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Clavelle outlines priorities as Buckland’s new Reeve

Arjun Pillai
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Clavelle outlines priorities as Buckland’s new Reeve

First female reeve says priorities include infrastructure, planning, and community engagement

The Rural Municipality of Buckland has elected its first female Reeve, with longtime resident and former councillor Linda Clavelle winning a recent byelection to lead the municipality.

“It feels like it’s long overdue. I’m honoured to be elected, as I’m sure any of the candidates would have been,” she said.

Clavelle brings decades of involvement in the municipality and community organizations. She previously served as a councillor in the RM and has also been active with several local boards and committees.

“I have a lot of skills that are organization-based and team leadership based. And I thought the RM could use some of both of those,” she said. “I look forward to leading collaboratively between the council.”

Clavelle said she is stepping into the role midterm following the byelection and will first focus on understanding the status of ongoing projects while working with the council and administration to establish priorities.

“Right now I have a lot of catching up to do on what are the projects that are going on and where are we at with things,” she said. “Priorities will be addressing the concerns that the ratepayers have and getting a plan built and getting a budget built that supports that plan.”

Among the issues raised by residents during the campaign were concerns about infrastructure, including road conditions across the RM.

“There have been great strides made in the main roads in the RM over the last 24 years,” she said. “You know, kudos to everybody who’s been working on that, because you really do see an improvement there.”

Clavelle said she would also like to see the municipality develop a strategic plan that reflects input from residents and provides clear direction for future development.

“We really need to engage the community to see what the community sees as our future,” she said.

Located just north of Prince Albert, the RM of Buckland sits along a busy corridor connecting communities in the Lakeland region.

Clavelle said the municipality is well positioned for further development, but careful planning will be needed to maintain the area’s rural character while encouraging investment.

“I would hope we involve our infrastructure, get that in place, and then once the infrastructure is in place that we can encourage more businesses, more residential, better transportation for the farmers,” she said.

She added that planning decisions will play an important role in balancing development with the lifestyle that draws many residents to the municipality.

“The keeping the appeal of acreage lifestyle is really dependent upon how you plan and develop your subdivisions,” Clavelle said. “It happens through careful planning.”

Clavelle also highlighted the close relationship between the RM and the City of Prince Albert, noting that many residents work in the city while living in the surrounding rural area.

“We have a very integrated relationship. We are grateful to be living so close to a city which has so many amenities,” she said.

Clavelle said the RM works with the city on several shared services and planning initiatives, including land use planning and infrastructure connections.

As she begins her term, Clavelle said maintaining transparency and communication with residents will remain a priority.

“I would like everybody to feel welcome to send me an email. It’s on the RM website,” she said. “If you’ve got any concerns or comments or questions, I can always be reached.”

She added that council agendas and discussions will continue to be made available to residents so they can stay informed about municipal decisions.

“I hope to have more transparency about what Council is looking at come the meetings. The agendas should be posted before the meetings and hopefully we will just keep building that transparency and building that accountability,” she said. “I believe the residents want us to show them what we’re working on.” 

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Northern fishers and leaders gather in Prince Albert to discuss industry transition

Arjun Pillai
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Northern fishers and leaders gather in Prince Albert to discuss industry transition

Fish harvesters from across northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba gathered in Prince Albert on Tuesday to talk about the future of the inland fishing industry as changes to Canada’s freshwater fish marketing system continue.

The two-day meeting at the Coronet Hotel brought together commercial fishers, Indigenous leaders, and industry representatives to discuss the transition involving the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC), a federal Crown corporation that has historically marketed freshwater fish from western and northern Canada.

“The purpose of this meeting is to inform fishers about where we are in terms of the transformation happening with freshwater fish,” Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd. President John S. Beatty said during a media scrum with reporters.

Organizers say the discussions could lead to a system that gives harvesters a stronger voice in decisions about how fish from the region are marketed.

The changes follow the federal government’s decision to open the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation to competition, allowing fishers to market their catch outside the traditional single-desk system. Leaders involved in the discussions said the shift could create new opportunities for Indigenous and northern fishting organizations to take a greater role in processing and marketing fish.

Sam Murdock, president of the Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Commercial Fishers, said one proposal from a group of harvesters has already been selected as part of the process.

“The commercial fishermen are going to have more say in terms of the decision-making process,” Murdock said. “This is a good step forward in terms of economic reconciliation.”


Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson speaks during the inland fisheries meeting of northern fish harvesters, Indigenous leadership, and industry representatives in Prince Albert.

Indigenous leaders who attended the meeting said the fishery remains a key part of northern economies and cultures.

Grand Chief Brian Harlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council said the industry has faced challenges over the years and needs support from governments to remain viable.

“It’s been a struggle,” Hardlotte said. “We’re asking for support from both levels of government.”

During opening remarks earlier in the meeting, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson spoke about the importance of fishing for many northern families.

“Commercial fishing is an industry that needs a lot of work to make sure that it continues,” Searson said. “We have a lot of fish in our lakes and they are fresh and healthy.”

Participants also pointed to transportation costs as one of the biggest challenges facing fishers in remote communities.

“The money that used to come from the province to subsidize our fisheries was cut off years ago,” said Edward Benoanie, a representative from Wallaston.

For individual fishers, those changes can have a direct impact on their ability to continue working in the industry.

Donald Sayazie, a commercial fisher from Black Lake, said high transportation costs and low prices for fish make it difficult to earn a living.

“Transportation is a problem right now,” Sazil said. “That’s our livelihood.”

Others involved in the discussion said cooperation between organizations and expanded markets will be key to strengthening the industry.

Joan Beatty, a former Saskatchewan MLA for Cumberland and a member of a technical committee involved with Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd, said Indigenous organizations and fishers are now working more closely together on how northern fish are marketed.

“For the first time we are working together and sharing information,” Beatty said. “We have a common goal, which is to sell good-quality product to the world.”

Beatty also said the long-term future of the fishery will depend on bringing more young people into the industry and providing proper training opportunities.

“We need more women. We need more young people, for sure,” Beatty said. “And that’s one of the things we identify: to have accredited training for young people, whether it’s trapping or fishing.”

The gathering continues Wednesday with additional discussions about the future structure of the inland fishery and how harvesters will be involved in the marketing system going forward.

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Higher oil prices could raise costs but boost Saskatchewan revenues

Arjun Pillai
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Higher oil prices could raise costs but boost Saskatchewan revenues

Higher global oil prices could begin affecting businesses and consumers across Saskatchewan if the increases continue, according to a University of Saskatchewan business professor.

Devan Mescall, a professor at the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan, said rising prices are partly tied to concerns about potential disruptions in global supply.

“There’s sort of a risk premium, and then there is sort of the potential impact on sort of loss of supply,” Mescall said.

He noted that a large share of the world’s oil moves through key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which can create uncertainty in global markets during periods of conflict.

“A large portion of the world’s oil, so roughly about 30 percent, is not able to get to market because it has to come through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

When global crude prices rise, the impact is usually felt quickly at the gas pump because fuel prices are tied closely to international markets.

“You know, even though we produce oil at the gas pumps, 50 percent of the price at the gas pumps is based on the world price of crude,” Mescall said.

Higher oil prices can create mixed economic effects in provinces such as Saskatchewan, which both consumes and produces oil.

Mescall said governments and energy producers can see financial benefits from higher oil prices, while consumers and businesses face higher costs.

“Our government, the budgets will have more revenue from resources, but there will be costs borne by both consumers and local businesses,” he said.

Businesses across the province could also begin adjusting prices if higher fuel costs remain in place for an extended period.

“If it appears that the conflict will extend longer, companies will probably update their prices to build in the elevated price of transportation,” Mescall said.

Those increases could eventually contribute to inflation beyond fuel prices.

“We could see an impact through inflation for more general costs than simply at the gas pump.” he said.

Communities such as Prince Albert may also see indirect impacts if fuel costs influence travel and consumer spending.

“If gas prices rise to a point that people are less likely to travel, that could impact restaurants and hotels and things in Prince Albert,” Mescall said.

Transportation companies may feel the pressure first because fuel is a major operating expense.

“As do I believe that those types of businesses would be impacted, as well as any businesses that rely on trucking companies or transportation companies,” he said.

If higher oil prices persist, Mescall said the cost of everyday goods could also rise.

“I believe that the price of most goods, and not just commodities, will rise if we see this as an extended event,” he said.

He added that rural and remote communities often feel the impact of higher fuel costs more strongly because residents typically rely more on driving.

“People have to drive further and drive more, and so gas takes up a larger portion of each of our family budgets when we live in more remote and rural areas,” he said.

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Province announces Patients First Health plan as NDP raises hospital capacity concerns

Arjun Pillai
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Province announces Patients First Health plan as NDP raises hospital capacity concerns

The Saskatchewan government announced a new Patients First health care plan Monday, outlining targets to improve access to surgeries, diagnostics and primary care across the province.


Premier Scott Moe and Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill made the announcement at the Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre, describing the plan as a major effort to strengthen the province’s health system.

Moe said the plan focuses on improving access to care and building on recent investments in the health sector.


“We will protect Saskatchewan patients by continuing to invest in our health care system and improve access across the province to primary care providers, timely surgeries and diagnostics,” Moe said.

According to the province, the plan includes a target of completing 450,000 surgeries over four years and reducing wait times for diagnostic procedures so that most patients can receive testing within 60 days.


Cockrill said the plan is designed to place patient care at the center of decisions in the health system.


“Patients must come at the center of every single decision that we make,” Cockrill said.


He added that the government plans to expand recruitment and training of health care workers, including increasing training capacity for nurse practitioners and other professionals.


The announcement also highlighted efforts to expand urgent care centres, increase the number of health care workers, and continue building surgical and diagnostic capacity across Saskatchewan.


The province has said the planned expansion of Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert would add about 57 beds once the project is completed, part of broader efforts to increase hospital capacity in Saskatchewan.


However, the announcement drew criticism from the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party, which released Saskatchewan Health Authority data it says shows ongoing pressure on hospitals in the province.


The leaked provincial report, dated March 5, indicates the emergency department at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert was operating at about 121.9 percent occupancy at the time the data was recorded. The report also showed the hospital was short 13 available medical beds and had 25 patients in the emergency department.


Jordan McPhail, the NDP MLA for Cumberland and the party’s shadow minister for northern affairs, said the numbers reflect what health care workers have been experiencing in Prince Albert.


“What stands out to me is that after 18 years of a Saskatchewan Party government, we are still at overcapacity here in the city of Prince Albert,” McPhail said in an interview with the Daily Herald.


He said health care workers in Prince Albert continue to face difficult working conditions as the hospital deals with high patient volumes.
“When we talk to the health care workers here in Prince Albert, we hear about hallway medicine and patients lining up in hallways because the hospital is over capacity,” he said.


McPhail said the situation highlights the need to move forward with the planned expansion of Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert.
“Prince Albert can’t afford to wait. This expansion is already long overdue,” he said.


He added that Victoria Hospital serves as a major referral for communities across northern Saskatchewan, placing additional demand on the facility.


“We need more frontline health care workers and more services to support patients in Prince Albert,” McPhail said.


The government says staffing increases are already helping strengthen the health system. Premier Scott Moe said the province has added significant numbers of health professionals in recent years.


“We’ve hired over 1,000 physicians across the province and about 3,000 nurses in the last two years,” Moe said during the announcement.


However, NDP MLA for Cumberland Jordan McPhail said the pressures seen in the data reflect ongoing challenges for frontline staff in communities such as Prince Albert.


“Our team is listening to the health care workers and the patients who use these facilities and trying to find the best way to ensure their needs are being met here in Saskatchewan,” McPhail said.


The Saskatchewan government has said the Patients First plan will continue to focus on expanding access to care, recruiting health professionals, and strengthening health services across the province.


arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

City preparing housing strategy as Prince Albert faces affordable housing shortage

Arjun Pillai
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City preparing housing strategy as Prince Albert faces affordable housing shortage

Prince Albert officials are developing a housing strategy aimed at addressing a significant shortage of affordable housing in the city.

A housing needs assessment presented to the city’s executive committee on Monday found Prince Albert currently has a shortfall of 1,470 affordable housing units. The report also projects that an additional 1,097 housing units will be needed over the next 10 years to meet future demand.

The assessment was completed by Wallace Insights and presented to the council in March 2025. City administration is now working on a Housing Strategy and Implementation Plan intended to guide how the city will respond to those findings.

Prince Albert has already taken steps to encourage additional housing development. In 2025, city council approved a zoning bylaw amendment allowing up to four housing units to be built on a single residential lot in most residential zones without requiring discretionary approval. The change was introduced partly to support increased housing supply as the city looks for ways to address housing shortages.

Micheal Nelson, acting director of community development, said the housing strategy will build on the findings of the needs assessment and outline how the city plans to respond.

“The city of Prince Albert completed a housing needs assessment, which was presented to council in March of 2025. The housing needs identified the community’s most significant housing challenges, including a current shortfall of 1,470 affordable housing units,” Nelson told committee members.

Nelson said the upcoming strategy will focus on increasing housing supply while supporting the creation of transitional, supportive, and affordable housing options. The plan will also look at ways to leverage partnerships and government funding to support development.

The strategy is expected to function as a business and implementation plan rather than a high-level policy document.

“This plan will focus on practical steps to increase housing supply, including supporting new unit creation and leveraging additional available government funding and partnerships,” Nelson said.

The housing strategy is expected to be completed by the end of June 2026 and will be presented to the city council once finalized.

Funding for the strategy comes from the final year of the federal Building Safer Communities Fund through Public Safety Canada. The program is intended to help municipalities address issues such as gun and gang violence. According to the report, improving access to basic needs such as housing can play a role in reducing gang activity.

During the discussion, Coun. Blake Edwards said he has been hearing from people interested in investing in housing in Prince Albert and asked about the availability of residential lots.

Nelson said there is currently a pending offer on lots on Crescent Acres that will come before council for consideration at a future meeting.

Edwards said interest in development reflects growing optimism about the city’s future.

“People are excited. We’re hearing talk of investment coming into our city. We see the hospital expansion, and we’ve got a city that is going to be a desired place to live,” Edwards said.

City officials said developers or residents interested in housing projects can contact the city’s Solutions Hub, which helps guide investors through the development process.

The executive committee voted to receive the housing strategy report as information.

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Wine glass painting night planned at Bugsy’s Lounge

Arjun Pillai
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Wine glass painting night planned at Bugsy’s Lounge

Residents looking for a relaxed creative night out will soon have the chance to paint their own wine glass during an upcoming event at Bugsy’s Lounge.

Little Pencil Art Studio owner and art instructor Lacey Lorensen is hosting a “Sips and Strokes” wine glass painting night on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at Bugsy’s Lounge in South Hill Mall.

Lorensen said the idea grew out of painting parties she has been hosting for years, but she wanted to try something a little different from the usual canvas painting sessions.

“There are other artists in Prince Albert that do the typical painting parties on canvas. And so I wanted to kind of make something that was a little bit unique where people are painting kind of off with a different medium,” Lorensen said.

Instead of creating artwork on canvas, participants will decorate a wine glass that they can keep and use later.

“It’s not just something that’s going to go on the wall or go in storage. It’s something that they can use forever or give as a gift,” she said.

During the evening, participants will be given a wine glass and painting supplies, along with step-by-step guidance on how to create a plant-themed design.

“People will come to Bugsy’s, and I give them a wine glass. I’m going to have booklets for them on how to paint different plants,” Lorensen said. “And then there’s going to be little cups of paint of different kinds of greens and yellows and white.”

Participants will be able to follow the booklet instructions while Lorensen moves around the room offering help as needed.

“They just easily grab the little cups and the paintbrushes. And then I’ll go around kind of step by step how to follow the booklet and how to paint the glasses,” she said.

Lorensen said the theme for the wine glass designs will focus on plants and greenery, something she chose deliberately as winter begins to fade.

“This one’s specifically about painting plants on wine glasses,” she said. “I feel like we’ve all been in winter a little bit too long. Too long now, and we want to bring some greenery into our lives.”

The event is designed for beginners as well as people who may already have some art experience.

“It’s for anybody. Anybody can do it,” Lorensen said.

She said the goal of the evening is to create a relaxed environment where people can enjoy the experience of painting together.

“I want it to be relaxing. I want people to have fun and be relaxed,” she said. “I always tell people at the beginning of my painting parties that this isn’t about the product, it’s about the process.”

Lorensen said she has been hosting painting parties since graduating high school in 2015, although she officially opened her studio and began organizing events again last November.

“I’ve been doing painting parties ever since I graduated high school in 2015, just kind of here and there,” she said.

She believes events like this can help introduce more people to the local arts community.

“I think it definitely gets people who typically aren’t into the arts a lot. It gets them creative, and it gets them kind of discovering the things that they can do with art,” Lorensen said.

Tickets for the event are $25 and include the wine glass along with the paint and brushes needed for the project. Drinks and appetizers will be available for purchase through Bugsy’s Lounge during the event.

Lorensen said interest has alreadt been strong.

“I think I have 20 tickets sold, and they can fit up to like 38 people in that back room,” she said.

People interested in attending can find the ticket link through the event listing on the Little Pencil Art Studio Facebook page. or go to https://square.link/u/4F6jAIw1

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Student-inspired mural unveiled at water treatment plant

Arjun Pillai
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Student-inspired mural unveiled at water treatment plant

A mural inspired by artwork created by Prince Albert students was unveiled Friday at the City’s water treatment plant, highlighting clean water and environmental stewardship.


The mural stretches across a series of wooden panels and features detailed etched imagery connected by a flowing river. Scenes of forests, wildlife, and people are woven together with symbols representing water, industry, and community life along the North Saskatchewan River. The more closely viewers look, the more small details emerge, reinforcing the message of water stewardship and the interconnected relationship between people, nature, and the environment.

Arjun Pillai/Daily Herald The newly unveiled mural inspired by artworks created by Ecole St. Mary students is displayed at the Prince Albert Water Treatment Plant


The ceremony also included an opening prayer and blessing from Elder Liz Settee, who spoke about the cultural and spiritual importance of water.

“Water was the first medicine. Every life form needs water,” Settee said. She also spoke about the responsibility communities share in protecting water and supporting sustainability for future generations.


City officials, school representatives, and community members attended the ceremony. Mayor Bill Powalinsky was among those who spoke at the podium, while Ward 7 Coun. Dawn Kilmer was also present.

The project brought together Grade 11 Environmental Science students from Ecole St. Mary High School, Saskatoon artist Cheryl Buckmaster, the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation, and the City of Prince Albert.


Students participated in a series of workshops where they explored themes related to water stewardship, sustainability, and global citizenship. Their drawings and ideas later helped shape the final mural design.


Artist Cheryl Buckmaster said the artwork grew directly from the ideas students developed during those sessions.


“My vision was inspired by what we did together researching the North Saskatchewan River and talking about the positive and negative effects around water,” Buckmaster said. “The images the students created during the workshops became part of the collage that informed the final mural.”


Buckmaster said she hopes people visiting the facility pause and think about the role water plays in everyday life.


“I hope people question what it is and think about the fact that water is essential to life every day,” she said.

Arjun Pillai/Daily Herald
Artist Cheryl Buckmaster speaks during Friday’s unveiling at the Prince Albert Water Treatment Plant as student artwork combined into a single collage is displayed. The collage helped inspire the final mural design.


The workshops were organized through the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation, which works with youth across the province on projects connected to global issues.


Sakshi Meda, youth coordinator with the organization, said the project gave students a chance to connect global ideas about sustainability with their own community.


“It was really interesting to see how engaged the students were, bringing their ideas together to visualize why clean water is important and why sustainable development matters in our community,” Meda said.


She said the initiative also showed that meaningful change can begin locally.


“For me it was a very meaningful project because sometimes we think making an impact requires something big, but local conversations with the community around us are just as important,” she said.


Malcom Toland, executive director of the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation, said the mural reflects the organization’s work encouraging public engagement on global development issues.


“This mural appreciates the importance of access to clean water and water stewardship,” Toland said. “It is a chance to bring our mandate to life with partners here in Prince Albert.”


Toland said the mural also reminds people of the role communities play in protecting water resources.


“It is a physical reminder that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and we all have a role in making sure that access is delivered,” he said.


The city of Prince Albert partnered on the project and helped coordinate the installation at the water treatment plant.


Tia Holash, arts and culture coordinator with the city, said the facility was chosen because it regularly hosts tours from schools and community groups.


“We wanted to activate the white walls within the water treatment plant with art that spoke to water stewardship and youth voices,” Holash said.


Holash said projects like this give young people an opportunity to share their ideas.


“The process involved youth, and giving them the chance to collaborate and share their ideas through art is incredibly powerful and empowering,” she said.


Students who helped develop ideas for the mural said seeing the finished piece was rewarding.


Zachary Adam, one of the students involved in the project, said the experience helped highlight the importance of protecting water.


“I learned that water sustainability is very important and that we all have to work together to make sure our water stays healthy,” Adam said.


He hopes people who see the mural think about the role they can play in protecting the environment.


“I hope people get motivation to help keep water good and sustainable for us,” he said.


arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Rural groups warn SaskPower rate hikes could raise costs for farms and community rinks.

Arjun Pillai
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0
Rural groups warn SaskPower rate hikes could raise costs for farms and community rinks.

Rural municipalities and agricultural producers are raising concerns about proposed electricity rate increases from SaskPower, warning the changes could raise operating costs for farms and strain community facilities such as small-town rinks.

The concerns were outlined in a submission from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) to the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel, which is reviewing SaskPower’s proposed electricity rate increases for 2026 and 2027.

SaskPower has proposed rate increases of about 3.9 percent in both 2026 and 2027.

SARM said higher electricity costs could add pressure on rural municipalities and recreation facilities that already operate on limited budgets.

In a statement to the Daily Herald, the Government of Saskatchewan said electricity rates are reviewed through an independent process to ensure the Crown utility can continue delivering reliable and affordable power.

“Our government also continues to offer the second lowest utility bundle in Canada. SaskPower rates are reviewed through an independent process to ensure that the Crown utility can continue to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Saskatchewan farms, families, and businesses,” the statement said.

The government added that investments in the electrical grid are necessary to maintain reliability as demand for power continues to grow across the province.

The statement also pointed to the Community Rink Affordability Grant, which the government said was doubled to help local facilities remain open.

“Our government understands how important local rinks are to communities across Saskatchewan. That’s exactly why we promised and delivered on doubling the Community Rink Affordability Grant,” the statement said.

SARM’s submission to the review panel warned that rising electricity costs could affect community rinks in smaller communities, which often rely on volunteers and fundraising to operate.

The organization said higher electricity costs could lead to higher user fees, more fundraising, or reductions in programming hours if operating expenses continue to rise.

Agricultural producers say farms are also highly dependent on electricity for day-to-day operations.

Scott Hermes, District 5 director with the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), said farms rely on electricity for tasks such as drying grain and running aeration systems.

“Our farmyards are all pretty well electrified. We use electricity to dry grain and run aeration fans and grain dryers, so farms are very dependent on electricity,” Hermes said.

Hermes said producers are concerned about the cumulative effect of rate increases.

“I’m fairly concerned. The rate increase will be about 3.9 this year and 3.9 next year,” he said.

He said the increase could add several hundred dollars annually to farm electricity bills.

“The rate increases are going to cost the average farmer about $300 a year over what we paid last year,” Hermes said.

While some farms are exploring renewable energy options, Hermes said they cannot fully replace the electricity supplied through the grid.

“We can use solar on the farm and wind power, but they’re not efficient enough to replace SaskPower electricity. On the farm we need electricity. There’s really no alternative,” he said.

Hermes said agricultural producers would like to see more transparency around electricity rate increases and greater support to help farms improve efficiency.

“Transparency is our big thing. We want to know where the money is going and why these rate increases are needed,” he said.

SARM’s submission also suggested measures such as targeted rebates or support programs to help offset the impact of electricity rate increases on rural municipalities and agricultural producers.

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Ahtahkakoop Child and Family Services responds after Ministry of Social Services confirms letter that opposed care home development was fake

Arjun Pillai
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Ahtahkakoop Child and Family Services responds after Ministry of Social Services confirms letter that opposed care home development was fake

Officials with Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation Child and Family Services say they are reviewing their next steps after the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services confirmed that a letter opposing a proposed residential care home in Prince Albert was fraudulent.

The letter referenced during a City of Prince Albert council debate suggested there were already more than 30 residential care homes operating in Prince Albert, along with roughly 80 foster homes in the surrounding area children from the city and northern communities. It raised questions about the need for an additional residential care home at the Linner Lane location, and whether Prince Albert needed more care homes at all.

In an emailed statement to the Herald on Wednesday, the ministry said the letter had been falsely attributed to the department and has been reported to local law enforcement.

“The Ministry of Social Services did not issue the letter. The letter impersonates a government official and was reported to the Prince Albert Police,” the statement said.

The ministry added the document was electronically generated on letterhead that was not authentic ministry letterhead and was not sent through the Government of Saskatchewan’s internal mail system. The letter was also unsigned and contained information that was factually inaccurate.

The unclear correspondence was mentioned during the debate at a Feb. 23 Prince Albert city council meeting involving a discretionary use permit application for a property at 35 Linner Lane.

Councillors ultimately voted 5-4 to deny the permit, which would have allowed Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation Child and Family Services to operate a short term residential care home for children at the location. Council also directed administration to investigate the letter after its authenticity could not be confirmed.

The issue was later discussed during a March 2 executive committee meeting, where administration reported that the ministry had confirmed the document was not genuine.

City officials said three copies of the letter had been received by mail and addressed to the mayor’s office, Ward 6 Coun. Stephen Ring and the city clerk’s office before being included with the council agenda. Ring said during Monday’s executive committee meeting that he did not receive a copy of the letter.

Ahtahkakoop officials say the proposed home was intended to serve as an emergency receiving placement for very young children entering care.

Lisa Antoine, property manager with Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation Child and Family Services, said the facility was designed to provide immediate temporary care for children removed from unsafe situations.

“Receiving care is just when our workers are working overnight, and an example is if they got a call three in the morning apprehend a child. We don’t have foster homes prepared for three in the morning drop off, so therefore, we just thought it would be more suitable to have a receiving home for some place for the child to be transported to,” Antoine said.

She said the home would primarily serve infants and young children until longer term arrangements could be made.

Virginia Ledoux, protection manager with the organization, said emergency receiving homes provide short term placements while social workers determine next steps for children entering care.

Ledoux said situations involving children entering care can happen suddenly and often outside normal working hours.

“Well, we would be looking at all their needs with the needs when they are removed from their family home, for whatever, for protection, safety, we would have them in a safe place in the interim, while we work with the family, and we would provide it be providing all the basic aspects of what we consider the mental health, the education, if they’re old enough.”

Ledoux said placements in emergency receiving homes typically last around 15 days while workers assess family situations and arrange appropriate care.

“It’s a receiving you know, you know that you never you hope that you know they don’t go longer than at the most, like emergency home is 15 days emergency care.”

Ledoux also added that emergency receiving homes help stabilize situations while families and support services work toward longer term solutions.

The proposed facility had been planned for a home on Linner Lane and the organization had already completed renovations on the property prior to submitting the application.

Ledoux said the house had previously been used as a residence and required repairs after flooding. Following renovations, she said the condition of the property had noticeably improved and one of the neighbours attempted to make an offer on the property.

“We fixed our home. It’s really beautiful. In fact, one of the neighbors is trying to buy it. And I said, I don’t think so,” she said. “After what we went through to fix it. Took us over a year in. We went through fire and flood, and they renovated it. We fixed the whatever was.”

Ledoux said the goal of the program was to ensure children entering care had a safe and supportive environment during what can be a stressful transition.

Following council’s decision and the confirmation that the letter was fraudulent, Ledoux said the organization is now discussing what steps it may take next.

“We’re in meeting with our legal advisors, so we’re actually having a meeting on the 18th, so we’ll know how we’re going to move forward.”

The Ministry of Social Services said it remains responsible for licensing and monitoring residential group homes that provide services for children and youth in care.

The ministry added it continues to work with Indigenous and community based organizations to ensure safe and appropriate care options are available for children and youth in Prince Albert.

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

Council split as alcohol bylaw debate shifts to drugs and driving concerns

Arjun Pillai
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Council split as alcohol bylaw debate shifts to drugs and driving concerns

Prince Albert’s executive committee voted six to three to advance recommendations tied to the city’s liquor store hours bylaw, but not before sharp debate over drugs, youth, and unintended consequences.

Community Safety and Well-Being Coordinator Jim Woodcock presented findings from the impact evaluation of Bylaw 13 of 2024, which restricts liquor store sales to between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Woodcock said the Saskatchewan Health Authority found that average alcohol-related emergency room visits at Victoria Hospital dropped from 27 per week before the bylaw to 22.7 visits per week after it was implemented.

The Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit also recorded a decline in alcohol-related calls, while liquor shipment data showed no major change in overall consumption trends.

City staff also reviewed alcohol-related calls handled by the Prince Albert Fire Department as part of the evaluation. The analysis compared data from before and after the bylaw change, though the results were less clear than the hospital data. Administration said there was no definitive change tied directly to the policy, but some data suggested a slight downward trend in fire calls after the bylaw was introduced.

Despite those findings, Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards said he would not support the motion.

“I won’t be supporting the motion as it reads for a variety of reasons,” Edwards said. While acknowledging that “the ER being reduced is a good thing,” he questioned whether alcohol is the primary driver of current social issues.

“I don’t necessarily believe that our ER calls, though, are made up of people using alcohol anymore. I think it’s more harsher drugs, and people are turning to crystal meth, which is cheaper,” he said.

Edwards warned that increasing alcohol pricing or restrictions could push people toward other substances.

“If intoxication is the desired outcome, they’ll choose other drugs, which include a more unpredictable drug of crystal meth, and that I don’t think is the outcome we’re looking for in this city.”

He also raised concerns about the financial impact on events and businesses.

“When events are hosted, it’s hard enough to get people to come out right now. At the cost of things, events are declining in numbers,” Edwards said, adding that restaurants and pubs are “struggling as it is.”

Ward 1 Coun. Daniel Brown echoed concerns about drug use and youth.

“With these ER visits, did the drug-related causes go up after this was implemented? Because I know I have kids that are into the stuff,” Brown asked. “If they can get booze, they’re gonna phone and get something else.”

Later in the discussion, Brown said he could not support the recommendation.

“I just feel that drugs is the major concern in our community nowadays with cocaine and crack,” he said. “It’s more prevalent in kids nowadays, like they go to parties, there’s cocaine.”

Brown also questioned whether limiting sales within city limits could be pushing residents to travel outside the city.

“That one stop, or whatever’s across the river there, that guy’s booming, because that’s where everybody’s going,” Brown said. “Now we’re not having people just driving around the city to get a box of beer when they’re drunk, they’re driving across the bridge onto a highway at 100 kilometers an hour. That’s a bigger concern to me.”

Mayor Bill Powalinsky supported the motion, acknowledging the meth crisis but arguing that alcohol regulation remains within municipal control.

“The meth crisis has never gone away,” Powalinsky said. “We can’t regulate the sale of meth, unfortunately, but we can regulate the sale of alcohol.”

He said the data show “a cause and effect ratio, statistically, with the reduction in hours,” and pointed to concerns about impaired driving.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve seen people roll out just staggering drunk with the keys in their hands,” he said.

Ward 7 Coun. Dawn Kilmer said the report provides useful information as the city continues to examine how alcohol and drug use affect community safety. While she acknowledged both issues are concerns in Prince Albert, Kilmer said the available data still helps guide local policy decisions. 

“Alcohol is a very big problem and an indicator with many of the social problems that we have,” Kilmer said, adding that the council still needs more data, but the work being done is important.

During the discussion, Ward 8 Coun. Darren Solomon asked why police statistics were not included in the report. Woodcock said police data had been reviewed but was difficult to track consistently and was not strong enough to include in the public report.

The amended motion directs administration to continue working on a municipal alcohol strategy and allows council to advocate to the province regarding updates to Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority social reference pricing, which has not been indexed to inflation since 2010.

The vote to move the recommendations forward carried six to three.

arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca

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