Estevan

May brought a steady stretch of gloomy, rainy weather, but that didn’t stop people across southeast Saskatchewan from sharing the sunshine their pets bring into their lives. From cuddles on stormy days to muddy-pawed adventures between showers, we had some wonderful entries this month — and yes, it was mostly dogs stealing the spotlight!

One of these adorable contestants will be taking home two $50 gift cards — one from All Creatures and one from Rodeo Dawg — along with the all-important title of May’s Perfect Pet!

The Estevan Public Library is rolling out a full slate of summer programming, including reading challenges for kids and teens, an author visit, a puzzle-building contest, and a new music lending initiative supported by a community grant.

“Access Communications Children's Fund gave us a grant back in earlier in the year to help us purchase some music instruments.” — Jason Redshaw

Quebec Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia was elected Speaker of the House of Commons on Monday — after an unusually dramatic race that saw the only Conservative contenders drop out of the running at the last minute.

Conservative MPs Chris d'Entremont and John Nater both put their names forward but withdrew on the House floor before the election began Monday morning.

The Liberals currently have 169 seats in the minority Parliament, leaving them three seats shy of the 172 required for a majority.

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says the NDP will not be granted official party status because the law says a party needs at least 12 seats to be recognized.

The NDP was reduced to just seven seats in last month's election.

Interim NDP Leader Don Davies has told The Canadian Press he spoke with the Prime Minister's Office about obtaining official party status for the NDP in the House of Commons.

Davies pointed to several past instances of provincial legislatures granting party status to an opposition party.

Frank Dukart
1927 - 2025

Frank Dukart, late of Regina, SK passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025 in the Palliative Care Unit at the Pasqua Hospital with his daughter at his side.

A Memorial Service for Frank will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Hall Funeral Services in Estevan. Please join the family in the small hall at the Royal Canadian Legion in Estevan following the service for a time of refreshments and visiting. A family interment will take place at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens.

Roy E. Phillips
1938 - 2024

Roy passed away surrounded by the love of his family, on December 2, 2024, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Estevan, Sask.

A celebration of Roy's life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Stoughton, Sask. with Monica Dayman officiating. A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for the Phillips family - Dustin Hall & Yvonne Clark, Funeral Directors.

MPs are returning to Ottawa for the opening of the 45th session of Parliament, and among them is Alberta Foothills MP John Barlow, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food. Barlow is gearing up for what he describes as a challenging time for both the country and the agriculture sector, particularly due to ongoing trade and tariff issues.

King Charles is set to open a new session of Parliament on Tuesday, seated in a throne that incorporates a piece of English walnut from Windsor Great Park, a preserve of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.

The Royal Family connection is especially appropriate given that the Queen was the first sovereign to deliver a speech from the throne in Canada, a role usually fulfilled by the Governor General.

Talks between Canada Post and negotiators from its union are expected to resume over the next few days, its union said Sunday after the two parties met amid warnings of mail delivery delays tied to a national ban on overtime for postal workers.

In an afternoon statement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its negotiators had "worked hard to carefully evaluate" Canada Post's latest offers and prepare responses ahead of the day's meeting with the employer and the mediators. 

Saskatchewan’s delay in signing the federal government’s extension to the $10-a-day childcare agreement is raising concerns among parents, childcare providers, and community leaders, who warn of potential closures and economic setbacks unless the province commits to the plan.