Humboldt

Saskatchewan led the country in job growth last month and posted the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, according to new labour force figures released Friday by Statistics Canada.

The province added 21,100 jobs year-over-year in April, an increase of 3.6 per cent—the highest percentage increase among provinces. Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate sat at 4.3 per cent, well below the national average of 6.9 per cent.

Prime Minister Mark Carney had a brief audience with Pope Leo XIV Sunday afternoon at the Vatican following the pontiff's inaugural mass in St. Peter's Square.

Carney was seated in the second row with his wife Diana for the mass, in a section amongst other world leaders and heads of state.

The prime minister, who is a devout Catholic, was one of the few world leaders to kneel during the blessing of the Eucharist, and was spotted at two instances taking a picture of the Pope on his phone to mark the occasion — before the mass started and after it had concluded. 

Flora and fauna in the southeast are coming back to life as the spring season continues, including ladybugs as they can be found in abundance this time of year. 

Provincial Insect and Vertebrate Pest Management Specialist, Dr. James Tansey explains these beetles, part of the Coccinellidae family, overwinter in large groups in sheltered areas like leaf litter and hollow logs. 

As the first Indigenous person ever to lead the federal department responsible for delivering services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis, Mandy Gull-Masty knows she has a daunting task ahead.

But the newly-appointed Indigenous services minister also knows what it's like to sit at both sides of the table — as a cabinet minister now and, until recently, as the grand chief of the political body representing 20,000 Cree people in northern Quebec.

The government of Saskatchewan is providing the public with tips on how to stay bear aware this summer.

The reminder is timely, as residents of downtown Regina spotted a black bear in a tree near yesterday morning. The bear was tranquilized with hopes of bringing it to an area outside of the city, but a government statement says it has to be euthanized.

Several tips include never feed or approach a bear or cubs, hike in groups and make noise by talking loudly or singing, stay calm – don’t run.

A new program to help incentivize oil production from low-producing or inactive wells is being launched by the provincial government today.

The Low Productivity and Reactivation Oil Well Program (LPRP) will look to promote industry investment in low-producing or inactive horizontal oil wells through a new royalty structure for eligible wells.

The province projects that in the final year of its four-year stretch, the program will add 30,000 barrels per day of oil production and generate $21 million in additional royalty revenue for the province.

A consequential report on Canada Post largely backs the Crown corporation's story about its flagging business, experts say, and bodes poorly for the union attempting to negotiate a better deal for the postal service's workers.

“If I was the union, I'm going to be very, very disappointed in this," said Marvin Ryder, associate professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at the DeGroote School of Business.

This week, Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre had the honor of meeting King Charles III for the first time at Buckingham Palace. Accompanied by her husband and the Executive Director for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Carolyn Speirs, McIntyre also enjoyed high tea at Canada House with High Commissioner Ralph Goodale and his wife, Pam Goodale.

Speaking to us from London her Honour says being able to meet and visit with the King was an amazing experience.

The Municipal District of Taber administers public land that had been previously turned over to it by the Alberta government.

Alberta municipal leaders are eyeing the Municipal District of Taber as it grapples with striking the right balance between stewardship and the responsibility of raising an appropriate amount of revenue for its agricultural lands on behalf of ratepayers.

BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada recently announced the 12 organizations that will each receive a portion of the $160,000 Growing Home with BASF prize fund. 

Following a competitive public voting period, the first, second, and third-place winners have been determined for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

Organizations that finish in first place will receive a $25,000 donation and have the opportunity to celebrate their win with the local community; second place will receive $10,000, and third place will receive $5,000.