WestCentral

As hunting season gets underway, the Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO) is reminding hunters to prioritize safety and secure their firearms to ensure an enjoyable and successful hunt.

"A successful hunt starts with safety," said SFO Deputy Commissioner and Chief Firearms Officer Murray Cowan. "Respect your firearm, wildlife, and the environment. Hunting is about more than the harvest—it's about preserving nature and returning home safely."

It started a few years ago with North West and Suncrest colleges.

"Since 2021 we've been working with several other colleges on recruitment and admissions for international students to come to rural Saskatchewan," said Great Plains College’s Vice-President, Programs and Students, Keleah Ostrander. "Our collective goal was to enhance the reputation of Saskatchewan colleges in the international market in a cost-effective way. So this year we're excited to announce that Carlton Trail has joined that partnership."

Here's a look at some of this week's top news photos as selected by editors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.

Negotiations to end a strike by grain terminal workers in Metro Vancouver have stalled, with the employers' association saying it's "disappointed" with the results of two days of talks. 

A statement from the Western Grain Elevator Association says the employer bargaining unit had increased its offer to settle "outstanding issues," but that was rejected.

Global Affairs Canada began booking blocks of seats on the few remaining commercial flights leaving Lebanon on Friday as it issued another urgent plea for any Canadians in the country to leave immediately.

"Canadians need to leave now and we are helping with that," Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on X late Friday afternoon.

"Canada has secured seats for Canadians on the limited commercial flights available. If a seat is available, please take it."

The world is looking to Saskatchewan as a key source for agri-food products.

Statistics show non-durum wheat exports have reached $1.7 billion for the current year.

Canola seed and canola oil have hit $1.3 and $1.1 billion respectively, with several other agri-food exports on track to surpass this year's $1 billion export mark.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says the global marketplace is also recognizing Saskatchewan as a provider of the most sustainable products grown anywhere.

The ongoing strike at the Port of Vancouver is estimated to be costing Canada's grain industry $35 million a day in lost exports. 

About 650 Grain Services Workers walked off the job Tuesday morning at the Port of Vancouver over contract issues with the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association (VETA).

VETA represents six grain export terminals Viterra's Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, the G3 Vancouver Terminal and Alliance Grain Terminal which operate at the Port. 

From our Friends at Kaws Animal Rescue

Chuckie

This big boy is love personified. Chuckie and his siblings have been with KAWS since they were 1 week old with their mother. He is gentle, loving, playful and every great thing you want in a companion. Since he is fostered in a house so he has been trained to stay off counters and doesn't scratch furniture if he has a scratching post handy. He is quite a big boy and will be a large cat. Good with other cats, dogs and children.

Hockey fans and newcomers alike are invited to participate in the annual OSY Hockey Draft for 2024. With free entry and an exciting grand prize, this year’s draft promises to be bigger and better than ever.

How to Enter

A former parliamentarian is suspected of "having worked to influence parliamentary business" on behalf of an unnamed foreign government, Canada's spy service told a federal inquiry Friday.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service also cited indications that an unspecified foreign government engaged in meddling to reduce the likelihood of a specific Liberal candidate of being elected federally.