City of Dauphin Council Sworn In

The new City of Dauphin Council was sworn into their roles last night at the Inaugural Council Meeting, and have officially taken office.

David Bosiak was elected Mayor, collecting 74.14% of the popular vote, and he'll be joined by a perfect split of new and incumbent members of the council. Former Mayor Christian Laughland (1,418 votes), along with incumbent councilors Kathy Bellemare (1,309 votes) and Devin Shtykalo (1,176 votes) are the three councillors that were re-elected.

Laughland was named the City's Deputy Mayor at last night's meeting, and Bosiak talked about the experience of all three incumbent councillors on the Al Morning Show last week.

"There's just a wealth of experience with the three that are around the table, and their understanding and my appreciation for them, they've all acted as deputy mayor, so they all understand what that role entails, and they're all willing to pitch in where necessary."

As far as new faces on council, Steeve Sobering collected 1,363 votes, Randy Daley got 1,297 votes, and Ted Rea had 1,187 votes. Sobering says he can't wait to get to work in his new role.

"I'm really looking forward to it, we have a really good team, that's something you're going to hear again and again. I think the people that voted are very enthusiastic about this council and have high expectations, so I hope we deliver on that."

Daley says that working in City Hall over the years has allowed him to get to know everyone he'll be working with well.

"I mean I know everybody here, I know everybody on council personally. I know their backgrounds and what they bring to the table, so I'm pretty excited about who we have here, and I think we have a very progressive group. So I'm really looking forward to getting to work and seeing where we can take it."

Rea says he's happy with the voter turnout on election day, and it shows that people care.

"The turnout that we had demonstrates that the city itself is invested in the future, and I'm looking forward to getting on committees and starting my participation in the process."

The new council will hold its first Regular Council Meeting next Monday, November 14th.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Nov 8, 2022 - 6:00 am

Dauphin Co-op has become a drop-off center for Tabs for Wheelchairs, a program that provides specialized wheelchairs for children whose families can't afford them over the past 24 years.

Rachel Goy, an Administration Office Team Member at Co-op recently found out about the program and asked if the company would provide somewhere for people to drop off any tabs they've collected. Goy says the tabs will then be brought to Winnipeg and Recycled.

"You can bring your tabs into the Dauphin Co-op Food Store, or to the Ste. Rose Co-op Home and Building Centre. You can bring them, in a ziplock bag, in a large container, whatever amount you've collected, if you want to wait until you've collected more that's great, but certainly, you can pour them into our collection bin. As the bin fills I'll be emptying it and saving them, and transporting them to Winnipeg."

Goy says that since the program started, they've seen donations come in many forms.

"There's also a lot of monetary donations that come in. Over the past 24 years, there have been 50 chairs presented to children. 24 come directly from the donation of the tabs, and 26 are from the monetary donations."

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Goy by calling the administration office at 204-638-6003 Ext 201 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Nov 7, 2022 - 3:45 pm

The Flu Clinics scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Swan River and 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Winnipegosis today have been cancelled.

Another Flu Clinic in Swan River is scheduled for tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m at Veteran's Hall, while the Winnipegosis Flu Clinic will be rescheduled.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Nov 7, 2022 - 9:06 am

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced Friday that $8.9 million in project funding will be provided to support the Brandon Police Service Permanent Cell Build Project, which will construct a new modern detention facility in the community.

Premier Stefanson says that Manitobans are immensely grateful for law enforcement partners putting their health and safety at risk and their lives on the line to help protect them every day.

"Our government is taking action to ensure law enforcement partners have the tools they need to do their jobs. This investment will help create a new, better environment to enhance the safety of front-line officers and strengthen Manitoba’s public safety and corrections system,” she adds.

Stefanson went on to say that the new permanent detention facility will allow the Brandon Police Service to transition away from temporary modular cells the Manitoba government had previously funded to address interim demand and that the project, coupled with the temporary modular cells, initially received $4.4 million through the Manitoba Restart Program.

Minister Kelvin Goertzen says that the provincial government recognizes the value of modern detention facilities to meet the needs of law enforcement processes and individuals being detained.

“Despite the best efforts of the City of Brandon and Brandon Police Service, estimated project costs unexpectedly rose due to global inflation, so we have stepped up to help them realize this worthy project,” he adds.

According to Goertzen, construction of the new detention facility began in September, with cells scheduled to be completed by August 2023 and the attached vehicle bays being completed by January 2024.

More information can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Nov 7, 2022 - 6:00 am

Norman Long of Dauphin is the grand prize winner of $100,000 in the 2022 Neepawa Farm & Leisure Lottery.

The 50/50 prize of $49,945 went to Libby, Morris & Julie Moroz of Ethelbert.

$1000 prize winners:

Jacqueline & Chris Bellisle - Neepawa, MB

Jim Kyle - Virden, MB

Tracy Paddock - Oak River, MB

Agnes Moir - Griswold, MB

Chris, Linda & Shawna Fay - Lockport, MB

$500 prize winners:

Linda Turko - McCreary, MB

E. Cameron - Eden, MB

Brett Clark - Miniota, MB

Brian Milligan - Neepawa, MB

Terry Surry - Plumas, MB

Jodar Farms - Shortdale, MB

Evelyn Ramage - Manitou, MB

Dave Bicknell - Birtle, MB

Leighton Schroeder - Brandon, MB

John Thorne - Brandon, MB

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for the lottery.

Details: Contributed by Alec Woolston; Published: Nov 6, 2022 - 5:43 pm

The Dauphin & District Allied Arts Council will be hosting its 50^th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, November 6^th at the Watson Art Centre from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Centre Coordinator Peter Nadolny says that the event will feature rooms and halls filled with works of art and displays.

"Showing the last 50 years of the Dauphin & District Allied Arts Council's formation and involvement in the City and in the Parkland," he adds.

Nadolny went on to say that there will be speeches and performances, adding that he made his living in theatre and first performed on the stage at the Watson Art Centre.

"I owe a lot to the place and I think I'm not the only one in the town that feels that way," he adds.

According to Nadolny, the arts council's mission is to foster arts, culture and heritage in Dauphin and surrounding areas.

Admission will be free for everyone who wants to attend and all food and refreshments at the event will be free as well.

"The first half-hour will be milling around with coffee, cake, tea, etc.," he adds.

For more information, call the Watson Art Centre at 204-638-6231 or visit their Facebook page.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 10:18 am

UPDATE (Nov. 6^th, 10:17 p.m.): The snowfall warnings have ended.

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UPDATE (Nov. 6^th, 1:15 p.m.): Environment Canada has replaced the special weather statements with snowfall warnings.

They say that heavy snow will continue before tapering off this afternoon or this evening and that an additional 5 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected today.

Environment Canada recommends that people prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions, since visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop, they add.

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Environment Canada has issued multiple special weather statements for Dauphin and surrounding areas.

They are currently in effect for many communities in the following areas:

According to Environment Canada, an Alberta clipper will bring rapidly-changing weather conditions with strong winds, rain changing to snow, and quickly-falling temperatures to parts of western Manitoba on Sunday.

They say that showers will begin in western Manitoba Saturday evening along an advancing cold front and that behind this cold front, temperatures will fall below the freezing mark and snow will begin to move in from Saskatchewan overnight into Sunday morning.

They also say that strong winds will also accompany the snow causing reduced visibility.

Environment Canada warns that hazardous travel conditions are forecast to begin Sunday morning and last through the day Sunday and that icy conditions will also develop as temperatures drop below the zero-degree mark, causing wet surfaces to freeze by Sunday morning.

Snow and winds will begin to taper off Sunday evening, but expect poor travel conditions to last into Monday, they add.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 7:43 am

Daylight saving time will end in Manitoba on Sunday, November 6^th when clocks will be set back one hour.

It ends on the first Sunday in November and resumes on the second Sunday in March.

The official time change back to standard time will occur this year at 2 a.m. on Sunday at which time clocks should be set back to 1 a.m.

Many Manitobans have deeply held views on bi-annual time changes, and other jurisdictions across Canada and internationally are examining how time change relates to wellness, economic factors, and relationships with trading partners.

The province says that it will continue to monitor these developments and evaluate the best possible options for Manitoba.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 7:25 am

Peer Connections Manitoba(PCM) hosts Peer Support Meetings twice a month at the Active Living Centre.

The meetings are the first and third Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. and Community Peer Support Worker Eleanor Snitka says the meetings are open to anyone who's experiencing grief for any reason.

"It's a group for people who have experienced death in their family or with a loved one, but it can also be any kind of loss. We grieve for many kinds of losses, it might be the loss of an individual, loss of a job, loss of health, or any kind of loss that people are having trouble dealing with. We have a very supportive, active group, and people are so kind and supportive and non-judgmental to anything that people are dealing with."

Snitka says everyone grieves in their own ways, and that's why having a group can like this can be helpful.

"I always say to people there's no time limit, and there are no rules to grief because many times they think 'oh, I'm not getting over it' so we try to let them know that we're here for them all the time."

Those aren't the only group meetings that PCM holds however, as Snitka says she also holds a wellness group for anyone that has dealt with or has family members who have dealt with mental health issues. Those meetings are on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Active Living Centre.

"I think the important thing about peer support groups is that people have other people in their life, may times when they're experiencing mental health distress, people isolate themselves, and so coming out to a group where people really understand what they're dealing with, and say 'Hey, I understand, I've been there, that's happened to me too,' is really helping them to feel like they belong again and start to fit in."

Snitka also goes to the Ste. Rose Centre at 2 p.m. on the second and third Thursday of each month, and she holds a walk and talk at 1 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday at Credit Union Place for people who aren't as comfortable in the traditional support group setting.

PCM has set up an office at Under One Roof, and while she doesn't hold regular office hours, people can set up a meeting with Snitka by calling 431-345-0353.

Details: Contributed by Sam Brownell; Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 7:00 am

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced Friday that the province is providing more than $150,000 to Samaritan House’s Safe and Warm Shelter to operate an overflow warming space this winter to meet increased demand for emergency housing.

Premier Stefanson says that the announcement builds on the province's ongoing efforts to help make communities safe by addressing and preventing homelessness with new investments for community organizations that support our most vulnerable citizens.

“We recognize there is an urgent need for additional support. We are listening and we are acting,” Stefanson adds.

According to the premier, Samaritan House provides emergency shelter services for people experiencing homelessness in Brandon and provides bedding, food, and toiletries.

She says that the new funding will enable Samaritan House to create a warming space where individuals can stay when the shelter is at capacity, ensuring that everyone has a safe place to spend the night.

Minister Rochelle Squires says that the provincial government understands that as winter approaches, unhoused individuals in Manitoba face increased risk due to a lack of appropriate shelter.

“The funding announced... will ensure Samaritan House’s Safe and Warm Shelter in Brandon will not have to turn anyone away,” Squires adds.

More information can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.

Details: Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos; Published: Nov 5, 2022 - 6:15 am

Former Cabinet Minister and NDP MLA Ron Kostyshyn will run again for the Manitoba NDP in the 2023 provincial election.

The party says that he will be nominated as the candidate in Dauphin this weekend, joined by Leader Wab Kinew and supporters.

Ron Kostyshyn says that he wants to make life better for families in the Parkland.

"Over the last few years, I’ve seen how PC cuts have damaged our health care system and how their changes to Crown land leases have hurt cattle ranchers. I’m ready to fight on behalf of my community, alongside Wab Kinew, to fix health care and make life more affordable for Dauphin families,” Kostyshyn adds.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says that Kostyshyn brings years of experience and expertise to their team.

"He's committed to serving the people of Dauphin and Manitoba and he’s excited about what the next NDP government can do for families,” Kinew adds.

Ron Kostyshyn was first elected as MLA of Swan River in 2011 and served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, and Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. Prior to and following his time with the provincial government, Kostyshyn served as the Reeve of the Mossey River Municipality. He finished his term prior to the most recent municipal elections.

Kostyshyn was born and raised in rural Manitoba, and his family has operated a cattle ranch for decades. He has sat on the board of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the Manitoba Conservation Commission, and various other local organizations.