March 3 2023

CITY OF THOMPSON CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

TRADESMAN I–MECHANIC

Are you a skilled mechanic who is team-oriented and is interested in making a contribution to our community?

The City of Thompson requires a Tradesman I – Mechanic at the Public Works Department. The successful candidate will be a Grade 12 graduate or equivalent, possess a valid Provincial or Interprovincial Heavy Duty Mechanic Certification and hold a valid Manitoba Class 3, preferably Class 1 Manitoba Driver’s License with air endorsement. Experience in welding, diesel equipment repair and hydraulic systems is an asset. The duties include overhauling, repairing, installing, dismantling, modifying, adjusting, testing, inspecting, lubricating, cleaning and maintaining City vehicles and equipment. Other duties as per the job description.

The City of Thompson offers an extensive compensation and benefits package, with an hourly rate between $35.51-41.29.

Detailed resumes outlining experience, education, qualifications and references will be received by the undersigned 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

E-Mail: amcinnis@thompson.ca

COMMUNITY SAFETY OFFICERS

The City of Thompson invites qualified applicants to submit a resume for consideration for the full-time position of Community Safety Officer.

The Community Safety Officer (CSO) is responsible for enforcing the provision of bylaws passed by Council and of appointed statutes.

The CSO assists and works cooperatively with the RCMP and other stakeholders, using a collaborative enforcement model. The CSO is responsible for enforcement, prevention, intervention, and education of applicable legislation, with an emphasis on the Downtown area.

Duties include conducting patrols within the community, investigating and responding to by-law complaints, ensuring resolution either by education and redirection or ticketing, explaining and interpreting policies and regulations to public and Administration, maintenance of documents and files, preparation of notices, summonses, and legal documents, maintaining the confidentiality of all information.

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed on the City of Thompson website, the right candidate will have superior interpersonal skills, with emphasis on effective communication and conflict resolution, excellent oral and written communication with a focus on customer service and public relations, demonstrated ability to maintain a professional manner and make sound decisions under stressful public conditions, demonstrated knowledge of issues facing hard- to-serve populations, including but not limited to: homelessness, addictions, crime prevention, and public safety, demonstrated understanding of the social roots of crime, and knowledge of community resources.

The City of Thompson offers a comprehensive benefits program and competitive salary. Please review the detailed list of qualifications at www.cotjobs.ca

Applications outlining education, experience, qualifications and references will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications are available online at www.cotjobs.ca or at City Hall. Those interested may apply in confidence to the address below.

FIREFIGHTER / PARAMEDICS

The City of Thompson’s Fire and Emergency Services Department is seeking those unique individuals with a passion for both firefighting and paramedicine. Our department provides EMS and fire protection to Manitoba’s fourth largest City. The City of Thompson offers a competitive salary and extensive benefits package. Join our team for a challenging and rewarding career in emergency services, with the ability to make a difference.

Qualifications:

• Firefighter Level 2 (NFPA 1001).

• Current registration with the College of Paramedics of MB

• Valid Class IV MB driver’s license with air brake endorsement.

• Proven ability to make decisions, initiate appropriate action and perform safely and effectively in stressful,demanding and hazardous situations and ability to deal and communicate effectively with the general public.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills and a commitment to a team oriented approach.

• Excellent physical health, mentally able to fulfill the Fire/Medics duties. Applicants must be able to pass a medical examination meeting department standards.

Preference will be given to those applicants who, in addition to the foregoing, hold: field experience in EMS and firefighting, current ACLS, NRP, BTLS and proven EMS skill progression and performance; NFPA 1031, NFPA 472, NFPA 1006, and NFPA 1035.

Posting will remain until all positions are filled. Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend an in-person Recruitment Process, including interview, written test and physical testing in Thompson.

Please send detailed resumes outlining experience, education, qualifications and references to the address below.

JUNIOR CLERK – R.C.M.P.

The City of Thompson invites qualified applicants to submit a resume for consideration as Junior Clerk for the R.C.M.P. detachment:

The successful applicant will possess the following qualifications: Grade 12 graduate, ability to obtain R.C.M.P. security clearance, typing speed of 50 w.p.m. (minimum), familiar and competent with computers and WordPerfect word processing software, dictaphone experience (audio and digital) required, previous policing experience would be an asset, previous computer experience with the Police Information Retrieval System (PIRS), the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and the Police Report and Occurrence System (PROS) will be considered an asset, ability to communicate effectively with the general public, previous secretarial/clerical experience would be an asset, ability to work shift work (days, afternoons, evenings, graveyard and weekends).

Duties include researching, transcribing, preparing and typing reports, documents and correspondence, operates telephone, 2-way radio, answering queries, relaying messages and recording complaints. Receives visitors, directs them to proper officer and gives out authorized information.

The City of Thompson offers a comprehensive benefits program and competitive salary, with an hourly rate between $27.56–$33.73.

Detailed resumes outlining experience, education, qualifications and references will be received by the undersigned until the position is filled. Those interested may apply in confidence to the address below.

RECEIVABLES CLERK

The City of Thompson invites qualified applicants to submit a resume for consideration for the full-time position of Receivables Clerk:

The successful candidate will have Grade 12 or higher, have completed a recognized Business Administration or Accounting diploma program with a minimum of two years’ experience, or a minimum of 2 years training and experience. This position requires demonstrated working knowledge of computer software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and accounting software. The successful candidate must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent public relation skills, be able to work accurately under pressure and within tight deadlines and adapt to quickly changing situations.

The duties for this position include preparing and balancing interest recaps to General Ledger and posts interests, receives and enters tax payments, prepares surveyors, tax and planning scheme certificates, provides authorized information by telephone, letter and over the counter to the general public, banks, real estate and legal firms, balances tax rolls, enters current taxes to Tax Roll. This position also provides support for all aspects of the Accounts Receivable Clerk and Utility Clerk roles as required including move in and move outs.

The City of Thompson offers a comprehensive benefits program and competitive salary. This position involves a 35 hour work week at a current rate of $26.36 per hour.

Detailed resumes outlining education, experience, qualifications and references will be will be received by the undersigned until the position is filled. Those interested may apply in confidence to the address below.

UTILITY CLERK

The City of Thompson invites qualified applicants with Grade 12 or Equivalent to submit a resume for consideration:

The successful candidate will have Grade 12 or equivalent; have completed a recognized Accounting course or equivalent training and experience. This position requires demonstrated working knowledge of computer software, including word processing, spreadsheets; previous experience with accounting software and Microsoft GP an asset. The successful candidate must be well organized, possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and excellent public relation skills, be able to work accurately under pressure and within tight deadlines and adapt to quickly changing situations.

The duties for this position include preparing and distributing utility invoices and statements and answering all inquiries relating to both; maintain all utility accounts; balancing utility sub-ledger to the GL monthly; job related typing and filing, and other related duties as required.

The City of Thompson offers an extensive benefits package. This position involves a 35 hour work week at a current rate of $26.36 per hour. Detailed resumes outlining experience, education, qualifications and references will be received by the undersigned until the position is filled. Those interested may apply in confidence to the address below:

Human Resources – City of Thompson, 226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, Manitoba R8N 1S6 FAX: (204) 677-7981 E-Mail: jmelanson@thompson.ca

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

The City of Thompson is committed to providing a superior quality of life and unlimited opportunities. We are dedicated to supporting healthy growth and our northern urban lifestyle while providing our residents with high quality municipal services and facilities.

CITY OF THOMPSON UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PLANNING ACT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On the date and at the time and location shown below, a PUBLIC HEARING will be held to receive representations from any person(s) who wish to make them in respect to the following matter:

CITY OF THOMPSON BUILDING PERMITS & INSPECTIONS

NOTICE OF IMPROVEMENT

The City of Thompson is pleased to offer residents, builders and business owners in our community an online system to apply for and track your building permits.

CITY OF THOMPSON BY-LAW NO. 2032-2023

Being an amendment to the City of Thompson Zoning By-law 1891-2012, as amended.

HEARING LOCATION

City of Thompson Council Chambers 226 Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, MB

DATE & TIME

Monday March 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm

GENERAL INTENT

To amend Figure 75 – Permitted/Conditional Uses in the UH Zone, by adding “Boarding & Lodging” as a Conditional Use in that specific zone.

Mystery Lake Road, Thompson, MB R8N 1S6

the following definition of Boarding & Lodging: Boarding or Lodging means a building where lodging, or lodging and meals are provided to a limited number of boarders per building. It includes such uses as bed and breakfasts, cabin rentals and vacation rentals, but does not include a hotel or motel.

To amend Section 6.1 – Use Class Definitions, by adding

CITY OF THOMPSON 226 Mystery Lake Road Thompson, MB R8N 1S6 Phone: 204-677-7910 communications@thompson.ca

–PURCHASE OF ONE 30FT. LOW FLOOR DIESEL BUS. Friday, April 13, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. (CST)

–FE ASIBILITY STUDY ON LEACHATE AND DESIGN OF MONITORING WELL AT WASTE DISPOSAL GROUND.

RFP #10718

AREA AFFECTED

Urban Hold (UH) Zone

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT

Lyle Safronetz

aadeyemi@thompson.ca between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Bid documents may be obtained from the offi ce of the Purchasing Agent, 120 Seal Road, Thompson, MB. Phone (204) 6777974, email

The City shall have the right to disqualify Proponents from the bidding process if they have failed to complete their obligatio ns under any prior contract with the City of Thompson or have been involved in litigation with the City.

• 4 Eastwood

Email: lsafronetz@thompson.ca

• 2 Burntwood

So if you are in the works of planning your new project whether it is an addition, alteration, conversion, repair, improvement to your principal building or accessory building (commercial or residential) we have made it simple and easy to apply.

The lowest or any submission need not be accepted by the City of Thompson. The City shall have the right to evaluate competing bids in accordance with its own criteria for evaluation applied to the work being proposed, whether or not such criteria have been expressly related to the Proponents. The City of Thompson reserves the right to make award to the bidder which it deems to be in the best interest of the City.

• 1 Westwood

The Cloudpermit building permit system allows you to apply for and to see the status of your applications anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later, and receive email updates on the status of your permit application. You can even request building inspections with results sent immediately to your email!

Director Development & Technical Services City of Thompson Ph: (204) 677-7922,

A copy of the above proposed By-law may be inspected at the location noted above during normal office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• 3 Riverside/Deerwood

PHONE NUMBERS

• 5 Juniper/Southwood/BTC AUTOMATED COLLECTION

To get started, create your Cloudpermit account by visiting https://ca.cloudpermit.com/login. Any questions or assistance with the system please go to https://www.thompson.ca/p/permits or give us a call or email:

Danny Haywood Building Inspector 204-677-7953

AND COUNCIL (204) 677-7926 CITY MANAGER (204) 677-7951

OF PUBLIC WORKS (204) 677-7973

Burntwood Curling Club hosting master’s provincials March 8-13

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

For the first time in more than 15 years, Thompson’s Burntwood Curling Club will host a Curl Manitoba provincial championship in March.

Beginning March 8 and continuing until March 13, the club’s sheets will be occupied by 16 men’s and five women’s teams competing in the Manitoba Credit Unions Master Men’s and Women’s Provincial Championship, says Sam Antila of the host committee and also one of the competitors.

Master’s curling is open to competitors aged 60 and over and Antila says this will be the fourth time he has competed at master’s provincials.

“It’s very competitive, a very high calibre of curling,” he said. “We’ve had winners from Manitoba go on to be Canadian and world champions. We’re hoping that a few spectators will come out and watch because the calibre will be pretty high.”

The last time Thompson hosted a Curl Manitoba provincial championship event was in 2006, when the Scotties Tournament of Hearts women’s championship was held here. The

Burntwood Curling Club was, however, the site of the 2018 Manitoba Games 15-and-under curling competition, and Antila said the reviews he heard back then make him confident that Thompson can make the master’s a similar success.

“There was a handful or more people that came up to me and were just so pleased with the way things were done here and how well they were treated, the hospitality and the quality of the facilities, and our ice conditions at our club are second to none in the province so I have no concerns at all about hosting events like that,” Said Antila.

Though it can be harder to round up volunteers for such events now than it was in the past because the club has fewer members, Antila says he’s pleased with how many volunteers the host committee has gotten involved.

“There’s not much left to do other than dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s,” he said. “We’re anxious.”

The event gets underway with a banquet on March 8 and the curling begins the following morning. There will be four draws a day in the men’s competition and two draws a day in

Province increases municipal operating grants after seven-year freeze

BY IAN GRAHAM EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET

Manitoba’s premier announced Feb. 24 that municipal operating grants from the provincial government, which have not gone up since 2016, are increasing this year.

Provincewide, the government will spend $47 million more on the grants, which are distributed to municipalities on a per capita basis, this year than in the past seven years, with the total budget going from $170 million to $217 million.

The 28 per cent jump is, at least in part, a response to inflationary pressures that have been impacting all people and governments over the past year particularly.

“Extraordinary times call for immediate action,” Premier Heather Stefanson said at a press conference in Winnipeg. “These significant increases will flow in the coming weeks and apply to the 2023 municipal fiscal year and to their 2024 base operating budget going forward.”

The funding change will see the City of Thompson receive about $616,000 more this year than it did in 2022, when it got a total of about $1.65 million. In 2023, it will get about $2.27 million, a 37 per cent increase.

The first payment is expected to arrive by March 31, said Thompson city manger Anthony McInnis.

Thompson’s funding increase is comparable with those for Gillam, Churchill and Flin Flon, which will range from 38 to 43 per cent. Other northern communities like The Pas, Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids and Snow Lake will see their funding increase anywhere from 53 to 69 per cent.

Kam Blight of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, which represents all of the province’s 137 municipalities, said the higher funding was sorely needed after year in which inflation reached a 40-year high of 9.4 per cent in June.

“Municipalities, like all Manitobans, are dealing with unprecedented inflation and supply chain challenges,” he said. “Increasing the operating [fund] basket by 28 per cent will help Manitoba municipalities respond to current financial pressures, offset operating losses incurred during the pandemic and allow municipalities to keep on providing the essential services that all Manitobans depend on.”

the women’s, which will conclude with the final on the morning of March 12. The men’s final will be on March 13 at 1 p.m. with the closing ceremony immediately following.

Antila said he put bids in for the Burntwood Curling Club to host the master’s provincials starting a few years ago but they never went anywhere.

“Then last year, I got a

call asking if we’re interested in hosting the master’s and I said, ‘Absolutely, we’ll jump all over that.’”

As a Thompson resident, Antila is well-accustomed to having to travel long distances to compete in curling tournaments but some people from the province’s south are a little less willing.

“I know there’s been

some grumbling in some sectors,” he says, but he’s heard positive reactions as well, especially from some of the teams competing that have former Thompsonites among their members.

“I’ve talked to all of them actually and they’re all keen on coming back,” Antila says. “I was in Brandon last week and I ran into one of the guys from the south in Brandon. They’re

stoked They’re excited about coming up here. He was telling me that most of the rural guys are really looking forward to it. This is not an issue for them, coming up here.”

The winners of the men’s and women’s master’s provincials will qualify to compete at the national master’s championship in Saint John, New Brunswick in April.

Helping Manitobans Make Ends Meet

Carbon Tax Relief Fund CHEQUES ON THE WAY

As part of ongoing efforts to help Manitobans make ends meet, the Manitoba government is providing a much needed financial benefit cheque.

To see how the new Carbon Tax Relief Fund will help you and your family, visit:

Manitoba.ca/helpingMB

The Manitoba government is helping Manitobans ease the financial strain they are facing this winter.

Thompson Citizen file photo

The Burntwood Curling Club, seen here during the 2018 Manitoba Games curling competition, will host Curl Manitoba’s master’s men’s and women’s provincial championship March 8-13.

Keep fi against tuberculosis

Keep fi against tuberculosis

To the Editor:

To the Editor:

is a highly contagious disease, Each year, TB claims the lives people worldwide. TB is not only a World countries, but also here in higher prevalence in the north.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease, caused by bacteria. Each year, TB claims the lives 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.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease, caused by bacteria. Each year, TB claims the lives 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.

vaccination, disease prevention

Due to the lack of vaccination, disease prevention is most important. Additionally, some TB bacteria have changed over the years, giving rise to forms of multi-drug resistant TB, which means treatment is lengthy, complicated and accompanied by severe side effects.

Due to the lack of vaccination, disease prevention is most important. Additionally, some TB bacteria have changed over the years, giving rise to forms of multi-drug resistant TB, which means treatment is lengthy, complicated and accompanied by severe side effects.

Additionally, some TB bacteria the years, giving rise to forms resistant TB, which means treatment complicated and accompanied by severe one in four people in this world is World TB day, raising awarean opportunity to mobilize funds elimination. I am glad to see Canada as global fund to fight tuberculosis. commitment continues in the future our goal to stop TB.

EDITORIAL

Did you know that one in four people in this world have TB? March 24 is World TB day, raising awareness and providing an opportunity to mobilize funds towards TB elimination. I am glad to see Canada as a top donor to the global fund to fight tuberculosis. I hope that this commitment continues in the future so that we can meet our goal to stop TB.

Did you know that one in four people in this world have TB? March 24 is World TB day, raising awareness and providing an opportunity to mobilize funds towards TB elimination. I am glad to see Canada as a top donor to the global fund to fight tuberculosis.

I hope that this commitment continues in the future so that we can meet our goal to stop TB.

It’s the most budget-y time of the year

ensures.)

AKarolin Klement Calgary

Editorial

fter four straight months of snow and darkness and cold, that special season that comes but once a year is finally arriving in Thompson and, indeed, in all of Manitoba.

Thomplocal bodies prothe representathem made not numbers, trustagainst trustee only reof seven to earlier, than a Thompsonvoice prowould from to the of people for-

“Spring?” some optimist innocently inquires, peering out from their parka hood, snow shovel in hand, standing next to a 10-foot-high pile of the stuff, underneath of which, they believe, though they haven’t actually confirmed this information with their own eyes, is a boat, maybe a barbecue, perhaps even a glimmer of hope that this is not, after all, the dawn of a new ice age in which the remainder of our lives will be spent in the dark, snowy cold.

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 time that Thompsonites went to the polls about three-and-half years ago – was in favour of reducing the numbers, with the other seven opposed. Although council 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 have a tendency to be approved by at least two-thirds of its members and, given that

oth of Thompson’s local elected bodies have considered proposals to reduce the number of representatives comprising them and one of them made a choice March 13 not to shrink its numbers, as school board trustees voted 6-1 against a resolution by trustee Ryan Land (the only vote in support) to reduce the number of trustees from seven to five.

BBoth of Thompson’s local elected bodies have considered proposals to reduce the number of representatives comprising them and one of them made a choice March 13 not to shrink its numbers, as school board trustees voted 6-1 against a resolution by trustee Ryan Land (the only vote in support) to reduce the number of trustees from seven to five.

Don’t be that person. You know how they say there are no stupid questions? Well, actually there are, because, in the first week of March in Thompson, that definitely qualifies as one. That’s just one of those things that people say, like that your beloved old dog has moved to a farm in the country where they can chase chickens all day or whatever it is that country dogs do, or that if you vote for them, they’re going to bring substantive change to this city/province/country. There’s a word for those types of expressions. Lies. Comforting lies, sure, but deep down, at their core, nevertheless just some bull … stuff.

So yeah, no, the special season being referenced is not spring.

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.

lower than projected, which is often the case with Thompson’s budgets in recent years, elected officials and city administration probably don’t want to turn away any potential surpluses that could, in at least one easily imaginable scenario, go towards reducing the amount of money that the city might have to borrow in order to get construction of a new pool started.

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

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

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 six, not including the mayor. Only one of that handful of people with an opinion – for-

Locally, the season kicked off with the School District of Mystery Lake unveiling its draft budget on March 1, which actually took place after this editorial was written, so we can’t say for sure what it’s going to look like, though we can at least make some educated guesses. Odds are it’s going to look much like the last one. The amount of money the district gets from the province went up $1.1 million from last year, with most of that coming in the form of an operating grant that went up from $33.4 million for the 2022-23 school year to $35.9 million for the 2023-24 school year. Given that, and the fact that SDML receives a larger percentage of its budget from provincial grants, as opposed to local property taxes, than most districts in the province, and the fact that the province has directed school districts to keep any property tax increases to two per cent or less, it seems like a safe bet that taxes will stay about where they are or maybe even go down a little bit as a result of the increased provincial funding, unless there are some line items that are expected to rise substantially this year.

It’s budget season. (Fanfare

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 six, not including the mayor. Only one of that handful of people with an opinion – for-

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

Then, next Tuesday, less than one week into what is expected to be the last session of Manitoba’s 42nd legislature before a provincial election in the fall, the provincial government will present its budget. And, just call it a hunch, there’s probably

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 time that Thompsonites went to the polls about three-and-half years ago – was in favour of reducing the numbers, with the other seven opposed. Although council 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 have a tendency to be approved by at least two-thirds of its members and, given that

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 time that Thompsonites went to the polls about three-and-half years ago – was in favour of reducing the numbers, with the other seven opposed. Although council 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 have a tendency to be approved by at least two-thirds of its members and, given that

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.

not going to be any massive tax increases included in that document, unless perhaps the government needs some extra revenue to fund another round of cheques through which Manitoba taxpayers get back some of their previous year’s taxes. If anything, it will probably be a little more spendy than it might have been in a non-election year. Generally speaking, conservative parties like to trumpet themselves as more fiscally responsible than their spendthrift counterparts but in reality it doesn’t make a huge difference a lot of the time and there’s no particular incentive to hold back when you literally may be writing cheques that you won’t be around to have to pay for when the bill actually comes due

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.

The last of the budgets that may perhaps be of interest to residents of Thompson, not counting the federal budget, which could be out this month or maybe next, is the City of Thompson’s, which must be formulated, revealed in a public hearing, approved by a majority of council and passed on to the provincial government by May 15, unless a deadline extension is granted. Since the school district budget can only increase by so much as a result of provincial guidelines, this is the one that really dictates how much local residential and commercial property owners in the city will have to dish out when the property tax payment deadline rolls around next Sept. 30.

One of the arguments

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

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. 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

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.

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

Anyone hoping for a big cut in spending is probably going to be disappointed, despite the fact that there’s a mostly new council in charge of spending priorities this year. For one thing, the city has limited wiggle room in which to make cuts. A good 65 per cent or so of the total budget is accounted for by salaries and wages as well as the RCMP contract and, because of the union contracts and such involved, the only way to make any cuts there is by laying off staff, which isn’t likely to happen, given the ongoing worker shortage that affects the city just like it affects so many other organizations. Furthermore, the city is currently committed to a pair of long-term infrastructure projects for roads and water and sewer lines that it must pay a certain percentage of. And there’s also another big ticket item, a replacement for the Norplex Pool, which is going to cost taxpayers a so-far-unbeknownst-to-them amount, though it’s safe to say it’s going to be a large amount, despite $11 million from the federal and provincial governments. Last year’s budget was $40 million, about $6 million more than the previous year, largely due to federal and provincial infrastructure money, though the city managed to basically hold the line on property taxes (perhaps because it was an election year, some councillors speculated). Even if actual spending in the current budget came in significantly

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

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

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.

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.

Basically, it might not be wise to count on property taxes going down, and certainly not on them going down a lot. On the other hand, given that we’re as far away as we possibly can be from the next municipal election, how likely is a substantial increase? Obviously, there wouldn’t be an immediate political price to pay like there may have been last year. On the other hand, given how the cost of pretty much everything else has increased, the appetite for, literally, taxing people even more is probably not that strong either. The city needs to pay for the levels of various services that keep residents living here but it doesn’t want to make the cost of staying here so high that

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?

One of the arguments

One of the arguments

Your Thompson Citizen News Team

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.

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.

pulling up stakes seems like a more attractive alternative. On the subject of election years, however, the city will actually have a little more money to spend this year without making any other changes now that the Progressive Conservative government has decided, after freezing them since 2016, the year the party assumed the reins of government, that it was finally time to raise municipal operating grants. As a result, Thompson will be getting about $600,000 more from the province this year than it has for the last seven years. Depending on which way elected officials decide to go, that could either enable slightly higher spending at the same taxation levels, the same spending at slightly lower mill rates, or a larger property tax reduction if spending can be reined in elsewhere. Of course, they could always take that money, increase taxes and raise spending more significantly as well, but that last option would seem less likely than the previous three, if only from a political palatability perspective.

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.

Correction

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

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

The editorial on Page 4 of the Feb. 17 Thompson Citizen misidentified the detachment that an RCMP officer charged for hunting without a licence and careless use of a firearm after a March 2022 incident was a member of as the God’s Lake Narrows detachment. The officer was part of the Oxford House detachment. The Citizen apologizes for the error.

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?

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?

Your Thompson Citizen News Team

LETTER

Stating facts is not ‘praising Trump’

To the Editor:

After reading the letter from Al MacLellan, “Writer’s support for Donald Trump amazing and amusing,” that appeared in the Jan. 13 print edition of the Thompson Citizen, I was left wondering if Al actually read my letter. Nowhere in my letter did I “praise Trump.” However, I did state some pertinent facts that have been ignored or twisted by the media. Now, if stating facts is praise, I will not argue. Al was not able to prove any of my facts incorrect.

Before Trump was elected, a cousin from the U.S.A. visited us. He asked me for my opinion on the election. I said, “Are these the best two candidates you have?” When I asked him for his opinion, he said Hillary is worse.

So if Al is wondering about the next election, here is my comment: Trump did not start the war in Ukraine. The Biden criminal family and their corruption in Ukraine and China is getting exposed. And, I repeat,

Biden was fraudulently elected.

Where does Al get the idea that the shooters are Trump supporters? Note that there were many incidents before Trump. Any blame for the shootings in Canada? Al appears to be continuing the “hate Trump” of the letter I originally commented on.

Finally, I again state that Trump correctly quoted a doctor who successfully treated COVID. Due to lack of treatments with safe and effective drugs, millions have died, more than in any war. We now see the genocide committed by Dr. Anthony Fauci and the drug companies in pushing the “experimental gene therapy” is killing more people than COVID. Insurance claims for death have jumped a whopping 40 per cent for the 20- to 50-year-old working class. Disabilities have also increased in the working class. Why? Read the book Cause Unknown by Edward Dowd.

Gerald Machnee Lockport

NDP names critics for upcoming session of legislature

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Manitoba Legislative Assembly Manitoba’s four northern NDP MLAs will be the Opposition critics for transportation, sports and culture, natural resources, and Indigenous reconciliation and northern affairs during the upcoming session of the legislature, which reconvenes March 1.

Manitoba’s NDP party announced its new lineup of Opposition critics on Feb. 23, just under a week before the fifth session of Manitoba’s 42nd legislature reconvenes on March 1.

The session, which will bring to an end a three-month break since the legislature adjourned on Dec. 1, is expected to be the last before the next provincial election, which is scheduled to be held this fall.

The NDP’s four northern MLAs all have critic roles for the upcoming session.

Thompson MLA Eric Redhead will serve as Indigenous reconciliation and northern affairs critic, while Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey will be the critic for natural resources and northern development.

Ian Bushie, who represents the vast Keewatinook district and is also the deputy house leader, is the critic responsible for transportation and infrastructure while The

Pas-Kameesak MLA Amanda Lathlin is the sports, culture and heritage critic.

“I’m proud to announce the new roles our MLAs will take on to challenge Premier Heather Stefanson’s health care cuts and her plan to make life more expensive for people,” NDP and Opposition leader Wab Kinew said in a Feb. 23 press release announcing the full line-up of critic roles for the party’s 18 MLAs. “These critics have the experience and expertise to offer a real alternative to the failures of the Stefanson government and their plans to continue with Brian Pallister’s agenda of cuts. They will hold the Stefanson PC government accountable on the issues that matter most to families like keeping Hydro affordable, improving schools, making seniors care better, and creating good jobs for workers. Together, we will work against PC cuts and demand a better life for Manitoba families.”

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Northern tourism businesses get federal funding boost

A pair of northern Manitoba tourism businesses are getting nearly $100,000 each from the federal government to enhance their offerings.

PrairiesCan Minister Dan Vandal announced over $3 million for eight Manitoba tourism projects on Feb. 17, the last day of the Winter Cities Shake-Up Conference in Winnipeg.

Among those getting money are Bakers Narrows

Lodge near Flin Flon and Frontiers North in Churchill, which are each receiving $99,999 from the federal government’s Tourism Relief Fund.

Bakers Narrows Lodge will use the funding to help winterize 15 log cabins, construct an aurora pod for northern lights viewing, and hire new staff to support marketing and provide services to the growing number of guests

who stay there during the winter.

Frontiers North will put the money towards developing a zero-carbon, silent touring expedition in Churchill using its electric-powered Tundra Buggy polar bear viewing vehicle.

"There is no better place to experience all that winter has to offer than right here in Manitoba,” said Vandal. “We embrace the winter and all the unique experien-

ces that locals and visitors alike can enjoy. Our government stands alongside the hard-working tourism operators and employees as they welcome all who brave the cold, and find joy in what Manitoba has to offer."

Frontiers North converted one of its diesel powered Tundra Buggies into an electric-powered and emission-free vehicle in 2021 through a partner-

ship with Red River Col -

lege’s Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre and the Vehicle Technology Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Manitoba’s heavy vehicle manufacturing sector. The project was also supported by the provincial government.

Travel Manitoba CEO Colin Ferguson said the COVID-19 pandemic was a big setback for

Manitoba’s once-thriving tourism industry but that programs like the Tourism Relief Fund can help tourism businesses get back to where they were before March 2020.

“The continued recovery of our industry depends on increasing the number of market-ready and export-ready tourism businesses, and this funding is a way to support operators to do that,” he said.

NDP slams Liberals for failing to close funding gap for northern Indigenous communities

BY MATTEO CIMELLARO LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, CANADA'S NATIONAL OBSERVER

Ottawa is grossly underfunding Indigenous housing, the NDP says, adding it will take more than five decades to fix housing in First Nations com-

munities at the current rate the federal government is investing.

Indigenous services critics Lori Idlout, MP for Nunavut, and Niki Ashton, MP for Churchill—Keewatinook, called out the Liberals at a press conference on Feb. 23, saying there is no way the government

will be able to fulfil its promise to close the housing gap and provide adequate housing in Indigenous communities by 2030.

Ottawa’s current funding — $2.7 billion over the past seven years and an additional $4 billion over the next seven — is nowhere near enough, Ashton

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and Idlout said. Research by the Assembly of First Nations states First Nations will require $40 billion to address the current housing crisis by 2030, with another $16 billion to address future needs.

Indigenous communities were facing a housing crisis long before the rest of Canada, Ashton said in an interview, with the estimated number of homes needed on reserve between 35,000 and 85,000.

Ashton also described the state of housing in her own constituency as “akin to Third World living conditions.”

“We’re talking overcrowded homes, mould-infested homes, homes that are falling apart, people relying on tarps to close off parts of their home,” she added.

The waiting lists for on-reserve housing continue to grow, Ashton said. The numbers, which stretch into the hundreds for First Nations in her Northern Manitoba riding, are a “clear reflection of the gap,” she said.

Under the current system, funding for on-reserve housing is disbursed to First Nations to build and renovate houses, as well as provide maintenance, insurance, planning and management of the community’s housing needs.

The NDP submitted two order paper questions regarding funding for First Nations: the first asked about how many loans were requested, disbursed and defaulted upon since 2015; the second asked how much housing funding was requested and delivered, and how many homes were ultimately built with that funding.

Half of the $2.7 billion spent on housing in Indigenous communities was awarded to specific housing projects as a one-time investment, out of which 2,049 of 3,000 projects

were completed, according to the response to the order paper questions.

Another billion was committed through loan guarantees to cover for First Nations unable to repay housing loans.

Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous services, told Canada’s National Observer the government needs to have realistic time frames when it comes to getting money into communities. Since 2016, there has been $4 billion on the books for Indigenous housing but only $1.3 billion has been spent, she said.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada’s national housing agency, also told Canada’s National Observer through a written answer that the release of funding lags their commitments because monies are only released as projects progress, which often stretches multiple fiscal years.

For example, money is committed by Ottawa and designated for specific projects, but delays often halt the process depending on challenges regarding water and energy infrastructure and, at times, jurisdictional overlap between First Nations and the provinces, Hajdu explained.

Take a subdivision in Attawapiskat, Ont., which would require building on traditional territory that’s currently Crown land owned by Ontario, Hajdu added.

“I agree with the NDP that we have to be thoughtful and that we have to be strategic if we’re going to hit the 2030 goal, but it isn’t just money alone that will close that gap,” Hajdu said.

The NDP’s criticism comes on the heels of the release of the Federal Program Spending on Housing in 2022 report by the parliamentary budget officer.

The report notes Ottawa committed more than $89 billion

over 10 years starting in the 2018-19 fiscal year as part of its National Housing Strategy.

The report, including Ottawa’s National Housing Strategy, excludes Indigenous-specific programs administered by Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

“Reconciliation should mean action, and one of the areas that require immediate action is housing,” Ashton said.

In a previous interview, Idlout reiterated the need for a $6-billion investment over two years to address immediate housing needs put forward by the federal government’s National Housing Strategy.

Idlout understands the urgency. Her home territory of Nunavut faces the same housing problems as First Nations across other provinces and territories. Idlout encouraged more people, and specifically Hajdu, to visit homes in Nunavut.

“Go and visit the homes that I see, go and see people living in overcrowded housing situations, visit Arviat who has families who have created shifts for who is going to sleep in which bedrooms,” Idlout said at the press conference.

“I hope [Minister Hajdu] comes to Nunavut and sees the realities I’m seeing.”

Idlout also noted Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s pre-budget submission estimates an initial capital investment of $55.3 billion over 10 years.

While it’s unclear if Ottawa’s 2023 budget will increase housing for Indigenous funding, Hajdu said she is “always ambitious” in the space of Indigenous equity.

“It’s simplistic to think there’s an easy answer … but it’s my job to help communities to unlock the tools they need, including financial tools, to move their community forward.”

Thompson Citizen file photos

Frontiers North, which operates polar bear viewing tours in Churchill, and Bakers Narrows Lodge near Flin Flon, are receiving federal tourism relief funding to upgrade their offerings. Bakers Narrows Lodge will use the funding to winterize cabins, build a northern lights viewing pod and hire additional staff, while Frontiers North will put the money towards developing a silent, emissions-free tour using a Tundra Buggy that was converted from diesel to electric power in 2021.

Nutrition first concern for students in need

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Manitoba high schoolers say not having enough food to eat, followed by mental health challenges and an absence of transportation, are the most common barriers to them showing up and succeeding in classes.

“At this time, especially with the pandemic, inflation, food insecurity – it’s just what we have to invest in right now. You have to support young people with something to eat,” said Jordan Bighorn, of the Community Education Development Association, an inner-city organization that runs mentorship and after-school programs.

Bighorn, who sat on the province’s poverty and education task force, is among those who celebrated the release of the group’s final report on Feb. 24.

The 86-page document sets out nine overarching recommendations to improve student attendance, achievement and wellbeing among young people who are experiencing food insecurity and a range of interconnected issues.

The first call to action focuses on nutrition, with the authors calling on schools to prioritize student voice in coming up with food security solutions, invite families to use their kitchens and community gardens, and Indigenize lessons about food sovereignty, meal planning and other related subjects.

The task force was formed in the fall of 2021 to research the effect of poverty on educational outcomes and propose ideas to reduce roadblocks, ranging from food access to technology, and improve student engagement overall.

Throughout the spring

and summer months of 2022, the group collected feedback from more than 2,000 people, including educators and leaders at community-serving organizations – many of whom live in and with poverty.

As part of their research, the task force sent a survey on the subject of poverty and education to high schools across the province to hear directly from students.

They collected 1,627 survey responses from youth between the ages of 14 and 21, of which 23 per cent identified as Indigenous and 12 per cent indicated they live in Northern Manitoba.

“Survey findings and stakeholders confirmed a lack of food security as the number-one barrier preventing students who live in poverty from attending and doing well in school,”

Gaps in province’s literacy

education probed

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Manitoba Education’s response to a scathing report that concludes the way Ontario schools teach students how to read — a popular approach in local classrooms — is failing children with learning disabilities is being met with skepticism.

Internal documents shed light on government officials’ limited analysis of Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read inquiry and responses to public concerns about the findings that informed the launch of a similar probe in this province.

A handful of advocates for students with dyslexia and other related diagnoses say the memos, obtained by the Winnipeg Free Press through freedom of information requests, are incomplete and play down the issue at hand.

“(These documents) underscore the importance of… an initiative that’s Manitoba-based to gain an understanding of what the specific gaps are around students realizing that human right to read through our school system,” said Karen Sharma, executive director of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.

“There’s no doubt that the evidence we’ve encountered to date suggests there continues to be a significant gap.”

The local commission is gearing up to launch a series of surveys to poll students, families and school staff on the state of reading instruction across the province next week.

Sharma’s team officially started investigating the challenges children face in becoming literate at the end of October, eight months after its Ontario colleagues released the inaugural Right to Read report.

Ontario’s public inquiry, the first of its kind in Canada, contains 157 wide-ranging recommendations, including calls for the biannual

screening of young students to monitor reading challenges and curriculum updates to promote direct and systematic instruction — one of the most controversial elements of the report.

The founder of the Reading and Learning Clinic of Manitoba said the announcement of a local inquiry seemed to promise new initiatives for and understanding about dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.

“At the very least, I had hoped that there would be a positive and enthusiastic response (to the launch of Manitoba’s Right to Read) from various stakeholders,” Valdine Bjornson said in a statement.

“So far, I am disappointed.”

Two overarching philosophies on reading instruction dominate in Canadian schools.

Structured literacy is rooted in psychological research and stresses the importance of systematically teaching letter-sound associations, sound patterns and decoding words.

Supporters of whole-language instruction and balanced literacy typically believe reading is a skill naturally obtained if a child is exposed to lots of books. These methods promote memorization and context, including visual cues, to figure out unknown words and gradually introduce learners to more advanced texts

The OHRC touts the former approach and an extensive body of research, known as “the science of reading,” to support explicit phonics instruction.

Its emphasis on this philosophy has faced backlash from educators trained in Reading Recovery, which conducts and publishes its own annual research, and similar programs that embrace a social-constructivist view on literacy development.

“There is no such thing as a perfect program that’s going to meet all readers’ needs,” said Joe Stouffer, an assistant professor at Brandon University

states an excerpt from the report.

“Clean drinking water, access to healthy foods, and intersectoral approaches and solutions in communities with higher poverty were also cited.”

Sixty-two per cent of respondents identified food insecurity as a hurdle to attendance, while 59 per cent of them indicated feelings of sadness or anxiety, and/ or an absence of transportation were barriers in their lives.

Exactly half of the respondents reported that experiencing stereotypes or racism was preventing them from success at school.

Bighorn, a community advocate and father of school-aged children, touted the importance of hiring more Indigenous teachers and acting swiftly to address any incidents of racism when they occur in

a school facility.

If a student makes a racist comment towards an opponent at a sports game, for instance, the match should be halted immediately and called out so the affected player can regain their balance and recover, he said, noting discrimination takes a severe toll on student wellbeing.

While many of the barriers are generational issues and require material support, Bighorn noted that acknowledging power imbalances and righting wrongs can be a free and effective way to support and empower youth.

In the wake of the report’s release, Manitoba Education has committed to reviewing its breakfast and lunch programs, setting clear expectations and guidance on implementing anti-racism strategies in K-12 buildings, and ex -

panding the community schools initiative.

Community schools are those with a special designation, typically found in inner-city and high-needs neighbourhoods, with an emphasis on their role as community hubs. These buildings have a designated staff member who provides families with non-academic support so children can focus on learning.

The province has earmarked nearly $600,000 to provide five more schools with this title and the supplementary financial support that is attached to it.

The task force’s report acknowledges that many schools are already providing effective nutrition and technology lease programs, among other resources for students in need, and encourages the province and its partners to build on those successes.

Province to review school breakfast, lunch

programs

and board member with the Canadian Institute of Reading Recovery.

The veteran literacy consultant said teaching children how to sound out words is important, but he cautioned against a resurgence of “back-to-basics” instruction programs with workbooks, because some children will still struggle with comprehension.

Quality literacy education ultimately hinges on teachers’ expertise to be diagnostic and adapt their instruction, Stouffer said.

Manitoba Education Minister Wayne Ewasko, a former teacher, echoed the consultant’s concerns about a onesize-fits-all approach.

“It is essential that classroom teachers are able to identify a learner’s strengths and needs to ensure instruction is responsive… (We) will continue to support a variety of methods and approaches,” Ewasko said in a statement.

Alicia Smith of Dyslexia Canada is among those who are unimpressed with the province’s reaction to the OHRC findings.

Smith called Manitoba’s response “dismissive,” noted similarities to Reading Recovery’s official statement, and pinpointed errors in internal government documents on the subject.

A briefing note prepared for the deputy minister of education in May both incorrectly states the project was initiated by the “Ontario Dyslexia Association” — an entity that does not exist — and refers to the science of reading as a “movement,” she said.

Smith said the inquiry began because the Ontario commission and its tribunal counterpart were “bogged down” with cases about children’s well-being being negatively affected as a result of gaps in reading education and support Manitoba’s commission has received dozens of similar reports in recent years.

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Manitoba is reviewing its in-school meal programs, developing an anti-racism policy directive and increasing its list of community schools — a designation that comes with additional funding — to address the effects of poverty on student learning.

The final report of the poverty and education task force, which was announced in September 2021, was made public on Feb. 24.

The 86-page document contains nine overarching recommendations and draws from feedback collected from more than 2,000 people, many of whom live in and with poverty.

Committee members were tasked with researching the effect of poverty on educational outcomes and

coming up with ideas to reduce barriers to schooling related to food access, technology, and transportation.

“This report will be invaluable as the Manitoba government continues working to improve educational and well-being outcomes for students in Manitoba,” Education Minister Wayne Ewasko said in a release.

Ewasko announced his office’s commitment to an “ongoing review” of the report’s recommendations.

The department will immediately assess breakfast and lunch programs, set clear expectations and guidance on implementing anti-racism strategies in K-12 buildings, and expand the community schools program, he said. Under the program, a school serves as a hub of services and resources in the community.

All of these facilities are typically in inner-city and high-needs neighbourhoods and have a designated staff member — known as either a community liaison, community connector or community support worker — who provides families with non-academic support so children can focus on learning.

The province has earmarked $595,000 to give five more schools the title and related support, bringing the total number of community schools to 41 provincewide.

Among the authors’ recommendations are calls to provide barrier-free transportation and devices to impoverished students, update curriculum to discuss the root causes of poverty, and take into account communities’ socioeconomic status in a modern education funding model.

Police on snowmobiles rescue men stranded near Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation

Three men who set out for a camp ill-prepared for extreme cold were towed to safety by Nelson House RCMP officers on snow-

mobiles Feb. 18.

Police received a call about the three men, aged 25, 33 and 36, around 4 p.m.. The trio had ben trav-

elling on foot for a camp near Threepoint Lake, approximately four kilometres south of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. The men were

walking toward the camp when they realized they would not be able to make the return trip due to the extremely cold temperatures in the -30 to -35 degrees Celsius range.

Two officers on snow-

mobiles located the men, two of whom were not properly dressed for the weather conditions. The men were towed back to the nursing station in a toboggan behind one of the snowmobiles.

At the nursing station,

they were examined for possible frostbite and one man was found to have significant medical issues that resulted in him being taken to Thompson General Hospital. He was treated there and has since been released.

MKO chiefs don pink shirts to oppose bullying

OBITUARY ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde’

by Jeff Kinney

CLIFFORD DUCHESNE

1951 - 2023

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Clifford Adolphe Duchesne. He had been battling with chronic and complex medical issues prior to his passing. He passed peacefully on February 17 while at rest.

Clifford was born to Peter and Cora Duchesne in Birch River. He was the oldest of six siblings: Larry, Clarice, Eddy, Blaine, Elaine, and Ricky.

Clifford and his daughter prepared an autobiography. It was at this time that he spoke about his childhood. He said that he was never much of a student and that the classroom was not for him and, therefore, he was only prepared to complete grade five before pursuing odd jobs. He first worked for Mrs. Williamson in Westgate at the age of eight cutting wood for .35/week. His mother had gotten him the job. At fourteen he was employed with the sawmill in Benito for a brief time and then went on to work alongside his father with CN Rail. He explained that he was approximately fifteen and therefore had to lie about his age and change his name to maintain his employment. In his words, “back in the day, no one had anything, there was nothing, you had no choice but to work”. In 1973 he completed a course at KCC in The Pas for Heavy Duty Equipment Operation, starting with a scraper and eventually working his way up to operating a D8 Cat. He was skilled in this area and enjoyed doing Popawheelies on the Bobcat. He explained that his dad began teaching him to drive at the age of five and that he was driving on his own by the age of 9. He stated, “I was in full control because I was operating a machine”! Following the completion of his training program, Clifford accepted a position with Limestone Training as the head instructor in the heavy-duty equipment training program and worked in various locations in the north. In the 80’s he also worked for the Ospawagan Dredge. He then went on to purchase his taxi in 1989. He operated under Driftwood and Thompson Cabs for a number of years before branching off on his own as Cliff’s Taxi, managing his own dispatch, running three taxi cabs and working with his brother Blaine. He made many solid connections with people over these years and changed many flat tires, especially along the Gillam highway. He had a work ethic like no other and some years it was a 365-day work policy. His true passion was his work as he loved to drive, to work hard and to be with the public. His taxi was his second home.

Clifford met Muriel in Birch River and the two were married in 1969. They had two children: Michelle and Clifford. The family relocated to Thompson in 1975. Clifford and Muriel did a lot of traveling during the years that young Clifford was playing hockey. These special times brought him a lot of enjoyment! In later years he enjoyed taking long walks with his dog Lady and driving his Harley Davidson. He loved food, especially Michelle’s fish fry’s and her homemade apple crisp. He also loved to laugh, joke and tease. He was always up for a good BS session with whoever he came across. He also enjoyed the comfort of his own home, his recliner and an episode of Family Feud.

Clifford was also a big part and a big influence in the lives of his granddaughters. He was always available to offer his wisdom and advice on any matter whether they wanted it or not. And as a great grandfather, just the thought of his grandsons brought a smile to his face, referring to his grandson Bradley as the Bad Bad Brad. In 2021 Clifford traveled to BC in his motorhome. He had a few adventures in his travels, blowing out one window that he repaired with three bandages and a knife. He dented his rear bumper, ran out of gas and then his heater started smoking and lost power, so he rigged up an interior wiper with the end of his vacuum and a towel. But none the less he made it safe and sound. He had hoped to spend more time in BC in the upcoming spring and the fall, but he would say “not in the summer because it’ll be too bleeping hot”. He told Michelle I want to come there and live next to you and fight with you a little bit. And she would respond “ok but just a little bit”.

In closing, Clifford was larger than life and his presence always filled a room. In a lot of way he was a forced to be reckoned with and had a way of getting what he wanted and accomplishing anything he put his mind too, most that knew him were drawn to him and very fond of him and if you knew him well he’s probably given you a nickname. He will be truly missed. May his soul rest in peace.

Clifford was predeceased by his parents and his son Clifford (2000). He is survived by his siblings, his daughter, granddaughters, and his great grandsons, along with numerous extended family members, who all held a special place in his heart.

A funeral service was held on February 27, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Birch River Legion Hall. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Clifford’s memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation PO Box 460 STN K Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9 or Canadian Diabetes Association PO Box 1224 STN K Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9.

Swan Valley Funeral Services 363 Kelsey Trail Swan River, MB R0L 1Z0 204-734-5775

www.swanvalleyfuneralservices.com

BY TERRENCE MOSSIP GRADE 5

Editor’s Note: In honour of February being I Love to Read Month, the Thompson Public Library is submitting reviews by young patrons of books available on their shelves.

What is the book about?

It’s a book about the main character’s older brother Rodrick starts a band and is trying to promote it with his band members and there thinking of ways to make the whole city see them so they try to go on a building and copy a different band so they get mugshots and use that for the song cover.

What did I like?

Everything except that it did not have enough Greg.

What did I dislike?

I did not like that there was not enough Greg Heffly.

Would you recommend?

Yes I would definitely recommend to my friends! 4.5/5

23031bt0

Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of MKO

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak chiefs and proxies at the organization’s general chiefs assembly joined with staff for a photo wearing pink shirts on Feb. 22, also known as Pink Shirt Day, to take a stand against bullying.

RCMP photos Nelson House RCMP used a toboggan towed by a snowmobile to transport three men stranded during extremely cold temperatures back to the community nursing station on Feb. 18.

Red ribbon removal

Representatives of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimanakak, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and Thompson city council gathered on the Miles Hart Bridge under snowy skies on Feb. 27 to remove red ribbons affixed to the railing along the pedestrian walkway in memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Among those participating were Christine Sawatzky, top left, and NCN Chief Angela Levasseur, top right. Prior to the removal of the ribbons, which are considered sacred, elder Marie Ballantyne gave a prayer and thanked construction companies working to refurbish the bridge for providing the opportunity to remove the ribbons before reconstruction work began in earnest.

As of March 1, drivers crossing the bridge should be prepared for delays as traffic will be limited to one lane, with northbound and southbound vehicles taking turns to make their way to the other side.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAD A WALKING PROGRAM or INCREASE YOUR OWN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY KNOWLEDGE?

Learn to lead others in physical activity!

This Manitoba Fitness Council Course covers Walking Clubs, Basic Stretching, Activities of Daily Living and Body Weight Strengthening Course cost is only $20.

REC CENTRE IN THOMPSON

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 10-3:30 pm

Looking to register? Visit www.manitobafitnesscouncil.ca or call 204-235-1245 ext 1 HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

For more info, call or text 1-204-209-0396 or visit Waldner’s Shepherds on Facebook

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Outpatient Rehabilitation Services

Thompson

EFFECTIVE Wednesday, March 1, 2023, outpatient rehabilitation services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology) will be moving from the Thompson General Hospital and will be located at the Spruce Rehabilitation Centre, 12 Spruce Road in Thompson. The telephone number for Spruce Rehabilitation Centre will be (204) 677-3280 and the fax number is (204) 677-3405.

PUREBRED GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPS FOR SALE

Thompson Citizen photos by Ian Graham

17-year-old arrested after Cross Lake stabbing

A 17-year-old male was arrested by Cross Lake RCMP after a 26-year-old man was stabbed Feb. 23. The incident took place

around 1 a.m. at a residence in Pimicikamak Cree Nation.

The victim was transported to hospital with

We’re Hiring

non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was charged with aggravated assault and remanded into custody.

A 45-year-old man from Tataskweyak Cree Nation suffered life-threatening injuries in a Feb. 24 assault and is in hospital in Winnipeg in critical condition.

Another TCN resident, Darwin Beardy, 42, is charged with aggravated assault and was remanded into custody after being arrested Feb. 25.

Thompson Rural RCMP were notified of the assault on the morning of Feb. 25. They travelled to Split Lake and learned that an

altercation between the two men had taken place at a housing complex around 5:30 a.m. the previous day.

After the assault, the victim returned to his room, where he was found on the morning of Feb. 25 in need of medical assistance. He was taken to the nursing station and then medevaced to Winnipeg.

Thompson Rural RCMP, RCMP Major Crime Service and RCMP Forensic Identification services continue to investigate.

As one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality, low-carbon nickel, copper and cobalt, Vale mines the critical minerals essential to building a greener future. We are focused on developing our people and our workforce to build a truly inclusive and diverse workforce.

Our operations in Thompson are located in the heart of the Northern Boreal Region — the Hub of Northern Manitoba. Vale’s Thompson Manitoba Operations are now hiring for the following positions:

Visit valejobs.ca or scan the QR code to visit Vale’s career page and apply to join the Vale Thompson family.

Night Auditor

Audits, balances, and reports on the various areas of the hotel (e.g. rooms, front desk, to provide accurate and timely financial information on the hotel’s operational performance for the day. Oversees front office/front desk operations during the overnight shift.

• Checks front office accounting records for accuracy and compiles information for the hotel’s financial records.

• Tracks room revenues, occupancy percentages, and other front office operating statistics.

• Prepares summary of cash, check, and credit card activities, reflecting the hotel’s financial performance for the day.

• Posts room charges and room taxes to guest accounts. Processes guest charge vouchers and credit card vouchers.

• Verifies all account postings and balances.

• Summarizes results of operations and prepares reports for management.

• Performs duties of the Front Desk Agent.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Guest Services Agent

Represents the hotel to the guest throughout all stages of the guest’s stay by working with all hotel personnel to ensure every guest experience superior customer care. Responsibilities include registering guests, assigning rooms, accommodating special requests, and ensuring the guests have a pleasant stay and smooth checkout.

• Maintains an inventory of vacancies, reservations and room assignments.

• Possesses a working knowledge of the reservations department. Takes same day reservations and future reservations when necessary. Knows cancellation procedures.

• Knows room locations, types of rooms available, and room rates.

• Registers arriving guests and assigns rooms.

• Coordinates room status updates with the housekeeping department by notifying housekeeping of all check-outs, late check-outs, early check-ins, special requests, and part-day rooms.

• Coordinates guest room maintenance work with the engineering and maintenance division.

• Uses persuasive selling techniques to sell rooms and to promote other services of the hotel.

• Knows daily activities and meetings taking place in the hotel.

• Reports any unusual occurrences or requests to the manager or assistant manager.

• Manages and resolves all guest complaints in a professional and courteous manner.

• Processes guest check-outs and handles monetary transactions.

• Maintains customers’ privacy.

• Maintains a high level of professional appearance and demeanour.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Submit your resume in person to Ethel Timbang from Monday to Friday for an interview.

Maintenance Tradesperson

Regular/full-time – Paint Lake Provincial Park, Manitoba

Natural Resources and Northern Development

Advertisement Number: 40567

Closing Date: March 13, 2023

Salary Range: MM! $52,299.00–$59,708.00

Job Classification: MM1

Duties:

Reporting to the Park Works Supervisor 3 (PK3), the incumbent is responsible for the maintenance, daily testing and operation of the class2 water treatment, class 1 water distribution system of drinking water and the testing and operation of the level 1 collection, level 1treatment sewage facility and must have or obtain the certification for both. The incumbent performs calculations, necessary adjustments, collects and submits samples, keeps records and submits to ensure the system is maintained and compliant with established operation licences and guidelines. The incumbent organizes equipment and supervises operators, labourers and trade helpers on water and sewage line repair digs in consultation with the PK3. May also assist in the construction, maintaining and repair on interior and exterior buildings/infrastructure including dry walling, (mudding, stripping and painting); installing and repairing floor tile; building and installing cabinets, installing doors and windows and miscellaneous other projects for park infrastructure buildings.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada

• Must possess and maintain a valid full stage Manitoba Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

• Must be physically able to perform the duties of the position including lifting up to 75lbs, climbing a ladder, bending and twisting and be able to wear personal protective equipment.

• Must be willing and able to work evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime as required, in case of emergency.

• Must be willing and able to successfully obtain and maintain relevant confined entry training and certification and perform confined space entry.

• Must have Manitoba level 2 water treatment/level 1 distribution and level 1 wastewater treatment/level 1 collection certification or be willing and able to acquire and maintain certification within three (3) years of employment start date. Grade 12 education or GED 12 is a pre-requisite for obtaining certification. Must be willing and able to attend training courses to become certified.

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Experience performing plumbing repairs and installations including working with submersible, jet and centrifugal pumps.

• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision.

• Ability to interpret manuals to trouble shoot problems and perform regular maintenance on equipment.

• Good verbal communication skills.

APPLY TO:

Advertisement #40567

Service Centre 2

Human Resource Services

360-1395 Ellice Avenue Winnipeg, MB, R3G 3P2

Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications.

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

Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications.

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

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

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

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

People. Purpose. Progress.

manitoba.ca/govjobs

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

Any personal information provided including employment equity declarations will be used for employment and/or statistical purposes and is protected by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

People. Purpose. Progress.

Alternate formats available upon request

manitoba.ca/govjobs

Any personal information provided including employment equity declarations will be used for employment and/or statistical purposes and is protected by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Alternate formats available upon request

Are you looking for a rewarding Career in the Hotel Industry?

We’re changing with the world. Be a part of our evolution.

Claim period for compensation extended again for First Nation drinking water settlement

BY SHARI NARINE LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINDSPEAKER.COM

Last week Darian Baskatawang, class counsel for the First Nation drinking water class action and an associate with the legal firm Olthuis Kleer Townshend, was in Cat Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario assisting with claim forms.

A joint order issued earlier this month by the Federal Court and the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench has extended the deadline for compensation claims to March 7, 2024. Both the federal government and the First Nations that brought the two legal actions had requested a further extension.

“We’ve heard from communities and individuals that they would like more time to submit their claim forms. The additional year also allows impacted First Nations and individuals to submit a claim, access information and supports from the claims administrator, class counsel, or even with local on-the-ground supports,” said Baskatawang, whose law firm was one of two involved in negotiating the settlement.

In December 2021, an $8 billion settlement of two national class-action lawsuits was approved by the Federal Court and Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench. That settlement covered First Nations and their residents who were subject to a water advisory for at least one year between Nov. 20, 1995 and June 20, 2021.

First Nations that met the criteria initially had until Dec. 2, 2022 to opt into the settlement in order to receive a no-strings attached amount of $500,000. The band will also get an amount equal to 50 per cent of whatever compensation their residents are awarded.

Late last year, that initial deadline for impacted First Nations was extended to March 7, 2023 to give them more time to submit their band council resolutions accepting the terms of the settlement agreement.

Baskatawang points out that the initial extension was only for First Nations and not for impacted individuals. Now, both First Nations and individuals have until March 7, 2024 to submit their claims.

The deadlines have been aligned, he says, to avoid

any confusion.

As of Jan. 23, all impacted First Nations from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island had submitted band council resolutions (BCRs). The three Atlantic provinces had 11 impacted First Nations.

However, a number of impacted First Nations in the rest of Canada were still working on their BCRs. Ontario, at 72 per cent, and Quebec, at 75 per cent, represented the lowest BCR completion rates. Ontario has 69 impacted First Nations, while Quebec has only four.

The most impacted First Nations are in British Columbia with 94; 86 per cent of those have passed BCRs.

The extension also ensures that bands that are doing band council confirmation lists of their members have additional time to send them in, said Baskatawang.

“We’ve heard loud and clear the concerns of community members who said there needed to be more time to submit claims,” he said.

Claims for individual damages submitted before March 7 of this year will be

assessed by the administrator and eligible payments will be processed. Claims submitted between March 8 of this year and March 7, 2024 will be assessed with eligible payments processed after March 7, 2024.

The amount for claims for individual damages will be dependent on how many individuals make a claim and then the amounts will be prorated for any partial years after the first full year.

All claims for specified injuries compensation will be processed after March 7, 2024. The specified injuries compensation fund totals $50 million. Individuals making the claim must show they suffered the injury and it was caused by using the water during the drinking water advisory or by restricted access to safe water caused by the advisory. Claims can only be made on drinking water advisories issued after November 2013.

The settlement included an infrastructure commitment of at least $6 billion to support reliable access to safe drinking water on reserves.

The settlement agreement also included the creation of a $400-million

Privatization of transportation blamed for delays of justice in Northern Manitoba

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG

SUN

A Winnipeg lawyer who serves clients in northern and remote communities says a 2019 decision by the province to use private airlines to fly judges, lawyers and other justice workers up north continues to lead to cancelled and delayed flights and continues to delay justice and prolong criminal cases in Northern Manitoba.

“I believe very passionately that no matter where you live in this province you deserve access to justice, and people can’t just be ignored,” criminal defence lawyer Chris Sigurdson said March 1.

“We can’t ignore people just because they do not live in the city.”

Back in 2019, the province made the decision to privatize the Manitoba Government Air Service, which oversaw air travel for justice workers including lawyers, prosecutors and judges travelling to Northern Manitoba and to some remote communities accessible only by air.

A contract was awarded in 2019 to Exchange Income Corporation, a company that owns airlines including Calm Air, Keewatin Air, and Perimeter Aviation, to provide those services.

When the contract was announced, Ron Schuler, who was serving as Infrastructure

Minister at that time, said in a media release the privatization would “reduce the number of occasions where court is rescheduled or cancelled in northern parts of our province, so the criminal justice system is administered in a timely fashion.”

But Sigurdson, who said he has been travelling north as a defence lawyer for 22 years, says it is the opposite that has played out, as he and others working in the justice system continue to deal with sudden cancellations of flights and delays in getting to northern communities since the change was made.

He added that in recent weeks and months, the cancellations have become more frequent, and that has led to long delays in dealing with trials and other court matters in the north.

“Typically when we go to these communities, we go once a month and we deal with all trials and everything that is on the docket, so we really do a whole month in one trip,” he said.

“So when flights are cancelled everything gets completely backed up.”

Sigurdson said he has watched since 2019 as the cancellations and delays have had direct and negative impacts on the people he serves, and he said the delays make it more common for those who have been released on bail to breach

their bail conditions.

“They have to spend longer with the conditions in place because they are waiting for a court date to be released from the conditions, and when you have a condition in a small northern community to have no contact with someone else in the community, it’s very possible you will run into them at a store or a gathering, and then you’ve breached the condition,” Sigurdson said.

“In those communities with these delays, you are bound to have breaches.”

Sigurdson was asked if there could be any way that lawyers, judges and other court workers could use current technology to appear virtually for cases in the north, but he said many of those communities do not have the infrastructure for that to even be considered as a viable solution.

“Most northern communities don’t have proper running water, let alone phone systems, W-Fi and broadband,” he said. “It would be impossible to conduct court online.”

In 2018, when the province was considering their decision to privatize the service, the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union released a report that predicted that privatization of the service, which was previously overseen by government employees, would lead to delays in administering justice in remote communities.

First Nation Economic and Cultural Restoration Fund and the creation of a First Nations Advisory Committee on Safe Drinking Water. It is from this fund compensation for impacted

First Nations and impacted

individuals is to be paid. The settlement does not impact the rights of those who suffered boil water advisories outside the specified time-length and time frame from pursuing their own legal recourse.

The City of Brandon is currently accepting applications for a: Millwright- Journeyperson ICI

To perform a variety of duties related to the Millwright trade as part of a journeyperson team that performs skilled maintenance work within the water and wastewater treatment facilities, lift and booster stations, lagoons, and groundwater wells of Development Services.

Competition # 230016

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on March 6, 2023. For more detailed information about this opportunity and how to apply, please go to: http://jobbank.brandon.ca/

Service Technician III (Gas Fitter)

Class 1 or 3 Truck Drivers

Stittco Energy, a division of Superior Propane is now hiring both positions in Thompson, Manitoba.

Gas Fitter- A or B Ticket

Class 1 or 3 Truck Drivers

Positions include:

Competitive Wages

Pension

Full Benefits

Please submit your resume to: 31 Gay Street Thompson Manitoba

MGEU president Kyle Ross said March 1 that the predictions in that report have come true.

“This really could be used as a case study for how not to do things when it comes to privatization,” Ross said. “When services get privatized in this way it’s Manitobans that suffer, and we are seeing that clearly in the northern courts.

“It’s really frustrating when we see services that are working for Manitobans get privatized, and then the services degrade.”

Exchange Income Corporation CEO Michael Pyle said that recent delays in flights to Northern Manitoba can be blamed on what he said have been ongoing pilot shortages throughout the air travel industry.

“While our contract with Manitoba Justice does not allow us to conduct live media interviews on this topic, we can confirm that, like all Canadian air services providers, Keewatin Air has been adversely impacted by the well-documented pilot shortage in our industry,” Pyle said. “This shortage is acute in smaller aircraft types, including those operated by Keewatin Air, as pilots have moved to larger gauge aircraft, and has particularly affected our operations in the last four months.”

The province didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Fax: 204-778-7530

Email: scott.scaddan@stittco.com

Online: https://superiorpropane.avature.net/careers

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

701 THOMPSON DR, THOMPSON, MB

Position: Intake/Data Clerk

One (1) Full Time Permanent position

Summary of Position:

The Statistics (Stats) department works closely with the foster care and finance departments in the agency. The Intake/Data Clerk receives and enters data on all case types, including but not limited to foster care (FCM) files, children in care (CIC) files, protection files (PRT), voluntary family services (VFS), and family enhancement files (FE). The incumbent provides month end reports on case files and supports the work of the Agency with administrative tasks. The Intake Stats Clerk works in a confidential environment and ensures accuracy of data input.

Qualifications:

• High School education or equivalent.

• 1-2 years experience in office administration preferred.

• Demonstrated organizational skills.

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

• Demonstrated knowledge of Northern communities.

• Ability to speak Cree/Dene an asset.

Working Conditions:

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

• Independent work with little direct supervision.

• An environment where maintaining confidentiality is important.

• Repetitive computer and keyboarding work.

• Occasional and remote overnight travel.

• Must provide satisfactory Criminal Record check, Child Abuse check and Prior Contact check prior to beginning work 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: Monday, March 6, 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 2023-016 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba

Competition #2023-016

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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

• Relocation Assistance

• Competitive Salaries

• Remoteness Allowance

• Continuing Education

Rehabilitation Counsellor

>

• Excellent Benefits

Full-Time (1.0 FTE)

Thompson, Manitoba

The main focus of the Rehabilitation Counsellor is to provide individual and group counselling for clients in the areas of alcohol, drugs and gambling and to participate in the team process within the program area. Incumbents assess clients’ needs; provide individual and group counselling in residential or community-based service areas. Integral to the treatment process, is the incumbent’s ability to establish and maintain linkages with appropriate community resources.

Qualifications:

• University Degree in the social sciences with 2 years related counselling experience and/or a suitable combination of education and experience.

• Enrollment and/or completion of the Applied Counselling Certificate

Program: Specialization in Addictions or its equivalent.

• Knowledge and experience in the field of addictions.

• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, community, related professionals, staff and the general public.

• Ability to work in an organized manner.

• Ability to prepare reports and statistical information.

• Ability to work in a team environment.

• Demonstrated understanding of, and sensitivity to, working with culturally diverse populations.

Northern RHA strives to have a diverse workforce in an inclusive and accessible workplace, which provides opportunity for reasonable accommodation.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to self-declare when submitting applications & resumes.

For a complete list of qualifications, to learn more, and to apply; please visit our website by March 13, 2023: https://northernhealthregion.com/careers

Email: recruiteast@nrha.ca

Call or email us today! Local 204-679-3181 or Toll Free 1-866-758-7871

Northern RHA has a Representative Workforce Strategy, we encourage all applicants to self-declare. Criminal Record, Child Abuse, & Adult Abuse Registry Checks are required. We thank all candidates for applying. Only those selected for interview will be contacted. www.northernhealthregion.ca

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY QUALITY ASSURANCE COORDINATOR – PERMANENT REGIONAL OFFICE

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency is situated on Opaskwayak Cree Nation and is responsible for administering and providing for the delivery of Child and Family Services. Under a provincial mandate, the Agency services the Swampy Cree communities, as well as Flin Flon, Thompson, Swan River, Winnipeg and Lynn Lake/ Marcel Colomb First Nation.

Cree Nation Child & Family Caring Agency is dedicated to providing comprehensive CFS Services that are community-based and incorporate both protection and prevention service. Our agency strives to maintain family unity.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Service Manager, the Quality Assurance Coordinator is responsible for developing a framework that is based on the continual defining, measuring and improving of the quality of services. This framework focuses on services coordination, quality outcomes for children and families, effective and efficient systems and processes, relevant indicators and collaborative teamwork with First Nation Child and Family Services Agencies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Program design

§ Program implementation

§ Standards training

§ Monitoring

§ Compliance Reviews

QUALIFICATIONS:

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

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

§ Knowledge of the CFS Act and provincial standards

§ Maintain strict confidentiality

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.

Deadline: March 9, 2023

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.

Essay-writing chatbot sparks cheating concern

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The surging popularity of ChatGPT — an artificial intelligence platform that can generate free annotated essays on demand in seconds — is making local teachers question their evaluation methods and the place AI should have, if any, in their classrooms.

“The potential power of AI unsettles me,” said teacher Thomas Chaput. “We don’t know where it’s going to go, what it’s going to look like in the future … and maybe it’s a dumbing down of education — I don’t know.”

Chaput works in a K-8 school in central Winnipeg and estimates approximately 20 per cent of the Grade 7 and 8 students in his building have started using the chatbot.

ChatGPT has attracted more than 100 million users

worldwide since OpenAI, a research firm backed by Microsoft, launched a free beta version of its virtual assistant in late 2022.

In response to a text prompt, the app can produce everything from human-like advice to poetry.

Winnipeg school boards and education faculties are only starting to come to terms with the benefits and drawbacks of the resource and related technologies.

“The prevalence of ChatGPT and AI in education has initiated a live debate around teaching, learning, and assessment,” assistant superintendent Matt Henderson wrote in a note sent to teachers in the Seven Oaks School Division Feb. 28.

As far as Henderson is concerned, it makes little sense to ban the platform on school grounds and “play defence in education,” as opposed to facilitating how

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Child & Family Services Worker/ Intake Worker –Permanent Position

Lynn Lake Sub Office

Lynn Lake, 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(s), the Child & Family Services Worker/Intake Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Responsible for gathering information and assessing child and family functioning problems

§ Responsible for the development of case plans for children and families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving

§ Responsible for all file documentation, referrals, ensuring services are applied

§ Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up

§ Provides case management and support for children in care and families

§ Receive & Assess Requests for Service

§ On-Site Risk Assessment

§ Determine & Implement Service

§ Documentation, Practice & Relationship Building

QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (is an asset)

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

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

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications including CFSIS and FACTS

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

§ Cannot be active on a protection case

§ Maintain absolute confidentiality

§ Varied amounts of travel required

§ Must have a valid Manitoba driver’s license

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work

§ Required to provide on-call services on a rotating basis

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

Deadline: March 9, 2023

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.

students use it and tapping into AI’s potential to help learners solve quick problems as they work on larger inquiry projects.

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division informed staff in January it would not block ChatGPT or other AI tools.

Information technology manager Al Stechishin said doing so could exacerbate inequities since students with personal cellphone plans could still access it easily, while those who rely on division networks would not be able to.

Concerned about ChatGPT’s possible effect on education and independent study, one University of Manitoba professor recently organized a lecture on it to discuss the ethical and moral dimensions of the technology with teacher candidates.

Joanna Black has been researching AI for the last three years, and is well-versed in the possibility such programs spread biases and misinformation when they generate content.

Among her fears, Black

worries users will end up relying on their shortcuts and as a result, neglect their personal development when it comes to fostering creativity and critical thinking.

The Manitoba Association of Education Technology Leaders’ stance is that educational programming should be reflected of the world that students live in and the reality is AI-assisted content creation is becoming increasingly common.

For president Kirsten Thompson, fears about bias in algorithms and the potential for students to defer to these technologies rather than think critically and problem-solve independently are valid. At the same time, she touts ChatGPT’s potential to be a useful educational and time-saving tool.

Thompson said the introduction of new technology results in a predictable pattern of “novelty, concern, adoption, and boredom” — and the rollout of spellcheck, which many educators thought would be the demise of academic integrity, is the perfect case study.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Child & Family Service WorkerPermanent Position

OFFICE: Pukatawagan Sub Office

Mathias Colomb Cree Nation

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(s), the Child & Family Service Worker is responsible for providing and administering CFS Services in accordance with the Child & Family Services Act.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Responsible for gathering information and assessing family functioning problems

§ Develop and implement intervention plans within program guidelines for families within program guidelines and provide referrals, support, guidance and problem solving

§ Provides for the placement, case management and ongoing support for children in care

§ Responsible for all file documentation and ensuring services are applied

§ Case Monitoring, Risk Assessment & Follow up

QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

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

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications including CFSIS and FACTS

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

§ Cannot be active on a protection case

§ Maintain absolute confidentiality

§ Varied amounts of travel required

§ 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: March 8, 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 www.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.

Investigation of injury resulting from Shamattawa arrest terminated

A police watchdog investigation into an injury a Shamattawa man suffered during a Dec. 23 arrest has been discontinued.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, which looks into serious incidents involving on- or off-duty police officers throughout the province, says a review of the man’s medical records shows that he did not suffer an injury classified as serious under IIU regulations. Those regulations define serious injuries as fractures of various bones, burns, cuts or internal injuries that require admission to hospital, the loss of a body part or of vision or hearing, and any injury caused by a gun being discharged.

“Following a review of the nature and circumstances of the arrest, the

civilian director has determined that he is unable to conclude that the public interest would demand an independent investigation be conducted by the IIU or that there is a need or purpose for the IIU to monitor any police service investigation,” said a Feb. 28 news release. “Accordingly, the original investigation has been discontinued and the matter is now closed.”

The IIU was notified of the incident on Dec. 24.

The notification said RCMP were responding to a call on Riverside Road in Shamattawa when they observed a man running away. As he was fleeing, he slipped and was taken to the ground by one of the officers. The man told police he was injured and was taken to the nursing station where he was diagnosed with a dislocated

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Intake Supervisor – Permanent Position Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Pukatawagan, 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 Intake Supervisor will work together with the MCCN Service Manager to ensure that all aspects of agency services meet the requirements of the Child and Family Services Act, the First Nations mandate, provincial licensing and service standards, as well as the agency’s mandatory policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Leadership

§ Service Delivery

§ Workplace Safety and Health

§ Human Resources

§ Training & Development

§ Unit Activity and Performance Reports

§ Financial and Operational Requirements

§ General Supervision

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) with 3 to 5 years experience in child welfare or;

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

§ Minimum 3 years supervisory experience within an aboriginal child welfare environment

§ Workplace Safety and Health

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

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

§ Understanding of child development theory and practice

§ Knowledge of available resources within the community (formal and informal)

§ Knowledge of Family Systems theory

§ Working knowledge of child abuse

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and data base systems

§ CFSIS and FACTS information systems (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.

§ Must maintain absolute confidentiality in accordance with agency requirements.

§ 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: March 9, 2023

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.

hip and then transported to Thompson General Hospital for treatment.

Based on the original notification, the IIU determined that the man had suffered a serious injury and

assumed responsibility for a mandatory investigation. When the man consented to IIU investigators reviewing his medical records and reports, that determination was changed.

9-year-old hit by vehicle and killed in Norway House

A 9-year-old girl died after being hit by a vehicle in Norway House on Feb. 24.

The driver of the vehicle, a 28-year-old woman, stopped to tell a 12-year-old girl who was also crossing the street when the younger girl was hit, to go call for help. The driver than fled the scene but later returned and turned herself in to Norway House RCMP officers investigating the scene. Police arrested her for failing to stop after an accident and the vehicle was located and seized for further examination.

The driver was released from custody for a court appearance scheduled for May 4 in Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation, also known as Norway House Cree Nation.

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

CIC Supervisor – Perm Position

OFFICE: Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Sub Office Pukatawagan, 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 Child in Care Supervisor is responsible for all aspects of the effective day to day supervision of agency social workers and others assigned to the unit as well as all aspects of related service and program delivery activities. The Child in Care Supervisor will ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the Child and Family Services Act, the Adoptions, Act, related Regulations and Standards, as well as CNCFCA policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ General Supervision

§ Supervision of Unit Service Delivery

§ Workplace Safety and Health

§ Human Resources

§ Training & Development

§ Unit Activity and Performance Reports

§ Financial and Operational Requirements

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

§ Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

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

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

§ 5 years supervisory/management experience within an aboriginal child welfare environment

§ Knowledge of AJI-CWI Devolution

§ Excellent assessment, intervention and writing skills

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

§ Understanding of child development theory and practice

§ Knowledge of available resources within the community (formal and informal)

§ Knowledge of Family Systems theory

§ Working knowledge of child abuse

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and data base systems

§ CFSIS and FACTS information systems (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.

§ Must maintain absolute confidentiality in accordance with agency requirements.

§ Varied amounts of travel required within this position

§ Must have a valid Manitoba’s driver’s license;

§ Must be able to provide own vehicle for work;

§ Other duties related to the position may be assigned.

Deadline: March 9, 2023

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 www.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.

Qualifications: Grade 12 education or equivalent

Successful completion of a recognized Dental Assistant Program required Current active practicing registration with Manitoba Dental Association Excellent knowledge of Windows based programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet)

Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a Dental Assistant required

Previous experience working with Pediatric cases preferred

Ability to speak Cree an asset

For complete list of qualifications please visit our website www.nrha.ca

Please submit resume by February 2, 2018 to:

Lori Rasmussen, Recruitment Officer

867 Thompson Drive South Thompson, MB R8N 1Z4

Fax: (204) 778-1477

Email: recruiteast@nrha.ca

Northern RHA has a Representative Workforce Strategy, we encourage all applicants to selfdeclare. Criminal Record, Child Abuse, & Adult Abuse Registry Checks are required. We thank all candidates for applying. Only those selected for interview will be contacted. www.nrha.ca

WORK WITH US & GROW A CAREER

Glacier Media Group is growing. Check our job board regularly for the latest openings: www.glaciermedia.ca/careers

CREE NATION CHILD & FAMILY CARING AGENCY

Administrative Assistant/ Case Aide–Permanent Pukatawagan Sub Office

Mathias Colomb Cree Nation

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 Service Manager, the Administrative Assistant/Case Aide provides administrative support and assists Child & Family Service Workers with a variety of tasks within a child welfare service unit. The Administrative Assistant/Case Aide maintains strict confidentiality in performing all duties.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

§ Types, edits, formats and transcribes reports, forms, correspondence, files, recordings, minutes, case planning notes and other material as assigned by the Unit Supervisor. Composes routine correspondence and maintains templates.

§ Receives, screens, assesses, transfers telephone calls and takes messages.

§ Maintains daily attendance records, monitors, records, and relays information regarding staff whereabouts.

§ Assists with photocopying, faxing and other administrative duties as assigned.

§ Manages incoming and outgoing mail.

§ Provides information about administrative procedures for all unit staff.

§ Coordinates meetings and meeting spaces.

§ Enters information on CFSIS

§ Monitors and operates office equipment

§ Provides support to other administrative staff as needed.

§ Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the agency policy and procedures.

§ Direct case management support

§ Indirect case management support

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

§ Post Secondary Diploma or equivalent

§ Ability to converse fluently in Cree (preferred)

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

§ Ability to use a variety of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and database systems

§ Ability to deal effectively with a variety of visitors and circumstances

§ Knowledge of customer service (preferred)

§ Good organizational skills and working knowledge of office and administrative procedures and related equipment (preferred)

§ Excellent oral and effective communication skills (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.

§ 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: March 14, 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.

Demand still exists for virtual school

BY MAGGIE MACINTOSH LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

There is a wait-list for the virtual elementary school that Manitoba plans to close after claiming there was a significant drop in demand and in-person learning is superior for students’ mental health.

The Manitoba Remote Learning Support Centre, which was established in early 2021 to support students who could not attend traditional class because of health concerns in their households, recently announced it would wind down operations.

Families enrolled in the program have been quick to oppose the June closure and accuse the province of being

ableist, and falsely claiming enrolment is declining.

“They’re not looking at the whole picture for some reason. There’s obviously a demand. I think they need to look at it again and really get a feel for what us parents are wanting because there was no consultation,” said mother Melanie Chewka.

“The numbers speak for themselves.”

Chewka had registered her middle schooler because she wanted to limit her close contacts, but she said the high-quality instruction has proven so valuable for her daughter that the family wants to stick with it for numerous reasons.

Currently, 194 children attend the remote school, which offers a combination

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA UNIT: THOMPSON SERVICE DELIVERY OFFICE (TSDO)

LOCATION: THOMPSON, 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: Tuesday, March 14, 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 2023-019 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 #2023-019

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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

of real-time lessons and independent assignments, as well as extracurriculars, for students in Grades 1 through 8.

In Winnipeg alone, there are about 50 elementary schools that have fewer than 200 students.

Provincial officials have indicated the virtual school’s enrolment has dropped greatly since it peaked at 1,050 in 2021, but some of the decline can be attributed to the end of its kindergarten and French immersion courses.

Minutes from a recent parent meeting indicate six out of eight classes, all of which are capped at 25, have reached capacity or are a single addition away from the ceiling. Ten pupils are currently on standby, with

demand evenly split between Grade 7 and 8 seats, per the report.

The minutes also note daily attendance rates ranged from 95 to 98 per cent overall between Feb. 13 and 17.

Mother Sara Corley said e-learning options allowed her children, all three of whom have autism, to study and socialize at home in a safe environment.

“(The school closure) infringes on some of our human rights — not only the right to education, but especially for disabled kids, the right to reasonable accommodation,” Corley said, adding she is overwhelmed by the prospect of supporting her 12-year-old’s return to in-person learning because he struggles with

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA UNIT/OFFICE: WINNIPEG SERVICE DELIVERY OFFICE (WSDO)

Position: Foster Care Worker

transitions and relationship building.

As far as father Jared Bauereiss is concerned, the pandemic pilot proved to be successful for numerous reasons, in addition to the protection it offered at-risk families.

The father of three said the model benefits students by directly engaging parents in their education, shielding them from bullying, and in rural and remote areas, scrapping lengthy commutes.

“If Manitoba Health has been using Telehealth for years as an option to decrease the barriers of geography for rural and remote residents, should the equivalent with Manitoba education be taken away?” added Bauereiss, who lives in Inglis, 375 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

Education Minister

Wayne Ewasko said the province is focused on updating its e-learning options for high schoolers, although he indicated a future launch of a permanent virtual elementary school is not off the table.

“It was always anticipated that the (remote-learning) students would be returning to their school divisions and their school communities,” Ewasko said Feb. 23.

The minister, a former teacher, said schools have long worked with families on adaptive education plans, including health-care plans, and these resources will be available when students transition to in-person instruction in the fall.

The education department will collect feedback from families to determine the next steps for remote learning across the province, Ewasko said.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

WINNIPEG, MB

One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

The Foster Care Worker will perform a full range of foster care activities for Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba; this includes recruitment, home assessments, orientation, training, foster home licensing, places of safety and support services to foster homes and foster parents. The Foster Care Worker provides temporary and longterm placements for children as directed by the Child and Family Services Act and the Program Standards. The Foster Care Worker will also ensure that services are being delivered in accordance with the policies, procedures and specific directives of Awasis Agency.

Qualifications:

• BSW Degree preferred with experience in child welfare or combination of education and experience in a related field with the completion of 2 years in the BSW program may be considered

• Strong commitment to community-based service delivery

• Working knowledge of CFS legislation, standards and issues

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

• Assessment, interviewing, and counselling skills

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills

• 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 a team setting

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

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

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced environment

• Confidentiality environment with access to sensitive information

• Overnight and remote travel approximately 10% of the time

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

• 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: Tuesday, March 14, 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 2023-024 on your resume/cover letter and in the subject line of your email in confidence to:

Human Resources Department

Awasis Agency of Northern Manitoba

Competition #2023-024

315 McGee Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1M7 Fax: 204-790-4455 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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

UNIT: THOMPSON SERVICE DELIVERY OFFICE (TSDO) LOCATION: THOMPSON, MB

Position: Intake Investigator

One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

A key member of the Child & Family Services (CFS) Unit, the Intake Investigator ensures that the appropriate range of services and programs to children and families are delivered in accordance with the philosophy, practices and policies as set forth by Awasis Agency First Nations and the Child and Family Services Act of Manitoba. The incumbent performs the work from a prevention and trauma-focused lens, acting on referrals, and completing thorough assessments to ensure the safety of children. The position requires critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills. The work is performed in an environment requiring collaboration with others, and confidentiality.

Qualifications:

• BSW, or in progress of attaining a BSW in combination with relevant experience.

• 1+ years’ experience within the child welfare field.

• Knowledge of CFS legislation, standards, and regulations.

• Experience with using the CFSIS database, including IM an asset.

• A valid drivers’ license and access to a reliable vehicle.

• Knowledge of, or work experience in northern Manitoba communities preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding and respect for Indigenous culture.

• Ability to speak Cree or Dene an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Fast-paced child welfare environment with a focus on prevention and trauma informed interventions.

• Occasional overnight and remote travel will be required.

• Some overtime required.

• Access to very sensitive information for which confidentiality is required.

• Provide satisfactory Criminal Record, 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, March 15, 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 2023-021 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 #2023-021

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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

Demand for mental health supports surprises crisis response manager

BY DAVE BAXTER LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, WINNIPEG SUN

The leader of a mental health crisis support program for First Nations communities says calls for mental health crisis support have almost doubled in First Nations in the last two years, and he believes that those numbers are going to continue to climb.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak hosted its annual Chiefs General Assembly in Opaskwayak Cree Nation last week, and MKO mobile crisis response team program manager Greg Fontaine gave First Nations leaders at

the assembly an update on how busy they have been dealing with mental health crisis calls.

“These numbers are increasing in a trend that I am starting to pay a lot closer attention to,” Fontaine said during his presentation.

According to Fontaine, in their 2020 fiscal year, the unit, which serves all 63 First Nations in Manitoba, served a total of 2,098 people, but that number jumped to 2,949 people served in 2021, and jumped again to 3,845 in 2022, about a 45 per cent increase.

“So we are starting to recognize a trend,” Fon-

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA SHAMATTAWA (UNIT OR THOMPSON) SHAMATTAWA OR THOMPSON, MB

Position: Child & Family Services Worker (Possible Regional)

One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

***Preference to Local Applicants***

Reporting to a Regional 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 30% 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: Tuesday, March 14, 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 2023-020 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 #2023-020

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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

taine said. “And we see that the numbers have gone up more than 20 per cent each year for the last two years, and I project that trend is going to continue.

“And if my projections are going to be correct, we are going to soon reach 4,000 people accessing our services.”

He added that the mobile crisis response team would like to offer non-crisis services in communities, but with their staff of 12 frontline workers, they can currently only handle the

crisis calls that are coming in, as those calls continue to increase.

“We currently have 12 frontline responders and that’s 12 people for all 63 First Nations,” Fontaine said.

“That is a remarkable responsibility to carry, and I can’t say enough about how proud I am of this team.”

According to Fontaine, they began to notice the increase in people requesting their services not long after the pandemic began and he

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

OFFICE: WINNIPEG FAMILY ENHANCEMENT CENTRE LOCATION: 1240 MAIN STREET WINNIPEG, MB

Position: Family Enhancement Worker

One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

Reporting to a Family Enhancement Supervisor, the Family Enhancement Worker will provide children and families with support services to keep them from entering the child and family services protection system by providing preventative service opportunities and resources, facilitating awareness and education, advocacy and counselling. The overall aim is to engage parents, extended family, and community partners in identifying problems and participating in services and supports that address family needs. The Family Enhancement Worker will utilize a continuum of resources, develop case plans, coordinate the resources and supports needed and arrange linkages/connections to other community resources such as day programs, respite services and other culturally appropriate resources. The Family Enhancement Worker will possess and utilize the interpersonal skills to work with children, families, staff, and collaterals.

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

• Demonstrated crisis intervention and conflict resolution 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 prevention unit team

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

• Ability to speak and/or understand the Cree 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: Monday, March 13, 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 2023-022 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 #2023-022 315 McGee Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1M7

Fax: 204-790-4455 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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

said that increase has continued at a level that has surprised even him.

“It has been a real eye-opener for me and our team,” Fontaine said.

Data released by the federal government early on in the pandemic showed that COVID-19 and health measures and mandates including lockdowns had negative effects on Indigenous people’s mental health not long after COVID-19 pandemic began.

According to a national study from the summer

of 2020, 60 per cent of Indigenous participants indicated that their mental health had become “somewhat worse” or “much worse” since the pandemic began, while 38 per cent of Indigenous people surveyed reported dealing with “fair or poor” mental health since the pandemic began.

— 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.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AWASIS AGENCY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA

OFFICE: WINNIPEG FAMILY ENHANCEMENT CENTRE LOCATION: 1240 MAIN STREET WINNIPEG, MB

Position: Family Enhancement Worker One (1) Full-Time Permanent Position

Reporting to a Family Enhancement Supervisor, the Family Enhancement Worker will provide children and families with support services to keep them from entering the child and family services protection system by providing preventative service opportunities and resources, facilitating awareness and education, advocacy and counselling. The overall aim is to engage parents, extended family, and community partners in identifying problems and participating in services and supports that address family needs. The Family Enhancement Worker will utilize a continuum of resources, develop case plans, coordinate the resources and supports needed and arrange linkages/connections to other community resources such as day programs, respite services and other culturally appropriate resources. The Family Enhancement Worker will possess and utilize the interpersonal skills to work with children, families, staff, and collaterals.

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

• Demonstrated crisis intervention and conflict resolution 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 prevention unit team

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

• Ability to speak and/or understand the Cree 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: Monday, March 17, 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 2023-023 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 #2023-023 315 McGee Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1M7

Fax: 204-790-4455 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

**Note: Awasis Agency Vaccination policy mandate: fully vaccinated plus booster

Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s production of Frozen River coming to the north in May

A play about broken promises and reconciliation will be performed at schools in Thompson and other Northern Manitoba communities in May, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People announced Feb. 23.

Frozen River ( nîkwatin sîpiy in Swampy Cree) will be performed in Flin Flon, Snow Lake, Cross Lake, Creighton, Gillam and Thompson from May 8 to May 17 as part of MTYP’s three-month tour to schools in Manitoba and also at Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre.

Written

by

Michaela Washburn, Joelle Peters and Carrie Costello, Frozen River tells the story of two children born at the same time in different parts of the world. They meet in the forest and their descendants meet in Manitoba in the present day. It is aimed at children and youth aged seven and older and explores themes of reconciliation and interconnectedness, as well as the generational impact of people’s actions on the environment and their communities.

"Our hope is for families to be inspired to examine our relationships with each other and our natural world," say the playwrights. "How can we play active parts in ensuring the health and wellbeing of the water,

the land, the animals, and one another?"

Frozen River premiered n Winnipeg in February of last year and received the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s 2021 Sharon Enkin

Plays for Young People Award.

Over the course of the tour, which began Feb. 20 and concludes May 19 with performances in Waterhen and Gypsumville, the play

is expected to be seen by 24,000 Manitobans, mostly students and school employees, though a couple of shows, like the first of two performances in Gillam May 14-15, are also open

for the public to attend.

Other Northern Manitoba performances will be May 8-9 at Ruth Betts School and École McIsaac School in Flin Flon, May 9 at Joseph H. Kerr School in

Bob’s Towing Services

Snow Lake, May 10 at Otter Nelson River School in Cross Lake, and May 16-17 at R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson. There will also be a performance in Creighton, Sask. on May 11.

Thompson Citizen photo courtesy of Manitoba Theatre for Young People Emily Meadows, Keely McPeek and Julia Davis are the stars of Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s touring production of Frozen River, which will be performed on school stages in Thompson and other northern communities in May, near the tail end of a three-month tour through Manitoba and Ontario.