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Starting February 28th, the federal government will no longer be requiring PCR tests for fully vaccinated travelers entering the country. Those with at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will only need a rapid antigen test, approved by the country they're coming from, within 24 hours of their flight.
Vaccinated travelers can still be selected for a random test when they arrive, but will not be required to quarantine while waiting for the results. The antigen tests are often much less expensive than a PCR test. Unvaccinated travelers will still be required to take a PCR test and quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
UPDATE: According to Manitoba RCMP, the Emerson border crossing is now clear.
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The Manitoba RCMP has released a statement saying they have peacefully resolved the situation at the Emerson border crossing. They are now working to clear out all remaining protestors and it is expected that all will be cleared out by tomorrow.
The RCMP has been working to peacefully resolve the situation at Emerson, which has been affecting $73 million dollars of trade daily.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Dauphin City Council met tonight for their third meeting of the year. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting.
- February 26th was proclaimed as Coldest Night of the Year for the City of Dauphin. It is a virtual event, hosted by the Dauphin Friendship Centre, and more information can be found here.
- An asset management program has been put into place where the City’s Public Works, Engineering, ICT, and Finance team have been working on developing a policy, plan, training, and asset registry that will capture the status and condition of all City assets to ensure they continue to be managed responsibly going forward.
“In February 2021, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipal Asset Management Program awarded funding to the City of Dauphin to support the implementation of an asset management program in our organization. The grant program offers 80% of the total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $50,000.”
- There was a motion carried to extend the lease of the Shared Health Inc. space at CN Station.
“In 2020, the City renewed the lease agreement with Shared Health Inc. for space at CN Station for a period of two years from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022. The agreement provides the option to extend the lease for three additional terms of one year provided the Lessee submits their notice of extension three months in advance of the end of the lease term.”
- Each year, Manitoba Water Services Board requests that municipalities identify priority capital projects that are to be completed within the next 2 – 5 years for consideration to be included in the MWSB 5-year Capital Plan. Each individual project requires its own form to be completed and submitted. The council Identified priority water and wastewater projects for the city as follows.
- Wastewater Treatment and Lagoon Upgrades
- Main Street South Watermain Renewal and Rehabilitation
- Pressure Management System Upgrades
- Water Supply Security
- Aqueduct Renewal
Today's council meeting was live-streamed and can be viewed here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The new loosened Public Health restrictions in the province of Manitoba have officially kicked in.
Last week Premier Heather Stefanson and Chief Public Health Officer Doctor Brent Roussin announced the sped-up loosening of restrictions in the province due to the peak of the Omicron wave of the pandemic.
The restrictions that are now in place are:
- Masks and physical distancing continue to be required in indoor public spaces.
- Indoor gatherings in public spaces will be limited to 50 people if anyone over 12 is not fully vaccinated.
- Indoor gatherings in public spaces will have no limit if everyone over 12 is fully vaccinated.
- There are no longer capacity limits for outdoor public or private gatherings regardless of vaccination status.
- There are no capacity limits for indoor private gatherings regardless of vaccination status.
- Restaurants will have no capacity limits or table size limits but will still require proof of vaccination for anyone over 12 who's dining in.
- Liquor sales in licensed establishments return to normal hours of operation.
- No capacity limits at sporting events with proof of vaccination still required.
- Proof of vaccination or testing no longer required for youth 12-17 for indoor and recreational sports.
They also announced that there's a plan to remove the proof of vaccination requirements in all settings on March 1 as well as a plan to remove all mask requirements and other restrictions by March 15.
In some settings, including personal care homes, shelters, and healthcare facilities, public health officials will continue to notify close contacts of COVID-19 cases until March 8 before lifting that requirement.
A full list of the restrictions coming into place next week can be found here.
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- Contributed by Eric Fawx
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this afternoon that his government will be invoking the Federal Emergencies Act. This will be to strengthen law enforcement agencies around the country to deal with illegal blockades and occupations.
The Ambassador Bridge, between Windsor and Detroit, was cleared yesterday while other border crossings, including The Emerson Crossing in Manitoba, remain blocked.
The act will be used to strengthen law enforcement agencies at all levels, the military will not be called in. The measures will only be in place as long as necessary and will be targeted where needed.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson says she does not think that the Federal Emergencies act is needed for Manitoba's Emerson border crossing. She said the situation is very different than in other places around the country and should be treated as so.
The blockade at the Emerson Border Crossing is affecting $73 million in trade daily. Premier Stefanson says she has and will continue to listen to law enforcement agencies for advice on handling the situation.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
UPDATE: According to the RCMP, Jessica Leblanc has been safely located.
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The RCMP is searching for 27-year-old Jessica Lablanc who was last seen on Thursday. She was walking along Highway 1, between Brandon and Carberry, heading east towards Winnipeg.
Leblanc is described as approximately 5’7”, 140 lbs, with long brown hair and brown eyes, the RCMP is concerned for her safety.
If you have information on her whereabouts please call RCMP at 204-857-8767, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Early Saturday Morning, the Cross Lake RCMP responded to a house fire on Pimicikamak Cree Nation. First Nation Safety Officers were first on the scene and had already attempted to enter the residence through a window but had been pushed back by the heat. Members of the Cross Lake Fire Department were on scene and extinguished the fire.
There were seven people inside when the fire started. Four of the residents, a 36-year old male, a 36-year-old female, a 20-year-old female, and a 4-year-old female were able to escape through a window and received medical attention for various injuries.
Once the fire was under control, firefighters and officers entered the residence. They located three deceased individuals inside and an autopsy has been scheduled to confirm their identities.
The investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Office of the Fire Commissioner, no other details have been released.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Multiple people have been arrested after the RCMP responded to a firearm incident and a case of arson in Swan River.
Last Sunday, RCMP responded to a structure fire in the Starlite Trailer Court where flames were concentrated to a side window, no one was inside at the time. Two days later, officers responded to shots fired at a residence on 6th avenue, where the window of a vehicle was shot out, no injuries were reported.
An investigation into both cases led to police seizing several firearms and placing multiple people under arrest, no further details have been provided.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
This afternoon there was a fourth rally held in Dauphin to protest the Public Health Mandates in place across Canada.
They held a rally in the Dauphin Marketplace Mall parking lot with a speech before heading out onto Main Street for a slow roll convoy.
The slow roll made its way up and down Main Street before heading back to the mall parking lot.
For the first time during one of the Dauphin protests, there was a couple who showed their support for the vaccines and mandates and were in opposition of the convoy and rally.
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- Contributed by Eric Fawx
Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern is getting a $10.8 million renovation that will expand the emergency department with additional treatment space, and a planned increase of up to 12 inpatient beds. The goal of the renovation is to reduce the need for patients to travel to Winnipeg for care and allow them to recover closer to home after having specialized care elsewhere.
Manitoba's Health Minister Audrey Gordon made the announcement today,
“Today’s investment will expand Lakeshore General Hospital’s emergency department and enhance services in Ashern while improving access to some specialized services for Interlake residents, reducing the need for travel to Winnipeg to receive care.”
Manitoba's Clinical and Preventative Services plan is working to improve healthcare access, quality, and equity. The plan is to start renovations at the end of 2022, or the start of 2023.
All information about the donation released today can be found here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The Swan River RCMP responded to a number of firearm-related offenses between February 5th and the 9th. Officers from the detachment and the West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team located and seized a number of weapons, related to the incidents.
RCMP seized two shotguns, two rifles, a handgun, and a pellet gun. Multiple people have been arrested, the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
