Portage

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says the NDP will not be granted official party status because the law says a party needs at least 12 seats to be recognized.

The NDP was reduced to just seven seats in last month's election.

Interim NDP Leader Don Davies has told The Canadian Press he spoke with the Prime Minister's Office about obtaining official party status for the NDP in the House of Commons.

Davies pointed to several past instances of provincial legislatures granting party status to an opposition party.

MPs are returning to Ottawa for the opening of the 45th session of Parliament, and among them is Alberta Foothills MP John Barlow, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food. Barlow is gearing up for what he describes as a challenging time for both the country and the agriculture sector, particularly due to ongoing trade and tariff issues.

SUNDAY, MAY 25TH

Manitoba Junior Baseball League
Interlake Blue Jays 6 Pembina Valley Orioles 5
Interlake Blue Jays 3 Pembina Valley Orioles 4

Altona Bisons 0 Carillon Sultans 10
Altona Bisons 0 Carillon Sultans 9

King Charles is set to open a new session of Parliament on Tuesday, seated in a throne that incorporates a piece of English walnut from Windsor Great Park, a preserve of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.

The Royal Family connection is especially appropriate given that the Queen was the first sovereign to deliver a speech from the throne in Canada, a role usually fulfilled by the Governor General.

James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk–Interlake–Eastman, says he is honoured to continue serving as the Conservative shadow minister for national defence—a role he’s held consistently since 2015, with the exception of a brief post-election stint in 2019. 

The Fort la Reine Museum in Portage la Prairie is set to enhance one of its cornerstone displays, thanks to a $4,575 grant from the Manitoba government.

The funding, delivered through the Community Museum Project Support Program, will support interpretive signage improvements for the museum’s CP Rail exhibit.

The grant is part of a broader $315,000 investment announced by the province to mark International Museum Day. A total of 34 museums across Manitoba are receiving project-specific support to help preserve and share the province’s cultural heritage.

Manitoba's municipal leaders are eager to see the federal Liberal government follow through on key election platform promises that could affect local communities. From supporting economic growth to investing in infrastructure to achieving housing affordability and keeping communities safe, communities like Portage la Prairie could benefit. 

Talks between Canada Post and negotiators from its union are expected to resume over the next few days, its union said Sunday after the two parties met amid warnings of mail delivery delays tied to a national ban on overtime for postal workers.

In an afternoon statement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its negotiators had "worked hard to carefully evaluate" Canada Post's latest offers and prepare responses ahead of the day's meeting with the employer and the mediators. 

With a hotter, drier-than-average summer forecasted for Portage la Prairie and surrounding areas, the recent death of a rescued bear cub is casting a sobering light on the often unseen impact that wildfires have on wildlife. The incident prompts renewed calls for caution and awareness as fire season is only set to intensify.

Enns Brothers in Portage la Prairie came alive this past Saturday as families and community members gathered for a fun-filled day of activities, fundraising, and local engagement. With over 250 visitors Enns Brothers 'Day of Play' delivered big fun for the whole family! The event featured everything from face painting and BBQs to prize draws and pet adoptions, making it a highlight of the season and a true celebration of community spirit.

Gary Bohn, General Manager at Enns Brothers, reflected on the success of the day.