NewsNow
The Swan Valley School Division Board of Trustees held a virtual town hall over Zoom last night to talk about Bill 64 – the Education Modernization Act.
Bill 64 proposes the replacement of elected school boards with a provincial education authority, and reduces the 37 school divisions to 15 regional entities.
The legislation also removes principals and vice-principals from the profession of teaching, focusing their role on management.
Swan Valley School Division Trustee Bill Schaffer says this bill will replace the Public Schools Act, the Education Administration Act and the Community Schools Act.
“This is an actual replacement of everything that now exists in terms of the School Act and all of its regulations, which have really governed and formed the basis for how we operate for all these years.”
Trustee Laurie Evans further outlined how these changes would look.
“Currently we have school divisions with elected trustees and local divisional personnel, so this will all be replaced. It will be a provincial education authority which is all appointed by the government.”
Should the proposed changes come into effect, Swan Valley School Division, Mountain View School Division, and Turtle River School Division will be combined.
July 1st, 2022 is the date set for the provincial education authority to take over, should Bill 64 become law.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences has honoured four alumni for their outstanding professional contributions and public service.
Among those honoured was Robert Maytwayashing from Lake Manitoba First Nation.
In 1990 Maytwayashing graduated with a Diploma in Agriculture in the business and financial management stream from the University of Manitoba.
Maytwayashing says his professional career has led him in all kinds of areas.
“My formal training is in agriculture through the diploma program, but somehow I ended up in healthcare. I was also a former leader in my community both as a council member and a chief. I’ve been around the blocked so to speak.”
Maytwayashing is currently employed with the Interlake-Eastern Regional health authority as their Indigenous human resource development officer. Part of that role is providing cultural awareness training to around 3,200 staff.
He says that he is always trying to educate Canadians about the real history of the country.
“Canadians, in general, haven’t got a clue about what’s really gone down in this country. Case in point is the recent discovery of the 215 graves in B.C. We’ve known about these stories for a long time, but it seems not until there’s physical evidence of something are we listened to as Indigenous people.”
Maytwayashing wasn’t expecting to receive this honour, and says that he was humbled and honoured.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
On June 10th, the Mountain View School Division was informed of a new COVID-19 case associated with the DRCSS.
The individual was not present in the school during the period where they would be infectious, and there are no school-related close contacts to report.
Since there were no close contacts at the school, there will not be a public health investigation into this case.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
Nearly one million people in Manitoba have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
69.8 percent of Manitobans aged 18 and older have received a dose while 67.2% of Manitobans aged 12 and older have received at least one dose.
"That's tremendous, Manitobans are doing what they can," said Brian Pallister during a news conference on Thursday.
Pallister alongside Dr. Brent Roussin also announced Manitoba's reopening plan today, called '4-3-2-1 Great Summer Re-Opening Path'. Dr. Roussin reiterated that Manitobans can continue to do their part by getting vaccines.
The plan announced today is focused on Manitobans getting vaccinated and following all public health orders and there are four reopening categories, gathering and socializing, travel and tourism, shopping and services, and dining out and entertainment. They will be geared around Canada Day, August Long Weekend, and Labour Day.
- The immunization targets are:
• over 70 per cent of all Manitobans aged 12 and over have received their first dose and over 25 per cent have received their second dose by Canada Day;
• 75 per cent or greater of all Manitobans aged 12 and over have received their first dose and over 50 per cent have received their second dose by the August long weekend; and
• 80 per cent or greater of all Manitobans aged 12 and over have received their first dose and over 75 per cent have received their second dose by Labour Day.
“This reopening path aligns with public health advice on phasing out restrictions as more Manitobans get vaccinated,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “This path to reopening businesses, services and facilities and our ability to gather with each other rely on Manitobans getting that second dose while continuing to follow the public health orders, and I encourage everyone to book their first and second doses as soon as possible.”
- Reopening activity levels will be tied to the first and second dose immunization targets including:
• meeting vaccine targets by Canada Day means businesses, services and facilities can open at
25 per cent capacity or greater levels;
• meeting vaccine targets by the August long weekend means businesses, services and facilities can open at 50 per cent capacity or greater levels; and
• meeting vaccine targets by Labour Day means businesses, services and facilities can open with limited restrictions.
“The more of us who get vaccinated, the faster we can regain our freedoms and enjoy what we’ve lost this past year and a half,” said Pallister. “There are two ways to reopen safely – getting vaccinated as soon as you are able and continuing to follow the public health orders.”
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
This event has been happening in the province annually since 1992, every June 12th and 13th. Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard encouraged people to get out and explore this weekend:
“There is no better way to enjoy a Manitoba weekend than in a provincial park.”
“We all need to find ways to embrace nature while at the same time remembering to follow all the latest public health guidelines.” said Guillemard.
Those who do take advantage of fishing without a licence this weekend will be able to keep the conservation licence limit, which varies based on species.
All other rules and regulations still apply. For more information and to see the full list of the regulations, visit here.
Access to provincial parks will also be free starting Friday, June 11th running through Sunday, June 13th. Regular camping fees will still apply if visitors plan on staying the night.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
A 28-year-old is to appear in Russell Provincial Court later this year after he got behind the wheel under the influence.
On June 4 at about 11:40 p.m., the man was stopped by the RCMP after he was driving 172 km/hr in a clearly marked 100 km/hr zone in the RM of Russell Binscarth. Once pulled over, the RCMP noticed there were five occupants in the vehicle, all from the same Winnipeg address, and they were heading to a nearby provincial park to camp.
The driver was asked to exit the vehicle for a roadside breath test and the officer noticed he was stumbling and uneasy on his feet and as a result, he blew a fail.
He was arrested and charged with Impaired Operation of a Conveyance, Impaired Operation of a Conveyance over .08 mg % and Dangerous Driving. He was also issued a Serious Offence Notice for a licence review with MPI, licence immediately suspended for 3 months, vehicle towed and impounded for 30 days.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Manitoba government is expanding its current public health orders to allow outdoor public gatherings of up to five people on both public and private property starting Saturday.
Dr. Brent Roussin says no more than two households will be able to gather together on private property.
“Although the public health orders will allow for some small public gatherings, people are reminded to minimize the number of contacts they have outside of their households."
Schools in Dauphin are set to continue online learning until June 21st, and Winnipeg and Brandon schools will continue until the end of the school year.
Roussin says that the heat-related amendments from last week will stay in place, but are only to be used as needed.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Today, the Manitoba government announced that second dose vaccine eligibility has been expanded to include individuals who received their first dose on or before May 4th.
Additionally, Individuals with health conditions and all indigenous people are now also eligible to book their second dose as long as they meet the minimum required time span between doses.
Manitobans are strongly reminded that only those who meet the criteria to book second dose appointments should be booking said appointments at this time.
For more information click here.
- Details
- Contributed by Noah Fuchs
In a joint venture between the RM of Dauphin, and City of Dauphin, a new brand has been unveiled in an effort to create a distinct identity.
The new brand was created in co-operation with Travel Manitoba and McKim Communications Group.
The branding, whose purpose is to support and encourage tourism to the area, is "Dauphin – Adventure From Here On Out".
Mayor Al Dowhan says the process of this change started in 2018.
"It's been coming along and coming along. It's an exciting day for both the RM and the city. We have a lot of potential in our region, and especially now with the 36 kilometres of mountain bike trail."
The work to create the brand started last October.
Discussions were had with community stakeholders about strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the city and RM.
Reeve Ron Ryz says that the new brand was highly anticipated by the council of the RM of Dauphin.
"We're confident that this brand will help us increase tourism in our area, and showcase everything that we have to offer."
Not only does the new branding encourage tourism to the city and RM of Dauphin, but it also shows that Dauphin is a hub for the surrounding adventure-filled areas.
- Details
- Contributed by 730 CKDM
The Manitoba government is launching a new province-wide lottery that will award nearly $2 million in cash and scholarships in an effort to encourage Manitobans to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
Premier Brian Pallister made the announcement today, saying that all people who have been immunized with either a first or second dose are automatically eligible and will be entered into the lottery.
Manitobans must receive their first dose of a vaccine by August 2nd to be eligible for the first draw, and for the second draw, they need to get their second dose by September 6th.
Grand prizes of $100 thousand will be awarded in every health region, and there will be 10 draws for scholarships of $25-thousand each for people between the age of 12 and 17.
Pallister says there are thousands of Manitobans who want to get the vaccine, but they need support.
"That's why we launched the Community Outreach and Incentive grant last week, to encourage organizations and businesses to get involved."
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries will be responsible for conducting the lotteries, and a third-party auditor will provide additional oversight.
Pallister added that there will be more details on what big-crowd events could be allowed later this week, when the pandemic reopening plan is announced.
- Details
- Contributed by Trillian Reynoldson
Walk-in appointments are available on Wednesday if you're looking for the Pfizer vaccine at the Dauphin supersite.
From noon until 2:00 p.m., 60 doses are available on a walk-in basis with first dose clients being prioritized.
Then from 2 until 4:30 p.m., walk-ins are available for both first and second dose clients. Keep in mind, there are no walk-ins for the Moderna vaccine.
If you are walking in for a second dose, you must have had your first dose prior to May 1.
If you already have an appointment today, head to the supersite at your allotted time.
- Details
- Contributed by Darnell Duff
