PembinaValley

If you have enjoyed the heat in May, you are in for a treat this summer. The Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada has released his summer weather outlook and says the month of May is a sign of things to come.

Weather forecasters use the meteorological calendar, which means summer starts on June 1st and ends on August 31st. David Phillips is forecasting those three months to be warmer than normal for the entire province of Manitoba. He notes each of those three months is expected to be warmer. 

The U17 Morden Eagles claimed the 2025 Boston Pizza Players Tournament championship over the weekend and Vanessa Franz says winning with this group made it extra special.

Steve Chaboyer from Adult and Teen Challenge is encouraging Pembina Valley residents to grab a fishing rod and make a difference in the 2025 North American Fishing Challenge, a unique, app-based fishing tournament happening on June 14. 

“I work the Pembina Valley Office in Winkler,” Chaboyer explained. Though not a seasoned fisherman himself, “I try to be... I go fishing and I sometimes catch,” he said, eager to hit the water with a friend as part of a growing group of local fundraisers. 

As wildfires continue to displace thousands across northern Manitoba, the City of Winkler remains on standby, prepared, but so far unused. Despite converting the Meridian Exhibition Centre into a full-scale evacuation shelter in recent days, no evacuees have yet arrived. 

Wendy Klassen, assistant city manager for Winkler, says the city has not received an official directive to receive evacuees and remains in a holding pattern. 

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is expected to introduce a bill today spelling out the federal government's next steps on border security.

The recent throne speech promised legislation to bolster security at Canada's borders and new tools for police and intelligence agencies to help them stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and its precursors.

The government also said the Canada Border Services Agency will be given new powers to examine goods destined for export to prevent the movement of illegal and stolen products, including cars.

The federal government plans to work urgently to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday.

"The Canadian government is engaging with its Chinese counterparts at the ministerial level and we'll continue those discussions," Carney told reporters after meeting with premiers in Saskatoon.

"They're a top priority for us." 

The commitment came in a statement after the meeting and it says premiers want Canada's trading relationship with China to improve. 

Manitoba politicians reached a deal to speed passage of a free trade bill Monday, hours before the legislature was to break for the summer. More than 30 other bills were also set to be approved on the last day of the spring sitting.

The trade bill, based on a deal with Ontario, would remove trade and labour barriers for some goods and services between Manitoba and other jurisdictions that pass similar laws. Other provinces have recently joined the effort, as part of a national plan to boost the economy and respond to tariffs imposed by the United States.

Chase Stegall, the 20-year-old son of Winnipeg Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall, has died.

The Blue Bombers confirmed the news in a statement shared Monday by team President and CEO Wade Miller.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Chase Stegall, beloved son of Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall,” said Miller. “Chase was a bright and talented young man with a promising future, and his loss is felt deeply across our entire Blue Bombers family.

We had a fantastic time celebrating our May Classroom of the Month in Altona!

This month, we visited a Grade 7 class at École Parkside School and were met with so much energy and excitement. The students were a blast to hang out with, and we had some great conversations about what it's like to be in grade 7, what their favourite summer treats are, and more.

A big thanks to our Classroom of the Month sponsors for helping us make the day extra special with some great prizes. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Monday hotels in Winnipeg are opening up to thousands of evacuees who have fled their homes due to raging wildfires.

Speaking ahead of the premiers' conference in Saskatoon, Kinew said some 1,000 hotel rooms are being made available for evacuees in the province's capital city.

"Nobody wants to sleep on a cot for more than a day or two, even in an emergency," Kinew said.

"We're connecting folks who need those enhanced accessibility supports first and then broadening it out to everybody else who needs help, too."