Manitoba Environment, Climate and Parks continues to advise all provincial park and campground visitors to carefully check and monitor conditions before heading to provincial parks this spring as some campgrounds and trails are closed to help protect the health and safety of Manitobans. Updated details on closures and advisories due to flooding and spring weather conditions are available at www.manitobaparks.com. Travel is not advised in Nopiming Provincial Park and all canoe routes are closed in Nopiming and Manigotagan River provincial parks. Some trails in Whiteshell Provincial Park are also closed. Openings originally scheduled for May 13 have been delayed at the following campgrounds: Nopiming and Manigotagan River provincial parks, all backcountry canoe routes and campsites are closed until further notice; Bird Lake, Beresford Lake, Black Lake, Shoe Lake and Tulabi Falls campgrounds in Nopiming Provincial Park are closed until at least June 2 due to overland flooding; St. Malo Provincial Park, campground opening is delayed until at least May 20 due to soft ground, wet conditions and no washrooms due to frozen water lines; Adam Lake, Max Lake and William Lake campgrounds in Turtle Mountain and William Lake provincial parks, opening is delayed until at least May 20 due to wet conditions and saturated ground; Brereton Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park, closure of some seasonal sites due to flooding; Caddy Lake campground, including all nightly camping and some seasonal sites and Falcon-Toniata seasonal campground in Whiteshell Provincial Park, opening will be delayed until at least May 20 due to wet conditions and saturated ground; Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore seasonal sites and West Hawk Lake including West Hawk Trailer Village in Whiteshell Provincial Park have some site closures until at least May 20, including all full service sites and some sites in low lying areas; White Lake Campground in Whiteshell Provincial Park is closed until at least June 2 due to high water levels and flooding; Rivers Provincial Park campground, partial closure of some sites in low lying areas until at least May 20, due to wet conditions; Stephenfield Provincial Park, some sites will be closed until at least May 20 due to water supply; and Lake St. George Provincial Park campground is closed until further notice due to flooded access roads. Manitoba Parks staff are closely monitoring this evolving situation and assessing conditions daily. Campgrounds slated for a May long weekend opening, especially those in higher elevations such as the Duck Mountains, Porcupine Hills and those in northern Manitoba, are still reporting a substantial amount of snow and may also experience further delays. Closures may be extended if flooding and high water conditions continue. Reservation holders and seasonal campers will be contacted and their fees refunded if their campsite is affected by a closure. Campers should not pre-emptively cancel reservations before being notified of a site closure, otherwise cancellation policies will apply. Services such as drinking water and washrooms may also be limited or reduced in some areas as a result of late spring conditions which are delaying the seasonal setup and operation of water lines. Campers are advised to plan accordingly for potential service reductions and pack adequate drinking water. An update will be issued next week for campgrounds scheduled to open May 20. Park visitors are asked to report any significant trail flooding or maintenance concerns to the local park district office. Park visitors should also check www.manitoba511.ca for road closures and potential detours before travelling to parks.

Glen Kirkland never imagined entering another war zone after being severely wounded in Afghanistan in 2008, but that’s just where he’s finding himself once again. When he heard about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he knew he needed to help, and within a day or two had a one-way ticket booked. Kirkland has many connections here in Westman after living in Shilo and Brandon while serving with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry from 2004-2014. After being seriously injured in Afghanistan, Glen was medically released from the military and found a new way to serve community as a real estate agent and was also a proud supporter of many great causes here in Westman. Glen later chose to relocate to British Columbia to be near family and enjoy a different pace of life. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Glen was enjoying working with his dad, Don, at their business leapcertified.com, training police cadets as they prepare for their careers. We caught up with Glen to ask him about his service in Ukraine. What made you want to go to Ukraine? I wouldn’t say anything made me want to go… I would more so say I knew I had to. Previously, I have been in positions where I’ve been able to help people, and when I heard the news of the invasion, I booked my flight within a day. Having been in a war zone in Afghanistan, I have seen first hand the suffering of innocent people. This was an opportunity to help again, in a place where the help was really needed. I am thankful I am in a place in my life where I am able to help. What are you doing there? When I arrived in Poland, I was able to get connected with a group of people who were collecting supplies and delivering them to Ukraine to those in need. The supplies we are delivering are very basic necessities…deliveries consist of food, medicine and essential medical equipment. So, I am based in Poland and spending many days doing these deliveries to Ukraine. I’ve also been helping women, children, and vulnerable people evacuate Ukraine. After I’ve delivered supplies, I drive evacuees back to Poland. From there, they typically go to Germany, Chzec, Canada, or some stay in Poland. How has the war impacted Ukrainians? What do you see happening? The war has impacted Ukrainians in many different ways. It has split families, and many lives have been lost. The destruction to their infrastructure is unimaginable. It’s also made farming incredibly difficult, so I imagine food shortages will be another challenge ahead. When I was in Afghanistan, I saw awful things that I hoped to never see again. Coming here, I have witnessed the worst humans can do to other humans. My heart feels truly broken from this experience, as the suffering I have seen is real and deep. I pray that Ukrainians will be victorious in protecting their borders and their people. What’s been the most rewarding? When I give people rides out of the country, it’s not lost on me that they are leaving their lives and homes behind. They may be separated from family. They’ve experienced significant trauma. The women and children have no reason to trust me. When they first hop in, many times it’s been a bit awkward. With the help of google translate, kinder eggs, and my questionable sense of humour, these rides end in hugs and a connection/bond I know will last a life time. I joke that I turn the van into a magic school bus. It’s rewarding to get these people to safety. The encouragement I have received keeps me going and I am in good spirits. Thanks very much to the people that are supporting me. To the people who have supported the gofundme, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have never been one to ask for a handout, but the financial support is helping me to stay as long as I can, and help as many people as possible. Once again, thank you! If you are able, please consider helping Glen in his efforts by donating to the gofundme.

BDNMB columnist Keith Borkowsky met with Jean and Michèle Charest last week to talk about politics and national unity. I never thought I would see the day when a Conservative would be criticized by another Conservative for being successful working in the private sector. Yet in watching a debate between candidates seeking the Conservative Party leadership, hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, I actually witnessed a leading candidate attack another for having used his skills and abilities to cut taxes in one of Canada’s largest provinces, create a better economy and also set the stage for Canada’s modern environment policies. I saw a candidate criticise a man who literally saved Canada from division and separation during the Quebec sovereignty referendum in 1995, and put an end to Quebec separation as a legitimate national threat for more than a generation. Division is, in a microcosm, the defining problem facing Conservatives across Canada and the United States. These divisions, save for an Stephen Harper government, have only served Liberals well. It did little for Canada, especially those supporting better economic circumstances for all. These divisions have ensured Conservatives fill the pews at Our Lady of Perpetual Opposition. It’s clear the Conservative Party has done a poor job over several election losses of convincing Canadians they have a cohesive, focussed alternative that benefits all regions of the country. They have failed to attract people without a party affiliation or convince them a Conservative government can deliver leadership on issues that matter to them. They have failed to show Conservatives can work with people who are opposed to them, and deliver results that make a difference. They have failed to show Conservatives can be the adults in the room, working with other countries to solve global issues and work to improve our national defence in light of emerging geopolitical challenges. Canada needs big projects, like oil and gas pipelines to bring our natural resources to Canadian and foreign markets. Even electric cars need plastics after all. Yet the candidate who helped build the last oil and gas pipeline in Quebec was the one being criticized for not being Conservative enough. That needs to stop. Populist policy has only divided Conservatives, and as we have seen in the United States, breeds only further division. No other party wants a litmus test to prove members belong. If you support free markets, building a better economy, sensibly reducing government bureaucracy yet ensuring the rule of law and order is maintained, you are Conservative. Leaders should welcome people into the party, not chase them away and because they aren’t Conservative enough for their liking. Stephen Harper understood this. A unified Conservative Party that adds allies to its ranks will beat politics by division and subtraction every time. Don’t just take it from me. I was at the 1993 Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention, as a supporter of Charest. Very disappointed and disillusioned with the end result, I met a man who had been on the same flight as me to Winnipeg. Like me, he was standing around waiting for his luggage and we started a conversation. He was interested in hearing about the convention. Upon hearing of my disappointment, assured me the pain of defeat would subside, and that I should continue to stay strong in my beliefs and convictions. That advice had served him well after a major setback in his own career. He also told me this: “Don’t worry. You’ll see. Jean Charest will be a fine Prime Minister one day.” That man was Jean Chretien. Even Liberal politicians know who initiates their most likely retirement plan. It is clear from the last several federal election results, and especially last week’s leadership debate, the Conservative Party needs a proven bridge builder and statesman to get back into power. It needs Jean Charest.

The City of Brandon invites interested residents to pick-up free soil amendment & woodchips this Saturday, May 14th, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., weather dependent. Pickup is available at the City of Brandon Parks Complex (2020 McGregor Avenue). As there are limited quantities available, this giveaway is on a first come, first served basis. This self-serve depot is open to residents only. Commercial businesses looking for soil amendment should contact the Eastview Landfill at 204-729-2281. Those picking up either soil amendment or woodchips should bring their own shovels and containers. Maximum 60 L or three 5-Gallon pails per household. Soil amendment is the perfect organic amendment for planters, flowerbeds, gardens, lawns, and all plants. It is recommended that soil be blended with soil amendment at a 3-1 ratio. Too much soil amendment could be harmful to soil and plants. For more information on this giveaway, please visit brandonenvironment.ca or call 204-729-2171. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: BPS News Release On Saturday May 7th, 2022, at approximately 3:27 pm, police had received several complaints regarding a male subject who was observed spray painting fences and other property along Richmond Avenue. As a result of members of the public contacting police, we were able to make an arrest on a 23 year old Brandon man and charge him with Mischief to Property Under $ 5000.00