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NDP Leader Wab Kinew has some concerns with the first phase of the provincial government’s re-opening plan.
One of Kinew’s concerns is with the government cutting jobs and wages for those in the public sector.
“They’ve announced that they’re going to be asking a lot of other government employees, employees of hydro and MPI, to take cuts to their wages, which doesn’t make sense to me. Like, why, when you’re re-opening the rest of the economy, are you trying to put cuts into place in this other part of the economy? So, one sector of the economy is getting the green light, full speed ahead almost, and then another part of the economy is getting a red light.”
Kinew is also wondering what would have to happen in order for restrictions to be put back in place.
“Particularly in the Prairie Mountain region, if there are an increase in cases after the restrictions get loosened, does that mean some of the conditions are going to be put back into place at a certain level and if so, at what level? Will there be an outbreak after this and if so, how many people would need to be involved in that in order for the government to come back with some of the precautions that have been looking at over the past little while.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The Swan River Valley Agricultural Society has announced the postponement of its major summer event.
The 2020 Northwest Round-Up & Exhibition will be bumped until next year.
Organizers say the decision was made with the health of guests, performers, volunteers and sponsors in mind.
This would have been the 64th year of the Northwest Round-Up & Exhibition.
Swan River Valley Agricultural Society president Brent Williamson thanked the volunteers, sponsors and community for their support.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The public hearing for the City of Dauphin’s 2020 budget is happening this evening.
The City will be conducting a virtual presentation of the yearly financial plan, beginning at 5 p.m.
In order to tune in and offer your input during the tonight’s hearing, you’ll have the option to (1) call in, (2) join by Microsoft Team, or by (3) writing a comment or question on the live Youtube stream.
City Manager Sharla Griffiths says residents can expect a “very basic budget”, that will see some “cosmetic projects” postponed until next year.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Beginning today, Phase One of Manitoba’s RoadMap For Recovery will start allowing things like non-urgent surgery, dentists visits, hairdressers, and retail shopping.
A discussion on the CKDM Facebook page showed the Parkland has some mixed feelings on reopening the plan.
CKDM made a poll on Facebook to see the ratio between reopening supporters and critics. The answers were a close mix, with 44% of people saying it’s ok to start opening, and 56% think it’s too early out of 219 votes.
Chris from Dauphin says it’s okay to open, as long as everyone proceeds with caution. He adds that our small businesses need our money.
Darlene from Ethelbert believes that we need to open back up and let people return to their jobs. She says that we need to get back out into the community and strengthen our immune systems.
Adam from Dauphin agrees that it’s time to open certain services like dentists, chiropractors, and non-emergent surgery, however other services like hairdressers and barbers should remain closed.
Wendy from Rorketon thinks that with all the uncertainty around the virus, now is not the time to re-open.
Jessica from Alonsa and Amy from Dauphin agree that it is too soon to open. They think that our province’s cases are relatively low, and fear that reopening will cause a spike in numbers.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Today there’s been one more case of COVID-19 identified by Manitoba Public Health officials.
That brings the total number of cases to 281; with 38 active cases and 237 listed as recovered.
There have been six deaths in Manitoba attributed to the virus. Five people are currently in hospital; none are in intensive care.
The Prairie Mountain Health region has identified a total of 17 cases, with a total of 3 screening sites located in Dauphin, Brandon, and Swan River.
Tomorrow, May 4th, Manitoba enters Phase One of the reopening plan. As a reminder, critical public health measures and travel restrictions will stay in place.
Restoring Safe Services Together, Manitoba’s pandemic and economic roadmap for recovery is available here.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Dauphin Rec Services has announced that their playgrounds won't open tomorrow as planned.
Under the current Public Health Orders, requirements have to be met and they're currently waiting for information on how they can open the parks safely.
Stay tuned as this story will evolve.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Manitoba Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is reporting a moderate to high wind warning.
As a result, the Forecast Centre warns there is a risk of ice pileup on some lakes.
That includes the south shores of Lake Winnipeg including areas near Gimli and Victoria Beach, Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipegosis.
Strong north winds are forecasted to last until midnight.
Property owners are advised to take precautions.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
Manitoba Public Health officials have announced one new case of COVID-19 today.
The total number of lab-confirmed and probable cases is 280.
There are 38 active cases in the province, and 236 cases are listed as recovered. Six people have died.
There are currently 6 people in hospital because of the virus; none of them are in intensive care.
The number of cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region is unchanged, at 17.
Officials continue to discourage any non-essential travel and trips, as the gradual lifting of restriction begins Monday, May 4th.
All Manitobans returning to work are now eligible to access the temporary child-care system to find a location that meets their needs. Families can use the online tool here to view available spaces and then contact centres directly to finalize arrangements.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
One of Canada’s largest print companies has announced it will be permanently shutting down 15 community newspapers in Manitoba and Ontario.
Local newspapers in Altona, Carmen, Gimli, Morden, Selkirk, Stonewall and Winkler will publish their last print edition on Monday.
The Canadian Press reports the newspapers are being closed because they are not financially viable. Although digital subscriptions have soared for many traditional newspapers, some outlets say this has not made up for the collapse of print advertising industry-wide.
The Canadian government pledged $50 million dollars over a five year span to help support local journalism in Canada.
Former editor of the National Post, Ken Whyte, criticizes the support measure. Speaking to the Columbia Journalism Review, Whyte says the federal money may be too little, too late to make a difference in the struggling industry.
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- Contributed by 730 CKDM
NDP Leader Wab Kinew isn’t pleased with the Pallister government after the Liberals released documents that suggest the plans to close the Dauphin Correctional Centre were more than a year in the making.
He says the Conservatives didn’t have the courtesy or respect to tell the people in Dauphin about the plan.
“So, to me, that shows a lack of respect and a lack of consideration, because given the fact that people in Dauphin oppose this closure so much, if the government had been more honest and straight forward about their plan, then people who live in Dauphin and the surrounding area could’ve had the opportunity to lobby, to make presentations, and to try to get this decision reversed. Instead, it looks like the government tried to keep it secret for as long as possible so that there wouldn’t be a chance for people in the Parkland to get a reversal in this decision.”
In addition to the documents, Kinew thinks it’s a bad idea to move ahead with the closure during a pandemic.
“When you are transferring the people that are incarcerated there, to other places right now, you’re creating overcrowding, that leads to conditions where the virus gets spread more quickly. When you look at it from the staff side, everyone in Manitoba, for the past number of weeks and months have been told to stay indoors, except for the correctional officers at Dauphin, who are being told that they have to move and go look for new houses and places to stay, move their belongings, move their possessions. The decision to close really doesn’t seem to line up with what the public health orders have been.”
Kinew has a message for those in Dauphin that are still trying to change the government’s decision.
“I think it’s never too late to get the government to come to its senses and I also think part of the reason they announced this move at this time is that they’re hoping the folks in Dauphin forget about this next time they vote. But I would just encourage people to keep fighting and to just let the government know that you’re not going to forget what they did to Dauphin during your time in need.”
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
Rock and Roll fans might have seen this coming, but it probably hurts just same.
Rockin’ The Fields of Minnedosa has been postponed due to the COVID pandemic.
The festival scheduled for July 31st to August 2nd, 2020 has now been bumped to 2021.
Al Logan, President of Rockin’ The Fields of Minnedosa, explains the decision was not made lightly.
Promoter Rob Waloschuk says he’s encouraged by initial discussions with artists, with most acts already confirming for 2021, and the lineup for next year remaining “largely intact”.
All current tickets and camping purchased for the 2020 event will automatically be valid for 2021.
Organizers will be offering information to ticket holders in the coming weeks, and are calling for patience as they work through this unprecedented situation.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
