Westman

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that freedom, democracy and Canada "are not a given" in his farewell speech to Liberals just before former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney was announced as the new Liberal leader. 

This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens Canada with economic annexation and places tariffs on Canadian imports coming into the States.

"This is a nation-defining moment. Democracy is not a given. Freedom, it's not a given. Canada is not a given. None of those happen by accident. None of them will continue without effort," Trudeau said. 

Federal Liberals elected Mark Carney to lead their party into the next election in a resounding first-ballot victory on Sunday, putting him on track to soon become the next prime minister of Canada.

This brings an end to an unusually short, two-month long leadership race called to replace outgoing leader Justin Trudeau and clears the path for an expected early election call.

Liberals are gathering in Ottawa on the final day of their party's leadership contest to vote for who they think is best to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the helm.

Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney remains the presumed front runner and as of this weekend has lapped his opponents in fundraising figures by millions of dollars.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, Liberal lawmaker Karina Gould and Montreal businessman Frank Baylis are all vying for the party's top job.

Manitoba's premier says he has spoken with the family of an Indigenous woman murdered by a serial killer, and he hopes the confirmation that her remains have been found during a search at a Winnipeg landfill helps them move forward.

"For so long now, years now, her journey to the next phase with her family being able to grieve her, lay her to rest, have a funeral or however they want to remember (her), has been on hold and disrupted and made the subject of so much public scrutiny," Wab Kinew told reporters at an event Saturday at an Indigenous resource centre.

Brett Lesley Cumberbatch (Hon BA, MEd, PhD Candidate) was born on the island of Barbados on June 7, 1983 and passed away on March 2, 2025. He immigrated to Ontario, Canada as a young child and enjoyed returning to his birthplace over the years.

Funeral For:  Maria Mary Epp nee Penner 
Funeral Date: March 11, 2025 
Maria Mary Epp nee Penner, 93, of Winnipeg passed away Monday, March 3rd at Bethania Personal Care Home. She is survived by 4 daughters, 3 sons, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Helmut. 
A memorial service for Maria Mary Epp nee Penner will be held Tuesday, March 11th at 11am at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharron Bay, with private family interment at Green Acres Cemetery. 
Arrangements by Friends Funeral Service, Winnipeg.  

How do you prepare for the ride of a lifetime? Brandon resident, Grant Hamilton is finding out!

Last year, Hamilton received confirmation that he was to be one of 25 amateur cyclists to participate in Tour 21, a charity ride officially affiliated with the iconic Tour de France to raise money for Leukemia research. 

It came down to the wire, but after scoring two in the 9th end, Team Dunstone watched as Team Gushue's final shot in the 10th was thin, leaving Manitoba the victory to advance to the gold medal game.

The early stages saw the lead change three times in the first three ends.

Dunstone managed to go up 1-0 after the 1st end.

Canada's Gushue responded with 2 in the 2nd, going up 2-1.

Manitoba's rink punched right back, putting up 2 of their own in the 3rd, making it a 3-2 match.

Canada tied it. Manitoba re-took the lead. Canada tied it again.

Celebration of life for: Ruth Kroeker nee Peters 
Celebration of life date: March 11, 2025 
Ruth Kroeker nee Peters, 90, of Altona passed away Wednesday, March 5th at St. Boniface Hospital. She is survived by 2 daughters, 1 son and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Peter J. Kroeker. 
The celebration of life for Ruth Kroeker nee Peters will be held Tuesday, March 11th at 11am at Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church with burial prior to the service at 10am at Altona Cemetery. 

Funeral For:  Gordon Kroeker 
Funeral Date: March 22, 2025 
Gordon Kroeker, 84, of Steinbach passed away Tuesday, March 4th at Bethesda Regional Health Centre. He is survived by his wife Kathy, 1 daughter, 1 son, 4 sisters, 1 brother, several in-laws, and their families. He was predeceased by 1 daughter in infancy and 4 brothers-in-law. 
The celebration of life service for Gordon Kroeker will be held Saturday, March 22nd at 2pm at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.  
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.