Estevan

Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers are gathered in Manitoba this week for critical discussions on the future of Canadian agriculture. The meetings, which wrap up Tuesday, come at a time when global trade disruptions, domestic infrastructure needs, and food security are top of mind for producers and policymakers alike.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald says the meetings are an opportunity to listen to regional concerns and collaborate on national solutions.

As federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers are meeting in Winnipeg this week, the future of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is drawing renewed attention. While the Conservative Party has proposed eliminating the broader program, both farm leaders and Conservative MPs are emphasizing that agriculture will remain exempt.

Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), stressed the importance of the program to the sector.

Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow and Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie are calling on the federal Liberal government to approve the emergency use of strychnine as a way to deal with the increased number of gophers or Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS) across the Prairies.

For many, yoga is a solo practice, a time for focus, reflection and personal growth. At the OM Yoga Festival in Estevan, participants had the chance to experience a different side of yoga: acro yoga.

Jay Day and Grace Boyd, founders of Acro Yoga Regina, brought the practice to the festival. “Acro yoga is all about partnership,” said Jay. “It’s about connecting with others, building trust and having fun while doing it.”

The Special Olympics athletes of Estevan had a chance to team up with some of the city’s first responders for a day of ball games, laughter, and community spirit.

Jackie Thule, community manager for Special Olympics Estevan, shared that both the Estevan Police Service and Estevan Fire Department joined in on the action. “The Estevan police services and the Estevan Fire Department came out and played ball with their athletes, and everyone just had a great day,” she said.

The Estevan Alliance Church welcomed families and community members back on Sunday with their annual kickoff barbecue, marking both the start of a new school year and a new ministry season.

Pastor Randy Smith said the event is all about reconnecting after a busy summer. “After everyone scatters for summer, everybody comes back and we have a big kickoff and a barbecue just to celebrate the beginning of the new school year, but also our new ministry year,” he explained.

The Estevan Arts Council is gearing up for an exciting fall season, offering music, film, and opportunities for community involvement. 

Joining the conversation this week, Arts Council President Gale Tytlandsvik shared highlights of the upcoming events.  

Estevan police responded to 50 calls for service over the weekend.

On Sept. 7, officers were called to a local restaurant after receiving several reports of a woman causing a disturbance and asking patrons to call police. She was warned about her behaviour and escorted out of the business.

Police also received a Reported Impaired Driver (RID) complaint involving a vehicle leaving a local liquor establishment. Due to a high volume of calls at the time, the vehicle was not located.

Estevan minor football teams were busy this past weekend, hitting the field for both road games and home matchups.

The ECS Elecs opened their season in Moose Jaw, facing a tough challenge against the Central Cyclones and falling 60–8.

Back home, Estevan hosted a Highway 39 doubleheader against Weyburn. The U12 Ravens dominated the Chargers, shutting them out 47–0, while the U14 Falcons blanked the Oilers 46–0.

As the last generation of Monarch butterflies prepares for its incredible 6,000-mile migration to Mexico, Nature Saskatchewan is putting out an urgent call to gardeners: Please plant the right flowers for the flight. The Monarch is a federally-listed endangered species, and providing late-season nectar sources is one of the most effective ways residents can help save this iconic insect.