NewsNow
Frustrations are mounting as rail blockades continue to impact the Manitoba farming economy.
Dan Mazier, MP for Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa, is asking everyone to take a deep breath and promises to keep agriculture at the forefront of discussions in Ottawa.
“$9 million a day in demurrage and contract cancellations. That’s a pretty high number for us as farmers in Western Canada to bare. That’s just one agriculture industry and commodity, so I can’t imagine the rest of the industries that are suffering just as much.”
Mazier acknowledges that the rail blockades are adding more stress to the spring season.
“Now we’re getting closer to spring seeding, now our fertilizer has to start coming into the prairies. So the railways are going to have to make a choice here. We want them to get the grain out because the ships are sitting there, or they’re going to have to decide to bring the fertilizer in, and the grains are going to sit longer. They ultimately have to coordinate that. It ultimately just adds that much more complexity to the spring.”
There have been some efforts to help farmers through this difficult time, such as cash advances and Farm Credit Canada adjusting due dates of interest payments.
Mazier says he will also remain in contact with CN about their plan going forward, and hold the liberal government accountable to resolve this blockade issue.
“We should be talking to CN as well, I plan on talking to them. They have a thing called a grain plan. We’ll figure out where that’s at, and how they’re making out with that.”
“Ultimately, we hope that Trudeau steps up here and starts having some discussions about how he can help out. Right now we’ve seen nothing but indecision on how to handle this."
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
In the past week, gas prices in Manitoba have fallen an average of 5 cents per litre.
In Manitoba, prices averaged 102.71 c/L yesterday, but today’s price at the Co-op gas bars in Dauphin is 104.9.
Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, urges motorists to be in no rush to fill up.
“Gas prices will drop in nearly every nook and cranny of the country, from the smallest cities to the largest metros, at a time of year that prices are usually rising, we'll see anything but that. The national average came into March like a lamb and will likely be leaving as a lion, with prices roaring lower."
He shares the reason for dropping prices.
“It's been an unprecedented week, one in which oil majors Russia and Saudi Arabia saw anything but eye-to-eye on lowering oil production, leading crude oil prices to plummet 20% in Sunday evening trade, combined with COVID-19 fears escalating, and gas prices have nowhere to go but down and like a rock."
Comparing Dauphin’s 104.9 c/L, Winnipeg is seeing prices hovering around 98.78 c/L and Saskatchewan has an average of 103.61 c/L.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Dauphin City Councillors will be meeting this evening.
Some of the items on the agenda include a funding proposal for the Dauphin At-Risk Teen Program, a rezoning application to build a 4-plex multiple-family dwelling on Jackson Street, and an update from the City Manager on street maintenance in Dauphin.
The meeting gets underway at 5pm, with the next meeting scheduled for March 23rd.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Dauphin Chamber is holding its celebration night this Wednesday.
The chamber will be announcing the well-deserved groups and individuals that have made big contributions to the community.
The celebration is taking place at the Countryfest Community Cinema in Dauphin, starting at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15.
Executive director of the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce Stephen Chychota is excited about this year's turnout.
“We want to recognize everybody that’s on this list year after year because they’re out there doing some really great work, and they’re winners. Every one of them. Unfortunately, we’re only going to give an award to one individual or group but everyone on this list is being recognized because they’re getting their names brought forward by community members. They’re out there doing some great stuff.”
The award categories include business person of the year, young entrepreneur of the year, community appreciation individual/group, outstanding business, and the legacy award.
Visit dauphinchamber.ca to get your tickets.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Daylight savings time is in effect.
CKDM wanted to know the Parkland's thoughts on the big switch.
Steve says “I think we should stay on Daylight savings time all year round.”
Susan says “I actually like it, the spring one. Because then we get the longer hours of the daylight.”
When asked how they are affected, most people agreed the change is a hassle.
Brad says “It usually catches me. Usually, I’m either really early for work or late to work. “
The majority of Parklanders agreed that they would like to see Manitoba switch to one time.
The change takes place on Sunday at 2 a.m., making it 3 a.m.
- Details
- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba Hydro reported multiple power outages Friday afternoon across Southern Manitoba.
About 2,300 customers east of Dauphin were without power; including outages in Ochre River, Rorketon, Makinak and Crane River.
Hydro staff got the power back up and running within the hour in almost all the affected areas.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Despite the best efforts of groups in the Parkland, the Manitoba government is moving forward with the closure of the Dauphin jail.
The province announced a new ‘transition committee’ to work with staff affected by the closure.
In a press release, the province outlined the full scope of the committee:
- Connecting employees with other public service jobs throughout Manitoba, based on their qualifications, interests and preferences.
- To help family members who are also government employees to find other provincial opportunities in new locations.
- Find opportunities for retraining or other employment for those who wish to remain in Dauphin and the surrounding region.
- Identify other resources available to support employees and their family members.
Going forward, the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU) are saying DCC employees have four options available to them.
Those options include (1) retirement, (2) accepting a layoff, (3) having their name submitted to a re-employment list to find another position in the province, or (4) they could take a job in the corrections industry bumping other employees from that position.
In the coming weeks, more information about the process will be made available to DCC employees, and the general public.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Don’t forget to put your clocks ahead by an hour before bed on Saturday night.
In the early morning hours on Sunday, daylight saving time will spring your clocks forward by an hour.
Daylight saving time always begins the second Sunday in March.
We eventually "fall back" an hour on the first Sunday in November.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
If you’re having trouble finding a rental, there’s a program next Wednesday in Dauphin that can help you.
Rent Smart educators will be at city hall with a training course about the roles and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
Program planning partner Pam Chetyrbuk says participants will then be more qualified to rent, regardless of their rental history.
“So when somebody takes a Rent Smart session they actually get a certificate, and they can use that certificate as a reference when going to rent a place. It’s a really good way for people to get started that don’t necessarily have a reference.”
The program also offers options for students that are living alone for the first time, and also people who have experienced issues as a renter.
The program runs Wednesday, March 11th from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dauphin City Hall.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
During legislature yesterday, the Dauphin Correctional Centre was the hot topic of discussion.
NDP leader Wab Kinew brought forward the MGEU’s petition that had over 6000 signatures and tabled a document that proves no consultations were done prior to the closure.
Despite the continued questions about the Dauphin Correctional Centre, Premier Brian Pallister responded by criticizing the NDP, and saying the facility is no longer needed.
Pallister says the government will continue to help the growth the community has experienced in the past few years, adding that he cares very much about the Dauphin area because his mom is from there.
After legislature, CKDM's Isaac Wihak spoke to Wab Kinew, who expressed his disappointment.
“What really turned me off is that we asked over and over again about the Dauphin jail, which to me was the big issue in town, and the local MLA got up and he asked a question completely off-topic, had nothing to do with that. At that point, I saw the correctional officers from Dauphin, some of their colleagues, basically they just stood up in the gallery and walked out. I think that probably sums up the government’s performance.”
Kinew says the next step is listening to the community because they had talked about the possibility of a court injunction, but it might not be appropriate anymore because some workers are already taking other jobs or looking at other houses.
Kinew continues to fight for the Dauphin jail because it’s an important issue, and says on a personal level, he’s passionate about jobs.
“You know, in my own life, having a job, that was the structure, the discipline, the pride that helped me get onto a good path, and so I want everyone in Manitoba to feel that same empowerment from work, the dignity of work. That’s what I’m about, so it upsets me when I see people getting pushed out of work by their government that’s supposed to be working for them.”
Kinew adds that the idea of a new healing lodge, a new facility to keep jobs in Dauphin and improve community safety, is an idea he likes and wants to be a part of the solution.
He says the people of Dauphin have done everything right so far in terms of advocating on this issue and now it’s really up to the government to listen.
“It really is about government realizing when you’ve got 6000 people out of, say maybe the, 8000 in Dauphin signing a petition saying change your mind, it’s probably time to change your mind.”
Kinew finished by saying it’s an important day with people from Dauphin making the trek to the legislature, and the fight isn’t over.
- Details
- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
A provincially funded program to feed Manitoba school children has been brought forward by NDP Leader Wab Kinew.
However, Premier Brian Pallister says he's not too keen on the idea of publicly funded breakfast programs in schools, and that he would rather address underlying causes of student hunger instead of feeding children.
Locally, the Dauphin Friendship Centre’s privately funded Food For Thought program feeds over 600 children twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Gail Welburn with Dauphin Friendship Centre disagrees with the premier and feels it's essential to ensure children are well fed in the classroom.
“Nutrition is something that we need to be looking at in the schools. Only because a hungry child has a lower capacity for learning, compared to one who is rested and well-nourished.”
Now in its 31st year, the Food For Thought program is available to all children in Dauphin.
“There is no cost for children to register, but we do ask parents to make a donation at some time during the program, to help us offset our costs.”
To donate or register for the program, you can visit the Dauphin Friendship Centre, or call them at (204) 638-5707.
- Details
- Contributed by Matt Hamel
