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Ten of the 36 current Progressive Conservative MLAs have now announced they won't be seeking re-election this fall.
The most recent announcement came from Brandon West MLA, Minister of minister for Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services, Reg Helwer. Helwer has been the MLA for Brandon West since 2011 and is also the Minister responsible for the Civil Service Commission and the Public Utilities Board.
After 12 years of proudly representing Brandon West, I have decided to spend more time with my family and not seek re-election. I'm proud to have served alongside @HStefansonMB who is achieving great results for Manitobans. #mbpoli 1/2
— Reg Helwer (@reghelwer) January 6, 2023
Helwer joins nine other current MLAs who won't be running this October, including Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke, Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen, Portage la Prairie MLA Ian Wishart, Selkirk MLA Alan Lagimodiere, Roblin MLA Myrna Driedger, Kildonan-River East MLA Cathy Cox, Lakeside MLA Ralph Eichler, Midland MLA Blaine Pedersen, and La Verendrye MLA Dennis Smook.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Update 3, Posted at 1:16 pm, January 6, 2023:
The Boil Water Advisory in the Gilbert Plains area is no longer in effect unless you have been otherwise notified. A representative from the municipality says there are only a handful of residents affected, and they have all been notified.
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Update 2, Posted at 4:12 pm, January 5, 2023:
There is now a boil water advisory in effect because of the water main break, which caused the Gilbert Plains Distribution System to lose pressure, affecting connections within Main Street North to Cutforth Street North and Gordon Avenue East to Grey Avenue East.
Until further notice, all water used for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before it is used for:
- Drinking and ice making
- Preparing beverages, such as infant formula
- Preparing food, including washing fruits and vegetables
- Brushing teeth
The Boil Water Advisory can be found here.
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Update 1, Posted at 3:08 pm, January 5, 2023:
The RM of Gilbert Plains has provided an update on the situation causing some residents to be without water since last night.
The Water Main Break will not be fixed until tomorrow, but those affected will have four opportunities to access water this evening and tomorrow.
Public works will be turning on the water for half-hour intervals at 5 pm, 7 pm, 9:30 pm, and 7 am so people have an opportunity to use water.
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Original Article Posted at 9:17 am, January 5, 2023:
If you live in Gilbert Plains and currently do not have water service, a water main break is a reason.
The Rural Municipality of Gilbert Plains says public works is trying to isolate the line break and get water restored to as many residents as possible.
There is no time frame at the moment for when it will be fully restored.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The Manitoba government has issued a request for proposals, for the construction of a 6,300-sq.-ft. a multi-purpose room and performing arts space at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School.
The project is part of the provincial government's work to improve student engagement and well-being says Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko.
“Performing arts education contributes to learning engagement and a wide range of positive academic, social, and emotional effects. Investing in this new performing arts space at Swan Valley Regional Secondary School will allow students to engage, understand and respond to their world to be successful no matter of their cultural background and personal circumstances.”
The project responds to recommendation number 15 of the final report from the Manitoba Commission on Kindergarten to 12 Education. The recommendation says that all schools should provide access to the arts so all children, regardless of socio-economic circumstances, can broaden their exploration of career-related and employment-ready experiences.
Labour, Consumer Protection, and Government Services Minister Reg Helwer joined Ewasko for the announcement and says they look forward to reviewing tenders and they hope to start construction as early as April.
“This new construction project will complement renovations recently completed at the school that modernized the existing performing arts spaces including the band room,”
Kathy Highmoor, board chair of Swan Valley School Division says the school is the centre of the community when it comes to sports, and many other activities. She says the renovation will ensure a well-rounded education for all students.
“The division has held consultation meetings with staff and our education partners throughout the design of the project. The design speaks to the opportunity for reconciliation and continuing success for all of our students in the future,”
The request for proposals is open until Jan. 26 and has been posted to MERX at www.merx.com.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
It almost took a full week for the Dauphin Fire Department to be sent out on their first call of 2023 and it was for a kitchen fire.
Around 2 am today, members of the department responded to a fire alarm at Parkview Lodge. When crews arrived at the unit where the kitchen fire was taking place, they found a lone occupant inside it who was asleep while the suite was filling with smoke.
Fire fighters, with help from the RCMP, got the occupant out of the suite and then ventilated it to remove the smoke.
The Dauphin Fire Department would like to remind everyone that if you are tired or have consumed alcohol or drugs, to not try to cook anything. As well, they advise you to stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and to turn the stove off if leaving the kitchen, even for a short period of time.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure along with the City of Dauphin crews will be clearing snow from Main Street and the downtown business area starting at 7 tonight.
People are asked to not park in these areas until the snow has been cleared.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
UPDATE : The DCT outdoor rink is back open.
ORIGINAL STORY :
The DCT outdoor rink in Dauphin is closed due to vandalism that occurred last night.
A couple of boards at the rink were damaged but Dauphin Recreation Services has a crew working on repairs.
❗️❗️❗️ The Outdoor Rink is CLOSED. You can thank the people who decided to vandalize the rink. 😤
Posted by Dauphin Recreation Services on Thursday, January 5, 2023
Rec Services says they will announce on their facebook page when the rink is back open.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce Lunch Series is back for another year, and it all gets started next Tuesday.
The Lunch Series is a longstanding Chamber tradition, with monthly events from January to May. The events feature speakers and are a great opportunity for community leaders and business owners to network says Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota.
"We're excited to be bringing it back, we're looking at putting on some really great events this year, and a full series from January to May. Looking forward to kicking things off on the tenth of January"
The event on the 10th will feature Jordan Pernarowski from MNP LLP as he'll lead us through some digital incentive programs and a subsidy for employers to help with the increases to the minimum wage in 2023.
The Chamber wants to make sure the event is accessible to as many people as possible, says Chychota, so there are multiple ways to join, including in person, online, and at the satellite location in Grandview.
"It's not just about the topics, it's the opportunity to come together and collaborate and share. We see dozens of local leaders and business owners, and those interested in whatever the discussion is are coming out for the event, so it's open for everybody and anybody. It also doesn't have to be chamber members, its open to absolutely everyone."
You can register for the Lunch Series at the Parkland Chamber of Commerce Website, and it's $20 for Chamber Members, $25 for non-Chamber Members, and free for those at the satellite partnership location, the Community Futures Parkland Office.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Swan River RCMP is searching for a missing 28-year-old from the town.
Thunder Gott was last seen on Boxing Day on Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation. He was wearing a light green Columbia jacket, a grey hoodie, black pants, and black boots.
Police are concerned for his wellbeing, and anyone with information should call the Swan River RCMP at 204-734-4686, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Virden RCMP made an arrest after a short chase and a standoff on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation on New Year's Eve.
Officers responded to a call of a male with a knife who was in a home threatening residents in the community. When police arrived, the suspect had fled, but residents were able to identify him.
Police located the suspect's vehicle nearby, but he refused to stop when they tried to pull him over. After a short chase, the suspect stopped his vehicle and ran into a nearby residence where he barricaded himself inside.
Officers from the Blue Hills RCMP, Police Dog Services, and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) attended the scene to assist. A 13-year-old female and a 20-year-old male who were in the residence had to be extracted by police through a window.
Just after midnight on January 1, 2023, ERT officers were able to gain entry into the residence and place the suspect under arrest. 42-year-old Bruce Branth of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has been remanded into custody and charged with:
- Failing to comply with a release order x6
- Assault with a weapon
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Resist/Obstruct a Peace Officer
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Two years ago, Isabella Kulak of the Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, was shamed by a staff member of the school she attended for wearing a ribbon skirt.
Following this, the hashtag #Isupportbella started trending on social media. Indigenous people all over the world started posting photos of themselves in ribbon skirts in order to show support. As well, Bill S-219, An Act Respecting a National Ribbon Skirt Day, was put forth soon after. After the bill passed last month, January 4th, 2023, became the date for the first-ever National Ribbon Skirt Day.
In a release, Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs Organization, Jerry Daniels, said, "While the significance of the ribbon skirt is well known by many First Nations citizens, the events that led to the creation of this day clearly show there is much learning to be done about the sacredness and ceremonial importance of ribbon skirts. Today we honour young Isabella Kulak for her courage and resolve. We lift up all our relations who do what they can to raise awareness of our cultures, along with combatting racism and discrimination.”
Recognized by many First Nations people as unique and beautiful handmade works of art, ribbon skirts are traditionally warn by First Nations girls, women, Two Spirts, and gender-diverse people in ceremonies and during special events. They are often tied to a person's spirit name and colours and can also respresent an individual's identity, unique diversity, and strength.
The Southern Chiefs Organization invites everyone to take part in National Ribbon Skirt Day today by posting a picture of yourself in a ribbon skirt or ribbon shirt and tagging "SCO".
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Update: Myrna Driedger, the MLA for Roblin and the Speaker of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, has also announced that she will not be seeking re-election this year. Driedger made the announcement on her website today.
Driedger is now the eighth current PC MLA who has announced they will not be seeking re-election.
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Original Article Below:
Another Progressive Conservative MLA has announced they won't be running in this year's provincial election.
Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister and MLA for Selkirk Alan Lagimodiere made the announcement on Twitter today. In the tweet, Lagimodiere cited family reasons, saying he needs to put his family first.
Due to personal family reasons, I will not be seeking re-election in Selkirk. This was not an easy decision, but I must put my family first. I am proud to see the talented candidates that our PC Party is attracting, with fresh ideas and new faces.
— Dr. Alan Lagimodiere (@AlanLagimodiere) January 3, 2023
Thank you, Selkirk.
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In the thread, Lagimodiere says that he will work alongside the next PC candidate for Selkirk during the election to ensure they win the riding. He was first elected in Selkirk in 2016 and assumed his role as Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations in July 2021.
Lagimodiere is the seventh PC MLA to announce they aren't seeking re-election, joining Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke, and Spruce Woods MLA Cliff Cullen.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
