It’s Day Two of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair at Brandon’s Keystone Centre. The event features world-class show jumping, heavy horse competitions, livestock sales and displays, and over 300 commercial and agricultural exhibits. Two shows involving dogs, big favourites on Monday, will be back today; Dogs do Magic and the Canine Circus.
———-
No-one was hurt and nothing toxic leaked from any of the 15 CN railcars that derailed in Brandon on Monday. It happened at around 5:00 pm at the CN yard on 6th Street between McTavish and Van Horne Avenues. The railcars remained upright. Three cars were loaded with potash, one had fertilizer, and 11 were empty.
———-
The federal consumer carbon tax ends today, which could mean a ‘significant’ change in gas prices. Industry experts say we should see an average drop of 15 to 16 cents a litre – and up to 20 cents for diesel – but they also say it all depends on the price of oil, which has been rising. The last government carbon rebate cheques will be going out later this month.
———-
Manitoba’s minimum wage will be increasing this fall by the rate of inflation to $16.00-an-hour. The 20-cent increase will kick-in October 1st. A poll by the Manitoba Federation of Labour found 72% of Manitobans say it’s still not enough to cover housing, groceries, transportation and other essentials.
———-
The province has promised millions of dollars for school infrastructure projects in Brandon. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt told The Brandon Sun the projects include a full roof replacement at Crocus Plains, a major renovation at Maryland Park School, replacing boilers at Earl Oxford, installing a new roof at École Harrison – and upgrading heating systems at J.R. Reid School. Schmidt says since the NDP formed government, Brandon School Division has seen a more than 12% budget increase.
———-
The Manitoba government is launching a pilot project to translate the legislature’s official transcripts into seven Indigenous languages. The project is set to begin this spring and will involve hiring two Indigenous translators.
———-
Out on the federal election campaign trail on Monday, Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised to get the federal government back into the business of home building. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre pitched a national energy corridor to fast-track approval of key infrastructure, while NDP leader Jagmeet Singh promised to help retrofit 3.3 million homes and pay for it by cutting supports for big oil and gas companies. We head to the polls on April 28th.
———-
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling two instant ramen cups sold in western Canada, including in Manitoba, because of undeclared ingredients. The recall relates to Nissin brand Big Cup Noodle for containing undeclared shrimp – and its curry-flavoured Big Cup Noodle for containing peanuts. If you’re allergic, don’t eat them and return them to the store.
