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Canada’s economy took a hit in the month of April, as nearly two million jobs were lost across the country.
Despite the national unemployment rate shooting up to 13% in April, the end result is better than expected.
Some economists had predicted the unemployment would rise to 18% — and suspected we could see as many as four million jobs lost.
Next week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to extend the government’s emergency wage subsidy program. The program is designed to help employers keep workers on the payroll during the pandemic by covering 75% of wages.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
At 5:12 this morning, emergency personnel were called out to a single-vehicle rollover at 801 Whitmore Avenue East on Highway 20.
A car had flipped onto its driver's side of the vehicle. The driver, who was the lone occupant, was trapped and had to be extricated by the firefighters.
When the occupant was extricated, they were transported by EMS to Dauphin Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The number of COVID calls that the RCMP has received in the province has decreased for the second straight week. After receiving 99 from April 21-27, the RCMP received 95 calls between April 28 and May 4.
In the West District which includes Dauphin, the number of calls received has significantly decreased. There were 36 received from April 21-27. From April 28-May 4, the RCMP received just 16.
In four weeks in the West District, 123 calls have been received from the RCMP. 12 warnings were given out in the province in the past week, one of which came in the West District.
For Paul Manaigre, Media Relations Officer with the RCMP, this is a positive trend.
"We've certainly flattened the curve with the number of calls," said Manaigre. "We're hoping that this trend continues across the province and in the West District. I think people are taking the orders more seriously now and that's a good thing."
With the weather turning in the right direction, the urge to get outside and enjoy the fresh air is something most people are wanting at this time.
Paul wants to remind everyone that the Public Health Order limits any gatherings to 10 people or less. He says everyone needs to be cautious so there isn't a spike in cases moving forward.
"The message is still the same. You need to maintain that social distancing and be cautious," concluded Manaigre.
No charges were laid from April 28-May 4. In one call, there was even a wedding where hundreds of people gathered. That was; however, known after the fact so the RCMP wasn't able to do anything about it.
Manitobans living outside of Winnipeg are reminded not to call 911 for COVID-19 related issues.
Reports of non-compliance can be made to the Manitoba Government Inquiry line at 1-866-626-4862.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has finished its investigation into the arrest of a 62-year-old man in Russell.
The incident occurred on October 31st, 2019, when two RCMP officers went to a home in Russell to return the man back to the hospital — where he left without consent. The man had a history of alcoholism and dementia, and health authorities feared he could harm himself or others.
When the officers requested the man return to the Russell Hospital, he refused and is reported to have grabbed one of the officers by the collar.
The ensuing scuffle left the man with a broken jaw and other injuries.
IIU investigators interviewed the man — as well as two RCMP witness officers and one civilian witness — and have found no grounds to justify any charges against the officer.
The investigation is complete and the matter is now closed. The civilian director’s complete report is available online.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Grandview Homecoming Committee has postponed the Homecoming and Mud Bog Weekend because of COVID-19 regulations.
The fun-filled weekend in early August typically features a BBQ cook-off, live music, and a whole lot more.
The Mud Bog and Homecoming celebration will now take place from August 5 to 8, 2021.
For more information, you can visit www.grandviewhomecoming.com.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba’s 2020-21 fishing season kicks off this weekend.
As of Saturday, May 9, fishing in the southern division begins; which includes Dauphin, Swan River, Brandon, Emerson, Bisset, and Grand Rapids.
Fishing in the rest of the province will be permitted on May 16.
If you’re in need of an angling license, the process is going to look a bit different this year. The Manitoba government is now moving the purchasing of outdoor licenses to an online e-licensing website.
Don Stokotelny from Sticky’s Bait and Tackle in Dauphin says you won’t find many places in the Parkland offering in-store license purchasing anymore.
“In order to do online licenses in your store, you have to have a computer and printer available. It would take about 12 minutes to process each individual license, and considering the cost of paper, ink and our own equipment, the $1 dollar commission didn’t seem fair to us.”
If you don’t have access to a computer, Stokotelny says the local Manitoba Conservation office in Dauphin can process your park pass, and angling & hunting licenses, or you can call 1-877-880-1203.
Those caught fishing without a license can face a fine of $298, and failing to carry your license while fishing could set you back $174.
Conservation officials are reminding anglers to protect fish stocks by releasing fish who are discharging eggs back into the water.
For the latest guidelines for anglers in Manitoba, check out the Manitoba Angler’s Guide 2020.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Parks Canada is advising travellers of some road work on Highway 10 through Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP).
The work begins Monday, May 11, and is expected to last for two to three weeks.
The north end of the park will be affected, from kilometre 26 to 52. The work is part of a larger federal road renewal project.
While travelling through the park, you can expect some single-lane alternating traffic, and speed reductions to 60 km/hour in the construction zone.
For news about this or other infrastructure projects in your area, visit Parks Canada’s public website here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Public Health Officials have announced no new cases of COVID-19 today.
One case previously considered probable has been ruled as negative.
The total number of cases is 283.
Five people are hospitalized, and there are 33 active cases, and 243 people have recovered.
The number of COVID related deaths remains at 7.
The cluster of cases found in the Prairie Mountain Health region has been linked to Paul’s Hauling, a trucking service in Brandon.
Public Health officials are continuing with detailed contact tracing.
More information about COVID-19 can be found at Manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Front-line workers making minimum wage in a pandemic while risking their health deserve a raise.
That was the agreement among all of Canada’s first ministers, according to the Prime Minister.
Today Trudeau announced $4 billion in federal funding to boost the wages of essential workers, including those in long-term care facilities.
Each province and territory will have to determine who's eligible for the wage top-up.
He says the federal government will cover 75% of the cost of the program, leaving other levels of government to pay for the rest.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The province has announced an additional $500 million to help restart Manitoba’s economy.
The money is part of the Manitoba Restart Program, an addition to the $3 billion over the next 2 years towards infrastructure investments.
The Manitoba Restart Program will include new:
- Water and sewage projects through the Municipal Water Services Board
- Road and highway resurfacing and repairs
- Bridge repairs
- Municipal infrastructure priorities
- Potential new cost-sharing construction projects with other levels of government if agreements can be reached
This investment is one of many measures undertaken by the province through the Manitoba Protection Program.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Keystone Agricultural Producers have launched the Growing Manitoba Together campaign to thank all the Manitobans in the supply chain that are working to make sure food makes its way to homes around the province and the world during the COVID situation.
Growing Manitoba Together stickers will be given out across the province encouraging people to share their story, using the hashtag #mbgrow, on social media about how they, or someone they know, are helping to grow Manitoba.
KAP encourages children to draw, paint, and colour posters to celebrate food and where it comes from to share on social media as well.
Over the coming weeks, KAP will be thanking groups like truck drivers, grocery store employees, railway workers, restaurants owners and their staff, meat and food processors, farm suppliers, and individual commodity groups who have stepped up to support Manitobans.
As well, KAP will be applauding the front-line workers who are keeping Manitobans safe during this unprecedented time.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
