Front Page - November 27, 2009

THE OLDEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IN THE CANADIAN WEST

Vol. 127 No.38 Friday, November 27, 2009

Elkhorn fined $170,000 for running misleading contests E

lkhorn Ranch and Resort Ltd. will pay a penalty of $170,000 for running misleading promotional contests, announced the Competition Bureau Canada, Monday. The contests were associated with the company’s marketing of its time share properties in Western Canada. During an investigation into Elkhorn’s 2006 and 2007 promotional contests, the Bureau concluded the company had not properly represented the true details of the contest when soliciting potential customers by phone, trade shows and time share presentations. The investigation determined Elkhorn had not fairly disclosed accurate odds of winning and did not ensure that winners were selected on a random basis. The bureau also found the contest misled

people by giving the impression the grand prize was a new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). The actual prize was not a new SUV but a one or two year lease on a SUV, with stringent conditions. As part of the consent agreement filed with the Competition Tribunal, Elkhorn is required to cover an administrative monetary penalty in the amount of $150,000 as well as an additional $20,000 to cover costs associated with the Bureau’s investigation. Elkhorn must also ensure that all future contests are conducted fairly and with full disclosure and implement a corporate compliance program to ensure conformity with the deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act. Elkhorn must also publish corrective notices on its website and select news publications.

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Minnedosa, Manitoba Canada R0J 1E0

90 cents + tax

Burnt beach stand removed

Photo by Amanda Boyd

Town crews work to remove debris from the stand that had burned in April during an arson at Minnedosa Beach (inset). Removal began last Tuesday and was completed on Wednesday. At present there are no plans to rebuild the structure.

File photo

Phase One of Dam Embankment Stabilization Project half complete By AMANDA BOYD

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elson River Construction continues placing rock at the Minnedosa spillway as part of the Lake Minnedosa Dam Embankment Stabilization Project (Phase One).

Pictured at left, Nelson River Construction drops rock into the water near the start of the walking path at the southwest corner of the lake. Photo by Darryl Holyk

The project is part of an initiative by Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation to repair and improve fish habitat at the Minnedosa spillway. Work began on October 26th and crews have had unseasonably good working conditions so far; allowing them to complete approximately half of the project. The contractor will be placing rock riprap, which is large diameter rock up to 80 centimetres, on the entire upstream of the dam from the

base of the dam, all the way upstream to the crest of the dam. Riprap helps stabilize the dam and gives it protection against erosion. Manitoba Infrastructure is also looking at habitat preservation. Motorists and pedestrians are still cautioned to beware of construction and transport vehicles along Provincial Road #355 and 6th Avenue N.E. and N.W. Costs of the project are estimated at $1.3 million and should be completed by December 31st.