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Windmill Microlending is a charity that gives low-interest loans to immigrants and refugees so they can get the proper credentials to continue a high skilled job in Canada.
Olukayode Jegede is from Nigeria but living in Swan River, and says Windmill has worked for him, adding it’s pretty easy to apply.
“I just put in if I worked and I got in the mail a letter I was scheduled for a Skype interview, after that, I was connected with the financial department and they told me how to request for the loan at every point I needed.”
National Director of Marketing and Communications for Windmill, Mary Ellen Armstrong says Canada really tries to attract skilled immigrants and refugees.
Armstrong says it’s very common for newcomers to end up not returning to their careers, which means they end up working in a lower skilled, lower paid position than what they are trained to be doing.
Windmill has helped over 4000 skilled immigrants and refugees all over Canada since starting in 2006. Manitoba clients had 2 loans in 2006, in 2018, the number jumped to 18. Almost all Manitoba clients are nurses to help with the nursing shortage some areas are facing.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Over 8 thousand dollars was presented to 10 Gilbert Plains community groups on Saturday.
The Gilbert Plains Community Fund held its annual Awards and Grant Recognition evening at the new community hall.
Charlene Gulak says it’s always been a special event for Gilbert Plains, noting it’s one of the first annual of the spring, which brings people together.
“What’s been so special this year is that the event has been held in the new community hall, which is just a wonderful facility. It’s one of the first events being held here and we’re just pleased moving forward to be able to have local celebrations.”
It was a night of big donations, both from the Community Fund and to the fund. Gulak notes they received two legacy donations that grew the fund by 35 thousand dollars.
“To receive a legacy donation like we did this last year, in particular, just really just represents how important and significant the fund is in supporting local community projects.”
The fund has practical value in charitable giving and supporting people’s own tax plans. Gulak says that’s something to be mindful of.
The list of recipients includes:
Richardson Pioneer Gilbert Plains Community Hall received $2,175,
Veselka Dancers were given $500,
and the Gilbert Plains Community Resource Council received $200.,
The Gilbert Plains Curling Club received $500,
The Gilbert Plains Recreation Commission was given $2,175,
Gilbert Plains Legion #98 received $700,
Heartland Lanes received $850,
the Gilbert Plains Personal Care Home received $700,
The Daily Discoveries, Inc. was given $250,
And the Gilbert Plains Drop-In Centre received $500.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
One year ago, the Humboldt Broncos team bus collided with a semi, changing the lives of players, family, and friends.
Hayley Kennedy, executive director of Partners Family Services, a counselling service in Humboldt, recalls her first thoughts upon hearing about the tragedy.
“It was actually via social media and my first thoughts were just immediately to how many families and our community and how they’d be impacted. It was absolutely devastating and heartbreaking.”
Sixteen people were killed and 13 were injured after the Saskatchewan hockey team's bus collided with a semi driven by a novice trucker who blew through a stop sign at a rural intersection.
Kennedy says the community is committed to moving forward, but the tragedy will always be a part of their history and in their minds.
“Humboldt as itself will not be defined by the accident, any more than the Humboldt Broncos team is defined by the accident. We’ll still be a resilient community, we’ll build off some of the lessons that we’ve learned. There is a path forward. We’ll never be the same as we were April 5th. It will be different but we’ll still be a strong community.”
Organizers of a vigil are expecting about three-thousand people to attend today's memorial marking the first anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy. A moment of silence will be held at the exact time of the deadly crash, 4:50 pm.
Kennedy was in the 29 forever documentary of the tragedy.
“Since April 6th, I’ve coordinated quite a few of the mental health supports that have been available in Humboldt and area. Through my role coordinating those supports, as well as my role supporting the Humboldt Broncos team, I was approached by TSN and asked if I would be willing to share some of my thoughts on the community. How the tragedy’s impacted the community, and where we see ourselves going forth.”
The tragedy moved people across Canada and around the world to put hockey sticks on their front porches in solidarity with the Humboldt community.
RCMP Commanding officer of F Div, Asst. Commissioner Mark Fisher made a statement regarding the tragedy.
“The Humboldt Broncos Bus tragedy affected the people of Saskatchewan and any person that rode a bus or put their child in the care of others on a bus.
Within the RCMP, the collision, first response, investigation, court proceedings, and now the anniversary has impacted our employees that worked directly or indirectly to the RCMP response to the tragedy.
The number of RCMP employees that worked in this investigation would be incalculable. Close to the entire division fulfilled some role in the investigation, directly or in a support role, and I believe all were affected in one way or another.
The RCMP is acutely aware of the demands and effects such a tragedy can have on our employees and we have several emotional supports and mental health services available to our entire membership. We reflect on the past year, assess our role and what we could have done better. As we near the anniversary of this tragedy, our thoughts are of the families, the community, and all of those affected by this tragic day.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
To avoid becoming a victim of tax scams, it’s important to know what’s out there.
Jessica Gunson with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says scams can come in many forms like a phone call, an e-mail, or even a text message.
“Know what’s out there. So again I go back to that ‘Recognize, Reject, Report.’ Recognize the scam. So that when that phone call is received, the e-mail is received, the text message comes in; you’re able to recognize it. Lastly, it’s to tell as many people as you can. Because we’ve had consumers that have said, ‘you know what I was talking with my neighbour; I didn’t even realize this kind of thing was out there. The next day I got an e-mail and would have fallen for it.’ So just by you telling someone if you belong to a group or club, talking to your family members, talking to your friends, you may save somebody from losing lifetime savings by making them aware that these kinds of scams are out there.”
These kinds of scams usually increase during tax season, but scams can happen at any time of the year. So it's important to be aware and be prepared.
“Scams are cyclical. Just because it’s not tax season, we know of consumers that have fallen for something just before Christmas. Because the fraudsters will make it seem like it’s a past issue and it’s just being caught now. So it doesn’t really matter the season.”
Gunson says anyone can be a victim. Saying they’ve had calls from all ages.
“The CRA will do callbacks on the phone occasionally if they are running a certain campaign. But they are not going to call you back and tell you; you need to pay right away. That’s the difference.”
Tips to follow if something asks for money or your information:
- Avoid clicking on any links,
- Don’t pay. The government will never ask to pay with bitcoin, gift cards, or band drafts.
- Or if the class sounds suspicious just hang up.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
April 4th, Manitoba First Nations Police Service executed a search warrant in Sandy Bay First Nation.
During the search, an AK-47 style rifle, along with various types of ammunition and a high capacity magazine were found.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
At the beginning of May, there will be a course for Wilderness First Aid.
The course is for outdoors people that may run into a situation where there’s an emergency and can’t contact emergency services.
President of the Parkland Paddling Club, Mick Lautt, says this course is about being prepared in the backcountry to deal with a situation with proper training and the confidence you can take care of someone in your group should you need to.
Lautt says the course is hands-on, so there is a classroom and theory part where they will provide manuals and written information about the materials.
He adds they’ll spend a lot of time doing scenario work because it’s a great way to ingrain the knowledge and get hands-on experience.
The course will run from May 2nd to 5th. They are hoping to have at least 12 people registered. If you’d like to register, click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Gas prices across Dauphin and the rest of the Parkland has jumped.
In Dauphin gas went from 120 yesterday to around 126.9 today.
According to GasBuddy historical data, Manitoba gas prices on April 1st ranged widely over the last five years.
Last year's April 1st gas was around 112 and in 2016 it was 90.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Highway 10 in Riding Mountain National Park has re-opened after being closed for about an hour and a half.
Manitoba 511 is showing that the road is still icy and foggy.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
An official with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency explained how there are different standards at play during a meeting studying the escalating trade dispute with China.
Member of Parliament Robert Sopuck is part of the federal agriculture committee that held two emergency meetings dealing with the canola crisis.
“Both Canada and China have different testing methodologies for testing the quality of canola, and that actually floored me because I would assume that they would be comparing oranges to oranges if you know what I mean. But with two testing methods, China is always going to be able to say ‘well our method is better or more efficient and we don’t trust what Canada says.’”
Sopuck says it’s nonsense given how well Canadian canola is received around the world.
A science-based solution is what the government of Canada is putting forward to resolve the canola issue with China.
But Sopuck thinks these trade issues are murky and complex and often not related to the commodity at hand. “I am concerned that there are larger issues in the shadows that are not being discussed in the way that they are supposed to be.”
There are other markets, but because China buys 40 per cent of Canadian canola, it’s causing difficulty for both producers and the industry.
“We want to ensure that the world and China know that we’re not only watching this, but we know that our canola is safe and it’s the best in the world. That’s based on science.”
China indicated they have a quality concern with canola seed, but canola oil and meal are not subject to the same challenges.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
MPI has provided the police in Manitoba some funding for a campaign to focus on finding distracted drivers.
Brian Smiley, with MPI, says they have provided the RCMP and police services around the province, 175 thousand dollars for the month of April. The money is to pay for officers’ overtime hours to work on this program.
The money will get spread out based off of which officers do more overtime work. Typically, the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP and Brandon Police Service receive the bulk of the funding but the smaller police agencies will get money too.
Smiley says MPI is doing this because people in the Parkland should be able to drive on the roads safely without issues. Those that are out driving while texting or talking on their phone are putting people’s lives at risk.
In the last 6 years, this campaign has resulted in 13 thousand offences. Distracted driving results in about 30 deaths yearly in Manitoba.
Anyone caught driving while being distracted will receive an automatic 3-day license suspension, 672 dollar fine, and upon conviction, the driver will receive 5 demerits as well. A second offence within 10 years will result in a 7-day license suspension, the same 672 dollar fine and 5 demerits.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Starting May 21st, spring cleaning for the City of Dauphin will begin in the Day 1 Area.
After the Day 1 area has been completed, crews will go through the rest of the 4-day cycle.
Crews will be collecting compostable materials such as garden waste, grass, leaves, shrubs, and tree branches.
The materials must be free of recycling, household and hazardous waste, and must be in a clearly identifiable pile, or packaged in biodegradable bags or boxes.
The pick-up will occur in the back lane if you don’t have a back lane place your items on the boulevard near the curb.
Crews will be using large equipment and ask for items to be placed close to the lane or curb to avoid property damage.
For more information, call 204-622-3202.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
