Westman

Manitoba has become the first province in Canada to declare a Men's Mental Health Awareness Week. And Manitobans can thank Dawson Trail PC MLA Bob Lagasse for making this happen.

In November of 2022, Lagasse went public with his mental health struggles. Lagasse addressed the Manitoba Legislature, sharing what he had been battling in recent months. The MLA said that he came to the realization that his mental health was not where it needed to be, noting he had been getting very hyper-focused on thoughts of self-harm. 

Canadians gathered Monday in cities and towns across the country to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.

Here are some scenes from Remembrance Day ceremonies across Canada.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) held its annual lobby day in Ottawa on Oct. 22., 2024.

CFA President Keith Currie was pleased with the result.

"We obtained just over 40 meetings with elected Senate office staff, ministerial staff. It was, we felt, a very successful lobby day and then we copped it off at the end of the day with a reception. We had nearly 250 people attending, elected, and people from the Senate and industry stakeholders. All in all a very good day."

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay also provided remarks.

An echoing peal of cannon fire signalled the start of a moment of silence in St. John's, N.L., and throngs of people along the city's two main downtown streets fell quiet and bowed their heads.

Canadians gathered Monday in cities and towns across the country to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon paid their respects in a Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. 

Environment Canada's Senior Climatologist says southern Manitoba has now gone 15 consecutive months where the average temperature was warmer than normal.

David Phillips says the streak continued in October, noting it was not even close.

According to Phillips, the average afternoon temperature in last month was 14.6 degrees Celsius, while the normal is 10.5 degrees. Phillips says when you consider that daylight hours are less in October and the sun is lower in the sky, it is alarming to see such high average temperatures in October.

Former B.C. judge Randall (Bud) Wong remembers getting out of bed early one morning when he was five to greet his uncle at the train station in Vancouver at the end of the Second World War in 1945.

His uncle Delbert Yen Chow was returning from India after years of service as an infantryman.

“I remember very vividly my uncle coming off the train, and he was wearing his army uniform and knapsack,” said Wong, 83. 

“We were so happy to see him that we took him home, and then he came to live with us.”

Canadian Army veterans are healing their psychological wounds with some help from equine friends.

Since starting equine therapy last June, Christian has regularly visited Mirabel's Equi-Sens stable, about 33 kilometres north of Montreal, to see the horse that has helped him “to be at peace.”

Today is Remembrance Day, and we’re sharing the story of Roland’s Brenda Major who has written a song inspired by her late grandfather’s service during The Great War. It's called "In the Field" and poignantly reflects on the importance of remembering those who served and gave their lives for our freedoms, especially as time continues to blur those battles of the past. 

Mennonite Collegiate Institute's (MCI) new Principal is well into her first school year in the role. Londa Backlund joined the faculty in July of this year, and brings an extensive education background including teaching at an independent Christian school in Winnipeg, and her hometown public school in MacGregor.

She has a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, alongside her Education degree from U of M with four teachable subjects including English, Math, Psychology and Religion.

Elisha Bambridge had a goal and two assists and Jason Bowles chipped in with four assists as the Virden Oil Kings defeated the Hartney Blues 7-5 in the lone Tiger Hills Hockey League game on Sunday. Mark Agnew and Taylor Wells had two goals each for the Blues.