NewsNow

A federal ban on a range of assault-style guns was announced today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The cabinet order Trudeau presented doesn’t forbid ownership of the “military-style” weapons, but does prohibit their trading.

The order takes effect immediately, and provides current gun owners to have a two-year amnesty period. A compensation program has been discussed, but requires a bill to be passed in Parliament.

The Prime Minister explains the ban is a response to several mass shootings that have happened in Canada, from the 1989 killings at Ecole Polytechnique, to the mass shooting last week in Nova Scotia.

Guns that are not designed for sport shooting have been growing in the Canadian market, according to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

The Liberal’s election platform last fall promised stricter gun control measures.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: May 1, 2020 - 11:32 am

The Dauphin Agricultural Society has postponed the 129^th annual fair, scheduled for June 26^th to 28^th.

The Ag Society feels that at this time they’re unable to deliver a high-quality event that everyone would expect.

In a press release, they thank their volunteers, patrons, vendors, sponsors and community that have supported them.

The 2021 fair will take place from July 2^nd to 4^th.

Details

Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: May 1, 2020 - 9:34 am

Dauphin MLA Brad Michaleski doesn’t think the documents released by the Liberals concerning the closure of the Dauphin Jail should surprise anyone.

“I don’t think Mr Lamont has any smoking gun here.”

Michaleski says the decision around the courthouse and jail has been a long-standing issue, and departments have been aware of the situation for many years.

“I looked at, sort of, the timeline of what Mr Lamont was suggesting, and it does show that the government took time to consider this decision. It wasn’t a decision that was made lightly, it wasn’t a decision that was made quickly, and I think the documents that minister Lamont supposedly has does point out that the decision wasn’t taken lightly.”

Michaleski says he knew about the plans to close the jail beforehand because he was part of the announcement.

“Certainly, I knew, and I was part of that group that came and presented to council, what the decision was. Again, I appreciate the fact that there was three ministers and myself that came up and made the announcement. It wasn’t something that we were running away from, we came and made a decision, and announced it at the same time.”

Michaleski also wanted to say that he’s had discussions with the justice department on COVID in corrections.

“I know that there’s a declining number of inmates in provincial institutions and, of course, top of mind has been the safety of the staff and inmates during COVID. So I know, with declining numbers overall in provincial corrections and a declining number in Dauphin, I think there was measures taken to ensure COVID was being considered in terms of safety of the staff and inmates.”

Michaleski says he raised the issue of the DCC workers having to move during a pandemic with the department.

 “The government has made a decision and it wasn’t taken lightly and there’s a timeline to wind down. Again, the concerns about COVID and extending it (The timeline of the closure), if there was some situation where the staff and inmates were at high level, but in fact, Dauphin was declining in numbers.”

Details

Contributed by Isaac Wihak

Published: May 1, 2020 - 5:24 am

The fallout of the COVID pandemic is making it difficult for some to afford nutritious meals.

The Gilbert Plains Wish A Dish program is providing a free meal kit for residents that are struggling to make ends meet.

Gilbert Plains Rec Director, Chantal Gamache explains the idea behind the program.

“We just want to make sure everybody in our community has the opportunity to put a healthy meal on their table for themselves and their family. With the current pandemic, that’s a struggle for some so we just want to make sure everyone has that opportunity.”

Donations are being accepted towards the program to buy food for the meal kits and can be dropped off at the Gilbert Plains Municipality building.

The deadline for applications is Friday, May 22^nd.

For more information, and to apply, you can call (204)-548-2519 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: May 1, 2020 - 5:00 am

After the RCMP received 101 calls related to COVID-19 from April 14-20, the number of calls decreased from April 21-27, albeit by two.

From the 21-27, 99 calls were received across the province, most of which were reports of ten or more people gathering at a location and that goes against the Public Health Order that is in effect.

In the West District which includes Dauphin, there were 36 calls related to COVID-19, compared to 64 the previous week. 

Three warnings were given while no charges were laid. 

"I think people are now in that mode where they know what's going on," said Paul Manaigre, Media Relations Officer with RCMP. "I believe people are more comfortable and they understand what has to happen as far as not gathering with big groups."

Manaigre is now wondering what will happen in the near future as temperatures continue to get nicer and he knows people will have the urge to get outside and gather. 

"I guess the big question is will this generate more calls or will the trend continue, that's what we'll find out very soon," continued Manaigre. 

In the entire province, there were seven verbal warnings issued. 

One ticket was issued and it was given to an adult male up north. On April 25, the male was instructed to self-isolate for 14 days by health professionals while he awaited his test results.

He told the medical staff that he wouldn't comply and left the hospital on foot. A short time later, he was located by the RCMP who offered him a ride home. He refused and as a result, he was charged with Failing to Comply with a Provincial Emergency Order under the Public Health Act.

Reports of non-compliance can be made to the Manitoba Government Inquiry line at 1-866-626-4862.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 1, 2020 - 4:00 am

As of April 29, Prairie Mountain Health has conducted 1080 COVID-19 tests, 202 of which have been in Dauphin while the other 878 were in Brandon.

From April 27-April 29, 20 tests were done in Dauphin while Brandon completed 92. 

PMH also announced that Swan River is set to get a testing site and that will open tomorrow. 

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 30, 2020 - 3:08 pm

The Gilbert Plains Community Fund 2020 grant announcements have been made.

Chairperson Charlene Gulak says the community usually gathers for their annual fundraising event to announce the recipients. She says without the opportunity to gather because of social distancing requirements, the grant recipients have been announced in a video, alongside CKDM.

Charlene says this is the 13th year of giving grant allocations back to the community. In that time, over $60,000 has been distributed to 25 community groups in Gilbert Plains and the surrounding area.

“We’re really proud of our local volunteer efforts to generate this sort of outcome.”

Here's a link to the announcement video.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Apr 30, 2020 - 2:34 pm

Organizers for Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival are sad to announce the postponement of this year’s event.

It would have been the 55th Anniversary of the big celebration of Ukrainian culture.

Festival president Kayla Gillis says the Board of Directors decided the postponement was in the best interest of the public, the entertainers, and for all the patrons.

“It’s sad that we won’t be able to celebrate the Ukrainian culture. We’re hoping everyone still thinks of the August long weekend as a chance to party in your backyard and celebrate the Ukrainian culture,” Gillis says.

The festival president says ticket holders will be contacted in the coming weeks.

The festival has been rescheduled to next year, on July 31st, August 1st, and August 2nd.

“I think next year is going to be a heck of a party,” Gillis said.

More information will be available in the coming weeks at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival website.

Details

Contributed by Matt Hamel

Published: Apr 30, 2020 - 1:29 pm

Today Public Health officials announced 2 new cases of COVID-19.

The total number of cases in the province is 275. In the Prairie Mountain Health region, there are 15 lab-confirmed cases. Today it was announced the Parkland area will be getting another COVID screening site, located in Swan River.

The number of deaths remains at 6, and 5 people are hospitalized. Right now, there are 49 active cases and 220 people have recovered.

Dr. Brent Roussin is reminding Manitobans to continue to be mindful of the virus.

"We still need Manitobans to take precautions, still be mindful of social distancing. This is not a return to normal at this point. If we continue to function the way we have been, we'll continue to decrease the transmission of this virus in Manitoba, which will allow us to further loosen our restrictions."

For more information, visit Manitoba.ca/covid19.

Details

Contributed by Tess Kovach

Published: Apr 30, 2020 - 1:22 pm

Swan River is set to get a COVID-19 testing site.

Prairie Mountain Health will open the site at the Manitoba Public Insurance service centre at 125, 4th Avenue North and it will open tomorrow on May 1. The hours of operation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week.

Prior to the site opening, tests were being done inside the emergency department at the hospital.

"We've been monitoring our testing volumes at all sites and we want to have a site one hour within our communities and Swan River is about two hours from Dauphin," said Glenda Short, Vice President of Community Programs for Prairie Mountain Health. "The right decision was to open a new testing site in Swan River."

Sites in the PMH now include one in Brandon, Dauphin, and Swan River. Short says more testing sites may open in the future, but there are no plans at this time. 

Short also adds that testing is going well within PMH with just 15 lab-confirmed cases. 

"They've all been running as drive-thru and everything has been going excellent," continued Short. "It's been taking about 10 minutes from the time people drive up to the time they can leave and then isolate for two weeks."

The public is reminded that you must contact Health Links in order to be screened and receive notice of an appointment. The number for Health Links-Info Sante is 1-888-315-9257.

The province has now expanded testing to any Manitoban with symptoms of COVID-19 --- even just mild --- which include a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and or fever.

You can access the online screening tool and more information here.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 30, 2020 - 12:38 pm