Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press

Manitoba became the first province Wednesday to sign on to a new federal funding plan for crisis hotlines that help victims of gender-based violence.

The province will receive up to $1 million over four years so that crisis centres can do things such as hire more staff and train more volunteers.

"We know that crisis hotlines are a lifeline for women fleeing domestic violence," Marci Ien, the federal minister for women and gender equality and youth, said.

"Timely connection to support and services can, and often is, the difference between life and death."

An Indigenous leader in Manitoba was removed from his job Friday after being accused of sexual harassment.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs voted to drop Arlen Dumas as grand chief during a closed-door meeting in Winnipeg. Dumas had already been suspended without pay after a staff member lodged a misconduct complaint against him in May.

"There are policies that need to be put in place and women that need to be protected," acting grand chief Cornell McLean said following the non-confidence vote among chiefs, which passed by a 30-13 margin.

The Manitoba government said Thursday it will not appeal a court ruling that found the province was wrong to claw back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal benefit payments to kids in child welfare.

The government also appeared open to calls for it to return the money, which Indigenous leaders have said totalled more than $300 million.

"That is certainly on the table for discussion," Families Minister Rochelle Squires said.

"We certainly respect the ruling and we also respect and acknowledge that amends need to be made."

The federal and Manitoba governments announced a combined $147 million Wednesday to support a rail line through northern Manitoba with a history of service disruptions and delays.

The money comes on top of $157 million pledged by Ottawa since 2018 to change the ownership of the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill, and to make repairs and upgrades.

"It's a sign that it's a very ambitious project, it's difficult terrain, and progress has been made," Dan Vandal, federal minister of northern affairs, said of the ongoing funding.

Tucked away in a sparsely populated stretch of prairie along the world's longest undefended border, the International Peace Garden has, for 90 years, quietly celebrated the friendship between Canada and the United States.

The openness between the two countries is clear here.

A small creek marks the border, and people walk freely over it and back again as they stroll among gardens, ponds and monuments. It's quiet enough to hear the gentle buzzing of bees among the flowers, some of which are laid out in the form of the Maple Leaf or the Stars and Stripes.

Manitoba could have a new statutory holiday to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by September, Premier Heather Stefanson says.

"Certainly, I would like to move on it and I just want to make sure we go through a respectful consultation process," Stefanson said in an interview this week.

"I don't want to see it as (just) a holiday. This is about a remembrance of truth and reconciliation."

A statue of Queen Victoria that was toppled and beheaded by protesters last year outside the Manitoba legislature is beyond repair and will not be restored.

"It's gone through a lengthy assessment process and is not repairable," Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said in an interview.

Trying to replicate it is also out of the question, Goertzen said, because it would cost at least $500,000.

"I know it will be disappointing to many people — it won't be recast — but that's the decision."

The Manitoba government said Wednesday it will provide $2.5 million to Indigenous groups to help find and commemorate unmarked graves at former residential schools.

The money, initially promised last year, is to be shared between groups including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Manitoba Inuit Association. 

The Indigenous groups, not the government, will decide how to spend the money.

Manitoba's natural resources minister stepped down from cabinet Monday and said he would resign his legislature seat within two weeks.

Scott Fielding, also minister responsible for liquor and lotteries, is going to pursue opportunities in the private sector, a government news release said. It did not provide details.

"Public service is extremely important but also means making great sacrifices to family life," Fielding wrote in a social media post.

The Manitoba government is open to the idea of a wide-ranging review of its taxes to remain competitive with other provinces, Premier Heather Stefanson said Thursday.

"We're always looking at better ways to deliver services to Manitobans and being competitive with other provinces is absolutely key to that," Stefanson said during a question-and-answer session with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.