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Manitoba Public Insurance has set down a new rule-for-the road for prospective drivers.
As of January, everyone who wants to take a driver's road test will have to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test at their own expense.
The new policy from MPI also applies to third-party individuals, including consultants, contractors, students and instructors.
The policy is an extension of a recently announced requirement for all employees of MPI to be fully vaccinated or undergo COVID-19 testing every 48 hours as of January 3rd.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The Manitoba government will be listening to municipalities on the subject of rural health care.
That's from Premier Stefanson, who yesterday laid out her government's priorities in her first throne speech. Stefanson says that she heard from municipal leaders regarding health services, and assured rural Manitobans that improved health services are in the works.
Stefanson says that COVID has changed the way rural health care is delivered, and the province will be making changes. She also said her government is planning to introduce a homelessness strategy this winter, utilizing what the speech referred to as a "whole of government approach."
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Wab Kinew has responded to yesterday's throne speech. Kinew says the government's rural health care plan is lacking in details and does not address recent cuts to rural health services in places like Roblin.
Manitoba Liberals were also critical of the throne speech. Leader Dougald Lamont said the throne speech lacked urgency and leadership and was basically "more of the same".
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- Contributed by Caed Malowany
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) is commending the Province of Manitoba for their proclamation of Municipal Government Awareness Week for the week of November 22-26, 2021.
“On behalf of the AMM, I would like to publicly thank the Hon. Derek Johnson, Minister of Municipal Relations, for acknowledging the dedication of all elected municipal officials and administrators as they serve their communities and partner with the provincial government to grow Manitoba,” stated AMM President Kam Blight in a press release.
The minister also noted that the week aligned with the annual fall convention of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) which is happening in Winnipeg and virtually Nov 22 and 23. As part of this week’s convention, the Manitoba Government announced it will be providing up to $1.25 million in funds to support eight municipal service review projects which will be focused on improving a range of programs and services for residents.
This will reinforce the important role that local governments play in the lives of Manitobans. This initiative was announced by Municipal Relations Minister Derek Johnson as part of a proclamation of the inaugural Municipal Government Awareness Week.
The AMM is hoping the proclamation of the week will become an annual tradition to further help raise awareness of the importance of municipal governments and how they unify people and help to build stronger communities.
Dauphins Mayor and all members of City Council are in attendance this week.
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- Contributed by Eric Fawx
Premier Heather Stefanson will make her first throne speech as premier this afternoon. Among many aspects of Manitoba life expected to be addressed is rural health care and the government's intention to re-examine the reforms and changes proposed for facilities in rural Manitoba.
The speech will also contain Stefanson's pledge to create a task force to address the backlog of surgeries in the province which Doctors Manitoba says is at nearly 136,000.
The throne speech will get underway at 1:30 this afternoon.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The leader of the official opposition in Manitoba says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a Twitter post, Wab Kinew says that he is double-vaccinated, his symptoms are mild, and his wife and children are doing well.
Kinew also said he is lucky to have a place to self-isolate, and that he plans to participate virtually in this week's throne speech and the fall legislature sitting.
Earlier today I tested positive for COVID-19.
— Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) November 22, 2021
I figured I’d let folks know why I’ll be participating in the upcoming legislative session virtually.
It’s really important that everyone get vaccinated as soon as they can — including booster shots & vaccinations for kids aged 5-11 pic.twitter.com/LbMcFBA7q1
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
You can now make COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children aged 5 to 11.
The Manitoba Government says appointments are expected to be available as early as the end of next week after Health Canada approved the use of Pfizer's pediatric vaccine for that age group -- but it will depend on when the first shipments arrive.
The province says children must be five when the appointment is booked and the vaccine will be provided at various locations including regional clinics, doctors' offices and pharmacies.
The government says there are about 125-thousand children in Manitoba aged 5 to 11. Late last week, Barrett Procyshyn confirmed that the vaccine for this age group will be available at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy.
"It's a great plan and it hasn't happened soon enough. They have been doing it in the United States for a week or two now and it's going well and it's been shown to be safe and the dose is tailored to that age group,"
You can book appointments by calling 1-844-626-8222.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Roquette Canada celebrated the opening of the world’s largest pea protein plant last week, further extending its leadership position to meet the surging global demand for alternative proteins. The new “Plant for the Future” gives Roquette the largest pea protein supply in the world alongside some of the world’s best experts in developing new plant-based foods.
“We see this as a transformational event in our history and a boost to the global plant-based food sector,” said Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette. “Diets have changed considerably in recent years, and the desire for alternative proteins continues to grow. Our company is proud to bring this amazing new facility online to serve demand in North America and around the world.”
Roquette has already helped millions of people add more plant-based proteins to their diets. The company works closely with food leaders to develop new products and solutions that are contributing to the development of a new plant-based cuisine offering sustainable food for a healthier planet. Demand for pea protein has been booming with multiple industry estimates expecting an annual global growth rate between 15 and 24 percent over the next decade.
With the new plant, Roquette has responded to that demand and is the only company with major pea protein facilities on both sides of the Atlantic.
The new plant is perfectly situated—just outside Winnipeg in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba—in the Canadian Prairies. The region produces more peas than any other in the world, all within a day’s drive of the plant. With easy access to the United States and international markets by road, rail and air, the new plant is the largest player in a region becoming known as the “Silicon Valley of Plant-Based Protein.”
“The pandemic has led to stronger consumer demand for plant-based proteins while also disrupting global supply chains. This plant will help our customers move forward rapidly on product development,” said Jeremy Burks, Senior Vice President of Plant Proteins at Roquette. “The plant protein food sector needs investment, expertise and innovation to meet global demand, and Roquette brings it all. We’ve seen excitement from new and existing customers who can’t wait to develop new products with us.”
With this new facility, Roquette has largely exceeded the half a billion euros investment in plant proteins it had targeted in the period 2015-2020. This includes equity investments, acquisitions, upgrades to the plant in Vic-sur-Aisne, France and the brand-new plant in Portage, which is Roquette’s largest-ever North American investment. The 200,000-square-foot-plant has the capacity to process 125,000 tons of yellow peas per year. When combined with Roquette’s plant in France, the company’s capacity now rises to 250,000 tons of peas per year and confirms Roquette’s leading position in this market.
Nutritionally, peas are an excellent protein source. They’re high in fibre and low in fat. On the farm, peas are more environmentally sustainable. They require less water to grow than most other crops, and farmers like that they use less nitrogen fertilizer, while they also naturally produce compounds beneficial to soil health.
Consumers love pea protein as an alternative protein source because it is easily digestible, gluten-free, non-GMO and has low allergenicity. Roquette’s NUTRALYS® pea protein makes it possible to create a vast variety of delicious and sustainable food products, including meat alternatives, nutrition bars, plant-based biscuits and beverages.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Dauphin Hospital Foundation received a generous donation from the Royal Canadian Legion Dauphin Branch #20 Poppy Fund, just prior to Remembrance Day.
The donation of $8650 will be used to purchase three specialized wheelchairs for the Dauphin Regional Health Centre. The donation was a result of ongoing contributions received through the Legion's Poppy Fund collections.
Both the Dauphin Hospital Foundation and Prairie Mountain Health sincerely thank the Dauphin Legion Branch #20 for their heartfelt contribution.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
By Saturday's deadline of 2 pm, tickets for the Russell Take A Year Off Lottery were almost a sell out!
At 5pm when the draw took place, Irene Nickle of Austin took home the Grand Prize of $1000 a week for an entire year.
Diane & Larry Lukatchuk of Shoal Lake also took the $26,280 in another solid MEGA 50/50 draw.
Other prize winners are below:
- Rick Saler of Minnedosa won $5000.
- Tarra Allarie of Roblin won $3000.
- Kim Campbell of Roblin won $2000.
- Lara Campbell of Sinclair and Taris Chwaluk of Shoal Lake each won $1000.
- Cory Kaeding of Binscarth and John & Shirley Tomashewsky of Gilbert Plains each won $500.
Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and congratulations to the organizers for another successful lottery.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
After yesterday's announcement from Health Canada about the Pfizer vaccine, the Manitoba government says parents will be able to make COVID-19 vaccination appointments for their kids aged 5 to 11 starting on Monday.
They say appointments are expected to be available as early as the end of next week after Health Canada approved the use of Pfizer's pediatric vaccine for that age group but they did warn that it will depend on when the first shipments arrive.
The province says children must be five when the appointment is booked and the vaccine will be provided at various locations including regional clinics, doctors' offices and pharmacies.
Officials say there are about 125-thousand children in Manitoba aged 5 to 11.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
If you have any Country Time brand Original Lemonade Fruit Juice Substitute Drink Mix, and/or Tang brand Orange Flavour Crystals in your cupboard, you may want to check the best before dates.
Kraft Heinz Canada is recalling those products due to the possible presence of glass.
The Country Time products were sold in 2.4-kilogram packages with a best before date of September 15th, 2023. The Tang products were sold in 2.2-kilogram packages with best before dates of August 20th and 21st, 2023.
The recalled products have been sold nationally and online. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says there have been no associated reports of any injuries.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston