Erik, Cecilia and Isabelle selected pets to adopt during Pet Cents, held Monday at the Weyburn Public Library. During the interactive program, participants learned how to budget responsibly to care for their adopted pets.
Weyburn man to serve nearly 3.5 years
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
A Weyburn man will have a lengthy time in prison after he was charged in two separate drug busts 11 months apart.
Ryley Mantei was sentenced to 1,260 days in custody, or nearly three and a half years, on October 28 in Weyburn Provincial Court, as per the terms of a joint submission between the Crown and prosecution.
Crown prosecutor Kim Stinson noted Mantei spent 313 days in custody on the charges, so he received 470 days of enhanced credit, leaving Mantei with 790 days remaining from the sentencing date.
For the first arrest February 28, 2024, Mantei pleaded guilty to one count each of trafficking cocaine, possession of a prohibited firearm and unsafe storage of a firearm.
Several charges were stayed, including possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous pur-
pose and possession of property obtained by crime.
According to information from the Weyburn Police Service, a co-accused in the matter, Tiffany Martin, pleaded guilty to a trafficking cocaine charge and received a 12-month jail sentence. The other charges she was facing have been stayed.
Stinson said that in December 2023, members of the Weyburn Police Service’s Drug Enforcement Unit began an investigation on a residence and its tenants.
“Police performed surveillance and saw a high volume of come-and-go traffic consistent with drug trafficking. A warrant to search the residence and the co-accused’s vehicles was authorized,” said Stinson.
When police searched the vehicle, Stinson said they found items related to potential drug trade and indicators of hard drug use. At the residence, they found a sawed-off shotgun, a restricted shotgun, two baseball bats, a firearm magazine, a replica firearm
and further items potentially connected to the drug trade.
He was charged with one count of violating his release conditions in March 2024 and two counts of violations in June of that year, and he pleaded guilty to those charges. Additional charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, stemming from the June 2024 arrest, were stayed.
Finally, on January 17, 2025, Mantei and another co-accused, Julia Huard, were arrested on drug and other charges. Mantei pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine and two counts of violating the terms of a release order. Charges for possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and violating release conditions were stayed.
Huard pleaded guilty on Oct. 3, avoiding a preliminary hearing on her charges.
Continued on page 2
The Festival of Trees fundraiser, hosted by The Family Place, will return on November 26 at the Great Plains Ford Auction Building. Tree set up for the event will take place on November 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.. Tree viewing will be offered November 19-22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 24 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and November 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Facebook online silent auction will be set up from November 19-24 with the inperson, ticket only tree auction event set for Nov. 26. If you wish to donate a silent auction item, it can be dropped off at the Family Place before November 17. You can also contact the Family Place and someone will gladly stop and pick up your donation. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, contact The Family Place at 306-842-7477.
YF COMEDY NIGHT SET
Looking for an idea for your staff Christmas Party or a night out with a group of friends? The Young Fellows Club of Weyburn has you covered.
The club is hosting a Comedy Night on Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22 at the Weyburn Legion. The menu will include a prime rib supper on Friday and a turkey dinner on Saturday.
The headliner for the evening will be Darryl Koszman with Ryan Skjerdal supplying the opening performance.
Tickets are available from any club member or at weyburnyoungfellows. com. Remember, funds raised at every Young Fellows’ event go directly back into our community.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn
Community News
Bail hearing delayed for man charged in shooting death
SaskToday.ca
The man accused in a fatal shooting near Weyburn earlier this year has a new date for his showcause hearing.
Chris Fahlman made a video appearance in Regina Provincial Court on November 10. His matter was adjourned to November 14 at 9 a.m. for the bail inquiry. He remains in custody.
Background: Fahlman is charged in connection with the death of 44-yearold Tanya Myers near Weyburn in September. Myers was a passenger in one of two vehicles the RCMP
Weyburn
Continued from front
She pleaded guilty to one count each of trafficking and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, and received a 20-month conditional sentence order. Other charges were stayed.
Stinson noted the Weyburn Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Unit
says were struck by bullets while travelling on Highway 39 on September 12.
The RCMP says Fahlman is charged with one count each of manslaughter with a firearm, careless use of a firearm, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and occupying a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm inside.
The RCMP says Fahlman and Myers were not known to each other.
A show-cause hearing was initially slated for November 6, but it was postponed.
man to serve nearly 3.5
received information from a confidential informant that Mantei was selling large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine in conjunction with a couple known drug runners in Weyburn. The following month, Stinson said CIU members received information that the accused was getting methamphetamine out of Moose
Roundabouts
Jaw, and people would go to the home of the accused to purchase and use drugs.
“Multiple days of surveillance were then carried out by the CIU members of the known residence of the accused,” said Stinson.
From December 19, 2024, to January 17, 2025, Stinson CIU members observed numerous quick-
years for drug and other charges
duration visits by vehicles and people to the residence.
The WPS CIU found 0.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a baseball bat, a filleting knife and items consistent with the drug trade. Stinson noted Mantei did not have a prior criminal record. Mantei’s attorney William Louison said Mantei reported having a good
A roundabout is a circular intersection which allows the free flow of traffic in a single direction around a centre island. They are engineered to minimize severe collisions by having few conflict points and encouraging vehicles to slow down
How does it work?
Traffic indicated by red arrows must yield to traffic indicated by white arrows. Traffic entering the roundabout must yield to traffic in the roundabout:
• B and C must yield to A.
• E must yield to D while F and D proceed.
• H must yield to G.
Remember to:
• Slow down.
• Be prepared to yield
• Choose the correct lane in advance based on your exit
• Give trucks plenty of room
A truck apron will accommodate wider and longer vehicles that require more turning area. While roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections, collisions can still happen. To ensure maximum safety, drivers must always yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
For more information about the Ministry of Highways or to contact our Customer Service Centre, please visit: saskatchewan.ca/highways.
childhood and upbringing, including a good relationship with his parents. Mantei has worked in the oilpatch and in construction.
In 2022, Mantei’s mother died from cancer, which Louison said was very difficult on Mantei. A family dog died a short time later, which Louison said “had a profound impact” on Mantei, who was also separated from his partner.
“Then he turned to drugs and ... he tells me that things really spiralled from there,” said Louison.
With no criminal record and a significant work history, Mantei had been a very upstanding member of the community, Louison said.
“He takes full responsibility for his actions, he expresses remorse for his actions,” said Louison, noting the guilty pleas likely saved 12 days in provincial court for the preliminary hearings and additional time in Court of King’s Bench for the trials.
Louison said he and Stinson worked on the plea deal for several months, and the agreement is the product of some quid pro quo. It’s a
“very significant sentence” for a first-time offender, Louison said, but he believes it’s appropriate. Mantei expressed remorse for his mistakes and apologized for his actions, and he said he wants to take positive steps to turn his life around.
“Over the past 10 months while incarcerated, I have maintained my sobriety and I am fully committed to my recovery. I have learned from my mistakes and I am determined not to repeat them,” said Mantei.
He added he wants to set a good example for his son and show there’s a better way of dealing with life’s struggles. In accepting the joint submission, Judge Brian Hendrickson noted the trafficking appears to be a commercial enterprise rather than for personal use.
“It’s a nasty business. It’s a dirty business. It hurts people in the community. It perpetuates people’s addictions. I describe it as a scourge on the community,” Hendrickson said.
The judge added he believes Mantei is genuine in his remorse.
Entries sought for Festival of Carols
Submitted
The Rotary Club of Weyburn is preparing for the 72nd annual Festival of Carols to begin the Christmas season in our city. They invite local residents to share in this wonderful day of music.
They are hoping that all choirs and groups who have participated in Carol Festivals in the past will again prepare an entry this year. The old familiar carols are enjoyed by all.
The festival will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in the Grace United Church at 210 Third Street
NE in Weyburn. There will be one performance at 2 p.m. and a second performance at 7 p.m.
Entries must be submitted by November 23, 2024. Once all entries are received, a copy of the programs for both performances will be sent to each choir leader. All participants are asked to assemble in the upper C.E. Centre of Grace United. They also request that parental supervision for children’s groups be provided in the C.E. Centre.
They hope local groups will help make the 72th annual Carol Festival a success.
Weyburn Police Cpl. Gord Gateman read to a small reading circle during a Community Helpers storytime, held at the Weyburn Public Library on November 7.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
Learn about navigating roundabouts
Image courtesy of SGI
Agriculture, Oil & Business
In the spirit of celebrating excellence, the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers’ Association (SRMTA) presented the Outstanding Achievement Award to Cherith Alexander of Weyburn. Alexander was recognized as a SRMTA member who has made a difference in her students’ lives and her local musical community. The award was presented by President Laurel Teichroeb.
Trail cameras aiding in badger research efforts
Shaynee
Modien Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Badgers, the “elusive” predators of the Canadian Prairies, continue to be a subject of interest for further research.
Beatriz Prieto, along with the Ministry of the Environment, is building on a previous badger study and a similar, larger predator review in south Saskatchewan. In 2024, a major badger study was conducted, and the research on these carnivorous animals revealed that badgers continue to be elusive, prompting the need for more research ideas. As a result, a portion of the study program was extended into 2025.
Badgers are known to be challenging to study due to their large home range and solitary lifestyle. To overcome this, trail cameras were set up in the southwest to capture images of these burrowing animals and other predators in the region.
The previous year’s study involved Ministry of Environment researchers driving approximately 500 kilometres across the Southwest region, resulting in 26 sightings,
which equated to about one badger every 38 kilometres. However, the researchers hope that the trail cameras, positioned in commonly used wildlife areas, will provide a more comprehensive picture of the badgers.
According to Beatriz, “All the driving doesn’t give you the bigger picture of how they’re doing, because they’re really hard to find during the day, so we know that we missed a lot.”
She added that local communities have reported a healthy badger population, with residents saying “there are enough badgers out there that they’re not in trouble or anything.”
Nevertheless, badgers continue to be listed as a “special concern,” meaning they are at the start of the watch list. While the trail camera research is not expected to be finalized until January 2026, local input remains crucial. If you observe a badger in your area, you can contribute to the research by contacting SKCDC. Data@gov.sk.ca to help gather more data on this vital animal in the prairie ecosystem.
Envision launches volunteer drive to strengthen community support
Submitted
Envision Counselling and Support Centre is calling on community members to join its growing team of volunteers through a new volunteer drive. Volunteers are a vital part of Envision’s mission to provide free, confidential counselling, education, and support to individuals and families across southeast Saskatchewan.
“The most rewarding thing about volunteering with Envision is the opportunity to support those who are doing such incredible work in our community. I cannot provide the direct support to those who need it, but I can still be a part of the process,” shared one current Envision volunteer.
Volunteers play an essential role by helping with events, awareness campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and behindthe-scenes tasks that allow Envision counsellors and program staff to focus
on direct client care.
“Our volunteers help us reach more people, build awareness, and provide a foundation for healing and wellness in our region,” said Raven Daer, Communications Specialist with Envision. “Whether you have a few hours a month or want to commit to larger projects, your contribution will make a difference.”
Envision Counselling and Support Centre has been serving Southeast Saskatchewan since 1994 and now operates six offices across Estevan, Weyburn, Carlyle, Oxbow, Moosomin and Rocanville. In the past year alone, Envision provided over 5,000 counselling sessions, facilitated 100+ groups and workshops, and served a population area of over 56,000 people through its programs and awareness campaigns. Volunteers help make this reach possible.
How to Get Involved:
Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Envision Counselling and Support Centre by emailing volunteer@envisioncounsellingcentre.com or calling 306-842-8821, 306-637-4004, or 306453-2405. By giving your time, you can help build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities across southeast Saskatchewan.
Guest speaker, Mark Custance, spoke on his family operation, Real Greens, a hydroponic vertical farm in Manitoba, during Ag Appreciation Night, hosted by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce on November 7.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
Photo submitted
Community News
SGI Canada, IBAS launch $750K pilot program to boost Indigenous employment
Martin Oldhues SaskToday.ca
A partnership between the Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan (IBAS) and SGI Canada is breaking down barriers for Indigenous employment.
The organizations announced a two-year pilot project on November 5. The Indigenous Broker Development Program, which aims to recruit, onboard and train insurance brokers of First Nations, Métis or Inuit heritage.
“It’s a two-pronged approach to solving some of the challenges we face in our province, especially in our Indigenous communities,” said Gary Vidal, chair of the board of directors for SGI.
Vidal said the initiative can help address poverty in Saskatchewan’s Indigenous communities, particularly in the north.
“[Creating] good jobs, [and] satisfy[ing] entrepreneurial spirits [can] create hope in communities that have very little hope, and get to the place … where Indigenous leadership is able to manage prosperity instead of poverty.”
The project will provide participating insurance brokers with up to $25,000 in financial reimbursement to support the hiring and training of new Indigenous property and casualty insurance brokers.
Derek Lothian, president and CEO of IBAS, said the project will help build bridges both from an employment standpoint and a community one.
“[With this], we can build those partnerships [so] that we can become more knowledgeable and understanding of how we work and live beside one another. And so it’s a natural [fit].”
Lothian said 11 insurance brokers have been approved so far under the program, representing more than 90 per cent of the capacity for the first intake.
The project has already led to several Indigenous hires, with more expected as brokers refine recruitment processes and focus on cultural competency and awareness, he said.
Lothian added he is hopeful additional intakes will take place in early 2026. Meanwhile, Vidal “has no doubt” the pilot project
will be extended following its expected success. Overall, SGI is investing $750,000 into the Indigenous Broker Development Program.
DKF Red and Black Angus was this year’s recipient of the Golden Sheaf award, presented by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce during Ag. Appreication Night on November 7. From left, Chamber Manager Monica Osborn, Golden Sheaf recipients Dwayne and Karen Fettes, and Chamber president, Chad Bailey. DKF Red and Black Angus is a six-generation farm, with family members Scott, Tina, Brandy and Eric also recognized.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
Editorial & Opinion
FROM THE SIDELINES: Needing more assurance
Norm Park/SaskToday.ca
Our provincial government and Premier Scott Moe might need to issue a more emphatic “fear no upheaval” message regarding recent statements made on behalf of SaskPower, one of our prized Crown corporations.
It might help if SaskPower’s president, Rupen Pandya, and board members were also heard on the topic of what appears, on the surface, to be a slow erosion of ownership and deployment of personnel and resources within this corporation during the past few years — and definitely more recently with the talk about the arrival of small nuclear reactors. They will be added to the current mixed inventory that is sending electricity to the panting public for domestic and business consumption.
The NDP’s SaskPower critic, Aleana Young, raised an interesting issue last month, noting how the recent Sask First Energy Security and Supply Plan did not come clear regarding future ownership and deployment of the small modular reactors (SMRs) that will, hopefully, provide power to provincial homes and businesses by 2030.
Wording such as “holding discussions regarding governance reviews to determine optimal provincial structure and mandate of nuclear power ownership, operations and deployment within and
beyond the provincial electrical grid,” does not lend any comfort or assurance that the SaskPower we know today will continue to serve us in a familiar pattern.
It is already an established fact our current and future renewable power production units are owned and operated by other entities, including non-provincial corporations as well as First Nations Indigenous corporations. It now appears as if they are preparing to add another one or two outside corporations to run the newest additions.
Premier Moe has already conceded that this has happened within the solar and wind projects, perhaps comforted in the supposed fact that it is guaranteed that as long as these outlets pump their product into the provincial grid system, they are still beholden to SaskPower and its infrastructure.
But what if these non-SaskPower groups or businesses decide to build their own infrastructure? Can they? Will they? Does existing law permit it? And we mean law — not regulations, guidelines or recommendations.
Is Premier Moe saying that when it comes to nuclear, maybe somebody else should lead … again?
So far, the current government has said yes when it came to wind and solar power projects. Is the message to other companies one that says we provide the
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uranium and grid system, Ma Nature provides wind and sun, and we don’t know that much about geothermal either, so we’ll step back and let others take the lead?
Why is SaskPower not bringing these leaders, employees and projects under its corporate umbrella? Are the potential interlopers not interested in joining the Crown corporation? If not, why not?
Why is SaskPower not embracing these outlying agencies with invitations to hire, train and build under the SPC banner? SaskPower does not have to give up or give in. The issues and problems are not severe. This government has given us proven strong leadership in other portfolios. The latest budget has revealed they have handled the financial aspects of the recent wildfires with a degree of efficacy that is to be admired. So they do have the gravitas to lead when they want to.
It should be an exciting time for SaskPower with the growth in demand to feed the AI and EV world and beyond. We have a path forward with coal, gas and hydro, but for some reason, when it has come to solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear, SaskPower is stepping back, stepping away from the challenge
and letting others take over and make the new rules. Also, we have no idea whether these solar and wind generation folks are unionized under the SaskPower structure.
Are we being assured these new entities will be stationed and headquartered in Saskatchewan? Or will they be dispensing their wisdom from head offices in Houston, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver or Riyadh? We need them to be here, not in Dallas.
If that Sask. First Security and Supply Plan is the operable one they are taking forward, then the general population needs to be aware there may just be something different, once again, lurking in the bushes. If not, then our premier and the SaskPower board members and president need to make unequivocal pronouncements that all is well with our Crown jewel — and that SaskPower is still running the entire movie, including the coming attractions.
Let’s hope SaskPower isn’t reduced to being a mere service provider rather than a business, employment and financial leader.
As Moe has noted, SaskPower is not for sale. But is it there for the taking? We believe more clarity is required.
The Weyburn Police Service responded to 72 calls for service for the week of November 2–9, 2025. Notable incidents during the week include:
Fail to Comply with Release Orders:
Police received a complaint from probations on November 5 that an adult male client was not following his release conditions relating to serious firearms charges. Investigation determined that the male had moved residences without permission and was refusing to charge his ankle bracelet, which was required to track his location as he was on a 24-hour curfew.
Police located the male at his new address on November 7, where he was arrested and held for court on November 10.
Cause a Disturbance:
In the early morning hours of November 8, police responded to a complaint of an individual yelling in the backyard of a residence. Police located a very intoxicated adult male screaming at a tree. The male did not reside at the address nor have any connection to it. Due to his high level of intoxication, he was arrested for being drunk in public and lodged in cells until sober.
Operation While Impaired by Alcohol:
In the early morning hours of Novem-
ber 8, police were dispatched to a report of an erratic driver in the parking lot near the townhouses at Fifth Street and Fifth Avenue. Police located the vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and immediately determined the driver was highly intoxicated. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and later provided two samples of breath registering almost three times the legal limit. Further investigation revealed the male had struck two parked vehicles and one of the townhouses. He was also charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. No injuries were reported.
Motor Vehicle Accident:
Police responded to a report of a collision on November 9 at the corner of 18th Street and Coteau Avenue. Investigation determined that one vehicle proceeded before safe, striking another vehicle. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. An adult male driver was charged with proceed before safe. No injuries were reported.
Anyone with information regarding any of these matters, or any other criminal activity, is encouraged to contact the Weyburn Police Service at (306) 848-3250, the local RCMP Detachment at 310-RCMP (7267), or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Sports & Leisure
Red Wings split home-and-home series vs. Melville
The Weyburn Red Wings got a measure of revenge with a 5-2 victory over the Melville Millionaires, one night after dropping a 2-1 overtime heartbreaker.
The Millionaires won 2-1 in overtime during a home game held at Whitecap Resources Centre on November 7.
There was no scoring for either team in the first or second period. Melville was
first on the board in the third period, with Weyburn responding with a powerplay goal by Lucas Schmid, tying the game at the 18:01 mark.
The Millionaires scored the only goal in the overtime period to claim the victory.
Preston Patenaude was in net for the Wings, stopping 14 out of 16 shots.
The Red Wings made a strong comeback on November 8 in Melville, with
Ackerman captures bronze at Mixed Curling Championship
Sportscage Staff
Regina’s Jason Ackerman and Team Saskatchewan are bringing home bronze from the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships in Assiniboia, and they did it with authority.
After a tough semi-final setback against Ontario’s Sam Mooibroek on Saturday, Ackerman’s crew bounced back in a big way, powering past Manitoba’s Sean Grassie 8-3 in the bronze medal game.
Saskatchewan’s playoff run came to a halt in the semi-final after a costly pair of middle ends against the red-hot Ontario rink.
Mooibroek, who posted a sparkling 9-1 record through championship pool play, scored three in the third end and stole two more in the fourth, building an 8-3 lead that Ackerman’s side couldn’t overcome.
But there was no hangover from that loss when bronze was on the line.
Ackerman came out firing, scoring three in the opening end before turning up the pressure with steals in the second, third and fourth ends. Grassie cut the deficit with a threespot in the fifth, but Ackerman’s Saskatchewan rink slammed the door with singles in the sixth and seventh to close out an 8-3
victory.
The win capped a strong week for the Regina skip, who finished championship play with a 7-3 record before the playoff round.
Meanwhile, in the gold medal game, curling history was made.
For the first time in 18 years, a team from New Brunswick captured the Canadian Mixed title as Fredericton’s Team René Comeau edged Ontario 6-5 in a dramatic finish.
Comeau sealed the national crown with a precision draw on his final stone, a tap to the button that just nudged the Ontario rock far enough for the win.
“What’s going through my mind is that I have two of the best sweepers in the world. It was a tough shot. I could just see a piece of the pin. I had to throw a draw to the button and just tap them a hair. What a team shot. What a way to end it.”
The victory marks New Brunswick’s third Canadian Mixed Championship title and its first since 2007.
Team Comeau will now represent Canada at the 2026 World Mixed Curling Championship.
As for Ackerman, a bronze medal in a national field this deep is nothing short of a statement — Saskatchewan curling continues to be right there among the country’s elite.
a 5-2 win. The Wings had a strong first period with three goals, while the Millionaires only scored one powerplay goal. Goals for Weyburn were scored by Aidan Mohan, Josh Sale
and Bryson Carlyle. Melville scored their final goal of the night in the second period. An early powerplay goal by Schmid at the 1:49 mark of the third period, extended the Wings
lead, with Trennen Redlick notching the fifth goal of the evening at the 5:51 mark.
Nate Stevens was in net for the Wings, stopping 33 out of 35 shots.
The Red Wings will host
the Warman Wolverines at Whitecap Resources Centre on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. with LaRonge coming to town on Tuesday, November 18.
The Weyburn Comp Grade 9 Girls volleyball team captured gold on home court November 5. The girls finished with a perfect 8-0 record in round robin play to finish first and earn a bye to the finals. WCS then beat Oxbow 25-12 and 25-9 to secure gold. Pictured, l-r, assistant coach, Leslie Joorisity- Dickie, Mya Gray, Sadie Hodgkin, Eliza Gall, Destah Kittleson, Alayna Ehrhardt, Olivia Gill, Yeva Korchinova, Lauryn Chicoine and head coach, Bryan Fleck.
Photo submitted
Southeast volunteers earn prov’l awards
SaskToday staff
Softball Saskatchewan recognized a couple of dedicated volunteers from the southeast during a recent awards luncheon.
Shirley Hildebrand from the Southeast Sun Devils and Alameda Minor Ball was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award.
“Shirley’s commitment to the AMB [Alameda Minor Ball] and the Sun Devils is truly remarkable,” the Sun Devils wrote on their Facebook page. “She gives her time, energy and heart to our program every single day, always putting others first and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
“We are beyond lucky to have Shirley as part of our Sun Devils family. She
is the definition of selfless, and we would be absolutely lost without her.”
Tanya Gervais of Estevan Minor Softball was one of three recipients of a provincial service award. Her bio, submitted by Estevan Minor Softball, noted Gervais first became involved in Estevan Minor Softball in 2015 as a parent volunteer, helping wherever she was needed and whenever she was asked.
In 2018, she joined the board and took on the roles of treasurer, canteen manager and jersey manager – roles she still holds even though her daughter is no longer in the organization.
“With her financial background and incredible organizational skills, she has kept things running smoothly, often going far beyond the duties of her
roles to make sure nothing is overlooked,” her bio stated. “As canteen manager, she always knows the best ice cream flavours to order for the canteen, makes the most consistent candy bags, and forever has the expenses recorded right down to the penny.”
The bio goes on to say those efforts create special memories for the children and show the kind of care and attention to detail that she brings to everything she does. She also buys stock and prepares the canteen each spring and cleans it up at the end of each season. She never asks for help but does accept assistance.
As jersey manager, the bio said Gervais makes sure she is at the diamond throughout the first week of practices, sizing players and trying to accommodate requests for preferred jersey numbers. Her records are meticulous and she follows up to retrieve outstanding jerseys that for whatever reason do not get returned by the end of
the season, even offering to clean jerseys that are dirty.
As treasurer, the bio says she is an “amazing” record keeper and provides clear, organized and updated financial statements at every board meeting.
“She is always on top of applying for grants and makes sure applications are filled out in full and made well before the deadline,” the bio said. “She keeps a very close eye on our finances, brings our attention to so many ways of saving money, and pays bills promptly.”
When Estevan hosted provincials the past two seasons, she volunteered to set up the gates and cash boxes, ordered the large tent and picnic tables, and worked 12-hour shifts in the canteen.
“In every way, Tanya embodies the spirit of this award. Her long-term contributions, leadership and unwavering support have shaped Estevan Minor Softball into what it is today,” the bio says.
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Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
The Weyburn U13 South Country Wings squared off against Moose Jaw, during a tournament at the Whitecap Resources Centre and Tom Zandee Sports Arena November 7 and 8.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Federal budget reaction: infrastructure promises among items Premier Moe interested in
John Cairns SaskToday.ca
Reaction to the 2025 federal budget handed down last week has focused mainly on the investments the federal government is making — as well as a big deficit.
“$78 billion. That’s a big number. We can all acknowledge that,” said Premier Scott Moe in speaking to reporters at the legislature Thursday.
Moe said there are reasons why it is so large, pointing to significant investments, multi-year investments that are there, and they don’t change in one budget year. But he also noted it was a challenging time and said they would be looking closely at the revenue lines in all of the federal and provincial budgets that come out.
“We’re in a very challenging time with respect to the Canadian economy. We have trade and market access tariffs all over the place. Our three largest markets, the United States, China, and India, all have some type of restrictions or tariff-related conversation going on or being charged. That’s showing up in the immediate term in the Canadian economy, and it’s showing up in the revenue lines of our federal and likely coming our provincial budgets across the nation.”
Two other items of interest for Moe was a commitment in the budget to infrastructure spending, something that has also been of interest to municipal leaders and organizations. The province had sent a delegation recently with ministers Eric Schmalz and Ken Cheveldayoff joined
by eight municipalities and SARM and SUMA to make the case for cost-shared infrastructure funding.
“So we’re happy to see that raised in the budget,” Moe said. “Again, there will be details on how much is available, what for, and those types of things. But I would say that that was a productive engagement session.”
Moe also spoke about language in the budget about consulting with the provinces with respect to environmental regulations.
“So that wasn’t a surprise to us to see some of the language around consulting with provinces in the weeks ahead, because it’s consultation that has already happened, and I would say that’s a marked change from what we saw over the course of the majority of the last decade, was that consultation and that work with provincial levels of government, so we’re appreciative of that, and we hope we’ll be able to find a landing spot moving forward.”
Beck reaction
In her reaction to the budget this week Opposition Leader Carla Beck expressed her interest in the budget’s focus on trade-enabling infrastructure — pipelines, power lines, rail lines, and increasing port capacity and efficiency.
“I think that’s my number one message. Some of this sounds really good. I think the next weeks, the next months, how quickly these things can actually be built, I think that’s going to determine how well we weather the storm we’re in right now,” said Beck, pointing to the continued concerns about tariffs.
Beck also spoke about the need to demand the province’s fair share.
“I think it’s time for us to be loud,” said Beck. “As I said, demand that we have a fair share of those those infrastructure dollars, because I think we really have the potential to be the engine that’s going to drive us into into the
future in this province.”
Becky also again demanded Premier Moe make known the province’s list of major projects they want to see done.
“Again, I’ll put on the table to the Premier, you know, if he needs to publish that list, we’re happy to help in any way possible to to drive to actually making sure we’re securing those infrastructure dollars and getting things built in this province. It’s pretty clear what needs to be done, I think, on this front.”
Other reaction
There is other reaction to the budget from business organizations and advocates:
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce took the view that the 2025 federal budget “takes a measured approach to balancing nearterm cost-saving measures with long-term economic priorities.”
“While the projected $78.3 billion deficit highlights ongoing fiscal challenges, the government’s commitment to generational investments in infrastructure, productivity, and competitiveness represents a constructive focus on growth,” they said in a statement.
The Chamber liked the plans to identify $60 billion
in savings over five years and streamline public sector spending, and to lower Canada’s marginal effective tax rate from 15.6 per cent to 13.2 per cent, making it the lowest in the G7.
The Chamber also liked the $115 billion over five years for national and local infrastructure projects, and $110 billion in productivity and competitiveness measures to support trade corridors and industrial development. They also pointed to investment incentives, SME Support and trade diversification, and funding to strengthen Canada’s export capacity and development of critical minerals.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, however, was frustrated by the budget.
In a news release they said small business owners were looking to the budget to provide cost relief and improve Canada’s tax competitiveness to jumpstart the economy. Instead, most of the economic measures were reannouncements from last year, they said.
“Today was a missed opportunity to provide meaningful tax relief to Canada’s employers. The government could have taken the reins by reducing the small busi-
ness corporate tax rate, freeing up millions of dollars for investment in employees, technology and operations,” said Dan Kelly, president of CFIB, in a statement.
He also voiced concern about the government finances, saying “small firms have learned the hard way that today’s deficits are tomorrow’s taxes.”
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation was alarmed by what they characterized as the “ballooning spending and debt” in the budget. In their news release, they expressed concern there is no plan to balance the budget and stop borrowing money, and raises concern that debt interest charges will cost taxpayers $55.6 billion this year — more than what the federal government will send to provinces in health transfers or GST.
“Budget 2025 shows the debt continues to spiral out of control because spending continues to spiral out of control,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director, in a statement. “(Prime Minister Mark) Carney needs to reverse course to get debt and spending under control because every dollar Canadians pay in federal sales tax is already going to pay interest charges on the debt.”
Owen White led the Legion Colour Guard through the gymnasium at Assiniboia Park Elementary School, during Remembrance Day ceremonies held November 6.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
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