Manitoba PC MLA Grant Jackson has resigned his Spruce Woods seat and will run as the Conservative candidate in Brandon-Souris in the federal election. The seat has been held since 2013 by Conservative Larry Maguire
who’s not seeking re-election due to health concerns. Jackson’s departure will trigger a provincial byelection.
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The federal New Democrats, meantime, have named Quentin Robinson as the party’s candidate for Brandon-Souris. He lost a close race in Brandon-West to the PC’s Wayne Balcaen during the 2023 Manitoba election. Also running in Brandon-Souris is People’s Party candidate Jim Oliver. The Liberals and Greens have not yet named their candidates.
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A new poll suggests that the federal Liberals are widening their lead over the Conservatives. The Leger survey found 44% said they’re voting Liberal compared with 38% for the Conservatives. This indicates a two-point jump for the Liberals since last week – and a one-point drop for the Tories.
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Two federal leaders debates are planned for next month. A French-language debate is to held on April 16th – and an English one the following night. The Leaders’ Debates Commission, an independent body, plans to announce
next week which party leaders will be invited to take part.
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Loblaw is expanding its employee ‘body cam’ pilot program. It started in Alberta and Saskatchewan last year – and will now extend to markets in Ontario, BC and Manitoba. The goal of wearing body cameras is to reduce ‘violent incidents’ at stores which the Retail Council says are on the rise.
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There’s been an increase in Canada Revenue Agency scams in Manitoba. The RCMP say fraudsters have been accessing people’s tax accounts to reroute refunds. Some tips from police: boost your online security, ignore and block unsolicited messages, verify financial dealings, and talk to trusted individuals before making transactions.
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Despite animal rights groups calling for the cancellation of the Barnyard Challenge, formerly the Calf Scramble, organizers of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair say they have no intention of cancelling the event this year, or at any future fairs. They say last year, the event had ‘glowing remarks’ from animal protection officers. The Royal gets underway next week.
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If you’re heading to Brandon hospital today, keep in mind the emergency department’s exit ramp will be closed. There will be no access to the ramp beginning at 9:00 am, which includes vehicle parking. Anyone coming to the ER, whose condition is non-critical, is advised to use the hospital ‘s main entrance.
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In the first 4 months of the province’s free prescription contraceptives program, nearly 32,000 Manitobans have accessed birth control including contraceptive pills, IUD’s, hormonal implants and injections. The program will cost the province around $11 million annually.
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If you want to improve your sleep, wear socks to bed. A sleep disorders expert says it sounds counterintuitive, but by wearing socks to bed and warming your feet – you may actually lower your core body temperature and fall asleep faster. Increasing the blood circulation to your feet results in a lower core temperature – you’re opening up blood vessels to help cool down the rest of the body. A study found men who slept in socks fell asleep nearly 8 minutes faster, slept 32 minutes longer, and woke up fewer times.
