RM of Prince Albert brings aboard Human Resources Consultant

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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RM of Prince Albert brings aboard Human Resources Consultant

The Rural Municipality of Prince Albert is taking a precaution if Human Resources issues come up. At their regular meeting on Thursday, March 19. The RM made the decision to be proactive in case any Human Resources or related issues arise.

There have been tests of Human Resources for organizations recently.

“We want to make sure that we are doing our due diligence when it comes to the administration of anything administrative with our staff so that we are sure we have been fair to our employees and remaining within the boundaries of the labour laws,” Reeve Eric Schmalz said.

The concept originally came because the consultant was brought in by another organization in the building.

“Actually we brought on an HR Consultant with the Water Utility and I also mentioned it to Buckland and they were receptive to bringing it on as part of their operations as well,” he explained.

The RM will sign and retain the services of Saskatoon’s RCH Consulting Ltd. The consultant will serve as a third party advisor and mediator and provide information on the Labour Code and anything involving Human Resources. The cost will be on a use-by-use basis and have an hourly salary and not be a case of a retainer.

RM of Prince Albert continues to work on Fire Management Bylaw

Planning is still under way for a new Fire Management Bylaw in the RM of Prince Albert. The RM restructured their Fire Permit Policy at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 19.

Council decided to deal with the matter now because it is getting close to high burning permit season. They restructured the fine bylaw while they continue to work on the overall Fire Bylaw.

“Before the city was laying the fine and we were collecting it on behalf of the city. Now what has happened is we have changed our fire contract so that we would be the ones collecting those fines and we would have say on who is fined and who isn’t,” Reeve Eric Schmalz said.

“Whereas before the city would just lay the fine and we would just basically enforce it for them,” he explained.

The council is still considering the Fire Management Bylaw as councillors recently received it. They have been in consultation with the city of Prince Albert and the Prince Albert Fire Department. It is awaiting third reading and will wait until a final document can be completed with the City.

RM of Prince Albert approves covering costs to attend political events

Reeve of the RM of Prince Albert Eric Schmalz attended the recent Premier’s Dinner in Prince Albert. The interactions with provincial government officials got him thinking and at the regular meeting of the RM Council on Thursday, March 19 the council introduced a motion to cover the cost to have delegations attend similar events.

The concept insures that the RM will cover the cost in any case in the future.

“Essentially there is a cost to attend these events we would probably only send one delegate there and we would go regardless of who the political party was in power. We would send a delegate just so that we would have face time with the ministers and the Premier,” Schmalz said.

He had face-to-face meetings with Premier Scott Moe, MLA Joe Hargrave and other ministers in attendance. The council wants delegates to go to such events to get contact with Government.. All councillors could attend but it will be a council decision on a case-by-case basis.

Sanctions on RM of Prince Albert councillor include apology

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Sanctions on RM of Prince Albert councillor include apology

The matter that led to the expelling of RM of Prince Albert Division 5 Councillor Wayne Acorn from the council’s February 13 meeting was released in the minutes of that meeting at the council’s regular meeting on Thursday, March 19.

Acorn was suspended from all council matters until he apologized at the February meeting.

The RM released a letter following the February meeting that explained that Acorn had been removed from the meeting but did not explain further.

At the beginning of the Thursday’s meeting agenda there was an opportunity for Acorn to address the Reeve and Council. Acorn was not in attendance for the meeting. Acorn said that he was not invited to the meeting and didn’t understand why he was not contacted. Acorn will also not be commenting on the matter further as he is in discussions with his lawyer.

The final motion of the February 13 meeting by councillor Barton Franc read “That being that Councillor Wayne Acorn was found in contravention of the RM of Prince Albert’s Code of Ethics Bylaw No. 15 of 2016, Councillor Wayne Acorn is hereby suspended from representing the RM of Prince Albert No. 461 on any and all Committees, Bodies and Associations until such time that Councillor Acorn attend and complete educational training for ethical and respectful conduct as well as present a verbal and written apology to the Reeve, Council and Administration at a Regular RM of Prince Albert Council meeting. This remedial action is effective immediately.”

According to the minutes Reeve Eric Schmalz made a motion early in the meeting that Acorn be removed from the meeting for making a threatening gesture towards the Reeve. Division Councillor Franc then took the meeting In Camera to deal with an Human Resources matter. After the meeting came back in normal session Councillor Richard Wilson made a motion that “as per the Code of Ethics Bylaw No. 15 of 2016, Councillor Wayne Acorn be removed from the council meeting for making physically threatening actions towards the reeve. This resolution is for the meeting of February 13, 2020 and will require an apology.”

Councillor Micheal Grassick abstained from voting on the motion but it carried.

Administator Roxanne Roy would not comment on the matter.

School Divisions continue to update on COVID-19 planning

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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School Divisions continue to update on COVID-19 planning

With schools closing and class suspended indefinitely both school divisions in Prince Albert continue to communicate amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Both the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division and Prince Albert Catholic Division communicated where they knew they stood to parents in their divisions.

“Please know that our teachers and staff are distressed by the sudden suspension of classes and the loss of daily connection with your children, but they are anxious to support students in their learning over the coming weeks. Many students will have received learning resources from their teacher already, but we have been asked by the Ministry to wait before we do further work on how we support learning while classes are suspended,” Saskatchewan Rivers board chair Barry Hollick said in the letter.

The Saskatchewan Rivers Division has activated its Business Continuity Plan and most of the school division operations will be paused except for essential business services. In a similar letter the Catholic Division also announced that they are under the Business Continuity Plan.

Schools in the division are officially closed from March 20-27. In an emergency contact the Education Centre. The letter explained that there may be some division staff in schools after March 27 with classes remaining suspended indefinitely. The schools in the Catholic Division and the Catholic Education Centre are closed from March 20 to 29 because employees were instructed by the Ministry of Education and Govermment to have a 10-day isolation period. Although there was no announcement, it is believed that the regular meeting of the Catholic School Division on Monday, March 23 is canceled.

Sask Rivers explained that families are not expected to deliver home-based education to ensure students meet outcomes.

“However, we know that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Time spent with your child reading and talking about the book has a wonderful impact on a child; cooking together and measuring ingredients is great for developing number sense in young children. Talking with your child about their interests and concerns will help your child feel settled and comforted during this challenging time.” the letter stated.

Sask Rivers explained that they are working actively with the Ministry of Education to plan for continued learning opportunities for students and will have information in the coming weeks. According to NDP leader Ryan Meili in a conference call from his home on March 20 sometime in April there will be more online delivery of programming.

“And we’re really happy to hear that we know that the teachers are working hard to prepare that. They’ve been doing a ton of work in this last week to get ready for the final day. Report cards have been going out, etc. and now they’re working to make sure they stay connected with their kids in their classes,” he said.

Meili wants to see more technological support. The Meili family is well adjusted for any of this .

“ Abraham, our eight year old will be able to participate in his Grade 3 class. We’re getting the emails from (the teacher). She’s ready to go with the classes starting very soon.(The technology is there) so they can even see their other classmates in their homes. That’s exactly what we need to see,” Meili explained.

Unfortunately everyone is not as fortunate and may not have technology available due to financial situations.

“I would really like to see the government make it clear that t they’re going to work with SaskTel and make that technology available.

“Just as anybody right now, we’re telling everyone, don’t go to the office. If you need help you phone, you email. What do people do who don’t have phones, or computers at home? We need to make sure we’re working with our with our crowns, to have a process through which people can apply and get technology quickly, so that they can continue to participate in the things that we’re now asking them to distance themselves from,” Meili explained.

A provincial committee has been formed to look at ways to provide learning supports for students. That committee is said to be delivering its recommendations soon.

The Sask Rivers letter explained the current direction from the Ministry of Education is that every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade, and students will progress to their next grade level next year. Every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate.

They are also still waiting to learn the details about how marks, high school credits and transition to post-secondary will work.

The Catholic Division also posted a COVID-19 Guide for Parents and Caregivers.

-With files from Peter Lozinski

First day in new world at local RM office

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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First day in new world at local RM office

Things were almost normal at office of the RM of Prince Albert, RM of Buckland, the Prince Albert and District Planning Commission and Prince Albert Rural Water Commission on River Street West on Thursday, March 19. The RM of Prince Albert still held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 19.

The meeting offered some normalcy in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We can’t predict the future (or) where will be on a day-to-day basis,” RM of Prince Albert Reeve Eric Schmalz said.

The rural municipalities of Buckland and Prince Albert announced on Wednesday that the Municipal Centennial Building will be closed to the general public until further notice.

“We are still operating here, the staff will still be in the building or if they are working from home, if they are not feeling well they will be sequestered at their homes and their phones will be forwarded so someone will answer the calls and be able to process bills electronically,” he explained.

Thursday’s meeting had some social distancing with absences of two councillors but with four councillors and the Reeve there was enough to establish quorum.

“The whole gist of the building closing is to keep our staff safe,” RM of Buckland reeve Don Fyrk said. “The office is still being manned, but they can call us to for any questions and if there’s any business that has to be done instead of coming here in person.”

“We can still do things remotely over the phone or via e-transfer if you need to make payments or anything like that,” Schmalz added. “We’re going to leave the building closed indefinitely until the health authority indicates that the risk has been mitigated to the public and we will reopen to the public as soon as that time comes.”

The RM offices are still accepting the following means of payments during this time:

  • Cheque via Canada Post or the mail slot in the back door of the building
  • Online banking if available through a person’s financial institution
  • E-transfers to the RM of Buckland that can be sent to rm491@sasktel.net
  • E-transfers to the RM of Prince Albert that can be sent to rm461@sasktel.net

Staff will remain in the offices during the regular business hours and can still be contacted via phone or email.

The RM of Buckland can be reached at 306-763-2585 or at rm491@sasktel.net.

The RM of Prince Albert can be reached at 306-763-2469, by cell at 306-941-1709 or at rm461@sasktel.net.

The Prince Albert Rural Water Utility and the Prince Albert District Planning Commission are also in the same building and are closed to the public.

— with files from Lucas Punkari

City of Prince Albert facilities to remain open

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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City of Prince Albert facilities to remain open

The City of Prince Albert has enacted its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and continues to meet to evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 measures on City services and employees. For now, city facilities will remain open.

The majority of third party events have been cancelled including sports groups and tournaments and cleaning of high touch surfaces continues.

“Our EOC has been meeting since last Thursday,” Prince Albert Fire Chief Kris Olson. “We got together and being a health issue we have been following Sask. Health and their recommendations. So their recommendations initially on the outset were gatherings of 250 or greater would be restricted. We followed that lead and some of the organizers of some of the planned events had pulled out based on that information right away.”

He explained that he was getting calls about cancellations of events as late as Sunday.

The EOC is operational and meeting to monitor the situation.

“We are meeting daily so as information is rolled out of Sask Health we are meeting as a committee and as it’s an ever changing or evolving situation so stay tuned,” he said.

“Attendance at facilities is very low and we are able to achieve parameters of social distancing,” Olsen said in the city’s release.

“Given announcements from other municipalities, we will be evaluating the impact of closures on our staff and the public and expect to have more information soon.”

The City of Prince Albert is following the lead of Saskatchewan Health in terms of recommendations on public gatherings and direction to staff.

At present there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Prince Albert and there is no evidence of community transmission. Olson explained that there is some confusion because all municipalities are taking different approaches.

“Right from the onset we said we are going to follow the recommendations of Sask Health so that’s what we are doing,” Olson said.

Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne addressed the issue during the regular council meeting on Monday, March 16.

“I want to ensure all residents that we are taking the safety of our public very seriously, and we will evaluate the COVID-19 measures on a daily basis, and we’ll keep you updated,” Dionne said.

The public was allowed at the meeting but that may change in the future, Dionne said.

The situation continues to change quickly. The EOC will be meeting daily to review new developments and new information will be made available regularly.

The federal government has released new restrictions on international travel. Residents should review travel advisories in effect.

Local RM office closed for one day over possible COVID-19 exposure

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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As a precautionary measure the RM of Prince Albert, RM of Buckland, the Prince Albert and District Planning Commission and Prince Albert Rural Water Utility temporarily closed their administrative offices on River Street East in Prince Albert.

Acccording to RM of Buckland reeve Don Fyrk the closure was only for one day.

“We are back to work tomorrow. One of the councillors had a very bad chest cold so we were waiting for the tests to come back and they came back negative so the office will be open again tomorrow,” Fyrk said.

“It is all good it is just a regular seasonal cold,” he explained.

The councillor had recently returned from Costa Rica, a COVID-19 hotspot, and returned via Toronto.

The short-term closure was in response to receiving the information late in the day on Sunday, March 15 that an individual who recently traveled abroad is currently undergoing testing for COVID-19 and has been in contact with several employees and members of Council for both RMs.

The organizations said in their statement that they take the health and wellbeing of the public and their employees seriously.

School divisions in Prince Albert send out letters to parents in response to COVID-19

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Both school divisions in Prince Albert have sent out letters to parents regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The school divisions are trying to keep communication open with parents.

“We are always trying to communicate with our parents in a proactive way so whatever we can do to help our families understand the necessity to remain as healthy as possible we will do our best to make sure we are communicating that,” director of education Lorel Trumier said.

The Roman Catholic Division’s letter was sent to parents on March 11 before the first known case in Saskatchewan but after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic. The Saskatchewan Rivers letter came out on Friday, March 13 after the first case in Saskatchewan was announced.

“We feel that the activities we have done to date to prepare for this is sufficient and we will because it is an ever evolving element that occurs in our society then we will just ensure that we are responsive for the request of our Sask Health Authority,” she explained.

In their letter, The Saskatchewan Rivers Division explained that they have placed some temporary operational changes in place. These include cancellation of field trips or gatherings that involve more than one class or with significant members of the public, cancellation of guest speakers, external presentation and tours, cancellation of gatherings such as pep rallies, suspension of any school-based incentives or rewards for attendance and the replacement of Parent-Teacher Conferences with a phone call or other electronic means.

The upcoming visit from Lt.-Gov. Russell Mirasty, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, could not be confirmed as canceled in time for deadline.

Both divisions letters include information such as contacting 811 HealthLine if you have questions about your health, stay at home if you are feeling ill and seek advice from 811 regarding self-isolation. As well, both divisions encourage practicing proper coughing etiquette, proper hand washing and hygiene and other things encouraged by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The Roman Catholic Division’s letter includes an insert on proper coughing methods.

Both divisions are continuing to monitor the evolving situation. In their update on Friday the province said school closure is not being considered at this time. The SHA will communicate with education leadership daily as the situation evolves.

“If the Saskatchewan Health Authority or Ministry of Education or perhaps the province endeavour to close schools then we will do so if necessary but we are not at that point yet. I think it’s really important that we understand that if school closure occurs it is probably in the spirit of slowing down virus distribution,” Trumier said.

She explained that they will continue to use the division’s website and communications within the division to keep parents up to date.

Saskatchewan Rivers director of education Robert Bratvold was not available for comment Friday.

Carlton pair earns win at annual Model UN Assembly

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Carlton pair earns win at annual Model UN Assembly

Students from Prince Albert and Shellbrook were on hand for the annual Model UN Assembly at St. Mary’s High School on Wednesday, March 11. The event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Prince Albert, saw Carlton Comprehensive Collegiate students Sanjana Brijlall and Jarica Gooding who represented France come away as the winners.

The event organized by staff at St. Mary’s invited Shellbrook and Carlton to attend. The subjects of the Model UN assembly was veto powers and their possible removal to make decision making more consensus based. The second topic of the Assembly was food security. After presenting amendments and caucusing among countries the winning duo also addressed a topic that is top of mind at this time.

“We presented a emergency resolution at the end which was prevent. At the end we presented an emergency resolution on misleading information and misinformation,” Brijall, who is a Grade 10 student, said.

They used it because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We thought it was important we have people know what is true and what is not. Especially with this virus it is really important that people aren’t getting misinformation,” she added.

“That one is just addressing things that are going on in real life in real time and ours was about preventing the spread of misinformation and propaganda,” Gooding, who is in Grade 12, said.

Gooding explained that the duo is also involved in debate club.

“You still have to debate an issue but there is a different layer (with model UN) of being a country as well so that is just really intriguing for me personally and for Sanjana as well. Because it is just a really interesting experience debating things from not only just one side of the issue but somebodies perspective on the issue,” she explained.

Both students want to see more Carlton students become involved in the Model United Nations Club.

“I think it’s great. I hope that encourages more people in Carlton to join the Model UN,” Bijlall said.

“It’s a great opportunity for other students to get involved with because it helps with your speaking skills, your listening skills and then your community involvement,” Gooding added.

Gooding thanked the Rotary Club and all of the volunteers and teachers who organized the event.

“It was absolutely great,” she said.

Students rally over loss of extracurricular at MLA’s office

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Students rally over loss of extracurricular at MLA’s office

Around 40 students from around Prince Albert rallied in front of Prince Albert-Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave’s office on Wednesday, March 11. The students were rallying because they would be affected by the loss of extracurriculars if teachers begin sanctions on Thursday, March 12.

The loss of extracurriculars and before and after school supervision is part of sanctions announced by the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) as part of an ongoing labour dispute with the province. The two sides have been in negotiations for ten months. A sticking point remains class size and composition. On Wednesday, the province announced a new offer that would see teacher salaries rise higher over the next few years. The STF has said, though, that they would not be bought, as they have concerns about growing classroom complexity amid a new integrated learning model and a reduction in classroom supports.

Teachers voted 90.2 per cent in favour of job action with a 96.6 per cent turnout.

Students involved in all types of extracurricular activities were present including musical theatre and athletics — specifically basketball.

Hoopla and basketball playoffs were cancelled by the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Associaton (SHSAA) later in the day after the organization’s Wednesday deadline passed. Students from three high schools — Prince Albert Collegiate Institute (PACI), Carlton Comprehensive Collegiate and St. Mary’s High School were present at the rally.

“I support and I speak for the students of our province who are highly involved in extracurricular activities at their schools and how these are essentially being taken away from them,” Grade 11 St. Mary’s student Tatum Young said.

“For all students but especially those senior students in Grade 12 whose extracurriculars affect their university applications and their futures. I am involved in my school arts, my school musical, people are involved in sports and it’s their last year, their last show, their last concert, their last everything and we can’t let that be taken away from them.

“It is nice to see three high schools coming together from sports and arts and all different programs uniting for a common goal,” Young added.

Young explained that the show must go on and the musical theatre production will continue.

“We are going to work it out and we are going to put on our show. We are going to do everything in our power so that we can have our show and our concerts and everything that we look forward to,” she explained.

Nearly every player from the PACI Golden Bears senior boys basketball team attended the rally. The Golden Bears have advanced to SHSAA Regionals and want to see their season continue, according to Grade 12 player Brandon Sayese.

“For PACI it is a big thing that we are making it to regionals and also the first time our team has been successful. It will hurt a lot if it just ends,” Sayese said.

He explained that he and three other seniors who play on the team are disappointed that their season may not continue.

“I came today to hopefully share my voice, share my opinion and hopefully to get the government and teacher bargaining teams to come to an agreement,” he said.

As well, all six Grade 12 players from the Carlton Crusaders senior girls’ basketball team attended the rally. When speaking after the rally Bria Howden became emotional because of the impending cancellation.

“This is our last season for six of us and we are doing really good and it kind of sucks that this is done for us for many of us this is the last time we will play basketball and it is just like dumb. It just sucks that this is how we have to end. We were expecting better,” Howden said.

Fellow Grade 12 player Alex Soyko, who has already secured a basketball scholarship, figures that other students will have opportunities to advance in the sport taken away.

Students from around Prince Albert rallied in front of Prince Albert-Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave’s office on Wednesday, March 11.

“I know some of the students are looking forward to having coaches from other colleges come watch them play in this during Hoopla and during our regionals because it’s a really big deal and they are all livestreamed. So some of those opportunites can be taken away from students because they won’t get the chance to show what they can prove. It’s towards the end of their season and they worked really hard and they put all their work to show what you have worked towards and that is what’s getting cut off,” Soyko said.

Taryn Izsak agreed with her teammates explained that she loves the sport and has built many friendships on the team and put in many hours of work on the court.

“It is so hard to understand that it is just over because of something like this,” she said.

The rally included speeches by a number of students and after it concluded signs from the rally were taped to Hargrave’s office and left in the snow out front.

Students were there to use their voices and Young encouraged them to do so.

“Every student should know that they have a voice and that it is not hard for them to speak up, get in contact with anyone who has authority, get in contact with the Minister of Education, your MLA, anyone in the government that you can. You have a voice and you are free to use it,” Young said.

With around 40 students in attendance the turnout was seen as positive.

“I wish that there would have been more but this was a really great turnout,” Young added.

Catholic Division to expand early years pilot program

Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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The board of the Prince Albert Catholic School Division got some positive news during their regular meeting on Monday, March 3. The division’s pilot program for early learning will be expanding and enrolment remains steady in the division.

The ELIS or Early Learning intensive Support Pilot Program will be expanding from eight spaces to 12 spaces.

“What that means is we are supported for pre-Kindergarten children ages three and four who require intensive supports for their individualized need. So we are excited about that,” director of education Lorel Trumier said.

The pilot began in 2019 and in February, 2020 the division received notice of the expansion. The 2019-2020 expansion funding totals $50,000. The expansion allows for an additional Education Assistant as well as additional funds for additional supports.

“As we move through this, we are seeing some success and we are lucky that we have continued support. It is a bilateral agreement between federal and provincial dollars that support that kind of work,” she explained.

“It helps our children who require our support and allows us to have specialized support in place.”

The additional supports include occupational therapy and other intensive supports, Trumier said.

Another memo noted changes in requirements for learner drivers. Effective January, 2020 SGI changed the way novice drivers acquire learner’s licenses as soon as they enroll in a High School Driver Education Program.

“It means that students will not have to wait to start the process but obviously they will still have to take the course,” she said.

The division also provides enrollment updates the board on a monthly basis.

“We keep track of our student population and what is happening within it so we always present that to the board,” Trumier said.

The initial report after September 30 is the significant report as it is part of the formula on which funding is based.

“We always use those to make plans for the future and it informs the board of where things are heading. A large number of our students are in French Immersion and they sustain the French Immersion program so we are pleased about that,” she said.

Numbers remain consistent in the division. In February, 2020 there are 3,001 students enrolled across both English and French. In February, 2019 there were 2,971 students in the division.

The division also recently received notice that a new daycare will be opening in St. Catherine Catholic School by the end of March.

“That will be operational probably within the next month or month and a half. We are waiting for substantial approval of that so we are really excited about that occurring here in the next four to six weeks,” Trumier said.

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