The Rural Municipality of La Broquerie’s $10.7 million 2026 budget passed its first reading last week.

Annual property taxes will be increasing by $32 for rural ratepayers with an average home value of $326,000. Residents in L.U.D.s will pay $44 more with the average home value of $289,000.

Rural commercial properties valued at $602,000 will pay $45 more in taxes, while L.U.D properties with an average value at $647,000 will see a $60 jump.

The mill rate slightly rose for both rural and L.U.D. ratepayers, but well under the provincial 2025 inflation rate of 2.7 percent. The rural mill rate will rise to 14.22 in 2026 from 14.107 in 2025, a 0.8 percent increase. L.U.D. mill rates grew by 1.2 percent, increasing from 14.310 in 2025 to 14.478 in 2026.

If there’s one thing this NDP government is determined to do, it’s open a supervised consumption site.

It’s become a matter of doctrine that providing a “safe” place to consume illegal drugs is the best way to save lives. The problem with this rigid doctrine is it causes politicians to defend the indefensible.

Consider, for example, the NDP’s proposed supervised consumption site at 366 Henry Ave in Winnipeg. Last week, the Progressive Conservatives tabled documents in the legislature from the province’s 2024 application to Health Canada for the original supervised consumption site.

According to these documents, people who appear to be as young as 16 years old would be allowed to consume drugs in that site. No identification would be required. To make matters worse, family members would not be informed without the drug user’s explicit consent.

Across Manitoba, from St Adolphe parish to Ste Agathe parish and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Cooks Creek, families gather each spring to celebrate one of the most central moments of the Christian faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is far more than a holiday, it is a time of deep reflection, spiritual renewal and enduring hope.

Observed by more than 2.6 billion Christians around the world, Easter commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus, whose life and teachings continue to shape cultures, communities and individuals today. Born more than 2,000 years ago into humble circumstances, Jesus of Nazareth lived a life defined by service, compassion and truth. Through His teachings, He showed others how to live with grace and how to enter the kingdom of heaven.

His final days were marked by betrayal, suffering and an unjust death. Crucifixion was a punishment reserved for the most hardened criminals, yet Christ, an innocent man, accepted it willingly. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of sacrifice, taking the place of the guilty so that all might find redemption.

Yet Easter does not end in sorrow, as three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, defeating death and forever changing the course of human history. His resurrection represents victory not only over death, but over sin, despair and hopelessness. This is why churches fill with worshippers; homes are alive with celebration and communities pause to reflect during this sacred season.

The Steinbach Arts Council’s Backyard Theatre Company (BTC) is thrilled to present its final production of the season, Uncoordinated Battles. This high-energy action comedy combines big laughs, interesting characters, and an important message about teamwork. Written and directed by Jeremy Plett, with production direction by Akecia Peters, the production will take the stage on April 14 at 7 p.m. at the SRSS Theatre. Performers from BTC’s Intermediate and Advanced theatre programs will showcase their theatre skills on stage, with special performances by BTC Musical Theatre and Dramatic Discovery students.

About the play: When three rival villains launch simultaneous attacks on the city, the world’s most confident spy team is forced to split up — and everything goes wrong. Outmatched and out of sync, the elite agents must team up with the overlooked newbies they’ve been ignoring if they hope to save the day.

Tickets are $10 for youth and adults. For tickets, visit SteinbachArts.ca or call 204-346-1077.

The Steinbach Arts Council thanks Nature’s Farm for sponsoring the Backyard Theatre Company program.