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Missing Calgary Senior Found Dead After Two-Week Search

Hunter W. — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:15:33 +0000

An 82-year-old woman from Calgary who went missing earlier this month has been found dead in Saskatchewan, bringing a two-week search to a tragic end.

Diane Cooper was reported missing after she left Calgary on April 6 at around 3:30 p.m. Authorities later confirmed that she was last seen in Hoosier, Saskatchewan, on April 7, traveling with her dog.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers located Cooper’s body on April 19 in a rural area near Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Police said they found her at approximately 7:40 p.m. in the rural municipality of Grandview. They also confirmed that foul play is not suspected.

Cooper’s dog, Halo, was found alive at the scene.

Multiple RCMP detachments from Alberta and Saskatchewan took part in the search, along with air services that supported efforts from above. The search lasted nearly two weeks and covered a wide area across provincial lines.

Family members had previously asked the public for help in locating Cooper. In a statement shared on social media, her granddaughter expressed the family’s grief and thanked those who helped search and shared information.

“Our grandma has unfortunately passed away,” the statement said. “We are absolutely brokenhearted.” The family also expressed relief that the dog survived and gratitude for the support they received during the search.

Police extended their condolences to Cooper’s family and friends. Authorities have not released further details about the cause of death.

Officials have not indicated any criminal investigation, and the case remains classified as a non-suspicious death.

The search has now concluded, and authorities have closed the missing person investigation.

And lastly, we at Saskatchewan Herald give our condolences to the family.

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Regina Man Sentenced for Three Years for Impaired Driving

Hunter W. — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:01:07 +0000

A Regina court has sentenced a 19-year-old driver to three years in prison for impaired driving that killed a 13-year-old boy. The punishment reflects the seriousness of the crime, but it also raises a harder question: does the current system do enough to prevent these deaths?

The driver, Connor Douglas, crashed his vehicle in July 2025 after drinking alcohol. Court records show his blood-alcohol level reached 140 and 131 mg per 100 mL, far above Canada’s legal limit of 80 mg. The crash killed a young passenger at the scene. The judge accepted a joint sentencing recommendation and added a five-year driving ban.

The facts are clear. So is the pattern.

Impaired driving remains a leading criminal cause of death in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, police reported thousands of impaired driving incidents each year, and alcohol continues to play a major role in fatal crashes. Despite years of enforcement campaigns and legal penalties, drivers still take the same risk, with deadly consequences.

This case shows why punishment alone is not enough.

A three-year sentence sends a message about accountability. The judge stressed deterrence and denunciation, which courts often emphasize in impaired driving cases. But deterrence only works if people believe they will get caught, or if barriers stop them from driving in the first place. In many cases, neither happens.

The solution must focus on prevention, not just punishment.

First, provinces should expand the use of mandatory ignition interlock devices for offenders. These systems prevent a car from starting if the driver has alcohol in their system. Evidence from programs across Canada shows they reduce repeat offences when enforced consistently.

Second, governments should invest more in late-night transportation options, especially in smaller cities. Many impaired driving cases happen after social drinking, when alternatives like public transit or ride services remain limited.

Third, courts should require long-term rehabilitation programs, not just short-term penalties. The driver in this case showed remorse and had no record of violent behavior. That makes early intervention even more important to prevent future harm.

The emotional cost remains impossible to measure. The victim’s father described losing his ability to work and live normally after his son’s death. His words reflect the deeper reality: impaired driving destroys lives far beyond the crash itself.

Canada has strong laws on paper. But without stronger prevention, enforcement, and support systems, tragedies like this will continue.

A prison sentence can punish a decision, but it cannot undo it, especially when life itself is involved.

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Saskatchewan Considers Social Media Ban for Kids

Hunter W. — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:06:17 +0000

Should kids under 16 be off social media? Scott Moe says it’s time to ask the public.

The government of Saskatchewan is starting a public conversation about whether to ban social media for children under 16. Premier Scott Moe said there are no official plans yet, but leaders want to hear what residents think.

Moe explained that the goal is to gather opinions from parents, students, and communities. “It’s time for us to have a conversation,” he said, pointing to growing concerns about how social media affects young people.

The discussion comes as other countries take action. Australia recently became the first to introduce a nationwide ban preventing kids under 16 from creating accounts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. A poll by the Angus Reid Institute shows that many Canadians support similar rules.

Still, not everyone agrees on how to handle it. Some believe **parents, not governments **should control how kids use social media. Others say stronger laws are needed to protect youth from addiction, harmful content, and online risks.

Mark Carney has also said the issue should be debated at a national level. Moe agrees, adding that a federal approach may work better than provinces acting alone.

For now, Saskatchewan is not making any changes, but the conversation is clearly growing. The big question remains: Who should decide: parents, provinces, or the federal government?

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Saskatchewan Joins Push for Judicial Appointment Reform

Hunter W. — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:24:58 +0000

Who should choose judges? The federal government or the provinces? A new debate is heating up.

Saskatchewan is joining other provinces to push for major changes in how Canada selects judges. Premier Scott Moe, along with leaders from Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, wants provinces to play a bigger role in choosing judges.

In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the premiers argued that the current system gives too much control to the federal government. They say provinces should help select judges for higher courts, including provincial superior courts, courts of appeal, and even the Supreme Court of Canada.

Under their proposal, provinces would recommend and approve candidates, and officials would choose judges from that list. The premiers also want both federal and provincial governments to share equal access to information about candidates.

Supporters say this change could help courts better reflect local values and regional needs. Provinces, they argue, understand their communities and legal challenges more closely. Because of this, giving them a stronger voice could improve public trust in the justice system.

The premiers also pointed out that other countries, like the United States and Germany, already allow regional governments to help choose judges. In contrast, Canada relies more on a centralized system, where the federal government makes most of the decisions.

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Saskatchewan Considers Social Media Ban for Kids Under 16

Hunter W. — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:04:12 +0000

What if kids under 16 suddenly couldn’t use social media at all?

The province of Saskatchewan is now asking a big question: Should children under 16 be banned from social media?

Premier Scott Moe says the government wants public feedback before making any decision. The idea comes as more countries consider limiting social media use for young people.

For example, Australia recently introduced a full ban for kids under 16, stopping them from creating accounts on major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. This move has sparked global debate, and now Canada may follow.

According to a poll by Angus Reid Institute, about three-quarters of Canadians support a similar ban. This shows strong public concern about how social media affects young users.

At the same time, Mark Carney said the federal government has not made a final decision yet, but agrees the issue needs serious discussion. He added that future laws on online harms could include rules about the minimum age for social media use.

Supporters of the ban argue it could protect kids from online risks, such as harmful content, cyberbullying, and addiction. However, others say a full ban might be too strict and that parental control and education could be better solutions.

In the end, the decision could shape how the next generation connects online, and how safe that experience will be.

The post Saskatchewan Considers Social Media Ban for Kids Under 16 appeared first on Saskatchewan Herald.

Saskatoon Parking Ticket Text Scam Warning

Hunter W. — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:31:54 +0000

Think you got a parking ticket text? Think again! It could be a scam.

Recently, residents in Saskatoon have been warned about a new wave of scam messages pretending to be parking tickets. According to city officials, scammers are sending fake texts demanding payment, hoping that people will panic and pay quickly.

However, the city made it clear: they do NOT send parking ticket notices by text message. In fact, any message asking you to pay a fine through a link or reply is fraudulent. Because of this, these scams often use urgent language to pressure victims into acting fast without checking.

To stay safe, the City of Saskatoon advises residents to always verify tickets through official channels only. For example, the safest way is to check directly on the city’s website using your driver’s licence or ticket number. At the same time, never click on links from unknown messages.

Additionally, officials warned that scammers may try to steal personal or banking information, which can lead to identity theft or financial loss. As a result, these types of scams are becoming more common and more convincing.

To protect yourself, residents should:

Never share personal or financial details through text, email, or phone
Avoid clicking suspicious links
Delete and block unknown senders
Report scams to authorities

If you believe you’ve been targeted or scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local police.

The post Saskatoon Parking Ticket Text Scam Warning appeared first on Saskatchewan Herald.

Saskatoon Education Workers Rally for Higher Pay

Hunter W. — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:11:42 +0000

“We support students every day” – Now education workers are asking for support in return.

Education workers and their supporters gathered in downtown Saskatoon on March 28, 2026, calling for better wages and improved working conditions.

The rally was organized by CUPE 2268 and CUPE 3730 as contract talks continue with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. Workers say rising living costs are making it harder to keep up, while their wages have not increased enough.

Support staff, including educational assistants and custodians, say they play a key role in helping both teachers and students. “We care about our schools and our students,” said J.R. Simpson, vice-president of CUPE Saskatchewan, during the event.

Tensions have been building for months. Earlier this year, nearly 90 percent of union members voted in favor of strike action. This gives the unions strong backing as negotiations continue.

Participants marched from the Saskatoon Public School Board office to the Catholic school board offices to raise awareness. They want a fair agreement that reflects the important work they do in schools every day.

Political voices also joined the rally. Matt Love spoke to the crowd, calling on the provincial government to invest more in education workers. He said these workers are essential to student success and deserve proper support.

Workers also shared personal stories about struggling with inflation and rising costs. Many said they are finding it harder to afford basic needs despite working full-time.

For now, talks are still ongoing. However, union leaders say they are ready to take further action if an agreement is not reached.

The rally highlights a growing issue in education systems across Canada,balancing budgets while ensuring workers are fairly paid. For these workers in Saskatoon, the message is clear: better support for them means better support for students.

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Meth Seizure at Saskatchewan Penitentiary

Hunter W. — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:28:27 +0000

A routine day turned into a major drug bust inside one of Canada’s prisons.

Authorities in Saskatchewan seized a large amount of illegal drugs at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, showing ongoing efforts to stop contraband from entering correctional facilities.

According to Correctional Service Canada, staff detected suspicious packages on March 20, 2026, which led to the seizure.

Officers found methamphetamine along with other unauthorized items inside the packages. The drugs had an estimated institutional value of about $59,000.

Officials credited the discovery to the “vigilance” of staff, highlighting how careful monitoring helps prevent illegal activity behind bars.

Authorities reported the case to police and launched an investigation to find out how the drugs entered the facility.

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Saskatchewan Uranium Gains Global Attention

Hunter W. — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:20:51 +0000

As the world looks for cleaner energy, one quiet region in Canada is suddenly back in the spotlight.

Northern Saskatchewan is becoming a key focus in the global search for stable and low-carbon energy. Rich uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin are drawing strong interest from governments, energy companies, and investors.

Canada is already the world’s second-largest producer of uranium, behind Kazakhstan, according to the World Nuclear Association. Most of Canada’s uranium comes from Saskatchewan, where the ore is known for having some of the highest grades in the world. This means companies can extract more uranium from less rock, making it more efficient and cost-effective.

One major development highlights this growing demand. Cameco, based in Saskatoon, recently signed a $2.6 billion deal to supply about 22 million pounds of uranium to India between 2027 and 2035. The agreement will support India’s expanding nuclear energy program as it works to meet rising electricity needs.

Globally, nuclear power is gaining attention again. The International Atomic Energy Agency says nuclear energy is expected to play a bigger role as countries try to reduce carbon emissions while still keeping power reliable. Unlike wind or solar, nuclear plants can produce energy consistently, making them attractive for long-term use.

Canada is also investing in nuclear technology at home. In Ontario, construction has started on a small modular reactor at the Darlington site. These smaller reactors are seen as a flexible and cleaner option for powering industries and remote communities.

Back in Saskatchewan, more projects are on the way. Companies like NexGen Energy and Denison Mines are planning new mines, while exploration firms are searching for additional deposits.

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Saskatchewan Budget Deficit Raises Spending Concerns

Hunter W. — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:49:18 +0000

More spending, more debt: can Saskatchewan turn things around before it’s too late?

The latest budget from the Government of Saskatchewan is raising concerns after showing another large deficit and rising debt levels.

According to the report, the province is expected to run an $819 million deficit in 2026–2027. This follows an even larger $1.2 billion deficit the year before. In simple terms, the government is spending more money than it brings in, and that gap is growing.

Experts point to one main reason: spending. Over the past three years, government spending has increased faster than revenue. If spending had stayed in line with income, Saskatchewan could have had a $1.3 billion surplus instead of a deficit. This shows how much impact spending decisions can have on a budget.

The problem doesn’t stop there. Continued deficits mean more borrowing. The province’s net debt is expected to rise from $14.3 billion in 2023–2024 to $22.2 billion by 2029–2030. As debt grows, so do interest payments. This year alone, Saskatchewan will spend about $1.2 billion just to pay interest on its debt. That’s money that could have gone to health care, education, or tax relief.

The government has often relied on resource revenues like oil, gas, and potash to balance its budget. But these revenues can change quickly, making them unreliable.

There is also a past example to look at. In the early 1990s, former premier Roy Romanow faced a similar financial crisis. His government reviewed programs, reduced spending, and balanced the budget within a few years. This helped lower debt and improve the province’s financial stability.

Today, some analysts believe Saskatchewan has another chance to follow a similar path. By managing spending more carefully, the province could reduce deficits and avoid further debt.

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