-Blizzard-like conditions created zero visibilities at times, as several Westman highways closed over the weekend, cancelling some flights and sporting events, and stranding travelers. Parts of Highway 1 and at least three other highways in southern Manitoba were closed until Saturday morning. Travelers were then sheltered in Community centers in Elie, and Oakville, overnight after Highway 1 closed on Friday, it reopened by noon Saturday. Manitoba RCMP are reminding drivers that travelling on a closed highway is illegal and dangerous both for them and for emergency crews who may have to help them if a crash happens.
———
-Brandon Police Services’ Crisis Response Unit is getting a financial boost. The City says the C-R-U is receiving $290 thousand dollars in new funding. The funding will assist mental health care crises, with on-the-spot mental health support, follow-up care, and community service connections.
———
You will soon be able to pay for parking in Brandon using your phone instead of coins. In a special budget meeting held Thursday, the City wants to make downtown parking easier, as coins are not regularly carried. Its unclear when the new mobile parking system will be in place. City Council approved the decision during Thursday’s special budget meeting.
———
-The first Manitobans’ to sign up for a new digital health card, say the sign-up process is “frustrating” and “overly complicated”. Manitoba Health says over 15 thousand digital cards have been issued as of Friday, with 23 thousand applying for plastic health cards last week. Go to your Manitoba Wallet app on your phone to register.
———
-The Manitoba Government is creating a framework for “Guiding principles in AI in Education”, to support high-quality teaching. This framework looks at helping teachers with AI assistance, so it can “enhance instruction, support assessment and engagement, while prioritizing safety and ethics.” The first AI education summit was held in Winnipeg, Friday.
———
-Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering sending troops to Greenland for military exercises with NATO allies. This, as U-S president Donald Trump threatens European nations with tariffs, unless he can buy and control Greenland. A pre-planned Royal Canadian Air Force contingent is already taking place in Greenland, but Carney is debating on sending additional forces for sovereignty exercises. If approved, forces could be deployed by the end of this week.
———
-Inflation is on the rise. It ticked up to 2.4% in December with last year’s GST break. Statistics Canada says the temporary tax cut, which began on Dec. 14, 2024, lasted for 2- months. December’s rate was a smidge higher than the 2.2 per cent rate seen in November. It was partly offset by a decline in gas prices. Grocery price growth was unchanged between November and December but rose to five per cent when compared to the same time last year, with coffee and fresh or frozen beef still driving the increase.
———
-Westman canola growers are a bit relieved after Canada announced a trade deal with China on Friday. Beijing is expected to cut canola seed duties from 84 to 15 per cent by March 1st, as well as Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs and peas are exempt from tariffs, from March until the end of the year. Growers hope the deal supports prices and provides a stable market, just before the spring seeding season. Despite Canola oil being excluded from the trade deal, Manitoba farmers see it as a step in the right direction for the farm economy.
———
-Canadian Health officials are preparing for a possible surge in ER visits, as Toronto and Vancouver are set to host the FIFA World Cup this summer. Research shows large events lead to an increase in emergency room visits, worrying doctors about overburdening our already stretched thin health-care system. A medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, says a measles outbreak is one of his biggest concerns in hosting FIFA.
