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THE MELVILLE $1.50 PER COPY Friday, GST INCLUDED October 23, 2020 Vol. 94 No. 40 Agreement # 40011922 PROUDLY SERVING MELVILLE AND SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1929 • WWW.GRASSLANDSNEWS.CA • 1-306-728-5448 Sask. votes Oct. 26 Local candidates talk economy in final few days By Emily Jane Fulford Grasslands News The Saskatchewan provincial election is right around the corner and needless to say, COVID-19 is the topic on many voters’ minds. The pandemic which became a daily news item early on in the new year has already infected over 200,000 Canadians. While Saskatchewan remains one of the lowest to be hit on provincial levels, the economic impact of the corona- virus has created a challenge in many industries that health related situations usually do not. However, some industries such as transportation have shown an increase. In Saskatchewan, export values increased and are up by 50 per cent in the province. This was the result of a 30 billion dollar growth in 2019. Melville compa- nies such as Northern Quinoa, Richardson Pioneer, G3, and CN were major contributors to that growth. It was a boost that would give industry a kick-start into the difficult year ahead. “Saskatchewan has experienced over a decade of growth and added 75,900 new jobs since we had the privilege of forming a government. We observed this locally in the constituency as CN Rail increased their staffing levels in Melville, and new businesses such as the franchise restaurants and a new hotel have opened up,” said Saskatchewan Party candidate for Melville/ Saltcoats, Warren Kaeding. “We have also seen the population of Melville increase by 10 per cent, from 2006 to 2016. We are also seeing capital investments in Melville and area with the G3 elevator build, new Co-op facility underway, and a number of new small businesses, especially in the north mall area.” Battle of the Blades SUBMITTED | GRASSLANDS NEWS The Horizon Credit Union Centre arena, updated 0HOYLOOH·V-HVVLFD&DPSEHOODQGKHUVNDWLQJSDUWQHU$VKHU+LOOZLOOEHFRPSHWLQJLQ&%&·V%DWWOHRI water plant and the new Sask. Highways building were also projects that brought a number of contract jobs to WKH%ODGHVWKLVVHDVRQ7KHIRUPHUZRUOGFODVVKRFNH\SOD\HUDQGKHUÀJXUHVNDWLQJSDUWQHUDUH the area during the building phase. KRSLQJWRZLQIRUDFKDULW\IRUPHQWDOKHDOWK6HHVWRU\RQSDJH While the back-to-school cohort system and social distancing created a present need, opening the doors for some new teaching staff in Melville, more perma- hour minimum wage and 10 paid sick days comes in as well as programming offered through Parkland Col- nent opportunities for solid full time employment will line with neighboring provinces of Alberta who cur- lege and Sask Polytechnic that are geared towards the undoubtedly help the city grow. rently offers this wage and has since 2018, and Brit- local economy aim to make that a reality. “Even before the pandemic, too many people in ish Columbia which will be making that change this In the wake of COVID-19 many believe that there’s our province were living pay cheque to pay cheque, spring. With provinces differing in wages so drasti- a bigger threat looming than that of health which is an with one of four children in Saskatchewan living in cally, there are a number of petitions by Canadians economic crash. While Saskatchewan’s unemployment poverty,” says NDP candidate for Melville/Saltcoats, requesting that a livable minimum wage be something rate is the second lowest in the country, the pandemic Bonnie Galenzoski. “Going forward, we need to invest implemented at a federal level. shutting down thousands of small businesses was an in Saskatchewan people, strengthen local businesses “We need to continue to support our communities eye opener of how thin the line can be between suc- and create opportunities for new industries. By im- to ensure they have the infrastructure to handle ex- cess and failure in some markets. Among the hardest plementing a Sask-First Procurement policy, we can pansion and new development. We need to provide hit, restaurants, retailers and salons. guarantee that we put Saskatchewan people and busi- an economic climate where people will continue to On the economic recovery front, the NDP is focus- nesses first in line for building our infrastructure with invest and expand their businesses, hire more people ing on increasing the budget for healthcare workers, our dollars. and continue to produce goods and services that are educators, lab technicians and hospitals while the More money stays in the province as workers and in demand around the world,” said Kaeding. “Keeping Sask. Party has their sights set on short term relief companies spend money locally.” personal and business taxes low will encourage busi- efforts for companies and individuals such as waiv- Eliminating PST on construction projects and im- nesses and individuals to continue to invest in our ing fees for PST returns, zero-interest bill deferrals plementing a “Buy Saskatchewan” advertising cam- province.” on crown utility bills and a small business emergency paign are among some of the proposed ideas to help While keeping families together and ensuring there payment. Both parties have indicated their intent to keep local business strong. are job opportunities close to home is a major con- invest in long term economic recovery, particularly The proposal by the NDP party for a $15 dollar per cern in Saskatchewan, graduate retention programs, - SEE PROVINCIAL ELECTION, 15 FREE DELIVERY Melville, Grayson & Neudorf by calling 306-728-5625 or email to [email protected] Please put CUSTOMER in the subject line 306-728-5625 Temporary business hours: 135 - 3rd Ave. E. Melville, SK Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 2 October 23, 2020 0HOYLOOH$GYDQFH:KLWHZRRG*UHQIHOO+HUDOG6XQ)RUW4X·$SSHOOH7LPHV Grasslands News Kahkewistahaw First Nation Planning for new hockey arena, community centre By Sarah Pacio them with their own facility. Grasslands News Leaders toured three hockey rinks last winter in order to gather prelimi- nary information for the project. Design With a growing minor hockey pro- and engineering work has just begun gram, Kahkewistahaw First Nation is and will continue through next spring. preparing to build a hockey arena and Council will also spend the upcoming community centre on its land north of months acquiring funds for the project. Broadview. Players from the Kahkew- The new facility will be located north istahaw Storm teams currently use the of the existing Chief Kahkewistahaw Chief Denton George Memorial Multi- Community School and new gover- plex on the neighboring Ochapowace nance building that is currently under First Nation as their home rink, but construction. Leaders hope to begin con- Kahkewistahaw would like to provide struction on the rink in fall of 2021. Melville taxi vouchers see increase Program for seniors continues By Chris Ashfield pend on the number of vouchers sold. If Grasslands News it was compared to 2019 usage, the addi- tional cost would be $1,067. Since 2016, the city has subsidized Seniors without a vehicle in Mel- $5,770 worth of taxi fares through the ville will continue to receive financial senior taxi voucher program, with each relief through the senior taxi voucher year having seen a decline in usage. program as the city has decided to con- In 2016, there were 2,365 vouchers sold tinue the 15-year long program as well which dropped down to 1,997 in 2017 and as increase the amount they subsidize even lower to 1,556 in 2018. Last year, in when taxi rates increase from $7 to $10 2019, voucher sales fell to 1,423 and then on Nov. 1. because of COVID, 2020 has seen only City council approved a recommen- 352 vouchers sold to date. dation at their Oct. 14 meeting that the To qualify for a taxi voucher, a res- price of taxi vouchers will be increased ident must be at least 65 years of age from $5.75 to $8.00 each, with each one and no longer be driving a vehicle. The used being redeemed to the taxi com- vouchers can be used in November, De- pany at a rate of $9.50, an increase from cember, January and February and are Rink plans 68%0,77('_*5$66/$1'61(:6 the previous $6.50. The taxi company limited to eight tickets per month. With will continue to subsidize the remaining A team of leaders look over plans for a new hockey arena on Kahkewist- a doctor request, the number of tickets $0.50 of the normal fare rate. per month can be increased to 12. ahaw First Nation. Left to right, Michael Bob, Kahkewistahaw Councillor; Paul The city says that increasing the The vouchers, which are non-refund- Amsler, Architect; Courage Bear, Ochapowace member with more than 20 subsidization rate for the taxi vouchers able and non-transferrable, must have years of experience coaching hockey; and Cory Alexson, Kahkewistahaw from $0.75 to $1.50 will have a minimal the recipient’s name and date issued on Councillor. financial impact on the city and will de- them to be valid. __ Custom air. __ CUSTOM SAVINGS. Rethink your air for more comfort. And savings. October 18-24 FEATURE BUSINESS Receive up to $1,350 in rebates PLUS don’t pay until 2021 on a new Lennox® Ultimate Home Comfort System.* 712 Lalonde Street, Whitwood, SK – 306-735-4328 OR 515 Main Street, Kipling, SK – 306-736-5328 íđŜĻŞɳǚíƤœíŞđƎœƫŜĉĻŞİȤĊí *This off er is available through participating Lennox® dealers. Promotions are off ered to the homeowner at the discretion of the Lennox dealer. 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