Westman

Manitoba's NDP Budget 2025 Meets the Moment by Building Schools and Hospitals to Keep our Economy Strong

Budget 2025 invests a record $3.7 billion in capital projects, noted Sala, which includes new schools, emergency rooms (ERs) and personal care homes, and critical infrastructure to keep Manitoba’s economy moving.

"I think the first reaction from most of us on the official opposition side was, 'Was that it?' shares Grant Jackson, MLA for Spruce Woods and the Official Opposition Progressive Conservative Critic for Education and Early Childhood Learning.

Disappointments continue for our MLAs in southwestern Manitoba in yesterday's Provincial Budget 2025.

"Very disappointed," says Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt. "A lot of recycled announcements from when we were in government, things that the NDP cut when they came into office and now are renouncing again.  So, while I'm happy to see them going ahead, it's really not much of a new news budget."

"But rural Manitoba was pretty much left out of this budget," says Greg Nesbitt.

The Manitoba government is hiking capital spending and introducing new tax rules in a deficit budget aimed at safeguarding the province from tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump.

The NDP government said the threat of prolonged tariffs from the U.S. and China cannot be ignored, and new public spending and tax changes will protect jobs.

“We didn’t start this fight, but we are not backing down,” Finance Minister Adrien Sala told reporters Thursday.

“We’re Trump-proofing our economy.”

Stolen Vehicle Recovered

While attending a separate incident a vehicle was recovered in a driveway on Queens Crescent. The vehicle was previously reported stolen by Minnedosa RCMP. Forensics Investigations Unit analysis resulted in fingerprints of a 31-year-old male. The male was located and arrested on a Possession of Property Obtained by Crime charge. He was later released on an Appearance Notice with a court date of June 2nd, 2025.

Arrest Warrants

Hamiota volleyball star Ella Gurr was part of the University of Manitoba Bisons team that captured a National Championship and the athlete/musician says this group is special both on and off the court.

"It was absolutely amazing," Gurr says thinking back to the weekend. "We came into the National tournament, we were prepared, we battled our hearts out and we won. It was absolutely lovely."

Funeral For:  John R. Friesen 
Funeral Date: March 23, 2025 
John R. Friesen, 93, of Steinbach passed away Sunday, March 16th at Resthaven Care Home. He is survived by his wife Tina, 1 daughter, 2 sons, 3 sisters, 1 brother, and their families. He was predeceased by 1 grandson, 2 sisters, 8 brothers-in-law, and 7 sisters-in-law. 
The funeral service for John R. Friesen will be held Sunday, March 23rd at 2pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with burial at Heritage Cemetery. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to call a federal election on Sunday for a vote as early as April 28.

Sources would not confirm the specific date of the vote, but federal campaigns must run at least 37 days.

This will be Canada's 45th federal election.

Canada's political parties have been mobilizing campaigns by nominating candidates and organizing leaders' tours.

Carney was elected as Liberal leader to succeed Justin Trudeau on March 9 and was sworn in as prime minister along with his new cabinet on March 14.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Wednesday that China has executed four Canadians in recent months.

The minister said all four were "dual citizens" and were all "facing charges linked to criminal activities according to China, linked to drugs."

"This is an issue that I've been following very, very closely, personally, for months, and I've asked personally also (for) leniency," Joly said, adding former prime minister Justin Trudeau also urged China not to execute the Canadians.

As you're driving down country roads in the springtime you might happen to see the bright purple clover growing in the ditches, or the tiny wild yellow lady-slippers, or the striking bright oranges of wild tiger lilies or the soft violet wisps of the three-flowered avens, otherwise known as prairie smoke.  And of course, the softest purple of the prairie crocus often pokes their heads up in pastures while the snow is still on the ground.  Spring is coming and so are the native wildflowers of Manitoba.

With polls suggesting U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration's use of punishing tariffs are a top-of-mind issue for Canadians ahead of the upcoming federal election, Trump has now offered his thoughts on which political party he would rather work with.

"I'd rather deal with a Liberal than a Conservative," Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham Tuesday.

During the interview he reiterated his call for Canada to become a U.S. state and his false claim that the U.S. subsidizes Canada by $200 billion a year.