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Your City; Your Newspaper January 11, 2024
VOLUME NO. 18 - ISSUE 2
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Winter is officially here and the recent snowfall called for all hands on deck with help shovelling, including two-year-old Emmett.
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Page 2 - JANUARY 11, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER
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
Ice Conditions on Neighborhood Ponds
January Council Meeting Dates
Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in person, guests may wear a mask if desired 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. January 16th – Regular Council All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 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
Recreation Program Update Lakeview Insurance Brokers Winter FunFest 2024 is February 18th Beat the Winter Blues with a day of winter-themed activities and fun for the entire family at the North Ridge Centre. More information will be provided in the new year on the day’s activities. 2024 Winter Program Guide The Program Guide has been distributed and registration for programs is now Open. Registration can be conducted online at Martensville.ca or via phone or at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion. Guides can be picked up at City Hall, the MAP or viewed online under Recreation Activities.
Reminder Property Taxes are Due! - Tax Notices were mailed out on April 28th. If anyone has not received their notice, they should contact City Hall. Ensure all contact information is up to date. - Starting on August 1st, interest penalties on outstanding amounts begin to accrue
The Martensville Fire Department conducts regular ice measurements of the ponds in Martensville to ensure conditions are safe for recreational use. Measurements will be reported through the Fire Departments and the City of Martensville’s Facebook pages as well as reported on Martensville.ca.
Ways to Pay - Taxes can be paid by cash, cheque, or debit at City Hall. - Taxes can also be paid online through Banking Bill Payments, or by etransfers; for payments: payments@martensville.ca.
Please also watch for signage and postings around ponds for ice conditions.
Please include address &/or roll number in the comment section along with an indication the payment is for taxes.
Ice should be avoided that: -looks slushy -has thawed, then froze again -is near moving water -is layered, caused by sudden temperature changes -has structures on it, such as pressure ridges.
POLICE
BEAT
Sask RCMP Responds to 352,663 Calls for Service in 2023
With 352,663 calls for service, our Saskatchewan RCMP's Divisional Operational Communications Centre (DOCC) had another busy year in 2023 taking calls ranging from 911 mis-dials and false alarms to serious incidents regarding matters of public safety. This year, several DOCC employees were recognized for their dedication, outstanding leadership and contributions to DOCC and the province of Saskatchewan. DOCC manager Jocelyn James was selected as the 2023 RCMP National Operational Communications Centre Commander of the Year and several call-takers and dispatchers were presented with the Sask911 Excellence in Teamwork Award and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials Canada Team Award for their quick and crucial response during the tragic events that occurred at James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon in 2022. Back in December of 2022, Saskatchewan RCMP announced their permanent addition of registered psychiatric nurses to DOCC. This program continues to provide a valuable service for 911 callers experiencing a mental health crisis and to the officers responding to scenes of mental health crises. (Further background available here.) Here are the top 10 calls that "missed the mark" in 2023: 10. Rocky’s in the house - An individual called 911 to complain that their friend hit them in the face during their boxing match. 9. Bug alert - 911 dispatchers received a call from a person saying that wasps were getting into their house and they wanted an officer to help them remove them. 8. What-a-mess - A frustrated parent called 911 complaining that their child
Christmas Tree Collection Site The City requests that residents dispose of their trees at the Yard Waste Composting Site (10th Ave. S) in the area designated for tree limbs. Please do the following before dropping off Christmas trees: -Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, string, garland, tree stands and any other decorations -Do not dispose of artificial trees or household waste -Do not bag or wrap your tree (including recyclable tree bags) -Please do not stack or place trees in a manner which may cause them to easily topple over, or in an area which impedes vehicular or pedestrian traffic If you have any questions or would like more information about the Christmas tree collection site please contact City Hall.
wouldn’t clean their room. 7. Beep, beep - A caller advised that their smoke detector’s battery was low and requested an RCMP officer pick some up for them. 6. Sunshine - An individual called 911 asking if they could park their car on the opposite side of the street to avoid the sun hitting their leather interior. 5. We’re in this toget-hair - An individual called 911 asking for a hair salon’s phone number so the caller could book a haircut. 4. Hangry - A caller advised that their bag of chips got stuck in the vending machine and they were hoping an officer would come and help and get the chips unstuck. 3. Buzz off - A concerned individual called 911 to advise that their campsite was being invaded by bugs and that they had no bug spray. 2. Grass is always greener - A frustrated individual called to complain that their grass wasn’t cut properly by the person they’d hired. 1. Order up - An individual called to complain that the smell of the deep-fried rink food was too strong. “As entertaining as some of these calls are, we want to remind everyone that 911 is for emergencies and emergencies only. When I’m answering calls that aren’t an emergency, it means I’m not available for someone else who really does need potentially life-saving help,” says Lee Rosin, Recruiter for the Saskatchewan RCMP Operational Communications Centre. If you have a report to make, contact your local RCMP detachment or by calling 310-RCMP from anywhere in the province.
MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - JANUARY 11, 2024 - Page 3
Council Discusses 87-Unit Apartment Complex Planned for Main Street
Warman RCMP Warn Motorists of Icy Conditions
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
Martensville City Council met for the first time this year on January 9th for their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting. The meeting began with a public hearing regarding a discretionary use for an apartment style complex planned at 225 Main Street. The application was submitted by Cliff Rempel on behalf of 101304492 Saskatchewan Ltd. This location is currently zoned for R3 for high density developments, and is located between two multiple unit dwellings, including Heritage Manor and Arielle Heights. The Bergthaler Mennonite Church is located across Main Street to the south of the location, and residential homes are located to the north of the location on Anna Crescent. The four-storey complex is planned to consist of 87 units, which will each include a private balcony, a suite for guests to rent when visiting tenants and an amenities room for those living there. There will also be two elevators, as well as underground parking and there would be options of one, two, and three bedroom suites. As per the City of Martensville zoning bylaw, each unit would require its own parking space, plus 0.1 visitor parking for every unit, totaling nine spots. This means that a minimum requirement of 96 parking spaces, plus any required accessible spaces would need to be installed on site, either inside or outside. The plan received by the City of Martensville includes 125 parking stalls. Additionally, the front 4.5m of the site must be landscaped and any area on site that is not covered by building or paving must also be landscaped. The current site contains numerous mature trees in various locations, and although there is no requirement to retain existing trees on site, Council is able to apply discretionary use conditions to ensure the preservation of certain mature trees. The location will be required to include adequate refuse containers on site, which must be screened from view. City of Martensville administration also requested that the rear lane, running from 2nd Avenue North to the east boundary of the property be paved by the developer. The report to Council noted that initially, this will be the tallest building along Main Street; however, as Main Street evolves over time, administration presumes that more buildings of this height will not be uncommon in the future. A total of 96 public hearing notices were mailed out to properties within the area, and the required signage was installed by the applicant onsite. The public hearing was held at the January 9th meeting, which saw numerous area residents speak to Council about concerns they have regarding the project. Concerns included; traffic on Main Street, parking, privacy, back alley traffic increasing, and the size of building. Additional information will be brought forward to Council for further discussion at an upcoming meeting.
Martensville New Horizon’s Senior Centre Bingo Come out and enjoy a night of Bingo on Thursday, January 11th at 7:00pm Cash prizes - 50/50 - Concession
Warman Fire Rescue was on the scene of a rollover on Highway 11 at the southbound railway overpass and uphill acceleration lane from the Central Street access in Warman on Monday, January 8th. The vehicle ended up on its roof with only minor injuries reported to those involved. WFR warned the public that the area was glare ice and urged motorists to use extreme caution when accelerating to highway speed. 24013SS0
RIGHT: A conceptual design of the fourstorey, 87-unit complex requested for 225 Main Street. (www.martensville.ca)
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ARTENSVILLE
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Page 4 - JANUARY 11, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER
Six Marauders Chosen for Top 80 Sask First Tournament Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger
Regional Camps for the Male Under 15 Sask First Program began in November with the opportunity for all hockey players in this category to get a chance to participate. From there the top 160 players were chosen to take place in the Sask First Tournament in Regina, and the top 80 were invited to participate in a second tournament that will be held in February. Six of Martensville’s own will be participating in this next step of the Sask First Male Under-15 program, which will be taking place from February 16-18 in Balgonie, Sk. Congratulations to Calder Hamilton, Ramy Borowsky, Blake Chorney, Ryder Hagel, Cruz Harrison and Dade Wotherspoon. “This process ensures all players not only have the opportunity to compete with peers, but receive significant exposures as all Sask First events are highly attended by scouts from a variety of elite leagues. In addition, the Sask First Program is a gateway to Hockey Canada’s High Performance Program, which includes their National Teams such as the World Juniors,” the hockeysask.ca website explains. This program was created to ensure players, coaches and officials have the opportunity for development both on and off the ice and offers an in depth developmental program for all participating.
Maddogs Offer Winter Options for Players to Harness Their Skills Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
Snow on the ground doesn’t mean there’s no football! The Martensville Maddogs are currently offering a variety of winter camps for players of all ages, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Maddogs Winter Flag Camp will be running from January 10th to March 20th (no class on March 6th), each Wednesday at the North Ridge Community Centre from 6:30pm-8:30pm. This camp was made available for all players ranging from kindergarten to grade 8 for a cost of $50 per player. Winter Speed Camp is also underway, which began on January 4th, and will take place January 9th, 16th, 25th and February 1st, 8th and 15th. This is open to Grades 5-9 from 5:30pm-6:30pm and Grades 10-12 from 6:30pm-7:30pm. The cost for this camp was $140 for seven sessions, with a $30 drop-in price/session also available. E-transfers can be sent to littlerunners4@gmail.com. Unfortunately, at this time tackle Camp for Grades 5-8 is currently postponed due to a lack of coaches. The Maddogs plan to attempt to host this camp again closer to March. They had hoped to host this camp at the same time as the others, and had numerous helpers available; however, were unable to find anyone to lead the camp. If you are interested in volunteering your time towards supporting football in Martensville, contact the Maddogs directly at martensvillemaddogs@gmail.com. For more information about the Martensville Maddogs, follow them on social media, or visit https://www.maddogsfootball.ca/. 24012JJ0
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SPORTS ABOVE: The Central Valley Volleyball Club’s 16U Crossfire team held a bottle drive on Saturday, January 6th. The team posted on social media thanking everyone in Martensville and the surrounding area for their contributions, as well as the SCRUB Auto & Pet Spa in Martensville for the use of a bay. (Facebook)
SPORTS City of Martensville Hosts Second Annual Fun Basketball Tournament as Sport Continues to Grow in Popularity Within Community Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
The City of Martensville hosted the second annual Fun Basketball Tournament on January 5th and 6th at the MAP. As the sport of basketball continues to grow in popularity within the community, the City of Martensville has been looking at ways to provide more opportunity for players to compete against other teams, so they hosted the first tournament back in 2023, which included one age group; however, this year, they opened the tournament up to both Mini ABOVE: Isaac Klassen took a shot on the net as the Bantam Martensville Thunder took on Warman during the 2nd and Bantam. annual fun basketball tournament hosted by the City of A total of nine Martensville this past weekend. (Submitted) teams competed in the tournament, with teams from Martensville and Warman. A total of four Mini teams and five Bantam teams competed, with each team having the opportunity to play 3-4 games each. “We really want to promote basketball in the community and get some more interest. These kids don’t really have the chance to play in tournaments, aside from playoffs at the end of the season, so this is a good way for them to play in ABOVE: Kershire Nikolaisen made a run for the a fun environment, with opposition’s net during one of Martensville Thunder’s more than one game in match-ups in the weekend tournament. (Submitted) a day, and a chance to meet some of the other players as well,” Angie Reddekopp, City of Martensville Recreation Program Supervisor, stated. The tournament is an invitation-only set-up and includes athletes from grades 5-8. The City of Martensville hopes to host this tournament each year, in December or January, depending on the school break. “Basketball is increasing in popularity immensely in the community, and we hope that at some point in the future, we see a basketball organization formed and they can continue with the program outside of the City of Martensville. Our goal with any program is to get things moving, and be that support and help to get it going, and then have other people take it over and ABOVE: Jerryd Reddekopp of the continue with it,” Reddekopp added. Martensville Thunder brings the ball The Martensville teams, other than the up from the other end in an attempt to Mini Dunkers Program, are through the Saskatoon score against Warman. (Submitted) Minor Basketball Association (SMBA), with a season that runs from October-March. Players take part in one game and one practice each week, with games taking place on Saturdays in Saskatoon. Martensville currently has 12 teams, ranging in age from grade 3 to grade 10, which is on par with last season. Teams consist of Spuds, Minis, Bantam, Junior and Senior. The Mini Dunkers teams are an in-house program that is ran through the City of Martensville and the City of Warman, outside of the SMBA, and include Kindergarten to Grade 2 youth. Players begin in Mini Dunkers, and once they move into Grade 3, they can participate and register through the SMBA. “Thank you to all of the parents, participants and fans for coming out for this tournament. We had a great turn-out and the atmosphere was amazing. The opportunity hasn’t been there for something like this in the past, and it is always exciting for the kids to play!” Registration for basketball typically takes place in August, with more information available in the City of Martensville Fall Program Guide.
MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - JANUARY 11, 2024 - Page 5
SCHOOL DAYS Prairie Spirit School Division Opens Kindergarten Registration for 2024/25 School Year Kindergarten registration for Prairie Spirit School Division is now available, with Lake Vista Elementary School, Valley Manor Elementary School and Venture Heights Elementary School as options for Martensville residents. If your child will be five-years-old by December 31, 2024 (born in 2019), you can now register them for the 2024/25 school year. Visit www.spiritsd.ca and click on the PSSD Student Registration Form, using September 3, 2024 as the “Start Date” on the form. Select Martensville Elementary Schools as the school in the dropdown menu. Several criteria are taken into consideration when enrolling students, such as if the child has an older sibling at one of the schools, where their home is located, what childcare plans are in place for the upcoming school year, does the child live within walking distance of one of the schools, what school do the majority of other students from the child’s neighborhood attend and if the family has requested a specific school. Parents are asked to register their child for kindergarten prior to February 29th. By mid-April parents will be notified of a school location/program for their child and by early May, parents will receive a welcome package from their school. In May/ June students will be invited to an orientation event.
ABOVE: Students at Venture Heights Elementary School have been hard at work perfecting their skills for their annual musical, which will be taking place in four weeks. This year’s performance will be ‘Shrek the Musical Jr.’. (Facebook)
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MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - JANUARY 11, 2024 - Page 7
MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature
Electoral Boundary Map Still in Sask. Party’s Favour
Happy New Year and welcome to another election year; a potential historic one. Should the Saskatchewan Party win a solid majority in the general election in October; which seems a high probability; it will extend its current run to 2028. That would translate into a 21-year run, which would surpass the Tommy Douglas Co-operative Commonwealth (CCF) government from 1944 to 1964 as the second-longest in the province’s history. Only the Liberals’ initial 24 years of successive governing from the formation of the province in 1905 until 1929 when it lost to the Conservative coalition would be longer. Of course, there are no guarantees in politics. Premier Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are facing pressures from both sides. In the two major cities of Regina and Saskatoon where there are 26 seats, opinion polls show that the NDP is hovering at more than 60 per cent popular support. It wouldn’t be enough for the NDP to win, but it would seem to be enough for Moe and the Sask. Party strategist to be concerned. Perhaps strangely, that doesn’t seem to where the Sask. Party concerns lies. Based on their policy direction, like fighting the carbon tax that most affects farming, mining, oil and gas and even the “parental rights” issue that last fall produced the so-called pronoun bill after the demands and limited success of the Saskatchewan United Party in LumsdenMorse byelection, it very much seems as if the Sask. Party feels more threatened by the right. It doesn’t completely make sense. Even in the Lumsden-Morse byelelection (held the same day last summer when the Sask. Party was hammered in two city seats of Regina Coronation Park a Regina Walsh Acres that it held) it still easily won with more than 50 per cent of the popular vote, but there may be another reason why the Sask. Party has less to worry about than its strategists think. The electoral boundary map still works in its favour. For this, the Sask. Party owes debt of gratitude to the late Joe Donlevy - the long-time Saskatoon businessman and political operative who passed away late last month. Former premier Brad Wall’s chief of staff for 10 years, Donlevy was the classic political insider someone you heard little about, but also someone with formidable skills and influence. While he left his role as a political operative when Wall left politics in 2018 and Moe took over as premier, Donlevy was appointed as Sask. Party representative on the three-member 2022 Electoral Boundaries Commission that redrew the political map for the next ten years. His work was masterful. Rather than the ham-handed approach of the last boundary commission that increased the legislature by three seats to 61 seats to preserve rural seats despite a declining rural popularity, this commission worked within the existing seat map to redistribute the existing seat. What the most recent Saskatchewan Boundaries Commission produced is a new 61-seat electoral map that still had 14 Saskatoon seats, 12 Regina seats, two each in Prince Albert and Moose Jaw, the two disproportionally smaller northern seats permitted by the law and the 29 “rural seats”. Except for the northern seats, all seats are within five per cent provincial average as mandated by the commission although 88 per cent of the Regina/Saskatoon seats are above the average size and 66 per cent of the “rural seats” are below average. And a couple of those “rural” seats are now largely bedroom communities of Regina and Saskatoon which should still be strong seats for the Sask. Party. Again, nothing can be guaranteed but the new electoral map suggests the Sask. Party has a good chance at a fifth straight term. In my last column, I incorrectly stated that Melville-Saltcoats MLA Warren Kaeding will be retiring in 2024. My apologies to Warren for my mistake.
Removal of Federal Carbon Tax on Home Heating As the new year begins, our government remains committed to helping Saskatchewan people with affordability challenges. We wanted to remind you of some affordability measures available to Saskatchewan residents this year. Starting January 1, 2024, SaskEnergy removed the federal carbon tax from natural gas home heating and SaskPower removed it from electrical home heating. This will result in savings for approximately 98 per cent of Saskatchewan families. The federal government’s decision to exempt the carbon tax on home heating oil last fall left Saskatchewan families out in the cold; that’s why our government is protecting Saskatchewan families’ ability to afford to heat their homes this winter. Customers will see a federal carbon tax charge on January’s utility bills for natural gas or electricity used for heating in the month of December. For usage after January 1, 2024, the federal carbon tax will appear as both a charge and a reversal credit. If you believe you are incorrectly being charged the federal carbon tax, you can contact SaskEnergy at 1-800-567-8899 or www.saskenergy.com/customer-support, and SaskPower at 1-888-757-6939 or contactus@ sk.saskpower.com. Personal Income Tax Exemption Increase Also helping with affordability this year are Saskatchewan’s low personal taxes and indexation. A family of four with an annual income of $75,000 will save $322 in 2024 as a result of indexing personal income tax. Indexation protects against bracket creep, which are the automatic increases in tax caused by inflation. A family of four in Saskatchewan now pays no income tax on their first $59,475 of income. When our government took office in 2007, a family of four started paying income tax at $26,150 of income. Reductions our government introduced have more than doubled the tax-free threshold. Saskatchewan has among the lowest personal taxes in the country. Since 2007, our government’s personal income tax exemptions have removed more than 112,000 people from the province’s income tax roll. Other Affordability Measures for 2024 Families in Saskatchewan with children enrolled in sports, arts and cultural activities will continue to be able to claim the Active Families Benefit on their tax returns. The benefit provides a refundable tax credit of $150 per year, per child to eligible families. Families of children with a disability will receive an additional $50 for a total tax credit of $200 per year, per child. The 2023 budget also provides targeted affordability measures to those who need it most. Saskatchewan Income Supports and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability were both increased by six per cent, while the Seniors Income Plan benefit was increased by nine per cent. Monthly personal care home benefits increased by 20 per cent and community-based organizations received an increase of three per cent in annual funding. Every budget includes $2 billion in affordability measures for Saskatchewan people. These programs, when combined with affordable housing, comparably low utility rates, indexation and low personal taxes demonstrate our government’s commitment to helping keep life affordable for Saskatchewan people. Together with the people of Saskatchewan, our government looks forward to another year of building and protecting our province. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to my constituency office at office@ terryjenson.ca or 306-242-2111.
Government of Saskatchewan Announces Service Providers to Operate Planned Emergency Shelters in Regina and Saskatoon YWCA Regina and The Mustard Seed are successful proponents of a recently issued request for service to deliver new permanent emergency shelter spaces in Regina and Saskatoon, as announced in October, 2023, as part of the Provincial Approach to Homelessness. "The Ministry of Social Services supports vulnerable people in need of shelter by connecting them with community organizations that offer emergency shelter spaces," Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said. "I am pleased to announce plans to move forward with YWCA Regina and The Mustard Seed as service providers of new permanent emergency shelters spaces. These community-based organizations will help us move forward to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and better support individuals who need more than a home to remain connected to housing." YWCA Regina provides shelter, supportive housing, and assistance to marginalized populations to help break the cycle of poverty and will operate a new emergency shelter in Regina. The Mustard Seed will operate new emergency shelter spaces in Saskatoon. Founded in 1984, with existing operations in Alberta and British Columbia, The Mustard Seed offers a range of programs and services to serve vulnerable community members and assist individuals toward greater health and independence. The service providers will provide emergency shelter services and assist clients with referrals to programs and services provided by government and other community agencies. Work is underway with Regina and Saskatoon who are identifying suitable locations for the planned emergency shelters. Opening dates will be set once the locations are confirmed. These planned shelter spaces are part of the recently announced Provincial Approach to Homelessness. The $40.2 million investment in new funding over the next two years will create 155 new supportive housing spaces, 120 new permanent emergency shelter spaces, and enhance community safety and outreach responses that include 30 new complex needs emergency shelter spaces.
Letter to the Editor
The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 - Martensville, SK S0K 2T0.
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Page 8 - JANUARY 11, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER
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Martensville, SK
KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Has Seen A 50% Increase in The Number of Homicides in the Last 5 Years From 2019 to 2023, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes has seen a 50% increase in the number of homicide victims. Investigators have noted that, of the individuals charged with homicide*, 44% were on conditions, bail, parole, or probation at the time the homicide was committed. (*Homicide includes first degree murder, second degree murder, and manslaughter.) “It goes without saying that a homicide is worst case scenario – but when an individual commits a homicide while on bail or release conditions, it is extremely discouraging and frustrating for our investigators,” says Officer in Charge of Major Crimes, Superintendent Joshua Graham. “In 2023, our Major Crimes unit had five instances where two to three separate homicides occurred in less than 48 hours – these clusters of homicides are alarming but no longer an anomaly. Our Major Crimes investigators continue to do an outstanding job, despite not receiving any additional investigative resources since 2008 – their dedication, resiliency, and undeniable expertise is what contributes to solving 84% of the homicides since 2015 with the ultimate goal of giving all victims’ families closure and answers.” 17,000 proactive conditions checks by Saskatchewan RCMP officers - As the provincial police service, the Saskatchewan RCMP continues to implement strategies and targeted enforcement initiatives to monitor prolific offenders released back into the communities we serve. From January to December 2023, officers conducted approximately 17,000 proactive conditions checks to ensure prolific offenders were complying by their court ordered conditions. Some court ordered conditions include, but are not limited to: abiding by curfews, not in possession of any weapons, having no contact with identified individuals, not entering certain communities, and more. On December 2, 2023, Pierceland RCMP officers located a seriously injured female during a proactive conditions check, exemplifying the importance of ongoing monitoring of violent prolific offenders. 15,800 court ordered conditions violated - From January to December 2023, RCMP officers identified more than 15,800 violated court ordered conditions in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. These violations were found through proactive conditions checks, in addition to other encounters with officers (traffic stops, responding to calls for service, etc.) – many violations result in charges for failure to comply with release order conditions under section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code. Saskatchewan Serious Violent Offender Response (SVOR) - The RCMP Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Team also collaborates with front-line RCMP officers, both provincial and federal Crown prosecutors and correctional services, municipal police services, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatchewan Division to help reduce potential threats posed by high-risk violent offenders in Saskatchewan through the SVOR program. The SVOR is an evidence-based approach that monitors violent offenders for the purpose of ensuring they are complying with court ordered conditions while providing coordinated services to reduce the likelihood of future reoffending – with the ultimate goal of keeping communities safe. A hopeful way forward - On January 4, 2024, amendments are being made to the Criminal Code and current bail provisions – targeting prolific violent offenders (Bill C-48). “I am hopeful the amended bail provisions are a step in the right direction – because at the end of the day, those individuals who are not interested in rehabilitation or changing their lifestyle, will continue to do harm to others and should not be released back into our communities,” says Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Rhonda Blackmore. “I am incredibly proud of our front-line officers and specialized units who continue to monitor, supress, and investigate these violent offenders – from ensuring individuals are complying with their release conditions, implementing initiatives to target prolific offenders, arresting those with outstanding warrants, to investigating homicides.” The Saskatchewan RCMP is only one component of the Criminal Justice System and will continue to support all partner agencies by sharing relevant information that can be used to inform decision makers when making bail, release conditions or detention decisions.
Martensville SK 306-244-4950
Ice Fishing Returns to Saskatchewan With Emphasis on Safety Ice fishing season has finally arrived on Saskatchewan waterways, and the Ministry of Environment is reminding anglers to keep safety top of mind. Unseasonably warm temperatures throughout December means that many waters in Saskatchewan still have not fully frozen. This makes it especially easy to misjudge ice thickness. “Ice fishing is one of the great Saskatchewan pastimes and I know many people are eager to get out and enjoy it,” Environment Minister Christine Tell said. “While we are excited for ice fishing season to get started, anglers must be especially careful this year when on or around ice by thoughtfully assessing its thickness.” Some tips include: • Plan ahead. Always tell someone where you will be fishing and when you plan to return. • Be prepared. Wear proper cold weather apparel and layer clothing to stay warm. • • • Assemble some safety gear for emergencies such as a cell phone, ice picks, a throw rope, flares and a life jacket or flotation suit. • Stick together. Try to fish with others rather than alone. • Avoid open water. If there is open water nearby or the ice looks slushy, stay away. • Don’t assume. Ice conditions can change rapidly. Test the ice thickness before you travel on it and check with other local anglers for information about the waterbody. Visit the Water Security Agency for more information on ice safety. Check out the Winter Ice Safety Fact Sheet for more information. In addition to safety, ensure you’re familiar with all rules and regulations for fishing. Know your limit and stay within it, carry your license, mark your ice shack and clean, drain and dry all of your equipment. Download the Saskatchewan Anglers Guide for more information.