SPSA starts training 2 weeks early in preparation for 2024 wildfire season

Jason Kerr
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SPSA starts training 2 weeks early in preparation for 2024 wildfire season

Wildfire crews have started training two weeks earlier than usual as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) prepares for what they expect to be a busier than usual wildfire season.

SPSA president Marlo Pritchard said Saskatchewan received below average precipitation this past winter, which means lower water tables is some parts of the province. The SPSA also expects higher than normal temperatures for the summer, and another year of drought.

With those spring risk conditions in mind, Type 1 Wildfire Crews began training in March, two weeks earlier than normal. They will be ready to respond to fires starting the week of April 15.

“Above average temperatures are forecast for the spring months across Canada, except for Yukon,” Pritchard said during a media briefing on Monday. “Going into the summer months, the province is likely to experience La Nina, which will persist into the fall and winter. Typically, La Nina tends to give cooler and wetter conditions, but that is not always the case. To best address these spring risk conditions, the agency is preparing for an earlier than usual wildfire season.”

Type 2 Wildfire Crews were also recalled early, and started training on Sunday. Staff began training with air tankers on Monday, as the SPSA expects them to be operational earlier than they were last year.

Grassfires are the biggest concern heading into spring. The province’s snowpack ranges from below normal to well-below normal, which could result in water supply issues.

Despite the anticipated hot and dry conditions, SPSA vice-president of operations Steve Roberts said can significantly reduce wildfire activity by behaving responsibly.

Wildfires started in the next two months will be primarily caused by humans, Roberts said. Keeping those fires to a minimum in the spring will help ensure wildfire resources are not stretched thin in the summer.

“Our actual result of how much fire area burned and communities evacuated is 100 per cent reliant on people being careful with fire and not causing fires that should be avoided in the early spring conditions until the lightning arrives,” Roberts told reporters.

“I know that people think that wildfire season is the middle of summer, but a large number of fires are started in the spring,” he added. “Some of those, like last year, become very large.”

Roberts said they prepare for a busy wildfire season, regardless of what the weather forecast and projections say. He added that weather is just one of several factors that goes into creating a busy wildfire season.

“It will be 100 per cent a combination of factors, including weather, the number of fires, the size, and location of those, and ultimately that will lead to the question of whether an evacuation is or is not required,” he said.

The 2023 wildfire season was one of the busiest in decades, with nearly 500 wildfires reported. The five-year average is 378.

SPSA statistics show 2,703 people were evacuated due to wildfires in 2023. Roughly 1.9 million hectares burned during the season.

There were no fatalities due to wildfire last year, however 43 structures burned down.

Moe accuses feds of intruding on provincial jurisdiction with housing funding announcements

Jason Kerr
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Moe accuses feds of intruding on provincial jurisdiction with housing funding announcements

Premier Scott Moe blasted the federal government for a series of housing announcements made this week, and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of “really wanting to be a Premier.”

Moe was responding to the federal government’s decision to create a $6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to accelerate housing construction projects, and upgrade current units. Roughly $5 billion of that fund will be available for province’s and territories who commit to building more “missing middle” homes like duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and other multi-unit apartments, among other commitments.

Moe said housing investments are important, but the federal government shouldn’t be involved.

“This is an area of provincial jurisdiction,” Moe said during a stop in Prince Albert, where he spoke at the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. “I think more broadly, what we see with the federal government is a Prime Minister who is mistaking what his job actually is.”

Moe said the federal government would be better served by focusing on issues that affect all Canadians, like developing a stronger RCMP force, rather than announcing strings-attached funding for areas of provincial jurisdiction like healthcare, education, and housing.

Moe was also unhappy the government made the decision without notifying the provinces.

“They say want to work with the provinces and the provinces have a role. I would say if they are truly committed to working with the provinces, maybe you would have a discussion before you announce the program nation-wide over the course of two or three days,” Moe said.

The Daily Herald reached out to the federal Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities for a response, but did not hear back by press time.

In press release on April 2, Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Minister Sean Fraser said no single entity can fill Canada’s housing shortage, which makes federal involvement necessary.

“There is more work to do, and the announcements made today will go a long way toward ending Canada’s housing crisis and ensuring that more Canadians have a place to call their own,” Fraser said in a media release.

Following the announcement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the new housing funding was about fairness, and ensuring all communities had access to safe, quality housing.

“We need more affordable homes, and we need the infrastructure to help build these homes,” Trudeau said in a press release. “That’s why in Budget 2024, we’re building more infrastructure, building more homes, and helping more Canadians find a place to call their own.”

Commitments to “missing middle” homes are just one of the assurances the provinces must give to get more funding.

Provinces must also adopt upcoming changes to the National Building Code to support more accessible, affordable, and climate-friendly housing options. They must also implement measures from the Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights and Renters’ Bill of Rights, and implement a three year freeze on development charges in cities with a population above 300,000.

Provinces have until Jan. 1, 2025 to secure an agreement with the federal government. If a province does not sign an agreement, the feds have promised to transfer the funding directly to municipalities.

Premier faces questions about labour shortages at Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Jason Kerr
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Premier faces questions about labour shortages at Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe faced questions about the province’s labour shortage and how that’s hurting business development during the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce Lunch at the Ches Leach Lounge on Thursday.

Moe briefly fielded questions from the Chamber following a presentation from Finance Minister Donna Harpauer. Moe emphasized the province’s commitment to recruiting foreign workers, especially in healthcare, while also improving and expanding job training opportunities for current residents, and speeding up the amount of time it takes the province to recognize foreign credentials.

“If any of you in this room have been short of staff in your business, you would identify one of those things—or possibly all three of them—as being crucially important to adding people to your workforce, thereby allowing you the opportunity to maintain the business level that you have, expand your business, and ultimately that creates additional wealth for this community,” Moe told attendees.

Staffing shortages have been a major problem for Saskatchewan businesses since the province reopened after COVID. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says one-third of Saskatchewan businesses cannot find the workers they need to operate at their normal level, while 78 per cent are limited in expanding or growing due to the labour shortage.

In an interview with reporters following the Luncheon, Moe argued Saskatchewan’s labour plan is the most ambitious in Canada, especially when it comes to recognizing the credentials brought by foreign workers.

He said new legislation brought in last year will help speed up the recognition process, while providing more feedback for new immigrants whose credentials are rejected.

“Everyone has heard the story about the doctor or the nurse who is not able to practice in their profession,” Moe said. “We want to prevent that, but we also need to ensure that the people who are offering the services, whether in the trades or in healthcare, are most certainly qualified.”

Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce CEO Patty Hughes said staffing shortages are just one of many factors preventing business owners from expanding. She said the province’s decision to keep the small business tax rate at one per cent instead of increasing it to two was a big help, but it’s still a struggle.

“There’s rising costs and inflation is affecting everybody,” she explained. “They (business owners) have to give their employees more, the cost of living increases and transportation, it just keeps adding up and it erodes the margins. A lot of small businesses really struggle with having to keep the doors open and provide that same level of customer service.”

It’s not just business owners facing labour shortages. Saskatchewan’s healthcare system is already understaffed, and that labour market will get even tighter when construction finishes on the new Victoria Hospital expansion in Prince Albert.

Moe said they expect to need 400 to 500 staff in Prince Albert for the expanded facility, while also having to fill positions for urgent care centres in Saskatoon and Regina.

In the past year, Saskatchewan has hired more than 1,000 Canadian grads to help meet healthcare staff shortages. Moe said the SHA has also made job offers to 470 Filipino nurses, with 170 on the ground working in healthcare.

The province’s efforts have faced criticism from groups like the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). In March, SUN president Tracy Zambory told the Regina Leader-Post the government’s recent budget was “underwhelming”, while CUPE Local 5430 president Bashir Jalloh said healthcare investments won’t work without equal investment into retention and improvements in workplace conditions.

Moe acknowledge the road has had some bumps, but said Saskatchewan’s plan is already paying dividends.

“I won’t say it isn’t going to be a challenge, but I do have a strong level of confidence in the Health Human Resource Recruitment Plan that we have put together,” he said.

As with small businesses, the healthcare sector faces challenges with credential recognition. In 2023, RBC released a report showing 29.3 per cent of immigrants with degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry were working in jobs that do not require those skills or degrees.

Moe said the government has been working with provincial regulatory boards to ensure applicants get more feedback on why their credentials were rejected.

“If the answer is no, we need to very concretely communicate what the deficiencies are,” he said. “If it’s just a couple of classes or maybe an English deficiency or proof of knowing the English language, being competent in the English language, that’s very clearly spelled out so that that deficiency can be corrected, and corrected very quick.”

‘Everybody’s looking for help’

Jason Kerr
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‘Everybody’s looking for help’

It’s Wednesday night, and 17-year-old student Uliks Ibishi is listening to a lecture.

However, it’s not about English or History or any of the other courses a high school student might study. Instead, Ibishi is one of roughly a dozen North Saskatchewan Regiment reservists getting classroom instruction at the Prince Albert Armoury.

“I like the challenging aspects,” says Ibishi, who will graduate from St. Mary High School in the spring. “The physically challenging aspect is probably my favourite part as well as the things we get to do, which is pretty cool, like some helicopter stuff. I know at the end of this month we’re about to do a patrol competition and there are helicopters involved. The training aspect of it is pretty cool.”

Ibishi was born in Kosovo, but moved to Prince Albert at age three. He’s lived here ever since, but his family has a history of military service. At age 15, he started thinking about a career in the military.

Joining the reserves in Prince Albert was his first step, but he hopes to join the regular force full-time after graduating this spring. He says the military has plenty to offer young people.

“It’s a very inclusive force,” he says. “We accept everybody.”

Recruits like Pvt. Ibishi are a welcomed addition to the Canadian Armed Forces, but they’re also in short supply. In February, the Department of Defence (DND) estimated that Canada’s Armed Forces would be short 15,225 regular and reserve force personnel by the end of 2024. Defence Minister Bill Blair called the shortage “a death spiral” for the military, and the Armed Forces began modernizing and increasing recruiting efforts.

That includes a series of Open House initiatives hosted by armouries across the country. The Prince Albert Armoury hosted one on Wednesday night, with more activities planned for Saturday.

“We’re trying to focus on recruiting and bump up our numbers a little bit,” says Sgt. Linwood Williams, a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the only full-time reservist based in Prince Albert. “The whole army is in dire straits and we’re trying to make it more feasible and more appealing to everybody.”

Linwood was born and raised in the Prince Albert area. He made frequent trips to the Prince Albert Armoury in his youth for cadets, graduated from high school in Shellbrook, and joined the army in 2012.

He spent nine years with the Princess Patricia’s second battalion in CFB Shilo, and another two at the Third Canadian Division Training Centre as an instructor before returning to Prince Albert. He’s worked at a variety of tasks during his career, with one of the biggest coming in 2015 when he returned to Prince Albert as part of the reserve unit that helped battle wildfires in northern Saskatchewan.

Linwood says it’s difficult to say why the Armed Forces are struggling to recruit new members, but notes it’s not just a Canadian problem.

“I don’t think it’s just the army,” he says. “I think there’s a lot of struggling happening in western society—not just our country. It’s the (United) States, the U.K., everybody.”

Linwood says the job isn’t for everyone, and that limits the pool of potential recruits. The Prince Albert Armoury has about 20 part-time reservists, and Linwood wants to see that number increase to a full platoon of 35.

He’s proud of his service, and grateful for the variety of experiences the army gave him.

“I’ve absolutely loved my career,” he says. “I’ve got to do so many cool things that I never would have got to do. I got to see all kinds of parts of the world. I feel like I got to make a difference.”

The staffing shortage extends to every area of the military—and that includes the recruiters themselves.

Sgt. Mark Calow is a part-time reservist based out of Saskatoon who previously worked in recruitment from 2017 to 2022. On April 1, he signed a short-term contract to work full-time in a depleted recruiting office.

Calow says recruitment struggles are not unique to the military.

“It seems like everybody’s looking for help, but there’s a lot of people looking for work as well,” he says. “I don’t know where the disconnect is, but absolutely the Armed Forces is in a staffing shortage right now across the board—reg force and reserve, the full-time and the part-time. Why that is, I’m not sure.”

Calow joined the Army Reserves in high school and originally intended to go full-time after graduation. However, he wasn’t interested in moving his family around every three to four years, something that’s common with the regular force, so he went part-time instead while pursuing a civilian career.

In 2009, he deployed overseas in Afghanistan where he served on a provincial reconstruction team that provided armed escorts for government and non-government agencies helping rebuild the country. On Wednesday, he was in Prince Albert to speak with prospective recruits who attended the open house.

“As a recruiter, we’re trying to put someone into a position they’ll excel at (and) they’ll enjoy,” he says. “I don’t want to (say), ‘oh, I have a need here and I need to fill this person into this need.’ It’s always asking them questions. What are you looking to get into? What do you want to learn?”

Despite the recruiting challenges, Calow is optimistic the military can bump up its numbers with the right message. He joined the army to be part of something bigger than himself, and he’s confident young Canadians still find that idea compelling.

“I think that resonates with the new generation,” he says. “It kind of went away and I think it’s back. (It’s) ‘how can I be of service to my country, (and) my fellow citizens,’ that kind of thing. I think those are the kind of people who are attracted to the Armed Forces. That’s what attracted me.”

USask PA campus exhibit puts lens on ‘The Mosaic of Black Joy’

Jason Kerr
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USask PA campus exhibit puts lens on ‘The Mosaic of Black Joy’

What brings black Saskatchewan residents joy? That question forms the basis of a travelling Photovoice exhibit that stopped in Prince Albert this week for a two-day viewing.

‘The Mosaic of Black Joy and Wellness’ officially opened at the University of Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert campus on Tuesday. The exhibit features personal reflections from 16 black Saskatchewan residents illustrated by photographs from around the province.

“We wanted to highlight the diversity of the black community,” project lead Florence Mudzongo said during an interview following the official opening. “Saskatchewan continues to be a welcoming place for members of the black community, and as a social worker, I feel that it was so important to help us build community in letting the community know who we are.”

Mudzongo is a social worker and councillor with the University, and founder of the Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers. She said the exhibit is a way to push back against anti-black racism by focusing on things that bring black people joy and meaning.

“It’s actually a form of resistance that helps people,” she explained.

“Not only does it help people to be well, but this is also how people continue to reclaim aspects of their humanity and say, ‘this is who I am, and this is what helps me to be well.’ In this project, people are also owning their own cultures, owning their ways of life and ways of being.”

Half of the 16 residents who contributed are university students, while the rest are regular residents. Mudzongo said it was important to include non-students because they bring a different perspective.

The reflections focus on issues like similarities between holiday celebrations in Canada and Nigeria, the importance of communal worship and spirituality, and the joy of overcoming both large and small challenges.

USask practicum social work student Tina Bolwe was part of the research team that helped created the exhibit. Seeing it travel to different Saskatchewan communities has filled her with hope and excitement.

“It is extremely exciting to see how this exhibit has been going,” she said. “This is our third exhibit in Saskatchewan … so we’re very excited and very grateful to see how this exhibit is expanding and continuing to grow.

“It is very important to spread diversity in the community,” she added. “Saskatchewan is continuing to grow and it is important to have forms of representation in every community, so that is why I wanted to be involved.”

Mudzongo and Bolwe came to the project with different experiences. Mudzongo was an immigrant, having moved to Saskatchewan from Zimbabwe, while Bolwe was born and raised in Saskatoon. Both said they’ve had positive experiences living in Saskatchewan, but also said there are still times when they feel unwelcome.

They’re hoping this Photovoice exhibit will help viewers see the humanity in black Saskatchewan residents, and realize residents of all races have a lot in common.

“I hope they find themselves in this exhibit,” Bolwe said. “Whether you’re a person of colour, whether you’re or a visible minority or a white person, I hope that you’re able to relate and just see a different form of representation in the community.”

‘The Mosaic of Black Joy and Wellness’ is open for viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the USask Prince Albert Campus student lounge. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.

The project is funded by the Multicultural Counci of Saskatchewan.

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

‘I’m very blessed with the opportunities I have’: North Sask. man humbled after social media post about journey from alcoholism to graduation attracts worldwide attention

Jason Kerr
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‘I’m very blessed with the opportunities I have’: North Sask. man humbled after social media post about journey from alcoholism to graduation attracts worldwide attention

At one point, Sturgeon Lake’s Mike Scott’s number one goal was to get healthy enough to keep drinking, but things have changed.

This spring he’ll celebrate 11 years sober, and graduate form the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Indigenous Studies. It’s a big story for the Sturgeon Lake First Nation product, and one that’s getting told across the world after a short Facebook post about his journey went viral.

“My goal isn’t to reach people in amounts of likes and shares and stuff like that. It’s more or less just to inspire people, and if it happens to reach that amount, that’s just the more eyes that get to view it,” said Scott during a phone interview from his home in Saskatoon. “For me it’s awesome.”

Scott’s post in early March began generating interest around Northern Saskatchewan, then took off as residents around the world began to take notice. It amassed more than 6,000 shares, generated more than 21,000 reactions, and spread as far as Peru, New Zealand and Australia.

Scott has travelled to reserves across Canada to speak with Indigenous youth, so he’s no stranger to an audience. Still, he never dreamed a post about overcoming his own struggles would get so much attention.

“Inspiring people is what I’m here to do now,” he said. “Prior to living this way, it was the total opposite, so I’m very blessed with the opportunities that I have to be able to share my message.”

Scott was in and out of foster care as a youth. He was assaulted, abused, lived on the streets, and eventually went to jail. He became addicted to drugs and alcohol, but realized he needed to change following the birth of his daughter.

“I was continuing the cycles that my parents put me through, bringing alcohol into the home and bringing drugs into the home,” Scott remembered. “My daughter was the one who opened my eyes back then and I realized what I was doing to her was going to put her into foster care. It was a really tough moment where I had to realize the reality of what was going to happen.

“It didn’t happen overnight. It took a long time after that one specific moment where I was like, ‘I don’t want to drink anymore. I don’t want to live this way anymore.’ Ultimately I would say my daughter opened my eyes, but I was the one who made the choice to stay sober.”

Initially, Scott focused on small changes. He checked himself into a treatment clinic hoping to heal his body, but didn’t plan on giving up drinking completely. However, the experience in treatment convinced him to give up drinking and drugs for good. He is now 11 years sober, although it wasn’t easy.

“I kept my circle very small,” Scott said. “I didn’t hang out with people who were drinking or getting high. It was very lonely at first until I created the right people I needed in my corner, the right environments, and once I started to motivate myself and I created more goals it was a lot easier to achieve and it just kind of became my life.”

Scott will convocation this fall, but doesn’t plan on staying away from school for long. He’s already been accepted into a master’s program for Indigenous studies, and plans to eventually get his doctorate.

“It’s a lot of paperwork. It’s a lot of reading, honestly, it’s an overload sometimes, but I think just learning in general now, I’m at a point now in my life where I … want to continue learning and growing,” he said. “I’d probably do it on my own, regardless, so why not gain some degrees along the way.”

Even with the busy academic schedule, Scott hopes to keep speaking to Indigenous youth. He wants youth to live clean, sober, and healthy lives, and believes the viral Facebook message will give them a good example of what they can accomplish.

“My story is so relatable to everybody,” said Scott. “There’s at least one part where people can relate in some form, and I think that’s what gives them hope because they see where I am right now today, and how far I’ve come along the way.”

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

Council passes final reading of new Short Term Debt Bylaw for Indoor Arena and Aquatics Centre

Jason Kerr
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Council passes final reading of new Short Term Debt Bylaw for Indoor Arena and Aquatics Centre

Prince Albert City Council gave final approval to a Short Term Debt Bylaw that will allow the City to borrow an additional $18 million for the new Indoor Arena and Aquatics Centre.

Council voted 5-2 in favour of the bylaw during third reading at a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The loan will help cover cash flow fluctuations while the City waits to receive funding and revenue over the next five years.

Mayor Greg Dionne said fundraising and taxation generated by The Yard Entertainment District will cover the annual loan payments, which would be around $4.1 million for an interest rate of five per cent. Administration has recommended a fixed interest rate that does not exceed 5.35 per cent.

“It’s good because it’s at the final point now,” Dionne said in an interview following Wednesday’s vote. “We can move on with our fundraising and now all we have to wait for is the opening, which I hope will be late January or February of next year.”

The City already has already taken out loans of $30 million and $16 million to fund the new recreation centre. Those loans are expected to be repaid by 2058 and 2057 respectively.

According to a report included in the agenda package for Wednesday’s meeting, the City has an estimated $85.6 million in outstanding debt as of the end of 2023.

The City’s authorized debt limit is $120 million approved by the Saskatchewan Municipal Board.

The Municipal Financing Corporation of Saskatchewan financed both the $30 million and $16 million loans, and administration has recommended they finance the $18 million loan as well.

Dionne said he’s confident residents will support the $18 million loan because of how quickly the area around the arena has been developed. The City owns 25 acres at the 80 acre site, with the rest hosting an assortment of restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.

Couns. Charlene Miller and Tony Head both voted against the bylaw. Couns. Terra Lennox-Zepp and Darren Solomon were not present for the vote.

In an interview afterward, Miller said her constituents aren’t happy with how many loans the City has taken out on this project, and she’s voting in line with their concerns.

“I said no to the $30 million (and) I’ve said no, obviously, to another $18 million,” Miller said. “I just think it’s too much. People are telling me that it’s too much to be spending and I’m the one who is getting the phone calls, so I’m just doing as my people expect me to do.”

The City began discussions about borrowing an additional $18 million in February. In a statement released before the February meeting, City Manager Sherry Person said the city anticipated covering some construction costs with fundraising, but failed to consider many fundraising commitments would be paid over several years instead of up front in one lump sum.

The City expects fundraising dollars to come in over the next 5-10 years. Both Person and Dionne said the loan would help the ensure the project was completed on schedule and within budget.

Knotty Pine Bistro retains Poutine Week title

Jason Kerr
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Knotty Pine Bistro retains Poutine Week title

The Knotty Pine Bistro is back on top of the Prince Albert poutine world after holding off challenges from eight other restaurants to retain the 2024 Poutine Week and Gravy Bowl titles.

The bistro based out of Little Red River Park earned the 2024 Gravy Bowl for selling the most poutines during Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Poutine Week. They also took home the Poutine Choice Award in a close race that only saw them take the lead on the last day.

Knotty Pine owner Barb Lychak credited her hardworking staff for securing their third straight Poutine Week championship.

“We kind of had an idea of where we wanted to be, and like I said, we worked hard,” Lychak explained. “The staff were exceptional, and we couldn’t have done it without the community. It’s for a very worthwhile cause.”

Knotty Pine sold 347 poutines between March 15-24. Lulu’s Kitchen came in second with 274 poutines sold, while Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual came in third with 221 poutines sold.

Lychak said it was great to see so many local restaurants competing for the title. She also said it was great to see the support for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The eight Prince Albert restaurants that competed combined to sell 1,440 poutines, with $4 from each one going to BBBS. That works out to around $5,760 in donations.

“It’s an easy way for us to give back to the community doing what we do,” Lychak said.

BBBS development coordinator Natasha Thomson drove out to Little Red River Park to present Lychak and her staff with the Gravy Bowl Trophy on Wednesday afternoon. Thomson said they’re always impressed with Knotty Pine’s creativity.

“They are amazing, and really surprise us,” she said. “Their mighty bistro can compete against some of the bigger restaurants in town. It’s a beautiful place to come out and enjoy a meal, and the staff here just work so hard.”

Boston Pizza, Between the Buns, Original Joe’s, Ricky’s All Day Grill, the Rock and Iron Sports Bar, and Shananigans Bistro Coffee and Dessert Bar also competed in this year’s competition. Lychak said they’re grateful for restaurants who took part.

“It does take a whole community to circle around and support our vulnerable youth, and this is a great way for businesses as well as everyday Prince Albertans to show some support to youth mentoring,” she said.

Funds raised from Poutine Week will go towards recruiting and training support volunteers who mentor youth facing adversities in the community. Thomson said they’re currently looking for 10 more volunteers to match with youth on their waiting list.

East Side of Second brings vintage rock and classic country to Jam Street

Jason Kerr
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East Side of Second brings vintage rock and classic country to Jam Street

Aiden Edwards and his friends plan to give Prince Albert a taste of vintage rock and classic country when they step on stage for their first performance at Jam Street this Friday.

Edwards is no stranger to the Prince Albert music scene, having performed solo at the Prince Albert Winter Festival’s Country North Show and Gospel Show. On Friday, however, he’ll take the stage as Aiden Edwards and East Side of Second, a band consisting of his brother Logan and pals Evan Ace, Gavin Johns, and Kace Callaghan.

“We’re super pumped for this because this is our actual very first two shows here and we’re just so pumped,” Edwards said during an interview on Monday. “We have stuff scheduled coming up in Saskatoon and Rock the Ville and Candle Lake at the Water concert, so yeah, we have lots in the future and we’re just pumped to get it started.”

Edwards and his bandmates cherish the classics. Their inspirations include names like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

It’s not just the musicians of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s that they appreciate. They also love the vibe from that period.

“I just like that era in general,” Edwards said. “People always came out and danced. People jived. People two-stepped and it was just a very out-there era. People loved to have fun and the music kind of showcased it. People loved listening to music. People still do, but it’s not the same anymore.”

Edwards and the band formed a few months ago and are in the process of creating a debut EP. Until that comes out, they’ll be playing cover tunes, combined with a few of Edwards’ solo originals.

“We’re just definitely there to bring the energy and have a good time with the crowd and get people out dancing,” Edwards explained.

“Our whole goal for this show is just to showcase our talents and our sound and get people out dancing and having a good time.”

Edwards said he hopes the name East Side of Second will get people thinking positively about Prince Albert. It’s a tribute to the part of Prince Albert most band members were raised in.

“One of us is from out of town, but he joined late, so we don’t count him,” Edwards joked. “But yeah, we all grew up on the East Side of Second (Avenue). That’s where we practice. That’s where we do everything, so it’s just kind of like a home roots kind of name. If we ever make it anywhere, I hope people wonder, ‘oh, what is East Side of Second?’ Well, we all live on East Side of Second PA.”

Aiden Edwards and the East Side of Second will perform two shows at Jam Street on Friday. The first starts at 6:30 p.m., while the second is at 8:30 p.m. For ticket information, visit the group’s Facebook page, or Eventbrite.com.

Saturday night fever: Swinging with the Stars raises more than $200,000 for Hope’s Home

Jason Kerr
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Saturday night fever: Swinging with the Stars raises more than $200,000 for Hope’s Home

Prince Albert businessman Dustin Shier found Swinging with the Stars to be so nice, he might do it twice.

Shier and professional dance partner Nicole Kriel beat out six other teams to take home the Judge’s Choice award at the annual Hope’s Home Prince Albert fundraiser on Saturday. The event raised more than $200,000 for the Prince Albert non-profit, and Shier loved every minute of it.

“I might prove that it wasn’t a fluke and come back and defend (the title),” Shier joked afterward.

“I was thrilled to know all the hard work we put in over the past three months finally paid off—showing up to practice two or three times a week and nailing this…. I knew coming in it wasn’t going to be the easiest task, so like everything in my life, I wanted to do it 100 per cent and raise a bunch of donations and everything for such a great cause. I’m thrilled they asked me, first of all, and even happier to accept. It was a great night.”

Shier and Kriel raised more than $13,000 for Hope’s Home and walked away as the judge’s top pick with a routine inspired by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

Both dancers said they were happy to win, but even happier to support Hope’s Home.

“It’s definitely something every community needs,” Shier said. “I hope other communities strive to find something like Hope’s Home because it’s such an amazing organization. It provides so much care for kids who need it…. It’s just a great thing that they have, and if I can support that in any way, I’d love to.”

“It’s super important for all the children with their needs and the medical care that they need,” Kriel added. “They’re fundraising money so that (the children) can actually get the services they need, that’s the main reason. Doing the dance is fun … but it’s really just about the kids.”

Kriel is an instructor with Bold Dance Productions. Saturday’s performance was her first at Swinging with the Stars. She watched the event from the audience the year before, and was happy to get on stage as a dancer.

“We worked very hard and I had a wonderful partner in Dustin,” she said. “He was very dedicated. He went out in the community to do so much fundraising, so I’m glad he got a reward out of all the work he did.”

Shier and Kriel wowed the judges, but it was Kelly Disiewich and Makenna Litzenberger who impressed the people.

Disiewich, a Prince Albert accountant, and Litzenberger, a Bold Dance Productions instructor, raised nearly $37,000 for Hope’s Home en route to winning the People’s Choice Award.

“I never thought I would ever be the champion of a dance thing, so that’s interesting,” Disiewich said with a laugh. “It just, honestly, is always about the cause we’re doing this for. Hope’s Home is such a good cause that we truly, both of us, believe in.”

“The win is great, but everyone donating to such a great cause is really the biggest win tonight,” Litzenberger added. “It’s been great.”

The duo won with a little help from Disiewich’s 16-year-old daughter, Ella, who joined the pair on stage partway through their hip hop dance routine.

Disiewich said his daughter has danced with Litzenberger for years and was happy to help out. As for himself, practicing for Saturday’s contest took as much mental preparation as physical.

“It’s really uncomfortable to start—but you start with the first step and then just embrace it,” he said. “Embrace being uncomfortable. It’s so fun. When you get up on stage and feel that energy, it’s so much fun,

Disiewich also thanked the many Prince Albert residents who donated to Hope’s Home. He said seeing such strong community support wasn’t a surprise.

Prince Albert accountant Kelly Disiewich (left) and Bold Dance Productions instructor Makenna Litzenberger (right) perform during Swinging with the Stars on Saturday, March 23. — Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

“I just had some colleagues from Saskatoon come down and they were blown away,” he said. “They were like, ‘this is incredible what you guys can do in a city the size of Prince Albert.’ Whether it’s Hope’s Home, whether it’s the hospital foundation, we get behind those things that truly matter to our community so it’s always humbling.”

All Swinging with the Stars funds will help with the Hope’s Home operational budget. Event organizer and provincial fundraising manager Mickey MacGillivray said the funds will go a long way to ensuring Prince Albert children and families get the care they need.

“It’s huge,” she said. “It’s a big part of our budget, so nights like this when we can bring in $200,000 or $300,000, that’s a good portion of our fundraising dollars, so it’s really, again, it’s the people of this city who just keep showing up. It’s heart-warming.”

Even before the seven dance teams hit the floor, Swinging with the Stars was already a success. MacGillivray said the event racked up roughly $140,000 before it started.

After multiple successful years of competition, the event is now a mainstay on the Hope’s Home fundraising calendar.

“I went to this event in Regina five years ago, maybe six. It was a Hope’s Home event and I said, ‘I’m taking that event to PA,’” MacGillivray said. “I don’t think people thought that PA could handle an event like this, but every single year we prove them wrong and PA comes out and they support it. It’s unreal every time.”

MacGillivray’s had mixed feelings as Saturday’s event drew to a close. After 11 years with Hope’s Home, she’s moving on to a new job, meaning the 2024 Swinging with the Stars will be her last one with the organization.

She said it’s been an honour to work with the organization.

“They’re family,” she said. “I just knew I’d made my mark and it was time to further that and make my mark elsewhere now. Hope’s Home will be just fine. It’s been an amazing journey. All my kids have worked at Hope’s Home, and they’re all here tonight which is, again, such a great honour.”

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