Portage

Kyle Ross, president of the MGEU, confirmed workers returned to their jobs Tuesday after ending a strike that began March 25. The strike involved workers at Michif Child and Family Services in Portage la Prairie, whose office is located on Royal Road S.    
 
Workers with Métis Child, Family and Community Services also returned to work.

The strike involved 330 workers away from their jobs.

Pam Anderson, Regional Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba’s Central Plains Office, has been in her role since this past November.

She explains that she's a psychiatric nurse with over 30 years of experience in Southern Health-Santé Sud’s Seniors Mental Health program. 

The Portage Stampeders Special Olympics team had an amazing performance at the indoor track and field event held last weekend in Winnipeg, with all six athletes competing earning ribbons and qualifying for the upcoming provincial Summer Games in June.

"It was a great weekend," said Deanna Talbot, the head coach of the team.

"We had six athletes compete in a variety of events, including shot put, the 60-meter run, the 200-meter run, and the long jump. Every athlete walked away with a ribbon, so it was a fantastic experience."

Oakville School’s March assembly was a day to remember, as students, staff, and parents came together to celebrate a unique fundraiser led by the student leadership group and Grade 8 student Daniel Tully. In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Daniel shaved his head in front of the entire school to raise funds for new classroom games and to support Central Plains Cancer Services.

Daniel, a member of the student leadership team, came up with the idea as part of a broader initiative to give back to the school.

Legion member Bob Oldford of Portage la Prairie highlights local commemorations for Vimy Ridge Day, including a wreath placed at the downtown cenotaph and flags lowered to half-mast. Vimy Ridge day takes place each year on April 9, and commemorates the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge, which actually placed Canada in a major light on the world scene at the time.

“A pivotal moment in Canadian military history”

Oldford notes the battle marked the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together as a unified force.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Plains is hosting a Big Spike Volleyball Tournament on May 3 at Southport Rec Plex, and it’s shaping up to be a fun-filled day for all participants. This is the first time Big Brothers Big Sisters has hosted a mixed volleyball tournament. Each team is required to have at least three women on the court and promises to provide at least three games for every team involved.

Laura Spelliscy, Mentoring Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters, shared that the tournament is not only about friendly competition but also about supporting a great cause.

Canadian producers will have a new way to make sure they can say their product is upholding sustainability, as the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is unveiling their participation in the Protein PACT Sustainability Framework. The initiative will look to uphold sustainability standards across the country for Canada's beef producers.

Lauren Martin, the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Council for CMC, says that it was made in cooperation with our southern neighbours.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH

MJHL
Semi-Finals - Best of 7
Game 3
Portage 2 Dauphin 1
Dauphin leads series 2-1

MLB
Toronto 6 Boston 1

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9TH

The Manitoba government says adding officers to a police emergency team will help address crime.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says $3.3 million is being directed to double the RCMP emergency response team's current roster of nine full-time positions.

The money is part of a $5.3-million plan announced in last month's budget to boost policing in rural and northern areas.

The province has seen a series of high-profile crimes in recent months, including three break-ins west of Portage la Prairie last weekend that involved armed suspects stealing all-terrain vehicles.

The leaders of the top three federal parties were campaigning Tuesday in Western Canada, where Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to crack down on offshore tax loopholes by appointing a tax task force.

The Conservatives said the task force would be asked to make the rules simpler and more fair and would ensure large companies can't "stash their money in offshore tax havens."