-Prime Minister Mark Carney is one vote shy of having a majority government. That’s because another Conservative has crossed the floor, bringing Liberals 1 MP shy of a majority. It is Ontario MP Michael Ma. Ontario MP Michael Ma announced Thursday that he is leaving the Conservative caucus; saying he made the decision after listening to his constituents in the riding of Markham-Unionville in the Greater Toronto Area.
———-
-A Sobeys in Brandon has triggered new provincial legislation meant to lower grocery prices, after they renewed a lease just to block competition. Brandon East MLA, Glen Simard, introduced the bill removing property controls for grocery stores, which came into effect this month. The bill is meant to increase competition for discount grocers
———-
-A group in Brandon is helping to save thousands of pounds of dumped food in Manitoba. The Brandon Food Rescue Store uses refrigerated shipping containers to store food that was delivered by mistake or that was rejected by warehouses. The Outlet then re-sells the food or donates it to food banks, which has inspired others to do the same in Winnipeg.
———-
-The mother of Manitoba’s most prolific child-abuse case has been granted escorted trips out of prison. Samantha Kematch, convicted of murdering her five-year-old daughter, Phoenix Sinclair, has been given 11 family visits; 8 with an elder and 3 to an undisclosed community. Canada’s Parole Board said Kematch showed “observable and measurable change” since she was jailed. Kematch and her partner, Karl McKay, were convicted in 2008, and are serving life sentences without parole.
———-
-A 29-year-old Sioux Valley woman was sentenced to 9 years in prison Thursday, after she stabbed and killed her cousin in 2022. Rennie Williams was convicted of manslaughter. The Justice delivering the verdict says public safety comes first.
———-
-Brandon Police Chief, Tyler Bates, says the city is ready for a 72 hour sobering center. This, after Winnipeg opened a similar facility last week.
Bates says a 72 hour hold would keep vulnerable people more safe than the current 24 hour limit. The plan is still being designed due to funding issues.
———-
-A 2023 Conservative pamphlet highlighting Premier Wab Kinew’s past legal troubles did not violate Manitoba’s Election Act. Elections Commissioner, Bill Bowels, ruled this month, that the statements were supported by court records and news reports, after a Winnipeg resident complained that they were false. The Commissioner says voters considered Kinew’s youth troubles irrelevant to his abilities as Premier.
———-
-Brandon Mayor says online hate and misinformation is growing. Jeff Fawcett, speaking to a global summit in Toronto, said many communities can learn from each other, as they face similar challenges. The 3-day event showcased 200 leaders discussing how cities can deal with rising extremism and polarization.
———-
-Manitobas should brace for an even snowier winter. That from Environment Canada. Big chunks of eastern and southern Manitoba have a 40 to 50 per cent chance of getting higher than normal precipitation this season. That’s thanks to La Niña.
———-
-A 350 year old piece of Canadian History now has a new home. A judge approved the 18 million dollar sale of the Hudson’s Bay company royal charter to the Thomson and Weston families this Thursday. The Charter will be donated and shared between major museums across Canada, including the Manitoba Museum, and the Archives of Manitoba, to keep the it accessible to the public.
