News - Manitoba

Monitoring swine in Manitoba for a variety of flu viruses remains an ongoing process as part of provincial measures to ensure the health and safety of the pork industry.

The chief provincial public health officer advises that, to date, there have been no reported cases of severe illness in Manitobans or Canadians who have travelled from human swine flu affected areas.

The first payment of $33.5 million in 2009 federal gas tax funding will be delivered to Manitoba municipalities almost three months earlier this year, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Steve Ashton announced.

Manitobans now have access to a province-wide program that will help reduce the cost of purchasing a solar energy system, Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau announced.

The Office of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer advises that provincial officials are continuing to work with Manitoba health-care providers and regional health authorities to watch for cases of severe respiratory illness (i.e., respiratory illness that requires hospital care) in Manitoba, especially in travellers returning from Mexico.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk released a report on rural economic development delivery titled Manitoba Connects: building a new rural Manitoba economic development strategy.

The province is expanding the successful Advanced Access initiative to help medical clinics reduce wait times for doctor appointments, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced.

At the Capturing Opportunities business forum, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced the next steps in the implementation of Manitoba’s Agri-tourism Development Framework and the formation of an Agri-tourism Advisory Committee to move the industry forward.

The provincial government is investing $7 million to enhance the protection of ecologically significant lands in southern Manitoba and is expanding both its protected areas network and the Pinawa Dam Provincial Park, Premier Gary Doer announced.

The Manitoba government will continue long-term efforts to ensure quality post-secondary education is affordable and accessible by boosting its investment to bursary and access programs by $2.5 million while approving regulated increases in tuition next year, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford announced.