Pallister Says Government Refused to Subsidize Omnitrax
Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister is hinting that the Port of Churchill has been shut down because its owners, Omnitrax, were refused another government bailout.
Pallister has released an agreement signed by the previous government last year in which the province agreed to pay for capital upgrades at the port and provide a three dollar per tonne subsidy for grain exports.
Pallister says a similar request was made this year but his government isn't interested in subsidizing a large corporation.
The NDP caucus says it did agree to financial help for Omnitrax last year to ensure the port stayed open while transitioning to a new, sustainable ownership model.
New Democrat MP Niki Ashton, who represents the riding, is now calling on the federal government to take over the port to ensure its survival.
Ottawa operated the port prior to 1997, when it sold the facility to Omnitrax.
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Bitaemo!
Dauphin's usually pretty Ukrainian, but this is the Ukrainianest weekend of all.
The 51st annual Canada's National Ukrainian Festival officially kicks off today.
The amphitheatre gates open at 7 tonight. The amateur talent competitions get started at 9 this morning. The festival square marketplace opens at 12. The CKDM Cossack Tavern stage opens at 1.
Tomorrow, the parade in Dauphin runs at 10.
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Grandview Legion Turns 90
The Grandview Legion is celebrating a milestone.
On August 13th, the Grandview Legion Branch 14 will be celebrating its 90th birthday.
"It's a very big milestone for us and we hope there's many more. Ninety years of people supporting the legion and the legion supporting the area," says Barry Bailey, president of the Grandview Legion.
Bailey says the event is to thank the community for their constant support.
"It's great... I just moved into the Grandview area about 12 years ago, and when I transferred to the legion here I was just amazed at how the Grandview people and the people of the area support and back the legion up."
For more information about the celebration you can call the Grandview Legion at 546-2469.
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Abused Puppy Recovering, Bruised But Not Broken
Veterinarians say the medical condition of a Manitoba puppy who was abused is improving.
The little German shepherd named Asha has soft-tissue injuries and serious bruising after being tossed in the air and left to crash on the ground. But vets say she has no broken bones and has been able to stand, allying fears she might be paralysed.
A video of the incident was posted to social media.
Jesse Young, who is 18 and from Easterville, has been charged with causing unnecessary pain and injury to a dog and is scheduled to appear in court next week in The Pas.
