Alcohol guideline overhaul looking to provide people with more informed choice

A recently proposed new guideline for alcohol consumption in Canada could change the way organizations and people look at alcohol.

That includes a switch in the amount that's safe to consume, with the new guidelines notably switching to a "less is better" approach.

The Ottawa-based Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction says the risk is negligible-to-low for two drinks per week, moderate for three-to-six drinks per week, and increasingly high beyond that.

SaskEnergy putting forward rebates to help customers be energy-efficient

SaskEnergy says that it's committing $750,000 in 2022 and 2023 to help its commercial customers replace older natural gas equipment with high-efficiency models.

The new SaskEnergy funding will be delivered through two programs for its commercial customers - one that provides rebates for new condensing boilers and another that provides rebates for space and water heating upgrades.

SaskEnergy’s Commercial Boiler Rebate will be encouraging the use of a high-efficiency natural gas condensing boiler to maximize energy cost savings while reducing emissions.

What will and won't be closed for a federal holiday?

With the recent announcement that September 19th will be a federal holiday as a day of mourning for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there's been some questions as to what exactly is affected by a federal holiday.

The announcement will be applying to all federal employees, along with those who work in a federally-regulated workplace.

According to the government of Canada, that includes:

Statistics Canada releases newest field crop estimates

With harvest continuing in Canada, Statistics Canada has released its newest report on the estimates for many of the crops being grown.

This month's totals have come as many farmers are seeing an excellent end to a good growing season, with hot and sunny weather helping to dry out the crops.

The latest report takes that into account, as the previous August 29 report only recorded conditions up to July, with the new data going up to the end of August.

Most of the crops are seeing a slight bump in the yields that are being predicted thanks to the new report:

Frost playing a role in harvest progress

After a start of September that showed off unseasonably warm conditions, there was a sudden dip on the weekend that nearly brought frosty conditions.

Over the weekend, specifically on September 9, a frost advisory was issued for many jurisdictions in Saskatchewan.

That was caused by the overnight temperatures plunging in what could have been the first below-zero night in months.

Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister explains that's had an impact on the currently ongoing harvest for farmers, albeit a small one.

Airline industry still seeing hiccups as more flights opening up

Recently, WestJet announced they would be resuming three more international flights out of the Regina airport, which were halted due to the pandemic.

Travelers will once again have the option of traveling to Cancun, Orlando, or Las Vegas twice a week from the airport.

Even as the world seems to be opening up more, there are still a few stumbles along the way that potential passengers should know about. 

Denise Taylor, a Travel Advisor with TravelOnly, says that while as a whole the airline industry has been doing well, there are still some problems cropping up.

August oil and gas offering doubles revenue compared to last year

Saskatchewan's public offering of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights held on Tuesday, August 9, raised $6,520,191.82, more than doubling the August 2021 offering.

This brings the current total for the 2022-23 fiscal year to $28,761,806.18 in revenue for the province.

The August sale is the third public offering scheduled for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

The previous five sales raised $2.9 million in June, $19M in April, $6.1M in February 2022, $1.4M in December; and $1.9M in October 2021.

Expanded reliability for rural 4G services coming to Leader

More reliable networks will be present in rural areas in the future, as part of a new investment announced back in July from SaskTel.

Multiple rural locations, including Leader, will be upgraded as part of a $10 million initiative from the crown corporation, installing Samsung Radio Access Network capabilities.

That will be headed to 30 communities, with work already begun at some sites.

External Communications Manager Greg Jacobs explains a bit about the upgrades taking place at the towers.

Expanded reliability for rural 4G services from new $10 million SaskTel investment

More reliable networks will be present in rural areas in the future, as part of a new investment from SaskTel.

Multiple rural locations will be upgraded as part of a $10 million initiative from the crown corporation, installing Samsung Radio Access Network capabilities.

That will be headed to 30 communities, with work already begun at some sites.

External Communications Manager Greg Jacobs explains a bit about the upgrades taking place at the towers.