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The largest walkout against a single employer in Canadian history started yesterday, and while some effects can already be seen, only time will tell how other services could be affected.
In the agriculture industry, there are a number of services that could be affected by the strike. Keystone Agricultural Producers(KAP) President, Jill Verwey, says there are definitely a few areas of concern for the industry.
"I think the big impact is certainly on a couple of areas. One would be any of the programming that is offered through AAFC. AgriInvest, AgriStability, some of the skills programming, certainly the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Any of the programming through there will certainly be impacted."
Verwey says the Canadian Grain Commission, will also be affected by the strike, as a number of their workers are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). She says it's very likely there will be a delay in some grain shipments, and depending on the length of the strike, it could result in some backlogs.
Verwey says that immigration as a whole could also be affected by the strike, and that will lead to issues within the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
"We're right in the middle of spring, so any impact on the temporary foreign worker program would have some impacts on farmers. Particularly getting workers in this spring."
Verwey says the longer the strike lasts, the greater these impacts will become.
"If it's dragged out over a long period of time, then those impacts have a snowballing effect. In the end, if it's a long-term situation, it trickles down to if we have backlogs, then we have farmers that are unable to move grain, and worse case, then you have restrictions on cashflow, and farmer's ability to market the rest of their 2022 grain, and the ability to purchase inputs for this year."
Verwey says KAP has expressed its concerns to both the federal government, and PSAC, and they hope the two sides will keep an open dialogue and set up contingency plans to minimize negative impacts.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Prairie Mountain Health has postponed tomorrow's Career Expo in Swan River due to the weather.
The expo in Swan River will now be held on Wednesday, May 17th at Swan River Regional Secondary School, from 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
The career expo made its first stop in Dauphin yesterday, with stops planned in Swan River(May 17), Russell(April 27), Virden(May 2), Killarney(May 4), Brandon(May 9), and Neepawa(May 10).
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update #2 posted on April 19 at 2:37 pm
Highway 83 between Russell and Roblin has now reopened. All highways throughout the parkland are currently listed as either partially or fully snow-covered.
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Update #1 posted on April 19 at 10:35 am
The winter storm means constantly changing road conditions this morning, most recently, causing the closure of Highway 83 between Russell and Roblin.
Before heading out on the road today, check out the Parkview Autoglass Road Conditions Tab for the most up-to-date road conditions.
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Original Article posted on April 19 at 9:21 am
While Dauphin didn't see as much snow as expected overnight, the Winter Storm Warning is still in effect.
Environment Canada's still calling for anywhere from 15 to 40 cm of snow between today and tomorrow. They say that the snow will be the heaviest today, but will continue into tomorrow in most areas.
Most highways in the area are being reported as partially or fully snow-covered right now, with the exception of Highway 10 between Ethelbert and Pine River, as well as Highway 20 between Provincial Road 271 and Pine Creek, which are reported as bare.
The Winter Storm Watch is also reporting wind as strong as 50 gusting to 70 throughout the day today, which can produce periods of blowing snow, and make visibility poor while driving.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Police are releasing more information from the investigation into the death of 37-year-old James Vernon Giesbrecht from Brandon.
An investigation has been underway for months after human remains were discovered on the outskirts of the City of Brandon. In January, RCMP identified the remains as belonging to Giesbrecht.
Toward the end of March, the investigation revealed that Giesbrecht's death was connected to a grey 2007 Honda Accord that had been seen in the Brandon area in October. The vehicle was stolen from Regina.
Now, police say the investigation is at a point where they can release more information about the investigation, and the following update was issued this morning.
Update 2 – Major Crime Services investigating homicide in western Manitoba
The investigation into the homicide of James Vernon Giesbrecht is now at a place where police can release further information relating to the 2007 Honda Accord and where the remains of the victim were located.
Giesbrecht’s remains were located in the trunk of the burned out Honda Accord. The burned vehicle was located on October 13, 2022, just south of the intersection of Road 108 West and Road 51 North in the RM of Cornwallis. A complete forensic examination has taken place on the vehicle, with the assistance of a Forensic Anthropologist from the Brandon University Department of Anthropology. Police located physical evidence that has been sent to the Forensic Laboratory for forensic DNA testing.
Additional searches in relation to the homicide have taken place, which have helped police collect further evidence in this investigation. However, investigators are still looking to the public to provide any information they may have in relation to this incident by calling the Major Crime Services Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110.
Giesbrecht investigation[4809], Blue Hills RCMP
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update
According to the Manitoba Hydro Outage map, power has been restored to the area.
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Manitoba Hydro is reporting a number of power outages in southwestern Manitoba, including one along Highway 50.
Many customers are currently being affected by an outage that spans a large area south of Brandon, and areas west of Portage La Prairie.
Hydro says that crews are out working to restore power as quickly as possible, and anyone with a power outage should report it online here, and the Manitoba Hydro Outage Map can be found here.
#mboutage it’s a busy night for crews restoring power across Manitoba. If you are without power, please report your location online: https://t.co/pe43z1UW0V pic.twitter.com/HORdhNXsvj
— Manitoba Hydro (@manitobahydro) April 20, 2023
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Dauphin and District Handi-Van is offering some new deals, and free rides to the business expo this weekend.
This Local non-profit community transportation group is dedicated to offering a safe and reliable ride for those who need it in Dauphin and the surrounding area.
Sharon Zeiler, president of Dauphin and District Handi-van notes that from the start of April to the end of September, their service has a spectacular deal for current and new customers.
"The 6 trip cards we have on sale for $30, regular $55. it's an excellent deal for summer, and going into the fall. there's no expiry date on those. if you take advantage of them, you'll still get a deal into the winter"
The non-profit group will also be offering free or by-donation rides to the Dauphin Kin Business Expo this weekend. It is recommended to call ahead to the Handi-Van office to pre-book your ride.
To reach the office of Dauphin and District Handi-Van for booking and more details about their service, call 204 638 8884.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation has announced $10.36 million for New Conservation Projects from the Conservation Trust and GROW Trusts.
That will include $400,000 to Manitoba Beef Producers to support projects that help cattle producers conserve grasslands and enhance habitat for threatened and endangered birds.
Manitoba Beef Producers General Manager Carson Callum says it's a way to help producers improve their practices and help the planet. He says there are many different ways producers can be eligible for funding.
"It really goes directly to producers to help improve their habitat that they maintain. Whether that's through rotational grazing practices, implementing new cross fences or improving some of their fencing systems, or adding some watering systems on those important habitats. Brush mowing, getting rid of some of those invasive species, you know, all those important things to improve that habitat for all the species that live on it, is what this funding will go towards."
This is part of a long-term partnership between the two organizations, and Callum says it's a way to help producers improve their practices and help the planet.
"Before even Conservation Trust Funding we've had SARPAL Programming, really in the Southwest side of the province, which is Species at Risk programming provided by Environment Canada. MHHC helped deliver that funding for Manitoba Beef Producers, but really what this Conservation Trust Funding is it expands the reach of those dollars."
Callum says that historically the SARPAL funding has needed to be more targeted based on certain species at risk, but this funding allows them to expand it across more of the province.
Producers interested in applying for funding through the program can find more information on The MHHC Website, or they can get more information about eligible projects by calling Manitoba Beef Producers at (204) 772-4542.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has set a deadline of 9 o'clock ET tonight to reach a contract agreement, and if it is not met, over 155-thousand federal public servants will walk off the job Wednesday. Those workers are under the Canada Revenue Agency and the Treasury Board of each province and territory.
The PSAC says its members are prepared to strike for meaningful wage increases and for provisions dealing with remote work.
If this strike does happen, you could see temporary delays with things like getting your income tax claims and benefits processed, employment insurance, immigration services, and passport applications.
The Treasury Board says it offered the union a nine-per-cent raise over three years on Sunday but the union is seeking a 4.5 percent increase each year for three years.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Curtis and Jimmy Pruden will be spending more time behind bars.
Last June, Ste. Rose and Dauphin RCMP responded to three calls in less than two hours, about someone that was in a vehicle trying to steal fuel and two other trucks in the RM of McCreary.
In Dauphin Court recently, 28-year-old, Curtis Pruden was sentenced to an additional 306 days in jail. 30-year-old Jimmy Pruden was sentenced to an additional 190 days behind bars.
33-year-old Jill Johnson, a third suspect, will be in court in the coming days.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Fusion Credit Union is hosting its AGM Wednesday night at 7 pm, and there are a few ways to attend.
This year's AGM will be held via Webcast, but you can also attend in person at the Dauphin Branch. Branch Manager Marissa Phillippe says it's a great opportunity to find out what's going on with the credit union, and have all of your questions answered.
"Essentially it is a recap of the previous year. There will be reports for 2022 from the Board Chair, CEO Darwin Johns, and also other members of our executive management team. We will be announcing new members of our board of directors, for which we gathered votes over the last month, and it's also an opportunity for members to ask questions."
Philippe says member engagement is something that helps set credit unions apart.
"The fact that we are member-owned is what makes credit unions unique. We want to hear from our members, and we also want to share the positive impact that their banking with us has on their community. We have a wonderful executive leadership team, and the AGM is a great opportunity to meet these leaders of Fusion, and hear directly from them about Fusion's successes in 2022, and as mentioned, to ask questions that you might have as a member."
Registration for the AGM, both in-person and virtual, closes at noon tomorrow(Tuesday, April 18). You can register online here, or by calling 204-571-3923.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
There's a Special Weather Statement over the entire South Western Corner of the Province.
A Colorado Low in the Northern Plains of the United States is expected to bring a prolonged period of Rain to the Southern Prairies. Total snowfall's expected to be in the 10 to 20 cm range, starting tomorrow night, into Wednesday, and Possibly Thursday.
The following areas are currently under the statement.
- Dauphin - Russell - Roblin - Winnipegosis
- Ste. Rose - McCreary - Alonsa - Gladstone
- Minnedosa - Riding Mountain National Park
- Swan River - Duck Mountain - Porcupine Provincial Forest
- Brandon - Neepawa - Carberry - Treherne
- Killarney - Pilot Mound - Manitou
- Melita - Boissevain - Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
- Virden - Souris
- Morden - Winkler - Altona - Morris
- Portage la Prairie - Headingley - Brunkild - Carman
Several uncertainties and complicating factors remain to be determined with this system. Mild temperatures ahead of this system and heavy, wet snow will lead to plenty of melting and compaction on contact as it accumulates.
Precipitation will likely be mixed at times with rain, especially over south-central Manitoba. Current thinking is that precipitation will begin overnight Tuesday into Wednesday for most regions, although there may be an area of mixed precipitation ahead of the main area on Tuesday afternoon into the evening.
Environment Canada's weather alerts can be found here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
