Portage

Here's a look at some of this week's top news photos as selected by editors.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.

A perfect night on the penalty kill was offset by an inability to score on the powerplay as the Northern Manitoba Blizzard waltzed out of Stride Place with a 5-1 victory.

Adler Johnston scored the game's opening goal on a shorthanded break. Cam Bullinger made a nice play to get the puck out of their end, and Johnston did the rest, beating the Blizzard netminder. But that was all the offense would muster.

The Blizzard would tie it just over two minutes later, one second after the Terriers killed off over three minutes of penalties, tying the game at 1.

After moving to Portage la Prairie in 1976, Ruth Brownridge wanted to meet people in her new community. She took some ceramic courses at Cantage's Ceramic Studio, then visited the Arts Centre and came across stained glass artwork. She notes that she had received teaching in painting and pottery, but when Lita Owens gave a course on stained glass, she realized that would be her passion.

"It started small, just working, cutting, and making sun catchers to get the experience. Then as I went along, the pieces just kept getting bigger and bigger."

Negotiations to end a strike by grain terminal workers in Metro Vancouver have stalled, with the employers' association saying it's "disappointed" with the results of two days of talks. 

A statement from the Western Grain Elevator Association says the employer bargaining unit had increased its offer to settle "outstanding issues," but that was rejected.

Global Affairs Canada began booking blocks of seats on the few remaining commercial flights leaving Lebanon on Friday as it issued another urgent plea for any Canadians in the country to leave immediately.

"Canadians need to leave now and we are helping with that," Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on X late Friday afternoon.

"Canada has secured seats for Canadians on the limited commercial flights available. If a seat is available, please take it."

The City of Portage la Prairie took another step forward with Truth and Reconciliation on Friday morning.

Mayor Sharilyn Knox stood alongside every City Council member as they declared September 23 - 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Week in the city and hoisted an Every Child Matters flag.

Knox spoke about the significance of the ceremony in front of a crowd at City Hall.

"As a City Council, Truth and Reconciliation is incredibly important in building partnerships with our indigenous neighbours, citizens and community members."

Sharon M. Braden (nee Stait)

1935 - 2024

The world is looking to Saskatchewan as a key source for agri-food products.

Statistics show non-durum wheat exports have reached $1.7 billion for the current year.

Canola seed and canola oil have hit $1.3 and $1.1 billion respectively, with several other agri-food exports on track to surpass this year's $1 billion export mark.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says the global marketplace is also recognizing Saskatchewan as a provider of the most sustainable products grown anywhere.

The ongoing strike at the Port of Vancouver is estimated to be costing Canada's grain industry $35 million a day in lost exports. 

About 650 Grain Services Workers walked off the job Tuesday morning at the Port of Vancouver over contract issues with the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association (VETA).

VETA represents six grain export terminals Viterra's Cascadia and Pacific Terminals, Richardson International Terminal, Cargill Limited Terminal, the G3 Vancouver Terminal and Alliance Grain Terminal which operate at the Port. 

A couple new names are expected to be lining up for the Portage Terriers tonight as they face off with the newly rebranded Northern Manitoba Blizzard.

Portager Koy Funk has joined the team after training camp in Calgary with the WHL's Hitmen. Alex Thompson was acquired from the Winkler Flyers earlier in the week, and Cale Nachai was brought in via trade with the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.