The Redboine Watershed District (RBWD) has named Nicolas Jobin recipient of its 2025 Watershed Award, recognizing his exceptional stewardship and transformative impact on Manitoba’s agricultural landscape.

A lifelong advocate for sustainable farming, Jobin grew up on his family’s mixed-operation farm near Saint Claude. Established as a dairy farm by his father, the operation shifted in 1996 to produce beef, pork and grains. After graduating high school in 2003, Jobin balanced seasonal farm work with earning a welding certification, honing skills he later applied to his agricultural projects.

At 22, he returned full-time to the farm, partnering with his father. By 2008, he spearheaded the farm’s Organic Certification process, and by 2014, he and his wife, Leanna, were direct-marketing organic beef and pork while expanding grain production. Driven by a passion for cattle and land preservation, Jobin set his sights on transitioning the farm entirely to ranching.

In 2016, mentorship from seasoned ranchers guided his shift to a dedicated cattle operation, emphasizing rotational grazing and pasture management. Today, the couple—alongside their four children—run a regenerative ranch featuring cow-calf and backgrounding operations. Their practices prioritize soil health and ecosystem resilience, ensuring productivity for future generations.

A cornerstone of Jobin’s work is his collaboration with RBWD’s GROW program. He designed an innovative water retention system using swales—shallow channels—along the ranch’s elevated areas, paired with dams and culverts to slow and divert water flow. These swales maximize groundwater infiltration by directing excess water across sandy terrain, replenishing potholes and reducing downstream erosion. The project enhances wildlife habitats, curtails nutrient runoff and bolsters water accessibility for livestock by recharging local aquifers.

RBWD praised Jobin’s dedication to watershed health, noting his efforts will mitigate flood risks and promote long-term ecological balance. He will be formally recognized at the Manitoba Association of Watersheds Annual Conference in Brandon this December.

Éliot Grondin didn't let up, defeating Frenchman Aidan Chollet in Sunday's big final about 24 hours after clinching the men's snowboard cross overall World Cup season title in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.

This week Westman saw fun family time at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, and important announcements made.  We also saw a great fundraising opportunity for the Boissevain playground, as well as an upcoming info day on zebra mussels in Killarney!  

Blustery weather didn't keep the smiles away at the Royal Winter Fair!

From the Royal Farmyard to the Royal Courtyard to the main arena and everything in between there were plenty of smiles to go around! 

It was the typical snowy, blowy, winters-come-back-kinda' day but that didn't stop folks from travelling to the Keystone Centre to spend the day with animals, horse and cattle events and competitions and of course the all the fun and games with dogs, clowns and farm animals.

Here are just a few of the wonderful smiles (some silly!) that I caught just in time through the camera's lens.

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Bill 222 aims to protect property owners from trespasser lawsuits

One would think when someone is trespassing, breaks the law and hurts themselves, or damages their vehicle, that all rights would be waived where the perpetrator has no right to sue the homeowner, or landowner, for damages.  However, that is not the case.  Over a week ago Opposition House Leader and Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson introduced new legislation to protect property owners from unjustified lawsuits by criminals who are injured while trespassing.

Bill 222, The Occupiers' Liability Amendment Act, would protect property owners from being held legally responsible if someone illegally enters their property intending to commit a crime and is injured or killed.

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Teamwork continues in Manitoba to eradicate wild pigs

Wild pigs continue to pose a threat to rural Manitoba as they contaminate water sources, damage natural habitats and farm crops, and can spread up to 89 different diseases to commercial and small-scale livestock.

"What really points to the presence of pigs are signs like rooting in pastures," explains Dr. Wayne Lees. "When pigs start to root in a pasture, it looks like a rototiller went through it. If you see a patch of wild grass or a pasture that looks like it's been plowed or rototilled, it's a very good sign that pigs are there."

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Assiniboine College expands Practical Nursing Program in Southern Manitoba

Assiniboine College’s Practical Nursing program is preparing to welcome new students in two growing Manitoba communities, with intakes announced for Steinbach in September 2025 and Neepawa in January 2027.

“Every year, we are proud to offer our Practical Nursing program in many communities across Manitoba. Rural sites, like these in Steinbach and Neepawa, are integral to our mission to meet provincial and regional healthcare needs,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. “We’re looking forward to bringing this program to those in the Steinbach area, and back to Neepawa—both growing communities with growing healthcare needs. To the students in these areas considering their next chapter in healthcare, we say welcome to Assiniboine.”

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Province commits to $300K to 4-H Manitoba over next 3 years

The Province of Manitoba announced a $300,000 commitment to 4-H Manitoba over the next three years, to continue the great work that they do with our young individuals and experienced individuals, says Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn. "Because they're the ones with the knowledge, and they want to share their knowledge with the young 4-H'ers of the world."

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Early morning blaze in MacGregor 

A fire broke out early this morning in MacGregor, engulfing a detached garage, but swift action by fire crews prevented the flames from spreading to nearby homes. Fire Chief Chris Leckie confirmed that no injuries occurred and praised the efforts of responders, though the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Despite the garage being lost, the containment of the fire ensured minimal damage to surrounding structures. 

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Killarney hosts AIS Community Open House April 10th to discuss the threat of zebra mussels

Killarney-Turtle Mountain is taking steps to help thwart the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) into Killarney Lake. The council has been in contact with the provincial government for direction and support, with the first steps being to educate residents and visitors to Killarney.

On behalf of Council, Mayor Janice Smith invites everyone who wants to learn more about AIS, specifically zebra mussels, to join them at the Shamrock Centre next week Thursday, April 10th.  

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Boissevain playground committee $25K win comes down to community vote in BASF contest

The Boissevain Playground Project is one of three Manitoba projects contending for the 2025 BASF Growing Home Contest and now it's down to the community vote to determine which community project gets the $25,000 First Place Prize.

Each year BASF accepts donations from across Western Canada for their Growing Home contest for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.  They receive hundreds of community project nominees and narrow it down to three finalists per province for the public to vote on.

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Former Liberal justice minister and internationally renowned human rights expert Irwin Cotler says Bloc Québécois candidate Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe deserves support this election, regardless of his political affiliation.

Tyler J. Ashton is biking across Canada through biting winter winds and freezing rain, turning his daily battle with chronic pain into a beacon of hope for others. The Port Coquitlam, B.C., native, who lives with the autoimmune disease ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rode through Portage la Prairie this week en route to Winnipeg from Brandon. His 11,000-kilometer ride aims to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association (CSA) while proving that movement - despite immense physical challenges - can be transformative.

Turning pain into purpose

Diagnosed with AS, a condition causing spinal inflammation and eventual fusion, Ashton faces relentless stiffness, brain fog, and pain. Three years ago, he weighed nearly 300 pounds. Now, after losing over 200 pounds and gaining back about 35 pounds of muscle, he credits cycling with keeping his symptoms at bay. “Exercise is the only 'cure' for this disease, because right now there is no cure,” he says. “When I’m riding, I’m in the least amount of pain.”

His custom bike, equipped with a drop seat to ease hip and spinal pressure, has become both a lifeline and a symbol of resilience. Yet the journey is far from easy. Regular biologic injections, critical to managing his inflammation, add logistical hurdles. “I have to be in certain places by certain times each week to take my injection,” he explains. “It’s a challenge I’m ready to face daily.”

Battling prairie winters and headwinds

Ashton’s ride has been marked by brutal prairie weather. From -9°C freezing rain to 70 km/h headwinds, he’s endured what he calls “Manitoba’s lion-like winter.” Locals have joked he’s “two months too early,” but Ashton shrugs off the cold. “There’s no pain I can feel on the outside that I’m not already feeling on the inside,” he notes.

The Canadian legend, Terry Fox, inspired his cross-country trek, but community reactions keep him going. “People say they’re inspired, and that’s what matters,” he adds. Despite the isolation of winter riding, he invites others to join him: “Get your body moving—it’s a really nice ride.”

Riding for a future without limits

Ashton’s goal is twofold: spotlight AS, which affects more Canadians than ALS, MS, and rheumatoid arthritis combined, and amplify support for the Canadian Spondyloarthritis Association’s resources. Reflecting on his diagnosis, he shares, “I found the charity that I’m trying to raise funds for. They have support groups, and those groups helped me when I really needed it.”

The CSA provides critical information and peer connections for those navigating AS. “Having someone who understands the pain… the impact was immeasurable,” Ashton says. His journey is chronicled on his website, ElectrifyAS.ca, where supporters can donate, track his progress, or join his mission. The site is also prominently linked on the CSA’s homepage.

As he pushes toward Winnipeg, Ashton’s message is clear; movement, no matter how painful, can redefine limits.

The Deer Lake Red Wings are the 2025 Herder Memorial champions after a win Saturday night.

Prince Edward Island’s tourism industry association held its second job fair of the year in Cavendish on Saturday. 

A City of Hamilton worker has died after being hit by a car in Ancaster while on the job on Friday morning, police say.

Niagara Police are seeking the public’s assistance as they investigate a sexual assault that took place early Saturday morning.  Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) were called to a report of a sexual assault that occurred in the area of Glendale Avenue and Kerr Street in St. Catharines, a residential neighbourhood.

Officers met with a female victim in her 50s, who reported that at approximately 1:00 a.m., she was walking in the area of Glendale Avenue and Kerr Street in the City of St. Catharines when she was suddenly attacked and sexually assaulted by two unknown males. Following the assault, the suspects fled the area on foot. The victim subsequently returned home and contacted police.

NRPS deployed additional resources including the K9 Unit to assist in the search for the suspects. Despite these efforts, the suspects have not been located at this time.

The victim was unable to provide a description of the suspects.

Anyone who may have been in the area with cell phones, closed circuit video recording, or dash camera footage between 12:45 a.m. and 1:20 a.m. April 5, 2025, is asked to review their footage.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009407 or by email at [email protected].

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. 

One person is dead and another has been injured in Nepean Sunday morning, according to the Ottawa Police Service.

A local financial advisor is calling the global changes taking place in response to U.S. trade tariffs “a monstrous opportunity” for Canada and the E.U. –  but all countries are now facing what he calls “a wake-up call” on energy policy.

Larry Short of Short Financial, a branch of iA Private Wealth, says while there are opportunities for new trade alliances, it will also require some hard decisions.

Germany, for instance, says Short, had moved away from nuclear power but suddenly had to turn to coal-fired power generation when Russia turned off the fuel taps.

In Canada, he says, it’s clear that we should have eliminated inter-provincial trade barriers “years ago.”

“We do need an east-west pipeline corridor for energy –  for electricity, for natural gas and for oil,” says Short. “That type of long-term infrastructure building (in Canada and countries like Germany) will benefit those countries. So it’s a bit of a wake-up call to say…here’s what we’re faced with, and here’s what we need to adjust to.”

Ontario Provincial Police say an 83-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder after a person was killed in a small city east of Ottawa.

Police say officers were called to a home on Lalonde Street in Clarence-Rockland on Friday shortly before 3 p.m.

They say one person was arrested and one person was taken to hospital and died.

The NDP promised to protect tenants through national rent control while the Conservatives focused their campaign trail message on addictions treatment Sunday.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in Halifax in the morning that his party would tie federal housing funding for provinces and municipalities to tenant protection policies like rent control.

Every day, the world needs more. More food on tables, more fuel in tanks, more fertilizer in fields – and it’s a demand teetering on the edge of crisis. Supply chains are grappling with geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade policies and relentless tariff threats. Amid this uncertainty, Saskatchewan continues to demonstrate quiet leadership – anchoring Canada’s critical industries and reinforcing the fact that the nation’s economic backbone runs through the Prairies.

Positioned at the heart of the country, Saskatchewan is doing more than supplying resources – it is actively shaping the future. We are pushing projects forward, fueling trade, and keeping global markets steady. To sustain this momentum, bold leadership, strategic investment, and cross-sector collaboration will be essential.

The increasing demand for essential resources

The world stands at a pivotal juncture. Growing populations and trade instability are placing unprecedented pressure on essential industries. For Canada, this includes navigating an increasingly volatile global marketplace where our position is no longer assured.

Saskatchewan is not just navigating this uncertainty – we are stabilizing it. We produce a significant share of the world’s grain, oil, potash and uranium, but we are doing more than supplying – we are steadying global trade. Our agriculture and resource industries are driving output and reliability to keep supply chains strong and responsive.

The world needs reliable partners, and Saskatchewan is up for the challenge. With strategic investment and intentional collaboration, we can continue to strengthen supply chains and reinforce Canada’s place in the world economy.

Saskatchewan’s leadership in getting it done

What distinguishes Saskatchewan is not only what we produce, but how consistently and responsibly we deliver. Our industries – oil and gas, mining, agriculture, transportation – are built for the real world.

Our fields and mines fuel worldwide demands. Our potash sustains crop yields across continents. These are not isolated achievements – they are the hallmarks of a province that delivers measurable value on a global scale. As demand intensifies, Saskatchewan is prepared to do more.

With the right policy environment and productive partnerships, our province is positioned to scale impact further – advancing economic growth and global stability in tandem.

The need for cross-sector collaboration

The challenges confronting global trade, energy security, and resource supply cannot be addressed in isolation. The future of our collective success – in Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world – will require meaningful collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators.

Progress is already underway. Conversations between government and industry leaders are driving policies that clear barriers for infrastructure projects and trade routes. Cross-sector partnerships are ensuring that our industries stay competitive in a tariff-rattled world. This is true for interprovincial partnerships as well, as demonstrated most recently by the Western Business Coalition launching its first major initiative, Canada’s Untapped Potential – Driving Canadian Prosperity Through Natural Resources, to unlock the full economic potential of the country’s natural resources sector.

Industry events where business leaders and policymakers can come together – such as the Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit – are instrumental in advancing these efforts. They serve as critical catalysts where ideas turn into strategy, and strategy turns into impact.

Leading together, starting now

Saskatchewan’s foundation is strong, and the path forward is clear. The conversations happening in our province today will shape our influence on global trade for generations to come.

Our province is ready to lead. Now is the time to work together to expand our reach, strengthen Canada’s leadership on the world’s stage and build a future where sustainable growth and economic resilience go hand in hand.