Rural opportunities abound

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

Wendy Thienes

Shaunavon Standard Local Journalism Initiative

CÉCS (Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan) brought a group of newcomers to Shaunavon last Thursday to introduce them to the community’s many opportunities at the Thrive in Shaunavon Opportunities Showcase. Local and regional employers, non-profits, service clubs, and community organizations were invited to host a free table to showcase everything from job openings and volunteer roles to services, memberships, and community initiatives.

The vision for the ‘Opportunities Showcase’ is to provide an opportunity for individuals, businesses and organizations in Shaunavon and the surrounding region to showcase their incredible richness of skill, talent, compassion, intellect, commerce and growth to allow everyone to thrive.

Exhibitors ranged from those seeking employees such as Saskatchewan Health Authority and agricultural companies, to service clubs and organizations that provide services within the community. The Newcomer Welcome Centre and Fresh Start Counselling, both based in Swift Current, were in attendance, along with Eastend artists. Vanner’s golf simulator plans to open in October and offered quick tours of their new space adjacent to the event in the upper level of the Veren Wickenheiser Centre.

The Town of Shaunavon organized the event which began with a lunch catered by El Faro Market whose owner, Becky Gooding, welcomed the group to the afternoon portion by sharing her and her husband Deryk’s entrepreneurial story of relocating to Shaunavon from Pender Island, BC one year ago. Gooding says, “We didn’t think that communities like Shaunavon existed anymore. The community has really embraced us and we feel very fortunate that we can live and work here.” Chamber President Roderick Thienes then welcomed exhibitors and attendees and the Opportunities Showcase was open to the general public from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

The event came to fruition through the ideas and efforts of Town of Shaunavon staff who had attended events in Regina and Saskatoon the past two years that were hosted by CÉCS. The Rural Sask: Work, Live and Thrive project is an opportunity to facilitate the meeting and discovery of the employment opportunities and quality of life that rural communities can offer to newcomers/immigrants to our province. Since 1947, the Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan (CÉCS) has been responsible for the economic development of francophone communities in the province and its spokesperson for economic development.

Anique Therrien is the Coordinator of CÉCS Connector Program and said the event was something they had been thinking about for a couple of years. “We really wanted to be able to show newcomers that Saskatchewan has some amazing opportunities in the rural areas, not just Saskatoon or Regina. Our hope is that events like this continue to grow and that we can include more communities in a road trip in the future.”

Mary Scott is the Economic Development Officer with the Town of Shaunavon and led the plans for the event in collaboration with other Town employees and CÉCS. Mary says, “The Veren Wickenheiser Centre was alive with people embracing and creating opportunities.  I can hardly wait to see how, in the coming weeks and months, these connections are cultivated. Attendees are all keen and already signing on for the next showcase with an incredible number of businesses and organizations who were unable to attend this time already committing to the next ‘Opportunities Showcase’.  She adds, “I am genuinely in awe of our community for their overwhelming support of one another, which serves to prove that when we lift each other up we all rise and thrive!”