Inflation in Canada dropped in April – it came in at 1.7%, down from 2.3% in March. We saved at the gas pump: prices were down 18%, but paid more for groceries: food cost 3.8% more. In Manitoba, inflation dropped from 3% to 2.1%.
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Canada Post workers are poised to strike by the end of the week. A work stoppage, the second in six months, would affect millions of residents and businesses who typically receive more than two billion letters and roughly 300 million parcels a year via the service. Last winter, Ottawa ended a 32-day strike by ordering employees back to work.
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In spite of rain and cooler temperatures over the Victoria Day long weekend, the risks remain high on a number of existing fires. There are 13 active wildfires in the province, and the Manitoba Wildfire Service says the ones in Nopiming and Whiteshell provincial parks remain out of control. Over the weekend, more residents evacuated from the Lac du Bonnet area returned home.
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Once the weather heats up again, two hydration stations in downtown Brandon will provide some welcome relief. One is located at 7th Street and Rosser Avenue; the second at the 8th Street bus mall. The seasonal water bottle
filling depots are connected to fire hydrants, and the water is tested regularly to ensure it meets drinking water standards.
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Only non-motorized watercraft will be allowed in Clear Lake this summer. Parks Canada made the decision to try and reduce the spread of zebra mussels. The invasive species was first discovered in the area in 2023. If you want to use a kayak or canoe, you’ll have to sign up for an annual permit that only allows them in either Clear Lake – or other bodies of water in the park.
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In an effort to keep zebra mussels out of Pelican Lake, southeast of Brandon, only one boat launch will be open this season at Ninette, and visitors will have to pay a $40 watercraft inspection fee. On Monday, about 60 people gathered to protest the policy saying the fee is too high; it’ll scare off tourists and impact businesses.
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Fixing the rest of 18th Street in Brandon is scheduled to begin this week. Work was to start today on the northbound lane from Aberdeen Avenue to Queens Avenue, and is to include minor concrete curb repairs, milling, and paving. The first six stages of the project were completed last fall, and there are four remaining.
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Brandon-Souris Conservative MP Grant Jackson has been elected as the chair of the Manitoba caucus. He was voted into the regional leadership role by the province’s seven members of Parliament. The House of Commons reconvenes on May 26th.
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‘Final Destination: Bloodlines” – the 6th installment of the franchise – drew big crowds to movie theaters over the weekend. It easily topped the domestic charts with $51 million in ticket sales. Disney’s ‘Thunderbolts’ dropped to second followed by ‘Sinners’ , ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and ‘The Accountant 2’.
