A flooded farm in southern Manitoba in 2011.

Manitoba government declares a state of emergency to fight flood

Ottawa is sending troops as rising Assiniboine threatens Portage east

The Manitoba government declared a provincial state of emergency at noon today to battle flooding along the Assiniboine River. River levels east of Portage la Prairie are expected to be as high or higher than the historic 2011 flood. This morning Premier Greg Selinger asked the federal government to send in Canadian Forces to help

Man

Flooded Lake Manitoba landowners still seeking additional compensation

Landowners along the Portage Diversion and around Lake Manitoba continue to pursue legal action 
against the province, but the process is a slow one

It’s been more than a year since a group of farmers, residents and business owners launched a $260-million lawsuit against the provincial government and three years since the 2011 flood that sparked it. Yet, those who believe the operation of the Portage Diversion resulted in the flooding of their lands have yet to see legal


Man speaking into microphone

Potato growers still negotiating volumes with McCain Foods

All three processors have cut some producers entirely forcing some out of production entirely

McCain Foods still hasn’t settled on the volume of potatoes it wants Manitoba processing potato growers to produce this year, even though planting is just weeks away. “We know there will be another decrease in volume though (from last year),” Dan Sawatzky, manager of Keystone Potato Growers Association Inc., told the Keystone Agricultural Producers’ general

Manitoba flood bulletin #4: April 14, 2014

Province of Manitoba media bulletin – Summary Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout most of southern Manitoba for the early part of this week. These temperatures are expected to slow melting and run-off. A high water advisory is in place for the Whitemud River from Gladstone to Lake Manitoba due to high flows


Man speaking at a press conference.

Unlikely floodway will be used this spring

With ice thicker than normal, ice jams could be an issue on some rivers 
in the province, and localized flooding hasn’t been ruled out

The province’s March 31 outlook for “near-normal” flooding for most of Manitoba had a wrench thrown into it by a snowstorm in the northern U.S. and southern Manitoba last week. “After the last few springs I’m not sure what normal is; it seems like normal is actually when we have major flooding,” Emergency Measures Minister

Manitoba highest-cost processing potato producer: McCain

Growers, who are negotiating 2014 prices, don’t think the company’s figures are current

Manitoba potato farmers could face steeper cuts in contracted potato production unless they can become more cost competitive with other areas of North America, a senior official with McCain Foods says. Christine Wentworth, McCain Foods’ vice-president of North America agricultural procurement, said in a recent interview Manitoba produces the highest-cost processing potatoes in North America.


Protesting farmers used farm equipment to temporarily block access to the Portage Diversion April 29.   Photo: shannon vanraes

Farmers, government spar over use of Portage Diversion

The channel ‘park-in’ demonstration by Lake Manitoba farmers and landowners 
was aimed at bringing attention to the government’s handling of 2011 flood

A protest by 60 fed-up Lake Manitoba-area farmers and landowners at the Portage Diversion April 29 was still making waves this week as organizers prepared for a court hearing into the province’s injunction against them. Kevin Yuill, who farms about 3,000 acres north of Portage la Prairie, organized the event that saw tractors and heavy

Flood review makes recommendations but assigns no blame

Lake Manitoba flooding might have occurred without the use 
of the Portage Diversion, according to the authors 
of a report on the 2011 flood

Those looking for a clear answer on what caused flooding around Lake Manitoba in 2011 won’t find it in the newly released Manitoba 2011 Flood Review. Completed in conjunction with a regulation review of Lake St. Martin and Lake Manitoba, the report makes 126 recommendations, including the construction of a second permanent outlet structure for


Food Development Centre eyes increased cost recovery

The Manitoba Food Development Centre in Portage la Prairie has raised its rates for the first time in 14 years. Manitoba clients recently saw their rates increase by five per cent, while out-of-province clients have experienced a 13 per cent increase. “These increases are needed to ensure it is recovering cost and to more accurately