Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall said he appointed Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit as the new minister of rural and remote health largely because of his abilities to listen and lead. First elected in 2007, Ottenbreit has held several non-cabinet positions, including legislative secretary on a community-based organizations review and a recycling initiative. He was also chair […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
European trade deal closer to reality
Industry happy with final details | Agreement must now be passed by both parliaments
The official release of the Canada-European Union Trade Agreement text last week brought overwhelmingly positive reaction from Canadian agricultural organizations and commodity groups. The National Farmers Union was a lone voice of dissent, suggesting the agreement is full of empty promises. The agreement was five years in the making and still requires ratification by the […] Read more
Bike trip raises awareness of PKU
Most parents don’t worry about the routine neonatal heel prick that takes blood samples from their newborns. Kevin Dube of Kitchener, Ont., recalls being told not to worry because the tests are almost always negative. For his children, they were. But when his brother-in-law and his wife had their baby, Avery, a year ago, she […] Read more
New potato seeds could spark revolution
True Potato Seed technology Green fruit grows on potatoes and provides an alternative to seed potatoes
BRODERICK, Sask. — Research underway in Saskatchewan is part of a worldwide revolution in potato production, say officials at Tuberosum Technologies Inc. At a recent open house at the company’s facility in Saskatchewan’s irrigation district near Broderick, TTI showcased its work with true potato seed (TPS) technology. “True seed is basically a sexually produced seed, […] Read moreSask. shelter belt centre strife stresses operator
Political turmoil | HELP International says it has been poorly treated by federal workers, residents and media after leasing the former centre
Rodney Sidloski says his attempts this summer to obtain a contract to operate the former federal shelter belt centre at Indian Head, Sask., have been like being at war. The chief executive officer of HELP International, which has a lease to operate the centre until Oct. 31, said he has felt under attack by federal […] Read moreAuthor details scoop on potash
Insider provides history of resource development in Saskatchewan
Potash and politics have long been intertwined in Saskatchewan. A recent book written by a man with a ringside seat to the industry’s development outlines the extent of that relationship. John Burton, a former farmer, civil servant and federal MP, explains in the book the challenges involved in developing a viable potash industry following the […] Read moreSask. appoints new rural and remote health minister
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit was today sworn in as Saskatchewan’s minister of rural and remote health. He replaces Tim McMillan, who is resigning to take on the presidency of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Ottenbreit was first elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He has been serving as government whip. Herb Cox from […] Read more
Bursary will pay tribute to Sask. brothers
Young farmers | Sale of three heifers at Swift Current auction will help launch memorial bursary
After Blake Arnal was killed at age 14 in a 2008 all-terrain accident, his mother, Anne, dealt with the loss of her child as best she could. “I really sort of felt that I would not be asked to do that again,” she said. However, July 23 brought new grief when two more of her […] Read moreWolf hunt aims to reduce loss of livestock
A pilot wolf hunt has begun in northeastern Saskatchewan to try to reduce attacks on livestock in the forest fringe. The hunt began Sept. 15 and runs to the end of March only in wildlife management zone 49, where there has been a large number of predation claims. Provincial environment minister Scott Moe said the […] Read more
Rural and remote health minister resigns in Sask.
Saskatchewan’s minister for rural and remote health, Tim McMillan, will resign effective Sept. 30 to become president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. The Lloydminster MLA was first elected in 2007 and served in several cabinet portfolios including energy and resources, Crown Investments Corp., Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and Tourism Saskatchewan. Health minister […] Read more
