Here are CTV Regina's top 10 stories of 2024

Saskatchewan’s biggest headlines of 2024 WATCH: Morgan Campbell brings us Saskatchewan’s biggest stories from 2024.

From a shake up in Regina City Council leadership to an explosion of a well-known community staple, 2024 was a busy year in the headlines. Here is a look at the top stories of 2024 from CTV News Regina.

Saskatchewan votes

The Saskatchewan Party captured its fifth consecutive majority government on Oct. 28, 2024 – but it did not come without a fight.

An appetite for change was palpable, most noticeably in Regina, where the incumbents were swept out entirely. Only veteran Ken Cheveldayoff held on to his seat in Saskatoon – saving the Sask. Party from a sweep there as well.

As a result of an “orange wave” in the province’s two major cities, the Sask. Party lost veteran MLAs such as Christine Tell, Gene Makowsky, Laura Ross, Paul Merriman and Bronwyn Eyre.

The Saskatchewan NDP increased its caucus to 27 members – but failed to secure its position in places such as Prince Albert and Moose Jaw – which were essential in the New Democrat’s path to victory.

“This was a much closer election than what we have seen in quite some time … I would say this, that I have heard the message that was delivered here this evening,” Premier Scott Moe said in his victory speech on election night.

“The Saskatchewan Party will be a government that works for all of the people of Saskatchewan.”

The election results led to many experts commenting on a growing urban/rural divide in the province – with many expecting both parties to focus on outreach going forward.

Following the election, Moe repeatedly spoke against the idea of a divided province and stressed his intentions of leading a more collaborative government – while NDP Leader Carla Beck took on the role of critic for agriculture and rural affairs in addition to her role as leader.

While no change of government occurred, the Sask. NDP had its best showing since 2007 – when the party was voted out but maintained 20 seats in the then 58 seat legislature.

The Sask. Party’s fifth mandate means it will have a chance in 2028 to surpass the second longest continuous tenure of a party in government (20 years), which was set by the CCF and NDP under Premiers Tommy Douglas and Woodrow S. Lloyd from 1944 to 1964.

The longest a single party has held onto the seat of government in the province was the 24 years the Liberals governed Saskatchewan from its formation in 1905 until 1929.

The Sask. Party began implementing its election campaign promises, which mainly consisted of tax reductions, in a short fall sitting of the legislature prior to the Christmas break.

A supposed change room policy, which Moe committed to midway through the campaign, was abandoned after election day.

Educators on the Picket Line

The year of 2024 saw the continuation and eventual end to one of Saskatchewan’s longest labour disputes.

Beginning in the summer of 2023 – and climaxing in the spring and summer of 2024 – the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) faced off against the provincial government as the collective bargaining process dragged on for more than a year.

Going into the negotiations, teachers raised concerns such as burnout, understaffing and a rise in students requiring intensive supports.

A provincially funded ad campaign ran in the summer of 2023 and showcased “a fair deal for teachers.” The ads made claims such as the average Sask. teacher earns $92,000 annually.

The STF accused the province of cherry-picking data, misleading the public and attempting to undermine good-faith bargaining.

In January of 2024, a labour ministry conciliation board found that teachers have a right to negotiate on their working conditions. However, the province doubled down and stated it is only willing to negotiate matters of compensation at the bargaining table.

The terms “class size and complexity” become hallmarks in the discourse. At times, thousands of teachers picketed in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building – including on budget day.

Two offers were made by the government’s bargaining committee throughout the strike. However, both were rejected by STF membership – the second by a narrow margin of 55 per cent.

Binding arbitration was finally agreed to on June 14. The two sides met for several days in mid-December in Saskatoon to argue their respective cases.

A decision from that arbitration is expected in the new year.

Regina elects new mayor, council

From a crowded field of 11 candidates – mechanical engineer Chad Bachynski defeated incumbent Sandra Masters to become Regina’s next mayor.

“Regina was looking for change,” Bachynski told CTV News following his election win. “They wanted to take a different direction and to look at some new, fresh ideas.”

Coming just weeks after Saskatchewan’s provincial election, voters once again headed to the polls to exercise their democratic right at the municipal level. They did so in greater numbers than in 2020 – with voter turnout rising to 26 per cent from 19 per cent four years earlier.

Just two incumbents were elected back to Henry Baker Hall – with Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak and Ward 9 Coun. Jason Mancinelli inking out victories.

Outgoing councillors Bob Hawkins (Ward 2), who was seeking a fourth term on council, and one-term councillor Terina Nelson (Ward 7) were defeated in their respective wards. Six others chose not to seek re-election.

The electoral results, with eight new councillors and a new mayor, represented a truly fresh crop of representation for Regina’s city council.

Bachynski leaned on his engineering background in his pitch to voters – vowing to bring a technical approach to city council through his experience in project management at SaskEnergy.

“I’ve had the opportunity to build teams, bring in new people, work with new people, understand different personalities. I’m excited. I think it’s great. I think that it’s an opportunity for everybody.” he told reporters during his acceptance speech as mayor-elect.

“Regina has said they want change, this is a great opportunity to set a new tone.”

Former Mayor Sandra Masters expressed relief to get back to normal life while speaking on election night.

Masters was also a political newcomer prior to her time in city hall and was Regina’s first female mayor.

“It was an honour and privilege to serve the citizens of Regina, like truly the honour of a lifetime,” she explained.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s business organizations or our tourism sites, from the science centre to the new Y, to … the relationships with First Nations chiefs that I’ve been able to develop just again, the privilege of a lifetime supporting the military, local folks, supporting our first responders. I couldn’t have asked for a better job for the last four years.”

Michael Gordon Jackson case concludes

Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan father who withheld his daughter from her mother for almost 100 days to prevent his child from getting a COVID-19 vaccine was handed a prison sentence in 2024.

In December, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 200 days probation. However, Jackson was credited for time served, meaning he was free from additional prison time subject to probation order conditions.

The ordeal began in November of 2021, when Jackson did not return his daughter to her mother at the agreed upon time. He disappeared with the child until February of 2022 and was found with his child by police in Vernon, B.C. after a Canada Wide Warrant was put out.

Jackson had reiterated that it was his sole intention was to protect his daughter from “the imminent, irreparable and irreversible harm of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Jackson was later found guilty of contravention of a custody order.

Bella Brave dies at the age of 10

Isabella “Bella Brave” Thomson, a girl who shared her medical journey with her mom Kyla on social media, died at the age of 10 in July.

Bella was born with three rare diseases that left her with no immune system. She gained a massive following on social media, even receiving special visits from celebrities.

She received a life-saving bowel transplant in 2023 and spent four months recovering in hospital.

Throughout her life, Bella lived up to her social media name, carrying bravery with her in whatever she did. She became an ambassador for TeleMiracle and always had a smile on her face.

However, in the summer of 2024, she was admitted into intensive care and put into a medically induced coma after her lungs began to fail. She died soon after surrounded by her family.

Messages of condolences poured in after Bella’s death, with people sharing stories of what she meant to them and how they used bravery in their own lives.

Following her death, Bella’s mom continues to advocate for her and works to keep her legacy alive.

Government scandals in the legislature

The Saskatchewan Legislature was not without its fair share of dramatic moments in 2024, but there were a couple of instances that dominated the conversation.

Early in the year, the Moose Jaw Police Service revealed that former Sask. Party MLA Greg Lawrence was facing assault charges stemming from an incident in 2019.

He resigned from caucus amid the active police investigation and served as an Independent MLA. Later in the year, Lawrence was sentenced to 12 months probation after pleading guilty to one count of assault.

The whirlwind year in the legislature continued when Speaker Randy Weekes leveled several accusations towards members of the Sask. Party, alleging he was harassed while serving in his role as speaker.

Part of those allegations also had to do with Sask. Party MLA Jeremy Harrison bringing a gun into the legislature.

This accusation eventually led to Harrison admitting that he had brought a hunting rifle into the legislature a decade ago – after denying Weekes’ allegations outright.

Harrison claimed that he stopped at the legislative building for a short period of time on his way to a weekend hunting trip, and brought the gun inside the building because he did not want to leave it unattended in his vehicle.

Harrison claimed he had forgotten about incident and was reminded of it during conversations with family. The incident ultimately led to him stepping down as Government House Leader following the backlash.

Additionally, a controversy that began when a now former Sask. Party MLA was accused of inflating hotel room prices for those on social services, continued well into 2024.

The release of the Auditor’s report in December fueled continued debate over Gary Grewal’s involvement in both the Sunrise and Thriftlodge Motels.

The Opposition NDP had also called for a motion to have Grewal investigated following the release of the Auditor’s report, which was ultimately shot down.

MLA for The Battlefords and Cabinet Minister Jeremy Cockrill was the subject of two separate investigations by the province’s Conflict of Interest Commissioner (COIC).

Cockrill was cleared of any wrongdoing on the matter concerning his investments in helium firms.

However, COIC Maurice Herauf recommended Cockrill receive a reprimand for his involvement in his family’s business which had received government contracts while Cockrill was an elected member.

Saskatchewan woman makes NHL history in the coaching ranks

Saskatchewan’s Jessica Campbell made hockey history in October when she became the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).

The 32-year-old was hired by the Seattle Kraken in July and made her NHL coaching debut on Oct. 8.

Campbell grew up playing hockey for the Melville Prairie Fire in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League before attending Cornell University (NCAA) from 2010 until 2014.

She was also a member of the Canadian National Woman’s Team in 2015.

“I try to really just keep my eyes fixed on what matters everyday, to be in the now, to be in the moment, to stay in the trenches with the players,” Campbell told reporters in July.

“Though I am honoured to be the first, I don’t want to be the only. And I don’t feel like I’m the only in this organization. That’s also a very special feeling.”

Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide

In March, RCMP found the bodies of four people on a Saskatchewan farm near the village of Neudorf.

After an investigation, police revealed that the bodies discovered were those of two parents and their adult children – they consisted of a 67-year-old man, 58-year-old woman, 34-year-old man and 30-year-old man.

Police said the 34-year-old man died from self-inflicted injuries and confirmed a murder-suicide had taken place at the farm.

RCMP in Melville discovered the bodies after doing conducting a requested wellness check shortly after 6 p.m. on March 24. The deaths were immediately considered suspicious.

Boxes likely containing Gretzky rookie cards found in Regina basement

A dream come true for any hockey card collector was found in a Regina basement early in 2024. A case containing an unprecedented chance at numerous “official” Wayne Gretzky rookie cards.

The case was immediately expected to sell for millions.

Inside the case were 16 unopened wax boxes of 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee (OPC) hockey cards, with 48 packs of 10 cards per box — a total of 7,680 cards.

For serious collectors, only around 20 of those mattered. Based on statistical probability, that’s how many pristine Wayne Gretzky rookie cards from the 1978-79 season might have been locked inside.

In its description for the lot, Heritage Auctions called it the “greatest unopened find in the 21st century.”

An initial sale of the case initially fell through but later in 2024 it’s believed the case was sold for more than $2.5 million.

Explosion at Luiggi’s Pasta House

An explosion at Luiggi’s Pasta House on Jan. 10 could be heard across much of northern Regina and heavily damaged the well-known community staple.

Luckily only minor injuries were reported from the blast – which was later determined to be accidental.

Investigators determined the explosion and corresponding fire originated from the restaurant’s kitchen area and was caused by a steel pipe falling from the underside of the buildings ceiling and striking a component of a natural gas system below.

The portion of the commercial building containing Luigi’s was eventually torn down.

Responding to the situation on the day of the explosion, Luiggi’s ownership didn’t rule out re-opening in the future.

During the months that followed, the business posted pictures of its famous Luiggi’s Pasta truck that was on display at Big Bob’s Meats, another business that has reopened after a fire.