March 9, 2023 Digital Issue

Party on the Pond Hits the Ice From March 10th-11th

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

This weekend will bring one of the most popular fundraising events for the new recreation facility to Martensville once again. The thirdannual Party on the Pond event will be taking place March 11th and 12th and will include a Premier 3-on-3 Pond Hockey Tournament, a Friday evening comedy show with comedian Jody Peters and a Saturday night cabaret featuring the band Seven Mile Sun.

The event will take place at the North Ridge Community Centre, with the 19+ hockey tournament and beer gardens located on adjacent ponds.

Last Day of Public Skating Celebrated With Glow Skate in Martensville

All proceeds raised from this event will be directed towards the Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP) to help with their fundraising campaign for the new multi-purpose recreation facility.

The event will kick off on Friday, March 10th with the first set of games taking place at 5pm and running until 9pm, and the Comedy Night beginning at 10pm. On Saturday, March 11th, puck drop will be at 12pm and run until 9pm, with the cabaret following when Seven Mile Sun will take the stage until 12am, and then more fun with DJ Kush from 12am-2am.

It is sure to be a fun weekend in Martensville.

Martensville’s annual Glow Skate will be taking place on Sunday, March 12th at the Martensville Sports Centre. This event will include glowsticks, music, lights and fun for everyone. This event marks the final day of public skating in the community and will take place from 1:00pm-2:30pm

To attend, the cost is $3.00/person (cash only).

Registration for The Amazing Race Martensville Now Open

The annual Amazing Race Martensville will be taking place Saturday, May 6th and registration for this popular event is now open. Teams can visit www. martensville.ca and go to ‘Program Registration’ to register your team. This event is open for all ages and will include a variety of indoor and outdoor challenges throughout the community. Teams must have access to a vehicle for the race.

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

Editor/Ad Design: Jocelyn Ottenbreit jottenbreit@martensvillemessenger.ca

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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

National Impaired Driving Week Takes Place From March 19-25

National Impaired Driving Week will be taking place from March 19-25, and with this, Corman Park Police Service is reminding drivers that, “tremendous progress has been made over the years to reduce impaired driving, but despite advances in laws and penalties, enforcement and awareness, some people continue to drive impaired. Impaired driving continues to kill hundreds of Canadians and injure thousands more.”

In Saskatchewan, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 will lead to a criminal charge, but there are also penalties for driving with a lower BAC. For new drivers, which includes drivers that are 21 and under, or anyone that is a Learner, Novice 1 or Novice 2 driver under SGI’s Graduated Driver Licensing programs, there is zero tolerance. For experienced drivers, which includes drivers that are 22 years or older, and no longer a Learner of Novice, they are not legally permitted to drive with a BAC of .04 or higher. For all drivers, there is zero tolerance for drugs.

“Saskatchewan has some of the toughest administrative penalties for impaired driving in the country,” said SGI President and CEO Penny McCune. “We want people to be aware of the provincial limits – and the consequences for exceeding them – so drivers will make good choices.”

In 2022 within Saskatchewan, police issued 1,968 short-term licence suspensions to drivers for exceeding provincial limits for alcohol or drugs. While the consequences vary based on several factors (driver’s experience, number of repeat offences, whether the driver was transporting passengers under the age of 16), a driver caught driving with a BAC between .04 and .08 -- or with drugs in their system -- will face:

Immediate roadside licence suspension (starting at three days for an experienced driver and 60 days for a new driver);

• Immediate vehicle impoundment, minimum of three days;

• Mandatory impaired driving education program (a weekend-long “Driving Without Impairment” [DWI] course for a first offence);

• Four Safe Driver Recognition demerit points; and, Mandatory Ignition Interlock for a third or subsequent offence.

There is a financial cost to go along with the inconvenience of not having a driver’s licence or a vehicle. Drivers must pay for the cost of the DWI program and registered owners are liable for the towing and storage fees for their impounded vehicle. There are also lost insurance discounts or additional financial penalties that result from demerits with the Safe Driver Recognition program, depending on the driving record.

“People are often surprised to find out they are required to complete a weekend impaired driving education program even for a first time, non-criminal impaired driving offence, and if you don’t complete the necessary program, your driver’s licence will be suspended,” said Saskatoon DWI coordinator Lynn Prestley.

Of course, these consequences are minor compared to the potentially devastating cost of driving impaired. The leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan continues to be impaired driving, and impairment starts with the first drink.

The only definite way to avoid facing the penalties of driving impaired is to always ensure you have a safe ride home. It’s best to make a plan before you’re impaired, but even if you didn’t, there’s always a better choice. If you've been drinking or using drugs, have a sober designated driver, phone a friend or family member, catch a taxi, rideshare or designated driving service, or stay the night. Help others make good choices, too.

In Case of a Water Line Freeze Up

In the past, there have been areas in the community prone to water line freeze-ups.

If you experience a waterline freeze‐up or any other interruption in service, please call (306) 931‐2166 to report your issue. If this happens outside of regular business hours, please follow the prompts to be transferred to the emergency after‐hours contact.

Thank you for your co‐operation!

March 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. Committee of the Whole - March 14th

Regular Council Meeting – March 21st

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.

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.

The Martensville Business Expo is Coming March 24th & 25th

Connect with the businesses and organizations in our community and learn more about products, services and opportunities in the community.

There will be delicious food, great drinks, interactive booths, sales and local entertainment all Expo long! Friday will feature a job fair and career sessions to assist and connect job seekers with local employers.

There will be a pancake breakfast on Saturday from 8-10 AM and it is by donation!

Admission to the Expo is $2.

Watch for updates in the coming weeks on the weekend’s activities.

To register your business for a booth contact the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce.

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.

U15 AA Marauder Captain Klassen Signs on With U18AAA Warman Wildcats

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Cohen Klassen has had an amazing season with the Martensville Marauders. As captain of the U15AA team, to date he has racked up a total of 32 goals and 29 assists.

This 14-year-old from Martensville also competed in the Sask First Male U15 Top 80 Tournament that took place from February 17-19 in Balgonie and was chosen as one of the top 32 players in the tournament. Players that competed in the tournament first participated in evaluations during the Sask First Under-15 Top 160 that was held in December, where they were narrowed down to a pool of 80 players. He will now attend Summer and Fall camps before the final 20 athletes are then selected to represent Saskatchewan at the 2023 WHL Cup.

Cohen’s dad Jon said, “It has been a really positive season for him, we are proud. Cohen is a pretty mellow chill kid and doesn’t get too excited about much until its game time.”

In other exciting news, Klassen also recently signed on with the U18AAA Warman Wildcats for the upcoming season. Good luck Cohen!

Local Athlete Will Never Forget Memories of Competing in Final Match-Up at Canada Winter Games

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

For the past ten years, 15-year-old Kazden Mathies has been pursuing his passion for hockey, which most recently took him to the Canada Winter Games where athletes from across the country came together in Prince Edward Island from February 18th to March 5th to go head-to-head in a variety of sports.

Mathies was a member of Team Saskatchewan in Men’s Hockey, who came home as the winners of the silver medal. “I was honoured to find out that I had made the Saskatchewan Hockey Team. I was excited to represent Saskatchewan, alongside the top U16 players in our province. It had been a goal of mine to make the team, so it was exciting to finally find out that I was going to the Winter Games,” Mathies said. Since first hitting the ice as a young child, Mathies has always loved the game, stating that he loves the fast pace of hockey, making new friendships and competing at a high level, which made playing for Team Saskatchewan in the final match at the Canada Winter Games that much more special. During his time at the Winter Games, Mathies created memories that will last a lifetime. “Heading into the tournament, Saskatchewan had not been in a gold medal final since 1995, so people probably weren’t expecting us to be one of the top teams. Our team came together and everyone contributed, and we ended up playing against Team Ontario in the final,” Mathies said.

Prior to the final game, Team Saskatchewan had won against New Brunswick and Quebec to win their pool. From there, they beat out Nova Scotia and Quebec in the semi-finals, which led them to the gold-medal match, a game that Mathies said he will never forget.

“The game went to double overtime of 3-on-3. Unfortunately, we ended up losing the game and taking home the silver medal, but the experience of that final will always stick with me. Playing on this team allowed me to make new friendships, play together with many of my U18 AAA rivals and to compete against the best hockey players in the country.”

Although Mathies has played in numerous other national competitions throughout the years in various locations such as Montreal, Minneapolis, Winnipeg and Calgary, first competing in a major competition at the age of ten, the Canada Winter Games was the biggest one thus far, and as Mathies stated, “The best experience I could ask for.”

This week, Mathies received more good news as he was selected as a Second Team All Star for the SaskMale U18AAA Hockey League 2022-2023 Season.

Central Valley Volleyball Club Has Successful Weekend

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Sask Volleyball held their competitive tournament, Sask Cup #2 this past weekend at the Henk Ruys Centre in Saskatoon.

The Central Valley Volleyball Club (CVVC) was very well represented in this tournament and had a successful weekend. The U18 Chaos team placed first in Division 2, Tier 1. Martensville’s own Camryn Johnston, Dylan Taggart, and Peyton Thomas have contributed to help this team to the success it has had so far this season.

CVVC is home for volleyball in Martensville, Warman and surrounding communities. This club was established in the fall of 2020 by the amalgamation of the Martensville Outerlimits Volleyball Club founded by Deb McGuire in the late 1990's, and the Warman Volleyball Club founded by Kevin Davis in 2008 after spending countless hours coaching, and has been the driving force for volleyball in their respective communities.

From November to April, Club volleyball gives athletes throughout the province an opportunity to participate in volleyball.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, go to saskvolleyball. ca, or centralvalleyvolleyball.com.

ABOVE: Kazden Mathies (Submitted)

ABOVE: The U18 Chaos team competes at the Sask Cup tournamemt March 3-5.

Learn More About the Upcoming Arts Adventure at VHS

An information night is being held for students and their families to learn more about the Integrated Fine Arts Program that the school will be offering in the upcoming school year at 7pm at VHS.

This will be a specialized full-year integrated arts program where students will be provided opportunities to foster imagination, creativity, and personal interpretation of ideas and topics while working on the Grade 8 curriculum in a creative, unique and experiential classroom. Students will receive high quality instruction in the arts through music, acting, dance, digital creation and visual arts where they will be able to focus on their individual strengths and interests, build confidence and community, develop public speaking abilities, understand careers in the arts, and more.

Application forms to participate in the Integrated Arts Program can be submitted to VHS by May 1st and each application will be reviewed by a program committee. If there are more applications than spaces, the successful candidates will be placed into a lottery.

For more information about this exciting new opportunity, contact Venture Heights School at (306)9342185.

Chocolate Fundraiser Being Held to Raise Money for VHS School Yard Improvements

The Venture Heights School SCC has organized a Purdy’s Chocolates fundraiser, with proceeds raised going towards more playground and school yard upgrades.

The link to the catalogue can be found by visiting the ‘Venture Heights Elementary School, Martensville’ Facebook page. Chocolates will be available April 5th and 6th.

VHS Prepares to Showcase Talent

Venture Heights School is gearing up for their production of ‘The Little Mermaid’, which will take place March 15th and 16th. Students in grades 5-8 have been working hard to hone their skills and are looking forward to opening day. Doors will open at 6:30pm.

Sask. United Off to a Good Start

Those that see the Saskatchewan Party as a slick, smooth-running political machine may be missing two critical points. It wasn’t that way in the very beginning and it might not be that way now.

Contrast this with the Saskatchewan United PartySask. United, as it prefers - that pulled off a well-organized launch last week complete with noise makers, slick videos and enthusiasm from a big crowd seldom seen at such an initial event.

Of course, one should be careful not to get too caught up in Sask. United’s initial hype. People should also remember that Scott Moe has proved to be an underrated and formidable politician, himself.

He took over a Sask. Party wavering in popularity after 2017 budget and built it back up again. In the middle of a pandemic while running against an opposition led by a doctor, he held the Sask. Party’s large majority in the 2020 election. He even took a seat away from the NDP in the next-available by-election.

As for his opposition to the right, Moe immediately addressed those discontent enough to vote Buffalo Party on 2020 election night and he has since tweaked government policy with the Saskatchewan First Act (that is taking on the federal government when it comes to resources), the Marshal Services Act (that is clearly a nod to a perceived increase in rural crime) and continues to take on Ottawa when it comes to guns and everything else.

As for the newly minted Sask. United, it’s still driven by and obsessed by anti-COVID-19 vaccines and the longgone health and masking restrictions that accompanied it.

Masking, supposed lockdowns and “experimental vaccines” were reoccurring themes at the Sask. United launch in Saskatoon last week. How this plays with the 80 to 90 per cent of the province (including the rural, older demographic to which Sask. United is targeting) that got vaccinated is questionable.

Certainly, some of the nonsense of the rhetoric we heard won’t be helpful. To hear former Conservative cabinet minister Gerry Ritz suggests anti-vaccine jurisdictions like South Dakota fared better during COVID-19 than Saskatchewan did is telling.

The per 100,000 people COVID-19 death rate in South Dakota is 359 and in North Dakota it is 323. We have had 1,882 COVID-19 deaths in Saskatchewan that has 1,205,119 people - a rate of 156 deaths per 100,000. The only U.S. states to fare better were Vermont and Hawaii, but while some of Sask. United rhetoric will be off-putting to some, much of it is the stuff that clearly crosses all political lines in this province.

"Saskatchewan's healthcare system is losing its talent. Doctors and nurses are finding work elsewhere for better pay, and medical training is failing to keep pace.” “Sask. United will champion efficiency and opportunity and serve the people of Saskatchewan proper healthcare."

"Saskatchewan is in desperate need of authentic leadership. It's time to elect those who will champion the conservative values that our province knows and loves."

It’s worth remembering that when the Sask. Party started a quarter century ago, it, too, was overrun by ideologues opposing abortion and demanding chain gangs or boot camps for youth and Sask. United is less worried about that catering to the centre-liberal vote. It’s squarely aiming at the Sask. Party.

Moreover, what we saw at the launch of Sask. United was a lot of organization. The sizeable crowd armed with noise-makers were treated to a rather spectacular and moving campaign video around the theme of pride in the province broadcast on the Internet.

Contrast with what we’ve recently seen from the Sask. Party government that put up a free fishing day promotion on Moe’s social media feeds with pictures from Idaho. Sask. United demonstrated it already has political skills, money, organization wherewithal and support. The Sask. Party can’t ignore Sask. United.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Trudeau government will stop at nothing to control what Canadians see online. Through Bill C-11, the government is seeking to expand the mandate of the CRTC so that unelected bureaucrats will have the power to define and regulate what counts as “Canadian content” on the Internet.

Bill C-11 would effectively leave it in the hands of these gatekeepers to promote certain types of content while throttling content the government doesn’t like.

Clearly, this legislation undermines Canadians’ fundamental rights and freedoms and puts their civil liberties at risk. The passage of Bill C-11 would enable government censorship, empowering the Liberals to amplify voices it deems favourable and silence those it does not.

Trudeau and his ministers have tried to brush away Canadians’ concerns by claiming that the bill would support Canadian culture and “level the playing field” for Canadian content creators. However, these claims, fall completely flat in the face of evidence that it would do the exact opposite.

By forcing platforms like Youtube and Spotify to favour nationality over engagement, online creators in Canada are at risk of having their reach to global audiences limited, their viewership drastically reduced, and their content demoted.

Justin Trudeau should not be able to control what Canadians see on their playlist or on their Netflix account. Canadians can decide for themselves what they want to watch or listen to. This is not a problem that needs fixing, regardless of what Liberals and busybody bureaucrats may tell us.

One thing is clear: there is no Canadian culture without free speech. Bill C-11’s supposed attempt to protect the former by limiting the latter is not only misguided but dangerous.

With the bill currently back for consideration in the House of Commons, Conservatives will continue to fight to ensure its defeat and protect free speech for Canadians.

Submitted by Kelly Block, MP for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

MLAs Return to Regina for Spring Session

MLAs across Saskatchewan headed back to Regina earlier this week for the spring session of the Legislature. Members of the Legislative Assembly have been in their communities, meeting with constituents and learning about the things that matter most to Saskatchewan people. Our government will move forward on priorities for growth during this sitting of the Legislature.

Our province leads the nation in a number of key economic indicators. Statistics Canada reported in January we had the highest rate of growth in wholesale trade among the provinces, increasing 24.1 per cent year-over-year. Manufacturing sales were up by 25.5 per cent, the second-highest growth rate among provinces.

Saskatchewan posted a third consecutive year of record agri-food exports in 2022, totaling $18.4 billion. Last year, for the first time, exports to Mexico exceeded a total of $1 billion. This record further highlights strong agricultural capacities, with canola seed, canola oil and non-durum wheat making up the top three exports. The trade office our government opened in Mexico City last year, along with seven others throughout the world, continue to help drive Saskatchewan exports in the international market. We plan to open another trade office in Germany later this year.

Our strong economy is supported by our growing population. Saskatchewan reached the milestone of 1.2 million people in early December of 2022 and has since grown by another 10,000 people. That’s the fastest our province has grown in over 100 years. We saw 16,400 new jobs in the province from January 2022 to January 2023. The unemployment rate was 4.3 per cent and is below the national average of 5.0 per cent. We also saw a recordhigh provincial labour force in January, with 606,300 Saskatchewan people working.

Our government is committed to protecting this economic prosperity and allowing for continued growth. In recent years, the current federal government has proposed several harmful policies that infringe on provincial jurisdiction over natural resources. These policies disproportionately impact the economics of western Canadian provinces. Along with an increase to the carbon tax, the federal government has proposed standards and caps for fuel, fertilizer, oil and gas emissions, and electricity. It is estimated that these policies could cost our economy $111 billion by 2035.

Our government’s objective is to protect Saskatchewan’s economy, now and into the future, so we can continue doing what the province does best: providing the food, fuel and fertilizer the world needs. That’s why we introduced the Saskatchewan First Act during the fall sitting. The Act will protect our jurisdiction over natural resources to the benefit of everyone living in this province. It’s time to draw the line and reassert the rights that belong to usSaskatchewan people own the resources and we should benefit when the prices are high. Our government expects to pass the Saskatchewan First Act this spring. As we prepare for the spring session of the Legislature and the presentation of the provincial budget, our government remains focused on protecting and driving Saskatchewan’s economy. That’s growth that works for everyone.

Letter to the Editor

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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.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

With Dr. Judy Jaunzems-Fernuk; RTC, MTC

E-mail judy@prairieskyeducation.ca

Phone or Text: 306-986-2663

Website: www.drjudyjaunzemsfernuk.com

Saskatchewan To Achieve $10 A Day Child Care By April

2023

Bullying & Mental Health

Bullying is associated with many mental health problems, including eating disorders, self-harm, anxiety, and depression. Victims are also more likely to have low self-esteem and suffer from issues with confidence and conflict management. In addition, childhood bullies are likely to repeat their bullying behavior as adults, landing themselves in anything from legal trouble to relational issues and conflicts at work. Bullying is a lose-lose for all involved and it is up to parents, schools, and communities to act in ways that put a stop to behaviours that cause emotional, mental, and physical harm.

One movement, celebrated around the world recently, was Pink Shirt Day, which was celebrated in many communities on Wednesday, Feb. 22, this year. Those interested in highlighting the issue of bullying wore pink shirts, encouraging kindness and standing up against bullying. Pink Shirt Day started in Nova Scotia (2007), as a result of two teens who were committed to ending the problem of bullying by wearing and distributing pink shirts after seeing a peer being bullied for wearing pink. Today, over 1.1 million Canadian school children are bullied at least once every week ; movements like this, however, show the power of taking a stand in a positive direction!

An Issue Worth Standing Up To

Bullying among children and youth is defined as repeated, unwanted, aggressive behaviour(s) by a youth or group of youths: it involves observed or perceived power imbalances and can result in physical, social, or educational harm or distress . In 2018, a large Canadian sample of youth in grades 6 to 10 were asked if they had been involved in bullying and 20% reported having been bullied. Recently, according to another study through Public Safety Canada, one third of teenagers noted having been bullied ; and observational research of elementary school children shows that bullying incidents occur every 7 minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in a classroom .

The good news, however, is that identifying bullies and victims, raising awareness, talking about the issue, and increasing supervision in known locations for bullying can help tremendously. Parents and teachers can help by talking about the potential for bullying behaviour and by unpacking issues and concerns calmly and proactively. Bullying is anti-social behaviour and it can be targeted in schools and homes by helping children develop better empathy and care for each other. If bullying is addressed and faced with conversation and connection, and not ignored, it helps to develop the understanding that bullying will not be tolerated, and these conversations go a long way in supporting victims. Groups for both bullies and the bullied can help also. Through awareness and programming, it has been proven that bullying can be reduced.

Steps to Take

1. Talk to kids openly: let kids know they can trust you and they shouldn't deal with bullying alone.

2. Teach kindness and empathy skills directly: practice conflict resolution, working through problems, and building understanding of others.

3. Create opportunities for connection: a sense of community lowers bullying incidents and facilitates healing for those targeted.

4. Teach kids to speak up when they witness bullying behavior: taking a stand against bullying can reduce future bullying situations by more than 50 percent.

5. Use books and creative resources: hold discussions on bullying and its impact, often.

To learn more, you can follow Dr. Judy on Instagram @drjudyjaunzemsfernuk or reach out to her to discuss the impact of bullying and ways to solve bullying issues appropriately and healthfully. Judy can be reached best through e-mail: judy@prairieskyeducation.ca.

The Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada are pleased to announce that parent fees for regulated child care in the province will be reduced to $10 a day starting April 1, 2023. Saskatchewan is one of the first Canadian provinces to achieve this milestone, which is three years ahead of schedule as outlined in the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to bring down child care fees to $10 day by 2025-26.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to investing in affordable, inclusive and high-quality child care that provides children with a positive start in life while also giving parents the flexibility and choice to build both a family and career," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said.

Parents whose children are under the age of six and attend regulated child care on a full-time basis can expect to pay $217.50 per month. The fee reductions will result in families saving an average of $395 to $573 per month for each child under six from the average comparable fees as of March 31, 2021.

“Today is a major achievement for families in Saskatchewan, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould said. "By working together, Canada and Saskatchewan have achieved our shared goal of affordable child care three years ahead of schedule. We are continuing to focus on achieving other important targets through the Canadawide system, such as space creation and support to early childhood educators, to ensure that every family has access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive child care.”

This parent fee reduction is the third fee reduction since the signing of the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement in August 2021. The agreement includes a federal investment of nearly $1.1 billion over five years for regulated early learning and child care programs and services for children under the age of six in Saskatchewan.

A total of 19,790 regulated child care spaces are operational in Saskatchewan across 144 communities as of December 31, 2022. Through the agreement the governments are also providing funding for free training and education to increase the number of early childhood educators, wage enhancements of up to $5.00 per hour, and a range of grants for regulated child care facilities.

"These subsidies help families like mine because my wife and I both work and we have two kids," Sanjay Patel, a Saskatoon parent whose children attend a regulated family child care home said. "I'll probably be saving around $500 to $600 a month compared to last year with this most recent reduction in parent fees. This is going to help my family out a lot because we'll have more money left over for other things our family can use."

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