It could be another chaotic day for travellers as a labour dispute continues between Air Canada and the union for its flight attendants. They plan to stay on the picket lines today defying a federal back-to-work order. Wages and unpaid work are the major issues in the dispute.
———-
Brandon firefighter-paramedics are calling on the city and province for more funding and staff. They say demand for service has grown significantly, over 72% since 2015, but staffing levels have not kept pace. The city and the province have added new positions in the last three years, but have lost hires to Winnipeg.
———-
The worst wildfire season in 30 years in Manitoba has not only scorched thousands of hectares of land, but also damaged Hydro infrastructure. About 1,200 power poles – also transformers and power lines have been damaged or destroyed. Roughly 1,300 customers are still without power.
———-
If you’re a local artist, Brandon Downtown BIZ is now taking applications for its Downtown Outdoor Art Grant. The $30,000 dollar project will fund four to six murals aimed at revitalizing the neighbourhood.
———-
While the rental market has cooled recently, a survey shows 345 of renters still spend more than half of their income on rent…and despite how tough it is, most of them don’t want a roommate. In July, average asking rent fell 3.6% to just over $2,100 a month.
———-
The Winnipeg Humane Society was asked to leave the Hanover Fair in Grunthal over the weekend after setting up an animal welfare display. It featured a papier mâché pig and a human-sized cage to raise awareness of gestation crates. Fair organizers say they were led to believe the Humane Society was there to promote pet adoption.
———-
As advance voting continues today in Manitoba’s Spruce Woods byelection, many eyes will be on a vote taking place in Alberta. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and over 200 others are on the ballot in Battle River-Crowfoot. Poilievre is looking for a seat to get back in Parliament, and is expected to win.
———-
You’ve seen the ‘movie mom’ dealing with stress by gulping down a glass of wine, there’s even merchandise like onesies for babies declaring ‘I’m the reason mommy drinks’…it’s all part of ‘Wine Mom Culture’ and a U-of-M researcher is now taking a closer look to see what impact this has had on alcohol use among women. A Winnipeg addictions doctor says a concerning trend is that more women have been seeking alcohol-related treatment.