Estevan

The federal government says it has found almost 500 ways to streamline regulations and cut costs following a 60-day red tape review exercise.

Departments and agencies have published reports identifying measures to make them more efficient and eliminate complicated or redundant regulations or processes.

Examples include a Canada Border Services Agency proposal to end the rule requiring that travellers arriving in Canada only on their way to another country, be examined by the agency before making their way to their departing flight.

The 42nd Annual Parent Child Tournament at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club saw one of its biggest turnouts yet, with 79 teams taking part on Sunday, September 7. The event, which has been a long-standing tradition in Estevan, featured families of all ages enjoying a day on the course under warm and pleasant weather conditions.

A new poll suggests 44 per cent of Canadians want to see the temporary foreign worker program scrapped as the country grapples with high unemployment, especially among young people.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently proposed eliminating the program in response to high youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 hit 14.6 per cent nationally in July, according to Statistics Canada data.

Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers are gathered in Manitoba this week for critical discussions on the future of Canadian agriculture. The meetings, which wrap up Tuesday, come at a time when global trade disruptions, domestic infrastructure needs, and food security are top of mind for producers and policymakers alike.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald says the meetings are an opportunity to listen to regional concerns and collaborate on national solutions.

As federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers are meeting in Winnipeg this week, the future of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is drawing renewed attention. While the Conservative Party has proposed eliminating the broader program, both farm leaders and Conservative MPs are emphasizing that agriculture will remain exempt.

Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), stressed the importance of the program to the sector.

Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow and Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie are calling on the federal Liberal government to approve the emergency use of strychnine as a way to deal with the increased number of gophers or Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS) across the Prairies.

For many, yoga is a solo practice, a time for focus, reflection and personal growth. At the OM Yoga Festival in Estevan, participants had the chance to experience a different side of yoga: acro yoga.

Jay Day and Grace Boyd, founders of Acro Yoga Regina, brought the practice to the festival. “Acro yoga is all about partnership,” said Jay. “It’s about connecting with others, building trust and having fun while doing it.”

The Special Olympics athletes of Estevan had a chance to team up with some of the city’s first responders for a day of ball games, laughter, and community spirit.

Jackie Thule, community manager for Special Olympics Estevan, shared that both the Estevan Police Service and Estevan Fire Department joined in on the action. “The Estevan police services and the Estevan Fire Department came out and played ball with their athletes, and everyone just had a great day,” she said.

The Estevan Alliance Church welcomed families and community members back on Sunday with their annual kickoff barbecue, marking both the start of a new school year and a new ministry season.

Pastor Randy Smith said the event is all about reconnecting after a busy summer. “After everyone scatters for summer, everybody comes back and we have a big kickoff and a barbecue just to celebrate the beginning of the new school year, but also our new ministry year,” he explained.

The Estevan Arts Council is gearing up for an exciting fall season, offering music, film, and opportunities for community involvement. 

Joining the conversation this week, Arts Council President Gale Tytlandsvik shared highlights of the upcoming events.