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The Education Administration Amendment Act, also known as Bill-35 has received a less-than-passing grade from Manitoba teachers.
The bill looks to create a registry system to log cases of misconduct in school systems in a transparent and structured way.
The Manitoba Teachers Society raised some criticisms, noting that some of the terms in the bill are loosely worded, and could be detrimental to teachers, as reports could be filed leading to possible false allegations and incorrect punishment.
MTS states that performance should be under the purview of employers. Connecting these standards to the framework of misconduct and child safety could have the consequences of teacher suspension or removal of certification.
MTS' Nathan Martindale says that factors of the bill could cause harm to teachers, and to the students who look to become teachers.
"Why would university students, or those looking to get into this profession want to become teachers if they have this hanging over them, especially with the possibility of a complaint being lodged that's not really a complaint, and then their name gets dragged through the mud? So, we're a strong advocate for student safety, but we have to protect teachers in the process."
Martindale also noted that hearing panels around this bill are not composed of people who would be well-informed on the inner workings of the education system.
"It would be more useful if the panel that would be adjudicating this process was made up of teachers so they're familiar with what's happening in schools, and what teachers' jobs are, rather than the minority being teachers and the majority of the folks being from outside the school system."
In order to rectify the issues with the bill, MTS looks to get clear ideas of the wording in the bill, including definitions of "significant emotional harm", ensuring hearing panels have a majority of teachers and the right for a teacher to have representation during investigations.
Martindale stresses the importance of protecting students, and MTS agrees wholeheartedly with that fact, but the phrasing of Bill-35 had them describing it as "anti-teacher".
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
The Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys(MACA) has filed a grievance with the province after rejecting the final contract offer last week.
MACA members voted down the province's final contract offer, with 88% of members voting, and an overwhelming 94% of those that voted to reject the offer. The situation will not move to arbitration, which MACA says can take several months to start.
MACA President Erika Dolcetti says the province is falling behind when it comes to wages for crown attorneys, and because of it, many are leaving for other provinces.
"We are losing senior crowns at an exponential rate, we are unable to recruit, we have failed after failed competition, we have a number of vacancies, fairly fluid, but right now I think it's around 15 crown prosecutors that we are unable to fill, and we are just getting to a critical juncture."
Dolcetti continued, saying that it's feeding into a bigger issue.
"We are concerned that the public is going to be less safe with experienced prosecutors working out of the province right now."
Dolcetti says the province hasn't truly been fully staffed with crown prosecutors since there were 75 added by the province in 2009.
"A file today is very different than a file in 2009. A homicide in 2009 did not often involve hundreds of hours of video that we have to review, 20 thousand pages or more of phone dumps that a crown needs to review, and quite frankly they've just become more complicated."
With Manitoba setting a record number of homicides in 2022, with 93, and pay not reflecting the workload, Dolcetti says burnout is also becoming a major issue.
"We do not have enough crown prosecutors right now to do the amount of work that's coming through our doors, are crowns reviewing the 20 thousand pages of phone dumps, are crowns reviewing the hundred-plus hours of video? There's not enough time in the day to do that. What happening is files are going to be prosecuted as thoroughly as the public would want, and we don't want very serious criminals on the street."
Dolcetti says that MACA is looking for a fair contract, as the province is falling behind provinces like Saskatchewan, which used to be the most comparable province, while smaller provinces are starting to catch up to Manitoba.
"Nova Scotia, which we've always traditionally been ahead of, will be leapfrogging where we are. Nova Scotia in 2021, had 24 homicides in their entire province, I can tell you right now I'm carrying about 12 myself."
Dolcetti says crown attorneys do the job because they love it, but they don't have the resources to do it properly.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Up to $110 million dollars could be announced to expand high-demand camp sights.
Demand for campsites that feature cabins and yurts has been in increasingly high demand and Manitoba's Minister of Natural Resources Greg Nesbitt looks to announce a 10-year plan that could address the well-needed growth.
A government-commissioned report was completed in December to get a grasp of the scale of growth needed. The report recommended more camping opportunities, including the luxury camping options of yurts and cabins.
Nesbitt also noted that while fees will not increase initially, some raises in the future could be likely.
The official announcement of the year's capital plan for parks, including new yurts, is scheduled to come before the May long weekend.
Public consultation on longer-term plans to improve parks across the province is slated to start later this year.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
A night of historical Ukrainian folk music, dance, and heritage is coming to Dauphin.
This Sunday, April 30th, Kozak Siromaha brings the traditional sounds of the Cossacks from his home in Ukraine on the banks of the Dnipro River and shares them with the world.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium will be the host of musical stylings, hopak martial dance, and saber fencing talents based on traditions that date back over a thousand years.
In addition to his music, Kozak Siromaha brings a lot of Cossack legends, interesting facts, and unbelievable stories to share with his audience.
Our Contact for the event Oleksandra Berdnyk says that it's a great event, with a great price for a great cause.
"He helps the Ukrainian army, humanitarian aid, and people in those areas. it's an incredible chance for Dauphin to hear real Ukrainian music. The price to come is $30 dollars, not expensive, and children up to 18 years old are free"
This tour will also be going to Brandon, Winnipeg, and across several provinces.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, or pre-purchased online.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
St. George's Ukrainian Church has made a $3,200 dollar donation to the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund, which will help the organization continue to bring families fleeing Ukraine to the area.
$1,450 of the donation was raised during the church's fundraising fish fry, while the other $1,750 was actually what the Fund had paid to the church for a room rental.
The Family Fund has been renting a room in the church to hold English classes for the families, and the Church decided to donate that money back to the fund, so it could continue helping the cause.
Jim Perchaluk, the President of the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre, says the recent money from the church has come at the perfect time.
"Over the last little while we had a number of families from Ukraine come into our community, looking for assistance to settle in the community, and with our limited funds, this donation just hits at a time that we can help those people out with the basic necessities of life."
Over the last 14 months, the Family Fund has helped bring 35 families, including more than 100 people, to the area, and Perchaluk says the families have settled in really well.
"We know from our experience with the other families that are here, they're all quick to find jobs in the community, and become independent very quickly. This money is a necessity to give them some food on the table, and clothing to get them settled in our community."
You can get more information about the Fund, by calling Larry at 204-648-5904.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Winnipegosis RCMP seized drugs, cash, and a weapon while executing a search warrant on Wednesday.
As part of an ongoing investigation, officers from the Winnipegosis RCMP, along with assistance from the Emergency Response Unit and Police Dog Services, executed a search warrant at a residence on Edward Street in Winnipegosis.
During the search, police found approximately 260 grams of meth, cannabis, illicit pills, cash, a crossbow, and drug-related paraphernalia.
Two suspects, a 57-year-old male and a 55-year-old female, were arrested. The pair were released from custody for a court date on June 27th in Dauphin.
The investigation is still ongoing.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Dauphin Fire Department was dispatched to a couple of garbage container fires this morning.
Around 5:30, fire fighters found two garbage containers on fire. One was out front of the Co-op grocery store and the other was outside of the nearby Smoke Smart store.
Both fires were extinguished quickly.
If anyone has any information about the incident, you are asked to contact the Dauphin RCMP detachment at 204-622-5050.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
If you've been wondering how to get more involved in the community, but aren't sure how to get started, the Dauphin Volunteer Market at the Active Living Centre is the perfect opportunity to learn more.
Tomorrow's event is free to attend, and runs from 1 to 4 pm. the event will feature a number of local organizations that rely on volunteers to function, as well as some presentations about the importance of volunteers.
Organizer, Theresa Deyholos says she hopes the market will help connect volunteers to the organizations that need them.
"We hope that this market will bring potential volunteers who are looking to use their skills or learn new skills by filling in roles and becoming involved in their community."
There will be presentations by Volunteer Manitoba, the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy, and a local volunteer at the event.
Deyholos says that Volunteer Manitoba will be speaking about the challenges that non-profits and charities face when it comes to the recruitment, retention, and recognition of volunteers. They will be here to offer the tools necessary for organizations to successfully recruit volunteers and sustain a working volunteer force.
Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy will be talking about the healthy aspect of how volunteering can help to improve a person's mental and physical health and hear from a local volunteer who talks about his experiences with volunteering in his community.
The non-profit organizations that will be at the event include:
- Canada's National Ukrainian Festival
- Dauphin Active Living Centre
- Dauphin Agricultural Heritage Club
- Dauphin Branch of M.G.S
- Dauphin & District Community Food Bank
- Dauphin's Countryfest
- Dauphin & District Handivan
- Dauphin Fire Department
- Fort Dauphin Museum
- Kin Club of Dauphin
- Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corp
- Dauphin-Ochre Band Parents Organization
- Dauphin Rail Museum
- Parkland Chamber of Commerce
- Parkland Humane Society
- Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund
- Regional Connections
- Selo Ukraina
- Trembowla Cross of Freedom
- Volunteer Manitoba
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
A group with some unique insights on gang culture and addiction struggles spoke to the students of DRCSS this week.
The Four Sacred Hearts is a group focused on educating the next generation about truth and reconciliation, intergenerational trauma, and the dangers of drugs and gangs by recounting their personal experiences.
A total of four speakers told their stories to the youths of DRCSS, but speaker Timothy Barron hopes to reach more than just the students, as all of the speaker's stories started at home.
"It would be really important if the parents come here, and the other schools we go to. We share our stories because growing up, what we see, and what we heard with our parents arguing and bringing alcohol into the homes. We became just exactly like them. The parents need to hear that we need to do things in a kind way and start supporting each other in a healthy way."
The major common theme of each of these speakers' stories is that they found the acceptance and community they needed not at home, but in the gangs in their area.
Barron also spoke on the importance of building a support structure, as it's one of the most important things a person can do to stop cyclical abuse patterns.
"My advice would be to create a support system with people that are walking that good way of life, and not with people that are sharing things from a place of hurt. Create a support system, or find a support system, Maybe you can reach out to us on social media at Four Sacred Hearts and we can help you because we have ways to help you create a support system in your community."
One of the challenges that Barron spoke on was the judgment and stigma that they face, noting that ideas of toxic masculinity and emotional suppression were common in their old circles and that their tough exteriors can make them feel unwelcome as they leave them.
"Start living from a place of kindness, love, and understanding. You can only walk in your shoes. Don't judge a book by its cover, don't judge a person by their cover. when your judging, it's not that way, it's not our way, and it's not anyone's way of life. it's not causing any good in life."
Now they say their focus is on personal growth and self-acceptance, and that the path to the healing they share can't be found in bottled emotions.
Dauphin was one of many stops, as this group will continue to share their inspiring stories with schools across the province.
The Four Sacred Hearts, left to right, Jeremy Raven, Glen Hondz, Timothy Barron, Terrance Morrin.
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- Contributed by Michael Brossart
Update posted at 11:53 am on April 27, 2023:
The Pas RCMP released the identity of the body found near the Saskatchewan River earlier this week as 22-year-old Jayden Mercredi.
The cause of death hasn't been determined, as the results of an autopsy are still pending. Mercredi was first reported missing on March 8, 2023.
The Pas RCMP, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, continue to investigate.
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Original article posted at 1:39 pm on April 25, 2023:
The RCMP in The Pas, along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, are investigating after a body was found yesterday afternoon.
Police say the body was discovered near the Saskatchewan River, located off 1st Street East in The Pas. The deceased hasn't been identified at this time, but it's believed to be connected to an ongoing missing person investigation.
The cause of death hasn't been determined as police wait for the results of an autopsy.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update posted at 11:25 am April 27, 2023:
Environment Canada has lifted the fog advisory that was in effect this morning.
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Original article posted at 7:48 am April 27, 2023:
Environment Canada has issued a fog advisory for the northeast corner of the Parkland, including areas in grey below.
Fog advisory's in effect as of 7:45 am on April 27, 2023
An area of dense fog has formed over the region, with visibility reduced to zero at times.
With clear skies, light winds, and recent rainfall, conditions have become quite favourable for the development of dense fog overnight. Conditions are expected to improve during the morning.
If travelling, be prepared for areas of near-zero visibility. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
