Letters, Jan. 3, 2013

We welcome readers’ comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator. In most cases we cannot accept “open” letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. Please forward letters to Manitoba

New Prairie Improvement Network launches this week

The Prairie Improvement Network (PIN) is the new name for what will now be the former Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council (MRAC) as its advocacy role for rural development expands in a post-federal funding era. Since its formation in 1996, MRAC has administered Manitoba’s share of federal Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) funding to jump start


Farmers decry plan to put transmission towers in fields

Bipole III will see 148-foot-high towers placed mid-field in a swath of farms 
stretching from Langruth to St. Claude and nearly as far east as Steinbach

Manitoba Hydro just doesn’t understand modern farming and its Bipole III route will cause headaches across much of the province’s farming heartland for decades to come, a series of witnesses told the Clean Environment Commission over the past several weeks. The southern portion of the multibillion-dollar transmission line is slated to come down south of

OUR HISTORY: November 18, 1982

Our November 18, 1982 issue reported on Manitoba Pool’s decision to withdraw from the Manitoba Farm Bureau, which was then the province’s general farm organization. The bureau had favoured a recommendation by University of Manitoba economist Clay Gilson, who had been appointed by the federal government to evaluate whether the Crow freight subsidy should be


Water management, northern development cited in throne speech

Churchill’s role will grow as province pursues initiative to boost northern prosperity, speech says

New research to track phosphorus flow from flood-prone areas will be one component of a comprehensive surface water management strategy coming for Manitoba, the speech from the throne stated November 19. New research looking at the role of wetland conservation and restoration, and risks to watercourses from toxic algae is also promised. “Our government recognizes

Province admits to flooding from Shellmouth operations

The Manitoba government now admits there was some “artificial flooding” downstream from the Shellmouth Dam this summer and has promised compensation. But the chair of the Assiniboine Valley Producers Association is wary and fears farmers won’t be fully compensated because of the narrow definition of artificial flooding in the Shellmouth Dam Act. “They say if


Province wants municipalities to amalgamate

Fewer and larger rural municipalities are on the horizon with last week’s throne speech calling for mandatory amalgamation of the province’s smallest local governments. Ninety-two of Manitoba’s 197 municipalities no longer meet the Municipal Act’s population threshold of 1,000. Many of these now have fewer than 500 constituents and some even less than 200. Yet,

Think-tank report boosts farmers’ green credentials

KAP president says this year’s combination of flooding and water scarcity shows it’s time for “a rethink”

Manitoba farm groups are lauding a report from a leading think-tank that backs the idea of rewarding farmers for their role in protecting the environment. The report from the non-partisan Macdonald-Laurier Institute is further evidence “that incentive programs like ecological goods and services are going to be much more effective at meeting society’s objectives than


Explore Manitoba’s parks off-season

If you’re one of those who can’t manage a holiday during the busy summer and fall seasons, don’t be afraid to take off-season drives or holidays around our province. Hotels usually have plenty of space available and may even offer special off-season deals; it’s often possible to make last-minute bookings. You can watch the forecast

First Crystal City publisher also became premier

The Courier Publishing Company Building, located at 218 Broadway Street South in Crystal City, is the province’s oldest and best remaining example of the once numerous small print shops and community newspapers that sprang up in newly established towns across southern Manitoba during the bustling 1870-1920 settlement era. It also possesses important connections with Thomas