Canada is one of the world’s largest oil producers globally and possesses some of the largest proven oil reserves on the planet. Diesel fuel should not cost this much in Canada.

Yet, Canadians are paying the highest price ever for diesel fuel under this Liberal government.

When Prime Minister Mark Carney was given a minority government mandate by Canadians on April 28, 2025, Manitoba diesel was averaging $1.38 per litre. By the beginning of October 2026, prices in Manitoba are averaging $2.48 per litre— about $1.10 more per litre from last year. That’s an increase of approximately 80 percent.

This isn’t a minor increase; it is a significant cost inflicted on hardworking Canadians that keep our economy moving.

When I was first elected to represent Dawson Trail, I understood that people would not always agree with me. That is democracy. What I did believe and still believe is that the people who sent me to the Manitoba Legislature should come before the political interests of any party.

Manitoba has, for much of its modern political history, functioned as essentially a two-party province. Governments change. The colours on the government benches change. But too often, the way politics is practised does not.

When you are part of a political party, there is tremendous pressure to see issues through a partisan lens. If the government proposes something, the opposition is expected to oppose it. If your own party proposes something, you are expected to support it.

But the people of Dawson Trail do not live their lives that way.

The Steinbach Arts Council invites you to the annual Corks & Canvas Wine Tasting fundraiser on Nov. 27, at Bentwood Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m..Enjoy an in-person event, with a sommelier-crafted tasting tour through Spain featuring six unique wines paired with a curated menu, alongside original local artwork and handcrafted items for purchase.Proceeds support essential community outreach, including free senior programming, therapeutic arts, and youth musician mentorship program. Tickets are $100 with a tax receiptable portion. Call 204-346-1077 or visit steinbacharts.ca to reserve your spot!

Special thanks to our sponsors: onPoint, Chez Koop, Country Meat & Deli, Craft Financial Group, Re/Max Keith Unger Team, Gislason Targownik Peters, and Jones & Company Wine Merchants.SAC brings Dry Cold Productions for the first time in Steinbach!The Steinbach Arts Council opens its 2026–2027 Concert Series with Once Upon a Dream, an intimate musical theatre concert produced by Winnipeg’s acclaimed Dry Cold Productions. The single-night performance takes place on Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the SRSS Theatre in Steinbach.

Led by Artistic Director Donna Fletcher, the concert features rising Canadian stars Alyssa Crockett and Julia Kroft. The duo first met during Dry Cold Productions’ Canadian premiere of The Prom and bonded over their shared passion for live theatre.Once Upon a Dream offers audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on stage through humor, personal stories, and standout vocal performances of beloved musical theatre songs.Tickets are $36 for adults and $18 for students, available online at SteinbachArts.ca/LIVE or by calling 204-346-1077.Help us raise funds for our programsSupport local arts during the SAC Program Fundraiser, running Sept. 28 to Oct. 30. All proceeds support SAC programs, helping keep community classes accessible and affordable for everyone.Fundraising Items Available:

Nature’s Farm Pasta BoxesNature’s Farm Granola BoxesNature’s Farm Gift Cards: $25 denominationsSobeys Gift Cards: $25, $50, $100, & $250 denominationsHow to Purchase:Stop by the SAC office (304 Second Street, Steinbach) Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 204-346-1077.

After four years of observing our current school board in action, we will finally have a say in what kind of a school board and what kind of trustees we would want to represent us for the next four years. And this time around there are excellent and worthy candidates in most wards. But we have to realize that we are now responsible to vote and to choose candidates that will form the kind of board we envision. Many questions have been posed to the candidates, but here are a few for you the voter.

Do you want change or more of the same?

Do you want a democratic public school board with a great local, provincial and even national reputation for high quality education and a highly caring and inclusive learning environment? Such a board has in the past served as a priceless asset for the City of Steinbach, Town of Niverville and Hanover municipality, helping to attract a steady stream of newcomers and fueling our near record growth.

Do you want trustees who are committed to support a fully public vision for our schools and actually show faith in the system they presume to govern by entrusting their children and grandchildren to public schools? Currently we have a number of people serving on the public board who have made the choice to educate their children in the private system and even take part in governance both in the private and public system. They chose to leave the system but then came back to claim governance of a system they rejected.

I was hired by The Carillon in 1986. That means this is the 40th Thanksgiving column I’m writing, so I thought it might be interesting to look back at some previous columns.

My very first Thanksgiving column was about the value of saying thank you to people who do everyday things big and small for us, whether that’s a family member, our restaurant server, health care professional, librarian or building caretaker. I talked about how words of thanks from my students’ parents in my early years of teaching boosted my confidence.

In 1987 I quoted the lyrics from a song by Canadian children’s musician Raffi that said all people really need is food in their belly, love in their family, and a song in their heart. While the luxuries of life might add extra comfort to our existence they aren’t really necessary. At Thanksgiving we need to be thankful for having the basics of life. Many in our world do not.

In 1990, I had just returned from living and working in Arizona for a year and in my column I commented on how differently Thanksgiving is celebrated in America. There were huge parades, elaborate meals, much travel, and Black Friday sales lured frenzied shoppers to the stores. American Thanksgiving was also very close to Christmas. We have more breathing room between the two holidays. I appreciated Canada’s more low-key observance of the holiday.