July 21 2023

Canadian news media caught in crossfire between feds and tech giants

BY BRENDA SAWATZKY LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, THE NIVERVILLE CITIZEN

On June 22, the federal government passed a bill that has the potential to forever change how millions of Canadians access news. For journalists and news agencies across the country, both large and small, this could mark the end of an era.

Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act, introduces new rules requiring that tech giants such as Google and Meta negotiate deals with Canadian media companies to financially compensate them for the stories that get posted on their online forums.

Meta is the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. Google is far and away the most prevalent search engine in the western world.

The bill was first introduced in Parliament in April 2022 as a means to force big online conglomerates to share the profits they earn from online advertisers.

The bill’s biggest defender, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, says that the goal is to ensure an income for the Canadian news industry so they can stay afloat in these changing times.

In the past decade, the advertising revenue that used to drive the news business—whether print media, television, or radio—has rapidly migrated to platforms like Google and Meta, allowing those companies to amass near-monopolies that have shut out the competition. Those advertising dollars, instead of circulating locally and supporting journalism close to home, tend to leave the local economy altogether.

At a recent press conference, Rodriguez noted that about 80 percent of all money spent on online advertising funnels into these two companies. This indicates a major disparity in market share and power imbalance.

But his concerns go beyond the equitable sharing of profits.

“All these media [outlets]… that play a fundamental role on informing Canadians are gradually disappearing, leaving room for the extremes and also for disinformation,” Rodriguez said. “And I think that it’s bad news for our democracy.”

Google and Meta’s response to the bill, however, has not been amenable. As critics of the bill since it was first proposed, both have indicated their intent to block access to all Canadian news sources before the bill comes into effect later this year.

In June, Meta put their threat to the test by quietly blocking Canadian news content for five percent of Canadians who use Facebook and Instagram.

The federal government retaliated by announcing that it would pull all government advertising from those companies. The Quebec provincial government and City of Montreal have since followed suit.

What This Means to Average Canadians

Consider, for a moment, how you get your news. What is your primary means of discovering what’s going on in your neighbourhood, your country, and your world?

Statistically speaking, if you’re under the age of 64, the vast majority of your news is derived from online sources such as Facebook and Instagram. News agencies post links to their articles there on a daily basis and hundreds of readers in turn share that news on their own feeds.

Consider, too, where you go when you want in-depth coverage of breaking news. How about when you have a burning question that may best be answered by a journalist who’s done the research? Chances are that you search for it using Google.

Imagine now if all Canadian news content disappeared from Facebook, Instagram, and Google. How would you get the facts about the previous night’s stabbing incident in your town? Where would you get daily updates and photo coverage of a fatal bus crash involving a group of Manitoba seniors?

Will you find what you’re looking for when your Google search only turns up articles written by international sources such as the BBC or The New York Times?

Evan Braun, editor of The Citizen, says that people should have grave concerns over the potential loss of local and national online news.

“In general, the role of a free press is critical to the healthy function of any democracy,” Braun says. “But it goes beyond that. Imagine a situation where a wildfire starts up and the news isn’t able to get to the people who need that information, because people are looking on social media and the official warnings and facts are nowhere to be found there. Or consider weather warnings, or crime reports. Like it or not, social media has come to dominate the distribution of news in Canada and every other country.”

Case in point, just last month wildfires raged near a town called Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Residents were being

evacuated and emergency updates were constant, many of them via the big social media platforms.

Today, social media is commonly used by most levels of government to provide instant and up-todate communication.

“We were following social media because that was our insight into the actual local area,” one resident told the CBC. “And we did find that a lot of places used Facebook, like the B.C. Wildfire Service and the district.”

That situation came to a head when a highway advisory feed run by B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure was blocked from continuing to post emergency alerts on Twitter after the social media company deemed them to have exceeded Twitter’s post rate limit.

“It’s mind-boggling to have that kind of dramatic, immediate effect,” said Peter Chow-White, professor of communications at Simon Fraser University, in a CBC article. “There’s a continuum of risks, from anxiety to confusion to being disconnected from people in your lives. But obviously, in times of crisis, where it’s something like a fire and earthquake, it can be human lives… It hasn’t reached that stage where it’s lethal, but it could be.”

This event speaks to the vast reach of social media and the potential for harm if Canadian news agencies are blocked from its use.

The potential harm goes beyond protecting the financial positions of Canadian media companies, which is the focus of the Bill C-18. There is an additional harm now to every single Canadian citizen, with corporate giants having the power to decide what people can and cannot see on the internet.

Braun speaks to his concerns for small independent news sources like The Citizen, which is extremely local in its focus. The articles published by The Citizen—local government, local business, local issues—are typically on subjects not covered by larger media companies, which have a much wider regional, national, or international focus.

“For small organizations like The Citizen, assuming The Citizen falls under the bill’s umbrella, it would be very bad for us,” says Braun. “The majority of our web traffic currently comes through Facebook, and it can’t be understated how bad it would be—for us, for everyone—if news content like ours wasn’t searchable on Google. I can only hope these threats are bluffs because the consequences would be quite grave.”

A Rock and a Hard Place

What’s at stake for news agencies is their very existence in our internet-driven world. From 1950 to 2011, a graph created by the Newspaper Association of America shows print newspaper advertising revenue on a steady incline, surpassing $60 million around the year 2000.

Just one decade later, in 2011, the needle on the graph plummets to a point somewhere around $20 million.

That’s in America, but the situation in Canada is largely the same. In this country, hundreds of newsrooms have been forced to shut down and print newspaper subscriptions have taken a major hit. Thousands of journalists and photojournalists have found themselves without a paycheque.

To stay alive, news agencies have followed the trend and moved online. Virtually every one of them, from major corporations to small independents, have a website presence made possible by online ad sales.

Still, advertisers will go where the greatest viewership can be obtained, putting giants like Google and Meta at the top of the game while media companies scramble for what remains.

Some news agencies are in favour of Bill C-18. And these agencies do feed the cycle by driving news seekers to social media to access content.

The catch-22 for news agencies lies in the fact that the very companies that now rake in the lion’s share of advertising profits are the same ones providing the media with an avenue to reach the masses at no cost.

To that end, Google and Meta believe they have already done their part in helping to ensure the success of Canadian news outlets. Because of this, some news agencies worry that enforcing Bill C-18 will be like biting the hand that feeds them.

But there may also be some public misconceptions that could be set right by all the discussion surrounding the bill.

“The problem is that social media has led to an environment where news is largely considered to be ‘free’ nowadays, and it’s not,” says Braun. “It does need to be paid for, especially if it’s going to be high-quality. If social media makes it too difficult to earn a profit as journalists, by eating into advertising revenue streams and subscriptions, then other workarounds must be found. Asking social media conglomerates to pay their share is one such

workaround that is worthy of exploration.”

It’s Worked in Australia

In March 2021, Australia passed a bill that, at least in the short term, seems to have accomplished the very thing that Canada is attempting to do.

The News Media Bargaining Code, imposed by the Australian government, requires Google and Meta to negotiate content supply deals with Australian media outlets.

At the outset, Meta retaliated by shutting down Australian news access on Facebook for a brief time, but that ban was soon lifted.

According to the Australian government, the strategy has been a success. More than 30 deals have been negotiated with media outlets to compensate them based on clicks and advertising dollars generated.

An Australian Treasury Department report suggests, though, that more work needs to be done to extend the code to include other online platforms.

Even so, some are looking to the outcome of Canada’s eventual bill to set a precedent. Both the United States and France are considering similar legislation and are watching with keen interest to see what happens here.

Closer to home, some critics say that the Canadian government won’t win this war and there are better ways to level the playing field between big tech and the news media.

One example, they say, would be to impose a tax on online advertising revenue rather than force profit negotiations. The proceeds raised through this tax would help subsidize reporter salaries.

For Braun, this scenario is also worthy of exploration. However, he says there can be a perception of bias when a news agency benefits from a direct government subsidy.

Who Will Win the War?

There are real sceptics of Canada’s tit-for-tat approach so far. These people would say that the government’s threat to pull its advertising from social media is akin to David facing off against Goliath.

Rodriguez says that Canada’s advertising pullout would amount to around $10 million of lost revenue for Meta.

To put that in perspective, in 2022 alone Meta made more than $100 billion from advertising. The federal government’s revenue is chump change to a company of that size, which speaks to the power imbalance in the current standoff.

What Would the Conservatives Do?

The Citizen reached out to Ted Falk, MP for Pro -

vencher, to find out how the Conservatives would respond to the advertising profit disparity between the tech giants and Canadian media, were they in power.

According to Falk, we should be asking whether media companies need to be defended by the government at all.

“C-18 is the government choosing to side with large corporate media while essentially shutting out or shutting down small, local, independent news like, for example, The Citizen, which Canadians and communities actually rely on,” Falk says. “While most Canadians would agree that Canadian content is important, ultimately they will speak with their dollars and behaviour. Rather than running to government for protection, the onus should be on Canadian content producers to ensure they are adapting to today’s market to best serve the interests of Canadians, guaranteeing themselves relevance and continued viability.”

Falk says that his party offered amendments to the Liberals on Bill C-18 which would have made the bill more effective in supporting Canadian news outlets. As it stands, he adds, the Liberals and NDP voted down every one of those amendments.

“The Liberal government has made their bed,” he says. “They need to sleep in it. It’s up to Canadian media corporations if they want to stay there with them or try to work out a deal on their own with the tech giants—what they probably should have done in the first place.”

Braun has a somewhat different point of view.

“Honestly, I think C-18, at least in principle, may very well be the best approach,” he says. “Should this specific bill be amended to make it more palatable to social media companies or more effective overall? Yes, that is undeniable. But the idea that social media should be part of the solution in terms of paying for news, since they distribute it for free, is reasonable. And in other parts of the world, like Australia, it seems to be working.”

Though the bill effectively became law in late June, it will be months before the wording is set in stone, so to speak. For this reason, it won’t be binding until sometime late this year.

What’s happening in the meantime, Braun says, is hopefully just a matter of political posturing between the government and the tech giants, flexing their muscles before they come to some negotiated agreement that everyone can live with.

“At least, let’s cross our fingers that it’s just posturing,” Braun says.

Brokenhead River cottage owner files lawsuit against Beausejour’s water system upgrade plans

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

A Brokenhead River cottage owner has launched a legal challenge in a bid to halt Beausejour’s plans to dump heavy wastewater from a new treatment plant into a channel that has many rare species, and is a popular spot for swimming and fishing.

“You don’t dump garbage in your neighbour’s backyard,” said Aliza Delwar, a self-described environmentalist who lives part-time at a residence near the River’s Edge Golf Course.

Delwar is seeking a judicial review of Manitoba’s decision to approve the town of Beausejour’s proposal to upgrade its water system — which involves dumping reject minerals, metals and organics into the nearby river — to serve its growing population.

If things go ahead as planned, the $12.4-million site will open later this year using a purification process called “reverse osmosis.”

The method filters liquid through a microporous membrane to separate usable water and concentrate. The latter, which Delwar likened to garbage, is slated to be dumped into the Brokenhead River.

The blueprint has sparked

outrage from local ecologists, scientists and residents — many of whom are worried about the concentrate’s impact on water composition, wildlife and area wells. Some have suggested operators build a lagoon in lieu of using the river for dumping.

Eva Pip, a retired professor of water quality and toxicology at the University of Winnipeg, estimates 67 Olympic-sized swimming pools of wastewater will enter the waterway annually.

Pip wrote an extensive report that concluded the process will negatively impact endangered soft-water species and contribute nitrogen and phosphorus to Lake Winnipeg.

Municipal and provincial officials have repeatedly dismissed concerns about the dumping site located approximately three kilometres east of Beausejour, near homes, cottages and a seasonal campground in the rural municipality of Brokenhead.

Delwar is alleging that due-diligence was lacking in the approval process.

The complainant, who is being represented by Winnipeg attorney Alexander Krush, is ultimately seeking an appeal overturning the environmental approval branch’s work on this

CITY OF THOMPSON PUBLIC NOTICE

project.

The defendants named in the lawsuit include: the town awaiting a new water treatment plant; the rural municipality of Brokenhead; the director of Manitoba’s environmental approvals branch; the environment minister; and the government of Manitoba.

None of them, including mayor Ray Schirle, Reeve Brad Saluk and Environment Minister Kevin Klein, provided comment on the case.

“I’m not against them having a treatment plant, but their decision to dump this into the river is a horrible idea. It’s just going

to change the whole ecosystem, it’s going to change the chemistry of the river,” Delwar said.

The complainant and her neighbours will not benefit from the water treatment plant; they must pay to operate individual wells and ensure personal runoff does not harm the channel.

Delwar sought to challenge the licence for the water supply system in late 2020 through then-environment minister Sarah Guillemard.

In the spring of 2021, Guillemard indicated she was “confident” in the oversight of the project and dismissed Delwar’s

request.

“The environment will be protected and maintained. This includes provisions for monitoring groundwater levels and groundwater quality in nearby wells, and similar monitoring in the Brokenhead River,” the minister wrote in a response.

Delwar said she is not optimistic the monitoring will be rigorous.

In the fall, when construction workers were installing pipes that will pour the treatment plant’s runoff into the river, she tested water quality near the dumping site.

The cottage owner said

she detected worrying levels of a chemical compound that is harmful to fish. Despite reporting the polyacrylamide pollution to local and federal authorities, she said there was little follow-up.

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation’s band office indicated it did not have enough information to weigh-in on the plans.

“We need more consultation with our community,” Chief Gordon Bluesky said in a statement. “The town hasn’t reached out at all.”

Construction on the project is well underway. The new plant is anticipated to open in autumn.

Moose Lake RCMP charge youth for killing animals

On July 7, 2023, at approximately 11:55 pm, Moose Lake RCMP received a report of animal cruelty that had occurred on July 6, 2023, in Mosakahiken Cree Nation. A community member saw a deceased puppy hanging from a stop sign and called the police.

Investigation determined that a group of approximately 10 youth, aged 9-13, had been in a park in the com-

munity in the early morning hours of July 6. They were hurting several puppies. The youth were chased from the park by a community member, who then discovered the puppies. They were deceased.

When police arrived at the location, three deceased puppies were given to the officers by the community member, and a fourth puppy was found when

officers searched the area. The puppies had all been significantly injured before their death.

As per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, anyone under 12 years of age cannot be charged. The 13-year-old youth involved was arrested and charged with Killing Animals and Cruelty to Animals, Causing Unnecessary Suffering.

“This is a very concerning

act for the RCMP and the community,” said Sergeant Rick Sinclair, Moose Lake RCMP Detachment Commander. “Many community members care deeply for their dogs. We appreciate the assistance we received during the investigation. We are working with the community and our partners to find a way forward, focusing on healing and providing resources to families.”

Bulk water sales are not currently available as a result of vandalism to the keypad of the City of Thompson’s bulk water station on Seal Road. Public Works is awaiting word on whether the damaged unit can be repaired or if it will have to be replaced. An update will be provided once that information is received and a timeline for when bulk water sales may resume is established.

Contact Public Works at 204-677-7970 with any questions or concerns.

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SUMMER STUDENTS

This position is responsible for general repairs and maintenance to City recreation facilities and green spaces. Students must possess a valid Class 5 Licence. Experience with maintenance, repairs and performance of grass works would be preferred. The candidate will have the ability to receive, understand and apply written and verbal instruction, to deal effectively with co-workers and have the ability to communicate effectively with the general public.

The City of Thompson offers this position with a wage of $14.15 per hour.

Applications will be accepted up to and including Tuesday, July 27th, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Those interested may apply to:

Human Resources - City of Thompson

226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1S6

FAX: (204) 677-7981

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

Applications are available at City Hall or online at www.thompson.ca

Anyone requiring assistance in the application process, please contact us at (204) 677-7924.

PAYROLL CLERK - TEMP

The successful candidate will have Grade 12 or higher, have completed a recognized Payroll Course with two years’ experience in Payroll processing, and completion of a recognized accounting course or equivalent experience. This position requires demonstrated working knowledge of Employment Standards Code and CCRA policies related to compensation. The successful candidate must possess computer skills (including proficient use of Excel), be able to operate a variety of office equipment, and be able to work accurately under pressure and within tight deadlines. Working knowledge of Great Plains software would be an asset.

The duties for this position include preparing and balancing payroll bi-weekly, reconciles payroll accounts to General Ledger, compiles data for pay, balances and issues T4’s, correspondence with Receiver General, selects data and applies to records and statistical reports. The City of Thompson offers an extensive benefits package. This position involves a 35 hour work week at a current rate of $28.41 per hour.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Those interested may apply in confidence to:

Human Resources – City of Thompson

226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1S6

FAX: (204) 677-7981

Email: oonigbogi@thompson.ca and: jmelanson@thompson.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

www.thompson.ca

226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, MB R8N 1S6

Council has switched to its summer schedule, with one committee of the whole meeting and one council meeting per month. The next committee of the whole meeting is Tuesday, August 8 at 7 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend. Upcoming meeting agendas are available on the City of Thompson website the Friday before the meeting at thompson.ca/p/minutes-agendas. Minutes of previous meetings are also available there.

Bids will be received by the Purchasing Agent at City Hall, 226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, MB. R8N 1S6. Bid details and closing dates are as follow:

contagious disease, TB claims the lives worldwide. TB is not only a countries, but also here in prevalence in the north. vaccination, disease prevention

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Karolin Klement Calgary

Breathing easier: Thompson Kin Club president’s inspiring fight against cystic fibrosis

BY SHANNON JOHNSTON

My name is Shannon Johnston, and I live in Thompson Manitoba. I am currently the President of the local Kinsmen/Kinette Club in Thompson, known as the Thompson Kin Club. I have Cystic Fibrosis. This means that since I was born, my lungs were filled with thick mucus that harboured bacteria, causing repeat lung infections. In order to keep my lungs clear of this mucus, daily chest physiotherapy was done once or twice a day, nearly every day of my life. For myself and many others with CF who are my age, this meant that we had to lie upside down on an inclined exercise table, and have our parents pummel our chests with cupped hands. The harder the better in my opinion, as this would loosen the thick mucus and allow us to cough it up. This was accompanied with inhaled medications to help loosen the mucus and kill the bacteria. The whole process takes about 1-2 hours, and is quite physical and exhausting for the patient.

councillor Luke Robinson, who served term on council from 2010 to 2014 bebeing defeated by Mayor Dennis Fenske the race to become head of council last that Thompsonites went to the polls about three-and-half years – was in favour of reducing the numbers, the other seven opposed. Although counhasn’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 it will be approved. watchers of council have noticed, the proposals that make to the council floor have a tendency to be approved by at least two-thirds of its memand, given that

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 be enough to dissuade the majority from forging ahead, especially since the number of people who care about this one way or another doesn’t even reach double digits.

my own and had been doing daily chest physio and meds as described above, the only difference is that I had to lie upside down, do the pummelling myself, and the coughing etc. It was quite exhausting, especially after a full day at work. After a few years it was becoming too difficult to do on my own. I needed help, badly to keep up the treatments that were allowing me to breathe. Thankfully at that time the Hill Rom Company had come out with a machine that would do just that. It was called the Vest Airway Clearance System, but is often simply referred to as “the Vest”. It basically is a large but portable air pump with two thick hoses that come out the front, which attach to an actual vest-type garment that is worn by the patient.

I am originally from Winnipeg, but moved to Thompson in 2003 for work at the age of 24. I was living on

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 that all but one of the school board members opted for, is the argument that it spreads the

I am not a medical expert or an engineer, but it essentially works as follows: the pump produces air blasts that are shot through the hoses at a certain frequency. As these air blasts go into the vest garment, they hit the chest of the patient, causing the chest wall to oscillate vigorously, which loosens the mucus enough for the patient to cough it

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.

up. The treatment is done in a sitting position and the machine can automatically stop when the time is up. The “Vest” seemed like the answer to my prayers. It would take care of the “pummelling” part, while I could concentrate on the coughing up part. I was able to try one out at the Children’s CF clinic in Winnipeg, and I instantly knew that it would work well for me. Unfortunately, at that time the cost was simply unaffordable for any one person. It was available for purchase from the company in the United States, and to the best of my knowledge at the time, it was not covered by any private or public Canadian insurance plans. Although my family and I considered and researched other pathways the cost was always the barrier.

At this time, I had been a member of the Thompson Kinette Club for about two years. One summer weekend we had a wind-up party at one member’s cabin, and it was a slumber-party. Well near the end of the evening, it was time for me to do my physio, and so I showed the rest of the group how I had to pummel myself on the table, upside-down. They

One of the arguments

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.

were all absolutely astonished at what was physically required of me to complete physio that evening, and just couldn’t see me doing this every day for the rest of my life. It was decided right then and there by this wonderful group of ladies that our club would do whatever we could to help me acquire a Vest, and fast.

and a half more years.

School board opts for status quo, which way will city council go?

The Thompson Kinette Club started a firestorm of fundraising locally and throughout our Kin District 2 (Manitoba and Northern Ontario). Many other Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin Clubs came to their aid, along with other organizations and even individuals throughout the province. There are too many to name and thank here, but please do know that I am grateful for every single person who donated even a dollar. By the end of December of 2005, a brandnew Vest was purchased for my use and placed under our Christmas tree! Thanks to the purchase of this device, I was able to remain as healthy as possible for over a decade. I was able to keep working full time, keep playing sports as best as I could, and continue to be a hard-working member of Kin Canada for about 12

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

Your Thompson Citizen News Team

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.

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?

Unfortunately, Cystic Fibrosis is a disease which slowly but surely destroys the lungs, no matter how well you fight it! I fought hard for 12 and a half years, but in June. 2018, at the age of nearly 40 years, I was put on the waiting list for a double lung transplant. My lung function was only 18% of normal at that time. I still did what I was able to in terms of work and sports and Kin, but I simply could not continue to fight without a transplant. Thankfully I received “the call” in early September, one week after my 40th birthday, and had a very successful surgery and recovery! The years since my transplant have been nothing short of a miracle in terms of how healthy I am now, and to have normal, functioning lungs, which I never knew before. Part of the success was due to the fact that I had the Vest to help keep me healthy for so long.

Now, I still have Cystic Fibrosis and it affects other areas of the body, but my new lungs do not have C.F., and so there is no build-up of mucus to clear out every day. No chest therapy for me anymore! So now, what to

do with my wonderful Vest? I tried many avenues to get in contact with someone who may be interested in trying it out, but geographical distance, and privacy issues made it quite challenging. Finally, I approached the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic in Winnipeg at Health Sciences Center, and I spoke with someone whom I had known for a long time, Greg Hodges, from the Physiotherapy Department. He informed me that the Adult Physiotherapy Department itself had been trying for some time to acquire a Vest for adult patients with Cystic Fibrosis and other respiratory illnesses, so that they could try it out, and see if it would work for them. What a familiar story!

On Tuesday, July 11, at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, myself and another member of the Thompson Kin Club will be presenting Greg Hodges and the Adult Physiotherapy Department with a wellused and much-loved Hill Rom Vest Airway Clearance System. We expect this to help other patients for many years, to make informed health choices about the future of their therapy, and give them hope!

YOUR THOMPSON CITIZEN NEWS TEAM

Brady Road blockade comes down, landfill is open

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

A barricade that has stood at the Brady Road Landfill since last Monday has come down, and access to the dump has been fully restored, and police are commending protesters for remaining peaceful and cooperative as the barricade was taken down.

“Today was the police coming down and enforcing the injunction, but with the goal of maintaining the peace, and doing this completely in a peaceful manner,” Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Inspector Gord Spado said Tuesday morning near the Brady Road Landfill.

“Anytime we can do things in a peaceful manner and not go in with any show of force, we definitely prefer that, so we are very happy with today’s outcome.”

Protesters began blockading the road leading into the landfill on July 6, after Premier Heather Stefanson said that the province would not offer assistance to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the human remains of two Indigenous women who police believe were dumped there by an alleged serial killer.

Jeremy Skibicki has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four women, including

Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, whose remains are believed to be at the privately run Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg.

He has also been charged in the death of Rebecca Contois, whose remains were found last year at Brady Road, and an unidentified woman whose remains have not been found who Indigenous leaders are calling Buffalo Woman.

An injunction legally forcing the end of the blockade was granted to the city of Winnipeg by a Court of King’s Bench judge on Friday, but the blockade remained in place until Tuesday.

On Tuesday, police officers said they approached protesters around 9:20 a.m., and told them that city workers would be taking down the barricade and ending the blockade. Then city workers, who met no resistance from protesters, moved in with several large vehicles and took down the barricade.

Spado said WPS decided Tuesday morning was a good time to move in, because they wanted to give protesters time after the injunction was announced to end the blockade.

“We had units here on Friday and emotions were high, so we wanted to give an opportunity for things to

HELPING MAKE ENDS MEET

settle down and to have a conversation, and the camp did tell us they were willing to move things for the city,” Spado said.

Police added that an encampment on the side of the road that has been named ‘Camp Morgan’ in honour of Morgan Harris, but that is not blocking access to the landfill can remain, and no protesters in the area will be asked to leave, as long as they are not blocking access to the landfill’s main entrance.

Some protesters have said they are not planning to give up their fight to see landfills in Manitoba searched for the remains of missing Indigenous women, and there is talk about building an encampment in downtown Winnipeg at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) at The Forks.

Cambria Harris, the daughter of Morgan Harris, one of the women believed to be in the Prairie Green Landfill, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning that CMHR representatives have been supportive of the plans for the encampment.

“We will be setting up a second permanent encampment at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and it will be called “Camp Marcedes” in memory of Marcedes Myran,” Harris posted.

“Marcedes Myran is believed to be alongside my mother Morgan Harris in the Prairie Green Landfill, and it only felt right to open a new second encampment in her memory to keep her spirit alive.

“Thank you to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights for being so accommodating and willing to listen to our families, while respecting our wishes/visions for a new safe space.”

— 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.

AUCTIONS

McSherry Auctions

12 Patterson Dr., Stonewall, MB

Online Timed Auctions @ iCollector.com

Ray Caron Construction

Closes July 27@ 6:30PM

Estate of Don Gulewich

Closes August 1 @ 7:00PM

Estate of Jean Wilkinson

Closes August 3 @ 7:00PM

Booking Auctions At Your Place or Ours! McSherryAuction.com

204-467-1858

Consignors Welcome!

RCMP seeking four Easterville home

Four men from Easterville are wanted by police in connection with an assault that left another man with serious injuries.

Chemawawin RCMP were alerted around 11 a.m. March 11 that a 24-year-old man was being taken to the Easterville nursing station for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation determined that four men entered the victim’s home earlier that morning, assaulting him and causing extensive damage before leaving.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in finding 29-year-old Mitchell Howard Ledoux, 27-year-old Steven Shane Klyne, 26-year-old Shawn Eric Umpherville and 20-year-old Nathan Walter Umpherville, all from Easterville, who are believed to have fled to Winnipeg. The four face numerous charges including aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and breaking and entering.

Anyone with information on any of the suspects’ whereabouts is asked to call Chemawawin

RCMP at 204-329-2004 or Crime Stopper Anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Tips can securely manitobacrimestoppers.

DESCRIPTION

THOMPSON CITIZEN: EDITOR/REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER

Location: Thompson, Manitoba

The Thompson Citizen has an immediate opening for an Editor/Journalist in Thompson, Manitoba. Thompson, known as the “Hub of the North” in Manitoba, is a vibrant city in the middle of an outdoor paradise. The 15,000 residents of Thompson enjoy an excellent airport, 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 Glacier Media. This position would be a great starting point for an enthusiastic graduate as well as a great opportunity for an experienced reporter looking for an exciting change from the regular day to day workload.

The successful applicant will be expected to cover a wide range of topics. He or she will find himself or herself reporting on current events, writing Q&A’s, business features, personal interest and taking lots of photos.

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.

Please send resume with cover letter to:

Noah Cooke, Publisher Thompson Citizen

P.O. Box 887, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1N8 or E-mail: generalmanager@thompsoncitizen.net

and Instagram.

You’re going to lose access to local news on

Dear readers,

Your access to local, provincial and national news is going to be revoked on Google, Facebook and Instagram.

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news stagram. Google will also remove links to our sites and articles search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing with our parent company, Glacier Media.

And it’s not because of anything we’ve done.

Recently, Canada passed the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which has led to a standoff between the government, Google and Meta — the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram.

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the news industry in Canada as a result.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news articles on Facebook and Instagram. Google will also remove links to our sites and articles in Google News, Discover and search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing agreements already in place with our parent company, Glacier Media.

1. Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, more importantly, on people like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s happening in your community and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

2. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can help:

1. Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news day’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

2. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting local by placing ads with 100% Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news from a trusted source. In today’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

The Thompson Citizen team

The Thompson Citizen team

Facebook and Google.

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the result.

On July 15, 2023, at approximately 3:00 am, Selkirk RCMP received a report of a seriously injured male on the front lawn of a residence on Sinclair Avenue in Selkirk, Manitoba. Police attended and located an injured 24-year-old male from Selkirk. He was suffering from multiple stab

wounds. Officers provided first aid until Emergency Medical Services arrived.

The male was transported to a Winnipeg hospital with serious non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigation has determined that a group of people were seen with the

Selkirk RCMP investigate aggravated assault Nelson House RCMP investigate boating fatality

male in the area just prior to the male being found injured. If you have information, please call Selkirk RCMP at 204-482-1222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

AUTOMATED COLLECTION

• 1 Westwood • 2 Burntwood

• 3 Riverside/Deerwood

• 4 Eastwood

• 5 Juniper/Southwood/BTC

The automated carts must be placed along your curb no later than 8 am on the day of scheduled pickup AT LEAST one metre apart from other cart/objects. No Parking on residential streets between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm during Garbage/Recycle days for that area. Example: if it is Westwood’s Garbage/Recycle day there is to be no parking on the residential streets in the Westwood Area. This is to aid in the safety for both the residents of Thompson as well as City crews. Vehicles found parked on the streets will be ticketed.

On July 17, 2023, at approximately 6:00 pm, Nelson House RCMP received a report of a boating incident at the Notigi Boat Launch, just outside Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Manitoba. When officers arrived on the scene, a 30-year-old male was injured, and a 40-year-old

male was deceased. The two males from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation were the only occupants of the boat.

The boat had severe damage to the front end. Investigation determined that the 30-year-old male was driving when the boat struck debris in the water, causing the boat to

suddenly veer off course and eject the 40-year-old male. The driver was able to get the other male back into the boat and to shore, but the 40-year-old male succumbed to his injuries.

No charges are being contemplated.

Stonewall RCMP respond to

large fight at Stony Mountain Institution

On July 17, 2023, at approximately 6:35 pm, Stonewall RCMP responded to a large fight between inmates at Stony Mountain Institution.

It was reported that some of the inmates involved were armed with edged weapons. Seven inmates were injured and taken to the hospital.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA UNIT: SPLIT LAKE (TATASKWEYAK)

SUB-OFFICE

LOCATION: SPLIT LAKE, MB

Position: Case Aide One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

A member of the Family Enhancement (FE) Unit, the Case Aide – Family Enhancement has a key role to assist the Family Enhancement Workers in case management and programming. The responsibilities include case management administrative support, compile information, develop productive relationships with clients, assist in the development and delivery of workshops, community education and networking working with collaterals. The nature of the work requires that confidentiality and privacy be strictly maintained. The incumbent is a good communicator, who takes initiative and makes productive contributions to the Family Enhancement team.

Qualifications:

• Some post-secondary education, or an acceptable combination of education and work experience.

• 1-2 years of experience in an administrative role or child welfare work environment.

• Proficiency in use of Microsoft office (Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook).

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License.

• Good understanding of Northern First Nation cultures and communities.

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

Working Conditions:

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

• Provide satisfactory Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks prior to starting the position, and throughout employment as required.

• Independent work performed as part of a team.

• Access to highly sensitive and confidential material for which privacy must be maintained.

• Overtime required occasionally.

• Occasional lifting to 30 lbs.

• Up to 10% travel, some of which may be remote and overnight.

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

Closing Date: Thursday, July 27, 2023

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 2023-065 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 #2023-065

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

A 33-year-old male inmate from Winnipeg was pronounced deceased at the scene.

RCMP Major Crime Services, along with Forensic Identification Services, continue to investigate.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Child Protection Investigator –Permanent Position

Designated Intake Office

The Pas, Manitoba

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services. Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary responsibility of the Child Protection Worker is to provide services by implementing the Child & Family Services Act, Standards and Objectives set by Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Investigating all Child Protection Matters and ensuring good case work through:

§ Planning and conducting investigations;

§ Documentation;

§ Information sharing and training;

§ Child apprehension.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred);

§ Familiar with Child & Family Services Act;

§ Ability to speak one of the Swampy Cree Dialects is an asset;

§ Must possess Case Management skills;

§ Good Oral/Written Communication skills;

§ Must have strong computer skills and a working knowledge of all MS Office applications;

§ Applicants subjected to Police Check and Child Abuse Registry Check;

§ Valid Manitoba Driver’s license;

§ Travel as required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse registry check and prior contact check;

§ Cannot be active on a protection case;

§ Must maintain absolute confidentiality in accordance with agency requirements;

§ May be assigned to provide coverage or support for other office locations from time to time and as required;

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned.

Deadline: August 1, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

Submit cover letter & resume along with three (3) references marked

“personal & confidential” to:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0 Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

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

Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.

“Please visit our website at www.https://creenation.ca”

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Intake Worker – Permanent Position

Sapotaweyak Cree Nation

Shoal River, Manitoba

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services.

Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor and as required under the Child and Family Services Act, the Intake Worker assesses requests for service with reference to risk of children, functioning of families and service needs of families, provides crisis intervention, initiates child protection investigations, apprehends children at risk and places them in appropriate and/or available placements, initiates referrals to other community collaterals as required, and completes written reports, file recordings, forms and correspondence.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Receive & assess requests for service;

§ On-Site risk assessment;

§ Determine & implement service;

§ Documentation, practice & relationship building.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services;

§ Work experience in Child & Family Services with demonstrated knowledge of child development, child abuse, family-centered service, early intervention, family support and community-based services;

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills;

§ Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and provincial standards;

§ Understanding of child development and child abuse theory and practice;

§ Knowledge of available resources within the community;

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as CFSIS and FACTS;

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse registry check and prior contact check;

§ Cannot be active on a protection case;

§ Varied amounts of travel required within this position;

§ Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license;

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work;

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned.

Deadline: August 1, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

Submit cover letter & resume along with three (3) references marked “personal & confidential” to:

Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0 Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

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

“Please visit our website at https://creenation.ca”

Province creates fund for French-language education expansion

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

St. Boniface University is adding seats to its teachers college and launching a new educational assistant certificate program to bolster the ranks of francophone and French-speaking professionals in schools across the province.

The Manitoba government announced Thursday the creation of a new $10-million fund to support the expansion of educational opportunities for “high-demand occupations” in sectors ranging from health care to mining.

A total of $1.5 million in recurring funding has been earmarked to train teachers and support staff, as school divisions grapple with high demand for French instruction and a shortage of professionals, especially in rural and northern parts of the province.

The teachers college is expected to grow by 20 spots, so up to 90 candidates can be

accepted into the two-year program on an annual basis. The latter offering, which includes 10 courses, will launch in the fall with 30 seats available.

“This is not a copy-andpaste of what’s happening in English,” Sophie Bouffard, president of the Winnipeg-based francophone university, said when reached by videoconference Thursday.

“There’s a linguistic and cultural reality that comes with the (K-12 francophone and French immersion) program in education and so, we need to adapt our educational programs to that reality.”

Some EAs employed in francophone and immersion classrooms have graduated from English schooling programs at Red River College Polytechnic or University of Winnipeg, among other options. Others’ resumés lack formal school support staff training.

There are about 1,000 teaching assistants be -

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Training Coordinator – Full Time Permanent Position OFFICE: Regional Office LOCATION: The Pas, Manitoba

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency (CNCFCA) is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. CNCFCA is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention services.

Our agency will strive to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Human Resource Manager, the Training Coordinator will be responsible for designing, organizing, scheduling, and directing a wide range of training activities for the organization. The Training Coordinator will collaborate with the Unit Supervisors and Coordinators to identify training needs for all employees. The overall goal of the Training Coordinator is to provide and have confident and highly trained front line workers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Program Design

§ Program Implementation

§ Monitoring and Documentation

§ Reviews

QUALIFICATIONS

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related undergraduate degree in Human Services (preferred)

§ Must have a minimum of five years child welfare working directly with clients

§ Must have supervisory experience

§ Knowledge of Manitoba CFS Act and CFS Standards

§ Comprehensive knowledge of child welfare theory and practice and demonstrated experience in the development and provision of education and training within child welfare environments

§ Experience in providing and leading training or educational sessions, including being comfortable presenting to large groups

§ Computer skills is a definite asset: Microsoft (Teams, Powerpoint, Word, Excel)

§ Experience in curriculum development

§ CFSIS is an asset

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

§ Must pass a criminal records check, child abuse and prior contact check

§ Cannot be active on a protection case

§ Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license

§ Must be willing to travel

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

Deadline: August 2, 2023 @ 4:00 pm

SUBMIT COVER LETTER & RESUME ALONG WITH THREE (3)

REFERENCES MARKED “PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL” TO: Human Resource Manager

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency Box 10130, Opaskwayak, MB. R0B 2J0

Fax: 204-623-3847 Email: hr@creenation.ca

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

“Please visit our website at https://creenation.ca”

Our office ensures that best practices in COVID-19 are observed. Under Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency’s COVID-19 vaccinations policy, all applicants are required to be fully vaccinated.

tween the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine and immersion schools across Manitoba that do not have any French-language certification, per a recent study undertaken by USB and public education partners.

While all EAs must complete child abuse registry and criminal record checks, divisions and private schools determine their own hiring requirements.

USB’s “auxiliaire d’enseignement” courses will be offered in-person and online to ensure flexibility, Bouf-

fard said.

The initial rollout is being tailored to existing EAs who will have the opportunity to complete classes in 202324 and 2024-25. Admissions will open to the general public this time next year, and the program will be condensed to one year for incoming students.

Manitoba Advanced Education Minister Sarah Guillemard was not available for an interview Thursday.

In a news release, Guillemard said the funding commitment reflects

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT: SPLIT LAKE (TATASKWEYAK)

SUB-OFFICE LOCATION: SPLIT LAKE, MB

Position: Child & Family Services Worker

One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

Reporting to a Unit Supervisor, the Child & Family Services Worker (CFS) is responsible to implement the policies, procedures and specific direction of Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba when working with families and children in child protection. Duties include managing a case load, conducting interviews and assessments, compiling case particulars for Court, investigating/follow up on allegations of child protection issues, maintaining regular visits, providing accurate and timely documentation, developing long/ short term case plans, developing/facilitating workshops, community education and networking with collateral resources/services.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW) with experience in child welfare preferred, or a combination of experience and training.

• Commitment to community-based service delivery.

• Working knowledge of CFS legislation, standards and issues.

• Knowledge of Child & Family Services Information System (CFSIS) an asset.

• Assessment, interviewing, and counselling skills.

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.

• A strong work ethic and reliable.

• Proven ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, as well as part of a child protection unit team.

• Sensitivity to, and an understanding of First Nations culture and values.

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

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced environment.

• Confidentiality environment with access to sensitive information.

• Overnight and remote travel approximately 20% of the time.

• Provide satisfactory Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry and Prior Contact checks prior to starting the position, and throughout employment as required.

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle.

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

Closing Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023

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 2023-067 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 #2023-067 701 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

the province’s dedication to preserving and growing French language and culture.

“Training French-speaking teachers and teacher assistants will help to grow our bilingual workforce to help meet the needs of local businesses experiencing labour shortages,” the minister added.

The latest expansion means enrolment in the francophone teachers college will have doubled over the last decade. Prior to 2016, USB was welcoming between 35 and 45 teacher candidates every year.

While the president of the francophone teachers association applauded the developments, she said addressing staffing issues is more complex than growing admissions targets.

“We don’t necessarily have students graduating from our high school programs who are banging down the door at (USB) to enter the education profession; I think part of the problem is they see what’s

happening in schools right now,” said union leader Lillian Klausen.

Class sizes are on the rise and EA rosters are shrinking, she said, adding that combination does not translate into good working conditions.

Klausen said she hopes the province puts aside money to eliminate the red tape teachers who have trained out of province face when it comes to seeking certification.

The NDP issued a statement calling into question the Progressive Conservatives’ support for francophone and immersion instruction, citing the government’s decision to cut an assistant deputy minister responsible for the file and reduce $300,000 in funding to USB.

“French-language education is suffering after years of PC cuts,” NDP education critic Nello Altomare said. “Today’s announcement is just another empty election-year promise.”

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA SPLIT LAKE (TATASKWEYAK)

SUB-OFFICE

SPLIT LAKE, MANITOBA

Position: Unit Supervisor One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

Reporting to Director of Services (North) and in accordance with Awasis Agency policies, procedures and standards, the Unit Supervisor is responsible for providing leadership to a team of staff within the specific unit of Brochet in order to ensure strong staff and work teams, as well as to develop and strengthen community based services. This position requires competencies in the areas of positive role-model leadership abilities, and demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, communication skills, time management, results management, self-management, critical thinking and problem solving.

Qualifications:

• BSW Degree preferred

• 5+ years of experience in Child and Family Services with demonstrated positive role-model leadership ability, previous Supervisory experience is preferred

• Working knowledge of CFS legislation, standards and issues

• Strong commitment to community-based service delivery

• Assessment, planning, interviewing, and counselling skills

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills

• Experience in crisis intervention and conflict resolution

• Proven ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook

• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as a team setting

• Sensitivity to and an understanding and acceptance of First Nations culture and values

• Ability to speak and/or understand the Cree and/or Dene language would be an asset

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced environment

• Confidentiality environment with access to sensitive information

• Overnight and remote travel approximately 10% of the time

• Maintain a satisfactory Prior Contact check, Child Abuse Registry Check, Criminal Record Check and Driver’s Abstract prior to starting the position and throughout employment as required.

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle

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

Closing Date: Friday, July 28, 2023

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 2023-064 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 #2023-064

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

Photo by Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press

Selkirk RCMP investigate robbery

KEEWATIN TRIBAL COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK FULL TIME

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Administration, the Accounts Payable Clerk is responsible for performing data entry and related duties in posting Accounts Payable payments.

Duties: The Accounts Payable Clerk is responsible for completing payments and controls expenses by receiving, processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices, staff travel payments and other monthly financial activities as directed. Code/enter invoices/cheque requisitions, respond to vendor inquiries, maintain vendor filing system, prepare checks; verify vendor accounts, reconcile processed work.

Qualifications: Diploma in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and two years of finance experience, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be bondable. Experience with SAGE 300 (ACCPAC) modules, Microsoft Office programs with emphasis in Excel spreadsheets. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience in a fully integrated office environment. Ability to work under sporadic stress and/or pressure. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

On July 14, 2023, at approximately 10:30 am, RCMP responded to a robbery at a business on Morris Avenue in Selkirk.

A male wearing a mask entered the store, threatened employees with a knife, stole money and cigarettes, and fled on foot.

No one was physically injured.

Further investigation has determined that the same suspect also entered a business on Main Street in Selkirk, noticed there were several customers inside, and left without incident.

The suspect is described

KEEWATIN TRIBAL COUNCIL

FULL TIME

PATIENT SUPPORT LIAISON-CASE MANAGER

The goal of the Patient Support Liaison Case Manager is to ensure Non-insured Health benefits are delivered in accordance with the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Transportation program policy and guidelines to eligible clients in Keewatin Tribal Council Inc Region.

Under the general direction of Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC) Medical Transportation and Referral Supervisor and Director of Health of Keewatin Tribal Council, the Patient Support Liaison Case Manager will provide, client centered service and maintain liaison between the authorized service providers of transportation and accommodations and First Nation and Inuit Health.

DUTIES

• This position inspects service providers by attending/ arranging regular site visits

• Meeting and interacting with clients

• Discussing and documenting the client experience

• Researching the issue including:

• Verifying appointment availability/client arrival

• Denial of service

• Standard of service including medical facility experience

• Standards in meals and accommodation

• Being the point of contact for issues and complaints

• Documenting issues and advocating within current structure of KTC, would check accommodations and verify and support the client and complaint/issue being rectified immediately with hotel manager/owner.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The incumbent should have completion of Grade 12 or equivalent;

• Should have excellent communication and organizational skills;

• Knowledge and proven proficiency in computers and various software, programs, ie: word processing, email, client records software, Excel – creating and use of spreadsheets.

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment;

• Should have thorough knowledge of transportation systems within the Province of Manitoba;

• Should have thorough Knowledge of health care facilities within the province;

• The knowledge of medical Terminology is an asset;

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

• The ability to speak Cree 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. Prior to commencement of employment.

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 or Dion McIvor, Referral & MTS Supervisor

23 Nickel Road Thompson, Manitoba R8N OY4

Email: lbeardy@ktc.ca or DMcivor@ktc.ca

Fax: 204 677-0256

Closing Date: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023

Late applications will not be accepted

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. We would like to thank those that apply for the position but only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

as a male wearing a light-colored hoodie with a black long-sleeve shirt over it that has "ECKO UNLTD 1972" written on it, an orange beanie, and a red mask.

If you recognize this male

or have any information regarding this incident, please call Selkirk RCMP at 204482-1222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-2228477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

DENTAL HYGIENIST – FULL TIME POSITION

Under the direction of the Director of Health, the Dental Hygienist will be responsible to implement and deliver the “Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI)” program, which focuses on children from ages 0 – 7 years of age. COHI is a community-based initiative to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health among the 11 KTC First Nations children.

The overall goals of the COHI are: To reduce and delay dental decay among First Nation children; to reduce the need for children to undergo extensive dental treatment involving general anesthetic; to work with community partners such as Aboriginal Head Start and Maternal Child Health programs and schools to bring proven early interventions to First Nations communities, and to improve families’ understanding of their role in promoting oral health as part of a healthy lifestyle.

DUTIES (SUMMARY):

• Ensure the collection of appropriately completed permission/ consent forms

• Provide dental screenings and surveys to determine the oral health status and preventive treatment needs of each child

• Provide pit and fissure sealants for children

• Apply as required, fluoride varnish to children

• Painless procedures used in cavities to limit further decay

• Refer children who require urgent care

• Provide one-on-one oral hygiene instruction

• Oral health education and promotion activities

• Collect, complete and submit data in a timely fashion (ie. Dental Screening forms and Dental Services Daily Records)

• Maintain appropriate records (ie. COHI lists, referral lists, etc.)

• Train and provide indirect supervision of the Dental Worker Aide

• Develop, implement, coordinate, evaluate and maintain preventive and health promotion programs

• Travel within our Tribal area is essential.

• Others as deemed necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledgeable of First Nations cultural practices, traditions, and customs would be an asset.

• Experience working in a First Nation community would be an asset.

• Must have excellent oral and written skills.

• Must be computer literate and have experience working with computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Access Database, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Knowledge of Federal/Provincial Health Care Systems.

• Must be a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba

• Must be listed on the Registered Dental Hygienists–College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba

• Current CPR certification

• Must have a valid Manitoba Driver’s License at all times.

• Criminal Record check and Child Abuse Registry Check to be submitted.

Salary ranges between: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 annually

A written application with a detailed resume, including at least two references with written permission to contact the references and your latest immediate supervisor, should be submitted to:

Lisa Beardy, Office Manager Keewatin Tribal Council Inc. 23 Nickel Road Thompson, Manitoba, R8N 0Y4 Fax: (204) 677- 0256 Email: lbeardy@ktc.ca

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. We wish to thank those that apply for this position but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

A written application with detailed resume, including minimum two (2) references with written permission to contact the references and your most recent immediate supervisors should be submitted to:

Lisa Beardy, Office Manager

Keewatin Tribal Council

23 Nickel Road

Thompson, Manitoba R8N OY4

Email: lbeardy@ktc.ca Fax: 204 677-0256

Closing Date: Open until position filled

We would like to thank those that apply for the position but only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA THOMPSON CENTRAL OFFICE (TCO)

701 THOMPSON DR, THOMPSON, MB

Position: Street Reach Worker North

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

Summary of Position:

The 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, July 26, 2023

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 Human Resources Department Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba Competition #2023-066

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

RCMP photos

OBITUARY

CALVIN ROY NORQUAY

Dec 4, 1963 – Jul 12, 2023

Calvin passed away peacefully on Wednesday July 12/23 at the Thompson General Hospital at the age of 59 years after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Calvin was predeceased by his father William and Brother Rodney.

Left to mourn his passing are his Mother Carrie, Sister Darlene (Daryl), nieces Shauna, Stacey, Sarah, nephew Mathew and their families. Sister Charlene (Tony), nieces Breanne, Kara and their families. Brother Kyle, nephews Jonathan, Matthew and their families. Step Son Howard (Meranda) and their family, Step Daughter Felicia (Zac) and their family, niece Jennah and her family, and his dog Hunny-Bear.

Calvin was born in Thompson, MB with lots of snow on the ground. He attended Westwood Elementary School and RDPC Highschool. He was always interested in mechanics and small motor repairs. Most of the work in his adult life was construction and contracting jobs, mostly painting, doing various projects. He met and knew a lot of people along the way. He was a very sociable person, loved visiting and attending functions, telling stories, he always kept busy. He loved food, helping with growing the garden and cooking, he had a few cooking jobs in the early years and loved to cook for the family. And if you stopped by at the right moment he would make sure you tried what he had made. His favourite was shrimp and fish of any kind. Calvin was a very clean, tidy and organized person having everything in its proper place.

The Family wishes to express their sincere thank you to Cancer Care Manitoba and to all the staff at Thompson General Hospital for all the care and patience they gave Calvin.

“You will never be more than a thought away, for as long as there is a memory, you will live in our hearts to stay, tenderly we treasure the past, with memories that will always last” Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Boardman/Northland Funeral Services www.boardmanfh.com