Michael Blume

Looking ahead, and thinking of the future, Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie is thrilled for several things, including the birth of his first child. The MP announced in a year-end interview with PembinaValleyOnline sister-portal, PortageOnline.

Top of mind for the new year, said Leslie, is the hope of having a healthy baby who inspires him to pave the way through politics for the generations to come.

Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie says he has been battling for local farmers and producers at Parliament Hill with Bill C-234, after having participated in its creation. 

With the focus of the nation's attention on carbon tax and all of Manitoba's eyes on our gas tax holiday, we take a look back at 2023 and how prices fared throughout this last year.

Canadians for Affordable Energy President, Dan McTeague, says everyone expected things to be a repeat of 2022. That was when the highest prices ever paid in Canada for fuel prices hit the highest on average of about $2.14 a litre in June of 2022.

2023 has been a hallmark year for Branden Leslie since he was elected the Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar in June.

The Conservative offered up a few highlights since that time. 

The Association of Manitoba of Municipalities saw 2023 as a great both for advocacy and business, especially for business. That's from President Kam Blight. 

"First of all, we will take the approach of just trying to get to know the ministers and starting to build some relationships."

That's Association of Manitoba Municipalities President Kam Blight on today's start to their multi-day Fall Convention in Brandon. A ministerial forum will be one of the highlights, co-chaired by Blight and Premier Wab Kinew. The convention will also include many breakout and resolution sessions. 

"On behalf of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, I'd like to congratulate Premier-Elect Wab Kinew and the entire NDP government on their victory Tuesday," said Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) President Kam Blight following the NDP's Tuesday night election win.

"AMM is certainly standing by and ready to work alongside the NDP to help continue to grow Manitoba," added Blight.

He made reference to some of the elements in the NDP's campaign platform that relate to the efforts of the AMM.

With Portage-Lisgar MP Branden Leslie in Ottawa for his first week, specific issues of local concern were tackled. He says the carbon tax is most definitely the biggest one. 

"I heard that at every doorstep," notes Leslie. "People hate the carbon tax. They know it is just driving up the cost of everything. If you tax the farmer that makes the food, you tax the trucker that ships the food, you tax the grocery store and it ultimately cost more for Canadians."

Branden Leslie was sworn in at the House of Commons on Monday morning and entered into his first day on the job as the freshman Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar on Parliament Hill. 

They day began with his swearing-in ceremony, surrounded by many family members and friends who helped in his campaign. 

Southport Aerospace's first Commercial Tenant Grant Award was presented on July 7th to Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Canada.  Southport’s Director, Business Development, Deanna Talbot, presented ACE’s Manager Alfred MacLaren with a $2,500 cheque.

MacLaren says they put the money toward a project to upgrade their lighting system.