Latest news with #Steinbach
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Mennonite Heritage Village receives century old, embroidered items from war-torn Ukraine
Steinbach's Mennonite Heritage Village has two new special items from far across the world. CTV's Joseph Bernacki reports.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Germany's massive spending spree: How will the EU react?
Germany's new finance minister, , arrived in Brussels on Monday with a bold message: Berlin is ready to spend big. With plans to invest €1 trillion ($1.1 trillion) in defence and infrastructure over the next decade, the country is casting off its long-standing reputation for fiscal restraint. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But as EU capitals digest the scope of the plan, many wonder whether Germany is still playing by the very rules it once insisted others must follow. Klingbeil, in office just a week, struck a confident tone at his first Eurogroup meeting with eurozone finance ministers. He laid out Berlin's plans to boost growth by cutting red tape, lowering energy costs and addressing labour shortages. "All of this will lead to more growth, and that's also positive for Europe," he said. Germany's pivot began in January, when the Bundestag suspended the country's constitutional debt brake, a cornerstone of German economic orthodoxy for over a decade. Backed by a broad political majority, the move freed Berlin to bypass strict borrowing limits. In March, parliament took the next step, approving plans to raise €1 trillion in new debt. Testing the limits of EU fiscal rules The scale of the plan now puts Germany on a collision course with the EU's fiscal framework. "This sets a dangerous precedent," warned Armin Steinbach, a fellow at the Bruegel think tank and professor at HEC Paris Business School. Under the , member states are expected to keep deficits below 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and debt below 60%. The rules were softened during the COVID-19 pandemic and again after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Brussels allowing more fiscal flexibility, especially for defense. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In March, the Commission revised the rules and activated a so-called to give member states temporary leeway, particularly for security spending. Germany argues its plans fall within that scope. "I assume the rules we've changed in Europe apply. They clearly say there is more flexibility now," Klingbeil told reporters, stressing that reforms and higher growth potential would ultimately support European stability. Brussels under pressure But critics aren't convinced. While the new rules offer more flexibility for defence, Germany's package also includes sweeping investments in infrastructure, energy and digitalization, areas not explicitly covered by the revised rules. "This goes well beyond what the rules allow," said Steinbach. If the Commission signs off on Berlin's plan, it could trigger a wave of political backlash. "Special treatment for Germany would undermine the EU's no-discrimination principle," Steinbach warned. Other countries with high debt levels, like Italy or France, could demand similar exceptions, potentially weakening fiscal discipline across the bloc, leading to an economic crisis, he added. A tough dilemma for Europe But curtailing Germany's spending plans is also not an easy option, as they come at a critical time for the EU. With geopolitical tensions rising and economic growth stagnating, many here in Brussels are hoping for economic momentum starting from Berlin. Despite being in recession for three years, "Germany remains the most important European country, with the largest economy and enormous potential," Karel Lannoo of the Brussels-based Center for European Policy Studies (CEPS) told DW. The question, however, is whether Germany's spending will have a meaningful ripple effect in other countries, as Klingbeil announced during his visit. Steinbach is sceptical: "The spillovers are there, but their magnitude is unclear." Not a restart, but a reset Klingbeil, for his part, insists this is no rupture with Europe's past. "We don't need a restart in European cooperation, but we do want to take it to the next level," he said. Steinbach agrees that reform is needed, but urges policymakers not to sidestep the system. "The current rules don't reflect the new geopolitical reality, especially with rising defence needs and the return of Donald Trump," he said. Rather than abandoning the framework, he calls for a targeted update: Slightly more room for national investment, paired with EU-level borrowing to fund collective defence. But even under optimistic timelines, those changes wouldn't kick in before late next year. In the meantime, the Commission faces a critical choice. Allow Germany to push the fiscal boundaries now, or risk stifling investment when Europe arguably needs it most. A decision is expected by summer, but one thing is already apparent: Germany's new fiscal path is reshaping Europe's economic debate, and testing the limits of the rules it helped write.
Global News
12-05-2025
- Global News
Manitoba man arrested after RCMP recover $45K in stolen goods
Manitoba RCMP say they've recovered more than $45,000 in stolen property, including a trailer that was reported stolen from Steinbach. Officers from the Brandon detachment were called to the community of Wheatland last Wednesday, and a search of a local property — which also involved RCMP from Carberry and Souris — turned up a large quantity of stolen property. In addition to the trailer, police said they found John Deere farm equipment. View image in full screen Manitoba RCMP say they've recovered $45,000 in stolen goods, including John Deere equipment. Manitoba RCMP While the search was taking place, police said, a suspect drove by the scene and was pulled over. Story continues below advertisement A 42-year-old man from Wheatland was arrested and charged with three counts of possessing property obtained by crime, four counts of possessing weapons contrary to an order and two counts of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy RCMP said he'll face the charges in a Brandon courtroom May 26.
CBC
11-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
My wife, my children and I were all born in different countries. But Canada is the best place on Earth
This First Person article is the experience of Itrat Anwar, a newcomer to Canada who now calls Steinbach, Man., his home. For more info rmation about CBC's First Person stories, please see this FAQ. You can read more First Person articles here. As I reflect on our journey, I am reminded not only of how far we've come, but also of the many others in this country — each with their own unique paths — who, like us, are building new lives in Canada. My name is Itrat and I live in Steinbach, Man., with my family. Originally from Bangladesh, I am proud to share my life with my wife, Halyna, who hails from Ukraine. Together, we have two wonderful children: our older daughter was born in Slovakia and our younger one was born right here in Canada. Our family spans four countries, and we often joke that we're a little "United Nations" under one roof. With a Canadian-born child in our family, we feel even more deeply connected to this land we now call home. Our journey to Canada began when the Russian invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022. My wife Halyna, who was pregnant at the time, was visiting her mother in Ukraine just a few days before the war began. Tragically, her mother passed away from a heart attack two days before the invasion. The combination of her pregnancy, the overwhelming loss of her mother, and the daily threat of war — including having to run to a basement during air raid alarms — left her in a deeply traumatic situation. Given the situation, we decided to move from Dubai, where we were living, to Bangladesh, so that my wife could recover. Her health was our top priority. While in Bangladesh, she had the opportunity to meet my parents, my brother and other relatives, and feel the warmth of their love and kindness. Her days were filled with meeting new people, learning new things, tasting traditional foods and experiencing rural life in Bangladesh. We had everything we needed in Bangladesh — except a safer and better future for our kids. We then decided to move to Slovakia, because my wife had residency there, and we needed access to reliable health care and insurance during her pregnancy. During this time, our first child was born in Bratislava — one of the most challenging yet precious moments of our lives. It wasn't easy. We had no steady income and, as first-time parents, we were navigating everything on our own, without a support network. Life as a new immigrant in Europe was very different from what we would later experience in Canada. The systems were harder to access, the support less visible, and at times, we felt completely alone. Then we learned about the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel program and decided to apply. (Moving to Canada wasn't our first plan. Before the war broke out, we had always discussed settling in Ukraine and raising our family there.) Shortly after, we received our Canadian visas, and we began applying for our daughter's passport and Canadian visa. Warm welcomes and challenges At this point, we had all the necessary documents, but after five months of living in Europe without work permits, we were running out of money. We were down to our last few hundred euros when we bought our tickets to Canada. When we finally arrived in Canada, we had only $500 left to our name. Travelling with a four-month-old baby, with so little money and so many uncertainties about our future, was incredibly difficult. The cold Canadian winter greeted us immediately upon our arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and we found ourselves wondering what to do next. We found a place to live in Mississauga, Ont., and focused on finding my first job. We were blessed to meet kind, supportive people … who helped us settle in Steinbach. The first thing we noticed here in Canada was the people — their kindness, their willingness to help, and how they respond to your "hi" with a friendly smile. But there were also challenges. We found it difficult to adjust to the public transportation system. You need your own vehicle here. I remember how we walked with our baby in a stroller on pedestrian paths covered in icy snow. Sometimes, my wife and I had to lift the stroller to cross those areas. I dreamed of securing a job that would align with my background and skill set. But finding work was a struggle. With no Canadian work experience and no driver's licence, I began applying for at least 10 jobs a day. Over the course of two months, I sent out hundreds of job applications. I found my first job in Steinbach. While it didn't align with my background, I took the opportunity because we had reached the end of our patience. Within two days, we made the move to Steinbach from Mississauga. Though we didn't know anyone in this small city and had little more than our baby and a dream, we felt that despite all the uncertainty, we had come this far and could manage — and we did. We were blessed to meet kind, supportive people (like Nick Mazerolle, the Brand family and many others) who helped us settle in Steinbach. They are all truly wonderful people. Life as a new immigrant is never easy. Being far from home, separated from relatives, and facing constant uncertainty — these challenges can feel overwhelming. I've faced racism, discrimination and inequality. There are moments when we find ourselves longing for the vibrant life in Dubai, the stunning architecture of Europe, and our home countries, where our parents have yet to meet their grandchildren. But we are incredibly grateful to be here. We recognize that life here is much better than in some European countries. I'm committed to supporting marginalized communities and helping create a more inclusive future for our children. I have a better job now. We own a vehicle, live in a nice house and are excited to raise our family in this beautiful country. From its breathtaking landscapes to its welcoming communities, Canada has already captured our hearts. As we continue to learn about and explore the beauty of this land, I have a strong desire to visit different regions and deepen our understanding of its rich history — especially the stories of Indigenous peoples and their profound connection to this land. Our experiences across different continents have shown us that Canada is, without a doubt, the best place on Earth.
Global News
09-05-2025
- Global News
B.C. resident searched at additional border checkpoint says it was ‘very strange'
David Steinebach from Langley was returning to B.C. in April after going down to Lynden in Washington state to buy some gas. 'I would still go down there every week to go get gas,' he told Global News. 'I have Nexus, so it's very easy and fast for me to go down. And I go down through the Aldergrove-Lynden border crossing.' Steinbach said it was 9:30 a.m. and he got to about 150 to 200 metres before the Canadians border and there was about six or seven U.S. border patrol officers that stopped not only his vehicle but all the vehicles. '(They) started looking through my car and they were putting down the seats and looking in the back in the trunk and even went into my glove box, opened it up and used the flashlight to look in behind the glove box,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'It was just very strange, the whole incident. I don't know what they were looking for. They didn't even have me step out of the car, I just had to put the car in neutral.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Steinbach said the search lasted about two to three minutes and then he was able to move on and cross back into Canada with no issues. 'I've never had that happen ever before,' he said. 'It was very strange and actually took me by surprise being stopped like that — not at the border, but on the state highway, I guess, on the way back, which is very strange.' 2:43 U.S. border checkpoints randomly search cars bound for Canada Additional checkpoints at the B.C.-U.S. border have shocked travellers recently, noting they are being stopped coming back into Canada but before the actual border check. Story continues below advertisement In a statement to Global News earlier this week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it routinely conducts inspections on outbound traffic as part of its national security mission. 'These inspections are a vital tool in apprehending wanted individuals, as well as in seizing a variety of contraband, which ultimately makes our community safer,' the statement read. Steinbach said it did feel like an invasion of privacy because there didn't seem to be a reason for the search. He said they didn't ask for his phone but they did ask for his passport. 'I have a clean record,' he said. 'I don't have any record. I have Nexus and there wasn't anything to provoke that incident. For myself, they stopped the car behind me as well, too, and a semi-trailer that happened to be beside me as well, too. Very strange, just very strange.' Steinbach said he has always enjoyed going to the U.S., but after that incident it made him think about what is going on south of the border and he has since stopped going. 'I'm not going to go anymore to the States unless there's something urgent or important that I have to go down there for, but I won't be going there any time in the near future, unfortunately,' he added.
