Queen Elizabeth II won’t attend climate conference in person

Conversations about immigration often pretend that managing the numbers and where they go is as simple as turning a dial up or down. Like most things, the truth is more nuanced.

The Immigrant Employment Councils of Canada network’s 18-month engagement with over 1,100 employers, community and settlement service stakeholders made this apparent in many ways but, perhaps an underappreciated facet is the contrast between urban and rural immigration, and what challenges both immigrants and employers face in each context.

Rural and urban labour markets differ in structure, services and constraints, and a one-size solution will underdeliver everywhere.

This is why we have government programs such as the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, currently active in 14 areas across the country, as well as the provincial nominee program and provincial rural immigration pilots such as Manitoba’s West-Central Immigration Initiative.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My girlfriend is a great singer and guitar player, but now she’s gotten in with some male musicians to form a band for playing bars. I’m a drummer, but a terrible one. They found themselves a great one a couple weeks ago, so I’ve been pushed out.

My girl could see I was feeling jealous of her continued band action, so she told me I should still come out to help schlep the equipment to and from the gig. That’s just not happening — I won’t be their lowly roadie to boss around!

So, now what happens to her and I? Let me guess — we break up, and what do you know? The singer guy sees his chance and makes a big play for her. She is a beautiful, talented woman. Help!

— Feeling Anxious, Osborne Village

Removing trade uncertainty tops Harold Kriewald’s wish list.

On Wednesday, he hadn’t heard from suppliers about which — if any — products at Stalwart Appliances in Winnipeg will be hit with new levies.

Canadian tariffs on $26.7 billion worth of United States imports are set to begin Sept. 8. They come before the holiday season, the retail sector’s busiest stretch.

“(If) the forecast is uncertain, you as the consumer are not always prone to want to make a big purchase,” said Kriewald, Stalwart Appliances’s owner. “Uncertainty is probably the worst thing. The tariffs, of course, bring that uncertainty.”

Eligible Manitoba farmers impacted by heavy rain and flooding earlier this year will see AgriStability enhancements.

The government is waiving 2025 late-filing penalties for affected farmers in communities that declared states of emergencies. Producers outside those areas may appeal for a waiver of late-filing penalties, if they were affected by flooding and missed the June 30 deadline.

The maximum interim payment available to farmers enrolled in the 2026 AgriStability program has increased to 75 per cent from 50 per cent of the final payment.

Farmers who’ve already received an interim payment will automatically be topped up to the 75 per cent level.