Portage

Canada's ministers of finance and procurement have given officials in charge of most federal contracting 45 days to come up with a plan to review all existing and planned federal contracts to find ways to save money.

The directive made by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound is the latest cost-savings directive from the federal cabinet as Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to cut government operating spending by 15 per cent over the next three years.

The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end "no sooner" than Dec. 1, the NHL announced Thursday.

The players, who are all unrestricted free agents, can sign with a team on Oct. 15 as they wait for full reinstatement.

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart were all charged with one count of sexual assault stemming from an encounter with a woman after a 2018 gala celebrating the world junior team's gold medal. All five pleaded not guilty when the trial opened in April.

The historic Portage la Prairie Train Station, a once-bustling gateway for royalty, prime ministers, and generations of settlers, now stands quietly in the heart of the city, its grandeur fading into memory.

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada has updated its National Drought Monitor Map now that the stats are in from August (2025).

Trevor Hadwen, an agroclimate specialist with AAFC says drought conditions improved throughout western Canada; however, eastern Canada saw conditions deteriorate significantly. 

Constable Evan Joseph Keith Lilley
November 6, 1996 - September 6, 2025
Sunka Wankan Wambdi Gleska Hoksida - Spotted Eagle Horse Man

A serious two-vehicle crash near Gimli on Wednesday afternoon has left one driver in hospital and another shaken but uninjured.

On September 10, around 2:50 p.m., Gimli RCMP were called to the intersection of Highway 8 and Highway 229 after an SUV and a semi-truck collided.

According to the RCMP, the SUV had been seen earlier driving erratically north on Highway 9 in the RM of St. Andrews. Less than an hour later, that same SUV was involved in the crash.

Prime Minister Mark Carney named the first five projects on the federal government's fast-track list on Thursday — part of his plan to attract outside investment and bolster the Canadian economy.

The projects include planned energy development, mining and port infrastructure projects from the West Coast to Central Canada.

The government also released an expanded list of projects not quite ready for prime time that includes additional initiatives in Eastern Canada and the North.

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says he met with the family of Kellie Verwey, who was killed in a January crash involving James Hilton, and shared their frustration and grief over Hilton’s recent disappearance before being arrested Tuesday afternoon in Winnipeg.

“I had an opportunity to sit down with Kellie Verwey’s family yesterday and hear directly from them, hear their frustration, hear their anger, and quite frankly, share in that frustration and that anger,” notes Wiebe.

Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment is embracing a busy September with the launch of its fall programming and the debut of a thought-provoking new art exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Monique Martin.

The centre’s wide range of fall programs include classes in dance, visual arts, theatre, and wellness for all ages.

"We've got so much happening," said Lee Beaton, Programming Director at Prairie Fusion.

"Whether it's dance, visual arts or wellness and enrichment programs, it's all starting next week."

Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox aligns with the majority of municipalities in Manitoba calling for federal investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. A recent survey shows 82 per cent of respondents believe Ottawa should provide more funding to municipalities for these essential projects. Knox says the numbers confirm what local governments already know: upgrades are urgently needed.