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A bill introduced by Dauphin - Swan River - Neepawa MP Dan Mazier has made more progress, and will now be moving to the Senate.
Bill C-288 was unanimously passed by the House of Commons today.
Mazier says the bill would amend the Telecommunications Act and require Canadian internet companies to provide Canadians with accurate and transparent information regarding the internet services they pay for.
"Just imagine going to a gas station and buying up to 75 dollars worth of fuel, only to realize that you only got ten dollars worth of fuel, but you're going to still pay 75 dollars to the gas company."
Mazier says the practice is only allowed within the telecoms industry in Canada, and Bill C-288 would put a stop to that.
He says this is a huge step in the process, and he's happy the bill garnered so much support from all parties.
"Everybody in the House of Commons supported it, so thank you very much to everybody that's helped me through to this process."
He says while the support has been there, the work isn't done yet.
"So now it goes through to the Senate for the same type of process through committees, so that's our next step."
Mazier says that because they had such strong support in the House of Commons, he hopes the Senate will keep it a priority.
"It presents a strong case to the Senate to keep this a priority. So hopefully we can get it passed and royal assent before we head into the summer break."
Outside of the House members, the bill has also received support from some industry groups. OpenMedia, which is a consumer advocacy organization, says that customers have a right to know what actual speeds they're getting before they buy.
The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television, says that given the amount of internet service quality complaints they see, making accurate data available to consumers is definitely a step forward.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Gypsumville RCMP made a traffic stop as part of an ongoing investigation, and it led to the arrest of a wanted individual.
Officers conducted the stop on Main Market Road in Pinaymootang First Nation on Sunday. A 29-year-old female who was in the vehicle was wanted by police and arrested without incident.
Police found 11 grams of meth, cocaine, weapons, and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. The female is facing several drug and weapons charges, and the investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Beginning at 7 am tomorrow morning, areas of Mountain Road will be closed.
The stretch of Mountain Road between the entrance & exit to the DRCSS parking lot will be undergoing repairs due to a water main break.
The parking lot at DRCSS will still be accessible, but be prepared to detour and avoid the area if possible.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
As seeding approaches, Statistics Canada has released its principal field crop Areas for 2023.
Wheat, canola, corn for grain, barley, and soybeans are all expected to have increased areas this year, with wheat leading the way as far as increases go.
Farmers are anticipating 27 million acres of wheat across the country this year, which is up 6.2% from last year. If this comes true, the national wheat area would be at its highest point in more than two decades.
Manitoba Farmers are anticipating 3.2 million acres of wheat this year, up 3.3%. Saskatchewan farmers anticipate a 7.3% increase, to a total of 14.2 million acres this year, while Alberta farmers are planning 8 million acres, up 4.2% from last year.
Soybean acres are expected to take a large jump as well, going up to 5.5 million acres, which is an increase of 4.5%. This increase is expected to be largely led by Manitoba, which is anticipating a 37.3% increase to 1.6 million acres.
The canola area nationally is expected to be up slightly, coming in at 21.6 million acres, which would be a 0.9% increase.
Nationwide, barley acreage is expected to edge up 0.6% to 7.1 million acres in 2023. Oat area on the other hand is expected to take a substantial dip nationally, falling 22.4% to 3.1 million acres.
Farmers expect to plant 3.7 million acres of corn for grain, up 2.8% from one year earlier. Lentil and dry pea areas are both expected to drop this year. Canadian farmers anticipate the lentil area to be down 8% to 4 million acres, and the dry pea area to drop 4.6% to 3.2 million acres.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Around 40% of all cultivated farmland in Canada is rented, but how do you know if renting or buying is the most cost-effective choice?
Farm Credit Canada(FCC) recently released a report called Understanding Canadian farmland rental rates: FCC analysis, which helps break down the rent-to-price ratio.
FCC Chief Economist, JP Gervais, says there is a lot of different info that goes into the report, but the purpose of the report itself is quite simple.
"The purpose of this was to look at, if you compare land rental rates, compared to land values, is one going up faster than the other."
In Manitoba, the rent-to-price ratio dropped from 2.5% to 2.4% last year, while other Prairie provinces say an increase in that same ratio, but what does that mean for Manitobans?
"In some sense, to have a ratio that's been declining in Manitoba means that you're a little bit better off if you're looking at renting land, but the difference is not that significant," says Gervais, "You just have to crunch the numbers to understand, what are the best options for me."
He says there are so many different variables that need to go into that decision, and it'll be different for everyone.
"I wish I could just lay out a simple formula, but the reality is you just have to sit down with somebody, a farm management expert, a financial advisor, to just really make sure that you crunch all the numbers and come up with the best strategy for your farm."
Ultimately, Gervais says this report is a good tool for farmers to use when making these decisions.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
After a three-year hiatus, the Dauphin Kin Business expo once again returned to the halls of Credit Union Place.
Over 100 vendors from the parkland and beyond came to showcase their unique products.
From boats, balsamic vinegar, and barbeques, to house decor and hot tubs, the Expo had something for everyone.
CKDM was in attendance, and it was a very busy weekend with lots of people getting out to learn about and support a wide variety of local businesses.
Dan Pylypchuk, Organizer of the Dauphin Kin Business Expo was thankful to have all the space they need for this massive event.
"We utilized the walking track, the CUP floor, the curling rink, and even the halls in between. and yah, I'm looking forward to next year."
Pylpchuk also mentioned the Dauphin Kin Club is growing, and with the success of the expo, could grow even more
"Well, we've got a new club, and we're looking to keep expanding on not only what we can do the for expo, but what we can do for the community. and hopefully, out of this, we can gain a few members with more ideas to bring to the club"
The three-year pandemic hiatus will likely be a thing of the past, and next year's Expo is sure to be just as big, or possibly even bigger.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Five people are facing charges after a search warrant was executed in Swan River, as part of an ongoing investigation.
During the search of the Main Street residence, police seized six grams of methamphetamine, four grams of cocaine, eight grams of hydromorphone, and drug paraphernalia.
A 44-year-old male is facing charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and three counts of Failing to Comply. A 41-year-old female has been charged with three counts of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.
Two males, aged 21 and 40, and a 29-year-old female, are facing a charge of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, and the investigation is ongoing.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
After another winter storm last week, and before even more rain in the forecast tonight and tomorrow, how are the water levels in the province?
Water levels have risen over the last month, but are still following the trends that the March Flood Outlook set at that time.
Dauphin Lake has risen just 0.31 ft. since March 22nd and is sitting at 855.01 ft. as of yesterday, slightly above its operating range. The lake is still just under three feet below its flood stage.
Lake Winnipegosis is sitting at 830.56 ft., which is 0.06 ft. higher than it was on March 22nd. The lake is still below it's median level for this time of year.
Lake Manitoba has also risen 0.07 ft. since March 22nd. As of yesterday, the average lake level was 811.67 ft., which is close to the middle of its operating range and is expected to remain within that range.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update posted on April 24th at 1:53 pm:
The RCMP has provided an update regarding the overdoses in the Pas on Saturday night.
Police say that Sunday afternoon, an officer in Thompson was at the hospital on an unrelated matter when a nurse approached them with a small box. The box contained seven vials, each with approximately one gram of an unknown crystal-like powder.
The officer brought the box to the detachment, where a field test was conducted. It was determined that there was the presence of an opioid in the vials.
Field test results
The RCMP believes the drugs seized in Thompson may be the same substance that was discovered in The Pas which led to the hospitalization of 6 individuals, one of whom remains in critical condition.
Thompson RCMP report one case of an overdose believed to be linked to this same drug.
We continue to ask anyone with information to call 204-627-6204, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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Original article posted on April 23 at 2:38 pm:
The Pas RCMP advises the community to be cautious after several people overdosed last night.
Police responded to a report of four unresponsive males at an establishment on Fisher Avenue around 8:45 pm. They were told the individuals had ingested drugs, believed to be laced with an opioid.
Officers, along with EMS, attended the scene and administered naloxone in an effort to revive the men. Three of the males, ages 46, 37, and 33, were revived and transported to the hospital where they were treated and later released.
The fourth male, a 31-year-old, was taken to the hospital and later flown to Brandon where he remains in critical condition.
Several hours later, police received another report that two men had overdosed at the same location. They were also taken to the hospital where they were treated and released.
The RCMP says they believe the drug is in a crystal-like powdered form, purple, and may contain fentanyl.
An investigation is underway, and the Pas RCMP is asking anyone with information to call 204-627-6204, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
*Note, the man in the hospital was originally reported as a 46-year-old by the RCMP, they have since corrected it, saying he is 31 years old.*
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
A date has been set for a verdict in the trial of Jack Winters.
The trial wrapped up on March 22nd, and a decision was reserved at that time. That decision has now been set for June 29th, 2023, at 10 am.
Winters is facing a number of charges related to a fatal collision in the RM of Dauphin in August 2019.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
From today until May 31st, Parks Canada is planning prescribed fires in three different areas of Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP). So don't be alarmed if you see smoke coming from the park as this is likely the reason why.
The three zones are:
• South Lake Prescribed Fire - 263 hectare area located along the western shores of Clear Lake with boundaries along RR 354, and Frith Road.
• Lake Katherine Prescribed Fire - 100 hectare area along Bogey Creek between Highway 10 and Grey Owl Trail.
• Menzie Prescribed Fire - 11,000 hectare area surrounding Whitewater Lake, Menzie Lake, and Peden Prairie.
The prescribed fires act as a preventative measure against severe wildfires and they improve the ecological condition of the areas where they are set. More information about Parks Canada's fire management program can be found here.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
