January 4, 2024

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Your City; Your Newspaper January 4, 2024

17 Centennial Drive North

VOLUME NO. 18 - ISSUE 1

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Hamper Heaven The Martensville Food Pantry assembled 52 Christmas dinner hampers, as well as their regular Wednesday food hampers for local families in need before the holidays hit. (Facebook)

e h T m o Fr WMBEXA 2017

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Page 2 - JANUARY 4, 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.

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 9th – Committee of the Whole 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.

- 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.

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

- 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.

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.

- 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

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.

Please also watch for signage and postings around ponds for ice conditions.

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

Dalmeny Police Respond to Boxing Day Break and Enter

On December 26th, at approximately 12:00am, Dalmeny Police Service received a call of a break and enter to a garage that was interrupted by a homeowner.

Saskatoon Police Service Air1 was requested to assist along with the Corman Park Police and the local RCMP. Despite the efforts of all involved, the individual(s) were not located.

Police urge the public to lock their garage doors and to report any suspicious activity to their local detachment.

Recreation Program Update

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 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 include address &/or roll number in the comment section along with an indication the payment is for taxes.

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.

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ARTENSVILLE

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MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - JANUARY 4, 2024 - Page 3

What to Do With Your Christmas Tree

The holiday season has officially come to an end and now comes the task of taking down all the decorations that have been adorning our homes for the past month.

For those of us with artificial trees, this means taking everything off the tree and putting it in storage for another year; however, for people that have real trees, there comes the question of what to do with the tree.

The City of Martensville has a Yard Waste Composting Site located off of 10th Avenue South, south of the Dog Park, that includes an area designated for tree limbs.

Please ensure that all lights, ornaments, tinsel, string, garland, etc. are all removed from the tree and do not bag or wrap the tree, including in a recyclable tree bag. Do not include any artificial trees or household waste and ensure that trees are not placed in a way that may impede vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

For more information about the Yard Waste Composting Site, visit www. martensville.ca, or contact Martensville City Hall.

Local Families Receive Support Through Martensville Food Hamper Programs The Martensville Food Pantry is a regular source of support for many local individuals and families, and this Christmas was no different. With a total of 52 Christmas Dinner Hampers being created, on top of the regular 15-20 Wednesday hampers that are made, it goes to show how important the MFP is to Martensville and surrounding communities.

This support was made possible through contributions made by the Martensville Co-op Food Store, Martensville Fire Department, North Ridge Development Corp, Elite Play, Richardson Pioneer, Canalta Hotel Martensville, an anonymous donation of 20 turkeys and many other donations that were made, including a donation ABOVE: Lake Vista School made a donation to the of non-perishables and Martensville Food Pantry, which included non-perishable gift cards made by Lake food items and gift cards.

Vista Elementary School and donations collected from the annual City of Martensville Sip ‘n Shop event held in November.

In addition to this, the Martensville Fire Department held their annual Christmas Hamper Program, which saw a huge assortment of nonperishable food items, hygiene items, monetary donations and more come in through local schools, ABOVE: A huge assortment of food and hygiene items were businesses, organizations collected through the MFD Christmas Hamper Program. and individuals.

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New Year Offers Therapeutic Art Workshops The City of Martensville will be offering Therapeutic Art Workshops this year, with a variety of options available. Each of these workshops will be facilitated by professional art therapist Sara Skipper and will include a group of no more than 10 individuals.

“You will be invited to explore the art materials in a way that gives you the opportunity for self-expression, personal insight and the positive benefits of being together in community,” the description for the event explains.

The first workshop will take place on Sunday, January 7th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Heritage Centre in Martensville and will be about collages.

Those attending are able to use provided materials consisting of recycled magazines, clippings, papers, etc. They can also bring their own materials and no special art skills or previous experience is required.

On January 21st, there will be a Mask Making Workshop taking place where those attending can create a unique piece of art using their imaginations, or follow suggestions provided. No special art skills or experience are needed.

Additional classes will be held in February and March, and will include options such as Yoga Nidra & Art, Altered Books, Dreams & Art and Eco Art. “Please note that while the therapeutic art workshops are facilitated by an art therapist, they are not to be considered group therapy. These workshops are not instructional in nature and are created in a way where everyone can work at their own pace.”

All of the workshops will begin with an introduction/welcome, and include art making time and an opportunity to share art/experience with the group if you choose to do so. Sharing is optional and not a requirement to attend.

More information about upcoming workshops can be found in the City of Martensville Winter Martensville-Warman Program Guide, or online at www.martensville.ca – 306-242-2111 • office@terryjenson.ca Program Registrations.

May you have a happy, safe and prosperous 2024!

Happy New Year!

Terry Jenson, MLA

20231219_Jenson_New-Year.indd 1

2023-12-19 9:56:26 AM

Page 4 - JANUARY 4, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER BELOW: The Martensville Marauder U15A Villains participated in the Sask Challenge Cup in the final weekend of December. The tournament consisted of 24 teams, and the Villains finished third overall winning the B Final. (Facebook)

SPORTS LEFT: A group of Martensville Marauders made and delivered care packages to some less fortunate people in Saskatoon before the holidays. (Facebook) RIGHT: The Martensville Marauder U13 Pirates donated $1000 in Christmas presents to the Saskatoon Ronald McDonald House.

(Facebook)

Teams From Martensville Curling Club Represent at U18 Provincial Finals

Several teams represented the Martensville Curling Club at the U18 Provincial Finals from December 27th-30th in Moose Jaw; including Team Remeshylo, Team Derksen, Team Wood, Team Kitsch and Lindsay Miller of Team Semeniuk.

The finals saw Team Derksen going up against Team Snow, and Team Remeshylo against Team Simpson.

Team Derksen consists of Skip Dylan Derksen, Third Logan Sawicki, Second Tyler Derksen, Lead Gavin Martens and Coach Brad Kennedy. Team Derksen came out on top after 6 ends, with a win of 9-2 against Team Snow.

Team Remeshylo includes Skip Melissa Remeshylo, Third Mya Silversides, Second Claudia Lacell, Lead Leah Beausoleil and Coach Garnet Zummack. The final match-up against Team Simpson saw Team Remeshylo come in second after a loss of 7-3.

Congratulations to Team Derksen Curling on winning the U18 Provincial Championship. They will now be heading to the 2024 Canadian U18 National Championships taking place in Ottawa from February 4-10 where they will be wearing the green jackets representing their province.

ABOVE: Team Derksen of the Martensville Curling Club won the boys U18 Provincial Finals in Moose Jaw in the final weekend of December, earning them a spot in the U18 National Championships in Ottawa this February. (Facebook)

BELOW: Team Remeshylo made it to the final match-up in the U18 Provincial Finals in Moose Jaw. (Facebook)

Support Local Volleyball Through Bottle Drive

The CVVC 16U Crossfire girls volleyball team will be doing a bottle drive on Saturday January 6th to help with fundraising towards Nationals in Edmonton. If anyone has bottles collecting and taking up room in the garage/shed, contact cvvc@ sasktel.net to make arrangements to have someone come pick up before hand or the day of. Thank you Martensville and area for your support.

MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - JANUARY 4, 2024 - Page 5

Indexation and Saskatchewan to Provide Families Carbon Tax with Relief from Federal Carbon Tax in Relief Will Save New Year Starting January 1, 2024, both SaskEnergy and SaskPower will remove the federal carbon tax from home Saskatchewan heating. This will result in savings for approximately 98 per cent of Saskatchewan families who were unfairly left out government's decision to exempt the carbon tax on home heating oil.

Families Money in of the federal "Our government is ensuring fairness for Saskatchewan families by removing the federal carbon tax on natural gas and electric heat, just as the federal government has done for families in Atlantic Canada by removing the carbon tax on heating oil," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Dustin Duncan said. "By extending carbon tax 2024 relief to Saskatchewan families who were left out in the cold by the federal government, our government is protecting Low personal taxes and indexation are among the measures the provincial government is taking to help make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people this year.

“A family of four with annual income of $75,000 will save $322 in 2024, as a result of indexing personal income tax,” Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said. “That is on top of the $400 that family will save through our government’s decision to stop collecting carbon tax on home heating, for a total savings of over $700 in 2024.”

Indexation protects against bracket creep, which are the automatic increases in tax caused by inflation.

“Combined with our government’s commitment to keep personal taxes low, indexation is an important component of affordability that is among over $2 billion of affordability measures built into our budget each year,” Harpauer said. “For a family of four, when taxes, utilities and housing costs are considered, Saskatchewan is the most affordable province in which to live in Canada.

“A family of four now pays no income tax on their first $59,475 of income. When our government took office, a family of four started paying provincial income tax at $26,150 of income.

Reductions our government introduced have more than doubled the tax-free threshold.”

Indexation of the provincial Personal Income Tax (PIT) system preserves the real value of personal tax credits, and the income tax brackets, since these also rise with inflation. Indexation protects taxpayers from automatic tax increases that would otherwise occur when their incomes rise with inflation.

For example, indexing the basic personal amount preserves the real value of the amount that all taxpayers can earn without paying tax.

Indexation also preserves the real value of benefits people can receive, such as the Saskatchewan LowIncome Tax Credit. Indexation, therefore, provides significant benefits to pensioners and others who are on fixed incomes.

Indexation will result in Saskatchewan residents seeing $70.5 million in annual income tax savings. The level of indexation in 2024 will be 4.7 per cent, which matches the annual average national inflation rate from October 2022 to September 2023.

The combined effect of the indexation of the tax system from 2007 through the 2024 taxation year is saving Saskatchewan taxpayers a total of approximately $355 million in 2024.

Saskatchewan has among the lowest personal taxes in the country. Since 2007, PIT exemptions have removed more than 112,000 people from the province’s income tax roll. In total, PIT reductions since 2007 are providing over $830 million in annual income tax savings to Saskatchewan people. Saskatchewan also has one of the highest tax-free thresholds in Canada.

Also helping with affordability, 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 was reinstated in 2021 and 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. Parents who enroll their children in sports, arts and cultural activities are reminded to keep their receipts so they may claim the benefit with their annual tax filings.

“The Active Families Benefit, the Disability Tax Credit, the Saskatchewan LowIncome Tax Credit and others, 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,” Harpauer said.

Saskatchewan families' ability to afford to heat their homes this winter."

The removal of the federal carbon tax from SaskEnergy bills, effective January 1, 2024, will save the average Saskatchewan family approximately $400 in 2024.

Heating accounts for up to 60 per cent of power consumption during the winter months for customers who rely on electric heat, so SaskPower will eliminate the carbon tax on that heating by reducing the federal carbon tax rate rider on their bills by 60 per cent. This will benefit approximately 30,000 SaskPower customers, reducing their power bills by an average of $21 per month through the winter.

Customers will still see a federal carbon tax charge on their January utility bills for natural gas or electricity used for heating that they used in the month of December. The federal carbon tax will be zero billed, appearing as both a charge and a reversal credit, on bills for usage on and after January 1, 2024.

For SaskEnergy customers on an Equalized Payment Plan, equalized payment amounts will be adjusted beginning in February.

Customers who believe that they are incorrectly being charged the federal carbon tax can contact SaskEnergy at 1-800-567-8899 or www.saskenergy.com/customer-support, and SaskPower at 1-888-757-6937 or contactus@ sk.saskpower.com.

More Ambulances and Paramedics for Saskatoon

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $700,000 in 2023-24 and $2.6 million annually to provide support for additional resources to help address growing demands for emergency medical services (EMS) in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon will receive two additional ambulances staffed 24 hours a day/seven days a week, as well as an additional community paramedic 12 hours a day/seven days a week.

“We are committed to ensuring Saskatchewan patients have the access they need to emergency medical services in health crisis situations,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said. “This increase in ambulance and paramedic capacity for the Saskatoon area will improve response times to 911 calls and better balance the workload for our paramedics.”

Over the past five years, Saskatoon has experienced a 33 per cent increase in EMS call volumes. This has periodically resulted in longer response times.

The additional ambulances will help relieve pressure on current EMS resources, improve response times to calls and help support rural EMS services waiting to transfer patients into Saskatoon.

Medavie Health Services West is contracted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to provide EMS services for Saskatoon and surrounding areas and will start recruitment for the additional staff resources immediately.

“Medavie Health Services West Saskatoon is proud of our continued partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Ministry of Health,” Chief Operating Officer and Regional Director, Medavie Health Services – West Gerry Schriemer said. “As a health solutions partner, receiving these increased resources will continue to provide the residents of Saskatoon with timely and appropriate high-quality care. Our operations teams are finalizing their deployment plans to ensure these resources are effectively utilized to make the biggest impact to the citizens we serve. We expect the first resources to start as soon as early January.”

Community paramedics provide support to primary health care, people living in personal care homes, cancer patients and the seniors first program. The community paramedic program in Saskatoon has demonstrated high success rates in treating less urgent (lower acuity) patients within the community. An example of a community paramedics duties include performing dressing changes, administering IV antibiotics, collecting blood, providing medication assistance or treating patients with flu like symptoms. Community paramedics can also assist with patient flow and early emergency department discharge by providing supports to patients while waiting to get connected to supports within the community (e.g., home care).

The province has invested in additional training seats and bursaries for paramedics as part of Saskatchewan's Health Human Resources Action Plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain more health care professionals. The bursary program had a high uptake with nearly 95 bursaries awarded to paramedics who committed to work for EMS providers across the province.

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MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - JANUARY 4, 2024 - Page 7

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature 2023 in Review

It Wasn’t Always the Smoothest Sailing in 2023

The best part about this time is it reminds us we shouldn’t always dwell on everyone’s foibles.

So as per tradition in this space, now is the time of year to hand our presents to thank those for the good work they have done.

To Premier Scott Moe and others in his Saskatchewan Party government, a gift of gratitude for the province’s achieving the largest population numbers and most working people ever. Given the history of those numbers going up and down, we should not take these numbers for granted.

Further thanks to Crown Investment Corporation Minister Dustin Duncan and Justin Minister Bronwyn Eyre for standing up for the province on not collecting the carbon tax on home heating on natural gas and electricity and other matters in which the federal government has not addressed Saskatchewan concerns. In Duncan’s case, he did so at risk of finding himself in carbon tax jail.

Yes, there’s always politics involved in these provincial-federal debates, but what shouldn’t be lost is the sincere concern for the well-being of the people that live in this province.

In that regard, let us hope that Carla Beck and her NDP Opposition caucus found something under their trees.

Despite having little or no hope of gaining rural seats in the 2024 election, Beck logged endless kilometres on Saskatchewan’s bumpy and broken roads to bring attention to the issues like doctor and nursing shortages and closures of emergency, x-ray and lab tech services.

It provided a voice to people sincerely frustrated with the Sask. Party government and unable to send a message through their local government MLA. Similar credit goes to Beck’s effective critics like Vicki Mowat in health, Matt Love in education advocating support for teachers in the face of that taxpayer-paid-for billboard campaign, and Betty Nippi-Albright who proved to be effective on First Nations fighting for land claims issues.

In that regard, similar kudos to Saskatchewan United Party leader Nadine Wilson. Regardless of your point of view, credit Wilson and SUP for moving the government on issues including those related to appropriate sex education teaching in classrooms.

Add in NDP finance Trent Wotherspoon - the longest serving member in Opposition - and others in NDP who strongly advocated for tax relief and help with inflationary costs, but in the same vein, maybe Finance Minister Donna Harpauer deserves some credit for sticking to her guns in what proved to bea surprisingly bad deficit year in 2023-24 after predicting a billion-dollar surplus in March. Obviously the recently announced $250-million deficit is not good news, but it would have been worse had Harpauer not made the popular choice of cutting taxes.

By the same token, Agriculture Minister David Marit deserves something for advocating hard for the strength and support of Saskatchewan crop insurance; one of the causes of the deficit.

Speaking of unpopular choices, it was a tough year for former minister Paul Merriman and current Health Minister Everett Hindley and Associate Health Minister Tim McLeod. All took more than their fair share of heat for emergency room overcrowding and closures, poor ambulance service and a lack of available services in general, but credit Merriman for his doctor and nurse recruiting efforts and credit Hindley for addressing the backlogs in mammograms and MRIs. Similarly, credit Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky for handling tough files with class and dignity.

Finally, let’s get something for those who will soon be leaving us: Don Morgan, Fred Bradshaw, Delbert Kirsch, Dana Skoropad, Warren Kaeding, Doyle Vermette, Jennifer Bowes, Ken Francis, Greg Lawrence and especially Randy Weekes and Terry Dennis who lost nomination fights.

Saskatchewan has seen incredible growth throughout 2023. Saskatchewan has built a strong foundation of a strong economy, strong communities and strong families.

Saskatchewan’s population is over 1.22 million people and growing faster than it has in more than a century. Our economy saw GDP growth of 6.0 per cent, ranking first in the nation. The province’s unemployment rate was the second lowest in Canada, with an increase of 19,300 jobs compared to last year. Retail trade has increased by 3.0 per cent year-over-year as well.

A growing economy allows our government to invest in things that matter to Saskatchewan people. This year, our government invested a record $3.7 billion in capital like schools, hospitals, highways, municipal and Crown infrastructure.

Investments in major health projects across the province include the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital; hospitals in Moose Jaw, Weyburn and Prince Albert; long-term care facilities in 14 communities; and new urgent care centres in Regina and Saskatoon.

In health care, this year’s budget provided a record investment of $7.1 billion to strengthen our health care system and continue to attract and retain health care professionals. Since December 2022, 877 new nursing graduates have been hired. Over the past 24 months, 217 new physicians have been recruited to Saskatchewan. A record 47,748 surgeries were performed from April to September. The Urgent Care Centre in Regina is 85 per cent complete and will be operational in the summer of 2024.

Investments in education have continued to ensure that Saskatchewan students can get the best possible start. An additional $40 million was made to assist with enrolment growth and classroom complexity. The new Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation was opened and now has over 5,500 students.

Work continues on 60 new schools and 30 major school renovations across the province. New schools in Blaine Lake, as well as two elementary schools in Regina were opened, and ground was broken on the new jointuse school in north Regina.

A Provincial Approach to Homelessness will see 155 new supportive housing spaces, 120 new permanent emergency shelter spaces and 30 new complex needs emergency shelter spaces developed throughout the province.

In addition, the new mental health and addictions strategy will create 500 new addictions treatment spaces.

In this year’s budget, Saskatchewan Income Support and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability benefits increased by an average of 6 per cent. For seniors, the personal care home benefits have increased by 20 per cent and the Seniors’ Income Plan benefit increased 9 per cent. Community-based organizations received an increase of 3 per cent as well.

These investments are possible thanks to a strong economy and that’s why our government is committed to protecting it for future generations. Premier Scott Moe joined a group of industry leaders from Saskatchewan at COP28, where they told Saskatchewan’s story to the world. Discussions were focused on sustainability, innovations in environmental stewardship and how Saskatchewan has the food, fuel, fertilizer and critical minerals to supply a growing world.

Our government is focused on protecting Saskatchewan from a federal government that seems intent on shutting down key parts of our economy. This spring, our government passed the Saskatchewan First Act to clearly confirm autonomy and assert Saskatchewan’s exclusive legislative jurisdiction over natural resources and electrical generation.

Under the Saskatchewan First Act, our government established the Economic Assessment Tribunal to assess the financial impact of federal policies. The first referral to the tribunal was the federal Clean Electricity Regulations, and in the months ahead, the federal oil and gas cap and Federal Fuel Standard will also be assessed.

Our government recently announced SaskEnergy will stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas for home heating and SaskPower will stop collecting it on electrical home heating. These decisions come in response to the federal government’s removal of the carbon tax from home heating oil earlier this fall.

These policies will help protect Saskatchewan families from the harmful impacts of the federal government’s unfair and unaffordable carbon tax. While we continue to call on the federal government to remove the carbon tax on everything for everyone, Saskatchewan now has measures in place to ensure affordability for families to heat their homes this winter.

Saskatchewan’s plan for electricity generation to 2035 and beyond was also announced this year. The plan commits to achieving net-zero by 2050 with an energy mix that ensures reliable base load power and affordable rates for customers and includes using existing natural gas plant assets to the end of life and working toward small modular reactors, while continuing to expand intermittent power sources, such as wind and solar. Our government’s plan will ensure that electrical generation in Saskatchewan is reliable, affordable, sustainable and achievable.

Together with Saskatchewan people, our government will continue building Saskatchewan and protecting all we have built. I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year! If you have and questions or concerns, please reach out to my office at office@terryjenson.ca or 306-242-2111.

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 4, 2024 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

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KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD

Saskatoon’s Neault Road Re-Opened in Time for Holidays

Neault Road, located between 22nd and 33rd streets, was open in time for the afternoon commute on Thursday, December 21. New street lighting has been installed, with new signage and pavement markings in place. Single lanes of traffic will be open in each direction with reduced speed limits throughout the winter as this remains an active construction zone.

The final phase of the Neault Road project is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024. Drivers can expect road restrictions when the final phase of the project starts. Full road closures are not expected for this last phase of the project.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Martensville SK 306-244-4950

Win Prizes in the 2024 Reading Challenges at the Local Library

The Martensville Library is kicking off the New Year with some reading challenges for all ages.

The Reading Journal Challenge is for teens and adults and will take place from January 1st – June 29th. Those wanting to participate can pick-up a reading journal booklet from the local library, read physical books, eBooks, or listen to audio books and once complete, colour in a book on your shelf and record the details of the book in the reading journal. Bring the booklet into the library every time you complete five books and you will earn an entry into the prize draws. Draw dates for prizes will take place February 29, March 30, April 30, May 31 and June 29th.

The Passport to Adventure Reading Challenge is for kids 12 and under and will take place from January 1 to March 31. Kids can pick up their Passport to Adventure page from the library and read books, or have books read to them by a caregiver or sibling. Once completed, colour in a book on your shelf for each book read before the deadline date. Bring your page to the local library before March 31st to be entered into a draw to win a $30 Indigo gift card. The draw will be made on April 2nd.