paNOW’s Top 10 news stories of 2025

#9: Canada Post Strike: There were significant Canada Post labour disruptions this past year, starting with a national strike in September triggered by government reform plans which included ending some home delivery and closing offices. A rotating stike and overtime ban followed. Postal worker John Harper was visibly upset while picketing outside of the Canada Post office in Prince Albert when paNOW spoke to him in September.

“Nobody here doesn’t want to work. I’d rather be working right now. I’ve got girls and a wife who is looking out for the kids, and I’m out of work again,” Harper said. “I just want to be left alone to do my job. I want to be able to do the job that I’ve always done.”

Strike action was suspended when a deal in principal was reached in November between Canada Post and CUPW .

#8: FSIN Audit: In September, paNOW’s Nigel Maxwell broke a story about the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nation (FSIN) being asked to explain expenses totalling more than $34 million. A large portion of the money flagged in the report is in regards to the $30,024,786 the FSIN received in COVID-19 related funding between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023. The finalized report was conducted by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and administered by KPMG. In it, the government made eight recommendations including a review of all policies related to travel expenditures and better documentation of financial spending. There was no mention of any criminal charges but a statement provided by Indigenous Services Canada also did not rule one out, saying, “We will take action on the findings and recommendations. We are carefully considering next steps, and will consult with any appropriate authorities as required.”

(File photo/CKOM)

#7: Landlord Shooting: In June, a Prince Albert man who was shot in the throat and left paralyzed, was in the process of trying to remove a bad tenant. That’s according to the victim’s sister, who spoke to paNOW. Peggy Epp said despite relaying concerns to the Rentalsman about the tenant’s dangerous nature, drugs left in the suite, and suspected gang activity, they didn’t get the help they needed to evict the tenant. The landlord, Jim Primeau, evicted the tenant on his own but shortly after she left, Primeau was allegedly shot by Preston Bird. His trial is scheduled for next October. According to his family, Primeau has made an amazing recovery as his prognosis was initially not good, however, he is paralyzed and unable to speak. The story led to several discussions about landlord vs. tenant rights.

#6: Weyburn Shooting: Although it didn’t take place in Prince Albert, another shooting in Saskatchewan attracted a lot of the public’s attention this year. In September, Weyburn’s Tanya Myers was a passenger in a vehicle driving on Highway 29 when she was struck by a bullet and killed. The case made for a difficult investigation by police, who had no leads to go on. In November, 42-year old Chris Fahlman of Regina was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and one count of intentionally discharging a firearm while being reckless as to the life or safety of another person. Fahlman has been in custody since his arrest in mid-September. His bail was denied, with reasons being under a publication ban.

Chris Fahlman is seen leaving the Weyburn Court of King’s Bench on Nov. 19, 2025 (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

#5: Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre opening: A ribbon cutting, speeches, and BBQ marked the official opening of Prince Albert’s new recreation facility in September. It features two ice rinks and an aquatic centre with wave pool. “You’ll see that there’s a whole bunch of new technology, a whole bunch of innovations that you will not see in other places in the province,” said Mayor Bill Powalinksy at the time. The project is the largest investment in recreational infrastructure in the city’s history and was impacted by rising costs over the years. The federal government contributed $24 million, the province kicked in just under $20 million. The city will fund the remaining $73 million to reach a project total of $117 million. Of the city’s portion, about $20 million will come from local fundraising initiatives through the Play it Forward community campaign.

The wave pool at the new Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre in Prince Albert. (City of Prince Albert/Facebook)

#4: Riders Win Grey Cup: After a 25-17 win against the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg, Man. on Nov. 16, the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosted the CFL Championship Trophy. “Since training camp, we wanted to make sure that we put out a product that represents you, the people of Saskatchewan,” said head coach Corey Mace, from the building’s balcony. “Work hard, play hard, and f–king win hard.” The Riders had previously won the championship in 1966, 1989, 2007 and 2013. This year is the fifth time hoisting the CFL trophy. Quarterback Trevor Harris was named the championship game’s Most Outstanding Player.

#3: Federal Election: U.S. President Donald Trump, and shifting polls helped to shape a memorable federal election in Canada, despite the campaign lasting the minimum number of days required by law. On Jan. 6, Justin Trudeau announced his intention to resign as prime minister. Just a few weeks before that, Chrystia Freeland, a once loyal ally, abruptly resigned as finance minister. Mark Carney was sworn in as prime minister on March 14. Polls suggested Trump’s trade aggression motivated voters, along with inflation and health care. In early January, polls showed the Conservatives ahead of the Liberal and NDP, but after Trump’s return to the White House, and Trudeau leaving, the polls took a dramatic turn and showed the Liberals making a comeback. In Saskatchewan, the Conservatives won 13 out of 14 ridings; Buckley Belanger won the lone Liberal seat from Saskatchewan for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River.

Construction of the acute care tower as part of the Victoria Hospital expansion. (Submitted photo)

#2: Economic Development: In addition to the opening of the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, Prince Albert ‘s economic development was marked by significant progress on several large projects, contributing to over $1 billion in total upcoming developments.

Victoria Hospital Expansion: Construction has advanced on the $500 million acute care tower at the Victoria Hospital. The project reached the 25 per cent construction milestone in mid-2025, and when complete, will increase hospital capacity by 40 per cent. In December, the annual Give a Little Life Day radiothon fundraiser helped bring in nearly $850,000 in donations for the Boreal Health Care Foundation to help ‘Equip the Vic.’
The Yard District: Mixed-use development continued with the opening of a Canadian Brewhouse Restaurant, and a liquor store among other private ventures. A hotel is expected in the future as well. The swimming pool in the LCCLC opened in August.
New Affordable Housing: In late 2025, two newly constructed affordable housing projects (the Miakoda and Young Families’ projects) were officially opened, providing 13 new homes with transitional and supportive living spaces through a partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the Prince Albert Community Housing Society Inc..
Infrastructure Upgrades: The city undertook significant capital infrastructure projects including the widening of Marquis Road to a four-lane divided roadway, and extensive water and sewer main upgrades to support current and future traffic/population growth.
Former Pulp and Paper Mill Site: A major economic shift occurred with the purchase of the former 2,331-acre Prince Albert Pulp and Paper Mill site by Ontario-based developers, the BMI Group, in late 2025. The BMI Group plans to redevelop the site as a multi-tenant industrial hub (similar to a project near Niagara Falls that went from one tenant to 15), explicitly stating it will not reopen as a pulp mill.
One Sky Forest Products OSB Mill: While the pulp mill won’t reopen the One Sky Forest Products OSB (oriented strand board) mill project, estimated at $250 million, is still proceeding. One Sky received necessary timber allocations and construction permits in 2024 and 2025, with construction set to begin in 2025.
Permanent Homeless Shelter: Over the course of the year, there was a lot of debate surrounding the location of a permanent homeless shelter, but in October city council voted 6-3 to create the contract zone for the shelter at a parcel of land that is now part of the City Works yard, near the Exhibition grounds.
Dustin Trumbley sits in an empty hole where is house once sat in Denare Beach. (Submitted photo/Dustin Trumbley)

#1: Wildfires: Undoubtedly, the most pressing issue in Saskatchewan in 2025 was the devastating and record-setting wildfire season that led to a major loss of homes, cabins, businesses and for the boreal landscape itself. The Red Cross alone registered 16,000 evacuees from Saskatchewan. Wildfire destroyed more than 200 homes in Denare Beach, as well as 24 on the adjacent Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation reserve and cabins on Lac La Ronge. Communities such as East Trout Lake, Hall Lake, La Ronge and Sucker River also experienced property damage. A total 2.9 million hectares of northern forest burned.

The NDP has called for an independent judge to lead an inquiry into the wildfire response, which they call a “monumental failure.” The provincial government is commissioning an after-action review from an independent organization for the Saskatchewan Public Safety.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by paNOW Staff

paNOW’s Top 10 news stories of 2025

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