Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Saskatchewan

Northern Lights
The growing global fascination with the northern lights
Dale Boan is a Saskatoon software developer by day and an aurora borealis chaser by night."It's a very unique phenomenon and it's rarely the same twice, especially when it's stronger. The patterns are always different. The behaviour is always different. Sometimes you can actually watch bands of it come from the No...
56m ago
Read More
First Time Foes
Mustangs prepared to face unfamiliar opponents
The 2024 Centennial Cup begins Thursday in Oakville, Ont. as 10 teams from across Canada compete for the National Championship.This means plenty of first-time matchups will be had, as organizations with thousands of kilometres in between battle with the highest of stakes."The biggest thing for us is to play our id...
3h ago
Read More
TEACHERS VOTE
Saskatchewan education minister considering school year extension amid teachers vote
Saskatchewan's education minister is accused of trying to influence a teacher's vote after saying he's not ruling out extending the school year should educators reject his offer and take job action. Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation president Samantha Becotte says Jeremy Cockrill's remarks are disappointing as members ...
3h ago
Read More
OPEN FARM DAYS
Take an Ag-Cation during Saskatchewan's first Open Farm Days in August
There is a new opportunity this summer for anyone wanting to learn more about Saskatchewan's agriculture and culinary scene.The first Open Farm Days on Aug. 10 and 11 will bring people together through educational and agricultural-based initiatives designed to create chances to learn about where food comes from.Saskatc...
4h ago
Read More
EMERGENCY ALERT
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today.That means Canadians in most provinces and territories will receive a test alert on their cellphones, as well as through TV and radio broadcasts. The sole exception is Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.Provincial and territori...
May 08, 2024
Read More
TEACHERS VOTE
Cockrill says ratified deal is best for students as teachers vote on offer
Over the next two days, teachers in Saskatchewan will vote on whether to accept or reject a contract offer from the provincial government.The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation agreed to take the offer to its membership for a vote in mid-April.The offer includes an eight per cent wage increase over a three-year contract...
May 08, 2024
Read More

Saskatchewan

STOP THE INVASION!
Guardians of the Lakes: How the province is looking to prevent aquatic invasive species
With spring in full force, many Saskatchewan residents are getting their boats ready to hit nearby lakes but just like in previous years, there's a warning to ensure you're not bringing anything harmful into the waters.Earlier this week, the Government of Saskatchewan marked the beginning of Aquatic Invasive Species (A...
May 07, 2024
Read More
Crescent Point Energy selling $600M of assets to Saturn Oil & Gas
Crescent Point Energy Corp. has signed a $600-million deal to sell some of its oil-producing properties in Saskatchewan to Saturn Oil & Gas.Included in the deal are its Flat Lake and Battrum properties and production from the assets is expected to be 13,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day over the next 12 months....
May 07, 2024
Read More
Rain is a good thing
Moisture should help Sask. farmers, agronomist says
The recent rainfall across north-central Saskatchewan should help farmers with seeding, according to one agronomist.Elliott Hildebrand, who covers the area around Saskatoon, said this spring's precipitation could create better conditions for farmers after dry conditions in recent years."We've been in a moisture de...
May 06, 2024
Read More
Health care expansion
More seats added to Sask Polytech health worker program
An extra 72 seats will be added to the Continue Care Assistant program at three Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses, including Prince Albert. The new seats will be available starting in September, according to a news release from the school Monday morning. "The need for Continuing Care Assistants in Saskatchewan has...
May 06, 2024
Read More
TICK SEASON
Health officials say Lyme Disease risk is low but urge caution as tick season approaches
Tis the season for hitting the great outdoors but don't forget there could be something else lurking in those forests. Ticks! They're tiny, creepy, and crawly and some can carry a risk of certain illnesses like Lyme Disease. But as the spring season continues, what risk do ticks pose in Saskatchewan and the Prince Albe...
May 06, 2024
Read More
Crime
RCMP Major Crimes charge Naicam man with second degree murder
Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes has charged a 57-year-old Naicam man following reports of a serious assault that happened in the community on Thursday. Melfort RCMP responded to the call at around 4:30 p.m. which happened at a residence on 3rd Ave. N. Upon arrival, officers found an injured male who was later pronounced...
May 05, 2024
Read More
Riders
Tributes to Jim Hopson given by friends and family at Celebration of Life
Hundreds arrived dressed in their very best Roughrider green for Jim Hopson's Celebration of Life.Many fans dressed in Hopson's #52 jersey, as they entered through the doors of the Conexus Art Centre on Friday.Hopson helped transform the Saskatchewan Roughriders into a flagship franchise of Canadian football as the tea...
May 04, 2024
Read More
legal agreements
Sask. legal aid lawyers and staff receive new contract
A new agreement announced by CUPE 1949 and Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission is being described as progressive and precedent-setting for employees delivering services to some of the province's most vulnerable people. "As staff at Legal Aid, we know first-hand how important the work we do is in supporting and secur...
May 04, 2024
Read More
FIRST NATIONS POLICING
New funding announced for study to look at Indigenous policing for the PAGC
The reality of Indigenous-led policing in northern Saskatchewan took another big step. On Friday, the provincial and federal governments and Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), announced an investment of more than $1.4 million toward a study for implementing an Indigenous-led police s...
May 03, 2024
Read More
NOT GOING ANYWHERE
Farm Credit Canada denies rumours its head office is moving out of Sask.
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) says it is not relocating its head office from Regina to Quebec.FCC is Canada's largest farm lender and has operated out of Saskatchewan for around 60 years.In a news release Thursday, the Saskatchewan United Party said the organization is planning to relocate its headquarters."Multiple hi...
May 03, 2024
Read More
orano
Province takes control of former Cluff Lake mine site
The provincial government has released Orano Canada Inc. from decommissioning approvals and its associated surface lease on the Cluff Lake Project's mine.That follows the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's (CNSC) Record of Decision on May 11, 2023, to revoke the mine and mill operating licence. With the recent accept...
May 02, 2024
Read More
Housing barriers
Landlords Association says funding increase for social assistance clients not enough
The CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlords Associations says a bump in pay for people living on social assistance, does not address the bigger problems at hand. Cameron Chouette is responding to a change that took effect on May 1, and sees monthly income assistance benefits rise by three per cent for Saskatchewan Income Sup...
May 02, 2024
Read More
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Alberta, Saskatchewan sign agreement to share, swap information on nuclear energy
Saskatchewan and Alberta have agreed to share and swap information about nuclear power generation. The governments of the two provinces have signed a memorandum of understanding.The two sides agree to keep each other informed on supply chains, workforce development, fuel supply and regulations around reactor technologi...
May 02, 2024
Read More
PARKING DEBATE
'Cruel and mean-spirited': NDP calls out government on paid parking for cancer patients
The story of a Prince Albert man frustrated that hospitals no longer offer free parking for cancer patients has made its way to the provincial legislature. Last month, paNOW, spoke with Prince Albert City Councillor Dennis Ogrodnick who took to social media to call out the government's decision to remove free parking p...
May 02, 2024
Read More
Sask. Gov't firm on drug decriminalization, safe supply stance
Saskatchewan's government appears firm in its position to steer clear of implementing a safe drug supply or decriminalization as members watch B.C.'s drug policies unfold. "I know the members opposite want to desperately convince the communities across Saskatchewan that there is somehow some safe use of an illicit...
May 02, 2024
Read More
Sask. child advocate highlights high number of youth suicide attempts
Saskatchewan's child advocate is shining a spotlight on the growing number of suicide attempts by young people in government care.In her annual report, Lisa Broda, Saskatchewan's advocate for children and youth, said her office was notified of 48 suicide attempts in 2023 which resulted in a "critical injury,"...
May 02, 2024
Read More
CHALLENGE WITH CANNABIS
Impaired driving rules unclear say medical cannabis advocates
RCMP have more opportunities to catch impaired drivers since introducing mandatory alcohol screening but some in Saskatchewan say the rules are still quite hazy.As of April 1, alcohol tests are now mandatory at all traffic stops and while cannabis screening is not part of that mandate, RCMP officers can use oral fluid ...
May 01, 2024
Read More
Saskatchewan's GDP grew by 1.6% in 2023, ahead of national average
Saskatchewan's gross domestic product grew by 1.6 per cent in 2023, beating the national GDP growth of 1.2 per cent.According to figures released on Wednesday by Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan's GDP growth last year was tied with the Yukon, British Columbia and Ontario, but trailed Nunavut (3.4 per cent growth) and Pr...
May 01, 2024
Read More
Sask. will require all regulated workplaces to develop policies on violence
All provincially regulated workplaces in Saskatchewan will soon need to have a violence policy and prevention plan in place.According to the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, changes to Saskatchewan's employment act come into effect on May 17, making the policies mandatory in workplaces regulated by th...
May 01, 2024
Read More
Income Assistance
Income assistance clients seeing increases starting May 1
Starting Wednesday, clients using Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) are set to get a three per cent rise in income assistance benefits. "Depending on your individual situation, whether you have children or where you might live within the province that could var...
May 01, 2024
Read More
Missing Persons Week
Police and families across province share 'Stories, not Statistics' as part of Missing Persons Week
Kristopher Billette of Buffalo River Dene Nation, Byran Watson of Maple Creek and William 'Michael' Neuman of Canora have one tragic thing in common; they were all reported missing in 2023 and so far, have not been found. They are just some of the 2,533 individuals reported missing to Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdictions la...
May 01, 2024
Read More
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "wacko"
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday - and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.The unusually tense events saw Speaker Greg Fergus caution both Prime Minis...
Apr 30, 2024
Read More
PREVENTING DOMESTIC ABUSE
Despite more funding, advocates want more done to prevent domestic violence
Earlier this week, the Government of Saskatchewan announced a funding boost to organizations dealing with interpersonal violence but is it enough to tackle a growing issue in the province? The government's investment will see $42.6 million spread over three years ($14.2 million a year) to 34 community-based service org...
Apr 30, 2024
Read More
Sentencing after JSCN incident
Man sentenced after firearm incident on JSCN, multiple charges stayed
One of two people charged after a weapons incident at James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) earlier this month has been sentenced for one of his original nine charges. Razi Twist, 28, had eight of nine counts against him stayed at a court appearance April 29. He was sentenced to 30 days consecutive for use of a firearm in a c...
Apr 30, 2024
Read More