There is still hope :D

[Kantar]

I'm not seeing easterns on any list as being native to manitoba and they are the most colorful ones that breeders are breeding. :D So that makes it a little bit easier to get certain snakes here. I want a little flame and an all black melanistic

Also there is a bait shop that holds live minnows and nightcrawlers all winter. They even have minnows in the 2" to 4" long range, so going to get a couple of those

[guidofatherof5]

Looks like they are more in the eastern part of Canada.

[guidofatherof5]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/T_s_s_range_map.jpg

[RedSidedSPR]

What kind of minnows? Parasites would be a concern too.

[guidofatherof5]

As a rule bait shop minnows are loaded with parasites. The conditions they are raised and kept in cause parasites to be a major problem.
Then there's the Thiaminase issue.

[RedSidedSPR]

That's what I meant. Bait store fish always have parasites. Bait stores are also often wild caught. Asked what kind because of thiamnaise...

You just say it better Steve.:p

[d_virginiana]

Bait shop minnows can have problems with parasites, but if you get the silver ones and avoid rosy reds, thiaminase isn't an issue. My adult ate nothing but silver bait shop minnows for over 10 years, and is still quite healthy. If you can freeze those minnows though to kill parasites, I really think it'd be safe as far as thiaminase goes.
Of course there is always a risk though, so idk...