Vol. 104 No. 08
Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-948-3344
20 pages g
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Cargill donates $25,000 to equip kitchen in new Biggar long-term care home Cargill’s malt division, Prairie Malt Limited,
Day of the Pancake . . . Jay Maudsley, left, dishes up during the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Pancake Supper at the Biggar New Horizons, February 12. Jay appears
announced February 8 that it is was making a $25,000
donation in support of Biggar’s new long-term
to be especially hungry with two plates, but, being a good brother, he was dishing a second plate for a sibling. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
care centre. The 54-bed long-term care centre, which will be operated by the Heartland Health Region, will replace the previous facility built in 1967. The majority of funding for the centre will be from Biggar’s local Regional Health Authority, as well as the surrounding municipality. The funding specifically for furnishings and equipment for the centre, however, is expected to come from private donations by corporations and community members. Cargill’s decision to equip the centre’s kitchen comes from the company’s commitment to promoting health and nutrition in its local communities. “Throughout the world, Cargill works to ensure that people everywhere have access to safe and nutritious food. We’re pleased to help do that right here in the Biggar community by providing resources for the new centre’s kitchen. It is an
Saskatchewan remains on track for balanced budget Saskatchewan has maintained its enviable position through the first three quarters of this fiscal year, remaining the only province in Canada on track for a balanced budget. The government’s Third Quarter Financial Report, released February 15, projects the province will finish 2012-13 with a pretransfer surplus of $8.8 million in its General Revenue Fund (GRF). “Given the current world e c o n o m y, p r e s e r v i n g a balanced budget is challenging,” Finance Minister Ken Krawetz said. “While Saskatchewan’s economy is strong, resource revenue is down because of falling prices. This decline is offset somewhat by record investment and revenue from a growing tax base, which has expanded thanks to higher employment and population growth.” GRF expense is now projected to finish the year at $11.39 billion – up $190.4 million or 1.7
per cent from budget, largely due to higher than expected usage of certain government services and unforeseen weather events, like flooding. The increases include: • $40 million for the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (up $110 million in total over Budget); • $51 million for Teachers’ Pensions and Benefits; • $47 million for AgriStability, AgriInvest and Crop Insurance; • $10 million for snow removal and ice control on provincial highways; • $10 million for increased use of the Research and Development Tax Credit in the 2011 tax year; • $7 million for increased usage of court services, corrections and prosecutions; and • $4 million for increased usage of the Graduate Retention Program. “These expenses have been offset by expense management savings identified at mid-year and by an increased
dividend from Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan (CIC),” Krawetz said. “At budget, we expected the Crowns to generate 2012 net income of $346.5 million and that CIC would provide a dividend to the GRF equal to about 90 per cent of this net income, excluding the net income of SaskPower, allowing the corporation to address its long-term infrastructure requirements.” In 2012, CIC Crowns, excluding SaskPower, generated net income of about $135 million more than expected at budget time. About 90 per cent of this increase – $120 million – will be provided to the GRF. GRF revenue is now projected to finish the year at $11.40 billion – up $104.2 million or 0.9 per cent from budget, largely due to higher than expected tax revenue and the increased CIC dividend. Government general public debt is forecast to
be $3.8 billion at the end of 2012-13, unchanged from budget and from the end of the previous fiscal year. The province’s Growth and Financial Security Fund is now forecast to finish 2012-13 with a balance of $662.7 million. “Fiscal responsibility continues to be our
foundation, a key part of our Plan For Growth to help keep Saskatchewan moving forward,” Krawetz said. “Given the volatility of world markets and unforeseen circumstances, we are pleased to be able to maintain a balanced budget.”
honour for us to be involved with an organization that will make such an important difference in the lives of Biggar’s residents,” said Doug Eden, president, Cargill Malt. “The Friends of the Lodge Committee is very appreciative of Cargill’s Prairie Malt team for making such a substantial donation towards equipping the dietary department of our new facility,” said Gene Motruk, Friends of the Lodge committee member. The preparation and service of meals for the residents will be offered in a style that reinforces familiar eating experiences associated with small social gatherings. “There will be no formal meal setting; each resident will determine when they wish to dine, allowing them more freedom and flexibility,” added Motruk. The nutrition area will be constructed and equipped to conform to the latest edition of the Public Eating Establishment Regulations. “This combination of public and private partners addresses a very important need in our local community,” said Jerome Woynarski, plant manager, Prairie Malt Limited. “We’re excited and proud to play a part in the development of the new centre.”
Could have been worse . . . This motorist found themselves off-roading, Thursday on Eighth Avenue West, sliding through a few lawns before ending up at an abrupt stop, courtesy of a tree. Fortunately, no one was hurt. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)