MPI, union to meet with conciliator today

A conciliator is set to sit down with both sides in the Manitoba Public Insurance strike today.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union - which represents the 1,700 striking workers - says this week marks four years since its members last got a raise.

It is accusing M-P-I of disrespecting workers who have contributed to the corporation's ``success and prosperity.''

M-P-I board chair Ward Keith is blaming the union for the strike, which is in its fourth week.

with files from the Canadian Press

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 21, 2023 - 10:13 am

A chance to meet the political candidates of the Swan River area is taking place tonight in Roblin.

The Roblin Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a political Forum that will have two of the three current candidates for the Swan River area.

Andy Maxwell of the NDP and Don Mckenna of the Keystone Party will be in attendance. The PC party's Rick Wowchuck is unable to attend due to personal reasons.

The night will feature several pre-submitted questions as well as a 30-minute open floor segment for people who are asking questions after the fact.

If you're a constituent of the Swan River area and you wish to have your voice heard go down to the Roblin 50 and overclub for this event.

The doors will be open at 6:30 PM and the form kicks off for 7:00 PM.

Come meet the candidates!
Posted by Roblin and District Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Details: Contributed by Michael Brossart; Published: Sep 21, 2023 - 6:00 am

With less than two weeks until the provincial election, a new popular opinion survey conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute shows Manitoba New Democrats opening up a lead over the Progressive Conservatives.

A survey of 900 Manitoba adults conducted between September 13 and 19 showed the NDP with 47 per cent support, 41 per cent for the PCs and nine per cent for the Manitoba Liberals.

Within Winnipeg, home to a majority of the seats in the Manitoba Legislature, the NDP has a 22-percentage-point lead over the PCs, 53 to 31 per cent. Outside Winnipeg, the Tories have a 15-point advantage over the NDP, 53 to 38 per cent.

The survey suggests a majority of voters in this election intend to vote against a party rather than for it. Angus Reid said 43 per cent of the Manitobans surveyed intend to cast a vote for a party or leader they really like, while 57 per cent intend to vote against another party or leader.

The poll suggests Manitoba voters are not overly enamoured with PC Leader Heather Stefanson — but have a more favourable view of Wab Kinew.

The NDP leader is viewed favourably by 48 per cent of survey respondents, while Stefanson's favourability is 17 per cent.

Asked who would be the best premier, 34 per cent of survey respondents chose Kinew, 23 per cent selected Stefanson and 11 per cent said Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont would be optimal. Significantly, 21 per cent said none of the leaders would make the best premier.

The polling industry's professional body, the Canadian Research Insights Council, says online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 20, 2023 - 12:52 pm

The Woodland Art and Culture Experience wrapped up yesterday after a week of success

Patrick Paul, a Local artist and Event Organizer was amazed at the community support for the event.

"The response for all of it has been remarkable. I could not have asked for a better outcome for this show. All of the full circle connections that we have had here and the display of art as prolific as this inside of Dauphin at the Watson Arts Centre is incredible. So I am very grateful for all of this and it has been very well received."

Paul adds he is already looking forward to bringing more art to the Watson Arts Centre

"They have invited us back already. And I am excited to do this again next year."

The artists that attended also had big things to say about this art show.

Mishiikenh Kwe, an artist invited to the show was also blown away by this event's success

"We had a really good turnout. We had people here every single day, and we almost sold everything that we have. We really did not expect to sell this much art here this week but we did."

Guest artist Thomas Sinclair was also very excited to see the amount of people that wanted to come out to this woodland art experience.

"The response has been overwhelming from the community. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive and so grateful that we are here. And it has been a wonderful opportunity to share these types of stories that have not been shared before."

Patrick says next year could include digital artists, Sculptors, oil painters, and more to the talented artists coming to Dauphin.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 20, 2023 - 9:54 am

The Manitoba government says new COVID-19 vaccines will be available to the general public in early to mid-October.

The first shots will be given to higher-risk people including those living in personal care homes, people in hospital, First Nations communities, and healthcare workers.

Public health officials are recommending that all previously immunized people six months and older should receive an updated vaccine this fall, to be given six months after a person's last dose or infection, whichever is later.

The province says the annual flu shot will also be available and people are recommended to get that vaccine as well.

with files from the Canadian Press

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 20, 2023 - 9:16 am

Local farmers continue to make progress towards completing the 2023 harvest.

Sixty-two per cent of this year's crop in the Northwest region is now in the bin.

Only farmers in the central region - where 77 per cent of crops are in the bin - are further along with harvesting than our region.

Manitoba Agriculture says despite the good progress that was made, most of the region did receive frost over the past week, with some damage evident in corn and soybean crops, depending on the stage of the crops and the degree of frost.

Spring wheat harvest is approximately 95 to 97 per cent complete across the region, except for The Pas, which is closer to 70 per cent in the bin. Yields overall range from 50 to 90 bushels per acre.

Canola harvest is about 40 to 45 per cent complete, with desicration and swathing continuing as crops reach appropriate stages. Yields are averaging 40 to 55 bushels an acre.

Field pea harvest is now complete while Soybeans are mostly in the R8 stage and moving towards maturity, with a few soybean crops being harvested in the Dauphin area.

According to the report, seeding of fall-seeded crops has also started within the past week.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 20, 2023 - 6:52 am

Cory 'Laffy' Lafontaine is all ready to open Ste. Rose Hoof 'n' Holler Days on Friday, October 6 as he will be hosting the morning show.

It will, of course, include some jokes from Mathew Bertrand and a whole lot more. Then on October 7, one lucky person from the community will be winning $300 in gift cards from local businesses in Ste. Rose.

The Ste. Rose Hoof 'n' Holler Committee is hosting 'Shop Local September' which runs until October 3. The next time you shop in Ste. Rose, keep your receipt, write your name and number on the back, and then drop them off at the town office before 3:30 p.m. on October 3.

If you do, you will be entered into the grand prize for this gift certificates. Also something to keep in mind that it doesn't matter what size business you shop at.

"Even if someone is having a Norwex party and you have a receipt from purchasing something, that works as well," said Ashley Vandepoele. "It's a fun way for the community to shop local and to have a chance to win some gift cards."

So the next time you shop in Ste. Rose, make sure you keep that receipt handy because it could be your ticket to $300 in gift cards to various businesses.

"I've had to remind a few people, we want everyone to take part," ended Vandepoele. "Whether you have one receipt or dozens, you have a chance to win."

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Sep 20, 2023 - 5:00 am

A new outdoor sports complex that is set to open in 2025 in Brandon now has a name.

The city announced Tuesday morning a 10-year naming rights agreement with Maple Leaf Foods.

Located at First Street and Veterans Way, the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex will include a FIFA-sized soccer field, up to eight 11 vs. 11 soccer fields, and one dedicated 9 vs. 9 soccer field.

It will also be home to a cricket pitch, a clubhouse with changerooms and washrooms, and walking paths.

Funding from all three levels of government helped pay for the project.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 19, 2023 - 1:12 pm

Healthcare announcements were the story of the day Monday on the provincial election campaign.

Progressive Conservatives promised to spend $ 120 million over the next four years to recruit healthcare workers if they are re-elected on October 3rd.

They also announced $ 10 million for a new First Nations-operated addiction centre.

Meanwhile, New Democrats pledged to add more beds at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg to reduce emergency room wait times.

They also promised to tackle the surgical backlog by consulting with surgeons and implementing their ideas.

Earlier in the day, the three main party leaders all said they were not in favour of including mandatory addiction treatment in their platforms.

During a radio debate in Winnipeg, PC leader Heather Stefanson said her party is looking at a preventive model and doesn’t support sending drug users to treatment without their consent.

Wab Kinew of the NDP said supervised consumption sites should be considered, while Liberal leader Dougald Lamont said involuntary drug treatment doesn’t work in the long run.

Details: Contributed by Jeff Henson; Published: Sep 19, 2023 - 10:31 am

Residents in Ward Two of the RM of Lakeshore will be heading to the polls next month to elect a new councilor for that area.

A by-election is set for October 18th, with voting taking place that day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ochre River Community Hall.

Three candidates are running to fill the vacancy - Grant Moffatt, Pat Nichols, and Les Sametz.

An all-candidates forum has been planned for next Monday at 7 pm at the Ochre River Community Hall, to give ratepayers the opportunity to meet the three candidates.

Anyone wishing to ask a question to the candidates during the forum is asked to drop off the question by this Friday at the RM of Lakeshore office.

Questions can also be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..