The Evan Bray Show – Wednesday, June 17

8:30 – Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill joins Evan for a full hour of listener calls as Saskatchewan’s health system continues to face pressure on multiple fronts — from long ER wait times, safety concerns and staffing shortages to ongoing questions about access to family doctors and care in rural communities.

Listener Question: Have a question about healthcare in this province. This is your opportunity to ask the man in charge. Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill takes your calls at 1-877-332-8255.

9:30 – Saskatchewan has two seasons: winter and construction season. We’re well into construction season, and we want to know what we’ll have to show for it when the dust settles. What improvements are coming to the province’s highways? Evan is joined by Saskatchewan Highways Minister Kim Gartner.

LQ: What construction is driving you crazy!?! We’re airing our roadwork grievances on the Evan Bray Show.

10:00 – Evan goes to the phones to chat with listeners about construction projects and highways that are giving them a headache during their summer travels. Call 1-877-332-8255.

10:30 – Back in April, the province announced the Saskatchewan Small Town and Rural (STAR) Police Services Grant Program. But how is it actually helping rural services? Rob Duttchen, Chief Constable, Corman Park Police Service, joins us to answer that question!

LQ: Does your community need more police officers? Or better response times?

11:00 – You’re quick & clever! And for some weird reason you’ve carried the right answer in your head for years. Or maybe you just trust Uncle Google. It’s time for Saskatchewan’s Smartest Radio Listener for Little Town Apparel — your chance for fame and acclaim and to prove just how smart you are. Not only do you get bragging rights, you’ll win prizes too! Call 1-877-332-8255 to play!

11:30 – Father’s Day is on Sunday, and while the gifts/crafts from the kids can be sweet, they can also cause confusion and heartbreak for kids who have strained relationships with their parents or live in a nontraditional household. Last month, an elementary school in Winnipeg sent students home with “family gifts” instead of the traditional Mother’s Day and Father’s Day presents. Is this the right move?

LQ: Do you think schools should move away from specific Mother’s/Father’s Day gifts/activities and celebrate families in general?

12:00 – Weather has already been kind of a wild ride this year. Floods, fires, late snow… and the ride continues. A developing El Niño could bring more extreme weather around the world over the coming months. Experts are warning that it often amplifies droughts, floods, storms, and temperature swings. For more on this, Evan is joined by Dr. John Pomeroy, Director of the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Centre for Hydrology.

LQ: Do you feel like Saskatchewan is ready for a hotter-than-normal summer?