Trailblazer Winter/Spring 2020

Ice Road Trucking: The Trucking Industry’s Most Infamous Work By Sarah Jensen

The cool blue ice peeks through the snow on .

In This Issue: f there is one thing Saskatchewanians love more than Pilsner and perogies, it’s Icomplaining about the weather. The deep freeze; it seems to catch us off-guard every Ice Road Trucking 1 year. The excitement of the holiday season and the New Year has abated and we’re Beyond Uranium 4 settling into hibernation mode. January and February can be a bit bleak in . This year, March has been pretty miserable, too. Forget those resolutions; we need PDAC 2020 Convention 6 all our coping mechanisms to get through the coldest months of the year! And if the weather isn’t bad enough, this year we have the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 to Northern Career Fairs 8 worry about too. COVID-19 Mine Closures 9 For everyone at Northern Resource Trucking, though, cold weather comes with its own Spotlight: Marianne Thomas 10 silver—or is it golden?—lining.

Farewell: Wayne Grewcock 11 This time of year at NRT is a busy one. Steady runs into the uranium mines keep the regular fleet trucking. When the mills are in operation, the mines tend to be busy with What’s Your Friggin’ Problem? 11 Northern Lens 12 Partnership at Work My What Big Teeth You Have: NRT’s ice road mainenance crew uses a huge chainsaw to make plunge cuts every 500 meters in the middle and at both edges of the iceroad.

all their usual bulk and freight orders. Propane trucks are plot the road’s course,” NRT President Dave McIlmoyl going full tilt to keep up with cold-weather demands, too. explains. “When the ice is thick enough to support the Although concerns about the spread of COVID-19 have weight of their Snow Cats they blade the snow off the ice added some extra health and safety measures for drivers to make the road one hundred feet wide.” and mine employees, as of the time of this article, trucks are still heading north. Removing the snow actually helps the ice build faster and stronger. Thick snow creates a blanket of insulation Icy weather means icy roads. Drivers deal with extreme that slows the freezing process and can result in softer cold and brutal weather conditions on rough, remote ice. Once the ice is exposed, the cold is better able to roads throughout the season. There’s one road that’s penetrate and the road hardens up more quickly. When pretty smooth all winter, though, and that’s the ice road the ice is thick enough, plow trucks and graders maintain for SGO Mining Inc.’s Seabee Gold Operation. Because the road. This traffic actually helps to build the ice, too. of Seabee’s remote location, supplies must be flown in during spring, summer, and fall months. As you can NRT measures the ice thickness and determines when imagine, this is very expensive! The mine tries to get in it is safe to put their trucks on the road. Although the as much of its non-perishable supplies during the winter road into Seabee is a private one, SSR Mining and NRT ice road season to save costs. That means NRT’s ice road follow the same system as provincial and territorial dispatchers and drivers are working tirelessly to get governments of Saskatchewan and the Northwest those loads organized and delivered on time. Territories to determine the thickness of the ice. Thirty inches of clear, blue ice is required to haul a maximum of The ice road is such a staple of the season with NRT that 80,000 lbs of gross vehicle weight. it is easy to take for granted. But there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make each season safe and In past years, NRT sent a half-ton truck, two men, and a successful. chainsaw out to do plunge cut testing in the middle and outer edges of the road. These cuts were made every “First, SGO Mining sends someone out on a Skidoo to 500 meters. This would be done multiple times so that

Toothless New Tech: The new ground penetrating radar system purchased by NRT measures the thickness of the ice much more quickly than the plunge cut method.

2 Ice, Ice, Baby: Thirty inches of clear, blue ice is required to drive an 80,000 lbs truck and trailer across the Brabant Lake ice road. Lighter loads are used earlier in the season to help build the thickness of the ice.

every 100 meters of the road was tested by the end of Typically, ice road work is finished before April. Closer the season. to spring, the road becomes much more difficult to maintain. Muskegs and springs start to flow which can This year, NRT has invested in a new ground penetrating cause overflow onto the ice, or the ice recedes from the radar system. The radar system is housed inside a plastic shore. Portages can also become too soft and rutted in toboggan that can be pulled behind a Skidoo or pick- the strong spring sunshine. up truck. It sends a beam straight down which bounces back when it hits the water. This information is sent The opening and closing dates of the ice road vary from via Bluetooth to an industrial strength tablet computer year to year depending on temperatures and snowfall designed to operate in extreme conditions. If the radar levels. Some years the ice has been ready in early system detects any variations in the ice thickness, a January, and some years see extensions into April, but an manual plunge test is conducted with the chainsaw in early start doesn’t usually translate into a longer season. order to verify the results. “Our experience has been that the earlier you start, the These radar systems—built and designed by Sensors & earlier the road goes out,” McIlmoyl says. “The later you Software Inc. in Mississauga, Ontario—are used around start, the later the road goes out. For some reason, the the world including ice roads in northern Europe and ice only seems to last six to eight weeks.” Russia as well as in northern Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. This is why NRT’s ice road dispatchers have such an important job. No matter how many loads of freight The 2020 ice road season began on February 7th, starting the mine has ordered in a given year, the time NRT has with loads of 60,000 lbs (gross vehicle weight) on 28 to get it in to them is limited. This year comes with an inches of ice. After one week of lighter loads, the ice additional challenge for drivers and dispatchers as NRT’s thickened enough to allow for fully loaded trucks to start regular Seabee dispatcher, Shirley Rempel, had to leave crossing. All loads are expected to be in before the end midway through the season for health reasons. Freight of March. dispatcher, John Newell, trained with Rempel at the

It’s a Long Slow Road into Seabee: Loaded trucks rucks are limited to 20km/hr on the ice and unloaded trucks are limited to 30km/hr. This makes the trip across Brabant Lake feel like a pretty long haul! The ice road is only about 70km long, but the trip takes hours.

3 beginning of the season and has now taken over the unloaded trucks at 25 km/hr on the ice. Outgoing trucks remainder of the workload. must wait on site or on the portages until incoming trucks are off the ice to avoid having trucks meet in the “Shirley did a great job organizing the season,” Newell middle of the lake. says. “We started out 2-3 weeks behind and finished 3-4 weeks ahead of regular schedule! But I’m glad it’s almost “On an ice road, you don’t get any prizes for pushing over, to be honest. I’ve been working for 45 days straight the limits,” McIlmoyl says. NRT’s ice road policies are and I’m ready for a break!” designed with that in mind. Safety is of paramount importance to both NRT and SGO While the 2020 season has had some different challenges Mining, so every measure is taken to ensure that drivers, from other years, NRT is prepared to handle it. After all, equipment, and cargo make it through the season in one northern trucking is all about overcoming challenges piece. Ice marshals patrol the ice all season and trucks that others in the industry would balk at. Adapting to a convoy in and out of the mine, communicating via radio. quickly changing schedule and environment is what the team at NRT does best. ● Loaded trucks are only able to travel at 15 km/hr and Icy Sightseeing: The ice road may look like a wide, flat, white highway but ice road drivers are often treated to front-row seats to some beautiful sights as they cross Brabant Lake. Sunrises and sunsets and the local wildlife keep things lively!

Beyond the Green: Adaptability is the Key to Success in a Shifting Market by Sarah Jensen

any Saskatchewan businesses have found of the richest sources of water, lumber, oil, gas, metals, Mthemselves in a crunch lately. Whether they are and minerals in the world. When the world isn’t buying, already feeling the pinch of a tightening belt or are though, it’s tough to transform that natural wealth into conserving resources for an uncertain future, there is no cold hard cash. denying that the economic landscape has been thinning. Even before the near-global shut downs due to the novel The slow down of the uranium mining industry in northern coronavirus and fears of COVID-19, the province had Saskatchewan has been difficult for the businesses that seen more than its fair share of cut backs, layoffs, and depend upon mining companies as major clients. NRT projects put on hold while the natural resources sector is one of many companies that were forced to give waits to see which way the winds of change are blowing. their revenue streams a good hard look when Cameco closed their Rabbit Lake, Key Lake, and McArthur River And, well, it blows. operations. While a full recovery is still possible for the uranium industry, the timeline remains fuzzy. In the It can be nerve wracking, especially for the little guys meantime, NRT needed to diversify in order to protect who rely on strong natural resource performance itself from the ebbs and flows of a single industry. for their livelihood. Northern Resource Trucking, for example, has built its business model on service to the This challenge had President Dave McIlmoyl and his team uranium mining industry. This is ! We have some thinking outside the phosphorescent green box; the 4 Golden Trivia

• Gold is a precious metal most commonly used in jewellery. It is also used in dentistry and medicine, electronics, medals and statues. • Gold is mined in nine Canadian provinces and territories, and is the highest valued commodity produced in Canada by value of production. • Gold is Canada’s most valuable mined mineral, with a production value of $9.6 billion and the value of Canadian gold exports was $17.3 billion in 2018. • Ontario and Quebec together account for more than 75% of mined gold production in Canada

Source: www.nrcan.gc.ca company decided to use the equipment and expertise Through these new partnerships, NRT has expanded they have gained in northern Saskatchewan to find its operations and found business hauling chemicals customers beyond the uranium mining industry. from various producers in Winnipeg to a number of destinations in western Canada. The New Gold mine Around the same time as Cameco’s closures, the New business has grown and NRT has been successful in Gold mine near Emo, Ontario was under construction. getting work using the Winnipeg location. Currently, NRT formed a limited partnership with the Big Grassy there are six NRT trucks and ten trailers stationed at the River First Nation from Morson, Ontario called Big Grassy Manitoba terminal. Logistics Limited Partnership. BGL landed a contract hauling lime from Faulkner, Manitoba to the New Gold “Glen Ertell, Vice President of Operations, and I make mine. Later, they added van loads, other chemicals, regular trips to Winnipeg to find more work,” McIlmoyl explosive emulsions, and propane to that list. says. “Our goal is to have ten trucks stationed in Winnipeg by the end of 2020.” “It became evident that there was business in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario,” NRT President Dave McIlmoyl When the uranium industry picks back up, the pandemic says. “And that it was going to be difficult to service that fears have abated, and Cameco puts all its mines back business from . We approached Trimac and online, NRT will be more than ready to take on their rented office and yard space at one of their Winnipeg previous workload. However, now that the company has terminals in order to expand our operation in the east.” branched outside of the province, they have no plans to go back to being a single-client operation. NRT was also approached by a company called First Nations Mining Economic Development Corporation, “When you do really specialized work in a particular which is owned by nine First Nations in northern industry it’s easy to pigeon hole yourself,” McIlmoyl says. Manitoba, about another partnership. Piwapisk Hauling “We have learned that our specialized skills are easily Limited Partnership was formed by NRT and FNMEDC. adaptable to other provinces and other industries. We Now all three companies share the Winnipeg terminal hope to continue to branch out and grow these skills as and Operations Manager, Dave Gravatt. opportunities arise.” ●

New Digs: NRT is making itself at home, renting yard space from New Gold: The Rainy River district comprises multiple Trimac at their Winnipeg terminal. volcanogenic-style gold deposits situated within the Late Archean5 Wabigood Subprovince of Ontario. PDAC 2020 The World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention By Sarah Jensen

Photo Credit: www.pdac.ca

he Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada “When Cameco closed its mines and mills at Rabbit Lake, Thosted the 88th annual PDAC Convention for mineral Key Lake, and McArthur River, NRT lost a tremendous exploration and mining companies in Toronto, Ontario on amount of revenue,” McIlmoyl says. “In order to keep the March 1-4, 2020. The event offers unbeatable networking doors open, we have moved our operations eastward. opportunities for investors and businesses alike, and was Now NRT has centers of business in Manitoba and attended this year by more than 500 Indigenous Peoples, northwestern Ontario.” as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Piwapisk Hauling Limited Partnership and Big Grassy Premier Doug Ford. NRT’s Vice President of Operations, Logistics Limited Partnership are two branches of NRT’s Glen Ertell, has attended past events and this year he newly expanded operations. NRT’s partnerships with was joined by President Dave McIlmoyl. Piwapisk Hauling and Big Grassy Logistics have opened What are representatives of a Saskatchewan trucking up many opportunities for sourcing work outside of company doing at a mining and exploration convention? Saskatchewan. The PDCA 2020 is considered The World’s Premier Feeling the pinch after Cameco drastically reduced its Mineral Exploration and Mining Convention and drew need for bulk and freight transportation forced NRT participants from across the globe. In recent years the to come up with broader applications for their highly convention has attracted 25,000 attendees from 135 specific expertise. Luckily, McIlmoyl and Ertell were up countries. Northern Resource Trucking is a small fish in for the challenge and have been working tirelessly to this big sea but the waters were full of opportunity for get the Northern Resource Trucking name outside the the little guys. uranium industry and into new revenue streams.

“The four-day annual convention held in Toronto, Canada, 1932 and today is the event of choice 6 Photo Credit: www.pdac.ca

“Our renewed strategic plan directs us to target resource Nations displays there and we discussed partnership extraction plays in remote locations that have First options with them.” Nations impact benefits agreements,” McIlmoyl explains. “This allows NRT to use our experience, equipment and NRT is uniquely positioned in an industry landscape style of using partnerships to grow into the new areas.” that is facing a lot of pressure to get First Nations and Indigenous consent, participation, and partnership The PDAC convention featured keynote speakers, because they have been Indigenous owned and operated seminars, short courses, networking events, and a huge for more than 30 years. The NRT model is one that trade show. Exhibitors from junior mining companies, can be translated to many mining and transportation drilling companies and all kinds of suppliers of services companies, and their experience is second to none. to mining companies come to display their wares or troll for investors at the trade show, and this is where NRT “We are excited by the opportunity out there,” McIlmoyl met with a lot of potential business partners. says. “We hope to parlay the PDAC conference into an annual networking activity.” ● “The key element to all of this is that everything that must go to a new mine has to be trucked there,” McIlmoyl says. “That’s where we are the experts, particularly for To learn more about PDAC or to discuss the mines that are operating in remote locations. We visited benefits of membership please contact many booths to discuss NRT, Piwapisk Hauling Limited Partnership and Big Grassy Logistics Limited Partnership [email protected] as transportation options. There were several First has grown in size, stature, and influence since it began in for the world’s mineral industry.” 7 Athabasca Flying Career Fair Postponed

May 2020 was set to be the biggest Athabasca Flying Career Fair since its inception. Cara Greyeyes, the event’s coordinator, organized a committee to help the much-anticipated event through its growth spurt as more and more businesses and educational institutes vie for a chance to speak to youth in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca region.

Unfortunately, due to community lock downs and school closures, the May Career Fair has been postponed.

“We’re all very disappointed,” Greyeyes said. “But we have to do what we have to do. We are hopeful that Athabasca Flying will be able to happen in October instead.”

The cancellation of the event is a major loss to students who will be graduating this year and who are in need of guidance when thinking of their future career and education opportunities. It also represents a significant loss to the community of Stoney Rapids, who hosts the Career Fair presenters and benefits from the additional economic stimulus provided by the event.

NRT will miss the opportunity to speak with students about careers in the transportation industry and to provide information about the Training Center in .

“We have sent someone every year,” McIlmoyl said. “And we hope to continue to do so.” The 34th Annual La Ronge and Area Career Fair will also be cancelled if school closures and banning of group events persists into May. Although the Athabasca Flying event has been postponed, committee members will continue to work to make the upcoming career fair a flying success. ● 8 PDAC Highlights and Features

Core Shack – The long time highlight of the Convention, the Core Shack provides a venue to display core from new, ongoing or historic exploration projects or operating or historic mines that are generating exciting drilling results and to discuss these results with interested attendees.

Investors Exchange –A great opportunity for junior exploration companies, major mining companies, mid-sized producers, prospectors and stock exchanges to come face-to-face with individual investors and seek out new business opportunities.

Prospectors Tent – A venue for self- employed individuals with a project or property to display results or samples.

Trade Show – A place for organizations and governments promoting the latest technology, products, services, and mining jurisdictions to come face-to-face with company decision makers and promote awareness to a worldwide market.

COVID-19: Historic Halt to Mining in the North

Mining companies in northern Saskatchewan have called for an unprecedented halt to operations in order to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus and the disease COVID-19. In order to protect vulnerable northern communities who are at greater risk from the virus, Cameco, Orano and SSR Mining have ordered a suspension of all mining activities for one month—longer if necessary—and sent all but a few essential employees home until further notice.

The unexpected shut downs, along with similar closures across the province, have left workers and business owners reeling. Though the Canadian government is offering additional support to those who have lost their jobs or are dealing with significantly reduced hours, insecurity lingers about how long these shut downs will last, and what the long term effect on the economy will be.

“We are in unprecedented and challenging times,” Cameco President and CEO Tim Gitzel said in a press release. “In the face of uncertainty, our first priority is to protect the health and well-being of our employees, their families, and their communities.”

NRT will continue servicing the mines with those products and supplies necessary for safe care and maintenance modes, including propane and groceries. At full production, approximately 300 people typically work at the Cigar Lake operation during normal operating times. Only 35 people will remain on site during the shutdown, so the mine’s needs are greatly reduced. The majority of NRT’s fleet will be on standby until operations pick back up again. “We understand Cameco and Orano closing their facilities to protect their staff from the COVID-19 pandemic,” NRT President Dave McIlmoyl says. “We are taking steps to reduce our costs to survive this loss of revenue and be ready to provide service when they start their facilities again.” ● 9 Employee Spotlight: Marianne Thomas June 2020 marks the end of an era at NRT with the retirement of one of the companies most veteran employees, Marianne Thomas. While everyone is self- isolating at home, we sat down for a virtual chat about Marianne’s time at NRT and took the opportunity to poke a little fun at the bosses while they can’t retaliate. Enjoy!

Do you have any advice for Dave? He’s going to need all the help he can get.

When Dave first came to NRT as Vice-President, he made it very clear that he did not need to do anything. His only job was to walk around and make certain the rest of us were doing our job. That seems to have worked well for him over the years, so my advice to Dave is to keep on rolling with that attitude.

How about Glen?

That’s a tough one. Glen started at NRT on November 2, 1998. Due to circumstances at the time, I needed a huge amount of information from Robert Cremers (Controller), Dave McIlmoyl (Vice-President), our Dispatch group and because Glen was the new kid on the block, he was Lloyd Driedger (Safety and Compliance Manager), Ron Dale elected to help me find the answers. An interesting adventure for a new (Maintenance Manager), Glen Ertell (Operations Manager), and person and someone who was with the company for ten years pushing for Marianne Thomas (“She Who Must Be Obeyed”, front) in 2005. answers. We made it through and keeping that in mind, my advice to Glen would be, ‘If you can’t convince them, confuse them’. It’s worked thus far. Oh sorry Glen, I didn’t mean to let out our secret. How many years have you been working at NRT? Do you have any parting words for NRT? It was 32 on February 2, 2020! I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to NRT Management, What positions have you held? Office Staff and Drivers alike for the opportunity to work with an awesome company and a great group of people. It has been an ever-changing and Reception, Billing, Diver Pay, helped out with Woodland Cree Logging, interesting 32 years. Administrator... Jack of All Trades, Master of None! I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank my family as We don’t believe that for a second. What did you do before you came well, for supporting me all these years. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! to work at NRT? Thank you, Marianne. NRT won’t be the same without you! I worked for Canada Revenue – Excise Department for seven years and then went to Kelly Services for three years. Working with Kelly Services allowed “Marianne has influenced everyone at NRT in more ways than we can me the opportunity to work in many different positions and still take the appreciate. She leads by example in her dedication to “do it once, do it time to go on field trips, etc. with our girls while they were in school. right.” She is a wealth of information, inspiration, and advice,” Glen Ertell says. “She’s been known to offer an ear or a hug to those who need it. But It was through Kelly’s that I spent quite a bit of time at Trimac and then don’t let that sweet disposition of hers fool you, because she could also moved over to help out at NRT for 6 weeks. Perhaps I should have paid tell you to smarten up and quit trying to BS her! We will miss her smile, closer attention in school and learned to count better. Those 6 weeks turned strength, and dedication (and funky artwork!) We wish you the warmest into 32 plus years! and best wishes for a wonderful and well deserved retirement, Marianne!”

Can you share your favourite memory of working at NRT? “We can train people to do her In years I have been with NRT, there have been many interesting things that job,” President Dave McIlmoyl happened so it is very hard to pick a favorite. One thing that stands out and says, “but we will never be indicates just what an awesome group of people I have had the privilege able to replace Marianne. In to work with is when Amanada Laliberte needed to go to Rochester to the many ways, she represents our Mayo Clinic. Our group raised approximately $10,000 in just a few weeks to corporate memory. Marianne help her out. What a group!!! was always there. She smoothed over ruffled feathers, organized What will you miss the most? things, remembered everything from Day 1, and looked after her I love my job and the people I work with. So I will miss both big time, without job, our drivers, our customers a doubt. and our office staff. She was “She Who Must Be Obeyed!”” Do you have any specific plans for retirement? We may have to change I have no specific plans but am very much looking forward to doing things at a slower pace and not always feeling rushed to do all of the things on my Marianne’s title to She Who To-do list. I have lots of hobbies and interests, so I am looking forward to Will Be Missed! spending time doing some of those things. 10 Marianne looks forward to spending more time at home with her husband, Ron, and their family. Employee Spotlight: Marianne Thomas Fond Farewell to What’s Your Friggin’ Wayne Grewcock Problem?!? Dear Wendy, March 2020 marked another significant change for NRT with I go to the same coffee place every morning, and while most of the the retirement of Wayne Grewcock, manager of NRT’s Fuel staff is wonderful, there is always one barista who just takes my order Division. and never smiles. I know it isn’t just me, because she is the same with everyone. I feel like this isn’t the right attitude for someone in Wayne came to NRT when the company bought C. Gibson the service industry, and I’m wondering if I should report her to the Holdings Ltd. from Curtis Gibson in 1996. Before that he manager. worked for Points North Landing and before that he operated Snubbed in Saskatoon his own truck hauling groceries. Dear Snubbed, NRT’s Fuel Division is a branded fuel reseller for Imperial Oil. It must be so difficult to be you some days. I can’t imagine how hard IOL sells fuel to Cameco and Orano and NRT gets paid to haul it must be when every single person you encounter isn’t the exact fuel as well as a small commission on the volume sold. Wayne way you desire them to be. I guess you could ruin the life of someone ran the tank farm, the La Ronge terminal, and supervised the making minimum wage for the crime of not being perky enough for you 11 fuel trucks NRT has. to enjoy your $2 beverage if you feel that put out by it all. Or, and this is just my suggestion, you could take your coffee and your judgmental In the early years Wayne also supervised a variety of services attitude and work on being a better person. Maybe then she would including drum filling, stove oil sales and home deliveries, flight enjoy serving you. fuels and lube sales. Gradually, over time IOL dropped most of those services and NRT now hauls fuel to Cameco, Orano, SSR Dear Wendy, Mining and for Federated Co-op. Wayne looked after Cameco My boyfriend and I have talked quite a bit about getting married and and Orano’s fuel requirements during busy construction have begun to make some plans. When it comes to the engagement periods and never let them go dry when they were forced to ring, I want to be surprised, but I have very specific tastes when it run generators during storms. comes to what jewelry I will wear. How can I get the ring I want, and still be surprised? In addition to his work with the Fuel Division, Wayne also was Bride to Be in Saskatoon NRT’s ice road expert. Every year, he collaborated with Seabee mine staff to make sure the ice road was safe and operational. Dear Bride, He personally measured the ice and fought to make sure the You can be surprised or you can be happy; you can’t be both with these road conformed to best practices in the industry. restrictions. Also, good luck to your future husband. I feel like this is only going to be the start for him… “Wayne was a strong supporter of his drivers and looked after them well,” Dave McIlmoyl says. “He took a personal interest Dear Wendy, in all our customers and understood their requirements and People keep dropping by my new house uninvited and it makes me always made things work. I always had complete faith that uncomfortable. I am not good with unannounced visitors, and I don’t Wayne would do what he said and that he’d never let our know a polite way to keep them from coming in without sounding customers down.” rude. Uncomfortable in Prince Albert Wayne’s knowledge of each site’s fuel consumption was exhaustive. He knew each site’s needs and made sure fuel was Dear Uncomfortable, always available. He has trained Clayton Lee, former company Maybe it would be easier if they think you are weird. Or dangerous. You driver, to follow in his footsteps. could look back over your shoulder nervously and ask if they can wait for you to clean up all the blood. Or tell them that the law requires you “Wayne is larger to life, and he’s got big boots to fill,” Glen to disclose that you are not allowed to be alone with anyone in a room Ertell says. “If you knew Wayne, there’s a good chance he knew that locks. Personally, I would tell them that you have a “no pants” you just a little bit better. These personal relationships and policy, and see where the evening goes. None of those options strike connections played a huge part of his success at NRT. His strong me as rude in the least. morals, work ethic, dedication, and relationships were genuine and he wasn’t afraid to share these traits and expectations with anyone.” NRT’s HR Manager, Wendy In his personal life, Wayne has been a big supporter of minor Featherstone, is especially sports in La Ronge, and is a passionate sports fan. He once won a sports trivia contest at an IOL meeting in Edmonton. He qualified to “solve” your beat out 200 other people to win the honour of sitting next to problems. If you have a Wayne Gretzky at a banquet! Now that he is retired, Wayne problem you want some and his wife plan to spend time at their cabin at Buchanan Lake. questionable advice on, Wayne, we all wish you the absolute best in your retirement. send it Attn: “WYFP” to As Glen says, “More family, more fishing, and more sports!” [email protected] Thank you, from everyone at NRT. You will be missed. 11 Northern Lens: Reader Pics Do you have a picture you would like to share with the Trailblazer? Submit them Attn: Northern Lens [email protected] or to the NRT Facebook page.

A drone’s-eye-view on the landing at Brabant Lake, where these fuel truck drivers are waiting patiently for their turn to cross the ice road. Crossings are carefully managed by the ice road marshal and scheduled by NRT’s ice road dispatchers.

Saskatoon Office Training Center 2945 Millar Avenue 1112 Finlayson Street Saskatoon, SK S7K 6P6 La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0 Ph: 306-933-3010 Ph: 306-425-2148

Winnipeg Office Fuel Division 955 Maginot Street 1112 Finlayson Street Winnipeg, MB R2J 0Z7 La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0 Ph: 204-235-4013 Toll Free: 866-425-2345

Partnership at Work