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With the federal election just weeks away, the Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa race is starting to take shape and so is our coverage from our NEWS NOW information centre.

Four candidates have been named so far including our Incumbent Conservative Member of Parliament Dan Mazier.

The People’s Party of Canada candidate is Donnan McKenna, The Liberals have named Kevin Carlson and Lori-Falloon Austin will run for the Maverick Party. The NDP and Greens have yet to name candidates.  

You’ll get a chance to get to know all the local contenders with our ‘Candidate Profiles’ on 730ckdm.com. CKDM will have a Q & A with the candidates on the issues that matter to you, plus extensive Election Day coverage. Keep listening for details.

Canadians go to the polls on Monday, September 20th.

The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency held its Annual General Meeting virtually earlier this week.

A big topic of discussion was nominations. General Manager Melinda German says they only had one nomination per position this year.

“Representing B.C. we have Terry Wiebe returning to us, representing one of Alberta’s seats is Sheila Hillmer, representing Manitoba is Mary Paziuk, representing Quebec is Kirk Jackson, New Brunswick is Trevor Welch, and of the two Canadian Meat Council seats up this year are Russ Mallard, and John Curtis.”

Cameron Blake is joining the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency’s marketing committee, and Mike Guest is returning.

The agency also thanked two committee members who are leaving this year, Doug Sawyer and Helen Langford, for their service to the Agency and Marketing Committee.

The application for Ag Action Manitoba Assurance: Beneficial Management Practice has been extended by a month.

The Ag Action Manitoba Program helps agricultural producers protect ground and surface water sources that are essential to ensuring the health of livestock and groundwater sources.

Items eligible for cost-shared funding include:
• water source development, constructing new or rehabilitating existing wells or dugouts
• solar, wind or grid-powered alternative watering systems
• permanent fencing to restrict livestock access to surface water and dugouts
• permanent pipeline development

Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler says the government is committed to ensuring producers have options when it comes to dealing with drought.

“By extending this application deadline, we will ensure that more producers will be able to apply and get assistance when they need it most.”

Applications are now being taken until October 1st. More information can be found here

150 years ago this week, Chiefs and Headman entered Treaty No. 2 with representatives of the Queen of England & Ireland.

To commemorate this event, the Treaty 2 Government is inviting people to come to Wasagaming this Friday & Saturday for live performances and much more. 

The coordinator of the commemoration, Marlene Davis says, there's going to be many performers at this event:

"We're going to have some pow-wow dancers on the main stage, world champion jiggers Felicia Morrisseau and Ryan Richard are coming, our house band for Saturday is going to be The Mosquitoes out of Pinaymootang, we're also going to be having local entertainers as well. Live entertainment will take place from 1-11p.m. on Saturday."

Along with these performers, Davis mentioned that there will be a surprise that you don't want to miss: 

"We have a surprise headliner. We aren't allowed to share that right now but it's going to be a surprise for everyone in attendance."

She also says that commemorations start tomorrow with some ceremonies:

"It starts on Friday, August 20th. It starts with a pipe ceremony at 8 o'clock in the morning as well as a water ceremony that'll bless everything in a good way and get everything started."

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend.

Today is burgers to beat MS day at A&W’s across the nation. 

A&W restaurants participating in the parkland include Dauphin, Russel and Swan River. Each Teen burger purchased will set aside 2$ from your meal to support the MS society.

Trevor Shewfelt, Volunteer with the MS society, preaches the importance of this fundraiser;

“Canada has one of the highest rates of MS globally, and Manitoba has one of the highest rates of MS within Canada. So, unfortunately, almost everybody in the parkland area knows someone who has MS because there is just so much around us.”

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. The immune system attacks the body and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. 

A&W Canada's goal is to raise over $1.5 million for the MS Society through this year's Burgers to Beat MS, bringing the campaign total to more than $17 million raised in support of the MS Society over the last 13 years

Some universities and colleges in Manitoba have announced that they will require faculty, staff, students and visitors on campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 this fall.

On Thursday, the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Red River College, Assiniboine Community College, Canadian Mennonite University, and University College of the North in The Pas announced vaccine requirements to attend their campuses.

The University of Brandon will not require vaccines before the start of the fall term, however, most students, faculty and staff are expected to be fully vaccinated.

The ACC said it believes a vaccine mandate adds a layer of protection that complements its other safety protocols, including a mask mandate during the fall term. The college noted it will allow for certain exemptions for medical conditions and religious beliefs and may allow periodic testing for unvaccinated people who want to come to campus.

The U of M will require faculty, staff, students and campus visitors to be fully vaccinated. People 12 and older will have to get their first dose by September 22nd and their second by the end of October.

The U of M vaccine mandate will remain for the entire academic year.

The U of W will remain closed to the public for the fall term, with authorized students, faculty and staff allowed to enter through controlled access points. Those groups must show proof of full vaccination or attest to becoming fully vaccinated and provide proof within a specified timeframe.

The U of W vaccine mandate won't apply to high school students at the UWinnipeg Collegiate or fitness centre members and external organizations that use the Axworthy Health and RecPlex.

With the forecast for significant rainfall to arrive over most parts of Manitoba in the coming days, the Manitoba Wildfire Service advises that current fire and travel restrictions can be lifted in most areas. Manitobans are reminded there are still some areas where the risk of wildfire may still exist even after the rain, therefore caution is required.

All provincial travel restrictions are lifted, with the exception of Area 4, which remains at level 2. Area 4 covers the large area north of the Wanipigow River, east of Lake Winnipeg to the Ontario border, including Atikaki Provincial Park, and north to Poplar River.

Provincial Burning Permits will once again be available through local or regional Manitoba Conservation and Climate office for all areas with the exception of Area 4. 

All provincial park trails are now open, and campfires are permitted in approved pits only. 

These changes will take effect at 8 a.m. Friday, August 20th.

To view a map of all areas still under fire bans, click here.

Yesterday Farm Credit Canada hosted their Annual Public Virtual Meeting.

The meeting included messages from FCC Board Chair Jane Halford, EVP and CFO Ross Topp, and President and CEO Michael Hoffort.

Things started off with some words from FCC Board Chair Jane Halford.

“Our priorities reflect the federal government’s mandate to support the agriculture and agri-food sector in a way that allows us a vibrant industry to be both the leader of job creation and innovation.”

Halford took a moment to welcome some new board members, and acknowledge two reappointments.  

“Jame Laws and Michele Hengen have been reappointed to three-year terms. Rita Achrekar, Sylvie Chagnon, and Michael Tees are our new board members, all appointed to four-year terms.”

President and CEO Michael Hoffort’s speech revolved around the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In March 2020 as the first round of lockdowns began across the country, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that FCC would receive a $500 million enhancement to our capital base to ensure FCC could stand strong and support the agriculture and food industry that was experiencing market and supply chain disruptions. In the months that followed we offered loan payment deferrals and products to assist our customers with their cash flow needs.”

The meeting finished up with EVP and CFO Ross Topp giving the financial results.

“Our balance sheet continues to grow. As of March 31st, 2021, loans received when leasing reached nearly $41.5 billion, growing by nearly 3 billion dollars or 7.6 percent year over year.”

The whole meeting can be viewed here

Already an owner of a Pet Valu location in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Sarah Kowalchuk knows what owning a pet store entails.

So, when the prospect came about to take over ownership of the Pet Valu store here in Dauphin, Sarah couldn't help but jump at the opportunity of bringing her knowledge and experience of all things pet-related to the Parkland.

Sarah spoke with CKDM about her journey with the company:

"I bought the store in Yorkton when I got a new puppy, and I was shopping at the store, when I brought him in, I saw a sign on the door saying it was for sale, and I felt like it was really good for me, I've loved pets my entire life. It's very exciting to have two businesses now in the same Pet Valu family. I just can't wait."

Kowalchuk explains some of the changes she plans on making;

"My store here in Yorkton has lots of small animals, and I want to introduce that to Dauphin as well. I think it's a really big need. So we have things like hamsters and guinea pigs here in Yorkton, and I want to bring those to Dauphin."

Sarah adds that she loved her first impressions of Dauphin when she visited last month and cant wait to get to know the community.

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Premier Brian Pallister announced Wednesday that Audrey Gordon has been appointed to be Manitoba's new minister of health and seniors care.

This appointment follows Heather Stefanson's decision to step down from the position to pursue PC leadership earlier in the day.

Pallister shined a light on Gordon's appointment;

"I am confident in Minister Gordon's ability to lead this department as we continue to protect our healthcare system and communities from the impacts of COVID-19 and work toward recovery."

Ms. Gordon voiced her excitement for the new role;

"Providers and staff across the healthcare system have worked extremely hard to continue to provide quality care throughout the pandemic, and I want to thank them for their effort. It is an honour to accept this appointment, and I look forward to continuing to support their work through all the challenges we face during this difficult time."

Gordon is currently the minister of mental health, wellness and recovery, and will continue to hold those responsibilities while also now being the health and seniors care Minister.

Today, Heather Stefanson announced she will run to become the next leader of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party.

She announced her resignation from her duties as Manitoba's health minister and her intention to campaign to become the party's next leader. She had been the MLA for Tuxedo since 2000 and joined Pallister's cabinet in May of 2016.

Stefanson says she would advance reconciliation and scrap the school reform Bill 64.

Pallister announced earlier this month that he's stepping down before the next election in 2023, but didn't give a firm timeline on when he plans to do so.