Estevan

Among the tour groups converging on Parliament Hill under umbrellas this week, new and newly re-elected members of Parliament are getting acquainted with their offices and colleagues ahead of the opening of the House of Commons this week. 

The first order of business for MPs is the selection of a new House Speaker on Monday morning, and at least six returning members are asking their colleagues to support their bid to take the chair. 

The province of Saskatchewan has announced a new program to help young entrepreneurs get a leg up when developing their businesses. Minister of Trade and Export Development Warren Kaeding, along with Saskatchewan Chamber CEO Prabha Ramaswamy, launched the new Young Entrepreneur Bursary, which will provide young entrepreneurs with up to $5,000 to use towards developing their business.

That will support up to 57 local young entrepreneurs with bursaries of $5,000 to foster business development. 

Canada Post customers may face delays as tens of thousands of workers swear off overtime shifts, though a much bigger disruption was averted after the union backed down from a strike threat.

Nonetheless, the possibility of escalating job action could continue to scare off customers who pulled their shipments over the past couple of weeks, draining more business from the cash-strapped organization.

“I’m scared for the future,” said Edmonton mail carrier Dustin Ellis, who recently went on leave to study for a new career in social work.

Top officials at the Canada Revenue Agency say mounting job cuts will impact how the agency is able to deliver services.

Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin said in a message to staff Thursday that up to 280 employees will lose their jobs at the agency.

The agency has been examining its operating budget for more than two years to meet a demand from the government to find savings. 

The government of Saskatchewan wrapped up their spring sitting of the legislature, the second since its fall election. While the fall sitting was shortened to just two weeks due to the election, the spring sitting was an opportunity for the legislators to meet for the full period.

We talked with Estevan Big-Muddy MLA and Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Mental Health and Addictions, and Seniors, Lori Carr, about what they accomplished over that time.

Crop would be eligible for biofuel tax credit under recent budget proposals in Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” could contain some beautiful news for Canada’s canola growers.

The U.S. House of Representatives’ ways and means committee has released its draft proposals for the U.S. budget reconciliation bill.

The proposals include provisions to amend the controversial 45Z clean fuel production tax credit so that canola oil-based biodiesel and renewable diesel would be eligible for the credit.

Construction is underway at the University of Saskatchewan that will see critical facility improvements within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.

Two new facilities are being built - the Harrington Plant Growth Facility and the Soil Science Field Facility - while a portion of the Crop Science Field Lab is being renovated to provide additional workspace for the Crop Development Centre. 

The obstetrics department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan remains closed, except in cases of imminent deliveries, as the search continues for physicians to staff the unit.

“Our goal continues to be to reopen that obstetrics department,” said Candace Kopec, executive director of the St. Joseph's Hospital. “The community has wanted it. We are working on getting the resources needed.”

The biggest barrier, she said, is physician coverage.

The Orpheum Theatre is officially reopening its doors on Friday, May 30, after a nine-month closure. Estevan moviegoers can expect a mix of titles on opening week, from Peppa Meets the Baby to A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, and Sinners. Tickets are now available online at orpheumtheatre.ca, including discounted $5 pricing for the Peppa morning shows.

It's been half a year since the latest city elections, and after some changes, the new mayor is settling into his role. Tony Sernick was elected to the position back in November, following four years on the Estevan City Council.

Sernick says that as the past few months have unfolded in his new position, the work has been keeping him busy.