WestCentral

Canada's foreign ministry expressed alarm about its shrinking ability to counter foreign disinformation online due to limited access to data and the evolving tactics of adversaries, a newly released memo shows. 

The memo, tabled Wednesday at a federal inquiry into foreign interference, noted Canada had led the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism to identify and respond to threats to democracy through open-source data analytics. 

The Biggar RCMP Detachment handled 31 occurrences this past week, including traffic incidents, neighbour disputes, and suspicious activity.

In traffic enforcement, five drivers were reminded of the rules of the road. Two collisions occurred on Highway 14 involving a 2018 Nissan Murano and a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, both striking deer.

Neighbour disputes were reported in Perdue on 7th Street and Avenue N, while three disturbing the peace calls were made from the 100 block of 2nd Avenue in Biggar. There was also a noise complaint about campers on Main Street.

The Government of Saskatchewan has rejected the federal oil and gas emissions cap and new Methane 75 regulations, citing severe potential economic consequences for the province. According to an independent report by the Saskatchewan Economic Impact Assessment Tribunal, these federal mandates could result in significant financial losses and job cuts across the province.

Canfax data for the week ending September 20th highlights the activity in the Prairie Auction Marts.

In Manitoba, the average feeder steer prices ranged from $278.69 per hundred weight for the 901+ category to $467 per hundred weight for the 400 to 500 pound animals.

Feeder heifers prices averaged $276.83 per hundred weight for the 901+ weights to $386 per hundred weight for the 401 to 500 pound heifers.

D1, D2 cows averaged $170.93 per hundred weight, with D3's $159.75 per hundred weight, and Bulls $216.53 per hundred weight.

The Liberal minority government has survived a vote of non-confidence in the House of Commons by a count of 211-120.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre put forward the motion asking MPs to declare they did not have confidence in the prime minister or his government.

Poilievre failed to get the support of other opposition parties to bring the government down.

The Bloc Québécois and the NDP voted against the motion.

If the non-confidence motion had passed it would have defeated the government and very likely triggered an immediate election campaign.

At least two Canadians have died in the escalating violence in Lebanon, which has members of Parliament discussing a possible evacuation of Canadian citizens from the country.

"We are devastated by the loss of two Canadians, but the entire Lebanese people are (also) suffering right now — women, children, innocents," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"This is a horrific situation," he told reporters on Parliament Hill, repeating his earlier calls for both Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate.

After 60 years of hosting countless memorable moments, Unity’s iconic Cardinals baseball diamond is undergoing a complete transformation. The summer of 2024 will mark the final season for the diamond in its current state, as disrepair and costly patchwork repairs have made it increasingly difficult to maintain. However, plans to revitalize the diamond, long discussed but slow to materialize, have now been fast-tracked thanks to an exciting opportunity.

 A new study from University of Ottawa researchers has revealed alarming levels of violence and harassment faced by education workers in Saskatchewan, prompting renewed calls for action from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF). The study highlights that the majority of incidents are student-initiated, and both teachers and support staff are regularly exposed to physical and verbal aggression.

Key findings from the survey show that:

It's the true story of the small town that welcomed the world.

Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY has won Best Musical all across North America!

​The New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

An early morning fire has caused significant damage in the community of Biggar, with initial reports indicating that the Snow White Restaurant was consumed by flames. The Biggar Fire Department remains on the scene as of this morning, battling the aftermath of the blaze. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the nearby grocery store may also have sustained damage.

Community members have taken to social media to express their grief over the loss of a beloved local establishment. Comments on Facebook reflect the emotional toll the fire has had on residents: