Province sends out reminder around snowplow safety

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Province sends out reminder around snowplow safety

As winter continues, the Government of Saskatchewan is out to remind everyone this winter season that when passing snowplows “It’s not a race.  Give some space.”
Highway snowplow operators often work early mornings and late into the night, as long as it’s safe for them to be on the road. 
“It’s important to remember these aren’t just highway workers in our plows, they’re someone’s family,” Highways Minister Joe Hargrave said. 

“They are the unsung heroes of highway safety, and they all deserve our thanks.  So let’s make sure we do our part and give them the space they need to work and ensure they go home safely.”
Snowplows have blue and amber flashing lights.  When these lights are on, it means the snowplow is performing winter duties and drivers need to take care.  Winter duties includes plowing, sanding, salting and inspecting roads.  Some road bridge repairs also occur during the winter.
Here are some rules to keep in mind when passing slow plows on our highways: Treat snow plows like you would any emergency vehicle, if they are pulled over on the side of the road and have their lights flashing, slow to 60/hr, if the plow is driving and has its lights flashing, approach with caution and pass when safe to do so, if the plow is clearing snow and visibility is low, be patient.  Snowplows pull over every 10-15 kilometers to allow you to pass safely.

Operators regularly inspect highways to determine if plowing, salt or sand is needed to ensure safe driving conditions.  They report conditions to the Highway Hotline, which publishes timely information on Saskatchewan road conditions.

Always check the Hotline before you travel.

Sask. Rivers and Catholic Division see increases in provincial COVID-19 support funding

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Sask. Rivers and Catholic Division see increases in provincial COVID-19 support funding

Last Thursday the Government of Saskatchewan announced that they had approved $37.5 million in funding for schools. This funding was the second intake for emergent, one-time expenses associated with keeping staff and students safe in schools because of COVID-19. 

In Prince Albert the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division received $3,237,494 and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division received $1,933,375, according to information provided by the Ministry of Education.

Both divisions were pleased to receive the funding to support students.

“I just know that we really couldn’t support the kinds of endeavors that come with the different parts of this. We do have additional sanitation costs and they are real and important to attend to, so you can’t do it without it,” Catholic Division director of education Lorel Trumier said.

Saskatchewan Rivers’ director of education acknowledged support from both the provincial and federal governments.

“These are real costs that we would not have had without COVID and it’s appreciated that the ministry recognizes that. And it is good use of funds because it is going to support kids and their learning,” Bratvold said.

As a part of this second round of funding, 51 applications were approved to provide new funding to school divisions, qualified independent schools and historical high schools.

This is in addition to the $51 million in funding that was announced in September in which both Sask. Rivers and the Prince Albert Catholic division also received funding. In that announcement Saskatchewan Rivers received $798,330 and the Catholic Division received $699,880.

According to Bratvold, the Ministry was attempting to keep the money provided equal among the divisions and other organizations.

“If folks got a lot the first time around than they are likely not to get as much this time around so they are trying to be as equitable as they can so we anticipated getting substantial funding for things we really need so it was good,” he explained.

The funding wasn’t available in time for the move to online learning in Saskatchewan Rivers and the Catholic Division announced late last week, which is in effect until the middle of January.

The provincial funding is from the over $150 million in the COVID contingency fund for education from provincial, federal and school division savings.

Bratvold explained that items approved for funding included air purification systems and a large order of Chromebooks that they hope to receive by January. There was also funding approved for hardware such as laptops, furniture and equipment for the Sask. Rivers Distance Learning Centre. The government also funded staff for the learning centre but not administration, which was confusing to Bratvold.

 “That’s a puzzling thing for me, I’m not going to complain, you absolutely need that leadership kind of position if you are going to have 11 or 12 teachers that are going to work together. But they are focused on supporting kids and learning and addressing outcomes,” he explained

He explained that the division would continue to fund the leadership positions in the learning center.

In the Catholic Division, funding will be going to items such as sanitization and support for remote learning for immunocompromised students, Trumier said.

“That is huge when we can provide an online remote learning program in our system. We have never operated one and this year we are,” Trumier said.

 “I think those are all pieces that are really important about managing in a year of COVID,” she added.

The following funding has been approved provincially in this intake: $5.2 million for sanitization (includes 107 additional staff),  $7.2 million for equipment and furniture, including audio amplification systems to help students hear when their teachers are wearing masks, $21 million for remote learning (includes 279 teachers and staff, which is in addition to the 252 staff approved in September), $2.6 million for technology upgrades, including the purchase of additional computers and $1.5 million for other costs including additional supervision requirements and mental health and community liaison supports.

Other divisions in the region receiving funding included the North East School Division (NESD), which serves Melfort, Nipawin, Tisdale and area received $1,567,003. As well the Northeast Christian Academy, a private school in Melfort received $6,978.

The Northern Lights School Division, which serves areas such as La Loche, received $461,000.

The Conseil des ecoles fransaskoise, which also has a school in Prince Albert, received $1,089,148 in funding provincially.

The province announced that to maintain funding stability for the education sector, school division operating grants will not be adjusted based on actual enrolments for the 2020-21 school year.  

This means that school divisions and independent schools will continue to receive funding based on their projected enrolments and will not see a decrease to their funding. 
There is currently $26 million remaining in the COVID contingency fund for education. 

The next intake for school division funding applications will be on March 1, 2021.

Nearly 150 active cases of COVID-19 in youth in North Central

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Nearly 150 active cases of COVID-19 in youth in North Central

On Thursday the province released the updated numbers on COVID-19 cases in youth. The total active cases in youth provincially in all locations are 920, 12 have no known location and 908 have a location reported.

The total active case numbers dropped from over 1,000 last week.

Provincially there is a 10.7 per cent test positivity rate in youth. That is a slight increase from the 10.5 per cent positivity rate that was reported last Thursday.

The province releases the update on the numbers each Thursday.

Currently in the North Central zone, which includes Prince Albert, there are 148 active cases in youth, which is an increase from the 124 reported last Thursday. Last week there were 508 tests performed across the North Central zone.

North Central 2, which is Prince Albert, has 93 active cases in youth. This is an increase of 30 from last Thursday.

North Central 1, which includes communities such as Christopher Lake, Candle Lake and Meath Park, has 39 active cases and North Central 3 has 16 active cases.

Cumulative tests performed since Sept. 7 in the North Central zone is 3,774.

There were 3,589 tests performed in total in the province in the last week.

The cumulative number of tests performed since Sept. 7 is 52,178.

COVID-19 connected to two schools in Prince Albert

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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COVID-19 connected to two schools in Prince Albert

On Tuesday evening the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division notified the public that a case of COVID-19 had been identified in individuals at two schools in the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division.

The schools were Carlton Comprehensive Public High School  and King George Public School in Prince Albert. There was also a case reported on Monday at Carlton.

“The division is hoping the recovery is quick and thorough and we extend our get-well wishes to these members of our school community and offer our support to the surrounding family.  We also extend our support to the staff and students in our schools affected,” the release stated.

As announced Friday all schools in Sask. Rivers are in Level 4 so Carlton is currently participating in remote learning so the learning program will continue remotely for all students and staff until mid-January.

The division was recently informed of the positive COVID-19 test results and communication is being shared with the classrooms/cohorts, the connected staff, as well as with the school community.

As is the circumstance in all reports of COVID-19 in the division due to privacy concerns, further details of the case will not be shared.

 “The division deeply appreciates the support that students, parents and community members have demonstrated, especially as the number of cases in our region climbs.”

The SHA’s local public health team continues to provide expert advice and strong support for our dedicated staff as we manage the pandemic in our communities.

“The division is thankful to have such a cohesive team of administration and staff supported by our partners in Health.”

Project at Carlton celebrates the season through music

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Project at Carlton celebrates the season through music

Music teacher Brenda Bernath at Carlton Comprehensive High School has put together a project to allow students in the school to share their musical talents for the holiday season. Carlton Celebrates Christmas recently debuted on the school’s YouTube channel and is another way to connect people through music in the pandemic.

“It just meant something to be able to reach out to people and offer them something for Christmas and the connection between the school and the community,” Bernath said.

This comes by connecting people with music and having the students inspire others and offers some measure of peace and comfort.

Bernath explained that she came up with the idea of inviting students to share their musical talents with others by submitting videos in order to create a little virtual program. 

Students were invited by Bernath to submit a video of them performing a Christmas piece of their choice.

“What I did do is I reached out to students and just invited them to share their talents with our community if they felt comfortable doing so,” she explained.

Students who were hesitant to share were encouraged to make a little video of themselves performing a Christmas piece and then “gift it” to someone for Christmas. 

“(It was) just to brighten their day and their holiday season. Christmas is going to be tough for a lot of people here and so I think if we can connect in any way we can is worth trying to do that with people,” she explained.

This will take the place of the annual Christmas concert in some small way, Bernath said.

“I just couldn’t imagine not having one. Being able to do it this way is better than not at all. And, in fact, we can reach more people this way because people can tune into it at any time and they can watch it multiple times.”

She understands that the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on people.

“Christmas or not, people are finding it tough. It’s harder because it’s going to be Christmas, it was tough in the spring, it’s been tough all along for people,” Bernath said.

She hopes the video, which features 12 students will bring a little Christmas cheer for the holiday season not only for families, relatives and friends, but also for the people in our community and beyond.

According to Bernath, the videos were all recorded recently in student’s homes and students could select their instrument of choice

Bernath said that more than the 12 students involved wanted to take part but ran out of time.

“There will hopefully be another time yet and we’ll see where things go,” she added.

Another idea she has is to contact senior’s homes in Prince Albert to let them know about the project so they can share it with their residents.

This is the second time Bernath has collaborated with students remotely to share music.

“All of the virtual things that happened to keep music going were just really was powerful for me and so I wanted to do something similar which is why I did the Carlton celebrates Music Monday in the spring and then just decided to do something like that for Christmas,” Bernath said.

“It was something after doing the project in the spring that just felt so natural as a continuation for the project for Christmas. It is hoping to keep music alive at a time when it’s difficult to keep some avenues of music going.”

Bernath hopes people include the video as part of their celebration this year.

 “Celebrate virtually, everyone watches from their home — we can connect people and still offer some hope and a bright light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

“It’s just a way of giving back, which is what Christmas is all about,” she said.

COVID-19 case connected to Carlton

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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COVID-19 case connected to Carlton

On Monday evening the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division notified the public that a case of COVID-19 had been identified in individuals at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School in Prince Albert.

“The division is hoping the recovery is quick and thorough and we extend our get-well wishes to these members of our school community and offer our support to the surrounding family.  We also extend our support to the staff and students in our schools affected,” the release stated.

As announced Friday all schools in Sask. Rivers are in Level 4 so Carlton is currently participating in remote learning so the learning program will continue remotely for all students and staff until mid-January.

The division was recently informed of the positive COVID-19 test results and communication is being shared with the classrooms/cohorts, the connected staff, as well as with the school community.

As is the circumstance in all reports of COVID-19 in the division due to privacy concerns, further details of the case will not be shared.

 “The division deeply appreciates the support that students, parents and community members have demonstrated, especially as the number of cases in our region climbs.”

The SHA’s local public health team continues to provide expert advice and strong support for our dedicated staff as we manage the pandemic in our communities.

“The division is thankful to have such a cohesive team of administration and staff supported by our partners in Health.”

P.A. Fine Foods fined for OHS violation

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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On Dec. 2 P.A. Fine Foods and Distributors Ltd. pleaded guilty in Regina Provincial Court to violating one count under occupational health and safety legislation.
Under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, P.A. Fine Foods was charged for contravening clause 12(c) of the regulations (being an employer at a place of employment, fail in the provision of any information, instruction, training and supervision that is necessary to protect the health and safety of workers at work).
The company was fined $3,500 with a $1,400 surcharge, for a total of $4,900.
The charge stemmed from a workplace incident that occurred on Nov. 9, 2018 in Regina when a worker fell from a ladder.
Everyone is responsible to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace.  For employers, this includes having a written fall protection plan and ensuring all workers use a fall protection system where they may fall three metres or more.
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, inspections and prosecutions.

$2 Million in funding announced for Childcare facilities

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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$2 Million in funding announced for Childcare facilities

On Monday the Government of Saskatchewan announced nearly $2 million in funding for licensed child care centres and family child care homes across the province.
“Saskatchewan’s child care facilities have been an exceptional support to Saskatchewan families since the pandemic began,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. 

“We are pleased to deliver nearly $2 million in funding to these facilities to assist them in providing safe environments for children and staff.”
The intent of this funding is to address the most immediate and pressing needs of child care facilities, which is supporting the safety of children and staff by assisting with the cost of personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitizing supplies.
The funding is from the Federal Safe Start Agreement intended to help the childcare sector adapt to the COVID-19 environment. 

 It will be released as a one-time grant of $100 per childcare space to licensed childcare centres and homes.
Since March, the Government of Saskatchewan has continued to provide centres with their operating grants.  While some of the centres closed due to the pandemic, their operating grants continued to be provided by the Ministry of Education.
For centres that were designated to provide childcare to those working or returning to work under the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, additional grants were provided.
Early Childhood Education workers also had their salaries topped up by $400 per month for each four-week period, up to 16 weeks, from March 15 to July 4, 2020.

RM of Prince Albert and City looking into upgrading 48th Street

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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RM of Prince Albert and City looking into upgrading 48th Street

The RM of Prince Albert and City of Prince Albert are in discussions about partnering to work on upgrading 48th Street.

There are two trailer courts located on the road with many residents who travel to the City for work.

 “What we wanted to do was partner with the city to make sure that we could provide for good, useable roads for nearly 500 residents of the RM as well as commercial companies in the surrounding area in our commercial development. So for the city and to relieve some of the stress on both Marquis Road and the Elevator Road to the south,” Reeve Eric Schmalz said.

“We are both founding members of the PAREDA (Prince Albert Regional Economic Development Alliance) and we want to develop this region more thoroughly. Good road access will only bolster both commercial and residential development in the area that the city and the RM share,” he explained.

A letter from Schmalz was sent to budget deliberations by the city during council’s Executive Committee meeting on Monday, Dec. 7. Administration had recommended that the correspondence be referred to the Public Works Department.

“We are happy to see that happen, we are hopeful that the city will see the value in this and the offer is, in our minds, generous and it would only be to the benefit of the city as well as the RM,” Schmalz said.

He explained that the conversations about the project to partner on 48th Street have been ongoing for the past year and a half. The idea is to improve the road to allow it to accommodate the high traffic volume it is currently experiencing. Glenmor Equipment is located in the area under discussion.

 “The city had no imperative or impetus to do this of their own volition. We needed it for our ratepayers there are 500 residents residing in those two trailer courts and they have to travel through a very busy highway to get into the city if they want to use good, solid maintained roads, they have to take Highway 2 into the City of Prince Albert,”

He explained that other roads, such as Marquis and Elevator Road, already receive heavy traffic. The project would be a benefit for farmers doing business with commercial ratepayers in the RM.

Schmalz hopes to see the partnership between the two entities continue to flourish.

 “There’s a lot of good work that happens between the city and the RM and this will just further that,” Schmalz said.

RM of Prince Albert ratifies new pandemic relief policy

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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RM of Prince Albert ratifies new pandemic relief policy

After months of work, the council of the Rural Municipality of Prince Albert passed their Pandemic Strategy and Relief policy at their regular meeting on Dec. 10.

The matter was discussed at both October and November’s council meetings.  Some work was done by administration involving policy around masks in shop trucks as well as hand sanitizer policy.

Council had initially discussed a mask policy for RM employees, which came from the Occupational Health and Safety meeting from October.

Reeve Eric Schmalz explained that the new policy is viewed as fair and equitable to employees in the RM. The whole idea of pandemic relief is new to most municipal government’s in the COVID-19 pandemic. It gives the options to employees who are not comfortable wearing masks.

 “It was important to cover those bases because I know that there are some people that are unable to wear a mask and we might have to look at alternate means of protecting themselves and protecting others,” Schmalz said.

There were also adjustments to policy around sick leave regarding the COVID-19 pandemic related to matters such as self-isolation.

Assistant administrator Karri Willick outlined the policy to council.

The final policy included items such as proper physical distancing and staying home if you are feeling sick. The policy will be aligned with any changes coming from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). Willick was in contact about facemasks and if employees want to be medically exempt from wearing masks. Essentially information must be provided before this can be the case. If a facemask is not suitable as a substitute for a mask there must be information from a doctor.

There must be alternative options provided and if those do not work then the employee will be provided alternate work, if that is not workable employees will be sent home. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) also offers coverage for employees along with options from the Canada Revenue Agency to assist employees. The current sick leave policy will remain in place. Council passed the new policy unanimously.

Due to issues arising during the meeting the council will be concluding their agenda on Thursday, Dec. 17.

New grading policy put in place by RM of Prince Albert

After the record snowfall on the weekend leading up to Election Day on Nov. 9 the RM felt stress because of the snow and has instituted a first ever policy around grading roads and approaches which was passed at their meeting on Dec. 10.

The policy was put in place to find an effective means of mitigating snow being pushed onto properties

 “What we did was there was some complaints and follow ups after that the RM had just left ridges on people’s approaches. And apparently there was no policy on how to deal with that,” Schmalz said.

“Our main objective is to get the arterial roads cleared and be able to provide means of getting access and egress for our ratepayers to get from their homes to the city and also for emergency services to be able to attend if there is an incident that requires medical or police or fire intervention,” Schmalz said.

In the new policy main roads remain the priority and approaches are secondary. Graders will create paths into driveways.

“So now we have created a policy where we will be able to still go back and clean up the approaches to a certain degree to allow for people to be able to get out of their homes,” Schmalz said.

The snow gates left by graders were also set by the new policy.

Council also approved their fire services agreement with the City of Prince Albert during the meeting. The new three-year agreement between the RM and the City of Prince Albert Fire Department now awaits approval from the City.

“We have signed the contract as it was presented to us after our amendments and the city’s amendments were made to the contract. We were satisfied and we signed it now we just have to wait for the city to sign their portion,” Schmalz said.

“It has just got to be ratified by the city and signatures put on blocks,” he added. One change is that the PAFD will now respond to all smoke alarms and CO alarms with a wellness check if a homeowner can’t be reached by the alarm company.

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