According to Farmer 4.0, a new RBC report, the country could be short critical skills – data analysis, robotics and global sales, among them – that will be needed to transform the sector across a projected shortage of 123,000 agricultural workers by 2030.

However, with the correct skills mix, agriculture could add another $11 billion to Canada’s GDP and make the sector more productive than auto manufacturing and aerospace combined.

Read all about it in this week’s Review.

Many people have been announced as receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal – a commemorative medal to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. With the Queen’s passing, this medal holds even more special merit, as it will likely commemorate the longest monarch reign for quite some time.

A former Roblinite, who now resides in Melville, was recently announced as one of the recipients.

Check out the recipient in this week’s paper.

The Manitoba government is investing $3 million in two housing programs that will allow more Manitoba seniors to safely age in their homes and communities as long as they choose.

The new home modification grant program will have an annual budget of $1.5 million, and provide financial assistance to seniors over the age of 65 and/or family members who have seniors over the age of 65 living with them with a household income of $60,000.

More in this week’s Review.

Spring cleaning is a daunting task that no one looks forward to, even though we all are anxious for the arrival of a warmer season.

There’s a new business in Roblin that is offering a variety of power wash services for agricultural, residential, industrial, automotive and commercial cleaning. KP Klean Co., operated by Kris Paul, started up last year and has been growing ever since.

Find out more in this issue.

As spring approaches, Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement (SVSFE) is more excited than usual. Back in February, SVSFE technicians and volunteers partnered with Manitoba Fisheries staff to complete a “one of a kind” fish habitat improvement project at Glad Lake.

“Glad Lake is an oligotrophic lake (lakes which generally host very little or no aquatic vegetation and are relatively clear) in the Duck Mountains lacking high-quality fish cover in multiple areas,” noted SVSFE Technician Brock Koutecky. “The creation of underwater fish structures will benefit the
various species within this fishery.

Two local musicians will have a chance to play at one of Canada’s largest country musical festivals this year.

Kris Paul and Becky Lou Martin are set to play at Countryfest this summer. Both artists have been finding the balance between everyday life and music.

Read all about it in this issue.

A descendant of the Red River Métis and a spokesperson for the Métis Rights Coalition (MRC) says he has some serious concerns about the so-called Manitoba Métis Federation “government” and where the organization is headed.

“Maybe to some people this is not serious but to me, it’s very serious,” said a concerned Charlie Vermeylen.

Vermeylen says he has a lot of questions about this government but unfortunately, he’s not

Find out what he’s concerned about in this week’s Review.

The North Western Marquette Festival of the Arts was held in Russell March 14, 15 and 16 with 44 entries in the dance competition, 48 entries for piano and 12 in the vocal category, which inlcued five school choirs.

The adjudicator for Dance was Tamara Topsnik Hicks from Brandon and Winnipeg’s Theresa Thordarson took care of judging Piano and Vocal entries.

The Speech Arts portion took place in February with some 15 entries.

Check out the winners in this week’s paper.

Election time is just around the corner and many political parties are lining up and announcing their candidates for certain ridings.

The Swan River constituency’s Progressive Conservative (PC) Association held its candidate selection meeting March 30 in Swan River at the Westwood Inn where MLA Rick Wowchuk won an uncontested nomination.

Read all about it in this week’s Review.

Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development is advising that outfitting licences of two resource tourism operators in the Grandview area have been cancelled.

The move comes after a lengthy investigation led by the Manitoba Conservation Officer Service along with Canadian and American wildlife investigators.

Find out why in this issue.