This spring break and for the next year, the Manitoba government is encouraging Manitobans to head out into the great outdoors and visit provincial parks for free, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced today. “In Budget 2025, our government announced free entry to all of our incredible provincial parks for the next year,” said Moyes. “As Canadians explore closer to home, we hope everyone will get out and enjoy our beautiful parks and take in all they have to offer. Whether you love to hike, canoe or just want to relax surrounded by nature, we encourage all Manitobans to visit our provincial parks, as no vehicle permit is required.” Budget 2025 includes an $18-million increase for infrastructure improvements at a number of provincial parks, the minister noted. Projects include new washroom and shower buildings at St. Malo and West Hawk Lake’s seasonal campground. This funding will also support campground improvements and the addition of electrical sites at Spruce Woods, Grand Beach and Hecla/Grindstone provincial parks. For the 2025 season, visitors to Whiteshell Provincial Park’s West Hawk Lake will see a restored Crescent Beach seawall, which will include an accessible ramp and beach access mat. New playgrounds will open at several provincial parks including in the Whiteshell, Clearwater Lake, Winnipeg Beach and Turtle Mountain. “Manitoba is home to more than four million incredible hectares of land and water set aside in 93 provincial parks,” said Moyes. “Visitors can make memories while exploring varied landscapes, including lush boreal forests to perfect prairie parklands and sandy shorelines, or walk through the past on a historic site tour and develop new skills at an outdoor workshop.” Provincial park campground reservations have a staggered opening from Monday, April 7 to April 11. The Parks Reservation Service will start taking reservations for specific campgrounds each day at 7 a.m. each day online at www.manitobaparks.com and by phone at 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1-888-482-2267 (toll-free). While park vehicle passes will not be required for the 2025 season, camping reservation fees continue to apply. For more information, visit www.manitobaparks.com.

Manitoba Labour and Immigration is notifying Manitobans the provincial minimum wage will increase by 20 cents to $16, effective Oct. 1. Updated annually, Manitoba’s minimum wage is regulated through the Employment Standards Code. This year’s increase of 20 cents per hour raised the minimum wage to $16 from $15.80. This adjustment reflects Manitoba’s 2024 inflation rate of 1.1 per cent, rounded up to the nearest five cents. For more information on the minimum wage and other employment standards, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.

The Division 2 championship in the Wendy's Winter Hockey League was decided on Saturday evening, as Southern Seed (pictured above) secured a 5-2 victory over Smitty's Wings, in game 2 of their best of 3 series. Bryson Werbicki-Mallet scored a goal and added an assist, while Rylan Veitch, Tavish Quinn, Mitchell Thiessen, and Eric Sorenson rounded out the scoring for Southern Seed. Of note, Jody Sass was on-hand to present the championship banner as league owner/commissioner Darryl Wolski had to attend to a prior engagement. The Assiniboine Cougars hockey team made it all the way to the 2025 ACHA National Championship Final before dropping a 6-2 decision to the Sault College Cougars. The Neelin Spartans varsity boys basketball team captured the 2024-25 “AAA” provincial championship banner. The Spartans defeated Garden City Zodiacs 76-70 on March 23 in a game played in Winnipeg. Owen Falk was named to the tournament all star team, while Ethan Olson took home the MVP award. The Brandon AAA U18 Wheat Kings hockey season came to end on March 26, as the team was swept in the league final in their best of 5 series against the Winnipeg Wild. The Vincent Massey Vikings hockey team swept their best-of-three series against the Dauphin Clippers in the finals of the Westman High School Hockey League. In baseball news, the AAA Brandon Marlins tryout registration is now available online. Tryouts will be held April 11th-13th and the coaching staff for each respective division has also been announced: Torey Scott 18U head coach, Dylan Haney 15U head coach and Tim Lang as the 13U head coach. The Killarney Shamrocks are your THHL champions for 2024-25. Killarney won the final series 3 games to 1 over the Virden Oil Kings. Ty Enns was named the Playoff MVP after registering 33 points in only 12 playoff games.

The Manitoba government is encouraging campers and nature enthusiasts to mark their calendars, as provincial park campground reservations will open over five days from April 7 to 11, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced today. “Spring is here and Manitobans are looking forward to spending quality time in nature,” said Moyes. “This year, as Canadians are choosing to explore closer to home, Manitoba’s provincial parks offer incredible destinations for adventure, relaxation and discovery. Last week, our government was pleased to announce in Budget 2025 we are making parks entry free for one year.” To accommodate high demand, reservations will once again open in stages over five days to make it easier to secure a spot at favorite provincial park campgrounds, noted Moyes. Before opening day, users are encouraged to check their online accounts, update passwords and review reservation rules. The Parks Reservation Service also offers campsite photos and descriptions to help campers choose the perfect spot. The Parks Reservation Service will start taking reservations at 7 a.m. each day online at www.manitobaparks.com and by phone at 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1-888-482-2267 (toll-free) on the dates listed below: Monday, April 7. – reservations open for all cabins, yurts and group-use areas; Tuesday, April 8 – reservations open for campsites at Birds Hill, Winnipeg Beach and Grand Beach campgrounds; Wednesday, April 9 – reservations open for campsites in all campgrounds in Whiteshell Provincial Park including Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell Lake, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk Lake and White Lake; Thursday, April 10 – reservations open for campsites in all northern and western campgrounds including Asessippi, Bakers Narrows, Clearwater Lake (Campers Cove and Pioneer Bay), Duck Mountain (Blue Lakes, Childs Lake and Wellman Lake), Manipogo, Rainbow Beach, Rivers, Paint Lake, Spruce Woods (Kiche Manitou), Turtle Mountain (Adam Lake), Wekusko Falls and William Lake; and Friday, April 11 – reservations open for campsites in all remaining campground locations including Birch Point, Camp Morton, Hecla (Gull Harbour), Hnausa Beach, Lundar Beach, Moose Lake, Nopiming (Beresford Lake, Bird Lake, Black Lake, Shoe Lake and Tulabi Falls), St. Malo, Stephenfield and Watchorn. On opening days, online users will enter a virtual waiting room before 7 a.m. Depending on traffic, users may be placed in a queue to ensure a smooth booking process. Walk-in reservations and in-person payment arrangements can also be made at 1181 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning April 7 for the parks and facilities described above.

A few interesting things that have popped up over the last two weeks. 1 - Local hockey player Beau Calvert ( 7 years old ) somehow put up 48 goals in Portage at the Portage Cup in 4 games. Next closest goal scorer had 16 goals. Perhaps a new Bedard on the horizon. 2 - Freeze That on 18th Street will feature frozen foods and prepared meals. Check them out - https://www.freezethat.ca/ 3 - Sisson Auto has purchased a car wash that is basically across the road from their auto dealership. 4 - Sugar Shop opens March 27th now what is this business you ask it is hair removal and much more. https://www.instagram.com/sugarshopca/reel/DGv2L7Ty5rg/ 5 - Last point congrats to Tyler Crayston, Russ Paddock and Grant Wilson and the Bobcats Mens V Ball team on winning USPORTS National Championship on Sunday night. Been over 20 years since Jerry Hemmings brought a National Banner to Brandon. Be well all darryl@bdnmb.ca