Valentine’s Day gift ideas, pages 10 and 11
Remember your Valentine on February 14
More federal costs pushed on provinces for Old Age Security, say NDP
Bantam Nats rock Broncs . . . Biggar Bantam National C-man, Tanner Semenuik, puts the hurt on a Humboldt Bronco in Game 2 of a two-game provincial series, January 28 at the Jubilee Stadium. The playoff
game was never in doubt as the Bantam Nats rolled to a 7-0 win, and a 15-7 series win. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Premier announces Spring Session to start March 5, Budget on March 21 Premier Brad Wall last Thursday announced that the spring session of the Legislative Assembly will begin on Monday March 5 with the 2012-13 provincial budget to be delivered on Wednesday, March 21. Wall said the provincial budget will focus on keeping the government’s election commitments
while maintaining fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget. “Saskatchewan’s economy is leading the nation,” Wall said. “We have a growing population, low unemployment, the second-highest average wages in the country and a great quality of life in our province. “Saskatchewan people
have worked hard to create the Saskatchewan advantage and this budget will be about keeping the Saskatchewan advantage.” Wall said the budget will also provide funding for the government’s election commitments, like the new Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship that will
provide up to $2,000 over four years to new high school graduates to reduce the cost of post-secondary tuition in Saskatchewan. “Saskatchewan already has the best graduate retention program in the country, which gives postsecondary grads all of their tuition back if they choose to stay in Saskatchewan,”
The provincial NDP is calling for the Sask Party government to firmly oppose the Conservative government’s proposed changes to Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. With the federal Conservative government pushing for OAS benefits to be reduced by two years, the Sask Party government must stand up for seniors and push back against the wave of costs being shifted onto the provinces. “ T h e f e d e r a l Conservatives appear interested in making their bank balance look better by pushing costs on to the provinces,” said Cam Broten, NDP critic for employment and seniors, January 31. “The federal government is planning to divert healthcare costs, their expensive crime bill costs and now the cost Wall said. “Now, we want to take the next step by making post-secondary education more affordable through the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship. “ I t ’s j u s t o n e s t e p in our plan to keep Saskatchewan moving forward. That’s what this upcoming session will be about.”
Biggar Quartet off to Telemiracle
of ensuring security for seniors to our province.” The NDP believes that now is the time to stand up for Saskatchewan. “Saskatchewan should embrace this opportunity to tell the federal government what Saskatchewan people want and need,” said Broten. “We don’t think seniors should have to work longer for their security and retirement dignity and we don’t think the province should pick up the tab for scaled-back federal programs.” The federal government proposes to change the age at which Canadians qualify for the OAS benefit to 67 from 65. The OAS benefit has been guaranteed for all Canadians 65 and older since 1969. “Asking seniors to pay for a shortfall in a plan they’ve counted on and paid into their whole lives is not fair,” said Broten. “This change would also leave expensive gaps in the system.” Broten pointed to the Canada Pension Plan disability benefit, which expires when a recipient turns 65, as do many private disability insurance benefits. “The Sask Party government needs to push back in order to ensure Saskatchewan’s seniors and provincial programs don’t suffer.”
They want you to help Telemiracle this March 3-4 by Kevin Brautigam of The Independent Telemiracle 36 will have a Biggar flavour this March, as four area performers and their accompanist hit the stage for the province’s largest charity fund raiser. Cari and Kyle McCarty, Susan and Graham Lehnert, along with accompanist and conductor, Louise Souillet-Hawkins, were selected to perform on the televised annual fund raiser recently, and admit they are excited and a bit anxious. “ We a u d i t i o n e d i n October and we found out mid-November that we had been chosen to be on,”
described Susan Lehnert. The apprehension seems to be the sole domain of the moms in the quartet. “We’re scared but excited,” Susan, along with Cari and Louise, laughs. “The boys well, they’re just old hands at performing.” The Biggar Quartet is using the honour to do a little fund raising for Saskatchewan’s premier fund raising cause. Around town, boxes will be placed for area residents to donate to the Kinsmen Foundation Telemiracle, this year in it’s 36 edition. “We would like to take donations there,” Susan explained. “So there will be donation boxes at
businesses around town.” “Anyone who would like to give a personal donation, they can contact one of us,” Louise added. “There are people that often give donations, so instead of sending them through the mail, we can take them with us.” The Quartet is covering their own costs of travel and accommodations. They will simply help you out by taking your donation to Regina, site of the performances, as you help out those supported by the Kinsmen Foundation. Of course, anything $10 or more, is tax deductible.
Louise Souillet-Hawkins, centre, takes Cari and Kyle McCarty, Susan and Graham Lehnert (left to right) through a few numbers, warming themselves up for Telemiracle 36 this March 3-4. Check out biggarindependent.ca for a sneak-peek video this Wednesday of a few of the numbers they’ll perform at the Kinsmen Foundation’s annual fund raiser. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)