📌 In Brief
- 🏥 Concerns grow over the departure of Westman’s lone medical oncologist.
- 👨⚕️ Manitoba may lose hundreds of physicians despite record doctor numbers.
- ⏰ Permanent daylight time arrives Sunday.
- 🗳️ Brandon voter turnout jumps nearly 10 percentage points.
- 🌱 Acres of Hope harvest expected to raise $110,000.
- 🚀 Joshua Kutryk describes his first spacewalk as unforgettable.
🏥 Opposition Raises Alarm Over Departure of Westman’s Only Medical Oncologist
The Manitoba PC Opposition says the loss of Westman’s only medical oncologist could have serious consequences for cancer patients across the region.
Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen says Dr. Brady Anderson’s departure could have been avoided if provincial health officials had responded to requests for support. Balcaen also alleges the province will no longer allow Anderson to prescribe or supervise anti-cancer treatments.
⚖️ Man Dies While Under Provincial Correctional Supervision
Manitoba Justice says a 47-year-old man under correctional supervision has died while receiving care in a Brandon palliative care unit.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has been notified, and officials say the man’s family has been informed. No further details have been released.
👨⚕️ Doctors Manitoba Warns of Potential Physician Shortage
A new report from Doctors Manitoba suggests the province could lose as many as 658 physicians over the next three years.
Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Alon Altman says continued efforts are needed to reduce physician workload and ensure doctors have access to the resources and equipment they need to remain in the province.
📈 Manitoba Reaches Record Number of Practising Doctors
Despite looming workforce concerns, Manitoba now has more practising physicians than at any point in its history.
Doctors Manitoba says the growth is encouraging, but notes the province still needs another 229 physicians to reach the national average per capita.
🏛️ Province Wraps Up Legislative Session
The Manitoba government says its latest legislative session delivered progress on affordability, health care and public safety.
More than 50 bills were introduced, including measures aimed at limiting rent increases, reducing hydro costs and addressing intimate partner violence.
⏰ Manitoba Goes Permanent on Daylight Time
Starting Sunday, Manitobans will no longer need to change their clocks in the fall.
The province is joining much of western Canada in remaining on daylight time year-round, meaning later evening sunsets but darker mornings during the winter months. Manitoba will now align with eastern cities such as Toronto and New York for much of the year.
🗳️ Brandon Voter Turnout Sees Major Increase
Roughly 27 per cent of eligible Brandon voters cast ballots in this week’s municipal election, up significantly from 17.9 per cent in 2022.
Brandon University political scientist Dr. Kelly Saunders says increased candidate engagement on issues such as affordability, public safety and property taxes likely helped drive turnout higher.
✅ Election Results Delayed by Verification Process
Final municipal election results took longer than expected to be released Wednesday night.
City officials say voting machine totals were double-checked before results were made public, adding that future elections could see a more streamlined tabulation process.
📉 Canadian Economy Stalls in August
Economic growth across Canada stalled again in August, missing economists’ expectations for a 0.2 per cent gain.
Statistics Canada says declines in wholesale trade and oil and gas extraction weighed on overall economic activity.
🌱 Acres of Hope Harvest Set to Raise $110,000
The annual Acres of Hope charity harvest near Rivers is expected to generate about $110,000 for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
Volunteers harvested 155 acres of soybeans using donated land, labour and equipment, with organizers reporting stronger-than-expected yields despite a wet growing season.
🚀 Canadian Astronaut Inspired by Spacewalk
Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk says seeing Earth from outside the International Space Station during a seven-hour spacewalk was a life-changing experience.
Kutryk helped install seven new solar panels on the station and says he’ll make time to take in the view again during a second spacewalk scheduled for next week.
