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Manitoba's Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson was at the Ste. Rose Veterinary Clinic yesterday to announce further details of the province's plan to address the shortage of vets in rural areas.
Minister Johnson was joined by Dr. Gillian Muir, Dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM); Dr. Deanne Wilkinson, Extension Veterinarian for Manitoba Agriculture; Tyler Fulton, the President of Manitoba Beef Producers; Jill Verwey, the Vice-President of Keystone Agricultural Producers; and Ste. Rose Mayor Robert Brunel.
Yesterday's announcement builds on the announcement the government made last week, increasing the number of subsidized seats for Manitobans at the WCVM. Manitoba currently subsidizes 15 seats at WCVM, and that number is going up to 20, starting in the 2023-24 school year.
Minister Johnson says the new seats will be filled by students with a rural background.
"When you have a background, especially from rural Manitoba, you will be more inclined to reside, and build a practice in rural Manitoba."
He said they're also working on ways to encourage students to return to Manitoba after graduating.
"This year students, when they come back, we help subsidize their wages. So when they come and work in a clinic in Manitoba, they're more likely to lay down roots there, and when they graduate the following year, usually they migrate back to the good experience that they had at that vet clinic."
Dr. Muir says there are studies that show students are more likely to return to a familiar situation.
"We know from many studies that students who come from a rural background or live in small towns are more likely to go back to work in small towns or in rural areas. So we're hoping, or we know that that's the case, and that's why these five seats, in particular, are targeted at students with a rural background."
Students filling the new subsidized seats will be expected to have the following:
- An expressed desire to pursue veterinary practices in commercial agriculture in rural Manitoba;
- A solid academic foundation through achievement in a university-level animal science program; and
- Practical knowledge and experience in the livestock or poultry industries, gained through significant experience prior to enrolment.
Tyler Fulton, the President of Manitoba Beef Producers says it's good to see the government addressing the issue.
“We appreciate the focus on recruiting students who have a direct interest and first-hand experience in working with animals, and who have been raised in a rural environment. We thank the provincial government for its investment in training more vets.”
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Fierce Female Hockey Camp has been awarded $20,000 for finishing in first place in Fusion Credit Union's Community Infusion competition.
Mike Csversko, business development manager at Fusion Credit Union, says that it was a tough decision for the judges.
"When the judges went away we expected them back in ten minutes or so, and actually it took them a lot longer... They went through three stages. There were three different rounds of scoring starting back in June and it culminated here on Tuesday night with Fierce Female Hockey ultimately scoring the highest," he adds.
Csverkso says that since it was such a tight finish, the other three finalists also received some funding, with Moonlit Canopy taking home $5,000 for their second-place finish and Modern Mini & Me and Dauphin Lake Rentals both receiving $2,500.
"Dauphin Lake Rentals did an amazing presentation and were fantastic right through the process. Moonlit Canopy [did] as well. It's a really cool lamping concept... Modern Mini & Me [is] a fantastic little designer clothing boutique that uses eco-friendly products... it's a really neat store," he adds.
According to Mike Csversko, the event was so well attended that they had to rush in extra seats at the last minute because the hall in Russell was filling up quickly.
"We were pushing up against that hundred mark, which was fantastic, so [I'm] very happy and thankful for the support that we received from Russell, but also the surrounding communities," he adds.
Csversko says that they are planning on having another Community Infusion competition next year.
More information can be found on the Fusion Credit Union Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Thanksgiving is on Monday. As usual, certain businesses will be closed or will be operating with reduced hours this long weekend.
Here's a list of some of them to keep in mind:
Dauphin Market Place Mall (Modified Hours):
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Some stores will be CLOSED)
Manitoba Liquor Mart (Modified Hours):
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fusion Credit Union (Modified Hours):
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Branch office CLOSED / Only OPEN over the phone)
Walmart (Modified Hours):
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Safeway (Modified Hours):
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No Frills (Modified Hours):
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Co-op Food Store (Modified Hours):
CLOSED
Co-op Gas Bar on Main St. S. (Regular Hours):
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Co-op Gas Bar on Mountain Rd. (Regular Hours):
6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Dauphin City Hall (Modified Hours):
CLOSED
Dauphin Recreation Services (Modified Hours):
Admin office CLOSED
Parents & tot swim/lane swim from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free family swim from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
"Fire Won't Wait; Plan Your Escape."
This is the theme of National Fire Prevention Week which is on until Saturday, October 15th. Dauphin's Fire Chief, Cam Abrey, says knowing your escape route is a crucial part of fire safety.
"It's a huge component of fire prevention and public education. Because we know that today's fires burn a lot hotter than they did years ago and they spread much faster based on the products that we put in our homes", noted Abrey.
Just like how children go through escape plans and emergency procedures at school, we should be making the same plans at home, added Abrey.
Some of the things you can do at home is make sure you have working windows in your bedrooms and that you know two ways out. If a fire breaks out in the middle of the night and you can not use the door, the window(s) would be your alternate escape route. If you have bedrooms on the second floor, there are chain ladders you can buy to provide a safe way out.
"The biggest part is to make sure your smoke alarms are working so that you have that early notification", Abrey said.
This year's National Fire Prevention Week is the 100th anniversary of the initiative but the messages of fire safety are just as important as they were a century ago. In a news release from the provincial government, some more helpful tips were outlined:
- Make sure plans meet the needs of all family members including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that when one sounds, all alarms are activated.
- Know at least two ways to exit every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place, located a safe distance from the home, where everyone should meet after exiting the home and have a warm place to go in cold weather.
Practise the home fire escape plan at least twice a year with everyone in the household including guests. Practise at least once during the day and at night.
For more information, visit manitoba.ca/firepreventionweek or the National Fire Protection Association's website.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
Sean Beaulieu was back in Dauphin Court yesterday to be sentenced for a 2021 robbery on Main Street South. Beaulieu was sentenced to time served, two years of supervised probation, a ten-year weapons probation, and a DNA order.
In April 2021, Beaulieu, who was 30 years old at the time, entered a business on Main Street South, bear-sprayed an employee, and fled on foot. The employee was able to give police a description of Beaulieu, and they found him a short distance from the position and arrested him without incident.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
UPDATE (Oct. 10th, 4:58 p.m.): Government officials delivered remarks on the approval of the new Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 vaccine during a press conference earlier today.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says that the new vaccines will help protect people from developing long COVID over the winter months.
"I am concerned... From what I'm hearing from the experts, [they] are telling us... that the coming months, the coming weeks will be critical when it comes to COVID-19 infection and all the consequences this can have for people and health-care workers who are already quite tired," Minister Duclos adds.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, urges Canadians to get the new shot in order for them to be sufficiently protected from infection and severe illness when spending more time indoors over the winter months.
"Hospital trends are still elevated, although critical-care trends and death remain at a low level," Dr. Tam adds.
Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, says that he's confident there will be enough of both the Moderna vaccine and the newly-authorized Pfizer vaccine to meet the demand for fall boosters.
"If we talk about the Moderna B1 vaccine, there are 10.5 million doses in the country now... If we are talking about the new Pfizer vaccine, we're expecting next week to have delivery of doses. We have a contract for some 12.6 million doses… and between the two I think it's enough in the meantime to cover the expected demand for booster doses," Dr. Njoo adds.
Health Canada officials say that anyone who has not received a booster dose for six months should get this new shot as soon as they can and that people who have not had a shot for three months should also consider getting the shot.
They also say that Canadians who got a booster shot less than three months ago should not get the shot right away, since it will not be as effective as it would have been if they had waited.
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Health Canada has authorized Pfizer's bivalent vaccine, which specifically targets the Omicron variant as well as its BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, for use in individuals aged 12 and up.
They had previously authorized Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 booster.
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Health Canada officials are scheduled to discuss the approval in detail later today.
Updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses can be found here.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Christian Laughland, the current mayor of Dauphin, is aiming for a seat on Dauphin City Council as he runs in the municipal election.
Laughland, who's originally from Vancouver, B.C., has lived in Dauphin for over twelve years, currently with his wife and two-year-old son.
"Currently I'm working for the Dauphin Herald. In the past, I've worked for the Dauphin Kings and 730 CKDM, so I understand the significance of small businesses and all of the great groups we have in our community. Of course, some of which I've been involved with for a few years now," he adds.
If elected, Laughland plans on working towards expanding the City to create jobs and better living for all.
"And better living means less crime. Recreation is another key aspect. If our youth have the opportunity to grow in the community, it increases the chances of having them stay here longer and help make Dauphin stronger," he adds.
Christian Laughland acknowledges that crime is an issue and says that working with the RCMP and the provincial and federal governments to reduce crime is really important.
"We'll likely never get rid of crime, but we can work together to significantly reduce it. Earlier this year, the City of Dauphin was chosen... to take part in a community safety and well-being plan. That was delayed, so we won't actually be getting the funding from the provincial government until the fall, after the election. So if I'm re-elected, I really want to help implement that community safety and well-being plan," he adds.
Laughland says that he thinks the community is going to see a lot of growth in the next five to ten years.
"With so much stuff going on in the south end of town with the expansion of the highway, Vermillion Growers is growing... there [are] businesses that are showing interest in the business park, which is near the Vermillion [Park] Sportsplex. I think we're on the cusp of a lot of great things to happen in the community," he adds.
A complete list of candidates running for office in the City and R.M. of Dauphin can be found here.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce is taking nominations for this year's Chamber Business Awards. There are seven award categories, including two brand new ones, that will be presented at the event in March.
- Business Person of the Year
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Community Appreciation: Individual
- Community Appreciation: Group
- Outstanding Business
- Side Hustle Business (NEW)
- Start Up Business (NEW)
Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota says the goal of the awards is to recognize those doing great work in the community.
"Let us know who out there is doing some amazing work. We've got a vast area out there across the parkland with some tremendous businesses doing some amazing things, and some individuals out there making a huge difference for the region and we want to know who they are, and we want to put the spotlight on them, support them."
The awards are open to anyone in the area, not just chamber members says Chychota.
"These are open to all businesses, all organizations, any individual across the Parkland. There's no requirement to be a chamber member, it's open to everybody. The only requirements are outlined in each award category and people can follow those really simple rules on there, and once we get those names we'll make sure that they do qualify."
Nominations are open until Friday, October 14th, and the online form can be found here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
UPDATE (Oct. 6th, 12:29 p.m.): Media Relations Director Phil Legault has released a statement on behalf of Canada Post.
The statement follows:
The Winnipegosis Post Office is experiencing staffing issues this week and is closed until next week. A notice is posted at the post office informing customers they can temporarily pick up their mail at the Dauphin Post Office by providing a valid government-issued photo identification. We remain committed to serving the people of Winnipegosis. We are in the process of training employees to resume regular postal services as soon as possible.
We apologize to our customers for this inconvenience and thank them for their understanding. If customers have questions regarding their postal services, they can contact Canada Post's Customer Service team online at canadapost.ca/support or by telephone at 1-866-607-6301 (TTY: 1-800-267-2797).
Update contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
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The Winnipegosis Post Office is once again closed, and mail will be temporarily redirected to the Dauphin Post Office. Residents will need to have a valid photo I.D. when picking up their mail at the Dauphin location.
We have reached out to Canada Post for more information and are waiting for their response.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
A house on First Avenue in Pine River was fully engulfed in flames Wednesday morning.
Andy Schellenberg, the chief of the Pine River Fire Dept., says that he noticed the fire at 9:46 a.m. and personally notified emergency services, which resulted in volunteer firefighters getting paged to appear on the scene.
A request for mutual aid was sent out and the Pine River, Ethelbert, and Winnipegosis Fire Depts. responded by sending three apparatuses, three apparatuses and one apparatus, respectively.
According to Schellenberg, although the house was a total loss, they were able to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
He went on to say that nobody was at the home when firefighters arrived.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Steve Sobering is aiming for a seat on Dauphin City Council as he runs in the municipal election.
Sobering is originally from Beausejour and moved to Dauphin with his wife in 2007.
He says that people should vote for him because he's hardworking, has a lot of great ideas and knows how to conceive and execute projects.
"I'm good at bringing people together... and I have the best interests of the community at heart... I think that this community is full of potential and we're at a good point in time to take advantage of that," he adds.
Sobering is running for city council because he loves the City of Dauphin, the community and the people.
"I've always been involved in a multitude of ways and I see it as my way of giving back... I think I have a lot of skills that would benefit having me on council," he adds.
Steve Sobering says that the first thing he would do if he were to be elected would be to establish a goal and work with council to determine how it can be achieved.
"And then take a look at all the plans that are already laid out and deliver on some of the projects and get things moving," he adds.
As for the crime situation in Dauphin, Sobering says that like any other problem, it needs to be tackled in the right way.
"I know crime is a big concern. As a business owner and owner of properties, I've had windows broken... I understand how frustrating it can be... If we can't get the police resources in the short term, we should work [in] different ways... to reduce or lower crime, like add surveillance... funding crime reduction programming... supporting... programs like Citizens on Patrol," he adds.
Sobering went on to say that his main priorities would be to grow Dauphin's tourism sector, grow the City as a hub for commerce and education, and work on making the City environmentally sustainable.
A complete list of candidates running for office in the City and R.M. of Dauphin can be found here.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
