Portage

Cancer survivors in the Portage la Prairie and Central Plains region are finding strength, comfort, and connection through a free yoga program offered by Central Plains Cancer Services and led by instructor Lynn Bereza.

Creating space for healing

The program began in early 2025 and has quickly become a vital part of the local support network for those touched by cancer.

Bereza says the classes are tailored for anyone, no matter what stage of treatment or recovery they’re in; man or woman, survivor or fighter.

The City of Portage la Prairie has officially proclaimed September 22 to 26 as Truth and Reconciliation Week, leading into the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The announcement was marked by a proclamation and flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on September 19, where community members gathered to honour survivors of residential schools and reflect on the importance of learning from Canada’s past.

The rollout of the national dental care program is improving, industry representatives say — but political statements are still driving a misconception among patients that the program will cost them nothing.

"When the plan was initially announced, the government of the day continually talked about free dentistry, free dental care," said Dr. Bruce Ward, president of the Canadian Dental Association.

The Liberal government has introduced legislation to create four new hate-related criminal offences — including one criminalizing the use of Nazi and terrorist-related symbols.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser said Friday the bill would make it a criminal offence to wilfully promote hate through the use of hate symbols.

That designation would apply to two Nazi symbols — the swastika and the SS bolt — and symbols of designated terrorist entities. The maximum penalty would be two years in prison.

Central Plains Cancer Services Executive Director Sharilyn Knox says every spot is filled for the upcoming Beyond Cancer Wellness Retreat. Participants will travel from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to take part in what she calls the only program of its kind in Western Canada.

Seniors in Portage la Prairie are coming together to celebrate culture, tradition, and community through the first-ever Diversity Fair, hosted at the Herman Prior Activity Centre. The event, held September 16, is made possible by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.  

Event organizer Bonnie Bieganski explains that the funding helped turn an idea into reality by giving seniors a chance to connect with resources and each other.  

Parents in Manitoba will have a new way to protect their newborns from serious illness this fall and winter, thanks to the arrival of a new RSV antibody.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, commonly known as RSV, is a seasonal virus that circulates in late fall and winter, often causing typical cold symptoms. For most people, it passes quickly, but for some babies, particularly newborns, RSV can be far more dangerous.

Liberal MP Kody Blois says to expect more high-level visits to China, as Canada tries working out a trade spat targeting Canadian canola.

Blois is the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and he joined Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on a visit to China earlier this month to advocate for Beijing to drop its tariffs on Canadian canola.

China imposed significant tariffs on Canadian canola this year following Ottawa's move to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

The Manitoba government is moving ahead with a major highway safety project north of Winnipeg. A tender has been issued for $18.3 million in upgrades to Provincial Trunk Highway 8 near Gimli, where four new passing lanes are planned.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor says the decision comes after years of complaints about the busy route, which sees high volumes of cottage traffic as well as commercial transport. She emphasizes that safety is the driving concern for the project.

If you’ve been holding onto old household items because they won’t fit into your garbage cart, your chance to clear it out is right around the corner. The City of Portage la Prairie is launching its first bulky waste pickup next week, giving residents a chance to put large household items on the curb for collection.

The new program comes as part of the city’s transition to the waste cart system, which replaced the old $2 garbage tag method last month. Jocelyn Lequier-Jobin, director of operations, says this pickup is designed to fill the gap.