Manitoba Monitor: Weekly news roundup for September 11
- EF1 tornado confirmed in River Heights
The Northern Tornadoes Project has confirmed that an EF1 tornado touched down in south River Heights Sunday evening. The tornado reached estimated maximum wind speeds of 155 kilometres per hour, travelled about two kilometres and was about 150 metres wide. It downed trees and power lines and damaged property, but no injuries were reported. Some Manitoba Hydro customers remained without power for about 72 hours.
- Free youth transit passes roll out in Winnipeg
More than 21,000 Winnipeg students have received free annual youth transit passes through a new provincial pilot program. Passes are being distributed in phases through Winnipeg schools, beginning with students in grades 11 and 12. The province says a family with two children could save more than $2,125 a year compared with buying monthly youth passes.
- Dynacare workers return as province reconsiders private laboratory services
Dynacare laboratory staff returned to work Wednesday after the Manitoba Labour Board paused their strike one day after it began. The board is determining whether the labour dispute requires an essential-services agreement. Roughly 350 technologists and technicians at 22 locations are seeking pay comparable to workers in public laboratories. As the dispute unfolded, Premier Wab Kinew said the province could consider moving Dynacare’s work into the public system in the future.
- Manitoba releases first Net Zero Action Plan
The Manitoba government has released its first Net Zero Action Plan, outlining 90 actions intended to move the province toward net-zero emissions by 2050. The three-year plan is backed by more than $350 million in planned government funding and includes more than $55 million in grants for emissions-reduction projects. The province also announced $4 million for a geothermal neighbourhood at the University of Manitoba.
- Province commits up to $73 million for 821 new homes
The Manitoba government is planning to invest up to $73 million to help create as many as 821 affordable, supportive and transitional homes through a partnership with the federal government and the City of Winnipeg. The plan includes 811 units in Winnipeg and 10 in Swan River. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2027.
- High-speed internet project to reach more than 10,000 Manitoba homes
A $157-million expansion led by Valley Fiber is expected to bring high-speed internet to more than 10,000 underserved rural and northern Manitoba homes. The project combines private investment and federal support and will use previously underused capacity on Manitoba Hydro’s fibre-optic network. The agreement gives Valley Fiber access to that capacity for up to 20 years.
- Dauphin hospital emergency department reopens
The emergency department at Dauphin Regional Health Centre has reopened, restoring 24-hour care more than two months after extensive flood damage forced its closure. The temporary department has in-house X-ray and laboratory services. A mobile CT unit is expected to begin operating within several weeks, while work continues to restore surgery, endoscopy and other services.
- Canada and Ukraine sign 100-year partnership
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have signed a 100-year partnership covering defence, security, trade and reconstruction. Canada also announced a $350-million package for air-defence interceptors and nearly $435 million in new loan guarantees for Ukraine’s energy security. Carney says Canada plans to produce millions of drones within two years, with one-third going to Ukraine.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centr