Construction is finally complete at the new Weyburn General Hospital, which the province hopes will be operational later this year.

The new facility is expected to bring 35 beds, including 25 acute care beds and 10 inpatient mental health beds.

“This health facility represents a long-term investment in dependable public infrastructure for the city of Weyburn and surrounding region,” said SaskBuilds and Procurement Minister Sean Wilson in a Wednesday news release.

“Achieving this important milestone reflects our government’s commitment to delivering projects that will serve and protect residents for decades to come.”

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will begin moving furniture, equipment and fixtures into the building in preparation for its scheduled opening date.

“It is wonderful to see construction of the new Weyburn General Hospital complete and extend my deepest gratitude to all partners, including the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation, who have supported this project through to completion,” said Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr.

The Government of Saskatchewan invested over $134 million into the project’s development. Furniture, fixtures, equipment and additional capital costs were funded through community donations and the Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation.

“Our government stands by its promise to put patients first and I look forward to opening day, where residents will have convenient access to all their healthcare needs,” Carr added.

The new facility will also have a heliport, EMS ambulance, ambulatory care, social work, allied health workspaces and office space for hospital administration all under its roof.

Jeff Hayward, board chair of Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation, called the completion an “extraordinary milestone.”

“This facility is the result of years of commitment, collaboration, and generosity from countless individuals, businesses, and partners who believed in this vision,” Hayward said.

The hospital was built in partnership between Wright Construction Western Inc., Design and Construction, SaskBuilds and Procurement and the City of Weyburn.

SaskPower will be investing $9 million to upgrade downtown Regina’s electrical system in 2026.

The upgrades are part of a multi-year program to improve reliability and boost capacity in the area.

According to a news release on Wednesday, crews will replace electrical equipment that has reached or is nearing the end of its life including underground cables and duct banks.

The work is scheduled to take place from May until October.

“During the past five years, SaskPower has invested nearly $50 million in system improvements in downtown Regina,” said Rupen Pandya, SaskPower’s president and CEO.

“This work will help to ensure business and residential customers in the heart of our province’s capital and second-largest city will have the power they need when they need it for years to come.”

SaskPower said it will try to limit disruptions. The work will take place along streets, sidewalks and alleys in the downtown area.

Regina residents can visit SaskPower.com/outages, their MySaskPower account, or the SaskPower app for for information about planned outages.

More detailed information about the project itself and its work locations can be found at saskpower.com/reginadowntown.

More than a dozen Saskatchewan children under five died with illicit drugs in their system, according to the latest report from the Advocate for Children and Youth.

Lisa Broda, Advocate for Children and Youth, released her annual report Wednesday. One of the key issues highlighted is the impact of the drug crisis on young children.

The report says that from 2019 to 2025, 13 children under five had illicit drugs in their system at the time of death.

Broda said her office launched the investigation after the Ministry of Social Services reported two deaths and two critical injuries involving children under five linked to fentanyl and methamphetamine.

“Our intent was to gain a deeper understanding of the issue and get ahead of these harms increasing in children who may be exposed to toxic illicit substances,” she said at a news conference Wednesday.

The report also notes many cases where children were seriously harmed by illicit substances.

“We don’t know exactly how it gets in their systems,” she said, noting it could be through inhalation, residue or breast milk.

Broda said the data does not reflect the full number of children exposed in Saskatchewan, as many of those reported live in households with siblings and extended family members, increasing the risk to others.

She noted it can be challenging to collect data across multiple provincial ministries and agencies, and what she receives does not include demographic details that could reveal deeper trends.

“The lack of disaggregated data collection, inconsistencies in reporting processes across child support ministries leaves gaps in knowledge and consequently, gaps in how best to conduct prevention,” she said.

Broda said expanding services for adults who use drugs can help address the issue.

“We need to make sure that we’re having our intervention-prevention services targeted to the adults who are using these toxic illicit drugs,” she said.

The report says that while the investigation focused on illicit drugs, children are also at risk from commonly prescribed medications.

The report also highlights concerns with case management and planning, noting that many complaints involve work that did not adequately address children’s risks and needs.

It said a lack of staff and services is causing delays in assessments, long wait-lists and, at times, failure to meet policy and legal requirements.

“We acknowledge that most frontline staff are doing what they can. However, the system is not producing the best possible outcomes for children,” Broda told reporters Wednesday.

The report also touches on a systemic investigation into case practice and policy compliance within the Ministry of Social Services, Child and Family Programs, and delegated First Nations Child and Family Services agencies.

“Our investigation on this will continue in 2026, and will focus on ministry oversight and support to frontline staff to ensure they have the skills the tools and the resources required to meet their mandated responsibilities to children,” Broda said.

She said the province needs to improve its child and youth strategy by setting clear targets and reporting information in a more coordinated way.

During question period in the legislature Wednesday, NDP MLA Matt Love called the report, “heartbreaking, devastating.”

“These are babies. They’re innocent. And now they’re victims of this horrific drug crisis. What does the premier say to those who know he’s not doing enough to stop the death of innocent children?”

Social Services Minister Terry Jenson responded that any death of a child is a tragedy, and the provincial government takes the issue “extremely seriously.”

“We’re committed to improving existing systems and supports to prevent future harm and we welcome the Advocate for Children and Youth’s report,” said Jenson.

He says the ministry works closely with a wide variety of community partners to address the complex set of social issues that lead to addiction, poor mental health and interpersonal violence.

Conservation officers are looking for answers after they found a black bear sow and her cubs shot dead and left to waste near Lorenzo, Sask.

According to SaskTip, Spiritwood Conservation Officers received information about the bears on April 21.

The officers located the deceased bears along with a domestic cat.

The bears’ bodies were located at the entrance to the den they’d been using for their winter hibernation.

They were believed to have been shot on the evening of April 19.

A $2,000 cash reward is being offered for anyone who has information leading to the arrest or conviction of the individual(s) involved in the killing of the bears.

Those with information are asked to contact the provincial toll-free Turn-in-Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or report online at saskatchewan.ca/tipp.

Lorenzo is located around 96 kilometres northeast of North Battleford.

The Saskatchewan NDP has introduced a bill to ensure local workers benefit from infrastructure projects.

Bill 621, The Public Works and Services (Prioritizing Local Jobs) Amendment Act, was presented by NDP MLAs Sally Housser and Nathaniel Teed on Wednesday.

“Under this law, successful bidders for major government projects would be required to prioritize hiring Saskatchewan residents, building trades, affiliated workers, apprentices, and Indigenous people, and to publicly report on their progress throughout construction,” Housser explained ahead of Legislative Assembly.

Housser said the legislation would also require bidders on major public works project to set clear targets for hours worked by Saskatchewan workers, with those targets considered as part of the bidding process.

“Ultimately, this bill is about making sure Saskatchewan workers are building Saskatchewan projects. We need to be building a homegrown workforce so we can keep growing our economy for years to come.

“We think this is a common sense measure.”

Teed offered his concerns on the matter and his support for the bill.

“Too often, people see out of province licence plates lining job sites, while Saskatchewan workers are left out,” he said. “Other provinces have already taken steps to ensure local workers benefit from major projects.”

“It’s time Saskatchewan did the same.”

Teed and Housser reiterated their concerns during question period on Wednesday afternoon and called on the province to put workers first.

“Saskatchewan is at such a critical moment for resource development and investment in infrastructure,” Housser said. “This critical time represents an opportunity to strengthen our local economies and workforce and ensure we are generating lasting benefits for our communities.”

Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement Sean Wilson said the province does stand up for Saskatchewan companies and has been successful in awarding major contracts to local contractors.

“Over 90 per cent of our government procurement is awarded to Saskatchewan suppliers, and over the past five years, this government has awarded more than 99 per cent of procurements to Canadian companies with less than one per cent awarded to U.S. companies,” he said.

“SaskBuilds is always working to procure more Saskatchewan and Canadian goods while getting the best value for the taxpayer dollar.”

Housser said when public dollars are invested, Saskatchewan workers are the ones who must see the benefit.

“If this is something that the government is already doing out of the good of their hearts, they should have no problem putting it into writing,” she said.

According to the NDP, the bill would apply to public projects valued at $50 million or more.

Jeff Sweet, executive director of Sask Building Trades, endorsed the bill when it was introduced.

“We’ve waited a long time for legislated protection for Saskatchewan workers,” Sweet said. “This is critical, especially as the government turns to the development of major, game changing infrastructure for Canada.”

“We know Saskatchewan has a critical role to play in building our country and our workers here should be at the centre of that conversation. We need to be developing our homegrown workforce for the future.”

Officials in Saskatchewan say flooding has forced three communities to declare states of emergency.

The rural municipalities of Meadow Lake, Elfros and Invergordon have issued the alerts.

They are among 12 communities in the province that have dealt with high water levels this month due to rapid snow melt.

Jeff DeDekker with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency says seven homes in the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake are on notice to potentially evacuate.

Leah Clark with the Water Security Agency says cooler weather last week was helpful but warm temperatures this weekend could create more flood risks.

She says areas with high snowpack, including those in west-central Saskatchewan near the Alberta boundary and the east-central region, remain a concern.

Steve Roberts, vice-president of operations with the public safety agency, told reporters Wednesday that emergency officers are on hand to help where needed.

“At this point in the flood season, all our flooding has been localized, impacting relatively small levels of communities,” Roberts said.

Billionaire Shaun Semple’s bid to purchase large portions of Regina’s REAL District Campus has cleared a major hurdle, as the city’s executive committee has approved the plan.

The proposed $6.5 million deal will be debated and voted on by city council on May 6.

The approval was passed onto city council by a vote of 7 to 4.

Mayor Bachynski, and councillors Rashovich, Bezo, Burton, Turnbull, Tsiklis and Mancinelli voted in favour.

The day consisted of several delegations voicing their support for the REAL – Brandt proposal.

Harvard Developments President and CEO Roseann Hill Blaisdell was the first delegate to voice their support.

“As Reginans, we need to recognize that we need to take immediate action before our REAL District disintegrates, further repelling conventions, conferences, concerts, tournaments because of its condition and poor associated amenities,” she said.

Former Mayor Pat Fiacco also voiced his support.

“As the former mayor, it’s common for people to ask me what I think of this and that and I try not to give my opinion since I am no longer in your chair. But this one matters to the citizens of Regina,” he said.

“We have the Grey Cup coming up as Councillor Turnbull alluded to and REAL is going to be the hub for that along with our downtown. We’re going to hear from the Regina Hotels Association who are all about heads on beds. There is a real spin-off to our community.”

Patrick Book, Regina resident and former city hall reporter and city employee, was the lone voice of concern in regard to the proposal.

“As one of the only delegations not offering an unequivocal endorsement, I feel like a bit of a hen in a fox house right now,” he said.

Book was also concerned about the terms of the deal between the city and Brandt.

“Brandt won’t pay property taxes, and if they have to, they want the city to give that right back as a grant. They won’t pay to use Confederation Park. Brandt doesn’t want the city added surcharges or taxes on events they are hosting,” he said.

“This is not just a transaction, it’s not just a land deal, and it’s not only an operational transition,” argued Brandt CEO Shaun Semple as he made his case for the proposal. “I believe we do have the ability do deliver on this deal, as far as facility upgrades, we build all around the world and all over the country. As far as sports and entertainment we look to the best in the world at it and who we can bring on.”

“So, Mike Ravenhill of the David Foster Foundation and James Fairorth of TAIT. TAIT is the largest entertainment production company in the world. We’re still going to have a small stadium, we are going to need the relationships to get the concerts here, we are going to need relationships to get them to come and play at Mosaic.”

Ward 8 Coun. Shannon Zachidniak posed an amendment to the proposal that involved a third-party review and consideration of questions from the public to council.

That amendment was voted down by a vote of 7 to 4.

Mayor Chad Bachynski offered his comments on the day, saying he voted yes because “a private investment gets the REAL District to where we want it to be much quicker than the status quo.”

In terms of public trust in this proposal, Bachynski added, “There’s risk involved in any deal, but we’ve weighed the pros and cons. When I think about the events that are going on in the facilities at the REAL District, those events will go away if we can’t upkeep those buildings. And allowing a private investor to step in allows those events to keep taking place.”

The proposed $6.5 million deal was made public late last week.

Our live coverage of the proceedings can be found below.

4:54 PM – Zachidniak proposes amendment

Ward 8 Coun. Shannon Zachidniak poses an amendment to the REAL – Brandt proposal. She proposes that city council tables the report to a meeting to be held no later than June 10, 2026.

The amendment would secure an independent third party to conduct a review of the public interest outcomes associated with the proposal.

The amendment would also require city council to collect questions submitted to members of the council from the public respecting the proposal.

Additionally, a supplemental report would be submitted later than June 10, 2026, that includes the compiled questions and responses received from the public by members of the council, and the results of the independent third-party review.

The amendment was voted down by a vote of 7 to 4.

Councillors Froh, Radons, Flores and Zachidniak were the four in favour of the amendment.

4:00 PM - City has ‘won the lottery’ with Brandt deal, Semple argues

Semple also implored the committee to avoid delaying its decision on moving forward with the proposal, saying it’s too good an opportunity to pass up.

“This is like winning the lottery. So, if you won the lottery would you be like, ‘Hold on don’t give me that money, I want to check it out first to see whether or not it’s any good,’” he said.

“This is the only ever deal that I have seen anywhere where a private citizen is trying to give you money and take over your bad assets. Normally it’s the other way around.”

Semple said the proposal came “out of desperation,” telling the committee he is tired of being the tenant in the Brandt Centre while being denied concession fees, sponsorships and naming rights.

“I don’t get all the other things that every other team in the league gets,” Semple said. “So this is going to allow me to put a completely different spin on how we market the venue and there’ll be benefits for guests that they don’t have today.”

3:06 PM - Semple vows to create Regina’s own stampede, among other promises

Shaun Semple appeared before Regina’s executive committee Wednesday afternoon, outlining his vision for a REAL District under the umbrella of the Brandt group of companies.

“What’s in front of you is not just a transaction. It’s not just a land deal, and it’s not simply an operational transition,” Semple said in his opening remarks.

“This decision is about the future of the Brandt Centre and related buildings in the park and it’s about whether we’re prepared as a city, to move forward with confidence with investment and really with a clear vision to the future.”

Responding to a question from Ward 4 Coun. Mark Burton, Semple explained how he aims to deliver on his promises of making Regina a destination venue - highlighting his connections to James “Winky” Fairorth, the president and CEO of TAIT, a large supplier of touring equipment and venues.

“Regina gets skipped over. We’re still going to have a small stadium. We’re going to need relationships to get concerts here,” Semple said in his response.

“We’re going to need relationships to get them to come play in Mosaic. We’re not professing to be experts, but this is a relationship business, and we’ve started some of that.”

Semple admitted the difficulty of the endeavor, vowing to put the full force of his company behind the effort.

“This is a very tough business. Okay, this is a business that REAL has never – I went back in all the annual reports that I could find, they’ve never made money in it. It’s that tough, he said. “I don’t go into this with any false expectations, it’s going to be tough. We’re going to have to throw everything that Brandt has to really make a go of it.”

Semple also said that Brandt has big plans for the future of Canadian Western Agribition,

“We are one of the largest sponsors of the Calgary Stampede and we want to bring a stampede to Regina and help Agribition do that, that’s my goal, how do we make it bigger?

2:24 PM – REAL board members speak to executive committee

Jaime Boldt, chair of the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) Board of Directors, spoke on behalf of the organization at the centre of Brandt’s proposal.

Boldt spoke about the board’s efforts in stewarding REAL following years of financial hardships and organizational issues.

“In a relatively short period of time, REAL has become more stable. Governance practices have strengthened, and there has been a renewed focus on financial discipline, transparency and operational performance,” she said.

Responding to a question from Mayor Chad Bachynski, Boldt outlined the importance of an asset like the REAL District and the need for growth and improvement.

“It’s the sport and entertainment district in our city. For the community, the soccer, ringette, volleyball, and the pickleball that’s going on there,” she said. “There are so many things going on. When we look at large infrastructure projects across the country, we look at having multi-use facilities, where you come for one thing, and you can do many things. So having a vibrant sports and entertainment district is really awesome for our city.”

Boldt said the REAL board is “excited” about the organization’s future.

“The foundation has been strengthened. Belief has been returned, and we are committed to stewarding this organization responsibly into whatever comes next,” she said. “We are excited about what REAL can be, and about seeing the potential realized in the years ahead.”

1:33 PM – Citizen questions proposal

Former journalist and City of Regina employee Patrick Book was the first delegate to raise any questions or concerns about the proposal.

“I’m a simple taxpayer and I’ve a raised a few dozen questions about this proposal that I feel would help people like me achieve greater clarity,” he said.

“As one of the only delegations not offering an unequivocal endorsement, I feel like a bit of a hen in a fox house right now,” he added.

Book said that he by no means wants the REAL District to fail and fall into disrepair, but he is confused about the finer details of the proposal and feels that many other citizens in Regina feel the same way.

He is also concerned about the terms of the deal between the City and Brandt.

“Brandt won’t pay property taxes, and if they have to, they want the city to give that right back as a grant. They won’t pay to use Confederation Park. Brandt doesn’t want the city added surcharges or taxes on events they are hosting,” he said.

“Why can a company that has the resources to claim the largest public investment in the city’s history apparently only make that work if they don’t have to pay property taxes like everyone else?”

1:10 p.m. – Committee reconvenes with more support lobbied for proposal

After a lunch recess, Shantel Lipp, president of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association, voiced her support for the REAL-Brandt proposal.

“From our industry’s perspective, the opportunity here is real. Cities across Canada are competing for major events, conferences, trade shows and industry gatherings that drive hotel occupancy, restaurant activity and a broader economic impact,” she said.

“But to compete, you need facilities that are well managed, well invested and able to respond quickly to opportunities.”

Hanwha’s submarine bid has within a few short months become a potential lifeline for Canada’s auto industry. The South Korean corporation is partnering with the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) to build military armoured vehicles in Canada.

It’s a strategy that could help it win a lucrative contract and keep the tariff-hit auto sector from sinking further.

The vehicles would be made for the Canadian Armed Forces, while also being manufactured for global exports.

AMPA president Flavio Volpe said in an interview with CTV News on Wednesday that Canadian auto plants are making 30 per cent fewer vehicles this year because of U.S. tariffs. But the partnership with Hanwha has the possibility of injecting new life into stagnant auto plants and creating thousands of jobs.

But there’s a huge caveat.

The deal is contingent on Hanwha being awarded the massive contract to build up to 12 diesel-electric submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

After submitting their initial requests for proposals in March, Hanwha and its German competitor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). were asked by the federal government to sweeten their bids. The winner is expected to be chosen in June.

Under the terms of the agreement, vehicle parts manufacturers would come together under a consortium named Project Arrow Defence. Volpe emphasized that this venture would be “51 per cent Canadian owned, with a Canadian CEO.”

What is ‘Project Arrow Defence’?

The consortium would build five types of Hanwha vehicles that are estimated to be worth $10 billion over two years.

“It’s equivalent activity to bringing one fully functional auto assembly plant here,” said Volpe.

He added that it took about a week and half to negotiate the joint venture with Hanwha. The deal came together at 2 AM Wednesday morning after the agreement was approved in both Seoul, South Korea and Toronto, Ont.

A news conference announcing the partnership took place eight hours later in an Ontario manufacturing plant.

In the memorandum of understanding, Hanwha would build five of its armoured vehicles in Canada, including the K-9 Thunder self-propelled Howitzer, which looks like a small tank.

Other vehicles that could be manufactured by the consortium include:

• The K-10 Ammunition Resupply vehicle
• Redbank Infantry Fighting vehicle
• Chunmoo Multiple Launch Rocket System
• Drone ground vehicles

A more secure future for auto workers

Volpe says Project Arrow Defence envisions a more secure future for auto workers.

“Once you make a truck it’s gone. But in defence, given that there are less jobs, they’re more secure. You win a contract to build, but you also win the maintenance contract. You get to maintain and repair it for a generation.”

In a news release Hanwha says the initiative would provide Canada with the “ability to produce its own defence equipment enabling the conditions that directly benefit domestic industry and ensure Canadian sovereign control.”

Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr, who oversees defence procurement was asked by reporters on Parliament Hill, if the partnership with APMA improves Hanwha’s chances of winning the submarine contract.

Fuhr is not involved in evaluating the bids and said that he learned of the deal from a CTV News article.

He said that both Hanwha and TKMS know what’s at stake and “are putting their best foot forward.”

“We need to create jobs. If you look at some of the industries that are still being hit pretty hard by tariffs, steel and aluminium, auto, forestry… We need to provide other opportunities for Canadians, and defence procurement is going to be one of those opportunities we’re going to leverage.”

Defence analyst Dave Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute calls the Hanwha-APMA venture “pretty attractive.”

“I think we should credit the government, which has come up with a process to really drive some pretty intense competition between two big suppliers for a very big procurement project.”

Perry estimates the submarine procurement could be worth $120 billion dollars over 30 years or more.

EVO Radio Network – Scheduled Maintenance Notice

EVO Radio will be conducting a network-wide server migration and infrastructure update beginning Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 3:00 AM, with work expected to be completed by Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM.

During this maintenance window, the following services may be temporarily offline or intermittently inaccessible at various points:

Websites

• https://z1035.evoradio.ca/

• https://979thecowboy.evoradio.ca/

• https://101therockhound.evoradio.ca/

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Live Broadcasting

• Z103.5

• 979 The Cowboy

• 101 The Rockhound

• Classic 88.7 The Goat

Stream Relay Network

• All Stream Relay services will be unavailable during the migration.

Because this update involves server transfers, database installations, and name server changes, exact downtime periods cannot be guaranteed. Individual service interruptions may vary, with some components taking up to several hours to complete.

Our support and technical teams will work to keep all stations and websites online for as long as possible and will restore services immediately as each system becomes available. Broadcast services and station websites will be prioritized, followed by additional network services.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete these upgrades, which are designed to improve performance, reliability, and long-term stability across the EVO Radio Network.

Thank you for your continued support,
EVO Radio Network

🎉 Update Completed Successfully! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that our scheduled network update has been completed without any issues! 🚀 All our broadcast stations, streams, and websites are now fully operational and running better than ever.

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