A potential strike by 7,000 allied health-care workers in Manitoba has been averted, for now. The union, which represents a wide-range of professions including lab techs, rural paramedics, social workers, pharmacists and others, says they’ve reached a tentative deal with the province. Members have been without a contract for 11 months.
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If you or someone you know has been struggling with the flu lately, there has been a late season surge in influenza A. Manitoba’s top doctor Brent Roussin says last year’s peak arrived in December. He says it’s still not too late to get a flu shot to protect yourself and avoid severe complications.
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Around 60 staff members at Métis Child and Family Services in Manitoba were laid off this week, and up to 150 others are at risk of being let go. Most work at four shelters which are in danger of closing in a few months.
The Metis Federation says Ottawa needs to step up with funding, while the workers union blames the Metis authority’s bargaining process for the lay-offs.
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Stiff duties on Canadian imports into the U.S. are on pause until April 2nd. American president Donald Trump is delaying tariffs on goods that meet the ‘rules of origin requirements’ under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
Ottawa responded by suspending a planned second wave of retaliatory tariffs.
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In a response to the American tariff threat, Canada has made a move to boost internal trade, starting with booze. Almost every province, including Manitoba, has agreed to remove barriers preventing their alcohol from being sold in other jurisdictions. Ottawa is also working on recognizing certified professionals no matter where they received their credentials.
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The Manitoba government is adopting a “buy Canadian” approach to prioritize Canadian companies for government goods and services. They’re also reviewing Hydro contracts on energy exports to the States, but stopped short of cutting back supply. In 2023, Manitoba Hydro sold $702 million worth of electricity to the U-S.
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Maybe a way to end a trade war is with a good old round of fisticuffs. Patrick Brazeau, a senator for Quebec, is challenging President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. to a boxing match. The actual goal is to raise money for cancer research. Brazeau once boxed a pre-PM Justin Trudeau in 2012 – and lost, but they raised $230,000 for Ottawa’s Cancer Foundation.
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And this weekend – we turn our clocks ahead one hour. Daylight Saving Time officially happens at 2:00 am this Sunday. Health experts have been speaking out about the impacts of the twice yearly seasonal changes on our sleep and productivity – as well as links to health complications such as headaches and heart problems.
