Neepawa cuts ribbon on nurse training facility

A cohort of 20 nursing students began licensed practical nurse training in January

Neepawa has officially opened the doors to a facility slated to train licensed practical nurses. “Working together, we can achieve that goal by supporting the students here in Neepawa that are starting their journey towards fulfilling careers as future nursing professionals,” said Premier Wab Kinew in a news release on Jan. 22. The Neepawa Training

Premier Wab Kinew speaks at Ag Days in Brandon on Jan. 16.

Funds announced for farmer mental health

Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program bolstered by $450,000 Ag Days announcement

Gerry Friesen, chief administrative officer for the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, was surprised by the news that his organization would have another $450,000 over the next three years to add to their budget. “I feel overwhelmed, he said. “And, you know, a lot of times when you get announcements like this, there’s somewhat of a


Gov. Gen. Julie Payette looks on with Chief of Defence Staff Jonathan Vance (l) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Usher of the Black Rod Greg Peters leaves to summon the House of Commons to come listen to the throne speech in the Senate chamber in Ottawa on Sept. 23, 2020. (Adrian Wyld pool photo via Reuters)

Throne speech commits to rural broadband improvement

Rural health care, water management also on deck

The federal minority Liberal government is promising job creation, better rural internet access and a commitment to combating climate change in its newly revealed legislative plans. In an ambitious throne speech delivered Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s party committed itself to implementing universal child care and extending or enhancing many of the economic measures put

File photo of a quality control check on fresh peppers in a Canadian vegetable packing plant. (Jeffbergen/E+Getty Images)

Laid-off foreign workers may get conditional clearance for other jobs

Workers allowed to start new jobs while permits are processed

Approved temporary foreign workers (TFWs) whose jobs disappeared before they could begin work in Canada this spring can now get much quicker approval to start at other workplaces, including farms, where the workers are needed. The federal government said Tuesday it will, effective “immediately,” temporarily waive its rule requiring a TFW to receive federal approval

A pain-free injection against asthma.

Send them out to the barn

Compound found in animals but not humans 
sparks immunity against asthma

It’s already known that farm kids are less prone to asthma, but a new study by immunologists from the University of Zurich has identified sialic acid found in farm animals as the reason. A university release said this substance is widespread in vertebrates and therefore in many farm animals, but missing in the human organism.


The Glenboro Health Centre is one of many in rural Manitoba to have reduced staff. A local volunteer group is hoping to mitigate that problem.

RMs looking for a few good medical recruits as doctor offices sit empty

Faced with perpetually rotating medical staff, RMs in southwest Manitoba 
have started taking recruitment in their own hands

The medical centre’s doors are open, but the doctor is not in at Baldur in the RM of Argyle. According to Bob Conibear, chair of the Baldur Health Care Committee, the community lost its single physician last year to health problems. The void was then filled by a part-time nurse practitioner and a decision will

Elderly hands on a walker

New models of health-care delivery sought

The province wants Manitobans to offer ideas on how to make right choices and ensure quality care is available for many years to come, health minister says

As Manitoba’s population ages, it’s going to need more personal care beds — well beyond the 1,200 new spots already promised by the provincial government. That frank assessment came from provincial Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living, Kelvin Goertzen, at the annual convention of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities last week in Winnipeg. “The