Saskatchewan News

Opposition calls current bill flawed and incomplete, wants more treatment spaces.

OTTAWA — The European Union says Prime Minister Mark Carney will be in Armenia this weekend as part of a summit focused on strategic issues. Carney's office has not publicly confirmed the visit, but European Council President Antonio Costa says on social media that the prime minister will be attending. The European Political Community summit will take place in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, with a focus on strategic co-operation for the continent's politics, security and infrastructure. The twice-annual summits were launched after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and include all EU members as well as others such as Iceland, Azerbaijan and Montenegro. Costa says Canada is the first non-European country to take part in the summit and that this highlights work "to defend peace, shared prosperity and multilateralism." Canada opened an embassy in Yerevan in 2023 and joined an EU security mission as ethnic tensions in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh escalated, with Azerbaijan displacing ethnic Armenians. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2026. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

Long time member but first time nominee Meagan Eliason has joined the race to be on the Riverbend Co-op board of directors .

TORONTO — While it's yet to be determined how many employees will accept Rogers Communications Inc.'s buyout offer, an analyst says it could mark the start of a cost-cutting wave throughout the telecommunications industry.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday that it will leave OPEC effective May 1, stripping the oil cartel of one of its largest producers and further weakening its leverage over global oil supplies and prices.

CALGARY — Global energy heavyweight Shell PLC's plan to buy one of Canada's biggest natural gas producers bolsters the likelihood an expansion of the LNG Canada plant will move ahead, industry experts say.

A Saskatchewan tow truck owner couldn’t ditch a moose he found stuck in the ice on the side of the road. Clint Gottinger, owner of Rebel Towing in Kelvington, Sask., had two calls come in around 5:30 p.m. on Friday night, calling him to Wadena and Foam Lake. “It was quite a busy run at that lake,” Gottinger recalled. He’d only just left his yard when he came to a junction where he saw the moose in distress about 10 miles northeast of Kelvington. Read more:

• Moose wandering around Saskatoon rescued and relocated
• Moose are moving in: Saskatoon wildlife cameras show growing urban population
• VIDEO: Moose was on the loose in Saskatoon’s Stonebridge neighbourhood

“I was looking at him and … I couldn’t leave him,” Gottinger said. “The other tow jobs will have to wait.” Figuring he could find a way to free him from the ice, Gottinger decided to lower his deck’s truck to where the moose was and put a soft sling around the moose’s body to pull it out. “Sure enough, it worked great. I backed up as far as I could, put the deck down and I got right up to his chest,” Gottinger said. “I put that sling around, it’s nice and soft. I tried to get around his body, under his arms, but I couldn’t quite, so I winched a little bit, just around his neck.” The moose rides on Clint Gottinger’s tow truck after being pulled from an icy ditch. (Rebel Towing/Facebook) Gottinger said it seemed like the moose was helping a bit. Once the moose’s body slipped onto the deck, Gottinger saw the animal’s rear end pop out of the ice. He then repositioned the sling to winch the moose up under the deck. “Then it was easy,” Gottinger said. “Up the road he went.” The tow truck driver said the moose was tired and stressed out from fighting with the ice, so he came along for the ride. He learned from some neighbours that the moose had been in the ditch since early in the day. Bringing him back to his yard, Gottinger said he called his wife for assistance. “Bring out some blankets, I got a moose,” Gottinger said he told her on the phone. “She didn’t know what the heck I’m talking about but she came with some big blankets.” Gottinger and his wife laid some blankets out for the moose on the ground and covered him up with one, as well. Then, they left him to rest. “We let him calm down,” he shared. Later in the evening, the moose was still there and despite the offer of oats, he didn’t eat anything. By 11 p.m., the moose was standing when Gottinger checked on the animal. A moose was stuck in an icy ditch in April 2026 near Kelvington. (Rebel Towing/Facebook) The moose stuck around all Saturday and Sunday. Gottinger said. “He’d stand for a while, then he’d lay for a while. Then this morning (Monday) he was gone. “I named him and everything,” he said. “His name is Rebel.” While it wasn’t Gottinger’s first water rescue, it was his first moose rescue. “Us guys that have done this towing, we pretty much know how our equipment works, and I just looked at it (and thought) that deck will reach,” Gottinger said of his problem solving on Friday night. Then, he connected the soft sling as a helpful tool. “I pretty much had it mapped out in my head immediately,” he shared. “Just lucky it worked. “Meanwhile, though, I’ve got other people calling me.” Gottinger had to tell customers asking where he was that he was mid-moose rescue. “They were very good about it,” Gottinger said, calling the story one of compassion – specifically, from his customers. The moose, named Rebel, lies down in Clint Gottinger’s yard in blankets in April 2026. (Rebel Towing/Facebook) “People, they’re sitting on the side of the road waiting for tow, once they heard I was saving a moose, they were understanding.” Gottinger had to show pictures to the calls he responded to after the rescue, though. “No one believes that a tow truck driver is late because he’s winching a moose out of the ice,” he laughed. He said he hopes to see Rebel again, claiming the moose never compensated him for the tow. –with files from 650 CKOM’s Roman Hayter

Handling your own investments on a DIY platform has become increasingly common. While that can cover your basic investment needs, the trick is knowing when to seek professional help.

Proposed 2026 tax changes include new $100 recreation levy and adjusted mill rates.

Lululemon Athletica Inc. has named another new board member as the company continues to face criticism over its recent performance. The Vancouver-based retailer says Esi Eggleston Bracey is joining its board immediately.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic receives federal funding to advance autonomous drone tech for Canada’s defence and security.

TORONTO — Barrick Mining Corp. says it is on track to complete its initial public offering of a minority stake in a new company that will hold its North American gold assets by the end of the year.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders enter the 2026 Canadian Football League draft with an opportunity to build on a championship roster rather than address immediate needs.

In his latest column, Norm Park reflects on his dealings with Estevan hockey icons Ernie (Punch) McLean and Bill Shinske, and other people he met through the game.

Premier Scott Moe and the Sask. Party government would like to know what parents in Saskatchewan think of a social media ban for children. On Monday, Moe said his government would send out surveys in about a week, asking parents and families their thoughts on social media limits for children. This follows Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s announcement at a party fundraiser on the weekend that his province would be the first to implement a ban on children using social media and AI chatbots. Kinew wasn’t made available to speak to media afterwards to give further details. Read more:

• Drought fears linger as seeding begins on southwest Saskatchewan farms
• Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan’s expo aims to grow community
• Saskatchewan flooding: Meadow Lake runoff slows, but snow raises new concern

Moe has spoken about such a ban previously, saying his government decided this shouldn’t be a purely provincial endeavour. “We think it’d be much more effective for this to be a Canada-wide initiative. We see an openness with the Prime Minister and the federal government to have that discussion,” said Moe. So, he said the government will send out a survey, asking parents and families their views on limits to social media – whether there should be a ban and at what age. He explained the province would then make that information available to the federal government. “We really encourage families and parents to be very open with their thoughts and send them back in. We’ll compile that data and have it available,” said the premier. Moe said everyone is aware of the challenges around the impact that access to social media is having on children. “I think this is actually a broader conversation that extends into some of the social and health challenges that we’re having in society today, and what role social media may play in that – in particular when it comes to young adults and youth,” said Moe. Members of the federal Liberal Party passed a non-binding resolution with a similar idea. The Prime Minister has said the idea merits consideration and the federal culture minister said the federal government is seriously considering a social media ban for kids. He said it would be left to an expert panel to say whether a bill should also cover AI chatbots.

NEW YORK (AP) — Slumping AI stocks and another climb in oil prices because of the Iran war are helping to halt Wall Street’s record-setting rally. The S&P 500 fell 0.

On 1 May, Heartland Hospice will be opening a non-denominational sanctuary called Sacred Space.

Prince Albert Police Service officers were called just before 5:20 a.m. on April 27 to the 3300 block of 2nd Avenue West

8:30 – The war involving Iran has increased uncertainty in global energy markets, largely because the Strait of Hormuz has been closed, sometimes reopened, but mostly closed. We all know the impact that has had at the pumps, but to talk about what that means for Canada and our resource economy, Evan is joined by Heather Exner-Pirot, Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa. Listener Question: Are higher oil prices from overseas events something we just have to accept? Should the federal and provincial governments give us more help at the pump? 9:00 – Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Canada’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund, reopening a long-running debate about how we manage natural resource revenues during boom-and-bust cycles. Greg Poelzer, a University of Saskatchewan professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability, points to Norway’s model as a clear lesson: invest resource revenues for the long term instead of using them to plug short-term budget holes. He joins Evan on the show. LQ: Should Canada park billions in a long-term fund when hospitals are short-staffed and people can’t afford groceries or rent? 9:30 – Open phones – Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about what’s on their minds today. Call 1-877-332-8255. 10:00 – Evan catches up with Saskatoon’s Chief of Police, Cam McBride, to talk local crime statistics, how the city is doing in 2026 and what information people in Saskatchewan should be aware of. LQ: Do you have a question for Chief Cam McBride? Call in at 1-877-332-8255. 10:30 – There is an exciting research breakthrough coming out of the University of Saskatchewan that could help diagnose aggressive forms of Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Chris Phenix, associate professor of chemistry in USask’s College of Arts and Science, is one of the leading researchers on the project who, like many, has a personal tie to the disease. LQ: Should governments invest more in research like this, even if results take years to reach clinics? 11:00 – The latest Canadian Food Sentiment Index shows a consumer who is still under pressure, but adapting to changes. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, food distribution and policy professor at Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab and visiting scholar in food distribution and policy at McGill University, joins the show to talk about the latest report, which continues to show affordability at the top of mind for consumers and how Canadians are changing their shopping habits. LQ: How do you save money at the grocery store? 11:30 – India is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a key partner for Canadian exporters, especially in Western Canada. There is strong political momentum on both sides to expand and diversify the relationship in the coming years, with Saskatchewan positioned as a central player in that growth. To talk more about this, Evan is speaking with Victor Thomas, President and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council. LQ: Is expanding trade with fast-growing countries like India a smart move or should we focus more on strengthening ties with traditional partners like the U.S.? 12:00 – Evan revisits his conversation with … TBD.

LANGHAM, SASK. — Why would anyone hang a dead animal on their wall? It’s a question Jolene and Cory Kallis hear pretty often at Tough Tines Taxidermy. Read more Saskatchewan Stories from Brittany Caffet:

• Repair Café giving broken items a second chance in Saskatoon
• Original 16: The story of Saskatoon’s Great Western Brewing Company
• The ‘giraffe’ of the orchestra: Meet Saskatoon’s bassoon soloist

When Jolene and Cory Kallis purchased this property near Langham, their first priority was to build their taxidermy shop. They constructed the building before even putting a house on the land. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) Their shop is filled with animals — mounted and preserved. There are pelts draped over tables, skulls carefully arranged, and tools that hint at the precision of the work. Listen to the story on Behind the Headlines: But surprisingly, it isn’t chaotic or grim. It’s orderly, intentional and almost reverent. For Jolene and Cory, the taxidermy industry isn’t about death; it’s about memory, preservation and respect. An incredible amount of creativity comes into play when creating pieces of taxidermy. It’s more than just a stuffed animal — an entire scene is often created to help tell a story. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) Jolene didn’t grow up in this world, and laughed as she described how it all began. “When I met my husband 11 years ago, he was big in hunting. I was not,” she recalled. “I was kind of tired of sitting at home waiting for him to get out of the blind, so I figured I should probably pick up a hobby.” That hobby turned into something much bigger. Cory taught her how to hunt, leading to a full immersion into a lifestyle she hadn’t expected. As their shared love of hunting grew, so did the need for a taxidermist. When Jolene Kallis was a little girl, she wanted to become a teacher. Instead, she became tanner and taxidermist. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) “Just before COVID, we both were waiting for some work to be done from a taxidermist, and we didn’t really understand why it took so long,” Jolene said. That question stuck with them, and pushed them to start learning the process themselves. Then, when the pandemic hit in full, it seemed like the world shut down. “And when everyone else was quiet at home, we started learning a new career,” she said. What they discovered quickly was that taxidermy isn’t just about mounting animals. It actually begins much earlier. “If you don’t have a tannery to prepare everything, you don’t have a business,” Jolene explained. Cory Kallis was hesitant when Jolene suggested they add a tannery to their taxidermy business. But he admitted he was wrong to doubt her idea. The couple refers to this space as the backbone of their business. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) It was the missing piece in an industry struggling with long delays. Many taxidermists rely on outside tanneries, with some backed up for years. As a result, Jolene and Cory decided to do it all themselves. “We tan everything from weasels to buffalo,” Jolene noted. For Cory, the draw of the art form runs deeper than processes or logistics. It’s emotional. “White-tailed deer are one of the most beautiful animals that is on our Earth,” he said, gazing around at the mounts proudly hanging on the walls of his shop. “They’re amazing, extremely intelligent. It’s just amazing to sit and watch them in the wild.” Cory Kallis has been hunting for as long as he can remember. He said he has developed a deep respect for animals through the years, and uses that experience daily in his work as a taxidermist. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) He said that admiration didn’t disappear when he became a taxidermist. Instead, it intensified. “When we got into this, I had a pretty good grasp on the animal itself. It just became a passion instantly to be able to take something that you harvest, bring it back to life and turn it back into something beautiful,” he said. That word — beautiful — comes up often when Cory talks about his work. “The more we do over the years, the harder you work to find that beauty in every animal,” he explained. “Every animal is different. Every creature is different. Every animal has its own personality.” From deer to birds to more exotic animals, hundreds of creatures have come through the door of this small shop. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) It’s that individuality that drives the pressure he feels with every project he handles. “These people bring these in from hunts from all over the world,” he said. “First thing on my mind is it is my responsibility to nail these.” When taxidermy is done badly, it shows. And it matters. “When you do wait that two-and-a-half to three years to get something back, and you go pick it up and it looks like it was about to be hit by a truck… it’s really disheartening,” Cory explained. Tools of the trade. Knives are a given, but some may be surprised by the number of files and precision tools needed to ensure each mount is perfect. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) There’s a misconception with taxidermy that it’s all about trophies, but Jolene pushed back on that idea. “It is part of our Canadian heritage. Everything from a trapped beaver to a coyote needs to be prepared into something,” she said. To her, taxidermy is simply an extension of something people already live with every day. Look around any home in Saskatchewan, and there’s a good chance you’ll see something that falls that’s been tanned or preserved. “It’s no different than the leather on a belt around your jeans,” Jolene explained. Jolene painstakingly sews the bear rugs produced at Tough Tines Taxidermy. She said it’s an intensive process, but the result is worth the effort. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) Beyond heritage or craftsmanship, there’s a more personal layer to the work as well: the stories. “That is our favorite part of this career,” Jolene said, “To sit and just hear your story. What adventure did you go on?” At the shop, families come in together. Parents and kids, friends, and hunters returning from trips across continents. Cory said he sees those stories as the real reason why the work matters. “I have animals that I harvested 15 years ago, 20 years ago, that I still sit and stare at,” he said. “And it takes me right back to that evening, or that afternoon where I harvested it. Who was with me, how it went down from start to finish. They have a story.” The first mount the couple tackled was this white-tailed deer. They said it was the start of a steep learning curve. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) And the stories aren’t reserved for record-breaking trophies. “A young lady brought her very first whitetail in last year,” he recalled. “A lot of people would look at that and judge. ‘Why you would mount that?’” “It doesn’t matter how big it is,” Cory continued. “You have the whole your whole life to shoot a trophy deer, but the story, to me, is more important than the size of the antlers.” The work itself is demanding, time-sensitive and exacting. “You can’t call a customer and say ‘Something happened,’” Jolene said. “You need to ace it.” This business isn’t only about fur. Many clients opt for a European mount, a minimalistic way of keeping an animal’s head as a display. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM) In theory, a single project could be completed in about eight weeks. In reality, they’re frequently juggling dozens at once. They push to be faster than the industry standard, often returning pieces within a single season instead of years. Standing in their shop, surrounded by preserved animals from Saskatchewan and far beyond, it’s easy to assume the business is all about display. But spend a few minutes with Jolene and Cory, and that idea fades. It isn’t about death on a wall – it’s about holding onto something that would otherwise disappear. Their work is about making sure the story doesn’t end where the hunt does. At Tough Tines Taxidermy in rural Saskatchewan, Cory and Jolene Kallis turn harvested animals into lasting memories. From a hunter’s first deer to exotic species, every mount preserves a story. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)