THURSDAY

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 Wednesday, March 21, 2018

www.thompsoncitizen.net Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Thompson Citizen 141 Commercial Place, Box 887 Thompson, MB R8N 1T1 Phone 204-677-4534 Fax 204-677-3681 generalmanager@thompsoncitizen.net OPINIONOpinion Thompson Citizen 141 Commercial Place, Box 887 Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1T1 Phone: 677-4534 • Fax 677-3681 e-mail: generalmanager@thompsoncitizen.net www.thompsoncitizen.net Page 4 Opinion Thompson Citizen 141 Commercial Place, Box 887 Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1T1 Phone: 677-4534 • Fax 677-3681 e-mail: generalmanager@thompsoncitizen.net www.thompsoncitizen.net Page 4 Opinion Thompson Citizen 141 Commercial Place, Box 887 Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1T1 Phone: 677-4534 • Fax 677-3681 e-mail: generalmanager@thompsoncitizen.net www.thompsoncitizen.net Page 4

Letter to the EditorLetter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

Keep fi ghting Keep fi ghting Keep fi ghting Northern vaccine against tuberculosis against tuberculosisagainst tuberculosiseligibility expands as To the Editor:To the Editor: pandemic’s third wave Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease, caused by bacteria. Each year, TB claims the lives Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease, caused by bacteria. Each year, TB claims the lives Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease, caused by bacteria. Each year, TB claims the lives gains momentum of 1.7 million people worldwide. TB is not only a problem in Third World countries, but also here in Canada, with a higher prevalence in the north. Due to the lack of vaccination, disease prevention of 1.7 million people worldwide. TB is not only a problem in Third World countries, but also here in Canada, with a higher prevalence in the north. Due to the lack of vaccination, disease prevention of 1.7 million people worldwide. TB is not only a problem in Third World countries, but also here in Canada, with a higher prevalence in the north. Due to the lack of vaccination, disease prevention The last week of April saw good news and bad news for the north and the province as a whole when it comes to the seemingly interminable COVID-19 is most important. Additionally, some TB bacteria is most important. Additionally, some TB bacteria is most important. Additionally, some TB bacteria pandemic, about to stretch into its 15th month in Manitoba. have changed over the years, giving rise to forms have changed over the years, giving rise to forms have changed over the years, giving rise to forms On the bright side, northerners and those who work of multi-drug resistant TB, which means treatment of multi-drug resistant TB, which means treatment of multi-drug resistant TB, which means treatment here no longer have to watch the age of vaccine eligibility is lengthy, complicated and accompanied by severe is lengthy, complicated and accompanied by severe is lengthy, complicated and accompanied by severe creep slowly downward a year or two at a time, as vaccine side effects. side effects. task force medical lead Dr. Joss Reimer announced April

Did you know that one in four people in this world Did you know that one in four people in this world Did you know that one in four people in this world 26 that the Northern Regional Health Authority, as well have TB? March 24 is World TB day, raising awarehave TB? March 24 is World TB day, raising aware-have TB? March 24 is World TB day, raising aware-as Churchill, where health services are administered by ness and providing an opportunity to mobilize funds ness and providing an opportunity to mobilize funds ness and providing an opportunity to mobilize funds the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, was one of the towards TB elimination. I am glad to see Canada as towards TB elimination. I am glad to see Canada as towards TB elimination. I am glad to see Canada as latest additions to the province’s priority area list when it a top donor to the global fund to fight tuberculosis. a top donor to the global fund to fight tuberculosis. a top donor to the global fund to fight tuberculosis. comes to vaccinations. As of Monday morning, anyone 18 I hope that this commitment continues in the future I hope that this commitment continues in the future I hope that this commitment continues in the future or over who lives in the north, or who lives elsewhere but so that we can meet our goal to stop TB. so that we can meet our goal to stop TB.so that we can meet our goal to stop TB.regularly works here, can book appointments to be vaccinated at super sites and pop-up sites. This news follows Karolin KlementKarolin KlementKarolin Klement on the announcement last week that the Ma-Mow-We-Tak CalgaryCalgaryCalgary Friendship Centre in Thompson would be the site of a clinic aiming to immunize more Indigenous people. Due EditorialEditorial to open the week of May 3, the site will even provide some walk-in services for those who are unable or unwilling to

School board opts for status quo, School board opts for status quo, School board opts for status quo, Manitoba as the green energy book an appointment. More people getting immunized in the north, where many First Nations people have already been vaccinated, is a good thing moving forward. How we got here, of course, is another story. which way will city council go? which way will city council go?which way will city council go?capital of North AmericaDuring a technical briefing about the vaccination eligibility expansion, Reimer noted that the north was added to the priority list because people here at at greater risk, have had more severe outcomes and have poorer access to medical treatment in general. Infection rates were higher BY VOLKER BECKMANN icing testing that is found at are selling electricity? The elsewhere and instead keep oth of Thompson’s local elected bodies have considered proposals to reduce the number of representatives comprising them and one of them made Both of Thompson’s local elected bodies have considered proposals to reduce the number of representatives comprising them and one of them made mer councillor Luke Robinson, who served one term on council from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by Mayor Dennis Fenske in the race to become head of council last many of the people opposed to the plan are the regular critics of council who attend meetings and ask their elected officials questions week after week, their opinions may not 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 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’ salarthe 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 Both of Thompson’s local elected bodies have considered proposals to reduce the number of representatives comprising them and one of them made mer councillor Luke Robinson, who served one term on council from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by Mayor Dennis Fenske in the race to become head of council last many of the people opposed to the plan are the regular critics of council who attend meetings and ask their elected officials questions week after week, their opinions may not 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 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’ salarthe 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 mer councillor Luke Robinson, who served one term on council from 2010 to 2014 before being defeated by Mayor Dennis Fenske in the race to become head of council last many of the people opposed to the plan are the regular critics of council who attend meetings and ask their elected officials questions week after week, their opinions may not 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 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’ salarthe 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 For over 30 years, Thompson has been a centre for winter weather testing for various transportation sectors – cars, trucks, snowmobiles, helicopters and jet engines. Over the past few years, it is being predicted that a “disruption in transportation” is 40,000 feet above sea level. Even at the equator. Which is a good thing to do – for your air safety and mine! As the world moves towards clean, sustainable energy and zero-emission vehicles to provide a cleaner atmosphere, many comworld is changing rapidly! President Joe Biden’s recent announcement to cancel the Keystone pipeline project may be bad news for Alberta, but good news for Manitoba. His directive to convert 600,000 federal government fleet vehicles that money for hydroelectricity to stay in Manitoba. The world is realizing that the less fossil fuels are used, the cleaner our atmosphere will become. Reduced travel on the road and in the air during the pandemic showed how pollution levels were here during the second wave and so far into the third wave. The reason northerners don’t have to wait any longer to get vaccinated is that they are more in need of vaccination to protect them. The bad news is that, while the rate of new COVID-19 infections in the north is holding steady, it is increasing in other Manitoba health regions, some of which have caught up to the north when it comes to the number of new cases per day, while Winnipeg has blown past us. Much of this is a choice March 13 not a choice March 13 not time that Thompsonites be enough to dissuade a microcosm of the ies per year plus ap- of opinions on council a choice March 13 not time that Thompsonites be enough to dissuade a microcosm of the ies per year plus ap- of opinions on council time that Thompsonites be enough to dissuade a microcosm of the ies per year plus ap- of opinions on council coming, as the world moves panies are making the tran- powered by gas and diesel reduced. No doubt, this full due to the greater transmissibility of COVID-19 variants, to shrink its numbers, to shrink its numbers, went to the polls about the majority from for- School District of Mys- proximately half that is generally two – for to shrink its numbers, went to the polls about the majority from for- School District of Mys- proximately half that is generally two – for went to the polls about the majority from for- School District of Mys- proximately half that is generally two – for toward clean, sustainable sition to meet marketplace to clean electric vehicles is transition may take a genera-which have resulted in 34 infections in the north so far, as school board trust- as school board trust- three-and-half years ging ahead, especially tery Lake’s population amount, on average, and against.as school board trust- three-and-half years ging ahead, especially tery Lake’s population amount, on average, and against.three-and-half years ging ahead, especially tery Lake’s population amount, on average, and against.energy use. Thompson is demand. Tesla has become the impetus to spur the clean tion, and your old family car and hundreds of others throughout the province. Part of ees voted 6-1 against ees voted 6-1 against ago – was in favour of since the number of as a whole. If you’ve for annual travel and Maybe the low turn-ees voted 6-1 against ago – was in favour of since the number of as a whole. If you’ve for annual travel and Maybe the low turn-ago – was in favour of since the number of as a whole. If you’ve for annual travel and Maybe the low turn-currently researching what the fastest-growing electric energy economy. His prom- may be around for a while it is also due to recent loosening of public health orders a resolution by trustee a resolution by trustee reducing the numbers, people who care about been to many school expenses. For the city, out of people with a resolution by trustee reducing the numbers, people who care about been to many school expenses. For the city, out of people with reducing the numbers, people who care about been to many school expenses. For the city, out of people with needs to be done to attract vehicle (EV) manufacturer ise to have 50,000 fast char- yet. Or will it? That depends and people gathering together more often and for longer Ryan Land (the only Ryan Land (the only with the other seven op- this one way or another board meetings (and which has a budget of opinions on how Ryan Land (the only with the other seven op- this one way or another board meetings (and which has a budget of opinions on how with the other seven op- this one way or another board meetings (and which has a budget of opinions on how new vehicle manufacturers in the world. Ford, GM, and ging stations installed in the on government policies, in-because they can, even if maybe they shouldn’t. vote in support) to re- vote in support) to re- posed. Although coun- doesn’t even reach apart from members around $30 million, many councillors there vote in support) to re- posed. Although coun- doesn’t even reach apart from members around $30 million, many councillors there posed. Although coun- doesn’t even reach apart from members around $30 million, many councillors there to do their winter and cold Chrysler are building their USA is the icing on the cake. centives, and penalties, as are There are lots of sayings about how mistakes are how duce the number of trustees from seven to One night earlier, slightly more than a half-dozen Thompsonites showed up to voice their opinion on a proposed bylaw that would see council shrink from eight councillors to duce the number of trustees from seven to five. One night earlier, slightly more than a half-dozen Thompsonites showed up to voice their opinion on a proposed bylaw that would see council shrink from eight councillors to cil hasn’t yet voted on second reading of that bylaw, the next stage towards it becoming official, there’s at least a better than even chance that it will be approved. As watchers of council will have noticed, the proposals that make it to the council floor double digits. Whether or not the number of councillors or school board trustees should be reduced is not the sort of question for which there is a right or wrong answer. On the pro side of keeping the current numbers, the option 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 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. Critics of the proposed reduction say that it will prevent “new blood” from being 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. duce the number of trustees from seven to five. One night earlier, slightly more than a half-dozen Thompsonites showed up to voice their opinion on a proposed bylaw that would see council shrink from eight councillors to cil hasn’t yet voted on second reading of that bylaw, the next stage towards it becoming official, there’s at least a better than even chance that it will be approved. As watchers of council will have noticed, the proposals that make it to the council floor double digits. Whether or not the number of councillors or school board trustees should be reduced is not the sort of question for which there is a right or wrong answer. On the pro side of keeping the current numbers, the option 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 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. Critics of the proposed reduction say that it will prevent “new blood” from being 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. cil hasn’t yet voted on second reading of that bylaw, the next stage towards it becoming official, there’s at least a better than even chance that it will be approved. As watchers of council will have noticed, the proposals that make it to the council floor double digits. Whether or not the number of councillors or school board trustees should be reduced is not the sort of question for which there is a right or wrong answer. On the pro side of keeping the current numbers, the option 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 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. Critics of the proposed reduction say that it will prevent “new blood” from being 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. weather testing in Northern Manitoba. Of course, not every transportation manufacturer wants extreme cold to test. Snowmobile companies often just need early snow and ice at just below freezing to test their latest sleds before they hit the race circuit in North America in November. Jet engine manufacturers – Rolls own electric platforms in order to compete. Fiat Chrysler is building a new EV plant in Ontario. More so, many countries in Europe are banning the sales of gas-powered cars after 2025. The oil giant, Shell, will install 500,000 EV charging stations across the world in the next five years. PetroCan and Canadian Tire are already There will be more hydroelectricity sales required. There is no turning back. The global trend is clear. The move to clean energy has many advantages for Thompson and Manitoba. As a 98 per cent sustainable energy province using hydroelectricity and windmills as its energy sources, Manitoban EV owners could currently being implemented in Europe and China. Some countries in Europe are already using a reward and malice plan – offer incentives to buy zero emission vehicles (ZEV) and penalties if you use your old gas-powered car too long. Where is Manitoba in all this? A tsunami energy shift is coming very quickly that you learn, but when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, it isn’t always evident that that is the case. Manitoba got off pretty lightly in the first wave, the north almost entirely, and people took that to mean that we had beaten it. They resumed more normal activities and helped usher in the second wave, which sickened thousands and killed hundreds. Months of strict restrictions later, as things slowly opened up, it may have been tempting to imagine that we wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, but as chief provincial pubic health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said on Monday, the province is basically in the same place it was at the end of October, just before the second wave six, not including the six, not including the have a tendency to be that all but one of the will be seven school elected and, theoretic- If that is the case, does six, not including the have a tendency to be that all but one of the will be seven school elected and, theoretic- If that is the case, does have a tendency to be that all but one of the will be seven school elected and, theoretic- If that is the case, does Royce and Pratt and Whitney doing that in Canada along divert some of the $2 billion Manitoba should take ad-exploded. Hopefully this time around, things won’t be so mayor. Only one of mayor. Only one of approved by at least school board members board trustees at least ally, reduce the divers- it really matter how mayor. Only one of approved by at least school board members board trustees at least ally, reduce the divers- it really matter how approved by at least school board members board trustees at least ally, reduce the divers- it really matter how – bring the largest engines in Trans-Canada Highway from spent a year on gas and diesel vantage of. The opportunities dire, not thanks to people necessarily smartening up but that handful of people that handful of people two-thirds of its mem- opted for, is the argu- until 2022.that handful of people two-thirds of its mem- opted for, is the argu- until 2022.two-thirds of its mem- opted for, is the argu- until 2022. ity of opinions, but that the world to Thompson for coast to coast. Oil companies because of the availability of vaccines. ity of opinions, but that many of them there ity of opinions, but that many of them there many of them there fuel that goes to oil suppliers Continued on Page 12with an opinion – for- with an opinion – for- bers and, given that ment that it spreads the One of the arguments would only be true if are?with an opinion – for- bers and, given that ment that it spreads the One of the arguments would only be true if are?bers and, given that ment that it spreads the One of the arguments would only be true if are? YOUR THOMPSON CITIZEN NEWS TEAM Your Thompson Citizen News Team Your Thompson Citizen News TeamYour Thompson Citizen News Team

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