Overall inflation eased in March. Statistics Canada says it dropped to 2.3% from 2.6% the previous month. We paid less for tourism, airfare, cell services and gasoline – but more for restaurant meals.
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The Manitoba government is investing over $20 million to reconstruct Highways 10 and 16 near Minnedosa. The project is part of the government’s Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy. Work is expected to begin this spring to repave about 22-kilometres of highway – and a rest-stop in Minnedosa on Highway 16.
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Two Westman communities, Reston and Wawanesa, will see aging water and sewer mains replaced. The Manitoba government is spending $24 million for infrastructure upgrades, part of a total provincial commitment of $120 million over five years. Grandview’s water treatment facility and booster station were also among the projects announced.
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Manitoba will soon have more energy for itself and other Canadian jurisdictions. Premier Wab Kinew says when two hydroelectric contracts with Minnesota expire at the end of this month – some of that power will be kept for domestic use. Kinew says there’s no better time to partner with other provinces and territories to build the infrastructure we need for a strong domestic economy.
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You can now have your Giant Tiger order delivered within an hour by a delivery driver from DoorDash and Uber Eats. The Ottawa-based retailer says you can shop at Giant Tiger through the two apps at locations across Canada including in Manitoba. The new partnership was announced on Monday.
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Some bills now before the Manitoba legislature will have to wait until the fall to be passed into law. The opposition Conservatives are holding back 5 bills for further debate, including one that bans liquor licenses in convenience stores and gas stations. The bills will likely pass anyway given the NDP’s majority, but the Tories say a delay will allow for more consultations.
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The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is holding its annual spring convention today and Wednesday in Winnipeg, and Brandon councillor Bruce Luebke will be there in support of bail reform. Luebke and other local leaders will be pushing to tighten the rules around bail – and hope to make it a political issue during the federal election campaign.
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On Monday, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre pledged to use the notwithstanding clause to push through justice reforms – Liberal leader Mark Carney promised to overhaul defence procurement – and the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh said he’d encourage the provinces to fast-track accreditation for foreign-trained nurses. The federal leaders are in Montreal today ahead of two debates Wednesday and Thursday.
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Food Banks Canada has issued a call to action to cut food insecurity in half by 2030. They say in the past year, 30% of food banks ran out of food before demand was met – and 56% gave less food than usual to each visitor to avoid running out. Inflation has been driving food insecurity in the last few years.
