In one of his year-end interviews, Manitoba premier Wab Kinew said his government will be making a permanent 10% cut to the gas tax. The change is to come into effect on January 1st. A year ago the province launched its initial gas tax holiday giving us a 14-cent tax break.
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Starting in the new year, the Renters Tax Credit in Manitoba increases to $575. The NDP says the 4-year plan is to restore the credit to $700. They also say the School Tax Rebate for farm properties is being maintained at 50%.
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The province has unveiled its multi-year strategy to improve highways in Manitoba including the deadly intersection at Highways 1 and 5 near Carberry. In June 2023, the intersection was the scene of a crash that left 17 people dead. Improvements will cost around $12-million, but there were no specific details in the document.
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A new poll shows most Canadians want an early election. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is just one point above the record-low for support seen by former Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff in 2011. Over half of Canadians now believe opposition parties should defeat the government ‘at the earliest opportunity’ and trigger an early election.
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Three-thousand unionized CN Rail workers have ratified a new 4-year contract averting potential strike action. Unifor says the deal includes improvements to wages and benefits, as well as job protections for members working in CN terminals and headquarters across Canada.
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Canada Post promises its backlog of deliveries after a month-long strike will be cleared up in the next two days. They’re now delivering parcels that were held up in the system, and will begin accepting new international mail today. A reminder that post offices will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
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Once the postal strike ended, Brandon and Westman Christmas Cheer started receiving mailed-in donations – and they topped their fundraising goal for the season. The target was $92,000 – and they’re currently at almost $105,000 and growing. The organization says they were also able to send out 1,500 hampers.
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As we close in on 2025 – the Keystone Centre has given us a look ahead at some events coming to Brandon. Manitoba Ag Days, focused on agricultural production and tech, begins on January 21st. In May, the Professional Bull Riders series hits Westoba Place – and in August, the Global Champions Arabians Tour makes its only Canadian stop in Brandon.
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Canada’s first sustainable Tim Hortons opened in Regina over the weekend. Its design and operating features are meant to minimize environmental impact. The building was constructed with low carbon concrete, it has a green roof and rainwater storage system, super fast EV chargers – and a real moss wall inside.
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Paramount’s ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ won the North American box office over the weekend with $62-million dollars. Sonic had the second-best December opening ever for a PG movie since the popular ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ back in 2005. Rounding out the top 5 – ‘Mufasa: The Lion King, ‘Wicked’, ‘Moana 2’ and ‘Homestead’.
