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One day after rejecting an offer from Manitoba Public Insurance, the union representing 1,700 striking employees says it has reached a tentative agreement with the crown-owned auto insurance provider.
Voting on the agreement will take place today, and leadership of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union is encouraging its membership to approve the package.
It includes wage increases of 13 per cent over four years plus a signing bonus and other benefits.
Workers have been on strike since August 28th, with the work stoppage disrupting services at M-P-I such as driver testing and claims assessments.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Manitoba's finance minister says a bill will be put before the legislature to start a fuel-tax holiday starting this coming New Year's Day, which is to run for at least six months,
Adrien Sala says the suspension of the province's 14-cent-a-litre fuel tax could be extended based on economic conditions, but exactly what would trigger the extension has not been worked out.
The gas tax holiday is one of several measures outlined for Sala in a mandate letter from Premier Wab Kinew.
It fulfills an N-D-P campaign promise to halt the fuel tax until inflation subsides.
with files from the Canadian Press
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A wanted poster for a wild pig is making its way around Manitoba.
The Program "Squeal On Pigs Manitoba" was started to track wild pigs coming up from the south, and one was recently spotted just southeast of Brandon.
The wild pigs have become a problem invasive species, and Manitoba Pork Producer has teamed up with Squeal On Pigs to tackle this issue.
These pigs can tear up land, eat crops, and multiply quickly. Dr. Wayne Lee coordinates the Squeal On Pig Program, and he says they're tricky to catch due to their intelligence
"When pigs get scattered, they change their behavior and get more difficult to track. Our preferred approach is that when people report a sighting, our field people get in touch, get more info, set up trail cams, and then catch these pigs in a trap and remove them"
Dr. Lee encourages anyone to stay vigilant and consider any pig outside of an enclosure to be a wild pig.
to learn more about the Squeal On Pigs Program or to report a sighting, visit squealonpigsmb.org
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Now that harvest is wrapped up, it's time for the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown in Yorkton.
This is the 34th annual edition of this event, and a lot is scheduled for this year's show.
This year's events include a wide range of activities to take in, almost all of which are free to attend.
Events will include Cattle shows and sales, horse pulls, mutton busting, stock dog shows and so much more.
Barb Woytas is the GM of the Yorkton Exhibition, and she always looks forward to this event, as farmers can have some fun after harvest, and kids can learn more about the agricultural world.📢 Get ready for an incredible event that you won't want to miss! 🎉 Mark "Going" or "Interested" on this event to...
Posted by Yorkton Exhibition Association on Saturday, October 28, 2023
"We're very proud of our agricultural roots and we like to try and bridge the gap between urban and rural and really let kids know where their food comes from. we like to highlight our producers. it's been a long harvest. they're getting some much-needed rest now and we want them to come out and enjoy themselves."
"The only thing you need a ticket for is PBR, and the cabaret following. if you come to PBR, that ticket gets you into the cabaret, and if you just want to come to the cabaret, you can also get those tickets down here at the Yorkton exhibition."
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows Manitoba has the second-lowest number of doctors per capita in Canada, with 215 physicians per 100-thousand residents.
The province would need to add 445 more physicians to reach the national average of 247.
Manitoba also has the lowest number of family physicians per capita in the country, with 111 family doctors per 100-thousand residents.
A survey by Doctors Manitoba in February found within the next three years, 51 per cent of doctors in the province plan to either retire, reduce clinical hours, or leave Manitoba
with files from the Canadian Press
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A 55-year-old man from the RM of Oakview is the subject of a missing persons case with Minnedosa RCMP.
They say Jamie Wade has not been seen since 5 p.m. on Friday night, and there is concern over his well-being.
Eade is described as being 5-foot-10 tall and weighing 120 pounds, with short grey hair and green eyes.
He was last seen wearing glasses, black jeans, and a plaid jacket.
Anyone with info on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Minnedosa detachment at 204-867-2916, or Manitoba Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Dauphin Fire Department is hosting its annual Firefighters ball this Saturday at the 8th Avenue Hall.
Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey says the event is steeped in tradition.
"This is the 122nd anniversary of the Firefighters Ball. It has roots going back to March of 1901, so it has a long-standing tradition within our community and we are pretty excited to host another event again this year. Doors open at 5:30 and the meal will be served at 7. We have "Men in Cheap Suits" out of Winnipeg, a fantastic seven-piece band that is coming up to provide live entertainment. There will be some door prizes as well as some prizes that you can bid on."
Tickets are $50 each and are available from any member of the Dauphin Fire Department, or by calling 204-622-3100.
"Because it has its roots going back over a century, it is something that it is great if the Firefighters Association makes a few dollars on it," adds Abrey. "The proceeds are going towards the restoration of our antique apparatus. We are currently working on a 1919 - our first motorized truck, which is going through a complete restoration."
"But the event is more about the tradition than it is about a fundraiser."
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The Strike plaguing Manitoba Public insurers will continue
MPI workers represented by Manitoba's General Employees Union voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest contract offer made over the weekend by the .crown-owned auto insurance provider.
According to the union, the offer included a 12 per cent wage increase over 4 years and an additional three-point-five per cent increase for many workers over the life of the contract.
It was the first offer made since the corporation's board was revamped following the NDP's victory in the October 3rd provincial election.
Unionized MPI workers have been off the job since August 28th.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Motorists are being reminded to keep an eye out for little ghosts and goblins on the streets this Halloween evening.
CAA is reminding drivers to slow down tonight and to be watching for youngsters darting out unexpectedly from yard fronts, driveways, and in between parked cars, as they are likely to be too excited to be looking for you.
It is also suggested that you turn on your headlights at least 30 minutes before sunset tonight.
Meanwhile, parents should ensure that their children's costumes are bright and include reflective items or accessories, in order for them to be seen easier by motorists.
Trick-or-treaters are reminded that they should stick to sidewalks and cross at marked crossings.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
The average price for a litre of regular gasoline continues to fall in Manitoba.
According to GasBuddy.com, the average price dropped another 1.6 cents a litre in the past week to 152.06 cents.
That is 26.2 cents a litre cheaper than on this date one year ago and 7.7 cents a litre cheaper than one month ago.
It also remains lower than the national average price, which was 1.8 cents a litre cheaper than last week to sit at 154.52 cents.
Here in Dauphin, prices vary from 154.6 to 155.9 cents a litre.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A select number of Dauphin homeowners will have a chance to test their homes for Radon for free.
The city is partnering with Take Action on Radon to provide the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge – a program that provides free radon test kits to residents.
Radon is a human carcinogen and is seen as a cause of lung cancer in some Canadians.
Residents are encouraged to register for the testing program, which also includes an information clinic that will take place on November 8th at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
You can attend the clinic either in person or online via Zoom.
A maximum of 100 Radon test kits are being made available, and you must pre-register for the program in order to get one.
The kits will be available for pickup following the information session, until November 17th.
To register for this program, click on this link: https://form.jotform.com/232886191516261
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
