Estevan

As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit in Alberta, analysts say Canada's most important goal will be to keep the G7 from falling apart — even if that means not issuing a joint statement.

"Keeping this informal international organization together will, I think, be a mark of success," said Sen. Peter Boehm, a former diplomat who played a central role in Canada’s participation in the G7 for decades.

The historic ties and long-standing working relationship between the United Kingdom and Canada are not just reflections of the past, but are very much needed "in the here and now," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday. 

Starmer said the two Commonwealth members think and work alike, having collaborated for years on issues of security, defence, trade and the economy.

Starmer met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Sunday before the two leaders headed for the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta.

Estevan city council has approved a request from the Estevan Police Service to use $203,200 from its 2024 budget surplus to fund vehicle replacements and station maintenance, despite concerns from some councillors about the city’s budgeting approach.

At a recent council meeting, Police Chief Jamie Blunden explained the service ended 2024 with a $256,000 surplus and had hoped to carry those funds into 2025 for planned purchases. Two vehicles were originally earmarked for replacement, and maintenance work at the police station was also expected.

The Saskatchewan Realtors Association is hopeful the recently announced GST rebate for first-time homebuyers purchasing new homes will help address housing supply issues. 

Those who may be eligible for the rebate include first-time buyers who purchase a new home from a builder, build or hire someone to build a new home on land they own or lease, or buy shares in a co-operative housing corporation. 

Almost a decade after 24 Sussex Drive was abandoned as the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, taxpayers are still shelling out tens of thousands of dollars a year to maintain the vacant property, and the new prime minister has signalled he's in no rush to deal with the crumbling building.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in May that it's up to the National Capital Commission to decide what to do with 24 Sussex.

Estevan residents lined the streets Friday afternoon for a colourful kickoff to a busy weekend in the Energy City.

This year’s parade, with the theme "Hats off to Estevan’s Rodeo," featured floats, horseback riders, local businesses, community groups and plenty of cowboy hats, both real and decorative.

The excitement continues with graduation celebrations on Saturday and the Estevan Exhibition running through until Sunday.

Whether you came for the midway, the rodeo or to cheer on your grad, it is a weekend of celebration across the city.

A pair of Southeast Saskatchewan drivers have taken home championship titles following wins during the Tougher Than Dirt Tour over six nights of racing. The tour takes place on five different American tracks and another race here at the Estevan Motor Speedway.

This year's winners are Leevi Runge and Diezel Raynard, both of whom hail from Lampman. The two winning the title make it the first time in the tour's 10-year history that both winners hail from Saskatchewan.

The federal public service shed almost 10,000 people last year, with the Canada Revenue Agency and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada losing the most employees.

The last time the public service contracted was in 2015, when the number of people employed dropped just slightly from 257,138 to 257,034.

The number of public servants employed by the federal government fell from 367,772 to 357,965 over the last year.

Canada's fentanyl czar says the fight against the deadly opioid would get a boost from proposed new tools for law enforcement in the Liberal government's recently tabled border bill.

Kevin Brosseau, the federal point person on fentanyl, welcomes provisions in the Strong Borders Act to increase inspection powers, give police easier access to information, crack down on money laundering and improve control of chemicals used to make the drug.

Some administrative restructuring has hit the Saskatchewan Health Authority, as they recently announced dozens of cuts in senior and leadership positions, with around 26 senior positions being cut. From that, the province says it's freed up $10.4 million, which it will be using towards positions in remote and rural areas.

According to their release, that will include "27 new and 20 enhanced Clinical Manager positions in 45 rural and northern communities, and the introduction of a new model for senior physician leadership."