PembinaValley

Canada's annual inflation rate ticked lower in December, thanks in part to Ottawa's temporary GST tax break, but economists still see interest rate cuts on the horizon as potential tariffs loom.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday the annual inflation reading for December came in at 1.8 per cent, down from 1.9 per cent in November. 

The report noted restaurant food purchases and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration — items which were subject to the tax reprieve, along with children's clothes and toys, among others.

A Blowing Snow Advisory has been issued for the region as strong southerly winds, combined with falling snow are expected to reduce visibility this afternoon. The advisory, issued by Environment Canada is in effect for the Pembina Valley and Red River Valley.

Blowing snow advisories are issued when winds are expected to create blowing snow giving poor visibility to 800 metres or less for at least 3 hours.

The Canadian Country Showcase, hosted by Courtney Fielder, airs every weekend on Saturdays at 12 PM and Sundays at 4 PM. Courtney engages in conversations with emerging country music artists and the established stars we’ve come to love, celebrating their milestones and new releases.

Acclaimed Canadian musician Loreena McKennitt receives one of the highest honors in the country’s music industry this spring: induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The live ceremony will take place on May 15, 2025, at Studio Bell in Calgary, Alberta. McKennitt joins an illustrious group of inductees that includes Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Shania Twain.

Coming off a magical season and playoff run that ended by hoisting the Turnbull Cup, Brody Beauchemin, the heart and soul of the Winkler Flyers, believes this group is ready to do it all again.

With the recent 12-game winning streak getting much of the attention, Beauchemin says it's great to see the group finding different ways to get the job done. "We're playing the right way, everyone is buying in and doing their part to help us win", the veteran forward says. "We're sticking to our system and it's working out for us."

Funeral For:  Norma May Harder 
Funeral Date: At a later date 
Norma May Harder, 77, of Morris formerly of Rosenfeld, passed away Monday, January 20th at Boundary Trails Health Centre. She is survived by 1 sister, and 3 brothers. She was predeceased by her parents Erdman and Nelly Harder. 
A memorial service for Norma May Harder will be held at a later date, with ash interment at Rosenfeld Cemetery. 
Arrangements by Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler. 

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Donald Trump's suggestion that he will impose sweeping tariffs on Canada on Feb. 1 is "nothing new," and insists Canada has plans ready for several possible scenarios.

LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stepped out of a cabinet meeting in Montebello, Que. to deliver a statement to reassure Canadians after the newly installed U.S. president signed a stack of unrelated executive orders Monday evening.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested his administration could move ahead with with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports on Feb. 1. 

He delivered the deadline on Monday evening at the White House as he signed a stack of unrelated executive orders. 

"We are thinking in terms of 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada because they are allowing vast number of people, Canada is a very bad abuser also, vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in," he told reporters Monday night.

The Winnipeg Jets suffered a disappointing 5-2 defeat to the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center last night, marking another tough outing for a team struggling to find consistency.

Barrett Hayton led the charge for Utah, recording a goal and two assists. Clayton Keller added a goal and an assist, while Logan Cooley extended his goal streak to a career-high four games. With the victory, Utah (20-19-7) secured back-to-back home wins for the first time since November 13. Goalie Connor Ingram made 23 saves to anchor the team’s solid performance.