The federal election campaign is underway with Canadian unity a key in all three major party platforms. Liberal leader Mark Carney is in Gander, Newfoundland today – while the Conservative’s Pierre Poilievre and the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh are in Toronto. We vote on April 28th.
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Brandon-Souris Conservative MP Larry Maguire has announced he will not seek re-election. He says he has a health condition that may prevent him from taking part in some, or all of the campaign. Maguire was first elected in a federal byelection in 2013.
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If you use natural gas, you’ll start saving money starting on April 1st…that’s when Manitoba Hydro stops collecting the Federal Carbon Charge. In 2024, the average household paid about $388-dollars towards that levy.
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As of May, all eligible Canadians should be able to apply for the federal dental care program – with coverage to begin June 1st. The program was initially launched for seniors in 2023 and has been expanded in phases.
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The cost of upgrading Rivers Dam has increased almost $19-million from four months ago to $65.7-million. The government says the new number takes into account the cost of all parts of the overall project. The work to bring
the dam up to today’s standards is to be completed by 2027.
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New designs for another long-promised Manitoba flood prevention project are expected to be completed this year. Final designs could be ready this spring, but First Nations have yet to sign off. Once approved, the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels project could take three to four years to complete.
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The Brandon United Way topped its financial goal for 2024. Their fundraising campaign raised a total of $700, 362 for local programs. At a volunteer appreciation event last week, United Way CEO Cynamon Mychasiw was awarded the King Charles Coronation Medal for her ‘exceptional’ contributions to the community.
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Hudson’s Bay will begin liquidating most of its stores this morning – all but six of locations will be selling off their inventory. The Bay says it got into financial trouble because of lower consumer spending, reduced downtown traffic and trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.
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The hottest shows – like Yellowstone, Severance and White Lotus – are all on streaming services – and a new report says the introduction of ad-supported basic plans has helped keep the momentum going for streamers battling traditional TV providers. 46% of Canadian households did not have a traditional television subscription at the end of last year, and that’s expected to rise to 54% by 2027.
