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The Mayor of the Municipality of Grandview announced this morning that he is stepping down from his position effective October 26th.
Mayor Kevin Edmonson says that he is resigning because of family and health.
When asked about what being the mayor of the municipality has been like, Edmonson had this to say:
"I liked it, loved it actually. I was very sad to go, leaving, but it was - with what's going on in my life I needed to right now. And the council has been working well together and we have a fantastic CAO so I think the future for Grandview is bright."
With the mayor of the municipality stepping down, Deputy Mayor Dwayne Bomak had this to say:
"It's a big loss for the municipality. I thought Kevin was a great mayor. It's unfortunate that the situation is as it is for himself and his family that he has to do that. I'm really disappointed that he had to step down. So yeah, it's a loss for our council and our municipality as well, definitely."
Edmonson has been the municipality's mayor since 2018.
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The end-of-year financial results show that the ongoing challenges associated with the pandemic continue to impact Manitoba's economy.
Finance Minister Scott Fielding shared an optimistic message in an announcement Thursday morning.
"We see indications of economic growth and a low unemployment rate, but far too many people are still unemployed. Both the Public Accounts and the First Quarter report are within the budgeted targets. When considering the COVID-19 costs that are included in both years, the government continues to show its ability to manage the finances in turbulent times."
COVID-19 has left a significant impact on Manitoba's finances, leaving the province with a deficit of $2.117 billion as of March 31st, 2021.
Fielding carried on and concentrated on the province's commitment to protecting Manitobans,
"We are focused on Manitoba's recovery, and budget 2021 set aside nearly $1.2 billion for the ongoing COVID-19 response and to prepare the province for future economic shocks and challenges. Although our focus is to continue to protect Manitobans through the ongoing pandemic, we have made a commitment to once again return to balance within the next eight years."
According to the province, the provincial unemployment rate currently sits at 5.7 percent, ranking the best in the country.
After employment fell by 90,300 net jobs in April 2020, Manitoba's labour market has reportedly almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Between April 2020 and August 2021, Manitoba's labour market regained 79,500 net jobs.
Minister Fielding stressed that the province doesn't expect COVID-19 to disappear.
"The biggest risk to the provincial economy remains the impact of COVID-19, notably the variants of concern."
Manitoba has had a strong rebound in 2021 with projected GDP growth of 4.9, which the government hopes will return Manitoba's economy and employment levels similar, if not higher, to where they were before the pandemic began.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
It has been confirmed that everyone has made it out safely from the fire that destroyed an apartment complex in Brandon on Tuesday.
The City of Brandon is assessing the needs of the evacuated residents of the building.
There’s still no official cause of the fire.
48 people were affected by the fire.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Tammy Gillis, who’s originally from McCreary, is starring in a new movie.
She’s playing the lead role in Riverfront Romance, which is premiering in Canada on October 2nd.
Tammy says she first became interested in acting in school when her English teacher started a drama program.
“There weren’t a lot of people that were interested in it, but I joined and was cast in a play and I played, of all things, grandpa because there were no guys in the theatre group. So that was my debut on the stage.”
Riverfront Romance is a Romantic Comedy, which was enjoyable for Tammy because she loves to do Comedy.
“We don’t really get the opportunity to do a lot of Comedy in Canada, but I love doing it because you can be fun and crazy and big, and it’s so much play.”
Not only is Tammy an actress in this film, but she is also an executive producer on it.
The movie can be seen on Superchannel starting on October 2nd.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The Scotiabank in Winnipegosis is permanently shutting its doors Thursday.
Jo Bunka, Curator with the Winnipegosis Museum says the bank opened over 100 years ago.
“The Bank of Nova Scotia opened here on February 5th, 1919, so that’s right after World War I, and It opened on the 1st floor of the Hotel Winnipegosis.”
Jo says the bank moved to a new location on the same street in 1946, then again to its present location in 1975.
She says that Winnipegosis losing the bank is affecting its residents in many ways.
“The bank gave employment to local people, and secondly it was a financial institution. It made the workings of businesses, farmers, fishermen, and anyone employed so much simpler because the bank was right here, and you were able to do your financial transactions right here. So is it a sad day? Yes.”
Jo adds that the bank would frequently sponsor local events.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The family of a missing man from Skownan First Nation is having a memorial tonight.
21-year-old Dwayne Lavallee was last seen on September 22nd, 2018 on Ebb and Flow First Nation.
Dwayne’s sister, Chantel Lavallee, and the rest of his family haven’t given up searching.
“He’s important to us and you can’t properly grieve when you don’t properly put somebody to rest.”
Chantel says the RCMP is following up on tips that the family gets.
“When we get pinpoint locations we go and search the areas. Just basically going by what people are saying, I guess rumors, but the truth is going to surface one day so we have to check them.”
A candlelight vigil will be live-streamed at 9:00 p.m. on the “Bring Dwayne Lavallee Home” Facebook page.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Education Minister Cliff Cullen and Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere announced today that the province is providing $75,000 in funding to support Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will lead events, and activities will focus on children in grades 5 to 12.
The programming will include land and treaties, language and culture, truth and reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day and elder-youth knowledge transfer.
Education Minister Cullen talked about the learning opportunities that come with this week,
“Educators across Manitoba have valuable teaching and learning resources for their classrooms made available through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation; This will provide educational leaders an incredible opportunity not only for their students but also for themselves to better understand, reflect and learn about Indigenous history.”
The NCTR will provide workshops and activities for students supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists.
Reconciliation Minister Lagimodiere spoke about the importance of this week,
“Our government is committed to advancing reconciliation by supporting programming offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation that will help Manitobans deepen their understanding of how we can collectively advance reconciliation. These events will focus on increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding among youth to encourage reflection and meaningful discussions about the impacts of residential schools. It will also give youth the opportunity to learn about the important contributions that Indigenous peoples have made and continue to make in our province and across Canada, and the importance of respecting the treaties and embracing cultural diversities.”
Truth and Reconciliation Week will run from Sept. 27th to Oct. 1st.
Last year, Manitoba and Ontario provided funding toward Truth and Reconciliation Week, the only two provinces to support the national event.
The event in 2020 registered over 500,000 participants, including students, teachers and general attendees.
For more details and to sign up for the 2021 Truth and Reconciliation Week events, click here.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Mayors from cities across the province are meeting in Dauphin today.
They will be having a general discussion on the betterment of cities and the province.
Deputy Mayor Christian Laughland will be reading a speech written by the late Mayor Allen Dowhan.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
A condo building in downtown Brandon, went up in flames last night.
Before the building was engulfed with flames, emergency personnel managed to get inside and knock on the doors of each suite to alert those people who were home to leave the building.
There are no reported injuries and it's believed everyone escaped safely.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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Dauphin’s Tim Hortons made $27,174 this Smile Cookie Week, ranking in the top 10 in Canada.
All the money made is going to the Dauphin Friendship Centre and the Parkland Humane Society.
Stacey Penner, who’s the Campaign Organizer for both charities, says Dauphin’s Tim Hortons raised more than twice as much as last year.
“We were thrilled with the cookie capital last year at $12,000, and I thought with two good charities and with them sharing the profits, I wanted to make it bigger and better than ever.”
Stacey says that Dauphin really stepped up this year.
“I’m just not surprised, Dauphin never ceases to amaze me. We are truly an incredible community."
She adds that the staff at Tim Hortons and all the volunteers deserve to be commended for their work throughout this last week.
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- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
This Saturday, the 25th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Dauphin Rail Museum celebrates the first train's arrival through the city 125 years ago.
The Rail Museum will honour this anniversary by hosting festivities, including live music, free cake, giveaways, and more.
President of the Museum, Jason Gilmore, spoke with CKDM about the historical significance of this anniversary,
"We are looking at September weather as an opportunity to potentially do something outside, so that's why we chose the date. In historical context, the true dates are in November and December; December 15th, 1896 is when the actual first train arrived."
Mr. Gilmore went through the day of commemoration,
"We are going to have live music; we are also going to have C&D snack shack right beside the building that offers food for purchase. We are going to have some giveaways, some birthday cake, and there's also items for purchase as well."
Dauphin Rails president touched on public health guidelines for this mainly outdoor event,
"You don't necessarily have to come into the building or museum itself, and if people do choose to, we are still adhering by Manitoba health protocols. You have to have proof of vaccination, and we do have a limited capacity inside of anywhere to 6-8 people at one time."
The museum recommends you wear a mask while outside, but they understand that it's up to individual people's digression when outside.
Funds raised from this event will be going towards future projects for the museum,
"We are in the midst of a project right now, there's two sets of rail wheels that have been set up they are going to be turned into benches that face both CN park and the rail, and they are going to be dedicated to the 125 anniversary, I just don't know an exact date of when they are going to be completed, they might be finished by September 25th, or it might be a little bit later in the year."
Bring your lawn chairs, sit and relax while enjoying free entertainment, giveaways and more when Dauphin Rail celebrates 125 years.
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- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
