Weyburn

Tourism Saskatchewan celebrated Tourism Week last week, which gave Weyburn Tourism a great reason to present some local businesses with fun awards.

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. 

The 116th annual Weyburn Fair Days are only a month away as the Weyburn Agricultural Society gets ready for a week of fun over at the Weyburn Exhibition Grounds. One of the many fan-favourite events that are taking place that week is their Rumble in the Ring. On Thursday, July 3rd, engines will roar as there’s everything from quad pulls, lawnmower races, and their demolition derby. 

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).

Newcomers can get in free to this Wednesday night's Weyburn Beavers game, as it's 'Newcomers Night', sponsored by Nexans Weyburn.

"I've got lots of tickets if anybody wants any," shared Settlement Advisor with Southeast Advocates, Helen Crocombe.

She said anyone new to Canada who wants to attend can pick up tickets at the Southeast Advocates office on Second Street.

Nexans Weyburn will have people on site volunteering to collect items during the game as the Beavers host the Moose Jaw Miller Express, with the first pitch at 7 p.m. at Tom Laing Park.

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.

Wildfires in northern Saskatchewan have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, with some evacuees now taking refuge in communities across the province, including Weyburn.