Portage

Western Crop Innovations (WCI) has hired a new Executive Director.

Monday marked the first day on the job for Trevor Sears.

Sears has more than 30 years of leadership experience in Canada’s agriculture sector. 

He recently served as president and CEO of Canada Pork, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the global competitiveness of the Canadian pork industry. 

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu on Wednesday called on Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 postal workers to return to the bargaining table and hash out terms for binding arbitration, with the two sides still far apart on key issues.

In a social media statement Wednesday, the minister also asked the Crown corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to continue to work toward a deal outside of that process.

A One-Stop Shop for All Things Battery

Borderland Battery Distributors has officially opened its doors in Portage la Prairie, bringing with it a massive selection of batteries and chargers for everything from tractors to ATVs. The shop, located at 2533 Saskatchewan Avenue West in the former Ag West building next to McDonald's, is part of a growing Manitoba network with existing locations in Morden, Brandon, and Thompson.

Today, June 5th, is Manitoba Day of Caring for Wildfire Evacuees with broadcasters across the province joining together to support those displaced and evacuated due to the fires raging across parts of Manitoba.

As wildfires continue to threaten communities, 920 CFRY, Mix 96 and Country 93 will be giving Manitobans the opportunity to show their care and concern.

A canoe, soon to be filled with flowers, is now part of Portage la Prairie’s growing downtown beautification efforts.

The newest addition to the west end of Saskatchewan Avenue West is a joint project between the Holiday Avenue Project committee and the local Manitoba Métis Federation chapter.

Lori Carlson-Judson, a member of the Holiday Avenue Project executive, says the canoe is their second installation of its kind. The first installation took place on the east end of town.

Motorists in Portage can soon show their support for the fight against prostate cancer with a new specialty licence plate from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).

The Ride for Dad plate was officially unveiled during the annual Ride for Dad event in Winnipeg on May 31 and will be available to the public starting July 14.

The plate can be ordered through Autopac brokers or any MPI service centre.

Safeguards have been written into the government's border bill to ensure civil rights and due process are upheld in proposed immigration regulations, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Wednesday.

Critics and advocacy groups are calling the wide-ranging border security legislation a threat to civil liberties in the immigration and asylum system.

One proposed change in the legislation would prevent people from making asylum claims if they've been in Canada for more than a year.

The government's reply to the throne speech was adopted in the House of Commons Wednesday. 

It was adopted "on division," meaning no recorded vote was held. It does not need a vote in the Senate.

Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steven MacKinnon said on social media that the adoption of the speech sets the stage for a "strong and focused agenda."

"We have a clear mandate to deliver on priorities for Canadians and build a strong Canada — and we're going to do just that," MacKinnon said. 

Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space who went on to become a high-profile federal politician, has died at 76 years old.

MPs rose for a moment of silence in the House of Commons tonight at the request of government whip Mark Gerretsen.

Garneau was a pioneer in Canada's space program.

He later entered politics, serving as a Liberal member of Parliament for a Montreal-area riding between 2008 and 2023. 

He held many cabinet positions in Justin Trudeau's government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Transport.

Portage la Prairie City Councillor Joe Masi has been re-elected to the Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), continuing his role as Manitoba’s voice in national municipal discussions.

Now heading into his third term, Masi says the FCM board advocates for municipalities across the country, making sure local priorities are heard when it comes to federal policies and funding.