Gordon Edgar

I guess I firmly believe right now that Moose Jaw is in a very pivotal moment. And that we have the opportunity, I think, to really define and shape the future for the city for generations to come. I really do believe that, and I also feel that with the knowledge and experience that I had of over 30 years in the funeral profession, and allowing me to advance at different stages in that, ultimately running my own funeral home as my own business for over half of my funeral career, I think that that has allowed me to gain really valuable experience on the operating of a business.

The cast of Central Collegiate's Addams Family musical ham it up for a group photo during rehearsal (photo courtesy Brian Bowley)

October saw the highest monthly sales ever reported in Saskatchewan, with 1,520 sales during the month bumping numbers to 21 per cent higher than 2023 — 36 per cent above long-term, 10-year historical averages. Cole Zawislak with the Saskatchewan Realtor’s Association (SRA) said that trend holds across the province, including for Moose Jaw. “Very similar story in Moose Jaw — 61 sales in the month of October, up 20 per cent year-over-year, nearly 40 per cent above the 10-year average,” Zawislak told Discover Moose Jaw. Fifty-one of the 61 sales were single-family detached homes, with apartments and mobiles home making up the remainder. “Still a significant inventory crunch in Moose Jaw, down 55 per cent versus what we typically see for this time of year, and that’s translating to 1.85 months of supply, which again is down almost 35 per cent year-over-year and nearly 70 per cent down from what we’re used to seeing in the month of October.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm1'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); The SRA prefers to see inventory levels at around 5-6 months of supply, so to see 1.85 months is not ‘comfy’, Zawislak explained. Sales levels went up across all regions of the province in October, contributing to a year-to-date gain of over 8 percent. Zawislak said this is the third consecutive month that Moose Jaw has led the province in year-over-year price growth. “The residential benchmark price in Moose Jaw is just shy of $266,000 this month, that’s up over 11 per cent year-over-year. So, again, very significant,” Zawislak commented. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm2'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Despite modest monthly growth in new listings, the sixteenth consecutive month of above-average sales in Saskatchewan led to further inventory declines – with inventory at the lowest point in October since 2007. The steepest inventory declines were experienced in homes priced below $300,000, while the only monthly inventory gains were reported in homes priced above $600,000. “Saskatchewan continues to benefit from several positive economic factors supporting above-average housing demand across our province,” said Chris Guérette, CEO of the SRA. “Unlike some parts of the country, housing demand remains strong despite significant inventory challenges – as demonstrated by a sixteenth consecutive month of above-average sales.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm3'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); High monthly sales, combined with low inventory, resulted in the months of supply falling to just above three months across the province—an exceptionally low figure for the month of October. The relatively tight market conditions throughout much of 2024 continue to place upward pressure on prices, as nearly all Saskatchewan communities reported year-over-year benchmark price gains this month. Saskatchewan reported a residential benchmark price of $343,400 in October, down very slightly from $343,800 in September. While a slight month-over-month price decrease is expected and in line with seasonal factors, the October benchmark price is nearly six percent above October 2023 – with prices increasing across all property types compared to last year. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm4'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “We typically see less sales activity in the fourth quarter of the year, and when you factor in the scarcity of inventory, the demand we’re seeing that led to record October sales is quite impressive,” said Guérette. “Recent rate cuts are expected to support even stronger demand – with inventory levels below near record lows in some markets across the province, it is a challenging time for prospective buyers right now.” For the greater south Saskatchewan region, Esteven, Weyburn, and Swift Current were in line with the overall trend of high sales at high prices, with inventory well below what the market would prefer to see. “Estevan, another month of strong sales, up nearly 20 per cent year-over-year, with inventory challenges very similar to what the rest of the province is seeing, down 64 per cent,” Zawislak reported. “The monthly supply is down over 70 per cent, so again, that’s translating to strong sales, strong demand, and less inventory. Prices are up just over 4 per cent in Estevan for the month of October. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm5'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “In Swift Current, 30 sales for the month, and the monthly supply is down just shy of 50 per cent year-over-year. In Weyburn, sales are up 30 per cent year-over-year, inventory is down 35 per cent year-over-year, and the monthly supply is down over 50 per cent year-over-year. That’s nearly 80 per cent below what we typically see on a historical level for that community.” Reports from the Saskatchewan Realtors' Association can be viewed at saskatchewanrealtorsassociation.ca/market-watch-october-2024.

The Moose Jaw & District Humane Society expressed their gratitude to the community for all the help on Friday, Nov. 8, with the 12th annual Paws for Pledges radiothon surpassing its goal to raise a total of $106,789 to support the non-profit's work in the city and surrounding area.

The Moose Jaw Police Service is asking the public's help in locating 37-year-old Devin Jackson. Jackson is wanted for Obstructing a Peace Officer, several counts of Failure to Appear in court, and Driving While Suspended.

NDP Leader Carla Beck at a campaign stop in Moose Jaw during the recent provincial election (photo by Cameron Koch)

Sharon Schauenberg was acclaimed mayor of Assiniboia along with all six returning council members (file photo)

Dr. Mitch Weegman holds a Cackling Goose during a research trip to Baffin Island in Nunavut (Photo courtesy Dr. Weegman)

Reality Check is organized annually by the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce to give Grade 9s throughout the city a financial literacy crash course (photo by Colin Johnston)

Rural schools in the Prairie South School Division (PSSD) are benefiting from mental wellness programs and projects thanks to grant-matching from the River Street Promotions (RSP) fund — the money comes from the annual Homestand and Nashville Night concerts that RSP organizes. “We joined with another school, as well, Glentworth School, and we brought in a mental health and wellness speaker named Brad Siroski, and we had a presentation for our Grade 3 to 6s,” explained Karla Silbernagel, principal of Mankota School. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm1'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “He talked about struggling in school with ADHD, but he put it in terms that kids could understand, and he talked about feelings and that there’s no ‘wrong’ feeling, it’s just how to handle feelings, and he talked about some strategies for good mental health.” Siroski also did a second presentation with the Grade 7-12 group from both schools in which he focused on his struggles with addiction and mental health. He then led a workshop in the afternoon narrowing in on the causes of mental illness and solutions to improve mental health. Students like Kalleigh A. said Siroski had “a unique story which was different than a lot of speakers,” while Emily C. said he “kept it real,” and Abraham G. said that “Sometimes presenters are boring, but I was interested in his story. He made me think about what might make someone do drugs.” googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm2'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); Since forming their non-profit in 2021 and holding the Homestand concert series at Ross Wells Park in Moose Jaw, RSP has donated hundreds of thousands to a fund jointly accessible by PSSD and Holy Trinity Catholic School Division. Schools in the division can apply for grant-matching for mental wellness projects including bringing motivational speakers, renovating ‘quiet rooms’ for children to take breaks in, providing resources for staff and students, and more. Following Homestand ‘24, which featured Trick Ryder, Belle Plaine, The Steadies, Doc Walker, headliners 54-40, and Toque closing the evening out, RSP donated $130,000 to the fund. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm3'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “It’s very costly for some of our small schools to get guest speakers, especially because we’re so remote,” Silbernagel added. “Having River Street Promotions sponsor that was amazing ... and it was a really powerful day.” Another recent project that benefited from the RSP fund was in Mossbank, where students heard from Whitney Ogle, an Indigenous speaker from Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation. Mossbank School principal Brett Tiffen said Ogle’s presentation was engaging, informative, and fun, and they’ll be having her back. “She was helping with our wellness goal and our Indigenous goal at the same time, and she presented some life stories and how it related to the wellness of the kids and perseverance and to keep going through the different situations the kids have in their lives,” Tiffen explained. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm4'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “She’s going to be coming out in the spring, as well. So, we found out what her fee was and we talked to River Street Promotions and yeah, they gave us half the money. It was awesome. For our division goals, our idea is to bring more awareness to Indigenous culture, especially living in Saskatchewan, where we have such a history. When I grew up, that information just wasn’t there.” Ogle taught the students about the Seven Sacred Teachings — love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth. Tiffen said students listened closely and were able to relate what they heard to their own lives and discuss getting through hard times and difficult situations using the Teachings. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/dmj-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1648064270259-bbm5'); s.setTargeting('URL', [window.location.pathname]); s.setTargeting('position', [1648064270259]) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } });