Portage

The Canadian Country Showcase, hosted by Courtney Fielder, airs every weekend on Saturdays at 12 PM and Sundays at 4 PM. Courtney engages in conversations with emerging country music artists and the established stars we’ve come to love, celebrating their milestones and new releases. Episode 26 of the podcast, featuring Mallory Johnson and appearance by American guest Chase Mathew, aired on the weekend of November 9th and 10th, 2024.

After 22 years of serving the Portage la Prairie community, the Portage Veterinary Hospital is closing its doors this Friday. The final day of operation was announced Tuesday of this week. 

Dr. Tammy Dunbar, who ran the clinic, passed away, and due to circumstances beyond the family’s control, there’s no one able to take over the clinic.

Brent Dunbar, speaking on behalf of the family, explains that it wasn’t for lack of trying that the clinic is shutting down. The family shars a statement explaining their situation.

Two weeks ago, the United States wrapped up their presidential election, with Donald Trump winning his second terms as president.

Branden Leslie, the Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar, gave his reaction to the news during a recent break in Parliament for Remembrance Day, offering his congratulations to the president-elect.

He notes, however, the news wasn't exactly a joyous occasion for Canadians.

Portage la Prairie and area had its first tase of winter over the weekend with some light snow falling in the region. It turns out that was just the appetizer as Mother Nature may be serving up the main course on Tuesday and Wednesday with 5-15cms of wet snow falling across parts of the region. 

CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner.

“This next combination of systems looks much more likely to bring significant precipitation, both rain and snow, to a larger swath of Southern Manitoba.”

If no political party is willing to say uncle, the drawn-out stalemate in the House of Commons is heading for an unprecedented situation that could amount to a tacit lack of confidence in the government, without anyone in Parliament casting a vote. 

The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have already announced plans to try to bring down the government and trigger an election with a non-confidence motion at the next opportunity. But there's no telling when that opportunity will come, because the House has been gridlocked in a filibuster for more than a month.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government could have acted faster on reining in immigration programs, after blaming "bad actors" for gaming the system.

Trudeau released a nearly seven-minute video on YouTube Sunday talking about the recent reduction in permanent residents being admitted to Canada and changes to the temporary foreign worker program. 

Over the next two years, the permanent residency stream is being reduced by about 20 per cent to 365,000 in 2027.

Two men are to stand trial on human smuggling charges this week, almost three years after a family from India was found frozen to death on the border between Manitoba and Minnesota.

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand are accused of being part of a large operation that brought Indian nationals to Canada on student visas and then smuggled them across the United States border.

The men have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to transport aliens causing serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.

Sunday, November 17th

A news release was issued Friday about the closure of Portage la Prairie Interior Mall. It goes into effect after the final day of this year, December 31.

The release stated that the property is currently listed for sale by the owner and future plans are unknown at this time. Colliers has been proud to manage the property for 25 years and will continue to manage the property. While the interior mall will be closing, Tim Horton’s and RONA, located in distinct units on site, will remain open.

Over the weekend more and more holiday decorations started to appear and in Winnipeg, the annual Santa Claus Parade was held with thousands in attendance.

For Portage la Prairie, the beloved Rotary Santa Parade of Lights is still a few weeks off (Friday, December 6th) but anticipation is starting to build. After several years of rerouted parades due to construction, this year’s event will return to its more traditional route down most of Saskatchewan Avenue, and organizers couldn’t be more excited.