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UPDATE-------The Manitoba Police officer who was accused of sharing intimate images and a video of a woman he had a relationship with has been found not guilty.
The woman stated in court that she and the officer had agreed to delete any photos or videos they had of each other after their relationship had ended.
While the officer told the court he believed he had obtained permission from the female to share the photos and videos with friends.
The trial took place this week in Brandon provincial court.
The judge in the case, Robert Heinrichs, found the constable not guilty on both counts.
Due to a publication ban on the case, the names of both the officer and woman are being withheld.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Several municipal leaders met in Dauphin on Wednesday to discuss how municipalities can fuel the province’s post-pandemic recovery.
The Fall Cities Caucus Meeting included leaders from 10 cities in Manitoba.
Many things were discussed, including the five-year municipal operating funding freeze, local crime and community safety issues, and economic development opportunities.
Deputy mayor Christian Laughland says the event went well despite the difficult circumstance of Mayor Allen Dowhan passing away the day before.
“I think if he was there, he would have been proud with the way things went. We had a great meeting for a couple of hours, enjoyed lunch from Irving's Catering, and then we went up to the hill and gave a tour of the Countryfest site, and then we had another presentation at the Northgate bike trail.”
Laughland is thankful to the City staff for doing a great job of putting the event together.
In a release, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities thanked the City of Dauphin for hosting this year’s fall Cities Caucus meeting during this difficult time following the passing of Mayor Allen Dowhan.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Dauphin’s iconic beaver statue, Amisk, is getting a makeover.
The statue has suffered some damage over the years.
The monument has been cleaned and repaired, and is ready to be painted.
Deputy Mayor Christian Laughland says it’s been a quick process, and the restorations should be complete by winter.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Mayor of the Municipality of Grandview announced this morning that he is stepping down from his position effective October 26th.
Mayor Kevin Edmonson says that he is resigning because of family and health.
When asked about what being the mayor of the municipality has been like, Edmonson had this to say:
"I liked it, loved it actually. I was very sad to go, leaving, but it was - with what's going on in my life I needed to right now. And the council has been working well together and we have a fantastic CAO so I think the future for Grandview is bright."
With the mayor of the municipality stepping down, Deputy Mayor Dwayne Bomak had this to say:
"It's a big loss for the municipality. I thought Kevin was a great mayor. It's unfortunate that the situation is as it is for himself and his family that he has to do that. I'm really disappointed that he had to step down. So yeah, it's a loss for our council and our municipality as well, definitely."
Edmonson has been the municipality's mayor since 2018.
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The end-of-year financial results show that the ongoing challenges associated with the pandemic continue to impact Manitoba's economy.
Finance Minister Scott Fielding shared an optimistic message in an announcement Thursday morning.
"We see indications of economic growth and a low unemployment rate, but far too many people are still unemployed. Both the Public Accounts and the First Quarter report are within the budgeted targets. When considering the COVID-19 costs that are included in both years, the government continues to show its ability to manage the finances in turbulent times."
COVID-19 has left a significant impact on Manitoba's finances, leaving the province with a deficit of $2.117 billion as of March 31st, 2021.
Fielding carried on and concentrated on the province's commitment to protecting Manitobans,
"We are focused on Manitoba's recovery, and budget 2021 set aside nearly $1.2 billion for the ongoing COVID-19 response and to prepare the province for future economic shocks and challenges. Although our focus is to continue to protect Manitobans through the ongoing pandemic, we have made a commitment to once again return to balance within the next eight years."
According to the province, the provincial unemployment rate currently sits at 5.7 percent, ranking the best in the country.
After employment fell by 90,300 net jobs in April 2020, Manitoba's labour market has reportedly almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Between April 2020 and August 2021, Manitoba's labour market regained 79,500 net jobs.
Minister Fielding stressed that the province doesn't expect COVID-19 to disappear.
"The biggest risk to the provincial economy remains the impact of COVID-19, notably the variants of concern."
Manitoba has had a strong rebound in 2021 with projected GDP growth of 4.9, which the government hopes will return Manitoba's economy and employment levels similar, if not higher, to where they were before the pandemic began.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
It has been confirmed that everyone has made it out safely from the fire that destroyed an apartment complex in Brandon on Tuesday.
The City of Brandon is assessing the needs of the evacuated residents of the building.
There’s still no official cause of the fire.
48 people were affected by the fire.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Tammy Gillis, who’s originally from McCreary, is starring in a new movie.
She’s playing the lead role in Riverfront Romance, which is premiering in Canada on October 2nd.
Tammy says she first became interested in acting in school when her English teacher started a drama program.
“There weren’t a lot of people that were interested in it, but I joined and was cast in a play and I played, of all things, grandpa because there were no guys in the theatre group. So that was my debut on the stage.”
Riverfront Romance is a Romantic Comedy, which was enjoyable for Tammy because she loves to do Comedy.
“We don’t really get the opportunity to do a lot of Comedy in Canada, but I love doing it because you can be fun and crazy and big, and it’s so much play.”
Not only is Tammy an actress in this film, but she is also an executive producer on it.
The movie can be seen on Superchannel starting on October 2nd.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Scotiabank in Winnipegosis is permanently shutting its doors Thursday.
Jo Bunka, Curator with the Winnipegosis Museum says the bank opened over 100 years ago.
“The Bank of Nova Scotia opened here on February 5th, 1919, so that’s right after World War I, and It opened on the 1st floor of the Hotel Winnipegosis.”
Jo says the bank moved to a new location on the same street in 1946, then again to its present location in 1975.
She says that Winnipegosis losing the bank is affecting its residents in many ways.
“The bank gave employment to local people, and secondly it was a financial institution. It made the workings of businesses, farmers, fishermen, and anyone employed so much simpler because the bank was right here, and you were able to do your financial transactions right here. So is it a sad day? Yes.”
Jo adds that the bank would frequently sponsor local events.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The family of a missing man from Skownan First Nation is having a memorial tonight.
21-year-old Dwayne Lavallee was last seen on September 22nd, 2018 on Ebb and Flow First Nation.
Dwayne’s sister, Chantel Lavallee, and the rest of his family haven’t given up searching.
“He’s important to us and you can’t properly grieve when you don’t properly put somebody to rest.”
Chantel says the RCMP is following up on tips that the family gets.
“When we get pinpoint locations we go and search the areas. Just basically going by what people are saying, I guess rumors, but the truth is going to surface one day so we have to check them.”
A candlelight vigil will be live-streamed at 9:00 p.m. on the “Bring Dwayne Lavallee Home” Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Education Minister Cliff Cullen and Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere announced today that the province is providing $75,000 in funding to support Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will lead events, and activities will focus on children in grades 5 to 12.
The programming will include land and treaties, language and culture, truth and reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and elder-youth knowledge transfer.
Education Minister Cullen talked about the learning opportunities that come with this week,
“Educators across Manitoba have valuable teaching and learning resources for their classrooms made available through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation; This will provide educational leaders an incredible opportunity not only for their students but also for themselves to better understand, reflect and learn about Indigenous history.”
The NCTR will provide workshops and activities for students supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists.
Reconciliation Minister Lagimodiere spoke about the importance of this week,
“Our government is committed to advancing reconciliation by supporting programming offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation that will help Manitobans deepen their understanding of how we can collectively advance reconciliation. These events will focus on increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding among youth to encourage reflection and meaningful discussions about the impacts of residential schools. It will also give youth the opportunity to learn about the important contributions that Indigenous peoples have made and continue to make in our province and across Canada, and the importance of respecting the treaties and embracing cultural diversities.”
Truth and Reconciliation Week will run from Sept. 27th to Oct. 1st.
Last year, Manitoba and Ontario provided funding toward Truth and Reconciliation Week, the only two provinces to support the national event.
The event in 2020 registered over 500,000 participants, including students, teachers and general attendees.
For more details and to sign up for the 2021 Truth and Reconciliation Week events, click here.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Mayors from cities across the province are meeting in Dauphin today.
They will be having a general discussion on the betterment of cities and the province.
Deputy Mayor Christian Laughland will be reading a speech written by the late Mayor Allen Dowhan.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
