Better broadband coming to rural Manitoba
Bell MTS announced on Aug. 29 that it is expanding its all fibre broadband to more communities in rural Manitoba. Beginning this fall, the latest expansion will see all-fibre connections made to locations in Blumenort, Ile des Chênes, Landmark, Matlock, St. Adolphe, Stony Mountain and Winnipeg Beach.
The expansion will see faster, higher-capacity fibre connections (internet download speeds up to 1.5 Gbps) and access to other Bell MTS services.
“At Bell MTS, we are proud to be expanding the deployment of our faster, more climate-resilient fibre networks in rural Manitoba, enabling brand new economic opportunities for both businesses and consumers in 7 more communities across the province. Today’s announcement builds on our industry-leading capital expenditure plan to connect more Manitobans in communities large and small with the best network technology available to communicate, learn, travel and stay informed,” said Ryan Klassen, Vice Chair of Bell MTS & Western Canada with the announcement.
As well, Bell MTS is nearing completion of fibre network builds in Altona, Plum Coulee, Emerson and Morris.
Cleanfarms adds program coordinator in Manitoba
Cleanfarms, the national stewardship organization that recycles agricultural plastics, has added Serena Klippenstein to its Manitoba-based staff. She will be responsible for “helping to operate solutions that work in Manitoba” for recycling used agricultural products. Cleanfarms’ programs are part of the provincial Manitoba Ag Plastic Program. She will also be part of implementing other programs, including recycling silage bags and bail wrap, as well as collecting and disposing of unwanted pesticides and livestock medications.
“As people in the agricultural community know, a farmer has to be a jack of all trades to be a successful grower and that includes adapting technology that helps them do more with less. Farmers who use ag plastic products like grain bags want access to programs that help them manage those materials when they are no longer useful. That’s what I am here to do…help find solutions that make sense in Manitoba but that draw on the depth of experience that is happening across the prairies,” Klippenstein said.
Klippenstein has a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) from the University of Manitoba with a major in agronomy and a minor in soil science and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) – Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan. Prior to joining Cleanfarms, she worked with the Canola Council of Canada and DL Seeds Inc.
“Serena’s education and work experience in agriculture adds to Cleanfarms’ capacity to develop and deliver programs for farmers across the prairies that address the way producers farm today,” says Cleanfarms Executive Director Barry Friesen. “Our goal is to create programs that give producers practical options that they can put into play to help keep farm communities tidy and contribute to a healthy environment. We are proud to have Serena on our Cleanfarms team to help expand relationships in Manitoba that will benefit producers and industry stewards.”
Province launches public engagement to improve apprenticeship and certification system
The Manitoba government is asking the public to participate in the development of the Apprenticeship and Certification Board five-year strategic plan and the province’s apprenticeship and certification system and workforce development.
“Our government recognizes the importance of effective apprenticeship and certification processes, so we welcome public input on how we can best provide a system that ensures a smoother path to employment for individuals and a stronger workforce for all Manitobans,” said Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes. “The anticipated insights will be invaluable as we continue to develop a five-year strategic plan for 2023 to 2028 on the key areas of training, employment and professional development.”
The Manitoba Apprenticeship and Certification Board (ACB) will host in-person public meetings and two virtual meetings for the public to provide insight on the apprenticeship training and certification system. Manitobans are also invited to complete the survey on EngageMB until Sept. 30.
Paul Mahon to speak at Scotiabank Financials Summit
Great-West Lifeco announced on Sept. 1 that president and CEO Paul Mahon will speak at the Scotiabank Financials Summit on Sept. 8, with the presentation starting at 11.10 am ET.
Mahon joins other presenters including Denis Richard, president and CEO of iA Financial Group, Roy Gori, president and CEO at Manulife, Victor G. Dodig, president and CEO, CIBC, and Laurent Ferreira, president and CEO of National Bank of Canada at the summit next week.
