Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast This is Saskatchewan

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 Mandryl 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.

Is Saskatchewan getting any of the Federal Government's national building projects? The short answer is no. Political columnist Murray Mandryk and CBC political reporter Alexander Quon join Sam Maciag to talk about how politicians are reacting, Scott Moe's approval rating at the Sask Party convention, and if the province will step in to help the people of Richmound.

Dog attacks in Regina and Saskatoon have people questioning how to best deal with aggressive dogs. Regina is updating its animal bylaw for the first time in 16 years and some people are worried the conversation could lead decision makers towards a breed ban. Is a pitbull more dangerous than a chihuahua? We go digging for the answer.

Do you have a local story that you think This is Saskatchewan should tell? Email us at ThisisSK@cbc.ca.

Premier Scott Moe invited Gainer the Gopher to the legislature this week just as the Riders are set to play in the Western Final. Does this promote provincial pride or does it distract from the many issues at hand such as the Supreme Court hearing appeals of Saskatchewan's pronoun law and an upcoming party convention where the pressure is on to win back the cities.

Move over millennials. Gen Z is the next generation of consumers. But it’s a hard generation to reach (they don’t take phone calls or answer emails.) So when people from some of the province’s largest organizations sat down with a group of 15-20 year olds to ask them anything, what did they learn? We eavesdrop on the conversations. (This podcast has been edited to remove the voice of a student whose parents had not signed their school's media consent form).

The roll out of a new Saskatchewan Health Authority scheduling system was such a disaster, the health minister stepped in and scrapped it.The failed system has cost $272 million as of the end of August. Our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Alexander Quon weigh the impact of having to tap out on time cards.

In a shocking move, the mayor of Duck Lake announced he is open to selling the town’s naming rights for a minimum bid of $10-million dollars. The historic Métis community in central Saskatchewan is dwindling and it needs money to pay for road repairs and new water and sewer lines. Can the town do this? Will any companies make a bid? And what will this mean for people who live there?

The Saskatchewan Party government and the NDP Opposition continue to disagree on the best way to deal with tariffs imposed by the U.S. They also can’t agree on how to deal with overloaded hospitals or how to respond to wildfires. What they do agree on – somewhat surprisingly – is involuntary treatment for people dealing with severe addictions and tailgating at Rider games. Political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk say this should lead to a spicy session.

People in Gravelbourg, a Fransaskois community in south-west Saskatchewan, are working to preserve its historic buildings. The town is even willing to give a 90-thousand square foot Catholic convent away for free, if your vision can help solve the community’s housing crisis. Can Gravelbourg do it?

The trials end and the details of Megan Gallagher’s killing are finally made public, including exactly what happened in the garage on Saskatoon’s Weldon Avenue. Her family wants people to know their story is part of a larger trend of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

Nine people are charged in connection to Megan’s death, making it an incredibly complex homicide case. But as the trials begin, serious cracks in the justice system emerge. We zoom in on two of the accused, whose trials went off the rails after police and the Crown botched the handling of a confidential informant.

The hunt to find Megan turns into a search for her remains. Two years after disappearing, her body is found 130 km from home, on the shores of the South Saskatchewan River. But how did she get there? And who is responsible?

Brian and Deb Gallagher spent years organizing rallies, putting up billboards, and printing t-shirts to find their missing daughter. They were convinced someone knew what happened. Then in January 2021, Saskatoon police went from investigating her disappearance as a missing persons case to solving a homicide.

30-year-old Megan Gallagher took care of everyone around her; the first to share a joke, play with kids and cook a memorable meal. Living in Saskatoon, she dreamed of becoming a chef. So when her family couldn't reach her back in September 2020, they started to worry something horrible had happened. And it had.

Political pundits believe involuntary treatment for people with a substance use disorder will be the focus of Premier Scott Moe’s speech from the throne which kicks off a new session at the legislature. Political panelists Jeremy Simes and Murray Mandryk sift through how drugs, public safety, hospital closures, and wildfires will shape the fall session.

Some people in Regina are annoyed that someone keeps feeding squirrels walnuts. Sure, they are high in omega-3s, but are they good for the bushy-tailed rodents? We enter the squabble to find out how we can live well with wildlife.

Canadian politicians are debating if it’s B.C’s coast or Canada’s as the push for a pipeline west continues. Premier Scott Moe is backing the Alberta premier who believes saying no to a pipeline is un-Canadian. Does this contradict Moe’s previous statements over provincial jurisdiction? We ask our political panel.

Out of Order Coffee does not accept tips. Like many of you, the owners say they are tired of tipping. Come to the cafe to hear how they compensate staff without a tip jar. Plus, a food economist untangles why we’re at a tipping point and what customers can do instead.

After a 20 year wait, residential school survivors got an apology and compensation from Premier Scott Moe. But is it too little, too late? Political panelists Jeremy Simes and Murray Mandryk measure the weight of this apology, and why it's happening now.

She was addicted, dealing drugs, and facing jail time. Drug court gave her a lifeline. Now Susan Sebulsky is running Saskatchewan’s third drug court in North Battleford. The CBC’s Bonnie Allen spoke to Susan and several legal professionals who say it’s not a get out of jail free card.

Saskatoon and Regina police will soon be able to seize and arrest those carrying bear spray, knives, pipes, and also hypodermic needles if they are deemed a “street weapon.” The cities opted into the province’s Street Weapons Act, but not without critics who say this is targeting harm reduction. We ask our political panelists Murray Mandryk and Jeremy Simes if the provincial legislation is justified.

Be honest - if a homeless shelter opened in your neighbourhood, how would you react? Most people agree they are crucial with Saskatchewan’s extreme temperatures. But living next to one isn’t always easy. Residents in Regina’s Cathedral neighbourhood and in Saskatoon’s Caswell Hill are trying to figure out how shelters can serve a need without alienating neighbours. 

Premier Scott Moe has been racking up the Air Miles. First he went to Japan and China to try and tackle trade issues. Then he went to Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Did his message land with those in power? We ask our political panelists.

The self-described Queen of Canada is on house arrest in Regina after police raided the former school in the village of Richmound where she lived with her followers for the past two years. Is the saga over? One resident and a cult expert say, not yet.

Two B.C.-based aircraft companies are at the centre of a court case. CBC’s Geoff Leo breaks down what court documents say about the Saskatchewan government’s contract for new firefighting planes.  

GreenSpirit Chaplain Shawn Sanford Beck from Saskatoon joins Sam Maciag to talk about his role in supporting people’s relationships with trees, the earth, and other beings.

Premier Scott Moe’s mission to Beijing is finally in motion but the Prime Minister will not be by his side. Our political panel dissects if this trip will make a difference.

With language, cost, transportation and so many other barriers, newcomers with athletic dreams don’t always get the shot they deserve. A new partnership between Bring Em’ Up Sask and the Regina Open Door Society is hoping to change that, with free athletic camps for refugee and newcomer students.

Canola is big money in Saskatchewan, so being slapped with a Chinese tariff is tough news for already stressed producers. We check in with farmers Chad Nagy and Lesley Kelly and an expert who wants to see more Canadian canola used domestically in biofuels.

Political panelists Murray Mandryk and Jeremy Simes discuss Premier Scott Moe’s request for Prime Minister Carney to come with him to China to lobby against canola tariffs.

In the last year, beef prices have climbed 25 per cent – making the cost of grilling a little more painful. We check in with a BBQ restaurant owner, a cow-calf producer and a feed lot to find out why things cost so much, how long this might last, and the impact on their businesses.

Gophers are cute, but they’re also a hole digging nuisance. With a once-used poison now banned in Canada, they’re coming back with a vengeance. We check in with Saskatchewan producers and local pest control to hear about the problems gophers cause and how to put a stop to it.

Pop sensation Chappell Roan dropped reference to Saskatchewan in her latest single. It's a big deal for Saskatchewan fans and it has Americans googling "What is a Saskatchewan?"

Our CBC political panelists Murray Mandryk and Jeremy Simes weigh in on Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon where politicians found some common ground on nuclear energy, and there was a warning to reduce our dependence on the US Market. They also talk about partisan appointments to the boards of crown corporations. 

Session is out for the summer, but Saskatchewan politicians aren’t vacationing. At least, not the entire time. Former Sask. Party MLA Paul Merriman pulls back the curtain on what our elected officials actually do all summer while they are out of the spotlight.

CBC political panelists Murray Mandryk and Jeremy Simes weigh in on the premiers’ meeting in Ontario, noting that Scott Moe seems to have shifted his tone toward the federal government. Also, the province asks the feds for help with wildfire response.

As we roll through summer movie and TV season, we check in with one of Saskatchewan’s most successful exports: Sons of Anarchy star Kim Coates. He explains why being from Saskatoon is his super power.

The market for home sales in Regina and Saskatoon is sizzling hot. Inventory is at its lowest in years. Bidding wars, cash sales, unconditional offers – you name it, realtors are seeing it. Agents Peter Fourlas and Jillian Moore join Sam Maciag to provide a snapshot of the market. 

Several rural municipalities in southwest Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency because of drought. For many producers, it’s been almost a decade of continuous dry conditions, leaving them praying for rain – and begging the government for help.