A hot topic recently is how can small towns keep local businesses alive in this day and age when online shopping and big store chains are drawing shoppers away.

In Shaunavon, there have been some businesses closing, and some businesses starting up, but it's always a topic of discussion on the challenges of keeping a small business going.

Shaunavon Mayor, Grant Greenslade, says it's tough going for any small business these days. "It's always a challenge to keep the retail sector and the business sector in any community vibrant and growing. Hopefully, with the increase in commodity prices and oil, we'll see some increased traffic  for our hotels and retail sector."

Greenslade adds that Shaunavon Town Council has been in conversation with the Economic Development Committee on ways they can get people to shop in local businesses.