NewsNow

Manitobans don’t have to worry about getting a third jab any time soon, according to Dr. Joss Reimer, head of the vaccination task force.

Reimer says there’s no medical reason to give third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to people at this time.

However, she says that doesn’t mean things won’t change in the future.

“This is something we’re continuing to monitor and review, particularly as new information becomes available about any clinical reasons to provide people with a third dose.”

Her comments come after other provinces announced that they would be providing third doses of the vaccine to those who are immunocompromised or to those who want to travel internationally.

This includes Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 2:16 pm

Today Prairie Mountain Health released some information about visiting personal care homes.

The increased social visitation guidelines associated with general visitors allow facilities to ask for a person’s COVID-19 immunization status when determining whether in-person visits may take place.

This measure applies to being fully vaccinated for both visitors and residents.

In situations where the resident, visitor, or both are not fully vaccinated, indoor visitation continues to be restricted under general visitation guidelines.

Guidelines for the number of visitors and location of visits can still vary based on factors including the size of the room and a resident’s current medical condition or vaccination status.

Site screening and safety measures, including the wearing of masks, remain in place.

PMH advises that visitors check ahead of time with the personal care home before planning a visit.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 1:34 pm

Today Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced that two new programs under the AgriRecovery framework were launched by the federal and provincial governments.

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, livestock producers can now apply to two programs.

The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program will help producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds including transporting purchased feed from distant locations.

The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program will offer assistance to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas.

Eichler says these programs will help producers buy feed, or get the animals to another location where feed is available.

“This has been a tough year and we continue to take strides to support our producers in any way we can.”

For more detailed program information, producers can contact their Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Service Centre by calling 844-769-6224.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 11:22 am

The Manitoba PC Caucus released a statement today to recognize and thank outgoing Premier Brian Pallister for his leadership and dedication to serving Manitobans.

Caucus Chair Greg Nesbitt had this to say about Pallister:

“Since forming government in 2016, Premier Pallister has championed historic achievements to re-build the economy while fixing the finances and repairing services across our province. On behalf of the entire PC Caucus, I wish Premier Pallister and this family all the best as in their future endeavours.”

The PC caucus then went on to say that Premier Pallister has made significant progress in improving the province’s fiscal position. Under his leadership, the province balanced the budget for the first time in 11 years while reducing taxes and investing more than ever before in front-line services. This was achieved by bending the cost curve, trimming top-heavy administrative costs and ensuring value for taxpayer dollars in procurement practices. This was done while lowering the tax burden on every working person and family, more than any other province, to keep making life affordable for Manitobans. He reduced the PST by 1% while having it removed from home insurance, wills and tax services. He began the elimination of education tax on property with a 25% reduction on residential and farm and 10% on commercial properties, providing nearly $250 million in education property tax rebates.

The PC's finished things off by saying that under Premier Pallister’s leadership, the province has made significant progress in cleaning up the mess left by the former NDP administration. Manitoba is well-positioned to springboard into a stronger economic future with even greater social progress moving forward. His efforts will benefit the people of Manitoba for years to come.

Details: Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 10:14 am

Today Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced that the government and the Town of Swan River are working together to resurface Main Street.

Schuler says the government has committed to working with municipalities across the province to build and maintain sustainable infrastructure.

“Main Street between the CN rail crossing and Centennial Drive needed improvements to the underground storm sewer system, which the town completed in 2020, and now the highway needs to be resurfaced with new asphalt pavement.”

Mayor Lance Jacobson says the partnership agreement between the town and province is a testament to the commitment of the community’s provincial and municipal leaders.

Work is currently underway and is expected to be complete by the end of the summer construction season.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 9:10 am

Last night, Mountain View School Division had its Regular Board Meeting.

One of the first things discussed was COVID funding, which was approved by the board.

In May, Manitoba Education notified school divisions that $40 million would be allocated to divisions on a per-pupil basis, $615,114 of which was given to Mountain View School Division.

The division also received $83,713 from the Safe Schools Fund.

The proposed plan is for this additional funding to be broken down into the following areas:

$400 thousand for additional instructional staff
$214 thousand for operations maintenance
$11 thousand for summer programming
$25 thousand for early years speech-language support
$8 thousand for professional development
$40 thousand for youth support workers

COVID-19 protocols were also discussed, such as cohorts, and immunization and testing requirements.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for September 13^th.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 5:01 am

Dauphin’s Senior Centre is offering to take some of the stress off seniors by helping with the process of applying for a vaccine card.

Kim Armstrong, Administrator and Program Coordinator at the Dauphin Multi-Purpose Senior Centre says they’re happy to offer any help that they’re able to.

“We’re absolutely here to help seniors get through this process, as difficult as it is. Especially for individuals who don’t have a computer or don’t even have an email address, we’re trying to help them out with that.”

Kim wants people to know that if they need help, the centre is there to help out.

“We certainly don’t mind making phone calls so that we can organize the government to support them however they need to with regards to these vaccination cards.”

Seniors who need assistance can call the Senior Centre at 204-638-6485, or visit the centre in person.

All vaccinated Manitobans will need physical or digital vaccination cards by Friday, September 3^rd to be able to participate in certain events.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 31, 2021 - 5:00 am

In one of his last days as Premier, Brian Pallister announced gifts of nearly $260 thousand that will endow two new scholarships at Brandon University, and increase the value of existing scholarships he had previously endowed.

Pallister says he was raised with the strong belief that a quality education is essential to building a successful and prosperous future.

“I am thankful for the scholarships I received that allowed me to obtain a post-secondary education and even more thankful that our family can pay it forward to ensure more students are able to benefit from this additional assistance.”

One of the new scholarships will benefit male student-athletes, mirroring an existing scholarship that Pallister had established in 2014 to benefit female student-athletes.

The other new scholarship will benefit students who are coming to BU to finish a joint program with Assiniboine Community College.

Details: Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson; Published: Aug 30, 2021 - 4:05 pm

Individuals who do not have a Manitoba health card can now request a Manitoba immunization card if they meet the following requirements:

• have received two doses of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with the final dose more than 14 days ago; and
• have submitted proof of any COVID vaccination(s) received outside of Manitoba to public health, and the data has been recorded in the system.

Individuals can call 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222) to speak with an agent, who will provide a client identification number for the digital version of the card. The agent can also request a physical card on behalf of callers.

Details: Published: Aug 30, 2021 - 12:54 pm

A woman has been arrested after allegedly driving impaired and hitting a pole and taxi with her vehicle.

On August 28th at 11:30 a.m., officers received a call of a possible impaired driver on Main Street.

Officers located the vehicle on Main Street and conducted a traffic stop at which time the driver reversed into the front of the police vehicle.

The 37-year-old female driver was arrested for impaired driving. She was later released to the care of the hospital as there was a concern for what she may have consumed. She was not injured as a result of the collision.

The investigation is ongoing.