Leons Headlines June 4: NEW-Bank of Canada holds interest rate at 2.75% amid U.S. tariff ‘uncertainty’. Rate decision comes as Trump doubles steel and aluminum levies.
-Brandon’s Manitoba Summer Fair kicks off today at 4 pm with new security measures including metal detectors & wands. The fair runs up to and including Sunday.
-Sunrise Credit Union donates $4,000 for transit & fair tickets for evacuees as it emphasizes community support.
-Snow Lake the latest community put on evacuation alert as wildfires advance from northwestern MB.
-Federal & provincial governments pledge to match donations to the Canadian Red Cross for wildfire relief in MB & SK.
-Flin Flon mayor says wildfire threatening community from all 4 sides, ‘terrified’ for city, but ‘absolutely impressed’ by fire response.
-The Wildfire Service is fighting 27 active fires, a total of 111 to date, the average is 88.
-More than 14K people have registered with the Red Cross as evacuees in MB as of June 2.
-Brandon property owners now have until Nov 15 to apply for the new Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit, offering up to $1,500 in savings.
-Duty free stores and 15 Canadian border city mayors are urging Ottawa for help after seeing business drop thanks to a reduction in cross-border travel tied to U.S. tariffs.
-A 14yr old Sioux Valley girl sentenced to 2yrs supervised probation after 70 days in custody for her role in a violent group robbery at Town Centre mall in March.
-A 63yr old Dropmore man died after an ATV rollover May 30; he wasn’t wearing a helmet & RCMP continue to investigate.
-Oilers set for Stanley Cup rematch with Panthers after last year’s heartbreak, Game 1 tonight in Edmonton.
The Manitoba Summer Fair starts today, and yes the fireworks have moved. the Manitoba Summer Fair’s fireworks display is scheduled for Friday night, June 6, 2025, at the Keystone Centre grounds in Brandon. This spectacular event is a highlight of the fair, offering a dazzling show for attendees. This change from previous years, when fireworks were held on opening night, was made to allow more families to participate. The fair runs from June 4 to June 8, 2025, featuring a variety of attractions including midway rides, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and more. In 2023, the Marquez family took in the fair and posted this video and shared it with us to show what the experience is like! ENJOY!
THE FAIR IS HERE! TIME FOR FUN FAIR FOODS. Some of these we’ll see at this year’s fair (that runs until Sunday) and some we may need to ask come for NEXT year! Some amazing stuff.
https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/americas-wacky-fair-foods
HAPPY SHOPPING CART DAY! The shopping cart was invented on this day in 1937, and up until then a basket was the only way to cart around the food you wanted to buy in the store. What’s the most painful (expensive) thing going in?
📈 Top Grocery Price Increases in Canada Since January 2025 (StatsCan):
🥩 Beef striploin: +34.2%
🥩 Beef top sirloin: +33.7%
🍊 Oranges: +26.3%
🍎 Apples: +18.7%
🍚 White rice: +14.2%
🍠 Sweet potatoes: +12.8%
🥩 Beef rib cuts: +11.9%
☕️ Coffee: +9.3%
🍼 Infant formula: +9.1%
🥬 Meatless burgers: +6.8%
🐓 Chicken breasts: +5.9%
🥩 Pork rib cuts: +5.9%
🥩 Pork shoulder: +4.9%
🍳 Eggs: +3.6%
(Source: Statistics Canada)
Allan Melcosky: Definitely meat 🍖 and fresh veggies
Nick Adams: Eggs
Shelley Windsor: Fruit and vegetables
Cindy Olinyk: Deodorant is pricey now—maybe that’s why some don’t wear it 🤢
Tracy Murphy: Any beef product. Saw a $148 roast—maybe 4 servings. Should’ve taken a pic.
Linda Johnston: Beef. Shrinkflation is real.
Shelley Fisher: Beef
Jody Caslick: Meat, vegetables, fruits, eggs
Trudy Davis: Meat!
Ethel Kufflick: Meat and laundry detergent
Christina Jones: Fruit, veggies, meat, laundry soap
Megan Lelonde: Meat
Phoenix Eastwood: Everything!
Michele Carels: All groceries—especially chocolate chips. Used to be 1.2kg for $8, now 835g for $17 🫠
RL Jackson: Fruit for 4 kids 🫠
Lori-Ann Tait-Cote: Meat and fresh produce
Amelia Parsons: Everything. We have 2 teenage boys—meat and produce mean I need another job.
MONEY SAVING TIPS: Not sure I like the term people are using online but it’s called “Poor people” habits. I like to call it THRIFTY people, like reusing jars or fixing things instead of replacing them aren’t bad—they’re just smart ways to save money. People are sharing some examples of it.
https://pleated-jeans.com/2025/06/03/smart-poor-people-habits-reddit
NEW Cereal: Kellogg’s new Frosted Flakes Cookies & Creme Milkshake cereal is causing a frenzy with fans eager to try its cookie-flavored milk.
https://www.eatthis.com/frosted-flakes-cookies-and-creme-milkshake-cereal
Could you stay in a hotel room for 6 weeks?!?! A disabled woman was left trapped in her hotel room for six weeks after the only elevator broke, with no solution from management.
NEW CHIPS FOR SUMMER: Seven new chip flavors, from spicy pickle to citrusy blends, are hitting shelves this summer to spice up your snacking.
https://www.eatthis.com/new-chip-flavors-summer-2025
Move over Poutine! Canada’s national food is no longer French fries and gravy and cheese. It’s a little cheaper and has lots of cheese. Our nation holds the title for another cheesy obsession and it doesn’t include gravy.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1873911/country-eats-most-boxed-mac-and-cheese-canada
GOT THESE Old bottles?!?! Vintage Coca-Cola bottles are surprisingly valuable, with some going for big bucks on eBay.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1873827/vintage-coke-bottles-value
