The Manitoba government has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to curb the use of private for-profit nursing agencies in the health-care system as part of a multi-pronged approach to increase the number of public nurses working in health care and reduce mandatory overtime rates for those nurses, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today. “The previous government’s health-care cuts created a cottage industry of private for-profit agencies,” said Asagwara. “These agencies benefited from a situation where nurses had gone too long without a contract and in frustration left the public system. These for-profit companies perpetuated a cycle of burnout and mandatory overtime that hurt patients and exhausted nurses, all while they raked in revenue. While we’ve taken many steps to staff up the front lines, treat nurses with the respect they deserve and change the culture throughout the system, this is another important step. We’re saying enough is enough. It’s time to stop giving for-profit health care the advantage.” In the past, Manitoba has held hundreds of distinct contracts with more than seventy private for-profit agencies with little-to-no policies on how to limit those agencies’ impact on the nurses working in the public system or the rates they charge to publicly funded service delivery organizations, noted the minister. This RFP will support work to reduce the number of contracted agencies at prices that ensure the majority of health-care funding is directed to public front-line workers and their patients. “This is a crucial step in preventing for-profit businesses from exploiting both financial and human resources,” said Darlene Jackson, president, Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU). “The Manitoba Nurses Union, under the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, has been advocating for this change for years.” The rampant use of private agencies served to exacerbate pressures on front-line staff and was a key factor in the government’s contract with Manitoba nurses, noted the minister, adding the RFP is a step forward in the government’s commitment to reduce mandatory overtime rates for nurses working in the public health system. The first step was to ban service delivery organizations from signing new agreements with private agencies, the minister noted. The Manitoba government, in partnership with MNU, also worked to expand a travel nurse team that offers the flexibility many nurses are seeking and has directed service delivery organizations to make joining the travel team as seamless as possible. The nursing contract incentivizes those working with private agencies back into the public system by offering to accept them at their previous seniority level. The province has also taken steps to hold agencies accountable to patient care by ensuring they assign nurses with the right training and skills to work in whatever unit needs coverage, added the minister.

Possess Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose / Possession of Prohibited Weapon On December 3rd at 11:43AM while patrolling in the 100 block of 5th St, a vehicle with unregistered plates was spotted by a BPS member. A traffic stop was conducted in the 500 block of Princess Ave and the driver wasn’t able to produce identification. A throwing style knife was seen on the floor and through further search of the vehicle a pair of nun chucks were located as well. The 25-year-old male is from Ontario. He was held in detention cells with court in the morning on December 4th, 2025. Drive While Suspended / Failure to Comply with Undertaking / Resist Arrest On December 4th at 1:15AM police conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of 15th Street with a Manitoba plated truck. A 35-year-old male driver tried fleeing on foot. He was apprehended a short distance away and was combative and resistant. The male was found to be a suspended driver and bound by an Undertaking with a No Contact Condition of the passenger in the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were arrested, held in BPS detention cells and will attend court in the morning on December 4th, 2024.  

On December 2nd at 3:09AM a 32-year-old woman called from a hotel in the 800 block of Middleton Avenue stating that her 45-year-old male ex-partner had assaulted her and wasn’t letting her leave. The male had punched the female in the stomach three times after she declined sleeping with him. He is bound by two probation orders and a release order, each of which contain a No Contact Condition. The male was arrested in the parking lot and held in detention cells for court in the morning on December 2nd, 2024.

Manitobans are now better able to plan safe winter travel thanks to “Track My Plow”, a new snowplow tracking feature that provides real-time updates on Manitoba 511, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today. “Manitobans know that winter storms are a part of our lives and the new Track My Plow app will help Manitobans plan their winter commutes without having to even look out the window,” said Naylor. “Track My Plow will not only save drivers time but will help improve the safety of Manitoba’s roads during winter. I’d like to thank our snowplow operators, who are out in all sorts of weather to clear our highways, for their hard work.” The new tracking feature, available on Manitoba 511’s website and smartphone app, will allow users to track active snowplows and where they have been for the past two hours. When combined with descriptions of road conditions and closures, drivers can make informed decisions before travelling this winter. “CAA Manitoba congratulates the Manitoba government on the launch of this new technology, which we believe will be welcomed by Manitobans as they navigate our roads, streets and highways this winter,” said Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations, CAA Manitoba. “We are in full support of innovations that increase road safety in our province. As part of our road safety advocacy, we remind motorists that planning your route is one of the most effective ways to avoid needing a tow and avoiding the dangers of being stranded. We believe that this app can significantly help drivers make informed decisions to safely reach their destinations.” For more information on Manitoba’s Multi-Year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/mti/myhis/index.html. Up-to-date information on highway conditions including detours, restrictions and road closures is available at www.manitoba511.ca/ or by calling 511. The Manitoba 511 app is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play: www.manitoba511.ca/about/mobileapp.

Photo: Assiniboine College News The McCain Foundation has donated $200,000 to Assiniboine College to support the expansion of its greenhouse facilities. This generous contribution follows a commitment of $100,000 to the college’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture earlier this year. “The McCain Foundation is proud to support initiatives that recognize the environment, and promote sustainable practices,” said Ann Evans, Chairperson of The McCain Foundation. “With this $200,000 donation, we are investing in hands-on learning experiences and supporting agriculture programming at Assiniboine, helping to build a strong, sustainable future for agriculture in Manitoba and beyond.” The greenhouse expansion, located at the college’s North Hill campus, will connect existing spaces such as the grow plots, orchard, and weed identification garden to provide students with a comprehensive environment for hands-on learning. Through the expansion of the greenhouse, students will gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, spaces and equipment that will allow faculty and students to expand their work in addressing industry demands and tackling challenges at both local and global levels. “As part of the college’s Applied Research Strategy, the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment works to address sector challenges and respond to industry needs,” said Dr. Nicole Gaudette, Dean of the Edwards School at Assiniboine. “Collaboration with industry partners, like The McCain Foundation, is vital for our students' success. This support will not only support the expansion of our greenhouse facilities, but also enable students to be a part of industry-driven projects that equip them with the skills needed for green-collar jobs to contribute to a low-emissions economy. We extend our thanks once again to The McCain Foundation for their recognition and support.” Assiniboine continues to advance the future of agriculture through initiatives like the greenhouse expansion, an integral complement to the future Prairie Innovation Centre that will expand infrastructure further, and introduce new programs that drive growth, innovation, and sustainability within the agriculture sector. The Prairie Innovation Centre will serve as the central hub for agricultural education, applied research and innovation at Assiniboine, enabling enhanced opportunities to strengthen industry partnerships.