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Canadians will see a one-time groceries benefit payment on June 5.
It’s part of the government’s new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will replace the existing GST/HST benefit.
Single Canadians and single-parent families will get a maximum payout of: $267 if you have no children, all the way up to $717 if you have four children.
Married or common-law individuals will get a maximum payment of: $349 if you have no children, going all the way up to $717 if you have four kids.
You must have filed an income tax return in order to be eligible for the refund.
The one-time payment will be in addition to the overall quarterly benefit amount.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
With the recent heavy snowfall, and temperatures expected to rise above 10 degrees this week, it's very possible that the Parkland could see a large amount of overland flooding.
The province's most recent Spring Flood Outlook lists the Parkland as having an elevated risk of overland flooding because of the sharp rise in temperature.
The City of Dauphin has sandbags, sand, and a fill tube available for Dauphin residents, accessible 24/7, at the City of Dauphin Public Works Shop, 22 Jackson Street. Access is on a self-serve basis, so bring your own shovel if you plan to use the facility.
The City of Dauphin also recommends to prepare a 72 hour emergency kit before possible flooding, putting documents and valuables in waterproof containers, and making sure sump pumps are working properly.
Continue to monitor both the City of Dauphin's social media and 730 CKDM for alerts and updates. Click here to view the Government of Canada's recommendations on creating an emergency kit.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Paul Lippens has been the principal at Winnipegosis Elementary School for three years.
Before that, he taught for one year at the school. Before that, he was principal at Camperville School for 17 years. Earlier this month, his day started like any other. He got up, finished his morning duties, and made his way to work.
What happened next was what some people are calling a magical ending. When students arrived at the school at 9:00 a.m., they told Paul they saw a deer stuck in the snow near the school. After the announcements, Paul went outside and noticed the deer was stuck and visibly exhausted.
Paul approached the deer cautiously and tapped the animal on the back in an attempt to help it escape, but it barely moved.
Lippens picked up the deer and put it on the path, but after it took two or three steps, it stepped into deeper snow and fell back.
"At that point, I picked it up again and carried it to the road in the back of the school yard, set it down, and made sure it was standing on the road," said Lippens. "That way, I figured it had the best chance to make it without getting stuck again."
The deer watched Paul make his way back to the school and then made its way.
What started as a frantic situation turned into a magical moment. Paul saved what could have been a terrible turnout, and the deer made its way back into its natural habitat.
"It was a pretty cool experience. It was something you don't get to do every day," ended Lippens. "I've never actually been that close to a deer in my life. You see them all the time, but you never get to touch them. It was kind of cool that I had the chance to do that."
It's true, not all heroes wear capes, but Paul Lippens is certainly a hero.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Fusion Credit Union has long been a champion of community involvement. From constant funding and donations like their Full Circle Fund, to their promotion of employees volunteering in their communities, Fusion is constantly helping to make the communities they serve a better place.
Continuing with that trend, they've announced they're giving $1.86 million to members in the form of patronage allocations and cash payouts.
Mike Csversko, Brand & Business Development Manager, said it's a very important and meaningful way they can say one thing to their members: thank you.
"When Fusion was created a number of years ago, we wanted to continue giving back to our communities, and now this being the 8th year running of a patronage allocation of over $12.8 million through those years, it's our way to say thanks for our members and give back to our community...we know that money's tight now and so any little bit helps, and that's one of the things about being a member of a credit union or a co-op, is receiving those patronage benefits back to you, and it's one of the differentiating factors between a local credit union and maybe some of the national players," said Csversko.
Csversko said there's a formula they follow to determine where the money goes, and who gets how much.
"$750,000 roughly went out in cash to members over 65 years old and older, and about $1 million dollars in total paid out in cash payouts...it's really about the amount of business that's done with the credit union over the course of the year, and then how much of that is given back in terms of a bonus or a thank you to the member for using Fusion Credit Union," said Csversko.
Csverso said things like their patronage payments and their Full Circle fund that helps money go directly back into the community is one of the most important things to Fusion. He said they love supporting their community, and plan on doing so for a long time.
"The ability to keep that money right here at home in our own backyards, in what we call a circular economy, that's what keeps out community strong. And with our little bit of support, and we know that there's many others in our community from volunteers to numerous local donations, that's what keeps our little neck of the woods vibrant, and we'll continue to do it. As long as members keep supporting us, we'll keep supporting our community," said Csversko.
Fusion Credit Union's level of community involvement definitely doesn't go unnoticed. This year, they were named a Manitoba Top Employer for the 7th year in a row.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Manitoba First Nations Police arrested a 29-year-old man from Waywayseecappo after reports that he was driving head on into oncoming traffic.
The incident happened early Sunday evening on Highway 45.
After witnessing the vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed straight towards one of their cruisers, police pulled over and arrested the driver, adding he appeared to be intoxicated.
As he was brought in for processing, the suspect reportedly became uncooperative and agressive, and is said to have headbutted an officer while threatening to kill him.
Brenton Ledoux will appear in court at a later date, facing charges of both impaired and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, along with assault of a police officer, and uttering threats.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
A community member wanted it.
They're getting it. 14 teams of four are locked in. The Lakeshore Regional Wellness Centre in Ashern hosts a speed puzzle competition this Saturday. All 14 teams receive the same 500-piece puzzle, and the first team to finish wins.
Speed, smarts, and efficiency, that's what is needed to be crowned the champion.
Lori Emilson is running the event.
"We've got some people who are pretty strong at jigsaw puzzles; they take it seriously," said Emilson. "I hope no fists come out when they're having to work together with their team. I know some people are pretty protective of how they solve puzzles. I think it should be fine, it's going to be a great event."
This event is the first of its kind in the area in recent years. The entry fee was $20 per team, totalling $280. The proceeds are going towards kitchen renovations at the centre. The bar will also be open during the event to raise additional funds. The current kitchen is dated and needs some upgrades.
"If people are wondering about supporting the Wellness Centre, we always have fundraisers going on," added Emilson. "Even if you just want to stop by, that goes a long way to ensuring it's an enjoyable place for everyone."
The Wellness Centre, which served as a curling rink for decades, officially cut the ribbon for the grand opening in September. The facility features shuffleboard, a full gym, a studio upstairs, and pickleball, which is becoming a hot commodity in the community.
A virtual golf simulator is also in the works. Memberships are available for different ages. There are also daily drop-in fees. Seniors and those aged 18 and under are $5, and adults are $10.
In addition to their speed puzzle competition on Saturday, there will be other fundraisers with proceeds going to the centre's kitchen upgrades. They'll be holding music bingo next month. Some gardening and foraging workshops are coming up.
In June, Ashern is attempting to become the most active community through ParticipACTION. ParticipACTION is a Canadian non-profit charitable organization that has been encouraging people to get healthy by getting active since 1971.
They'll be hosting a youth pickleball tournament, yoga in the park, and a free day at the centre, to name a few. It's safe to say that some great things are happening in Ashern and the surrounding communities.
Lori is proud to be a part of the Ashern Magic.
"It's really fun to see people coming together," ended Emilson. "We're really trying to work towards multi-generational crowds. We're attempting to find things that can reach all ages."
The Great Ashern Duck Race also returns this spring. For more of what's going on at the Lakeshore Wellness Centre, head here.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Manitoba Hydro has announced a planned power outage for parts of Gilbert Plains this afternoon (Friday).
The outage will affect some businesses on Main Street in that community.
The post office in Gilbert Plains will be closed from 1-5 this afternoon, while the Municipal Office will remain open but will be very limited as to what they'll be able to do between 1-3 today.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Countryfest is gearing up to host this year's Parkland Business Expo this weekend.
Natalie Haslund, Chair of the Parkland Business Expo, said attendees can expect a few positive changes this year.
"You are definitely going to see a lot more crafters and craft tables, we expanded that section of the Parkland Business Expo, as well as we have a lot more entertainment this year, so we have our Taylor Swifter, we have Bluey, and we have Princess Belle coming in, we also have face painting from Lavender Blue Face and Body Paint," said Haslund.
They already have more than 130 businesses at the event with booths to showcase themselves to the community.
Haslund said when Countryfest found out that the previous event holders weren't going to continue hosting, it simply made sense for Countryfest to take the reins.
"We felt as Dauphin Countryfest this is something that we could do and that we could handle, and so we put together a team to take over this last year, and it just keeps getting better and better every year," said Haslund.
There will also be a food truck on site outside of the event.
The Parkland Business Expo takes place this weekend at Credit Union Place and the Parkland Rec Complex. It runs Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
A 36-year-old man from Brandon was sentenced in Dauphin Provincial Court on Wednesday.
Brendan Komarnicki was senteced to time already served in custody and 12 months of unsupervised probation.
Last May, Dauphin RCMP were called to a home in the city after an assault. Brendan was arrested nearby and was charged with assaulting a police officer.
He pled guilty, leading to the sentence.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
There's not doubt that the cost of living is on the rise. In the past number of months, we've seen higher grocery prices, higher fuel prices, and various other increases to costs of living.
Fusion Credit Union's Mike Csversko was at Tuesday's State of the District to speak on trends he sees in the Parkland right now for businesses and taxpayers. He said input price increases continue to be especially concerning to farmers and agriculture-related business. But it's not all bad, land equity is also going up.
"On the flip side of that we're also seeing an increase in land prices as well, so not all doom and gloom. The equity that is built into the farms, and lot of them are multi-generational farms, large number of acres, so that helps offset the pressues when it comes to financing and lending, just because of that balancing act between the equity and the operating costs as well," said Csversko.
RM of Dauphin Reeve Ernie Sirski, who was also there to speak, said he's had to increase fuel budgeting for his own farm by $10 per acre, leading to a $60,000 projected fuel cost increase this year for just his farm.
Some of the better news, Csversko said business in the Parkland are much less volatile than agriculture right now, and the data he sees backs that up.
"When it comes to businesses, we're quite steady in the Parkland area. It's not a boom and bust area of the country," said Csversko.
One of the things Fusion Credit Union does to help put money back into the community is their Full Circle Fund. The April intake is closed, but there is another intake set for this fall.
"It's great, I think off the top of my head we had 28 applicants come through the Full Circle intake that closed April 1st, we'll be making decisions on those coming up by the end of April, with announcements coming out shortly after that, so mid May," said Csversko.
At the government level, The RM is helping to save taxpayers money amid rising living costs with a projected tax increase this year lower than 3%.
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- Contributed by Ian Gillingham
Mossey River Municipality is encouraging residents to keep their toilets and pipes clear for everyone's convenience.
The municipality says it is currently experiencing issues with its sewer lines, and is asking residents to watch what they are flushing in their toilets and down their sinks.
Items that should not be flushed include baby wipes and diapers, flushable wipes and paper towels, cotton swabs and dental floss, cooking oil or grease, and other sanitary products.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
