A quiet Tuesday morning at the RM of Portage la Prairie office turned heartfelt as councillors presented a plaque to Preston Houle, recognizing his quick actions that helped save a two-year-old at Delta Beach this summer. Presentation at the RM office The presentation took place at 10 a.m. at the Portage la Prairie Rural Municipal Office, where Houle accepted a plaque acknowledging his courageous, selfless response on July 18. Houle says the recognition feels surreal. “It’s actually kind of exciting,” Houle says. “I’ve got really no words right now… really honoured.” Houle adds he is still processing the day and the attention that followed. “Yeah, it feels great. It’s kind of hard, just still processing it all,” he says. Why CPR mattered Ward 1 Councillor and Deputy Reeve Garth Asham says the moment underscored how valuable lifesaving skills are when seconds count. “It’s a credit to have people like this in the community,” Asham says. “CPR is such an important asset to have. You never know when you’ll have to use it.” Asham notes the plaque is a tangible thank-you, but the real impact is a life that was saved. Houle, who had completed CPR training, acted immediately when he heard calls for help at Delta Beach on July 18, performing CPR until the child started breathing again and emergency crews arrived. Related stories: Bereza honours Delta Beach hero in legislature Portage father saves toddler from drowning at Delta Beach Drowning Prevention Week approaches: safety tips from Lifesaving Society What the plaque says The inscription reads: “Presented to Preston Houle, in honour of your courageous and selfless action on July 18, 2025, at Delta Beach, Manitoba, where you saved the life of a two-year-old child. Your quick thinking and valor reflect the highest ideals of our community.” Gratitude and lessons passed on The incident prompted an outpouring of gratitude in the weeks that followed. For Houle, it has been a lot to take in, but he hopes the focus lands on preparedness. He says learning CPR and staying vigilant around water can make the difference in an emergency. In a community that lives beside the water, today’s thanks doubled as a reminder to be ready when seconds matter. Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.