Saskatchewan Minute: Voting Week, Safety Violations, and International Student Decline

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The provincial election is coming up and you can cast a ballot during Voting Week from October 22nd to 26th, or on Election Day - October 28th. If you haven’t registered to vote yet, you can do it in-person at the polling station. You will need to bring identification with you to vote, and a list of acceptable ID is available here. You can locate your nearest polling station and its hours of operation on the Elections Saskatchewan website.
  
  
• Seniors living in independent facilities in Saskatchewan are expressing concerns about the removal of in-house polling stations for the upcoming provincial election. Residents at College Park II Retirement Residence are facing challenges accessing polling places due to mobility issues and a lack of transportation options. Elections Saskatchewan has introduced "homebound voting" for those with physical disabilities, allowing them to apply for mail-in ballots, but many seniors prefer to vote in person. Some residents feel that they did not receive sufficient notice regarding this change.
  
  
• Despite the onset of La Niña, this winter in Saskatchewan is projected to be among the 10 mildest on record, according to Environment Canada. While La Niña typically brings colder temperatures, the phenomenon is expected to be weaker than in previous cycles. Last year was the fourth-warmest winter in 77 years.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• Analysts suggested that the Leaders' Debate between Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe and NDP Leader Carla Beck was subdued and unlikely to influence voter opinions significantly. Both leaders stuck closely to their established talking points, resulting in a cautious exchange. What did you think of the debate?
  
  
• The University of Saskatchewan has experienced a decline in international student enrolment, with a reported drop of 11.5%, equivalent to about 280 students. This decrease has been attributed to recent federal changes, including caps on new study permits and post-graduation work permits, which have made it more challenging for students to gain admission and secure work experience in Canada. Despite an overall increase in enrolment numbers, the university does not foresee budget implications from the reduced international tuition, as it does not depend on these funds for program sustainability.
  
  
• SaskPower has been fined $840,000 after being found guilty of three workplace safety violations that led to the deaths of two employees in October 2020. The charges included failing to maintain safety standards, not providing adequate training, and allowing workers to operate aerial equipment without proper safety gear. The tragic incident occurred during routine maintenance when both men fell from the bucket of a truck due to equipment failure. This fine marks the highest penalty imposed in Saskatchewan, and the second highest in Canada, for such violations.