NewsNow
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling on provincial governments to adopt stay-open strategies now, so any possible resurgences of COVID-19 do not lead to further business closures.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business Executive Vice-President, Laura Jones says provinces have done a good job of putting reopening plans in place, but very few have stated their intention to stay open and released detailed plans on how they’ll do that.
“The last 16 months have been incredibly hard on small business owners, not only financially, but emotionally as well. They can’t take more lockdowns. Provincial governments have the opportunity to reassure businesses that lockdowns are an extraordinary measure that will only be used now as a last resort by announcing a clear policy that keeping things open is a priority.”
Jonathan Alward, Director of the Prairie Region says Many of Manitoba’s small businesses have been locked down for about half of the last year and it will still take 25 months on average for the province’s businesses to fully recover.
“We can’t go back to that in the fall. Small businesses need to know that they will be allowed to remain open going forward.”
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business claims 85 percent of Manitoba business owners say they want the government to adopt a stay open strategy to avoid further lockdowns.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
On Wednesday, the Canadian government settled a claim with the Waywayseecappo First Nation, giving them 287.5-million dollars, along with capital to invest in new opportunities for community and economic development.
The compensation was given in regards to the 1881 Surrender Specific Claim, which relates to the taking and sale of over 21-thousand acres of Waywayseecappo land.
The claim states that Canada took these lands from the First Nation without their consent.
- Details
Last week, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association held a regenerative ag farm tour at South Glanton Farms in the RM of Elton.
More farm tours like this might be planned for the future.
Finance Chair of Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, Ryan Boyd says the tours are a preview for the Regenerative Ag Conference taking place in the fall.
“It’s always nice to get together to see what’s going on in the field, but we’re also going to bring in speakers from all over the world this fall.”
Boyd says there are international speakers who will participate through Zoom.
“We’ve got almost all of the continents covered. We have speakers from the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the U.K., South Africa, and Argentina.”
Boyd says there will also be keynotes from within Canada, and local experts.
The conference is taking place from November 15th to the 17th at the Victoria Inn in Brandon.
Those interested can register here.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
CKDM has reached out to STARS for a further update on this emergency call Wednesday evening.
At this time, there are no other details.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Canadians will soon be able to travel the world again just like before the pandemic, only now, people will need two passports.
On Wednesday, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that Canada will be getting vaccine passports for all international travel.
The vaccine certificate will be common across all provinces and will include the holder’s COVID-19 vaccination history, the date they got it, the type of shot(s) they received and the location(s) where they received their shots. It will be available to all citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents living in Canada who are fully vaccinated.
The passport will be ready to go some time this fall.
- Details
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Young people who have missed routine school-based immunizations because of the pandemic can now make appointments at any provincial vaccine site.
The youth immunization catch-up program is taking appointments for immunizations such as HPV, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Information is being mailed out to parents and caregivers soon and is posted online.
Appointments can be made at many provincial vaccine sites online or by calling 1-844-626-8222.
Catch-up appointments will be available beginning the week of August 23rd.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake happened last night about an hour and a half north northwest of Virden, near Binscarth, Manitoba.
The earthquake struck at around 11:34 p.m. and lasted around 5 to 15 seconds.
The quake was strong enough to be felt over 40 kilometres away.
Although this isn't the first time earthquakes had been felt in the area, it is definitely an unusual occurrence.
- Details
On average, there are 48 collisions yearly in the province involving agricultural equipment and passenger vehicles, according to Manitoba Public Insurance data.
Satvir Jatana, MPI’s Chief Customer Officer, stressed roadway safety for Manitobans:
“Observance of road safety is key to keeping our roadways safe during harvest season. While some areas of the province are experiencing severe drought, many other producers are on the roadways moving their machinery. Crops are coming off the fields, and large agriculture machinery will be travelling on roadways. It’s crucial motorists be aware and drive responsibly."
Motorists can do their part by keeping a safe distance from agricultural machinery, added Jatana.
Farm equipment has a maximum speed of 40 km/h, so it’s easy for passenger vehicles to misjudge their speed of approach.
MPI reports that five people are killed or injured yearly in crashes between agricultural machinery and passenger vehicles.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
On Wednesday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service, along with Manitoba Conservation and Climate, will be welcoming over 100 South African firefighters and their support staff to help battle Manitoba wildfires.
The South African contingent joins over 400 Manitoba firefighters and resources from across Canada deployed to aid firefighting efforts.
Manitoba’s six water bombers have been supplemented with two aircraft from Quebec, four from the Northwest Territories, and over two dozen helicopters to assist fire suppression efforts.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre has arranged the South African contingent of firefighters.
Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization has worked collaboratively with the Manitoba Wildfire Services to ensure COVID-19 protocols are met. Following federal regulations, the contingent was tested for COVID-19 before they departed from South Africa. Upon arrival in Winnipeg by charter flight, they will be tested again.
Recent rainfalls across the province will help ground crews in ongoing fire suppression efforts. Manitoba currently has 143 active wildfires burning across the province. To date, Manitoba has had 431 wildfires this year; the average for this time is 370 wildfires.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
On Tuesday, the Manitoba government announced that they would invest $62 million in programs under the AgriRecovery framework designed to support livestock producers affected by this year’s drought conditions.
Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced that producers would have options to keep and care for their animals while supporting the longer-term sustainability of the livestock sector:
“This extremely dry weather has affected producers’ ability to find suitable pastures and feed for their animals which means that, without additional investment, producers are in the very difficult position of having to consider reducing their herds or leaving the industry altogether. There is no harder decision for a livestock producer. Our government is making this significant investment to ensure there are other options available when they are needed most. This builds on our existing programs and will help maintain livestock herds, ensure good animal care, and support Manitoba livestock producers to stay in their industry over the longer term.”
Eichler mentioned that programs are being developed, including funding for feed assistance, feed transportation, cattle transportation, and a herd rebuilding program.
Tyler Fulton, president, Manitoba Beef Producers, spoke of the relief:
“Today’s announcement is very important as it recognizes both the immediate needs related to the feed situation, as well as looks ahead to a time when producers will consider rebuilding their herds. We appreciate the government’s commitment to the future of our sector and look forward to seeing more program details.”
Since dry conditions are affecting much of the Prairies, there are limited options to source feed. This is resulting in very high feed prices. The province is already seeing repercussions to the drought, with Manitoba auction markets reporting large-volume sales of all classes of cattle. Last week, total sales through auction markets were up 17 percent as compared to last year.
Eichler noted that the livestock industry is vital to Manitoba’s agriculture sector and the provincial economy. Livestock receipts in 2020 totalled $2.36 billion, representing about one-third of the province’s $7.02 billion in total farm cash receipts.
For more information about managing dry conditions and other resources for producers, click here.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
