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Health care and making life more affordable for Manitobans were key points in the 2024 Manitoba budget.

Finance minister Adrian Sala introduced what the NDP government is calling "21 new ways to save".

"A broad, middle class tax cut, a 15-hundred dollar tax credit for homeowners, and no school property taxes for families that need the most help.  A tax credit for renters, a tax credit for seniors, and 10 dollars a day child care for every day of the year."

That plan also includes lower insurance rates, rebates for home and business security systems, and an increase to the minimum wage. 

On the health care side, Sala says the health workforce in Manitoba will grow significantly this year.

"This year, we are hiring 1,000 health ccare workers.  100 doctors, 90 paramedics, 210 nurses, and 600 Health Care Aides." 

The province also announced that construction of a new Emergency department in Eriksdale is being included in this budget. 

Sala also promised to balance the province's books within the NDP government's first term in office. 

"We have inherited a historic deficit from the previous government.  We are starting with a health care system that is broken by seven years of cuts and chaos, as well as coming out of years of rising costs, and people are struggling.  There are those that will say that this budget is too ambitious, but it is for those reasons that it needs to be ambitious.  We can fix health care and make life more affordable and we can do it while charting a path back to balance in four years."

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Several health facilities in the region have been included in a Capital Construction Update released recently by Prairie Mountain Health.

Neepawa

Construction of a new hospital in Neepawa is ongoing, with the target opening set for early 2026.

The facility, which is being built east of Neepawa along the north side of the Yellowhead Highway, will be over four times the size of the current hospital in that community and will feature 60 acute care inpatient beds, as well as an expanded emergency department and the addition of a hemodialysis suite. 

Russell

Meanwhile, the construction of an expanded cancer care unit at the Russell Health Centre is into its final stages.

Expected to wrap up later this spring, the expansion will add an additional 33-hundred square feet of space to the existing CancerCare Manitoba Chemotherapy treatment space. 

Dauphin

After opening a relocated Chemotherapy unit this year, work is continuing towards relocating the Endoscapy Unit to the main floor of the Dauphin Regional Health Centre, which is expected to wrap up in the coming months. 

Phase two of their capital project is also underway, which includes the addition of nine inpatient beds - with seven being in the medicine unit and two in the surgical ward, while also renovating the former cancer care space on the third floor into a new physiotherapy unit along with some administrative offices. 

Swan River

Work in winding down on the installation of a new CT scanner at the Swan Valley Health Centre in Swan River.

The scanner itself is being installed over the next two months and is expected to be fully operational by this summer, once inspections and the hiring of staff to operate it is concluded. 

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The Manitoba government is extending the fuel tax holiday.

The current tax break, which is in place from Jan. 1 to the end of June, removes the 14 cent provincial tax on gas.

Now, the province has extended the tax break for another three months.

Premier Wab Kinew said the province made this decision as Manitobans are dealing with inflation and the high cost of living.

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Fishing licenses in Manitoba for 2024 went on sale as of Monday, and to coincide with that the province has released its Anglers' guide for this year. 

The guide is available through the province's Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources website, as well as in stores where angling licenses are sold, and Manitobans are encouraged to pick up a copy and read it to learn about new fishing requirements, that also went into effect this week.

Residents are reminded that they can not fish in some areas during the spring, including Dauphin Lake and its tributaries, with the exception of the Vermillion Reservoir, as well as the Assiniboine River downstream of the Porgae Diversion to Provincial Road 240. 

You are also reminded that fishing for walleye and sauger is not allowed in the Northwest and North Central divisions between May 1st and May 18th. 

While they go on sale this week, 2024 Angling licenses do not become valid until May 1st. 

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The city of Dauophin has announced that it is now looking for seasonal labourers. 

They add preference will be given to people that have experience working with concrete, carpentry, and operating heavy equipment. 

More information and a link to apply can be found on the city's Facebook page. 

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It's budget day in Manitoba -- the first for the province's N-D-P government since winning last October's election.

N-D-P campaign promises, such as rebates on electric vehicles, a bigger tax credit for fertility treatments, and free prescription birth control, are expected in the fiscal plan.

Manitoba has run deficits in every year but two since 2009, and the N-D-P has promised to balance the budget within its first term.

At the same time, it has also promised to boost funding to municipalities, schools, and health-care workers.

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Dauphin and Parkland residents now have the chance to order 2024 Manitoba Summer Games gear. 

Games merchandise co-ordinator Shay Sparrow says they have recently opened an online store with games gear, the link for which can be found on the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games host committee's Facebook page. 

"Once everyone has their orders in from the committees, and they actually get to see the merchandise, I think that is going to increase the excitement for the merchandise.  So we are really just starting to promote it right now.  And once teams are made for the games, then I think the merchandise store is really going to take off." 

Sparrow says they have a little bit of everything available for people of all ages. 

"We have adult apparel   We have hoodies, t-shirts, shorts, pants, golf shirts  We also have stuff for youth.  For accessories, we have hats, backpacks, water bottles, and even a blanket.  So we have a little bit of everything for everyone."

To buy games gear, you can go online to 2024 Manitoba Games Shop.

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A new court date has been set for a Swan River man that has admitted to an armed robbery outside of a business in that community last February. 

Two teens reported that a man wielding a hammer made off with an unknown amount of cash.

21-year-old Jefferson Cook will return to court in Dauphin on April 9th. 

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Day passes for the 35th edition of Dauphin's Countryfest go on sale this Thursday.

Countryfest General Manager Kamryn Winters says day passes will be available as of 10 am that day.

"You can get them at Countryfest dot ca or by calling us at 1-800-361-7300.  Day passes are on sale for $119, and then they do go up in price after the early bird deadline on April 30th, along with everything else, so definitely get your day passes or weekend passes.  If you say you are going to Countryfest and you know that you are going and you do not have your tickets yet, just lock them in now."

"(After April 30th), Day passes will be going up to $139, plus taxes and fees.  Weekend passes are sitting at $249 right now, which is a great deal since there will be around 100 bands over the weekend.  And then they do go up to $299 plus fees and taxes starting on May 1."

This year's lineup includes the likes of Alabama, Clint Black, Jodee Messina and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. 

Countryfest is set for June 28th to 30th at the Selo Ukraina site. 

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Manitobans eager to book camping spots in provincial parks for this summer will not have to wait much longer. 

The province says it will begin accepting online reservations as of April 8th at 7 am.

They add reservations will be staggered over five days to accommodate the expected high demand, with a virtual waiting room and the queuing system being used on opening day for online reservations.

Anyone looking to camp this summer at Rainbow Beach, Manipogo, Asessippi, or at Blue Lakes, Childs Lake, and Wellman Lake in the Duck Mountains can start booking spots as of 7 am on Thursday, April 11th. 

Reservations can be made online at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling the toll-free line at 1-888-482-2267. 

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A Little Greenhouse That Could is going to lift up Agriculture in urban centers.

Trina Semenchuck operates "The Little Green House That Could", a business that designs and operates Vertical Farms and helps set up pilot projects in schools.

She'll be offering a special Presentation hosted by Lieutenant Governor Anita R. Neville.

"It's on April 9th. it'll be at the Lieutenant Governor's house and they do have a number you can call to book a seat. beyond that, I do have a website people can check out, littlegreenhousethatcould.ca."

The number to call for this event is 204-945-2753.

Semenchuck is thrilled to see the new heights of urban agriculture her work could inspire.

"When you think about verticle farming, you think about the role that agriculture plays in building a society, and how this could really help us build a sustainable innovation future in Manitoba."

Stay Tuned to Monday's Noon-hour Edition of Agri-view for the Full Conversation with Trine Semenchuck on Vertical farming.

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