The U-S plan to slap tariffs on Canadian goods is still on the books, and to prepare Ottawa is planning an aid package for businesses and Canadians. A 25% tariff could cost the average household almost $2,000 annually. The federal government is also working on a national response to U-S tariffs including cutting off energy exports, while Manitoba’s government is preparing a second budget in case of an economic slowdown.
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Manitoba has paid out almost $10-million in rebates for people buying or leasing electric vehicles. Since the program began last July, 2,529 claims have been approved. The program is set to end in March 2026, or when its $25-million fund is depleted.
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It looks like eradicating zebra mussels in Clear Lake is not feasible, and Parks Canada is moving to managing their impacts. An attempt to stop the spread of the invasive species by installing a containment curtain in Boat Cove failed last year. Parks Canada says watercraft will be allowed back on the lake this summer, but under a under a ‘one boat – one lake’ plan. You have to pick a lake, and keep your boat there – and if want to switch lakes, it’ll need to be decontaminated and pass inspection.
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Next month, it’ll be free to enter Manitoba’s provincial parks – and February 8th will be the first Manitoba Winter Trails Day. The province says it’ll always be held on the second Sunday of the second month to showcase the
province’s winter trails. A guided hike is being offered that day on the Epinette Trail in Spruce Woods Provincial Park just east of Brandon.
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A byelection is being held today to choose a new leader for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs after the sudden death of Cathy Merrick last year. The four candidates in the running are Kyra Wilson, Glenn Hudson, Leroy Constant and Bava Dhillon. The vote is being held in Winnipeg.
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Mountain View School Division has paused reintroducing God Save the King during morning announcements. Trustees want to see whether it’s legally required and supported by area residents. Legislation says the royal anthem should be played at the end of the school day – but that has mostly been abandoned.
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More and more Canadians are getting tricked by online scams. A study found there were over 43,000 cases reported in 2023. It also found fraudsters are increasingly targeting people looking for immigration guidance – they’re going after sensitive personal information like credit scores, or details about their immigration file.
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A new study has found more frequent use of marijuana damages the brain’s working memory which could lead to issues with safety, communications and work success. Working memory is the ability to retain information
for a short period of time – and use it. There is some evidence that working memory can recover over time when marijuana use is stopped.
