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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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Yesterday was busy at the legislative building in Winnipeg. The Dauphin Correctional Centre Coalition group met with Justice Minister Cliff Cullen at noon. Cullen says he appreciates the local group coming for the conversation. He adds that the decision wasn’t made lightly and they are going ahead with it.
“Well, I appreciate their opinion, obviously they have concerns about their community and potential changes in their community. We recognize that change is difficult. A lot of individuals and families will be impacted by the decision. So, it was certainly I think a positive discussion about that and we committed to working with the committee as we work through this process.”
Cullen also gave a definitive no to the government reversing its decision to close the jail.
“We’re committed to this decision, obviously it was a difficult decision to make, but we believe it’s the right decision. Obviously it will impact individuals. That’s why we’re working closely with the employees and will continue to work closely with the employees as we move through the process.”
When asked if all the effort people have taken to try and reverse the decision means nothing, Cullen had this to say.
“No, it means that we are going to continue to work with the community and the Parkland, in terms of determining if there are individuals that want to stay and work in the Parkland Region. It also means that we are going to continue to commit on the positive economic impact that’s happened in the Parkland over the last few years. We as a government have invested over the last 2 years, 47 million dollars in the Parkland, we continue and will be making investments in the Parkland and we will definitely be working on the economic front as we move forward.”
Cullen says they now have an economic development committee of cabinet and they’ve put together various strategies to develop economics in Manitoba. When it comes to rural Manitoba there are specific organizations and groups that are looking at developing rural Manitoba and Cullen says the initial focus will be on the Parkland.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
As the Bank of Canada announced it’s slashed its key interest rate a half a percentage point, CKDM reached out to a financial expert to better understand what impact that has on the average Manitoban.
Gerry Wieler with Fusion Credit Union in Dauphin says it will affect some people in a good way.
“Probably most Manitobans are going to be affected. Half in a good way, and half maybe in a bit of a difficult way. For people borrowing, it makes money a little bit cheaper.”
Wieler adds that the Canadian economy has been stable overall and that when rates drop like this, people with debt can pay it off a little bit quicker.
“It makes housing a bit more affordable. People looking at the housing market might qualify for a better house price, or their cost for buying that house will be a little bit less in the future.”
Fusion Credit Union provides all banking services from deposits to loans, to chequing accounts, term deposits, and investment advice.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Once again, the Ag Society’s Farm Outlook provided valuable insight into the state of the industry.
In her first year as society president, Jamie Damsgaard says the event is a celebration of agriculture producers.
“The Farm Outlook recognizes agriculture in our community. Our mandate at the Ag Society is to bring awareness to agriculture, and all the struggles the industry can sometimes face.”
During the lunch break, former Ag Society president Tere Stykalo announced this year’s Ron Brook Memorial Award winner as Virginia Fox and her late husband Lyal Fox.
The award will be presented at the Ag Fair this summer.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Dauphin Correctional Centre Coalition Group has now finished their meeting with Justice Minister Cliff Cullen, and the result is not what they’d hoped for.
CKDM reporter Isaac Wihak spoke with DCCC group co-founder Larry Budzinski immediately after the meeting in Winnipeg.
“Well it was cordial, but I would say it is frustrating from our point of view. We asked the direct question of the ministers if they would put this on hold and stop the closure until we can plan something together. The answer seemed to be, unequivocally, no.”
Budzinski thanked the people of Dauphin and the Parkland region, and urged them to continue writing the minister and premier.
“I guess what I’ve learned is that elected representatives are not necessarily listening the people if our area and our region. Everyone thinks this is a terrible decision."
Justice Minister Cliff Cullen says the jail is too old, and no longer meets facility standards.
“We’re committed to this decision. Obviously it was a difficult decision to make, but we believe it’s the right decision. Obviously it will impact individuals; that’s why we are working with employees and will continue to do so as we work through this process.”
Today the Manitoba government announced details about it’s new transition committee to work with staff and families affected by the closure of the Dauphin Correction Centre.
The Justice Minister says the goal is to help answer questions, identify resources and connect employees and their families with their next employment opportunity.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
“Export demand has been actually reasonably strong. Now, we had a poor quality crop in Western Canada this year; that’s combined with some logistics issues creating an impact on our actual export levels. Still the wheat market globally remains fairly strong for demand.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The Dauphin Correctional Centre Coalition Group has entered the meeting with Justice Minister Cliff Cullen.
The group hopes to have a good meeting with Minister Cullen.
Before heading into the meeting Isaac Wihak spoke with group co-founder, Larry Budzinski, to get his expectations.
"We're here to say that, as we've always said, there's no need for the closure, we're asking him to consider putting a halt on this thing until we can build something with the community." He adds, "We are here to offer our advice and tell the minister that the region is solidly behind our idea and hopefully he has the time and interest to listen to us."
Stay tuned to 730 CKDM and 730ckdm.com for reaction following the meeting.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
