If U-S president elect Donald Trump slaps tariffs on Canadian goods in the new year, Manitoba’s premier says the province might come through with some financial aid. Wab Kinew says those measures have not yet been determined. He also wants to offer new aid to small businesses facing higher property taxes.
———-
Did you recently get a direct deposit of $36.29 from Meta? If you joined a class action lawsuit – that’s your share. The lawsuit, launched a decade ago, alleged the company had used people’s Facebook photos without their consent as part of an advertising tool. Meta settled the $51-million lawsuit in 4 provinces, including Manitoba.
———-
Service Canada has begun mailing out hundreds of thousands of passports that were held-up by the month-long Canada Post strike – but delays could continue into early next year. If you’re still waiting for a passport and have to travel urgently – you’re advised to contact the Passport Program or visit a Service Canada Centre.
———-
Manitoba Public Insurance is also trying to clear up a backlog of documents and cheques after the postal strike. It says cheques for claims began going out Monday including injury and damage claims. and until your renewed drivers’ license and I-D cards arrive in the mail, they say hang onto your temporary documents.
———-
E-Comm, the company that handles the majority of 9-1-1 calls in BC, has put out a list of its worst nuisance calls in 2024. Among the top 10: someone called because they saw a domesticated-looking bunny in a park – another caller left their phone in an Uber – there was the person who bought a box of avocadoes and discovered they were rotten – and the person who called 9-1-1 to report their neighbour was wearing too much cologne.
———-
The world population increased by more than 71-million people in 2024 – and will be 8.09 billion on New Year’s Day. Canada’s population is now over 41, 465,00 – it grew by almost 177,000 people this year.
———-
If you’re planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you’re not alone. A new poll finds nearly 2-in-10 respondents plan to celebrate at a friend or family member’s home – and just 5-percent plan to party at a bar, restaurant or organized event. As expected, younger people are more interested going out – many older adults say they won’t celebrate the start of 2025 at all.









