PembinaValley

Senior federal officials have been looking quietly for ways to bring together Canadians who don't see eye to eye on the economy, immigration and social issues.

With a general election looming, officials prepared to meet last November to brainstorm solutions to the problem of social fragmentation, according to an internal presentation drafted by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to brief Canada's premiers today following his seemingly successful first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Carney and Trump spent about two hours together at the White House, including about half an hour in front of the cameras in the Oval Office, and a private luncheon.

Both leaders were accompanied by senior members of their cabinets and their chiefs of staff.

Manitoba's new Opposition leader says his party wants changes and clarity on a bill by the NDP government that would add gender expression to the province's human rights code.

The bill, now making its way through the legislature, would include protections for people to be called by their preferred pronouns.

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan said Tuesday he has heard concerns by some members of the public who fear people could face a complaint for addressing someone by the wrong gender.

Demand is higher than ever at food banks across Southern Manitoba, but a group of Altona churches have banded together the past couple years to help out the best they can! This year is no exception; they are gearing up yet again to go door to door and pick up your non-perishables tomorrow! (May 7th).

The Conservative caucus has tapped former leader Andrew Scheer to lead the party in the House of Commons when Parliament resumes on May 26 — a role that's needed because Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in last week's election.

"I'll be taking over the parliamentary leadership duties of the caucus until Mr. Poilievre rejoins us in the House," Scheer told reporters after emerging from an all-day caucus meeting on Parliament Hill Tuesday.

For the third time in four days, Manitoba Health is sharing new, additional measles exposure sites in Southern Manitoba. Following announcements Saturday and Sunday, Public Health officials have shared several new exposure locations in the table below.

In the latest update from the province, issued late Tuesday afternoon, a new development was also noted.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump met Tuesday in Washington for their first face-to-face discussion of U.S.-Canada relations and Trump's ongoing trade war.

Here are some highlights from the meeting, which Carney described as both "wide-ranging" and "constructive."

Carney says Canadians will 'never' put a price tag on sovereignty

After months of listening to Trump talk about annexing Canada, Carney told the president in the Oval Office that Canada will "never" be for sale.

According to Winkler Fire Chief Richard Paetzold, the dry and hot conditions have resulted in a burn ban for Winkler and Ward One of the RM of Stanley.  

“We're at Fire Danger Level 4,” says Chief Paetzold.  

Abbey Norek of Gerald is this year's Agriculture Student Scholarship grand-prize $6,000 winner.

Norek's winning video highlighted an urban-rural disconnect when it comes to agriculture. 

She proposed education and advocacy as key solutions to this issue. 

In her video presentation, she talked about her experience building a school garden using recycled materials, leading outreach programs on her family farm, and lobbying for agriculture electives in her school division.  

"Without the people that make up our community, we are nothing." That from Paul Peters, Executive Director of The Community Exchange. The Altona-based organization hosted a 'thank you' supper on Monday, recognizing the crucial role volunteers, donors and service partners play in making the organization what it is today.

"It's the volunteers that are really helping to bring to life some of the vision of who we are."

In 2024, volunteers logged well over 2,500 hours with the organization.