This is Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s Bill 48 means substance users can now be held against their will for treatment. Critics say the new law hands police and family members too much power, and lacks oversight. Others say the idea could work if the province gives users safe places to live after rehabilitation ends. We hear from people who’ve lived with addiction, along with physicians and support workers.

How much will keeping coal burning in the province cost taxpayers? The Opposition NDP and the government have different interpretations. This week, NDP Leader Carla Beck said the cost is now $26 billion, according to SaskPower’s own documents. This is Saskatchewan’s political panel, Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon, breaking down the costs of coal.

The owner of the Regina Pats wants to buy the 6,000-seat venue where his team plays, along with a distillery, a nearby McDonald's, volleyball and pickleball courts, and several aging buildings used primarily during farm shows. So, what’s in the fine print?Shaun Semple says it stops the city from hemorrhaging money on aging property it had no plan to fix. Along with a 100-year civic tax exemption, the Brandt Group of Companies would be entitled to other revenue-generating assets on the exhibition grounds, including buildings the city still owns. Some citizens and councillors believe the sale is too rushed and want the city to negotiate better terms.

Saskatchewan’s children's advocate revealed this week that at least 13 children under the age of five died in the province with toxic, illicit drugs in their system over a six-year period. Our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon discuss the provincial government’s response to the report.

Parents of an 11-year-old boy are leading the push for stricter laws and accountability after their son was killed in a carbon monoxide leak at their downtown Regina apartment. Smoke detectors seem like a no-brainer. Why aren’t carbon monoxide detectors treated the same way?

Bell's $1B AI data centre has been approved, but questions remain about the process.Our political panel of Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon dive into the politics of the project.

How young is too young for social media? Canadian politicians may follow Australia’s lead in banning under-16s from AI chatbots and social media. Premier Scott Moe plans to mail every Saskatchewan family a survey, to gauge parents’ thoughts. Who should hold technology giants accountable for the content they host? In this episode, we ask Saskatchewan teens, technology analysts and mental health experts where a ban may – and may not – make sense.

The federal government has cut its gas tax for the next few months. The Saskatchewan NDP have been calling on the provincial government to do the same. Our political analysts, Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk, break down why the province hasn’t and look at other issues this week.

After running hundreds of thousands of dollars into debt, Prairie Harm Reduction is closing its doors for good. Its board says it found no signs of fraud. The cost of helping hundreds of people and families in Saskatoon simply grew too high and too quickly. This marks the end for Saskatchewan’s first supervised drug consumption site, along with housing services for teens and families, education services, and a drop-in centre. We look at what led to the longtime Saskatoon charity’s closure, and what losing it means for the city and the people who relied on Prairie Harm Reduction to stay alive.

Wildfire nearly swallowed the entire community of Wadin Bay in the summer of 2025. Officials told everyone to leave the area immediately, but a few residents stayed back saying the only way to protect their properties was to fight the fires themselves. Not only did they risk their lives, but community members also spent $39,000 on equipment. Should the province reimburse them? CBC producer Janani Whitfield traveled to Wadin Bay to understand the difficult decisions people make as fire threatens their homes.

Same name, different party. There is a growing divide between the federal and Saskatchewan NDP. Saskatchewan Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck wrote an open letter to new federal leader Avi Lewis. In it, she warns his stance against new fossil fuel projects could hurt Saskatchewan’s economy. Our political analysts, Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk, break down the latest.

A CBC investigation revealed two people died after giving plasma at private Winnipeg collection centres. Days later, Health Canada said a centre in Regina broke some of the donation rules. The company under fire is Grifols Plasma Donation Centre. The deaths are raising questions about the safety and ethics of paying people to donate plasma. Health Canada is reviewing the matter and says it has not made a link between plasma collection and the deaths. Grifols says it has "no reason to believe" they are connected. Today, we’re sharing a special episode of This is Manitoba, whose team of journalists dug into the fallout of this news.For more stories from Manitoba, follow This is Manitoba on Spotify and Apple.

A new school is set to be built in Premier Scott Moe’s hometown of Shellbrook. The opposition NDP accused the premier of political favouritism. It said more than 200 schools in 103 Saskatchewan communities are in worse shape, based on a government capital planning report. Political analysts Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk break down the latest.

After rumours, speculation and a series of questions with no sure answers, Bell Canada finally announced its official plans to build the country’s largest AI data centre south of Regina. We have details on how it will be powered, its water source, and the projected economic spinoff. But there are still questions: Will Saskatchewan people benefit?

The Official Opposition says projecting a deficit until the end of the decade is nothing to celebrate. The province says it’s trying to ‘protect Saskatchewan.’ So which is it? Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk sift through the budget day political rhetoric to help us understand what being in the red for several years could mean for the province.

When the City of Regina announced you could no longer pay with coins to park downtown, people pushed back. As a solution, the city is offering scratch-off parking vouchers for anyone who doesn’t want to download the new parking app, or pay online. The changes have sparked quite the conversation, with many people asking: Can cities modernize without leaving some citizens behind?

The Saskatchewan government has a plan to fix health-care issues but the opposition says it sounds like a similar strategy launched more than a decade ago. Will the province’s latest health-care reform improve surgical wait times or find you a primary care provider faster? We asked our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk.

The province’s uranium industry is seeing a major upswing. Saskatchewan company Cameco signed a $2.6-billion trade deal with India to provide 22 million pounds of uranium to fuel its nuclear reactors over the next nine years. Meanwhile, Denison Mines Corp. and NexGen Energy Ltd. just received approvals from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to start construction on the province’s first two new uranium mines in a generation. What’s driving this boom and will it benefit the province?

The tiny Saskatchewan town of Richmound faces a surreal crisis when a cult leader calling herself “The Queen of Canada” occupies an abandoned school. As neighbours turn on each other, a retired teacher leads resistance in a story about what happens when online extremism spills into the real world. Host Rachel Browne investigates how a 120-person community became the battleground over truth, tolerance, and how to confront extremism. The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover is out now. Listen here.

Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said if Saskatchewan library workers are concerned about safety, they should call the police, claiming it’s no different than violence occurring outside a 7-Eleven. Is that a fair comparison? Our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon analyze the minister’s suggestion and pose a question: Would he be willing to work a shift at a library?

Bell Canada confirmed it plans to build an AI data centre campus south of Regina. A flurry of questions are now being asked: What kind of data centre? How will it be powered? Will it use a ton of water? Details remain scarce, but we seek as many answers as we can on this new frontier of tech in Saskatchewan.

It’s a bit unusual for a provincial government to announce we’re short on money before the provincial budget is made public. Politicians are often tight-lipped when money is tight. We ask our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon if there is anything to gain politically by admitting it in advance. Will it make budget day a little less bleak? Or not?

Saskatoon is growing. For the most part, that’s a good thing. The downside is housing hasn’t kept pace and prices have shot up. The average cost of a home in Saskatoon is now more expensive than in Winnipeg and soon will surpass Edmonton. Municipal affairs reporter Phil Tank takes a deeper look into what’s happening, and planning consultant Alan Wallace explains how developing land around the university and converting part of a public golf course into housing could help ease the crunch.

Budget day is still a month away, but that’s not stopping the government from going on a spending spree. It’s not the first time this has happened. Political Panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk break down this budgeting shake down.

The owner of POP wine bar in Saskatoon says her business can’t consistently turn a profit so she added 3 VLTs to her restaurant to bring in more money. But are they a solution when sales slump? What are other Saskatchewan food and beverage businesses doing to stay afloat? We hear how restaurants big and small are navigating a very difficult economy.

Like many post-secondary institutions across Canada, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is laying off staff as it faces a major loss in revenue. Most recently, students partway through a program have been told if they want to continue, they will have to move to a different city. The Opposition NDP says this is unacceptable. But is it fair to place blame on the Saskatchewan Party government? We ask our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk.

Saskatchewan schools now offer several specialized academies for kids interested in everything from football and dance to softball and soccer. This month, Saskatoon Public Schools announced it will add hockey academies to five of its elementary schools. Some people are wondering: Is this good for kids? We ask teachers, parents, and a kinesiology professor to weigh the pros and cons of enrolling kids in specialized academies.

Farmers say gopher holes are so big cows are breaking their legs. The pesticide strychnine was banned two years ago and many point to a growing gopher population that has caused huge problems. Saskatchewan and Alberta called for the ban to be reversed, but this week Health Canada said no. Our political panelists Jeremy Simes and Murray Mandryk say this isn’t just about politics. Farmers’ crops are taking a hit.

Businesses in Saskatoon and Regina say a streak of smashed windows in both cities is upsetting and costly. What’s behind the crimes? Is there a way to curb this kind of vandalism? They are often deemed a minor incident, but we take stock of how broken windows weigh on owners and the wider community.

The B.C. premier says it's “treason” for Alberta separatists to meet with U.S. officials. The Manitoba premier says in his province, a referendum on staying in Canada would be a choice between 'yeah and heck yeah.’ What is Premier Moe’s take? Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk raise their voices today on the premier’s statements on separatism after meetings in Ottawa with the prime minister.

Regina is adding a neighbourhood the size of Moose Jaw but there’s no plan yet for a school. Turns out, it’s a common problem in many new suburbs. People move to a newly-built neighbourhood and the nearest school quickly fills up. So what is it like inside those schools and just how crowded are they? CBC’s Katie Swyers focuses on the province’s two biggest cities to look at how divisions and parents are coping with crowded schools.

New security measures are being introduced in some Saskatchewan emergency rooms. Unions representing health care workers have been calling for improved safety measures after the seizure of several weapons and an increase in violence. Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Health Authority wants to bring in a system to anonymously report employees suspected of violating SHA policies. Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk help us make sense of this.  

In this special co-production episode, we’re diving into life on the border of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. While the two prairie provinces have many things in common, we also have our differences. We speak with residents of Flin Flon, Man., about how living on the divide complicates everything from buying a vehicle to emergency response efforts. Then, we hear from a woman in Creighton, Sask., who says interprovincial gaps in health care failed her mother. Follow This is Manitoba on Spotify or Apple PodcastsFollow This is Saskatchewan on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

It’s the moment every canola producer has been waiting for, with huge implications for the province. Canada and China have cut a deal that Prime Minister Mark Carney says will result in lower canola seed tariffs. It also means Chinese electric vehicles will be allowed to enter the Canadian market. How much of a win is this for Premier Moe? Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk measure the impact of the tariff weight finally being lifted.

A cancer patient is in hospital receiving chemotherapy. An altercation ensues. The patient ends up dying. What actually happened at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon that led to his death? Saskatoon police say an imitation handgun and drugs were found after the fight with security. The family thinks someone might have mistaken his pink pistol-shaped cigarette lighter for a gun. We share how the family is working with Indigenous officials to get answers.Read more of our coverage below.Who was Trevor Dubois? Loved ones want people to understand the man they knewFamily disputes police claim about imitation firearm in Saskatoon hospital death

About 900 people are on the waitlist for swimming lessons through the City of Regina. Why is demand significantly outpacing what the Queen City can offer? The CEO of the Lifesaving Society in Saskatchewan says there aren’t enough pools to accommodate the growing population. Will this cause problems for people looking to get out on the water?Curious about the state of outdoor pools in Regina and Saskatoon? Read Circling the drain: Sask. cities face the problem of aging outdoor pools by Phil Tank.

The leader of Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP is proud her party brought forward legislation on health care, rent control and wildfire response this year. But did it move the needle at all? Today, we feature CBC provincial affairs reporter Alexander Quon’s year-end interview with provincial NDP Leader Carla Beck.To listen to CBC’s year-end interview with Premier Scott Moe click here: https://link.mgln.ai/M82oKA

It may not be your top travel destination in the dead of winter, but there’s something special about visiting a small community like Ituna. CBC’s Peter Mills took a trip to the town of 700 people, a 90-minute drive northeast of Regina, to find out what makes life meaningful in Ituna. (Spoiler alert: It’s the perogies.)

Saskatchewan’s 2025 political landscape was shaped by a new relationship with the federal government, a devastating fire season and tumultuous tariff threats from the United States. With the year now coming to an end, provincial politicians from all stripes are reflecting on the highlights and challenges of the last year. Today, we feature CBC provincial affairs reporter Alexander Quon’s year-end interview with Premier Scott Moe. Next week, This is Saskatchewan will drop CBC’s interview with provincial NDP Leader Carla Beck into the feed.

We wanted to meet people who take the holiday season very, very seriously. And look who we found: A retiree in Milestone making fruit cakes for the masses and a collector with nativity scenes on display in every nook and cranny of his two-bedroom Regina apartment. If you need a lift this holiday season, these stories will leave you merry to the max.

Three-hundred and sixty-five days of political decisions that affect you. What stories led the headlines in 2025 and how might they continue to shape the year ahead? Our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon look back at Saskatchewan's biggest political stories of the last year and they make some predictions for 2026.

Some Saskatchewan newcomers face deportation as the country tightens its immigration policies. We take you to Lloydminster where one restaurant owner says her business will fold if her two chefs are forced to leave the country. Meanwhile, refugee claims in the province have jumped by 98 per cent as people desperately look for ways to stay in Saskatchewan.

There are several new cabinet members taking up fresh posts just before the holidays and already they have additional tariff threats to tackle from the U.S. President. How will this cohort fare, especially when some are new to politics? Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk sort through the shuffle.

Imagine being at Shoppers Drug Mart to mail some parcels when a masked man enters the store with a weapon, yelling at the clerk to open the till. A Saskatoon woman shares her eye-witness account just as Saskatoon police launch their quarterly “retail blitz” to target increasingly violent shoplifters, who often use knives, bear spray and bats to steal items.

The government is on the hook for $194 million after it ordered SaskPower to stop collecting the carbon tax. The Official Opposition is concerned rate payers will be forced to foot the bill to make up for the loss. Political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon take stock of our provincial finances as the fall legislative sitting wraps up.

Tiny homes, modular apartments, ready to move duplexes, and more. Regina is one of only a few communities in the country that’s changed zoning rules to allow manufactured homes in all neighbourhoods. Proponents say this will help address our housing shortage. Critics say this could change the character of neighbourhoods.

A memorandum of understanding is getting a thumbs up from Saskatchewan’s Premier. But what are the politics of the pipeline plan? Our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Jeremy Simes weigh in.

If you ride the bus, is it a choice or a necessity? Many riders told us they would rather drive because it’s faster and warmer. And yet, ridership continues to grow in Saskatoon. With some big changes on the horizon for Saskatoon Transit, might attitudes about taking the bus start to change?

It meant missing the Saskatchewan Grey Cup parade, but Premier Moe’s priority this week was another face to face meeting with U.S. policy makers to talk trade. Our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon follow the flight path of the premier to see if the ongoing travel south is worth it.

If you live in a community like Balgonie, Lumsden, or White City you are going to pay more for swimming lessons in Regina in 2026. Watch out Warman and Corman Park, because you might be next as the City of Saskatoon decides if they should follow Regina’s lead. We ask a former city councillor just how broke cities are and if this is a smart way to raise money without raising taxes.