Nickel Belt News Volume 61 • Issue 41
Friday, October 29, 2021
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
Manitoba’s state of emergency expired Oct. 21 after 19 months
The Manitoba government did not renew a provincewide state of emergency first declared March 20 of last year when it expired at 4 p.m. Oct. 21. Interim Premier Kelvin Goertzen and Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler, who oversees the Manitoba
Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), said in a news release that the order is no longer required to help protect people from the impacts of COVID-19. Public health orders remain in effect and can continue to be issued under the Public Health Act without a
state of emergency. “Nineteen months ago we declared a state of emergency to help protect the physical and financial health and safety of all Manitobans and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our hospitals and in our communities,” said Goertzen.“As we con-
Nelson House RCMP looking for missing 22-year-old man
tinue to move toward a post-pandemic Manitoba, we want to remind everyone, although the state of emergency is expiring, COVID-19 is still here. With vaccination rates among the highest in the country with over 82 per cent of eligible Manitobans fully vaccinated, we can help control COVID, but it’s important that all Manitobans continue to follow the fundamentals that help us limit our risks.” While the state of emergency was in effect, the province could issue emergency orders that went beyond the scope of the Public Health Act, including directives restricting movement of staff between personal care homes. Amendments to the Public Health Act enabling the issue to be addressed that way make the emergency orders unnecessary. Corporate meeting provisions were also temporarily suspended and reporting deadlines for government and government agencies extended. The state of
Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Province of Manitoba Manitoba interim Premier Kelvin Goertzen emergency also enabled the ation provincial response government to provide relief team will continue to work related to youth exiting care with industry partners and under the Child and Family experts in supporting proServices Act. grams and services to assist “Our government will in Manitoba’s COVID-19 continue to remain cautious response strategy.” and vigilant in efforts to stop A new state of emerthe spread of the virus,” said gency can be declared by Schuler. “Manitoba’s Emer- the province in the future if gency Measures Organiz- necessary.
Little Grand Rapids chief facing sex assault, luring charges: RCMP BY DAVE BAXTER
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE RE PORTER, WINNIPEG SUN
RCMP photo Rico Cody Linklater was last seen in Nelson House in the early morning hours of Oct. 21. BY IAN GRAHAM
EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Nelson House RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance to locate 22-year-old Rico Cody Linklater, who was last seen in Nelson House in the early morning hours of Oct. 21. Six feet tall and 160 pounds with a slim build, Linklater has black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing grey pants, a black sweater, brown Nike shoes and a grey baseball cap when he was last seen. Police believe Linklater is still in Nelson House but it is possible he travelled to Thompson. Anyone with information on Linklater’s whereabouts is asked to call Nelson House RCMP at 204-484-2837 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
The chief of a Manitoba First Nation has been arrested on serious sex-related charges after RCMP said he sent inappropriate texts to a 16-year-old girl, leading to a police investigation. RCMP said Oct. 22 that Little Grand Rapids First Nation Chief Raymond Keeper has been charged with charges including sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, luring a person under the age of 18, and using his position of authority for sexual purposes. RCMP said Keeper is also charged with careless storage of a weapon, and possessing a restricted weapon without a licence. “On September 23, 2021, at approximately 11:45 am, Little Grand Rapids RCMP received a report of inappropriate text messages being exchanged between a 16-year-old female and
a 65-year-old male. An investigation was launched,” RCMP said in an Oct. 22 press release. “Officers with the Little Grand Rapids RCMP Detachment as well as the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit and Major Crime Services determined that the male involved was Raymond Keeper, Chief of Little Grand Rapids First Nation. Further investigation led officers to charge Keeper with multiple offences.” RCMP said they believe there may be more victims and are asking for anyone with information to come forward directly to police, or to a third-party organization. “If you are a survivor or have information on this investigation, please call Little Grand Rapids RCMP at 204-397-2249,” RCMP said. RCMP added that Klinic Community Health is also
able to receive third-party reports from survivors of sexual assault 16 years and older anywhere in Manitoba. Third-party reporting is a process where a survivor is able to pass on information about the sexual assault they experienced to the police without having to speak directly to the police or make a formal report. For more information on third party reporting, RCMP say to contact Klinic’s 24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631, or toll free at 1-888-292-7565. Little Grand Rapids First Nation is a remote First Nation, located approximately 370 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg near the Ontario provincial boundary. — Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the government of Canada.