Saskatchewan News

1. Drugs for Rare Diseases - Saskatchewan Agreement

   Today, the Governments of Canada and the province of Saskatchewan signed the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Disease (DRD) agreement to invest over $40 million over three years to improve access to new drugs for rare diseases for Saskatchewan residents and to support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis, and screening for rare diseases.

2. Government of Canada signs bilateral agreement with Saskatchewan to improve access to drugs for rare diseases

   Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, and the Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Health, announced a bilateral agreement investing over $40 million to improve access to selected new drugs for rare diseases, and to support enhanced access to existing drugs, early diagnosis, and screening.

3. Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to make important health care announcement

   The Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health and the Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan Minister of Health, will make an announcement on improving health care for people in Saskatchewan.French:

4. Escape from Saskatchewan Penitentiary - Minimum-Security Unit

   On December 31, 2024, during the 9:30 p.m. count, staff members at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, a multi-level security federal institution, discovered that Glen Fredrick Richard Halkett was not accounted for.

5. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

   On December 13, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, a multi-level security federal institution.

6. CORRECTION: Ethel Catherwood, first Canadian woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in track and field honoured

   Ethel Catherwood, first Canadian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field honoured.

7. Parks Canada to commemorate Olympian Ethel Catherwood

   Parks Canada to commemorate Olympian Ethel Catherwood.

8. Applications now open for the 2025 Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship

   The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Agriculture Student Scholarship.

9. Saskatchewan’s New Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program Cohort Announced 

   The mentee and mentor pairing for the Saskatchewan Next Gen Agriculture Mentorship Program Cohort Six was announced today in Regina.

10. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    On November 30, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, a multi-level security federal institution.

11. Government of Canada boosts regional partnership to prepare for major potash development in Saskatchewan

    PrairiesCan funding to help communities near BHP’s Jansen potash site support rapid growth in East Central Saskatchewan

12. Minister Vandal announces investments in agriculture and agri-food in Saskatchewan

    Over $10 million through PrairiesCan for organizations and businesses in Saskatchewan will seed new growth

13. Backgrounder: Minister Vandal announces investments in agriculture and agri-food in Saskatchewan

    PrairiesCan is providing $10,188,290 for eight projects in Saskatchewan’s agriculture and value-added agriculture sectors

14. The Government of Canada invests $20.5 million to help stop gun violence in Saskatchewan

    Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $20.5 million in Saskatchewan through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund. This funding will support efforts by community organizations and law enforcement to combat gun violence and keep our communities safe.

15. Death of an inmate from the Regional Psychiatric Centre

    On November 7, 2024, Denis Grandbois, an inmate from the Regional Psychiatric Centre, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

16. Thunderchild First Nation receives Treaty 6 Agricultural Benefits after almost 150 years

    Today, Chief Delbert Wapass of Thunderchild First Nation and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the settlement agreement, which was achieved under an expedited framework process. The First Nation will receive $155,400,000 in compensation.

17. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    In October 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

18. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    On September 30, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

19. Government of Canada helps religious and community organizations in Regina protect themselves against hate-motivated crimes

    Everyone who lives in Canada deserves to be and feel safe in their communities. These last few years, we’ve witnessed a rise in hate incidents experienced by many communities. This is unacceptable, and the federal government is taking action to combat hate and protect communities.

20. Backgrounder: Federal government invests in transportation infrastructure for communities in rural Saskatchewan

    The federal government is investing $4,480,416 through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) and the Active Transportation Fund (ATF) to support seven projects across Saskatchewan.

21. Federal government invests in transportation infrastructure for communities in rural Saskatchewan

    The federal government is investing more than $4.4 million in transportation infrastructure projects across rural Saskatchewan.

22. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    On September 17, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

23. Federal and Provincial Governments support rural economic development

    Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan invest $450,000 for rural economic development

24. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    On September 6, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

25. Recapture of inmate from Prince Albert Grand Council – Minimum-security Section 81 facility

    At approximately 9:00 a.m. on September 3, 2024, inmate Dalton Checkosis was apprehended by the Prince Albert Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

26. Federal government transfers more than $33 million through the Canada Community-Building Fund to Saskatchewan

    The federal government has transferred more than $33 million to Saskatchewan under the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) for the first payment of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This will help communities across the province invest in their local infrastructure priorities.

27. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

    On August 28, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, contraband and unauthorized items were seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

28. Minister Vandal announces investments in technology and innovation in Saskatchewan

    Government of Canada invests over $6.3M for technology and innovation in Saskatchewan

29. Backgrounder: Minister Vandal announces investments in technology and innovation in Saskatchewan

    PrairiesCan is investing $6,336,624 million for nine projects in Saskatchewan. These investments in the Saskatchewan economy support digital technology, innovation, and business growth through repayable funding direct to business, and targeted initiatives for business organizations which are non-repayable.

30. Recapture of inmate from Stan Daniels Healing Centre – Section 81

    At 7:15 p.m. on August 22, 2024, inmate Kelvin Aubichon was apprehended by the Calgary Police Service.

31. Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announce the renewal of the Canada Community-Building Canada Fund Agreement for the next ten years

    The federal and provincial governments have signed a new ten-year agreement for the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) to provide predictable, long-term, and stable funding to communities across the province. Over the first five years, Saskatchewan will receive $350 million to address local infrastructure priorities.

32. Moosomin First Nation celebrates opening of new K-12 school

    The Government of Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous communities to help establish educational institutions that will deliver quality and culturally appropriate programs and services for children.

33. Muskoday First Nation celebrates opening of new water treatment plant

    Muskoday First Nation Chief Ronald Bear, along with Council, Elders, community members, and representatives from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), celebrated the grand opening of the community’s new water treatment plant.

34. Minister Wilkinson announces new investments in critical minerals in Saskatchewan

    Government of Canada invests over $16M to help Saskatchewan Research Council to advance bastnaesite processing and study of critical minerals.

35. Government of Canada to announce investments for critical minerals in Saskatchewan

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, will announce funding for critical minerals with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC).

36. NICHI and federal government announce Saskatchewan recipients of funding to advance critical Indigenous housing projects in urban, rural and northern areas and address urgent and unmet needs

    Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) Chief Executive Officer John Gordon, announced the recipients of NICHI’s expression of need process to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Saskatchewan.

37. Federal and Provincial governments invest in commercial pilot training for Indigenous students in Northern Saskatchewan

    More than $1 million in combined funding from PrairiesCan and Gov't of Sask to create jobs and expand aviation capacity for communities in the Athabasca Basin region & across Saskatchewan

38. Federal government to make housing announcement in Saskatoon

    Media are invited to join the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon for a housing announcement.

39. Federal and Provincial Governments invest in commercial pilot training for Indigenous students in Northern Saskatchewan

    Minister Vandal to announce support for commercial pilot training of Indigenous students in Northern Saskatchewan

40. Star Blanket Cree Nation lifts long-term drinking water advisory

    Star Blanket Cree Nation lifts drinking water advisory that had been in effect since 2007. A new water treatment plant is providing reliable, safe, clean water to all homes and community buildings.

41. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Saskatchewan Penitentiary – maximum security unit

    On July 16, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of correctional officers, detector-dog team and security intelligence officers, packages containing contraband and unauthorized items were seized in the maximum security unit at Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

42. Whitecap Dakota Nation celebrates resort expansion with new spa facility

    Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, alongside Chief Darcy Bear of the Whitecap Dakota Nation, announced $15 million to support the construction of the first thermal style spa in Saskatchewan, Dakota Dunes Thermal Spa.

43. Star Blanket Cree Nation and Minister Hajdu to make important announcement regarding the community’s long-term drinking water advisory

    Canada and Star Blanket First Nation to make announcement on the community’s long-term drinking water advisory.

44. Whitecap Dakota Nation and Minister Hajdu to make announcement on a new community infrastructure project

    Please be advised that Chief Darcy Bear of the Whitecap Dakota Nation and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, will make a funding announcement in support of a new infrastructure project in the community.

45. Canada apologizes to nine Dakota-Lakota First Nations communities for longstanding injustice

    Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, delivered an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada, to the nine Dakota and Lakota First Nations in Canada for past harms relating to Canada’s longstanding denial of their rights.

46. Government of Canada to formally Apologize to Nine Dakota and Lakota First Nations

    Please be advised that the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, will deliver a formal apology on behalf of the Government of Canada to the 9 Dakota and Lakota First Nations in Canada at a historic ceremony.

47. Montreal Lake Cree Nation Celebrates Health Facility Opening

    Today, Chief Joyce Naytowhow McLeod of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, along with Council, Elders, community members, and representatives from Indigenous Services Canada, celebrated the grand opening of the community’s new healthcare facility in northern Saskatchewan.

48. Star Blanket Cree Nation celebrates grand opening of new water treatment plant

    Star Blanket Cree Nation opens a new state-of-the-art water treatment plant that will bring clean drinking water to the community for generations to come.

49. Backgrounder: Federal and provincial governments partner on infrastructure projects for Saskatchewan

    Joint funding through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS), the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNCIS), the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS), and the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP) will support 44 public infrastructure projects. The federal government is investing more than $165.5 million towards these projects, while the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing over $144.2 million. Recipients are contributing more than $63.4 million to their respective projects and are responsible for any additional costs.

50. Federal and provincial governments partner on infrastructure projects for Saskatchewan

    The federal and provincial governments are investing more than $309 million for infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan. The City of Saskatoon is expanding their Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The two new lines will help Saskatoon Transit support the City's continued growth while making transit a more convenient for all. A fibre optic network will also improve the tracking and reporting of the bus routes making them more efficient.