News - Manitoba

The Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas will be a comprehensive gathering of information that will help preserve our unique avian populations, said Manitoba Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, Rod Bruinooge.

Manitoba continues to be a Canadian leader in biofuels use and the introduction of amendments to the Biofuels Act would establish a new grant program to support biodiesel production, Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak said.

The province is investing up to $19 million more in Budget 2010 for new child-care centres, hundreds more spaces, the phasing in of a centralized online wait list and a pension plan for a stronger workforce, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Education Minister Nancy Allan announced.

Manitobans throughout the province with mental-health issues now have access to a rent supplement that will support them in their search to find and keep appropriate housing, Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced.

The province will increase the minimum wage by 50 cents to $9.50 an hour on Oct. 1, Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard announced.

The province’s air-ambulance program will continue to provide reliable care to critically ill and injured Manitobans with a $6-million investment in a replacement Lifeflight jet, Health Minister Theresa Oswald and Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced.

Manitobans conducting business through franchise relationships would receive new protections under the proposed franchises act, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson said after introducing the legislation.

Manitoba’s Parks Reservation Service set a record for first-day bookings of individual campsites yesterday, handling 13,641 bookings for the 2010 camping season, an increase of about 20 per cent over last year’s opening day, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced.

An investment by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba will support a four-year initiative aimed at helping Manitoba’s music industry access international markets, and assist local industry professionals in gaining market share for their products and services.

Twenty-seven Manitoba schools are receiving a portion of a $10,000 grant for special music projects and events in April, which is Celebrating Music in Manitoba Schools month, Education Minister Nancy Allan announced.