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• Complete Automotive and Tire Service Centre • Journeyman Factory Trained Technicians • Easy Vehicle Repair & Accessory Financing Available FREE courtesy cars available Open 7:30-5:30 Monday - Friday

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Call: 306.975.2140

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ONLINE ORDERS ACCEPTED

Your City; Your Newspaper March 25, 2021

VOLUME NO. 15 - ISSUE 12

Business as USUAL Located at BACK of building

MARTENSVILLE PHARMACY Over 9 Years Making Your Real Estate Dreams Come True!

Monday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 10-3 Closed Sundays & Holidays

17 Centennial Drive North

Locally Owned and Operated Celebrating Fourteen Years of Community

306-931-2868

Re-roofs New Construction Residential Commercial

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306-384-(ROOF)7663 | 306-222-4093 scottlandru61@gmail.com

www.martensvillemessenger.ca

Spring Thaw We Offer 1 Time, Weekly, Bi-Weekly & Monthly Cleans House/Office cleaning•Deep cleaning•Move In/Out Cleaning & MUCH MORE

CALL & BOOK TODAY Pinkandtidy@outlook.com

306-934-4888 www.martenswarman.ca

306-242-7888 www.saskfunerals.ca

Because We Care

ABOVE: With warmer temperatures there has been a lot of run off of water on our ponds in Martensville. Measurements show ice thickness varies from pond to pond and from area to area. The City of Martensville advises everyone to please stay off of the ponds now. 591 Centennial Drive North - Martensville

Jocelyn Ottenbreit/Martensville Messenger.

Treatments are offered in your home, her home-based office, or teletherapy. Call 306-612-3344 to book an appointment!

christina.beck@livingskyspeech.ca www.livingskyspeech.ca

Page 2 - MARCH 25, 2021 - martensville messenger

Civic Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic What You Should Know!

City Hall is Open! - However with some guidelines currently in place. Continue to utilize online and contactless options when possible. Please do not visit City Hall if you are feeling unwell, experiencing flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is presumptive or tested positive for COVID-19. Residents and Customers are encouraged to carry out transactions electronically such as online banking, preauthorized payments or TIPPS. Cheques may also be dropped off in the drop slot at City Hall. Stay Informed! - The City of Martensville has created a dedicated webpage to provide information, updates, and additional resources around the COVID-19 pandemic. This page is accessible through the homepage at Martensville.ca. Please continue to follow us, media sources and information from the Province of Saskatchewan for the most current information around updates or new measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 Use of Masks are Mandatory in Saskatchewan - Residents are required to wear non-medical masks in indoor public spaces to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This is a Public Health Order and is subject to enforcement and fines. Health officials strongly recommend wearing a non-medical mask anywhere outside the home.

Current Status of Public Facilities as of March 18, 2021

Martensville Athletic Pavilion - Open but Drop-in and Pick-up programs are cancelled in accordance with Saskatchewan Re-Open Plan City Hall - Open North Ridge Community Centre - Provincial gathering guidelines Heritage Centre - Provincial gathering guidelines Sports Centre - Open Wheatland Regional Library (located in the Civic Centre) - Open City Staff are available to work with the public via phone or email. Questions or inquiries can be directed to City Hall via phone (306-931-2166) or inquiry@martensville.ca during this time. After Hour Water and Sewer Emergencies- should still be directed through the Emergency line at City Hall, (306) 931-2166, ext.1.

Business Property Tax and Utility Update

Recreation Program Update - Kinsmen Park Fireworks, Schools Out! and Easter Geocache Lazy Man Triathlon - Thank you to all participants and best of luck in March completing this Triathlon! Winter Wonderland Presents - Spring Fireworks! Thank you to our Sponsors, the Community Initiatives Fund, Mr. Mikes Casual Steakhouse, Lakeview Insurance, Martensville Veterinary Hospital and Saskatoon Motor Products to help us mark the arrival of spring and the end of Winter Wonderland. Join us in Kinsmen Park for an amazing firework show! The show will start around 8pm on Saturday, March 27th. All are welcome. Schools Out! Program April 5-9th - Join us for anther fun week of Schools Out! Program! This will be available from April 6-9th! Schools Out! is an hour-long program each day that will keep children in Martensville and area active and busy during their Easter break. Schools Out! will be based out of the North Ridge Community Centre. Each day we will break their time into two main components: a STEM project and a physical activity. These projects and activities will include rocket ships, egg canons, Spring boot camp, scavenger hunt, and more! There are four time slots to choose from; 9:30-10:30am, 11:00am-12:00pm,1:00-2:00pm and 2:303:30pm Contact the MAP for more information or to register. Easter Geocache is Coming April 5th-9th – Prize Draw on April 12th! - The first Geocaching event of the year will be during the Easter Break, April 5-9! Join us on a hunt throughout Martensville! The first clue will be posted on Monday April 5th at 9am!

Planning for the Future: Martensville Official Community Plan Review

The Official Community update is complete, and we want to conduct one final check to ensure we have implemented your comments effectively. We are inviting your review up until March 23rd. The entire plan as well as a summary of the major changes can be found on Martensville.ca. Comments or questions can be provided to planningmanager@martensville.ca.

April Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: The upcoming Council Schedule or location may be subject to change based around any potential new developments or ease of restrictions around the COVID-19 Pandemic. Anyone interested in attending is strongly encouraged to contact the City Clerk prior to planning to attend.

The City has re-implemented the suspension of interest on property taxes and utilies for commercial or industrial properties retroactive from November 2020 until July 31st, 2021.

Regular Meeting April 6th Committee of the Whole April 13th Regular Council April 20th

City Staff are available to work with the public via phone or email. Questions or inquiries can be directed to City Hall via phone (306-931-2166) or inquiry@martensville.ca during this time.

The Regular Council Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers in Martensville City Hall at 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5PM. 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.

Lane Usage During Spring Thaw

The City of Martensville encourages residents, for which their lane is a secondary means of access to their property, to limit their usage during the spring thaw period. Heavy or repetitive vehicle usage during spring thaw and wet conditions can cause further rutting and reduce drainage. This limits the ability of crews to conduct maintenance on the lanes in a timely manner and increases the amount of materials and time required to reshape lanes. For questions or further information please contact Public Works at 931-2166.

martensville messenger - MARCH 25, 2021 - Page 3

Soccer Registration Extended Online Fundraiser Features Books, Puzzles, Games & More

The Prairie Spirit Schools Foundation is currently hosting a unique online fundraiser from now until March 30. The Books, Puzzles & Games (& more!) online silent auction, features new or next-to-new items and will include something for everyone! “The Easter break is a great time to read a new book, do a puzzle or play a game and the best part is all funds through the auction support enhanced learning initiatives for students in the Prairie Spirit School Division,” Kari Dean, PSSF Executive Director stated. For those unfamiliar with the PSSF, they are a non-profit organization that is committed to and supports innovation by funding initiatives that further enhance, enrich and engage the learning experience of students in the Prairie Spirit School Division. Thanks to numerous community partnerships, as well as generous donations, PSSF is able to fund learning experiences beyond the standard curriculum that allows students to expand their learning in areas of their greatest interest, skills, passions and pursuits. Not only does the PSSF support students, but also educators, and works to help encourage and further assist teachers and support teams so they have enhanced resources to successfully manage and help students achieve enriched learning experiences. Visit the ‘Prairie Spirit Schools Foundation’ Facebook page, or visit them online at www.prairiespiritschoolsfoundation.ca to access the auction Facebook page, or for more information.

Valley United Soccer Club Inc is a non-profit, volunteer based organization under the umbrella of the Valley Soccer Association, SK who is the third largest soccer association in Saskatchewan. They pride themselves on being committed to teamwork, development, and fostering a love of soccer. Valley United Soccer Club offers competitive soccer programming for both girls teams and boys teams in the valley for the U7 – U19 age divisions. Samantha Enns, Valley United Soccer Club (VUSC) Administrator said that Spring Season registration is open and has been extended until April 7th. If you have more questions regarding the program or to register, you can contact vusc. sk.reg@gmail.com or visit their websites at https://www.martensvillesoccer.com/ outdoor-season-info/ or http://valleysoccer.ca/

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CONTINUING THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID New COVID Variant Causes Stricter Public Health Orders in Regina Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Martensville Collective Health and Wellness (MCHW) has been working hard to keep the community informed and updated when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, MCHW shared a post via social media discussing a conversation that took place with the local Medical Health Officer Dr. Hasselback. During this conversation, Dr. Hasselback shared information regarding the variants and the vaccine. Currently, Saskatchewan has confirmed cases of both the UK COVID variant, as well as the South African (SA) COVID variant. “At the moment, very few variants are available in our area; however, the SA variant is north of us and the UK variant is south of us,” MCHW explained. For those following the news in Regina, it is clear that the UK variant is taking over and has become the predominant strain for that area. On Tuesday, March 23, the Government of Saskatchewan announced steps to help slow the transition of this variant. Effective March 23 indoor public gatherings are prohibited in Regina and area. Those living within the specified region of Regina and surrounding communities are currently restricted to immediate household members only, unlike the remainder of the province, who recently had restrictions lifted to allow up to ten individuals from a total of three households for private indoor gatherings. Additionally, there is a travel ban for Regina and area, which is asking that travel in or out of this area be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Those that are able to work from home are also being asked to do so. Effective Sunday, March 28, all restaurants and licensed establishments must close for in-person dining, only allowing for take-out and delivery at this time. Event venues, museums, libraries, live theatre, cinemas, arcades, bowling and science centres and other non-essential indoor locations that had previous limits of 30 individuals are not permitted to operate at this time. Places of worship will continue to operate with a maximum of 30 individuals. This public health order is set to remain in effect until April 5, and will be reviewed at that time. For more information on the current public health order in Regina and area, as well as the public health order in effect for the rest of the province, visit www.saskatchewan.ca. General

public inquiries may be directed to COVID19@health.gov.sk.ca. As of now, all positive COVID tests within Saskatchewan are being immediately tested for variants with a preliminary test, which is reported within an hour or two of the test. If any concerns occur, the sample is sent to Manitoba for confirmatory testing which can take up to a week. According to MCHW, “Emerging evidence is showing that these new variants are 70% more infectious meaning they spread faster, have worse outcomes, are more lethal, and are more likely to result in hospitalizations. The same groups that were the highest of risk for the original strain remain the highest risk for these new strains.” To help protect yourself, as well as others, continue following the same methods – limit contact with others, wear masks, and ensure proper hand hygiene. “These new developments arrive on the heels of the vaccine arrival and the future freedom we hoped this would bring. Vaccines ARE still making a significant impact on the bad outcomes of this virus, however, the SA variant is starting to show some "vaccine escape". This means that this variant is occasionally outsmarting our vaccine. Our current vaccination strategy is still very important, however it may be adjusted as further information becomes available,” the information provided by MCHW stated. When it comes to the “3 household rule” that the province has (excluding Regina and area), MCHW explains that this is meant to be an exclusive relationship between all three households and anyone over the age of 50 or with medical conditions should not participate in these extended households. “Since the new variants are so infectious, should a person living in your home become infected, all people living in your house may be asked to isolate for a longer period of time than before, up to 24 days. This is because the new variants are so contagious, that they are not believed to be contained well within a house, even if a person is isolating in a separate part of the house.” There is still a light at the end of the tunnel; however, for now, lets all remain vigilant and help protect one another.

Dalmeny Police Issue Suspension For THC Positive Reading in Checkstop On March 17, 2021, Dalmeny Police Service worked with members of the Saskatoon Police Service and conducted a checkstop, with over 275 vehicles checked. During this checkstop, the DPS was able to test out their new Sotoxa Drug Screening Device, where a positive test for a driver resulted in a 72-hour suspension and three-day vehicle impoundment. LEFT: A positive THC reading during a March 17 checkstop resulted in a suspension and impoundment.

POLICE

BEAT

Large Amount Of Drugs And Cash Seized From Waldheim Home During RCMP Search Warrant Execution

On Monday, March 15, the Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services conducted a traffic stop near Maidstone, SK during which it was determined the driver and passenger were in possession of illegal tobacco, the vehicle was searched and the following drugs were seized: Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Fentanyl as well as an amount of cash. As a result of the traffic stop, the Saskatchewan RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime North (FSOC-N) executed a search warrant on an associated residence in Waldheim, SK. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of the following drugs and items: Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Fentanyl, Prescription Pills, a modified shotgun, two conducted energy devices and over $30,000 cash. Overall the amount of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl seized was significant. Specifically, Inspector Farquhar, the Inspector in charge of the Federal & Serious Organized Crime unit noted, “The amount of Fentanyl that was seized by our officers represents over 2000 individual doses. This drug (fentanyl) is odorless and tasteless, and therefore hard to detect. A lethal dose of pure fentanyl is potentially less than two milligrams – which is equivalent to about two grains of salt. The amount seized is indeed significant and could have caused a lot of harm to individuals within our communities.” The Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services and FSOC-N also worked with the Rosthern RCMP, and as a result of the investigation, 48-year-old Jenna Beamish and 28-year-old Dylan Bendall from Waldheim, SK have each been charged with the following offences: 3 counts, Possession for the purpose of trafficking, Section 5(2) Controlled Drug and Substances Act; 1 count, Possession of Property obtained by crime less than $5000.00 Section 351(1)(a) Criminal Code; 1 count, Possession of Unstamped Tobacco Products, Section 32 (1) Customs Excise Act. Further charges are pending shortly as the investigation is ongoing. Both Jenna Beamish and Dylan Bendall are scheduled to appear next in court on March 22, 2021 in Lloydminster. The Saskatchewan RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit works in conjunction with domestic and international partners to disrupt, dismantle and support the prosecution of serious and organized crime groups and their members. If you have information about people trafficking drugs, you can report it to your local RCMP detachment or police service. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report it to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

ABOVE: A wide array of drugs were seized by RCMP at a Waldheim residence. (RCMP)

Corman Park Police Remind Public to Tell Truth About Alcohol Consumption

On March 19, at approximately 9:30pm, a Corman Park Police Service member was travelling north on Highway 12 just south of Highway 305 when he received an ALPR hit for a vehicle of interest. A traffic stop was executed on the vehicle and the driver was found to be suspended and unauthorized. The driver was also found to be wanted on an outstanding warrant stemming from a previous impaired driving charge. When questioned as to his alcohol consumption the driver denied

consuming any alcohol. An ASD test was performed and the driver provided a sample of 18mg%. The driver was released on an undertaking with a future court date and issued two tickets, one for driving while suspended and one for making a false statement to a peace officer. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days as the driver was an unauthorized driver as per SGI. CPPS would like to remind the public that drivers are obligated to be truthful about their alcohol consumption under the Traffic Safety Act.

Burnt-Out Headlight Results in Impaired Driving Charges

On March 22, at approximately 9:30pm, a Corman Park Police Service member conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a burnt-out headlight. The vehicle was east bound on TWP384 near RR3055. While speaking with the driver roadside, signs of impairment were detected. The driver was detained and an ASD demand was read. The driver provided a sample resulting in a FAIL. The driver was subsequently arrested and brought to the Martensville RCMP detachment for breath samples. The driver provided two breath samples of 170mg%, over twice the legal limit. The driver’s license has been seized and the vehicle impounded for 60 days. The driver was released with a future court date.

Service Dog Crucial for 5-Year-Old With Rare Genetic Disorder Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Service dogs can make a huge difference in the lives of the people that require them – whether it be for vision impairment, hearing impairment, diabetic alert, autism assistance, seizure response, physical disabilities and so much more. Although these dogs can make a major difference in someone’s life and could in fact be the difference between life and death in some situations, getting a service dog isn’t always an easy reality due to the cost associated with them. In Canada, the average cost for a fully-trained service dog can range anywhere from $30,000 to $45,000. For Jamie Drigan and her husband, the road to getting a service dog for their 5-year-old daughter Mila has not been an easy one. Mila has been diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder that only affects approximately 1 in 32,000 births. Some of the characteristics of Kabuki Syndrome include intellectual/behavioral disabilities, distinctive facial features, low muscle mass, vision and hearing difficulty among many others. Kabuki Syndrome shares many of the same characteristics as Autism; however, because of its rarity, it is not viewed, researched, or funded the same way. The lack of funding for Kabuki Syndrome has definitely impacted the Drigan family; however, that has not stopped them in their fight to ensure the best life possible for their daughter. Mila is the third of four children and spends most of her days going to school, playing, running and doing the things that most other 5-year-olds do. Underneath the surface though, things aren’t as idealistic. Mila suffers from extreme anxiety attacks, behavioral issues and fear. She was also diagnosed with ADHD and as she gets older, Jamie explained that it is becoming more apparent that extra help will be needed, noting that at her school, as Mila heads into Grade 1 next year, an additional EA will be brought in to provide additional assistance. Having a Service Dog will help keep Mila calm, provide the benefits of having a companion and also help to ensure that Mila is kept safe, and feels safe. Mila’s psychologist, social worker, teachers and EA have all written letters stating that they believe the young girl would benefit from a service dog. “Having such a big team of people standing behind us, helps me in this journey. It hasn’t been easy, and if it was one person, I would push, but maybe not as hard as I am with so many people supporting us. This could be a life-saving opportunity for her and that is why we are working so hard to make this happen,” Jamie said. After much time spent doing research, making calls, sending emails and more, Jamie arranged for a puppy for Mila that will be coming from Ontario. Once here, the puppy will get two years of specialized service dog training. When it comes to the training, Jamie is feeling fortunate to have connected with Kristine O’Brien of Paws Republic Centre for Pets in Martensville. “Kristine has been an incredible help to me through this. It hasn’t been easy and over the years, I have had to advocate a lot for Mila, but when it comes to this service dog, it is an area that I am unfamiliar with and if I didn’t have Kristine, I honestly don’t know if I would have gotten this far. She encourages me to not give up,” Jamie stated. For Kristine O’Brien, stepping in to help Mila was something that didn’t even need a second thought. “At Paws, we are all really committed to helping this family and

martensville messenger - MARCH 25, 2021 - Page 5

doing everything in our power to get this little girl the service dog she deserves and needs,” O’Brien said. Having an extensive background in the service dog world, O’Brien fully understands the struggle that families often face in situations like these. ABOVE: Mila Drigan who was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome, Because of this, Paws a rare genetic disorder, would see much benefit from having a Republic Centre for service dog enter her life. (GoFundMe) Pets has stepped up to provide training for Mila’s service dog – with no out-of-pocket expense to the family. All costs will be covered via fundraising, which O’Brien states they will be helping with as well. Currently, in Saskatchewan, there is no service dog standard in place; however, O’Brien noted that they will train the dog to the standard of a certification called ‘Assistance Dog International’ (ADI). “We are going to be partners with the family in the fundraising efforts, which proceeds from will be used for supporting the family, training, vet visits, required equipment and more. The training itself is a two-year process. The first year, the puppy will spend 24-hours-a-day with a certified trainer to ensure that in two years, when we hand the leash over to the family, there are no surprises and that the dog knows how to respond to anything that may arise in Mila’s life, in any kind of setting. Basically, we need to prepare the dog for anything that may or may not happen.” To help with the expenses, a GoFundMe page has been created for Mila, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/a-better-life-for-mila. For the family, having to ask for help has been a struggle. “Over the years, we have had to take out loans to help get the care needed because we can’t get financial assistance for her and we do it because she is our daughter, and we love her. We are fighting for her. We want her to be safe, comfortable and to have a bright future. We just want the best for her and are so appreciative of all the support from the people around us. Thank you so much. You have no idea what it means to us to have this service dog come into our lives.”

In Memoriam Kelly Novakovski

July 19, 1984-March 30, 2005 21034mm3

Myron Dyck March 19, 1947 - March 23, 2011

16 years of missing you, wishing you were here! Missed in the morning of every day Missed in the evening as light fades away Missed in a thousand and one little ways Around every corner, a memory stays…. No one knows the pain we bear When we all meet and you’re not there We talk, we laugh, we play our part But behind it all, lie our broken hearts…. You gave us years of happiness and then Came sorrow and tears But you left us lovely memories That we will treasure for all our years!!!! Love you forever, like you for always, Forever and ever, our baby, you’ll be… All of our love Mom and Dad

Love, Your family

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martensville messenger - MARCH 25, 2021 - Page 7

Provincial Politics with

Murray Mandryk

A Poor Time to Ease up in COVID-19 Fight If Premier Scott Moe is right that we are in the home stretch of our COVID-19 fight, we should all be reminded that this is not the time to ease up. As one of my colleagues aptly put it, you don’t want to make the highlight reel because you dropped the ball celebrating before you got into the endzone. In fairness, we shouldn’t accuse Moe of celebrating prematurely. At his press conference last week, he actually suggested that now is the time to be both cautious and optimistic. His optimism clearly stems from the notion that vaccines are being rolled out — notwithstanding his ongoing frustrations with the federal Liberal government and the vaccine manufacturers for not getting the vaccines out more quickly. (Last week, Moe complained that the week’s shipment of Moderna vaccine would be delayed — something that company officials quickly denied.) That said, vaccines don’t solve all our problems — even if we do meet the optimistic scenario of having most every Saskatchewan adult vaccine by June. The better message for Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government should likely involve more than a stern warning. Moe can allow the province to ease up by easing up his own government restrictions. It might not be about slowly loosening restrictions. Moe has to be ready to clamp down — especially in certain hotspots like Regina — if things get much worse than they already are. Moe took the small, careful step of announcing on March 8th that “household bubbles” could be increased to 10 people from no more than three households from the current five-people, single household restrictions we have been under since before Christmas. He also announced that prior to Easter, restrictions on church services would be lifted to accommodate 150 people or 30 per cent of capacity (whichever one is fewer). A cautious approach? Well, it might have seemed that way, but that would really depend on where you lived. Cases of the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 that was first detected in Britain were already circulating in Regina by the time of Moe’s restriction lift. In fact, of the 136 confirmed cases of the variant, 122 were found in Regina. Another 186 of the 210 suspected new variant cases were also in Regina. Also last week, cases in Yorkton and Melville had public schools moving back to online learning. The notion that the new variants will remain in Regina and not spread all over — especially given that we really can’t impose travel restrictions within the province — doesn’t make much sense. Now, this does not automatically mean every place in the province is about to experience an outbreak like the one we’re seeing in Regina that accounted for 101 of the 156 daily cases on the day of Moe’s last press conference, but given on that day there were 535 active cases in Regina out of 1,292 active cases, the entire province is not exactly a solid foundation for optimism right now. With Regina as ground zero to 90 per cent of the new variants of COVID-19, Moe is deadly accurate that this is no time to let one’s guard down; however, it may be a situation where the Premier needs to do something more than offer polite suggestions. So serious are the Regina numbers that Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab recommended at Moe’s press conference that Reginan’s seriously consider not dining in or going grocery shopping if it isn’t absolutely necessary. Many people are taking COVID-19 seriously, as evident by the long lineups in Regina of 60+ years who were eligible to get their shots, but vaccines shouldn’t be providing a false security — especially given how much more quickly new variants are spreading. Let’s get the ball into the end zone. This is no time to fumble.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature Update on Vaccine Rollout

Everyone is feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their families, livelihoods, and way of life. Together we have worked with medical professionals to reduce the impact, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, as well as promote job creation, growth, and investment. After a year of adapting to all aspects of this global health challenge, we can take comfort in our vaccine rollout's effectiveness to date. I strongly encourage you to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available to you. If you have yet to receive the vaccine, please watch for regular updates on clinics and eligibility. When it's your time, you can book an appointment online at www.saskatchewan.ca/ COVID19-vaccine or by phone at 1-833-SASK-VAX (1-833-727-5829). The Government of Saskatchewan has amended The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 to allow for paid time off from work for an employee to get vaccinated for COVID-19. This new regulation comes into force immediately. Special Vaccination Leave is similar to provisions allowing residents to vote during a general election, allowing for: • three consecutive hours leave during work hours to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, or • more than three consecutive hours if the employer determines the circumstances warrant a longer break from work; and • workers do not lose any pay or other benefits while receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

Expanded Household Bubbles & Higher Capacity for Worship Services

Recently the Government of Saskatchewan made amendments to public health measures, allowing households to create a bubble up to a maximum of ten individuals. These ten individuals should be from the same two or three households. In addition, worship services are now permitted to host up to 30 per cent capacity or 150 attendees, whichever is less. You can learn about the current public health measures in Saskatchewan at www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19measures.

Saskatchewan Well Positioned for Strong Post-COVID Recovery

Saskatchewan continues to have what the world needs and is better positioned than any other jurisdiction in Canada for a strong and vibrant economic recovery from COVID-19. Our economy continues to move in the right direction, with year-over-year manufacturing sales growing well above the national average. We are also seeing significant growth in residential building construction along with remarkable export and job numbers in recent months. Investments in infrastructure during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make our communities more sustainable and resilient. Recently, more than $33 million in joint federal and provincial funding was announced for 26 Saskatchewan projects. Providing communities with reliable and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments. All levels of government continue to work together for the people of Saskatchewan to make strategic infrastructure investments. In Saskatchewan, these projects will provide better access to community amenities such as playgrounds and swimming pools, update sewage systems and ensure reliable, efficient water services. Rural municipalities play a significant role in our plan to build a strong Saskatchewan. This new funding will ensure projects will be ready for this construction season to help build rural infrastructure while protecting and growing jobs across our province. Our government has announced $11.2 million in economic stimulus funds for the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth program. This funding boost will provide a head-start on getting projects approved for the 2021 construction season and will continue to assist RMs with the cost of construction and upgrading municipal roads, bridges and culverts to support growth. With the additional dollars, our government contributes more than $39 million to the program in 2020-21. This program is an important component of the Interested in working in province's plan to rebuild 100 roads over the next three years rural government? and 100 bridges over the next four years. As always, my constituency office is here to LOCAL GOVERNMENT assist you. Please contact us by phone or e-mail if you ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATE have questions or need help with government programs or services.

Learn more. uregina.ca/cce

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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Service PLUS Flat Glass Services!!

“Bringing the Tools to You!!”

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Email JAGplus@sasktel.net

•Automotive Repair Specialists or call 361-4527Monday to Friday 7:30-5:30 801 Centennial Dr. North •Advanced technology & diagnostics facility Visit www.JAGplus.ca today!!

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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS Pink & Tidy Cleaning Service Takes Pride in Satisfaction Guarantee Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

lawn mowing, garden maintenance, and much more. All services are offered in Martensville, Warman, Dalmeny, Osler, Neuanlage, Saskatoon, Dundurn, and Delisle and they are hoping to expand to more areas close to Saskatoon. “We work with client's budgets as much as possible and have checklists for each type of service booked to assure proper service is received. We also use regular day-to-day house cleaners of clients choice adjusting to all client’s specific needs, with chemical free cleaning options coming in the fall. We are very easy to get in contact with, we are local, we are detailed and have a satisfaction guarantee.”

According to Martensville resident Becky James, she has always been a clean freak, finding the need for things to always been clean and organized growing up. With cleaning coming second nature to her, James decided to follow her passion and her calling, which led her to creating her own cleaning service ‘Pink & Tidy’, noting that, “It just felt right!” Having 16 years’ experience in the cleaning industry, her dream fully came true in 2018. Starting with just herself, she now has eight employees joining her business. “They are more than employees; they are my team - my other halves,” James explained. When asked how she came up with the name ‘Pink & Tidy Cleaning Services’ she said, “Well my hair has been pink for so long and it is my signature color. So, I thought it would be a great fit as I'm pink and I’m tidy!” Pink & Tidy Cleaning Services includes residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, senior cleaning, move in/out cleaning, spring/deep cleaning,

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Business & Professional

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