Annual 111 Kilometre Challenge returns, promoting movement and connection worldwide

The annual 111 Kilometre Challenge, spearheaded by Celest Leray-Leicht, is back for another year, encouraging participants of all ages and abilities to move their bodies in support of heart health, connection, and youth wellness through the Northern Lights Movement for Kids. The challenge honours the legacy of Celest and Kurt Leicht’s son, former Bronco Jacob Leicht.  

Historian Bill Waiser elaborates on how We Are All Treaty People

Noted Canadian author and lecturer Bill Waiser addressed a full house at the Humboldt and District Gallery on Wednesday night during a lecture entitled we are all treaty people. Drawing on years of research and his own writings, wiser took the audience through a chronology of early contact with European plain settlers, the Hudson Bay company, and indigenous peoples of the area. 

NDP Leader Carla Beck addresses steel workers following new US tariff rates

American president Donald Trump's newly assigned 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum have caused international reaction, including here in Saskatchewan with the province's own steel industry heavily impacted. Leaders of United Steelworkers gathered in Manitou Beach on Wednesday, June 4 to share information and respond in the latest wave of tariffs, claimed by the American president to be in aid of national security and domestic work protection. 

WCI welcomes new Executive Director

Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has hired a new Executive Director.

Monday marked the first day on the job for Trevor Sears.

Sears has more than 30 years of leadership experience in Canada’s agriculture sector. 

He recently served as president and CEO of Canada Pork, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the global competitiveness of the Canadian pork industry. 

Governments to give financial aid to wildfire evacuees in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

The federal and provincial governments have announced they will match Red Cross donations to help those affected by wildfires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Both provinces declared provincewide states of emergency last week to allow various levels of government to co-ordinate resources and support.

The federal government announced Wednesday that it would match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross that will support wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Jobs minister presses Canada Post, workers to reach a deal

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday called on Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 postal workers to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides still far apart on key issues.

In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process.

Immigration minister defends border bill's restrictions on asylum claims

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.

Throne speech adopted without a vote in House of Commons

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.