Atrin and Paisley unpacked school supplies and decorated their lockers, while attending drop-off day at St. Michael School on August 28.
Crown Investments
Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison is leading delegation at the World Nuclear Symposium in the United Kingdom.
The mission will advance Saskatchewan’s engagement with international jurisdictions with mature nuclear power programs and those actively developing nuclear options. The delegation will showcase Saskatchewan’s ambitions and strengths in supporting the global declaration to triple nuclear energy worldwide by 2050.
The UK mission start -
ed September 1 and will end on September 6.
“Building on Saskatchewan’s existing strong relationship with the United Kingdom, an experienced nuclear jurisdiction, this mission will help gain insights on nuclear financing and deployment, identify partnerships and highlight Saskatchewan’s current and future contributions to nuclear development on a global stage,” said Harrison.
“We have the uranium, a robust supply chain and mining sector, worldclass research institutions and strong public support.
While exploring nuclear to ensure our own future energy security, Saskatchewan has what the world needs, right here at home, to support nuclear development around the globe.”
The Minister will represent Saskatchewan at a Provincial Energy Ministers’ Panel, hosted by the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce, to advance shared goals with other Canadian jurisdictions. Harrison will take part in another panel at the Energy Users Summit during the symposium which brings together the nuclear
sector and energy-intensive industries to build new partnerships.
Minister Harrison will join other Canadian officials to provide an update on Saskatchewan’s nuclear energy program to attendees at the Canadian Nuclear Association-Nuclear Industry Association Forum (CNA-NIA).
“Saskatchewan is exploring nuclear options for power generation and industrial applications,” said Harrison. “The UK mission will help support the advancement of nuclear projects in Saskatchewan, includ -
ing SaskPower’s future generation plans and Saskatchewan Research Council’s microreactor project.”
In April this year, Saskatchewan representatives participated in UK-Canada events at the Canadian Nuclear Association Annual Conference.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has also established strong relationships with several organizations in the United Kingdom, including the University of Birmingham, the University of Derby and the UK-based National Skills Academy for Nuclear.
Saskatchewan mines 100 per cent of Canada’s uranium and is the second largest uranium producer in the world. To build nuclear expertise in the region, in May, the University of Saskatchewan hosted the first Canadian National Nuclear Energy Management School in western Canada, a renowned program from the International Atomic Energy Agency. The inaugural national nuclear conference, CNA WEST is coming to Saskatoon October 20-22, 2025, to highlight prairie potential in nuclear development.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
It was a busy afternoon at the outdoor pool on August 28, as children and adults escaped the summer heat. The last day for the outdoor pool was September 1.
Weyburn skating club opens registration for 2025-26 season
SaskToday
The Weyburn Skating Club welcomed skaters of all ages and skill levels back to the ice. Registration is currently open for its fall and winter programs, offering opportunities from first-time gliders to advanced competitors.
Diana Hay, a representative of the club, encourages all families to sign up soon to secure a spot.
The club’s PreCan/ CanSkate Fall Session are set for two 10-week sessions. The fall session beings Oct. 2 and the winter sessions starts Jan. 6.
Hay said the PreCanSkate program is designed for children three to
five years of age who have never skated before or are not yet confident on the ice.
“This program teaches children the basics of getting up when they fall down, how to move forward, basic backward movement and how to stop,” said Hay.
For older beginners, the CanSkate program is a dynamic, nationally-certified learn-to-skate program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development.
“CanSkate uses nationally-tested and proven curriculum and delivery methods that guarantee skater success in developing stronger basic skills
and developing them faster,” said Hay.
StarSkate and Junior Development season runs Oct. 6 - March 25, 2026. StarSkate Junior Development session is subject to cancellation due to low registration, said Hay.
“We will notify parents if this happens.”
It is open to all disciplines, including hockey, figure skating, and ringette. Participants must have passed Stage 2 CanSkate or have been selected by one of our Skate Canada Professional Coaches to join.
The StarSkate and Junior Development programs operate on a base fee structure. The $900 fee includes two hours of on ice time, group sessions, stroking and off ice, and skating fees. Additional ice-time hours can be added. An additional hour per week for the duration of the skating season is $400 and includes ice time only. Additional lesson time would be billed to the skater.
Hay said the skating club needs coaches and sponsors. “We are looking for coaches for junior development and StarSkate,” she said. “We are also looking for sponsors to help out with our ice fees, coaching fees, coaches mileage, testing fees and other administration items like training and such for the coaches.”
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
Weyburn Gold Wing players Kamyrn Kish, Taelah Schnurr, Harper Danchillia and Ainsley Bryksa directed traffic to a fundraising barbecue for the team, held in front of the Weyburn SaskTel store on August 28.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
EDITORIAL
MY OUTLOOK: A TRASH CAN FULL OF CASH
Shelley Luedtke SaskToday.ca
Amid the endless talk of decluttering and home organization, there are all kinds of strategies to inspire those who need help. One organizer offered a “kick start” method: one weekend, set a goal of removing 50 items from your home. Walk around with a box, and when you see something you haven’t used in a while or is worn out, put it in. She assured listeners hitting the 50-item mark would be very easy once they got started.
She’s probably right. But while we might be able to identify items, many of us struggle with actually getting rid of them. Intent is one thing. Follow-through is another. Those things cost money. How could anyone just get rid of them? I really like that, and it may fit again. Or the classic: I might need that… someday.
Yet while we agonize over parting with books, shoes, trinkets and gadgets, apparently one thing we find easy to dispose of is food. To the tune of billions of dollars— yes, billions—each and every year. Canadians waste half of what is produced, worth $58 billion per
year. Studies suggest 63 per cent is avoidable, meaning it is food that could have been eaten. The number has doubled in the last few years. Doubled. Even as we stress over rising food prices, we throw more and more away.
Most of us would never toss cash into the trash, yet we don’t seem to react as strongly to food waste. Picture $58 billion heading to the garbage. No way, right? But when it comes in the form of uneaten apples, cucumbers, meat, dairy or anything deemed unworthy of our table—away it goes.
At the same time, food bank numbers continue to rise, soup kitchens are stretched, and some schools are filling the gap for students arriving without breakfast or lunch.
Most of us would say we try to consume all the food we purchase, yet we find ourselves disposing of too much. The average Canadian household tossed $1,600 worth last year. Think about that. Who wouldn’t welcome an extra $1,600 at the end of the year?
Perhaps we overestimate what we need. Or maybe we crave variety and move on to something new instead of finishing what we have. We own so much food that
we buy storage containers to hold leftovers or freeze excess—until it’s too late and there’s no choice but to throw it away.
Years ago, I was on a mission trip to Mexico. A story that stayed with me was of children heading to the dump on garbage day to search for food scraps. What others had discarded was treasure to those searching for something to eat.
Years later, in Mexico as a tourist, my husband and I attended a Culinary Theatre experience. We sat a few feet from the chef as he cooked, while screens overhead showed every step. Each course was served as it was finished. There was so much food. I’m certain much remained uneaten and headed back to the kitchen. For a fleeting moment, I wondered how many children might be climbing piles at the nearest dump to see what the resort was discarding.
Food waste is a global issue
requiring multi-faceted solutions. In Denmark, an app helps consumers find restaurants and bakeries about to close where food can be bought at a fraction of the cost. France requires restaurants to donate unused food that is safe to eat. Sweden collects food waste to create fuel for buses. In Canada, organizations work to reclaim and redistribute food to reduce what gets tossed.
Trying to stretch food budgets dominates many conversations. One of the most important strategies seems to be using up what we already have and reclaiming some of the $1,600 we are wasting.
While global factors need to be addressed, the variable most in our control is what we put in our fridge and cupboards—and what makes it to our table. The best thing we can do is buy what we’ll eat and eat what we buy. That’s my outlook.
Harvest in full swing for SE producers
Harvest is in full swing for most producers in the southeast due to warm and dry conditions, according to the weekly crop report for the period of August 19 to 25. Harvest is 14 per cent complete in the southeast, which is up 10 per cent from last week. Producers were combining winter cereals, pulses and spring wheat crops last week. In addition to combining, producers are also desiccating and swathing crops.
Approximately two-thirds of winter cereal crops are off with 70 per cent of fall rye and 65 per cent of winter wheat harvested. Producers are in the middle of harvesting pulses as 59 per cent of the field pea and 53 per cent of the lentil acres have been combined, while chickpeas lag behind the other pulses with only 16 per cent of these crops harvested. More producers started harvesting spring cereal crops last week. Harvest progress for barley sits at 18 per cent, 15 per cent for both durum and oats, and seven per cent for spring wheat. Oilseed crops aren’t ready for harvest yet as essentially none of these crops have been combined. All reported triticale crops were harvested as feed this year.
The southeast has some of the best quality winter wheat and fall rye crops in the province this year. Currently, winter wheat is graded as 42 per cent 1 Canada Western (CW), 51 per cent 2 CW, six per
cent 3 CW, and one per cent CW feed. For fall rye, 64 per cent is 1 CW, 34 per cent is 2 CW and two per cent is 3 CW.
There was very little rain in the southeast last week. The only places to get any notable rain was the Saltcoats area with 11 millimetres (mm) and the Rocanville and Langenburg areas with 10 mm each. With very limited rain, topsoil moisture levels slightly decreased. Cropland topsoil moisture levels are one per cent surplus, 74 per cent adequate, 21 per cent short and four per cent very short. Hayland topsoil moisture is 63 per cent adequate, 34 per cent short and three per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture is 57 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and eight per cent very short.
Most pastures in the southeast are in fair to good condition. One per cent of pastures are excellent, 57 per cent are good, 29 per cent are fair, 12 per cent are poor and one per cent are in very poor condition.
Most crop damage reported was caused by hot temperatures, dry conditions and strong wind that lodged crops, but damage was not widespread in the region. A couple of places received hail which caused varying levels of crop damage. Finally, there are isolated reports of wildlife and waterfowl feeding on a few crops in the region.
New Family Programming at Weyburn Library
The Weyburn Public Library has introduced a new ‘Family Programming Category’ that will be in addition to existing programming for children, teens and adults.
Joanne Smith has moved into the role of Children’s Programmer at the Weyburn Public Library.
Baby and Me programs for September include a Rhyme and Play on Monday, September 8 at 10 a.m., Sensory Bins on Monday, September 15 at 10 a.m., and Music and Movement on Monday, September 22 at 10 a.m.
Toddler Time programs include Fall Sensory Bins on Thursday, September 4 at 10 a.m., Tissue Paper Trees on Thursday, September 11 at 10 a.m., and Station Fun on Thursday, September 18 at 10 a.m.
Kids Korner programs include Elephant Craft and
Games on Tuesday, September 9 at 10 a.m., Apple Pie Roll-Ups on Tuesday, September 16 at 10 a.m., and Q-Tip Painting Trees on Tuesday, September 23 at 10 a.m.
Junior Programs include Junior STEM: Ozobots on Tuesday, September 9 at 4 p.m., Junior Cooking on Tuesday, September 16 at 4 p.m., and a Junior Craft on Tuesday, September 23 at 4 p.m.
Tween Programs will hold Tween STEM: Ozobots on Thursday, September 11 at 4 p.m., Tween Cooking on Thursday, September 18 at 4 p.m., and a Tween Craft on Thursday, September 25 at 4 p.m.
Other teen programs include an Arts and Crafts neon art program on Wednesday, September 17 at 6 p.m., a Food and Drink treat on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 p.m., Odds and Ends
with SFX Makeup on Wednesday, September 24 at 6 p.m., and Fun and Games on Wednesday, September 3 at 6 p.m.
There will be a Falling for Fall family program offered on Saturday, September 20 at 10 a.m.
A Caring Saturday for Newcomers will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 2 p.m. This program is for adults only, but newcomer children are welcomed to join Lego Masters at the same time.
Adult programming in September will include a Maker’s Nook on Tuesday, September 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. A Tabletop Role Playing Game session will be held every Monday night at 6 p.m. Dungeons and Dragons and the new Daggerheart system is held September 8 and 22. Marvel Multiverse and Avatar Legends will be held September 15. Vam-
pire The Masquerade and Borderlands will be held September 29.
The Book Club will read and discuss ‘The Binding’ by Bridget Collins on Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. The movie ‘Dead Poets Society’ will be shown on Tuesday, September 23 at 6 p.m.
Food and drink programs for adults include Sprouts and the Infinite Salad on Thursday, September 4 at 6:30 p.m., School Lunches on a Budget on Monday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m., Culture in the Kitchen on Monday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m., and Fry Bannock on Monday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Visit the Weyburn Public Library website at https:// weyburnpubliclibrary. weebly.com for the full September calendar. Registration is free for all programming.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced it is offering the Crown Grazing Lease Rental Reduction Program for the 2025 grazing season.
“Saskatchewan’s livestock producers continue to face challenges with grazing due to consecutive years of dry conditions,” Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said. “The province is committed to supporting our livestock producers through these challenges.”
Through this program, Crown grazing land lessees who have reduced the number of animals grazing on the land are eligible to apply for a rent reduction for the 2025 grazing season. The lessee must reduce the number of animals grazing by 20 per cent or more, compared to the approved carrying capacity of the land, due to ongoing dry conditions. The deadline for applications is October 31, 2025.
“The dry conditions in various parts of the province have made it challenging for producers,”
Saskatchewan Cattle Association Chair Chad Ross said. “We appreciate that the government has recognized this and made adjustments where possible. This program will help those who have had to reduce the number of animals on their leased pastures.”
“Many areas of the province are facing dry conditions, which has created difficulties for producers,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Bill Huber said. “We are happy to see the government has acknowledged these challenges and made adjustments where it can. This program will provide support to those who have been forced to cut back the number of animals on their leased pastures.”
“The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) thanks the Government of Saskatchewan for implementing common sense solutions during a difficult growing season,” SSGA President Jeff Yorga said. “SSGA looks forward to working with the Government to continue to find solutions for livestock producers.”
“Recognizing the ongoing dry conditions, the government’s decision directly addresses some of the difficulties our livestock producers continue to endure,” Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) President Bill Prybylski said. “APAS is encouraged by this proactive approach, and I urge affected lessees to utilize the relief being offered.”
Erika Maurer, Melissa Bocian and Allyson Van Roon prepared hot dogs during a Backto-School open house held at St. Michael School on August 28.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
Jasper, Frank and Sklyer looked through a selection of free books during Back-to-School supply drop-off day at Assiniboia Park Elementary School on August 27.
Photo Sabrina Kraft/Weyburn Review
SPORTS
Minor football season starts for Ravens, Falcons
The minor football season has started for the U12 West Country Ravens and the U14 Young Fellow Falcons, as both teams hosted home games at the newly named Brent Allin field on August 30.
Ravens 24 - Rockets 18
The Raven’s athlete parents and families provided a great and supportive atmosphere for their young athletes to find their stride.
They were down early at the hands of a young and fiery Assiniboia Rockets team. The Rockets jumped out with strong blocking and great speed moving the ball and scoring early. The Rockets were able to hold our offence off with skilled tackling and good angles of pursuit early in the game.
The Ravens, down 186, improved as the day progressed on both sides of the ball. Rookie running backs Connor Pocha had two rushing touchdowns while Conrad Loos put three of his own into the end zone, the longest be -
ing 100yards. They shared offensive game star for the days work.
Mirabelle Leroux and Conner Metz took defensive game star and playmaker of the game, respectively. Belle was putting in work with six solo and six assisted tackles. Conner had nine solo and two assisted tackles and a big interception taken back 25 yards to set the offence up in the red zone.
It was a well rounded game with 13 different athletes registering at least one assisted tackle.
Maddax Annis and Nathan Cornish led the Raven’s offence, sharing quarterback duties putting up over 360 yards on the ground and 75 through the air.
Falcons 7 - Steelers 0
The Young Fellow Falcons opened their season at home with a packed house. Upon kick off, it was a battle for both teams. Although both offences were able to move the ball and go back and forth, it proved to be a defensive battle with very few points
put up on the board. At the half the Falcons led 1-0. Late in the game the Falcons did punch through one touch down and came out with a 7-0 victory.
Quarterback Logan Payak threw for 145 yards,
with Judd Vennard receiving for 138 yards. Justin Uhrich caught an end zone pass for the lone touchdown of the game. On the defence Kai Clark and Preston Walter forced a pair of fumbles and recovered
the ball. Linebacker Zion Siwale finished the day leading the defence with 11 tackles, while cornerback Landon Koszman had 7 tackles and an interception.
The offence player of the game was Logan Pay-
ak, with Landon Koszman receiving the defence player of the game, and Justin Uhrich the game MVP. The Falcons next game is Saturday, September 6 in Estevan at Woodlawn Field. Kick off at 3:30 p.m.
Three Weyburn lacrosse players had the opportunity to compete in the All Star game at the Jr. NLL tournament in Oakville, Ontario, held August 22 to 24. Pictured, left to right, Tayven Nordin, Hudson Maloney and Leo Missal.
Four Weyburn U17 lacrosse players competed with the Jr. Rush in Oakville, Ontario, August 29 to 31. Pictured, left to right, Hudson Maloney, Leo Missal, Andrew Charlton and Tayven Nordin.
The Ravens hosted the Assiniboia Rockets at Brent Allin field for their first game of the season held on August 30.
Photo Sabrina kraft/Weyburn Review
Canadian Wrestling Elite packs Estevan Legion with 150 fans
Stephanie Zoer, Freelance Reporter
Wrestling may not be for everyone, but for diehard fans, the Estevan Legion was the place to be on August 18.
The Canadian Wrestling Elite (CWE) once again delivered a high-energy show, with about 150 fans packing the venue — so many that extra chairs had to be brought in.
The evening opened with “Crazy MoFO” CAM!!ikaze facing Ronnie Attitude. Attitude started strong, but with the crowd rallying behind CAM!!ikaze, it didn’t take long for him to land a dropkick and a power slam before sealing the win with a top-rope move.
Next up, Mastermind Kevin Cannon took on Edward Wild in his debut match. Fans quickly sided with Wild, taunting Cannon with chants of “chicken.” Despite the crowd support, Cannon dominated with heavy blows and a boot to the face, taking the three count.
Danny “Hot Shot” Duggan riled up the audience by entering the ring with an American flag, declaring that “Trump was just going to take Canada.” He faced off against crowd favourite “Crude Oil” Cody Mac in a grudge match. Despite Mac’s effort, Duggan claimed the victory.
A tag-team match followed with WWE veteran Brian Kendrick and “The Zombie Killer” Mentallo against CWE Canadian champion “Chizzled” Chad Daniels and “Canadian Rottweiler” Kash. Fans quickly turned on Daniels after he told them to “keep quiet.” The match turned chaotic when Duggan and Cannon interfered, double-teaming Kendrick. In the end, the bout ended in a disqualification loss for Daniels and Kash. Kendrick, who wrestled for WWE on and off for 11 years, began his career 26 years ago and now competes on the independent circuit. He said CWE’s 17day “Cruel Summer Tour” has been one of the most
mentally and physically demanding stretches of his career. Estevan was their fifth night on the road.
The Hardcore match saw “The Pitbull” Robbie Royce battle “The Headliner” Shaun Martens with chains, garbage can lids and steel chairs. Fans jeered as Martens pleaded for them to stop booing, which only made the crowd louder. Royce pinned Martens for the win.
The finale was an eightman tag team match with Duggan, Daniels, Kash and Cannon facing Kendrick, Wild and Mac, with no fourth teammate announced. Duggan taunted his opponents until an injured Mentallo came to their aid, securing the three count and the victory.
The crowd stayed loud and engaged throughout the night. During breaks and before the show, wrestlers mingled with fans, signing autographs and selling merchandise. The evening ended with a meetand-greet at the Tower Café.
Estevan martial arts summit a chance for promotion
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
The first-ever martial arts summit in Estevan brought clubs from the southeast together to showcase the sport’s different disciplines.
Robert Blowatt, with Genki Martial Arts, said 26 people registered for the Aug. 23 event at the Nicholson Centre, but including students from the clubs and a few drop-in spectators, he estimates 60-65 people attended over the course of the day. Most registrants were new to the sport. He said the instruct-
ors and senseis delivered strong demonstrations.
“A lot of good interaction from the crowd and participants,” said Blowatt. “It was very cool. It was great seeing the exposure. Hopefully it spreads the word to send martial arts to big things in the area.”
Cesar Alvarez, who runs the CA TKD (Taekwon-do) Academy, and Carlos Peraza, operator of the Red Dragon Hawaiian Kenpo club, are two Oxbow instructors who started the day. George Kingdon ran a Kali seminar teaching the Filipino martial arts discipline to wrap up the
morning.
The afternoon featured Estevan Taekwon-Do Club members, followed by Isaac Vilcu from Vilcu’s Karate Club in Estevan and Weyburn. Tom Tomlety presented judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Blowatt wrapped up the day by promoting Shotokan karate and American-style kickboxing.
“It was great to see so many clubs get together to demonstrate and give some exposure to the locals and say ‘Hey, southeast Saskatchewan has some really top-notch clubs out here.’
The martial artists themselves introduced their skills and then got participants involved, saying it was fully interactive.”
It gave spectators a chance to see what the clubs are all about, he said.
“A lot of the people that registered are curious about martial arts. They want to get into martial arts, but they’re not sure what they want to do. So, this is the perfect time to come and check it out. There were seven different styles out here.”
With fall registration around the corner,
the event happened at the perfect time for people to make a decision.
“It promotes martial arts. It spreads awareness and exposure and shows people there’s a lot more to it than kicking and punching. There’s the philosophy behind it. There’s the lifestyle and how much martial arts can improve your life through balance, discipline, commitment and dedication. There’s so much involved.”
One style isn’t better than another, he said, and no club is superior to others.
Blowatt hopes the event
can return next year with more clubs participating.
“People said, ‘Yeah, let’s shoot for next year, let’s do it again,’ and hopefully the word gets out, and it becomes a bigger event,” he said. Many of the clubs are very inclusive, Blowatt added. Newcomers are seen as equals and are respected. Participants go at their own pace.
“You learn as you feel comfortable doing it. At the same time, they’re there to challenge you, to push your limits, if you’re willing to go the distance. It’s just an amazing thing.”
Cam Ross, referee for Canadian Wrestling Elite (at left), made sure to keep everyone in line during the matches, while Brian Kendrick was the special guest from World Wrestling Federation (WWF) now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Photo by Stephanie Zoer
Photo by Robert Blowett
Canada’s professional truck drivers are the unsung heroes of the national economy. By delivering the critical goods and products Canadians rely on, these truck operators support the backbone of our social infrastructure. While they deserve our appreciation all year-round, National Trucking Week (September 1 to September 7, 2025) is a time where the industry, the public and elected officials can express their respect and gratitude to the hard-working women and men who keep Canada moving.
Are you Ready For National Trucking Week?!
“Like the famous saying goes, if you got it, a truck brought it,” said CTA chair Greg Munden. “I am proud to recognize all the amazing people who keep our country running – from the professional truck drivers who dutifully deliver for Canadians, to the dispatchers who help them navigate our busy roadways to the heavy-duty technicians who keep the equipment rolling safely. Thank you.”
National Trucking Week was started by the Canadian Trucking Alliance in the late 1990s as a way to embrace the industry and spotlight the contributions of the hundreds of thousands of men and women of the Canadian trucking industry who keep the country’s freight moving, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During NTW, various events will be taking place across the country in which the trucking community comes together to celebrate the industry; recognize those who are the backbone of Canada’s economy and to promote the industry’s dedication to safety and environmental enhancement.
There will be barbecues, picnics, truck show ‘n shines and all kinds of other things happening at company facilities throughout Canada. Community leaders and local politicians are encouraged to attend constituency events.
NTW is also an opportunity for companies to showcase the industry and the many opportunities it offers to people embarking on new career paths. CTA’s landmark Choose to Truck campaign is a great resource to promote the industry
CTA urges leaders to provide trucking industry tariff relief
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) wrote to the Council of the Federation – composed of the premiers of each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories – and urged leaders to implement measures that provide the trucking industry relief in the face of US tariffs while restoring competitiveness and productivity.
CTA commended the council for working to meet the US President’s request to deal with certain border security issues and while the decision to implement the tariffs was not justified, fair or proportional, Canada was immediately focused on supporting our beleaguered sectors, especially the trucking industry, said CTA.
“Canadians can only hope the U.S. government sets clear and definable objectives to end this trade war; and that it’s in our collective powers to meet those demands. Each day this trade war lasts, is one too many,” CTA wrote in the letter, which was signed by each provincial association. “We applaud the actions to date, but the crisis is now upon us. Aside from the tariffs, the industry is currently experi-
encing the worst freight market in 40 years due to overcapacity, poor North American market conditions and an out-of-control underground economy that is driving compliant fleets out of business.”
CTA proposed the following immediate measures:
• Accelerate/implement solutions to intra-provincial trade barriers trucking pilot.
• Announce the immediate removal of the carbon tax, especially on the eve of another slated increase for April 1;
• Along with suspending the carbon tax, CTA is calling on the federal government to remove or reduce the federal excise tax on diesel – a tax that serves no useful policy purpose.
• Develop an immediate trucking tax relief program related to such measures as reducing the current level of on-road provincial diesel fuel taxes and reducing the base cost of plates/fees or providing rebates for previously paid amounts related to plates/fee associated with the trucking industry.
• Ensure government procurement practices related to
truck transportation are not awarded to participants in the trucking underground economy.
• Government of Canada increase on-road meal allowance deductibility to 100 percent for truck drivers facing reduced demands for their service.
• Ensure that any relief packages or program, like the work sharing program, will only be available to individuals on payroll or independent contractors who have voluntarily opted into EI. These programs cannot be exploited by the underground economy and carriers who violate labour and tax laws, as occurred with the COVID wage subsidy programs.
Subsequently, late last week Ottawa introduced temporary flexibilities to an existing employment insurance (EI) program called the “Work-Sharing Program”, which provides partial EI benefits to employees who agree to work reduced hours due to a decrease in business activity beyond their employer’s control.
Work-Sharing helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. It works by bringing together an employer, their employees (and union, if applicable) and Service Canada in an agreement to share the available work among employees. Workers who are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) work a temporarily reduced schedule while the employer recovers, and the employees receive EI benefits to partially replace lost income (up to 55 per cent of average weekly insurable earnings) over the timeframe of the agreement.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Native American people of CA
5. Long periods of time (Brit.)
10. Classroom tool
12. Rods
14. One who renews 16. They start the alphabet
18. Periodical (slang)
19. Smooth singer Cole
20. Dorsal sclerite
s in insects
22. One from Utah
23. The world of the dead
25. Singer Redding
26. Mafia head
27. Wrongly
28. Unhappy
30. Anger
31. Dark olive black
33. Places to sit and eat
35. Made a mistake
37. Damp
38. Banned fuel type
40. Actor Damon
41. What thespians do
42. A polite address for a woman
44. Disallow
45. Swiss river
48. A banana has one
50. Afrikaans
52. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)
53. Agave
55. Journalist Tarbell
56. One-time tech leader
57. Incidentally (abbr.)
58. Intestinal bacterium
63. Loose sheats around the spinal cord
65. Accompanies nook
66. Vogue
67. Highly excited CLUES DOWN 1. Witch
2. Utilize
3. Writing utensil
4. Where rockers work
5. Becomes less intense
6. Consume
7. Type of catfish
8. “Horsetown, U.S.A.”
9. Atomic #50
10. The Muse of lyric poetry
11. Brings back to life
13. Humorous critiques
15. Cool!
17. Worst
18. Wet dirt
21. Useful
23. Hebrew unit of liquid capacity
24. High schoolers’ test
27. Internet device
29. City in India
32. A place to rest
34. Chat responder
35. A way to move on
36. What consumers are given
39. Digital audiotape
40. More (Spanish)
43. Disfigured
44. White (Spanish)
46. Church building
47. Georgia rockers
49. Surgeon’s tool
51. “Much __ about nothing”
54. Make by braiding
59. Local area network
60. Unit of work
61. Indigenous person of Thailand
62. Liquefied
Hently, Grade 9
Blaze, Grade 3
AUGUST FUN!
We asked our readers to share their photos of 101 things to do in August. These photos are a small sampling of the fun photos we received.
Congratulations to the winners of a gift card to MEOK JA!
