Roberta Rampton

WINNIPEG – Gambling in Manitoba works out to be a 66 percent sin tax on those who roll the dice, says economist Philippe Cyrenne. After studying the costs and benefits of gambling for the past seven months, he thinks the government should look at alternative ways to raise that money. Cyrenne said an ethical tax […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Farmers in the floodplains around the upper and western Assiniboine River will likely be watching water on their fields drying up for another month. “We expect it will be the end of the month before the flooding has really ended and probably into early June before the ground starts drying out,” said Rick […] Read more

WINNIPEG – There were a few new faces from rural Manitoba elected to the provincial legislature last week. But in all 22 rural ridings, voters returned the same parties as last time. The Conservatives kept the same 17 rural seats they took in the 1990 election, while the New Democrats held on to the five […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Not all industry players are pleased with the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange’s announcement it will contemplate moving the price reference point for its canola contract from Vancouver to a point in Saskatchewan. A group of producers, shippers and former WCE officials tried to convince the board of governors that cash market activity at the […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The board of directors of the Vancouver Port Corporation sailed into Winnipeg recently to talk to producers and shippers about trade through the port. “It’s really to hear their views about what we’re doing right, what we’re doing wrong, what we can do better and to get a better understanding of their needs […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Manitoba producers want the federal government to introduce the Canadian Wheat Board’s pooling proposal on Aug. 1 so they’ll know as soon as possible what to grow – and how to best spend their freight rate payout. The proposal would see farmers in the southern Prairies paying freight to a U.S. destination such […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Commodity Exchange has approved, in principle, a dramatic change to the 32-year-old canola futures contract by moving its price reference point from Vancouver to Saskatchewan. The board of governors of the exchange based its decision on recommendations made by Larry Martin, a consultant and agriculture economist from Ontario’s University of Guelph […] Read more

WINNIPEG – It’s an agricultural whodunnit with no clues or motives. The RCMP and cattle producers who run the Gunton Bull Test Station are puzzled about the mysterious disappearance – and return – of its high-gaining Limousin bull. The producer-owned station is about 50 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Lee Wirgau, president of the station’s board […] Read more

WINNIPEG – Manitobans living near rivers are keeping one eye on water levels and another on the weather forecast as the provincial government issues flood warnings. A record snowpack this year means that water levels in the province are the highest they’ve been since memorable floods in the late 1970s. “You don’t have to drive […] Read more

WINNIPEG – The board of governors of the Winnipeg Commodity Exchange was to meet April 26 to consider changes to its canola futures contract. Last week, it heard recommendations on how to change the contract from a task force of 16 industry representatives. “With the growing number of canola acres and changes in transportation, it […] Read more