Keira Miller, Saskatoon Media Group

Elections Canada is expecting a significant voter-turnout this federal election after a record-breaking number of people showed up to the polls on Friday.

Marie-France Kenny with Elections Canada says the first day of advanced polling saw two million Canadians line up. This is an increase of 36 per cent, or 1.2 million voters, from the last federal election. Kenny assures that if you still hope to cast your ballot early, there are several ways to do so.

The provincial government caught a glimpse of the concerns of communities across the province at this week’s Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Convention.

Some of those concerns, brought up during Wednesday’s Bear Pit session, included SaskTel-inflicted damages, a lack of teachers in northern Saskatchewan, the homelessness crisis, and a need for a federal infrastructure program. Norman McDonald, a councilor for town of Wolseley, spoke during Wednesday’s Q & A Bear Pit session with the premier and his cabinet.

Municipal leaders from across the province will be gathering this week for the annual Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association Convention. SUMA President Randy Goulden says the annual event provides a space for municipalities to engage in discussions with the provincial government and each other regarding infrastructure, funding, and bylaw concerns to name a few. “It’s an excellent time to talk about what might be concerning them, because the solution might be happening in another municipality, ” she explains.

The Saskatchewan NDP dubbed Wednesday’s provincial budget ‘the greatest work of fiction’ during Question Period on Thursday, noting that it didn’t include the fiscal impacts of tariffs from the United States and China.

Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon added that in order to survive these tariffs, Saskatchewan needs to expand trade significantly and build the necessary railways pipelines to get there.

Sask. Party Finance Minister Jim Reiter shot back that the NDP used to be opposed to pipelines, trade offices, and the Premier’s trade missions.

The Saskatchewan NDP dubbed Wednesday’s provincial budget ‘the greatest work of fiction’ during Question Period on Thursday, noting that it didn’t include the fiscal impacts of tariffs from the United States and China.

Finance Critic Trent Wotherspoon added that in order to survive these tariffs, Saskatchewan needs to expand trade significantly and build the necessary railways pipelines to get there.

Sask. Party Finance Minister Jim Reiter shot back that the NDP used to be opposed to pipelines, trade offices, and the Premier’s trade missions.

The woman responsible for killing a mother and her daughter in an alcohol-induced car crash has been sentenced to six years in prison.

The verdict came on Friday at Saskatoon provincial court. Back in October, 53-year-old Laura Hannah and 20-year-old Jamie Hannah, both from Alberta, were traveling to a funeral in Moose Jaw when they were struck and killed in a head-on collision on Highway 11, not far from Dundurn.

In the midst of a trade war with both the United States and China, Saskatchewan’s premier says the federal government needs to get its priorities straight.

Scott Moe spoke this morning following a tariff-focused Saskatchewan Business Roundtable, where he discussed the impending threat of numerous levies with industry representatives.

Moe congratulated Mark Carney on winning the Liberal Leadership race, however, he says Carney needs to act quickly to avert China’s detrimental tariffs on canola oil and meal.

The federal government has offered to renew the $10 per day childcare agreement for an additional five years, and Saskatchewan has yet to sign on.

NDP Critic for Childcare and Early Learning, Joan Pratchler, says Premier Scott Moe is only one of two Canadian premiers to leave this money on the table, the other being Alberta.

“There’s so much at stake if we don’t get this signed,” she explains.

The federal government has offered to renew the $10 per day childcare agreement for an additional five years, and Saskatchewan has yet to sign on.

NDP Critic for Childcare and Early Learning, Joan Pratchler, says Premier Scott Moe is only one of two Canadian premiers to leave this money on the table, the other being Alberta.

“There’s so much at stake if we don’t get this signed,” she explains.

Although some people might agree to disagree, the Canada Revenue Agency says doing your taxes shouldn’t have to be difficult.

This tax season, CRA Spokesperson Sababa Hossain says the tax filing process will look a lot like last years’, however there are a few notable changes.

“Saving up for your first home is now easier than ever with the Homebuyers Plan. The change for this year is that the withdrawal limit has increased from $35,000 to $60,000. The withdrawal is tax-free, so you can have more money towards a down payment.”