Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
April 2018
The Cannabis Harm SAC Spring Break Camps a Huge Hit Prevention Act Comes Into Force in April
The Steinbach Arts Council is thrilled to report that another successful spring break camp has taken place. It was a full house when the Steinbach Arts Council invited kids throughout southern Manitoba to join them for Summer Break Out! Camp. This year’s spring break camp took place from March 26 to March 29. There were two separate camps, one for 5 - 8 year olds and one for 9 - 12 year olds. Children participated in activities that included drawing, painting, crafting, dancing on the studio floors, exploring other cultures, have fun in the theatre costume closet, theatre games, experience improv, sports and games, special community guests, clinicians, and adventure out on a community scavenger hunt. Camp students also have a chance to explore music, play some instruments, and meet some musicians. SAC is already busy planning the next opportunity for children to have fun during summer break camps. For more information on programming and to register early contact 204-346-1077 or online at steinbachartscouncil.ca. Limited spaces are available.
In preparation for the Federal legalization of recreational cannabis, the Manitoba government is moving forward with further legislative amendments that would responsibly regulate use of the drug in public places and on roads. Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the changes build on The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act passed last year, which prohibits smoking or vaping of cannabis in enclosed public places, indoor workplaces and other areas, with the exception of designated rooms in a hospital palliative care unit or an end-of-life hospice. Those amendments will come into force on April 1, said Goertzen. “Ensuring the health and well-being of Manitobans is of utmost importance to our government in moving forward with this legislation,” said Goertzen. “We also have concerns about ‘normalizing’ this activity in public places, as it could encourage children and youth to use cannabis.” The amendments show the government’s commitment to protecting the public health and safety of Manitobans as they address the federal government’s decision to legalize recreational cannabis. Changes to The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Products Act are consistent with the approach taken to alcohol consumption under The Liquor and Gaming Control Act. Once proclaimed, the bill would prohibit smoking and vaping cannabis in outdoor public places once recreational use of the drug is legalized, including streets and sidewalks, parks and beaches, school grounds, restaurant patios and decks, the grounds of healthcare facilities and any additional places that may be specified by regulation. Meanwhile, The Impaired Driving Offences Act responds to the impaired driving provisions in the Federal government’s Bill C-46. It introduces new provincial sanctions for drivers who fail oral fluid drug screening devices and for drivers who commit one of the new Criminal Code offences outlined in Bill C-46. The Impaired Driving Offences Act would establish tough provincial sanctions meant to ensure no one gets behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming cannabis. Proposed amendments to The Drivers and Vehicles Act and The Highway Traffic Act include new administrative driver’s licence suspensions for impaired driving. Novice drivers would also be prohibited from driving if they fail a roadside drug-screening test.