Humboldt

Winnipeg hotels were opening up Monday to evacuees who fled their homes due to raging wildfires, while to the west in Saskatchewan, thousands more were ordered to flee.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency issued an alert late Monday afternoon, saying the northern town of La Ronge had ordered an evacuation as fire had breached its airport.

The agency said flames were fast-moving and that people in the community of 2,500, as well as anyone within 20 kilometres, including nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, had to leave immediately.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is expected to introduce a bill today spelling out the federal government's next steps on border security.

The recent throne speech promised legislation to bolster security at Canada's borders and new tools for police and intelligence agencies to help them stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursors.

The government also said the Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export to prevent the movement of illegal and stolen products, including cars.

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

"The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we'll continue those discussions," Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

"They're a top priority for us." 

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. 

Farm groups across the prairies are always looking for producers to take an active role in helping to determine the organization goals.

The nomination period is now open for director positions with the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission (Sask Mustard) and Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat).

With the wildfires continuing to cause havoc in northern Saskatchewan, many groups throughout in the province are stepping up to lend a helping hand. 

The Humboldt Fire Department has been asked by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to help out with firefighting efforts at Weyakwin. The Humboldt Fire Department will be sending up a truck along with a rotating team of four firefighters. 

Humboldt Shopper's Drug Mart helped out the firefighters with a donation of 60 dozen water bottles, electrolytes and granola bars 

A section of Highway 5 within city limits will be closed to traffic tomorrow (Tues. June 3).

Between 7th and 9th Street on 8th Avenue will be closed to allow crews to patch the gravel sections of the intersection of 8th Avenue and Main Street, which is also the 
intersection of Highways 5 and 20.

Crews will also repaint some of the linework at the intersection. 

Detours will be set up in place and as well there will be temporary parking restrictions on Highway 20.

The work is expected to last one day. 

A 47-year-old man from the Preeceville area has died following a fatal motorcycle rollover on late Friday night.

Canora RCMP along with the local Fire and EMS responded to the incident at around 11:50 pm. The driver of the motorcycle was declared deceased by EMS at the scene.  His family has been notified. 

A female passenger on the motorcycle was assessed by EMS at the scene for injuries described as non-life-threatening. 

Canora RCMP are continuing to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist. 

The federal government is investing $15 million into Protein Industries Canada; the funding is being used to strengthen Canada's agri-food sector.

The new funding will focus on genomics and AI programs by bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors, and food manufacturers.

The programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system. 

Alberta is working on strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson is in Southeast Asia to promote Alberta as a reliable supplier of agricultural products.

The overall goal is to strengthen relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines to increase trade and investment opportunities that 
will directly benefit producers and processors by opening new markets for Alberta agriculture and food products.

Farm Credit Canada is investing $2 billion to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. 

The money which will be invested by 2030 will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

Stats show Canada’s agtech sector is lagging, putting Canada at a strategic disadvantage, while Japan  and the European Union have been increasing investments in ag tech.