Latest news from across the prairies

Goertzen says assignments and learning are to continue as teachers work remotely.

Students will not see their grades drop below where they were when schools shut down last month.

The province announced another seven probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing its total to 103. (The Canadian Press)

Manitoba flood outlook

Manitoba is forecasting it will avoid major flooding this spring if there are no major early rain or snow storms this month.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says contingency plans are in place if the spring thaw requires high-water management like sandbagging.

He says because of the novel coronavirus, extra protocols are being put in place to ensure supplies in case of flooding.

The flood outlook shows a relatively warm and dry winter has eased annual spring flood fears. (The Canadian Press)

Saskatchewan NDP calling for more testing

Saskatchewan N-D-P leader Ryan Meili wants COVID-19 testing to ramp up after the provincial case count jumped 50 per cent over the weekend.

Meili also says more testing data should be released to the public so people can know of locations that have confirmed cases.

He says people who had symptoms or had a good reason to get tested have been told to just self-isolate and not get tested when they contacted HealthLine 8-1-1.

The province reported eight new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing its total to 184. (CKRM, The Canadian Press)

Saskatchewan labour dispute likely to continue

The union in the Co-op Refinery dispute says it will recommend its members reject the latest offer from the company.

According to Unifor, the recent offer includes concessions that were not in a special mediator’s report.

Unifor president Jerry Dias says the union stands by the recommendations made by the mediator who was appointed by Premier Scott Moe’s government.

On Monday, the company applied to the Labour Relations Board for a final offer vote.

Federated Co-op locked out its 700 workers in December after they took a strike vote. (CTV)

Alberta education minister sticking to decision to layoff staff

Alberta’s education minister is resisting Opposition calls for her to rethink the decision to lay off more than 20,000 people in an email on the weekend.

Adriana LaGrange has declined to say why she ordered the layoffs despite promising two weeks ago to keep full education funding in place for the rest of the school year.

On Saturday, as schools geared up to begin virtual at-home programming for thousands of students, she directed school boards to lay off more than 20,000 support staff, including substitute teachers and educational assistants who work with special-needs students.

LaGrange says the move will save the government 128 million dollars and that staff who lose their jobs will eventually be hired back.

(Prairie Update by The Canadian Press)

by Alex McCuaig

Latest news from across the prairies

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