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A new federal aid package for farmers and agriculture producers falls short of what some groups have been asking for.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has been advocating for a $2.6 billion emergency preparedness fund.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the $252 million announced yesterday is just an initial investment, and “if we need to add more, we will.”
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Bill Campbell says this financial assistance is a good start.
“It’s good that the government has finally acknowledged some of the impacts of COVID-19, but I’m not sure if this amount of money actually deals with the impact being felt.”
When looking at how much is being set aside for cattle producers, Campbell says there “isn’t a large amount of money to help producers”.
He says it’s encouraging to see $50 million set aside for the purchase of surplus Ag commodities, so some food doesn’t go to waste.
Going forward, the KAP President hopes to see a movement amongst Canadians, engaging with their MP’s and MLA’s, and even grocery chains, to make sure Canadian food production is top of mind.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
It was announced earlier this week that Dauphin Rec Services wouldn't be opening their playgrounds. That is still the case until further notice.
However, Vermillion Park does remain open. That means you can still go for a walk on the trail or even a bike ride. The play structure is closed.
Social distancing is still required for the safety of everyone that utilizes the trail.
When it comes to the Splash Park, that doesn't open until late June or early July so more information will be provided when we get closer to then.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Manitoba RCMP is calling it one of the largest seizures of illegal tobacco from a traffic stop in Canada.
On Sunday, May 3rd around 11:20 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop two kilometres east of Brandon.
An inspection led to the discovery of 350 cases of illegal tobacco, containing 3,500,000 cigarettes.
The 36-year-old male driver from Calgary was taken into custody.
He faces charges for trafficking contraband tobacco, the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act (TAMTA) and the Excise Act, 2001.
If convicted, he could face a mandatory triple tax penalty of over $3,000,000.00 under the TAMTA.
The investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
UPDATE:
The search for Melinda Lynxleg continues as she hasn't been active on social media since April 9 and she hasn't made contact with her family or friends.
The 40-year-old female from the Valley River First Nation was last seen on March 31.
The RCMP are concerned for her safety and are asking anyone with information to call the Roblin RCMP at 937-2164, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure a tip online at Manitoba Crime Stoppers.
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The Roblin RCMP is looking for Melinda Lynxleg.
Last Thursday at 2:40 p.m., the Roblin RCMP received a report of the missing 40-year-old female from the Valley River First Nation.
Melinda was last seen on March 31.
Lynxleg is described as:
- 5'5.
- 190 pounds.
- Brown hair and brown eyes.
The RCMP is asking anyone with information to call the Roblin RCMP at 937-2164. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at Manitoba Crime Stoppers.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The City of Dauphin will be providing increased access to its facilities.
Beginning Wednesday, May 6th, City Hall will reopen to the public. City staff are asking everyone to follow the guidelines outline at the north entrance regarding physical distancing protocols.
City-run facilities have had their doors closed to the public since the middle of March, and adjustments were made to allow residents to continue contacting staff and make bill payments.
At this time you can still make payments using the dropbox, by mail or your financial institutions.
The Fire Hall will also reopen, however, the Shop and Water Treatment Plant will remain closed to the public.
For more information, you can contact the City at 204-622-3200, and by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Provincial parks are now open and many people have taken advantage of online campsite reservations.
However, the provincial government said there were some technical difficulties while booking yesterday. A glitch in the system caused some users to be bumped out of the queue.
After a reboot, the system was back online, and requests were taken.
As of 11 a.m. Monday, 9,614 campsites were booked, up from 8,554 last year.
Public Health orders remain in effect while visiting provincial parks.
National parks remain closed at this time.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
There has been another death reported in Manitoba because of COVID-19; a man in his 70’s from the Southern Health-Santé Sud region.
Public Health officials also announced one new case of the virus today, bringing the total number of probable and lab-confirmed cases to 282.
There are 37 active cases; while 238 people are listed as recovered. Four people are currently in hospital, none are in intensive care.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) officials are reporting a small cluster of five cases at a workplace in the region. Health officials are working with these patients to undergo detailed contact tracing.
They have not identified the workplace but say it is not related to health care.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 19 COVID cases identified in the PMH region.
For the latest information from the province, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Premier Brian Pallister announced today Manitoba seniors will receive a one time $200 tax credit, to help them deal with costs during the pandemic.
Pallister says the credit can be used to cover added costs for things like grocery deliveries, or to buy technology to stay in touch with family from home.
The Seniors Economic Recovery Credit will offer every Manitoban aged 65 and older the $200 credit.
Manitoba’s Department of Finance will proactively mail a payment cheque as a credit advance to each senior who filed a 2018 income tax return prior to April 1, 2020.
Seniors who have changed their mailing address since their 2018 tax filings, will be able to update their address changes through a government web portal.
The Premier says most seniors will get the money by the end of the month.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and with the warmer weather we’ve been having, more motorcyclists are on the road.
MPI is set to launch its public awareness campaign “Watch For Motorcycles” next month, to increase road safety awareness between drivers of vehicles and motorcyclists.
Motorcycle fatalities have doubled in 2019 compared to the previous 10-year average.
When on the road, MPI wants motorcyclists to remember these tips:
- Wear the right gear, including an approved safety helmet, eye protection, jacket, pants and boots.
- Try to be highly visible whenever possible by wearing bright or fluorescent colours such as yellow, red or orange to enhance visibility.
- Ride with your headlight on and in a position on the roadway where you are visible to motorists and out of their blind spots.
When driving, it’s important to remember the following:
- Always look twice when changing lanes and at intersections to be sure there isn’t a motorcycle or moped in the blind spot.
- Watch for signals. It may be hard to see a motorcycle or moped’s turning signal so watch for other signs like shoulder checking which can indicate the rider is planning to change lanes or turn.
- Keep your distance. Motorcycles and mopeds may stop faster than other vehicles. Maintain a following distance of at least four seconds and increase this distance at night or when it’s raining.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Dauphin – Swan River – Neepawa MP Dan Mazier has strongly condemned the federal government’s decision to ban the sale, transportation, importation, and usage of a list of firearms that were previously legal to licensed gun-owners.
Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair announced on May 1st that 1500 models and variants of firearms have been banned.
Mazier understands why Canadians are upset.
“Let me be clear, I will always support common-sense firearms policies that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and combat gang-violence; however, this firearms ban will not do that.” Adding, “Look at the data; the vast-majority of gun crimes are committed with illegally obtained firearms. How does taking away a legally purchased firearm from a legal firearm owner address the problem?”
Some points Mazier has made are that strict requirements are already in place to own firearms in Canada, which requires the owner to have an up-to-date Possession and Acquisition License. Intensive training courses, frequent background checks, transportation and storage regulations, magazine capacities, and continuous eligibility requirements exist as well. Additionally, requirements to be a member of an authorized firearms range, additional training and safety courses, and registration of firearms is also mandatory for those who hold restricted firearms licenses.
Mazier points out that the Conservatives have already presented a plan to target crime and gang-violence including measures such as support focused on police anti-gang and gun units, action on rural crime, tougher sentences to violent offenders, a task force that focuses on the smuggling of firearms across the border, and increased access to mental health and addictions treatments.
“I can guarantee that if the government were to put forth funding for anyone of our proposed initiatives, it would do more to combat the root cause than a firearms ban ever will.”
Mazier is unhappy that the announcement was an Order in Council, which results in no parliamentary debate.
“The Trudeau Liberals have made it clear throughout this pandemic that they do not respect the democratic role of Parliament. That cannot continue, they need to be held accountable. The Prime Minister should have introduced legislation with debate on this matter.”
Mazier says his office has received nearly 100 emails and calls since Friday condemning the ban.
He’s encouraging constituents to put pressure on Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs by calling and writing to their offices expressing the same concern.
You can hear more from Dan Mazier when he speaks to CKDM’s James Blake in the Parliament and the Parkland feature at 8:15 Thursday morning.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $252 million in funding to support the agri-food industry.
About $77 million of that will be directed to the food processing sector, to help promote physical distancing measures in the workplace, and for obtaining personal protective equipment (PPE).
In an effort to help pork and beef producers, a $125 million injection to AgriRecovery will aim to help farmers adapt to market changes.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has been calling for $2.6 billion to bolster agriculture and food security.
Although today’s funding announcement falls well short of that $2.6 billion, Trudeau says this is “an initial investment, and if we need to add more, we will.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
