Shannon Dueck

The Member of Parliament for Provencher is calling this week's federal Liberal budget a missed opportunity.

Ted Falk says the Liberals had a chance to demonstrate that they understand government finances. 

"They've indicated in previous comments that they've made that there needs to be now some fiscal restraint," notes Falk. "That certainly was not demonstrated in the budget."

Even though it has been a cold month of March throughout Southern Manitoba, you do not need to search long to find a March that was colder.

Natalie Hasell, with Environment Canada, says so far this month, there have only been a couple days when the temperature rose above the freezing mark in parts of the region. By comparison, Winnipeg is still waiting for its first day above freezing this month as recorded at the two official Environment Canada weather stations in the city, one at the airport and the other at The Forks.

The new leader of the Green Party of Manitoba admits she has taken on a big responsibility. Janine Gibson, who lives south of Steinbach, was elected the party's new leader on Sunday.

"I am excited and humbled at the confidence expressed in my leadership during these challenging times," says Gibson, who is the party's first newly elected leader since 2008, replacing James Beddome. "I have much gratitude to James for his dedication and perseverance as a model for us all."

Lifesaving Society Manitoba is urging everyone to stay off the ice in the southern portion of the province.

Even though daytime highs are for the most part still staying below freezing, spokesperson Dr. Christopher Love says in many places the ice is weaker than it appears. Dr. Love explains that all winter long, the ice is always slightly unpredictable. But, by the time we get to March and early April, it becomes very, very unpredictable and potentially very dangerous.

Our provincial government on Thursday announced details of a multi-million dollar investment towards Manitoba seniors.

Seniors and Long-term Care Minister Scott Johnston says his government is committing $4.5 million in additional investments in six unique programs that offer high-quality services and foster safe, inclusive, and accessible communities.

"We had a very good year in spite of the very different circumstances that we found ourselves in."

That is how the Chief Executive Officer for Steinbach Credit Union is describing their last year. SCU held its annual general meeting on Tuesday and Glenn Friesen says it was a year that saw them get to $9.1 billion in assets and grow to more than 106,000 members.

It was also a year that started with the lowest interest rates in Canadian history and ended with the fastest growing interest rates in many, many generations. 

Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen is in Ottawa today for a meeting on bail reform.

Goertzen says justice ministers met in Halifax last fall and have a unified opinion that bail reform is needed. 

"We're seeing far too many individuals who are violent offenders, who are getting bail very easily and then committing another crime when they are out on bail," explains Goertzen. 

The Manitoba government would like to strengthen penalties against individuals causing wildfires.

The penalty for someone causing a wildfire has not changed in our province since 1998. Legislation has been introduced, and if approved, it will see a substantial increase in fines and length of jail time for convictions.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen is in Ottawa today for a meeting on bail reform.

Goertzen says justice ministers met in Halifax last fall and have a unified opinion that bail reform is needed. 

"We're seeing far too many individuals who are violent offenders, who are getting bail very easily and then committing another crime when they are out on bail," explains Goertzen. 

Our province is in the planning stages of raising the dike at Ste. Agathe. And the public was invited to offer feedback.

Mitch Duval is Chief Administrative Officer for the Rural Municipality of Ritchot. He says public engagement sessions took place yesterday where residents could discuss design options and provide their thoughts.