Murray Wood: Saskatchewan is winning the race to the bottom on minimum wage
An increase is coming for Saskatchewan's minimum-wage earners this fall, but Murray Wood says it will ensure they contin...
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has urged caution as flooding in northwestern parts of his province prompts some local states of emergency and evacuation orders.
Kinew said those in the Parkland region, which includes the city of Dauphin and the town of Swan River, should stay off the roads, even if they look safe to drive on.
“We continue to see a lot of road failures and other impacts on infrastructure in the region in areas even where the water may have moved on from its peak,” the premier said Wednesday.
At a news conference, the premier showed pictures of severely washed-out roads and bridges in the area.
His remarks came as officials in both municipalities issued similar warnings on social media.
The City of Dauphin said roughly 115 millimetres of rain had fallen since Sunday and had caused, among other things, widespread flooding.
Residents were also told to avoid non-essential travel to avoid creating additional hazards.
“Residents are also asked to continue minimizing water use wherever possible,” the city’s post says.
The flooding has closed the city’s health centre until further notice.
Kinew said everything was being done to provide medical care for those in need.
He said patients from the Dauphin Regional Health Centre would be brought to facilities elsewhere.
“We are doing everything we can to keep these patients and their family members up to speed (on) where they are going to be transported to and when,” Kinew said.
At the news conference, Kinew also unveiled $5 million in provincial money to help municipalities with flood relief.
In Swan River, about 195 kilometres northwest of Dauphin, officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for some parts of town due to rapidly increasing water levels.
Those in the affected areas were to leave their homes by Wednesday afternoon. They were asked to bring with them essential items and prepare to be out of their homes for up to 72 hours.
Christine Stevens with the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization said while rainfall has stopped in many areas, water levels in some rivers remain high.
She said the province will be watching for further impacts to roads and bridges.
“We’re also prepared to support any additional evacuations that might have to occur in communities that are currently affected,” Stevens told reporters.
As of Wednesday night, Manitoba Hydro said roughly 350 customers — mostly in the Parkland region — were without power due to storm and flood damage.
The utility said on social media that many poles and lines had washed away, and crews in Swan River were using a helicopter to reach and repair some of the damage.
It warned that some customers would be without power heading into Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2026.
Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
