logo
3 candidates on ballot for Spruce Woods byelection

3 candidates on ballot for Spruce Woods byelection

CBC2 days ago
Social Sharing
Three candidates are vying for a seat in Manitoba's legislature in the upcoming byelection in the Spruce Woods constituency.
Elections Manitoba says Ray Berthelette is running for the governing NDP, Stephen Reid is carrying the Liberal banner and Colleen Robbins is hoping to keep the seat blue for the Progressive Conservatives.
Berthelette is a former real estate agent who recently worked as an executive assistant to cabinet minister Glen Simard.
Reid is a teacher and Robbins is a longtime Tory volunteer.
The Aug. 26 byelection is being held to replace Grant Jackson, who resigned in March to run for federal office.
The seat in western Manitoba is a longtime Progressive Conservative stronghold, with the Tories capturing more than 60 per cent of the vote there in 2023.
Advance voting begins Saturday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

In a rare reversal of trends, more Americans visit Canada by car than vice versa
In a rare reversal of trends, more Americans visit Canada by car than vice versa

CTV News

time4 minutes ago

  • CTV News

In a rare reversal of trends, more Americans visit Canada by car than vice versa

Vehicles approach the United States border crossing as seen from Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., Thursday, April 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes As Canadian travel to the United States continues to decline, new data shows a notable tipping point: More Americans visited Canada this July than Canadians did the United States, in a reversal not seen in years. Statistics Canada's latest figures show that U.S. residents made 1.8 million trips into Canada by automobile last month, with only 1.7 million Canadian return trips from the United States. Canadian trips to the U.S. have outnumbered U.S.-Canada trips every July since before the COVID-19 pandemic, until now. July travel has declined in both directions since last year, with U.S. visitor totals down 7.4 per cent and Canadian return trips plunging 36.9 per cent, down for six and seven months in a row, respectively. 'Recent data on foreign travel suggest that Canadians' travel sentiment toward their southern neighbour has been shifting in early 2025,' a StatCan report from earlier this summer reads. 'It is currently unclear whether the change is temporary or part of a more permanent shift.' Girl Guides of Canada recently announced it would suspend excursions to the United States for an unspecified period of time, in a decision the organization said was linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's tightening border control policies. 'This decision is rooted in our commitment to inclusivity and the safety of all our members,' Girl Guides of Canada wrote in an email to CTV News. 'It was prompted by the recent restrictions put on equal entry into the United States, as some members may hold citizenship from non-Canadian countries and could be impacted by the restrictions.' As for air travel, Canada has seen an increase in visitors, with 1.4 million non-residents arriving this July, up just over three per cent from the same time in 2024. While most of this growth came from overseas travellers, U.S. visitors by air also increased 0.7 per cent. Overall, international arrivals to Canada are down 15.6 per cent from the same time last year, according to StatCan. With files from CTV News' Spencer Van Dyk

The province took over London's largest school board to curb spending. Here's the budget plan
The province took over London's largest school board to curb spending. Here's the budget plan

CBC

time29 minutes ago

  • CBC

The province took over London's largest school board to curb spending. Here's the budget plan

A budget report released by the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) lays out a dire financial situation defined by a projected budget deficit that's almost double what was originally predicted for this school year. The report, released Monday, also includes a new plan for the region's largest school board to dig itself out of its financial reality in the upcoming years. What's unique about this budget is that it was drafted with the oversight a provincial supervisor appointed to take over operations, and is being implemented without publicly elected trustee input. CBC News requested an interview with supervisor Paul Boniferro Monday, and multiple times since he was appointed in April, but none has been granted. The size of the deficit This latest budget report predicts the deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which at last count was projected at $16.8 million, will actually rise to almost $32 million by the end of August. The preliminary budget for the next fiscal year aims to cut the deficit to $10.6 million. Provincial rules state school board deficits cannot be more than one per cent of their budgets, or roughly $12 million for the TVDSB. "TVDSB is in a structural deficit position – a result of an imbalance in revenue and expenditures, as opposed to an imbalance based on one-off or short-term factors," the report reads. "As such, difficult decisions and prioritization of resources are required." Boniferro took control of the TVDSB after a 10-month long external audit found financial mismanagement, including a spending scandal involving a pricey retreat for upper management. It was the first school board in Ontario to lose control, with supervisors currently overseeing the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. How London's public board will save The preliminary budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year seeks to save money through a number of avenues, including spending on employees. The report outlines cutting $7 million on salaries and benefits, with a total expected decrease in operating expenses of $9.6 million. The budget for next fiscal year lays out total reductions in its full-time staffing equivalent, which includes part-time jobs, of roughly 115 full-time positions. Just shy of 47 of those positions are teachers, staff in library and guidance, and learning support teachers. Eighteen positions are early childhood educator positions and two are educational assistant positions. Additionally, 14.5 of the positions are in board administration and governance. A large number of the expected staffing reductions are attributed to a projected drop in enrolment. The report also makes mention of "future property sales" that "will help achieve some amount" of a future surplus, but doesn't elaborate on the nature of those property sales, or include information on which properties are being sold. In late May, interim director of education Bill Tucker sent a memo to staff warning of cuts. In March, almost 60 positions were declared surplus, meaning those employees would be put on a leave of absence until their services were needed. The report says the TVDSB "remains committed to prioritizing reductions that minimize impacts in the classroom," with much of the focus on measures that "do not compromise the quality of education and the learning environment." Education minister 'disappointed' CBC News requested an interview with Tucker on Monday but was directed to the province for comment. The Minister of Education said in a statement that he's disappointed the TVDSB is projecting such a large deficit for this school year. "This reaffirms just how profoundly trustees failed in their duty to manage public funds and why it was necessary to place the board under supervision," Paul Calandra's statement said. "It also underscores the need for the ministry to have a more proactive role in the management of school boards across the province."

Essex council shelves decision on controversial wedding venue proposal
Essex council shelves decision on controversial wedding venue proposal

CTV News

timean hour ago

  • CTV News

Essex council shelves decision on controversial wedding venue proposal

Essex town hall can be seen in this undated photo. (Town of Essex) After weeks of public meetings and debate, Essex council has tabled a decision on a proposed wedding venue in the Harrow area — leaving the file in limbo. The proposal, from Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge on Concession 6, seeks a temporary zoning amendment to allow up to 10 weddings or events a year between May and October. Town administration, the Essex Region Conservation Authority and other municipal departments had no objections to the plan, but the file has faced strong opposition from some neighbours concerned about noise and traffic. At a special meeting Tuesday night, councillors spent more than two hours discussing the application. Coun. Katie McGuire-Blais first moved to give the zoning bylaw amendment its first and second readings — a motion that failed. That's when former mayor Larry Snively, who was seated in the gallery, reacted angrily, pointing at some councillors who voted against and telling them they're 'done' next election before leaving the room. McGuire-Blais then tried a second motion to give the bylaw only its first reading, which also failed. She briefly moved to deny the application, but rescinded that motion before council went into a closed session for legal advice. When they returned, McGuire-Blais put forward the motion to table the matter — removing it from the agenda unless a councillor moves to bring it back. If that doesn't happen by Sept. 16, the property owners can appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal, which has the authority to make a ruling. Mayor Sherry Bondy acknowledged the tabling will frustrate many, adding, 'There's probably more to come on this file … stay tuned.' Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley called the outcome disappointing, noting the owners will now likely have to seek a decision from the tribunal. The property owners declined to comment Tuesday night.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store