Michaleski Responds To NDP MRI Concerns

The provincial government is reassuring Dauphin residents that the planned MRI Machine is on track.

Over the weekend NDP Leader Wab Kinew spoke with CKDM about a number of issues his party was worried about relating to the budget of the MRI.

Local MLA Brad Michaleski responds to those comments.

“Those kinds of comments made by the official opposition leader Wab Kinew, they are just wild and speculative. They serve no purpose other than his own. They are actually very, very irresponsible for him to make those comments when there’s just no truth to them at all.”

He continues, “We know this MRI is important to this region and to the Parkland region. The previous government had nearly 20 years to bring an MRI here and they did not do it and now for them to act concerned it just shows a level of disrespect for the people in this region. I just feel that Mr. Kinew’s comments were very irresponsible and we’re right on track and looking forward to bringing the MRI to Dauphin.”

Michaleski says the project is funded and the health region is currently recruiting individuals to work on Dauphin’s MRI once it’s installed and operational.

“I know there were comments made regarding staff. I know that’s not correct either. There’s recruiting going on. So that again is just miss-information spread by Mr. Kinew.”

Michaleski also says the October deadline is on schedule.

“It’s still on track. There was comment made about funding, that’s all in place. We’re totally on track for the opening of it. Just like we’ve been saying all along we’ve been very clear that the MRI was put on hold because of reckless spending and debt growth by the NDP. We needed to put a hold on things and after that, we announced that we are moving ahead with the MRI. I was very pleased with that and just recently there was an announcement of around October and we’re on track with that as well.”

Kinew has suggested that there is no clear budget for the MRI machine and that recruitment was not going on.

In response to Mr. Michaleski’s comments NDP Health Critic, Andrew Swan released this statement.

“Mr. Michaleski’s comments are a desperate attempt to distract from the fact his government has refused to install an MRI in Dauphin for more than two years. The NDP’s concerns are valid – they are based on government documents acquired through Freedom of Information requests. It’s time the people of Dauphin heard the facts”.

Some of the facts the NDP present include documents from the Department of Health show as of July 19 of this year “the [operating] budget is under review and has not been finalized and provided to Prairie Mountain Health,” and a government briefing note from December of last year states “No current funding source exists…Prairie Mountain Health advised the department that neither Diagnostic Services Manitoba nor Prairie Mountain Health could absorb the significant operating costs associated with this project without additional funding.”

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jul 31, 2018 - 6:06 am

We know Dauphin's Barry Trotz and the Stanley Cup is coming to Dauphin on August 22, and now we know what's going to happen on that day.

Here's the day's schedule:

12:30 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. - Stanley Cup Parade.

"It's going to start at Henderson School," said Karen Rauliuk. "So it's going to come down Mountain Road, hit the corner of Mountain and River and go down River past the courthouse down to Main Street. It'll then continue on to City Hall, and turn towards Credit Union Place and will end there."

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Pictures with Barry & the Stanley Cup @ Credit Union Place.

"Everyones welcome to come to take a picture with Barry and the Cup, and it's going to be $2 per picture," said Rauliuk. "There will be a hot dog sale that gets you one, plus chips and a drink for $5. Also, there's going to be a raffle table and 50/50. Just come on down and celebrate with Barry."

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Meet & Greet @ Lions Den.

The cost for this will be $1000, which includes the entry for two. There will be appetizers, beverages, and a silent auction. All meet & greet attendees will also receive a personal framed and autographed 8x10 photo as well as a small souvenir commemorating the event.

"It's just a chance to get even more up close and personal with Barry," said Whitney Odut. "

Only 40 pairs of tickets are available for the Meet & Greet. To reserve your spot today, call Whitney at 572-6140. You can also email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Are you wondering where the money for the various events will go? Right back into our community.

"With all the funds raised that day, Barry plans on giving it right back to the community," said Odut. "And, he's going to match everything up to $75,000."

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 31, 2018 - 6:00 am

There are only a few more days to buy your tickets ahead of time before the Canadian National Ukrainian Festival begins.

Jan Sirski Vice President of CNUF explains why today and tomorrow are so important.

“Today is the last day to purchase tickets online.” She continues, “You can still go to the store and purchase them till Tuesday and then after that they are available at the gate.”

Sirski says this weekend’s event should not be missed.

“It’s a great community event. It’s a great celebration of amazing cultures in Canada. There is wonderful music, we have entertainers coming all the way from Edmonton, and of course, we have our headliner from Ukraine Iryna Fedyshyn on Sunday night. We have fireworks and it’s just a wonderful weekend celebration.”

Weekend passes are only 100 dollars and can be bought online today by going to CNUF.ca.

People can purchase advance tickets in person or by phone from the office until 5pm this Tuesday!

The CNUF office is closing on Wednesday as they get ready for the festival this long weekend.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jul 30, 2018 - 11:04 am

Parrish & Heimbecker is making an exciting announcement this week.

Wendy McDonald the crop input manager with P and H says at this year’s FIT Trials 2018 event, expansion plans are going to be unveiled.

“They plan to invest in our local area in a major way that would be supporting all of the Parkland area. So, it’s very exciting that they are dedicated to staying committed to the area.”

If you want to be part of the announcement you can still register for Fit trials 2018 which takes place on Wednesday.

Today is the last day you can register for FIT trials 2018. You can RSVP to Dutton Elevator at 204-548-2160.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jul 30, 2018 - 9:08 am

Manitoba Public Insurance has launched a campaign to help car buyers understand

driver-assist safety features like back-up cameras, lane departure warning, and

adaptive headlights.

MPI says it did a poll and found many people weren't fully aware of how the new safety

features in vehicles work.

They encourage people who are in the market for a vehicle to look into understand what

vehicle safety features are offered, and how they work.

It says vehicle makers may call the technologies by different names, and options may

work differently or have varying capabilities.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Jul 30, 2018 - 8:46 am

Prices at the gas pumps are up yet again. Petroleum analyst Dan McTeague with GasBuddy.com says the prices are likely to stay at these levels for a little while.

Wholesale prices have increased in both western Canada and the US Midwest which McTeague says may be the reasoning behind the price hike.

As of yesterday, the lowest price of gas in Dauphin is $122.6 per litre, and the highest being $125.9 per litre.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Jul 30, 2018 - 8:41 am

When you head to the Greenhouse at Parkland Crossing next, you can get in a little relaxation before you plant, or after.

That's because there will now be a new lounge equipped with everything you need for some downtime.

"We've received funding from the Regional Health Authority and from the Dauphin & District Community Foundation to create a wellness lounge," said Jamie Harvey, Director of Parkland Crossing. "It's a chance for people to come to sit quietly among the plants, and if they want to do some planting while they're here, they can."

The lounge includes four patio sets. Two of them are with loveseats, two are with armchairs, and they all have coffee tables or end tables matching with them.

The greenhouse is open from Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

"People can just come into the office and we can show them the way," said Harvey. "We can also show people exactly what we do, or else they can just do their own thing."

For more information, you can give Parkland Crossing a call at 638-3333, or check them out right here.

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 28, 2018 - 10:38 am

At around 9:00 p.m. on Friday night, emergency crews responded to a house fire in the 400 block of Main Street South.

Upon their arrival, heavy smoke and flames were coming out of the front door and a side window.

The largest portion of the fire was in a bedroom on the main floor, and it was quickly extinguished. Firefighters then noticed more fire in the basement located on the floor joists for the main floor and that was also extinguished.

The lone occupant inside the house was able to escape safely, where he was sent to the hospital for examination and was released shortly thereafter.

A working smoke-alarm was in the home, and Cam Abrey, Fire Chief says they're critical.

"We're very thankful that the home had working smoke alarms, and they activated and woke up the sleeping occupant inside the house," said Abrey. "We want to make sure all of the public has working smoke alarms in their homes. They save lives."

Details: Contributed by Darnell Duff; Published: Jul 27, 2018 - 9:47 pm

The lack of a budget is a red flag for the Manitoba NDP who are concerned that Dauphin’s MRI machine is being delayed.

The NDP have found that only a down payment of the machine has been done, as of today, no other payments have been made.

Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew shares his concerns about the provincial government possibly delaying the installation.

“This is just another sign that the government continues to delay getting an MRI for Dauphin and they don’t have a good reason for it. The last time I spoke to CKDM about this they were burying a report and using that as a reason to not get the MRI installed. Now it turns out they are playing games with the budget and they haven’t even put the operating dollars in place to get this MRI and to get it operational. That’s a big concern.”

Kinew says any delay in the project hurts not only Dauphin but the surrounding area.

“I think first and foremost people in Dauphin should have an MRI so that you can have the best healthcare possible. But let’s not forget that this impacts other people in cities, towns and other regions. If somebody in Swan River, for instance, if they could travel to Dauphin for the MRI that would probably make their life a lot easier instead of having to drive to Winnipeg. Not to mention saving money for the health care system too." He continues, “So this just seems like another example of the government bringing about delays of the Dauphin MRI and the people who are going to be feeling the impact are folks in Dauphin and across the region.”

The lack of a budget isn’t the only concern the NDP have when it comes to Dauphin’s MRI machine.

Kinew says there have been delays for such a long time one staff member left and the health region hasn’t replaced the individual.

“What speaks even louder to me then the lack of a budget is the fact that the government committed to training health care workers in Dauphin to be able to operate the MRI. They had identified existing staff to do this. One of those staffers got so fed up with the wait that they actually left.” The health region has not found a replacement for the individual as of yet. He continues saying that with these delays the quality of healthcare in Dauphin and the Parkland is lesser because of it.

“So you have health care professionals in Dauphin who are leaving because of the government’s delays. I think that it speaks to the fact that the government is just playing games here. But also we see the impact is going to be lower quality health care. Lower quality health care because you may have to travel further and travel more frequently.”

“Also it looks like the professionals who are delivering the healthcare are being frustrated too.”

Dauphin’s MRI machine was expected to be installed by October of this year.

The Provincial Government says the project is fully funded, recruitment is ongoing, and the MRI is still expected to be installed by October.

Details: Contributed by Josh Sigurdson; Published: Jul 28, 2018 - 6:32 am

A small group of indigenous youth walking across Canada in memory of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls has reached Dauphin.

The Anishinaabek youth are walking from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation on the Bruce Peninsula.

“It’s never been done before. A Prayer Staff has never been carried across Canada in such a fashion. It’s done traditionally, so we’re in ceremony while we’re carrying the staff. We’re not allowed to stop, we’re not allowed to turn around or look behind us. We’re not allowed to carry it in the rain either, because traditional teachings we are given is that eagles don’t fly in the rain, they fly above it. We obviously can’t carry the staff above the clouds, right, so we have to stop when it’s raining. That’s kind of the reason we are still where we are. We’d probably be another 100 kilometers past where we are right now.”

E Naad Maa Get (Branden Emmerson) and E Naad Maa Get and Niibin (Tianna Fillo), the principle Walkers, are members of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. They left Nawash in December.

They were coming from Brandon where they met with the Brandon Bear Patrol keeping an eye on the vulnerable people in the community.

Their goal is to walk across the entire country from sea to sea to sea.

They could use more supporters and volunteers. Creedence says a relief car would be helpful because in cases like when they were going through Riding Mountain National Park they had trouble finding places to stop saying that would make their trip easier.

If anyone wants to come out and walk with them, show support, or donate they are more than welcome.

You can find the link to their Facebook page by clicking here.