Portage

With a snap federal election on the horizon, Lisa Tessier-Burch stands as the New Democratic Party’s candidate for Portage Lisgar. In a recent interview with Portage Online News, Tessier-Burch shared her views on tariffs, water infrastructure, housing, and more, underscoring the NDP’s commitment to everyday Canadians.

Tariffs and Diplomacy

Q: Tariffs have added economic pressure lately. Does the NDP feel it’s responsible to continue pushing for retaliatory tariffs, or is more diplomacy needed to avert a potential crisis?

Medical emergencies can develop in an instant for anyone.  

Even if someone collapses or has a serious accident a block away from the hospital, the fear, uncertainty, and pressure of the moment can be earth-shattering.  

What happens, then, when the same thing happens kilometres away from a hospital, in the remote and sometimes harsh expanse of nature or farmland?  

For Paula Johnson, who was bucked off her horse on a birthday expedition that had already taken her across water, through an elk herd, and past grazing cattle, there was no going back. Only up.  

Residents of Elie are raising pressing questions about looming economic and social policies, with tariffs and Indigenous relations dominating local conversations.

“It’s a wait-and-see” on tariffs

Darren Dalrymple, an agriculture worker, focuses on impending tariff changes.

“It’s supposed to happen Wednesday, aren’t they? And yeah, how they will affect our whole community, our country,” he says. “We’re in agriculture, and we have family in the car industry. What’s going to happen to them?”

With spring break in full swing, Portage la Prairie has events for families and kids of all ages to enjoy and make the most of the week.

The Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA)'s daily activities are a great way to stay active and have fun indoors. Zapphira Major, Recreation Manager, explains what events you can find at Stride Place this week. 

Every Monday, the Portage Learning Literacy Centre (PLLC) buzzes with laughter and the rustle of pages as children aged 7–10 gather for a book club designed to support immigrant families. The program, which launched in February 2025 with funding from First Book Canada and TD Bank, offers free books, snacks, and activities, making a welcoming space for kids to grow their English skills while connecting with other youth.

Portager Jack Klippenstein is making another trip across the Atlantic Ocean to compete in an elite tournament in Italy. Klippenstein has been working on his game with the U13 Central Plains Capitals, which has a team in action for the first time in about 15 years, he says.

Klippenstein's journey to Italy began with his impressive performance in Calgary.

The drama continues at Oak Tree Towers in Portage la Prairie. Portage MLA Jeff Bereza delivered a Private Member’s Statement at last week’s Manitoba Legislative Assembly, outlining ongoing ordeals at the facility as residents remain fearful of what might happen next.

Bereza issued a stark warning about deteriorating conditions at Oak Tree Towers, a once-peaceful 55-plus housing complex now plagued by crime and neglect. Speaking in the legislature, he detailed disturbing accounts from seniors who describe feeling trapped.

The expectation is we should all see immediate relief at the pumps today as the consumer carbon price is officially set to zero.

Liberal leader Mark Carney, shortly after winning the party's leadership race, signed an order in council making the removal official on April 1st. The carbon price came with a quarterly rebate to offset the cost of inflation; the final rebate will come in April.

From Portage Terriers Marketing Director Cody Buhler

The Portage Terriers finished off their first round series with the Steinbach Pistons on Monday night picking up a close 3-2 win on home ice.

After starting slow in game five, the Terriers came out strong in the deciding game six. Dawson Madden opened the scoring for Portage, tipping in a point shot midway through the first period. The goal seemed to wake up the Pistons who got on the board two minutes later from Brayden Barnett.

Many workers in Manitoba are set to see a slight increase in their wages this fall.

The Manitoba government says the minimum wage is to go up by 20 cents to $16 an hour.

The increase is to take effect on Oct. 1.

Manitoba's minimum wage is updated annually and tied to inflation.

The government says the latest increase reflects the province's 2024 inflation rate of 1.1 per cent.

The federal minimum wage for employees in the federally regulated private sector is $17.75.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2025.