The province and federal government are investing over $79-million to upgrade a railway to the Port of Churchill, and to restore and replace old infrastructure at the port. Churchill’s mayor says the project will help open new trade routes for shipping minerals and grain. The news is timely in light of all the talk of a trade war between Canada and U-S.
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Manitoba First Nations Police will reportedly be moving their headquarters from Portage to the Brandon area this fall. According to The Brandon Sun, they’ll be setting up shop as part of the new conference centre currently under construction just north of Brandon on land owned by Waywayseecappo First Nation. The facility will also house a conference room, a commercial kitchen, a VLT lounge and office space.
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The province’s police watchdog, the Independent Investigation Unit, is investigating an arrest by RCMP in northern Manitoba last week. A video on social media appears to show an officer standing on a man’s chest during the arrest in Moose Lake. Police say prior to that, the man had barricaded himself inside a residence, had actively resisted arrest, and tried to assault officers.
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There’s a move to ban offshore gambling site ‘Bodog’ from operating or advertising in the province. The CBC reports Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is seeking an injunction alleging ‘Bodog’ is breaking the law by offering its services where Liquor and Lotteries has sole authority over gambling. The injunction was also reportedly filed on behalf of the Canadian Lottery Coalition whose members include gaming corporations in 4 other provinces and regions.
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A retired botanist and lawyer from Brandon, Glennis Lewis, has been named to the province’s Clean Environment Commission. She was among 13 new board members announced Tuesday. The CEC offers recommendations to government on environmental policies and licensing.
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Local non-profit, Sustainable Brandon, is looking for your ideas to make the city more environmentally conscious. In the past, they’ve helped get solar panels installed at Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre, bike racks placed in parks and at schools – and are currently monitoring a development near a wetland in the city’s southwest. The group meets next Tuesday at Brandon University.
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If you happened to be at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre on January 31st, health officials are advising to make sure your measles vaccinations are up to date. Five confirmed cases of measles have been identified in Manitoba – and there may been exposures at HSC, and a church in Winkler on January 26th.
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YWCA Westman is now accepting nominations for this year’s ‘Women of Distinction’ awards. This year there are 11 categories, up from 10 in previous years. Nominations close on March 8th, International Women’s Day –
and the ceremony is scheduled for April 24th. There’s more information at YWCA Westman – National Advocacy. Community Action.
