Multi-year budget to force councillors, bureaucrats to focus on the big picture

City hall is putting the final touches on the 2019 preliminary budget -- but the real tough job will start after that.

The city is committed to developing a four-year budget beginning with 2020, and having it in place by the end of this year.

It's a process that is filled with uncertainties, trying to balance four successive annual budgets at the same time, using assumptions on revenues and expenses that can change without notice: a provincial government that has frozen funding to city hall at 2016 levels and is reluctant to disclose annual funding commitments or share in unexpected revenues; erratic fuel prices; a possible change in government in Ottawa, which could bring new spending priorities. And in the middle of that four-year span, another civic election where new members of council may have other priorities than those laid out by the current crop of office holders.

Municipal governments across Manitoba are required to approve their annual operating and capital budgets by the end of March each year. But the criticism of decision-making at city hall has been that all the decisions are made on a year-to-year basis, keeping voters happy with an eye on the next election.

Railways report more accidents with dangerous goods

OTTAWA — The number of rail accidents involving dangerous goods more than doubled in Canada in 2018.

There were 25 accidents involving dangerous goods in 2018, involving one death, according to Transport Canada data published Monday.

There were 11 accidents recorded a year prior, and five in 2016.

These accidents involve dangerous goods — flammable or corrosive substances — that either exploded or leaked.

‘Women were shortchanged.’ Why bobsledding’s idea of equality doesn’t add up

When female bobsledders pushed for an Olympic four-woman event, they got a solo discipline instead: monobob. Now they’ll race for the same number of medals as men, but with fewer sledders. Not the progress they were looking for.

Bombers look to avenge past playoff losses to Argos

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers should see blue and white confetti in their nightmares.

Despite being favourites on both occasions, the Bombers lost the 2022 and 2024 Grey Cup games to the Toronto Argonauts — not that anyone around these parts needs a reminder.

While they’ll never be able to rewrite history, the Bombers can at least get a taste of revenge Saturday when the rivalry adds another chapter with the two sides battling in the Eastern semifinal at BMO Field.

That’s got to add some fuel to the fire, no?

Child Nutrition Council helps schools make sure students don't go hungry

‘Hey, can you grab me an orange?”

It’s 11:30 a.m. on a Friday at Glenlawn Collegiate, and students of all ages and backgrounds are stopping by the school’s community kitchen. Two girls walk away chatting and peeling their oranges; a group of boys stop by looking for yogurt, which a student volunteer supplies.

This is what a school nutrition program can look like.

The community kitchen program at the St. Vital high school is just one of such programs assisted by the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, a charitable organization that supports breakfast, lunch and snack programs in schools across Manitoba.