Estevan

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.

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. 

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.

City of Estevan councillors took part in the recent Canadian Federation of Municipalities (FCM) convention in Ottawa, where they joined local government officials from across the country to discuss shared challenges, policy priorities and solutions.

The first provincial audit was released for 2025, showing off some of the latest items that the Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan, Tara Clemett, picked up. That ranged from education, justice, health, and other areas that the province oversees.

Clemett noted one discrepancy in funding for the number of beds available at some opioid addiction treatment centers.

"For example, we found two ministry-funded transition houses in different areas of Saskatchewan with equal bed numbers and funding differed by over $200,000 in 2024-25."

As Saskatchewan marks Mining Week, Estevan is recognizing the critical role the industry plays in the local economy and broader community. 

“Mining is so crucial to the Estevan area,” said Rebecca Foord, community development officer for the City of Estevan. “A number of reports, including the most recent ones from the Institute for Research on Public Policy, all show the importance of mining in the Estevan area and make strong cases for its continued role in our economy.” 

The provincial government recently announced a new Memorandum of Understanding between itself and the government of Ontario, in order to encourage the dismantling of interprovincial trade barriers. The topic has been coming up often since the federal election and the tariff situation with the US began earlier this year.

The memorandum discusses taking steps to dismantle trade barriers between Saskatchewan and Ontario, which Estevan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Merissa Scarlett appreciates.

Estevan Police Service members dealt with a wide range of calls over the past several days, including arrests on outstanding warrants, multiple domestic disturbances, mental health assistance, and enforcement of local bylaws. Several matters remain under investigation as police continue to ensure public safety across the city.

Wahkia Walter Joseph Ewalk
2002-2025

Wahkia Ewalk, late of Saskatoon, SK passed away in Regina, SK on Friday, May 30, 2025 at the age of 22 years.

The Traditional Wake will take place at the Ocean Man First Nation Band Hall on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Traditional Feast and Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m with Theodore Bison officiating. Burial to follow at the Ocean Man First Nation Cemetery.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will take "some time" on its response to increased U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum to the United States increased to 50 per cent on Wednesday after President Donald Trump followed through on his vow to double the duties.

On his way into the weekly Liberal caucus meeting in Ottawa today, Carney said Canada is in "intensive" discussions with the U.S. on trade.