After a brief period of cooler temperatures and rain, the province warns the fire risk is increasing. Much of Manitoba is now at a moderate fire danger. There are 21 active wildfires across the province with 116 to date. Fire and travel restrictions remain in place, and several provincial parks are still closed. There’s more information at Parks and Protected Spaces | Environment and Climate Change | Province of Manitoba.
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With wildfires still raging, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government could use emergency powers to free up more hotel rooms for evacuees, but would like to see hotel operators voluntarily open rooms. He says the hotel industry has stepped up, but there are still many families sleeping on cots. More than 21,000 people has been displaced by the fires. Kinew, who toured northern fire zones on Thursday, also learned just how much climate change has impacted our summers. Kinew said a decades-long member of the Wildfire Service told him we’d have a big fire once every 8 years or so – now it’s every single year, and they’re happening earlier and going later.
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The Manitoba government is providing some relief and support for businesses impacted by wildfires. Starting this week, businesses who’ve not been able to operate can apply to have their provincial tax payments deferred
until they’re able to pay. These include retail sales taxes, and health and education taxes.
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Two paramedics with the Brandon fire department have left to help with the wildfire battle up north – they’ll be up there for six days. At the end of May, the department sent up 7 members, also on six-day rotating shifts.
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Canada-wide the area burned by wildfires so far this season is the second-largest on record. Public Safety Canada says wildfires have devoured 3.7 million hectares, six times the area of Prince Edward Island. The 10-year average is about 800.000 hectares.
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Canada Post workers will soon be asked to cast their votes on whether to ratify the corporation’s final offer. If the majority approves, it could be the beginning of the end of off-and-on labour disruptions. Canada’s Jobs
Minister forced the vote saying it’s in the public interest.
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Kids are facing a ‘vicious cycle’ when it comes to screen time. A study of nearly 300-thousand children worldwide found those who spend more time on devices were at higher risk of developing problems like anxiety, low self-confidence and aggression later in life, but it also found kids already struggling socially or emotionally were turning to screens as a way to cope. Experts say parents helping to moderate screen time is important.
