Upcoming Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting Dates
City of Martensville Council Meetings and Committee of the Whole Meetings are open to the public and we invite you to attend in person or virtually to see what is happening in our community.
February 3 – Regular Council Meeting
February 10 – Committee of the Whole Meeting February 17 – Regular Council Meeting
Location: Martensville City Hall Council Chambers, 37 Centennial Drive
Time: All meetings begin at 5 pm
If you’d like to speak or present at a meeting, make sure you’re on the agenda by contacting the City Clerk’s office. If you’d prefer to join from the comfort of your home, contact the City Clerk or check the online agenda at martensville.ca for the meeting link.
In Case of a Water Line Freeze-Up
Certain areas of the community have experienced water line freeze-ups in the past.
If you experience a frozen water line or any other interruption to water service, please contact (306) 931-2166 to report the issue. If the issue occurs outside of regular business hours, follow the prompts to be connected to the emergency after-hours contact.
Winter FunFest is Back!
When: Monday, Feb. 16th | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Martensville Athletic Pavilion
Winter FunFest is a fun-filled Family Day event, with activities for all ages!
Activities include: Bouncy Castles | Sleigh Rides | Face Painting | Hot Dog Roast | Air Brush Tattoos | Ice & Soap Carving
Thanks to our Title Sponsors: North Prairie Developments & Canwest!
Ice & Rut Management
City crews continue to work through priority zones, with current efforts focused on addressing ice buildup and deep ruts where conditions pose the greatest concern. As we progress, isolated problem areas are being identified and targeted to improve safety and drivability.
We appreciate residents’ patience as crews work methodically to address the most urgent areas first. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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Newspaper www.martensvillemessenger.ca
Box 333, Martensville, SK S0K 2T0 Phone: 306-668-1093 advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca
The City’s Snow Removal Program aims to keep roads safe, accessible, and clear for emergency services, vehicles, and pedestrians. While our crews work diligently, winter weather can be unpredictable, and snow-clearing activities may vary. Here’s how you can help:
• Avoid pushing snow onto streets - This creates ridges that obstruct plowing efforts and creates larger snow ridges at your driveway.
• Don’t pile snow on streets or hydrants - This can block emergency access.
• Clear driveways before plows arrive - This helps crews work efficiently and prevents ridges.
• Avoid parking on streets during snow clearing - Vehicles hinder operations and risk being blocked by snow.
• Watch for posted removal zones - Vehicles parked in these areas may be ticketed and towed. -
• Stay back from sanding trucks - Keep a 15m distance to allow safe dispersion of salt and sand.
• Going on Vacation? - Consider removing your vehicle on the street in the event of snowfall and snow removal operations.
For more information and to view the City’s Priority Map, visit Martensville.ca.
Upcoming Events
JAN 29 | Navera – Neurodivergent Parenting – Early Years Family Resource Centre
JAN 29 | Parent & Baby - Early Years Family Resource Centre
JAN 30 | Toddler Time – MAP
JAN 30 | Wiggles & Giggles – Library
JAN 30 | Family Night Out – Lake Vista School
FEB 1 | Public Skating – Sports Centre
FEB 2 | Toddler Time - MAP
FEB 3 | Parent & Tot Skating – Free Drop-in
FEB 3 | Books & Babies Session A – Library
FEB 3 | Pickleball Drop-in – Holy Mary School
FEB 4 | Martensville Chiefs vs. Saskatoon Westleys – Sports Centre
FEB 4 | Books & Babies Session B – Library
FEB 4 | Floor Hockey – Drop-in – Lake Vista School
FEB 4 | Toddler Time - MAP
FEB 5 | Toddler Time Frenzy at the MAP
FEB 5 | Pickleball Drop-in – Holy Mary School
POLICE BEAT RCMP Request Public Assistance in Warman and Martensville
Break-and-Enter Cases
Between October 2025 and December 2025, both Martensville RCMP and Warman RCMP received reports of break and enters at vape shops in Warman and Martensville. One of the incidents in Warman involved an armed robbery. The Saskatchewan RCMP does not generally identify businesses that are victims of crime; however, this information was included so similar businesses can take the proper security precautions.
All incidents took place during the late evening or early morning on the following dates:
October 7, 2025 – Martensville – Break and Enter
October 27, 2025 – Martensville – Break and Enter
October 30, 2025 – Warman – Break and Enter
November 17, 2025 – Warman – Break and Enter
November 17, 2025 – Martensville – Break and Enter
December 13, 2025 – Warman – Armed Robbery
December 22, 2025 – Martensville – Break and Enter
December 22, 2025 – Warman – Break and Enter
December 30, 2025 – Warman – Break and Enter
In December of 2025, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Central District General Investigation Section initiated an investigation into the series of break and enters and armed robbery. The investigation has determined that each incident involved two or three suspects, wearing all black or dark clothing, and their faces were covered. As part of this ongoing investigation, officers will be determining any possible connections between the incidents.
To Contact Us About Advertising: advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca Want to Share News?: news@martensvillemessenger.ca
The armed robbery on December 13, 2025, in Warman is believed to have involved a white 2019 or newer model Toyota RAV 4 (see photo provided top left)
The Saskatchewan RCMP continues to investigate.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to report it to police by calling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers. com.
ABOVE: An armed robbery on December 13, 2025, at a vape shop in Warman is believed to have involved a white 2019 or newer model Toyota RAV 4. (RCMP)
Food Hamper Programs
Introduce One-Pantry-Per-Week Rule to Better Support Families
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
Beginning February 1st, the Martensville Food Pantry (MFP), along with other local food hamper programs, will be implementing a change aimed at ensuring food support reaches as many families as possible amid rising demand and limited donations.
The decision was made after communication with other local food charities revealed that some individuals were accessing multiple food support services at the same time.
The policy change is being introduced due to the growing number of people seeking assistance and the strain on available resources. The local food hamper programs will be in communication with one another to ensure this policy is followed and families are not utilizing multiple resources in one week.
“Due to the increasing number of people in need and limited donations, individuals will be required to choose one food charity to receive support from,” a social media post by Hand Up Cupboard in Warman said. “Accessing all three will no longer be allowed.”
The post also noted that, “Our services are intended to help as many people as possible during times of need. Using multiple food charities reduces the resources available for others who rely on this support.”
“For those families that just use the Martensville Food Pantry there will be no changes or affects,” Linda Ward of the MFP said. “For those that use multiple Food Banks they will have to choose which one they would like to use that particular week.”
Currently, the Martensville Food Pantry supports between 15 and 25 families each week. “They are not the same families,” Ward said. “We have given service to over 100 families throughout the years. Some request occasionally; while others request biweekly.”
The pantry operates with the help of 18 volunteers, all of whom donate their time. Ward also shared an update on current supply levels. “We have had tremendous support over the holidays,” she said. “At the present time we still have ample nonperishables. Fresh vegetables and fruit are always in short supply as well as fruit juices.”
Ward took the opportunity to thank the community for its ongoing generosity. “We are so very thankful for the support of this wonderful community; individuals and businesses.”
Ward also reminded donors to check expiration dates before donating, as expired items are not included within the food hampers.
For those interested in supporting the MFP, they can provide charitable receipts for donations of $20 or more.
For hamper requests, residents are asked to call (306) 280-1255, and to be mindful of the time when contacting the pantry unless it is an emergency, as the organization is entirely volunteer run. General inquiries can be sent to martensvillefoodpantry@gmail. com.
February Has Something for All Kids up to Five Years at Martensville Warman Early Years
Family Resource Centre (MWEYFRC)
Crafty Afty - On February 4th, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, children aged 2.5 to 5 years are invited to join us for an afternoon filled with creative and crafty stations. This event provides an opportunity for your little ones to explore their artistic side through a variety of hands-on activities.
Baby & Me Barre - On February 6th, from 11:00am to 12:00pm, caregivers and their babies (0-18 months) are welcome to participate in Baby & Me Barre at Quiet Life Yoga Studio in Warman. Registration is required to attend this session. To register, please email mweyfrc@ymcasaskatoon.org.
Practical Life Skills - On February 9th, from 10:00am to 11:00am, children aged 3 to 5 years can join us to learn essential practical life skills. This session is designed to help your child develop important abilities they will need as they grow.
Evening Occupational Therapist Presentation - Also on February 9th, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, Rachel from Carter's Counselling will present to parents of children aged 3 to 5 about fine motor development and pre-writing skills. Registration is required, and childminding will not be provided for this session. To register, please email mweyfrc@ymcasaskatoon.org.
Lil Scientists - Join us on February 11th and February 25th, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, for Lil Scientists. This program offers children aged 3 to 5 the chance to engage in different science experiments and explore the wonders of science together with their caregivers.
Indigenous Story & Craft - On February 26th, from 10:00am to 11:00am, we invite you to participate in an Indigenous-based story and craft session. This event is a wonderful way to learn and create together through cultural storytelling and hands-on activities.
Bannock Making Class - Also on February 26th, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, families with children aged 3 to 5 years can attend our Bannock Making Class. Space is limited for this hands-on cooking experience, so please register in advance by emailing mweyfrc@ymcasaskatoon.org.
Second Chances Thrift Store Set to Open in Martensville
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
A new thrift store opening in Martensville this February is aiming to do more than offer affordable shopping; it’s creating meaningful employment opportunities for local youth.
Second Chances Thrift Store is owned and operated by The Generation Love Project, a non-profit organization that provides supports and programming for youth, including job training and placement. Jessica Mills, owner and CEO of The Generation Love Project, said the organization’s largest focus is helping youth facing barriers to employment, including youth with disabilities.
“Our largest program is our job training and placement program,” Mills said. “We hire youth facing barriers to employment and youth with disabilities. Generally, they work with us for one year, working alongside a supervisor to help them overcome their challenges and set them up to succeed in the workplace.”
After completing the program, the organization assists youth with finding new employment; however, Mills noted it has become increasingly difficult for graduates to secure work, leading The Generation Love Project to extend placements when possible.
The opening of Second Chances Thrift Store will expand those opportunities. “The thrift store will be an excellent addition to our job training program, providing more jobs, as well as a job outside of food service, which all of our other locations are,” Mills said. “This will be a better fit for many of our youth and hopefully also be a good fundraising source for the organization.”
Mills said Martensville was a natural choice for the new location. While the organization serves youth from Warman, Martensville, and the surrounding area, Warman already has several thrift stores, while Martensville has none.
The name Second Chances reflects both the mission and the merchandise. “The items are going to new homes and in a way a lot of youth are getting a second chance.” Community involvement will be key to the store’s success. “Community support is EVERYTHING,” Mills said. “We count on the community to bring in donations, to come in and shop, and some members of the community are volunteering at the thrift store.”
When shoppers visit for the first time, Mills said they can expect a welcoming experience. “They will see a small, but open and nicely laid out store,” she said. “They will appreciate our great prices as well.” The store will feature low standard prices, a dollar rack, affordable bundles, and a small boutique section with new and brand-name items priced higher but still affordably.
The store will focus primarily on clothing, with a small section offering a variety of other items.
Second Chances Thrift Store will also host a monthly draw. Every $20 spent earns one entry, and shoppers can purchase additional entries for $2. Draws will take place at the end of each month, featuring donated gift baskets, gift cards from local businesses, and higher-value items that come into the store. Each month’s draw prize will be promoted on social media and displayed in-store.
Because many staff members are students, volunteers will play a major role in day-to-day operations. Volunteers can apply by emailing thegenerationloveproject@ gmail.com. Mills added that following and sharing the organization’s social media posts is another meaningful way to support the cause.
Donations will be accepted once the store opens, and the grand opening is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 9th.
“We are really excited to meet everyone in the community and hope that they are excited to have us here,” Mills said. Looking ahead, she hopes continued community support could allow the store to move into a larger space within the next year or two.
More information about The Generation Love Project can be found at www. thegenerationloveproject.com, with updates available on Facebook and Instagram through Second Chances Thrift Store.
New Business Opens in Martensville with a Warm Welcome
Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger
Ray and his wife, Ivy, are the owners of Sugar Arcade, a unique sports arcade café located in Martensville. The business is a community-oriented arcade that offers a new entertainment option to local families and children.
When asked what inspired them to start this business, Ray explained that he saw the need for this type of option in the community and is very passionate about providing a safe and fun environment where kids and teenagers can enjoy sports-themed arcade games.
Sugar Arcade specializes in a variety of games for kids and teenagers, with age restrictions primarily determined by a weight limit (not over 80kg). The café maintains the same menu as the previous owners, ‘Bubble Tea’, which includes coffee, bubble tea, cookies, cheesecake, and other treats; favorites that have remained popular with the community.
Customers use a card system to play the games, tapping their cards on machines to spend tokens and accumulate bonus points. Points can be saved for future visits and redeemed for prizes such as toys, drinks, snacks, and even perfume.
Ray and Ivy have focused their efforts on engaging the local community, committing to a welcoming atmosphere.
Sugar Arcade operates on weekdays from 12:30pm to 8:30pm and weekends from 11:00am to 9:00pm, with Sunday hours ending at 8:00pm.
They have previously employed a coworker and are seeking to hire more local staff to better connect with the community and enhance customer service.
Ray explained how they appreciate the welcoming nature of the community and recognize the need for a place like Sugar Arcade, especially given the town's growing population of young families. He emphasized the importance of consistency in service and the value of hiring local employees to foster stronger connections with their customers.
Sugar Arcade aims to offer a meaningful alternative to passive entertainment by encouraging children to participate in active play rather than spending time on their phones or online. With the addition of the Martensville Recreation Centre in the community, Ray believes that Sugar Arcade is the perfect place for both local families and families visiting the community to gather and can help fulfill a need that has been lacking in Martensville for over a decade.
Local Play ‘The Boat’ Brings Controversial 1960s Story to Saskatoon Stage
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
A new production coming to the Refinery in Saskatoon this winter is tackling a difficult and deeply personal chapter of Canadian history. ‘The Boat’, written and produced by local playwright Todd Devonshire, explores bodily autonomy, secrecy, and choice in a time when abortion was illegal in Canada.
“This is my latest play and the second time around producing with Live Five theatre in Saskatoon,” Devonshire said. “I knew a story about a boat set up in international waters, and women would journey out to it as their country did not allows abortion. For any reason. None. When Roe vs Wade was overturned, I started to write this play and set it in Canada in the 1960s.”
Devonshire is no stranger to storytelling, having first entered the writing world through fiction with a novel called “Rink Burgers” before turning to theatre. Once Devonshire got a taste of playwriting, he was immediately hooked. “Hearing those voices from the paper to the stage is such a rush,” he said. “‘The Boat’ is my fifth play and has been, without a doubt, the most controversial one.”
Set in 1964, the play is inspired by real historical circumstances. Set in Canada in 1964 when abortion was illegal, the story begins when two female doctors set up a clinic in a boat 15 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, in international waters, free from the Canadian laws.
“Three pregnant women, each for their own reasons, will journey out to the boat to try and make a decision without fear and shame. But someone is not telling the truth.”
Although a story about a boat in international waters performing abortions does exist, it did not occur in Canada; however, all the stories depicted in the play are 100% true and took place in Canada.
Devonshire believes the themes explored in the play are as relevant today as they were decades ago. “The 1960s were a time of significant change not only in Canada, but the world. Bodily autonomy was right in the mix of all the cultural challenges,” he said. “When researching this play, I was shocked by the stats, the stories and the struggle to change our ways. Every story, stat and struggle in this play is factual. I hope this resonates with audiences.”
Bringing those stories to the stage came with its own challenges, which Devonshire noted were too lengthy to fully share; however, the main challenge he settled on was the fact that there were so many stories, and the challenge came in deciding which ones to tell.
Ultimately, his hope is that audiences leave the theatre thinking beyond polarized views. “I am old enough to remember when it became legal in 1988. Everyone has strong opinions and default to the black and white opinions whenever someone says: abortion,” he said. “‘The Boat’ wants to draw the issue out of conformed black and white factions and place it into a measure of grey where there can be understanding, conversation and empathy.”
Devonshire also credits the local talent involved in bringing the production to life. “We have an incredible cast and crew working on this show. I think we underestimate how much talent truly exists here and ‘The Boat’ is all the better for it,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to watch the rehearsals and listen to the conversations that come up.”
‘The Boat’ runs from February 26th to March 8th at the Refinery in Saskatoon. “Tickets are on sale now at ontheboards.ca. It is selling well already so get your tickets soon!” Devonshire said.
In addition to the performances, audiences will have opportunities for deeper discussion. “We have two talk back session scheduled that will happen after a show,” Devonshire said. “We will invite audience members to stick around where you can discuss the play with myself and our director, Liz Whitbread. The first one is Saturday February 28th and will be moderated by the University of Saskatchewan Student Union (USSU) and its president, Emma Wintermute. A second date, at time of this, is still being determined.”
Highlights from the January 27 Martensville City Council Meeting
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
Martensville City Council held its final meeting of January on Tuesday, January 27th, with a full agenda covering a range of topics.
The meeting began with a presentation from the Kinsmen Club regarding fish in Kinsmen Park. Council also received correspondence from SaskPower advising that installation of smart metres will begin in Martensville over the coming weeks. According to SaskPower, the smart metres will be installed at no additional charge and are intended to improve billing accuracy, provide better power usage data, and reduce outage times.
Administration brought forward six requests for rental fee waivers for civic facilities in 2026. The organizations requesting waivers included Martensville Youth Connection ($2,290), Valley Restorative Justice ($215), Party on the Pond ($2,098), MCRP 3-on-3 Tournament ($25,000), MCRP Playoff Draft ($1,500), and the Martensville & District Kinettes Club Ladies Night ($770).
The total value of requests exceeded the provisional budget by $1,873. Council also considered whether to approve a corkage fee waiver requested by the Kinettes, which administration did not recommend under Policy 120/25.
Council was asked to ratify a new collective agreement between the City of Martensville and CUPE Local 2582. The previous agreement expired on Dec. 31, 2025, and a tentative contract had been ratified by CUPE members. The proposed agreement runs from January 1st, 2026, to December 31st, 2027, and includes wage increases of 3.25 per cent in each year.
A proposed increase to water consumption rates was also considered. Martensville receives its water through SaskWater, which purchases it from the City of Saskatoon. Both providers approved increases totalling 4.25 per cent. As a result, administration proposed increasing the city’s water consumption rate from $5.10 per cubic metre to $5.32 per cubic metre. Water and wastewater rates, along with an updated economic
development bylaw, were scheduled for all three readings at the meeting.
Council also reviewed a building condition assessment completed by ASI Engineering on city-owned facilities, including the parks building, Heritage Building, Ranch House, North Ridge Centennial Community Centre, RCMP detachment, Aquatic Centre, Fire Hall, Civic Centre, MAP, public works building and City Hall.
The assessment will guide the development of a 10-year capital investment plan to address renewal and deferred maintenance needs. Highlights from the report noted that the fire hall is in good condition but requires maintenance, while the RCMP detachment is rated in fair condition and lacks modern security and spatial requirements. The full report can be viewed at Martensville.ca and viewing the January 27th agenda.
Other items on the agenda included appointments to the Board of Revision for 2026, annual appointments to the P4G Regional Oversight Committee, and formal approval of a subdivision application for Parcel QQ, which aligns with the Lake Vista Concept Plan and does not require a public hearing.
The meeting also included departmental reports covering economic development, planning and bylaw enforcement, communications, and fire services. Highlights included updates to the Economic Development Business Incentive Program, ongoing regional planning projects, and a review of the Martensville Fire Department’s 2025 call statistics and new training initiatives.
The Martensville Fire Department responded to a total of 498 calls for service in 2025, with 255 being medical calls, with Fire Chief Dean Brooman adding to the report that, “It is important to note that a significant number of these incidents involved delayed response times from ambulance services.”
In 2024, medical calls represented 56% of overall call volume, with that number lowering to 46% in 2025. Seeing an increase in non-medical call volume, Brooman noted that there is a broader demand on fire services in the community.
New training initiatives include Blue Card Command training and Wildland Urban Interface training. The MFD will be collaborating with Meewasin for controlled and back-burn training to manage fire behaviour effectively.
“The Fire Department has operated under an established firefighter structure for many years; however, 2026 will see an enhancement to this structure. The updated framework is intended to better support current departmental operations while creating a clear pathway for succession planning and internal recognition.”
New training initiatives within the MFD will include Blue Card Command training and Wildland Urban Interface training, as well as collaboration with Meewasin for controlled and back-burn training to manage fire behavior effectively.
Martensville City Council will meet again on February 3rd at 5pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, with agendas available at Martensville.ca.
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Government of Saskatchewan Launches Independent Review To Strengthen Hospital Safety and Security
The Government of Saskatchewan is launching an independent, third-party review of hospital safety and security at the request of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). The Ministry of Health will lead the work to select a qualified expert capable of undertaking it as quickly as possible. The review will examine current practices and provide recommendations to help improve safety for patients, visitors and staff across all SHA facilities.
“Patients, visitors, and staff must be safe in health care facilities in Saskatchewan,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “The safety enhancements underway starting this week at several facilities will help ensure that goal is met so that we can put patients first. The independent review will give us an assessment of security currently in place at facilities and help identify improvements to support safer environments where people are providing and receiving care.”
Concerns raised by staff and patients and increasing volume and complexity of Protective Services interventions has highlighted the need for a system-wide comprehensive review.
The independent review will examine how Protective Services are delivered across hospitals and identify evidence-based options to enhance safety. It will consider both physical security measures and the importance of culturally safe care environments, reflecting the evolving and complex nature of safety challenges in hospital settings. The review will assess:
• Current Protective Services' standards, best practices and delivery models;
• Opportunities to improve training, competencies, tools and infrastructure;
• Ways to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous organizations and other health system partners; and
• Lessons learned from past incidents to identify common themes and system-wide improvements.
Immediate actions to strengthen hospital safety are already underway, including the implementation of metal detectors at emergency department entrances in Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford and Prince Albert. In addition, there is also currently a Request for Proposals for third-party security services for facilities in La Loche, Shellbrook, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, Nipawin, Melfort and Kamsack. These measures are being advanced while the independent review will inform longer-term, system-wide improvements.
"Safety in our hospitals is essential to delivering quality care," SHA CEO Andrew Will said. "This independent review will ensure our security approaches continue to evolve to meet the needs of patients, families and staff, while reflecting best practices and cultural respect. We remain committed to accountability and to ensuring a safe care environment in SHA facilities."
The findings and recommendations from the independent review will guide future policy, service delivery, and system improvements to hospital safety and security across Saskatchewan.
SHA to Deploy Metal Detectors in Urban Emergency Departments to Strengthen Hospital Safety and
Security
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is strengthening hospital safety and security by expanding the deployment of metal detectors in urban emergency departments. Installation of metal detectors occurred on Monday, January 19, 2026 in Saskatoon at the St. Paul’s Hospital and Saskatoon City Hospital emergency departments, and Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in Regina at the Regina General Hospital and Pasqua Hospital emergency departments. Metal detectors will also be deployed in February 2026 at the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, Battlefords Union Hospital, and the Regina Urgent Care Centre. Metal detection is currently in use at the joint emergency department entrance at Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon
The SHA is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for patients and health-care teams in all of our facilities. Like health systems across Canada, the SHA has responded to an increase in violent incidents and weapons entering emergency departments and hospitals. Violence in health care settings is unacceptable, and the SHA remains committed to strengthening the safety and security of our hospitals.
“Hospitals should be safe places for our patients, visitors, and the health-care teams who provide care every day,” said Andrew Will, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “Safety is a core value of the SHA, and we are committed to strengthening hospital safety and security in response to the increasing complexity and volume of situations requiring intervention by Protective Services. The expansion of metal detection technology is an important step to support safer care environments and prevent weapons from entering emergency departments.”
The SHA ordered additional metal detectors in December 2025 for broader deployment in urban emergency departments following a successful pilot of metal detection technology at the joint emergency department entrance at Royal University Hospital (RUH) and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH) in Saskatoon. Metal detectors support Protective Services in preventing weapons from entering emergency departments, enhancing safety and security for patients, visitors and health-care teams.
Saskatchewan Responds To Federal Firearms Buyback Program Launch
Recently, the federal government announced the opening of its firearms buyback program for individual firearms owners. While the federal government is asking individuals to register in the program to indicate their interest in receiving compensation, they confirmed that registering in the system will not guarantee compensation for affected firearms owners.
"It is very disappointing that the federal government is continuing to proceed with their completely flawed gun grab program that does nothing to make communities safer," Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said.
Attached are photographs of just some of the more than 2,500 firearms that the federal minister continues to suggest are "assault-style guns meant for warfare." Many of the firearms targeted by this program are hunting rifles and collector's items.
"This program will not remove the street weapons that are being used by criminals," McLeod said. "The federal government is targeting law-abiding firearms owners, and they have now confirmed that they will be offering little or no compensation. This is completely unacceptable. Our government is committed to safeguarding the heritage of firearms owners. This spring we are advancing amendments to The Saskatchewan Firearms Act to help ensure our affected firearms owners receive compensation for their legally-obtained property that is now prohibited by federal firearms legislation. We will continue to look at all options to protect lawabiding firearms owners, while taking meaningful measures that will actually improve community safety."
The amendments propose that lawful firearms owners must be fairly compensated by the federal government or their agents, in an amount determined to be appropriate by the Saskatchewan Firearms Commissioner, if they own firearms that are seized or deemed to be seized as a result of the federal legislation or bans.
"We want to make it clear that there is nothing in our legislation that prevents Saskatchewan firearms owners from participating in the federal buyback program if they desire to do so," SFO Commissioner Robert Freberg said. "We share the frustrations of law-abiding firearms owners that they are being unfairly treated and being threatened with criminal liability if they do not declare firearms for which they are unlikely to receive appropriate compensation. Saskatchewan's approach in this matter has always been around ensuring that individuals receive fair compensation for their property, and the federal government's suggestion that we are somehow attempting to prevent our citizens from being paid fairly is as ridiculous as their buyback program."
In the coming weeks, an online portal will be launched by the Government of Saskatchewan to provide appraisals for all firearms, ammunition and accessories impacted by federal legislation.
Further details on this program and the provincial government's continued efforts to support Saskatchewan firearms owners will be announced soon.
Martensville Curling Club
Set to Host Annual Ladies Bonspiel
Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger
The Martensville Curling Club is set to host its annual Ladies Bonspiel on January 30th and 31st, bringing a weekend of fun, friendly competition and community spirit to the curling rink.
The event is sponsored by Lakeview Insurance Brokers – Martensville, whose support helps make the popular bonspiel possible.
This year’s bonspiel features two divisions; recreational and competitive; with six teams registered in each division. In addition to the on-ice action, teams are encouraged to dress up in fun themes, adding an extra layer of entertainment for both participants and spectators.
The Ladies Bonspiel has become a much-anticipated annual event at the Martensville Curling Club, celebrating the sport while fostering camaraderie among curlers of all skill levels.
Community members are invited to stop by the Martensville Curling Club to watch the games and enjoy the lively atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Skate Martensville Sees Success at Regional Competition
Submitted
Skate Martensville was well represented at the Regional Figure Skating Competition held in Kindersley on January 24–25. The club sent 13 STARSkaters along with its STAR 4 synchronized skating team, consisting of nine skaters.
Skate Martensville athletes competed in a total of 18 events over the course of the weekend. The STARSkaters earned four medals and thirteen ribbons. The STAR 4 synchronized skating team, Magic, also achieved a notable result, capturing a bronze medal. This accomplishment is particularly significant as five skaters are new to the team this season.
Coaches Danny and Teah supported the athletes throughout the competition, providing guidance during events and encouragement from the sidelines.
The competition was a true reflection of the dedication and progress of our skaters throughout the season. The club is proud of the effort, determination, and sportsmanship demonstrated by its athletes both on and off the ice.
