PembinaValley

Some premiers say they want to have more local control over the immigration system — but experts say what the system really needs is a national conversation on immigration reform that shores up public support.

"Most of the existing policies have been formulated on the fly without any evidence or serious impact evaluations of what the various classes of immigrants are, how they're performing economically and otherwise," said Michael Trebilcock, a retired academic and co-author of two books on immigration policy.

"So it's basically research-free."

Dominic LeBlanc said Sunday that he expects Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump will speak "over the next number of days" as the United States ratchets up pressure in trade talks.

The Canada-U.S. trade minister appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation" and spoke about where talks stand between the two countries.

LeBlanc told host Margaret Brennan that while Canada is "disappointed" with Trump's new 35-per-cent tariffs, he is continuing to work toward a deal that would hopefully strike down trade restrictions between the nations.

The sport of pickleball has become a sensation for all ages, and the President of Pickleball Manitoba, Ted Fardoe, couldn't be happier with where they are, or more excited for where the sport is going. 

Prairie Crossroads School has officially broken ground on a brand-new, nearly 40,000 square foot facility, nestled in the RM of Stanley off the corridor between Morden and Winkler. 

The Carman Area Foundation has made a major impact again this year, awarding 49 grants totaling nearly $172,000 to projects across Carman and the surrounding RMs of Dufferin, Grey, and Roland. An additional $23,000 boost came from the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund through The Winnipeg Foundation, allowing even more projects to receive funding. 

On Friday, a golf tournament that raises funds for local organizations in memory of a beloved community member returned to the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club for the third year in a row.  

The tournament, known as The Jimmy Classic, is held in honour of the late pilot Jim Peters, whose life was claimed in a tragic accident in 2022. 

Whether a biologist, bird-lover, or someone who just wants to get outside, a national contest is inviting Canadians to connect with nature—right from their own backyards.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC) Big Backyard BioBlitz has returned for its fifth year and is asking southern Manitobans to photograph different plants and animals and share their findings online.

Participants can do so via the iNaturalist app, which not only works for uploading pictures and audio recordings of birds and plants, but for "downloading" new information to curious minds.

Ottawa's new trade minister says he's looking to sign deals in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond — and to convince businesses to actually use the trade agreements Canada has already signed.

"My primary role as Canada's top salesman is to be out there hustling, opening doors for businesses and accessing new markets," Maninder Sidhu told The Canadian Press.

"My phone has been ringing with opportunities because people want to deal with reliable, stable trading partners."

Some residents of Southern Manitoba have been noticing different trends this summer when it comes to insects. And the question has been asked whether our smoky conditions have played a role.

John Gavloski is an Entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture. He says studies have been done with biting flies and smoke. However, he cautions that the tricky part is the impact of the smoke is very dependent on the intensity and the duration. 

"So, trying to make implications to what is happening in Southern Manitoba with the Northern Manitoba wildfires is very tricky," he says. 

When Hilda Gerbrandt walks into the studio with a plate of fresh Rollkuchen, we pay attention. A regular Eagle 93.5 morning show guest, Gerbrandt brought not one, but two kinds of the beloved Mennonite treat for her latest appearance, including the peach-filled Folla Rollkuchen that had everyone buzzing.

“It's something I enjoy. It's something about that my mom taught me. And I think when you have these good childhood memories of mom’s baking or cooking and so on like it's a comfort.” - Hilda Gerbandt, sharing memories of making Rollkuchen with her Mom.