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The province announced Thursday that they would empower Manitobans to have their say on Manitoba Hydro rates through a public hearing rather than leaving the decision solely on the government.
Last year, the PC government and Brian Pallister decided to raise electricity rates by 2.9 percent, which bypassed the usual exercise of Hydro asking for a rate increase and then the Public Utilities Board having the final say.
Premier Kelvin Goertzen said Hydro would need to put forward its next rate request through the PUB.
"I think it's the desire of caucus and cabinet to see both the process happen through the PUB and to have some rate certainty for Manitobans going forward."
The last rate increase took effect in December 2020.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative Party race is down to two candidates.
MLA Heather Stefanson and former Conservative MP Shelly Glover are the only names that will be on the ballot for the Conservative leadership race.
The winner of the race will end up being the First Female Premier of Manitoba.
Former PC Chief Financial Officer Ken Lee intended to run for the leadership but didn’t make it through the party’s screening process.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Health Canada has approved both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people aged 12 and older, and they also changed the names of the vaccines.
Both vaccines were first given approval for use a month ago however, that go-ahead was only temporary and was only allowed to quickly roll out the vaccines to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
But today, that temporary order became permanent as Health Canada approved both vaccines for use in all people aged 12 and older.
With the thumbs up for these vaccines, Health Canada also changed the names of both vaccines in the process.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine will now be known as “Comirnaty”, Moderna will now be called “Spikevax”, and AstraZeneca’s will be called “Vaxzevria.”
Over 84 percent of Canadians over the age of 12 have received at least one COVID-19 shot, and over 77 percent of eligible Canadians are now fully vaccinated.
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Premier Kelvin Goertzen made a few announcements at a press conference this morning.
The third session of the 42nd legislature reconvenes on October 6th at 1:30 p.m.
Goertzen announced that five bills, including bill 64 will be withdrawn when they reconvene.
“As well on that day, bits of the Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act will be tabled. Looking and hoping to pass Bill 72 which is the Disability Support Act which is brought forward by Deputy Premier Rochelle Squires, so looking for support from the opposition to pass that.”
Also announced, was that a meeting between all premiers that was supposed to take place in Winnipeg in early October will now be virtual, and hosted by BC instead of Manitoba.
Goertzen didn't make any announcements related to the Progressive Conservative leadership race after yesterday's deadline passed.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
This year's campaign kicked off at STARS' Regina base at an event with officials from each organization, employees and a former STARS patient who's featured in the 2022 calendar.
Wednesday's announcement marks the seventh consecutive year that Viterra has partnered with STARS to cover the total printing costs of the calendar, representing a total value of more than $1.6 million in sponsorship support for the non-profit fundraising efforts.
Kyle Jeworski, Viterra's CEO in North America, goes into detail about the renewal,
"At Viterra, we recognize the critical importance of first responders and the inspirational work they do on the front lines to help people in rural communities every day, including our employees, customers and their families."
Jeworski carried on about the partnership,
"Viterra and STARS have worked together since 2015, and through the strength of our continued partnership, we're pleased to do our part to help patients share their stories and support STARS in raising awareness of their life-saving work."
The calendar campaign is entering its 29th year and has raised millions of dollars in the process.
The calendars will be available until December 3rd at most Viterra locations and online at starscalendar.ca.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
A former Progressive Conservative party official has announced his bid for the PC leadership race.
Former Manitoba PC chief financial officer, Ken Lee announced last night that he's entered the race to become the party's next leader and Manitoba's premier.
Lee is against vaccine passports and having a vaccine as a job requirement, stating that Canadians cherish their freedoms.
“There is an emerging belief in Canada that the Charter of Rights and Public Health Act have been used by governments to justify the erosion of our freedoms. I believe that now is the time for change in Manitoba’s political leadership.”
According to his campaign website, Lee supports libertarian ideals and describes himself as a "proponent of common-sense conservatism." He also said that over the last 18 months, the lockdowns were "unnecessary."
Also today, Progressive Conservative MLA, Shannon Martin has withdrawn from the leadership bid stating his campaign came up short.
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The Dauphin Kings play their first regular-season home game at Credit Union Place for the first time in 321 days on Saturday when they welcome the Neepawa Titans to town.
The last time Dauphin played a home regular-season game was back on November 1, 2020. Credit Union Place will be able to welcome 100 percent capacity for this season, but there are a few changes in store.
All fans must be fully vaccinated and in order to enter the facility, you must show your QR code or have your immunization card. On top of that, you will be asked to show a second piece of ID to confirm your identity.
Ashley Shaw is the president of the Kings and she's hoping that with hockey back in town, a great crowd will be on hand for all games this season.
"We've missed hockey, it's been a really long time so this is very exciting," said Shaw. "It's something for our community to get back into and rally around this team."
If you're a season ticket holder, you can pick up your tickets beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday outside of the facility. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 7:15 for a light show and player introductions.
Before Saturday's game, Kings hockey returns to 730CKDM tomorrow night with Darnell Duff.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Last night the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce hosted a virtual debate between the Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa candidates.
With the election coming up on Monday, it was one of the last chances for the candidates to get their message out to the voters before they hit the polls.
Overall the candidates agreed on the general issues that we face in Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa and Canada as a whole, such as economic recovery, the environment, and connectivity.
While there was plenty of healthy debate, the atmosphere was very professional, friendly, and positive. Four out of the six candidates attended as the Liberal and NDP candidates were unable to.
The event was broadcast live on the Chamber’s Facebook page and can be viewed at any time.
You can watch the debate here.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
After 24 years without clean drinking water, Shoal Lake 40 First Nation has opened a water treatment facility to end water advisories for the community.
The end of water advisories for the community was officially announced at an event Wednesday morning on the First Nation.
Shoal Lake has never had a centralized water treatment facility despite being the source of where the city of Winnipeg draws water from.
All homes in the community will be able to access clean drinking water from the plant.
Construction of the new $33-million water treatment system started in 2019.
Shoal Lake, which is on the Ontario-Manitoba border, has been under drinking water advisories since 1997.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
As seen nationwide, there was an increase in advance voting across the province and in our riding this election.
Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa saw an increase of 37.5 percent, and across the province, there was an increase of 58 percent.
Preliminary numbers show that there were 8,616 advance voters in this riding, compared with 6,264 in the last election.
Election Day is on September 20th.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Third doses of Moderna and Pfizer are now available for some Manitobans.
This includes people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised, people who wish to receive a third dose for travel purposes, and people who have received one or two doses of a vaccine that is not approved by Health Canada.
Dr. Joss Reimer, Medical lead for Manitoba's Vaccine Implementation Task Force says two doses may not be enough for those who are immunocompromised.
"This would include people who have cancer and are receiving chemotherapy, those who are receiving treatment related to organ transplants, people who are living with untreated or advanced HIV or AIDS, and people who are taking certain medications that severely affect their immune system."
A complete list of the medical conditions and treatments that would result in a person being considered immunocompromised is available here.
Reimer says a third dose isn't required for travel.
"While a third dose isn't medically indicated for the purpose of travel, Manitobans will now have the option to weigh out the low risk of vaccination alongside the mental health benefits and other benefits related to travel, when deciding if a third dose is something they would like to consider.
She says that in any case, Manitobans should wait 28 days after the second dose.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
