Wildlife Haven Rescues Bobcat
Middlebro resident saved a young bobcat that will be nursed back to health by the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre for release back to the wild in the spring.
On December 13, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre received a new charge when they took in a young female bobcat. According to Dan Diawol, the young Bobcat was found starving and very cold in a woodpile near Middlebro. “She is still very young, we estimate her age between four to five months old, so she would still depend on her mom for help with hunting and warmth,” stated Diawol. “Since there was no sign of mom and her condition worsened, the presenter decided to bring her to our centre for care.” In the weeks following her arrival, the bobcat kitten gained about thirty percent body weight and is doing well.
“We are taking many precautions to be sure she doesn’t become friendly with people,” he added. “It’s not anything like looking after a 4 month old domestic kitten, she is very much still a wild animal.” The baby bobcat will remain in the care of the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, and released back into the wild in the spring. Located near Ile-des-Chênes, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre has been caring for injured and orphaned wildlife from all over Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario for over thirty years.
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January 2015
More Than Just News!
Fraudulent Tattoo Raffle Scheme Investigated Steinbach RCMP was alerted to a fraudulent fundraiser being promoted in the City of Steinbach. The fundraiser was not licensed by the City of Steinbach or the Lottery Commission, and ran from October 7 - 24. The scheme was designed as a raffle in which people could buy tickets for the chance to win two free tattoos. The money from the tickets purchased was to be donated to a deserving family in Steinbach who required specialty equipment to care for their young daughter. Investigation has revealed that the funds raised from the raffle were never provided to the family. Edward Welter, 36, from Steinbach, has been arrested and charged with Fraud and False Pretences in relation to the illegal raffle. Welter is being held in custody and the investigation is ongoing. Steinbach RCMP are asking individuals who purchased tickets from the tattoo raffle to come to the Steinbach RCMP Detachment and complete a statement for police records. Anyone else with information can contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Dawson Trail Dispatch
2015 Planning Underway
Helping Hooves Has Successful 2014
Pam Glover from Helping Hooves Manitoba presents a cheque for $6,000 to Val Poole, President Helping Hands Manitoba.
By Marianne Curtis Ste. Anne area resident Pam Glover of Helping Hooves Manitoba presented a cheque for $6,000 to Val Poole President of Helping Hands Manitoba for funds raised during their 2014 season. Most funds were raised during their 2014 Helping Hooves Pink Adventure Trail Ride, which took place in May. Riders rode from Ninette to Richer, and the windup dinner was hosted at the Richer Inn. Additional funds were raised during Richer Rough Stock Rodeo in August. “After losing my step daughter to breast cancer in 2009, I decided I wanted to do something in honour of her memory,” Pam explained. “Because I’m a horse lover and would rather ride one than walk or run, whatever I did had to involve horses.” On May 4, Pam Glover and Sandy Schmidt hit the Pink Trail to raise funds for Manitoba’s breast cancer patients who require financial assistance while undergoing treatments. The pair rode about 161 miles from Ninette to Richer in sixteen days, despite the frigid temperatures, rain and even some snow. In 2010 Glover volunteered to ride with a group in Alberta, called Wild Pink Yonder, who used their horses to raise funds for breast cancer research. In 2011 Glover brought the group to Manitoba, ran a three week long trail ride here, and raised over $35,000 for Cancer Care Manitoba. Shortly afterwards, she formed her own group and Helping Hooves Manitoba was born. Helping Hoovers partnered up with Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer and hit the Pink Trail. “Instead of riding for research, we turned our attention to Manitobans who need financial aid while undergoing treatment,” Glover continued. “Cancer of any kind is a battle for one’s life and we believe that many problems should not be an added stress at such a time.” In 2012, Helping Hooves Manitoba hosted five fundraising events with individual trail rides, flea markets and fun days, and donated almost $6,000 to Helping Hands For Manitobans With Breast Cancer. This organization supports breast cancer patients with out-of-pocket expenses. Planning has begun for the 2015 ride which will kick off in Carberry, on August 14 to end in Richer Manitoba. At the end of this year’s ride, Richer was named the Pinkest Community after various fundraisers collected over $2,500 for the cause. To date, Helping Hooves has raised over $14,000 for Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer. Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer helps with costs for uninsured medical or treatment costs, transportation to/from appointments, parking at hospital/doctor’s office, lymphedema garments, wigs and/or support care services. For more information and to join Helping Hooves Manitoba go to their Facebook page or check out their website at HelpingHoovesManitoba.com.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Sprague Celebrates New Toboggan Slide ...just one of many exciting new projects coming to the community.
Volunteers from the Sprague and Area Arena put the finishing touches on a brand new community toboggan slide that recently opened to the public. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis On December 20, residents in Sprague celebrated the grand opening of a brand new community toboggan slide adjacent to the local recreation facility. According to Sprague and Area Arena Board Member Murray Machej, the slide was welcomed by residents of all ages. “We had a great grand-opening with people from all over coming out and trying out the new slide,” stated Machej. “We expect that as long as there is snow in the area, it will be used by everyone.” Machej says the new toboggan slide is just one of many exciting new projects coming to the community. “We are trying to revitalize the arena by giving the community and people who use the facility something else to do,” explained Machej. “There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to the facility itself, but we are making progress.” While Machej could not give exact costs for the slide project, he quickly praised the previous RM of Piney Council for establishing distinct recreation districts and developing a recreation plan. In 2011, the RM of Piney established the Recreation Committee, with the mandate to ensure that recreation groups throughout the municipality could develop and grow without always coming to council looking for funding. “This whole recreation commission has been a great thing for our communities to get kids active and outdoors; it has given our groups a set amount of funds to work with, plus we can do larger projects,” Machej continued. “Recreation is changing in the RM of Piney; we have new volunteer boards so there is a new energy around the table and everyone is excited to be working to improve recreation throughout the municipality as a whole.” “We are trying to revitalize the arena and the municipality has been very supportive,” Machej continued. “We still have a lot of work to do with the building itself, but it is a valuable asset to the community and it is important to maintain it. The larger grants allow us to do bigger things like add weeping tile, and other features.” Machej is confident that under the new system a variety of current recreation activities will grow and new ones will become available as facilities utilize the new funding available from the municipality. Under the new recreation program, the municipality decided to give each of three recreation districts $17,500 to split between all recreation facilities within each district for a total of $52,500. District 1 includes facilities and programs in Sprague, South Junction, and Middlebro. District 2 includes Badger, Piney, Vassar and Wampum. District 3 consists of Woodridge, St. Labre and Carrick.
January 2015
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More Than Just News!
January 2015
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Canada: A Peaceful, Free and Democratic Country Recently I hosted a very special event to recognize our Second World War Veterans right here in Provencher. I was proud to present nine WII veterans with a limitededition commemorative lapel pin and a personalized certificate of recognition signed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as a symbol of our country’s enduring gratitude to all those who served during this conflict. We are certainly very proud of our veterans. It is due to their remarkable contributions that our great nation remains strong and free. As a Canadian, I feel incredibly blessed to live in a peaceful, free and democratic country. When we consider the problems that people face in many parts of the world such as the Middle East, Pakistan or Ukraine, we in Canada are very fortunate. We can all take comfort in knowing that here in Canada we continue to enjoy peace, good government and the freedom to practice our faith. But we must always remember that this freedom we enjoy is in large part due to our men and women in the armed forces, both past and present, who have protected that freedom. Some of the measures we’ve taken to ensure that our military have the resources they need include: - Continuing to implement the Canada First Defence Strategy, including the delivery of 15 new Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), announcing the intent to acquire a fifth C-17 strategic transport aircraft for the RCAF, and moving forward on the delivery of the new CH-148 Cyclone helicopters to replace the
Sea King fleet starting in 2015. - Continuing to implement the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy, including continued
and veterans. These initiatives, which amount to an investment of approximately $200 million, have been developed collaboratively by the Department of National Defence (DND), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and Health Canada. They reflect the most innovative thinking and evidenced-based approaches to mental health and suicide prevention, leading to world-class care and treatment for mental illness and injury. - Launching the Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services for Veterans Action Plan to further improve an already strong continuum of mental health supports and services. - Advancing legislation that would improve job opportunities for Veterans in the federal public service. - Providing eligible veterans, survivors or dependents with compensation for Earnings Loss, Canadian Forces Income Support and War Veterans Allowance benefits dating back to May 29, 2012. -Marking of a National Day of Honour for those who served in Afghanistan. Our Conservative Government remains steadfast in our support for our armed forces members and
their families during their time in service and when their time in uniform is complete. We will continue to recognize their sacrifices by improving the services they
receive; equipping them with the equipment, they need to do their job and honouring their service by providing the services they require as veterans.
NDP Government Stoops to Desperate New Low Dear Editor: While Manitobans turn their focus to friends, home and family this holiday season, the NDP is using a cabinet order to attack rural families. In a closed door meeting, the NDP ordered Manitoba Hydro to stuff landowners’ stockings with expropriation orders to seize land that, in many cases, has been part of a family farm for generations. All Manitoba homeowners should be alarmed at the NDP Government’s reckless disregard for property rights and due process. By unilaterally stripping landowners of their private property this holiday season, the self-serving NDP Government has reminded Manitoba families, yet again, the NDP believes it can impose massive tax hikes or seize private property whenever they see fit to do so. For months the NDP Government denied farmers their right to bargain collectively to protect their property from the BiPole III boondoggle. The NDP Government has now hijacked the process to punish rural families for standing up for their rights as Manitobans. By resorting to the extreme step of expropriation the NDP has signaled its willingness to sacrifice not only the prosperity of farmers but the property rights of all Manitobans. MLA Blaine Pedersen MLA Ralph Eichler
progress on the design of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels for the Coast Guard with a view on placing the first orders for both fleets in 2015. - Awarding a $137.8 million contract to General Dynamics Canada of Ottawa for upgrades to the Canadian Armed Forces’ combat net radios and vehicle interface units, which will be employed in the Canadianbuilt LAV III light armoured vehicles, among other assets. - Continuing to advance the new Defence Procurement Strategy to ensure that the CAF are provided with the equipment they need in a timely and cost-effective way and with a focus on securing the strongest benefits in terms of highquality jobs for Canadian industry. Some of the measures we’ve taken to ensure that our veterans receive the services they need include: - Announcing new and expanded mental health initiatives for veterans, serving military members and their families to strengthen This was in so many ways a tough year. I must highlight a few that happened and I Canada’s world-class treatment, apologize if I revive painful memories. care and research for CAF members In Manitoba, we had the worst winter that anybody can remember. The cold was spelled off by nothing but bad or worst weather. Spring brought floods, which made it difficult or impossible to plant many crops. The abundance of mosquitoes seemed to enjoy frost bitten skin as well as unblemished skin. Perhaps they found the latter in very short supply and adapted. Who amongst us did not think or wish we were somewhere else. The Manitoba Government disintegrated in the arrogance of their own making. The PST rebellion is proceeding into a leadership race that will sooner or later morph in a much overdue election. Premier Selinger is of the same school as our Prime Minister, Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond. when caught on rare occasion of having to communicate with the electorate it seems to The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaper cause him great discomfort and embarrassment for all others concerned. We may within a year, see an election, which would be the best of all potential scenarios. Either way the outcome will not be quick relief for the overtaxed majority. We should distributed free of charge to in the short-term try to find enjoyment with snow shovelling, or atlas page turning. 50 Southeastern Manitoba communities. On the Federal scene, the Senator Duffy and company fiasco has limped into the sunset. I get the feeling we haven’t heard Published by: One One Consultants Inc. the last of this subject. Prime Minister Harper has stopped his free fall in the polls by travelling a lot, and by taking a page Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 of the ex President Bush re-election book by involving us in another war. Most of us would probably agree with him but Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 history keeps telling us yes you can win a war but it’s the peace you must win stupid! Dan Guetre, Managing Editor And dammit, we never seem to learn that lesson. General Marshal of the W11 era was and is still the only one to One One Consultants Inc., Publisher accomplish this feat that I know of. I can assure you the price of peace is beyond our reach and tough on crime on the News Writers: Marianne Curtis and Dan Guetre international scene is only a knee jerk childish reaction. Humility and a lot of cash are the missing ingredients; only real men Columnists: Lee Guetre, Peter Friesen, recognize this. Of course, the warmongering sentiment was brought about by two recent incidents of terrorism. Anni Markmann, Peter Martens, Dave Millar Two Canadian homegrown misfits killed two unarmed Canadian Forces personnel in two separate incidents in October. Production/Design: Dan Guetre, Myriam Dyck, Both of these jihadists were killed by armed authorities but these incidents more than any other seems to have destroyed the Monica Guetre and Wilma Priebe naive nature that signifies Canadians nature. How we will evolve, because of this and to what, I don’t know but something Advertising: Karen Jorgenson and Dan Guetre tells me not necessarily for the better. Perhaps we should remember that aside from these two terrorist incidents there were 40 other terrorist incidents in our previous history. The Air Indian of the 1980’s was perhaps the worst in lost lives. This last year will also go down in infamy because three different flights, Malaysian airline flight MH270 and MH17 plus For Advertising Call: Air Asia flight QZ8501. The first one was downed intentionally by unknown people and still not found, the second by Phone: (204) 422-8548 armed Russian sympathizers armed by Russia with ground to air missiles and the third seemingly by weather. This is a reminder that changing weather patterns may be costlier to humanity and prevalent in the foreseeable. Fax: (204) 422-9768 Also, déjà vu in Europe, another country unilaterally changes established boundaries of its neighbours by crass, ruse and Email: sales@dawsontrail.ca force. President Putin is reacting very badly to the majority of Ukrainians’ desire to alter their national course and future. He Subscriptions: $29.95 annually plus GST for Canadian Subscriptions. must now feel bullishly empowered after annexing the Crimea. Lately his economy is tanking in a very serious fashion. He $52.95 annually for International Subscriptions will be blaming the Western sanctions of course but oil losing half its value has exposed the weakness in the Russian economy. His roubles have turned to rubble. How will Putin react? I don’t know except we can assume he’s pissed and a total stranger to humility so my best guess would be “badly”. Canada Post Agreement What will 2015 bring? We can all hope for the best on the international scene. But we have all been given a book with 365 Number 42079020 blank pages. The first step is to write our own story, I might add with an appreciative eye to your neighbours.
The Year That Was
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Manitoba Needs Focused Leadership Governing at the municipal, provincial or federal level of government requires focus. At any given time, there are countless competing priorities that require analysis and attention. A government that is distracted by internal issues is by definition dysfunctional. Over the past few months, the provincial NDP government has been perhaps the most distracted government that Manitoba has ever seen. Mass cabinet resignations, a Premier who is facing a leadership race but who refuses to step down and members of a government turning against one another. And while all of these politics play out within the NDP government, the priorities of Manitobans take a back seat. It’s not as though there aren’t things that need the full attention of government in Manitoba. To start, despite increases in spending, national test results show that our students ranked last in math, science and literacy. We are failing our young people and the full attention of government is needed to determine why we are spending more but getting less when it comes to education results. As well, we continue to see long wait times in our hospital emergency rooms despite billions in new spending and provincial inquests. And that doesn’t account for the many emergency rooms that have been shut down all together due to a lack of doctors. The emergency room in Vita is just one example of this. These long waits and lack of doctors also needs the full focus of government. If that wasn’t enough, Manitoba continues to deal with a crisis in its Child and Family Services (CFS) system. Children are being taken into care at a record rate in Manitoba and many are ending up in hotels. As well, far too often we learn of tragic cases of children dying because they have fallen through the cracks of the child welfare system. Fixing this broken system has to be a key priority for government. These and other issues need immediate attention and the focus of government. And they need to be addressed in a way that prioritizes spending to ensure waste in government is eliminated. The record deficits that the NDP have piled on to our debt have already resulted in a downgrade of our financial outlook by international credit agencies and any further downgrades will mean paying more interest on the ballooning debt. There is always a need for government to be focused. That is the case more than ever in Manitoba. Yet, we have an NDP government that is distracted by internal fighting and trying to run from its past decisions, like raising the PST. While the NDP focus on themselves, Manitoba Progressive Conservatives will continue in 2015 to be focused on the real priorities of Manitobans. I appreciate your comments and concerns. If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 – 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by phone at 204-326-5763, by fax at 204-346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at kelvingoertzen.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
No Negotiations with Expropriation Order Dear Editor: During the recent ‘Business as Usual’ NDP implosion, a small but very dangerous piece of news slipped through that was not given the coverage I believe is necessary. Lost in the turmoil, the NDP passed an order in council eliminating the need of notification in the matter of expropriation as to Manitoba Hydro Bipole III and Wisconsin hydro sales line. The whole concept of expropriation is to acquire land for the purpose of developing projects for the common good of taxpayers when a stalemate exists. The government is expected to negotiate in good faith with the landowners and expropriation is the final resort to resolve the issue. That being said this NDP government has failed to sell the common good of either of these projects. Bipole III was supposed to cost us nothing due to hydro sales. It now has a cost of 4.6 billion dollars and climbing. The Wisconsin line is set to go through Dawson Trail riding to sell Hydro to Wisconsin at a loss. I would argue that common good is missing here. Hydro recently submitted the fable that 90% of Bipole III land had been acquired or agreed to. If this take has any truth to it, why did the NDP feel they needed to remove the right of notification of expropriation? Can you imagine getting a letter in the mail telling you that your land has been expropriated or your new neighbour is a transmission tower? Trampling our rights to fit the government needs has become a habit of today’s NDP. The PST referendum is a recent example. I’m pretty sure I’m not living in North Korea. What next? Moving elections to gain time to spend more money to woo voters? Oops too late, already done. So what was to gain? By not giving appropriate notice the NDP could avoid landowners banding together to file court injunctions and perhaps people and machinery on the contested properties. That makes for bad “business as usual” publicity. I think it is important for all Manitobans to remember that if we don’t stand for these landowners rights, who will stand for our rights when they are trampled under by this regime. Have you noticed that the statement used by the NDP “for the good of all Manitobans” rarely is for the good of most Manitobans? I know I’ll stand up and be counted on for the rights of us Manitobans. Will you? David A. Sutherland Landmark, MB
More Than Just News!
January 2015
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Just More of the Same NDP Self-Interests As this is my first View from the Legislature for 2015, I would like to wish all Manitobans the very best in the coming year. This is the time of year when we look back, review the events of the past year, and look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the coming year. We live in a great province. Manitoba is a Have Province with great opportunities to be a leader in Canada, but it has an NDP government that has shown us they are more interested in self-preservation then the interests of Manitobans. We now have two candidates trying to oust Premier Selinger. MLA Steve Ashton has joined MLA Theresa Oswald in the race to unseat Premier Selinger. No matter how you cut the cards they are all the same cards. They all made the same promises in the election of 2011, ‘No Tax Increases’. They all stood behind the Premier when budgets were brought forward to expand the list of items that the PST would be charged on, like home insurance, then again when the Premier increased the PST from 7% to 8%. They were all standing behind him. Now that NDP poll numbers are down and they are in a leadership race, they feel that the PST increase was not such a good idea. Oswald is promising a PST rebate to low income families should she be elected. Ashton is promising a referendum on the PST should he be elected. Where were they when the PST was being increased? They were cabinet ministers who knew what was happening. Why did they not fight for Manitobans then? Why did they not follow the law and have a referendum then? More NDP blunders for 2014 include the following. Once again the ability not to balance the budget. They have overspent again, $45 million higher than originally expected for a new deficit of $402 million. This is happening while the NDP are collecting hundreds of millions of new tax dollars. The NDP do not have a revenue problem they have a spending problem. It is clear that no matter how much more the NDP collect from Manitobans in taxes, they will keep spending and adding to our debt. Moody’s Investor Services downgraded Manitoba’s outlook last August from stable to negative, based in part on worries that Manitoba might not meet its balanced-budget target. Oswald said the 2016 target date should be tossed aside while Ashton says the promise to balance the budget by 2016 could be pushed back if he wins the leadership race. As 2015 unfolds, there will be more NDP ‘Promises’. The closer we get to the March Leadership Convention we will see NPD Ministers and MLAs taking sides as to who they would like to see as leader. These actions all show that the NDP government is really about self-interest and self-preservation, not about putting Manitobans first. I look forward to hearing from you with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-4245406 or at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.
Strong Economic Growth, Better Services for Families Much has been achieved in 2014 and work to build an even stronger Manitoba will continue in 2015. Our government has made great strides during 2014 to support front-line services, grow the economy and invest in infrastructure renewal. We know that we have to invest in the services and infrastructure Manitoba families rely on to keep our economy strong and growing. In 2014, we’ve seen work begin on important projects that will help build a stronger Manitoba in the years ahead. In the first 11 months of 2014, Manitoba’s unemployment rate averaged 5.4 per cent, third lowest among the provinces and below the 6.9 per cent national average. Over the past 14 years, Manitoba’s unemployment rate has averaged 2.1 percentage points below the national rate. Other economic highlights in the first nine months of 2014 are average weekly earnings in Manitoba were up 4.1 per cent, second best among the provinces and above the national increase of 2.9 per cent, exports increased by 11.2 per cent in the first 10 months of 2014, and farm cash receipts were up 5.6 per cent in the first nine months of 2014, the highest among the provinces and above the national increase of 2.6 per cent. In addition, Manitoba Finance’s survey of economic forecasts indicates the Manitoba gross domestic product (GDP) will grow 2 per cent in 2014 and 2.5 per cent in 2015. As of July 1, 2014, Manitoba’s population stood at 1,282,043, an increase of 16,638 people and a 12-month increase of 1.3 per cent. This marks the fourth consecutive 12-month period of population growth above the national rate and the third best growth among provinces. Our government has made a number of significant investments to upgrade and maintain roads and other important infrastructure that includes the commitment of $84 million over five years to improve and upgrade water and waste-water facilities in more urban and rural communities outside of Winnipeg, making significant investments in road repairs and upgrades in all regions of the province and adding more than $1.14 million to fund 13 additional projects to replace or improve municipal bridges. Investments were also made to support job creation and build the economy which included introducing two new programs that will help employment and income assistance clients find good jobs while continuing to grow the province’s skilled workforce, launching several new initiatives to help women access job opportunities in non-traditional skilled trades, investing $300,000 over three years in Startup Winnipeg to help entrepreneurs, artists and inventors get their new ideas off the ground and introducing proposed legislation that would create a new special planning area for CentrePort Canada to speed up development approvals, help attract new private investment, create jobs, and ensure continued public input. Additional achievements in 2014 included supporting health, education, social services, and public safety by implementing changes to allow high school students to obtain credits for more locally developed courses, distance education courses, postsecondary courses, and for community service; increasing funding to Manitoba schools by an additional $24.4 million or two per cent, the rate of economic growth; introducing a new $1 million career development fund to help students develop clear career paths; investing in new cancer drugs and additional supports for front-line staff to improve cancer treatment and care for patients in Manitoba and opening new cancer hubs in several communities; celebrating the graduation of the largest number of medical students from the University of Manitoba’s faculty of medicine; and launching a major update of programs for children in crisis to improve care, reduce reliance on hotels as emergency shelters and redirect funds to key support services. While much has been accomplished in 2014, there is still work underway to support strong economic growth while protecting front-line services for Manitobans. We look forward to the new year and the work that will ensure our province remains an exciting and dynamic place to live, work, and play. As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts on these and other provincial initiatives. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail: ron.lemieux@yourmanitoba.ca, by phone 204-878-4644, or by mail at Box 517, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0. Together we can continue to move Dawson Trail and Manitoba forward.
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More Than Just News!
January 2015
Convent Book Released in St. Adolphe
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Public Open House for Floodway Operations to Take Place in St. Adolphe By Marianne Curtis
At the book launch, former students of the Dubuc School entertained the group with a song they’d learned while they were students Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis
On January 19, residents living in areas affected by the use of the Red River Floodway are invited to an open house scheduled to take place in St. Adolphe. The open house is part of a floodway operation review established by the province of Manitoba. In the fall of 2013, the Provincial Flood Control Infrastructure Review of Operating Guidelines Panel was established by the province. The Panel’s mandate is to review the operating rules and guidelines of several of Manitoba’s major flood control structures, including the Red River Floodway, Portage Diversion and Fairford River Water Control Structure. The review is being led by Harold Westdal, who chaired the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin Regulation Review Committee, along with Barry MacBride, former Director of the City of Winnipeg Water and Waste Department, and hydrological engineer Rick Bowering. David Faurschou, former MLA for Portage la Prairie, has been engaged to assist the panel on public outreach. According to the province, the panel is expected to review operating rules and guidelines of flood control structures as they were designed to work as a system. The panel will consider current rules and effects of operation, and make recommendations for possible modifications to operating rules and guidelines. This review is very specific in its scope. The panel recognizes that there are many flood-related issues that are important to Manitobans and they will be considering the operating rules and guidelines in this context. The review will look closely into the rules around normal operation, major flood operation, extreme flood operation and emergency operation to reduce sewer backup in Winnipeg. The panel will be available for consultation and recommendations at the open house in the St. Adolphe Community Centre from 4 - 7:30 pm. After the series of open houses, recommendations will be submitted in a report to the government in 2015. To participate online contact info@floodinfrastructurereview.ca or go to the website floodinfrastructurereview.ca.
On December 16, approximately a hundred people came out to celebrate the release of the St. Adolphe Convent and Nursing Home souvenir book called “The Old Convent Tells Its Story”. The 170 page souvenir book is filled with stories and photos from the St. Adolphe Convent’s earlier years as a school and then later as a privately owned personal care home. The 108 year old building is now vacant, and in 2015 it is slated for demolition. Lina Le Gal says the loss to the community is significant which is how this book came about. “Given that the loss of this great historical building is profound and that its absence will be felt deeply by the St. Adolphe residents, the St. Adolphe Personal Care Home Heritage Group decided to write its story,” stated Le Gal. Rhea Trudeau, a former student at the convent and former employee of St. Adolphe Nursing Home is the president of the committee. “This project was very personal for me; I grew up here, and spent my entire life,” Trudeau says. “This book was a labour of love put together by everyone.” The building was formerly known as the Dubuc School for the local students and for many boarders from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. The building was also once a novitiate and served as the Mother House for the Order of the Filles de la Croix; it even contained a “Miracle Room” hidden between the 2nd and 3rd floors where a nun close to dying was once cured. In 1970, it was bought by the Brousseau family and transformed into a personal care home. It was sold again in 2009 to Heritage Holdings Inc. of Niverville. Residents of the nursing home have now been transferred to the new Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville. Heritage Holdings planned on salvaging the structure until asbestos was discovered. The convent is expected In the past year, I intended on opening my Death Cafe, but it seemed like to be demolished later this year. Salvaged materials will be used to construct a cairn on the site. life got in the way. More importantly, I have spent more time with my Books can be purchased for $30 in St. Adolphe at Affinity Insurance, Caisse Financial Group, St. Adolphe elderly parents, elder care, doctor appointments, hospital stays, moving Esso, the Heritage Life Personal Care Home in Niverville and Villa Aulneau in St. Boniface. to personal care home, death of my mother in July and death of my father in November. It’s been a difficult year. But it’s been an experience that many of you have already gone through. Now we can relate to each other even more. The idea of a Death Cafe has intrigued me since I first read about it a couple of years ago. So I will open my first one in January 2015. What is a Death Cafe? At a Death Cafe, we gather to eat snacks, drink coffee or tea and discuss death. This is not a grief support group; it’s a discussion group about death. The objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their lives. This objective is straight off a website deathcafe.com. As per the website’s mandate for Death Cafes, mine will also be offered on a not-for-profit basis (no cost to attend) in an accessible, respectful, and confidential space (my office) with no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action (not seeking any business; no obligation to use any of my services and won’t “try to sell you something”). And I’ll provide free beverages and free cake or other snack. Also from the website Death Cafe is now an established ‘social franchise’ that has spread quickly across the globe. To date there have been more than 500 Death Cafes with over 3,000 participants in Europe, North America, and Australia. Death Cafes are for people who are ready to talk about death comfortably and openly. What do people talk about? Whatever they want. Some of the topics have been on funeral planning, end of life decisions, wills, beneficiaries, moving to a retirement home, conversations with the children (talk about your legacy), doctor assisted suicide, death of a pet, During one of several cremation, living wills, health directives, probate fees, and more. stops on a tour of My very first one is scheduled for Thursday January 22 from 10 – 11 am RCMP detachments at my office. Please call or email me to confirm your attendance so I have and CBSA border the right number of seats and snacks (and will limit it to no more than 12 to crossings in ensure open and comfortable conversation). The next one will be February Provencher, MP Ted 19. I’ll pause for March and April and restart again in May. Falk visited the Sprague I hope this will be an enlightening time with my clients and some of you crossing which will I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. If you are ready to openly talk receive funding for a about your plans for your own death and other topics, consider attending. new facility. Anni Markmann is a tax and financial professional working, living, and volunteering in our community. Contact Anni at 204-422-6631 or anni@SteAnneTaxService.ca or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne.
Death Cafe Now Open
Border Crossings to Improve
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Ste. Genevieve Author Tackles Depression in New Novel A young author from Ste. Genevieve recently celebrated the launch of her new book called Nothing, Everything, Nothing. In this touching debut novel, Casia Schreyer explores the tumultuous realities of teen suicide and depression through the telling of Molly’s tragic descent. “The title, Nothing, Everything, Nothing, sums up depression; you feel you are nothing, the depression becomes everything, there is nothing you can do to stop it; helpless, hopeless, and overwhelmed,” explained Schreyer. “That is how Molly, the main character of the novel feels.” Schreyer admits that the book is loosely based on a friend’s personal experience. “Depression is serious. Suicide is serious. Bullying is serious. Teenagers are dying or they run away and end up hooked on drugs or used for sex,” Schreyer continued. “We need to be aware of what is happening, and we need to help those who are helping the teens.” Nothing, Everything, Nothing tells the story of Molly, who wants to be popular. When she refuses to pay popularity’s steep price she becomes the center of a social media scandal. Alone, afraid, and hopeless, she attempts suicide. She finally finds hope along a long path of
recovery. “I drew on the very real life experiences of loved ones to expose the dangers that confront children in this new age of technology and the often unnoticed changes in our children as they begin slipping into a depression and nightmare filled
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world,” Schreyer sayid. Written for young adults, this book should be read by both teens and parents alike. Nothing Everything Nothing, is available on Amazon, Createspace, Smashwords, Kobo, iBooks, and Barnes & Noble.
Valley Agricultural Society Past-Acting President Arden Ross (left) presenting Volunteer of the Year Award to John Martens (right) for his many years of service and dedication to the Valley Agricultural Society and Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition.
Piney Prepares for Woodridge Lot Sale
Ste. Genevieve’s Casia Schreyer tackles depression and suicide in teenagers in her debut novel titled “Nothing, Everything, Nothing.”
The municipality has put out a request for marketing representatives interested in listing a new 49-lot subdivision located along Sandilands Market Road and 67E in Woodridge. According to Council, the municipality owns the lots, which will be sold in phases. Phase 1 consists of thirteen 2-acre lots The RM of Piney will soon have a already available for purchase. The large quantity of building lots for sale lots are expected to be serviced with in the community of Woodridge. hydro in the summer of 2015.
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More Than Just News!
Summer Jobs Program Accepting Applications The January 30, 2015 deadline is fast approaching for local businesses and not-forprofit organizations to apply for funding with the Canada Summer Jobs Program. “Canada Summer Jobs is focused on creating jobs that not only meet the needs of eligible employers, but benefit students looking to gain valuable work experience,” said Provencher MP Ted Falk. “The Canada Summer Jobs Program will create thousands of opportunities for students across the country. Through this program we are helping students get the skills and training they need for jobs now and in the future.” In 2014, 44 organizations in Provencher received funding to hire summer students, totalling $200,921. Young people aged 15 to 30, who are full-time students and intend to return to school in the fall, can qualify for these job opportunities. Applications are available on the Service Canada website.
Pat Porter Active Living Centre offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm, call 204320-4600 or online patporteralc.com. Membership is only $25 per year due by January 15 of each year for those 55 years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights and eligibility to serve on the board or committees. The fee after January 15, 2015 is $30. Join early and avoid the $5 late fee! The Centre will be closed Monday, February 16 for Louis Riel Day.
Up and Coming Events and Monthly Programs: Annual Fundraising Banquet: Monday, January 26. Punch served at 6 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm. Individual tickets are $40 and you will receive a $25 tax receipt. Raffle tickets are available at the centre and many wonderful raffle prizes. Contact 204-320-4600 to purchase tickets. Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Anyone interested in going to the ballet? RWB is offering subsidized tickets to seniors and groups. Senior groups of 10 or more are eligible to purchase tickets for $50 plus tax in section B. Please let us know if you are interested and we will organize a bus trip. Contact Kathy at 204-320-4603. Potlucks: On Thursdays, January 15, February 12 and March 12 at 6 pm. If you know, you are coming, please call the week ahead and let us know. Cost is $5 per person. Please bring a Salad, Casserole or Dessert large enough to share. Afternoon Jam: On Thursdays, January 22, February 19 and March 26 from 1:30 - 4 pm. Cost $2 in advance for members, $3 in advance for non-members and $4 at the door for all. Coffee and dessert served. Dances: Friday, January 30 -Buckskin and Satin, Friday, February 27 - Nightwinds, Friday, March 27 –Mark Morisseau. Cost $10 for members in advance, $12 in advance for nonmembers and $14 at the door for all. January and February dances start at 8 pm and the March dance at 7 pm. Computer Lab: Need help with your computer skills? Call the centre and make an appointment. Labs are 1 hour long and available every Wednesday morning from 9 am – Noon. Please call the centre at 204-320-4600. Birthday Celebrations: Wednesday January 7 and February 4 at 2 pm. Celebrate with us! Bring your friends! Guests pay $2 for coffee and cake. Foot Care: On the first Tuesday, first Wednesday and third Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 2 pm. Run by a professional foot care nurse. Cost $30. Bring your own towel. Contact the centre to book an appointment. Parkinson’s Support Group: On Tuesdays, January 20, February 17 and March 17 from 1 - 4 pm. Brain Injury Support Group: On Mondays, January 26, February 23 and March 30 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Beltone Hearing: On the third Friday of each month. Contact 1-800-661-2653 for appointment. Monday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 12 – 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Pickleball 1 - 4:30 pm Model Trains 1 pm Canasta 7 pm Tai Chi Tuesday 9:30 am Circle of Friends 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 1 - 4 pm Floor Shuffle 2:30 - 4:30 pm Family Search Wednesday 9 am -12 pm Computer classes - call to register 10 - 11:30 am Tai Chi 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Cribbage 1:30 - 4 pm Floor Curling 7 - 9 pm Old Time Country Band Practice Thursday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Whist 6 - 9 pm Pickleball Friday 9 am - 12 pm Floor Curling and/or Shuffle 9:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Pickleball Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $6. Contact 204-320-4605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend. Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters and receptionists.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Newly Minted Chamber Recaps Busy Year By Marianne Curtis On December 11, about thirty people attended the second annual Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce general meeting which took place in Howden. Chamber president Derek Roth gave a brief report on the first year of operations which included a recap of a number events that the Chamber undertook in 2014, including a “meet and greet”, information breakfast meeting, establishing a website, and final approval for incorporation of the Chamber. Further, the new chamber participated in events with the Niverville, St. Malo and Selkirk Chambers. “All-in-all, 2014 was a worthwhile venture for the Chamber,” stated Roth. He also laid out some of the board’s priorities for the coming year. “We want to increase membership of the Chamber, having a greater representation on the Board from all areas of the Chamber region with a spokesperson for each area,” stated Roth. The board also wants to look at having an increase signage in all areas of the chamber region and identifying
Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce president Derek Roth presented the $27,000 cheque to to Judy Robertson and Steve Loney, Directors of Wildlife Haven.
businesses located in these regions. Board elections were also held with Derek Roth maintaining his seat as president, Marty Ritchot as Vice President, Roger Perron as Secretary and Brian Penston as Treasurer. The remaining board members are Lori Hawkins, Jacques Page, Larry Niebel, Dan Vermette, Rob MacLeod, Norm Boulet, Marc Palud, Claire Berard, and Marianne Curtis. As part of the evening’s events, two cheques were presented. On November 22, the Chamber hosted a gala event for Rob Stefaniuk, who retired as the Mayor of Ritchot Municipality after 19 years of service. The gala event raised $27,000. The proceeds from the event were donated by the chamber to the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, a non-profit organization located north of Ile Des Chenes. Energy East contributed $10,000 towards the Chamber Gala. Despite the recent board elections, the Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce will have to elect a new treasurer. Sadly, on January 2, Penston passed away after a brief battle with cancer.
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More Than Just News!
January 2015
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January 2015
Valley Ag Hosts AGM In early December, the Valley Agricultural Society held its Annual General Meeting to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors that made 2014 such a successful year. The Board of Directors also unveiled their exciting plans for 2015 beginning with the Summer Kick-off & Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit from July 4 -5 followed by the annual Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition from July 16 -19. The Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit continues on August 15 -16 and 22 -23. Valley Agricultural Society is a not for profit, volunteer driven society that promotes awareness of the importance of agriculture and continues to develop partnerships for tourism and agri-tourism. The $20 membership has many benefits including voting privileges at the AGM and is available by contacting their office. For volunteer opportunities and further information visit their website manitobastampede.ca, call 204746-7491 or email vas@mymts.net.
RCMP Stress Prevention in Vehicle Thefts
Dawson Trail Dispatch
St. PierreJolys RCMP Make Arrest in Armed Robbery
On November 28, St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP arrested Nathan Yvon, 19, of St. Malo in connection to an armed robbery. On November 21 at approximately 7:15 pm, the RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at the St. Malo Co-op gas station. A lone masked male wielding a knife entered the store and demanded all the money from the till. The culprit stole an undisclosed amount money. No one was injured because of the robbery. Further investigation led to the identification of the accused. Yvon was remanded into custody and appeared in Winnipeg Provincial Court on December 1, 2014.
Man Charged in Deacon’s Death Above: Valley Agriculture Society Board of Directors. Back Row – Anna Buhler, James Buhler, Pat Schmitke, George Manchulenko, Chris Edel. Front Row – Margaret Gluck, Joan van der Linde. (Missing – Cheryl Sarrasin, Susan Lanning, Trevor Thiessen, Norm Gauthier, Barry Lewis).
Right: Valley Agricultural Society Staff: Dawn Morin (left) and Cristine Edel (right).
This is the time of year when it is very tempting to start your vehicle and let it run to warm up. However, there have been several reports of vehicles being stolen in the St. Malo and St. Pierre-Jolys area when the keys were left in the vehicle. St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP stress that prevention is the key to keeping your vehicle from becoming the next target. They are asking drivers not to leave their keys in the vehicle, use a remote starter to start and warm-up your vehicle, not to leave personal belongings, such as a wallet, clothing or gifts in the vehicle, make sure to lock vehicle doors and park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
Photo by Marianne Curtis
A 55-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with second-degree murder after the body of a woman was found in a motel at Deacon’s Corner on December 14, 2014. According to Constable Paul Human from the Oakbank RCMP, Allen Dale Drobot was charged with second-degree murder after an autopsy determined the 42-year-old woman’s death to be a homicide. While police admit that, the victim was known to Drobot, her name was not released. She was also from Winnipeg. No further details, including the cause of death were released.
2015: A New Gift The year of 2014 is over and now 2015 has begun. I’m not sure what or why it was but I woke up on January 1 and had a really good feeling about this new year. It’s almost as if 2015 will be bringing along with it some great times. I have to wonder what great things this year will bring to my family and me. Could this great feeling be in regards to us travelling? Maybe we will travel to some fun-filled destination in the United States or perhaps to see some amazing sights in Canada. It has been quite awhile since we have done a family road trip. It has actually been long enough that I have forgotten the rough times that travelling with little ones provides and can only remember the fun and happy aspects of our last road trip. Might this be the year that several of my on-the-go projects finally reach their stage of completion? This would not only free up some of my time but also allow me to re-aim my focus onto other areas and fresh new projects. Could be a great year to try some new things and face some new challenges, might even have to step out of my old comfort zone. While we did a lot of camping last year, this year we have our thoughts turned towards working on our house. When the warm spring weather arrives, we have plans to spruce up our home and get out and do a bit of landscaping around the lawn. Last summer, while camping, I found that I have a love of hiking wilderness trails. With Manitoba having such a vast array of trails, my family and I should definitely try to hike a few more this year. That would be great! Maybe, this new year will have our children doing awesome things and growing in such amazing ways that my wife and I will be able to look back at the end of 2015 and be surprised and very pleased. Perhaps this year will be a mixture of all the above with some other amazing things thrown in. Who can really say what God will have in store for us, and for you? All I do know for sure is that I am looking forward to this gift of a new year as we begin to slowly unwrap it. Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
January 2015
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January The community of Steinbach was left reeling after sixteen-year-old Jonah Crookes died because of a snowmobile crash east of Marchand. After approving a 100-lot subdivision on the east side of Landmark, the RM of Tache council shut the door on further development in the community until they can improve the town’s water system. Twenty-five-year-old Jocelyne Larocque of Ste. Anne headed to Sochi to play defence for our Canadian Women’s hockey team. She would later come home with a gold medal. The Town of Niverville and the RM of Hanover jointly announced the purchase by the Niverville Community Development Corporation of Hanover’s 50% share of the Hanville Agri Industrial Park. The 180-acre industrial park is situated just outside of the boundaries of the Town of Niverville.
Grunthal’s Green Valley Pirates ended this year’s volleyball season by claiming the 2013 Provincial ‘AA’ High School Volleyball Championship title.
February Several École Pointe-des-Chênes students had their humanitarian trip in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic cut short after they witnessed a shooting during a robbery on their first night. A natural gas pipeline explosion near Otterburne sent massive flames into the air and leading to the evacuation of five homes. The heat went out in 10 different communities and over 4,000 customers were affected by the blast. The Crown dropped its case against Ste. Anne Mayor Bernard Vermette, who had been accused of indecently assaulting a child nearly 50 years ago. Custodial employees working at Hanover School Division (HSD) voted in favour of strike action. The vote came after the employer rejected an offer by the union to submit the contract dispute to binding arbitration.
Chuck Davidson, President Manitoba Chambers of Commerce officially congratulates the first members elected to the Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce executive including Derek Roth (President), Marty Ritchot (Vice-President), Roger Perron (Secretary) and Brian Penston (Treasurer).
Leandra Mardynalka and Danny McLachlan, along with their little dog, are lucky to be alive after spending the night outdoors in a blizzard when they got lost on Lake of the Woods.
Thirty-nine trucks were destroyed in a warehouse fire at Steve’s Livestock Transport in Blumenort.
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After eight months of rebuilding, the owners of the Marchand Grocery welcomed customers back into the community’s only store after an electrical fire destroyed the previous building. Once the La Broquerie arena has expanded, it will be renamed as the Hylife Sports Complex after Hylife Foods purchased the naming rights to the building for $100,000. Senator Don Plett has found himself in the middle of the senate expense account scandal after it was revealed that he expensed around $12,000 for business-class flights for his wife. The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and Eastman Immigrant Services attracted over 600 people who paid a visit to the 5th annual Eastman Employment Fair. Falcon Lake RCMP along with the members of Manitoba Finance Special Investigation Unit seized 858,800 contraband cigarettes along with a vehicle and a trailer.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
This dash cam shot shows how close a driver from Landmark’s Plett Trucking came to being run off the road by another driver while travelling through Ontario. The video, shared on You tube, received over 2 million hits.
Former Provencher MP Vic Toews is appointed to Manitoba’s Court of Queen’s Bench, setting himself up for a possible candidacy for the Supreme Court of Canada, which has had a vacancy in the west for the past two years. Niverville racecar driver, David Richert, signs a contract to drive for Inter Europol Competition, a Polish backed race team operating out of Hameln, Germany where he spent the 2014 race season racing throughout Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria and the Czech Republic Thirty-six year old Christopher Lord from La Broquerie has been charged after causing an accident in Ontario that was captured on a dashboard camera, posted online and resulted in a viral video. Sixty-two year old Steinbach resident Mel Schroeder was sentenced to four years and four months in jail after pleading guilty to several charges of sexual assault against young boys.
Ringette players Gillian Lambert and Courtney Preteau of St. Malo were thrilled to be a part of the Grunthal Red Wings ringette team when they captured the Manitoba U14 B2 Division Ringette Championship in March.
Fifty-seven cyclists took on the frozen prairies in the Actif Epica, a 130-kilometre adventure that started in St. Malo and ended in St. Boniface.
May A Tache fire fighter uses the department’s pet oxygen resuscitation mask, specially designed for pets, to save Tippy, the three legged dog, when the pup was found under a piece of wet drywall after a house fire in Lorette was extinguished.
A ten year old boy from Vita made national news when he was not allowed to attend school because his mother refused to vaccinate him against measles. Niverville Heritage Holdings assumed full oversight of the Niverville Heritage Centre, Niverville Credit Union Manor and Heritage Life Personal Care Home operations after signing an agreement with the Town of Niverville. Twenty-one year old Dillan Friesen from Anola pleads guilty to manslaughter for causing the death RM of Tache resident Lothar Krieg at the Monominto pits back in 2012. Falcon Lake’s Olympic sweetheart Megan Imrie announced her official retirement from Team Canada and competing in Biathlon after competing in Sochi, where she completed 6 races. The Town of Niverville revealed the details for a proposed $2 million outdoor pool for the community.
The Recycled Orchestra makes beautiful music with instruments created out of items scavenged from landfills in Cateura, Paraguay in South America, including a cello made out of an oilcan with a wooden spoon holding the strings.
St. Pierre-Jolys Councillor Brian Martel’s face says it all when he hits the ice-cold lake during this year’s Polar Bear Dare for KidSport Manitoba.
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Dawson Trail Dispatch
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Kim Lyons Pattyn from Black Bird Ranch’s works on revitalizing a horse’s spirit as part of assessing the re-homing capability of a rescued horse before it is available for adoption
Long time RM of Tache Mayor William Danylchuk passed away after losing a battle with cancer at seventy years old. He was a well respected leader, first elected to council November 6, 1974. Evan Wiens, a grade 12 student from the Steinbach Regional Secondary School was rewarded for his public fight for gay student rights and fighting against bullying with a $70,000 TD
January 2015
Community Leadership Scholarship. Ernest Braun of Niverville was one of five Manitobans recently presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s award for his dedication to preserving our heritage. A sod turning ceremony kicked off construction of a new daycare in St. Malo. The Garderie de Bambis Daycare raised $700,000 for a brand new building to bring their numbers up to 94 children.
Five year old Ty Brewster, a resident of Steinbach, was accepted to participate in the US Kids Golf Tour. He played his first game in Minneapolis in July as the only Canadian on the tour. Marie-Josée Arès-Pilon of Lorette is one of six female and eight male weightlifters from Canada chosen by the Canadian Weightlifting Federation to represent the country in the Commonwealth Games. She came home with bronze. The Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach became the first facility in Manitoba to receive Baby-Friendly status from the Breastfeeding Committee of Canada for their commitment to enable mothers to breastfeed their newborn babies. Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile-des-Chêne signed a land lease agreement with TransCanada Pipeline as a site to build a brand new home for the organization. Focus on the Family Canada opened a brand new $4.3 million facility called Karith Pines near East Braintree for week-long retreat to strengthen marriage and family relationships.
RCMP block off a section of PR302 and the Trans Canada Highway just outside of Richer, to protect a crime scene and collect evidence after an encounter with two fleeing felons. One of the persons arrested could face attempted murder charges after using his stolen vehicle as a weapon and injuring an officer.
Volunteers Diane Horobec, Olga Bodnarchuk, Stella Wilson, Tom Shuwera, David Maxymovich and Gerald Chavanne worked hard preparing the grounds for the anniversary event that marks 100 years for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Caliento.
September
Salon 421 owner Stacy Thomas-Niebel (left) earned the Best Home Enterprise award at the ManitobaWoman Entrepreneur of the Year Award gala.
August BSI Insurance has donated $3000 to the Parc Belle Rivière Playground for the purchase and construction of equipment for a proposed playground. The donation was done in part with the BSI – Because We Care initiative.
Sixty-three year old John Friesen, the owner of Friesen Drillers, was on a road trip with a eight friends when he was fatally killed in a motorcycle accident near Maple Creek. The RM of Piney broke through a major gender barrier by appointing long time Sprague volunteer fire fighter Ina Thomson Ruttle as their new municipal fire chief. Ruttle’s appointment makes her the first female municipal fire chief in the entire province of Manitoba. The RM of Hanover made national headlines when it was discovered that the historically “dry” municipality never had a bylaw or resolution on record to back up over a hundred years of prohibition. Six weeks after losing their reeve, residents in the RM of Tache mourned the loss of councilor Robert Koop who passed away on after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 73 years. Woodridge residents got a closer look at the community’s new fire hall, equipment and personnel during an open house to showcase the RM of Piney’s newest fire station.
The community of West Hawk was left reeling after an early morning fire leveled the West Hawk Inn Bar and Grill. Damages have been estimated at about $1 million. As students return to classes for another school year, the halls of Reynolds School in Prawda remained closed after the Minister of Education officially approved its closure after only 4.5 students enrolled for the 2014-2015 school year. The province sprung into action and performed an emergency cleanup of sea-weed at the St. Malo Provincial Park beach after the drowning death of 19 year old Calvin Goertzen from Rosenort. After nineteen years at the helm of the RM of Ritchot council, Mayor Bob Stefaniuk has announced that he will not be running in the upcoming municipal elections The community of East Braintree and the Midwinter Heritage School was the site for a special celebration as the communities of East Braintree, McMunn and Glenn celebrated their centennial anniversary.
Twenty ‘survivors’ gathered outside of Steinbach in the middle of August to learn how to survive in the event of a zombie apocalypse or for any other disaster situation.
Several thousand spectators attended the 2nd annual Richer Roughstock Rodeo. The successful event also earned the title of Rodeo of the Year from Heartland Rodeo for the second year in a row.
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October Candidates vying for votes started knocking on doors to look for support in the upcoming municipal elections. Voters went to the polls on October 22 to choose representation for the next four years at the municipal level and school trustees. About 60 executives and politicians from the region took part in the second annual CEO Sleepout. For one night, the group camped out at K.R. Barkman Park in Steinbach to raise funds and awareness of the growing homeless problem in the community. The Hanover School Division
opened its doors for the grand opening of the newly expanded Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS) in Steinbach. The new 105,000 square foot expansion cost $40.4 million with room for 2,000
Dawson Trail Dispatch
students. A 49-year-old Winnipeg man drowned at the St. Malo Provincial Park, and became the second drowning death there in as many months.
The Federal Government is supporting the Canadian hemp industry by helping Hemp Oil Canada Ste. Agathe company build a brand new world class hemp processing facility with $4.6 million in repayable contributions from the Federal Government.
The community of Ste. Anne unveiled a new welcome sign to the community, which recognizes local hockey legends Bailey Bram and Jocelyne Larocque. Both women were members of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team.
November History was made when RM of Ritchot residents when Jackie Hunt became the first female mayor elected in the municipality. Several communities saw a complete change in leadership after residents elected new councils, including in the Town of Ste. Anne, LUD of Landmark, and the RM of Piney. On November 1, three hundred people gathered at the Niverville Heritage Centre for their 8th annual Gala. The highlight of the night was the announcement that the final phase of the Heritage Centre, a new life lease project is underway. Four annual festivals in the communities of St. Pierre-Jolys, St. Malo, Niverville and Steinbach receive a total of $50,300 from the Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program. Baseball Manitoba announces that
Ile Des Chene resident Alex Grenier was named Volunteer of the Year, and his son Nic was named Midget Player of the Year. A few week later, Alex was named Volunteer of the Year by Baseball Canada.
On October 24, the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chênes released its second rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wild this year with the help of retired Ritchot Mayor Bob Stefaniuk and Provencher MP Ted Falk.
Provencher MP Ted Falk found himself caught in the chaos as MPs barricaded themselves in the caucus room by stacking chairs against the doors when an unknown gunman stormed Parliament Hill after killing Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
December Nine Second World War Veterans from Provencher were recognized for their service to this country during a special ceremony and award presentation. The nine recipients included Melvin Edward Alexander, Gordon Jacob Barkman, Ross S Davies, Henry Fehler, Peter Hiebert, Friesen, Lloyd Ernest Lehman, W. Lawrence McAllister, John Owczar and Richard F Sellen. TransCanada Pipelines donate $500,000 towards the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Isle-des-Chênes when they launched a $2.5 million fundraising campaign to build a new centre near the community. Twenty-one year old Colin Bernardin-Hebert of Blumenort was sentenced to nine years in jail after pleading guilty to several charges stemming from a January 2013 home invasion in New Bothwell. The community of St. Adolphe was left reeling after the sudden passing of local hockey hopeful 21- year-old Cole Hamblin, a former Western Hockey League player who lost his incredibly short battle with cancer on November 5, less than two months after diagnosis. The RM of La Broquerie receives municipal board approval to borrow $2.7 million funds for the expansion of the La Broquerie arena.
Forty-eight men and women curling teams, along with family, friends and fans, converged upon the communities of Morris and Rosenort for the prestigious DEKALB SuperSpiel including Team Jennifer Jones.
The STARS Air Ambulance tests out their new landing site outside the back door of the Ste. Anne Hospital. The new location should highly improve the delivery of emergency services in the area.
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January 2015
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January 2015
Dawson Trail Dispatch
I QUIT! At the beginning of last year, I did not resolve to quit smoking, but I promised myself I’d be a non-smoker by the end of 2014, and I DID IT! As of this edition, it will be five months since I quit. Over the past twenty-nine years, this habit was a two-pack a day millstone around my neck! Five years ago, I even got a second job, so I could afford to smoke. I tried cold turkey several times, the patch, hypnotism, laser treatment; nothing worked longer than three weeks. So what happened? I did the math - if I quit smoking, I could fly to BC once a month to visit my daughter! I wanted this badly, but did not know how to make this happen. Then I came home, and discovered ‘vaping’. Vaping utilizes a Propylene Glycol or Vegetable Glycerine based liquid, mixed with small amounts of nicotine and food grade flavouring that then is vaporized in a small battery powered atomizer, simulating the experience of smoking. The vapour created is inhaled and exhaled much like cigarette smoke, hence the term vaping. To be clear, there is a difference between e-cigarettes and vaping. E-cigs are mostly disposable, bought at any gas station. Vaping equipment is purchased at speciality shops, and users refill their own juices. I decided to try it. Not buying cigarettes for two days would pay for the $60 starter kit. Since that day, I have not smoked over 7,000 cigarettes; I have not spent $5,000 on tobacco. When I look at those numbers, I am disgusted. Admittedly, vaping has become controversial in the past few months. Several provinces are banning e-cigarettes in public places; others are trying to classify them as tobacco products. To be clear, there is no tobacco in the product, nor is it made from tobacco. I think the government is scared that if we all quit smoking their cash cow is going to dry up. In September, the province of Manitoba claimed they collected $140,571,000 in tobacco tax, down from the $149,943,000 based on the prior year, but they failed to come up with an explanation for the $9.3 million difference. It’s people like me who are the difference. While this province claims to have no plans to tax or ban vaping yet, once the numbers start rolling across Canada, the odds are not in our favour. These numbers are too significant for the finance department to ignore. Some people will argue that we are replacing one habit with another. I started off with 18mg nicotine, and have dropped now to 6mgs. I walked away from smokes, now I am almost ready to walk away from nicotine forever! Vaping is still pretty new so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. In the meantime, for those who have been looking for a way to shake the demon, consider vaping; if it helped me kick the habit, I’m fairly confident it will help anyone.
Spartan Race Action Comes to Grunthal The community of Grunthal will be host to the first ever, Manitoba Spartan Race, at the Grunthal Motocross Park on Saturday July 11. The Grunthal Motocross Park was picked as an ideal location for the Spartan Race, because of its challenging terrain and lots of mud. Spartan Race has been holding races in cities across British Columbia and Alberta since 2011, and is proud to be able to expand into a third province. Grunthal will join Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and Sun Peaks as a premier Spartan Race destination. The Spartan Sprint is a speed course with 5 km of obstacle racing and 15 or more obstacles that will test the mettle of all competitors, whether they are beginners, hard-core warriors or marathon runners. Organizers say 95% of racers will be addicted to obstacle racing, 99.9% will finish and 100% will have their thirst for fun fully satisfied. Race participants and spectators can register or find more information on ca-en.spartanrace.com.
City Streamlines Business Application Process The City of Steinbach has developed a number of new applications for businesses operating within city limits, including home based businesses. Lacey Gaudet, City Planner for the City of Steinbach said the changes are expected to streamline the process for all business owners, including those operating a home based business. “There are numerous home based businesses located within city limits and the changes in the application allow the City to keep better records of these businesses,” explained Gaudet. “Nothing has changed in terms of the City’s policies for operating a home based business. We are simply asking for more detailed information regarding the business operation.” Gaudet said the city encourages all home based business owners to register as it helps to ensure all businesses are operating within the legal requirements. It also promotes a healthy business economy within Steinbach, she added. To access information and business license applications visit steinbach.ca.
Three Teens Struck by Car On Monday, December 29 at about 6 pm Steinbach RCMP along with local emergency services were called to a motor vehicle and pedestrian collision on Highway 206 just north of Provincial Road 52 in the RM of Hanover. Initial investigation revealed three teenage females from Mitchell were walking on Highway 206 when they were struck by a motor vehicle. One youth was transported via STARS; the other two youth were transported via ambulance to hospital. One of the three is in stable condition, the second is stable with a broken leg and the third has been released from hospital. There was one uninjured occupant in the motor vehicle. Alcohol is not considered a factor and police continue to investigate.
Agri-Businesses Get Funding Two food-processing companies in the region will receive $115,000 to purchase new equipment to better meet consumer demands, improve efficiencies and create opportunities for economic growth. Niverville’s Red River Milling Inc. will receive $100,000 to add a pneumatic conveyance to its hemp processing facility, which will increase efficiency and improve food safety and quality. The company supplies nutritious hemp food products including hulled seeds, milled hulls, toasted hemp seed and hemp coffee to other food manufacturers. In Steinbach, Stoney Brook Creamery is getting $15,000 to establish a micro-creamery and develop organic dairy products. It is a new venture to process and market organic dairy products. Funding has been provided through Growing Forward 2’s Growing Value - Commercialization program, which helps new and existing agri-processors bring foods and other agriculturally based goods to market through product development, market research and productivity improvements.
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Dawson Trail Dispatch
January 2015
Follow the Thread Exhibit Opens ‘Tapestries: Follow the Thread’ is a new exhibit opening on January 7 at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre Hall Gallery featuring student work from the Steinbach Christian High School (SCHS). Inspired by Winnipeg artist, Takashi Iwasaki, these SCHS art students from grades 9 -12 have embarked on an arduous and creative journey to put these
embroidered art pieces together. This past October, each group of students was visited by Takashi Iwasaki in which he presented his methods of creating visual journals. Taking seemingly uneventful experiences, he demonstrated how he would dissect details from the mundane and create abstract, yet cohesive and visually stunning, compositions using the time
consuming medium of embroidery. While not using the hundreds of hours, nor the complex stitches employed by Takashi, the grade 9 and 11 students worked many hours toiling away within this completely foreign world of needle and thread while journaling a specific ordinary or extra-ordinary day of their lives. Hunting, sports, Sherlock Holmes, an awkward day from grade 5, and many other topics can be seen here displayed in a strange fusion of thread and personal events. The grade 12 art class completed a
wholly different task in which they experimented with combining embroidery and drawing or photography. Each piece speaks for itself and presents different experiences for the viewer. Some art works utilize the embroidery as a virtually imperceptible enhancement; a dash of colour which, only by closer examination, is hand stitched. Others utilize the thread in a completely different, almost obscene, way. The use of the embroidery is in stark contrast with the drawing or photograph. A lasso
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pulls the viewer in to investigate the odd addition. “Regardless of the grade or theme of the pieces on display, the meticulous work that went into them is evident. Embroidery is a difficult medium that only rewards artists after many hours of labour. These students, I believe, have developed a new respect for an old craft,” said Ryan Polinsky, Art Teacher, SCHS. Everyone is invited to attend the opening ceremony and refreshments will be served. No admission is being charged although a Toonie donation is greatly appreciated. The exhibit runs until February 6.
Waste Transfer Station Opens in Niverville By Marianne Curtis At the beginning of the year, residents within the Town of Niverville now have access to a waste transfer station for large quantities of garbage. Effective January 1, garbage will no longer be direct hauled by residents to the RM of Ritchot dump. In early 2014, MidCanada Environment Services Ltd. advised the Town of Niverville that solid
waste tipping fee to take garbage to the RM of Ritchot landfill would increase from $33 per metric tonne to $49 per metric tonne. This fee increase would have added approximately $17,300.00 to the cost of the removal of solid waste from the community. “As a result the current special levy rate of $80 per residential unit, which is found on the residential property tax statement, is woefully short of covering service costs,” stated Mayor Myron Dyck. Council considered three options including subsidizing residential waste collection, increasing residential waste collection rates and reducing the number of garbage per residential unit. After lengthy discussion, Council decided to limit the number of trash containers to one per residence. The new policy backfired when residents increased personal trips to the dump. As a result, MidCanada Environmental told council, they preferred garbage to come from contractors, and not have residents bringing their own trash to the dump. The company suggested that council reconsider limiting garbage or a setting up a transfer station. “Niverville Council recognizes that there may be occasions when residents have additional household waste that they would like to personally remove,” Dyck continued. “To meet this need a waste transfer site will be opened.” The transfer station, which is managed by Bristal Hauling, is located approximately one kilometre north on Sixth Avenue North. It will be open every Saturday morning from 8 am to noon. Fees to use the site range from $10 for 5 bags, to $70 for a half ton. It will cost $10 for tires, $35 to drop off appliances with coolants, but batteries and other appliances can be dropped off free of charge. These fees will be used to subsidize hauling the garbage to a central dump. Depending on the demand, Bristal Hauling will consider installing scales to be able to charge based on weight. The Town of Niverville Council will be monitoring demand for the service over the coming months.
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January 2015
COMMUNITY EVENTS EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA OR FAX 204-422-8548
Hadashville Tae Kwon Do - Every Wednesday at 6 pm at the Hadashville Community Club (Reynolds Recreational Centre) from 6 years old to adults. Pursue a black belt or learn new skills, great stress release and have an excellent workout at the same time. Cost after registration fee is $40/ month per person. Ask about 2 week free trial. Contact Shelly at 204-426-5266 or KSTA.academy@gmail.com.
Niverville The Crow Wing Toastmasters Club –Meets every Monday at 7:30 pm at the Niverville Heritage Centre. If you want to become a better speaker, run meetings that are more effective or develop leadership skills, a Toastmasters Club is the place to start. Contact Sheryl Berglund, Sberglund4@shaw.ca.
GriefShare - If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a loved one we Ile-des-Chênes wish to help, you get support and learn Our Lady of the Roses Prayer Group – about the grieving process. Contact 204Meets on the first Saturday of every month, 381-1155 to register or go to at 6:30 pm to recite the Rosary and learn Nivervillegriefshare.com. about Our Lady of the Roses, Mary Help of Mothers and receive Blessed Rose Petals Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with and other Sacramentals from Blessed children up to age six. Wednesday Mother’s place of miracles. Contact mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in Corinna 204-878-4908 or email her at the lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible corinnaswetz@hotmail.com for more info Church (62-4th Avenue S.) Free drop-in and register. program with coffee and snacks provided, along with a large open space for the kids Kleefeld to play while the moms visit. Contact Karen Community Playgroup - for parents, at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com. caregivers and children ages 0-5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs Piney and snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday Bingo - Every 2nd Friday at 7 pm. of the month at the Kleefeld Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 204-377-5013. Prawda Circuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight La Broquerie exercises, with cool down and stretch Seine River Services for Seniors- Health exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, clean Centre/Centre de Santé from Monday - runners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Services and $2/class, Mondays and Thursdays at 7 pm, programs for seniors. Income Tax help, in the Reynolds School Gym. Contact Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot care, Wendy 204-348-2433. hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard maintenance, Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and from 9 - 11 am at the Reynolds School games. Contact Community Resource Gym. Free to parents and children. Snacks Coordinator Juliette Rowan, 204-424- provided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290. 5285 or labseinerss@gmail.com. Shopping Trips to Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall Richer every first Thursday of the month, leaving Seine River Services for Seniors - Program at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Contact Juliette Rowan Community Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of Resource Coordinator at 204-424-5575 the month, from 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10. for Richer services or email labseinerss@gmail.com. Lorette Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) – Richer Recovery AA - Group meets every Volunteer opportunities. If you go for walks, Thursday and Saturday from 7:30 - 8:30 bike rides, jogs or even just drive around pm at LUD Hall in Richer. Contact Lee at the community, please put on a COPP 204-451-0255. vest and show your support or help with administrative duties. Can you donate an Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for hour per month? Contact Trevor, 204-955- Stacey Pchajek Memorial Foundation Inc. 3434 Lorettecopp@gmail.com. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating New Horizons Seniors - Play cards, grades 8 and 12. Children Under 14 must Scrabble, Wii and more. Drop in Tuesdays be accompanied by an adult to be on 1-5 pm at Foyer Notre Dame Lorette 12 premises and must play bingo. Doors Open St.Amant Ave. Contact Iris 204-878- at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club, 22 3552. Dawson Rd. MGCC License # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or Lorette Winter Carnival – January 30 – doreen@spmf.ca. February 1. Toboggan Slide, Outdoor Skating Path, Beer Gardens, Crib Sprague Tournament, Hockey, Pancake Breakfast Bingo - Every 2nd Wednesday at 7 pm. and lots more!! Go to www.cclcc.ca for more info. St. Adolphe 50+ Fitness Classes - Every Monday & Mitchell Friday at 9:30 – 10:30 am. Focus on Breakfast and Social - Every Tuesday strength, flexibility and range of motion morning, 7:30 - 9 am except the last movement on a variety of equipment, such Tuesday of the month when the social is as weights, stretch tubing and stability balls. held instead. Lunch starts at noon at the Wednesdays 1 - 2 pm workout is for slow Mitchell and Area Seniors Centre. Contact flow yoga inspired strength, flexibility, 204-326-6944. balance and relaxation. Pre-purchase 10 classes for $40, 5 classes for $20 or drop in Morris for $5 per workout. Special deal purchase Stickspiel – On Saturday, January 24. The 30 classes $120 get 8 free. Instructor Janice Morris Curling Club event for, two Person Burnett, a certified fitness leader. Contact Teams, Six End Games and First 24 Teams. mjburn@shaw.ca. Cost: $40. Contact Brian 204-746-6618 or Allan 204-746-2271/204-750-2565. Fitness Classes –Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8 - 9 pm at the St. Adolphe Winter Carnival and Cancer Care MB School Gym. Include cardio fitness, Fundraiser – From Friday, January 23 – resistance training, flexibility and balance Saturday, 24 at the Multiplex. Silent training. Monthly schedule is provided. All Auction, Minor Hockey Games, fitness levels are welcome. Options are Synchronized Skating Demos, Pancake $175 - 35 x $5 per class + 5 classes free, Breakfast, Inflatable Fun, Face Painting, $120 - 20 x $6 per class or drop in $7 per Kids Activities, Outdoor Skating, Bonfire class. Certified fitness leader Janice Burnett. & Weiner Roast, Heated Horse Wagon mjburn@shaw.ca. Rides, Ice Fishing at the Scratching River, Tobogganing, Shinny, Family Skating, St. Adolphe Winter Carnival – January 23Teen Skate Dance Party. Enjoy some family 25. Kids and Youth Dance, Novice Hockey fun. Contact Morris Recreation Office 204- Tournament, Carnival Social, Cribbage 746-6622. Tournament, Family Bingo, Kiddie Carnival, Funspiel and lots more! Visit Area Senior Services, Inc. -Helping Seniors www.stadolphecc.com for more info. enjoy their independence for as long as possible. Serving Morris, Lowe Farm and St. Pierre-Jolys Rosenort. Contact Resource Coordinator Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Cheryl D. Waldner, 204-746-6336, – Depression support group meetings held mass@mts.net.
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Dawson Trail Dispatch
on the 4 Tuesday of every month at 7 pm. School gym. Aerobic, circuit training, Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry weights, mats and stretching exercises. Hospital. Contact Judy Dunn 444-5228. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Register contact Lois 204-346-6609. Ste. Anne Computer Courses - Free at the Steinbach Girl Guides - Every Tuesday at bibliothèque Ste. Anne Library. For the United Church of Steinbach, 541 Main appointment, contact Harlee at 204-392- St. Registration for girls 5-17. Develop personal values and well-being, self0568. respect and respect for others; promote fun, Paradise Village Squares Dance Club – friendship, adventure and challenges On Tuesdays, at 7 pm at the Ste. Anne through new experiences; develop Elementary School, 177 St. Alphonse leadership and decision-making skills; give Avenue. Modern square dance lessons, service to the community; value the natural casual dress, beginner dancers free, coffee environment. & doughnuts. Contact Laura 204-422Green Drinks South Eastman - South 5873 or Henriette 204-422-6948. Eastman Transition Initiative presents Ste. Anne Cultural Committee - Invites Green Drinks South Eastman. On the 3rd artists of all kinds to their weekly open Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at LBees, houses at 112 Centrale Ave. on Tuesdays 5-275 Main St. Grab a coffee and discuss living. Contact from 9 - 11:30 am and Wednesdays from sustainable 7 - 8:30 pm. These gatherings are to bring rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com. artists together to work on and discuss their craft and there is no cost to attend. Contact The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Diane at 204-422-9599 or email Monday at noon at the Pat Porter Centre for active living. Contact Cornie at 326cccsa@mymts.net. 3155. Seine River Services for Seniors – Invite to all seniors interested in the Wii Bowling Mental Health Information and Support game to come, try it out and have fun. On sessions - for family and friends of people Monday at 1 pm, at Le Club Jovial. with mental health issues are held the 2nd Contact Juliette Rowan at 204-424-5285 Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm Community Resource Coordinator for at the Eden East building, 21 Loewen local services or e-mail Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or email eastmanmss@mts.net labseinerss@gmail.com. th
Ste. Geneviève Library Night - Bibliothèque Taché Library at the Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 - 8 pm. The next Library Night is on Tuesday, January 13 from 6:30 - 8 pm. Come for a visit and see what we are all about. Over 21,000 books including audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, large print books and magazines plus they can import books from any library in Manitoba. Special requests can be made to the librarian, Brandi Schmitz at 204-878 - 9488, bibliotachelibrary.com or in person. Steinbach Steinbach and Area Garden Club - On Monday, January 12, 7 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village. A Journey with Dennis Fast, author and wildlife photographer. Topic The World is My Garden: My Garden is My World. The exotic and beauty can be found right in your own backyard. Coffee, dainties and door prizes. Non-member admission $5. Contact sagardenclub.com. Author Reading – On Monday, January 12 at 7 pm in the multi purpose room at the Jake Epp Library with local author Moira Young Neufeld reading from her book Serendipity, a collection of light hearted and serious short stories. Contact 204-326-6841 or librarian@jakeepplibrary.com. Strategy Game Night – On Wednesday, January 21 at the Jake Epp Library from 6 – 8:30 pm. Come on down to play some games the first Saturday from 12 – 5 pm and third Wednesday of every month from 6 – 8:30 pm. Bring a friend, your strategies and games. Test your skills and have fun. Contact 204-326-6841 or librarian@jakeepplibrary.com. Speak Up: Advocacy, Skills for Family Caregivers – Hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba on Tuesday, January 27 from 7 - 9 pm in the Fireside Room Pat Porter Active Living Center, 10 Chrysler Gate. Presenter Norma Kirkby, Program Director of the Alzheimer Society. Light refreshments. Contact Leona Doerksen alzse@alzheimer.mb.ca or 204-326-5771. Healthy Eating Cooking Classes - Every other week on Thursdays at South East Helping Hands. No Charge, enjoy a meal with other community members and learn how to plan & prepare healthy meals on a budget. Contact and register 204-3262599 or southeasthelpinghands@gmail.com. Adult Book Club - Tuesdays from 7 – 9 pm. Bring book suggestions or peruse our book lists. Meet some other book lovers too and bring a friend. At the Jake Epp Library 255 Elmdale St. Contact Tracey Pankratz 204-326-6841 programming@jakeepplibrary.com. Ladies Get Fit Classes - Sponsored by Eastman Immigrant Services, every Wednesday at 7:15 pm at the Woodlawn
Wednesday of each month at Jake Epp Library from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228. The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on the first Tuesday of every month except for the months of July and August at the Bethesda Hospital. We welcome anyone interested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Thiessen at 326-3028. Steinbach and Area Lions Club - Meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at the Magnolia Restaurant. Contact 204-326-2313. Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who want to improve their leadership and communication skills. Thursdays at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library 255 Elmdale Street, Contact Sheryl at 204-326-7628 or Irene at 204-4245737. Steinbach Al-Anon Program - Meetings held on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. Steinbach United Church, 541 Main St. Ring the front door bell. Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm at Steinbach Family Resource Centre B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact 204-346-0413. Vita SouthEast Beef & Forage Day – On Thursday, January 15. Guest Speakers and display booths. Doors open at 8 am. Registration $10 at the event includes lunch. Contact Vita MAFRD GO Office 204-425-5050.
MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living with multiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursday evening of each month from 6 - 7 pm at Fernwood Place apartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client Services Woodridge Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or email Bingo - Every 2nd Sunday night at 7 pm. nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. General MS Lunch Group- On fourth Thursday of Free Monthly Bus Trips to the Casinos of every month, from 12 – 1 pm at the Village Winnipeg- On Tuesdays, January 13, Green Restaurant. Contact Nadine Konyk, February 17 and March 10 from 8:30 am Rural Client Services Coordinator 204- - 7:15 pm. Join us for a great day of fun 326-1434 or email and friendship. Visit McPhillips Street nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. Station in the morning and Club Regent in the afternoon. Starting at 8:30 am pickMood Disorders Association of Manitoba ups in Steinbach, Ste. Anne and Paradise individual and support groups - for persons Village. Must be 18 years of age or older. experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, bi- Prizes and cash giveaways every trip. Bingo polar disorder and other mental health/ played on the bus to and from the casinos emotional concerns. Meets on the first for those wishing to play. Contact Marilyn at 204-326-4939 to reserve your seat.
Whitemouth Bog Included in Whiteshell Park Expansion The Manitoba government is expanding Whiteshell Provincial Park with the addition of 2,950 hectares of land and water, and increasing the protected area within the park by 20,375 hectares. The expansion and land-use category changes within the park will add 23,325 hectares of land to Manitoba’s protected areas network. This will raise the amount of protected land and water in Whiteshell Provincial Park to 44 per cent from 35 per cent. The added land and water will connect Whiteshell Provincial Park to the Whitemouth Bog Ecological Reserve and Whitemouth Bog Wildlife Management Area. The Whitemouth Bog contains calcareous fens, one of the rarest wetland types in North America, as well as a large diversity of plant and animal life, the minister said. “The expansion will help ensure the safety of this environment by protecting the waters that flow between the park and the Whitemouth Bog,” Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh said, adding protecting the wetlands will also help clean water before it reaches Lake Winnipeg. “Whiteshell Provincial Park offers year-round opportunities for Manitobans looking to explore the province’s natural beauty and live an active life,” said Mackintosh. “Increasing the area that is protected promotes the health of the park and allows us to ensure these opportunities exist in the future.” The expansion of the park will also help protect the shores of Big Whiteshell Lake, the Winnipeg River, White Lake and the rivers and streams that feed them, he noted. These bodies of water are popular for ice fishing. The area is also a favourite destination for Manitobans in the winter with more than 350 kilometres of award winning snowmobile trails, 100 km of cross-country ski trails, winter hiking trails and snowshoe trails. The Wilderness Committee applauded the move made by the Manitoba government. “This is exactly what Manitobans want and deserve; nature and wild waterways protected,” said Eric Reder, Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee. “Wilderness is a wonderful gift for the future.” “We’ve delivered thousands of letters to the Manitoba government asking for protection for the Whitemouth River area,” said Reder. “I’m happy to see the government acting on the wishes of Manitobans.”
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Deadline Approaches for “Celebrate Canada” Programs
RCMP Arrest Massage Therapist for Sexual Assaults
Ted Falk, MP for Provencher, recently announced that the Department of Canadian Heritage Celebrate Canada Program is accepting applications until January 15 for activities organized on specific days from June 21 to July 1. The Celebrate Canada period includes National Aboriginal Day on June 21, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1. Additionally, 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, an important anniversary in Canadian history. In 2014, Canada Day celebration funding was provided to 10 local organizations totalling almost $25,000. “It is important that we recognize what it means to be Canadian and I encourage organizations throughout Provencher to organize events celebrating our heritage,” said Falk. “Our Government recognizes the value of these initiatives and we are proud to invest in these celebrations of our past and our present.” Events funded are expected to be held on the date of the designated day and priority is given to events held on the actual date. Canadian not-for-profit organizations, corporations, cooperatives, unincorporated associations, Canadian business corporations where projects are non-commercial in nature, Canadian educational institutions, Canadian municipal governments and other municipal, provincial or territorial institutions are eligible to apply for funding.
Earlier this year, a female from the RM of Hanover, made a report to Steinbach RCMP that her massage therapist had sexually assaulted her during the course of a massage. On November 2, Steinbach RCMP arrested Ken Wall, 40, of the RM of Hanover, and charged him with Sexual Assault. Wall’s massage therapy practice, Ken’s Massage, was run out of his residence. On December 23, Wall was charged with eight further counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation. Steinbach RCMP believe there may be further victims and are asking anyone with information to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800222-8477, submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
January 2015
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Funding Available to Support Persons with Disabilities Ted Falk, MP for Provencher, is inviting local not-for-profit and forprofit organizations, to apply for funding through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. “Through the Opportunities Fund, our Government is taking action to break down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential,” said Falk. “Support is provided for projects to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and keep jobs or to become self-employed. Our Government’s goal is to ensure all Canadians can participate in, and contribute their many skills to our workforce.” The call for proposals for national projects is open until January 30. Projects targeting youth with disabilities and focusing on work experience with employers will be prioritized to help increase job opportunities. The Applicant Guide for local and regional projects has also been revised for 2015–16.
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January 2015
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Dawson Trail Dispatch
A Days Wage Luke 15:8-10 . . . 8) “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9) And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10) In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This parable was an answer to the attacks the self-righteous religious leaders of the day made on Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was ministering to society’s outcasts, tax collectors, whom everyone hated. Folks who did not know the legal rubbish of the Pharisaic religion. Those who dressed different, whose hair may not be arranged as their rules stated. Those that I might not be comfortable with . . . but Jesus loved them. Oh, Lord! Give me grace that I might love them as you have loved them. Jesus freely mingled among just such people. He would be able to walk up and down any main street and touch those who have been cast aside by that community’s finest who mingle with important folk. But Christ did not despise the sinners as others do . . . he loved them. Because he loved the sinners and was attracted to them, it was natural that they sought him out in turn. The coin in question in this parable was a sliver drachma worth about a days wage. It would not be difficult to lose a coin in a Palestinian peasant’s house, all we need to do is watch the news about the Middle East and we soon realize that the houses must be very dark, making it very difficult to find a missing coin. This would be especially true in Christ’s time, because I would think they would have only candles and a circular window not much more than about eighteen inches across for light. Then to make matters worse, the floor was beaten earth covered with dried reeds and rushes; and to look for a coin on a floor like that was very much like looking for a needle in a haystack. The woman swept the floor in the hope that she might see the coin glint or hear it tinkle as it moved. Whatever the case, it is easy to think of the joy of this woman when at last she saw the glint of the elusive coin and when she held it in her hand again. Jesus said that God was like that. The joy of God and all the angels when one sinner repents and comes home is like the joy of a family when a coin, which has stood between them and starvation, has been lost and is found. It is like the joy of a mother who loses her precious possession with a value far beyond money, and then finds it again. No Pharisee had ever dreamed of a God like that. To them this was one absolutely new thing that Jesus taught people about God . . . that God would actually search for those that are lost. This was unheard of, there were those among the Pharisees who might agree that if a person comes crawling home to God and prayed for pity they might find it; but they would never have conceived of a God who went out to search for sinners. When we take a look at this parable, it is an amazing picture of God. We see Him grieving, seeking, finding, and rejoicing. That has been true of God’s thoughts and actions toward anyone who has ever been found, anyone one who has ever given their heart to Christ. This is true for all of us here, for all of us who have humbly admitted that we have sinned and come so very short of Christ’s standards. It will be true also for those still seeking a right relationship with him. Would you pray this prayer with me ...“Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that Peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen.
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Dawson Trail Dispatch
Stand Fast in Your Faith and Trust At this time of year, we always say goodbye to the old year and look forward to better things in the new year. If a person looks at societies over larger periods of time, is it reasonable or even possible that things will get better? If so, then that’s something good to look forward to. If not, do we resign ourselves to a gloomy future with a defeatist attitude? As a preacher, I use the Bible as my main ‘Source Book’. The Bible is divided into two sections; Old Testament and New Testament. During most of the Old Testament the people were under the law (thou shalt and thou shalt not). Under the law, you would expect things to be wonderful and find most people doing right. However, history shows the opposite to be true. Man, by his own fallen nature, always ends up doing wrong and getting in trouble. But Jesus Christ came at the start of the New Testament to fulfil the law, to bring us out from under the law (bondage) and give up freedom and a new hope for the future. The first four books of the New Testament describe the birth, life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was at this time Christ provided a way for man to change the inevitable destiny he would end up with. When a person realizes his own hopeless state, believes that Christ died on a cross and shed His blood to redeem mankind, then repents of his past and trust Christ to save and change him; it’s at this time his life takes on new hope. God promises to be with that person, comfort them, strengthen them through the circumstances of life, and finally take them to Heaven for eternity. This is the hope of all Christians. However, most of societies are not Christians. They don’t believe what the Bible says about God, and certainly don’t obey Him. Near the end of time, here on earth the Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to take the true Christians out of this world and to Heaven. As we near that time, the Bible warns us that society will, “Wax worse and worse.” II Timothy 3:1 says, “In the last days perilous times shall come.” Verse 5 indicates people will have a form of godliness, but it’s not genuine. Knowledge will increase but man generally resists the truth. Without Christ, your future is gloomy. The overall direction of society is downhill, but those who put their trust in the God of Heaven have hope. The Bible tells us many times in the New Testament to ‘Stand fast’ and ‘Hold fast’ to God’s teachings. This may not be easy to accomplish, but with God’s help, God promises to brighten the corner where we are. Let me encourage the Christian that this is probably the most challenging, exciting and rewarding time to be alive in all of history. God, Himself, challenges us to ‘Prove me now herewith’. If we will take God at His Word and trust Him, this year, (2015) could be the best year of your life. God bless you as you meet this challenge!!!
RCMP Officer Faces Drug and Weapons Charges On December 22 the RCMP Federal, Serious and Organized Crime Unit arrested Daniel Daudet, 42, of the RM of La Broquerie and charged him with 13 drug and weapons charges. Daudet was originally arrested on October 21, 2014, in relation to Possess Prohibited Weapon and Possess Cocaine. The 13-year-member of the RCMP was immediately suspended with pay pending a continuing investigation. The investigation uncovered several additional offences relating to the time when Daudet was a constable at the Killarney Detachment in 2007. In total, Daudet is charged with possession of prohibited weapons, possession of cocaine, possession of multiple prohibited firearms, possession of a restricted firearm, possession of prohibited firearms obtained by crime, and possession of a restricted firearm obtained by crime. Daudet has been released and will appear in Steinbach Provincial Court on February 19. He remains suspended with pay.
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Steinbach Athlete Named Tri-Star A grade 12 student from the Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS) recently became the first Urban Athlete of the Week to be named from our area during the 2014-2015 school year. On December 10, the Manitoba High School Athletic Association announced that Mackenzie Hildebrand of the SRSS Sabres Volleyball team was the Tire Recycle Rural High School Urban Athlete of the Week. Hildebrand is a 6’3” left side who led the Sabres to their first ever Boston Pizza AAAA Volleyball Championship. He was also named Championship MVP. In the final game of the tournament, he recorded 20 kills, 5 digs and 1 block while passing a 2.17. “Mack leads by example. His attitude, performance and competitiveness was infectious and the rest of the team followed his path,” stated Sabres Coach Henry Kasdorf. “He came to practices and games with a great work ethic.” When he is not on the court, Hildebrand participates as a member
Tri-star Mackenzie Hildebrand.
of the SRSS drama and music departments while maintaining an 87% average.
Providence Students Support Small Business in Uganda By Marianne Curtis A group of students from Providence College has organized a crowd sourcing fundraiser to raise money for a project in Uganda called Fuel for the Future. Fuel for the Future is a small business located in Uganda at the Kyaka II refugee settlement west of Kampala. The settlement that is home to approximately 30,000 refugees from Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan faces a critical shortage of firewood for cooking and basic needs. In response to this, Pastor Godfrey Byaruhanga, a Ugandan living near the settlement developed a biochar briquetting product, which uses locally grown biomass comprised of banana leaves, bean straw, corn stover and sorghum. Bruce Duggan, Director of Buller Centre for Business said students participating in his Not-For-Profit Management course in the Business Administration program at Providence University College are helping this project get off the ground. “It’s dangerous to leave the settlement to forage for firewood, charcoal from trees has to be shipped from 300 miles away, and kerosene is impossibly expensive,” explained Duggan. “The advantages of this product are that it creates jobs in the refugee settlement; uses local materials that are sustainable and renewable and doesn’t deplete the forest.” The students have launched the fundraiser to raise the capital needed to aid in the development of the small business. The finances will be utilized in a number of different ways. “My students are raising funds through crowd sourcing on CauseVox to help this business grow,” Duggan added. Duggan said that with the money raised by his students, Fuel for the Future could buy a truck to transport the product to selling locations. Money will also go towards a building to house the machines and final product for year round production. Lastly, any additional resources will be used for working capital, office requirements and production equipment. To date, the class has raised $1,370 towards the $30,000 they hope to raise by February 7, 2015.
Anyone wishing to help the students reach their goal can check out the fundraiser at fuelforthefuture.causevox.com.
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More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Operation Red Nose Reports Successful Holiday Season By Marianne Curtis For its second year in operation, the La Broquerie/Steinbach region’s Operation Red Nose has reported another successful year. Mariette Kirouac, spokesperson for Operation Red Nose says that both the quantity of volunteers and the number of calls were record breaking. “Some clients call us to specifically request a team to come and pick them up,” stated Kirouac. “The volunteer teams started early in the evening to do regular rounds in the bars to bring awareness and to offer a safe ride home to clients. Many of the clients took
advantage of the bar visits to ask the teams to come back and pick them up at a specific time.” She added that Operation Red Nose was an incredible hit on New Year’s Eve with a total of 49 rides thanks to the generous energy of twenty-six volunteers who were hopping, running and driving steady all night long.” Kirouac says the final total of numbers for Operation Red Nose 2014 were 223 rides given by 181 volunteers. “Some volunteers vowed to volunteer as an annual tradition,” says Kirouac. “Our dispatchers did an incredible job keeping up with the calls, scheduling pickups and responding to messages.” All money raised through this year’s
program will go to the École St-Joachim School. Money is being raised for phase II of a project to construct a community green-park behind the school and connect it to the La Broquerie Arena. This year, the volunteers collected $4,426 in donations. “Due to the amount of success we had this year, we are looking forward to increasing our number of sponsors, volunteers, dispatchers and phone lines next year,” Kirouac added. Operation Red Nose is a chauffeur service that aims to reduce the amount of impaired drivers on roads during the holiday season. This service is unique as it transports the clients in their own vehicles and is completely free of charge.
Steinbach RCMP Respond to Fatal Collision On December 17 shortly before 7 pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 311, approximately one kilometre east of Highway 12, north of Steinbach. An eastbound pickup truck and a westbound car collided head on. The 59-year-old female driver of the car, from the RM of Ste. Anne, was deceased on scene. The two other passengers in the car, a 14-year-old male and a 4-year-old female, both from the RM of Ste. Anne, were transported to a Winnipeg hospital, where they remain in stable condition. The 34-year-old female driver of the pickup truck, also from the RM of Ste. Anne, suffered minor injuries, as did the 4-year-old female and 6-yearold male passengers. All occupants were transported to local hospital and later released. Alcohol was not a factor in the collision and occupants in both vehicles were wearing seatbelts. Road conditions do not appear to be a factor in the collision. A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Funding Flows in for Parc Carillon
Above: Ray Maynard, Account Executive at BSI Insurance presents a cheque to Murielle Bugera, Project Coordinator for Parc Carillon Committee.
Right: Plan for the new outdoor fitness equipment to be installed at the Parc Carillon.
By Marianne Curtis On December 9, the Parc Carillon Committee received a $3,000 donation from BSI Insurance for the construction of new outdoor fitness equipment. According to Murielle Bugera, Project Coordinator for Parc Carillon Committee, the group has already raised raised $41,500 of the $55,000 expected costs. Construction will begin once all funds are in place. The Parc Carillon is located behind the St-Pierre Recreational Centre for use by all residents and visitors. The Frog Follies National Frog Jumping Competition and Ag Fair are held in this park every year as well as many other community and family get-togethers. The outdoor fitness initiative is one part of a larger planned expansion at Parc Carillon initially proposed in 2010, she added. “In order to make the best use of the space for all ages, the Parc Carillon Committee Inc. consisting of Village Councillors and members of the community contracted the services of a landscape architect to create a plan for the park’s development,” explained Bugera. Every year, a part of this plan is completed, including a skateboard park, playground equipment, baseball diamond, climbing net, canteen, RV parking area, soccer field, upgrade to the Crow Wing Trail, a pedestrian bridge over Frog Pond (work in progress), BMX track, disc golf and skating rink. Services are available free of charge, however the park can be reserved for a function for a small fee. There are also seven campsites available in the campground. In addition, the group is currently working on the feasibility of constructing a community splash park, and permanent pavilion-type stage area. The donation from BSI Insurance was made possible with their Because We Care initiative. The BSI - Because We Care initiative will see approximately $50,000 in donations annually distributed between its fifteen locations in neighbouring communities throughout the southeast.
Steinbach RCMP Make Arrests for Drug and Weapons On December 11, police officers from the Steinbach RCMP Detachment and the Steinbach RCMP General Investigation Section executed a search warrant at a residence in Steinbach. While executing the search warrant, police located and seized a substantial amount of marihuana, Canadian currency and a number of prohibited weapons. The investigation revealed that persons were trafficking marihuana from the residence as well as on the properties of nearby schools. Arrested and charged are Cameron Sass, 19-years-old, Trenton Sass, 23-years-old, Nathan Botham, 19-years-old, Dylan Hildebrand, 20-years-old of Steinbach and Lillian Morrisseau, 18-years-old of
Mitchell, for trafficking marihuana, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of property obtained by crime. All were charged and released until their appearance in Steinbach Provincial court on February 5, 2015. As well, a 21-year-old male from Steinbach was arrested on December 13 in relation to this investigation. The male was released on a Promise to Appear, however has not yet been formally charged.
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More Than Just News!
Steinbach Area Businesswomen Gather On December 18, Provencher MP Ted Falk, along with Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister for Status of Women, met with business women and community leaders from southeastern Manitoba. The roundtable was held as part of the federal government’s commitment to increase mentorship among women entrepreneurs. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by women business owners locally and across the country. “Provencher has benefitted greatly by the spirit of Entrepreneurism that exists here in southeastern Manitoba,” says Falk. “We heard many great ideas from women who are local business and community leaders. This sharing of ideas will help our Government’s efforts to expand economic opportunities for business women across Canada.” Leitch took the opportunity to highlight the measures the Government of Canada has put in place to support women entrepreneurs. RBC Economics reports that, in 2011, majority-owned women’s businesses contributed an estimated $148 billion to the Canadian economy. As of 2011, 15.6% of small and medium sized businesses in Canada MP Ted Falk chats with Mary Jane Hiebert of Canada One Travel and Carolyn Peters of Impact Your Office at the roundtable. were majority-owned by women.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Charges Laid in Contraband Cigarettes Seizures Members of the Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Investigations Unit and RCMP officers seized 112,600 contraband cigarettes and 200 grams of fine-cut tobacco over a 10-day period in November. In a collaborative investigation, Manitoba Finance investigators and officers from the Falcon Lake RCMP detachment conducted checks of six vehicles entering Manitoba from Ontario. This led to the confiscation of 473 cartons of cigarettes not marked for tax purposes in Manitoba. Six adult males face charges under the Tobacco Tax Act and the Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. One individual was charged twice in two days. On November 8, Manitoba Finance investigators, with the assistance of officers from the Falcon Lake RCMP, seized 138 cartons from a 49-year-old male. Then on November 9, officers from the Falcon Lake RCMP seized 47 cartons from the same 49-year-old male. In separate November seizures, Manitoba Finance investigators, with the assistance of officers from the Falcon Lake RCMP, seized 56 cartons from a 41-year-old male on the 8th, 175 cartons were seized from a 52-year-old male on the 14th, and on the 16th, 27 cartons and 1 bag of fine-cut tobacco were seized from a 58-year-old male and a 59-year-old male. Also on November 16 Falcon Lake RCMP seized 30 cartons from a 40-year-old male. The accused each face fines of $1,000 to $10,000 and/or up to six months in jail. Each of the accused is liable to a triple tax penalty based on the amount of tobacco seized, for a combined total of $82,302. Manitoba stood to lose $27,434 in tax revenue had these cigarettes reached the black market. In a second investigation, taxation investigators seized 14,200 cigarettes (71 cartons) in Winnipeg. A seventh individual faces similar charges under the provincial statutes and a triple tax penalty of $12,354. Had these cigarettes reached the black market, the Manitoba government stood to lose $4,118 in tax revenue. A separate seizure of 3,800 cigarettes (19 cartons) remains under investigation. The Manitoba government urges anyone who has information on contraband tobacco to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137 in Winnipeg, email smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).