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The government of Canada is announcing $50 million to help farmers and food producers.
The $50 million announced by the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, is designed to support employers that bring temporary foreign workers to work on Canadian farms.
The feds have already granted a travel exemption for temporary foreign workers entering Canada, as long as they adhere to a strict 14-day isolation protocol on arrival.
But during this 14-day period of isolation, many employers are left responsible for pay for accommodations, access to food, and other basic supplies.
That's why $1,500 will be paid by the federal government for each temporary foreign worker.
This funding is conditional on employers ensuring the workers follow the mandatory 14-day isolation protocols.
This program will be available as long as the Quarantine Act is in force.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba public health officials have identified 4 new cases of COVID-19.
That brings the total number of probable and lab-confirmed cases to 246.
A total of 99 people are listed as recovered from the virus. Eight people are currently in hospital and the number of deaths is reported at four.
The chief provincial public health officer is extending the public health orders until at least April 28th. The orders established on March 30th were originally set to expire on April 14th.
This means the following measures will remain in effect for at least another two weeks:
•Public gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people at any indoor or outdoor place or premises. This includes places of worship, gatherings and family events such as weddings and funerals. This does not apply to a facility where health-care or social services are provided including child-care centres and homeless shelters.
•All restaurants and other commercial facilities that serve food are prohibited from serving food to customers in their premises. This prevents eat-in dining at all facilities. However, restaurants and other commercial facilities can prepare and serve food for delivery or takeout. If this takes place, the operator of the restaurant must ensure that all people maintain the appropriate social distancing from other customers when picking up food.
•All businesses that are not listed in the schedule of critical services that accompany the order must remain closed.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
In Dauphin, the 74.9 cents per litre price hasn’t changed in two weeks.
The average price of gas in Manitoba hasn’t changed in Manitoba in the past week, sticking at 70.95 c/L.
The national average fell by about half a cent in the last week to 76.25 c/L, which doesn’t shock Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
“As expected, and for the seventh straight week, the Canadian national average moved lower, although the pace has slowed as retail now has caught up to the drop in oil prices. And good news for consumers- contrary to popular belief, an OPEC deal over the weekend to cut oil production may only have a small near-term impact on gasoline prices. Establishing a floor on ultra-low oil prices will hopefully keep Canadian oil production online instead of bankrupting producers. The aim is exactly that- keep production online- which will keep prices affordable going forward, instead of ultra-low prices shutting in oil production, leading to a slingshot in gas prices years from now. Going back to gas prices, I expect prices to continue moderating for now, as gasoline demand appears to remain near 50-year lows."
Dauphin’s gas price of 74.9 c/L is higher than the average price of 74.20 c/L in Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg’s price of 66.73 c/L.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A 25-year-old woman from Ochre River has been arrested for impaired driving after a single-vehicle collision in Dauphin.
On Friday, April 10th at 1:30 pm, Dauphin RCMP received reports that a car had struck a tree and was in a ditch in front of Assiniboine Community College in Dauphin.
The adult driver was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Three children in the vehicle at the time of the crash were also treated for minor injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
A 29-year-old man arrested by Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP is facing a number of gun-related charges.
On Tuesday, April 7th around 9:45 pm, Parkland RCMP responded to reports of shots fired at a home in the RM of Dauphin.
An investigation determined a man had fired a gun, but left prior to the arrival of police.
29-year-old Daniel Renner of Dauphin was later placed under arrest on Wednesday, April 8th and transported to Dauphin.
Renner is facing charges of Discharging a Firearm with intent, Pointing a Firearm, Uttering Threats, Assault with a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The latest COVID numbers in Manitoba appear to suggest our social distancing measures are working, and public health officials are saying we must continue with our efforts.
There are no new cases of COVID-19 identified in today’s update from public health.
Our total number of lab-confirmed and probable cases is now 242. The number is down from yesterday’s 243, as one case has been ruled out as a false-positive.
96 people have recovered from COVID-19, and the total number of deaths reported in Manitoba is 4.
Public Health says our limited increase in case numbers is a reflection of our strict social distancing measures, and that we must not let our guard down.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit: www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Rising flood waters in Southern Manitoba have forced at least six families from their homes, according to the CBC.
It’s nothing new for Montcalm residents, who also evacuated last year, and have been advised to expect similar conditions this season based on provincial flood forecasts.
The RM of Montcalm declared a state of local emergency on Thursday afternoon because of flood conditions.
Upholding social distancing protocols will be a priority when relocating the families, and also when sandbagging.
Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre tells us the outflow from the Shellmouth Reservoir will be decreasing to 25 cubic feet per second (cfs) from 800 cfs as part of the normal spring operation.
The province is advising to stay off the Assiniboine River and all rivers at this time.
On Thursday the I-29 highway south of the border in North Dakota was closed due to flooding. An almost 40 kilometre stretch of road was affected just north of Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The City of Grand Forks posted this photo of high water levels on their Facebook page.
(photo courtesy of the CIty of Grand Forks)
Updated forecast information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/index.html.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
COVID-19 has created barriers for how retailers around the Parkland do business, and the Winnipegosis Meat Market has made an effort to adapt to the changes, by allowing customers to phone or email their orders in.
They then offer grocery delivery right to your doorstep, or vehicle, to minimize traffic flow into the store, and to keep their workers and customers safe.
Owner and operator of the Winnipegosis Meat Market, Angela Carlson, says that delivery fees on certain orders are currently being waived.
“If you place an order of $40 worth of groceries, you can add on tobacco and liquor on top of the $40, there is actually no delivery fee right now, we can deliver to you in town.”
She adds that their new wireless payment terminal allows people to pay from their home, or outside the store, with debit or credit.
You can contact the Winnipegosis Meat Market at (204)-656-4652, and email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit their Facebook page to order.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Public health officials have identified 13 more cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba, bringing the total number of probable and lab-confirmed cases to 243.
There will be no daily COVID update from the province tomorrow (Sunday, April 12th).
96 people are listed as recovered from the virus. The number of deaths reported in Manitoba is four.
The number of cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region remains at 11.
Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin says we must continue to obey directives from the province. He does not want anyone to think that our recent case numbers are an excuse to let your guard down.
The Dauphin testing site resumes regular hours (10 am to 3 pm) this weekend. Keep in mind, a referral from Health Links and an appointment time are required to be tested at the drive-thru clinic.
Community testing sites are not operating as walk-in / drive-up medical clinics.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The province is looking for local manufacturers that might be able to quickly scale the production of an innovative new mask.
A team of medical experts at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre designed the N95-type mask, led by plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Petropolis.
Petropolis explains the Manitoba-designed mask features a reusable filter housing that provides the advantage of simplicity and flexibility.
Ultimately, the province aims to encourage the local business community to enhance the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Manitoba, and to begin producing these masks as soon as possible.
Health Minister Cameron Friesen says Manitoba’s manufacturing sector has an incredible talent bank of innovative thinkers that will be ready to step up and make this happen.
“The Manitoba government is willing to sign purchase orders totalling up to $15 million to pre-order these innovative, made-in-Manitoba masks. A portion of these funds may be available in advance to supplement start-up costs.”
The competition rules and specifications have been made available here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
If you’re looking for something fun and educational to do from home, you can now take virtual tours of the culture and history of our province.
The virtual tours let you safely enjoy Manitoba’s cultural and educational offerings, as doors are locked at galleries and museums to promote social distancing.
The “150 for 150 Exhibit” is an online display of 150 artifacts, designed to provide an educational experience during isolation. You can check it out by clicking here.
The Manitoba Museum recently launched another online experience that shares the captivating history of our province and the science that explains our world. You can check that out by clicking here.
If you’re more interested in art, the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) is keeping you connected with a new series that shares artwork from the WAG collection every day.
The WAG website also features Do-It-Yourself videos, hands-on activities and learning opportunities for children and adults at www.wag.ca.
Other online experiences being offered right now include:
• The Manitoba Agricultural Museum helps immerse visitors in rural Manitoba’s past, providing context to the present and future of agriculture. The Austin-based museum has an online artifact collection at http://mbagmuseum.ca/collections-exhibits/artifacts-display-filtering.
• One of the online highlights of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada are the 360-degree cockpit tours that allow the visitor to ‘sit’ in the cockpit or cargo hold of many of the museums aircraft from the comfort of home at: www.royalaviationmuseum.com/virtualcockpits/mobile/index.html.
• The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) has created a new guided virtual tour, and made a number of children’s activities and other content available at ‘Explore the Museum from Home’ at https://humanrights.ca/visit/explore-the-museum-from-home along with another new feature called ‘Share Your Story’ at https://humanrights.ca/stories/share-your-story#/.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
