Estevan

Winnipeg hotels were opening up Monday to evacuees who fled their homes due to raging wildfires, while to the west in Saskatchewan, thousands more were ordered to flee.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency issued an alert late Monday afternoon, saying the northern town of La Ronge had ordered an evacuation as fire had breached its airport.

The agency said flames were fast-moving and that people in the community of 2,500, as well as anyone within 20 kilometres, including nearby Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, had to leave immediately.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is expected to introduce a bill today spelling out the federal government's next steps on border security.

The recent throne speech promised legislation to bolster security at Canada's borders and new tools for police and intelligence agencies to help them stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursors.

The government also said the Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export to prevent the movement of illegal and stolen products, including cars.

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

"The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we'll continue those discussions," Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

"They're a top priority for us." 

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. 

George Butt

1929 – 2025

Estevan Police Service members responded to 53 calls for service over the weekend. These included four motor vehicle collisions, all of which were non-injury, and six disturbance calls that were resolved without criminal charges. Officers also investigated two reports of assault, both of which remain under investigation, and issued eight traffic tickets for various offences.

Among the calls were several specific incidents that occurred on Saturday and Sunday.

Work is underway in the RM of Estevan as they're looking to improve a road that's been on their list of work for a while. The Rafferty Dam Road is currently undergoing work, giving the road, which links much of Estevan to the Rafferty Reservoir, a whole new surface.

Reeve Jason LeBlanc says that the RM is hoping to get some of those important projects wrapped up this summer.

Farm groups across the prairies are always looking for producers to take an active role in helping to determine the organization goals.

The nomination period is now open for director positions with the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission (Sask Mustard) and Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat).

Saskatchewan ATV Association (SATVA) says ATV'ing is a great way to introduce kids to the beauty of Saskatchewan. 

Moto Canada estimated there are around 60,000 ATV's in the province of Saskatchewan.  It's an activity the whole family can enjoy and John Meed with SATVA "With proper training, equipment and supervision, children and youth can safely take part in the activity and have a lot of fun"

The federal government is investing $15 million into Protein Industries Canada; the funding is being used to strengthen Canada's agri-food sector.

The new funding will focus on genomics and AI programs by bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors, and food manufacturers.

The programs will enable farmers and companies across Canada’s agrifood sector to build a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food system. 

Alberta is working on strengthening its market presence in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson is in Southeast Asia to promote Alberta as a reliable supplier of agricultural products.

The overall goal is to strengthen relationships with Vietnam and the Philippines to increase trade and investment opportunities that 
will directly benefit producers and processors by opening new markets for Alberta agriculture and food products.