Roadway Repairs a Priority for Martensville City Council

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Martensville City Council met on Tuesday, July 11th for the monthly Committee of the whole meeting, which began with an update on the annual funding Martensville receives from the Canada Community Building Fund (formerly known as the Gas Tax Fund). In order to receive this funding, municipalities are required to submit project applications for each project and obtain approval prior to spending the funds received. This year, Martensville Council and Administration prioritized roadways with this funding, and prepared a project application for 2023, totaling $596,000 of CCBF funding to be utilized. Roadway projects included; Centennial Drive North – Main Street to 3rd Street North and Columbia Way from 8th Avenue South to 9th Avenue South, with plans to increase the lifespan of the roadways and increase the level of service to residents.

Council also discussed a proposal from Prairie Sculptors Association to partner with the City of Martensville to conduct a symposium in 2024 or 2025 that would include ten artists/sculptors to create large scale sculptures in Martensville. If approved, the City of Martensville would be required to provide a space and an appropriate power source for the creation of the pieces, as well as funding of $45,000 to help support the event. According to a report provided by Director of Recreation & Community Services Ted Schaeffer, some of this cost would be offset with a grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board and potential sponsorship opportunities. This partnership would provide Martensville the opportunity to display the pieces for a 2-3 year period.

Dillon Shewchuk, Community Economic Development Manager submitted a report to Council with an update on various site inquiries and business activities, as well as marketing and communication, noting in the report that he continues to work with a representative with the Prairie Spirit School Division for the Early Years Family Resource Centre for Martensville/Warman. Shewchuk stated that, “There have been significant challenges in finding a location that is ideal, fits parameters, and will work with the budget and funding available.”

Council will meet again for a Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 18th. Information about upcoming meetings, as well as the agenda for the upcoming meeting, and previous meetings can be found at www.martensville.ca.

ABOVE: The Buster Days Committee presented the MCRP with $15,000 that was raised through this year’s community event.

(Buster Days:Martensville)

Sask Five Giants Having Successful Season

The Sask Five Giants have had a busy and successful season thus far, with more exciting events coming this month. The Giants will be hosting three Provincial Tournaments in Martensville, which will include the 11U AA at Chrome Dome Park from July 14-16, the 15U AA at Mocon Park from July 14-16 and 13U AA at Mocon Park from July 21-23. Each tournament will be an 8-team draw with teams attending from Assiniboia, Outlook, Luseland, Saskatoon, Carnduff, Kipling, Redvers, Regina, Lashburn, Unity, Cabri, Shellbrook and more.

For more information on the Sask Five Giants, visit https://www.saskfivegiants. com/, or follow them on Facebook at ‘Sask Five Giants Baseball Association’.

ABOVE:

Skate Martensville Offers Early Bird Discount on Registration for Upcoming Season

Registration for the next season with Skate Martensville is now open, with an early bird registration available until July 31st that gets you a $50 discount. There is a wide variety of options available, with something for every skill level, including; PreCan, CanSkate, PreSTAR, STARSkate, STAR Synchro and Adult Synchro. New adult skaters (18+) are invited to join the Skate Martensville Adult Synchro team, and it is a great way to get back on the ice and feel the joy of skating again, or to learn something new. Last year marked the first season for the Adult Synchro team, which saw a total of 13 skaters participate, ranging in age from 18-45. There is also space available for new syncho skaters to participate in the STAR Synchro team in the upcoming season. To register for this team, skaters must have passed STAR 1 Skills. No previous synchro experience is necessary. Registration and program information can be found by visiting skatemartensville.ca, or contacting skatingclub1@gmail.com.

Population Gain Maybe Now Less Exciting

The good news is that Saskatchewan is growing; growing faster than we’ve seen in a century. The latest news from Statistics Canada reveals that in the first three months of 2023, Saskatchewan’s population grew by 6,821 to a record 1,221,439 people.

This also means 33,101 more people are living here compared with one year earlier; the largest yearly population growth in the province since 1914.

“Saskatchewan continues to break population records thanks to strong and effective policies that welcome newcomers to our province,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a news release. “With one of the nation’s lowest costing utility bundles, thousands of great job opportunities, and a strong and growing economy.”

It's a remarkable achievement that probably has caused some to already forget about our past. After all, since the province’s population began to surge upward around 2004, Saskatchewan has only seen one quarter in which we experienced a population decline.

Those of us whose memories go back more than two decades may have a better sense of how truly remarkable this is.

Losing our child to other provinces has pretty much been Saskatchewan’s brand. Since the 1930s when Saskatchewan was hit even harder by the Great Depression than most anywhere else, we have been losing our children to other provinces where they sought better opportunities.

Governments of the day were consistently blamed. It’s always been great political fodder. In fact, the three times in the last 40 years in which voters had sought government change, the key campaign issue was our declining population and bringing our children home, but the simple reality is that this has never come easy to any Saskatchewan government. That’s because even in the good times when our kids had less reason to leave, there were still better times and opportunities in places like Alberta and B.C.

So perhaps the Saskatchewan Party government can somewhat be forgiven for its boastfulness, given this is the first administration to preside over an extended period without population decline.

The thing is, though, the great news isn’t causing the stir it once did. There may be a few reasons why:

First, the boom is not being enjoyed equally by everyone. In fact, it’s pretty much confined to the two major cities and even there, growth isn’t exactly happening equitably. In fact, Saskatoon saw the lion’s share of growth in 2022, with 7,666 more people, pumping its population up to 347,536.

Regina only grew by 1.7 per cent or 4,429 people to 268,804, but Regina was a boomtown compared with most everywhere else in the province. Prince Albert lost three people, Weyburn lost seven people, Moose Jaw lost 27 people and Estevan lost 141 people, while Yorkton gained 30 people and Swift Current gained 127 people.

Outside the two cities and their neighbouring bedroom communities, Saskatchewan growth is sputtering.

Admittedly, the first three months of 2023 look great, but everyone’s numbers look great coming out of this pandemic. Saskatchewan’s 2.8-per-cent groth was third lowest in the nation well below Alberta’s 4.5-per-cent growth.

Also, what accounted for the 33,101-person gain in population in the first three months was 35,820-person net international migration. There’s nothing wrong with bringing in new people, but it’s not completely satisfying for those still hoping a boom will bring the children home; however, what this boom in the cities has created is a series of problems catching up to us.

The cities are seeing crowded classrooms, difficulties finding a family physician, higher housing costs and homelessness.

Many of these problems like doctor shortages are now spilling over into the country. Sure, growth is still a positive in Saskatchewan. After all, we are a province whose success has been on newcomers coming here, but population numbers may not be quite as exciting as they once were.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Enjoying a Saskatchewan Summer Summer is a time for celebrations and gatherings, exploring nature and trying new things. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I am enjoying meeting with you this summer and hearing your ideas.

The summer solstice brought a special celebration to our province as we recognized National Indigenous Peoples Day. Events were held in many communities and parks across the province to honour the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. Our government remains committed to strengthening the rich culture and history of Indigenous people while continuing on a path to reconciliation.

Canada Day was a great opportunity for everyone to take a moment and reflect on what it means to be Canadian. Canada continues to be a free and democratic country that upholds the values of diversity and multiculturalism.

Thank you to the men and women who have served to keep our country safe. Thank you to the citizens of Saskatchewan for continuously working towards improving our communities for future generations.

There are so many great ways to celebrate summer in our beautiful province. If you will be travelling, please stay safe on the road; remember to buckle up, drive sober and slow down to 60 km/hr through work zones. You can always check the Highway Hotline for updates before planning your route.

Throughout the rest of the summer, our provincial parks will be buzzing with activity. Our government has partnered with 14 new businesses for this year, and we encourage you to take advantage of the unique accommodation, activities and services they offer. You can learn more at www.saskparks.com.

Our province continues to get exciting news about the economy. S&P has affirmed Saskatchewan’s AA credit rating, the highest credit rating among all provinces. Saskatchewan’s growing economy and strong finances allow us to continue to pay down the debt while investing in the programs, services and infrastructure that matter most.

In the past month, several new capital projects have begun. Ground was broken on the new K-12 school in Lanigan and St. Frances Cree Bilingual School in Saskatoon, and a site has been selected for the new joint-use North Regina elementary school. Construction has also begun on the new Weyburn General Hospital, which will offer residents centralized services under one roof.

These projects and many more will continue throughout the summer and I am excited to see the progress. As the summer continues, our government is beginning to prepare for the fall sitting of the Legislature and we want to hear from you. Please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns of a provincial nature.

More People Working in Saskatchewan than Ever Before

Province adds 3,300 jobs over last year, unemployment rate at 4.7 per cent

More people are working in the province than ever before with 604,700 people working today in Saskatchewan. Regina and Saskatoon are also seeing record levels of employment at 148,300 and 198,800, respectively.

Newly released labour force figures from Statistics Canada for June also show strong labour force growth in Saskatchewan with 3,300 new jobs when compared to June 2022, and 1,800 new jobs when compared to May 2023.

"Saskatchewan has seen more than two years of consistent job growth and has asserted itself as a province of growth and opportunity, adding nearly 8,000 new jobs since the start of 2023 alone," Minister of Immigration and Career Training Jeremy Harrison said. "Our government is looking to the future as the province sees exceptional labour participation rates and continued private capital investments, both of which are propelling Saskatchewan's continued growth."

The provincial seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 per cent ranked third among provinces, and below the national average of 5.4 per cent.

June 2023 saw all-time historical highs (aged 15 and over), with:

• Saskatchewan's labour force reaching 623,200;

• Saskatchewan's total employment reaching 604,700;

• Saskatchewan's full-time employment reaching 503,200;

• Regina's employment reaching 148,300; and

• Saskatoon's employment reaching 198,800.

Major year-over-year gains were reported for:

• Transportation and warehousing, up 5,000, representing an increase of 19.9 per cent;

• Business, building and other support services, up 3,300, representing an increase of 30.3 per cent, and;

• Professional, scientific and technical services, up 3,200, representing an increase of 10 per cent.

Saskatchewan has seen growth across several key indicators in recent months. The provincial population grew by 6,821 to 1,221,439 in the first quarter of 2023, and is the largest population increase in more than a century.

Saskatchewan also led Canada in GDP growth last year at 5.7 per cent and is projected by the Conference Board of Canada to see strong provincial GDP growth of 2.5 per cent in 2023, and 1.9 per cent in 2024 while continuing to lead Canada. When paired with record breaking exports of $52 billion globally, $29.3 billion to the United States, and 45 per cent increase to year-over-year wholesale trade in April, Saskatchewan continues to show healthy and robust provincial and economic growth.

Letter to the Editor