sgi Facial recognition Has Officially Gone Live
SGI is reminding customers that as of August 24 , 2016 , facial recognition software is in place when issuing driver ’ s licences and photo identification cards . “ Facial recognition protects Saskatchewan residents from identity theft and it also prevents people from getting multiple licences or ID cards ,” said Andrew Cartmell , President and CEO of SGI . “ This enhances road safety for everyone because it means someone with a suspended or revoked driver ’ s licence isn ’ t able to continue driving by getting a new licence under a different name .” Facial recognition technology works behind the scenes . Customers won ’ t notice anything different if they get a new photo taken or receive a new card . Customers are not required to get a new photo or card until their current one expires .
“ The transition to facial recognition is seamless for customers , and we are pleased to provide enhanced security that our customers can count on ,” said Cartmell . “ With this move , Saskatchewan joins most other Canadian provinces that are using facial recognition technology in their driver ’ s licensing programs , as well as Passport Canada .”
When a photo is enrolled into the facial recognition system :
• The system creates a numerical template of the photo by using landmarks on the face , for example the distance between the eyes , the size and / or shape of the eyes , nose , cheekbones and jaw .
• Then , the system compares the numeric template of the new photo to the numeric template of the customer ’ s previous one ( if the customer has an existing driver ’ s licence / photo ID card on file ).
• Next , it compares the numeric template of the photo to the numeric template of all other photos in the database , to confirm the photo is not associated with any other customer in the database .
There is no added cost to customers for facial recognition , and the driver ’ s licence and photo ID cards continue to be valid for five years .
SGI announced its intent to move towards facial recognition technology in October 2015 , when a new vendor was selected for driver ’ s licence and photo ID card production after a Request for Proposal process . The contract was awarded to Veridos Canada Inc ., who began producing Saskatchewan ’ s driver licence and photo ID cards on April 1 , 2016 .
the Counselling Corner
Mindfulness and the Benefits
Martensville , SK - Child , Youth , Adult , Couple , & Family Counselling Submitted by Wendy Kritzer BSW , MSW , RSW
Mindfulness is a mental state that one attains by focusing their awareness on the present moment , while calmly recognizing their feelings , thoughts , and bodily sensations . It is simply a method of thought training . Mindfulness is not a difficult process but it does require patience and persistence .
M i n d f u l n e s s meditation – ( Mindfulness of Breath ) This is a simple form of meditation that consists of an individual ’ s complete focus on each breath as it flows in and out of their body . This is performed by allowing the individual to observe thoughts as they emerge in their mind followed by a step-bystep process of letting go of each struggle . This allows an individual to understand that thoughts and feelings ( positive or negative in nature ) are impermanent , that they can come and go . Further , we have a choice about whether or not we choose to act on thoughts . Mindfulness meditation will allow an individual to grasp onto their negative thought patterns before those thoughts move them into a negative state . This allows an individual to begin the process of placing themselves back in control of their life . Long-term changes are observed in mood , levels of happiness and well-being .
Other forms of mindfulness include present moment awareness , mindfulness listening , mindful seeing , mindful tasting , mindful smelling , mindful touching , mindful motion , and mindfulness of thoughts . As well as , mindfulness emotions , mindfulness of physical body , mindfulness of relationships , mindfulness of tasks , mindfulness of compassion , mindfulness of intention and finally mindfulness of intuition .
Various emotions such as anxiety , stress ,
Have Your Say on Health System Restructuring
Saskatchewan residents and interested organizations are invited to provide feedback to the recently-announced advisory panel examining the restructuring of Saskatchewan ’ s health care system .
On August 18 , the Minister of Health appointed a three person advisory panel to review the current Regional Health Authority ( RHA ) structure and provide advice on a system with fewer RHAs in Saskatchewan .
The panel will also look at services that could be delivered more efficiently and effectively on a provincial scale , examine RHA board governance and accountability , and identify ways to enhance measurement of health system performance .
“ Our panel wants to support a robust and open dialogue with key partners and stakeholders throughout this process ,” panel member Dr . Dennis Kendel said . “ The panel wants to ensure the patient is at the centre of a redefined system , which will be structured and governed to best support and improve patient care .”
The panel is now accepting online written submissions from all interested individuals and groups . The submission form can be accessed at www . saskatchewan . ca .
BELOW : As of August 24 , SGI began using facial recognition software when issuing photo ID cards . ( SGI / Facebook )
Submission deadline is September 26 . The submission form includes options for responding to each of the four areas within the panel ’ s mandate , though there is no requirement to complete all four .
“ Restructuring the health system is an extremely complex process ,” panel member Brenda Abrametz said . “ The panel welcomes opinions from different perspectives to enhance our abilities to make informed recommendations to the government .”
“ We sincerely appreciate everyone ’ s input in this important review that will help to shape the future of Saskatchewan ’ s health system structure ,” panel member Tyler Bragg said .
The Advisory Panel will provide scheduled updates throughout the process . All submissions are part of a consultation process that may be released publicly upon the completion of the panel ’ s work .
Personal information and personal health information will not be disclosed . For more information about the review and to access the online submission , visit the Government of Saskatchewan website at www . saskatchewan . ca and search for “ Health Advisory Panel .”
martensville messenger - sePtemBer 1 , 2016 - Page 5
ABOVE : Wendy Kritzer
depression , exhaustion , and irritability are all minimized by the use of mindfulness meditation . Improvements are seen with memory , creativity , attention span , reaction times , and mental and physical stamina . Mindfulness is also proven to reduce pain and emotional reaction . Mindfulness trials demonstrate improved mood and quality of life in chronic pain conditions . Mindfulness meditation also improves emotional intelligence and reduces addictive and self-destructive behaviour . With the use of mindfulness meditation , the brain function is enhanced with improvements observed in selfawareness , empathy , self-control and attention . It also soothes the part of the brain that produces stress hormones and builds those areas that increase positive mood and promote learning . Immune systems improve with the regular use of mindfulness meditation . Other areas of improvement are emotional regulation , social skills , self-esteem , and sense of calmness , relaxation , and selfacceptance . As well as improvement with quality of sleep , test anxiety , ADHD behavior such as hyperactivity / impulsivity , and fewer conduct and anger management difficulties .
If you have further questions concerning mindfulness and the benefits , please email me at thecounsellingcorner @ sasktel . net .
I am also considering running some anxiety group sessions and wondering about the interest with this and possible other support groups . Please email me at thecounsellingcorner @ sasktel . net and share your interest please .
With school starting soon , I would like to repeat the topic on conflict management for youth / children in our next discussion . If you have topics that you would like discussed , please feel free to email me at thecounsellingcorner @ sasktel . net .
Until next time – Wendy From The Counselling Corner
Notice of Call for Nominations School Division Elections
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that nominations of candidates for the office of :
BOARD MEMBER : ST . PAUL ’ S ROMAN CATHOLIC SEPARATE SCHOOL DIVISION NO . 20 , SUBDIVISION NO . 1
will be received by the undersigned on the 21st day of September 2016 , from 9:00 a . m . to 4:00 p . m . at the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board Office , 420 - 22nd Street East , Saskatoon , SK and during regular business hours on August 29th , 2016 to September 20th , 2016 at the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board Office , 420 - 22nd Street East , Saskatoon , SK .
Nomination forms may be obtained at the following location ( s ):
• Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board Office 420 - 22nd Street East , Saskatoon , SK
• Aberdeen Town Office
• Clavet Village Office
• Viscount Village Office
• Martensville City Hall
• Warman City Hall
• Vonda Town Office
• Prud ’ homme Village Office
• Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools website : www . gscs . sk . ca
Dated this 25th day of August 2016 .
Ron Walter Returning Officer