and labour to the build. For more information visit www. mcrp.ca or ‘Martensville Community Recreation Project’ on Facebook.

A&W Partners With MealShare to Help Support Local Charities Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

In November of 2019, as part of a month-long pilot project, the Martensville A&W location participated in a partnership with Mealshare, which provided one meal to a local charity when customers purchased a particular item from their menu. This pilot project took place in A&W locations across the province and select locations within Ontario. “During the trial, we managed to raise enough to provide over 45,000 meals to youth in need,” Mona Pinder of Mealshare said. Because of this pilot project’s success, Mealshare now has a national partnership with A&W, which kicked off on Monday, February 1. “The Saskatchewan franchisees really loved what we were doing and loved that we were focused on local charities so they were part of the reason that we were able to create this partnership with the rest of Canada,” Pinder added. Mealshare is a non-for-profit organization with the goal of ending youth hunger. “It may be a little audacious, but we say that we want to sit around and talk to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren and have them be in awe when we tell them that there used to be kids in the world that didn’t have enough to eat. That is our ultimate goal,” Pinder explained. For restaurants that are looking for a way to give back to the local community; however, are busy running their restaurant or unsure of where to start – that’s where Mealshare comes in. A partnership is created and restaurants choose an item on their menu to be a Mealshare item and when guests order that item, a meal is provided to a youth in need via a local charity. Basically, buy one – give one. Pinder noted that prior to COVID, Mealshare was partnered with approximately 500 restaurants across Canada; however, the global pandemic caused a significant drop in that number. As of February 1, when the national partnership with A&W launched, a total of 1000 new restaurants across Canada were added. Along with those 1000 restaurants, a total of 300 new charities were added as well, with many of the charities being located in smaller rural communities where A&W franchises are located. “We are so excited to be able to add all of these new charities in smaller communities because we know that hunger isn’t just an issue in larger communities. It affects every size town and city that there is. To be able to truly be across Canada is the biggest and most important thing about this new partnership,” Pinder stated. Through A&W, there are two options with how you can help support Mealshare. Every Monday will be ‘Mealshare Monday’ and for every Cheddar Bacon Uncle Burger Combo that is purchased, a donation will be made. In addition to this option, customers can also add $1 to any order on any day of the week which will provide a meal to a youth in need. Money raised goes to Mealshare charities, which use those funds to go towards their food program. The Martensville A&W location will have funds going to the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Not only does Mealshare support local charities, they also support international charities. “Providing a meal to a child in Canada costs more than providing to a child in Ethiopia where we are currently working with Save the Children Canada. Because it is a ‘buy a meal – give a meal’, 80% of the funds stay local in the community because the meals are more expensive,” Pinder said. Martensville A&W is currently the only restaurant in the community partnered with Mealshare; however, several Saskatoon restaurants are also partners. For more information on available options, visit www.mealshare.ca. For restaurants interested in learning more about how they can partner with Mealshare, visit www.mealshare.ca, or contact Mona Pinder, Mealshare Community Leader, at mona@mealshare.ca. “Now that we are set up with a network of local charities, if there are other restaurants that want to get involved, we can get them on board quite easily, and we would love to have them.”

Kennel Cough Outbreak Hits Saskatoon & Area Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

These days, we are all taking precautions against COVID to protect ourselves and each other; however, we also need to ensure that we are taking precautions to protect our pets against Kennel Cough this winter. Local veterinary clinics have seen an increase in cases of Kennel Cough lately and according to an informative email sent out to customers from Paws Republic Centre for Pets – “no one with a pet or a pet care facility is immune.” Kennel Cough, which many dogs are vaccinated against with the Bordatella vaccine, is an upper respiratory infection that can affect dogs like a cold does in humans. “There can be both viral and/or bacterial causes of canine cough and they are spread through airborne droplets produced by sneezing or coughing,” Paws Republic explained. Although many canines receive their Bordatella vaccine, it does not last forever, and it is not 100% effective against all strains as many other strains are viral and cannot be vaccinated against. Paws Republic Centre for Pets also noted that Kennel Cough “is very common in places where pups are playing together or congregate such as kennels, dog parks, play groups, training groups and even vet clinics or other areas where they are all spreading germs like the kids at a human daycare.” In the majority of cases, kennel cough will clear up on its own with many dogs not displaying any severe symptoms; however, if you do notice your dog coughing, gagging, sneezing, discharge from their nose or anything else out of the ordinary, ensure that you begin to isolate it to avoid passing it along to other dogs. In some cases, dogs will experience fever and diarrhea. Kennel cough can lead to pneumonia if left untreated, which can be fatal. With an incubation period of up to 14 days, many dogs have kennel cough prior to displaying any symptoms, which means “much like COVID, contact tracing is key”, Paws Republic Centre for Pets owner/ operator Kristine O’Brien explained. If you suspect your dog many have kennel cough, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian as well as quarantine your pup until they are a minimum of ten days symptom free to help protect against the spread.

martensville messenger - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 - Page 5

New SGI Impaired Driving Campaign Asks Viewers To Imagine The Unimaginable

Imagine if, after stopping for a few afterwork drinks, you drove through a crosswalk and killed two children. SGI’s latest impaired driving awareness campaign asks viewers: Could you live with yourself? Let’s hope you never have to find out. Impaired driving carries significant legal and financial consequences, and they are even more severe when they involve a collision that kills or injures someone. But what about the less obvious consequences from killing someone because of impaired driving? The guilt. The shame. The impact on your family, your job, and your reputation. ABOVE: Linda & Lou Van de Vorst lost their son Jordan, his wife Chanda and their grandchildren Kamryn and Miguire to an impaired driver in “Some decisions are absolutely life2016. (SGI) changing,” said Minister Responsible for SGI Don Morgan. “If you decide to drive impaired and that decision costs someone else their life, you will experience a lifetime of regret.” The campaign includes the voices of two prominent anti-impaired driving advocates. Linda and Lou Van de Vorst know all too well the devastation that can come from impaired driving. They are the parents of Jordan Van de Vorst. Jordan, his wife Chanda and their young children Kamryn (age 5) and Miguire (age 2) were killed by an impaired driver in 2016. “If you’ve been drinking, please make the right choice to get home safely,” implores Linda. “You could save a life. Or an entire family,” adds Lou. The campaign runs throughout February and features a 60-second video that will air on television, online and in cinemas. The campaign also includes radio, billboard and newspaper advertising, and specially designed mirror decals that will be strategically placed in licensed establishments.

Police Focus on Impaired Driving in February Traffic Safety Spotlight So you’ve been charged with impaired driving – Here’s what to expect: consequences can include licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments, Ignition Interlock, Driving without impairment course and SDR penalties You drove impaired. You didn’t crash your car, no one was hurt or killed, but you got caught. Now what? Police will be focused on catching impaired drivers for the February Traffic Safety Spotlight, and SGI is highlighting some of the consequences those impaired drivers will face. “Driving impaired is a very risky thing to do, and there are a number of different penalties and costs that go along with an impaired driving charge,” said Penny McCune, Chief Operating Officer of the Auto Fund. “People may not understand, it can turn your life upside down.” Let’s say you’ve been charged under the Criminal Code for exceeding .08 blood alcohol concentration. What follows is the very least you can expect with your first offence for an impaired driving Criminal Code charge and conviction. For repeat offences, penalties can be even more severe – up to and including jail time.

UPON BEING CHARGED

Impoundment - Your vehicle just got impounded for at least 30 days. When you get it back, you’ll have to pay the towing and impound fees, which will cost approximately $815. Suspension - You won’t be driving that vehicle for a while anyway. Your licence is now suspended until the charges are dealt with in court. If you are eligible, you can choose to participate in the Ignition Interlock program, after serving 90 days of your suspension. Or you could choose to remain suspended and pay for rides or try to find someone to drive you. (That sounds exhausting). Unfortunately, some drivers choose to drive with a suspended licence and find themselves facing additional charges and vehicle impoundments when they get caught. What are the odds of that happening? Pretty good, actually, thanks to the more than 180 law enforcement vehicles equipped with automatic licence plate readers that detect vehicles associated with suspended drivers. #DoNotRiskIt.

UPON CONVICTION

In addition to any legal fees and court costs, here is what you can expect after being convicted of a first offence for driving with a BAC of .08 or more. Fine and/or incarceration - The mandatory minimum fine under the Criminal Code for driving with a BAC equal to or exceeding .08 is $1,000 (to a maximum of a 10-year prison sentence for that offence), but the consequences -- and the costs -- don’t stop there. Safe Driver Recognition - Any Criminal Code impaired driving conviction will place you at -20 or lower on your SDR score, which means a financial penalty of at least $1,250. If your previous SDR score meant you were getting a discount on your vehicle insurance, that’s gone too, and it will take three years of driving without causing a collision or getting a traffic ticket before you can earn a discount again. Ignition Interlock – Upon conviction, there is a minimum one-year mandatory ignition interlock requirement before you can get your licence back, which will cost approximately $1,350. Mandatory driver education: A first impaired driving offence means a mandatory Driving Without Impairment class, which will cost you $170 and a weekend of your time. Of course, as bad as suspensions, vehicle impoundment, fines, Interlock and mandatory education would be, it is preferable to the other possible outcome of impaired driving: causing a collision that kills you or someone else. SGI’s new public awareness campaign asks the question: if someone died because you drove impaired, could you live with yourself? Saskatchewan has made tremendous progress in reducing the number of collisions, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired drivers. Despite this, there are still far too many people who make the choice to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. Those choices led to 21 deaths and 342 injuries in 2019.

ABOVE: On January 23 at 7:30pm, Corman Park Police Service stopped a car on Highway 12, south of Martensville after witnessing it swerving between lanes. The driver provided samples of breath which had the reading of 22mg%, almost triple the legal limit. The driver was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance, exceed 80mg%, drive while suspended, and consume alcohol in a vehicle. The vehicle was impounded for 60 days. (Corman Park Police Service)

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martensville messenger - FEBRUARY 4, 2021 - Page 7

Provincial Politics with

Murray Mandryk

Things May be Tough for Sask. in COVID-19 Fight

Saskatchewan may finally be getting tougher in some aspects of COVID-19 fight. Some still question whether it’s really necessary. For others, however, the questions are: Why did it take so long? Why isn’t the government getting even tougher? People fed up with restrictions and wanting a break will likely be especially frustrated with the government’s decision to extend the pre-Christmas restrictions limiting household gatherings to immediate family and outdoor gatherings to 10 people to Feb. 19. Certainly, the daily case count has slipped a bit (to an average of 254 cases a day, based on the last seven days). “These measures are working when we follow them,” Premier Scott Moe said last week, suggesting that all we have to do is follow the existing rules to make sure things are working. “There’s been a small number — mainly bars and restaurants — who are not following them.” Therein lies the problem. Some businesses or their customers clearly are not following the rules, with three bars in Regina or Saskatoon being fined $14,000 each for violations. The fines may appear to be an indication of the government getting tough, but they may also be a sign that we’ve gone about as far on COVID-19 restrictions as Moe is willing to go. He announced during the final week of the Saskatchewan election campaign in October that there would not be another lockdown and has stuck to that commitment. Last week, Moe described fines as the last resort and pleaded with people to follow the existing restrictions in place. If people do so, perhaps the province will be able to list restrictions in three weeks, he added. But will that

breaking the rules, people’s willingness to abide by the truly solve the COVID-19 problem? Saskatchewan’s lower existing rules and the arrival of vaccines. daily case count may not be quite as rosy as the Premier It is true that the Saskatchewan Premier has suggests. overseen one of the most successful vaccine rollouts in the The problem with the case numbers is that nation, but as Moe frustratingly acknowledged last week, they are based on identified symptomatic people getting the province has now run out of vaccines to distribute. And testing when the real problem may be asymptomatic we are months away from seeing enough of a critical mass people unknowingly carrying the virus and spreading it to of people vaccinated people to make a difference. others. An arguably better indicator is the positivity rate Of course, there’s the legitimate hope numbers — the percentage of people tested who tested positive. will just go down with the warmer weather, but if they It has stubbornly remained more than 10 per cent in don’t many may wonder why Moe wasn’t getting tougher. Saskatchewan for weeks and the most crucial number is the death toll that made January the deadliest month in Saskatchewan for COVID-19 related fatalities. The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor Also contrary to Moe’s suggestions, we haven’t for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number been as tough as other places. For the first time in your and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and lifetime, you face restrictions travelling to a neighbouring NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to province after Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister issued a edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current 14-day quarantine order for outsiders coming in. standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@ Of course, many Manitobans are unhappy about martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 - Martensville, SK S0K 2T0. such restrictions — especially since the province is well into its second month of a lockdown with restrictions far more severe than here, but Vaccine Delivery Update Manitoba’s per capita Saskatchewan people continue to show strength and daily new case counts resilience through the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. — once far in excess of I want to sincerely thank those who are adhering to public Saskatchewan’s — are health orders and doing their best to keep themselves and now back down in the their communities safe. While the rollout of vaccine gives double digits. us hope for a return to normal, we must all do our part to With a new reduce transmission by following masking and distancing more virulent strain of requirements as well as respecting public health guidelines. COVID-19 now in this Phase 1 of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine Delivery Plan country, the new worry continues with a focus on long-term and personal care home for all jurisdictions is a far residents and staff; prioritized health care workers; residents in more rapid spread of cases the 80+ and 70-79 age brackets, as well as those 50+ in remote and northern community capable of swamping populations. As expected, there are challenges. Delivering to high-risk populations in health systems. remote locations can at times slow the pace of administering the vaccine, and adverse By contrast, winter weather may cause transportation issues. Recently, our province was notified that Moe is now counting on Canada will see delays in receiving the Pfizer vaccine. We are now short 50 per cent of a combination of fines for doses that were promised by the federal government. Despite this, the Saskatchewan Health individuals and business Authority continues to work on preparedness and efficiency in delivering the vaccine and

Letter to the Editor

MLA Report with Terry Jenson

will continue to ensure Phase 1 is completed in both a safe and timely manner. For the most up to date information on the vaccine and its delivery, please visit www.saskhealthauthority.ca/news/releases. Building a Stronger Saskatchewan The Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) program has been an important tool to support businesses through the challenging circumstances brought on by COVID-19. This subsidy serves to temporarily assist with financial support, and train employees as businesses adjust to the impacts of the pandemic. The RSTS reimburses eligible private-sector employers 100% of their training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per business. With significant uptake to date, we have extended the RSTS program deadline to March 31, 2021. For more information, employers can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/ training-subsidy, or email cansaskjobgrant@gov.sk.ca. Prior to the pandemic, our government introduced a 10-year Growth Plan to build a stronger Saskatchewan. This is a roadmap that outlines our goals and the actions we will take to achieve them. Part of the plan is attracting further investment in the province’s world-class mining sector. I am encouraged to see that the 2020 edition of the Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report ranks Saskatchewan among the very top jurisdictions globally for doing business in the mining sector. This ranking reaffirms that our stable policy and regulation has fostered one of the strongest investments climates throughout the world. Export development is another area of focus in our government’s Growth Plan. Saskatchewan has what the world needs and that was reaffirmed in the latest recent merchandise export numbers. Statistics for November 2020 show these exports were up by 12.6 per cent compared to November 2019. This is the highest percentage increase among provinces, and more than doubles the percentage increases of the second closest province. Growth and expansion of our export sector will be made possible through continued investment in agriculture. Recently, $9.8 million in federal and provincial funding was announced for 39 crop-related research projects through the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). This funding will increase our ability to move forward with important research, increase innovation and deliver the most efficient and sustainable products we can. I am disappointed to learn that U.S. President Joe Biden is cancelling the Keystone XL Pipeline expansion. This project is critical for our North American energy sector and has already employed a significant number of workers on both sides of the border. In addition to its positive economic impact, it would also reach net-zero emissions when it first tuns on and would be powered 100% by renewable energy by 2030. While decision to cancel this project has been welcomed by the NDP, your Saskatchewan Party government is taking a different approach. We are urging the Prime Minister to leverage his relationship with the new U.S. President, and we will continue exercising our contacts in Washington D.C. to advocate for its continuation which clearly benefits both of our nations.

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Snowboarding Accident Leaves 19 Year Old Saskatchewan Hockey Player Paralyzed A snowboarding accident has left 19-year-old Kyrell Sopotyk from Aberdeen paralyzed from the waist down. Sopotyk, a Kamloops Blazers forward, was injured in a snowboarding accident at Table Mountain on the weekend of January 23rd, 2021. The Western Hockey League (WHL) association expressed sadness at the unfortunate accident that left an amazing friend, hockey player, son and brother paralyzed. The popular teammate who was drafted to the Blazers in 2016, scored 22 goals and racked up 45 points in two seasons with the Blazers who appeared in 107 games. It is going to be some time before the long term effects of the paralysis is known as Sopotyk has undergone surgery. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to help support any possible renovations to his home, healthcare costs, and any additional support the family may need. The goal was set at $10,000 to start and as of Tuesday, February 2nd, more than $188,000 has been donated. “If you know the Sopotyk’s, you know they’re a family that would do anything for others. Now, they need

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ABOVE: Kyrell Sopotyk (GoFundMe)