In this episode of MuniCast we speak with Joan McCusker, 1998 Olympic Gold Medal Winner on the Sandra Schmirler curling team, about her Saskatchewan roots, the importance, and her role as the MC for the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow. 

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel

Cody Demerais will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow. In this episode Cody sits down with us to discuss his keynote presentation, why he is looking forward to talking to Saskatchewan's Urban Municipalities, and his experiences with mental health and addictions. 

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel

On this episode Andrew McDonald, Director of Marketing and Communications at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, joins us to discuss the story of Wanuskewin, the excellence of the site, and the value of an experience at the park. This year, SUMA is introducing optional excursions during the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow. Participants will have the opportunity to visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park and discover the thousands of years of history located on this unique site that is right here in Saskatchewan.

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel

The Honourable Everett Hindley, bearpit participant at the annual SUMA Convention and Tradeshow, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health joins us to discuss the work that the ministry has been doing to address mental health and addictions, and the value of connecting with Saskatchewan's municipal leaders.

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel

In this episode we are joined by Jodine Smith with SaskTel, and the Be Kind Online Program, and Cindy Fuchs with the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation. Be Kind Online aims to end bullying and cyberbullying in our communities and Saskatchewan Roughrider foundation’s mission is to empower youth and communities through teaching skills like leadership, resilience, and responsibility. Tune in to this episode as we discuss how these two programs work together to address youth mental health throughout Saskatchewan.

In this episode we sit down with Caylee Stewart from LifeWorks to discuss the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). From time to time, we all need support to deal with an issue or challenge, the EFAP program is designed to support the mental wellbeing of employees and their families. Tune in as we discuss how the program works, the forms off assistance available, and walk you through what that first call may look like. The EFAP benefit is available for all SUMA Group Benefit subscribers, but please note that not all the subscribers have the EFAP benefit on their plan.

In 2013-14, the Embracing Life Initiative began. A call for action to reduce suicide, the initiative strives to share the strengths of northern communities and work together through healthy life promotion, suicide prevention, intervention, and post-vention. In Season 3, Episode 4 of MuniCast, we sit down with Brandi Bell, Senior Policy Analyst and Secretariat of Embracing Life, Northern Engagement and Indigenous and Northern Relations for the Ministry of Government Relations. Brandi speaks to us about the Embracing Life Initiative, the role of the community, and withholding judgement. To learn more about the Embracing Life Initiative click here.

In this episode of MuniCast we speak with Jordan McPhail, councillor for the Town of La Ronge, about what he sees for the future of northern communities, the importance of regional collaboration, and the value of community-based supports for addressing mental health and addictions. Jordan shares his experiences advocating for his community as a municipal leader, how the COVID-19 pandemic brought the mental health and addictions crisis to light, and his thoughts on jurisdictional barriers to addressing homelessness.

We sat down with SUMA President and Councillor for the City of Yorkton, Randy Goulden, to discuss her career in municipal politics, her involvement in SUMA and FCM, and what keeps her motivated to continue serving her municipality and municipal associations. Randy discusses the importance of connection and shares personal experiences around the value of reliable broadband, and the need for accessible public transportation throughout the province.

In Season 3, Episode 1 of MuniCast we sit down with former City of Edmonton Mayor, Don Iveson, to talk about everything from becoming a municipal leader, to COVID-19, to housing. Don shares personal and professional experiences that have shaped the way he engages with community members and how mental health, housing, and current trends in municipal leadership, are interconnected.