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COLUMN: Ask the Money Lady – Retirement strategies for volatile markets

Christine Ibbotson 3 minute read 5:03 PM CST

Readers continually ask me to suggest ways to help them deal with stock market swings. While we have had somewhat of a difficult year, it is believed that the markets will be moving more positively into 2025. When we look at the markets overall, third quarter earnings were up and our economy continues to grow. Large cap stock still trends to be the favourite but with anticipated easing interest rates next year, we will most likely see mid-cap and small-cap stocks outperforming again. So, for now, I thought I would give you five steps that you can keep in mind when your investment portfolio dips in random volatile market conditions.

1. If you are five to 10 years from retirement – you still have time on your side. You can still benefit from future stock market returns, price appreciations and dividends. Continue saving as much as you can to build out your portfolio.

2. Since for most, retirement will be long term – your investment focus should also be long term. Stay invested in a diversified portfolio when you enter retirement. Do not try and time the market or take on risky investments. Staying invested will ensure you avoid the risk of knowing when to get back into the market if you decided to bail out when the markets go down. Ensure your advisor rebalances your portfolio on a continuous basis to maintain a strategic target asset allocation. This will guarantee your portfolio is realigned properly to your risk tolerance, age, and future goals.

3. Most advisors will tell you to keep maximizing your RRSPs until you retire. While this is okay advice, I am not a big believer in having all your investments in registered retirement savings plans. Of course, they do have their place for tax savings, I still believe everyone should also be maxing-up their TFSAs and work on lowering consumer debt. If you can, try to put a lumpsum down on your mortgage or lower your amortization to pay it off sooner.

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WSO brings Holiday Tour to Steinbach

Chris Gareau 1 minute read Preview

WSO brings Holiday Tour to Steinbach

Chris Gareau 1 minute read 2:02 PM CST

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra brough their Holiday Tour to Steinbach on Dec. 3 at Crossview Church.

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2:02 PM CST

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON

Winners of the Steinbach Arts Council contest get to perform Toy Symphony by Leopold Mozart (that Mozart’s dad) with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra during their Holiday Tour in Steinbach Dec. 3 at Crossview Church. Conductor Monica Chen leads the WSO in a rendition of Rejoice by Steven Amundson. The evening ended with a singalong led by the Accent Singers choir.

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON

Winners of the Steinbach Arts Council contest get to perform Toy Symphony by Leopold Mozart (that Mozart’s dad) with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra during their Holiday Tour in Steinbach Dec. 3 at Crossview Church. Conductor Monica Chen leads the WSO in a rendition of Rejoice by Steven Amundson. The evening ended with a singalong led by the Accent Singers choir.

Area students nab MHSAA honours

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Area students nab MHSAA honours

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read 1:54 PM CST

For three consecutive weeks, the Manitoba High School Athletic Association’s athlete of the week has gone to a volleyball player from the region.

Green Valley’s Jasmine Barkman and Gabrielle-Roy’s Jacob Boisjoli followed up Morris School’s Nicolas Leflar in receiving the award.

Barkman is the only grade 12 player on the Grunthal-based Green Valley’s varsity volleyball team and helped them to an appearance at the provincial championships.

“Jasmine has been a fearless leader all season long, on and off the court,” the MHSAA release reads, noting she also serves on the school’s student council and maintains a 98% average in her classes.

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1:54 PM CST

Green Valley's Jasmine Barkman was named the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba high school athlete of the week Nov. 20. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Green Valley's Jasmine Barkman was named the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba high school athlete of the week Nov. 20. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Independent schools should pay the price

Roy Seidler, Giroux, MB 2 minute read 11:29 AM CST

It was with no small amount of consternation and concern that I read Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen’s column (View from the Legislature) entitled, “Education option remains important right,” in the Nov. 28 edition of The Carillon. In his article Mr. Goertzen raises the ongoing topic of “parental rights” in public education. After reading the article, I am perplexed. To which parents and which rights is he referring to? In the column, Mr. Goertzen was most effusive in extolling the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools which for 50 years have “advocated for parental choice in the Manitoba education system.” In reality, that parental choice of attending an independent faith-based school is not an option for the majority of families.

To make matters even more egregious, some of these independent schools receive 50 percent of their funding (since 1996) from the province, from all tax paying citizens. The majority of Manitoba’s tax paying citizens/parents would not meet the faith-based requirements, political views and financial resources that would allow them to attend an independent school, even if they wanted to. When it comes the education option Mr. Goertzen is extolling, apparently “we are all equal, but some or more equal than others.”

When we speak of parental rights, which parents and which rights are we talking about? Do we mean all parents or just the affluent ones who share our personal religious beliefs to the exclusion of others, less fortunate or of a different political/religious mindset?

In Manitoba the “important education option” of creating an independent faith-based school exists as an alternative to the public education system. Fine, but Mr. Goertzen and others of a similar political view should pay the full price for that “faith-based alternative” and should not be subsidized by public funding. Independent school funding could and should be used to support a financially strapped public education system in Manitoba to begin with. The public education system does not discriminate and exclude the most vulnerable and needy children.

Gardenton man charged with impaired driving causing death

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read 8:06 AM CST

A Gardenton man has been charged with impaired driving causing death after being involved in a head-on collision on Highway 17 near Fisher Branch on Nov. 29.

The collision occurred at 6:45 p.m. when the 60-year-old man piloted his pickup into a collision with a SUV that was driven by a 69-year-old female with a 71-year-old female passenger, both from Peguis.

The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene while the passenger was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the pickup was also treated at hospital for non-life threatening injuries and was later arrested.

Lighting up a bright future in health care

Chris Gareau 3 minute read Preview

Lighting up a bright future in health care

Chris Gareau 3 minute read Yesterday at 8:07 PM CST

Christmas lights and fireworks lit up the grounds of Bethesda hospital and the faces of families gathered for Bethesda Foundation’s Gifts of Light tree lighting.

Hundreds gathered around the healing garden Dec. 1 to see Cari Penner with her family flip the switch that turned on thousands of lights sponsored by donations from the community. Those donations helped build the major expansion now going up at the regional hospital.

Penner is the wife of the late Darrel Penner, a driving force with the foundation who served as vice chair and chair of the board for 27 years. Cari reflected on the many years the Gift of Light has shone in Steinbach, and the significance of light.

“You could say light is a sign of hope; hope that morning will come, rescue will come, darkness will end – a true sign of the Christmas season,” Penner told the crowd.

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Yesterday at 8:07 PM CST

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Fireworks brighten families' faces at the Bethesda Foundation’s Gifts of Light tree lighting Dec. 1.

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON
Fireworks brighten families' faces at the Bethesda Foundation’s Gifts of Light tree lighting Dec. 1.

MCC hands out $40,500 to local community groups

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Preview

MCC hands out $40,500 to local community groups

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 PM CST

MCC Thrift Store has handed out $40,500 to nine community groups in Steinbach who it feels provide vital services to the community.

“Often the question is what do we do here locally for our own people? Is all this money going out of the country? Our aim is to do what we can here locally in the same kinds of ways that we do in other countries around the world,” said MCC Thrift Store general manager Dave Thiessen.

Sales from the thrift store are used to help organizations in 45 countries around the world and in Steinbach. This year, Thiessen said donations were up from the previous year.

One of the organizations being helped by MCC is enVision Community Living, an organization that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities live normal productive lives.

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Yesterday at 5:00 PM CST

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON

MCC Thrift Store general manager Dave Thiessen gives a cheque for $4,500 to enVision Foundation fundraising coordinator Louise Carriere and enVision executive director Jeannette DeLong at the enVision office in Steinbach on Dec. 2. enVision is one of nine local organizations that received funding.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON 

MCC Thrift Store general manager Dave Thiessen gives a cheque for $4,500 to enVision Foundation fundraising coordinator Louise Carriere and enVision executive director Jeannette DeLong at the enVision office in Steinbach on Dec. 2. enVision is one of nine local organizations that received funding.

COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Voices remembered

Maria Falk Lodge 4 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Voices remembered

Maria Falk Lodge 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:57 PM CST

The gravel ridge of my childhood has a very old history, and change has permeated its existence since time immemorial. To those who lived on the Rosengard gravel ridge during my childhood and youth, it seemed like a very solid landmark that simply belonged where it was located. And furthermore, I do not recall anyone in my hearing at the time questioning how the ridge came into existence. Nevertheless, the advantages of living on the gravel ridge were many. The fact that the Rosengard School was located on this ancient landmark, that being the gravel shoreline of long-ago Lake Agassiz, was advantageous in numerous ways, including the fact that our playground was never muddy. Spring run-off was not a concern, and neither was the aftermath of a heavy downpour.

The gravel ridge without a doubt had been traversed by many people, even reaching back well before recorded history. Those who were our neighbours when I was growing up in that vicinity, and in some instances, their ancestors as well, all found it an ideal location for setting up their homes and farms. In addition to being perfectly suited for establishing their homes and helping to nurture and develop their family units, the gravel ridge was a reliable roadway as well.

The individuals and family units who have made the gravel ridge and its surrounding lands their home, or possibly the means of providing a livelihood in one way or another are, of course, countless. Many whose names appear on no written birth certificates, or, for that matter, school attendance records, have nevertheless found the ridge amenable to being a willing participant in the activities and adventures of those who were drawn to its inviting environment.

Our own stories are, in some instances known only to us, inasmuch as we personally have experienced our individual lives. Nevertheless, we have also shared our lives with others, be it within our individual families, our friends and neighbours, or fellow students and teachers at the Rosengard School. We have shared, either through lived encounters or through conversations with others, many of life’s experiences, be they ordinary, if there is such a category, or possibly those that were profoundly life altering.

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Yesterday at 2:57 PM CST

Thriving in a loving family, spring 1946.

Thriving in a loving family, spring 1946.

Rosenort claim AA boys varsity volleyball banner

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Rosenort claim AA boys varsity volleyball banner

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:52 PM CST

The Rosenort Redhawks rode a hot serving hand to nab the AA boys varsity volleyball provincial championship in hostile territory Nov. 30.

The Redhawks matched up against the host and fellow Zone 4 school Morris/St Jean Mavericks in the final and managed to overcome the crowd for a three-set (25-16, 22-25, 15-3) victory.

Their wins in the first and third sets were powered by AJ Peters, whose booming serves to start each set gave Rosenort nearly insurmountable leads in both sets. Peters was named a tournament all-star.

Mavericks Nicolas Leflar and Tanner Manning were named tournament all-stars as well, with Redhawk Tristan Manning nabbing tournament most valuable player honours.

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Yesterday at 1:52 PM CST

Rosenort's Damen Doell goes for a kill attempt during the MHSAA AA boys varsity provincial final in Morris. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Rosenort's Damen Doell goes for a kill attempt during the MHSAA AA boys varsity provincial final in Morris. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Hanover School Division lays off 93 EAs due to funding mishap

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Preview

Hanover School Division lays off 93 EAs due to funding mishap

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Yesterday at 11:25 AM CST

The Hanover School Division is laying off almost a third of its EAs after an application for funding was sent to the wrong government office.

The division had been told in the summer by the regional office that its funding under Jordan’s Principle had been approved. Then the school division was informed in October that the funding applications had to be resubmitted. This led to a funding shortfall with the division laying off 93 educational assistants.

“Renewal applications for Jordan’s Principle funding were sent to the regional office for Indigenous Services Canada, which was the correct processing location…However, sometime in late summer early fall, responsibility for administering the funding shifted to the federal office of Indigenous Services Canada. This change was introduced without our knowledge. Upon submitting an invoice for expenses paid out in this school year, we were informed on Oct. 31 that the bill would not be paid and that we would need to resubmit our applications to the federal ISC office for review,” said superintendent Joe Thiessen.

“The reality is we’re greatly disappointed that we had to move in this direction…We had committed to over $1 million in EA salaries up until (the) time of layoff(s) and we really were left with no choice without secured funding.”

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Yesterday at 11:25 AM CST

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON ARCHIVES

Hanover School Division superintendent and CEO Joe Thiessen said 93 EAs had to be laid off because of a mishap in applying for Jordan’s Principal funding.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON ARCHIVES 

Hanover School Division superintendent and CEO Joe Thiessen said 93 EAs had to be laid off because of a mishap in applying for Jordan’s Principal funding.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Rethink Winnipeg Metropolitan Region

Karen Lalonde, Oakbank, MB 1 minute read Yesterday at 8:03 AM CST

The Edmonton and Calgary regional boards have struggled to sustain themselves without provincial assistance. The Alberta government has now ceased their funding and made membership voluntary. The boards have struggled to keep their promises of efficiency and cost savings and rely on government handouts.

The boards were pushing broader global agendas like International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and U.N. 2030. Globalist agendas undermine local autonomy and prioritize ideological objectives rather than reflecting the needs and values of the communities. There is nothing stopping RMs from working with their neighbors on a one-to-one basis. There is no need for another layer of costly bureaucracy to dictate what our communities have to do.

EDITORIAL – If not jail, then what?

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

Manitoba premier Wab Kinew ordered an end Monday to using jail to force people to undergo tuberculosis treatment.

The announcement came after public health officials ordered the detention of a 36-year-old God’s Lake First Nation woman to treat the highly contagious illness.

Many people were probably not even aware that arresting those who are not properly accessing treatment was a tool in the public health officials’ toolbox.

But that’s exactly what happened in this case.

NDP government introduces motion to support local journalism

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Preview

NDP government introduces motion to support local journalism

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

The NDP government has introduced a motion that would see a committee established to support local journalism in the province.

The measure was introduced during the throne speech last month and this week government leader Nahanni Fontaine introduced a motion to establish an all-party committee to explore “the future of local journalism, including rural and cultural media such as French, Filipino, Punjabi, and Chinese language publications with the mandate to consider matters of public support for journalism, and report its conclusion to the Assembly within 30 days of the start of Fall Sitting 2025.”

“It’s never too early to look at supporting the free press here in Manitoba and whether it be paper, radio, online media. We just want to see if there’s a way to support papers across Manitoba (in the) different ways we share information with Manitobans and in communities as well,” said MLA for St. Boniface Robert Loiselle.

The opposition said it will support the bill with the following amendments covering all ethnicities and non-official languages so long as they don’t promote hate speech or “undermine the Manitoba values of inclusivity and respect for all races, religions, and backgrounds.”

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Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

MIKE DEAL WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES

Premier Wab Kinew speaks to media during a press conference to talk about the throne speech on Nov. 19. One of the initiatives introduced by the government was protecting journalism in the province.

MIKE DEAL WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES 

Premier Wab Kinew speaks to media during a press conference to talk about the throne speech on Nov. 19. One of the initiatives introduced by the government was protecting journalism in the province.

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1981: Super League Trophy is back in Steinbach

Wes Keating 3 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1981: Super League Trophy is back in Steinbach

Wes Keating 3 minute read Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

It was no surprise that Carman’s Bill North and St Jean’s Jim Dewart were battling it out in the final draw of the 1981 Thompson Brooms Super League season in Winkler, Saturday. The surprise was that they were deciding third and fourth place. while a sheet over, Wilf Peters and Don Brown were settling the league’s championship.

Don Brown and his Citizen State Bank rink, from Cavalier, North Dakota, added an international flavor to this season’s Super League playoffs, but after reaching the final he ran out of shots and Wilf Peters and his East-Man Feeds foursome chalked up a 12-3 victory in six ends, to bring the Super League trophy back to Steinbach.

Peters set the tone in the final, when he drew for four in the first end. In the second, Brown needed a head-on hit to count one and cut Peters out of three. The third end was another disaster for Brown, and Peters built his lead to 8-1.

Peters and his rink of Hans Epp, Norm Krysko and Danny Lipinski made the playoffs by virtue of a four-way tie for the final three playoff spots and defeated Abe Friesen’s Steinbach rink in a special playoff Friday.

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Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

Dan Lipinski, Hans Epp, Norm Krysko and Wilf Peters accept plaques from Thomspon Brooms Super Curling League president Al Friesen following the Steinbach foursome’s victory over a team from Cavalier, North Dakota to win the 1981 super curling league championship. (Carillon Archives)

Dan Lipinski, Hans Epp, Norm Krysko and Wilf Peters accept plaques from Thomspon Brooms Super Curling League president Al Friesen following the Steinbach foursome’s victory over a team from Cavalier, North Dakota to win the 1981 super curling league championship. (Carillon Archives)

Terrifying DQ robbery with hatchet

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

A man who robbed teenagers at the Steinbach Dairy Queen using a hatchet and knives was sentenced to three years custody.

Judge Michelle Bright described the suppertime robbery in front of customers on Nov. 18, 2023 as “terrifying.”

The crew working that evening just after 6 p.m. was led by an 18-year-old woman and 21-year-old man. Then Terrance Machinskinic, 34, walked in demanding cash with a strong odour of liquor on his breath, a hatchet in his waistband, and a knife in his pocket.

“I have no doubt that this would have been really, really terrifying for them because they don’t know what’s going to happen. They don’t know what you’re going to do,” said Judge Bright before sentencing on Nov. 29 in Steinbach court.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: ‘But the travel…’ is a lame excuse for poor play

James Loewen 4 minute read Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

Whether it’s the Winnipeg Jets or any other professional sports franchise in any professional league, the idea that poor results are a product of a challenging schedule or lots of travel is pure bunk.

It’s meaningless and simply an attempt to distract from the poor play of whatever team needs an excuse.

Let’s unpack the ridiculous notion of travel hurting a team’s performance.

When you or I fly, we have to wait in long lines at the airport, whether we’re going through security or waiting in the lobby to board our plane.

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