April 12 2024

Belt News

Gathering to witness the sun and moon’s spectacular alignment

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Book a way to preserve and pass on memories of growing up in Churchill

People from all around the world gathered to witness a Total Solar Eclipse this past Monday. Here in Thompson, Manitoba, however, locals were treated to a Partial Solar Eclipse that began at 1:04 pm, peaked at 2:04 pm with a 0.488 Magnitude, and concluded at 3:04 pm, with a full duration of 1 hour and 59 minutes.

While some schools kept their students indoors during the event, others took advantage of it as an educational opportunity. "We used this as an excuse to learn and have some fun," said Stephanie, a mother from one of the schools.

The school divisions recorded a 22% absence rate from classes during the eclipse. It was the first total solar eclipse since 1979 to cast its shadow on Canadian soil, and people were excited to witness the spectacle.

Hilding Neilson, an astrophysicist from Me -

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

morial University, was in Gander, N.L., for the event with some of his students. He was emotional and struggling for words as the sun reappeared and soaked the area in its light. "It was just remarkable, just an amazing experience," he said. "Just before totality,

feeling it get darker, we felt the temperature drop... it was just amazing to see the darkness.”

The moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, but it’s also about 400 times closer to the Earth. The bright, clear sunny sky made for the most per-

fect weather conditions for those with dimmed glasses to witness the planets' alignment.

Total solar eclipses have been central to some major scientific breakthroughs. Helium was detected for the first time during an 1868 eclipse, and observa -

tions made in 1919 helped establish broad support for Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.

In 1979, Manitoba was in the path of totality, and school-aged Scott Young was mesmerized. That’s the moment the Manitoba Museum Planetarium

astronomer was hooked. “The entire horizon was covered in the colors of twilight, and my head just exploded,” he said. However, the partial eclipse on Monday was shrouded in clouds behind him.

While the next total solar eclipse in Canada is expected to pass through western provinces in 20 years, the phenomenon only happens in any given location roughly once every 360 years, according to some estimates. Some areas have waited even longer, like Kingston, Ont., which last fell under a total solar eclipse almost 700 years ago.

As people continue to marvel at the beauty of a solar eclipse, it remains a reminder of the wonders of our universe and the importance of exploring and discovering all that it has to offer.

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

BY IAN GRAHAM

EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

Manitoba Municipal Administrators (MMA) have been working tirelessly over the past year to elevate the standards for municipal government. In an effort to strengthen the code of conduct, the MMA has introduced a formal complaint process and enforcement policy. This new member standards and accountability framework policy has been put in place to ensure the highest professional standards of administrators are maintained.

Though she’s now written a book about her experiences growing up in Churchill, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles said writing wasn’t something she always thought she would do.

The MMA is a not-forprofit professional association that has been operating since 1931. It supports the education and professional development of its members, advocating for

to write things that you have to figure out. It’s pretty clear when I get through.”

DeMeulles said she wrote her book, titled Whispers in the Wind: Stories from the North - Life in Churchill for a couple of reasons.

ethical and effective municipal administration. The organization supports the delivery of effective and affordable municipal services, which are the backbone of the Manitoba economy and the foundation on which safe, vibrant, and prosperous communities are built. The new standards that the MMA has introduced establish clear guidelines for behavior and provide a framework for decision-making. This helps to contribute to the trust of the profession, knowing that MMA members hold to the highest standards.

ing with social issues. This rapid change has brought big lawsuits, high profile lawsuits such as Chief Administrative Officers, given by the Municipality of Gilbert Plains, being faced with misconduct by professional administrators and is facing disciplinary action. The action has recently been solidified by the MMA which is now able to accept and process formal complaints.

by providing a framework to hold members accountable to those standards. This represents a revolutionary change within our organization and a vital contribution to good governance in Manitoba.”

that its members are held to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior. The policy establishes a clear process for addressing complaints and enforcing the standards of conduct.

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba northern director Gisele deMeulles has written a book

‘Oh, I’m just as bad, right?’ I have all these stories and I need to capture them for my grandchildren really because they will be lost if I don’t.”

She also has a reputation as a storyteller herself.

“I just sort of thought, you know what, this history, this stuff that’s in my head, it’s going to be gone if I don’t write it down,” she said. “My kids are not going to get it if I don’t do it and it’s something I’ve al-

Over the past 10 years, local governments have become more complex. They manage roads, water utilities, ditches, fire departments, and recreation, and are on the front lines in deal-

Duane Nicol, President of the MMA and CAO, City of Selkirk, stated, “Every day, Manitoba citizens entrust administrators with the management of their communities and the health and safety of their families. This is a sacred trust and a great responsibility. We are stepping up, not only by strengthening our professional standards but also

“I had such a varied history and I would tell people stories and they would go, ‘That’s not true, is it?’ I’d go, ‘Yeah it’s true.’ They’d go, ‘You didn’t do all that, did you? You’ve got to be really old.’ I was like, ‘No, actually

The MMA has 21 statements in the new professional code of conduct. These statements outline the expectations of MMA members. They are expected to be honest, transparent, and accountable in all their dealings. They must also work to foster a respectful and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment.

was not a very safe thing to do but I jumped at it. I thought that was exciting until the plane landed and they started throwing the fuel off and I realized, ‘Holy cats, I was probably sitting on a bomb.’”

swallow when people say that Churchill residents should just find somewhere easier to live.

forward for the organization and for municipal administration in Manitoba. The policy ensures that MMA members are held to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior. It provides a clear process for addressing complaints and enforcing the standards of conduct.

“In my youth I never felt good at writing,” she said. “But when I moved to Thompson to get into the school of social work, at that point I had to write for university and realized, ‘Holy, I’m not bad at this, Some people say it’s

is going to be lost,’ and she’s never done it and I thought,

very dangerous thing to do.

Being on a plane full of fuel

Another thing that spurred her on was the hard times facing Churchill since the Hudson Bay Railway suspended operations north of Gillam last spring. “It used to be a really thriving large community

The new policy has been put in place to ensure that municipal administrators are held accountable to standards. The MMA is committed to ensuring

The MMA’s commitment to its members is evident in its efforts to support their education and professional development. The organization provides a range of training and development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and networking events. Through these events, members can stay up-todate on the latest trends and best practices in municipal administration.

“To say, ‘Those people choose to live there. They should just leave,’ is quite simplistic. It’s quite disrespectful. If we were in the same boat in another area I think we would scream about that so why don’t they have the option to do that?

In conclusion, the MMA’s new member standards and accountability framework policy is a significant step

I think right now they’re feeling like they’re pawns in a political game and that’s

For all the harsh weather and the dangers of polar bears, deMeulles said if it had been viable she would have moved back to Churchill in a heartbeat.

The MMA’s commitment to its members is evident in its efforts to support their education and professional development. Through these efforts, the MMA is helping to build strong, vibrant, and prosperous communities in Manitoba.

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

“I miss the shoreline, I miss the rock, I miss the polar bears even though they’re very dangerous and I really miss the Hudson Bay,” she says. “When I go back home, standing on the Hudson Bay looking out on the bay, it just gives you an incredible sense. You feel so

Because of that, deMeulles finds it hard to

your loved ones and your history is gone?’”

Now that she’s got one book under her belt, deMeulles says she may try

“I have another book in me,” she says. “It’s a darker al growth and struggles. Maybe in the next five years it’s something I’ll focus on doing.”

Nickel Belt News photo by Ian Graham

about her experiences growing up, mostly in Churchill.

Photo composite by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash

The Pas RCMP looking for suspect in arson

On April 8, 2024, at approximately 4:40 am, The Pas RCMP responded to a report of a structure fire at the Lido Theatre, located on Edwards Avenue, in The Pas.

Upon arrival, officers observed extensive smoke emanating from the building.

Within a few hours, firefighters from The Pas and OCN were able to extinguish the blaze.

With assistance from the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the preliminary investigation has determined the cause of the fire to be the result of arson.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is asked to contact The Pas RCMP at 204-627-6204, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800222-8477 or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

The Pas RCMP continue to investigate.

Thompson RCMP searching for missing teen

On April 1, 2024, at 10:30 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a missing 15-year-old teen from Thompson.

Catherine Cook, 15, was last on March 31 at her residence located on Pickerel Crescent in Thompson and RCMP are concerned for her wellbeing.

RCMP have conducted numerous inquiries at several addresses of interest in Thompson without success. It is believed she is still in the community.

If you’ve seen Catherine Cook or have any information on her whereabouts, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909/6911, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Selkirk RCMP investigate armed robbery

On April 2, 2024, at approximately 11:10 pm, RCMP responded to an armed robbery at a business on Main Street in Selkirk.

It was reported that a male armed with a handgun, entered the store, demanded money and fled on foot. The male suspect was wearing a plaid shirt/jacket and balaclava.

The employee wasn’t physically injured.

If you recognize this male or have information on this incident please call Selkirk RCMP at 204-482-1222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Gods Lake Narrows RCMP arrest two for kidnapping

Swan River RCMP locate stolen vehicle and make arrests

On April 4, 2024, at approximately 9:40 am, Swan River RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle from Swan River. It was reported that a suspect had entered a home, taken keys, and stole the homeowner’s vehicle.

Officers located the stolen vehicle on Valley Road at Highway 10, and initiated a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and was driving erratically at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was later located and continued driving erratically. Officers deployed a spike belt on Highway 10, and the suspect vehicle went over it and stopped a short distance away.

A female driver and male passenger were arrested. The female driver provided a sample of her breath which registered a fail.

Trisha Cook, 32, has been charged with:

Breaking and Entering Flight from Peace Officer x2

Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime

Theft of Truck

Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired

RCMP Major Crime Services attended to the community to take carriage of the investigation. The investigation determined that the 35-year-old male and a 28-year-old female had kid-

On April 1, 2024, at approximately 8:00 am, Gods Lake Narrows RCMP received a report of a shooting at an outdoor location in the community of Gods Lake Narrows. When officers arrived on scene, a 35-yearold male was found to have been shot and suffering life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Winnipeg for treatment, and he now remains in hospital in stable condition.

napped a 28-year-old male at gunpoint and taken him to the outdoor location and confined him there. While in the commission of this offence, the 35-year-old male suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The other two individuals were not physically injured. The 35-year-old male and

the 28-year-old female are both charged with Kidnapping with a Firearm and Forcible Confinement. The female suspect remains in custody.

The investigation continues with the assistance of the RCMP Forensic Identification Section. Additional charges are anticipated.

Operation of a Motor Vehicle While over 80 mg%

She was also issued several provincial tickets under the Highway Traffic Act and the Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Control Act.

She was remanded into custody.

A 33-year-old male is facing a charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 17, 2024, in Swan River.

Swan River RCMP continue to investigate.

RCMP photos

Brandon professors win awards for their newly acclaimed book

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

College Professor, Dr. Christopher J. Schneider, has been receiving recognition for his work on the topic of sexual misconduct. He co-authored a book titled "Defining Sexual Misconduct: Power, Media, and #MeToo" with Dr. Stacey Hannem at Wilfrid Laurier University. The book was published in 2022 by the University of Regina Press and has been named the winner of the 2024 MSS Distinguished Book Award.

The Midwest Sociological Society, an international professional association of approximately 1,300 sociologists, will be presenting the award to Dr. Schneider. The award is given to a book that makes an "exemplary, original, and substantive contribution to sociological understanding," according to the MSS.

Dr. Schneider expressed his gratitude, saying, "This is a real honor for us, to be recognized by our peers for our work. The MSS was my very first academic conference as an undergraduate student in April 2001, so this award is even more meaningful for me."

The book focuses on the

ambiguity of the term "sexual misconduct," which can make it legally challenging, but also permits it to be broadly defined by people who have experienced sexual harm. Dr. Schneider explained that "sexual misconduct does not have to be illegal to be harmful and for perpetrators to be held accountable for that harm. This understanding is what gives social movements like #MeToo the power to drive change."

The book offers insights into how media have represented and responded to accusations of sexual misconduct and helped to shape collective understandings of this persistent social problem. It pulls from extensive research from more than 40 years of news coverage and has had an impact within the federal government.

Leaders at the Department of National Defense have credited the book as a key reference helping them develop new policy to address culture change. Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, BU's Vice-President, praised the book's impact, saying, "Convincing powerful institutions like the military to listen and change is difficult but important work. I congratulate Dr. Schneider

and Dr. Hannem for writing such a powerful book on an essential topic; this recognition and award is well-deserved."

The book has also received an honorable mention for the 2023 Cooley Award and was shortlisted in The Hill Times Best Books of 2022. Dr. Schneider and Dr. Hannem's work has been recognized by academic peers and policymakers across Canada and internationally, demonstrating its impact.

Dr. Kennedy, a Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the

University of Regina, commented on their work, saying, "To see this book recognized by academic peers and policymakers across Canada as well as internationally demonstrates its impact. Dr. Schneider and Dr. Hannem's work exemplifies the tremendous potential for academic collaborations to mobilize knowledge and respond to societal needs. Positive change is possible with informed decision-making and the deep understanding of complex issues that emerges from research in the arts."

The book has played a significant role in shaping public policy and understanding of sexual misconduct. It provides a nuanced understanding of the issue and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. The recognition and awards the book has received are a testament to the importance of this topic and the impact that research can have on social change.

Dr. Schneider and Dr. Hannem's work is an example of the power of collaboration and the potential of academic research to create positive change

in society. Their book is a valuable resource for policymakers, academics, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the issue of sexual misconduct and the ways in which it can be addressed. The recognition they have received is well-deserved, and their work will undoubtedly continue to make an impact for years to come.

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Manitoba RCMP warn public about banking scam

Manitoba RCMP is warning the public about interac e-transfer scams that are becoming more prevalent.

In these instances, the victim receives an email which appears to be from someone trying to send them an interac e-transfer. At first glance it appears legitimate and when the victim clicks on the link and enters in their banking credentials, the scammers are able to steal the banking lo-

gin information. This gives the scammers access to the account which allows them to withdraw large sums of money.

Scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated, so extra caution is needed before you accept an e-transfer.

Here are some tips on what to look out for:

• If you are not expecting any money don’t click on links and try to deposit

money

• Check the email closely, even though it may be personally addressed it does not mean it is legitimate

• Use Interac e-Transfer Autodeposit. If you have Autodeposit set up, Interac e-Transfer transactions sent to your email address will automatically be deposited into your bank account, Autodeposit is the secure way to accept Interac e-Transfer.

SENIOR CLERK – OPERATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES (TEMP)

The City of Thompson invites qualified applicants to submit a resume for consideration. The successful candidate will have Grade 12 or higher. This position requires demonstrated working knowledge of computer software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and miscellaneous office supplies. The successful candidate must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent public relations skills, be able to work accurately under pressure and within tight deadlines and adapt to quickly changing situations.

The duties for this position include preparing payroll sheets, maintaining employee records, invoices, and maintaining records, typing of documents, reports and correspondence, ensuring data input is accurate is essential. Receives and transmits two-way radio and telephone calls, directing them to appropriate personnel, answers routine inquiries and complaints, and receives and distributes mail. Compiles and processes invoices, permits, and logs costs and statistical records, and various other duties.

The City of Thompson offers an extensive benefits package. This position involves a 40 hour work week at a current rate of $28.41 per hour.

Applications will be accepted up to and including Friday April 19, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Those interested may apply in confidence to:

Human Resources, City of Thompson

226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1S6

FAX: (204) 677-7981

E-Mail: osalau@thompson.ca or jkaur@thompson.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Those requiring assistance with the application process should call 204-677-7924

• Create strong passwords

• Be conscious about what you share online, including personal identifiable information that hackers can use to access your accounts.

If you were defrauded please contact your local police and report it.

For more information on how to protect yourself from frauds and scams please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Thompson City Council will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting on April 15 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting will be livestreamed on Facebook, YouTube and X and is also broadcast live on Rogers TV Channel 11.

Upcoming meeting agendas are available on the City of Thompson website the Friday before the meeting at https://www. thompson.ca/p/minutes-agendas. Minutes of previous meetings are also available there.

Stay informed on the go through Thompson Connect

To get important notices about things like road closures, boil water advisories and water shutoffs sent directly to your phone, register for our direct communication system Thompson Connect.

Sign up for email, text and voice message notifications at:

www.thompson.ca/p/connect

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What makes my Spidey Senses tingle with a job candidate

BY NICK KOSSOVAN

way will city

of the people opposed to the plan the regular critics council who attend meetings and ask their elected officials quesweek after week, opinions may not enough to dissuade majority from forahead, especially the number of people who care about one way or another doesn’t even reach double digits. Whether or not the number of councillors school board trustshould be reduced the sort of quesfor which there is right or wrong anOn the pro side keeping the current numbers, the option all but one of the school board members for, is the arguthat it spreads the

Call it my spidey senses—a feeling that something, or someone, is risky or dangerous—or “Professionally Ingrained Cynicism;” when someone doesn’t feel right, they just don’t “feel right.”

When you’ve been hiring for as long as I have, you develop an innate sense that tells you when a candidate is exaggerating or lying outright.

Consider these scenarios as a hiring manager:

A candidate claims to be a cutting-edge CPA. You ask them for their opinion on how blockchain may affect the corporate accounting function and related staffing. They look at you as if you’ve got three heads.

A candidate’s cover letter promotes themselves as a lead-generating digital marketer. However, when you Google them, you learn that they only have a few hundred X/Twitter followers, haven’t posted on LinkedIn in months, have barely any presence on Instagram, and aren’t on TikTok.

An experienced hiring

council go?

workload around and allows for greater diversity of viewpoints, though Ryan Land was mostly correct in saying that, in terms of class and ethnicity, the trustees aren’t really a microcosm of the School District of Mystery Lake’s population as a whole. If you’ve been to many school board meetings (and apart from members of the media, well, you haven’t), you would know that they don’t often feature nearly as much debate or division as city council meetings, at least not over the past couple of years. But they’ve made their decision and it appears there will be seven school board trustees at least until 2022.

manager will walk through a candidate’s digital footprint to determine if they’re interview-worthy. If deemed to be, they’ll ask probing questions for their opinions on or a “tell me a time when you” story to expose candidates who aren’t what they claim to be, such as the CPA not being cutting-edge or the digital marketer not practicing what they preached. I’ve interviewed enough candidates to conclude that many have an overinflated sense of their skills and value to employers. “I have advanced Excel skills” is often untrue when given a test to assess Excel skills. “I speak French fluently” often becomes questionable when I conduct the interview in French.

Fake candidates—candidates who grossly overstate their competencies—are becoming increasingly prevalent, prompting employers to scrutinize a candidate’s background more deeply than ever before.

for reducing members, whether they belong to the school board or council, is that it will save money. The amount is not large overall – about $20,000 in councillors’ salaries per year plus approximately half that amount, on average, for annual travel and expenses. For the city, which has a budget of around $30 million, that represents probably less than a drop in the proverbial bucket, though it is about a fifth of the overall cost of the mayor and council.

Today, the hiring process of many employers, not all, presents job seekers with a Catch-22. In today’s job market, employers seek the “perfect candidate.” Searching for a unicorn often makes lies more attractive than truths. Consider how many people buy into get-rich-quick schemes. People tend to believe someone if they can believe they can serve their self-interests, such as making them rich.

from the person they were during the hiring process.

the citizens of Thompson elected more truly independent-thinking candidates who aren’t married to aligning themselves with any particular side, because right now, the number of opinions on council is generally two – for and against.

In addition to being excessively polished, my spider senses tingle when a candidate is:

1. Not giving me straightforward, concrete answers.

Your verbal responses and evidence of ability must be aligned.

One of the arguments

Critics of the proposed reduction say that it will prevent “new blood” from being elected and, theoretically, reduce the diversity of opinions, but that would only be true if

Lies and exaggerations are unethical attempts by candidates to tell hiring managers what they believe they want to hear, hoping to convince them they’re the unicorn candidate, hence why my spidey senses tingle when a candidate is excessively polished. The adage “too good to be true” is an adage I live by. I can tell when a candidate is talking to me straight or is rehashing verbiage some self-proclaiming career expert said would influence an interviewer. Having hired my share of Jekyll and Hydes, all tough lessons, I want to avoid a candidate who, once hired, is unrecognizable

Maybe the low turnout of people with opinions on how many councillors there should be isn’t an expression of apathy but of pragmatism. Experience has shown quite often that this council – and others before it –is going to do what the majority of its members think is right, regardless of what the most vocal taxpayers think. If that is the case, does it really matter how many of them there are?

Dodging my questions or not giving straight answers is evasive, a major red flag. A candidate who’s being evasive irritates me, sometimes to the point of ending an interview early. Besides being aggravating, evasiveness makes me feel the candidate is hiding something or is reluctant to admit they don’t know the answer.

During an interview, you must communicate clearly, straightforwardly, and, above all, honestly.

2. Not managing their emotions.

For many candidates, their emotions or being easily triggered (read: offended) are their own worst enemies. During an interview, if a candidate can’t control their emotions or maintain their composure, including nervousness, an indication of an inability to cope with stress-

ful situations, I wonder how they’d handle an angry customer yelling.

An interview isn’t the place to bring up your financial and personal struggles. Instead of trying and hoping to make your interviewer feel sorry for you, focus on using examples and numbers to demonstrate why you’d be a great hire.

3. Unable to convincingly (keyword) explain why they’re looking to leave their job.

If you’re currently employed, your interviewer will ask, “Why are you looking to leave your job?” My spidey senses go off if a candidate’s answer doesn’t feel right.

As someone who’s changed jobs more than most, when asked why I’m looking to leave, I’ve given answers along the lines of: Company reorganization or downward trend in the industry.

Shorten my commute.

These are reasons everyone can relate to. When a candidate says, “I’m looking for more responsibilities and career growth,” I ask myself, why

isn’t their current employer giving them more responsibilities? Why aren’t they being promoted?

4. Unable to explain job changes.

As I mentioned, I’ve changed jobs frequently. Changing jobs to achieve career goals is often necessary, such as when I wanted to experience working overseas. However, your job changes need to make sense. They need to be supporting an end goal. It’s your responsibility to connect the dots and create an overarching career story in your resume, LinkedIn profile, and certainly during an interview. A candidate without a compelling career story makes my spidey senses tingle. I look for candidates looking for a job that’ll contribute to their career story, as opposed to just wanting a paycheck.

Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. You can send Nick your questions to artoffindingwork@gmail. com.

Canada’s housing crisis deepens: Trudeau and team face scrutiny

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his Minister of Photo Ops are under fire as the country's housing crisis continues to worsen. The Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Melissa Lantsman, has shared alarming stats on the state of the crisis, particularly in Winnipeg, after eight years of Trudeau's leadership.

According to Lantsman, "Eight years after Trudeau promised to lower the price of housing, rents, and mortgages in Canada have doubled, and middle-class Canadians are forced to live in tent encampments in nearly every city across Canada."

Trudeau recently announced a billion-dollar photo op, which Lantsman argues will not result in a single additional home being built in Canada. Lantsman's statement comes after the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) confirmed that Trudeau's policies are making things worse, resulting in fewer housing starts, less affordable housing, and higher rents.

Trudeau's photo ops won't come close to building the 5.8 million homes needed to restore housing affordability for Canadians. Lantsman believes the solution is to "fire the gatekeepers and remove the bureaucracy to build

the homes Canadians can afford."

The Royal Bank of Canada's Housing Affordability report revealed that it now takes 63.5% of income to buy an average-priced home in Canada, compared to 39.3% in 2015. The report further indicated that the aggregate measure last quarter rose to its worst level (32.8%) in more than 30 years, referring to the median pre-tax household income required to cover housing ownership costs.

The Canadian Real Estate Association also reported that the benchmark home price has increased from $254,100 in October 2015 to $345,100 today, an increase of 35%. This increase has added an extra $91,000 to the average home price, putting further pressure on the people of Manitoba.

Rentals.ca reported that the average asking two-bedroom rent in Thompson increased from $1,254 in January 2019 to $1,760 in February 2024. This increase represents a 40% surge in just five years. The average rent for a two-bedroom unit in Canada was $2,350 in February, while rents for all unit types increased by 10.5% year-over-year, reaching $2,193. Since 2015, the average rent on a two-bedroom unit in Canada's largest cities has increased by 97%, from $1,172 to $2,308.

The NDP's budget for 2024 in Manitoba has also come under fire. Opponents argue that property taxes are increasing by $150 million, and the NDP is borrowing $6.2 billion in new loans while adding $1.9 billion in net new debt. This budget will result in interest payments of 10 cents on every dollar. Infrastructure spending has been slashed by $163 million, and new school construction has been reduced by $100 million. This decision means that nine school projects are canceled, and over 660 daycare spaces are lost.

Policing and justice have been defunded by $9 million, including cuts to provincial police, victim services, and court systems. Lantsman expressed concern over the budget's impact on food banks, noting that "Manitoba food banks faced record demand in 2023, with November seeing a record 51,000 people served across the province. Over 40% of people accessing the food bank are employed, which is 66% more than in 2022." She further added, "In Manitoba, we're seeing as well those record numbers, with 50,000 food banks visits in that same month, including 20,000 children."

Official Opposition

Leader Wayne Ewasko believes that Manitobans will pay more and get less in 2024 as the NDP's first

budget raises taxes, drives up debt, cuts frontline services and infrastructure, defunds public safety, and offers no vision for Manitoba's economy or future. Ewasko has criticized the NDP for failing to meet the needs and expectations of Manitobans, who are quickly realizing that this new government is not as advertised.

Ewasko argues that "even with a billion dollars more in federal transfers, the NDP has brought in a budget that seems as though it was slapped together at the last minute. The NDP is not working for Manitobans because the NDP is not working at all. The time for deflection and distraction is over. The time for accountability is now."

The housing crisis in Canada remains a significant concern, with no clear solution on the horizon. While some politicians are pointing fingers at the current government, others are calling for the removal of bureaucracy and gatekeepers to build affordable homes. As the crisis continues to escalate, it remains to be seen if the government will take the necessary steps to address it.

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Winners of the 40th annual Volunteer Awards unveiled!

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

On Wednesday night, Volunteer Manitoba celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Volunteer Awards by honoring some of the most dedicated volunteers in Manitoba. The event, which was presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, recognized individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving their communities.

One of the night's big winners was Karen Clark, who won the Lieutenant Governor's Community Leadership Award. Karen was nominated by the Mentoring Artists of Women’s Art (MAWA) group, which recognized her tireless efforts in building community organizations in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

Karen, who lives in Flin Flon, spoke about her surprise at receiving the award. "I have never before been nominated for a volunteer award," she said. "When I got the call from the Lieutenant Governor's office, I

was shocked. The first thing you wonder is if someone is pulling your leg. But then when realization kicks in, you realize this is a big deal and I’m really honored to be singled out in this way."

Karen's work with the Northern Visual Arts Center in Flin Flon has helped connect people and convince them of the value of the visual arts. "In 2010, a group of artists in Flin Flon got together and recognized there was a need for visual arts. It seemed that the performing arts were always working all by themselves in some corner, so we strived to connect people and convince people that they might value that connection, which is what the group of us started to do. This led into mentorship and learning," she said.

The group also runs a retreat that costs $180, which includes a place to stay, meals, and the opportunity to connect with a partner who shares a passion for the visual arts from around Manitoba.

Karen's tireless efforts in building these community

organizations proved her worthy of receiving the award. "The thing I really appreciate about this award is when you read on the website it talks about identifying a need in your community and then mobilizing a group of people who feel this is something they want to take on. When I read that, I thought ‘Yes! I feel good about that'," she said.

Phillip Dunphy, Board President of Volunteer Manitoba, praised the award winners' commitment and passion. "For over four decades, Volunteer Manitoba has had the privilege to champion celebrating ‘heroes’ in our province. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary, we honor this year's award winner's commitment and passion. Congratulations to all the dedicated and engaged recipients and nominees," he said.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, the presenting sponsor of the event, was also thrilled to be a part of the celebration. "Volunteer Manitoba is thrilled to have partnered with Manitoba

Liquor & Lotteries on this event for the past 29 years.

As the presenting sponsor, the corporation is committed to recognizing selfless individuals who embody the true essence of community spirit. The MBLL Community Changemaker Award recognizes group volunteer efforts, highlighting an outstanding community group that has dedicated their time and resources to giving back to Manitoba," the organization said in a statement.

The Volunteer Awards have been a fixture in Manitoba for 40 years, and they continue to be an important way to recognize the hard work and dedication of volunteers across the province. This year's winners are a testament to the power of volunteerism and the positive impact it can have on communities. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you for your service!

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Province digs deeper for couples facing infertility

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

Couples struggling to get pregnant will be glad to know that the provincial government is increasing fertility supports this year.

According to Budget 2024, released on April 2, the maximum annual credit available under the Fertility Treatment Tax Credit will double, now reaching up to $16,000.

“For families on a path to parenthood, cost can be a big barrier,” says Premier Wab Kinew. “Our budget makes fertility treatments and surrogacy more accessible and affordable, because starting a family shouldn’t be dictated by how much money you make. This investment is just one way Budget 2024 lowers costs for people.”

The province will also be extending funding to other expenses related to fertility, including money paid to surrogates and donors for medical expenses they

have incurred, payments to fertility clinics or donor banks, and costs related to prescription drugs.

“This tax credit has helped thousands of people start or grow their families,” says Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “Doubling it will only grow its impact and help move us forward in our mission to make sure that healthcare here in Manitoba is accessible to all.”

According to Dr. Gordon McTavish, medical director of the Heartland Fertility Clinic in Winnipeg, this new funding promise will make Manitoba one of the most affordable provinces in which to receive assisted reproductive treatment.

Raesha Enns is a Niverville mom who feels gratitude for government-subsidized fertility treatments every time she gazes at her two healthy children, aged three and one.

OBITUARY

SHELLY A. KOSTIUK-WARREN

April 10, ‘65–March 31, ‘24

After years of trying to get pregnant, Enns and her husband finally resorted to outside help. Treatment began with three rounds of intra-uterine insemination (IUI). Unfortunately, none of them worked.

Shelly A. Kostiuk-Warren, age 58, born on April 10, 1965, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2024, at the Thompson General Hospital, in Thompson Manitoba alongside family and friends. Shelly was a Beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many.

Shelly was known for her loving and caring soul. She would open up her home and heart for foster children throughout the years. She had a love for camping, fishing, and playing Skipbo with her friend Rhonda. She had such a beautiful humorous personality even at the time of struggle. Shelly was a strong woman battling C.O.P.D for the last decade and was recently diagnosed with Devic’s Disease. Leaving behind her mother Verlie, father Barry, Stepfather John, son Jeramy, and daughter Vanessa. Grandchildren, Selena, Casey, and Sydney. Brothers Doug and Johnny, sister Kathy and step-sisters. Nieces Hannah, Sarah, and Michelle. Foster mother to Bobbi, Hailey and Norman, alongside many friends.

The family would like to thank everyone for the condolences through this difficult time. A special thank you to Clayton Young and Rhonda Heskin for their love and care.

Cremation has taken place and a Come and Go Tea will be held at the Rotary Place Seniors Residence Common Room, Thompson, Manitoba, 424 Westwood Drive from 1:00 – 5:00pm on Saturday, April 13, 2024 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Thompson, Box 613, Thompson, Manitoba, R8N 1M1

GEORGE DELGATTY

1938 - 2024

George Delgatty passed away peacefully in the hospital on April 3, 2024 at the age of 86.

He was predeceased by his wife Laurel, mother Lillian, father Clarence ‘Pat’ and sister Enid.

He is survived by his daughter Darcy (Paul), granddaughter Cassidy, and sisters Margaret and Kathleen.

He was born in Flin Flon MB in 1938, moved to Thompson, MB in 1965 and retired in Campbell River, BC in 1994.

George was one of a kind. He was an avid photographer and enjoyed writing, live music and toastmasters. He volunteered for many organizations including Campbell River Shoreline Arts Society and the Salvation Army. He loved a good conversation and helped many people, believing fellowship was key to success.

Special thanks to the supportive team at Discovery Harbour Care Centre, Marilyn McPhee and the Campbell River Emergency Staff. He will be missed by friends and family.

At his request, his ashes will be spread among his favorite lakes in Northern Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Let go and let God

Eventually, in vitro fertilization treatment did work for them and the couple was blessed with six tiny embryos.

“Half of our embryos were made using a technique called ICSI, intracytoplasmic sperm injection,” Enns says. “They literally take one sperm inside a needle and inject

it into the egg. It’s amazing they can make a needle that tiny.”

At an additional cost, the couple decided to have each embryo genetically tested to separate out the ones that were most likely to provide the greatest success rate after transfer into the uterus.

For Enns and her husband, it was worth the expense. Two of the embryos produced two successful pregnancies, two years apart.

“It really is amazing,” Enns reminisces. “I learned so much going through it all. It’s incredible what they can do.”

Not too far away, though, the memories still linger of the heartbreak they experienced with failure after failure, and the trauma of thinking they’d never have a family of their own.

The total costs of their fertility treatments, in the end, came to around $30,000. With an $8,000 government subsidy and

other medical tax breaks, their costs were almost cut in half.

“If you can get $16,000 back plus claim medical expenses for meds, it could make it much more affordable for families,” Enns says. “It’s a hard pill to swallow when you have to pay tons of cash out of pocket to have a family. I’m sure there’s many couples that can’t afford fertility treatments, and this new funding could change that for them.”

Municipal administrators get new code of conduct

BY DAVE BAXTER

LOCAL JOURNALISM

INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

An agency representing hundreds of administrators in Manitoba’s municipalities is taking steps to ensure those who hold those roles are acting ethically and professionally and not taking advantage of their positions for personal gain.

Manitoba Municipal Administrators (MMA) president and current CAO of the City of Selkirk Duane Nicol spoke on Monday about a new Professional Code of Conduct was passed at last year’s annual general meeting.

“As administrators we want to demonstrate that we are here for public service, and to be part of good governance,” Nicol said. “We support councils in making good decisions and delivering municipal services effectively, so it’s important that the public can have confidence in the people who hold these roles.

“Administrators must be fully competent in delivering those municipal services responsibly and that’s a duty of care that we’ve always had.”

MMA currently repre -

sents 320 members, including the CAOs of Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba’s two largest cities, and according to Nicol the “vast majority” of those who hold municipal administrator positions in this province are doing their jobs professionally and ethically and in the best interest of the people they serve.

There has been an example in Manitoba recently however, of an administrator allegedly using their position to steal from the municipality, as in February of last year, the RM of Gilbert Plains launched a lawsuit against its now former CAO, alleging they electronically transferred more than $516,000 from the municipality into a personal account without authorization. The allegations have yet to be tested in court.

Nicol said the code of conduct clearly defines professional standards for MMA members and has tools to hold members to those standards including a formal complaint process that will allow administrators and members of municipal councils to file official complaints against other ad-

ministrators directly with MMA.

According to Nicol, a formal complaint would then launch an MMA investigation and members could be disciplined if they are found to have violated the MMA’s code of conduct, failed to comply with the by-laws or policies of the MMA or taken part in anything that could be considered criminal conduct.

But Nicol said although the code of conduct will work to prevent unethical behaviours or actions, he believes that more importantly, it will create a clear set of professional standards for all administrators.

“We are seeing a pretty massive swing in the expectations of citizens on their local governments,” Nicol said. “So the more that is expected out of councils, the more that is going to be expected out of administrators. This is simply codifying those standards and making them as clear as possible.

“We see more and more other professions and roles creating specific standards to elevate the capacity to deliver quality of service and this is the MMA re-

sponding to that.

“This is making sure that people can have the utmost confidence in their administrators so that they can also have that confidence in their local governments.”

As part of the new code, administrators will now also be required to increase the amount of professional development work they do in a year by approximately 20%.

According to Nicol, the MMA does not have the power to remove an administrator from their position if they find they have breached their code of conduct, but details of any investigation would be handed to municipal councils so they could decide what actions should be taken.

Anyone who has breached their code of conduct could also be expelled from the MMA which along with any punishment would go on their permanent record with the organization.

— 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.

Photo by Brenda Sawatzky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Joel and Raesha Enns with their two children.

Debate continues over impact of next minimum wage increase

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

In recent weeks, the NDP government announced their intent to give the minimum wage another boost, marking the fourth increase to Manitoba’s lowest wage in two years. By the fall, the minimum wage will have shot up by nearly $4 per hour since 2022.

On October 1, the minimum wage will go from $15.30 to $15.80 per hour.

The Living Wage Model

Kevin Rebeck is the president of the Manitoba Federation of Labor (MFL), an organization acting as the voice for many public and private sector workers.

Rebeck is a proponent of ditching the minimum wage model altogether and adopting the “living wage” instead. This, he says, would more effectively help low-income workers climb out of the poverty cycle.

In fact, Premier Wab Kinew was also a vocal advocate for the living wage when he stood as leader of the opposition.

According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a living wage in Winnipeg would come to just over $19 per hour.

The living wage is calculated based on what wage earners would require to cover their most basic needs of housing, transportation, and food. It should also be sufficient to allow for the healthy social, civic, and cultural development of children.

The wage is calculated for each of three households: single adult, single parent, and a family of four. Then a weighted average is taken.

“It’s pretty simple,” Rebeck says. “We think that if people work full-time,

they shouldn’t have to live in poverty. But for far too many workers, that’s their reality. Minimum wage earners often have to work multiple jobs, which actually makes them worse off because now they’re not getting overtime.”

There are a few common misconceptions surrounding Manitoba’s lowest income earners, Rebeck says.

Firstly, the belief is that most employees earning minimum wage are kids who are still living at home and are just looking to make a few extra bucks.

The reality is that 64 percent of minimum wage earners in Manitoba are 20 years of age or older. And only 40 percent of that number are students. “We also know that over half of them work for large businesses with over 100 employees,” Rebeck adds. “Only a quarter of them work for small businesses with 20 employees or less. So this whole idea that it’s mom-and-pop shops that are negatively impacted [by rising minimum wage rates] is simply just not true. It’s the Walmarts and McDonalds and the ones who report record profits year upon year.”

In defending a $19 per hour living wage to replace the minimum wage, Rebeck says that, historically speaking, the local economy benefits by the same measure as the low-income earners do.

The reason, he says, is that these workers tend to spend their new earnings locally. The more money the working class make, the more money circulates in the economic pool. Even the employer who is paying his employee a living wage will eventually benefit from the economic spinoff.

“Do I have some sympathy for small businesses? Yes,” Rebeck says. “Do I think we’ve been misled on what the economic impact will be on small businesses? Yes. The number one thing businesses actually want and need are customers with disposable income. They don’t need corporate welfare or handouts or big tax breaks.”

But there’s another economic benefit that Rebeck believes would result from the introduction of a living wage: an increased number of available workers in the employment pool.

Since the pandemic, Rebeck says that many workers just aren’t willing to go back to low-paying jobs with no benefits. In his opinion, employers paying a fair living wage today are not the ones who can’t find workers.

Of course, some would argue that the government provides extra tax breaks and other benefits like rental credits to low-income earners to help close the gap between them and the middle-income earners.

Rebeck says that this model simply acts as a public subsidy for businesses that don’t want to pay fairly.

“What we’re really talking about is corporate welfare, and I don’t think that’s fair,” Rebek says. “I think we should all, as a society, agree that when people work full-time, they should make enough to meet their basic needs. [Otherwise] we’re all paying for it. The business gets away with paying poverty level wages and we all pay for it because our taxes go to government programs that then support those low-wage workers.”

At this time, no provinces or territories in Canada have

Yoga classes soon begin in Thompson

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

Thompson has been home to Samantha Long, the lead instructor of the Ti Chi Warriors program, for many years. Long has been teaching fitness in Thompson since 2011 in various places around the city. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she stopped teaching fitness and began teaching other various classes instead. But now, she is ready to get started again, teaching fitness for the community.

Long's journey in Ti Chi Yoga and other related activities has helped her resonate with her body and heart. She believes that this class is exactly what she needs and wants to share it with others. Long's target audience is the overall well-being of the community as the journey has just begun this past Monday and will continue weekly.

Long has been wanting

to teach this class for a year now. Ti Chi Warriors started their first Yoga class on Monday, which was a fusion of Ti Chi moments, yoga moments, and fluid movements to music. Long emphasized the importance of breathing between the movements and more physical exercises.

“It’s much more connected to breath, coordinated with your movement. It can be quite emotional, some people are even telling me how nice it was to unload from life and find this a safe place to relax” Long stated The Ti Chi Warriors program has been conducting these classes for six times now. The program aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being in the community. Long's expertise in fitness and Ti Chi Yoga has helped many individuals in Thompson to lead healthy lives.

Long has always been passionate about fitness and well-being. She be -

replaced the minimum wage model for a living wage.

Financial Implications

Henry Friesen is a chartered professional accountant and financial consultant through Blue River Group in Niverville.

According to Friesen, anytime a worker receives a boost in wages, the government is the biggest beneficiary. So whether it’s a minimum wage increase to $15.80 or a living wage increase to $19, the government always comes out the biggest winner.

Case in point, Friesen compares the financial outcome for an adult working full-time hours with a living wage of $19 per hour verses a minimum wage of $15.80 per hour. The difference between the two wages is $3.20 per hour.

This is not insignificant until you consider the fact that the living wage employee will only get to keep $1.99 of that increase.

Once federal taxes, CPP, and EI premiums are deducted, and considering the low-income tax credits the employee would lose due to the jump in pay, the government will be keeping $1.21 of their raise.

But the government benefits a second way when an employee receives a wage increase – through the employer.

The employer paying $3.20 in additional wages must also spend an additional $0.80 for the em -

ployer’s share of CPP and EI, Workers Compensation premiums, and payroll taxes. So a $3.20 employee raise in actuality means $4 in added costs for the employer.

“Governments get 50 percent of the total cost to employers of a minimum wage increase,” Friesen says. “If you think this looks like an indirect government money grab, you’d be right.”

Another concern Friesen has with the ever-rising minimum wage is that it might be just the push that companies need in order to justify electronic automation with which to replace their entry-level human workers.

Instead of a blanket minimum wage rate to address low-income workers of all stripes, Friesen suggests that alternatives might be found which would be more equitable to all.

He addresses Rebek’s statistic showing that 64 percent of minimum wage earners are older than 20, leaving 36 percent in the youth category. Many of these youth, he says, have low to no expenses to consider.

“The point is that, when you have an almost 60 to 40 split between those over and under the age of 20, 40 percent is a huge number,” Friesen says. “So an increase in minimum wage to help the 60 percent is a very big hammer when we’re indirectly affecting the 40 per-

lieves that everyone has the potential to lead a healthy and happy life with the right guidance and motivation.

Thompson may be a small city, but it has a vibrant community that holds values of personal needs and personal well-being. Long's classes have become an integral part of the community, and many individuals look forward to attending her classes regularly.

Samantha Long's Ti Chi Warriors program has been a significant contributor to promoting fitness and well-being in the Thompson community. It has become increasingly important to prioritize our physical and mental health, and Long's classes are a step in the right direction.

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

cent who don’t really need [the extra income].”

Finally, Friesen references a book by Thomas Sowell called Social Justice Fallacies. Sowell is an American economist, social theorist, and political philosopher.

The author presents years of research to indicate that, statistically speaking, the number of workers who progress from the low-income sector to the middle-income sector within a mere five years is enormous.

“[Sowell] says that people better themselves as time goes on by taking advantage of opportunities and it’s a relatively small group of people who are destined to remain [at the lowest wage] forever,” says Friesen. “This is probably the most relevant information of all, because it gives people hope.”

Sowell goes on to suggest that governments should focus their energies on supporting those workers who have little opportunity for advancement and let the rest figure it out for themselves.

“[Academics] have created a powerful vision of classes with disparities and inequities in income, caused by barriers created by society,” Sowell says. “But the routine rise of millions of people out of the lowest [income level] over time makes a mockery of the barriers assumed by many, if not most, of the intelligentsia.”

Manitoba RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit makes numerous arrests in southern Manitoba

Over an eight-day period at the end of March, the Manitoba RCMP Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit executed five search warrants, made four arrests, and removed three children under six years of age from situations where they were being sexually abused and exploited. From those five search warrants, executed from March 18 to March 25, 2024, tens of thousands of child pornography images were located.

Three different southern Manitoba communities were involved. The RCMP will not be identifying any individuals or communities that were part of the investigation to protect the identity of the victims.

The four individuals arrested were all male, aged 37, 40, 42, and 56. All of them were charged with Distributing/Uploading/Possessing Child Pornography, and one of the suspects was additionally charged with Making Child Pornography.

The RCMP National Child

Exploitation Crime Centre provided reports to the Manitoba RCMP ICE Unit that assisted them in locating these individuals and executing some of the search warrants.

“This is four arrests and three children removed from traumatic situations in a span of only 10 days. I wish I could say that this is a success, and it absolutely is in terms of getting these kids to safety, but it is really a drop in the bucket when it comes to the material we seized,” said Corporal Gord Olson of the RCMP ICE Unit. “I know people will be surprised at how much child sexual abuse and exploitation material we encountered, but the truth is, this problem is prolific. It is in every community, and so many children are affected by it. We continue to do everything we can to combat child exploitation and encourage parents to be mindful of how your children are engaging on social media.”

The investigations continue.

JOB POSTING

Full-Time Day Care Worker

20 hours/week

While hours are anticipated to be typically 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., there will be a minimum of one evening per week of programming. Also, please note that in order to meet the needs of clients, flexible shifts are required. This position involves working in close collaboration with the Children’s Counselor in providing/assisting in child-minding services for emergency, transition and the outreach program. The position will also involve working closely with the Counselors on both the E-floor and Transition floor in the scheduling of the individual and groups sessions.

Worker will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for maintaining the facility in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures. Duties include but are not limited to; performing minor electrical, plumbing and carpentry duties. Snow removal, landscaping and oversight of the interior and exterior of the property. Troubleshoot, plan for and/or coordinate repairs. successful candidate has experience in a maintenance-related field. Able communicate effectively. Demonstrate their ability to work independently. Be considerate of, and display excellent customer service, when interacting with residents and clients. have valid drivers license, own vehicle and cell phone – monthly gas and cell

This includes providing a safe and healthy environment, planning and implementing on-site and off-site activities i.e. crafts/music/baking and play therapy. Must be able to provide nutritious snacks. Other responsibilities include cleaning/sanitizing and inputting stats into HIFIS.

If you are interested in applying for this position or require further information with respect to nature of the position, qualifications, required knowledge, education and skills*, please contact Helen Trudeau (Executive Director) or Christine Fenner (Program Manager) by March 15/2024 by 4 pm.

JOB POSTING

Counselor Level 1 Casual

The successful client will have a working understanding of Domestic and/or Family violence and related issues. Have one or more years of counseling experience, preferably in the area of crisis intervention or domestic/family violence, with some professional training i.e. Applied Counseling Certificate and/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Have a current CPR and First Aide or willing to obtain and recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. Valid Driver’s license or willing to obtain. Must be able to work cross-culturally, the ability to speak a second language is an asset. Have an understanding and respect of LGBTQ1 issues and the vulnerable sectors.

Be willing to work shift work: including days, afternoons, nights, weekends and stat holidays as required.

Be reliable, dependable, flexible, and punctual and have a good work ethic.

If you are interested in applying for a position please submit an up to date resume to the Program Manager Christine Fenner/or Executive Director Helen Trudeau. Applications are due by March 15, 2023 by 4 pm.

Norway House RCMP search leads to seizure of drugs and cash

On April 7, 2024, at approximately 4:15 pm, Norway House RCMP, along with assistance of the D Division Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) Search Warrant at a residence located in the

community of Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation.

As a result of this search, officers seized over 800 ¼ gram rocks of crack cocaine, with an estimated street value in the community of over $20,000, approximately 400 grams of cannabis, over $23,000 in cash, a machete and other drug related paraphernalia.

Career Opportunity – Maintenance Worker

Permanent Part-Time Position

Flexible Schedule, 20 hours/week

The Maintenance Worker will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for maintaining the facility in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.

Duties include but are not limited to; performing minor electrical, plumbing and carpentry duties. Snow removal, landscaping and oversight of the interior and exterior of the property. Troubleshoot, plan for and/or coordinate repairs.

The successful candidate has experience in a maintenancerelated field. Able to communicate effectively. Demonstrate their ability to work independently. Be considerate of, and display excellent customer service, when interacting with residents and clients.

Must have valid drivers license, own vehicle and cell phone – monthly gas and cell phone stipend provided.

Send resume to Nina Cordell, Executive Director 39 Nickel Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 0Y5 or email executivedirector@ywcathompson.com Deadline to apply is April 19, 2024.

will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for administrative duties regarding the daily operations of

Reception,

Finance and

departments of the YWCA residence in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.

include but are not limited to; working with the Finance Officer to complete daily cash transactions, bank deposits and reconciliations, coordinating invoicing procedures, ordering supplies, and calculating monthly statistics. They will maintain up-to-date schedules, staffing lists and space bookings.

The successful candidate has experience in an administrative-related field. Able to communicate effectively. Has impeccable organizational skills and be able to pay attention to detail. Demonstrates their ability to work independently. Is considerate of, and displays, excellent customer service when interacting with vendors, agencies, residents and clients.

Send resume to Nina Cordell, Executive Director 39 Nickel Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 0Y5 or email executivedirector@ywcathompson.com

Deadline to apply is April 19, 2024.

RCMP have arrested and charged Beverley Chubb, 53, Bobby Chubb, 29, Wain Forbister, 36, and Eethan Scribe, 20, all from Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation, with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Illicit

Cannabis and Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling. They were remanded into custody. Juliet Chubb, 27, from Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation, was also arrested on scene and later released from police custody for a future court date where she will face the same charges. RCMP continue to investigate.

JOB POSTING

(1) Full-time Children’s Counselor

Forty (40) hours/week

The successful client will have a working understanding of Domestic and/or Family violence and related issues. Have one or more years of counseling experience, preferably in the area of crisis intervention or domestic/family violence, with some professional training i.e. Applied Counseling Certificate and/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Have a current CPR and First Aide or willing to obtain and recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. Valid Driver’s license or willing to obtain. Must be able to work cross-culturally, the ability to speak a second language is an asset. Have an understanding and respect of LGBTQ1 issues and the vulnerable sectors. Must have experience working with children and develop programming i.e. Parenting skills, Play groups, Art and Music therapies etc.

Be willing to work shift work: including days, afternoons, nights, weekends and stat holidays if required

Be reliable, dependable, flexible, and punctual and have a good work ethic. If you are interested in applying for a position please submit an up to date resume to the Program Manager Christine Fenner/or Executive Director Helen Trudeau. Posted until position is filled.

We are a 24/7 facility, so shifts include days, evenings and weekends

The successful client will have a working understanding of Domestic and/or Family violence and related issues. Have one or more years of counseling experience, preferably in the area of crisis intervention or domestic/family violence, with some professional training i.e. Applied Counseling Certificate and/or relevant post-secondary education (Social work, Nursing or work-related experience).

Have a current CPR and First Aide or willing to obtain and recent Child abuse registry/Criminal record check. Valid Driver’s license or willing to obtain. Must be able to work cross-culturally, the ability to speak a second language is an asset. Have an understanding and respect of LGBTQ1 issues and the vulnerable sectors.

Be willing to work shift work (days, afternoons, and nights) on weekends and stat holidays as required.

Be reliable, dependable, flexible, and punctual and have a good work ethic.

If you are interested in applying for a position please submit an up to

date resume to the Program Manager Christine Fenner/or Executive Director

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

In recent weeks, the testing of anti-theft scanners at Canadian retail outlets has many people feeling like these new security measures are taking things a step too far. Introduced at four Loblaws-owned stores across neighbouring Ontario, the scanners have been developed to curb theft from self-checkout users.

Since Loblaws operates several major chains in Manitoba as well, such as Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, and No Frills, some locals are concerned that it’s only a matter of time before these devices are deployed closer to home.

The devices, which scan customers’ receipts, are located by a store’s exit. Before leaving, shoppers are required to scan their receipt’s barcode, demonstrating that they’ve paid for their purchase. The scanner in turn opens a metal gate which allows the customer to exit.

According to one Ontario shopper, the scanner in the store he attended caused some chaos when people tried pushing through the metal gate, unaware of the new scanning device as they passed by. This triggered alarms throughout the store, leading to confusion and anger.

It’s not a completely new concept. Walmart and other retailers have on occasion hired security personnel to check receipts. Costco, too, has been doing it for years.

Toronto-based consumer advocate and business lawyer Daniel Tsai isn’t surprised by the customer backlash, though. It’s a risky business, he says, when you try and prevent shoppers from leaving a store if there’s no evidence of wrongdoing.

Stores such as Costco can do it, he says, because customers agree to the receipt check when they sign up for a store membership.

“If they’re stopping you and you feel like you don’t have an ability to leave, and there is no basis for them to detain you, that qualifies as false imprisonment,” Tsai told the CBC.

The Citizen reached out to a local Real Canadian Superstore to see if such a device is under consideration for use at their location. We also asked about the store’s experience with self-checkout theft. The manager was unable to comment without corporate approval.

We then reached out to residents of Niverville and Ritchot for their feedback on receipt scanners. Similar to customers at stores in Ontario, the concept was mostly met with contempt.

“How about they give people jobs or trust us to do self-checkout and not make us feel like criminals?” says Natasha Cooper. “[You’ve got] two choices: pay people or trust me.”

Christopher Rondeau agrees that he wouldn’t support a store that initiated receipt scanners.

“Once you have purchased the items, they are your property and you are under no obligation to prove that,” says Rondeau. “I do not believe it is legal for a store to prevent you from leaving without probable cause to do so. If they suspect you of shoplifting, then they can call the police and present their evidence.”

Like many shoppers, Keri Heiland says she’s never been a fan of self-checkout, let alone the scanners that may now be required in order to keep shoppers honest.

“I use them occasionally when I’m only purchasing a few items, [but I] find the area for my items too small and various other little annoyances that make me dislike them even more,” Heiland says. “I’m also a chatty person who enjoys that little interaction with the cashier and it is that extra chance to get assistance from store staff if needed. So adding the extra hassle of needing to scan my receipt to leave the store if I use self-checkout would make me choose other locations for my shopping needs.”

Elaine Krahn says that the simple experience of shopping is beginning to feel much too robotic for an old-school thinker like herself.

“I really enjoy human interaction and I believe that providing job opportunities such as a cashier job is also a great option for those who simply don’t have the qualifications for so many other job opportunities these days,” Krahn says. “Many seniors are really quite intimidated by all the fastpaced changes we see and I do not think it’s creating a better environment overall.”

Chelsea Brown explains that she’s ambivalent to the use of receipt scanners as long as they don’t create delays at the exit.

“I’m not sure that they can do it in a way that doesn’t create a long lineup to leave on busy days,” Brown says. “When my kids are losing their [minds] and I need to get them out of a busy public place quickly, I need to go. Also, on the topic of self-checkouts, I actually love them. I really don’t want to talk to anybody at the store. I want to do it myself.”

Amidst the anti-scanner sentiment, though, Margo DeCruyenaere approaches

the subject from the perspective of someone who has worked in grocery retail for 15 years. She now works in management.

“The amount of theft, with or without self-checkouts, is absolutely disgusting,” DeCruyenaere says. “It’s not just kids or delinquents, either. Middle-aged people and seniors are just as bad.”

At her store alone, she says, the value of stolen items runs into six-figure territory on an annual basis. She estimates that it equates to a full five to eight percent of the store’s overall sales.

“It has always been a bit of an issue, but especially in the last four years,

since COVID-19, it has increased,” she adds. “It’s no longer just your typical criminals coming and testing their chances at getting away with something. These are often well-thought-out plans to steal expensive items in a sophisticated manner.”

DeCruyenaere says that while inflation may be partly to blame, there seems to be some degree of entitlement behind modern-day shoplifting.

“If [thieves] were truly financially desperate, they would be stealing things like milk, butter, eggs, formula, etcetera,” she says. “But it is far more often than not the fresh meat and cheeses.”

Store management and staff work hard to catch thieves in the act before they can get away, she says, but they must do it without putting anyone in harm’s way. Hiring full-time security staff to do the job would mean adding a major cost to the store’s overhead, which would affect grocery prices for every shopper.

She’s not alone.

“I have no issue with the [receipt scanner],” says Sheri Mahara. “There are a lot bigger issues in the world to worry about. Store theft is real, and the more the store loses, the more we have to pay for items. It’s a shame it has to be done, but whatever.”

Facility Manager

Regular/Full-Time

Department of Consumer Protection and Government Services, Thompson, MB

Advertisement Number: 42444

Closing Date: Open until filled

Salary Range: $54,616.00 to $70,748.00 per year, plus remoteness allowance (if applicable)

The Manitoba government recognizes the importance of building an exemplary public service reflective of the citizens it serves, where diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, identities, languages and perspectives drives a high standard of service and innovation. The Manitoba government supports equitable employment practices and promotes representation of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities).

Employment Equity is a factor in selection for this competition. Consideration will be given to women, Indigenous people and persons with disabilities. An eligibility list may be created for similar positions and will remain in effect for 12 months.

Candidates who do not meet all essential criteria may be considered on an underfill basis at a commensurate rate of pay.

This advertisement will remain open until filled.

Qualifications:

Technical Certification with a major trade designation, such as a 5th Class Power Engineering certificate, post secondary certificate/diploma in facility or property management, or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Experience in facility management, operations, and maintenance, including HVAC operation and maintenance, security systems, life safety systems, and DDC.

Duties:

Under the direction of the District Property Manager, the Facility Manager is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the provincially-owned and leased buildings and grounds, including human resources functions, budget and capital assets, ensuring that the client departments have a safe, clean and comfortable area in which to carry out their programs.

Apply to:

Advertisement No. 42444

Talent Acquisition

Human Resource Services

600-259 Portage Avenue

Winnipeg, MB , R3B 2A9

Phone: 204-945-7518

Fax: 204-945-0601

Email: govjobs@gov.mb.ca

Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process.

When applying to this position, please indicate the advertisement number and position title in the subject line and/or body of your email. Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications.

Please be advised that job competitions may be grieved and appealed. Should a selection grievance be filed, information from the competition file will be provided to the grievor’s representative or the grievor, if unrepresented. Personal information irrelevant to the grievance and other information protected under legislation will be redacted.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Find out about other current job opportunities — click on the Jobs button at manitoba.ca.

• High School diploma or equivalent.

• 1-2 years experience in Office Administration preferred.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Familiarity with Microsoft office (Excel, Word and Office Suite).

• Demonstrated knowledge of northern communities.

• Ability to speak Cree/ Dene languages an asset.

• Maintain satisfactory Criminal Record, Child Abuse registry and Prior Contact checks prior to beginning work and throughout employment as requested.

Working Conditions:

• Fast paced, time sensitive, child welfare working environment.

• Independent work, with little direct supervision.

• An environment where maintaining confidentiality is important.

• Repetitive computer work.

• Overnight and remote travel may be required occasionally.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.

Closing Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2024-032 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competition #2024-032

701 Thompson Drive, Thompson, MB R8N 2A2

Fax: 204-778-8428

Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process

KEEWATIN TRIBAL COUNCIL

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FULL TIME

Under the direction of the CEO of Keewatin Tribal Council, the Economic Development Officer will lead a collaborative approach to develop, implement and monitor an actionable economic growth and development strategy with annual planning/review that considers short and long-term objectives and groundwork. The economic growth and development strategy is twofold:

• Tribal Council membership-led initiatives and opportunities (Eleven Nations)

• Tribal Council-led initiatives and opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree/Certificate in Post secondary education in business, community and economic development or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years experience in economic development and planning.

• Developing, implementing and managing economic growth and development strategies and projects

• Developing and maintaining business relationships

• Identifying and analyzing business opportunities and industry trends

• Interpreting policies, legislation, procedures, regulations, reports, and correspondence

• Crafting correspondence, reports, business development plans.

• Experiencing in developing, implementing and managing economic growth and development strategies and projects

• Experiencing in development and maintaining business relationships

• Identifying and analyzing business opportunities and industry trends

• Should be aware of Indigenous culture, lifestyles and spiritual beliefs;

• The ability to speak Ininew or Dene is an asset;

• Must have a valid Driver’s License and access to vehicle.

• Provide a currently clear Criminal Records Check and Fingerprints, Child and Vulnerable persons checks.

A written cover letter with detailed resume, including at least two (2) references with written permission to contact the references and your latest immediate supervisor should be submitted to: Lisa Beardy, Office Manager 23 Nickel Road Thompson, Manitoba R8N OY4

Email: lbeardy@ktc.ca Fax: 204 677-0256 Applications will be accepted until 4:00 pm, MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024. We would like to thank those that apply for the position but only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

On April 6, 2024, at approximately 12:10 am, Norway House RCMP received an emergency call of a violent assault in progress of a pre-teen girl at a residence in the Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation. Officers were also informed that the suspect had a knife and was threatening to stab the young girl and any police officer who responded.

Multiple officers immediately responded to ensure the safety of the young girl.

Upon arrival at the resi-

dence, officers located the 16-year-old male suspect standing outside the residence. The suspect was

We believe that our Frontier Family is our most significant and valuable resource. Our dedicated administrative staff work behind the scenes to create an environment that leads to improved learning and work environments for our students and staff.

If you are a team player who can thrive in a fast-paced environment we invite you to join our team in the position of:

Administrative Secretary 3

Full-Time, Permanent

Area One Office – Thompson, MB

This is the ideal position for someone with strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to work with minimal direct supervision. You may be who we’re searching for!

The Division provides a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package which includes a Pension Plan, Extended Health, Dental, Life Insurance, reimbursement for approved courses and more!

To apply, visit our website at www.fsdnet.ca and select “Careers”

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ASSISTANT

FULL TIME POSITION

Under the supervision of the Director of Education & Training, the Training & Employment Program Assistant will be required to maintain accurate financial records and provide support to the Training & Employment Coordinator and Employment & Training Workers in KTC Communities. Provide regular financial reports to the KTC First Nations and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak ISET Program on the Employment & Training budgets for KTC. (Includes Consolidated Revenue Fund & Employment Insurance Programs).

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• Formal training in the area of Business Administration.

• Experience in maintaining financial records, individual files, financial reports (monthly, quarterly and annual).

• Knowledge of the various programs and guidelines under the Indigenous Skills & Employment Training Program (ISET).

• Knowledge of the eligibility and reporting requirements

Manitoba is an asset.

• Ability to speak either Cree or Dene is an asset. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. A complete job description can be obtained by calling (204) 677-2341 or Aggie Weenusk, Director of Education & Training at (204) 677- 0399.

Officers recognized that the suspect had mobility issues and he was escorted and safely placed in the back of a police vehicle. He was then transported to the detachment without incident.

The pre-teen girl did not require medical attention.

instructed to show his hands but refused police commands. The suspect then produced a large knife. A Conducted Energy Weapon was used by one of the officers resulting in the suspect dropping his knife and enabling the officers to place him safely into custody without further incident.

Norway House RCMP continue to investigate.

UCN is building better futures for a stronger North. UCN provides learning opportunities to northern communities and its people offering more than forty academic degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

We commit to offering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive work environment where innovation and creativity is welcomed. We offer a generous Total Compensation Package with health benefits, great pension plan along with the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

BUILDING SERVICE WORKER

Facilities, Ancillary Services and Workplace Safety and Health Full Time, Regular Position Thompson, Manitoba Competition No: 24-041

Closing Date: April 19, 2024

Please visit our website for more detailed information about UCN and this employment opportunity. At http://www.ucn.ca, select “UCN Careers”, and select from the list of positions to view. Thank you for your interest in UCN.

UCN is building better futures for a stronger North. UCN provides learning opportunities to northern communities and its people offering more than forty academic degree, diploma, and certificate programs.

We commit to offering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive work environment where innovation and creativity is welcomed. We offer a generous Total Compensation Package with health benefits, a great pension plan along with the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

SWAN VALLEY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (SVWDC)

Training Solutions

Full Time,

Singing Red Bear Foundation launches campaign to combat Fentanyl poisoning in recreational drugs

BY MATTHIAS J. JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THOMPSON CITIZEN

The Singing Red Bear Foundation expressed disappointment with the recent Provincial Budget, citing a lack of focus on dealing with tainted drugs and the opioid crisis ravaging the province.

The Foundation's Chairman, Joseph Fourre, was dismayed at the biased distribution of the financial deviation, which neglected the urgent need to save lives from drug-related deaths.

Fourre expressed concern that the government's response to the opioid crisis was inadequate, noting that recreational drugs were being poisoned with Fentanyl, kill-

ing young people at an alarming rate. He argued that the government was not taking the issue seriously enough, calling for a comprehensive drug awareness program to warn people of the dangers of tainted drugs.

"We need to stop thinking that only addicts are dying from opioids. No one is safe from any kind of drug use, recreational or otherwise, and this budget failed to address that," Fourre said. For Fourre, the issue hits close to home. He spoke of his own son, Harlan Fourre, who died in April of last year from drugs tainted with Fentanyl in The Pas. "He wasn't an addict. He got convinced to try something, and

it killed him. Perhaps if we had a comprehensive drug awareness program warning him of the dangers of tainted drugs, he would still be alive today."

While $11 million was allocated to various departments covering addictions and mental health, no financial aid was directed towards recreational drugs tainted with Fentanyl through any kind of awareness program.

In response, the Singing Red Bear Foundation has

departments.

incumbent develops relationships with foster parents and children in care, providing ongoing support and licensing homes. The incumbent receives and enters data on all case types and provides month-end reports on case files. The Foster Care Worker/Data Clerk supports the work of the Agency with administrative tasks, ensuring the accuracy of data input while following the Agency’s policies and practices. The work is detailed and requires that confidentiality be maintained. Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent.

• 1-2 years of experience in the field preferred.

• Demonstrated organizational skills.

• Knowledge of foster home licensing policies and regulations.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Microsoft Suite, Excel, Word, etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Maintain satisfactory Criminal record, Child Abuse registry and Prior Contact checks prior to beginning work ad throughout employment as requested.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Northern communities.

• Ability to speak Cree an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced, community-based, time sensitive, multi-disciplinary child welfare environment.

• Independent work with little direct supervision.

• Confidential environment with access to highly sensitive information.

• Repetitive computer work.

• Overnight and remote travel may be required occasionally.

Salary: Awasis Agency endeavors to be an employer of choice, and offers a competitive salary, generous paid time off, and an excellent employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.

Closing Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2024-033 on your resume/cover letter and include it in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process

launched the No Thanks I'm Good Campaign to warn recreational drug users of the dangers of tainted drugs and Fentanyl poisoning. The campaign's main objective is to provide information to youth and recreational drug users so that they can make informed choices and choose to live.

"We need to stop lulling them into a false sense of security with the present messaging—only addicts die," Fourre warned. "We

Position: Street Reach Worker North

(1) Full Time Permanent position Summary of Position:

Street Reach Worker is a member of a multi-disciplinary team whose purpose is to identify, intervene, and work with children who are at risk of, or are being sexually exploited.

With an understanding of the complex needs of sexually exploited children, the Street Reach Worker assists in the location of highrisk children and youth and returns them to safety. Working within the initiatives outlined in Tracia’s Trust, the incumbent coordinates case plans in a multi-system environment, consults with external collaterals regarding the unique needs of sexually exploited children and assists law enforcement and Child and Family Services (CFS) agencies in identifying and investigating suspected child sex offenders. Knowledgeable in the applicable legislation, the incumbent follows legislation, Agency policy and practices, to complete riskassessments, perform outreach work, and participate in protection investigations. Additional duties include delivering education and training to the Awasis Agency staff as well as collaterals on the topic of child sexual exploitation, interventions and prevention best practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree with experience in child welfare preferred or an equivalent combination of experience and training may be acceptable.

• Minimum of 2-5 years of work experience in the child welfare field.

• Demonstrated understanding of child sexual exploitation, health issues such as addiction, justice and social issues and the impact these factors have on a child.

• Research skills, oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated commitment to community-based intervention programming.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Northern Indigenous communities.

• Ability to speak Cree/Dene an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced, community-based, multi-disciplinary child welfare environment.

• Confidential environment with access to highly sensitive information.

• Satisfactory Criminal Record, Driver’s Abstract, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks prior to starting the position and throughout employment as required.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.

Closing Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2024-034 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competition #2024-034

701 Thompson Drive, Thompson, MB R8N 2A2

Fax: (204) 778-8428

Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

need to send the message that no one is safe from any kind of drug use, recreational or otherwise."

The Singing Red Bear Foundation's campaign is a much-needed initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of tainted drugs and Fentanyl poisoning. With a comprehensive drug awareness program, more lives can be saved from drug-related deaths. The government

needs to take this issue seriously and allocate adequate funds to address it effectively. It is only by working together that we can make our communities safe and healthy.

~Matthias J. Johnson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Thompson Citizen. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may request reasonable accommodation related to the materials or activities used throughout the selection process PROFESSIONAL

work is sensitive, requiring the incumbent to maintain confidentiality.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or a combination of education and work-related experience.

• 5+ years’ experience working in child welfare or a related field in a remote First Nation northern community preferable.

• Demonstrated experience applying for and/or reviewing Support Services Rates, an asset.

• Experience in supervising others an asset.

• Experience chairing committees or facilitating community-based groups an asset.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint).

• Experience using the CFSIS database an asset.

• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities.

• Valid drivers’ license and access to a reliable vehicle.

• Experience of working in or living in Northern First Nations communities an asset.

• Ability to speak and write Cree/Dene an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced environment

• Fast-paced, community-based child welfare working environment.

• Approximate 50% travel and overnight travel to remote communities.

• Access to sensitive information for which confidentiality must be maintained.

• Satisfactory Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks prior to beginning work and throughout employment as requested.

Salary: Awasis Agency offers a competitive salary and employee benefit package. Salary will commensurate with education and experience

Closing Date: Monday, April 22, 2024

Awasis Agency provides service to Indigenous children and families, therefore preference will be given to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to self-declare. Individuals interested in this challenging opportunity please reference Competition Number 2024-035 on your resume/cover letter and include it in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competition #2024-035

701 Thompson Drive, Thompson, MB R8N 2A2

Fax: 204-778-8428

Email: hr@awasisagency.ca

We thank all applicants who apply, however, only those selected for an interview

a golf course, a ski hill, numerous boating and fishing areas, two ice arenas, public library, indoor swimming complex, great schools, a university campus, a live theatre, and many more amenities to satisfy any lifestyle.

The Thompson Citizen is part of the Prairie Newspaper Group, which is a division of

QUALIFICATIONS

This editorial position requires an organized individual who works well on his or her own as well as with a team. They need to be dedicated and diligent with a strong work ethic. He or she must have a degree or diploma in journalism or have at least five years’ experience in newspaper journalism. Experience in photography is necessary. Candidates for this position must have a valid driver license and a reliable vehicle. Kilometers are tracked and the journalist will be reimbursed.

THOMPSON CITIZEN RESOURCE GUIDE