Webpaper 37

Page 1

Vol. 105 No. 37

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

20 pages

$1.25

Bring ing ne w and a rea fo s to Biggar r 105 years ! Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0

email: tip@sasktel.net

Phone: 306-948-3344

www.biggarindependent.ca a

McFarlaneBurton elected to Federation of Canadian Music Festivals Joy McFarlane-Burton, SMFA

member. McFarlane-Burton understands Past-President, was elected as Director to the FCMF Board of the role of the board and the Directors at the 2014 AGM and mission and vision of the FCMF. Conference held August 11 to 13. She is passionate about the work involved in the The announcement festival movement, was made by the empowering and Saskatchewan Music supportive. Festival Association Well-respected (SMFA) President, within the music Karen MacCallum. festival community, McFarlaneMcFarlane-Burton Burton has served brings honesty and as a delegate from integrity to this Saskatchewan to board. Her excellent the FCMF AGM communication and and Conference organization skills annually since 2007. When Saskatchewan Joy McFarlane-Burton as well as many years of experience hosted FCMF AGM/ Conference and National Music as a vocal teacher, adjudicator will Festival in 2009, she was co- only enhance the work required by chair of the volunteer committee. the FCMF Board of Directors. The National Music Festival At the 2009 AGM, McFarlaneBurton became chair of the ad is held under the auspices of hoc committee for the inclusion the Federation of Canadian of musical theatre at the National Music Festivals. A National Festival. The work of this Music Festival has been held in committee enabled the addition of Canada every year since 1972. the Musical Theatre Class at the The Festival provides a showcase for Canada’s finest amateur 2014 National Music Festival. For her many years of service, classical musicians. Its purpose Joy was recognized as a Volunteer is to provide artists with the of the Year for Saskatchewan by opportunity to compete against other elite amateur musicians, to the FCMF in 2013. In 2015, McFarlane-Burton be critiqued by world-renowned will have been involved with the adjudicators, to attend master Biggar and District Music Festival classes and to receive substantial for 50 consecutive years as a scholarships. competitor, teacher, or committee

20 straight months of lowest unemployment rate in Canada Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate has been the lowest in Canada for 20 consecutive months. According to new labour force data released today for August 2014, the unemployment rate was 4.2 per cent (seasonally adjusted). Nationally, the unemployment rate was 7.0 per cent in August. Saskatchewan’s labour force reached 604,100; a historical high in the province. The increase in the unemployment rate can be attributed to strong labour force growth, which saw 6,100 new workers (seasonally adjusted) added to the province’s labour force in August. Full-time employment also increased by 11,600 over August 2013, reaching 489,400; another historical high in the province. “Having the lowest unemployment rate in the country

for 20 consecutive months is exciting,” Minister responsible for Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Jeremy Harrison said. “Our labour market is also growing meaning there are more full-time jobs demonstrating continued strong economic opportunities in Saskatchewan.” Since August 2013, 7,500 new jobs have been created, for a growth rate of 1.3 per cent, the second highest among all provinces. “We continue to see steady progress and positive results, a reflection of the hard work of the men, women and businesses in Saskatchewan,” Harrison said. Other highlights: • Employment reached 572,400, an all-time high for the month of August (33 months of consecutive increases).

Threat from the sky . . . A trio of horses graze while the clouds grow dark, September 3. The weather turned cold the following week, with snow falling in neighbouring Alberta. It’s only September, let’s hope the green hangs around a while longer. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam) • The unemployment rate for youth (seasonally adjusted) was 8.9 per cent, the lowest among all provinces and well below the national average of 13.4 per cent. • Regina’s unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) remains the lowest of all major Canadian cities at 3.1 per cent and Saskatoon’s rate was the second lowest at 4.4 per cent. • S t r o n g y e a r- o v e r- y e a r employment growth in the goodsproducing sector was due to strong gains in agriculture (up 4,700), construction (up 4,400), and forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas (up 1,600).

Vogue . . . A St. Gabriel School student strikes a pose, Monday, captured by a photographer for posterity. Picture day for both schools had many students dressed to impress as the academic year begins. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.