Economic rebound, higher federal transfer payments reduce Manitoba's deficit
A rebounding economy and higher federal transfer payments helped cut Manitoba's deficit by more than half, government fiscal numbers released Thursday show.
The deficit for the fiscal year that ended in March came in at $704 million, down from $1.6 billion originally predicted in the budget and from $2.1 billion the previous year. The numbers were contained in Public Accounts, the annual final tally of budget numbers reviewed by the auditor general.
Hydro rates, health care dominate debate as Manitoba legislature begins fall sitting
Manitoba's electricity rates are shaping up to be a key issue in the fall legislature sitting that started Wednesday.
The rates have traditionally been the second-lowest in the country, behind Quebec's, but there are warnings that Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro must boost its finances and address its growing debt load.
The Opposition New Democrats called on the Progressive Conservative government to withdraw a bill that would set financial targets for the utility while capping any rate hikes at five per cent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
Manitoba strikes deal with drugstore chain to supply free menstrual products
The Manitoba government plans to make millions of menstrual products available for free at schools, women's shelters and resource centres across the province.
The Progressive Conservative government has reached a deal with Shoppers Drug Mart, which will see the pharmacy chain supply 3.3 million tampons and pads each year for three years.
Shoppers struck a similar deal with the Ontario government last year, although the Manitoba supply is higher per capita. Financial details of the deal with Manitoba were not immediately available.
Manitoba says no statutory Orange Shirt holiday this year as talks continue
The Manitoba government is still planning to make the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation an official statutory holiday but says it's too late for the change to take effect this year.
"It would be very disrespectful of everybody to introduce something at this point," Labour Minister Reg Helwer said Wednesday.
Five Manitobans, including pastor who repeatedly broke limits on gatherings, plan to appeal fines
A judge has handed fines to five Manitobans who repeatedly violated COVID-19 pandemic public health orders over a period of months — even after they were given tickets for each offence.
It was the second courtroom loss in a year for people trying to overturn restrictions the Manitoba government imposed.
"A message must be sent that public health orders … are meant to be respected," provincial court Judge Victoria Cornick said during her sentencing Thursday.
Eileen Clarke, who quit cabinet over a Manitoba premier's comments, plans to retire
A Manitoba politician who resigned from cabinet over controversial remarks by former premier Brian Pallister says she is planning to retire.
Eileen Clarke, 68, said Sunday she will serve out her term but will not seek re-election when the next vote — currently scheduled for Oct. 3 of next year — is held.
"It's a very full life. I find most weeks, I work seven days a week, and there comes a time when one has to think about the future," Clarke said.
"I just feel that I have to look at life from a different side other than full-scale work."
Manitoba first province to sign on to federal funding for crisis hotlines
Manitoba became the first province Wednesday to sign on to a new federal funding plan for crisis hotlines that help victims of gender-based violence.
The province will receive up to $1 million over four years so that crisis centres can do things such as hire more staff and train more volunteers.
"We know that crisis hotlines are a lifeline for women fleeing domestic violence," Marci Ien, the federal minister for women and gender equality and youth, said.
"Timely connection to support and services can, and often is, the difference between life and death."
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs removes Arlen Dumas as grand chief over sexual harassment
An Indigenous leader in Manitoba was removed from his job Friday after being accused of sexual harassment.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs voted to drop Arlen Dumas as grand chief during a closed-door meeting in Winnipeg. Dumas had already been suspended without pay after a staff member lodged a misconduct complaint against him in May.
"There are policies that need to be put in place and women that need to be protected," acting grand chief Cornell McLean said following the non-confidence vote among chiefs, which passed by a 30-13 margin.
Manitoba decides not to appeal court ruling on child benefit payments
The Manitoba government said Thursday it will not appeal a court ruling that found the province was wrong to claw back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal benefit payments to kids in child welfare.
The government also appeared open to calls for it to return the money, which Indigenous leaders have said totalled more than $300 million.
"That is certainly on the table for discussion," Families Minister Rochelle Squires said.
"We certainly respect the ruling and we also respect and acknowledge that amends need to be made."
Feds, province pump more money into rail line to Churchill, Man.
The federal and Manitoba governments announced a combined $147 million Wednesday to support a rail line through northern Manitoba with a history of service disruptions and delays.
The money comes on top of $157 million pledged by Ottawa since 2018 to change the ownership of the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill, and to make repairs and upgrades.
"It's a sign that it's a very ambitious project, it's difficult terrain, and progress has been made," Dan Vandal, federal minister of northern affairs, said of the ongoing funding.