New October 26, 2023 Digital Issue

• 109 Centennial Dr. N Martensville Message us on FB

Complete Automotive & Tire Service Centre/ ATV/UTV Parts & Repair • Journeyman Factory Trained Technicians • Easy Vehicle Repair & Accessory Financing Available

Open 7:30-5:30 Monday - Friday

FREE courtesy cars available

Call: 306.975.2140

Business as USUAL Located at BACK of building

MARTENSVILLE PHARMACY

Your City; Your Newspaper October 26, 2023

VOLUME NO. 17 - ISSUE 40

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

17 Centennial Drive North

Re-roofs New Construction Residential Commercial

306-931-2266

Over 12 Years Making Your Real Estate Dreams Come True!

Bay 4 #1 - 4th St S Martensville

www.infinitysalonandspa.ca for online booking

Locally Owned and Operated Celebrating Fifteen Years of Community

306-934-4888 www.martenswarman.ca

306-931-2868

scottroofingsask.com

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

www.martensvillemessenger.ca

Kickin It

306-242-7888 www.saskfunerals.ca

Because We Care

591 Centennial Drive North - Martensville

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The Martensville High School Girls Soccer team went undefeated in the 4A Regionals on Friday, October 20th, earning them a spot in Provincials, taking place this weekend.

WMBEXA 2017

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT

WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS

Shanine Sealey/MM

Page 2 - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

November Council Meeting Dates

Reminder Property Taxes are Due!

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.

- Tax Notices were mailed out on April 28th. If anyone has not received their notice, they should contact City Hall. Ensure all contact information is up to date.

- Starting on August 1st, interest penalties on outstanding amounts begin to accrue

November 7 - Regular Council November 14 - Committee of the Whole November 21 - Regular Council

Ways to Pay - Taxes can be paid by cash, cheque, or debit at City Hall.

- Taxes can also be paid online through Banking Bill Payments, or by etransfers; for payments: payments@martensville.ca.

All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S. All meetings commence at 5 PM. Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda.

To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details.

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

Recreation Program Update

Halloween @ the MAP Come out on October 27th from 6:00pm-8:00pm for an evening of spooky fun at the MAP. Dress up and enjoy some Halloween themed games, crafts and activities. $5 a person or $15 for a family New this year: Toddler Time - This is for families with kids 5 and under to come and enjoy the festivities from 4-5:30 pm! $5 a person or $15 for a family.

Sip N’Shop Thursday, November 16th from 4-8PM at the North Ridge Centre. Our annual Christmas season Trade Show provides an opportunity to shop for gifts. Admission to the public is free or register for your vendor space today at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion.

POLICE

BEAT

Martensville RCMP to Host Town Hall Meeting

The Martensville RCMP are hosting an Open House on Wednesday, November 8th at the North Ridge Community Centre at 7pm.

Members of the public are invited to attend to learn more about our local police detachment.

Town Hall Meetings serve as an opportunity to openly discuss community and policing issues as well as meeting members of the local detachments.

The RCMP will have a presentation, followed by a question and answer session. This is an opportunity to share your views on policing in the community, feedback on priority areas and connect and meet the local RCMP members.

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

Coyote Sightings - What You Should Know

We wish to inform the public about recent coyote sightings around Martensville. We urge everyone to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from coyotes and other wildlife, as they can exhibit unpredictable behaviour when approached.

If you have any inquiries or concerns related to coyotes or wildlife within the city limits, please reach out to City Hall/Bylaw at (306) 931-2166 or in cases of Emergency the RCMP at (306) 975-1610.

Here are the recommended actions to take if you encounter a coyote up close: • Avoid approaching the animal.

• Look for an escape route.

• Stay vigilant and monitor the coyote’s movements.

• Act assertively by shouting and waving your arms to establish human dominance.

• Ensure the coyote has a clear path to escape the situation.

• Keep pets on a leash and under control.

Coyotes play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and are commonly found in major cities across Canada. Coyotes can be spotted in residential and commercial areas, especially when food and shelter are readily available.

To prevent coyote encounters in your yard, consider the following tips: • Refrain from feeding coyotes or leaving food waste accessible.

• Seal off access points to decks and other sheltered areas in your yard.

• Avoid feeding pets outdoors.

• Ensure your yard gate is securely closed, and your fencing is in good condition.

Organics Collection Season is Wrapping Up Please note that the final Organics Pick up dates are coming in October. The final dates for Green Bins to be picked up is: October 31st for the Southside Subscribers should store Green Bins until the schedule restarts in May 2023.

Saskatoon Police Ask for Public Assistance Locating Missing Individual

The Saskatoon Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 68-year-old, Daniel Moore.

Daniel has been missing from his home in the 10 block of Minto Place since October 18, 2023. He is described as being 5’10” tall and 120lbs with a thin build.

Daniel has white hair and a white, unkempt beard. He walks with a cane and typically wears a flannel jacket. Daniel may be driving a grey 2005 Ford Escape with a Sask. licence plate 223 LUD. The Saskatoon man may be in rural Saskatchewan as he is an avid hunter.

Anyone with information on Daniel Moore is asked to call the Saskatoon Police Service at 306975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.

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ARTENSVILLE

ESSENGER

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Editor/Office Manager: Shanine Sealey

Published Thursdays • 48 issues/year

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MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - Page 3

Métis Elder Andre Letendre speaks to the crowd during the Walk for Wenjack on October 19th. (Shanine Sealey/MM)

Large Crowd Gathers to Take Part in Walk for Wenjack Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

On Thursday, October 19th, approximately 700 students from local schools, teachers and members of the community gathered at the gazebo in Kinsmen Park to take part in the Walk for Wenjack for Secret Path Week, which took place from October 17-22.

“The City was very honoured to be asked to be part of this initiative and welcome the opportunity to support reconciliation within the community of Martensville. We are pleased to be able to help raise awareness of Secret Path Week and the Walk for Wenjack as well as honour the residential school students, survivors and their families,” Angie Reddekopp, City of Martensville Program Coordinator, stated.

This national movement has been taking place since 2016 and was created in honour of Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie and Secret Path Week is set on two significant dates, the dates that Wenjack and Downie each passed away.

In October of 1966, at the age of 12, Wenjack ran away from a residential school in Kenora, Ontario and decided to walk home; however, home was approximately 600 kms away. Sadly, Wenjack did not make it home and perished due to exposure after walking for 36 hours. Wenjack’s death sparked an inquiry about the treatment of children in residential schools across the country.

Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, often wrote about social justice issues in his songs, and created the album ‘Secret Path’, along with a graphic novel, which was later made into a movie, inspired by Wenjack’s story.

During the October 19th event, Métis Elder Andre Letendre shared his personal story about his own reconciliation with the crowd and talked about what The Martensville & District Lions Club has been serving the community since 1979 and is reconciliation truly means, encouraging the youth in always on the go with a variety of programs, fundraisers and events taking place to raise money attendance to share the lessons they learned with those to help support the community. Here is a list of some of the current events taking place: around them in hopes of being able to spread awareness.

- The Lions Club is still collecting recycling for the Lions Dog Guide Program. Pick-up of cans and bottles Letendre noted that the subject of residential schools was can be arranged by contacting Doug at (306) 491-8914 or Maria at (306) 290-6766. not talked about for so many years and how it is finally - There is an ongoing collection of aluminum can tabs to support the “Silver for Gold” campaign for being taught in schools and the youth of today are the Children’s Cancer Research. leaders of tomorrow, capable of changing Canada.

- The Lions will be working Downtown Bingo on November 14th from 5pm-9:30pm.

“It takes a lot of courage to put action into the - Grey Cup Pool tickets are available at Canadian Tire from October 26-29 from 10am-5pm. words. It takes a lot of courage to speak the truth and even - The Saskatchewan Lions Convention will be taking place on October 27 & 28 at the Travelodge in more courage to put action to that truth,” Letendre said.

Saskatoon.

“You are the future and I ask you to go home, talk to your - Stuff the Trailer to support The Hand Up Cupboard in Warman will take place October 28th and 29th at parents, and ask them what the history of Canada is. If the Warman Buy-Low Foods. every one of you went home and did as I ask, then there - Visually Impaired Christmas Supper will take place Wednesday, November 22nd at Saskatoon would be action. There would be real action.”

Ebenezer Church at 6pm

To learn more about Secret Path Week and Regular meetings for the local Lions Club take place on the third Tuesday of the month from September to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, visit https:// May at 7pm at the Heritage Centre on 6th Avenue. For more information about the Martensville & District Lions Club, downiewenjack.ca/. contact lionsclubofmartensville@gmail.com or 306-371-0807.

Lions Monthly Roar

Celebrate Halloween in Martensville

Halloween is right around the corner and aside from trick or treating on October 31st; there are plenty of other fun Halloween themed things to do in Martensville.

The Martensville Library will be hosting a variety of Halloween themed activities throughout the week which include: Halloween I Spy Games, a Halloween Decoration Scavenger Hunt, games, crafts and more. Visit Martensville Library on Facebook, or stop by the library to learn more.

The City of Martensville is hosting Halloween at the MAP on Friday, October 27th which will include a special Toddler Time from 4pm-5:30pm and an all ages time from 6pm-8pm. This event will include treat bags, a DJ and dance, a costumes contest, bouncy houses and games. There will also be a House of Horrors where those attending can try to guess what is underneath each box. The cost to attend is $15/family or $5/person.

Martensville High School is hosting a Haunted House on Monday, October 30th from 4:30pm-7:30pm that is recommended for 13+ ages only. The entrance is by donation, and there is a warning of strobe lights, fog machine, loud noises and gore.

Skate Martensville will be running their regular skating lessons on Tuesday, October 31st and skaters that attend are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costume, or wear black and orange. If a skater will not be attending on Tuesday, they are asked to contact your coach and/or inform an executive member so lessons can be planned accordingly.

In addition to this, there are plenty of houses decorated throughout the community, so load up the family and take a drive to see Martensville’s Halloween spirit!

Page 4 - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

SPORTS MHS Girls Soccer Team Heads to Provincials Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

ABOVE: The Martensville High School Senior Volleyball Team went undefeated in six games to win the A final in Clavet this past weekend in a two-day tournament that consisted of 12 teams.

(Submitted)

The Martensville High School Girls Soccer team hosted the 4A Girls Soccer Regionals on Friday, October 20th on the Maddogs Field.

The first game took place at 9:30am where the MHS girls went up against John Paul II, with Martensville coming out on top with a score of 2-0. This earned them a spot to the final game, which took place at 3pm against Chief John Keenatch, which they won 2-0.

The October 20th win earned the MHS Girls a spot in the provincials this weekend in Regina, where they will play at 2pm on Friday, October 27th against Regina Luther and then will either play at 12:00pm on Saturday, October 28th for the bronze medal, or at 2pm for the gold medal.

“Last year, the girls won a silver medal at provincials, which was the first provincial soccer medal won in Martensville High School history,” Coach Breanne Cooper stated.

Cooper added, “We are fortunate to have Carryn Berk back for another season as our community coach as well as her son and former Royal, Jaymin Berk, helping out this year.”

The team consists of students in grade 9, 10 and 11, many of which are multisport athletes, and many who do not play club soccer outside of school. The majority of the grade 11 students have been a part of the team since grade 9, when the team consisted of all grade 9’s and one grade 12 student.

“It has been incredible to see this group of grade eleven's really take on a leadership role on the team since they were in grade nine. This season we have seen huge improvements in the team's skill level and ability to work together as a team,” Cooper said.

This year’s team consists of: Rhyan Ballard, Sophie Barkway, Chloe Bartel, Keira Cross, Kolby Desrosiers, Kalyn Jungman, Taiya Kachur, Tayler Loewen, Ainsley Murfin, Alexis Randall, Kloey Rosciski, Rhea Tillmanns, Jordyn Weiland, Avaree Zapisocki, Megan Hubbard, Aubree Ohryn, Julia Garchinski , Katie Halbach, Sierra Hoobonoff, Alex Macdonald, Isla Stoddart-Reis, Elle Bourret, Ava Cross, Alexis Simonot, Kalenna Klisowsky, Myro Anisimova, Hannah Cawley and Madeline MacRoberts.

ABOVE: The U13 AAA Sask Five Giants were presented with the Championship banner during the 2023 Baseball Sask Luncheon, which took place on October 21st.

(Sask Five Giants Baseball Association)

ABOVE: The MHS Girls Soccer team played John Paul II in their first game of the 4A Girls Soccer Regionals on Friday, October 20th, where they won 2-0. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

ABOVE: The Martensville High School Boys Soccer team. (Submitted)

ABOVE: Valley Soccer Association’s U5 season kicked off last week with a high-energy, funfilled training session. (Valley Soccer Association)

SPORTS Royals Wrap First Season as 12-Aside Team Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville High School (MHS) Royals football team wrapped up their inaugural season in the 12-aside league on Thursday, October 19th where they saw a 22-0 loss against North Battleford.

“Our team goals for the season were to have at least a .500 record and secure ourselves a playoff birth. We were very excited to accomplish both goals in our first year in 12-aside football. Going into Thursday night’s game, we were fairly banged up and hoping to get a win and escape injury free, but sadly, neither of those goals were met,” Coach Tyler Munday said.

During the extremely physical October 19th game, the Royals lost Aidan Low on play five of the game to a hamstring injury and further into the game, Cale Robertson went down with a significant knee injury. Both players were out for the remainder of the game.

At half-time, the score was 1-0 for North Battleford, and in the second half, Munday noted that the game increased physically, which saw a number of players go down to injury, and multiple penalties for both teams. In the fourth quarter, the game escalated in roughness, which led to the ejection of a player from North Battleford.

Going into the second half with a one-point deficit, the Royals gave it their all; however, a punt block early into the third quarter led to the first of three second half touchdowns for North Battleford.

“The boys fought hard on both sides of the ball, but we just couldn’t sustain our offensive drives and sadly fell 22-0 in the end,” Munday stated.

“We're very excited for the future of our program as we retain a large number of the players from this season. We want to thank our graduating Grade 12 players: Cale Robertson, Jared Festus, Carter Flynn, Thomas Shoemaker, James Fasooto, Gavin Gordon, Ezekiel Topping, Jackson Hull, Chase Hahn, Chase Schiebelbein, Cole Grona, Jaxon Peterson, Josh Hamilton, and Seth Osler for their hard work and dedication while they were members of the Royal's Football Team.”

The year-end awards for the Royals football team will take place at Martensville High School on Wednesday, November 29th.

Martensville Curling Club Hosts Mixed Doubles Tournament

From October 20-22, Prairie Ice and Curling Stadium hosted Mixed Doubles Curling at the Martensville Curling Club, which consisted of 20 teams, and a $12,000 prize purse.

The first draw took place on Friday, October 20th at 9am and the excitement took place throughout the weekend with the playoffs taking place on Sunday at 3:30pm.

Teams from Canada, Japan, ABOVE: Dustin Kalthoff China and the throws a rock during the USA competed playoff game on Sunday, with Canada’s October 22nd.

Team Thevenot/ (curlingzone.com) Kalthoff, who hails from Saskatoon, going up against Japan’s Team Koana/Aoki in the final match-up, where ABOVE: Ashley Thevenot and they lost 6-4.

Dustin Kalthoff made it to the It was an exciting weekend of curling, and just playoffs this past weekend at the beginning of what is sure to be an eventful the Martensville Mixed Doubles season at the Martensville Curling Club.

Bonspiel. (curlingzone.com)

MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - Page 5

Major Donation Assures New Breast Cancer Screening Bus for Rural Saskatchewan

Thousands of women across Saskatchewan will soon have increased access to breast cancer screening services, thanks to a major donation from the Kinsmen Foundation.

The Kinsmen Foundation presented a $1 M cheque to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan’s Breast Cancer Screening Bus campaign. This gift was made possible thanks to donations made to the annual TeleMiracle telethon.

“This breast cancer screening service plays a critically important, life saving role in the lives of thousands of women across rural Saskatchewan every year. Thanks to the generosity of TeleMiracle donors, we are honored to enable the continuation of this crucial service, for years to come,” Raelynn Nicholson, Chair of the Kinsmen Foundation Board of Directors.

The $1M donation completes the fundraising required in the Beast Cancer Screening Bus Campaign launched one year ago by the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan. This donation is an example of two uniquely Saskatchewan foundations joining forces to support Saskatchewan people with breast cancer.

“One year ago, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we launched a campaign to raise $2M to replace and fully equip a new breast screening vehicle. Our donors rose to the task to ensure the continuation of this critical service of breast cancer screening for women in rural and remote communities across the province. Today, thanks to the Kinsmen Foundation, we have reached our $2M fundraising target. We want to thank the Kinsmen Foundation for their donation which will assist in saving the lives of many, many Saskatchewan women for years to come,” Nora Yeates, CEO, Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women and the second leading cause of their death. It is estimated that 760 Saskatchewan women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and 170 will die from the disease. Early detection plays a critically important role in saving lives.

The Breast Cancer Screening Bus plays a crucial role in Kelly Rea’s life.

Kelly, who lives 10 miles north of Norquay, Saskatchewan, travels regularly to get her mammograms on the screening bus. She says it has been a life-saving resource for many rural Saskatchewan residents.

“I am so pleased to know that this incredible resource will continue to operate for rural and northern women. For many rural women, traveling to Saskatoon or Regina for a mammogram can sometimes be incredibly difficult, which means without local access many would not get mammograms. Because it travels to rural and northern communities across the province, the Breast Cancer Screening Bus makes accessing your mammogram easy. The Breast Cancer Screening Bus plays an incredibly important role in helping to save lives. This new funding means it will continue to be able to do so, for many, many more Saskatchewan women well into the future,” said Rea. The Breast Cancer Screening Bus has facilitated more than 250,000 potentially life-saving screening mammograms to thousands of Saskatchewan women over the past 20 years.

“We are so very pleased to be able to assist the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, in continuing to offer this vital service to women across the province,” said Nicholson.

“We want to thank all of the many individuals, communities, and organisations across the province that along with the Kinsmen Foundation, have enabled us to reach the required $2M fundraising goal. Your efforts in supporting access to cancer detection and treatment services in the province play a huge role in the ongoing delivery of highquality cancer treatment for Saskatchewan people,” said Yeates.

BACKGROUND: The Screening Program for Breast Cancer provides screening mammograms to Saskatchewan women who: • are 50 years of age or older, • do not have symptoms of breast cancer such as lumps, bloody nipple discharge or skin changes, • do not have breast implants, • are not on active follow-up for breast cancer, and, • have been cancer free for five years.

Screening mammograms are available at permanent Saskatchewan Cancer Agency centres in Regina and Saskatoon, and at satellite centres in Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Swift Current and Yorkton.

The Breast Cancer Screening Bus provides screening services to women in nearly 40 rural and remote communities across Saskatchewan.

Page 6 - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - Page 7

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Pronoun Bill Wastes Legislature’s Time We get back to the regular business of the Saskatchewan Legislature this week. It might be unfair to suggest as some have already done that the only purpose of last week’s “emergency” session; the first one in 25 years since Roy Romanow’s NDP government legislated SaskPower workers back to the job in 1998; was to distract from matters more pertinent than the Parental Rights bill that ensures parents are informed by teachers as to what name and pronoun their children are using in schools.

If this odd legislation was solely motivated by politics, one might think the 16-year-old Saskatchewan Party government would have had a more cohesive strategy and messaging.

Instead, Premier Scott Moe’s administration very much seems to be flying by the seat of its pants, with its messaging changing daily; if not hourly.

The government justifications began with “we heard the message” sent by Lumsden-Morse byelection voters that still elected Sask. Party candidate Blaine McLeod with a solid 50-per-cent-plus majority; a vast contrast to its city byelections who pummelled the Sask. Party’s candidates in two north Regina constituencies that the governing party held.

Oddly, enough, the “pronoun” issue wasn’t even the big byelection issue for the Saskatchewan United Party that focussed on age-inappropriate material a Grade 9 Lumsden student obtained while Planned Parenthood was teaching students about safe sex practices.

It was only then that the Sask. Party came forward with its directive that not only banned Planned Parenthood but also ordered that schools in Saskatchewan must make parents aware of any request by students to use different given names or pronouns in class.

That decision was met with a court injunction from a University of Regina group promoting the rights of sexually diverse students, in which Justice Michael Megaw ruled that “irreparable harm” might be done to the rare student who might have reason for a keeping that information from a less-thanunderstanding parent.

After that, Moe called it “judicial overreach” (a term he and his ministers have since avoided using, since in implies criticism of the courts), but called for the emergency sitting of the legislature to pass the legislation that twice uses the notwithstanding clause to bypass the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code. (Human Rights Commissioner Heather Kuttai has since resigned over the legislation.)

We also heard last week from Moe and Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill that “impetus” for the bill, not the Lumsden-Morse byelection, but a Regina Board of Education order “explicitly excluding parents in reporting discussions involving their children.”

However, Cockrill clearly mischaracterized Regina’s 2022 school administrative procedure that’s been long posted on the school board website designed “to prevent harassment and discrimination” by ensuring “every student has the right to be addressed by a name or pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity.”

The Regina schools procedure goes on to say that staff are to “respect confidentiality and privacy and not disclose sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression of students unless the student has given permission or there is an impending safety concern.”

The latter seems consistent with virtually every other school board in the province. In fact, Moe has claimed his new law isn’t a departure from what’s going on in schools everywhere right now, anyway.

If so, though, why would a judge think it would cause “irreparable harm”? And why would his government need the notwithstanding clause? But the problem with last week may not even be the inconsistent justifications for questionable legislation. The problem is very much what else we could and should be doing with legislature’s time that is more pressing.

Rural and city emergency rooms have been closed.

We lack of doctors and nurses. Our classrooms remain overcrowded. Our utility bills are too high.Those issues do seem like emergency issues. The pronoun issue wasn’t.

Additional New Treaty Boundary Highway Signs Unveiled Our government, in partnership with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, recently unveiled a series of new highway signs to be placed in the Estevan, Moosomin, Lanigan and La Ronge areas to highlight Treaty boundaries.

Thousands of daily commuters and tourists will see these signs on their driving routes, which can help start and continue important conversations about Treaties in Saskatchewan.

These new signs are similar to the historic, first-of-their-kind ones placed last fall on the Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 boundary line along Highway 11 between Saskatoon and Regina. The signs each include greetings in Indigenous languages specific to their locations, the phrase representing the spirit and intent of the Treaties as long as the sun shines, grass grows, and rivers flow, and images of the Treaty medals provided to First Nations following the Treaty negotiations.

These signs are a symbol of our government’s continuing reconciliation journey and ongoing work to support Treaty education initiatives in Saskatchewan. Our government is proud to continue this work in partnership with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner on our ongoing path to reconciliation.

Recognizing Small Businesses & Co-operatives Saskatchewan recognizes October 15-21 as Small Business Week, a week for celebrating the important contributions small businesses make to the economy. Did you know that more than 30 per cent of all workers in the province work for a small business? The products, services and jobs that small businesses provide help to build and protect Saskatchewan’s growing economy.

October 15-21 is also Co-operatives Week, recognizing the positive contributions that local cooperatives make in ensuring our communities can continue to grow. Co-operatives are vital to Saskatchewan’s economy and continue to provide essential jobs, products and services in communities of all sizes. Along with investing profits back into the province, Saskatchewan’s 750 co-operatives provide approximately 15,000 jobs across sectors, and 56 per cent of Saskatchewan residents are members of at least one! Our government values co-operatives and the role they play in helping us grow our province’s economy.

Strong Economic Trends Continue Our government continues to get good news on the provincial economy; our province’s wholesale trade leads the nation in month-over-month growth. From July to August of this year, our province saw a 12.4% increase, and a 57 per cent increase from August 2022 to August 2023.

Saskatchewan’s housing starts also lead the nation in year-over-year growth, with a 14.8 per cent increased from September 2022 to September 2023. These numbers show that our province’s economy continues to thrive, allowing us to continue building and protecting the province’s economic future.

Affirming Provincial Rights Over Natural Resources Your Saskatchewan Party government continues to work to build and protect our provincial economy.

Recently, Saskatchewan welcomed the Supreme Court of Canada’s 5-2 ruling against the federal government’s Impact Assessment Act (IAA), formerly Bill C-69. The IAA had stalled investment in everything from highway and mine projects to LNG facilities and pipelines. In the court ruling, the Supreme Court not only ruled that the federal government had overstepped constitutional authority, but also that the Trudeau government should be more “cooperative” with provinces in the future.

This decision is nothing short of a constitutional tipping point, and reasserts provinces’ rights and primary jurisdiction over natural resources, the environment and power generation. It should also force the federal government to reassess other areas of overreach, including capping oil and gas production and electrical generation. The policy has thwarted investment, competitiveness and productivity across the country; this major decision will correct course.

Saskatchewan, along with seven other provinces, was part of the constitutional intervention in this bill last March, arguing that the IAA had exceeded federal jurisdiction. Also in March, the provincial government passed the Saskatchewan First Act to counter the federal government’s attempts to interfere in matters of provincial jurisdiction. The Act came into effect on September 15, 2023 and will allow Saskatchewan to continue to build and protect our provincial economy.

As the fall sitting of the Legislature is now underway, I look forward to hearing from you. If you have questions or comments, please contact my office at office@terryjenson.ca or 306-242-2111.

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advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca Letter to the Editor The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 - Martensville, SK S0K 2T0.

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Page 8 - OCTOBER 26, 2023 - MARTENSVILLE MESSENGER

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Martensville, SK

KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD

SCHOOL DAYS

Form H [Section 66 of the Act]

Notice of Call for Nominations School Division Elections PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that nominations of candidates for the office of:

Board Member: Prairie Spirit School Division No. 206 Subdivision 9 - City of Martensville

will be received by the undersigned on the 8th day of November, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Prairie Spirit School Division Office, 121 Collins Street, Warman, SK, and during regular business hours on October 23 to November 7, 2023, at:

• In person by the candidate or their agent: Prairie Spirit School Division, 121 Collins Street, Warman, SK

• Fax: • Mail: • Email:

(306) 934-8221 Prairie Spirit School Division, Box 809, Warman, SK S0K 4S0 elections@spiritsd.ca

Nomination forms may be obtained at the following locations:

• Prairie Spirit School Division website: www.spiritsd.ca/elections • Schools in Prairie Spirit School Division • Martensville City Hall • Prairie Spirit School Division Office Dated this 14th day of October, 2023.

Ron Walter, Returning Officer

Martensville SK 306-244-4950

Catholic School Enrolment Tops 22,000 Rapid growth at Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools has pushed total student enrolment passed 22,000 students.

As of September 30, 2023, enrolment for prekindergarten – Grade 12 students in the division is 22,089, which is 1,590 more students compared to the same period in the 2022-23 school year. This includes in-year growth (after September 30, 2022) during the 2022-23 school year.

“We’ve seen incredible growth over the last two years,” said Diane Boyko, Board of Education chair. “Division staff have done a remarkable job welcoming over 2,500 students in those two years. Knowing that parents and caregivers are choosing Catholic education and entrusting us with the education of their children is quite humbling. It helps keep our responsibility as educators in perspective.”

Families new to Canada continue to be a significant factor in overall growth, accounting for 1,495 students. A trend toward urbanization in the province is also a contributing factor.

“We’ve added the equivalent of five schools worth of students in two years, but we have not had a new school built since 2017,” said Boyko. “There’s a certain degree of urgency to build new schools - both elementary and high school - to accommodate our growth. The number of schools that are over-capacity increases every year, and our ability to convert other learning spaces into classrooms dwindles every year.

“Facilities are important. We need those. More importantly, we need to keep in mind it’s the people; teachers; educational assistants; supports like counselling, English as an additional language and speech language pathologists; that are the heart of education. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Education to encourage investment in both facilities and in properly funding education with the staff and resources students need to be successful.”

Enrolment data has been submitted to the Ministry of Education for verification and approval. Depending on provincial enrolment numbers, additional funding later in the year to support higher-than-projected enrolment is a possibility.

With 50 schools and over 22,000 students, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools is Saskatchewan’s largest Catholic school division, providing Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in Saskatoon and area, Biggar, Humboldt, Martensville and Warman. We are rooted in faith, growing in knowledge and reaching out to transform the world.