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A shift in Bee trades and a change to a nearly 40-year-old US border Policy might be in order to help the Canadian Honey Industry.
Osee Podolski, local honey producer and chair of inter-provincial movement for the Canadian Honey Council, is dreading the losses that his operation, and many in Canada, could see this winter.
"About 2-3 weeks ago, we were sitting at around 11-15% winter loss in the building, and through the harvesting period, from July 1st to October 31st, we lost 24% of our operation. If we extrapolate the data out, it's looking like a 90% overwinter loss by spring. Somewhere around the market of 1.2 million dollars in bees"
The trade of packaged bees was halted in 1986 to stop a parasite, called the varroa destructor mite, from coming to Canada.
Since then, varroa mites have established themselves here despite these measures.
Osee notes this is because bees do not obey land borders, and the border-based beekeepers could have acted as a point of contamination even without trade.
We'll have more conversations with Podolski about the state of the Beekeeping industry on Monday's noon-hour edition of Agri View.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Keystone Agricultural Producers are amid their district meeting run, and they are coming to the area next week.
Jill Verway, KAP president is excited to return to Dauphin and connect with local producers.
"Having those regional discussions with our members is what KAP is all about, and we've had quite a bit of those discussions in coordinating and coming out to your ag society meetings in the last 3 years and being able to reconnect with producers in the Dauphin area."
KAP will be meeting at the Smitty's in Dauphin on December 18th from 11-2, and in Swan River the next day at the veterans hall from 12-3.
Be sure to register ahead if you plan on attending.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The RM of Lakeshore has a new Reeve.
Isaac Olson was acclaimed to the position after he was the only person to submit nomination papers for the Reeve position by Tuesday's deadline.
Meanwhile, Diana McIntyre was acclaimed to the vacant council position in ward two - which includes Ochre River and the lakes.
There will be a by-election to fill the Ward One vacancy,
Three people have come forward for the spot - Varey Guy, Rick Paradis, and Ernie Smandella.
Voting will take place on January 15th from 8 am to 8 pm at the Lawrence Rec Centre in Rorketon.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The bitter cold and less-than-ideal road conditions have prompted a notice from CAA.
Over the past 2 days, CAA Manitoba has received triple their volume of calls due to the extreme weather, and due to this, some changes may be seen in their Service.
Emergency/priority calls will still be prioritized, but for all other roadside tow calls, dispatchers are not providing ETAs and will contact customers within 24 hours to arrange a time for service.
CAA members are encouraged to call ahead to their Garage and ensure drop-off is available. Manitoba CAA appreciates their member's patience as the backlog is dealt with.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A Parkland country music star is coming home this weekend.
Emma Peterson of Winnipegosis is bringing her current tour to the Watson Arts Centre on Sunday night.
Cam Bennett with the Watson expects it will be a great show.
"I know it is an acoustic show. It is in the old fire hall, so she will not have a full band, but she is bringing her guitar player Derek Peters who is an MCMA nominated artist as well."
The show begins at 7 pm on Sunday night.
Tickets are $25 each and are available at the Watson
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Federal Government kicks off the holidays with the start of their GST break tomorrow.
from this Saturday to February 15th, GST will be shaved off of Restaurant meals, children's clothing and accessories, and various books toys, and video games.
This also extends to Prepared meals, snacks, and beverages (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic up to 23% ABV).
There have been some oddities in the list of discounted items, as things like Christmas trees will see no GST, but ornaments for that tree will still have the GST applied.
When this tax holiday was announced, there was also a $250 rebate scheduled for next spring, but that has gone under review after scrutiny from other parties in Parliament.
The rebate was to be given to workers who filed their taxes in 2023, but the NDP proposed extending that to a broader population including pensioners.
The parliamentary budget officer says the tax break will cost the federal government $1.46 billion.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Outflow from the Shellmouth Reservoir is increasing in order to draw down the level of the reservoir.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre says the move is in preparation for spring runoff from the upper Assiniboine River.
Normally at 240 cubic feet per second, the outflow was increased to 500 cfs on Thursday and will go to 700 cfs beginning today (Friday).
The outflow increase will result in a one-and-a-half to two feet level increase on the Assiniboine River from Shellmouth to Russell, and one to one-and-a-half foot jump from Russell to Brandon.
The increase will diminish as the river reaches Winnipeg.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Christmas celebrations continue across the Parkland this weekend.
Tonight, McCreary plays host to its annual Parade of Lights, with floats lining up at the Centennial Arena beginning at 5:30 and the parade starting at 6.
On Saturday there will be parades in Lundar and Ebb & Flow, as well as the Mossey River Christmas Celebration and Parade in Winnipegosis.
CKDM will be playing Christmas music on air during the parade tonight in McCreary and tomorrow starting at 4 for the parade in Winnipegosis.
Other events planned for tomorrow include the Ethelbert Country Christmas Market, a Christmas tree Lighting in the town of Riding Mountain, and Skating and Sleigh Rides with Santa in Birtle.
A full list of events taking place this weekend can be found on the Community Calendar portion of our website.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The provincial government has activated their Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection Rapid Response Plan after positive zebra mussel samples were found in the Assiniboine River at the Brandon Generating Station.
According to a release from the province, Manitoba Hydro has routine zebra mussel monitoring in place, and the initial detection was confirmed in follow-up sampling.
The Early Detection Rapid Response Plan includes developing a specific monitoring plan to help plan for the eventual containment strategy.
The province says the positive samples is a reminder to the public of the importance of remaining vigilant against the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.
They add all water users play a critical role throughout the year in protecting Manitoba’s waterbodies from the introduction and spread of AIS.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The federal government is considering back-to-work legislation as the postal worker strike is nearing a full month of job action.
Canada Industrial Relations Board has been contacted by Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon who states there is an “impasse” in negotiations.
This is not the first time the government has taken such action, postal strikes were managed like this in the summer of 2011, and November of 2018.
If the CIRB agrees with Minister Mackinnon's assessment, the board could have postal workers back at it within a week.
Despite the lack of resolution, Mackinnon says the government remains hopeful a deal can be reached through collective bargaining.
The idea is to extend the terms of their existing collective agreements until May 22, 2025.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Kasper Bus Lines is up and running in Dauphin and the surrounding area.
Replacing Mahihkan Bus Lines which shuttered service on September 6, Kasper Bus Lines opened business in Dauphin on December 1. Mahihkan Bus Lines provided service through Dauphin and up to the Pas which was a massive need for many needing to travel for doctor appointments and to see family members.
When Mahihkan Bus Lines shuttered, many were out of options but that is no longer the case thanks to Kasper Bus Lines.
"There's a need for it in the community. We knew what Mahihkan did wrong and knew we wouldn't make the same mistakes," said Kasper Wabinski. "We decided we could do a better job and offer what they originally were."
Here is what it would look like if you departed Dauphin on Friday, December 13.
"We are reliable, comfortable, our buses are safe, and we run a tight ship," said Wabinski. "We also offer WiFI on many of our buses and offer free water on our buses."
The first bus in Dauphin came through town and departed on December 3 and Kasper is pleased with the reception.
"It's getting busier every day, we're sending the 30-passenger bus right now," ended Wabinski. "We will offer the service six days a week beginning next month and that will be pushed to seven days a week very soon."
You can book your tickets and get more information on pricing by heading to Kasper Bus Lines.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
