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The Member of Parliament for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa is giving an update on what’s happening with a number of issues at the federal level.
Dan Mazier voiced concerns over the Trudeau government’s handling of the vaccine rollout.
“The reality is Canada is behind the US, UK, European Union, Mexico, Brazil, India and Indonesia for vaccine procurement,” Mazier said, adding that the “most frustrating thing about the situation" is the delay in planning around getting the vaccine out, and who should get it first.
Mazier says that while the Trudeau government is talking about getting Canadians vaccinated by September, other countries — like the UK — are looking to roll them out next week.
“Canadians really have endured enough here. Our top of mind is getting this country working again, and getting this country healthy again.”
Freeland’s Fiscal Update
Speaking on this past week’s fall economic statement — Mazier says it appears the Liberals still have no plan for helping Canadians looking for work, who have been hit hard by this pandemic.
Mazier says despite the Liberal's pandemic spending contributing to a historic deficit — the support for Canadians being offered by the Trudeau government still isn't good enough.
“A whole bunch of money in deficit, but not much to show for it other than debt and a bunch of businesses barely staying above water.”
Mazier Talks New Mental Health Support
The Member of Parliament for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa says he’s working with his conservative team for a national 3-digit suicide prevention line.
It would be similar to a 9-1-1 emergency number, but for suicide prevention.
Mazier says the mental health issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are very serious, citing the Canada Suicide Prevention Hotline has experienced a 200% increase during the pandemic.
With “local health services and emergency hotlines being overwhelmed,” Mazier says the suicide prevention hotline would be a valuable tool.
“In the middle of a pandemic, everything gets tested and we really did notice this would be a really good opportunity for people to get more organized around mental health and address it.”
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
The City of Dauphin is advising of a temporary closure of City Hall on Monday, December 7th.
City Hall will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until about 1:00 p.m. due to a temporary power disconnection needed for building maintenance.
The City’s main phone line will be disconnected during this time, and emergency calls can be directed to (204) 622-3202.
The hall will re-open at around 1:00 p.m. for essential services only.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba has once again extended its province-wide state of emergency to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Effective 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6th, the extension will be in effect for another 30 days.
The state of emergency gives the government the power to take quick action to limit the spread of the virus.
The state of emergency was initially declared back in March and has been in effect since.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Public health officials announced 320 new COVID-19 cases and 9 more deaths today.
The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
- 16 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
- 30 cases in the Northern health region;
- 20 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
- 54 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and
- 200 cases in the Winnipeg health region.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.4 per cent provincially and 14.6 per cent in Winnipeg.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (19), Swan River (10), Porcupine Mountain (15), Duck Mountain (27), Asessippi (10), Little Saskatchewan (12), Whitemud (23), Agassiz Mountain (1). Brandon has 158 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 56 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 84.
Health officials advise that an outbreak has been declared at the Brandon Correctional Centre in Brandon. The site has been moved to Critical (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System.
There is a total of 18, 069 cases in Manitoba. 9,172 are active and 8,535 are recovered.
There are 361 people in hospital with 55 in intensive care. The number of deaths is 362.
Public health officials advise nine additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today including:
- A female in her 50s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
- A male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region
- A male in his 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
- A female in her 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
- A female in her 80s from Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Lions Manor Senior Housing
- A female in her 90s from Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at Fairview Personal Care Home
- A female in her 90s from Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at Fairview Personal Care Home
- A male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Holy Family Personal Care Home and
- A male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A mandatory two-week remote learning period for students Grades 7 to 12 starting Jan. 4 will be a bit of an adjustment, according to Mountain View School Division (MVSD) superintendent Dan Ward.
“There will certainly be an adjustment period because right now most of our students in Grade 7 & 8 classes across the Division and attending in-person."
Ward tells CKDM the DRCSS in Dauphin will have an easier transition to going fully remote, as they’ve already been delivering a blended learning approach where students attend school only two days a week.
He says the other five smaller high schools in the MVSD — which have had students in-class full time — will require much more of an adjustment.
The mandatory two-week remote learning period for students Grade 7 to Grade 12 beginning Jan. 4, following the regularly scheduled holiday break.
Ward says in-class learning will continue for Grade 7 to 12 students with special needs.
Remote learning remains an option for all students, and the MVSD Superintendent & CEO says the "more than 300 children in kindergarten to Grade 6 who are receiving remote learning can certainly continue to do so.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Manitoba’s premier became emotional at his Thursday press conference as he delivered a strong message asking Manitobans not to gather over the holidays.
“I’m the guy who’s stealing Christmas to keep you safe.”
Premier Brian Pallister says he’s doing what he believes is right; advising Manitobans to change their holiday plans.
He lamented the lost opportunity to share the holiday with friends and family and make memories — but added that “we’ll have lots to celebrate next year” if we “do the right thing.”
“Stay safe. Protect each other. Love each other. Care for each other. There are so many ways to show that — but don’t get together this Christmas,” he said.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Public health officials have identified 368 new cases of COVID-19 today and 12 more deaths.
The full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba can be found at the bottom of this article.
Manitoba has a total of 17,750 cases province-wide.
Today’s COVID-19 data shows:
- 21 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
- 48 cases in the Northern health region
- 31 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
- 57 cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region and
- 211 cases in the Winnipeg health region
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (20), Swan River (10), Porcupine Mountain (13), Duck Mountain (27), Asessippi (10), Little Saskatchewan (12), Whitemud (22), Agassiz Mountain (2). Brandon has 147 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 59 active cases. Fisher/Peguis has 82.
Health officials have announced that the outbreaks declared at The Pas Homeless Shelter – Oscar's Place in The Pas has now been declared over.
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.1 percent provincially and 14.9 percent in Winnipeg.
Of Manitoba’s cases, 9,129 are considered active and 8,268 people have recovered from the virus. There are 357 people in hospital due to COVID-19 with 52 in intensive care.
The number of deaths is 353, as one previously announced death has been removed due to a data error.
Public health officials advise 12 additional deaths due to COVID-19 have been reported today including:
- a male in his 30s from the Interlake–Eastern health region
- a male in his 50s from the Northern health region
- a male in his 50s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at the Menno Home
- a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge
- a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region
- a female in her 70s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Fernwood Place
- a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region
- a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Maples Long Term Care Home
- a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Golden Links Lodge
- a male in his 90s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region and
- a female in her 90s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at the Menno Home
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Premier Brian Pallister announced Thursday another 20 rapid testing units will be deployed throughout the province, with some making their way to the Parkland area.
Dauphin will get two of the Abbot ID NOW rapid test kits; Russell will get one, and so will Neepawa, Virden, and Ashern.
Manitoba’s premier says these rapid testing kits will offer health-care providers a valuable early screening tool to identify potential outbreaks as quickly as possible — but they can’t replace traditional COVID-19 testing in all circumstances because they can only be used if a person has symptoms.
Pallister Talks Manitoba's Vaccine Preparedness
Pallister also announced the province is making “significant progress” getting ready to launch a coordinated vaccine campaign.
He says the province has procured the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to administer vaccine doses and added that 20 portable ultra-cold freezers have been purchased to store COVID-19 vaccines that have specialized storage requirements.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Fusion Credit Union has once again been named a Manitoba Top Employer by Canada's Top 100 Employers magazine.
CEO Darwin Johns says hitting this collective goal means a lot.
“This recognition is an ongoing reminder that we’re doing good things. We’re really prioritizing the needs of our employees and also creating a workplace culture we can definitely be proud of.”
Going forward, he says that they will continue their commitment to their employees.
Fusion recently installed massage chairs or nap pods in every branch as a part of their “Innovation Den” project.
“We do aim to continue our focus on employee wellness. It really is more of a journey that we started earlier this year by implementing dedicated wellness spaces in our branches.”
This is the second year in a row that Fusion has been named a Top Employer.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Winnipegosis RCMP are investigating an armed robbery at the gas bar on the Pine Creek First Nation.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, police responded to reports that a man entered the gas bar carrying a rifle and a bag and demanded cash and cigarettes.
The suspect later fled the area on foot and is described as wearing a black jacket, black balaclava and grey/blue work gloves.
A dark coloured sedan was observed in the area at the time of the robbery.
It’s the 2nd gun-point robbery at this location in the past three weeks.
RCMP are asking anyone who may have information related to this incident or the dark coloured sedan to contact the Winnipegosis RCMP at 204-656-7000, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at Manitoba Crime Stoppers.
Winnipegosis RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Gilbert Plains Elementary School put on a special display of support last week for residents and staff in the nearby care home dealing with a COVID outbreak.
Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 made “Get Well Cards” and other artwork to cheer up residents and staff at the Gilbert Plains Care Home.
On Thursday, Nov. 26th, school staff set up the cards and artwork outside of the care home so they could be visible from the windows.
Staff at Gilbert Plains Elementary School set up the Get Well Cards and artwork outside of the Gilbert Plains Care Home for residents and staff to see.
Gilbert Plains Elementary Principal Chris Barkman tells CKDM the students really wanted to reach out to their care home neighbours right across the street and show support.
Barkman was later told by care home staff that the Get Well Cards were the “highlight of the week” for some residents.
“We actually went and some staff members held up the artwork the students made for the residents. That was kind of neat to see also,” he said.
Natalie Talpash is an educational assistant at the school and tells CKDM they felt it was important to do something in support of the care home across the street while they deal with a very challenging situation.
“This was one way of showing that ‘hey, we haven’t forgotten you guys’, and a thank-you to all the workers that are over there and the people that are going through some difficult times in that building.”
Talpash organized the initiative alongside Angela Kotyk, who works in the school assisting a student and is also a nurse.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
