Manitoba Labour Market Bulletin

December 2010

Manitoba Labour Market Bulletin - December 2010 (PDF version, 223 kb)

The Labour Market Bulletin is produced monthly by economists and labour market analysts employed by Service Canada in the Western Canada and Territories Region.

Content is intended for personal and public non-commercial use.

Highlights in this Issue

• Record soybean production for Manitoba, wheat and canola production fell
• Busy construction season in Manitoba
• Deadline for federal infrastructure projects extended to October 31, 2011
• Increase in retail sales of 6.3% in Manitoba
• Shutdown of Vale’s Thompson smelter and refinery could leave 500 out of work
• $20-million mine expansion underway at HudBay Minerals 777 Mine
• Brandon City Council approves $76.9 million upgrade to water treatment plant
• Norwex Enviro Products begins $5.2 million expansion in Dauphin

We welcome your feedback.

Email: lmi-imt-manitoba@servicecanada.gc.ca

Mailing Address: 

Editor, Labour Market Bulletin
Labour Market Information Services
Western Canada and Territories Region
Service Canada
266 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0K3

Economic Overview – Manitoba

Economically, Manitoba may be excited about saying farewell to 2010. Indeed, this was a challenging year, particularly within the province’s goods-producing sectors. The agricultural season was beset by bad weather, and many Manitoba farmers struggled. The construction industry faced similar challenges. Weather delayed or prevented a number of projects, and reduced private-sector investment affected the bottom line for many construction companies. Manufacturing employment increased in the first three quarters of 2010; however, this represents only a partial recovery from the pre-2008 employment numbers.

These setbacks can be seen in Manitoba’s bottom line. According to a recent Conference Board of Canada forecast, Manitoba’s real gross domestic product will post a gain of just 0.7% this year.

And yet, there is reason for optimism. Agriculture is bound to recover in 2011, and mining, manufacturing and construction are poised for a big year due in part to expansion projects. Buoyed by growth in the goods-producing sector and the promise of a stronger showing in the services-producing sector, GDP should increase by 2.3% in 2011, according to the same Conference Board of Canada forecast.

Manitoba employment dropped in November both in goods-producing and in services-producing sectors. The loss affected full-time and part-time jobs alike. However, the province’s long-term employment trend remains positive. There were close to 13,000 more Manitobans working in November 2010 than there were in November 2009. Further, Manitoba's unemployment rate last month (5.1%) remains the lowest in Canada.

Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing; health care and social assistance; and manufacturing were among the fastest growing sectors in November in Manitoba. Professional, scientific and technical services; educational services; and accommodation and food services did not fare as well.

Manitoba Labour Force Survey Data for November 2010

Seasonally Adjusted Data	Nov. 2010	Oct. 2010	Nov. 2009	Monthly Variation		Yearly Variation
				Num.	%	Num.	%
Population 15+ ('000)	942.1	940.9	928.0	1.2	0.1%	14.1	1.5%
Labour Force ('000)	655.6	659.6	644.0	-4.0	-0.6%	11.6	1.8%
Employment ('000)	622.3	625.3	609.6	-3.0	-0.5%	12.7	2.1%
Full-Time ('000)	503.2	504.6	492.7	-1.4	-0.3%	10.5	2.1%
Part-Time ('000)	119.2	120.7	116.9	-1.5	-1.2%	2.3	2.0%
Unemployment	33.3	34.3	34.4	-1.0	-2.9%	-1.1	-3.2%
Participation Rate (%)	69.6	70.1	69.4	-0.5	-	0.2	-
Unemployment Rate (%)	5.1	5.2	5.3	-0.1	-	-0.2	-
Employment Rate (%)	66.1	66.5	65.7	-0.4	-	0.4	-

Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.
Source: Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey - HRSDC Table-087

Events and Trends in Manitoba

Manitoba oil industry booming: Oil production is at record levels, and the number of wells drilled in 2010 (452 to date) is double the number drilled last year, and close to the record of 476 wells in 2006. Expectations are for about 550 new wells in 2011. Total expenditures in the industry in Manitoba for 2010 are about $800 million.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 23, 2010

Manitoba school age raised to 18: The Province of Manitoba is tabling new school dropout rules that will require all young Manitobans to stay in school until they reach the age of 18. This will provide young people with the opportunity to continue their education at the post-secondary level and in turn have more career success.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba, November 18, 2010

Manitoba expands role of nurse practitioners: As part of its mandate that all Manitobans will have a family doctor by 2015, the Province of Manitoba proposes the opening of five pilot medical clinics next year. The clinics will be open for extended hours in high-traffic locations, such as shopping malls, and will be staffed by nurse practitioners. Allowing nurse practitioners to diagnose, prescribe medication, order and manage tests, and perform routine procedures will leave more time for doctors to deal with health issues that are more complex. If the pilot is a success, the number of clinics will be expanded. Mobile units could be provided for remote communities.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 18, 2010

Manitoba Youth Corps mentorship: Manitoba Youth Corps., a new $6.7-million mentorship program announced by the Province of Manitoba, will provide mentorship, work experience, and leadership training to 2,500 high school students over the next few years, starting with 1,000 students in September 2011. In addition, 345 new job spaces will be added to the Manitoba Youth Employee Program (current level is 1,250) over the next three years.

Key Sources: Province of Manitoba and
Winnipeg Free Press, November 23 and 24, 2010

Manitoba number one in retail sales: Retail sales in Manitoba increased from $10.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2009 to $11.6 billion in the first three quarters of 2010. This marks an increase of 6.3%, the largest year-over-year increase of any province. Further, Manitoba's annual inflation rate in October tied for the lowest in Canada.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 24, 2010

Lowest household debt increase: Household debt in Manitoba increased 2.6% from the third quarter 2009 to the third quarter 2010. This represents the lowest increase among provinces (the national average increase was 4.3%), and marks a big improvement from last year, when household debt in Manitoba increased between 13% and 15%, one of the highest increases in the country.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 1, 2010

Bar and restaurant sales: Sales at Manitoba bars and restaurants totalled $116.6 million in September 2010. This is 2.2% higher than sales in August and a 3.7% increase from September 2009. The monthly sales increase was the second largest among provinces.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 30, 2010

Homes more affordable: Lower mortgage rates and price declines in some areas have resulted in a drop in Manitoba’s housing affordability index for all three main housing types: bungalows, two-storeys, and condominiums. Manitoba is one of two provinces to drop below the long-term average for all three types. A decline in the index typically results in more affordable housing.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 30, 2010

Small-business tax cut to zero: Effective December 1, 2010, the small-business tax in Manitoba was cut to zero; Manitoba is the first province in Canada to eliminate this tax. In 1999, Manitoba had the second highest tax at 8%.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba News Release, December 1, 2010

Record soybean production for Manitoba: Farmers in Manitoba reported a record soybean crop of 435,400 metric tonnes for 2010, well above the previous record of 321,000 metric tonnes in 2009. Wheat production fell 21.3% to 3.3 million tonnes and canola fell 21.7% to 2.2 million tonnes this year.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 4, 2010

Labour Force Survey, good and bad news: The unemployment rate in Manitoba decreased in November 2010 from both the previous month and from November last year, and at 5.1%, remains the lowest in the country. The labour force decreased by 4,000 and employment decreased 3,000 from October to November 2010, although year-over-year both increased significantly.

Key Sources: Statistics Canada Daily, December 3 and
Winnipeg Free Press, December 4, 2010

Busy construction industry in Manitoba: Building permits in Manitoba totalled $168.1 million in October 2010, an increase of 21.8% from the previous month of September. This includes a 15.9% increase for residential construction permits and 33.7% increase for non-residential permits.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 7, 2010

Deadline for infrastructure projects extended: The deadline for completion of infrastructure projects in Manitoba under the federal stimulus program has been extended to October 31, 2011 from March 31, 2011. The stimulus plan in Manitoba includes 207 approved projects for a total value of $694.5 million, with $271.4 million from the federal government, $245.3 million from the provincial government, and the balance from municipalities and the private sector.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 3, 2010

Key Events and Trends in Manitoba Sub-Regions

Winnipeg

New Flyer lays off 34 employees: New Flyer Industries, a Winnipeg-based bus-manufacturing company, issued lay off notices to 34 employees on December 6. New Flyer reported a 15.9% decline in revenue in its third quarter results released in November. Demand is not expected to recover until at least 2012, as many US states are cutting services and deferring procurement of new equipment in an effort to balance their budgets. The company laid off 320 employees from its Winnipeg workforce in the summer of 2009, due to the deferral of a $122-million order.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 7, 2010

Agri-Food Central and Bison Transport work together: Agri-Food Central Ltd., a Winnipeg broker, announced the consolidation of its multi-modal operations at a single site at Bison Transport’s 235,000-square-foot warehouse located near the airport. The location will allow Agri-Food to access multiple railway carriers from across Canada and through the US and Mexico, along with docking facilities for moving goods from truck to rail and vice versa. Agri-Food currently ships specialty crops from across the prairies to Mexico and Latin America and is working on its business to bring goods back from the south. With the indoor cross-docking facilities, it will move cargo from Bison trucks directly onto its containers and ship them south. CentrePort Canada initiated discussion to bring Agri-Food Central and Bison Transport together, as part of its effort to develop trade flows between Canada and Mexico. CentrePort Canada is Manitoba's 20,000-acre inland port, and the first logistics hub in the country to offer investors single-window access to Foreign Trade Zone benefits.

Key Sources: The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce website, December 3, 2010 and
Winnipeg Free Press, December 4, 2010

Osborne Village development: Osborne Junction, a three-storey office/retail complex in Osborne Village, was purchased this past summer from an out-of-town investor for an undisclosed sum. The investors spent a substantial amount refurbishing the brick building, built in 1914 on the northeast corner of Osborne Street and McMillan Avenue. The 23,000-square-foot building was fully leased when the new owners acquired it, and most of the tenants have since signed new long-term leases. A new restaurant will be moving into a redeveloped 1,500-square-foot unit on the main floor.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 13, 2010

Plans for new waterfront apartments: Two local developers plan to build a $5-million to $6-million, 35- to 40-unit apartment complex, at the north end of Waterfront Drive in the downtown area. The apartment building will be at least three storeys high and the units will be about 500- to 600-square-feet in size. The project still requires approval by city council. Once approved, construction could start by mid to late summer. The complex is expected to be ready for occupancy in the spring of 2012.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 29, 2010

University of Winnipeg plans to construct new residence: The University of Winnipeg plans to begin construction of a new $15.5-million, seven-storey residence on the site of a surface parking lot at the south end of the new Buhler Centre south of Portage Avenue in late 2011 or early 2012. The majority of the 80 to 100 apartment units in the new residence will be designated as affordable housing. The remainder of the units will be rented out at market rates. The University's community renewal corporation will spend the next few months choosing a construction firm to build the residence.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 15, 2010

Winnipeg market new homes market will finish the year with 62.3% increase: According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Winnipeg’s new-homes market will finish the year with a 62.3% increase in housing starts. In its fall 2010 forecast, the agency predicted that the Winnipeg Census Metropolitan Area will end the year with 3,300 new single and multi-family starts. This is nearly 1,300 more than last year, when there were only 2,033 new starts.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 15, 2010

Monsanto Canada unveils new breeding centre: Monsanto Canada held a grand opening for its new $12-million, 29,000-square-foot canola breeding centre, which is connected to the company's Canadian head office at University of Manitoba's Smartpark. The company invests $20 to $30 million a year in canola research. Currently, 150 staff work for Monsanto Canada in Winnipeg, including 40 staff in the new research centre.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 24, 2010

Initial approval for a new Winnipeg Police Service canine unit: Winnipeg’s protection and community services committee has given initial approval to a proposed replacement of the Winnipeg Police Service’s temporary canine-unit kennels. The new $1.25-million facility will be located next to the East District police station on Dugald Road and will provide space for 18 dogs and 10 officers. Plans include space for kennels, a grooming room, a puppy-rearing room, a veterinary-services room, and offices space. The project still requires approval by the full City Council.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 16, 2010

St. Boniface General Hospital recruitment of cardiac nurses: St. Boniface General Hospital is recruiting nurses for its cardiac intensive care unit. The hospital performs 1,250 cardiac-surgery procedures annually. The shortage of cardiac nurses began earlier in the year when the hospital extended the hours of one of its catheterization labs, which opened up new nursing positions. Some of the cardiac nurses applied for these positions and were hired. Approximately 20% of cardiac ICU nursing positions are currently vacant.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 20, 2010

Health clinic for northwest Winnipeg: The provincial government announced it will open a satellite health-care clinic of the Nor’West Cop-op Community Health Centre at the Bluebird Lodge seniors' complex in mid-2011. The services of the community-based clinic will be targeted to seniors, young mothers, and those living with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba New Releases, December 3, 2010

Construction of new addictions centre: River Point Centre, a $25-million addictions centre, to be built on Magnus Avenue on the site of a former nursing home is scheduled to open in late 2012. The new centre will provide drug and alcohol treatment and will include 24 two-and-three bedroom temporary housing units for rural Manitobans. A new centralized office for all provincial government-funded addictions services will be located at the facility.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 23, 2010

Housing for families and people with disabilities: Construction has begun on Place La Charette, an affordable-housing project for families and individuals with disabilities. The project located in St. Norbert will have 37 units, including a 31-unit, three-storey apartment complex and six bungalow houses. The project will be managed by Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. The Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and the City of Winnipeg have contributed $10.7 million to this project. It will incorporate fully accessible design features in all of the units and will have geothermal heating.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba New Releases, December 3, 2010

Centralized intake service centre for new immigrants: Manitoba START, a new centralized intake service centre for new immigrants, officially opened on November 29, in Winnipeg. The centre provides a range of services, including assessing the immediate, employment readiness, and training needs of newcomers. The centre will also refer individuals to settlement orientation programs and employment preparation workshops.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba New Releases, November 29, 2010

Construction of new fun park: A new $5-million, 20-hectare all-season fun park in the Rural Municipality of Headingley, west of Winnipeg, is scheduled to open December 23. In winter, the site will feature a high-speed tubing hill. In summer, it will feature climbing walls, zip lines, a waterslide park, and a cable-wakeboard park. The site includes two man-made lakes. The developers are building the fun park without government funding, incentives, or tax breaks.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 29, 2010

United Way of Winnipeg moves into new building: The United Way of Winnipeg moved into its newly constructed, three-storey 20,000-square-foot downtown building. The project cost of $10 million was covered by a contribution of $3.33 million each from the federal and provincial governments. The United Way of Winnipeg and the City of Winnipeg also contributed toward the project. Agency staff will be located on the second and third floors of the building, while the main floor will be used as a community-learning centre.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba News Releases, November 18, 2010

New businesses open in downtown Winnipeg: According to Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), there are 93 more businesses in the downtown area than there were last year. The last time the downtown area experienced a net gain of new businesses was in 2005 and 2006. There are more people living downtown and institutional development has also increased. The addition of new business levies will result in a significant increase in funding. BIZ plans to spend $250,000 a year to hire 10 additional full-time street ambassadors to patrol the downtown area. The ambassadors will offer tourist information, directions, first aid, and a variety of other services.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 25, 2010

Hiring positive for Winnipeg employers: According to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, more than 15% of employers plan to hire staff in the first three months of 2011, a majority (80%) plan to maintain current staff levels, and 5% expect to reduce staff.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 8, 2010

Northern Manitoba

Avian influenza at farm in Rockwood: Thousands of turkeys were destroyed at a Rockwood-area turkey operation following the diagnosis of a low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza. Three nearby locations were also put under quarantine as a precautionary measure. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says that turkey products are safe for consumption if proper handling and preparation guidelines are followed.

Key Source: Stonewall Argus & Teulon Times, December 2, 2010

Louisianna Pacific implements curtailment: Louisianna Pacific (LP), located near Swan River, implemented a curtailment period that began November 8 and will go until December 8. The plant will then operate for eight days and shut down until January 6. During the curtailment period, about half of the workers will keep working. This curtailment strategy has been implemented at various times over the past few years, as a response to the decline in demand for lumber from the continued weak housing market in the US.

Key Source: Swan Valley Star and Times, November 23, 2010

Powerview-Pine Falls residents without work since Tembec closure last year: The Winnipeg River Community Adjustment Corporation (WRCAC) held a Career Fair in Pine Falls last week. The group includes representatives from different levels of government, and works to negate the effects of the Tembec paper mill closure. The Pine Falls paper mill has been idle since September 1, 2009, when Montreal-based Tembec locked out union employees during contract negotiations. Late last year, Trembec announced that it would close the facility and put it up for sale. Nearly 300 workers lost their jobs. Tembec said at the time that if a buyer could not be found soon, the plant would be mothballed. Many members of the Powerview-Pine Falls community have been without steady employment since the lock out.

Key Source: Lac du Bonnet Leader, November 19, 2010

HudBay Minerals expansion project in Flin Flon: A $20-million mine expansion project is underway at HudBay Minerals' 777 Mine near Flin Flon. Blasting of the new entrance and underground ramp is now occurring on a 24-hour cycle. Early production for the zinc, copper, gold, and silver mine is expected to begin in mid-2012, and full production is expected to begin in 2013. The ramp development will require 22 employees. Once full production is reached in 2013, up to 44 employees could be required. The miners will come from the Trout Lake Mine that is to close in 2012 and the existing section of the 777 Mine.

Key Source: Flin Flon Reminder, November 5, 2010

Return to extended shifts for Flin Flon miners: Employees of HudBay Minerals Inc. in Flin Flon returned to a 12-hour work schedule of four days on and four days off, after the company and unions agreed to changes in the seniority system. For the past eight months, employees had reverted to eight-hour shifts in a bid to protect seniority and save jobs. The parties agreed to discuss HudBay’s contracting out policy in the new year.

Key Source: Flin Flon Reminder, December 3, 2010

Manitoba mineral exploration declined over past year: Exploration expenditure has declined in Manitoba for the past two years. While Natural Resources Canada is forecasting a 44% increase in exploration spending across the county in 2010, it is estimating there will be a 12% decline in Manitoba to $85.9 million. When commodity prices spiked in 2008, mineral exploration spending in Manitoba was at $152 million, an all-time high.

Key Source: Globe and Mail, November 18, 2010

Auriga purchases land for exploration: Auriga Gold Corp. announced it has finalized its acquisition of the Knife Lake Property, covering about 1,500 hectares 75 kilometres northwest of Flin Flon. To conclude the acquisition, the Toronto-based company issued 375,000 shares. This secured the company a 100% interest in the site, subject to royalties. An historic resource estimate of Knife Lake showed the deposit contains six million ore tonnes grading 0.90% copper and 0.18 grams of gold per tonne.

Key Source: Flin Flon Reminder, December 8, 2010

Gold drilling exploration near Cranberry Portage: Callinan Mines, a junior miner based in Vancouver, began drilling near the former site of the Gurney Mine, about 20 kilometres northeast of Cranberry Portage. The company is now referring to the site as the Gossan Project. The former gold mine site has been inactive for over 70 years. Exploration took place in the 1980's and 1990's.

Key Source: Flin Flon Reminder, November 5, 2010

Three companies to restart dormant gold mines: In addition to Callinan Mines’ Gossan project, three other junior miners are considering restarting dormant gold mines in the Flin Flon and Snow Lake areas. St. Eugene Mining Corp. plans to re-open the Tartan Lake Mine near Flin Flon in 2011. Alexis Minerals Corp. near Snow Lake plans to re-open the Snow Lake Mine (formerly know as New Britannica), and Michigan-based Auriga Mining Corp. is considering restarting the Puffy Lake Mine in late 2011.

Key Source: Flin Flon Reminder, November 5, 2010

Vale to invest $1 billion to develop new nickel sources in Thompson: Vale’s plan to invest more than $1 billion to develop new sources of nickel ore at its Thompson 1-D and Pipe-Kipper deposits in Manitoba is part of a broader $10-billion investment plan in Canada. The Thompson D mine expansion, currently at the pre-feasibility stage, could produce 33 million pounds annually, while the output at a longer-term project called Pipe-Kipper has yet to be determined. Vale expects to mine 75 million pounds of nickel in Thompson in 2011, compared with 198 million pounds mined at its operations in Sudbury. The $10 billion US Vale plans to spend expanding its operations in Canada includes $3.4 billion in Ontario, $3 billion in Saskatchewan, and $2.8 billion in Newfoundland and Labrador. Vale recently received a $1-billion loan from Export Development Canada, which includes about $500 million to help the company develop its operations in Canada. The loan is tied to another $500 million for Vale's operations outside Canada if the company uses Canadian goods and services, or for Vale exports if it uses Canadian suppliers.

Key Sources: Globe and Mail, November 17 and 18, 2010 and
Thompson Citizen, November 17, 2010

Proposed shutdown of Thompson smelter and refinery could leave 500 out of work: Brazilian mining company Vale announced on November 17 that it plans to phase out its smelting and refining operations in Manitoba by 2015. The proposed shutdown of the Thompson smelter and refinery would result in a loss of about 500 jobs or 40% of the current Vale Thompson workforce. The estimated loss to the payroll in Thompson for some of the city's highest paid jobs could be as much as $50 million annually, money which would no longer be circulating in the local economy.

Key Source: Thompson Citizen, November 17 and 26, 2010

Smelter in Thompson to close: Vale has identified a number of issues that led to operating changes at its smelter in Thompson. Mineral reserves in Thompson have not been sufficient to operate the smelter and refinery at full capacity for some time. To compensate for this shortfall, Vale has been importing as much as 45% of the nickel processed in Thompson from Voisey's Bay, Newfoundland. This external source will no longer be available after 2013. Changes to federal SO2 emission standards are also a factor. Starting in 2015, Vale will be required to reduce airborne emissions at the Thompson operation by approximately 88%, a target Vale has concluded that it cannot meet. Construction of a new state-of-the-art, $2.8-billion smelting and refining processing facility, located on tidewater, is underway at Long Harbour, Newfoundland, and is scheduled to be complete in 2013. It will process the concentrate from nickel sulphate directly into finished nickel product.

Key Sources: Vale, company website: November 17, 2010,
Globe and Mail, November 18, 2010

Construction projects for northern Manitoba: The Province of Manitoba announced five construction projects for 2011 on roads in northern Manitoba. These include two renovations to Highway 373, grading north of Norway House, and surfacing north of Jenpeg, as well as repaving over 30 kilometres of Highway 6 south of Ponton, widening the grade on Highway 10 between Wanless and Highway 39, improving Provincial Road 280 near Gillam, and grading on Provincial Road 384 near Lobster Creek.

Key Sources: Thompson Citizen, December 3, 2010

New truck plaza to open near Grand Rapids: The Paskwayak Business Development Corporation (PBDC), the development corporation for Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), has continued to grow and expand. The Corporation currently employs 223 people. PBDC is responsible for a large number of businesses, including the Kikiwak Inn, OCN Shell, Northland Redi-Mix, and the Big E-mart. A truck plaza located at the junction of highways 6 and 60 is slated to open in late December and employ 15 workers each from OCN and Grand Rapids First Nation.

Key Source: Opasquia Times: November 17, 2010

Thompson transit system augmented: Revisions to the Thompson transit system’s two routes come into effect December 13, as two buses purchased from New Flyer Industries in Winnipeg are due to arrive. The buses provide a wide range of accessibility and service improvements, including an automated wheelchair ramp, advertising spaces, and video cameras inside the buses. Greyhound Canada will operate the buses.

Key Source: Thompson Citizen, December 7, 2010

Switch to digital broadcasting delayed: The CRTC’s mandate that all television stations in the country switch from analogue to digital by August 31, 2011 has been extended. Due to the economic slow down, not all broadcasters were able to afford the change. Analogue over-the-air transmission has remained useful for isolated communities such as in northern Manitoba, where new technologies are not available or affordable. It is expected that Thompson will have a new fibre optics system by 2015.

Key Source: Thompson Citizen, November 17, 2010

Conference about Lake Winnipeg: The International Institute for Sustainable Development and its Water Innovation Centre brought together creative minds from government, business, civil society, and academia for a conference called "Lake Winnipeg Basin Summit ­- Our Lake Our Solutions" on November 30 and December 1. Dr. Anthony Watanabe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Innovolve, was the keynote speaker. He presented the report "Water and the Future of the Canadian Economy", funded by The RBC Blue Water Project.

Key Source: Interlake Spectator, December 2, 2010

Staffing challenges at the Burntwood Regional Health Authority (BRHA): BRHA reported that one of the major problems it faces is the recruitment and retention of staff. In the last fiscal year ending March 2010, it had a vacancy rate of 6.5%. Surgeons, pediatricians, and a nurse practitioner have been hired to start in 2011. The planned addition of 12 registered nurses will allow the BRHA to increase the total number of beds in the medical, surgical, and pediatric departments to 35 by early 2011.

Key Source: Thompson Citizen, December 3, 2010

New dialysis unit in Berens River: Construction has started on a $5-million renal-health dialysis unit in Berens River. The four-station, 5,727-square-foot renal-health dialysis unit will be attached to the Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Health Centre. Construction is expected to be complete by October 2011. The North Eastman Health Association will operate the provincial-government-funded facility.

Key Source: Province of Manitoba News Release, November 26, 2010

Renovation of Riverton seniors’ residence: The Icelandic Riverton Lodge, a 40-year-old seniors' facility in Riverton will undergo a $7-million expansion and renovation with funds from the Province of Manitoba's Department of Housing and Community Development. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2011, with completion scheduled for the fall. New one- and two-bedroom units will be added, as well as nine supportive housing units. The reconstruction will expand the Lodge's capacity from 24 units to 36 units.

Key Source: Interlake Spectator November 12, 2010

Radisson Hecla Resort placed into receivership: The Radisson Hecla Resort, located in Grindstone Park on Lake Winnipeg, was placed in receivership. The resort was a popular destination for weddings and other events from spring through fall, but was not able to attract enough guests to make it viable in the winter.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, November 19, 2010

$45-million renovation for Stony Mountain Penitentiary: The federal government plans to spend $45 million over the next four years to renovate the Stony Mountain Penitentiary and the nearby minimum-security Rockwood Institution. Stony Mountain, a medium-security federal prison, will have 96 beds added to its current 456, and Rockwood will have 50 beds added to its current 167 beds. The new facilities are to be built within existing prison walls. Approximately 40 new jobs will be created in the two facilities. The beginning of construction is expected fairly soon, with an anticipated completion of Rockwood in 2012 to 2013, and Stony Mountain in 2013 to 2014.

Key Sources: Winnipeg Free Press November 13, 2010 and
Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times, November 18, 2010

Southern Manitoba

Norwex Enviro Products $5.2-million expansion in Dauphin: Since opening 11 years ago, Norwex Enviro Products has seen its sales of environmentally friendly personal-care and cleaning products grow by more than 100% every year. Norwex recently began a $5.2-million project to expand its office and warehouse facilities from 10,000 square feet to 33,000 square feet. Currently, Norwex employs 100 people, and the company plans to add up to 60 staff once the expansion is finished. Norwex's products are produced in 13 countries and then shipped to its distribution centre in Dauphin. This non-stop activity has helped Norwex become one of Canada Post's biggest customers in Western Canada. Canada Post sends a semi-trailer truck to Dauphin every morning and a five-tonne truck in the afternoon, five days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Key Source: Winnipeg Free Press, October 9, 2010

Former Fleming School city-owned land sold: Brandon City Council accepted a bid from a local developer, Kirk Brugger, to build a two-storey commercial building on the site of the former Fleming School on Victoria Avenue. The City had other bids to consider, including a bid to expand Brandon University student housing, and a bid by Seniors Co-op to develop affordable seniors’ housing. Brandon School Division owns the Fleming school building, as well as the remaining 2.2 acres of green space, and will be considering other bids. Currently Sioux Valley Education Authority has been renting the building for use as a high school.

Key Source: Brandon Sun, November 18, 2010

Manitoba Workers Compensation expansion: The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba will open a new office in Brandon in 2012, to provide services to workers in the Brandon and Westman area. The office will employ 20 people, and will adjudicate initial claims as well as case management functions. It will also offer health-care examinations, vocational rehabilitation, and safe-work services.

Key Source: Brandon Sun, November 20, 2010

Métis Student Centre opens at Brandon University: In recognition of the 125th anniversary of the execution of the Manitoba Métis leader Louis Riel, the Métis Student Centre opened on the second floor of Clark Hall at Brandon University campus on November 16, 2010. The Manitoba Métis Federation Southwest Region donated a number of computers for student use.

Key Source: Brandon Sun, November 17, 2010

New cancer treatment centre in Brandon: In February 2011, the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre will start offering chemotherapy, outpatient treatments, and, for the first time outside of Winnipeg, radiation therapy. To respond to the anticipated increase in cancer patients traveling to the new Cancer Centre in Brandon, the Canadian Cancer Society is planning to expand its transportation service into rural western Manitoba. These services will provide rural cancer patients with transportation to treatment or treatment-related medical appointments in Brandon. Currently, transportation services are provided for individuals living in Brandon, Steinbach, Stonewall, Gimli, Selkirk, Teulon, and Beausejour. With the expansion, transportation will be extended to patients living in and around Melita and Souris.

Key Source: Melita New Era, November 26

Brandon's Massey Building Project receives an additional $198,000 from Canada's Homeless Partnering Strategy: The federal government contributed just over $1 million to the $6.8-million project. The renovation of the historic building located at 6th Street and Pacific Avenue is being undertaken by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brandon Friendship Centre, and Habitat for Humanity, and should be completed by the spring of 2011. The Massey Building Project will include a mix of 58 housing units, ranging from emergency shelters to subsidized rental units and for-purchase condominiums.

Key Source: Brandon Sun, November 13, 2010

New personal-care home in Morden: On November 15, the provincial government announced that Morden's aging Tabor Home will be replaced. Current plans will see a new 100-bed Tabor Home located on Morden's east side, beside a private assisted-living facility that is currently under development. The Tabor Home board identified this location as ideal because it provides an opportunity to locate a personal-care home, supportive-housing, and private-housing options together in a seniors' campus. A budget estimate was not announced; however, it is estimated that the cost will be similar to the $30 million required for Neepawa's Country Meadows.

Key Source: Pembina Valley Online, November 18, 2010

Salem Personal Care Home expansion: A sod-turning ceremony on November 8 marked the start of construction on the new multi-purpose room at Salem Personal Care Home in Winkler. The room will include space for residents and for a computer lab. Construction should finish early in the summer 2011.

Key Source: The Winkler Times, November 11, 2010

Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM)'s annual convention will be held in Brandon in 2011: The AMM membership voted 85% in favour of rotating its annual convention between Winnipeg and Brandon. The vote followed intense criticism of the AMM board's unilateral decision in late 2009 to keep the convention in Winnipeg until Brandon could provide 1,500 rooms the board believes necessary to grow the event. Keystone Centre manager Dan Robertson stated that this event brings $100,000 in revenue for the Keystone Center. Robertson, along with representatives from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Brandon First and Tourism, traveled to Winnipeg to support the council's delegation at the annual convention.

Key Source: Brandon Sun, November 24, 2010

Brandon City Council approves funding for upgrades of water treatment facility: On November 15, City Council gave final approval to its funding agreement with Maple Leaf Foods Incorporated and Pfizer Global Manufacturing, to design and implement phase three of the facility's construction. The final price tag is $76.9 million, including $22.4 million in City funding. The water treatment plant is located at 4040 Victoria Avenue. Upgrades are expected to begin as early as the summer or fall of 2011.

Key Source: Brandon Sun November 16, 2010