Dawson Trail Dispatch November 2021

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Brick by Brick - A Lesson in Community Initiative

The Centre Médico Social De Salaberry District Health Centre in St-Pierre-Jolys was built as a result of community involvement.

Submitted photo

This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the construction of the Centre Médico Social De Salaberry District Health Centre.

Two members of the community, Murielle Bugera and Shelley Curé, who spearheaded the Brick by Brick campaign leading to the construction, met up to reminisce about the efforts prior to and since.

St-Pierre-Jolys’ first hospital was built in 1950. Prior to that, people seeking care had to travel to St. Boniface. Forty years later, the hospital board sought approval for a new construction as the building, built with post-war supplies, was showing deterioration.

In 1991, Minister of Health Don Orchard attended a sod turning ceremony for a new hospital. Unfortunately, changes in government policy delayed funding and the project stalled.

The two women, as part of the Crow Wing Trail Farm Women’s Institute, initi-

ated the “Brick by Brick” campaign. A canvas banner, which served as a petition, garnered 2000 signatures as it was circulated throughout the region. Today it hangs in the new Health Centre.

The Brick by Brick campaign culminated with a rally of over 600 people on “McCrae Monday.” Health Minister Jim McCrae attended the standing room only event where he was presented with the banner that he was asked to keep until construction was underway.

One would think that with the new brick and mortar in place that ‘mission was accomplished’, however for Bugera and Curé the work had just begun. Guided by the health regionalization’s mandate of having “community representatives play a role”, Curé served as vice president of the first South Eastman RHA Board and Bugera became first president of the RHA’s Western Continued on Page 5...

November 2021

Fully Vaccinated Manitobans Eligible for PVC When Travelling People in Manitoba who are fully vaccinated can now apply to receive a pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential (PVC), which can be used when travelling domestically or internationally.

“Manitoba is a leader in this critical area, offering the first secure immunization card in the country which has allowed our province to safely reopen, keep our schools, businesses and places of worship open, protect our hospitals and health-care staff, and has provided additional benefits to fully vaccinated Manitobans,” said Central Services Minister Reg Helwer. “The addition of the national credential is an important next step to support the safe resumption of travel within Canada and abroad for those who are fully vaccinated.”

The pan-Canadian proof of vaccination credential uses a QR code that will be recognized across the country, Helwer noted. Individuals who currently have a Manitoba immunization card or are eligible for one can visit immunizationcard.Manitoba.ca to request their PVC. It will then be emailed as a PDF, which can be printed or available digitally.

“More than 83 per cent of eligible Manitobans are now fully vaccinated and eligible to apply for their Manitoba and pan-Canadian immunization QR codes,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon. “In the fourth wave, it remains vital for even more Manitobans to get their first and second doses to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect themselves and those they care about against the virus.”

The ministers noted the provincial government strongly recommends people continue to use Manitoba’s immunization card while in the province. The PVC includes more information, such as date of birth, date of immunization and the brand of vaccine received.

Manitoba’s immunization card contains no personal health information, which better protects privacy.

Manitoba’s immunization card app will be updated in November to include the PVC. At that time, people using the app will be able to toggle between them and choose which to present to a venue or business. The province’s verifier app will also be updated in November to read the QR codes on the national credential. This means businesses and other venues will not have to change the way they check immunization status as the federal card becomes more widely used. In the interim, Manitobans travelling in the first weeks of November can visit immunizationcard.Manitoba. ca to request a PDF version of the PVC, which will be sent by email.

November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Centennial Flame Lit to Mark Beginning Steinbach Legion to Add YouTube Stream of Remembrance Day Activities The Centennial Flame on Memorial Boulevard has been lit to mark the beginning of Remembrance Day activities and the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Day Poppy throughout Manitoba.

“While wars and armed conflicts may seem to be far away and removed from our day-to-day lives, the bravery and great sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform in the pursuit of peace and democracy will and should never be forgotten,” said Premier Kelvin Goertzen, noting this is the first time the flame has been lit for this purpose. “This year, as we mark Remembrance Day Awareness Week, Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, the Centennial Flame will be lit as a physical reminder of the personal and tragic of war, and how our veterans have shaped our province, country and world for the better.”

The Centennial Flame, a 12-foot, free-standing structure on Memo-

rial Boulevard in Winnipeg is also known as the ‘fire of friendship’.

Erected in 1967 to commemorate the Canadian centenary, the flame has been lit for other significant events including the 1970 Manitoba centenary and the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

“For more than 100 years, November 11 has been a day to remember the sacrifices made by our military members and the lasting effects war has on them, their families and those they fought to protect,” said Scott Johnston, Manitoba’s special envoy for military affairs. “The Centennial Flame will become a place to take a moment and reflect on their commitment and dedication to freedom, and a safe future for all Manitobans.”

The premier noted the flame will be lit in recognition of a ceremony with the Royal Canadian Legion, who presented the first poppy of the 2021 Poppy Campaign to the lieutenant governor of Manitoba. This

presentation occurs on the last Friday in October, annually. The flame will remain lit until November 12.

The premier and the military envoy both congratulated the Royal Canadian Legion as it marks the 100th anniversary of the remembrance poppy in Canada.

First used in 1921, the adoption of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance was inspired by In Flanders Fields, a poem written by First World War Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae when Madame Anna Guérin born in France organized the first Remembrance Poppy Day. In Manitoba, November 5 to 11 is designated Remembrance Day Awareness Week under the Remembrance Day Awareness Act. Indigenous Veterans Day is acknowledged on November 8 and Remembrance Day on November 11.

for Remembrance Day Service

The Steinbach Legion Remembrance Day service this year will be by invite only and will have a vaccine requirement. This is due to public health orders and ensuring

Steinbach cenotaph.

the safety of their members.

They will be sharing the service on YouTube with a live stream so you can still be a part of this year’s service from your home.

Submitted photo

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

November 2021

Veteran “Forging Ahead” to Help Others

By Angelique Forest A veteran’s dream of helping individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety is becoming a reality.

Cameron Bennett is a veteran who served our nation for 20 years and has developed a plan dedicated to helping others manage operational stress and cope with their emotions through artistic blacksmithing and metalwork. His organization, Forging Ahead Inc., welcomes veterans, firefighters, first responders and anyone in the general public who

Cameron Bennett and his backyard forge.

would benefit from the program he offers.

The program highlights an unstructured approach to learning blacksmithing and metalworking to help sufferers begin their journey to mental and physical healing.

His mission is to create a welcoming environment so that participants can begin a journey of rebuilding themselves and increasing their confidence while learning the skills that can transfer over to real life accomplishments.

Forging Ahead Inc. is in the process of becoming an official charitable organization. Currently, he runs the program right out of his own backyard on Hebert Road in St. Adolphe.

Bennett says he was taught in a very hands-on kind of way to cater specifically to those who suffer anxiety or PTSD when approaching a new task.

“EDI is an acronym often used in the military to describe the learning method… explain, demonstrate and imitate. Many veterans can get stressed, pressured and easily overwhelmed in normal learning environments,” said Bennett of his work.

“I want to offer a unique experience that can ease people into the work.

It’s physically demanding and offers satisfaction when you create something beautiful. It’s a type of healing artistic expression that is also physi-

cally exerting.”

The journey to create the program was not always smooth sailing but Bennett is grateful to have friends and his community supporters working on this project with him.

While some donations and contributions have been made, Bennett considers himself a selfmade entrepreneur continuing to learn and gain more expertise relating to the requirements needed to run an established organization. He is continuing to seek donations in the form of materials such as wood or metals to work with. Projects could range from smaller intricate items to fire pokers, benches and even tables.

Currently, a custom bench is being created, and when complete, it will be auctioned off to help fund future projects.

Currently, Bennett is able to assist and teach up to three people at a time, and with his approach, he actually has individuals trying it out for themselves within the first half an hour of the sessions.

With two regular participants, and more inquiring and trying it out here and there, Bennett has high hopes for the project.

His local MLA, Ron Schuler, who is also the Manitoban Minister of Infrastructure, recently recognized Bennett and his program

War Amputee Veterans Started 100-Year Legacy Of the thousands of Canadian soldiers who were wounded while serving in the First and Second World Wars, many returned home missing limbs. United by a common bond of amputation, these veterans not only served their country during wartime, but they made a difference in the lives of generations of amputees that continues today.

In 1916, on the battlefields at Ypres in Northern Belgium, Sidney Lambert (1887 – 1971), a Lieutenant Colonel and Army Padre, lost his left leg above the knee.

While recovering at a hospital in Toronto, Lambert conceived of the idea of a national association to bring together, support and fight the battles for amputee veterans, today known as The War Amps. In 1920, he became the first Dominion President of the Association and worked tirelessly to bring veterans issues before the government.

Sidney Lambert, Neil Conner and Bert Coulson.

It was these First World War amputee veterans, like Lambert, who welcomed the new contingent of amputee veterans following the Second World War, helping them adapt to their new reality and sharing all that they had learned.

One of these was Neil Conner (1918 – 2012) who served as a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was injured when his plane was shot down near Bremen, Germany, resulting in the loss of his right leg below the knee.

Another was Bert Coulson (1921 – 1979) who served with the Canadian Army and lost both of his legs below the knee due to injuries sustained while serving in Emmerich, Germany.

Along with their fellow War Amps members, these veterans went on to provide support to civilian amputees.

Coulson said the best way to help was to, “Roll up my pant leg and

show them we can dance, bowl, hold down a normal job. It’s what you have left that counts.”

The War Amps veteran members established the Key Tag Service, which is still going strong today, to fund the Association’s many vital programs for amputees across Canada.

Rob Larman, a Director at The War Amps and a leg amputee himself, said Mr. Lambert, Conner and Coulson proved that they would not let their amputation hold them back in all aspects of life.

“Though they considered themselves to be ‘ordinary guys’, our founding veteran members have left a legacy for generations of amputees that has gone on for 100 years and counting,” said Larman. “On Remembrance Day especially, but also throughout the year, we pay tribute to their sacrifice and service.”

Submitted photo

Hot iron in the forge.

in the Manitoba Legislature. Since then, the project has grabbed a lot of attention and has raised awareness.

Bennett is also in talks with the military in an effort to help other individuals who could benefit from the program.

One of the obstacles that the organization is facing is the rules and regulations to properly register as a charitable organization. He needs to assess ventilation requirements, gas lines requiring relocation and work on the never-ending filing of paperwork.

When asked how far he would take his passion, Bennett did not hesitate to answer with energy and enthusiasm. “If I was given $10 million and told to go nuts, I’d create a whole school with the purpose of teaching hands-on learning to anyone with an inclusive state-of-the-art space that can feel welcoming, relaxing with no

pressure [in order] to facilitate healing and personal growth.”

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, 71% of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition have PTSD. This suggests it is among the most common mental health conditions affecting this group of individuals.

They consist mostly of veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as RCMP officers. That is only the reported numbers. Many believe this is under-reported due to the stigma and shame surrounding mental health conditions.

Bennett’s dream of Forging Ahead hopes to provide a proper outlet for anyone, diagnosed or not. If you or anyone you know would benefit from the program, or you have materials you wish to donate, contact Cameron at (204) 232-7764.

November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Wear the Poppy This Same Old, Same Old Remembrance Day It is officially November, which means the new year is only a matter of weeks away. Wow, where has the time gone; 2021 has just flown by! With it officially being November, it also means that Remembrance Day is right around the corner.

Remembrance Day is an important time for Canadians to come together and remember all the incredibly brave men and women of the past and present who have served our country and sacrificed so much, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice, to protect the freedoms and rights we have today. As a result, it’s important that we take the time to recognize and appreciate everything that they have done for us and our country.

In light of COVID-19 and the challenging year and a half we’ve all endured, it is even more important that we honour our Canadian military, as they are on the frontlines, both in terms of the fight against COVID-19 and their service, putting their health and safety at risk, to ensure that our lives are as safe and comfortable as possible.

I’d like to encourage everyone in Dawson Trail and across our province to attend any of the Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place on November 11. I understand that due to public health orders, it may not be possible to attend these ceremonies in person. I’d like to encourage you all to still take part in these ceremonies, even if they are virtual, and I also ask that you show your support for our amazing Canadian soldiers by wearing a poppy pin.

For more updates and information, visit my website at boblagasse. com. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact my constituency office at ca.lagasse@outlook.com or 204-807-4663.

Read the Dispatch online at www.dawsontrail.ca

This past week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his “new” cabinet. The message this group sends to Canadians is clear: same old, same old.

Style over substance, further alienation of western Canada, and no accountability for past failures.

As one veteran journalist put it, “The over-arching theme is how this gaggle of ministers is more lapdog than usual, where a long, loyal, sycophantic friendship to the prime minister appears to be THE critical consideration for a ticket to The Show.”

Individuals who were appointed based on their identity, ideology, and personal commitment to Justin Trudeau’s brand, rather than any semblance of clear qualification or competence.

To be fair, while we have strong disagreements on policy, I have a number of Liberal colleagues for whom I have great respect. Men and

women of intelligence, competence, and character. People who deserved and would serve Canadians well in a Cabinet position.

Sadly, Mr. Trudeau doesn’t appear to value those metrics as highly as we would here in southeast Manitoba.

Instead, Mr. Trudeau appointed a group of individuals more committed to his own ideological agenda than the needs of everyday Canadians - enter radical Greenpeace activist Steven Guilbeault as Environment Minister as one example.

Canadians need a federal government focused on moving our country beyond COVID-19. Justin Trudeau needed to assemble a team that could mount a real response to these challenges and offer a serious plan to secure Canada’s economic future. This group is not it.

Rather, Mr. Trudeau has chosen a group who will not question his decisions to further infringe on the Charter rights of Canadians - such as the new restrictions on travel that went into effect last week.

While Mr. Trudeau, yet again,

chooses division over commonsense solutions, I will continue to work alongside any and all Members of Parliament willing to advocate for policies that will help Canadian families get back on their feet and help our communities move forward, together.

As Canada’s Official Opposition, our Conservative team is committed to working hard every day to hold the Liberal government to account and get results for Canadians.

For more information on this or any issue please feel free to contact my office toll free at 1-866-3331933 or at 204-326-9889. Visit me on Facebook.com/TedFalkMP. You may also write my office at 9A-90 Brandt St, Steinbach MB, R5G 0T3 or visit my website at tedfalk.ca.

Phasing Out Education Tax for Property Owners This month I begin my 11th year as your Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lac du Bonnet. October is always a nice time of year with wonderful weather conditions and delicious Fall suppers occurring across many communities in and around the constituency.

August, September and October are times of the year whereby municipal property taxes are due across municipalities. By now, many of you have received your education property tax rebate. Earlier this year, our Manitoba government as part of Budget 2021 introduced Bill 71 The Education Property Tax Reduction Act and committed to providing $248 million in education property tax rebates to owners of about 658,000 eligible properties based on municipal assessment information. What this means is that in 2021, residential and farm property owners will receive a 25 per cent rebate of their education property taxes payable while other property owners receive a 10 per cent rebate.

Bill 71, having received Royal Assent this past May,

requires the education property tax to be phased out over several years’ budgets. In addition, our Manitoba government strongly believes all Manitobans deserve more tax relief sooner rather than later. That is why we promised Manitobans the phasing out of education tax off of property this year and completing our $2,020 Tax Rollback Guarantee one full year ahead of schedule.

We are remaining dedicated to making life more affordable, more secure and more prosperous for all Manitobans.

This good news is based on the fact that Manitoba is currently the only province in Canada that utilizes locally determined municipal education property taxes to fund its education system. Our government’s aim is to modernize Manitoba’s tax structure to be consistent with other provinces that fund education from general revenues. Modernization will provide all Manitoba students with equal footing regardless of where they live, and transfer the responsibility of directly funding education away from property owners back to the province.

Manitoba will provide a $23 million offset grant to school divisions this year which is equal to a two percent property tax increase to not

impact school tax revenue.

On a final note, I would like to wish Brian Pallister, former Premier of Manitoba and MLA for Fort Whyte, as well as his family, the very best moving forward. His 30 years of exemplary public service in Manitoba and his steady hand in leading our Progressive Conservative Party in 2016 and 2019 to the largest back-to-back majority governments in a century. During those electoral mandates, the budget was balanced, the PST was lowered, and record investments in infrastructure were made during his tenure and will be remembered in Manitoba political history as success stories, all the while putting more hardearned money back into the hands of Manitobans.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me at wayne@wayneewasko.com, or call me at 204-268-3282. Also, you can follow me on Twitter @wayneewaskomla and friend me on Facebook.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

International Legislators Forum Looks at Cross-Border Issues I was honored to take part in the 21st Annual International Legislators Forum (ILF) that was held virtually on October 19 and 26. The ILF goal is to open lines of communications between States and Provinces for the betterment of our prairie region.

Forty legislators from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota come together to discuss issues facing the prairie region, share ideas and best practices on how to solve these issues, and collaborative relationships for when new issues occur.

The ILF steering committee and the Consensus Council staff selected two topics to be presented at this year’s forum. Drought and Water Rights in our region and Cross-Border Commerce During COVID-19 and Strengthening Regional Economies.

The first topic, Drought & Water Rights in our Region, was presented

by Dr. Adnan Akyuz, Ralph Pentland, and Will Sarni. Dr. Akyuz is a North Dakota State Climatologist and Professor of Climatological Practices

at the North Dakota State University. Ralph Pentland is a consultant that specializes in Cross-Jurisdiction Water Agreements, US-Canada water policy, and was the 2020 Recipient of the Order of Canada. Will Sarni is the founder and CEO of Water Foundry and an internationally recognized thought leader on water strategy and innovation.

Cross-Border Commerce During COVID-19 and Strengthening Regional Economies was presented by Carlo Dade, Dr. Laurie Trautman, and Mark Warner. Carlo Dade is the Director of the Trade and Investment Centre at the Canada West Foundation. Dr. Laurie Trautman is the Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University. The third presenter was Mark Warner whose law practice focuses on International business and regulatory law between Canada and the US. Both evenings were very informative and used the online medium in interesting ways while still allowing plenty of time for legislators

to ask any questions they had. One observation I had during the second presentation is how legislators from both sides of the border have similar concerns on the effect the closing international border had on their jurisdictions - from an economic, medical, and personal level. Over the years, both Canada and the US have enjoyed a beneficial relationship, could rely on each other, and how important this relationship is to maintain for the communities along the border.

Stay Safe and together we can beat COVID-19. As always, I look forward to hearing from you with your questions or concerns. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-424-5406 or at dennis.smook@ leg.gov.mb.ca.

A Lifetime of Service

Some people were simply born to help others. For Cameron Bennett, a retired veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, the pursuit to help and protect his fellow Canadians has continued long after his military service. Bennett is the founder of Forging Ahead, a non-profit organization that aims to help veterans and first responders with operational stress injuries manage their mental and emotional health through artistic metal working.

I had the pleasure of delivering a Private Members Statement in the Legislature on October 14th recognizing the incredible work that Bennet and his organization is doing.

Equally as impressive is his lifetime of service to his fellow Canadians, which has clearly manifested in his post military career. As MLA for Springfield-Ritchot, I am proud to represent someone with Cameron’s level of dedication and integrity.

Before Forging Ahead, Bennett had a military career that spanned an in-

credible 20 years. He served on one peacekeeping tour in the former Yugoslavia region and on three combat tours in Afghanistan. After Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan dialed down, he was transferred to the Air Force and trained as an aviation technician. Bennett was medically released from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2018.

Post retirement, Bennett attended an advanced artistic blacksmithing course at Fleming College and also received a Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of New Brunswick. He came up with the idea for Forging Ahead while in school, and soon after became committed to help fellow veterans and first responders with mental health conditions through blacksmithing.

Bennett believes that blacksmithing is the perfect activity for veterans and first responders, who may often turn to riskier activities like extreme sports in their spare time. Over the past year, he has invested more than $70,000 of his own money to build and outfit a blacksmithing shop in his backyard in St. Adolphe. Bennett’s shop is equipped with a propane forge, anvils, hammers and various other tools and safety equipment.

There have already been multiple veterans who have attended the shop and taken part in the program, and Bennett plans to continue to expand the operations of Forging Ahead.

Currently, he is in the process of obtaining charitable status, and is also beginning to make other important modifications to his facility so he can become fully open.

Lastly, with Remembrance Day around the corner, I invite all of my fellow Manitobans to take a moment to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices of those who fought and continue to fight for our country. It is through the sacrifices of our brave men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces why we enjoy the freedoms that we do in Canada.

Thank you Cameron Bennett for your service, and for all the important work that you do with Forging Ahead.

I am privileged to serve you and your family as your MLA. I welcome your questions, comments and concerns by email at Ron@RonSchuler. com or by mail at Box 150, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0. By emailing or writing me with your views, you are helping to keep our government informed on what our citizens are thinking and feeling, and I sincerely thank you for that.

firm commitment and the creation of the Rat River Health Council, a voice for the RM of De Salaberry and the Village of St-Pierre-Jolys.

The two women noted an important aspect of Brick by Brick was building relationships between members of the surrounding communities as well as with decision makers within the gov-

ernment. This involved open communication, enthusiasm and dedication.

“What worked then still holds true today,” said Bugera, who remains involved in the Rat River Health Council since the start of regionalization. “Over the years, the community has learned that it has to be a part of the health care system. After all, it

A Pandemic is a Blip - The Biggest Challenge is Much Longer - It’s Do or Die The Federal scene disappointed me on the one hand and pleased me on the other.

The making of the new Cabinet was a letdown with only 8 rookies being appointed to cabinet with 6 cabinet members to represent the west and zero representing the north.

However the stronger approach to the pandemic response in Canada is in the making and was long overdue. Too many individuals have been behaving in a Prima donna and Primo uomo fashion over vaccinations and everything else they think to complain about.

It’s too bad some have not figured out the best way to combat a pandemic yet. There are only two ways to achieve population immunity.

One way is to let Mother Nature do what she does, and the other is to vaccinate which is certainly morally acceptable.

Many employers are showing leadership, including our Federal government and for that the Federal Government should be thanked.

Still if they had acted sooner, communicating the reality what a pandemic means and that swift action was needed, instead of the slow pain of trying to get everyone on the same page would have made these weary months a shorter duration. There certainly would have been less turmoil in our economy, less worry about paying those bills, less sickness and less death.

And many of our loved ones would still be with us, not only because they contracted COVID-19, but for those who did not receive health care for other reasons because there was no room and no medical professionals available when it was critically needed.

Waiting for the fourth wave, to get the response right was a little south of adequate and served only to delay the inevitable outcome.

On another front, the Feds are moving faster on the problem of excess carbon. Yes, there will always be naysayers and as we move along, they probably will be the same ones we’ve heard from repeatedly including the same pandemic and anti-vax naysayers.

Nevertheless reducing carbon output will be a litmus test for our world as we become more collectively challenged as a species.

Changing en-masse from fossil fuels and non-renewable energy to renewable is the first big hurdle. Wind and sun can create electricity but it depends on the wind blowing and the sun shining and on those batteries that don’t yet exist to store all at that free energy. And yes, nuclear and hydrogen power may be one answer. Even Tidal energy may be part of the mix but we will need dollars for research and new inventions. We need our great dreamers and scientist on this now.

We’ve already seen new inventions like a functioning prototype unveiled in BC that acts as a direct air capture plant designed do scrub a tonne of CO2 from the air every year. Now what if that technology could be used on a smaller scale by everyone, attached to our homes and businesses? I think we will see both big ideas and personal use technology at our door step sooner rather than later.

What about the simple things we can all do. How about replacing our coniferous and boreal forests like they are meant to be, creating grasslands, keeping our waters ways free from human pollution, and leaving the spaces between urban areas undistributed, off-limits to extraction and development and what about all of those farming methods that have maximized carbon intake and storage. No big technology is needed in many of those instances.

A pandemic is a blip in time. What the biggest challenge is; is how to get the whole world on the same team to tackle the big clean up. It would be our greatest achievement. Getting it right is do or die and is longer lasting than a blip in time.

Brick by Brick - A Lesson in Community Initiative District Health Advisory Council.

The South Eastman Health RHA focused on evidence-based decision making and eagerly sharing that information with the people it served.

Community dialogue and input regarding priorities and services was a regular occurrence. This transparency and knowledge sharing led to a

November 2021

Continued from Page 1...

is the one constant when Ministers of Health, RHA’s, CAO’s, Facility Managers and physicians change.”

There are great examples of best practices which the Rat River Health Council has studied and recommended as their path going forward.

“Twenty-five years ago we needed “Brick by Brick” and today we need

the “Three-Legged Stool”, with the legs representing the RHA, the physicians and the community to provide true stability,Bugera affirmed. “Real community involvement is what will push health system transformation over the top with a more pro-active and creative approach. After all, who wants to sit on a wobbly stool?”

November 2021

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Man Charged with Double Murder and Attempted Murder RCMP and Winnipeg Police Services (WPS) have charged a 37-year-old man with murdering his parents and an attempted murder at Seven Oaks Hospital.

Trevor Robert Farley, a nurse, is accused of murdering his mother, Judy Swain (73) in New Bothwell and his father, Stuart Farley (73) in Winnipeg on October 27. He then headed to the hospital where he brutally stabbed a healthcare worker.

According to RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre, they discovered Swain deceased after they were called for a well-being check shortly after noon. After an initial investigation, they ruled it a homicide.

“Speaking to neighbours, police quickly identified a suspect and determined he was

in the area of the Seven Oaks Hospital,” explained Manaigre. On their way to the area, police were notified of the stabbing, apprehended the suspect and took him into custody.

The victim of the stabbing was initially listed in critical condition but “is now stable with a prognosis of a long recovery time ahead of her,” explained WPS spokesperson Const. Rob Carver.

When notifying the next of kin later that evening, Stuart Farley, the ex-husband of Swain, was also discovered deceased in his Toronto Street, Winnipeg home. They found his body inside and believe he may have been killed first.

Manaigre said both homicides were vio-

lent but would not elaborate at the time.

He would not speculate on a motive for the murders and knifing but believes they have reason to suspect premeditation in the mother’s death leading to the first degree charge.

“That criteria was met based on the evidence at the scene. And when you put it all together, a premeditation was apparent,” Manaigre explained.

“If you are looking at police response, it’s New Bothwell, Seven Oaks, Toronto. If you are looking at timelines of the occurrence of the events, investigators believe it was Toronto, New Bothwell, and Seven Oaks,” added Carver.

Farley is being held in custody.

RCMP Sergeant Paul Manaigre and WPS Constable Rob Carver hold a joint news conference on the double murder and knife attack.

Submitted photo

Ste. Anne Doctor Faces Additional Charges of Sexual Assault A doctor who practiced in Ste. Anne now faces 22 charges after 16 more charges of sexual assault were added to the initial 6 charges levied against him in November 2020.

Dr. Arcel Bissonette is facing a slew of charges stemming from accusations that he sexually assaulted patients over 13 years, between 2004 and 2017 at both the Seine Medical Centre and the Ste. Anne Hospital.

Bissonette was 61-years-old when he was charged.

Ste. Anne Police has led the investigation and according to Police Chief Marc Robichaud, further complaints against Dr. Bissonnette have come forward.

Upon his arrest in 2020, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Bissonnette stopped practising in November when the original charges were laid against him citing he was barred from practising medicine.

None of the charges have

been proven in court. No further details are being released by police at this time.

On Thursday, October 21 in Steinbach, additional conditions were imposed by the court when he was ordered to surrender his passport.

His next scheduled court appearance is November 18.

Seine River Medical Centre.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

November 2021

Premier “Puts in a Shift” at Canadian Tire Kelvin Goertzen, Premier of Manitoba and MLA for Steinbach participated in “Take Your MLA to Work Day” by partnering up with an employee at the local Canadian Tire.

The event provides a powerful opportunity to showcase the skills and talents of Manitobans with disabilities in the workplace. This campaign is intended to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring Manitobans with disabilities by showing that integrated, community-based

employment and careers should be the expected and preferred outcomes of publicly funded services for those with disabilities.

“What a pleasure it was to spend time with William this evening at Canadian Tire in Steinbach,” said Goertzen. “As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month I was honoured to participate in Take Your MLA to Work Day. Great discussion with William about his job and also hockey and the Bombers.”

Kelvin Goertzen, Premier of Manitoba and MLA for Steinbach participated in “Take Your MLA to Work Day” by partnering up with an employee at the local Canadian Tire.

Submitted photo

RCMP Detachment Slated for Niverville

By Angelique Forest The Council of the Town of Niverville, in consultation with the RCMP, awarded a contract to Calnitsky Associates Architects Inc. of Winnipeg in early October 2021 for schematic and detailed design of a proposed RCMP Detachment in Niverville.

According to Council, since the town has an increased population with over 5,000 residents, the addition of a detachment is no longer an option, but a necessity.

Over the last year, Niverville Council has been meeting with officials from RCMP to secure the goforward strategy on continuing and enhancing the protective services the RCMP provides to the commu-

nity. Through these meetings both the Town and the RCMP agree that the greatest value to the residents of Niverville is a new detachment that will be built within the Town’s Administration Office campus on Bronstone Drive.

The new detachment is expected to be opened and staffed in the first half of 2023, taking a year and a half approximately to complete the project. The detachment is anticipated to bring additional officers to Niverville with upwards of four officers permanently calling Niverville their home detachment. In addition, more administrative and public services related to the RCMP will be available in the community.

The new detachment will be built within the Town’s Administration Office campus on Bronstone Drive.

Photo by Angelique Forest

November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Local MP Arrives in Ottawa for House Sitting

By Dan Guetre

With commercial airlines restricting travel to those whose can prove they are fully vaccinated, Falk would have had to drive all night to reach Ottawa if he wasn’t vaccinated or have leased a private flight to accommodate his trip or, he is fully vaccinated.

Falk, when asked, again refused to disclose his vaccination status only responding that “I expect to continue representing my constituents in Parliament as I always have.”

He did take the opportunity to criticize the way the decision was made by the Board of Internal Economy that all MPs had to be

vaccinated to enter the House of Commons.

“This decision is, at its core, fundamentally undemocratic,” stated Falk. “It is profoundly troubling that seven MPs on a Liberal-dominated board, meeting behind closed doors, felt empowered to decide which of the duly elected or re-elected MPs can enter the House of Commons to represent their constituents.”

He also confirmed that discussions among parties are ongoing about arrangements, for those who wish, to attend the “sitting” virtually.

“A small group of MPs meeting behind closed doors should not be entrusted with deciding who can and cannot enter the parliamentary precinct,” added Falk.

“Instead of focusing on ways to bar some MPs from working on Parliament Hill, given the widely diverse sensibilities on this issue, the Board should have proposed common-sense accommodations to ensure Canadians are fully and properly represented by all duly elected Members.”

“The Trudeau Liberals have long used COVID-19 as a wedge issue to divide Canadians. Rather than uniting Canadians in the fight against the virus, they’ve pitted Canadians against one another,” he continued. “This is just more of the same. While the Liberals focus on their agenda of division, Conservatives are Provencher MP Ted Falk is back in Ottawa ready to represent his constituents with the House focused on getting results for all of Commons scheduled to resume sitting on November 22.

File photo Canadians.”

Provencher MP Ted Falk is back in Ottawa ready to represent his constituents with the House of Commons scheduled to resume sitting on November 22.

While Falk is coy about his Covid19 vaccine status, refusing to confirm or deny when asked by some constituents and media, it can be noted that a post accompanied with a photograph announces his arrival in Ottawa and an official sworn in date of October 22. During the evening on October 20, Falk also posted he had attended the AGM of the food bank in Ste. Anne.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Manitoba Liberals File Elections Complaint Over Dawson Trail MLA Membership Lottery

By Dan Guetre Manitoba Liberals have filed a complaint with the Manitoba’s Elections Commissioner over membership sales in the PCs Leadership race involving Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagasse.

In a now-deleted Facebook post featuring a photo of Heather Stefanson, Lagassé offered an entry in a draw for every person in his constituency for every PC membership they bought for Stefanson. People who bought PC memberships would be entered to a win a custom pair of sneakers.

The Manitoba Liberals Party filed an official elections complaint that Lagasse’s offer appears to violate Section 35, subsection 3, 4, & 5 of Manitoba’s

Election Financing Act when soliciting membership sales/campaign finance laws.

“The law says you can’t offer to compensate anyone for a donation, even if it’s entering a contest to win sneakers,” said Dougald Lamont, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party. “It doesn’t matter what the inducement is, clearly the PCs thought it would make a difference or they wouldn’t have offered it.”

When reaching out to Lagasse for comment, his constituency office declined to respond citing questions instead should be directed to him through the constituency association even when it was pointed out the post was from his advertised MLA Facebook page. The constituency association did not respond, neither did MLA Bob Lagasse.

Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagasse in a now-deleted Facebook post on his MLA page.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

RM of Ste. Anne Lagoon Expansion Nears Completion

Submitted photo Drone footage of the RM of Ste. Anne lagoon showing the expansion cell which will be planted with cattails to filter wastewater.

Thanks to excellent weather during the construction season, the RM of Ste. Anne Lagoon Expansion Project is on schedule and on budget.

The expansion consisted of 40 acres of land purchased and the addition of a large landscaped cell to the current lagoon that will use natural wetland plants such as cattails to further remove phosphorus

and filter the water until it meets government standards for returning into the Winnipeg River Basin so as not to worsen algae or pollution in the system.

Construction began in the spring and the final touches are now being completed through October 2021, finishing with seeding of the wetland and then flooding.

It will take a couple of years to

become fully functional as the cattail bed grows and becomes established.

As the existing system was at capacity, Councillor Randy Eros says that the Municipality had to treat to remove phosphorus this year, but hopefully by next year there will already be enough capacity in the new system to not have to chemically treat again going forward.

Dawson Trail Art and Heritage Unveil Commemorative Trail Plan The Dawson Trail Art and Heritage Tour recently unveiled its Commemorative Trail Plan.

It aims to install permanent markers highlighting traditional names and topographical features of the Dawson Trail as they were known at the time of construction. These trail markers will more or less follow the traditional Dawson Trail route starting from the Red River colony now known as St-Boniface, rural communities of Lorette, Dufresne, Sainte-Anne, La Coulée, Richer and beyond. These markers will serve as way-finding aids to guide residents and tourists alike along the trail, and will be enhanced with relevant, interpretive content.

The marker design carries the symbolism of the “land and water” route as the Dawson Trail came to be known over time.

The canoe silhouette forms the basis for the structure, while the stacked horizontal lines behind the interpretive panels are reminiscent of the corduroy road that was built along much of the historic trail that ran through swamps (or muskegs as the Métis called them), and a rough terrain that extended from the boreal forest to the east, over gravel ridges and a landscape of lush, rich flora and botanicals, across the waters of the Whitemouth and Brokenhead, and along the La Coulée and Seine Rivers, to finally arrive at the open prairie fields leading west towards the Red River colony.

With the help of a heritage consultant and curator, Mireille Lamontagne, they took it one step further to create specific symbols for each of these segments. These will further distinguish the inherent character of the regions and create “visitor experiences” specific to each one. Stay tuned for those designs coming soon.

The Dawson Trail has important significance as a gateway to what is now western Canada. The Dawson Trail named after the surveyor Simon Dawson, was the first all-Canadian route that linked the Great Lakes and eastern Canada with the western Canadian prairies.

Built in 1870 it was a water and land based route that began at Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay, Ontario) and ended at the Red River Colony (now Winnipeg, Manitoba).

Even before the Dawson Trail was fully completed Col. Garnet Wolseley was authorized to form a military operation that bypassed American territory using the trail to reach the Red River Colony to quell the Red River Rebellion of 1870.

With the trail opening up the west further, a rebellion arose because as surveyors moved in to divide up what was called Rupert’s Land into agricultural sections the Métis and Indigenous peoples who had not been consulted saw their traditional lands and hunting grounds were not respected. In resistance the people

rallied around a 25-year-old, Montreal-educated, bilingual Métis teacher, Louis Riel who formed a provisional government drafting a list of rights which laid out the Métis conditions for joining Canada.

Succeeding events saw the execution of Riel and the end of the rebellion which was marked with the creation of the Province of Manitoba when it joined Confederation in 1870 as the fifth province.

Markers that are set to be placed along the historic Dawson Trail.

Picture courtesy of Pierrette Sherwood

November 2021

Annual Influenza Vaccination Campaign Launches The province is encouraging Manitobans to embrace winter wellness as it launches a new flu vaccination campaign encouraging all Manitobans to stay well and get a flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their loved ones.

“Overall health and wellness has never been more important than it is right now,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon. “I encourage all Manitobans, especially those at increased risk, their caregivers and close family and friends, to get their flu vaccine this fall. Getting a flu vaccine is the most effective way Manitobans can protect themselves and each other from the flu. It means fewer people getting sick, fewer people who miss work or school, and fewer people who need to be treated in a hospital.”

The annual influenza vaccination campaign has been redesigned this season and merged with the #ProtectMB website to encompass all vaccinations. The minister noted winter wellness encourages all Manitobans to commit to simple lifestyle activities that will help keep people active, eat healthy foods, reduce stress and get the flu vaccine.

“When Manitobans work together to stay healthy and get the seasonal flu vaccine, we see tremendous results. We need to look no further than last year’s flu vaccine uptake and the low number of influenza cases in Manitoba,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “When Manitobans stay healthy as well as stay home when they are sick, cover their cough, wash their hands and get the flu vaccine, we are a healthier community and enable the health system to care for those most critical in their time of need.”

A record-setting 31.5 per cent of Manitobans registered with Manitoba Health and Seniors Care received the vaccine last flu season. Manitobans who received the vaccine last year are encouraged to get it again, as are those getting it for the first time.

Roussin noted it is important for all Manitobans six months of age and older to get immunized against influenza. Once again, the 2021 campaign will be targeted to those most vulnerable and their caregivers, including specific outreach to the health-care sector and the public service.

In 2017, Manitoba became the first province to offer a highdose version of the influenza vaccine and many provinces have followed. The high-dose influenza vaccine is an injected flu vaccine formulated for people age 65 years and older. Evidence shows the high-dose influenza vaccine especially protects seniors who are at greater risk of influenza and its complications.

Manitoba Health and Seniors Care offers a high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (fluzone high-dose) to individuals 65 years of age and older who meet any of the following criteria: residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) including chronic care residents; residents of supportive and assisted-living housing; clients in interim or transitional care beds, respite care clients and new, unimmunized residents admitted to a LTCF during the flu season; individuals in a provincial correctional facility including those who are newly incarcerated or transferred from other federal or out-ofprovince correctional facilities; receiving home-care services while on a waiting list for admission into a LTCF; living on a First Nation, remote or isolated community; and living north of the 53rd parallel of latitude.

The flu vaccine and Pneu-P-23 vaccine, which helps protect against pneumococcal disease and is offered free of charge to seniors anywhere flu vaccines are offered and can be administered at the same time, are available at local public health offices, nursing stations, doctors’ offices, community clinics and Access Centres.

Pharmacists can also provide immunization services to people seven years of age and older. Manitobans interested in getting the vaccine should contact providers first to ensure availability.

Manitoba has already begun shipping vaccines to providers and is expected to receive the full provincial vaccine allotment over the next several weeks, barring any external supply or delivery disruptions.

The seasonal flu vaccine is available in many locations across the province. Manitobans can now find locations and book online at www.ProtectMB.ca or by calling call 1-844-626-8222 (1-844MAN-VACC). Walk-ins are also available at many locations.

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November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

IDC School Receives STEAM Funds for Creative Ideas

By Angelique Forest École/Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy in Division scolaire francomanitobaine has received support for its increased enrollment and for the mental health of students. The school has also received additional funding to support its robotics program under the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM).

The school was one of 53 successful project applications totalling $954,082 in funding as part of the 2021 Teachers’ Idea Fund. The Teachers’ Idea Fund has now approved projects totaling nearly $1.4 million to fund ideas from teachers, staff and school leaders.

Funds will help support projects such as improving literacy outcomes; introducing robotics; constructing an outdoor classroom; creating a space to promote diversity and inclusion and student engagement; establishing language and phonological supports to enhance the ability to recognize and work with sounds in spoken language and producing a student film festival on human rights in partnership with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

“The $25-million fund is a priority action of the Better Education Starts Today strategy,” said Education Minister Cliff Cullen. “This fund will support projects based on the themes of targeted learning supports, models of teaching and learning, mental health and well-being, transitions in K-12 education, and family and parent engagement.”

While the multi-year project intake deadline was in mid-October applications are still being accepted but those received before October 16 will be given priority. Educators are encouraged to apply for funding for a single-year project, budgeted at $25,000-and-under.

Applications will continue to be reviewed as part of a continuous process. Teachers can apply for both streams at bettereducationmb. ca/teachers-idea-fund.

During the first intake of applications, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) program at Bothwell School in Hanover School Division was also approved for a project.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Pineland “Hemp Dream” Bankrupt

By Dan Guetre A once thriving centre of employment for the RM of Reynolds is once again in limbo, leaving the region with no job opportunities and frustration.

The former Pineland Forest Nursery site, purchased from the Province in 2019 for $1.43 million by Botanist Organic Growers Corporation (BOGC) with a goal to produce hemp cannabidiol (CBD) has gone bust, even before the doors opened.

The Province had closed the forest nursery in 2018 citing it was losing too much money.

The property covers more than 300 acres and includes more than 300,000 square feet of greenhouse and research facilities.

The promise of creating up to 200 jobs at the Hadashville site came to an end in late September as the Province terminated the $240,000 annual lease with the company in arrears to the Province for about $500,000.

According to the Reeve of the RM of Reynolds Trudy Turchyn, as time went by, each season the facility was not operating got increasingly depressing. Turchyn told media that

the facility was being taken over by weeds and trees and everything on site was deteriorating. She referred to the site as a “gem” and “had such potential”.

Turchyn further stated that no one had even responded to the municipality’s multiple requests for updates and any information about the company’s struggles to get the site operational.

She is concerned that a “life line” for the community and region has now been taken away.

“While the province entered into the agreement with Botanist Organic Growers Corp in good faith and, in the interests of all Manitobans, it has become clear that BOGC is unable to fulfil its obligations,” a provincial spokesperson said in a statement. The Province is now going to explore other options for the facility.

The Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU) has been a critic from day one when the government announced the closure of the provincially supported tree nursery.

“Instead of serving as a new eco-

nomic driver for the region, it’s been a heartbreaking reminder of the failed promises of privatization, as the shuttered facility has sat unused for years,” said MGEU President, Kyle Ross in a statement. “We had a facility, which provided an important specialized public service for many years, and then the Pallister government eliminated it and promised great economic opportunities from privatization.”

He believes this is another example of a botched privatization scheme by the government. “…there have been no jobs for Hadashville, nothing has filled that void, and we’re back to square one with a site that’s been sitting empty and should have been growing trees this entire time to regenerate our forests,” added Ross.

BOGC blames a change in the market demand for the failure where oversupply made it financially impossible to grow hemp.

Opposition NDP environment critic Lisa Naylor is now asking the province to work with the municipality on creating a plan for the site as opposed to ignoring their input.

ROC’s Giant 50/50 Tickets Now Available

By Dan Guetre

Recreational Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman are now selling 50/50 tickets for their massive fundraising event.

Based on their success from last year where the winner took home $50,000, they are hoping for the same, if not better, attraction from residents and business who supported their organization.

The LGCA sanctioned draw is open to all residents of Manitoba.

Tickets can be purchased in-person at RONA in La Broquerie, Grunthal Lumber, Super Splash Shell, Sunshine Greenhouse/Chinos, Country Meat and Deli, and Homestyle Deli. The tickets are also available online at roceastman.ca/buy5050.

ROC Eastman provides services that reduce barriers to recreation opportunities for children in the Eastman region of Manitoba in order to give every child a chance to experience the benefits of meaningful recreation and, in doing so, foster better lives and build healthier communities.

Tickets are only $5 each and on sale until December 18. The Grand Prize Draw will take place on December 20 and will be 50% of ticket sales up to a maximum of $50,000.

They are also offering three Early Bird Prize Draws of $500 Fuel Gift Certificate to Supersplash and 10 rounds golf at Steinbach Fly-In draw to be held on November 8 at 12 pm at 53 Hwy. 12N, Steinbach; a $1,000 Meat Package from Country Meat Deli with the draw being held on November 22 at 12 pm at Country Meat Deli 20-20 Brandt Street, Steinbach and a $1,200 Sobeys Gift Certificate sponsored by La Broquerie Lumber and Sobeys to be drawn on December 6 at 12 pm at La Broquerie Lumber, 23 Lumber Ave, La Broquerie.

The property covers more than 300 acres and includes more than 300,000 square feet of greenhouse and research facilities.

File photo

Operation Red Nose Steinbach/La Broquerie Canceled for Second Year

By Angelique Forest For the second year in a row Operation Red Nose Steinbach/La Broquerie is canceled due to the pandemic and increased costs, maintenance and health regulations.

“We were really looking forward to bringing the safe ride service back this year, so our decision wasn’t an easy one to make. We were hoping, up to the last minute, to be able to announce that we would be back on the road this year,” said Anne-Marie Audet, Executive Director at the national Operation Red Nose office.

“The safety of our volunteers and clients is our priority, so the hard choice to push our safe ride campaign to 2022 is ultimately the most reasonable one.”

According to the Government of pre-bookings, along with SteinCanada’s Canadian Institutes of bach Taxi, Hello Taxi Steinbach and Health Research, a survey conduct- Niverville Taxi. ed during the COVID-19 pandemic suggests 23.3% of respondents reported drinking more alcohol compared to before the pandemic (4.8% drank much more and 18.5% drank slightly more). Only 11.8% reported drinking less alcohol (6.1% drank much less and 5.7% drank slightly less), and 65% reported no change in alcohol use.

If you need to travel after drinking, there are many safe alternatives such as calling a friend or family member or by contacting a cab company in advance to guarantee a ride. Country Cab in Steinbach is one of the cab services available for planned

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Renovations Ahead for the Vita Community Healing Gardens

By Angelique Forest The Dr. Toth Park at the Vita Health Centre has renovations currently underway at the community healing gardens. The community’s vision of

enhancing the park has since become a reality starting in 2019 with the support of local businesses and the many volunteers who are helping to upgrade the green space that

will give everyone the opportunity to have a safe and healthy outdoor space.

Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses.

The Dr. Toth Park at the Vita Health Centre has renovations currently underway at the community healing gardens.

Online Portal to Support Shopping for Local Goods and Services - Businesses Urged to Sign Up!

By Dan Guetre “Buying Local” is going to be easier if the Southeast Commerce Group has anything to say about it and just in time for the Holiday Season.

According to Maranda Rosko, the Executive Director of the Southeast Commerce Group they are putting in effort and resources to create a new online portal to allow people to shop for goods and services along with allowing businesses to list their wares.

The newly developing site “Southeast ChamberMarket” is now accepting product and service listings from local businesses, including small home based entrepreneurs who need a hand marketing and selling their creation.

“We’re in the very beginning stages of getting businesses and products uploaded but have had much interest in the

platform in the last two weeks,” said Rosko. “We have over a dozen businesses who have expressed interest in being a part of the Southeast ChamberMarket, keep in mind that we haven’t done an official launch yet.”

“We’ve had nothing but positive responses and feedback!” explained Rosko. “The Southeast ChamberMarket will provide a low-cost, low-maintenance place for businesses of all types to advertise and sell their products and services.”

When asked about what a shopper could expect on the site, Rosko believes there could eventually be a huge variety to shop for.

“From businesses already established to at-home makers, the Southeast ChamberMarket can host them all,” she said. “We anticipate a minimum of

products will be available for purchase by launch date.”

“We are hoping to do an official launch on November 15th just in time for the busy Christmas shopping season!” continued Rosko.

Business sign-up is simple. Visit southeast.chambermarket.ca and click SIGN UP. As a part of registration, businesses will need to also register for a Bambora/Worldline POS account which includes a one-time fee of $26.90.

The way they are establishing the site, sales are subject to a 4.95% service fee which will be paid by the vendor. 1% of this fee returns to the Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group allowing them to continue to facilitate supports and opportunities for their business community members.

The newly developing site “Southeast ChamberMarket” is now accepting product and service listings from local businesses, including small home based entrepreneurs who need a hand marketing and selling their creations.

November 2021

11

Local Activists Credited as CF Medication Becomes Accessible MP Ted Falk is praising the efforts of local activists as a transformative cystic fibrosis (CF) medication was added to the provincial drug program formulary.

Recently, the Government of Manitoba announced it was adding Trikafta to its drug formulary, qualifying the medication for coverage for those who meet the province’s eligibility criteria. This comes after Health Canada approved the drug for sale in Canada in June.

“This is great news for those living with cystic fibrosis,” said Falk. “Access to Trikafta could mean the difference between life and death for many suffering from CF.” Trikafta, a new triple-combination cystic fibrosis drug, is used to both treat the symptoms of CF and to target the basic defect from specific genetic mutations that cause CF. Falk said it was local activists who first alerted him to the drug’s existence and asked him to help ensure the medication would quickly be made available in Canada.

“A handful of local residents reached out to me, sat down with me, and helped me understand the critical need for access to Trikafta in Canada,” said Falk.

“Their efforts were part of a national awareness campaign, so as I began working with other MPs on this issue it was already on peoples’ radar.”

In May 2020, fifty-nine Conservative MPs sent an open letter to federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu urging Health Canada to approve the drug for distribution in Canada.

Parliamentarians also came together across party lines to press for action, such as through the All Party Emergency Access to Trikafta Caucus.

“Once Trikafta was approved by Health Canada, provincial governments had to take it from there,” noted Falk. “I’m thankful for the Government of Manitoba’s swift response.”

“Many Canadians suffer from CF, including several Provencher residents,” said Falk. “For those waiting for access, I know this has been a long time in coming. Thank you for your tireless dedication to seeing this through. This achievement will make a world of difference in the lives of those with CF!”

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November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Manitobans Can Now Access COVID-19 Rapid Tests at Pharmacies If you are thinking of taking a trip vide proof of a COVID-19 negative tive test result taken between 14 of test they request is also important, What is accepted by Health outside of Canada every traveller molecular test result to enter or re- and 180 days. because rapid antigen tests are not be Canada are 16 different types of 5 years of age or older, must pro- Canada or proof of a previous posiTravellers should note that the type accepted for entry into Canada. molecular tests that include the PCR - Polymerase chain reaction, Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) or a Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RTLAMP).

Now the Manitoba government has taken steps to enable pharmacists to perform COVID-19 rapid tests for people travelling outside of the province.

“These measures enable pharmacists to expand services for all Manitobans by performing, interpreting and providing results of these tests to people who require a negative test to travel,” said Manitoba Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon. “This is an important change that builds capacity and provides more options for travellers.”

The minister noted this change enables rapid antigen tests and rapid molecular (non-PCR) tests to be performed at pharmacies. Pharmacies will be responsible for acquiring rapid testing supplies, training staff and advertising the service at their site.

“We know that pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers,” said Wendy Clark, president, College of Pharmacists of Manitoba. “The college supports pharmacists as they continue to expand the services they provide to Manitobans during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Pharmacists are looking forward to, again, positively contributing to important measures that will help Manitobans return to their normal activities, including travel,” said Ashley Hart, president, Pharmacists Manitoba. “This pandemic has created important opportunities for pharmacists to serve the public in new ways and to demonstrate the opportunity for Manitobans to be even further supported by their local pharmacist. Participating pharmacies will be working hard in the coming days and weeks to make this service available in communities across the province.”

To request a rapid test, individuals are required to present the pharmacist with documentation related to their travel plans, which may include plane or train ticket or hotel booking. Rapid test requirements can vary by country, so individuals should confirm which type of test is required when making their travel plans and before taking a rapid test.

Manitoba travellers will be required to pay a fee for these tests, as travel health-related services are not an insured health benefit under the Canada Health Act. This is consistent with travellers paying for international travel vaccinations required by other countries. Fees for COVID-19 testing will be set by each pharmacy providing the service.

The necessary changes were made through orders under the Emergency Measures Act and the Regulated Health Professions Act.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Fall Harvest Festival Rings in Fall Colours

Farm Dog, a local Ste. Anne business, hosted a festival in their community in mid-October to celebrate the fall harvest season. Food, local vendors, music and more welcomed visitors to event held at the Pavilion at Photos by Eldon Zigarlick Redemptorist Park.

November 2021

13

“Merry & Bright Christmas Market” Coming Soon in Ste. Anne

Following the successful Festival Rings in Fall Colours event, Farm Dog has now taken on the task of creating a Christmas Market for the community. The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 4 from 10 am to 6 pm at the Club Jovial at 157 Central Ave in Ste. Anne. The event is promising live music, crafts vendors and food. Performers and vendors interested in participating are asked to contact info@farm-dog.ca.

Photo by Eldon Zigarlick

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November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Knowing More About Carbon Monoxide Could Save Your Life Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as “the silent killer” because it is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas that’s highly poisonous. Being exposed to CO for too long can result in a loss of consciousness, brain damage and, in extreme cases, even death. CO is produced when fuels like natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, charcoal or wood, burn incompletely in appliances or devices.

What causes CO? A fuel-burning furnace, water heater, stove, dryer, space heater, fireplace, woodstove, barbecue or charcoal grill can be sources of CO if they’re not installed, vented, or functioning properly. Running a vehicle inside your garage or operating a fuel-powered device in an enclosed space can also cause CO. How do I know if CO is present? You don’t. Since carbon monoxide gas has no odour, colour or taste, we’d breathe it in like normal air with no irritation to our nose or throats. Then, our blood cells attach with CO molecules instead of oxygen molecules, starving our organs from the oxygen they need.

The best way to alert you and your family to CO is to install a carbon monoxide alarm. It works like a smoke alarm – if CO is detected, the alarm will sound to warn you before toxic levels are reached.

What if my alarm goes off? Evacuate your home immediately and the leave the door open as you exit. The longer you’re exposed to CO, the more dangerous it becomes. Call Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-624-9376 (1-888-MB-HYDRO) for an emergency safety inspection. If anyone has symptoms of CO poisoning, call 911 for medical attention.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Early symptoms of CO exposure are fatigue, headache, and nausea - but these signs are often overlooked because they’re like the common flu. A difference is CO will not cause a fever. Higher exposure can cause dizziness, vomiting, disorientation, and loss of muscle control. Extreme exposure usually leads to unconsciousness and death. Too often, death from CO poisoning results with the victim simply falling asleep and never regaining consciousness.

How do I protect myself and my family from carbon monoxide poisoning?

- Install a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Test alarms regularly, know the meaning of the “beep” patterns, replace the batteries twice a year, or the alarm when it’s expired. Most CO alarms will last up to 10 years; - Hire a qualified heating contractor to inspect your gas heating devices and appliances at least once a year; and keep your external vents clear of snow, leaves and debris. When using natural gas appliances, check for a blue flame – a yellow flame indicates CO; - Never use a barbecue, camp stove, fuel-burning heater, generator, or other gas-powered engine in an enclosed space, even with a door or window open; and always back your car out of the garage when letting it warm up.

Test alarms regularly, know the meaning of the “beep” patterns, replace the batteries twice a year, or the alarm when it’s expired. Most CO alarms will last up to 10 years.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Pastor Released After 45 Hours in Custody

By Dan Guetre A pastor accused of defying public health orders issued by the Province was released after about 45 hours in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

RCMP officers had arrested Tobias Tissen, the pastor of the Church of God Restoration near Sarto without incident on Monday, October 18 following a traffic stop in Steinbach.

A video of Tissen’s arrest shared on social media shows two RCMP officers asking the pastor to step out of his vehicle, telling him he is under arrest due to an outstanding warrant and being placed in the back of an RCMP vehicle.

In video interview posted on Tissen’s Facebook page after his release he comments on his arrest and the fact he went into hiding when a warrant was issued.

“I want[ed] to give the police credit for not arresting me, they might give up on it; I was sadly mistaken,” said Tissen. “Someone must have snitched or the police chief himself might have saw me.”

While police issued the warrant for his arrest in late May, he eluded arrest for some time, telling select media outlets he only wanted to be arrested in church and in front of others.

According to a social media post by fellow pastor, Henry Hildebrandt from Aylmer, Ontario, Tissen was not released on Tuesday due to his refusal to sign the conditions of release. “Some of the conditions included agreeing to abide by all public health restrictions, and agreeing not to communicate with certain individuals.”

After Tissen had spent almost two days in custody, he finally agreed to court ordered conditions of release and virtually attended a bail hearing on October 20. His release conditions include a promise to pay $1,000, a requirement not to organize including requesting, inciting or inviting others to any gatherings related to COVID-19 prevention orders made under the public Health Act. The conditions did specify,

RCMP officers arrested Tobias Tissen, the pastor of the Church of God Restoration near Sarto without incident on Monday, October 18 following a traffic stop in Steinbach.

After Tissen had spent almost two days in custody, he finally agreed to court ordered conditions of release,, Some of the conditions included agreeing to abide by all public health restrictions, and agreeing not to communicate with certain individuals. Tissen is hugged by his wife outside the Winnipeg Remand Centre after his release.

however, this does not impede regular religious gatherings or prevent him from performing his duties as a pastor.

Tissen has previously been fined for breaking public health orders, and is also among the 10 applicants involved in a constitutional challenge of those orders.

In a recent decision, Court of Queen’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal said he found that the public health orders were reasonable limitations on the group’s Charter Rights in the context of the pandemic, and that Manitoba’s chief public health officer did have the authority to execute them.

Joyal found that the restrictions did infringe upon certain charter rights, but that the province was justified in doing so given the severity of the pandemic.

“If that isn’t a lie, I don’t know what is,” accused Tissen in a video post after his release. “Sure they are paid off, sure they are paid off…

they are bought.”

Joyal said that while fundamental freedoms should not disappear in a pandemic, he accepted that the Manitoba government had to make swift, decisive decisions in order to regain control of the virus and save lives.

The judge also said he found the province’s witnesses credible and reliable, and accepted that the restrictions were based on “well-accepted public health consensus.”

The applicants, by contrast, had failed to make a convincing argument that there was insufficient proof to justify the restrictions, saying that the evidence they presented in court represented, “At best, a contrary if not contrarian scientific point of view,” said Joyal.

Defiant after his release, Tissen said in another interview, “We are living in rather interesting times, rather dangerous times.”

“Mr. Glenn Joyal needs to give his head a shake,” added Tissen.

“He has just proven himself to all of us he is corrupt. I wish I could talk to Mr. Glenn Joyal to tell him judgment is coming, justice is going to be served.”

“We might be losing in court but we are exposing corrupt judges,” continued Tissen. “At any cost, we can’t go along with it.”

When asked about his next church services and the effect his release conditions may have on them, Tissen insisted he has no interest or forecast of changing anything in the way they have been operating.

Tissen is expected to appear in A video of Tissen’s arrest shared on social media shows two RCMP officers asking the Steinbach Provincial Court in early pastor to step out of his vehicle, telling him he is under arrest due to an outstanding war- November on the current charges of rant and being placed in the back of an RCMP vehicle.

Source: Facebook violating public health orders.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

November 2021

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ROC Eastman Tour Spends October Handing Out Rec Equipment

By Angelique Forest Recreational Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman have completed their “delivery days” throughout the southeast giving away recreation and sports equipment to families.

While ROC Eastman formed in 2009, it recognized the growing need for their service and registered as a recreation-focused children’s charity in 2013. They assist with the challenges of activity registration, transportation, equipment and supplies, as well as providing a unique and personal learning program to each and every family.

Activities can be almost anything – cooking, dance, photog-

raphy, piano, guitar, drums, sport, scrapbooking, volunteering, animal care, gardening…almost anything you can think of. ROC Eastman highlights helping the families as a whole rather than just providing a service strictly to youth and recreation. Each family unit is individually assessed and given advice as well as resources to help provide healthy and safe activity options for the whole family.

ROC Eastman visited the Richer Dawson Trail Park in mid-October handing out a large variety of sports and recreation equipment.

Mountain bikes, ice skates, hockey equipment, roller blades and more made it into family’s hands! In ear-

ly October, ROC Eastman travelled to Sprague, Vita, St. Adolphe and Dominion City. The same day they visited Richer, the group had travelled to Powerview-Pinefalls, Lac du Bonnet and Whitemouth.

While their official delivery days are over, the group is still accepting donations of recreational equipment and have equipment available to hand out!

“Have equipment you no longer need? You can also stop by and drop off donations or swap for something new as well! There is no cost - we would just love to share the generosity of our donors with you!” is a message they want everyone to hear.

ROC Eastman visited the Premier Tech Multiplex at the Dawson Trail Park where local community groups flipped burgers for the families who came out to grab some gear.

New RM of Ste. Anne Public Works Building Opens

By Myriam Dyck The new and expanded Public Works Building is now completed and in use to better service RM of Ste. Anne residents.

On October 7 a combined Grand Opening celebration and Open House was held for the public to tour the new facility, conveniently located just behind the RM of Ste. Anne Municipal Office.

The Public Works Department had outgrown the old quonset building facility, as it was full when two graders parked inside and didn’t allow for new equipment to be added. As well, it was not very energy efficient due to being an older building.

The $2 million larger and fully modernized facility will now allow the Public Works Department to comfortably store new equipment when acquired, as well as having more space for the Public Works Department administration staff and Emergency Coordinator.

In addition to more floor space for the heavy equipment, the bays are drive-through and a wash bay is set up to maintain the equipment more easily.

Deputy Reeve Randy Eros says this expansion was done with future planning in mind. “It’s been 60 years that we’ve been using the old one and now this one could be good for the next 60 years,” Eros says.

The RM of Ste. Anne Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining approximately 350 kilometres of roads currently, and that will increase as more development occurs throughout the RM. The RM received a $27,000 rebate from Manitoba Hydro due to the new facility exceeding set environmental standards, as well as a $5,000 grant from CN and a $5,000 grant from TC Energy for the establishment of the Emergency Operations Centre. The new location is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly due to access to the municipality solar electricity panels nearby.

The new RM of Ste. Anne Public Works facility is now in service, located just south of the Municipal Building.

Submitted photo

ROC Eastman set up in Whitemouth to meet families and hand out some recreational gear.

Read the Dawson Trail Dispatch online dawsontrail.ca

16

November 2021

Tache Food Resource Centre Gears Up for Hampers Christmas will soon be upon us and the Tache Food Resource Centre prepares for its Christmas Hamper project.

Registration for Christmas Hamper will be taken from now until December 13. Pick up dates for the Hampers will be on Friday, December 17 at the Lorette Parish Hall.

Once again this year, due to COVID-19, there will only be gifts and grocery gift cards in the hampers. Call Irene to register at 204-270-0273.

Further, the Tache Food Resource Centre would like to thank all the volunteers who took the time to grow many extra fresh garden vegetables for those in the community who are in need. They want to issue a very special thank you to a dedicated volunteer, Ralph Gauthier, for the many pounds of fresh vegetables along with monetary donations from a “Giant Pumpkin Raffle” he organized with his daughter to raise funds for those in need.

Vita Christmas Cheer Board Accepting Applications The Vita Christmas Cheer Board will be accepting applications for Christmas hampers until November 13.

If you are in need of a hamper or know someone that is, please contact Linda at 204-425-3745.

Curlers of Vita Are in Need of Members

By Angelique Forest Vita Curling Club is registering teams and individuals for the upcoming curling season beginning in January 2022. There is a minimum of 10 teams to meet the requirement for starting the ice plant, and individuals who participate must be double vaccinated to attend as it is a public space. The curling club urges all who are interested to come forward to allow for a successful start for all.

The deadline for registration is November 25. For more information, contact Jerry Lubiansky 204-4253095, Heather 204-746-0376 or Pam 204-392-4437.

Read the Dispatch online at dawsontrail.ca

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Local Producers Make Plans for Christmas Market The second outdoor market season finished with a flourish on October 6. After a full season of monthly third Wednesday markets, this last one was changed to the first Wednesday just in time for Thanksgiving.

The Corner Market finale for this year will be an indoor Christmas themed event at the Tolstoi Community Hall, also on Highway 59 a few miles south of our usual location. Mark your calendar for November 20, from 1 - 5 pm. Expect regular Corner market vendors plus a few new ones to pull out all the stops with some unique gift ideas for Christmas.

Several of the market vendors continue to offer many of their usual products in Artisan Hall, in the Reimer Concrete and Building Supply store. Look for Poppy and Mae Co., Four Hearts and I, Prairie Shore Botanicals, Cheaper Than Therapy Rustic Works, B G’s Preserves Hot Sauces, Skip-O-Potamas Soaps etc, Avonlea Honey, Susanne Funk’s children’s book Gifts from Heaven and Shepherd’s Dream

wool bedding at Artisan Hall.

Another outlet for local vendors is the Can Am Corner store where you can find items from Prairie Shore Botanicals, Stoney Brook Creamery and Creekside Dairy. Prairie Shore Botanicals’ book and healing salve are also available at Dueck Drug Store in Vita.

Brought to you by the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative, initiativelocalfood@gmail. com, Find us on Facebook.

The second outdoor market season finished with a flourish on October 6.

Submitted photos

Whiteshell Community Club Curling Program Seeking Players

By Angelique Forest

November and is welcoming all dividual and teams will be made up The Whiteshell Community curlers. accordingly.

Club curling program at Falcon Those interested are encouraged Participants can enter as a team Beach plans to start up in early (men, women or mixed) or as an in- to contact Bill Matthews for more

information on joining the program, by emailing westhawkbill@hotmail. com or by calling 204-349-2960 or 204-918-6325.

12 Days of Safety Over the Holidays Here are 12 electrical and natural gas safety tips from Manitoba Hydro to keep in mind this holiday season: 1. Maintain your natural gas equipment. Have your natural gas heating equipment and appliances checked by a qualified heating contractor. This will ensure they function properly through the colder months and prevent a carbon monoxide risk.

2. Inspect electrical decorations and light strings before use. Whether new or old - damaged sockets, bare or frayed wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or start a fire. Never connect more than three light strings together.

3. Only use indoor or outdoor lights and extension cords as indicated on their packaging.

Read the instructions and only use lights as recommended. If an extension cord will be used, be sure it’s the right one for the job.

4. Don’t overload electrical outlets. Plugging too many devices into one outlet, and faulty wires are a common cause of electrical fires.

5. Use extension cords with care.

Do not cover extension cords with rugs or furniture. Never plug a freezer, refrigerator or space heater into an extension cord - a fire may result.

6. Use GFCI-protected receptacles to protect you from shock when plugging in devices outdoors. Keep outdoor connections above ground and out of wet snow.

Also use a timer so they turn on and off automatically.

7. Be wary of purchasing electrical goods that are sold online.

Protect your family from substandard products by avoiding noname products and bargains that seem too good to be true. Look for recognized certification markings from an accredited agency, like CSA or URL. 8. Never leave cooking or baking unattended. Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires.

Be especially careful when you’re using the stove or cook top while frying foods.

9. Check the flame on your natural gas appliances. It should burn steady and blue - a yellow flame could indicate carbon monoxide.

10. Test your carbon monoxide pired. Most CO alarms will last up and smoke alarms. Replace the to 10 years. Mark your calendar to batteries or the alarm if it’s ex- check your alarms twice a year.

Inspect electrical decorations and light strings before use.

Stock photo

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Niverville Grain Elevator Demolished After 40 Years

By Angelique Forest Marking the final fall of where all elevators stood before it, the Niverville grain elevator was demolished at 5:30 pm on October 22, in a planned demolition. This elevator has stood tall from 1981 until this year, hitting the 40 year old mark.

For over 142 years there has been a grain elevator built, torn down and rebuilt on that property. The site held the first grain elevator built in western Canada by William Hespeler back in 1879. It’s no wonder the residents of Niverville have mixed feelings about this structure’s fate. Even though it sits on historical property, the cost of declaring it a heritage site and maintaining the

building would make no sense, according to the town mayor, Myron Dyck.

The current owner of the elevator, Grant Dyck, owns Artel Farms and has made it clear that for many reasons, including the safety of the community, the iconic landmark required too much maintenance and work to remain safe and in use. After purchasing the property in 2001, the town began to grow. The location began making loading and unloading very difficult, impacting traffic throughout the town as it stands beside the railroad tracks that divide the newer and older developments in Niverville.

Jeff Mayo, Niverville resident

since 2010, remembers the elevator as a symbol of the agricultural history in the area that is continuously transforming as technology changes.

“It was bittersweet to see it taken down, however I understand that operating it was no longer a viable option and that safety concerns made this the best option,” said Mayo, who also takes pictures.

Mayo got close-range shots of the demolition and said he has no training, just luck perhaps when he gets a good picture. “I had been taking shots almost every morning for a whole two weeks to document the progress of it coming down,” he added. The building was secured, torn apart and then finally taken down in one big

blow as the community stood by and watched While the benefits far outweigh the alternative, Niverville will deeply miss the tallest building standing.

Now all that remains is rubble, wood available for sale and hope for what the new space can bring. Clarence Braun, the property listing’s agent, has shown the property to prospective buyers but still has no insight on future plans for the space. The unique 550 ft property is close to the railroad track, and also overlooking the development coming to life near the newly built high school and recreation centre.

November 2021

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C ommunity E vents

Drive-Thru Fall Supper to be Hosted at Vita Hall

By Angelique Forest The famous Drive-thru Fall Supper is being hosted by volunteers at the Vita hall as a fundraiser with a Ukrainian home-style fall supper on Saturday November 13 from 4 to 6 pm. There are limited quantities available, and cash only is accepted.

Each plate sells for $15.

Come and show your local support for the community! Place reservations in advance for your meals until 6:30 pm November 7 by calling Nettie at 204- 425-3951.

The menu consists of 2 pieces of chicken, fries, optional gravy, coleslaw, bun with butter, along with a piece of pumpkin cake.

Christmas Craft & Gift Bazaar On Saturday, December 4 from 10 am – 3 pm at the Whiteshell Community Club at 20-301 Pr, Falcon Beach. The day’s events will be spread out between the gymnasium and the curling building. Join us for photo with Santa, canteen, club table door raffle, and 50/50 draw.

Patrons and vendors must be fully vaccinated to attend, and follow current government Covid-19 restrictions. Interested vendors, please see whiteshellcommunityclub.ca for information and application form.

Fall Holiday Market Fundraiser On Saturday November 6 from 11 am – 4 pm mark your calendar for the Fall Holiday Market hosted by the Dawson Trail Museum at 67 Dawson Road East, Richer. Tables will be filled with handcrafts, baking, fresh produce and specialty retail to help find that gift for your special someone on your list or something awesome for yourself.

Admission is $2. In addition to the market there will be a 50/50 draw and take away lunch available. All provincial public health orders will be followed and masks will be required at all times indoors. For more information contact lynnerobson@ dawsontrailmuseum.ca.

Niverville’s old grain elevator owned by Artel Farms comes down in a planned demolition.

Photos courtesy of Jeff Mayo

To have your event featured in this listing, please email your events each month to to editor@dawsontrail.ca

November 2021

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Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Be a Part of Scientific Research By Watching Birds Out Your Window!

Did you know that you can learn about backyard birds and contribute to important scientific research without leaving your home?

You can with Project FeederWatch.

Project FeederWatch is a joint project of Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that depends on volunteers to help us all learn more about bird populations.

It’s easy to contribute. All you need to do is join Project FeederWatch at birdscanada.org/feederwatch. Then count your backyard birds periodically throughout the season from November 13, 2021 to April 30, 2022 and submit your counts online at feederwatch. org or using the new Project FeederWatch mobile app.

You don’t have to have a feeder. The plants, water and other features around our homes provide important habitats for birds yearround. To help birds, we need to understand how these habitats and the birds using them are changing over time. Your counts of winter yard birds tell us which species are doing OK and which ones need our conservation attention.

Everyone is welcome. You don’t need to be an expert birder.

We provide resources to help you identify the birds you see. You also don’t need to make a huge time commitment; you decide how much time you spend.

If you want to get a head start you can visit birdscanada.org/discoverbirds to create a list of the birds (and their photos) you are likely to see on any particular day at your location to help you prepare.

Even if you count birds only once during the season, that is a helpful snapshot of the birds in your location.

Last season, 4,820 FeederWatchers participated across Canada!

The number of FeederWatchers climbs each year; we hope you’ll join this thriving community.

When you sign up for the first time, you will receive a poster of eastern and western common feeder birds, a Birds Canada calendar, digital access to Winter Bird Highlights (the FeederWatch magazine), and tools to track and explore birds on our website or mobile app.

You’ll also be able to connect with our flourishing community of bird lovers through the FeederWatch Canada Facebook group.

It’s a great place to share your exciting bird visitors and get tips on identification and bird feeding advice.

Project FeederWatch is also a chance to turn your bird watching hobby into valuable data that has the power to help birds. Researchers have access to the data you submit, which they analyze to see how winter bird populations may be changing. Understanding long-term trends is an important step towards conserving bird populations.

Blue Jay.

Common Redpolls.

Photo courtesy of Risa and Daniel Light

Photo courtesy of Phil Colwill

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Review Your Beneficiaries When it comes to estate planning, it is recommended you review your Will and estate plans every five years or when there is a change in your family or situation. As you grow older, maybe review every two years. Once someone loses their mental capacity, for example dementia, you can no longer make any changes to your legal documents.

What does that mean, “review your Will”?

Legal Representative First review the individual(s) you have named as your executor in your Will and as your attorney in your Power of Attorney document and your medical decision maker in your Health Care Directive. I refer to all three of these positions as your “legal representative” or “legal rep”. They can and often are the same person, but they do not have to be.

Are these individuals still alive?

Are they still capable of looking after your assets while you are alive or your estate after you die? Do they still live in Manitoba? Have you named a primary legal rep and one or more alternates?

Living in the same province is not a requirement, but it does make it easier for your legal rep to look after you and your assets if they don’t have to travel far. In this digital age it has become much easier to be in touch with organizations by phone and email, but there are times when the legal rep does need to physically be near you or your assets.

If you decide to name someone from farther away, be aware that this individual can and should have their travel expenses paid by your estate. And your estate may take longer to be administered and could potentially cost more.

If you have named joint executors, why? Normally naming only one makes more sense. From my experience when dealing with executors, if you name joint executors, one often does all the work, and it makes it more complicated and takes more time for the second executor to co-sign everything.

Often, naming just one qualified executor makes more sense. An executor can still ask others for help.

Other family members can help with some of the administration of assets. And the executor is still accountable to all the beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries Review the beneficiaries you have named in your Will. Are they still appropriate for your wishes?

First, are they still alive? If not, you should replace your Will with a new one, or add a codicil (attachment) to the Will removing them as beneficiaries and potentially adding new ones. If you do not, it is not terrible; just one more item the executor needs to do: get proof of death of these beneficiaries.

If you don’t want a particular beneficiary in the Will anymore (you have changed your mind), it’s

recommended you get a new Will to replace the existing one so there is no confusion about what your intentions are.

Have you listed specific bequests (dollar amounts)? Are the individuals or charities still appropriate and reflect your wishes? Are the amounts still appropriate?

Review your residual beneficiaries. These are the individuals and/or organizations that share in the rest of your estate after debts are paid and specific bequests are paid. Are they still appropriate?

Is the percentage for each of them still reflective of your Wishes?

If you have a charity listed as a bequest or as one of your beneficiaries, is it still the charity of your choice? If you are not sure, you can name an organization such as Link Charity to receive your charity’s share. By using Link Charity, you can change your mind about the charity(ies) without changing the Will; just change the letter of direction with Link Charity.

Life Insurance, RRSP or RRIF, TFSA In additional to the beneficiaries in your Will, take a look at some of your assets that you may have named beneficiaries. These can be your life insurance, your RRSPs or RRIFs, or your TFSA (tax free savings account).

You may want to change the beneficiary or alternate beneficiary if you have a spouse, to “the Estate”.

Then the assets can be distributed according to the wishes in your Will. You may have one or more beneficiaries named that do not match what your intentions are in your Will.

I assisted some executors in the past two years where the deceased (the mother) had only one child named as beneficiary in the RRIF or TFSA instead of both of the children. Fortunately, the named child acknowledged that mom didn’t intend them to have the money and cut out the other child, so the family harmony remained, and the named beneficiary agreed to share the asset with the other child(ren).

I have seen other situations where the named child did not “share” with the other children and now the relationship is strained, and the children do not talk to each other.

This could have been prevented if the parent had changed the asset to name the estate as the beneficiary.

Then the asset would be pooled with all the assets of the estate and distributed according to the Will.

With changes to the probate fees in Manitoba, there is less reason to have a named beneficiary on these assets (other than your spouse).

October 2020, the probate fees in Manitoba were changed to zero. If the Will needs to be probated (authenticated by the Court of Queen’s Bench), the fees are zero. If a lawyer assists you with having the Will probated, you will still pay lawyer fees (which are negotiable).

There may be reasons you do

want to have a named beneficiary on your specific assets. For example, you may want to leave a RRIF to a charity to offset the taxes on the asset when you die.

Or you may want to leave the RRIF to your spouse in a second marriage, but the rest of the assets you may want to leave to your children from your first marriage.

Joint Assets Joint assets other than with a spouse are considered as estate assets and are distributed according to the Will; unless you have a signed document that states this asset is intended to be paid to the joint account holder. Make sure your executor and beneficiary know your intentions with any joint assets.

Of course, this is treated differently than assets that are joint with spouses.

Personal Property Memorandum If you have personal items that are not worth significant values (like some family heirlooms), you can state in a signed and dated document who should be receiving some of these prized items. You can list them in detail and provide names beside each item. A copy of this document should be given to your executor and maybe the beneficiaries and the original should be with your Will.

Mutual Clause If you are a widowed spouse, check your Will to see if there is a mutual clause in the Will that may prevent you from making any changes in beneficiaries in your Will. A mutual clause is more common with second marriages to ensure the surviving children of both parents receive the estate after the second parent dies. It ensures the surviving spouse cannot change the Will and “remove” the deceased spouse’s children from the Will. It is a legal contract that comes into place when the first spouse dies.

The spouses can change their Wills while both are still alive, and both agree to the changes.

With a mutual clause, changing your executor is allowed with a codicil, just the beneficiaries cannot be changed or removed.

Take this month to review your documented wishes and make sure they match what you would like to have happen. You may need to review with a lawyer so that your wishes are documented properly.

Anni Markmann is a Personal Income Tax Professional and Certified Financial Planner; living, working, and volunteering in our community. Contact Ste Anne Tax Service at 204-422-6631 or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne (near Co-op) or info@sataxes.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Consider Getting a Class 1 This Winter

First Buffalo Driver Training MELT program test pass in Winnipeg.

When Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) was implemented by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) in the fall of 2019, a 1-year exemption was put in place to support the agricultural sector and provide farmers more time to gain a class 1 licence without impacting the 2019 farming season.

Soon after the exemption expired in the fall of 2020, Keystone Agriculture Producers (KAP) of Manitoba was able to advocate for grant funding for farmers to complete MELT between November 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

However, as farmers are now starting to recover from a drought-filled season and are leading into the off months of winter, what programs are left for them now to utilize time-off and prepare for the next season?

First, let’s start at the beginning with some frequently asked questions.

What is required to get a class 1 licence?

Before you can book a road test for a class 1 licence, you must complete an approved training program through a registered school.

I already have experience. Do I need to complete the whole program?

Previous experience does not count towards hours in a program.

You must complete an entire MELT program to qualify to take a test.

How long is the program?

There are currently 2 program options in Manitoba. The first is MELT which consists of 121.5 hours of training - 40 hours inclass and 81.5 hours practical.

This course can be taken full-time or part-time depending on the school.

The other program is the Entry Level Professional Truck Driver Training Program. It is a 6-week full-time program with a total of 244 hours -80 hours in-class, 80 hours practical, 80 hours observation, and MPI road testing.

How much does it cost?

There is no set price for MELT training in the industry, but averages for programs are between $5,000 - $6,500. The 244-hour program is generally capped at $9,000 as this program has funding options available for individuals through Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centres and Employment Insurance.

Where do I start?

Before you can apply for funding, you first need to meet the entrance requirements of a school, receive an acceptance letter, and obtain a conditional letter of employment. You can contact us directly to help you with each step, and we can guide you through the entire process.

Submitted photo

How is training happening?

Our classroom training sessions are delivered live, online, which means you can learn right from home. And practical in-cab training can be done through our satellite location in Ile des Chenes. So there’s no need to commute to our main location in Winnipeg.

Who are we?

Our school Buffalo Driver Training prides itself on delivering the highest quality training. We’ve been voted the best truck driver training school in Winnipeg by Consumer’s Choice Awards 5 years in a row.

For more information, see our website at buffalodrivertraining.com.

Or better yet, contact us at 204633-7697 to find out how you could qualify for no-cost Class 1 truck driver training.

Are there any grants for employers?

There could still be options for employers to apply for funding for the MELT program for employees or hire new employees and provide them with training through the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant.

However, this program has closed for this year. Farmers who would like to consider using that program should be ready to make an application in the new provincial fiscal year for training they may want to complete next winter.

November 2021

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ATTENTION NEWCOMERS TO LORETTE Welcome to the growing community of Lorette! Have you purchased a home, townhome, or condo in the LUD of Lorette, in the last year? Do you have questions about your new community? The Welcome Basket Committee of the LUD of Lorette would be happy to answer some of those questions. We have a FREE basket of Gift Certificates, coupons, gifts, and information which have been generously provided by the businesses and organizations in the LUD of Lorette. To arrange a short visit please e-mail lorettewelcomebasket@gmail.com (no strings attached).

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November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

When All Your Needs Are Met What do you feel that you need to make things better? We all have our list; health, friends, family, job, car or a place to live, etc. But the one item most people leave off their list is the God of heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We have become a prosperous nation made up of self-made men and women who worked hard to become a success.

When people live in prosperity and enjoy good health, with very little adversity, they don’t feel a need for God. We get so busy in life that we numb our minds and thoughts about eternity and how soon we will face it.

I am turning 70 this year but it just seems like yesterday that I was a young lad growing up on my parents’ farm in central Ontario.

As a young adult, sitting in church one Sunday evening in Guelph, Ontario, I realized I needed God. He was offering me a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ had paid the penalty for all my sin 2000 years before when He died on a cross at Calvary.

I gave all my sin to Him that night, and He gave me eternal life in exchange.

When this life ends and eternity begins, I have the promise of eternal joy in Heaven. Now I can say with the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” God meets all my needs (not all my wants). Over and over again Philippians 4:19 has been proven true in my own life; “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Today we live in a world of “need.” If you are frustrated that your needs are not being met, maybe it’s because you’ve never come to know the only true God of Heaven. Come to Him in faith, trusting Christ to forgive you and save you. Then watch how God will meet your needs. Christ invites everyone to come to Him in Matthew 11:28, “come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Let me invite you today, to come to God through Christ and find that rest and have your needs met. God bless you as you seek Him and His will for your life.

SAC Corporate Campaign Kicks Off It’s that time of year again for the Steinbach Arts Council’s (SAC) annual Corporate Campaign.

As a non-profit charitable organization that offers tax receipts, SAC relies on the generous donations from the community to continue offering valuable and accessible arts programming.

Donations may be directed towards a concert or program sponsorship, the naming of a studio, a contribution to a bursary program, or directly to SAC operations. Gifts and services are also recognized at the various levels from Friends to Contributors, or Sponsors and Patrons. Donations are acknowledged on their Corporate Board, website, digital signs, and in social media, programs, brochures, and posters.

“Each year, The Steinbach Arts Council relies on donations from our Corporate Sector to allow us to keep programming affordable and accessible for everyone,” said Cindi Rempel Patrick, Director of Development. “During the past challenging months, we have been able to sustain our operations due to this corporate support, as they have been our lifeline. This journey is not over, and we look forward to the ongoing support of our community partners this coming season. Our priority is to recognize these donors and the value they bring to the success of our Arts Recreation Centre and Community.”

A cash donation of any size or a donation in the form of goods and services is greatly appreciated according to SAC. Cash, goods, and service donations are all eligible for a tax receipt.

Not only individuals can help with the important community programming, by becoming a corporate member with a $100 minimum donation, each corporate member will receive additional benefits of 10% off for 2 or more employees to attend a class or program at the Centre, discounts to local businesses, other unique benefits and name recognition on the SAC website, social media, and other marketing materials.

For those interested in giving their time and talent to SAC consider being a volunteer Board Member or offer your valuable skills in other ways at SAC.

Upcoming Exhibit: The Canoe and Its People We’re inviting you to view this month’s Hall Gallery Exhibit, presented by David Carty: The Canoe and Its People. The exhibit shows 27 framed pieces inspired and honoured by the way of life of the Indigenous people settling and canoeing through the Canadian waters.

David Carty used mediums such as pencil and gouache paint in his scenic illustrations.

The exhibit is open for public viewing from November 5 - December 17. You can also view the exhibit in our Virtual Art Gallery at steinbacharts. ca/virtual-gallery.

Learn Pottery FREE After School!

Darlene Adamson is teaching After School Pottery Studio here at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre for free to students in Grades 5 - 12! Come experience the ancient art of pottery in a fun, relaxing environment.

Learn about the materials with an experienced instructor. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to get creative.

Save your spot and register online at steinbacharts.ca or call us at 346.1077.

Our Annual Corporate Campaign begins!

As a non-profit, SAC relies on the generous donations from our community to continue to thrive and offer valuable arts programming. We invite individuals and businesses to participate and make a cash donation of any size or a donation in the form of goods and services (all are eligible for a tax receipt).

Your donation can be directed towards a program sponsorship, studio naming, and a contribution to a bursary program or directly to SAC operations from $50 to $50,000.

Become a Corporate Member for $100 minimum donation and receive additional benefits:

- 10% off for 2 or more employees to attend a class or program at the Centre.

- Discounts to local businesses and other benefits unique to corporate members from the Steinbach Arts Council.

- Name recognition on website, social media, and other relevant marketing materials.

Donate online at steinbacharts. ca or call us at the SAC office, 204-346-1077. Thank you for your consideration of the Steinbach Arts Council in your giving plans.

Your support will help us to create a safe, healthy, and creative place to learn. Please call Cindi Rempel Patrick, Director of Development, or email crpatrick@steinbacharts. ca for more info.

Are you a SAC Member yet?

Do you know that anyone can be a SAC Member? We’ve lined up amazing benefits for you in appreciation or your support and you can use these benefits when you purchase a membership with us!

How? It’s easy. Buy your membership online at steinbacharts. ca or call 204.346.1077. $15 for Individual Residents; $20 for Individual Non-residents; $30 for Family Resident; $35 for Family NonResident 2021-22 SAC Member Perks: -10% off at Santa Lucia Pizza (Steinbach location) -10% off at Coffee Culture (Steinbach location) -10% off at Za Pizza (Steinbach location) -10% off at Chicken Chef (Steinbach location) -10% off at Old Church Bakery -15% off at Janzen’s Paint & Decorating (all art supplies) -$2.00 off a 10lb box of farmer sausage from Country Meat Deli - Discounts on SAC Concert Series Package - 10% discount on SAC additional attractions, concerts, and events as stated - Reduced rental fees at SAC - Voting privileges at AGM Thank You to Za Pizza and Partic-

ipants. The Steinbach Arts Council wants to thank Za Pizza Bistro Steinbach for partnering with us in raising funds to keep our program costs remaining affordable for our participants, especially the Arts 4 Tots Preschool Program and Backyard Theatre Company. The fundraising event was a success, and we certainly hope you enjoyed your stone fired pizza knowing that every pizza you purchased went towards a great cause for our community!

Fall Music Lesson Registration It’s not too late to register for music lessons at the Steinbach Arts Council this fall.

SAC’s Southeast Centre for Music is a gathering place for some of the best teachers in the province.

SCM offers not only excellent instruction in the areas of piano, voice, violin, cello, guitar, musical theatre and more, but it also provides built-in performance opportunities and masterclasses for all ages. The instructors at SCM work diligently to produce top students in our region. No matter the age or experience of a student, the highly trained instructors at SCM meet their students at their individual level, and invest in their learning, giving them the skills they need to succeed!

We are happy to help you on your path to success, starting with instruction facilitated right here at the Steinbach Arts Council. For information about finding an instructor that’s right for you, visit steinbacharts.ca.

The Southeast Centre for Music would like to welcome two new instructors, Julie Sidorchuk and Viktor Esau. Both are skilled in their respective professions, with Julie Sidorchuk having an extensive professional background in piano, and Viktor Esau in violin. If you are interested in building your musical abilities in these areas, Julie and Viktor are currently accepting students during the fall registration period.

Lorette Women Arrested in Fatal Collision On October 13 at approximately 3:15 pm, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 303 (Ridge Road) and Road 31 East in the RM of Hanover. When officers arrived on scene, there were multiple injured people being treated and transported to hospital.

According to RCMP, the initial investigation has determined that a car travelling northbound on Road 31E failed to stop at the

stop sign and entered the intersection when it was not safe to do so. The car struck a minivan travelling westbound on Highway 303, causing the minivan to enter oncoming traffic and strike an eastbound SUV on Highway 303. Both the minivan and the SUV ended up in the southbound ditch.

The minivan had a female driver, 64, and six children between the ages of 8-12, all from the RM of Hanover. All occupants were transported to Winnipeg hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The SUV was driven by a 59-yearold female from Steinbach. She was transported to Winnipeg hospital with critical injuries. Her 85-yearold male passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The 69-year-old driver of the car, from Lorette, was not physically injured. She was arrested for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Death and Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm. She has been released from custody pending a court date.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

November 2021

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Could You Repeat That Current Programming All indoor programming requires pre-registration (204-320-4600), Immunization Card and masks indoors.

Coffee Corner - Monday - Friday from, 10 am – 12 pm.

Card/Games - Monday - Thursday, from 1 – 3 pm, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Drumming - Tuesday 1 – 1:45 pm, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

PACE - Wednesday 1 - 1:45 pm, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Old Time Country Jam - Wednesday 7 – 9 pm, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Pickleball - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am -12:30 pm register at patporteralc.com.

Beginner Pickleball - Tuesday & Thursday 2 – 4 pm register at patporteralc.com.

2022 Memberships - Now’s the time to purchase your 2022 membership! Memberships purchased until January 15, 2022 are $25 each, and $30 thereafter.

Stop by the Centre to purchase yours.

Why become a member?

- Decreased program rates - Discounts on special events - Discount on rentals of the building - Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting - Supports the Centre directly so we can continue to provide programs, activities and services to you!

Craft Workshops - Friday, November 12, 19 and December 3 from 1 – 3 pm.

Calling all cardmakers, scrapbookers and complete newbies. Join these fun and easy to follow craft classes and learn how to make different types of cards and/or scrapbook pages. Using the high-quality supplies that are provided, you can feel free to let your creativity shine. $10 per

person. Advance registration and payment required, call 204-320-4600.

Painting Class - Tuesday, November 23 at 1:30 pm. Local artist Doug Enns presents this painting class, suitable for all skill levels. This month’s theme is Night Skies. You need to bring nothing except an attitude to learn! All supplies provided. $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Call 204-320-4600 to register.

Pancake Breakfast - Thursday, November 25 from 9:30 am – 12 pm! Join us for a delicious breakfast. Stop by the Centre and grab a stack of pancakes and sausage for only $7! All proceeds directly support our Meals on Wheels program.

Steinbach Weihnachtsmarkt - Friday, November 26 from 11 am to 6 pm! Plenty of crafts, baked goods, music and more festivities await you at our festive market!

More information to follow closer to the date. If this sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, call us at 204-3204600 or stop by the Centre to sign up as a vendor.

Foot & Calf Massage - By appointment!

We are excited to be able to offer foot and calf massages at the Centre again. Treat your feet and calves to a relaxing massage. Our massage machines emulate the same techniques used by massage professionals and are a wonderful treat to incorporate into your day. Appointments last 30 minutes and are $2 for members and $4 for non-members. Call 204-3204600 and treat your feet today!

Clinics - Footcare - Licensed Footcare Nurses will take care of your feet and make sure they stay healthy. Call 204320-4600 to make an appointment.

Hearing Clinic - first Wednesday of the month, please call 1-800-661-2653 to

make an appointment.

Rentals - We have rooms of a variety of sizes and prices. For pricing and room availability visit our website patporteralc. com, email programs@patporteralc.com or call 204-320-4600.

Meals on Wheels - A healthy, warm and delicious meal cooked fresh daily and delivered to your door. We have two Meals on Wheels programs running out of Steinbach and Grunthal. Meals may be purchased for $7 for delivery (residents of Steinbach & Grunthal) or pickup. A meal includes soup, a main dish, sides and dessert. Please call 204-320-4600 with any questions or to order a meal. To receive a same day meal, you must call before 9 am.

Community Resources - Transportation Program --Equipment Loan program - Friendly Visitor program - ERIK Please call 204-320-4600 if you require access to any of these resources.

Circle of Friends Adult Day Program - Our Circle of Friends program is designed to strengthen an individual’s ability to continue to function in their homes as well as remain active in the community. The program runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Transportation can be arranged through Steinbach Handi Van. What are some of the things we do? We have lots of coffee and snacks, participate in light exercise and arts and crafts or games.

We often have special guests who perform live music and go out for lunch in the community. For more information, please call 204-320-4600.

Volunteering - All volunteer positions require a Criminal Record Check. To find out how you can help, call 204-320-4600 or email programs@patporteralc.com.

Fire Equipment Donated In July, the Richer Fire Department donated several older Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) that we no longer used to Firefighters Without Borders. A SCBA is a device worn to provide breathable air in an atmosphere that is immediately dangerous to life or health.

Firefighters Without Borders (FWB) is a non-profit organization based in Ontario. They provide training and equipment donations to communities throughout Canada and in countries all around the world.

FWB helps fire departments in need by coordinating the refurbishment and delivery of donated firefighting equipment.

Donated Equipment.

Photo from Facebook

Romans 10:8-10… 8) But what does it say?

“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9) If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (NIV) When we get a little older, pension age that is; we often ask people to repeat whatever it is that has been said. I suppose we do that because we want to be sure we understood and got it right; after all, we do not want to go and mess up the story with half-truths.

That reminds me: Some time ago during our coffee time chatter, we were discussing the inevitable, the soon-to-be-expected end of our time here on earth.

The question that gets bantered about often is… how do we know what will happen when we take our last breath?

Well, personally, my answer is, “I am going to be in heaven.” How do you know that? The Bible tells me so!” “Do you believe that Jesus stuff?” “Well!

I am betting my life on it, and I do not want to risk my eternal future on some not thought through notion that all form of life ends after we have taken our last breath... so I am going with what the Bible teaches.”

This Scripture passage teaches that our salvation comes from trusting Christ and that it is within easy reach of each of us; in fact, it is so close, that we may have missed the point.

It is as close as our mouth and heart. By that I mean, if we believe in our heart and go and tell others that the Lord of our life is Jesus Christ and that God the Father raised Christ from the dead; my Bible tells me that we will be saved.

Now that sounds easy, and I might add rather simple to do. You see, by believing in our heart, we become right with God, and then when we go and tell others of our newfound faith (That means we have just confirmed our faith in Christ; no one who believes in Jesus Christ will ever be disappointed) all who invite Christ into their heart will be saved as well.

Another idea that gets a good workout: Sometimes we feel that we must do something special to earn our salvation. I guess it is human reasoning that makes us feel that way, but that is not what Scripture teaches; no, not at all. It teaches that all our good works have nothing to do with earning salvation, even though I/we might think so!

All the wonderful things we do, the special events, the church services we attend cannot put us right with God. Now having said that; would you not agree that there would be something very wrong with us if our Christian faith does not move us to good works?

That’s right! Salvation is not a payment or a prize for all the nice things we do or have done; that idea just will not work. We cannot take credit for it. God Himself made us what we are. He is the One who gave us a new life. None of us would have been able to come to God without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation has nothing to do with good works but is a direct result of what Jesus Christ did for us. We are no longer strangers to our Heavenly Father, but we are members of God’s family, citizens of that heavenly kingdom. To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done.

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 want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills 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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November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

RCMP FILES If you have any information in regards to any item here you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Dirt Bike Stolen During Daylight Hours On October 4, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen dirt bike that was stolen sometime between 1-3 pm on Sunday, October 3. The dirt bike was parked outside of a residence on Dawson Road in Richer.

It is described as a Suzuki RM 125, yellow in colour bearing the MB licence plate 4N527.

If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Help Requested to Identify Sexual Assault Suspect On September 21 at approximately 1 pm, a male entered a business situated at Clearspring Centre in Steinbach and began speaking to a female employee. During this interaction, the male sexually assaulted the female by grabbing her inappropriately. The male was then chased out of the store. He is described as Caucasian with a distinct accent. He was wearing a grey hoodie and black pants.

Anyone with any information regarding the male in the photographs, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com

Thief Grabs ATV On October 25, Steinbach RCMP received a report of an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) stolen from Hickory Street near Loewen Blvd in Steinbach.The ATV is described as a camo and orange, 2016, Arctic Cat TRV 700, Special Edition with Manitoba plate 3K580.

The theft occurred between October 24 at 10 pm and October 25 at 9 am. If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Steinbach RCMP Arrest Armed Male On October 25 Steinbach RCMP announced that they had arrested Jordan Friesen of Steinbach who was wanted on three outstanding warrants. He was considered armed and dangerous.

He was previously contacted by RCMP when they initiated a traffic stop on October 9. When police stopped the vehicle, Friesen was told he was under arrest. Friesen assaulted the officer and fled.

Friesen’s charges include Assault on Police Officer, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Police, Fail to Stop after an Accident, Operation while Prohibited, Theft of Truck, Break and Enter with Intent, and Theft over $5,000.

Money Untraceable in Businesses Scam

Stolen Trailer from Tower Drive On October 4, Steinbach RCMP received a report of utility trailer stolen between August 27-October 2 that was parked outside unit 11, Tower Drive in Steinbach.

The trailer is described as a 2007 black US Cargo utility trailer with a dent in the side door, bearing the licence plate number CLP245.

If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Destruction and Damage at Community Centre On October 18, Steinbach RCMP received a complaint of mischief that occurred at the Friedensfeld Community Centre between the hour of 1 am and 3 am. Investigation has revealed that 4 individuals shot out all the lights in the parking lot and baseball diamond at the Community Centre. They then ripped 2 cameras off the building as well as shot one out. It appears that they drove a white SUV to the area as seen in the photo.

If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-2228477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Steinbach RCMP would like to advise local businesses of a business scam. On October 26, Steinbach RCMP received three complaints from local businesses where the scammer contacts the business, usually in the evening, and speaks with one of the employees.

In two of the calls, the scammer convinces the employee that they have spoken with the manager and money needs to be forwarded via Bitcoin for money owed. In another incident, the scammer was also able to convince the employee that they were in danger and needed to make immediate payment. In all cases, the business and employee lost up to $2,000.

The Steinbach RCMP is advising that all store managers speak with their employees and inform them that should they receive such a call to simply hang up and contact their store manager and to not fulfill the caller’s request. Once money is deposited into Bitcoin machine, it is gone. There is no means of tracing it or getting the money back.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Community Child Care Centre in Vita is Recruiting!

By Angelique Forest The Vita Community Child Care Centre is seeking to hire child care assistant substitutes for their infant, pre-school, and school aged programs.

This position requires a 40-hour child care assistant course or willingness to obtain, experience in a child care setting and in facilitating and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for all ages. In addition a First Aid/ CPR Certificate and a Criminal Record Check are needed. Applicants must also be physically capable of lifting, holding, diapering infants and pre-school children, be able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds and the ability to adapt and be flexible.

Application deadline is Monday, November 15. Those interested can send a resume and cover letter to vitachildcare@gmail.com with special attention made to Executive Director. All those selected for interview will be contacted.

RM of Reynolds Seeks Applicants for Fire Department

By Angelique Forest The RM of Reynolds fire department is recruiting for all positions within their crew. On call paid positions are available to everyone, with no experience necessary. All training will be provided.

Applicant’s proximity to the workplace will be considered along with a clean driver’s abstract and Class 5F Driver’s license. Copies of the application are available in the office or on the website at rmofreynolds.com. You can apply in person at the RM of Reynolds office at 46044 PTH #11 in Hadashville, by mail to PO box 46, Hadashville, MB, R0E 0X0 or by email to admin@rmofreynolds.com. No closing deadline has been set yet.

Lorette Foot Clinic for Seniors Tache Senior Resources is hosting a foot clinic in Lorette at the Club Les Bles D’Or, 1254 Dawson Road on Tuesdays, November 30 and December 28. Primary visits are $60.

Returning visits are $50. Cash or e-transfer is accepted at the time of service. Please contact Annie at 204-960-2386 so she can book your appointment!

November 2021

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Rapid Reads A little while ago I found a series of books that we perfect for me. The books are called Rapid Reads and I found them at the Jake Epp Library in Steinbach.

What is so great about these Rapid Reads? Well, as the series name implies, they can be read really quickly. With my busy schedule, I can finish off one of these books within two days, I could finish the book faster but my boss does want me to come in to work.

These books are very conve-

nient in that you can have a fully engaging story in such a small package. I’ve read about seven of them so far and, from what I’ve seen on the publisher’s website, I can see that I have a great deal more to go.

While most of the Rapid Read books are stand alone stories, I have found that a few of them tie in to each other via the storyline. Each book can still be read in any order and still make sense.

With these books there is something for anyone. I’ve read some mystery stories that would be great for the whodunit crowd, I’ve read another book where it is more about family values and how the choices a person makes affects the lives of their family. With romance, murder, mystery and adventure these are great books to read.

In all honesty though, I did read

one that was (in my humble opinion) a bit of a stinker. Working my way through the book, I had reached just past the midway point and I could not help but shake my head at the writing. For a murder mystery it just wasn’t making too much sense and it felt like the author had made up a bunch of subplots in her head but didn’t include them in the book. It was so bad that I looked to the back of the book to see if this was a new author that was just getting started and I was shocked to read in the author bio that this writer had fourteen novels already published and was on the board for a mystery writer’s organization.

I can have patience and provide a great deal of leeway for a novice writer but for someone that seems so seasoned to the craft of mystery writing... well, I find it hard to see why it

could’ve not been written better. After some consideration, I have come to a possible conclusion and I am of the mindset that the writer is so used to writing a longer, more in-depth work of fiction that she, during the writing process of this rapid read did have much more of a web of mystery and intrigue within her mind and did not realize that not all her strands of webbing were connected to one another. After all, this is a very short, concise story with very little room for multiple subplots and great depth of characters.

All in all, despite not being sponsored or paid in any way by the publisher of the Rapid Read series, I highly recommend these great books as a way to get a quick shot of great fiction into your brains.

Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.

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November 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Major Steinbach Intersection to See Improvements

Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk (left) with Premier Kelvin Goertzen (centre) and Infrasturcture Minister Ron Schuler at the intersection of Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12 and Loewen Boulevard, slated for an $8-million improvement project.

Submitted photo

View of the current intersection.

2021 Seasonal Flu Clinics Southern Health is working towards making your Flu Shot convenient and accessible. They are setting up clinics all through southeast Manitoba. No appointments necessary.

Remember: √ bring your Manitoba Health Card √ bring and wear a mask √ wear short or loose-fitting sleeves

COVID-19 VACCINE AVAILABLE AT ALL FLU CLINICS

Photo from Google Maps

In partnership with the City of Steinbach, the Manitoba government is investing $4.15 million towards an $8-million improvement project at the intersection of Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 12 and Loewen Boulevard that will improve the safety for the community and provide economic opportunities for the region.

“As part of our Budget 2021 commitment to advancing strategic infrastructure across the province and improving the safety of Manitoba’s highways, we are pleased to collaborate with local officials to undertake this important project that will benefit the growing Steinbach community for years to come,” said Premier Kelvin Goertzen.

“Our government has committed to improving the quality and efficiency of important infrastructure in areas of need,” said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler. “We’ve identified the intersection of PTH 12 and Loewen Boulevard as a priority project, recognizing that our shared investment with the City of Steinbach will improve the intersection to accommodate increased traffic needs and create employment opportunities for Manitobans and support our province’s economic post-pandemic recovery to help our economy rebound.”

Intersection improvements will include the addition of a second leftturn lane for southbound traffic on PTH 12, new pavement, curbing, traffic signal relocation and utility relocation. Loewen Boulevard will see the addition of a southbound right-turn cut-off, along with additional east and westbound left-turn lanes to increase the capacity of the intersection.

The project will also include the replacement of a culvert on PTH 12 on the south side of the Loewen Boulevard intersection and relocation of Manitoba Hydro infrastructure. The project will coincide with a City of Steinbach project, which will include improvements to the land drainage system and active transportation corridors along Loewen Boulevard.

The City of Steinbach will manage the entire project so that work can be combined and managed under a single construction contract.

“We are pleased to be partnering with the province to redesign an important intersection in our city that aligns with our commitment to infrastructure and growth,” said Mayor Earl Funk, City of Steinbach. “This project will increase capacity along a major traffic corridor while improving overall traffic flow in the city. We are thankful for the support of the province to complete this significant project.”

The minister noted the project is anticipated to start in spring 2023 with an anticipated completion date of fall 2023.