PembinaValley

The Canada Revenue Agency has offered contract extensions to around 850 call centre employees as their union sounds the alarm over staffing levels. 

CRA spokesperson Etienne Biram says the workers, whose contracts were set to expire in September, were contacted about the decision last week.

The federal union representing workers at the tax agency recently launched an online campaign denouncing staffing cuts. 

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington this week after Ottawa announced it would be lifting some retaliatory tariffs.

LeBlanc's office said he will travel to the United States capital on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last Friday that Canada will drop some retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products to match American tariff exemptions for goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade, called CUSMA. .

Heading into the 2025-26 minor hockey season, Hockey Manitoba has announced they will be launching the 'Green Armband Initiative', a program designed for younger officials, starting in the Pembina Valley with plans for it to expand province wide in the future.

For all officials, every level

The C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre celebrated 100 years since Dr. Cornelius W. Wiebe first began practicing medicine in the region last week.  

Staff, dignitaries, and community members gathered to honour his enduring legacy and the impact the man’s work has had on the community. 

Karen-Denise Cyr, Executive Director of the Centre, opened the event, welcoming attendees and reflecting on Dr. Wiebe’s contributions to the community.  

Spencer Sullivan of RISE Athletics made a stunning debut in the MMA world near the beginning of the month, securing a first-round TKO at the Throne MMA event in North Dakota.  

Entering the cage for the first time in an official fight, Sullivan’s striking training and composure under pressure led to an early victory against his opponent, Jacob Lavallie.

The Falk Fehr Foundation, facilitated by the Winkler Community Foundation, presented $60,000 in donations following its annual golf tournament earlier this summer. 

The Winkler Police Service received a report from the manager of a local community garden on August 15th regarding multiple crop thefts that have taken place over the summer. 

Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt shared, “They reported that an entire crop of corn had been stolen during the night of August 14th... They also advised us that there have been quite a few thefts from the garden over the summer”. 

Originally from Winnipeg, Love & the Outcome, a husband-and-wife musical duo, has made waves in the Christian music scene. 

The pair, now based in Nashville, has released a handful of albums since it was first signed to Curb | Word Entertainment in 2013. Over the years, songs such as “You got this” and “I’m not lucky — I’m blessed” have defined the sound of the group.

The dates are set Premier Scott Moe's trade mission to Asia runs September 6th to 12th.

It's a very important region for the province ... In 2024, Saskatchewan exported over $10 billion to Asia—$4.4 billion to China, $929 million to Japan and 162 million to South Korea.

The goal is to reinforce future trade opportunities and engage with China on their temporary duties on peas and canola.

The Premier has invited Prime Minister Mark Carney and any other federal ministers  to join the trade mission.

Alberta Agriculture's latest crop report shows two per cent of the crop has been combined. That's down from the 5-year average of eight per cent and the 10-year average of six per cent.

Warm, dry conditions in the Southern part of the province are helping with the harvest, while the cooler temperatures in the North West, North East, and Peace regions are slowing crop maturity and delaying harvest.