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Winnipeg-based Richardson International has been blocked from exporting canola to China, and that’s going to have an impact here in the Parkland
“It’s a big part of the farm economy here. I would say most big farmers grow three crops; wheat, canola, and beans, in rotation. So probably a third to half of the acres would be canola,” said Jack Bremner.
“Some guys figuring the price is going to go up in the spring, which it usually does, and they held off selling their canola. Now they are stuck with it, I guess. I’ve got a buddy who has five semi loads and he would have lost 10 or 12 thousand dollars. It takes a lot of money out of your bottom line. That’s where it comes off of.”
The Canola Council of Canada says the blocked exports to China, the destination for about 40 per cent of Canada's canola exports, hurts the entire value chain of industries involved in the market.
They also say there is no clear evidence that diplomatic friction between the two countries is related to the Chinese tech giant Huawei dispute.
But FarmLink senior market analyst Neil Townsend says he thinks there is a definite link to the Huawei case.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says there is no scientific basis for the Chinese government's allegation that some imports from Canada were contaminated with pests or bacteria.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
On March 4th, around 1 in the afternoon Thompson RCMP were called to a house on Ash St. after three males forced their way into the home.
The men approached the house, asked to be let in and forced their way in when they were denied entry by the homeowner.
The occupants of the house, two adults and a child, escaped through the back and called the police.
The suspects fled before the RCMP showed up. All occupants were unharmed.
An injured dog was found in the backyard, it’s believed the dog was injured by the suspects. After being transported by animal services to a veterinary, the dog succumbed to its injuries.
The suspects are described as, a young male, approximately 6’0, 200lbs, wearing a grey toque with a red stripe, a grey jacket and winter boots, and the other two are described as male, dressed in dark clothing. All of the suspects are described as Indigenous in appearance, and one of the suspects has a tattoo of a teardrop on his face.
Thompson RCMP along with the Forensic Identification Unit are continuing the investigation.
The Thompson RCMP are asking anyone with information to contact the RCMP at 204-677-6909, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Birtle Tire & Auto has been deemed a total loss after a structure fire yesterday morning.
More than 30 firefighters and five trucks from Birtle, Shoal Lake, Miniota and the Monarch Valley Hutterite colony were on scene to battle the blaze which started just before 10:00.
At around 3:00 p.m., the crew was able to extinguish the fire but it was a total loss at that point.
Nobody was hurt in the blaze and the office of the fire commissioner is investigating the cause of the fire.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
In 2018 the Dauphin Public Library use rose by 1624 people compared to 2017.
They had a total of 64848 people last year.
The library experienced the largest increase in people using their computers and other electronic materials.
Jean Louis-Guillas says the increase could be from their efforts to diversify their programming.
The music nights are a huge hit and their children’s programs are busier as well.
He believes the numbers will rise again this year after a great start in January and February.
He thinks people should use the library because it’s part of a healthy lifestyle, it’ll keep your mind busy, and your tax dollars help pay for the library.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
In the province’s third quarter fiscal report the government promoted their transformation of the healthcare system.
Local MLA Brad Michaleski stresses that the even with a projected reduction in the deficit they are still working hard to reform the system. “The services aren’t being compromised by this fiscal discipline. When we talk about spending for families and healthcare, education, the spending has been increasing through time.”
Finance Minister Scott Fielding says per capita health spending continues to exceed the national average and the money invested in health continues to increase every year.
Michaleski says the province is currently undertaking the most substantial health-care transformation in a long time. “We’re looking at the health departments, how they operate, how they function, and that can be said across a number of departments. So it's about spending money wisely and making sure that our frontline services are maintained and if not enhanced.” He continues, “It’s not impossible to do. If you apply sound management principles to how departments operate, you can effectively reduce deficit spending.”
All provincial government departments, except for healthcare, are projecting to be within budget.
In the government’s report, they say the Department of Health, Seniors and Active Living is projecting to be 3.5 per cent below budget.
Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says for the past two years, the Federal government has increased health care transfers while the Pallister government has decreased its share of spending. He says federal health funds have increased by $56-million dollars, while the province’s health increase is at $50-million. That means six million dollars is being re-directed to general revenue.
In terms of myths that there are health care cuts, Michaleski says that is completely false.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
A potato farmer from Carberry was front row for a recent episode of The Price Is Right.
The episode aired March 1st and viewers could see Gregg Reynolds wearing his custom t-shirt that read “I dig Manitoba Potatoes.”
“You don’t get to pick where you sit. They just usher you down, and you sit where they tell you to. We just got lucky.”
Reynolds says it’s a lot different being on set then what you see on TV.
“It’s a lot smaller in there then it looks on TV. There’s not that many people there. It’s really loud; you can’t really hear anything that’s going on. You can’t hear Drew, or the bidding, or anything like that. and other than that it’s really cold in there too!”
Reynolds knew he was going to a taping before he left Carberry, for vacation in the States. They were going to visit his girlfriend’s family in Las Vegas. So he got a custom shirt made at home before leaving.
Reynolds was one seat away from going up to Bidder’s Row. The lady sitting beside him was lucky enough to be called.
Their family and friends in Carberry gathered on March 1st to watch the episode and Reynolds says everyone was excited.
The taping was on January 7th.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
China has cancelled Richardson International’s registration to ship canola into their country.
The Winnipeg based company is the largest canola exporter in Canada.
At this time it’s not clear why China decided to end the registration.
Canada exported around five billion dollars of canola last year. Half of those exports were heading to China.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Portage RCMP officers attended a local business just before 2 am this morning to arrest a suspect on outstanding warrants for Assault, Theft Under $5000, and Failure to Comply with a Recognizance.
The 20-year-old, Mateo Roulette attempted to flee the premises when the officers showed up.
The officers told him he was under arrest and ordered him to stop, instead, he started to run away and drop items from a backpack he was carrying.
The 32-year-old female he was with attempted to assist him in his escape.
While Roulette was running from the police, he got rid of a loaded firearm which police immediately retrieved.
In the backpack, a machete, prohibited firearm, various ammunition, prescription drugs not belonging to Roulette and multiple cell phones were found.
More ammunition was found on Roulette when he was searched.
He has been charged with Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose as well as several related firearm charges. He is also facing charges of Resist Arrest and multiple Failure to Comply with charges. He remains in custody.
The female was also arrested and will be charged with Obstruction as well as Possession of a Controlled Substance for a baggie of powder believed to be methamphetamine. She has been released on a Promise to Appear.
The investigation continues.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Only minor injuries are reported after a plane crash on Family Lake, near Little Grand Rapids.
Yesterday, around 2:30 in the afternoon, a Cessna Grand Caravan landed short of the runway by around 3 to 5 kilometres.
The plane had seven people aboard, including the pilot. They were taken to the nursing station in Little Grand Rapids, located in the eastern part of Manitoba.
The Transportation Safety Board and the RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The Strive program is helping people who are out of school and out of work get a job in the labour market in the Dauphin area.
Gabe Mercier, director of the Assiniboine Community College Parkland Campus, says the program has run 19 times since April 2008. Out of the 163 participants, 78 per cent of the job-ready participants have found work or returned to school within 90 days.
Once the program is completed a person would have good knowledge of the industry where their work experience was, they would have a plan for employment or education, they would have set goals and explored careers, they would feel an improved self-esteem, and they’d be left with at least three certificates, Food Safe, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), and First Aid, that will allow them to access opportunities in many industries and businesses around Dauphin.
The next program runs from April 18th to June 7th.
The Strive Program is free, if you are interested, let the ACC know by March 30th and they will meet with you.
You can call the Parkland Campus at (204) 622-2222 or email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
