Portage

Portage la Prairie’s housing market faces intense pressure due to critically low inventory, driving competition and price surges—especially for south-side homes and rural acreages—according to local realtors Ryan Espey and Ashley Reid.

While the city core maintains balance, high demand and scarce listings fuel a seller’s advantage, with multiple offers becoming commonplace in coveted neighbourhoods.

Balanced city core, rural rush

Realtor Ryan Espey characterizes the urban market as steady but constrained.

When the current Portage la Prairie council began its term, Mayor Sharilyn Knox made a decision that set this administration apart: each councillor would serve a term as deputy mayor. The idea, says Joe Masi, now serving in that role, was to give every member a chance to understand the responsibilities involved.

“I think it was a really good idea. It gives everybody an opportunity to experience the role of deputy mayor,” Masi says.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is urging workers to reject Canada Post's latest contract offer.

Union national president Jan Simpson says a strong no vote would not only reject the offer, but also protect the integrity of the bargaining process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board will hold the vote on the proposed deal starting next week.

Canada Post is at an impasse with the union representing roughly 55,000 postal service workers after more than a year and a half of talks.

THURSDAY, JULY 17TH

Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Playoffs
Game 1
Elmwood Giants 8 Pembina Valley 1

Canadian Elite Basketball League
Calgary Surge 93 Winnipeg Sea Bears 89

American Association Baseball
Winnipeg Goldeyes 3 Sioux Falls Canaries 4

The head of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army regiment has been temporarily removed as part of an investigation into alleged online behaviour that the commander of the army says disgraced the military.

The commanding officer of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa has been removed from his post in connection with a probe into the "Blue Hackle Mafia" social media group, Lt-Gen Michael Wright said in a statement to army ranks Wednesday and shared with The Canadian Press Thursday.

Systematic government collection and analysis of data about mysterious sightings in the sky could help Canada better prepare for incidents like the sudden appearance of several high-altitude balloons over North America two years ago, says a report from the federal science adviser.

One of the balloons, which wafted above western Canada in early 2023 before being shot down off the U.S. coast, apparently originated from China and carried sophisticated equipment.

The balloon episodes generated intense public speculation before fading from the headlines.

Close to 13,000 people in Manitoba were out of their homes Thursday due to wildfires, but hundreds were finding space in hotels rather than in congregate shelters, the province said.

Since Monday, officials said they've found spots for 705 more people in hotels, while others are staying with family and friends or in one of four shelters in Winnipeg.

As of Wednesday night, there were about 7,000 evacuees in hotel rooms and about 1,200 in shelters, a government spokesperson said. 

Ten hotels were added to a list of 58 across the province already offering rooms.

The search of a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two slain First Nations women has concluded with a new search soon set to begin at a different site for another victim.

The Manitoba government announced Thursday that crews finished looking last week through the Prairie Green landfill, just north of Winnipeg, for remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. They were among four First Nations women murdered by serial killer Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. 

"Together, we brought Morgan and Marcedes home," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said in a social media post. 

If you’ve found yourself reaching for a sweater more often than usual this July, you’re not alone.

Locals have been quick to notice this summer has felt cooler and more unpredictable than usual. Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says there’s a good reason for that.

The All Canada Classic Sheep Show returned to Brandon this past weekend, bringing together sheep producers from across the country to showcase breeding stock and connect with fellow industry members.

With about 250 sheep for sale and attendees from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, the event marked a milestone for the national sheep industry.

A local success story

Brandon last hosted the national show in 1981, and the event remained here for three years before moving westward across the country.