It doesn’t look like we’ll get a repeat of last year’s warmest winter ever. The Weather Network says it’ll be generally colder, especially in Western Canada, with near or above-normal snow totals. In Manitoba, we’ll also get a more typical winter in terms of both temperatures and snowfall.
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Brandon developers plan to hold a public meeting next month (Dec. 9 at the Victoria Inn) to discuss proposed changes to the ‘Development Cost Charges’ bylaw. The charges go to pay for essential infrastructure like sewer and water lines. Developers have said any increase will be passed on to those who buy or rent properties.
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You’ve probably shopped there at one time, but on December 31st, the Portage la Prairie mall will close its doors. The 187,000-square-foot space, which first opened in 1979, is now for sale. While the mall is closing, Tim Hortons and Rona will remain open.
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The Holiday Train returns to Brandon on December 5th. The brightly decorated CPKC train, now in its 26th year, will feature live music from Tyler Shaw and Shawnee Kish. It’s all free, but the railway says some people on social media have charging a fee to see the train – that’s a complete scam. Over the years, the train has raised more than $24.3 million and 5.3 million pounds of food for local food banks.
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To raise money to put on the annual Traditional Christmas Dinner in Brandon, organizers are holding three fundraisers over the next three weeks. A breakfast (Dec. 7 at Brandon University’s Harvest Hall), an online auction (Dec. 2 to Dec. 13 hosted by Prairie Lane Auctions) and a ticket draw with five prizes, including two quarters of beef, a custom fire pit and a cash prize. The ticket draw will be held on Dec. 14, with 1,000 tickets available for $5 each which can be purchased from any committee member. The free dinner on December 25th is to be held at the Keystone Centre.
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Manitoba leads the country with the highest child poverty rate. The latest data showed a total of 85,520 children were living in poverty in 2022 – a rate of 27.1-percent. Advocates have made several recommendations to the province with the main one being to prioritize those most impacted – the children of indigenous, racialized, and recent immigrants.
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Many Canadians continue to struggle with high living costs and rising unemployment. A new report from Equifax says consumer debt rose to a record $2.5 trillion in the third quarter. Newcomers, and those who borrowed money for the first time in the past year, saw the biggest rise in missed payments.
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British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday in favour introducing some of the world’s strictest anti-smoking rules. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would ensure anyone aged 15 or younger would be banned from ever buying cigarettes. It would also ban vape advertising and the sale of vapes in vending machines.
