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During this economically-uncertain time, there’s been plenty of talk about financial assistance for Canadians.
But what about financial assistance specifically for the agriculture industry?
CKDM spoke with Maryam Monsef, the Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development, to find out more about what’s being done at the federal level to support farmers and agriculture producers.
“There’s a recognition that we need to still be able to get goods to and from our biggest trade partner; the United States. So we’ve ensured in the health and safety measures we’ve taken around COVID, that the Canada-US border still allows the trucks to pass through and continue their work.”
The Minister explains there's also a special travel exemption that will allow temporary foreign workers to enter Canada.
“We were able to ensure that temporary foreign workers are able to continue to work on these farms and provide their important services.”
On Monday, the prime minister announced significant investments in Farm Credit Canada. That means an additional $5 billion in lending capacity will be available to producers, agribusinesses, and food processors.
Trudeau also announced eligible farmers with an outstanding Advance Payments Program (APP) loan due on or before April 30 will receive a Stay of Default, allowing them an additional six months to repay the loan.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The City of Dauphin is extending the deadline for its tree giveaway.
A total of 190 trees will be given away to local residents and businesses to plant in their yards all around the city.
The initiative is in celebration of Manitoba 150, and aims to help increase the urban foresty here in the Garden Capital of Manitoba.
The following trees will be available:
- Silver Maple
- Paper Birch
- Delta Hackberry
- Trembling Aspen
- Ming Amur Cherry
- Russian Mountain Ash
- American Linden
- Dropmore Linden
- Glenleven Linden
- Discover Elm
- Triumph hybrid Elm
Applications are open until April 15th, and you can visit the City of Dauphin website for more information.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Today the provincial government announced it will invest nearly $8 million to enhance spring flood preparations and protection.
Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires says the money will help more than 80 Manitoba municipalities take important steps to enhance flood protection.
“Municipalities know best what will work for them, and this program is designed to help ensure protection put in place this year will benefit communities for many years to come.”
Based on applications, the breakdown for funding by district is:
• Parkland District – $759,262.68 for 11 municipalities;
• Central District – $1,271,662.07 for 14 municipalities;
• Eastern District – $776,451.01 for 10 municipalities;
• Interlake District – $1,059.167.70 for 10 municipalities;
• Midwestern District – $715,082.41 for nine municipalities;
• Northern District – $76,899.00 for two municipalities;
• Western District – $1,139,583.73 for 15 municipalities; and
• Winnipeg Metropolitan Region – $2,041,770.52 for 13 municipalities.
The funding covers items such as generators, pumps, steaming equipment to unclog frozen culverts, utility trailers, equipment for emergency operations centres, sandbags and other small equipment that will assist municipalities in protecting vital infrastructure and reducing flood damage.
We’re also learning of a new opportunity for municipalities to set aside funding for disaster mitigation programs in their communities.
A full breakdown of today’s announcement can be found here.
A full list of the 2020 Flood Protection Program projects is located here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Manitoba Premier says virtually every Canadian province is going to need help generating funds to support their healthcare systems during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Premier Brian Pallister is warning Manitobans our emergency rainy day fund could run out in as little as three months, as we battle the COVID-19 crisis.
So Pallister is calling on the federal government to establish an emergency credit agency, to borrow money on behalf of the provinces.
He says the emergency credit agency will help provinces save money because the federal government will pay far lower interest costs on its borrowing than Canadian provinces will.
The Premier says this would save Canadians billions of dollars annually, and stressed the importance of a well-supported healthcare system in times of crisis.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Every year, hundreds of people apply for the Horatio Alger Association of Canada scholarship. The selection committee looks at a few contributing factors including perseverance to get through tough situations and the financial need. You also need to maintain at least a 65% average.
Only four students in all of Manitoba were selected and Gilbert Plains Collegiate Jaelyn Frykas is one of them. That means the 17-year-old's post-secondary education will start with a little bit of a boost as she's been rewarded with $5000.
"It's such an honour to be able to know that I won this and they believed in me," said Frykas, a grade 12 student.
Jaelyn is set to attend Brandon University in the fall and she'll be looking to major in physical therapy. She's choosing that field because of her passion for sports. For the past several years, Frykas has helped her high school volleyball team enjoy a ton of success including winning three provincial titles. She was also the co-captain of the team for the past two seasons and she has a couple of all-star accolades to her name as well.
"That's the biggest reason why I want to be in this field. Although I won't be playing, I'll be connected with the players and that's what makes me the most excited," she added. "Just to know that I'll be right in the middle of things means a lot to me."
One of the criteria for winning the scholarship is also community involvement and Jaelyn is all about that. Prior to the club volleyball season ending, she was an assistant coach for the Predators 15U team based out of Grandview.
She's also helped out with intramurals at her school during her time at the collegiate and she volunteers for SwimAbilities, a swimming program for children with special needs. She's also on Student Voice, a student-led committee for Mountain View School Division.
"Volunteering and just helping out has always been a big part of my life, I love helping wherever I can," she continued.
After living in her hometown for her entire life, Jaelyn will spend a couple more months at home before she makes the transition to college life, one that will be spent at Brandon University, the home of the Bobcats.
"I am so very excited about this. I'm passionate about this and I can't wait to get things going," she concluded. "It's a perfect fit for me; I'll be pushing for excellence just as I have been for as long as I can remember."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
In Prime Minister Trudeau’s daily COVID-19 update, he announced the implementation of the Quarantine Act.
That means people who don’t comply with self-isolation policies after returning from travel can face fines or possible jail time.
Trudeau also says Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is in talks with the country's big banks to see if they can help Canadians struggling to pay their bills.
The federal government is asking banks and credit-card companies to lower their interest rates.
Trudeau says this is another part of his government's effort to help Canadians deal with these financially uncertain times.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba Public Health officials have announced one more case of COVID-19.
The new case is a Winnipeg man in his 20's. Dr. Brent Roussin says it appears this is linked to a previous case.
That brings the total number of probable and lab-confirmed cases in the province to 36, after we saw the number of cases increase by 14 yesterday.
Dr. Brent Roussin says the self-isolation orders for recent travellers must be taken seriously.
"We're not really asking. International returning travellers must quarantine for 14 days. There could be penalties for not complying."
You can visit manitoba.ca/covid19 for more information, and to access the online screening tool.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Dauphin is set to get its first COVID-19 mobile, drive-thru testing centre. Manitoba Public Insurance in town will be closing its service centre at the end of today, March 26.
MPI will turn over the facility to Prairie Mountain Health which will oversee drive-thru testing.
Public health says the Dauphin testing site will be opening Saturday, March 28th. We are still waiting for PMH to provide information regarding the hours of service.
“Manitobans are working together during these very difficult times,” said Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton. “I want to thank MPI for its continued community leadership and cooperation with this effort. Working together, we will overcome this challenge stronger than ever before.”
“Through cooperation and partnerships, we will all do our part to flatten the COVID-19 curve,” MPI’s President and CEO Ben Graham. “Business will continue in the Parkland region, albeit a bit differently from what our customers are used to. But such efforts are for the greater good.”
As a result, all remaining vehicle appointments at this location will be cancelled. Impacted customers will be contacted with alternative options.
You are reminded not to visit the testing centre unless you are directed to do so.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Assiniboine Community College campuses will be closed to students and the public after tomorrow.
That includes the Parkland campus in Dauphin, Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon, and the Winnipeg campus.
The campuses will still be available for staff members, but they’re encouraged to work from home.
Students will only be allowed on campus for exceptional circumstances and will have to coordinate any visit through a student success advisor.
The ACC asks the public not to visit any of their campuses until further notice.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Speaking with CKDM on Wednesday afternoon, MVSD Superintendent Dan Ward says there is no new information to provide regarding the suspension of classes.
Ward explains we are essentially waiting on the province for an update on the Manitoba-wide suspension.
“We do recognize that we are under a state of emergency, and that state of emergency extends beyond April 13th. So we have posed a question, in terms of how that is going to impact schooling. The Department of Education has committed to get back to us as soon as they have an answer.”
There was a meeting Tuesday night with superintendents from school divisions across the province, the School Boards Association, and Manitoba Education. Going forward, there are meetings on Thursday and Friday that we hope will provide some more clarity.
Ward also gave an update on teachers, who have the option to work from home to promote social distancing.
“At the same time, we recognize they may need to access resources at the school. Some teachers at the high school level are meeting [online] with their students, so teachers are allowed access to the schools for resources and connectivity.”
Going forward there will be meetings virtually every day to talk about what school divisions are doing across the province to support families and students.
“As soon as we get that information from the province, we will be sending it out to parents as soon as we can.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Brandon University is set to close its campus at noon this Friday, March 27, with extremely limited exceptions.
All buildings will be locked and employees have been asked to work from home.
Student key cards will be turned off on Friday. If any student needs a campus computer to finish their studies, they've been asked to contact their dean to request this.
For safety reasons, buildings will only be accessible to approved students between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Despite the closure, Brandon University provides many services remotely including the remainder of classes this semester. Library services are also available online and Student Services appointments can be booked by phone or email.
Additional information will be provided at Brandon University closure.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
