March 30, 2023 Digital Issue

Martensville Business Expo Provides Youth With Local Job Opportunity Information at Career Fair

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville Business Expo took place at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion on March 242th and 25th, bringing with it a wide variety of vendors, entertainment, information and more. The event was hosted in partnership between the City of Martensville and the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce.

This year, there was a new addition made to the Expo, with a Friday evening Job Fair, providing local youth with more information about job opportunities within Martensville and the surrounding area.

“The job fair was amazing! Young adults were given an opportunity to meet with businesses in our community and talk to them about career choices and job opportunities. Young entrepreneurs gave presentations on their journey and suggestions on how to become a business and things to be aware of and Carter’s Counselling provided guidance on career choices and job interviews,” Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Brown said.

Presentations that took place on Friday, March 24th included guest speakers from Great Plains College, Martensville Youth Connection, Cones Ice Cream, Direct Fencing Supply, Element Yard Care, Martensville Community Recreation Project and the Prairie Spirit Schools Foundation.

On Saturday, the day began with a by-donation pancake breakfast served up by the Martensville & District Kinsmen Club and continued with those attending having another chance to learn more about local businesses with over 50 vendors on site. There was also an opportunity to sample some tasty local food options with the Taste of Martensville. Entertainment was available throughout the day with performances by Kris Klyne, Venture Heights School, Warman Ultimate Cheer and Hawk’s Nest Studio, as well as Warren the Balloon Guy.

ABOVE: The Taste of Martensville took place from 11am-3pm on Saturday, March 25th and included tasty treats from Bubble Bee Cafe, Nourish, Sports Page and Par-a-Dice Grill.

ABOVE: The Expo included some furry friends that were available for adoption.

“The Expo is evolving, as it now introduces our region to a variety of businesses such as restaurants, entertainment and businesses providing products and services. Thank you to the committee members, the businesses and a special thank you to the sponsors that made this event a success,” Brown added.

LEFT and BELOW: Over 50 vendors were in attendence at the Martensville Business Expo.

Toddler Time at the MAP

Toddler Time takes place at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion Monday-Friday from 9am-12pm throughout the year for ages 0-5. The cost to attend is $3.25/toddler. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of some open gym time with a variety of equipment and play apparatuses. Learn more about this program in the City of Martensville’s seasonal Program Guides which are delivered to mailboxes throughout the community in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and are also available to view online.

ABOVE: Kris Klyne played multiple sets at the Expo on Saturday, March 25th.

Register for Mini Soccer Blastball

ABOVE: Toddler Time takes place at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion throughout the year Monday to Friday from 9am-12pm. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

2.0 before April 15th

Editor/Office Manager: Shanine Sealey ssealey@martensvillemessenger.ca

Editor/Ad Design: Jocelyn Ottenbreit jottenbreit@martensvillemessenger.ca To Contact Us About Advertising: advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca Want

The City of Martensville currently has registration open for their Mini Soccer Blastball 2.0 program for children ages 3-5. Through this program, kids will have an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of sport and the basics of being part of a team. It is coached by parent volunteers who facilitate skill learning with a play and fun based approach. The first four weeks will consist of soccer, with the last four weeks focusing on Blastball. Register for this program by visiting www. martensville.ca before April 15th.

ABOVE: Warren the Balloon Guy was a popular addition to the Martensville Business Expo.

Organics/Green Bin Program and Pick-ups

The City of Martensville offers a Green Bin program through Loraas Organics. This service is by subscription.

Pick up of the Green Bins has commenced with regular scheduled bi-weekly collection alternating between North/South Martensville and running from May until the end of October Pick-up take place on Tuesdays. The pick-up schedule can be viewed at Martensville.ca

For information or to sign up for this program contact the Utility Clerk at City Hall.

Licensing Our Pets, Annual Renewals

By licensing your pet, your pet can be identified in the event it escapes or ends up ‘at large’. Our Bylaw officials and partners will be able to quickly identify the pet and contact the owner. License fees also help fund the housing cost of pets and animals that have been found ‘at large’.

Pet licenses must be purchased and renewed annually unless a lifetime license has been purchased.

Annual licenses expire Dec 31st and must be renewed by March 1st.

Annual license cost $20 per year

Lifetime licenses cost $30 (pet must be microchipped)

Licenses are sold at the following outlets; City Hall, Affinity Animal Hospital, Furrific Grooming & Boutique and Paws Republic.

Reminder to Clean-Up after Our Pets

Please be reminded to clean-up after our pets on the pathways and the off-leash dog park. The mess can be potentially harmful to other pets, exposing them to parvovirus and these public spaces are for everyone to enjoy. Remember to bring along a baggy or use one of the baggy stations located along the pathways and dispose of the mess properly.

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 Pubic Works at 931-2166.

April 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.

Regular Council Meeting – April 4th

Committee of the Whole Meeting- April 11th

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 5 PM.

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details. The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca.

POLICE BEAT

Stolen Alberta Cattle Recovered Near Martensville

Saskatchewan and Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigations Unit recover over $25,000 worth of stolen cattle. In February 2023, the Alberta RCMP Livestock Investigations Unit (LIU) launched an investigation following the report of a cattle left in Thorhild, Alberta. Initial investigation indicated the cattle may have been transported outside of the province. Based on preliminary information gathered, investigators believed the cattle was destined for Martensville, SK. On March 16, 2023, RCMP Livestock Investigators from Alberta and Saskatchewan, RCMP members from the Martensville detachment, and representatives of Livestock Services of Saskatchewan executed a search warrant for properties in the RM of Corman Park. During the search, officers recovered 10 cows which were identified through registered Alberta Livestock Brands.

As a result of the collaborative efforts with the interprovincial RCMP agencies, 48-year-old Alvin Hamm was arrested without incident and charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000. Hamm was released and is scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on May 16, 2023.

Some of the missing cattle remain unaccounted for. The cattle are described as Black White Face or Black Brockle Face cows bearing Alberta Livestock Brands BAR 2 V (right hip) and 6 OVER SPLIT END BAR (left hip).

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of the cows is asked to contact RCMP Livestock Investigations at 403-598-6991 (Alberta) or 306-537-9448 (Saskatchewan). If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Livestock Investigators stress the importance of branding as registered livestock brand(s) are the primary means of ownership identification on cattle and horses. Information on branding can be obtained through Livestock Identification Services in Alberta or Livestock Services of Saskatchewan.

ABOVE: On March 25th, Corman Park Police, along with Saskatchewan RCMP members and representatives from MADD collaborated to hold a check stop on Highway 14 where two motorists were arrested for impaired driving and five motorists had their licenses suspended for cannabis or alcohol consumption. (Corman Park Police)

Skaters Excited to Perform After Three Year Hiatus

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

After a three-year pause, Skate Martensville had their year-end ice show which was a huge success.

The Martensville Sports Centre was filled with excited skaters ready to perform to a sold-out crowd on Sunday, March 26th.

The Skating Club’s Executive and volunteers worked hard to decorate the ice and set up the lobby with raffle prizes, flowers, and snacks. “The rink was buzzing with excitement and anticipation for a great show”, said coach Nicole Gryba.

The theme for this years’ show was ‘Abracadabra’ which had over 80 participants in the ice show with all music and costumes centered around magic.

Gryba added that performances featured skaters from all their skating programs including PreCan, CanSkate,

PreSTAR, STARSkate and Adult Skate. The club was excited to add its new Adult Synchronized Skating team to the program this year. The Adult Synchro team performed their competition program, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’.”

The show ended with a yearend awards presentation by the club to the following skaters:

• Program Assistant Award: Ashlyn

Nygaard

• Most Improved Award: Brooklyne Laughren

• Coaches’ Choice Award: Rachel Hubbard

• Sportsmanship Award: Rachel Hubbard

• CanSkate Awards: Sohla Willms, Reteyah Mujer, Leela Wall

• Kelly Novakovski Spirit of Youth

Award: Skyler Anderson

Congratulations to Skate Martensville on their successful season.

Royals Look to Increase Roster Numbers With Addition of Warman High Students in New 12-Aside Format

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

This year, the Martensville High School (MHS) Royals Football team will be changing from a 9-aside team to a 12-aside. This change is taking place due to the growing number of students that are attending the high school. According to MHS teacher and Royals Coach Tyler Munday, “It looks like starting in the 2024 season, we would be forced to move up due to numbers, so as a coaching staff and school we have decided to make the move a year early and we are joining in a joint partnership with Warman High School for the next three years to help us add some bodies and hive more kids in the communities an option for playing high school football.”

The partnership with Warman High School will be done through Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) and students that attend Warman will have the opportunity to play for the Royals. The partnership will be revisited in three years and could potentially dissolve in the future if both schools were able to field their own 12-aside programs.

Munday noted that the biggest challenge that will come through this change will be the teams within the league as they will be entering into a newly created North Sask Football League (NSFL) with some very established programs within the province. The NSFL will consist of P.A. Carlton, P.A. St. Mary’s, North Battleford Comp and Lloydminster Comp. Games will take place against each team in the league once, as well as one home game per school against a team from Saskatoon. The season will kick off with an exhibition game that is still being finalized.

ABOVE & LEFT: Skaters of all ages and skill levels took to the ice on Sunday, March 26th to perform in Skate Martensville’s year-end ice show. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

“The competition and increased travel will be our two biggest changes, but our coaching staff all have experience with the 12-aside game, so we are excited to get back to the game most of us played ourselves,” Munday explained.

In previous years, the Royals saw a roster consisting of approximately 35 students; however, with the addition of WHS to the roster, Munday stated that they are hoping to have approximately 50 players this year.

“It will be a learning curve for both players and coaches, but each year, we create some new plays and tweak old plays/formations. The key is always the first few weeks of practice and getting down the terminology and base plays that we want everyone to know and then making adjustments for each weekly opponent.”

The Royals are hosting a registration night on Thursday, March 30th at 6:30pm in the Martensville High School Theatre.

Marauder U13A Team Earns Provincial Championship

The U13A Martensville Marauders went up against the Estevan Bruins in game two of the provincial finals on Sunday, March 26th in Estevan. The first game of the final took place on March 19th where Estevan came out on top with a score of 3-1. In game two, the Marauders were looking for a win and ended up tying the series after beating out Estevan 5-1. The two teams then went into a ten-minute mini game where Martensville earned the Provincial Championship with a score of 2-0.

Martensville U18AA Marauders Play Final Game as Hockey Saskatchewan Opts to Cut Team

ABOVE: The U13A Martensville Marauders earned the Provincial Championship after winning against the Estevan Bruins on Sunday, March 26th. (Submitted)

The Martensville U18AA Marauders took on the Regina Capitals in the A Final on Sunday, March 26th in Waldheim, ending their season as the A-final runner ups. This game marked not only the final for the season, but also as the final game for the Martensville U18AA team entirely, as the Martensville AA U18 program has been cut following a review from the Hockey Saskatchewan AAA/AA review Committee.

Hockey Saskatchewan notified Martensville Minor Hockey of this decision in a letter dated March 25th, which also noted that Martensville was awarded a Male AA 15-year old team. In the letter, Hockey Saskatchewan stated that they hoped that Martensville Minor Hockey could work closely with Warman Minor Hockey regarding the operations of a team at the U18 AA level. The Hockey Saskatchewan AAA/AA review Committee will be doing a full male review in 2023/24.

ABOVE: The Martensville U18AA Marauders were the A-Final runner ups following their final game on Sunday, March 26th.

ABOVE: The MAP was full of students practising their badminton skills on Thursday, March 23rd. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

Massive Budget Surplus Will Bring Out Critics

One gets why government sometimes feel they can’t get much of anything right. Consider the 2023-24 budget released last week under throne speech theme of “Growth that has worked for everyone” that offers a billion-dollar surplus and still pays down a billion dollars in debt. What could there be to complain about?

Presuming the numbers presented by Finance Minister Donna Harpauer last week hold up, this will be one of the best fiscal years in the province’s history that follows a surprise $1.5-billion surplus according to this budget year's third-quarter update released alongside the 2022-24 budget last week.

Remember: We were supposed to have a $463-million deficit in 2022-23 when Harpauer presented her numbers last year. In fact, while running for reelection in 2020, Premier Scott Moe and his Saskatchewan Party were not predicting a balanced budget (let alone, a massive surplus) for this entire four-year term.

Yet what we saw in the 2023-24 budget presented last week is the kind of surplus we haven’t seen since the early days of Premier Brad Wall when we had $150 US a barrel oil.

Oil for the 2023-24 budget is expected to be around $80 US a barrel this year (less than what it averaged in 2022-23). However, the on-going war in Ukraine caused by the brutal Russian invasion is expected to result in ongoing, massive potash royal revenues (although, again, slightly less than we experienced last year).

The Sask. Party government has been blessed with a substantial windfall producing $2.5 billion in expected surplus in two years and it is somewhat difficult to argue that they are doing the wrong things with what money.

Government debt in Saskatchewan was soaring past $30 billion in total; however, debt will fall by a billion dollars this year and $2 billion over two years. The windfall will further allow government to reduce its all-important financing charge to government (what it owes to the banks for past accumulated deficits that’s the equivalent of the interest you pay on your credit card bill) to around $812 million a year.

Just by comparison, the annual Saskatchewan budget 30 years ago in 1993-94 projected financial servicing costs of the public debt was $847.5 million a year on a general revenue fund budget with when total expenses were $4.9 billion and total revenue of $4.9 billion.

This coming fiscal year, that $812 million in equivalent financial servicing charges will be revenue at nearly $19.7 billion, which is down from the $20.3 billion Saskatchewan now expected in 2022-23. However, 202324 revenue will have increased $2.5 billion from the $17.2 billion the Sask. Party expected a year ago.

Spending? It’s an overall 5.9-per-cent increase in 2023-24 to $18.7 billion from the $17.6 billion projected spending a year ago when the 2022-23 budget was released. (It should be noted that the Sask. Party government is spending $19.1 billion in 2022-23, according to the most recent numbers from the third-quarter update.)

The Sask. Party administration is also spending a record $3.7 billion in capital. In education, it’s a 6.2-percent increase or $235 million to deal with the highest enrolment the province has seen in 20 years.

The health budget surpasses $7 billion in and hiked financing for the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program, the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disabilities (SAID) and the Seniors Income Plan.

So what’s there to complain about? Well, expectations were high Rural communities and cities alike are struggling to find doctors and nurses. The $235-million education hike falls well short of the $400 million requested by the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation and that SAID increase amounts to a dollar a day at a time when MLAs just gave themselves a three-per-cent or $8.5-a-day raise. Yes, even with great budgets, it’s hard to satisfy everyone.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

2023-24 Provincial Budget: Growth That Works for Everyone

The Saskatchewan 2023-24 Provincial Budget is built on a solid foundation providing for further growth. We are experiencing growth we haven’t seen in more than a century, with a population increase of over 29,000 hitting an all-time high of over 1.2 million and over 20,000 new jobs in 2022. Our economy is expected to carry its momentum into 2023, fuelled by strong commodity prices, increased private-sector investment and a rebound in crop production from the 2021 drought. This economic growth allows us to invest in the programs and services that make Saskatchewan the best place to live, work and raise a family.

The 2023-24 Budget is built on a foundation of sound financial management, with a projected surplus of $1 billion. Our government will pay down the provincial debt by up to $1 billion this year, allowing us to invest interest savings in the future. Savings will be invested back into programs, services and capital. There are no new taxes and no tax increases, helping keep life affordable for Saskatchewan people. When taxes, utilities and housing costs are combined, Saskatchewan is the most affordable place to live in Canada for a family of four.

This year’s investment of $6.9 billion provides record levels of funding for our health care system to address staffing levels and increase services. We will continue our work to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health care professionals aiming to recruit 250 full-time positions and expanding part-time positions in rural and remote areas across the province. This investment will also expand health care training programs, ensuring a strong health care system for the people of Saskatchewan. This year’s budget will provide funding to increase the number of surgeries by more than 6,000, bringing the total number to 103,000 surgeries this year. With this investment, we will reduce the surgical waitlist to its pre-pandemic level by March 2024, one year ahead of schedule.

This year’s budget also provides a $4 billion investment for Prekindergarten through Grade 12 and postsecondary education. Of this, $3.1 billion, a 6.7 per cent increase over last year, will support schools, early learning and childcare, and libraries. Saskatchewan's 27 school divisions will receive $2 billion in operating funding, an increase of $49.4 million over last year. Did you know that more than 189,000 students attend Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Saskatchewan, the most in over 20 years? This is great news for our province and another reason we are investing to support students and families across the province.

Beginning April 1, regulated child care fees for children under the age of six will be reduced to $10 per day. The new Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation will receive startup and operational funding to increase learning opportunities for students, including adult learners. In addition, the post-secondary education sector will receive a funding increase of 3.3 per cent. This includes funding for the Graduate Retention Program and student supports and bursaries.

We can invest in our health care and educational systems because of a strong and growing economy. Saskatchewan added 20,000 jobs in 2022 and we are well on our way to achieving the Growth Plan goal of 100,000 more jobs by 2030. We have a record-high number of people working and the future looks bright with ongoing private-sector investments. Our economy will continue to grow with strong commodity prices, a strong agriculture sector, and increased private sector investment.

This budget continues to invest in communities across the province. This year, the Municipal Revenue Sharing Program will reach a record level of investment of $297.9 million. Our government is investing a record $3.7 billion in capital to build the schools, hospitals and highways our growing province needs. Crown corporations will invest an additional $2.1 billion into capital projects through SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SaskTel to provide you with the services our growing province requires.

Our government’s goal, and the goal of this budget, is to ensure that growth continues. With more people, more jobs, and more opportunities, the best days are still ahead in Saskatchewan. That’s growth that works for everyone.

Kelly Novakovski

July 19, 1984-March 30, 2005

18 Years of Missing You

I am grateful for your life... even as I mourn your death. I laugh at the memories.. even as I cry for those not made. I recognize the beauty in life... even as I experience its ugliness I embrace hope and joy... even as my heart breaks. I live...even as I grieve.

We’ll love you forever, like you for always Forever and ever, our baby you’ll be!

Love from your family

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.

Ready, Set, Camp - Sask Parks Reservations Launch April 3

Attention all campers! The wait is almost over. Sask Parks wants to remind the public that 2023 campsite reservations will open April 3 for seasonal campsites and April 4-12 for nightly reservations.

"With only a few days left before reservations open, it's the perfect time for campers to set-up their accounts online and check out all there is to offer in our parks this season," Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. "Campers can complete their trip planning with ease by exploring exciting events and programming by location and favourite their preferred sites."

The complete reservation schedule for 2023 is as follows:

Seasonal campsites:

• April 3: Seasonal campsites are available to be reserved for the entire season in parks across the system.

Nightly, Camp-Easy, equestrian, and group campsites, along with picnic shelters, pavilions, rec halls and swimming lessons:

• April 4: Candle Lake, Good Spirit Lake, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan Landing;

• April 5: Break;

• April 6: Douglas, Echo Valley, Makwa Lake, Narrow Hills, Pike Lake;

• April 10: Danielson, Great Blue Heron, Greenwater Lake, Rowan's Ravine, The Battlefords;

• April 11: Buffalo Pound, Bronson Forest, Duck Mountain, Moose Mountain; and

• April 12: Blackstrap, Crooked Lake, Cypress Hills, Lac La Ronge. Reservations begin at 7 a.m. CST each day. To reserve your campsite, visit https://parks.saskatchewan.ca. Campers are reminded there is a queuing system in place. Campers need to refresh the page at 7 a.m. CST to be placed in the queue or pushed through to make a reservation.

New this year:

• Sask Parks has a new events guide at https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/placesto-go/provincial-parks/park-events for all interpretive programming, theme days, special events and summer cinema locations.

• Sask Parks continues to offer more seasonal and Camp-Easy yurts across provincial parks due to popularity. New yurts are available for reservations at Pike Lake, Good Spirit Lake, and Greenwater Lake and a new yurt has replaced the old Camp-Easy tent at Crooked Lake.

For more information on reservations, programming, updated fees and new services, visit http://saskparks.com.

Welcome

Great Plains College would like to welcome Icasiana de Gala and Irene Oakes to its Board of Governors.

Icasiana de Gala served as the Executive Director of the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre for the past 12 years and has recently completed her legal certification in Canada.  She arrived in Canada in 2009 with her legal background from the Philippines.  Icasiana now works for an organization that provides settlement and integration services to newcomers to southwest Saskatchewan and hopes to eventually practice law in Canada. She recently received the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Award for Public Service. Icasiana is excited to be on the Great Plains College Board and to bring her rich experience and global perspective to the college.

Irene Oakes presently resides at Whitecap Dakota Nation near Saskatoon, but is a proud member of Nekaneet Cree Nation. She presently works with Nekaneet Cree Nation as a contractor in the area of education. She works directly with Chief and Council and with the Education Committee at Nekaneet which is made up of parents and community members. Irene holds a Bachelor of Education with the University of Regina and a Masters in Educational Administration with the University of Saskatchewan. Irene is happy to be a part of the Great Plains College Board and bring a Nehiyaw (Cree) voice and perspective to it.

Irene Oakes

Icasiana de Gala