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It's budget day in Manitoba -- the first for the province's N-D-P government since winning last October's election.
N-D-P campaign promises, such as rebates on electric vehicles, a bigger tax credit for fertility treatments, and free prescription birth control, are expected in the fiscal plan.
Manitoba has run deficits in every year but two since 2009, and the N-D-P has promised to balance the budget within its first term.
At the same time, it has also promised to boost funding to municipalities, schools, and health-care workers.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Dauphin and Parkland residents now have the chance to order 2024 Manitoba Summer Games gear.
Games merchandise co-ordinator Shay Sparrow says they have recently opened an online store with games gear, the link for which can be found on the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games host committee's Facebook page.
"Once everyone has their orders in from the committees, and they actually get to see the merchandise, I think that is going to increase the excitement for the merchandise. So we are really just starting to promote it right now. And once teams are made for the games, then I think the merchandise store is really going to take off."
Sparrow says they have a little bit of everything available for people of all ages.
"We have adult apparel We have hoodies, t-shirts, shorts, pants, golf shirts We also have stuff for youth. For accessories, we have hats, backpacks, water bottles, and even a blanket. So we have a little bit of everything for everyone."
To buy games gear, you can go online to 2024 Manitoba Games Shop.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A new court date has been set for a Swan River man that has admitted to an armed robbery outside of a business in that community last February.
Two teens reported that a man wielding a hammer made off with an unknown amount of cash.
21-year-old Jefferson Cook will return to court in Dauphin on April 9th.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Day passes for the 35th edition of Dauphin's Countryfest go on sale this Thursday.
Countryfest General Manager Kamryn Winters says day passes will be available as of 10 am that day.
"You can get them at Countryfest dot ca or by calling us at 1-800-361-7300. Day passes are on sale for $119, and then they do go up in price after the early bird deadline on April 30th, along with everything else, so definitely get your day passes or weekend passes. If you say you are going to Countryfest and you know that you are going and you do not have your tickets yet, just lock them in now."
"(After April 30th), Day passes will be going up to $139, plus taxes and fees. Weekend passes are sitting at $249 right now, which is a great deal since there will be around 100 bands over the weekend. And then they do go up to $299 plus fees and taxes starting on May 1."
This year's lineup includes the likes of Alabama, Clint Black, Jodee Messina and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Countryfest is set for June 28th to 30th at the Selo Ukraina site.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Manitobans eager to book camping spots in provincial parks for this summer will not have to wait much longer.
The province says it will begin accepting online reservations as of April 8th at 7 am.
They add reservations will be staggered over five days to accommodate the expected high demand, with a virtual waiting room and the queuing system being used on opening day for online reservations.
Anyone looking to camp this summer at Rainbow Beach, Manipogo, Asessippi, or at Blue Lakes, Childs Lake, and Wellman Lake in the Duck Mountains can start booking spots as of 7 am on Thursday, April 11th.
Reservations can be made online at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling the toll-free line at 1-888-482-2267.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A Little Greenhouse That Could is going to lift up Agriculture in urban centers.
Trina Semenchuck operates "The Little Green House That Could", a business that designs and operates Vertical Farms and helps set up pilot projects in schools.
She'll be offering a special Presentation hosted by Lieutenant Governor Anita R. Neville.
"It's on April 9th. it'll be at the Lieutenant Governor's house and they do have a number you can call to book a seat. beyond that, I do have a website people can check out, littlegreenhousethatcould.ca."
The number to call for this event is 204-945-2753.
Semenchuck is thrilled to see the new heights of urban agriculture her work could inspire.
"When you think about verticle farming, you think about the role that agriculture plays in building a society, and how this could really help us build a sustainable innovation future in Manitoba."
Stay Tuned to Monday's Noon-hour Edition of Agri-view for the Full Conversation with Trine Semenchuck on Vertical farming.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
After falling short of the cap last year, the Provincial Government is looking to meeting the Immigration numbers presented by the federal government.
Mayala Marcelino, the current NDP immigration minister is looking to meet the maximum immigration number this year, as she says it would mean a lot economically to our province.
Manitoba's previous PC government had successfully lobbied Ottawa to increase the province's allotment from 6,325 nominees in 2022 to 9,500 nominees in 2023 to address labour shortages, but the province failed to process about 2,000 applications in time.
Marcelino is also aiming to reduce the time between a skilled immigrant receiving their letter of invitation to apply and then receiving their nomination certificate, which now exceeds the recommended six months. She's planning for the province to return to the target timeline by the fall.
In 2023, Manitoba issued 7,348 of the 9,500 available nominations through the provincial nominee program. About 1,000 nominations were processed in December alone.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The Issue of Overwhelmed vet clinics and stray pets might have an answer through mobile spay and neuter clinics.
The Northern and Remote Veterinary Care initiative was announced by Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Indigenous Economic Development Minister Ian Bushie which supports the Humane Societies One Health Program, and "Feed The Furbabies Canada".
This initiative includes $100,000 in funding to the One Health Program to enhance mobile spay and neuter clinics in northern and remote communities.
This will include the creation of the provincial veterinarian for animal welfare, who will lead Manitoba’s animal welfare program. This position will complement the work of the existing chief veterinary officer who will now focus on the health of both commercial and companion animals.
Kostyshyn adds an additional $100,000 to the Winnipeg Humane Society will be used to support the efforts of Feed the Furbabies Canada in its work to support spay and neutering clinics and supply food and supplies for animals in need across Manitoba
working together, these organizations will focus on feeding sheltered animals and providing a higher standard of care for remote northern communities.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A boil Water Advisory has been issued for anyone in the Municipality of McCreary.
A drop in water pressure was measured in the public system and boiling water is recommended until further notice.
Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least a minute if it's being used for drinking, preparing any food or drinks, and brushing your teeth.
If boiling water is not a readily available option, acquiring bottled water or other safe, drinkable water sources is recommended.
If you have questions or concerns about this advisory, you can contact the regional Drinking Water Officer at 204 621 7962, or the McCreary Municipal Office at 204-835-2649
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Weather Canada has upgraded their snowfall forecast to a snowfall warning, as winter refuses to acknowledge that we're officially into spring.
A low-pressure system from Montana is sweeping through Saskatchewan and Manitoba, dumping up to 10 centimeters of snow across the area.
Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
Be prepared to adjust your driving to changing road conditions.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Plans to scrap some education-tax rebates in favor of a single $15,000 property tax credit for every home are expected to be in the next provincial budget.
The change proposed for next year would mean every Manitoba household subject to $1,500 of provincial property taxes or less in 2025 won't pay any provincial property taxes at all.
This move would eliminate both the 50-per-cent provincial property tax rebate and $350 education tax credit in 2025, and In their place, every property subject to provincial property taxes would receive up to $1,500 off those taxes.
Conversely, residential properties with higher valuations would pay more provincial property taxes next year.
The NDP government would not say how much additional revenue Manitoba would raise from provincial property taxes in 2025 as a result of shifting the tax burden to more valuable properties.
Notably, The change in property tax credits will not affect municipal property taxes, which are applied on the same bill.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
