February 9, 2023 Digital Issue

Wheatland Library Celebrates Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

February is SaskatchewanAboriginal Storytelling month and to celebrate this, Wheatland Regional Library and The Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples (LSSAP) partnered with Métis storyteller Cort Dogniez and Indigenous storyteller Annie Brass to share their stories with the people of Saskatchewan.

The goals for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling (SAS) month are to help support and promote First Nations, Métis & Inuit oral storytelling traditions within the province and to celebrate their history, language and culture. Dogniez will also be doing presentations in Outlook and Rosetown, with Brass stopping in Luseland and Kindersley and Biggar Library will have oral storyteller Daphie from Sweetgrass First

Nations presenting to the community.

“This is the 20th year that Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling month has been going on and each year, Wheatland supports our branches by bringing in storytellers to our communities. This year, Martensville is one of the communities hosting. We have 45 different branch libraries around the region, so we try to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate in that,” Desirae Munro, Wheatland Regional Library Program Manager, explained.

On Tuesday, February 7th, author Cort Dogniez visited the shared gym at Lake Vista School/Ecole Holy Mary. The event was open for all to attend, and Dogniez shared stories learnt from his kohkom, and stories about Métis history and perspectives to those in attendance.

Mark Your Calendars For Trail Appliances

Winter FunFest on February 20th

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

This year, the City of Martensville will be providing Family Day celebrations with the Trail Appliances Winter FunFest on February 20th from 1pm5pm at the North Ridge Community Centre.

There will be an assortment of indoor and outdoor activities available including sleigh rides, a fire pit, ice carving, schlocky, skating, hockey, snowshoes, inflatables, hot dogs and hot chocolate, a crafting corner, toddler area and indoor hockey.

“This year we have the addition of the Affinity Credit Union Winter Ski-tacular, which is a 1km crosscountry ski course with obstacles to go over, under and through. It will run from February 20-24,” Jamie McCulloch, City of Martensville Recreation Program Coordinator, stated.

There will also be an ice carving opportunity called Mini Chippers, which is an experience led by Fire & Ice Creations for kids to carve shapes out of ice blocks.

All outdoor activities are free of charge except for the ice carving, and to take part in the other activities, it is $5/person or $15 for the family. Hot dogs and hot chocolate are available for $1.50 and $1.00 each.

Community events such as this one not only take plenty of time to plan, as McCulloch began organizing for Winter FunFest in August of 2022 to ensure sleigh rides and ice carving were booked in plenty of time, but also require volunteers and sponsors to help with the event.

“It is always worth the time and effort once you see people enjoying themselves at the event. As for sponsors, they are extremely important as they allow us to offer events like Winter FunFest as they make it so we can have fun activities for zero to low cost. Without the sponsorships we receive, there would be no Winter FunFest. Thank you to Trail Appliances, who are the title sponsor for this event and to Lakeview Insurance and SaskTel for being our gold sponsors and to Forged Fitness for being the hot chocolate sponsor,” McCulloch said.

McCulloch added that they are always looking for volunteers, for not just Winter Funfest, but other events as well. If anyone is interested, they can contact her at (306) 683-5575, or by email at jmcculloch@martensville.ca.

“Mark your calendars as the Trail Appliances Winter FunFest is going to be a great day full of family fun and adventure. You will not want to miss this. See you on February 20th!”

Dogniez’s first book, “Road to La Prairie Ronde” was published by Gabriel Dumont Institute in 2020 and was nominated for two Saskatchewan Book Awards.

“We are happy to be able to provide this opportunity for the community, and for the storytellers to share their stories around the province. The events are open to the public, with the one in Martensville being a joint-presentation between the two schools and we anticipate that some of our community home school families will also be in attendance,” Munro added. More information about Wheatland Regional Library events can be found by visiting https://www. wheatland.sk.ca/.

Winter Ski-tacular Equipment Rental Booking Begins February 13th

Equipment sign up for the Affinity Credit Union Winter Ski-tacular will begin on February 13th with youth cross country skis and boots as well as adult-youth snowshoes available for rent.

Equipment can be signed out by calling (306) 683-5575 with morning and afternoon time-slots available. Rentals must be returned on the same day. For more information, call (306) 683-5576 ext. 0.

Editor/Office Manager: Shanine Sealey ssealey@martensvillemessenger.ca

Editor/Ad Design: Jocelyn Ottenbreit jottenbreit@martensvillemessenger.ca

ABOVE: Métis author Cort Dogniez visited Martensville as part of Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

Snow Removal this Winter – 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 service, however sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and snow and ice control activities may vary. Every reasonable effort will be made to promptly remove snow and ice and create safe driving and walking conditions. 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 our 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 emergencies.

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).

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.

POLICE BEAT

Weekly Update for the Warman/ Martensville RCMP Detachment

Warman Area Sees RCMP Issue 130 Traffic Tickets and 211 Traffic Warnings During the Month of January

Curbing dangerous driving behaviours such as distracted driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and impaired driving continues to be a focus for police in Warman and across the province.

In January 2023, 130 traffic tickets were issued in the Warman detachment area by Warman and Martensville RCMP and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) from Maidstone, North Battleford, Rosetown, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. These include; 69 speeding tickets, 13 distracted driving tickets, 1 seatbelt ticket, 10 unregistered motor vehicles, 1 unregistered trailer and 22 vehicle equipment violations (of which, 10 were for cracked or damaged windshields).

Officers also issued 211 warnings for traffic-related offences in Warman RCMP jurisdiction in January, including 64 for speeding and four for distracted driving.

In addition, officers charged four individuals for driving impaired and issued one roadside driving suspension in the Warman area. Officers shared a few examples of what they encountered on the roads:

On January 5, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a 911 report advised police of a two-vehicle rear-end collision within the city of Warman. Witnesses observed the suspected driver using their cellphone at the time of impact, departing the vehicle and fleeing on foot after the collision.

Warman RCMP officers searched the area and, shortly after arriving, located the suspected driver near the scene. The individual exhibited signs of impairment and, as a result of further investigation, officers discovered an open cup of alcohol inside the vehicle. The driver was charged with impaired driving and also ticketed for having open alcohol in a vehicle and using a phone while driving.

On January 14, 2023, at approximately 2:40 p.m., a 911 report advised police of a suspected impaired driver parked on the shoulder of Highway 12 near Martensville. Warman RCMP officers located the vehicle and, during the traffic stop, officers noted signs of impairment exhibited from the driver. As a result of further investigation, the driver was charged with impaired driving.

“Warman RCMP, along with Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, are out working every day to keep our roads safe,” says S/Sgt, Jason Teniuk of the Warman RCMP. “We thank members of the public that drive safely and considerately. We also thank those who have contacted police to report impaired drivers.”

If you see an impaired driver, report it to 911. If you are driving, remember to pull over somewhere safe before making that call.

In Case of a Water Line Freeze Up

In the past, there have been areas in the community prone to water line freeze-ups.

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!

A Reminder About Snowmobiles and our Parks

Snowmobiles are prohibited from being driven through our parks as well as drainage systems and streets. Riding snowmobiles through the parks can cause damage to trees or plantings, be disruptive to those utilizing the parks and there may be hazards such as stones or equipment that put riders at risk.

Snowmobilers are asked to abide by local bylaws including:

• Entering and exiting the City utilizing the most direct street route between their residence and city limits.

• Not operating a snowmobile in excess of 20km/hr within limits

• Operating only between 7AM and 10PM

• Not operating a snowmobile in any park, public or municipal reserve

• Not operating a snowmobile on Centennial Drive other than to cross or obtain fuel. For the complete traffic bylaw please visit martensville.ca. The City of Martensville wishes a safe winter season for all residents.

February Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in-person but guests must wear a mask and should practice social distancing within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

Committee of the Whole - February 14th

Regular Council Meeting – February 21st

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 5 PM.

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.

The Martensville Business Expo is Coming

March 24th & 25th

Connect with the businesses and organizations in our community and learn more about products, services and opportunities in the community.

There will be delicious food, great drinks, interactive booths, sales and local entertainment all Expo long! Friday will feature a job fair and career sessions to assist and connect job seekers with local employers.

There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday from 8-10 AM and it is by donation!

Admission to the Expo is $2, watch for updates in the coming weeks on the weekend’s activities.

To register your business for a booth contact the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce.

Licensing Our Pets, Annual Renewals

By licensing your pet, your pet can be identified in the event it escapes or ends up ‘at large’. Our Bylaw officials and partners will be able to quickly identify the pet and contact the owner. License fees also help fund the housing cost of pets and animals that have been found ‘at large’.

Pet licenses must be purchased and renewed annually unless a lifetime license has been purchased.

Annual licenses expire Dec 31st and must be renewed by March 1st.

Annual license cost $20 per year

Lifetime licenses cost $30 (pet must be microchipped)

Licenses are sold at the following outlets:

City Hall

Affinity Animal Hospital

Furrific Grooming & Boutique

Paws Republic

Smokehaus Meats Crowned the 2023 King of Kovbasa

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

On Thursday, February 2nd, the 21st Annual King of Kovbasa Competition, hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Association of Saskatoon (UCPBA) was held in Saskatoon. The sold-out event, which featured gourmet sausages from around the province had been delayed for the past two years due to the pandemic.

A panel of local celebrity judges, as well as those in attendance sampled each of the sausages provided and from there, voted on several categories including Best Flavour, Best texture, Best Appearance and Best Overall (King).

Martensville’s own Smokehaus Meats ended up winning six out of the eight awards and were voted best in all four categories by the audience, and best in flavor and overall by the celebrity judges, earning them the title of King of Kovbasa 2023.

Money raised through this event will go towards supporting the Saskatoon

Sexual Assault and Information Centre. In addition, 9 Mile Legacy Brewing, who made a special brew for the event also donated proceeds from every beer purchased at the event to support Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatoon Branch (UCC) to help settle displaced newcomers from Ukraine.

This inspired Smokehaus Meats to do their own fundraiser, so for the month of February, $2 will be donated to UCC for every ring of Kovbasa that is purchased, up to $2000 in total.

Congratulations to Smokehaus Meats on being crowned the 2023 King of Kovbasa!

Local Lions Kick Off Fundraiser to Support Martensville

Food Pantry

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville and District

Lions Club is always looking for new ways to support the community, and their newest venture can help you prepare for the outdoor grilling season with a chance to win one of four BBQ meat packages. Winners will each receive $500 of assorted meat products, all cut and wrapped with a total of $2000 worth of prizes.

Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased from the Lions Club inperson at the Martensville Co-op, or by E-transfer to martensvillelions@gmail. com. A total of 4800 tickets were printed, and winners will be drawn on June 30th at 2pm in the Martensville Civic Centre.

Funds raised will go towards supporting local Lions Club projects, including a portion going to the Martensville Food Pantry, which provides food hampers and free anonymous food options to residents of Martensville and surrounding areas.

POLICE BEAT

Smowmobile Accident Claims Life of 34-Year-Old Martensville Man

On Sunday, February 5th at approximately 2:45am, Smeaton RCMP received a report of a single snowmobile collision on Candle Lake near Fairway Drive.

The sole occupant of the snowmobile, a 34-yearold male from Martensville was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. The name of the driver was not disclosed; however, RCMP stated that his family has been notified.

ABOVE: Smokehaus Meats won 6 out of 8 categories at the February 2nd King of Kovbasa competition, earning them the title of 2023 King of Kovbasa. (UCPBA)

Smeaton RCMP, along with the Saskatchewan Coroners Service continues to investigate this tragic incident. No further information was provided.

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ABOVE: Members of the local Lions Club have been selling tickets for their BBQ package fundraiser in the lobby at Martensville Co-op.

SPORTS

U13AA Marauders Win Regina Pats

U13AA Classic Second Year in a Row

The U13AA Martensville Marauders came out as the tournament champions in the Regina Pats U13AA Classic, which took place from February 2nd to 5th with a total of 32 teams from across Western Canada competed in the weekend tournament.

In addition to the Martensville team earning the trophy, numerous players were also awarded for them exemplary performances, including; Reid Wotherspoon, Jack Frisky and Weston Kostiuk who were named 2023 Tournament All-Star Forwards. Kostiuk was also named the Tournament MVP after getting a total of 26 points in the tournament (13 goals and 13 assists).

This was the second consecutive year that the U13AA Martensville Marauders won the A-Side Championship in the Regina Pats U13AA Classic, and the third consecutive year that a Martensville player was named tournament MVP out of approximately 500 players, with Corban Almen earning the title in 2020 and Dade Wotherspoon in 2022.

Party on the Pond Returns to Martensville

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Party on the Pond is coming back to Martensville. This two-day event will take place Friday, March 10th and Saturday, March 11th and will feature a 3-on-3 pond hockey tournament (19+), a comedy show, cabaret and plenty of fun for everyone.

The event will kick-off on Friday at 4pm with registration and beer gardens, with puck drop for the first set of games taking place at 5pm. The come-and-go supper will begin at 7:30 for all players, with games ending at 9pm. Al Anderson’s Comedy Night which will feature comedian Jody Peters begins at 10pm and a late-lunch will take place at 11:30pm

On Saturday, puck drop takes place at 12:00pm with the beer gardens opening as well. From 12:30pm-1:30pm there will be a pizza lunch served, which is included in registration fees. A come-and-go supper will take place 7pm-9pm followed by a cabaret starting at 8pm. Games will wrap up by 9:00pm, and from then until 12:00am, Seven Mile Sun will be performing for the cabaret, with a late lunch taking place at 11:30pm.

From 12:00am-2:00am, DJ Kush will be on hand to keep the party going.

All events are included in the registration fees for teams participating, with $35/ person tickets available for purchase online for those not competing in the tournament. The entry fee for a team of 4 is $520 and teams can register by visiting www. saskpartyonthepond.com.

For more information, email saskpartyonthepond@ gmail.com, or visit https:// saskpartyonthepond.com.

All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Martensville Community Project (MCRP) to be used towards the new multipurpose recreation facility in Martensville.

RIGHT: Party on the Pond will be taking place in Martensville once again on March 10th and 11th. This event will include a 3-on-3 pond hockey tournament, comedy show and cabaret. (Martensville Community Recreation Project)

Martensville Well Represented at 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games

The Saskatchewan Winter Games will be taking place in Regina from February 19-25 with nine district teams participating in 17 different sports. Over 1800 participants will be in attendance and over 5000 spectators expected throughout the seven day event.

Young athletes from Martensville will be competing with the Prairie Central team, which consists of 119 athletes from Martensville, Warman, Humboldt, Kelvington, Fort Qu’Appelle, Outlook and surrounding areas.

Martensville will have a wide array of talented individuals representing our city, including:

Jillian Benko – Badminton, Shane Benko –

Badminton, Adelyn Janis – Gymnastics, Atley Mathies – Gymnastics, Carter Budge – Speed Skating, Jillian Benko – Figure Skating, Shane Benko – Figure Skating, Chloe Bartel

Futsal F, Justin Farfan – Futsal M, Julian Moldon

Futsal M, Abdiel Zabaleta Bargen

– Futsal M, Rene Zabaleta Bargen – Futsal

M, Coach Abel Zabaleta Alcazar – Futsal M, Rex Norman – Target Shooting, Emerson Romanow – Target Shooting, Mason Cey (Fill)

Target Shooting, Seth Norman (Fill)

– Target Shooting, Jaydyn Okell (Fill) –Target Shooting, Landon Moss – Wrestling, Zechariah Topping – Wrestling, Manager Tara Topping – Wrestling, and Mission Staff Angie Reddekopp – Figure Skating.

Good luck to all of local athletes!

ABOVE: The U13AA Martensville Marauders were the champions following the weekend Regina Pats U13AA Classic tournament. (Martensville Minor Hockey)

ABOVE: The Martensville Mavens won the A-final in a nail-biter in Moose Jaw this past weekend. (Submitted)

Politicians Need To Work Together For Better Air Travel

In the past, we were a lot more comfortable with what we had when it came to flying in and out of Saskatchewan.

A half century ago, it wasn’t much of an issue. Few had the luxury of flying to Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, California or Mexico to escape cold Saskatchewan winters for a while.

Such things were for the uber-rich, which most Saskatchewan farmers were not. They stayed home, tending to smaller mixed operations. (The upside is that rural Saskatchewan sure produced some mighty good curlers and hockey players.) But in the last 50 years, people got richer and sun destinations became more affordable. In turn, flights also became increasingly affordable because of increased demand and perhaps because of a little more competition and the commitment Air Canada had as federal Crown corporation had to providing affordable flights across the nation.

We all know where fuel prices have gone in the last 20 years and notwithstanding the fact that Saskatchewan has increased by 200,000 people in about that same period; many of whom have become way more affluent in that time; this province’s access to national and international flights has deteriorated in a major way.

Anger over this peaked during the Christmas travel/ holiday season surrounding the cancelation of Sunwing holiday flights and news that Air Canada will no longer be flying from Regina and Saskatoon to Calgary. Both these developments mean that WestJet is our sole choice.

As anyone who has attempted to fly out-of-country from Saskatchewan, that had already become very difficult.

This hasn’t escaped the attention of our political leaders, although they pretty much did what political leaders do; complain and suggest it’s the fault of some other politician.

“This is a very irresponsible decision by Sunwing for everyone who has booked a vacation,” Moe said late last year, adding Saskatchewan Transportation Minister Jeremy Cockrill would be demanding a detailed plan from federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on how and when people would get back, or get their money back.

Later in January, Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck seemed to place the blame squarely on Moe: “Scott Moe picks fights and sows division with the feds for division’s sake,” Beck wrote in relation to the situation. “But when given the opportunity to step up and lead, he’s missing in action. Interprovincial travel is instrumental to our economy and needs to be restored.”

Finger-pointing doesn’t help get more flights here. We must try things. Do we need deregulation to allow in foreign carriers or enticements for airlines to set up shop here? Should there be tax breaks on fuel or lower airport fees?

Admittedly, the answers may not come easily, but we all know what’s at stake. This is a growing province that we want to keep growing. We want to attract new businesses and maybe head office jobs in the larger centres. If you can’t get in and out of the province, how do you accomplish that?

There is no denying we are a trade-dependent province. We keep setting up trade office all over the world like the one recently opened in Berlin. In doing so, isn’t that just an admission that we need better international flight access in this landlocked province and it surely isn’t just business interests in play.

Right now, we are in a desperate scramble for health care workers, keying in on attracting health care workers from around the world. We are looking for doctors from all corners of the globe and we are especially zeroing in on nurses from the Philippines. It’s already hard to compete with other provinces on the wages and amenities they offer.

So how do we compete when they also offer better air travel? This is not our grandfathers’ Saskatchewan. We need to address this.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

HHR Action Plan Update

Saskatchewan continues to make progress in attracting healthcare workers from home and abroad as part of the Health Human Resources Action Plan. Through this plan, we are strengthening our healthcare system to provide the best care possible. This $60 million investment will add 1,000 new healthcare professionals in the coming years.

A call was made to internationally educated health providers in Saskatchewan and Canada who may be eligible for additional educational or employment opportunities; over 600 applications were received. Options are being considered for bridging and educational programs.

Following a successful healthcare recruitment mission to the Philippines late last year, over 160 conditional offers of employment have been made to Filipino healthcare professionals. Recruited Registered Nurses (RNs) have begun working their way through the RN Pathway, which includes language, bridging education and licensing. Another 1,000 candidates who attended information sessions in Manila during the mission have been contacted. We are excited these professionals are choosing to plant roots in Saskatchewan and build their careers here, and we are committed to making their transitions as smooth as possible.

A full staff of Health System Navigators is now in place to help internationally educated healthcare workers transition into the Saskatchewan workforce. The Navigators can be contacted for assistance by email at HHR@Health.Gov.Sk.ca.

We are also investing in training opportunities for healthcare providers in our province. In the fall of 2022, we added 150 new seats to Saskatchewan’s nursing programs. The Saskatchewan Indigenous Institute of Technologies added 20 new seats to its Health Care Aid program. We also added seats at the College of Medicine and Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment.

In addition, our government announced a separate investment of $5.5 million for over 550 new seats in 18 different healthcare training programs. This is an unprecedented expansion and seats will be available in several programs as soon as fall 2023. These additional seats create exciting opportunities for students to build careers in healthcare right here at home.

Two brand new health training programs are beginning in our province this March. The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program, through the Gabriel Dumont Institute in a partnership with the SHA, will offer 12 seats for its eight-week course. Southwest College, in partnership with the Assiniboia Union Hospital and SHA, is offering a new 33-week full-time Continuing Care Aid program.

Learning opportunities have been made available for high school students as well. Grade 12 students are eligible for job shadowing and students over the age of 14 can participate in healthcare volunteer programs. To keep our valued healthcare workers here in Saskatchewan, our government now offers one of the top incentives packages in Canada. Up to $50,000 is available for new employees in a three-year return-of-service agreement in rural and remote communities. To date, 31 incentive packages have been approved. Saskatchewan communities of all sizes have a lot to offer in terms of healthcare career opportunities and quality of life.

We are also taking steps to keep Saskatchewan graduates in the province to build their careers. The SHA’s new Grad Nurse Expression of Interest initiative matches graduates with an area based on their skills and expertise. Of the 78 nursing graduates from December, 68 have submitted their expression of interest and 29 have accepted conditional job offers.

Over $210,000 has been paid out in 2022-23 through the Final Clinical Placement Bursary, which is offered to students in an eligible health discipline that requires the completion of a final clinical placement as part of training. Graduates may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness and income tax credits. These investments demonstrate our government’s long-term commitment to helping students build their health careers in Saskatchewan.

We are investing in new permanent positions in high-priority areas across the province. The SHA has filled over 90 positions in rural and remote areas, which is more than half of the new full-time and enhanced parttime to full-time positions.

Work continues under the Health Human Resources Action Plan, strengthening our province’s healthcare system. We are committed to building a strong healthcare workforce to support Saskatchewan today and into the future.

SGI Provides Funding Boost To SADD Saskatchewan

SGI is increasing its support to Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD), to help the organization renew and expand its activities aimed at preventing impaired driving.

SGI will provide $85,000 in new annual funding to SADD Saskatchewan. Part of the funding will be used by SADD to create a new position specializing in school and community outreach, responsible for starting new chapters in schools across the province. The funding will also help support existing Saskatchewan chapters in developing and implementing new initiatives and ideas to encourage sober driving in their local communities.

“I’m pleased to see SGI provide additional support for SADD’s work to develop student leaders dedicated to stopping impaired driving,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SGI. “Involving young people in the work of promoting

safe driving behaviours is essential to changing the culture of impaired driving in Saskatchewan.”

“Like many organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic hit us hard, with many chapters unable to operate,” said Meaghann White, SADD Saskatchewan Past-President. “With this funding, we hope to restore lapsed chapters and expand into new schools and First Nations communities. I would like to express our thanks and gratitude to Minister Morgan and SGI.”

While Saskatchewan has made substantial improvements over the past decade, impaired driving is still the leading cause of collision fatalities in the province, with the 19-24 age group having the largest proportion of impaired drivers. Engaging school-age youth helps establish and reinforce the importance of always finding a safe ride home and equips them to make good decisions as adults.

Letter to the Editor

Martensville Pathfinders

Offering Valentine’s Childcare

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

With Valentine’s Day approaching quickly, the Martensville Pathfinders are providing an opportunity for parents to have a safe option for child-care so they can have a romantic night out knowing their kids are in good hands.

The Valentine’s Childcare for Kids night will take place on February 14th from 6pm-9pm at one of the local schools and will include a variety of fun options for kids in attendance including face painting, games, crafts and more.

There is space available for 40 kids to attend, with 9 pathfinders, ranging in age from 12-16 and several adults on hand to ensure everyone is safe and having a fun night out.

This is the first time the organization has offered an opportunity like this. The idea was passed along from another group out of Prince Albert and the local group thought it would be a great community event that could help raise funds for them to attend Camp for six days in Manitoba with other groups from across Canada.

Spots can be reserved by emailing martensvilleguiding@ gmail.com and more details will be provided once a spot is reserved.