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The Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter to Premier Brian Pallister and Dr Brent Roussin.
The executive director of the Dauphin Chamber, Stephen Chychota, says they’re voicing their concerns over the treatment of small businesses.
“Expressing a bit of our concerns for the small businesses and how they’ve been treated during this code red and lockdown, and wanting to encourage that after Friday, once they’ve proposed that there could be more changes, that they do follow through with opening up some businesses again.”
Chychota says they’ve also written up a letter for businesses to send to Pallister and Roussin. It’s very similar to the letter the chamber sent off but includes spaces for businesses to put their name on, so they can be a part of the group message but don’t have to create their own letter.
A link to that letter can be found here.
Stephen hopes the provincial government continues to follow through on the proposed changes to the code red restrictions on Friday.
“The ability to get rid of the essentials/non-essentials list, I think across the board for consumers and retail, everyone will just really enjoy that. It’s a very difficult process to navigate, and I commend the retailers for a good job on going through that and doing the best they can for what they had to go through on that one.“
He adds that other businesses being able to start opening their doors means a lot because of how long code red has lasted.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Manitoba has been told to expect another reduction in the amount of Pfizer vaccines for the second time in days.
The province initially planned on being able to use 18,720 doses between now and the end of the month. Now, the province has been told to expect half of that amount, and further reductions could come in February.
Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson said in a statement this is incredibly disappointing news.
“Our province is working hard to plan and prepare for this massive immunization campaign but the level of uncertainty caused by missed or reduced vaccine shipments will affect our work in the weeks ahead but please be assured, we are fully equipped to adjust to the changing circumstances.”
Dr Joss Reimer says the Vaccine Implementation Task Force is carefully reviewing the revised vaccine reductions and will have a more detailed update soon.
A number of factors have to be taken into consideration such as how many first-dose bookings can be made, how many second doses are needed for full protection, and how these plans fit into what is now an unpredictable supply for the weeks ahead.
Reimer says safety will not be sacrificed for speed.
“At this point, our call centre remains open for eligible Manitobans to book their appointment but this may change based on the number of vaccines we receive.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Manitoba Real Estate Association says home sales in the province hit record numbers in 2020 with over 15,000 properties sold.
Broker and Owner of Action Realty Britney Warkentin tells CKDM an upward trend was also noticed in the Parkland.
Referring to numbers from a database that compiles home sales information in the area, Warkentin says Parkland area home sales increased by 9.5% in 2020 compared to the previous year (146 sales in 2019, with 160 in 2020).
She says in Dauphin alone, there were 112 home sales in 2019, and 121 sales in 2020 — an 8% increase.
The average sales price for a home in the area in 2020 went up to $156,000 — an increase from an average of $133,000 for 2019.
“Sales volume, as well as sales prices, have definitely gone up since 2019,” said Warkentin, “so we hope this trend can continue for our clients who are looking to sell. We obviously can’t guarantee that because the market can be affected by many different factors.”
The Broker and Owner of Action Realty says one trend she has noticed is that modern, fixed-up homes are getting a lot more this year, with clients ready to pay for a home that’s move-in ready.
Warkentin says outdated homes are also seeing an increase in the past year, but modern homes are seeing the largest increase in sales value overall.
“Homes that have rental potential, or the potential to be converted to duplexes are also getting sold quite quickly in our area and for great prices,” said Warkentin.
Action Realty located in Dauphin offers a number of services to home buyers & sellers.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for much of the Parkland.
Strong northwesterly winds gusting up to 90 km/h are expected to develop overnight in Saskatchewan, moving into southwestern Manitoba by Wednesday morning.
Winds are set to diminish by Wednesday evening.
Damage to buildings, such as roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.
The warning is in effect for the following areas:
- Gilbert Plains Mun. incl. Ashville
- Grandview Mun. incl. Valley River Res.
- Mossey River Mun. incl. Winnipegosis and Fork River
- Mun. of Ethelbert incl. Garland
- Mun. of Roblin incl. Makaroff Shortdale and Bield
- Mun. of Russell-Binscarth incl. Gambler Res.
- R.M. of Dauphin incl. Sifton and Valley River
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Ochre River and Makinak
- R.M. of Lakeshore incl. Rorketon and Toutes Aides
- R.M. of Riding Mountain West incl. Asessippi Prov. Park
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba health officials announced 111 new cases of COVID-19 today along with 11 deaths.
One of today’s deaths was a man in his 80’s from Prairie Mountain health, linked to the outbreak at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre.
A full list of the most recent deaths in Manitoba due to COVID-19 can be found at the bottom of this article.
Today’s new cases are from the following health regions:
- 12 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
- 33 cases in the Northern health region
- Eight cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region
- Six cases in the Southern-Health-Sante Sud health region and
- 52 cases in the Winnipeg health region
The current 5-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 9.9 percent provincially and 7.4 percent in Winnipeg.
According to the province’s data, there are active cases in the following Parkland health districts: Dauphin (6), Riding Mountain (1), Porcupine Mountain (54), Duck Mountain (6), Asessippi (5), Little Saskatchewan (3), Whitemud (1), and Agassiz Mountain (37). Brandon has 59 active cases.
In the Interlake, the Eriksdale/Ashern health district has 67 active cases, while Fisher/Peguis has 54.
Manitoba has had a total of 27,740 cases since the start of the pandemic. The number of deaths is 783.
There are 3,088 active cases and 23,869 people have recovered from the virus.
There are 131 people in hospital with active COVID-19 and 148 people in hospital who are no longer infectious but require care (279 total hospitalizations).
There are 25 people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 and 12 people who are no longer infectious but still need critical care (37 total ICU patients).
Public health officials advise 11 additional deaths in people with COVID-19 have been reported today including:
• a female in her 50s from the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• a male in his 80s from the Prairie Mountain Health region, linked to the outbreak at the McCreary/Alonsa Health Centre;
• a male in his 80s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region;
• a male in his 90s from the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to the outbreak at Heritage Life Personal Care Home;
• a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region;
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Southeast Personal Care Home;
• a male in his 70s from the Winnipeg health region;
• a female in her 80s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at Deer Lodge Centre, Lodge 4 West;
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the outbreak at the Concordia Place;
• a male in his 90s from the Winnipeg health region; and
• a female in her 90s from the Winnipeg health region.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The provincial government is mulling over some modest changes to the current public health orders due for an update on Friday, Jan. 22.
A press release issued on Tuesday states the following changes are currently under consideration:
(1) Household Limits
Current orders restricting visitors to private residences could be expanded to include two additional people (family or friends) to visit a household. Orders may also be altered to permit outdoor visits of up to five people plus members of a household on outdoor private property, and to allow funerals to have up to 10 people in addition to the officiant.
(2) Retail Operations
Current orders for retail establishments could be expanded to allow all stores to open for the sale of all products and current requirements to maintain physical distancing and occupancy limits would remain in place and be enforced. That could also mean the elimination of the essential items list.
(3) Health Services and Hair Salons/Barbershops:
Non-regulated health services, hair salons and barbershops are currently closed, but a possible change could see barbershops and hairstylists to reopen at 25% capacity with adequate physical distancing and requirements to collect information for contact tracing purposes. Other non-regulated health services, such as podiatrists and reflexologists, could also be allowed to reopen with additional contact tracing and physical distancing measures.
None of the proposed changes have been set in stone and the province continues asking Manitobans fortheir input on measures that could come into effect as early as Friday.
To provide feedback, visit EngageMB
The premier says the survey launched on Friday received more than 67,500 responses, with respondents showing a strong desire to see public health use a regional approach to orders and restrictions.
The province says 74% of respondents ranked the ability to shop without limitations as somewhat or very important. By comparison, only 29% ranked the ability to attend their place of worship in person as somewhat or very important.
A full analysis of the survey is underway and will be posted on the EngageMB website once completed.
Roussin noted that final public health orders will be introduced later this week to replace public health orders expiring Friday.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The provincial government has released this week’s COVID-19 enforcement update.
183 warnings and 77 tickets were issued between Jan. 11th and 17th.
Broken down, 66 $1,296 tickets were issued to individuals, 9 were for not wearing a mask in indoor public places, and one $5,000 ticket was given to a business.
According to officials, 45 out of the 66 tickets given to individuals were for gatherings.
Of those, 9 were for a protest rally at Bell MTS Place before the Winnipeg Jets game on Jan. 14th.
The rally in Steinbach on Saturday has resulted in 10 tickets so far, but an RCMP spokesman anticipates more charges.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
All COVID-19 rebate cheques issued by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) are now in the mail.
MPI issued its first set of cheques to policyholders back in May, totalling $110 million.
The second wave of rebates were a result of fewer collision claims, according to MPI. In total, $69 million will be returned to Manitobans.
For rebates less than $10, no cheque will be issued; the customer’s account will automatically be credited.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
A Virden man has received his sentencing after admitting to manslaughter and uttering threats.
24-year-old Bradley Tomms appeared in Brandon Court yesterday where he received 6 years, 3 months in prison.
In January 2019, an altercation involving Tomms, at that time 22-years-old, and a 27-year-old man resulted in both being sent to the hospital. The 27-year-old later died in hospital.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
“Stand!” the 2019 movie written by Ethelbert’s Danny Schur, is getting a special free screening online.
Tonight at 6 p.m. the film will be available in the US and Manitoba.
Adapted from Schur's stage play called “Strike!”, the movie features a Ukrainian Catholic boy, who falls in love with his neighbour, a Ukrainian Jewish girl, as they deal with the racism and discrimination of the early 20th Century. The Romeo and Juliet tale also navigates the events that led to the historic 1919 Winnipeg General Strike.
The movie has been made available due to a special arrangement with the Washington, DC Labor Film Fest. But, because of all the dedication and support Manitobans have shown the production of the movie, this free screening is being offered as a token of appreciation and gratitude.
To watch the movie, RSVP here, a bonus Q&A with Danny, who also composed and produced the movie, director Rob Adetuyi, and Hollywood actor Gregg Henry will also be available.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Asessippi Ski Area and Resort have decided to close until February 1st due to a case of COVID-19.
Yesterday, they learned a staff member tested positive for the virus.
Even though public health officials say the exposure risk is low and didn’t request the resort to close, they made the decision anyways.
In a release, they say, “All we care about is everyone’s health and safety. We would rather not be here at all than put our staff, our guests, and the public at risk and have thus decided to close for two weeks and issue this notice.”
It isn’t known how this case was transmitted, but the resort says as soon as the individual recognized they were symptomatic, they were tested and isolating within hours.
If there’s a risk identified to guests, public health will inform Asessippi Resort and the public.
All guests that prebooked lifts until February 1st will be automatically refunded.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
