The Manitoba Summer Fair wrapped up over the weekend in Brandon attracting between 35,000 and 40,000 people which was down from last year’s 50,000. The weather was a bigger factor this year, especially the wind, which impacted some Midway rides. Organizers say there were no major incidents thanks to upgraded security measures.
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Those two wildfires, that combined near Flin Flon, are now about seven times the size of Winnipeg. The out-of-control fire, the largest in the province, is at almost 308,000 hectares – and has placed several communities under a mandatory evacuation. The Manitoba Wildfire Service says most of the province now has a low-to-moderate fire danger – but the northeast area is still under a high-to-extreme fire risk. There are currently 28 active wildfires across the province – with a total of 114 to date. The average for this time of year is 99.
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Wildfire evacuees are now able to get financial support through the Wildfire Incidental Support Program. Evacuees must live in Manitoba, have a primary residence in a community that has been evacuated, and be registered
with the Red Cross. Every person, 13 and older, will receive $34 a day – while children 12 and under are eligible for $27 a day.
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The number of drug overdose deaths in Brandon has doubled. There have been 14 deaths so far this year compared to 7 in all of 2024. The City’s police chief says a major factor is a toxic drug supply on the streets.
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There’s more labour unrest in Canada. DHL Express has locked-out about 2,100 unionized truck drivers, couriers and warehouse workers, but says it has a plan in place to keep parcels moving…the union says that means
replacement workers. This comes as Canada Post workers have refused overtime, slowing deliveries.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney is to make an announcement today related to “defence and security priorities.” NATO Defence ministers recently discussed raising the member spending target on defence to as much as 5% of GDP. Canada never met NATO’s existing target of 2%.
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A majority of us do not want Canada to join U-S President Donald Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system. A new poll found 63% are against the idea saying the government should prioritize spending on the Canadian
Armed Forces instead. Only 17% support spending money on the Golden Dome.
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Because more people are doing it…and it’s really dangerous, Health Canada has come out with a warning not to recreationally inhale nitrous oxide products. Commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ or ‘whippets’ – nitrous oxide
can be found in some food products and tools including various ‘cream dispensers’. The gas can have serious effects, including loss of consciousness, birth defects, heart attack, stroke – and in some cases, even death.
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Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ celebrated a third weekend at the top of the box office. Coming in second was the John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ followed by ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’, ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ – and ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’.
