WestCentral

There’s never been a better time to celebrate Canada’s beauty and support the businesses that make it the greatest country in the world.

Golden West introduces the See MORE Canada Auction, uplifting local tourism while helping Canadians rediscover the wonders in their own backyard.

From lakeside retreats to city weekend getaways, individual adventures, this online auction is the ticket to unforgettable experiences at unbeatable prices.

But this is more than just an auction.

When a church in Toronto's west end was converted into affordable housing nearly 15 years ago, the group behind the project was already thinking ahead. 

Andrea Adams, the executive director of the non-profit developer St. Clare's, said she was "daydreaming" about what could be built on the yard next to the 20-unit building on Ossington Avenue. 

She was eventually introduced to Assembly Corp., a company that builds mass timber modular housing, around the same time that the city was looking for proposals for "shovel ready" affordable housing projects. 

Some outdoorsy Canadians are planning to build their tents with elbows up this summer as the season unofficially kicks off this long weekend.

Sally Turner says she and her husband plan to do their camping, canoeing and biking this year in Canadian national parks, including at Jasper National Park this weekend, because of the U.S. trade war and U.S. President Donald Trump's calls to make Canada a 51st state.

"I have, in the past, camped in the United States, but that's not going to happen in the near future," Turner said while shopping for camping gear in Edmonton.

Severe thunderstorms need rising air, and to get that you need heat, or rather, you need a large difference in temperature between two areas.

Many people associate thunderstorms with a very hot day, but just having one of those does not mean that there is a large difference in temperature.

To get thunderstorms on a hot day, you need to have cool air aloft.

The T.rex Discovery Centre is ready to welcome visitors back for another season, opening its doors on Saturday, May 17.

Located in Eastend, Sask., the centre is home to Scotty, the world’s largest Tyrannosaurus rex, and features a range of exhibits exploring the prehistoric world—from marine reptiles and ancient mammals to hands-on fossil digs.

The Saskatchewan government is spending $9.2 million to begin repairs and renovations on nearly 300 provincially owned social housing units in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

The funding is part of the 2025-26 provincial budget and will support multi-year projects aimed at making more units available for rent.

"Making rent-ready social housing units available across the province is a top priority," Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said. "This year's investment will increase the number of rentable units, reduce vacancies and meet the needs of larger families."

Initiatives in Saskatchewan and Alberta recognize some of the country’s most extensive and unique remaining prairie ecosystems.

There’s a new focus on protecting biodiversity in native prairie grasslands in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta.

It’s coming in the form of new “key biodiversity area” designations, denoting they’re home to species at risk in this rapidly vanishing landscape.

Saskatchewan's Weekly Crop Report shows 49 per cent of the provincial crop has been seeded, that's up from 31 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year average of 32 percent.

Crops Extension Specialist Meghan Rosso says pulse crops continue to lead in seeding progress with 78 per cent of field peas seeded, 71 per cent of lentils and 65 per cent of chickpeas now in. 

Mae Hawkins Obituary

1939 ~ 2025 (age 86)

It is with great sadness that the family of Mae Hawkins announce her passing on Thursday, May 15th, 2025 at the age of 86 years.

Mae's memory will be held in the hearts of her beloved family and friends.  Mourning her loss are her loving partner, Wayne Becker, her children, Audrey (Gord) Campbell, Louise Hawkins, and Bonnie Durette.  Her life and legacy will live on in her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She had been predeceased by her beloved husband, Howard Hawkins.

Dealing with a fire on your farm can be both dangerous and devastating. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of fires.

Improper use of burn barrels can easily start fires. People often contribute to the risk of fire by not using proper screens on burn barrels or clearing the grass around the barrel itself.