WestCentral

The federal and provincial governments have announced they will match Red Cross donations to help those affected by wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Both provinces declared provincewide states of emergency last week to allow various levels of government to co-ordinate resources and support.

The federal government announced Wednesday that it would match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross that will support wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday called on Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 postal workers to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides still far apart on key issues.

In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process.

Police are looking for information after a copper theft from a SaskPower property in the RM of Sask Landing.

The Swift Current Rural RCMP received a report on May 5th of a theft over $5000.

Their investigation determined that a suspect or suspects cut a lock on a SaskPower gate property to steal the copper.

Safeguards have been written into the government's border bill to ensure civil rights and due process are upheld in proposed immigration regulations, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Wednesday.

Critics and advocacy groups are calling the wide-ranging border security legislation a threat to civil liberties in the immigration and asylum system.

One proposed change in the legislation would prevent people from making asylum claims if they've been in Canada for more than a year.

KINDERSLEY, Sask. – A fire ban is now in effect for the Town of Kindersley as hot, dry conditions continue to increase the risk of wildfires across the province.

The ban, declared by Fire Chief Jeff Soveran and authorized by Chief Administrative Officer Audrey Hebert, took effect June 4 and applies to all public and private lands within town limits.

The government's reply to the throne speech was adopted in the House of Commons Wednesday. 

It was adopted "on division," meaning no recorded vote was held. It does not need a vote in the Senate.

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steven MacKinnon said on social media that the adoption of the speech sets the stage for a "strong and focused agenda."

"We have a clear mandate to deliver on priorities for Canadians and build a strong Canada — and we're going to do just that," MacKinnon said. 

Wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba continue to burn out of control as fierce winds and bone-dry conditions intensify the crisis, forcing evacuations and threatening northern communities.

As of Monday, more than 2.1 million hectares have burned nationwide—already surpassing the annual average for Canada, with summer still weeks away. The hardest-hit regions include northern Saskatchewan and northwestern Manitoba, where relentless northwest winds are pushing smoke, flames and embers across vast swaths of boreal forest and into populated areas.

A SaskPower executive has been recognized nationally as one of six recipients of Electricity Canada’s 2025 “Faces of the Industry” award, as part of National Electricity Month celebrations this June.

Dan Irvine, SaskPower’s Director of Procurement and Contracts, is being honoured for transforming the utility’s procurement strategy by prioritizing local and Indigenous suppliers, helping grow Saskatchewan’s domestic supply chain and positioning it for national success.

 Ducks Unlimited Canada's annual Duck and Run fundraiser is back, giving Saskatchewan residents the chance to run, walk, roll — or even waddle — in support of Canada’s wetlands.

Events will take place June 21 in Saskatoon and June 22 in Regina, part of a nationwide push to protect wetland ecosystems through Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) signature family-friendly 1K and 5K fun runs.

Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space who went on to become a high-profile federal politician, has died at 76 years old.

MPs rose for a moment of silence in the House of Commons tonight at the request of government whip Mark Gerretsen.

Garneau was a pioneer in Canada's space program.

He later entered politics, serving as a Liberal member of Parliament for a Montreal-area riding between 2008 and 2023. 

He held many cabinet positions in Justin Trudeau's government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Transport.