The Saskatchewan Distance Learning Centre (SaskDLC) is opening doors for high school students interested in careers in the oil and gas industry through a new set of online courses. Developed in collaboration with major energy companies, these courses offer a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on workplace experience, providing students with a well-rounded introduction to the sector.

Industry Support and Development

The initiative, first announced at the 2024 Oil and Gas Show in Weyburn, has gained significant backing from industry leaders. Teine Energy initially pledged support, and three additional companies, Cenovus Energy, Vermilion Energy, and Whitecap Resources, have since joined, collectively committing up to $160,000 over two years. This funding is helping to develop course content and finance a work placement coordinator who will ensure students gain meaningful on-the-job experience.

According to Saskatchewan Minister of Education Everett Hindley, the program underscores the province’s commitment to the oil and gas industry. “We strongly believe in the future of this sector and its role in creating jobs and economic activity across West Central Saskatchewan,” Hindley said. “This allows an opportunity for students to have yet another career path in front of them, and to help them learn about the importance of oil and gas and what it does as an industry in our province.”

Hindley also emphasized the collaboration between industry and education, stating, “Teachers from the DLC will be involved in developing the new online courses based on feedback and industry expertise from a steering committee made up of representatives from the four energy companies.”

Course Structure and Work Placement

The first course, Oil and Gas 20, is currently being piloted. The program consists of 100 hours of instruction, split between 50 hours of online theory and 50 hours of work placement. Students first complete coursework covering topics such as energy exploration, production, distribution, environmental stewardship, and safety. Once they finish the theoretical portion, they transition to fieldwork with participating energy companies.

Lori Gasper, SaskDLC’s Program Manager for Practical and Applied Arts, explained the approach. “The work placement allows students to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting. They start with a significant focus on safety and then be partnered with a mentor to experience the duties of a production field operator,” she said.

Related Stories:

• Students benefit from new industry supported online oil and gas education
• Kindersley Composite School bettering environment for Distance Learning

She also noted that the pilot program is evolving. “Because it's the pilot, things aren't written in stone. We're going to work with the mentors to do our best to link the course learning that they've done in their online theory with the work placement assessment,” Gasper explained. “Our work placement coordinator has been out on the field having a talk through with some of the mentors to identify exactly what the students will be able to do out in the field.”

Currently, Teine Energy and Whitecap Resources are hosting students for the pilot program. These placements are spread across multiple locations, primarily in West Central, southwest, and southeast, around the Weyburn area.

Expansion and Future Prospects

Interest in the program has been strong, with current registration at full capacity and a waitlist already in place. Enrollment for the next round, beginning in February 2026, is open currently.

SaskDLC also has plans to expand its offerings. The Oil and Gas 30 course is set to launch in February 2026, following the same structure as its predecessor. This expansion aims to provide students with a more advanced understanding of the industry and additional workplace experience.

“Both courses will have the same structure with 50 hours of online coursework paired with a 50-hour work placement,” Gasper confirmed. She also highlighted the importance of these placements, stating, “We’re grateful to the industry partners for making the placements possible because they allow students to try it for themselves and see themselves in a career, letting them make informed choices for their future.”

Looking Ahead

As the pilot program unfolds, SaskDLC and its industry partners are refining the course to enhance student experiences and industry alignment. 

For students considering the program, the message is clear: the Oil and Gas courses provide not only valuable knowledge but also a direct pathway into a thriving industry. Through a combination of online learning and hands-on experience, students can gain the skills and insights needed to make informed decisions about their future careers.

Bacon, eggs, sausage and french toast with toppings were all in the lineup for the annual Safety Breakfast at the Great Plains College. 

The annual event provides a free breakfast for the various individuals working with the college partners who get their safety training through its programs. 

Angela Kazakoff, the skills and safety training coordinator for Great Plains College and the southern region, was happy to have her clients come into the College for a chance to give back to them.

"We provide a little bit of information about what we offer, but really just an appreciation for our clients and their support over the year," said Kazakoff. 

These men and women work in various industries, ranging from the oil field to the City of Swift Current. All walks of life need and benefit from safety training, which helps to ensure they can complete their tasks in a manner that ensures they get to go home to their families. 

The fact they choose to get their training at the Great Plains College is a big reason for the breakfast. 

"(The breakfast) is to show our appreciation because we understand that people can go elsewhere for their training," said Kazakoff. "This community really provides us with so much support and we just really appreciate that."

In total, there were roughly 150 diners at the College. 

The Saskatchewan government is removing a provincial sales tax exemption on vapour products sold in the province.

Ratepayers in Swift Current will see a property tax increase and a new recreational levy on their 2025 bills after the City of Swift Current unveiled its 2025 budget.

City council approved the 2.71 per cent property tax increase this Wednesday morning, alongside an additional $140 levy for recreational services.

Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal said the Aquatic Centre needs more than $2 million in repairs to make it operational while they plan for a new facility. 

"The evidence is overwhelming as a community, we will require targeted funding towards our recreational facilities," he said. 

The City's 2025 budget is projected at just under $76 million, with $26 million being spent on capital, but $15 million of that spending is dependent on grants. 

More to come. 

Environment Canada says an Alberta clipper will make highway driving treacherous.

A 29-year-old male inmate from the Saskatoon Correctional Centre died in hospital on March 23  after being found unresponsive in his unit on March 18.

Corrections staff performed life-saving measures before EMS transported him to the hospital.

Story By:  Jason G Antonio

MOOSE JAW — City hall wants to upgrade the South Hill water pumphouse and reservoir to increase capacity and enhance efficiency and hopes a federal grant can support the $10-million project.

During its March 24 regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to support the municipality’s project grant application to the federal Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada program’s Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF).

This is the third initiative that council has submitted to CHIF, with the first being the $66.41 million Crescent View Headworks venue replacement project and the second being the $31.7 million infrastructure (cast iron) renewal program.

The current pumphouse system dates to 1977 and has aging pumps and electrical equipment that are nearly finished, a council report said.

Rehabilitating the structure — total cost is expected to be $9,808,568 — would increase reservoir capacity to 11,350 cubic metres from 9,100 cubic metres, make it more operationally efficient and add improved control systems and a backup generator, the document continued.

Furthermore, the project should enhance the water distribution system, improve fire protection, increase reliability, support future population growth and new housing developments of up to 60,000 residents, attract developers, promote sustainable development, lead to long-term cost savings and create more jobs, the report said.

The report noted that the city would fund the project through the operations budget and the water reservoirs budget. Contingency funds would also be included to cover unforeseen expenses.

The deadline to submit the federal application is Monday, March 31.

When asked when Moose Jaw might learn whether its application is successful, city administration said the federal election call has “thrown some of these things into a mix” since Ottawa cannot announce anything during this period. Therefore, city hall is in “wait-and-see mode” until after election day on Monday, April 28.

The application deadline was set months in advance of the election call, so the federal government’s departments will still take grant applications, administration continued. The intake process may remain the same if the Liberals return to power, while it could change if another party forms government.

He then asked administration how it would prioritize funding the three CHIF-submitted projects.

City manager Maryse Carmichael replied that administration will direct all funding toward the Crescent View headworks project, while she would discuss the situation with city hall’s grant writer, Tanya Reimer, who has a good relationship with her federal and provincial counterparts.

Carmichael noted that she would ask Reimer whether submitting several applications would change the municipality’s odds with acquiring federal funding.

“It would be good to know if that strengthens or weakens our applications, because if I had to put forward one, it would be Crescent View … ,” said Boyle.

Bevan Harlton, director of operations, chimed in and said all three infrastructure projects — Crescent View, South Hill water pumphouse and reservoir, and cast iron — are tender- and shovel-ready. However, he was unsure whether that fact would increase the city’s chances of acquiring money.

Harlton added that Moose Jaw, because of its size, has no assurance of receiving future grant money for projects, while city hall does not make any budget projects contingent upon federal or provincial funding.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 7.

The Swift Current Kinettes Club has achieved a landmark milestone in 70 years of active membership and community involvement. 

President of the Swift Current Kinettes Club, Tracy Prang, has been a member for 11 of those years. She reckoned that the club's actual anniversary was sometime in December. Celebrations have begun early, as they recently received a certificate from Kin Canada honouring the anniversary. 

"National President of Kin Canada, Marley Hanishewsky, sent us a letter congratulating us along with the Executive Director of Kin Canada," said Prang. "Which is pretty special in that they continue to recognize the groups that are continuing on and thriving and which are able to serve their communities greatest needs." 

Randy Sidhu, executive director of Kin Canada, wrote them a letter thanking the club members, past and present, for all they have done.

"Thank you for all that your members do to innovate, invest, and impact," said Sidhu. "Your hard work and dedication to enhancing your club, your community, and Kin Canada as a whole do not go unnoticed. You continue to help make the City of Swift Current a place to lie, work, and play while never forgetting about community members most in need of support."

The Kinettes have historically focused on providing for the needs in the community. Swift Current is no different, with the local club having been a large voice for groups like The Center, the Salvation Army Food Bank, and most recently the Southwest Facility Foundation. 

The largest work they contribute to is TeleMiracle. The fundraiser itself turned 49 this year, marking a nearly half-century of raising money for children's healthcare in Saskatchewan. 

"We work really hard to be able to raise money to keep helping with TeleMiracle and keeping those funds in Saskatchewan to help with all the medical needs of the people of Saskatchewan," said Prang. 

"This is the most disturbing action that I think we've seen from [U.S. President Donald Trump] since his election," said Scott Moe.

A Canadian man living with a rare disease has embarked on a bicycle ride across the country to raise awareness, making a recent pit stop in Swift Current.

Tyler J Ashton stopped by the radio station on Tuesday morning to share his message and story of living with ankylosing spondylitis, or AS. 

The B.C. resident noted that he began the ride in B.C. at the iconic Mile 0 Marker of the Trans Canada Highway, near the Terry Fox statue.

"Three years ago, when I got my diagnosis, that saved my life; it gave me the instruction booklet to figure out what to do next with my life," he said. "I've had to switch careers and do all sorts of things, but one thing I found out is that I really enjoy helping others. 

"This started as an idea of something bigger than myself, and I decided to go across Canada."

Ashton highlighted that he endured vigorous training every day to prepare for this ride and hopes to motivate others with AS to get up and get moving too.

"AS is a disease of the spine, and it's primarily based in arthritis and inflammation," he shared. "Worst case, late-stage prognosis, is spinal fusion, where my spine would start to fuse itself, and I'd be immobile."

The cross-country cyclist will ride primarily along the highway and will next stop in Regina and again in Brandon for a treatment that he takes every seven days.

"I take a weekly injection and I work with a medication team," added Ashton. "Without them, I wouldn't be able to do this.

"I take a biologic that needs to be refrigerated, so they help facilitate the pharmacies where my med drops happen."

Anyone looking to follow along with Tyler J Ashton's journey can visit him on social media or help support the cause on GoFundMe.

Seattle Kraken assistant coach Karen Campbell's hometown of Rocanville, Sask., is unveiling a highway board honouring her and hosting a watch party as her team takes on the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night.

Swift Current Fire Department crews responded to a fire on Central Avenue South. 

A garage fire has been confirmed, with both paramedics and firefighters at the scene. 

Reports of at least one injury have been made, although the severity of that injury is unknown. An eyewitness witnessed paramedics tending to an adult man. 

The cause of this fire is unknown at this time. 

Swift Current Online will follow up with any updates that become available. 

Maddox Schultz was given exceptional status at the age of 14 to play up in the U18 AAA Hockey League. The league's top scorer, who just turned 15, is expected to be the No 1. pick in the upcoming Western Hockey League draft but he is not seeking exceptional status this time around. That's because under a new Hockey Canada rule, he can stay with the U18 AAA Regina Pat Canadians and still be allowed to play 34 games in the WHL next year.

Saskatchewan's government is projecting a small surplus. But is that realistic given the trade wars with the U.S. and China? The political panel joined the morning edition to discuss the 2025 provincial budget and what the upcoming spring session will look like. This week's panel featured Regina Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk, Canadian Press reporter Jeremy Simes and Morning Edition host Adam Hunter.

Located on Buffalo Pound Lake, north of Moose Jaw, folks can find a unique learning environment. 

The Classroom on Ice is offered by the volunteers running the Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation, kids are able to learn about fish anatomy, their lifestyles, and perhaps most importantly, how to catch them.

Dale Hodgson, one of the volunteer teachers, has been helping educate children of all backgrounds on how to catch, release, and care for the fish in Buffalo Pound for over a decade. His mobile ice fishing shack allows him to venture to any body of water where a classroom has requested a lesson. He has ventured as far as Outlook, Saskatchewan in his quest to keep kids interested in ice fishing.

"We teach grades 5-6, and it's just an opportunity for the kids to come out and learn," said Hodgson.

In total, there are three classrooms. The first is the anatomy classroom. Kids learn how to dissect the fish, and about how everything in there works. 

Classroom two is all about water conservation. 

"What we do is we explain to the kids about taking care of our water supply," said Hodgson. "We show them about oxygen in the water, and how the fish need it."

Finally, the third and final classroom is Hodgson's ice fishing class. He shows kids how to drill holes safely, drilling each of them a spot to fish. He has a shack for them to warm up in, but otherwise shows them how to fish out in the open. He explains how the fishing rod works, how to use it, and how to handle the fish.

Hodgson says the best part of his job is showing kids how to catch fish. Teaching them how to set the hook safely, reeling them in, and watching as they hold up their catch for the first time is a rewarding experience each time.

"My kids have all grown up here, my grandkids have all grown up out here, and so this is my opportunity to be able to give back," said Hodgson. "To the kids that are out there that maybe don't have the opportunity to come out here and do the fishing. So it's a great program."

Many of the kids he teaches have never been ice fishing before. Be they from families that just don't ice fish themselves, or if they have recently come to Canada and have never had a frozen body of water to ice fish on, this is many kids first time catching anything on the ice. 

"One girl I remember, she'd never fished, but she wound up catching three fish," Hodgson said. "Well, she was strutting around like you would not believe. She was just like the princess of the lake. She was just tickled pink."

So long as these kids have permission, they are even allowed to bring the fish they catch home. 

"The other day we had a brand new student from the Philippines," recalled Hodgson. "He caught about a four-pound Jackfish. After we contacted his parents, he wound up taking the fish home. 

"I do believe they had it for supper."

If anyone is interested in getting their child involved or would like to set up an experience for their classroom, they can call the Moose Jaw Wild Life Federation at 306-693-4047.

It is officially spring; the province is thawing out and coming back to life once again following a lengthy and frigid winter. The change of seasons will soon be apparent all around us, especially in the countless plant and animal species that can be found in Saskatchewan. 

Those native plants, well adapted to weather roller coaster the province rides every winter, are among the first to show evidence that spring has arrived, and Beth Dolmage, a Species at Risk Botanist with the Ministry of Environment tells us which ones to be on the lookout for. 

“Some of our most early-blooming plants that people can keep an eye for that are native (to Saskatchewan) can include Prairie Crocuses - which are always a fan favourite – things like Prairie Smoke, a very distinctive purple and red flower and a very small flower called Moss Phlox,” said Dolmage. 

“And then buds on our shrubs like Pussy Willows or some of our trees that bud out a little early, think of our Balsam Poplar.” 

While quick to emerge from their winter dormancy, those plants are seldom affected by the wild temperature swings that are all too present during the latter half of winter and early springtime. 

“Our early blooming plants are adapted to kind of keep warm in those sudden temperature drops. If you look at a prairie crocus, for instance, they're actually pretty hairy and that hair can really help conserve moisture or protect them from some of those temperature drops, they're really, really resilient and have adapted over time to our environment,” she explained.  

Timing is everything for the flora and fauna of Saskatchewan. The ability to essentially sit back and wait out the winter, utilized by a wide range of native animal species in the form of hibernation, is a crucial component of the survival strategy used by plant species as well. 

Dolmage noted that species that jump the gun face severe consequences and tend to not survive long enough to adapt to the climate in our region. 

“Sudden temperature swings can absolutely be detrimental to plants. If they’ve budded out, produced flowers, or started to really put energy into some of those structures and the temperature drops enough to freeze, it can damage that plant, which must spend energy reserves to regrow, which can be detrimental,” said Dolmage. 

“So later on, when things really start to pick up, usually in Saskatchewan, it's early April is when you might see those crocuses start to pop up.” 

It is not just the resilience to our region’s climate extremes that makes our native plant species stand out to Dolmage and her colleagues; they have also adapted to a wide range of ecoregions, each one introducing unique challenges to species that call them home. 

“We have (numerous) ecoregions and then each of those exists inside of an ecozone and they're kind of nested, so we have our pre ecozone and then within it, we have our ecoregions like the aspen parkland and mixed moist grassland. We are a unique area.” 

“Our plants have adapted over eons to that. There are plenty of plants that have their niche. Whether it’s our mixed grasslands closer to the southern border or aspen parkland in the middle, they have adapted to the local climate, to our weather, and even to our soil types, 

(The soil types) are so interconnected to the landscape and our history of glaciation. These plants have been here for a really long time and have learned to work with the environment.”  

She noted that some adaptations that can be found in the drier and sunny regions of the province - like the border between moist mixed and mixed grasslands that Moose Jaw is situated on - include silvery leaves that conserve moisture by reflecting sunlight and hairs that trap moisture to prevent evaporation.  

Some species of native grasses (known collectively as C4 grasses due to the different method of carbon fixation used during photosynthesis) stagger their growth, emerging during the later months of summer to reduce competition. 

Throughout her career as a botanist, Dolmage has had the opportunity to travel across Saskatchewan to conduct various studies, and over that time she has inevitably found a few personal favourite plants to encounter. 

“One of them, of course, would be our provincial flower the Wood Lily. The bright orange lily you’ll see blooming in June. Another one I really love is a little harder to find, it’s called Showy Locoweed. It’s similar to Prairie Crocus in that it has lots of hairs all over it, it’s a very soft plant,” she said. 

“As someone who spends lots of time outdoors dealing with plants, many of them are thorny. So, it’s a real joy to find something so soft and pretty, it has beautiful purple flowers, and it grows in the native prairie of southern Saskatchewan.” 

With the growing season just about to begin, Dolmage encourages everyone to get outdoors and feed their curiosity, and one way to do so is to take advantage of the iNaturalist app when running across a plant or animal during their travels. 

“A great app. It uses photographs of living insects, plants, animals, fungi and it takes their location, deed of observation and it brings them to a global community of experts for verification.” 

“I would really encourage folks to just go for walks and take photos of the plants in their neighborhood if they're curious and we always encourage folks to learn more. iNaturalist is a wonderful resource for that.” 

On the topic of seeing different plants when out and about, she noted that there are many ways to help conserve our province’s plant species and even incorporate some of the hardy and beautiful native plant species into your gardens and landscaping. 

“If you have the opportunity to say, plant a native garden, we really encourage folks to look into their local area. There are often folks in your area who are collecting native seeds, and if you are curious about creating pollinator gardens, there's lots of resources.” 

“If you know of an area that has a lot of native Prairie in it too, we always encourage folks to look into conservation efforts, there are lots of wonderful groups out there they could contact to get an idea of what they can do to help.” 

With the provincial budget released, education is one of the sectors focused on, with some support coming from a source that's been vocal about better education funding in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation gave their take on the budget, saying that they were encouraged by the spending.

STF President Samantha Becotte says that the province's proposal is what they expected following the throne speech, with some gains for restoring student-based funding.

“This is another step in the right direction. In last fall’s election, the STF asked parties to invest in public education and called for per-student funding to be restored. We know a decade of cuts can’t be addressed with one budget. We are cautiously optimistic this will be the start of continued investments in public education with predictable, sustainable funding that meets the needs of a growing student population.”

For the upcoming fiscal year, the Ministry of Education will receive $3.5 billion, an increase of $183 million, or 5.5 per cent, over the previous year.

Some of the initiatives being laid out by the province include $130 million to fund the new teacher bargaining agreement and find ways to better help the pressures associated with growing student enrollment, $54 million to address non-teacher salary increases, transportation and inflation, and to build 50 specialized support classrooms over the next four years.

Becotte adds, “Investing in public education will help ensure students have equal access to the supports that they need within their PreK-Grade 12 education, which will lead to increased probability of achieving government’s priorities.”

The STF's figures show that per-student funding has been on the decline over the past decade (adjusting for inflation), with a gap of $2,450 remaining despite an increase in the previous budget. This year's budget closes that gap to $1,850, with a full restoration requiring an additional $375 million in the 2025-26 budget.

“There is still more work to do, and teachers are committed to working collaboratively with government to ensure the best outcomes for students,” says Becotte. “But we can’t do it alone. Budgets reflect priorities and investing in public education is an investment in the future of our province. Saskatchewan has one of the best-performing economies in the country. Saskatchewan students and families deserve access to a properly funded public education system that meets students’ needs.”

The province will also continue on it's initiative to improve literacy in Kindergarten to grade 3 students mentioned in the throne speech, with a set aside of $2 million for that issue.

RCMP in Rosetown and Kyle responded to multiple incidents, including thefts, mischief, fraud, and erratic drivers. Notable cases include a fuel theft from a Rosetown business, a woman charged with uttering threats in Fiske, and investigations into stolen tools, a vehicle, and a side-by-side. Officers also conducted well-being checks and issued 32 traffic-related charges.

On March 14, Rosetown RCMP began investigating a theft complaint in Elrose.

On March 15, officers conducted a well-being check in Harris, responded to a suspicious person complaint in Rosetown, and received two erratic driver reports on Highway 7. In both cases, either the vehicle was not located, or there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

On March 18, Kyle RCMP launched an investigation into fraud in Kyle, while Rosetown RCMP handled two mischief complaints and a well-being check in Rosetown.

On March 19, Kyle RCMP received a theft of fuel complaint from a Rosetown business, which remains under investigation. Later that day, a 33-year-old woman from Saskatoon was arrested and charged with uttering threats in Fiske before being released for court.

Additionally, RCMP are investigating multiple historical incidents, including a theft of tools from a business in Rosetown (Feb. 25, 2025), a stolen vehicle near Rosetown (Oct. 14, 2024), and a stolen side-by-side in Rosetown (Oct. 14, 2024).

Anyone with information on these or other crimes is encouraged to contact Rosetown RCMP at 306-882-5700 or submit an anonymous tip through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

The Saskatchewan government will help fund a new care home in Saskatoon for adult children with severe disabilities.

Saskatchewan health officials are again urging people to get vaccinated after a second case of the measles is confirmed and a third case is suspected in the province's southwest.

The Saskatoon Public Library says it's closing the main downtown branch and one on 20th Street West for a month on March 22 as the fallout from an overdose crisis overwhelms staff.

There's another new measles case in Swift Current.

After announcing one confirmed case last week, the Saskatchewan Health Authority said today they have an additional confirmed case at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, and another suspected case in the southwest area of the province.

The cases don't appear to be connected.

"They are not spreading from the Swift Current case," said SHA Medical Health Officer Dr. Dravid Torr. "The second one did present to the Swift Current hospital. The third under investigation presented elsewhere and also is not related to these two. Measles is spreading across the country. Any other new case could appear anywhere right now. I really need everyone in the province to be on alert for this. Come forward and get your vaccinations up to date."

The cases involve two adults and one child.

Dr. Torr noted the adults were not sure of their vaccination status, while the child is unvaccinated.

"With the two cases we are investigating there seems to be an association with international travel from areas where there are much higher numbers of measles," he said. "We have measles to the south of us in the US and Mexico, to the east of us in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, and to the west of us in Alberta. Probably it's going to increase. It's just a question of time."

The SHA is asking due to the highly contagious nature of measles, if you exhibit any symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fatigue, small white spots in the mouth or red blotchy rash on body), please call HealthLine811 for symptom assessment and care advice, or call your Physician or Nurse Practitioner and identify to them that you may have been exposed to measles. If you are in medical distress, present to emergency or call 911, and identify that you may have been exposed to measles.

The provincial NDP have been voicing their concerns with the provincial budget that was tabled in the Legislature on Wednesday. 

Trent Wotherspoon, the NDP’s shadow minister of finance, said the budget has nothing to build for the future and is divorced from reality.  

“This is a government that chose not to put a plan together in any way for tariffs in this budget,” Wotherspoon told Discover Weyburn. “This is unlike every other province across Canada No contingency in the budget, no plan to support workers and industries and producers. No economic measure to build out some of the trade supporting transportation infrastructure that we so critically need in this province.” 

Wotherspoon also opined on the modest $12 million surplus included in the budget. He felt that while it was a balanced budget now, things will change as the fiscal year goes on.  

“They make all sorts of claims on budget day, pretend it’s going to be balanced, and time and time again their budgets go off the rails with mismanagement, scandal and waste, and we end up seeing bog deficits,” Wotherspoon said.  

The 2024-25 provincial budget had an initial deficit of $273.5 million. During the budget presentation Wednesday, the anticipated deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year included a deficit of $660.6 million, more than double the initial projections.  

“We see that in this budget that our provincial debt has grown to $38 billion,” Wotherspoon added. “They’ve quadrupled the debt, and it’s Saskatchewan people that are left to pay for the cost to service that debt.” 

RCMP officers seized one kilogram of cocaine during a traffic stop on Highway 1 west of Regina. 

On Tuesday at around 11:30 a.m. , the RCMP Roving Traffic Unit stopped an SUV. With help from a police service dog , officers found the drugs inside the vehicle. 

A  41 year old man  from Calgary, was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of trafficking cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking . The suspect is set to appear in Regina Provincial Court on May 29th.

The Regina Police Service and Highway Patrol assisted in the investigation.

Police are investigating a suspicious death on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation . 

Just before 3 a.m. today  the File Hills First Nations Police Service responded to a sudden death report. The victim was identified as an adult male . The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit is now leading the investigation. 

No arrests or charges have been made. Residents may notice more police officers in the area as the investigation continues. Authorities say they will update the public if there are any public safety risks .

Regina's relatively new city council passed its first budget this week, and the process didn't come without bumps as councillors worked to reduce a proposed 8.5-per-cent mill rate increase. One decision that sparked tension was chipping away at that increase by laying off staff. Prairie Dog Magazine's Paul Duchene breaks down the week of debate for CBC Radio's The Morning Edition.

The Speedy Creek Model Railway Club is looking to build up steam with a brand new location. 

After having a dip in membership during the last year, the Club is attempting a fresh start at the Swift Current Mall.

According to Club treasurer, Tim Marcus, the Swift Current Mall has sponsored them through this opportunity. 

"We're happy that the Swift Current Mall partnered with us to give us this space," said Marcus. "It should help us to get back on our feet again." 

People can find them just across from the childrens play space and wall climbing area. Inside, model tracks have been erected, complete with minature towns, factories, mountains, farms, and bridges. 

The plan for now is to continue improving their displays, adding in the greenery, the buildings, different display vehicles, and complete the scenery. 

"We're going to try and model some of Swift Current," said Marcus. "We have the train station buildings up front and the Lyric Theater which we also modelled. We're hoping to make the yard, and will kinda have it modelled after the one here in town." 

The Club was formerly based out of the Dixon Community Centre and has existed in Swift Current for over 20 years in one form or another. 

Anyone interested in joining the club is encouraged to come out when they are open on both Thursdays and Sundays during regular store hours.

A Regina-based production company says it is optimistic and will "work with what we have" after the province's film and tv production grant was reduced in the latest budget.

The City of Swift Current is planning to stay vigilant and respond as necessary to tariffs

Be they tariffs from the United States, China, or anywhere else in the world, staff are closely monitoring the effects happening in Swift Current. One of the most observable at the moment is the U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Industry producers that utilize those materials, such as S3 Group, AGI, and various machine shops, are how the City sees these effects. When their production lines and prices are adjusted to match tariffs, it gives the City insight into how other tariffs may play out. 

Swift Current Mayor, Al Bridal. is confident the City will be able to avoid 'rocking the boat', so to speak. 

"I can't change what President Trump does," said Bridal. "I can't change what Prime Minister Carney does. All I can do is try to make sure that as a city here, we try to keep things as steady as we can."

Bridal predicts that there may even be opportunities in Swift Current for industry growth and expansion. As the trade ware goes on, the market will continue wanting to buy Canadian, rather than American. Items previously produced in America will begin production in Canada, so long as their is enough incentive and demand. 

For Swift Current, that means there is a chance people may want to open shop and begin producing products that are adjacent to existing production lines. One example Bridal used was sliding aluminum and glass doors, commonly used for the entryways to malls, businesses, and other facilities. Bridal highlighted how the raw materials to construct these items are commonly used in Swift Current but are often shipped for assembly to the United States where they are sold. 

"Why are we not making some of that finished product in Canada?" asked Bridal. "We need, as Canadians, to look at doing a lot more of this stuff ourselves."

Swift Current residents and community members are being advised of a bridge closure in Swift Current to allow for flood barricade placements in high-priority areas.

The historic Lee Lam Bridge, also known as the Blue Bridge, is closed, effective Friday, March 21.

Ryan Hunter, fire chief for the Swift Current Fire Department, noted that the barricades should be set up for seven to ten days or until it's been deemed safe.

"Our area that's most low-lying in the city is called Piper's Addition, which is by the Blue Bridge on the south side," he shared. "It's a narrow point where that bridge is so it creates a pinch point and chunks of ice get blocked up,

"Therefore, the water gets forced to go around and into the neighbourhood, so that's our first priority."

Folks heading to Piper's Addition can follow the detour on 17th Avenue South East to Dahl Street, detour signage has been has been put up.

The second area of high flood risk is around Connaught Drive and Riverdene Park.

"We anticipate that we're going to watch the water levels and the weather, we may start to put some barricades up there in the middle of next week," Hunter said in regard to the second location.