Steinbach

SASKATOON — Canada’s two national railways are about to enter a stretch of prolonged labour peace with the major unions representing their workers.

“It’s a period of calm,” said Mark Hemmes, president of Quorum Corp., which is Canada’s grain monitor.

“It’s satisfying to know that at least we’re going to have a couple of years of grace where we don’t have to worry about (work stoppages).”

La Verendrye MLA Konrad Narth is urging residents in southeastern Manitoba to remain patient as firefighters continue to battle wildfires in the region. Narth says he has stayed in touch with municipal officials while attending the legislature in Winnipeg. 

Many businesses in Steinbach have changed hours of operation for May 19th.  

Victoria Day is a statutory holiday, creating a long weekend which results in many businesses being closed, or reducing hours.  

Hours for Steinbach on Victoria Day, Monday May 19th are posted here: 

Clearspring center 

The program supports four agricultural societies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba by awarding $10,000 grants each to projects that support rural communities.
 
Garrett Ganden, President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Equipment, says they take pride in being embedded in rural communities in Western Canada.

Last year’s grant recipients were:

The Forestburg Ag Society in Northern Alberta, which received a credit towards a Case IH Farmall tractor to groom its indoor riding arena used for barrel racing and rodeo practice

Another case of avian influenza has been detected, this time in Alberta in a non-commercial, non-poultry flock in Leduc County. 

The premise is under CFIA quarantine and subject to restrictions, bringing the total number of AI cases in Alberta now to two.

Two cases have been found in Manitoba, three in Saskatchewan, and three in British Columbia, including an ostrich farm.

There are now 19 premises across Canada infected with AI.

Numerous countries are dealing with avian influenza.

The rain in Bird River feels like an answer to the prayers of Southland Church, as the bible camp they run continues to be threatened by a wildfire in the area.

On Friday, the church posted on social media that the "fire has somewhat subsided. But we’re not fully out of the woods. It’s raining today—a true answer to so many prayers. But we still need even more rain."

Red Rock Bible Camp has evacuated as a wildfire threat continues to impact several areas in Manitoba, including the Whiteshell Provincial Park. Camp Director Carla Ackermann says the evacuation began after Manitoba Parks decided to close the park on Wednesday evening. 

There were only minor injuries in a train crash Thursday evening, east of Winnipeg.

At approximately 7:45 pm, Oakbank RCMP were dispatched to a report of a train vs tractor collision, two miles east of Deacons Corner 

According to police, a 64-year-old male from the Rural Municipality of Ritchot sustained minor injuries.

Fire and EMS were on scene and CN Police also attended.

CN Police are investigating. RCMP say charges will likely be laid against the tractor driver. 

No further details are available. 

It seems many people living in southeastern Manitoba are hoping for a wet May long weekend this year. Some would say that rainy weather on the Victoria Day long weekend is a typical forecast. But, with wildfires continuing to burn out of control in this part of the province, many are now hoping for soggy weather to squelch those fires. 

UPDATE: 1:25 p.m.

According to the Rural Municipality of Piney, Manitoba Wildfire Service has updated the size of the wildfire in the area to 8904.7 hectares.

This is an increase of more than 1,000 hectares from an update on Thursday, when the blaze covered 7886 hectares of land.