PembinaValley

As Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola products continue to hamper the cash price of one of the country's most valuable crops, farming experts say producers have big decisions ahead of them.

Market analyst Chuck Penner with LeftField Commodity Research said while future prices are down slightly, the cash price farmers receive for their canola, also known as the basis, is much lower.

Those big yellow school buses will be back on the road after September Long Weekend, with students heading back to class shortly. With the start of another school year only a few days away, Western School Division is putting out a call regarding its need for a few more bus drivers.

Portage–Lisgar MP Branden Leslie is preparing to head back to Ottawa as the fall parliamentary session begins, and he says his priorities remain squarely on the concerns he’s been hearing from constituents over the summer.

Leslie spent much of August connecting with his family and with residents. He says while many are trying to enjoy the last days of summer, the economic pressures facing farmers, manufacturers, and families continue to dominate conversations.

The U18 AAA Pembina Valley Hawks are set to open camp this coming weekend, and coach Jeff Andrews can't wait to get things going.

The work before camp

After 38 years, family physician Dr. Brian Duff has retired from his practice in Morden. 

Where it all began 

Dr. Brian Duff grew up in Winnipeg. At the time the decision was made to move to Morden, he, along with his wife, Dr. Carol Holmes, also a physician, were new parents. 

The Carman Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are getting ready to launch another season, with registration now open and meetings set to begin this week. Parents can sign their children up through myscouts.ca, where entering a postal code will connect families to the nearest group. 

Updated at 7:05pm Monday, September 1st - A late season severe thunderstorm scenario developed across much of the Pembina and Red River Valleys Labour Day Monday afternoon.

Environment Canada issued a Severe Thunderstorm watch for the entire region mid-afternoon, with Severe Thunderstorm Warnings following. As of approximately 7pm Monday evening all Warnings had ended for areas west of the Red River. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remained in effect for most of Southern Manitoba.

Funeral For: Sidney Koop 
Funeral Date: September 4, 2025 
Sidney Koop, 79, of Landmark passed away Saturday, August 30th at Rest Haven Care Home. He is survived by his wife Dora, 1 daughter, 1 son and their families. 
The celebration of life for Sidney Koop will be held Thursday, September 4th at 6pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with private ash interment at a later date. 
Donations may be made to ALS Manitoba. 
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.

Funeral For: Cornelius Wieler 
Funeral Date: September 5, 2025 
Cornelius Wieler, 87, of Vita passed away Saturday, August 30th at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach. He is survived by his wife Diane Wieler, 4 daughters, 1 son and their families. 
The funeral service for Cornelius Wieler will be held Friday, September 5th at 2pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with burial at Vita Sommerfeld Church Cemetery. 
Viewing will be at Birchwood Funeral Chapel prior to the service. 

Federal public servants were less likely to call in sick to work during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, new government data shows.

The figures shared by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat indicate that in 2020-21, when the pandemic had most office employees working entirely remotely, the average number of sick days for the public service was 5.9.

That number grew to 8.1 in 2021-22, 8.8 in 2022-23 and 9.2 days in 2023-24.