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A bill that eliminates farmers from paying the carbon tax has been seconded by Brandon-Souris Conservative Member of Parliament Larry Maguire.
Bill C-206 is being proposed to exempt farmers from paying the tax on gasoline, diesel fuel, and propane and natural gas.
The bill was introduced by Philip Lawrence, Conservative MP for Northumberland-Peterborough South, Ontario
A press release from Maguire’s office said that In Manitoba, the carbon tax cost farmers $1.7M on last year’s harvest to dry their corn.
Maguire says that he will continue to push the bill.
“I will encourage the Liberals to support this legislation and get it into law as soon as possible, Farmers cannot wait any longer and want to see action now.”
He adds that the change will help not only farmers but consumers as well.
"We wanted to make sure that it was taken off so it does two things. It helps the farmers get their grain dry and in a position where they can maintain it to the point of having it in the processable state, and it keeps food prices down for consumers."
The Keystone Agriculture Producers estimates that the carbon tax has cost the average Manitoba grain farmer over $1,700 in grain drying alone.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Sifton Fire Department now has Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey helping them out on the administrative side of things.
Abrey shares his thoughts on the change.
“Yeah, it’s quite an honour to have been asked by the RM of Dauphin if I would be willing to work alongside of the Sifton Fire Department in assisting with their budgeting and other administrative duties.”
The Sifton deputy fire chiefs will continue to look after the operations of the fire department.
Abrey says the change is happening because the former Sifton fire chief retired and nobody with the Sifton Fire Department was interested in the role.
“They felt there was a lot of fresh people to the department that needed a bit more experience, so we had offered to assist and try to mentor the members of Sifton Fire Department that are willing to step up to the roles of the deputy fire chief and help them along their way.”
Abrey says the Dauphin Fire Department already works closely with Sifton on certain emergency responses.
“Operationally, nothing has changed at all and we look forward to continuing working with Sifton Fire Department and building our relationship even closer than it was before.”
Over the past few years, the Dauphin Fire Department has a system with Sifton where they are immediately dispatched for any structure fires or if extrication is needed. In addition, if Sifton decides they need help with other incidents, they can request Dauphin comes along.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A new Forage Insurance review is letting producers suggest program changes.
The review is incorporating online surveys and in-person consultations to determine how to improve the current programs.
Carson Callum General Manager of Manitoba Beef Producers encourages producers to share their thoughts and opinions.
“We just encourage producers to check it out online. There’s a current online survey that’s been launched. You can go to Manitoba Beef Producers social media and website for that information where you can take part in that survey. And keep their eye out for other announcements relating to this. We want to encourage producers to take part as best they can especially if changes to the Forage plan are something they see beneficial.”
If you are interested in getting involved, the surveys can be found on engagemb.ca or you can visit one of the public kiosks at 117 Second Ave. NW, in Roblin or 120 Sixth Ave. N in Swan River.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Back on Saturday, Roblin RCMP began investigating a homicide.
The victim, who was found unresponsive with serious injuries, has been identified as a 35-year-old male from Roblin.
Joshua Edward Britton, a 26-year-old male from Roblin, has been charged with manslaughter.
In court today, Britton was remanded to the next court date of March 3rd.
The investigation is still ongoing.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Independent Investigation Unit is investigating an allegation of assault by Brandon Police Service officers in the arrest of a 31-year-old female.
On February 20th Brandon Police Service responded to a domestic disturbance where they attempted to take a female into custody.
The woman became uncooperative with the officers and force was used in order to arrest her.
While no serious injuries were suffered, the woman is alleging that she was assaulted by the officers during her arrest.
The investigation is ongoing.
Witnesses or other individuals who have additional information are asked to contact IIU toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Earlier in the month, a cougar was killed in a wolf snare near Grandview.
Bill Watkins, a biologist with the wildlife and fisheries branch says they were able to trace back the cougar.
“The animal was originally radio-collared by researchers in the Cypress Hills on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border way back in 2011. So this is an animal that is approximately 10 years of age and they were able to track its route to about as far as Moose Mountain Provincial Park in Saskatchewan before the radio went dead.”
Watkins says there have been other long-distance movements by cougar, but this ranks in the top 10 traverses they’re aware of. From where it was tracked in Cypress Hills to where it died, it had travelled over 1200 kilometres.
There’s a protocol if trappers find a cougar in their traps.
“For any trapper that finds a cougar in one of their sets on their trap line, they must immediately contact their local office where conservation officers can come out and have a look at it. It is a protected species in Manitoba and therefore, they have to report it immediately so we can make sure it’s all above board, it was caught legally and that sort of thing.”
Watkins says If you see a cougar in the wild, give it room to escape, but if it shows interest in you, move away to your vehicle or a building, don’t run, look and sound fierce by yelling and throwing things at it. He adds if the cougar attacks, fight back because past stories suggest anyone who puts up a vigorous defence will survive the encounter.
Another notable point Watkins made is there has never been a cougar attack in Manitoba ever.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Saturday was the 4th annual Coldest Night Of The Year walk.
People met at Parkland Crossing and walked around the city to raise money for Habitat For Humanity.
The money is going towards the build of a Habitat For Humanity Home in Dauphin.
Habitat for Humanity board of director Nancy Tregunna was pleased with this year’s turnout.
“I was very excited to see so many families come out this year and we have a lot of walkers, so I'm hoping that everyone is going to have a fantastic time and we’re so happy that the weather has been fantastic too.”
The goal is to raise $20,000.
Currently, they have reached over $12,000.
She adds that you can donate money until March 31st at CNOY.org/dauphin.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Saturday morning at 5, Roblin RCMP responded to a report of unresponsive male in town.
Upon arrival they found the man unresponsive with serious injuries.
The victim was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officers with major crimes and Forensic Identification Services are on scene and assisting with the homicide investigation.
No further information is available.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Dauphin Fire Department is raising money for muscular dystrophy with the Fill the Boot Campaign.
Right now they are at Coffee Creations in Dauphin and later today can be found at the McDonald’s drive-thru and possibly the Tim Horton drive-thru as well.
Muscular dystrophy has been the firefighters’ fundraiser of choice since 1954.
Fabien Carriere, level 1 firefighter with the DFD says they’ll be doing the campaign quite often over the next few weeks.
They don’t have a set goal, they just want to raise as much money as they can.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The boil water advisory that had been in effect in Gilbert Plains since Sunday night has been lifted.
Following the tests, the water meets regulatory standards.
The boil water advisory had been in effect because of repairs that were needed from a water main break.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Manitoba government has appointed Geoffrey Bayly and Christina Cheater as judges for the Provincial Court of Manitoba in Dauphin.
The announcement was made yesterday by Justice Minister Cliff Cullen.
He said that it is an honour to appoint the experienced lawyers as judges.
Cheater has served as a Crown prosecutor with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and is the only federal Crown prosecutor assigned to Dauphin, Swan River, Roblin, Brandon, Virden and surrounding areas.
Bayly has been a criminal prosecutor since he was called to the bar in 2002. Since 2018, he has been a senior supervising Crown attorney with Manitoba Prosecution Service.
These appointments were made because Dauphin's judge for the past 15 years, Christine Harapiak, has retired.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
