Fire Bulletin #35 - Residents returning home after a mandatory evacuation are reminded that while the immediate risk to communities may have decreased, wildfires are still active in the region

The Manitoba Wildfire Service is reminding residents returning home after a mandatory evacuation that while the immediate risk to communities may have decreased, wildfires are still active in the region. Smoke and visible flames may still be present. Manitobans are reminded to stay informed by regularly monitoring wildfire updates.

The community of Bissett lifted its mandatory evacuation as of 8 a.m. June 17. An estimated 80 evacuees have started returning home.

Wildfire evacuees continue returning home in Manitoba, Saskatchewan

Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles.

Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system.

"Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning," said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page.

Sick notes add to pressure on health-care system, Manitoba doctors say

The group that represents physicians across Manitoba is stepping up its campaign to restrict the use of sick notes.

Doctors Manitoba says physicians field requests for more than 600,000 sick notes every year from employees who take time off work, and that takes time away from treating patients.

The group is asking the Manitoba government to follow most other provinces and set limits on how employers can demand sick notes.

ADOPT funding announced

Saskatchewan's Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) projects, and Strategic Field Program (SFP) benefit from Federal-Provincial Sustainable CAP funding.

Farmers benefit from the practical, short-term research projects conducted through the ADOPT, which they can then use on their own operation.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, more than $1.4 million was invested in six SFP and 32 ADOPT projects.

Canada pledges $4.3B in support for Ukraine as Carney, Zelenskyy meet at G7

Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined $4.3 billion in new support for Ukraine's defence as he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister's Office said that sum includes $2 billion for weapons like drones, ammunition and armoured vehicles — funding that Canada will count toward its NATO defence spending target.

Canada is also lending Ukraine $2.3 billion to help the embattled country rebuild its infrastructure.

Revamp coming for Canada’s national pig code

Canada’s Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Pigs is up for review, a process expected to be compete by 2028

Canada’s national pig code is getting an update.

‘We’ve launched the code of practice with the National Farm Animal Care Council,” said Stephen Heckbert, executive director of the Canadian Pork Council.

The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs will be guided by the development process set out by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the spearheading body for Canada’s various livestock codes.