Manitoba Monitor: Weekly news roundup for October 2
- PC leader Obby Khan steps down
Obby Khan stepped down as the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba on Monday. He had just survived a no-confidence vote by 13 votes to six. In addition, he resigned from the party’s caucus and will now sit as an independent MLA. Konrad Narth was appointed interim leader of the PCs following Khan’s departure.
- Thousands take part in Healing Walk on Truth and Reconciliation Day
Thousands of people converged on downtown Winnipeg as part of the annual Healing Walk put on by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization on Truth and Reconciliation Day on Wednesday. The walk was meant as a way to honour residential school survivors. The walk was followed by a powwow.
- Manitoba acquires campground to protect Brandon residential school cemetery
The Manitoba government announced Tuesday that it has partnered with the City of Brandon to acquire Turtle Crossing Campground, which contains a cemetery associated with the former Brandon Indian Residential School. According to provincial officials, historical records document the cemetery’s use from 1895 to 1912, with grave markers removed in 1921 when the area became a park. Survivors, affected First Nations, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will guide future decisions about the site.
- Manitoba minimum wage rises to $16.40
Manitoba’s minimum wage increased by 40 cents to $16.40 an hour on Thursday. The annual adjustment reflects the province’s inflation rate for the previous year, rounded up to the nearest five cents. However, the new rate remains below the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ estimated living wages for three Manitoba cities. Its latest report puts the hourly living wage at $20.31 in Winnipeg, $17.40 in Brandon and $18.73 in Thompson, with rising food and transportation costs contributing to the increases.
- Province expands support for young adults leaving CFS care
Manitoba announced new supports Monday for young adults leaving Child and Family Services care, including easier access to temporary financial assistance and a team to help navigate adult services. The measures include up to three months of financial assistance while young adults apply for government support programs. Nearly $1.7 million will also go to seven community organizations serving people aged 18 to 26 with CFS experience who apply for or receive Employment and Income Assistance. More than 650 young adults leave care at age 18 each year, according to the province.
- New funding supports Winnipeg seniors’ organizations
Three Winnipeg organizations will share $182,000 in new provincial funding announced Thursday to support community services for seniors. Black Seniors Support Inc. will receive $53,000 for its seniors’ resource finder, while Golden Rule Seniors Resource Centre will receive $63,000 for its senior centre. Pembina Active Living will receive $66,000 for its resource finder and centre expansion. The funding will be administered through the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Support Services to Seniors program. The announcement coincided with National Seniors Day and the start of Seniors and Elders Month.
- Kinew adds accessibility and first responder roles to cabinet
Premier Wab Kinew expanded his cabinet Monday with new responsibilities for accessibility and first responder initiatives. Tuxedo MLA Carla Compton, a registered nurse, became minister responsible for accessibility, with a mandate to improve access to services for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Waverley MLA David Pankratz, a former firefighter, became minister responsible for first responder initiatives, focusing on mental health and workplace supports. St. Boniface MLA Robert Loiselle takes over Pankratz’s previous role as special envoy for military affairs.
- Manitoba projects $496-million deficit as disaster costs rise
Manitoba’s first-quarter fiscal update forecasts a $496-million deficit for 2026–27, a $2-million improvement over the spring budget. The report, released Tuesday, projects revenues $294 million above budget, largely because of stronger personal income tax revenues and improved Manitoba Hydro earnings. Expenses are expected to rise by $292 million, mainly because of flooding and wildfire response costs. The province also forecasts employment growth of 1.6 per cent this year, compared with the 0.9 per cent anticipated in the budget.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centr