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Premier Brian Pallister announced in Brandon the province is adding 10 full-time paramedic positions to the Parkland and Westman regions.
As part of the 2019 budget, the province is adding 35 full-time positions to be spread around the province.
The paramedics will support the 24-7 operation of EMS stations and be available to enhance the quality of care right across the province.
The province will invest $1.4 million to fill the new positions, with $2.8 million invested in each full fiscal year.
In a press release, Pallister says,
“By investing in 10 full-time positions in the Prairie Mountain Health region, we can build up staffing levels, reduce the system’s reliance on on-call staff, and improve patient care and outcomes for people in the Westman and Parkland regions.”
The new positions will be filled later this year.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Eight months after his disappearance, the search for 21-year-old Dwayne Lavallee continues.
Lavallee, from Skownan First Nation, was last seen on September 22, 2018, at approximately 2:00 pm on the Ebb and Flow First Nation. His abandoned vehicle was found on September 26, 2018, in the RM of Lakeshore which led to several air and ground searches.
The RCMP has interviewed over 80 people about his disappearance to date. A large scale ground and air search will be conducted this weekend May 25th and 26th in the RM of Lakeshore.
The search will include RCMP, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and local volunteer Fire Departments. A helicopter will also be assisting with the search.
Dwayne Lavallee is Indigenous, 6’2 and approximately 200 lbs. He has a tattoo of a small cross on his left hand and a tattoo of “can’t stop” on his right arm.
Anyone with information on the disappearance of Dwayne Lavallee should call Ste Rose du Lac RCMP at 204-447-3082 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Canadians and their dogs can walk to raise money for dog guide programs across Canada.
Maria Galindo, communications manager for the Lion’s Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, says they are hosting the Pet Valu walk for dog guides across Canada.
300 communities across Canada take part in the event.
Galindo says most walks are 5k and are accessible to everyone and dogs are welcomed but not needed if you don’t have one.
The walk raises money for Dog Guides Canada, this fundraiser is how they get most of their money as they don’t receive government funding.
Each dog guide costs about 25 thousand dollars but is provided free of charge to qualifying Canadians
Money can be donated anytime, online or in person at the walk. The annual event has raised over 17 million dollars to date.
The national walk day is May 26th but some communities have different dates:
Binscarth – May 26th, 2019 at 1 pm starting at the Binscarth Curling Club.
Birtle – May 26th, 2019 at 12 pm starting at Birtle Riverside Park.
Dauphin – June 9th, 2019 at 9 am starting at the Dauphin City Centre.
Hamiota – May 26th, 2019 at 12 pm starting at the Hamiota Lions Playground.
Minnedosa – May 26th, 2019 at 10:30 am starting at the Minnedosa Community Conference Centre.
Russell – May 26th, 2019 at 1 pm starting at the Russell Dog Park.
Shoal Lake – May 26th, 2019 at 1 pm starting at the Lions Gazebo.
To register for your community or donate click here.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Premier Brian Pallister, along with Health, Seniors, and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen will be in town today just after noon.
They'll get a tour of the new emergency department at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre. CKDM's Josh Sigurdson will be there and will have more after the tour.
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- Contributed by Alec Woolston
On May 20, 2019, at around 8:20 pm, Portage La Prairie RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive 51-year-old male outside the town of MacGregor.
The investigation has determined the death to be a homicide.
RCMP continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
The government of Manitoba announced it will expand its screening program for newborns in the province.
The Manitoba Newborn Screening Program will now screen for severe combined immune deficiency (SCID), a group of rare genetic diseases that affect a child’s immune system.
Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen said the goal of the expansion of the program is to ensure children get the care they need as soon as possible.
SCID affects around one in 60,000 newborns worldwide. But the numbers in Manitoba are around one in 16,000. Half of all SCID cases in Manitoba occur in the northern Cree and Mennonite populations, often with additional mutations that are Manitoba-specific
The SCID genetic disease group can cause early and severe infections. SCID-positive kids are at a high risk of poor health outcomes if immunized using live vaccines like tuberculosis or measles/mumps/rubella. If these children aren’t treated with a bone marrow transplant, they’re not expected to live past two years of age.
The expanded screening program will provide more information to parents using a targeted gene-detection method developed in Manitoba. Early detection can alert families of a possible genetic issue and improve outcomes.
The screening program is set to start in early 2020. The program will cost around $440,000 in annual operating and staffing costs, along with a one-time startup cost of $55,000.
Minister Friesen said the costs are expected to offset by the savings from reduced costs for treatment.
In Manitoba, every newborn can be checked for uncommon or rare diseases through the Manitoba Newborn Screening Program. The universal hearing screening program was implemented in 2016, allowing early detection of congenital hearing loss in children the opportunity to develop strong cognitive, speech-processing and learning skills.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
On May 20th a 22-year-old man from Langruth was shot and taken to hospital.
Later that day, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation has determined the death is a homicide.
19-year-old Laurent Beaulieu is wanted for second-degree murder.
He may be in Portage La Prairie or the surrounding area.
He's considered armed and dangerous.
If you have any information, please call 911, your local police, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
The RCMP will continue to investigate.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Yorkton Film Festival has been around since 1947 and it's back all weekend long.
The festivities have already begun around the community and the films start up tonight.
"It's going to be an absolutely great weekend. We have filmmakers landing at the Regina Airport and we're bringing them back here," said Randy Goulden, Executive Director. "We have the high school student day already going on with 60 students from across the province getting instruction from professional filmmakers. It's a go."
The opening night screening takes place this evening at the Painted Hand Casino. Tonight's feature will be a Manitoban film done by Merit Motion Pictures and it's called "Almost, Almost Famous". It starts at 7:00 p.m. and it's free of charge and it includes a reception.
Starting tomorrow, more than 57 films will be featured at the Gallagher Centre which is the home of the Yorkton Terriers. Each and every film is free to the public. The festival welcomes filmmakers from all across Canada.
"All of the filmmakers will be in attendance so it's really a great opportunity for the audience to ask them questions about their film and stuff like that," said Goulden.
Being in its 72nd year, the Yorkton Film Festival is the longest running film festival in North America. For some comparison, the Yorkton Film Festival has been running 29 years longer than the world renowned Toronto International Film Festival.
"We're very proud to say that we're the longest running film festival in North America," added Goulden. "We have a board of directors from all across Canada so we can keep current with what's going on in the film industry. We really, really work hard on keeping current with today's changing industry."
For a full weekend lineup, head to Yorkton Film Festival.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Networking was the topic at the breakfast series this morning.
Nancy Brommell, a business advisor with the Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba, gave the presentation.
“We talked about networking, but not necessarily just the traditional networking where you meet up with people in a group in a place. But there’s that, which is a hugely important part in networking but, also thinking about that relative to social media and technology pieces that are also part of that process of networking and creating awareness of your business in building relationships.”
She says Dauphin has so many opportunities for networking, such as annual events, and if a business owner hasn’t been to many of them, they should because even if someone knows the name of your business they maybe don’t know anything about it, you, or the opportunities they might have with you.
Social media is another big part of networking and can play a role in getting new customers.
Bromell suggests instead of being on all platforms not particularly well, pick one or two and do them very well.
She adds that business owners should create a LinkedIn profile, and create awareness with people that you meet that you can be found on LinkedIn. LinkedIn will elevate your presence as a business owner and professional.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Dry conditions have prompted the Municipality of Swan Valley West to again issue a burn ban.
The ban is effective as of last night and all permit holders are being contacted about the ban.
For more information call the RM office at 204-734-3344.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
Premier Brian Pallister said that he will “for sure” call an election this year.
Pallister has stated that Manitobans don’t want an election during the province’s 150th birthday year. He also said that it wouldn’t make economic sense to mix a campaign into a year of celebration.
The Premier called the October 6, 2020 date a “drop dead” date, rather than a fixed date for a vote.
At one point, Pallister said that he would call an early election if the NDP voted against a proposed PST cut. Both parties reached a compromise and the Opposition pledged its support for the bill.
Pallister has said that he would provide advance notice if an early election is called to both the NDP and the Liberals, not to catch them off guard. He said that he would give a 90-day notice “if possible” without saying what would make giving the notice impossible.
Earlier this month he said his political rivals didn’t need to be tipped off about an early election because the media has already done that.
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- Contributed by Josh Sigurdson
