Thompson Local News Archives for 2018-06

Unifor Local 1403 Members Vote To Strike

Canadian Kraft Paper workers in The Pas may soon take action.

 

Unifor Local 1403 members voted over 90 percent in favour of striking if the company doesn’t take major concessions off the bargaining table.  

 

Union officials say that the company refuses to even consider improving the working conditions, or keeping wages in line with inflation.

 

Talks between the company who took over the mill a few years ago and the union have been ongoign for three months.

Mayor Fenske Extremely Disappointed In Pedersen, Bindle

The Pallister government is not budging as far as the Mining Community Reserve Fund (MCRF) is concerned.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske was in Winnipeg last week to meet with Blaine Pedersen, the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, about the fund.

 

The meeting was held on June 26th and was supposed to be between Mayor Fenske and Minister Pedersen, though the Minister added Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton as well as multiple assistants.

 

Fenske said that Pedersen once again said that the City of Thompson cannot access the MCRF, and that when asked if that was the answer for this year or the next four years the Minister simply said no.

 

Fenske added that he is extremely disappointed in both the Minister and local MLA Kelly Bindle for not speaking about the job loss that Thompson is facing.

 

The Mayor said that he doesn’t know what the $10M is for if Thompson, facing the largest mining-related job loss since the MCRF was created, can’t touch it.

 

He said that the City will continue to lobby the government on the issue, as well as investigate any legal options that would be available. 

Ashton Says Housing, Education Investment Will Help Reduce Poverty Rate

According to recently released statistics, 64% of children in northern Manitoba live in poverty.

 

Those rates are the highest in the country, and our Member of Parliament said that she doesn’t think it comes as a shock to the people who live here.

 

Niki Ashton was the guest at Wednesday’s Chamber of Commerce lunch, and said that the release of the report was a moment for Ottawa to step up to the plate, but they didn’t.

 

She added that she was disappointed that they instead chose to highlight their investment in the child tax benefit. Ashton said that while that may help some, the underlying causes of poverty need to be addressed.

 

Ashton said that while going door-to-door here in the north, the underlying problems that she hears the most are housing, education and health.

 

She said that what poverty looks like is a mold infested home with 18-22 people struggling to live, with most of them being children.

 

The MP said that while the government has made some investment, it’s not enough in terms of the foundational barriers that people are facing.

Canada Day 2018 In Thompson

Sunday is Canada, and the City of Thompson has celebrations planned for the entire family all day long at the TRCC.

 

The day will start at 9:00am with a free pancake breakfast, and will be followed at 11:00am by a non-denominational community church service.

 

The official opening ceremonies will take place around 1:00pm, and the day will wrap up with fireworks around 11:00pm.

 

The full schedule can be found below.

 

Flin Flon MLA Says It Was Important To Stand Up For Thompson

The MLA for Flin Flon has been standing up for Thompson in the Legislature.

 

Tom Lindsey pressed Blaine Pedersen, the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade multiple times last week about the Mining Community Reserve Fund and why Thompson was not able to access it.

 

Read: MLA Asks Government Why They Aren't Helping Thompson

 

Lindsey, who serves as the Manitoba NDP’s labour critic, spoke to Arctic Radio News about why it’s important for him to voice the concerns of a city, and it’s people, who aren’t in his own riding.

 

He said even if the topic didn’t fall under his role as labour critic, that it is still important for him to bring up as "things that affect one community in the north..chances are they’re going to affect other communities in the north".

 

Read: Flin Flon MLA Continues To Press Pedersen For Answer

 

Lindsey added that today it’s Thompson needing help, and that it could be Flin Flon asking tomorrow.

 

Pedersen never gave a direct answer to Lindsey’s questions; something that the Flin Flon MLA said isn’t surprising.

Red Cross Moves Evacuees To Thompson

There are now just under 100 evacuees from Marcel Colomb First Nation in Thompson.

 

The residents were first evacuated to Lynn Lake, but have since been moved due to the fire.

 

Jason Small, from the Canadian Red Cross, said that even though the expenses are covered by the government, the organization always welcomes donations and volunteers.

 

There is not currently a timeline as to when the evacuees will be able to return home.

RD Parker To Celebrate Grads Tomorrow

Tomorrow night not only marks the formal graduation ceremony for RD Parker students, but also the annual safe grad celebration.

 

Those who plan on attending safe grad must be dropped off at the Legion between 10:00pm and midnight, as the doors are locked once the clock hits 12:00pm.

 

The students and their guests must be signed in upon arrival, and then signed out when they are dropped off at home.

 

While it’s too late to get a ticket to the event, co-ordinator Rhonda McDonald says that she is always looking for more volunteers.

 

To find out more information, or to volunteer, you can give McDonald a call at 204-679-6860.

 

The graduation ceremony itself will take place starting at seven in the CA Nesbitt Arena.

Nickel Days Weekend Busy Time For RCMP

Thompson RCMP were busy over the Nickel Days weekend.

 

Officers pulled over many vehicles, and arrested five on charges of impaired driving.

 

Those arrested blew between just over to three times the legal limit when the roadside breathalyser test was administered.

 

Constable Sandy Deibert spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that road safety is always a priority for the RCMP.

 

She added that they are committed to eliminating impaired driving and the tragedies that are all too often associated with it.

 

Those arrested will be appearing in court in the near future.

Boys And Girls Club Re-Opens Doors This Afternoon

The Boys and Girls Club here in Thompson is set to re-open this afternoon following a brief hiatus.

 

Regina DaSilva-Gibbons, the executive director of the local club, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that even though their doors were closed they did not slow down.

 

DaSilva-Gibbons said that most of her management team left around the same time, which left the programs with not enough oversight.

 

The time was spent hiring new staff and developing new programs, as well as training. The executive director said that a large part of the training was to make sure that all employees, especially the newer ones, understood what the Boys and Girls Club is. She said that she “needs (her) employees to realize that Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada are the largest youth-serving organization in Canada”, and that it’s not just a Thompson thing.

 

The club will resume their after-school program today from 3:30pm until 8:30pm.

 

Make sure to tune in to 102.9 CHTM this afternoon at 12:40pm and 5:10pm as DaSilva-Gibbons joins us for a Thompson Today.

Thompson RCMP Search For Missing Man

Thompson RCMP are calling on the public in the search for a missing man.

 

26-year-old Russell Adrian Hyslop was last seen in the Eastwood area last Tuesday, and was reported as missing to the RCMP on Friday.

 

Hyslop is described as Indigenous, 5’7”, 140 lbs with brown eyes and dark brown hair.

 

Anyone with information should call the Thompson RCMP detachment at 204-677-6911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

RCMP Investigating Drowning Near Pukatawagan

Pukatawagan RCMP are conducting an investigation following the discovery of a body in Pukatawagan Lake.

 

Officers were called to the scene Thursday afternoon, and the victim was identified as a 64-year-old woman from the community.

 

The victim was last seen the night of June 20th, swimming in the lake.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

Shamattawa Man Wanted For Sexually Assaulting Youth

Mounties are searching for a 27-year-old man who is wanted in connection with a sexual assault in Shamattawa.

 

The RCMP received a report last week of a female youth that was sexually assaulted, and officers quickly identified Desmond Redhead as the main suspect. A picture of Redhead can be found below.

 

An arrest warrant has been issued, and the police have been on the local Shamattawa radio station advising residents to be vigilant.

 

Officers from outside of the community, in addition to RCMP Police Dog Services, are searching for Redhead.

 

Anyone with information should immediately call Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2351 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

School Board To Wrap Up Tomorrow

Tomorrow evening is the final time that the board of trustees for the School District of Mystery Lake will meet before September.

 

This will be the final meeting for Vice-Chairperson Janet Brady, who is stepping down at the end of the week following almost eight full years as a trustee.

 

Read: Vice Chairperson Janet Brady To Step Down From SDML Board At End Of School Year

 

The agenda includes a presentation on early literacy intervention and reports both superintendents as well as the secretary-treasurer.

 

There will also be a presentation from the RDPC F-1 project before trustees hear reports from different board committees, including public relations and policy.

 

The full agenda can be viewed by clicking here.

Councillor Wong Says Mayor's Comments Are "Selfish"

Councillor Duncan Wong continued his vocal opposition of Mayor Dennis Fenske on social media yesterday.

 

Wong took to Facebook, saying that Mayor Fenske was being 'selfish' when he spoke about Minister Blaine Pedersen and the Mining Community Reserve Fund at City Council on Monday.

 

Councillor Wong said that Fenske is "making life harder for the next Mayor and Council" and that he is "burning bridges rather than building them". 

 

Read: Mayor Fenske Responds To Letter From Deputy Minister Dyson, Remarks From Minister Pedersen

 

Wong is arguably the most vocal member of what he has called teh 'opposition' on City Council. He recently voted against against asking the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby the Province to amend the Mining Tax Act and make it easier to understand.

 

The comments yesterday came from his account, though he has used his "Duncan Wong City Councillor" page to challenge Mayor Fenske in the past. 

 

Flin Flon MLA Continues To Press Pedersen For Answer

There still has not been any clear answer from Blaine Pedersen, or any member of the PC Caucus, as to why Thompson is not receiving any assistance from the Province.

 

Tom Lindsey, who serves as the MLA for Flin Flon, continued to press the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade yesterday during question period as to why Thompson is being denied money from the Mining Community Reserve Fund (MCRF).

 

Lindsey said that mining communities in the north are looking for leadership from the Pallister Government, and that Thompson needs help now while Flin Flon will need help down the road.

 

He went on to say since the MCRF was created, multiple governments (including those led by Conservatives) have acknowledged that the funds are for communities facing a situation like Thompson currently is, and that the “hapless” approach by Minister Pedersen is an “affront to cooperation that has persisted in Manitoba for generations”.

 

Pedersen responded by talking about the recently announced mineral development protocol, rather than answering the questions asked. 

 

Lindsey continued to advocate for Thompson and the rest of northern Manitoba, saying that the only restriction the MCRF has is that it cannot be used for exploration and prospecting if it is under $10M. He then asked why the minister is misrepresenting his own responsibilities under the act and why he is abandoning Thompson in its time of need.

 

Minister Pedersen opened his response by attacking the previous NDP government, before once again talking about the new protocol, saying that it is the first time that Indigenous communities are actually being consulted.

 

He did not address the questions that had been asked, and did not even reference the MCRF or Thompson other than saying that “the NDP are always more interested in bailouts than building”, and that the Pallister Government “will continue to build the mining industry across the north, including Thompson”.

 

The City of Thompson had requested $100k from the MCRF in 2018 to help with economic development, and $1M per year for 2019, 2020 and 2021 to help offset the lower Grant-In-Lieu with Vale that was recently signed.

 

Former USW 6166 President Les Ellsworth told City Council that Minister Pedersen had told him that the Province was looking for a longer plan, and that the lack of one was the reason Thompson wouldn’t receiving funding. This was a few weeks before Council received a letter from Deputy Minister Dyson, saying that the fund could not be accessed as it was below $10M.

 

 

Photo courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press

City To Address More Road "Hot Spots" Thanks To Under Expenditure

The City of Thompson’s summer to do list just got a bit longer.

 

Since the originally-planned road work will cost around a $250k less than what was budgeted, Mayor Dennis Fenske says that they are going to be getting to more trouble spots on the roads.

 

The public works department implemented a program last year, where extra road work money would be directed towards fixing problem areas.

 

Below is a list of the extra work to be done, and how much it will cost.

 

 

Recycling Centre To Upgrade Baler, Close For A Week

If you put out recycling with your garbage for collection next week, it will still be there when you get home from work.

 

The Thompson Recycling Centre is set to upgrade their baler next week, which means that they will be closed from Monday until after the Canada Day long weekend.

 

The baler is a crucial part of the recycling process as it compresses the sorted material, which allows it to be easily processed and transported out of Thompson.

 

As the centre will be closed and unable to process recyclable materials, City crews will not be collecting recycling and everyone is asked to drop off their recyclable waste at the Recycling Centre before Monday.

 

The City of Thompson says that if you can’t wait and have to put recycling in with your regular garbage during the closure, you should start with paper and cardboard. Products made of plastic, tin and aluminum materials are harder on the environment than those made of paper.

 

Once the Recycling Centre re-opens on July 2nd, they will be holding an open house that will include tours of the facility.

Keeping Children Within Arms Reach Could Prevent Drowning

If you’re bringing your young children into the water, make sure they’re within arm’s reach.

 

Kevin Tordiffe, from the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba, spoke to Arctic Radio News following the drowning of a four-year-old in Gods River and said that having your children close could save their life.

 

He said that if they lose their footing, having them within arm’s reach could allow you to grab them which could potentially save their life.

 

The four-year-old boy who lost his life was swimming with other children last week when he began struggling and went under the water. His body was found by the RCMP the next day.

 

Tordiffe also spoke about the Northern Water Smart Program which the Lifesaving Society has run for more than a decade, which sends lifeguards and instructors to remote northern communities here in Manitoba to help teach water survival skills.

MLA Asks Government Why They Aren't Helping Thompson

Mayor Fenske’s words at City Council earlier this week did not fall on deaf ears.

 

Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey spoke in the legislature Wednesday, and asked the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade why the Pallister Government is not doing anything to help despite the economic challenges Thompson is facing.

 

Minister Pedersen responded by saying that this “new-found concern for the north and Thompson is another sign of the lack of integrity of the NDP”; the later part of the statement being a message that members of the PC caucus have been bringing up on an almost daily basis in the legislature.

 

The Minister added that the NDP “did nothing other than discourage mining and chase away businesses from the north” while they were in power for almost two decades.

 

Lindsey asked a follow-up question to Minister Pedersen, asking if he would help set up a fund to help with training in Thompson, citing comments made by Mayor Fenske earlier this week.

 

The Minister responded by talking about the Look North initiative instead of directly addressing the question.

Girl Guide Cookies Available At Nickel Days

If you’ve been craving Girl Guide cookies, you can get yours on Saturday.

 

Thompson and area Girl Guides, and their leaders, will be marching in the annual Nickel Days parade to let people know that they have cookies for sale.

 

Following the parade, they will be set up both inside the front loop at R.D. Parker and in the parking lot beside Doug’s Source for Sports to sell cookies. They will have boxes of chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookies, and they cost $5 per box.

 

They plan on selling cookies until they’re all gone, or until late afternoon.

 

Money raised through cookie sales helps fund local Girl Guide programming throughout the year.


 

Thompson RCMP Detachment Not Facing Same Staffing Issues As Many Across Canada

The RCMP is facing staffing shortages across the country, but not here in Thompson.

 

Inspector Lewis, the officer in charge of the Thompson RCMP detachment, spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that many members are happy to come to Thompson because of the diversity of the work they’ll have to do.

 

Lewis said that he’d rather have new members come to a detachment like Thompson, as the scope of work officers face here better prepares them for the future. He added that in many places officers won’t make an arrest or deal with many issues for extended periods, while it’s almost always busy here.

 

Inspector Lewis added that because many new officers come to Thompson for training, it allows the detachment to have additional resources.

 

He said that the best example of that there is a dedicated team locally that works on drug enforcement.

Nickel Days Starts Today

Today is the day; the main gate for Nickel Days 2018 opens at 4:00pm.

 

There will be rides, shows and booths open until the clock strikes midnight.

 

The main gate will re-open tomorrow at 4:00pm, with the annual softball tournament starting at 6:00pm and live music in the CA Nesbitt arena from 7:00pm until 11:00pm. The booths will be open until 10:00pm with the midway open until 12:00am.

 

Saturday will be marked by the start of the National King Miner contest, the youth talent contest and the annual social which will feature Big Wreck. The weekend will wrap up Sunday following the National King Miner contest awards and the Thompson’s Got Vocal Talent show.

 

The full schedule for the weekend can be found below.

 

Mayor Fenske Responds To Letter From Deputy Minister Dyson, Remarks From Minister Pedersen

Mayor Dennis Fenske took just under 15 minutes of last night’s regular meeting of Thompson City Council to respond to a letter from Deputy Minister Dyson as well as remarks made by Minister Pedersen.

 

Dave Dyson, who serves as the Deputy Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, sent Mayor and Council a letter which said that Thompson would not be receiving any money from the Mining Community Reserve Fund (MCRF) as the fund is below the threshold that is needed to allocate money.

 

Read: Province Says City Won’t Get Funds From Mining Reserve Fund

 

The Mining Tax Act, which governs the MCRF, does have a clause saying that money cannot be allocated if the fund is under the $10M minimum balance, though that only applies to exploration and prospecting.

 

 

Councillor Kathy Valentino spoke after Mayor Fenske read the letter during the meeting, saying that even though it’s disappointing that Thompson won’t be getting money, it’s a good sign that “we’re making enough noise that they’re starting to listen” and that Council needs to continue pressuring the government.

 

Fenske’s statement did not address the letter from Dyson, but instead responded to what Minister Blaine Pedersen (Growth, Enterprise and Trade) said and didn’t say to both himself and Arctic Radio News.

 

In an interview that aired yesterday, Minister Pedersen said that the City of Thompson hadn’t submitted a long-term plan and said that the Pallister Government wanted to see a concrete plan longer than four years. Pedersen also said that the current situation facing Thompson due to the closure of the Vale smelter and refinery isn’t “anything new” and that “the work that we’re doing now should have been done years ago”.

 

Read: Pedersen Clarifies Mining Community Reserve Fund Decision

 

Mayor Fenske said in no uncertain terms that he takes exception to almost everything the Minister said. He pointed out that the City has in fact been doing work to prepare for the Vale transition since 2010.

 

Fenske said that there have been plans and projects in the works to make Thompson a better place, such as an overhaul of the homeless shelter and construction of low-income housing. The Mayor said that there was a plan in place eight years ago when he was a councillor to model the Thompson homeless shelter after the Main Street Program in Winnipeg. He said that it would not only provide supports, but also reduce the crime severity index as it would allow people to stay there rather than in RCMP cells. Fenske said that the City has not had any support from the province on that plan.

 

The Mayor also added that the previous NDP government had given support to a project to build a housing project on the property beside Fas Gas, but it was put on hold once the current PC government took office.

 

Fenske went on to address the lack of acknowledgement that Thompson gets from mainstream media outlets, and said that the north is important to the province. He said that if it wasn’t for northern Manitoba, the Province would be left with little more than agriculture for economic development.

 

Mayor Fenske's full statement can be heard by clicking here.

 

Thursday Marks National Indigenous Peoples Day

Thursday is National Indigenous Peoples Day.

 

The day will begin bright and early at 5:00am with a sunrise ceremony, which will be followed later on with free hotdogs at lunch, the soaring eagle awards, as well as entertainment provided by Brendan Rhodes.

 

The official opening ceremonies will start at 1:00pm and will feature Wapanohk students singing “O Canada” in Cree, followed by remarks from dignitaries including Mayor Dennis Fenske and MP Niki Ashton.

 

All events for National Indigenous Peoples Day will be taking place at MacLean Park right beside City Hall.

 

Below is a full list of the scheduled events:

 

5:00am: Sunrise Ceremony

9:00am: Community Brunch (ongoing)

12:00pm:  Free Hotdogs

1:00pm-3:00pm: Children’s Activities (ongoing)

1:00pm: Opening Ceremonies, Grand Entry

2:30pm: Pow-Wow Demonstrations

3:00pm: Shanley Spence (hoop dancer performance with a story of the hoop)

3:30pm: UCN Drummers/Singers

4:00pm: Soaring Eagle Awards

4:30pm: Honour Song (drum group)

5:00pm: Shanley Spence (fancy shawl performance)

5:30pm: Dene Drummers/Singers

6:00pm: Brendan Rhodes (entertainment)

7:00pm: Delaney Monias Band (entertainment)

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Kyle Darbyson, Thompson Citizen

Liberal MLA Shows Support For NDP Leader

A Liberal MLA has come out in support of NDP leader Wab Kinew.

 

Judy Klassen, who represents the Kewatinook riding, has asked that the Pallister Government be banned from bringing up Kinew’s run-ins with the law.

 

The northern MLA said that by requesting that MLA’s be banned from bringing up his brushes with the law, she is “trying to build her people up”.

 

She added that it serves no end to continually bring up past transgressions, and that it does nothing other than tear people down. She said that bringing up his past perpetuates a stereotype of Indigenous people.

 

Kinew was convicted of impaired driving and assault over ten years ago, and has since been pardoned.

 

His past actions have been brought up countless times since becoming the leader of the opposition last year, in what many see as a pre-emptive smear campaign as the government prepares for the next provincial election.

 

PC MLA’s did not discuss the issue following Klassen’s request, saying that there is a rule that forbids them from talking publicly about issues that are under consideration by the speaker.

 

Photo courtesy of Thompson Citizen.

City Taps Director Of Development Services As Next City Manager

The City has named their choice to replace Gary Ceppetelli.

 

A resolution was passed earlier this evening by City Council to officially appoint Anthony McInnis as the next city manager. McInnis is currently the Director of Development Services, and will start in his new role in September 4th.

 

McInnis grew up in Thompson, and spent his first year of post-secondary studies at UCN. He graduated with an undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in Environmental Sciences, and later earned a PhD from the University of Vermont.

 

The former Riverside Ram said when he was brought on by the City in his current role that his first priority was to understand the needs for the community in the coming years.

 

McInnis spent time with Manitoba Indigenous and Northern Affairs before coming back to Thompson, working as a technical and public works consultant, assisting northern communities implementing public infrastructure and capital projects.

 

Photo courtesy of Thompson Citizen

Workforce Adjustment Services Hold Sessions Tomorrow, Thursday

If you’re set to be impacted by layoffs at Vale next month, there are sessions tomorrow and Thursday for you.

 

The information sessions will take place tomorrow morning at 8:30am and then at 8:30pm at the United Steelworkers hall.

 

They will also be run Thursday (June 21st), again at 8:30am and 8:30pm at the union hall.

The sessions are designed to help workers through the first steps of unemployment, as well as the transition to a new job.

 

Representatives from Vale and Steelworkers Local 6166 will be in attendance to answer questions.

 

The sessions are intended for Vale employees and Vale-affected contract workers.

 

If you’d like more information, you can call 204-778-6052. 

City Pays Out over $800, Waives Over $4000 In Fees To Kick-Off Clean Community Month

Thompsonites saved a lot of money by getting rid of trash during waste disposal weekend.

 

$4350 in fees was waived for 375 regular loads of residential waste that were brought to the landfill between June 1st and 3rd.

 

As part of the annual Clean Community Day on June 2nd, people picked up 279 bags of trash from the streets, and traded in them in for $3 cash each. In total, $838 was paid out on that day.

 

Those numbers are down from 2017, when the City of Thompson paid over $1200 for the over 400 bags turned in. The amount for tipping fees that were waived are also down from last year by around $6000.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske says that it is encouraging to see so many people out to help clean the community, especially in the rain that came down on the 2nd.

 

He added that he, and everyone else at City Hall, encourages everyone to carry the clean community spirit throughout the summer to help keep the streets fresh and litter free.

 

Community Clean-Up month runs until June 22nd, and the City says that there is still time to raise some money for your group or organization by helping clean up Thompson.

Man Facing Seven Charges Following RCMP Investigation In The Pas, OCN

What started as an investigation of suspected meth trafficking has led to charges sexual exploitation charges.

 

OCN and The Pas RCMP started investigation Eric Leonard Richards on June 12th, suspecting that he was trafficking methamphetamine. During a traffic stop, RCMP members found and seized meth as well as items related to the trafficking of the narcotic.

 

Further investigation led offers to determine that Richards was involved in the sexual exploitation of multiple youth, and attempted to obtain sexual services from minors in exchange for drugs and alcohol.

 

The 64-year-old is facing seven charges, and remains in RCMP custody.

 

Below is a list of the charges that Richards faces:

 

  • Sexual exploitation of a young person (x3)
  • Obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18 (x2)
  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking
  • Failure to comply with an undertaking.

New City Manager To Be Appointed At Council Monday

The next city manager for Thompson will be announced Monday.

 

Thompson City Council is set to meet Monday evening, and the first resolution on the agenda is the appointment of a new city manager.

 

Current city manager Gary Ceppetelli has served as Thompson’s city manager since 2011, and has been a municipal employee since 2008. He is set to retire in October.

 

The agenda also includes a resolution to approve the May cheque register, as well as a report from the public works committee.

 

This could be the last cheque register to be passed by resolution, as the finance and administration committee has recommended that future cheque registers be submitted to council as information.

 

The meeting will start at seven in Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

Changes May Be On The Way For Public Education In Manitoba

There may be major changes coming to the education system in Manitoba.

 

When asked if the Pallister Government was planning on doing away with school boards and trustees, Ian Wishart, the minister of education and training, did not say no.

 

Despite Burrow MLA Cindy Lamoureux asking for a yes or no response, Wishart said that the government has committed to do a full review of the K-12 system next year, and that they are looking forward to listening to the thoughts of Manitobans on changing the design of the education system.

 

A release from the Manitoba Liberal Party said that they are deeply concerned that the Pallister government isn’t being open with Manitobans when it comes to their plans for education.

 

Lamoureux said that the current government is known for its “lack of transparency and lack of consultation.”

Pedersen Clarifies Mining Community Reserve Fund Decision

Despite conflicting reports, the Province said that there isn’t enough money in the Mining Community Reserve Fund (MCRF).

 

Blaine Pedersen, the Provincial Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade spoke to Arctic Radio News to explain why Thompson isn’t getting any money from the MCRF.

 

He said that money from the fund cannot be allocated if there is less than $10M in the balance, which is the current situation. He added that Flin Flon, who had also made a request to access the MCRF, will not be receiving any money.

 

Read: Province Says City Won't Get Funds From Mining Reserve Fund

 

Pedersen said that NDP leader Wab Kinew didn’t provide the complete picture when he said there was $12M in the current balance. The Minister said that Kinew’s figures did not take into account accounts payable that are set to come from the funds, as well as other previously allocated money. Pedersen said that once that money is taken, the MCRF will be just below the $10M threshold that is required.

 

The Minister added that the work currently being done by Thompson City Council should have "been done years ago, as the City has known about the closure of the smelter and refinery for a long time."

 

To hear more from Minister Pedersen, make sure to listen to Thompson Today on Monday afternoon at 12:40pm and again at 5:10pm.

Province To Study Proposed Changes To Thompson Planning District

It may be a while before the Thompson Planning District votes on whether or not to add Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN) as voting members of the board.

 

Despite now having written support from the Pallister Government, Mayor Dennis Fenske told Arctic Radio News that the Province wants to study the proposed changes.

 

Fenske added that the proposal to add both NCN and TCN to the planning district will affect not only Thompson, but other planning acts and First Nations across Manitoba.

 

The study is being done by the the provincial government as it is their legislation that would need to be amended.

 

The resolution to add the two First Nations as voting members of the Planning District has been on the agenda for the last two meetings, though it was tabled both times.

 

Top RCMP Member In Thompson Supports Bill 229

The top cop in Thompson says that he’s behind Bill 229 which would see an expansion to the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act

 

Inspector Kevin Lewis, the officer in charge of the Thompson RCMP detachment, said that he is in favour of Liberal MLA Cindy Lamoureaux’s bill, which would see the Act expanded to allow law enforcement officers to detain people who are under the influence of drugs.

 

Read: Liberal MLA Proposes Amendment To Intoxicated Persons Detention Act

 

Lewis added that the legalization of marijuana will create a new burden on both the justice and health systems, so any extra tools for front-line workers will help make sure there is a smooth transition.

 

The Manitoba Court of Appeal said in the 1980’s that the act only applies to intoxication by liquor.

Thompson RCMP Search For Missing Teen

Thompson RCMP are asking for the public’s help in the search for a missing teen.

 

14-year-old Claudette Feather Redhead was reported missing to the Mounties on Tuesday morning. Her family says that is believed to have left her residence between 12:30am and 6:30am that morning.

 

Redhead is described as Indigenous, 5’3” and 126 lbs with brown eyes and long brown hair.

 

Anyone with information should immediately call the Thompson RCMP detachment at 204-6776-911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

 

Alternatively, you can text TIPMAN and your message to 274637, or submit a tip online on the Manitoba Crime Stoppers website.

 

RCMP Says Some Numbers Up, Some Down In Most Recent Stats Report

The RCMP recently released their quarterly report to City Council.

 

The report is made up of statistics, outlining member activity and crime in the city.

 

Inspector kevin Lewis, who is in charge of the Thompson RCMP detachment, said that the RCMP saw a decrease in some serious and aggravated assault categories, but that they don’t know why.

 

He added that when it comes to numbers for traffic tickets, impaired driving charges and drug charges, increases are a good thing.

 

Inspector Lewis will join 102.9 CHTM on June 19th and 20th for a Thompson Today speaking about the report.

Job Vacancy Rate Rising In Manitoba

The number of open jobs here in Manitoba is growing.

 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) have released statistics that say there is 11,500 vacant jobs in the private sector here in the province, which translates to 2.7% of all jobs in the province.

 

Those numbers are up from the same period last year, which saw only 2.3% of jobs open.

 

According to the CFIB, the labour shortages have been putting pressure on wages, with companies looking to higher expecting to offer a higher average increase in pay over those who don’t have vacancies.

 

British Columbia currently has the highest percentage of jobs vacant with 3.8%, while Ontario has the highest number of vacant private sector jobs with 163,100.

Province Says City Won't Get Funds From Mining Reserve Fund

The City of Thompson has been told they’re not getting any money from the mining reserve fund.

 

According to a letter from Dave Dyson, the Deputy Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, the balance of the Mining Community Reserve Fund is currently under $10M, which means that the legislation governing it does not allow any money to be given out.

 

The letter, dated June 1st, is on the agenda for tomorrow afternoon’s LIGA committee meeting, and is expected to be on the agenda for Monday’s regular meeting of Thompson City Council.

 

The correspondence contradicts a previous report, which said that the Pallister Government would not be allocating any money from the fund since the City has not submitted a long-term plan.

 

Minister Blaine Pedersen told Mayor Dennis Fenske that he did not have time to meet with Council when the Minister was in town in April, and Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle told Arctic Radio News later that the meeting did not take place as “there would not have been anything new to discuss”.

 

The Mining Reserve Fund was created to assist mining communities that are affected by partial or complete mine closures, and is funded by provincial mining tax revenues.

 

The full letter can be found here.

RCMP: Facebook Isn't The Right Place To Report Crime

No one should be surprised when the RCMP does nothing about things people report on Facebook.

 

Inspector Kevin Lewis, the officer in charge of the Thompson RCMP detachment, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that social media isn’t the best way to go when you’re looking for action to be taken. He added that when someone posts on Facebook about crime, it stays there and doesn’t go to the RCMP.

 

Inspector Lewis said that when people do report crime, it helps the RCMP better combat the issues. He added that when crime is reported to the detachment, they can look at hotspots and identify trends.

 

He said that without reports being made directly to the detachment, they can’t use the information in their strategies.

 

Inspector Lewis said that all crime should be reported to the detachment, whether it’s an assault or vandalism.

Thompson Teachers Association Holds March, Rally To Protest Cuts

The Thompson Teachers Association (TTA) held a march and rally Saturday, saying that the Province is making cuts to the education system despite recent announcements to the contrary.

 

Kathy Pellizzaro, the president of the TTA, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that the day as a whole went very well. She said that there were around 100 people in attendance, including teachers, parents, students and members of other local unions.

 

In an MLA Report published last month, Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle said that the Pallister Government is investing $1.3B for public schools in Manitoba next year, including a 7.4% ($2.3M) increase locally for the School District of Mystery Lake.

 

Pellizzaro told Arctic Radio News that she spoke with administration at the SDML office after hearing the news, and said that the increase is incorrect. The TTA president said that with increased enrollment, there is in fact up to a 2% decrease in funding for public schools here in Thompson.

 

United Steelworkers Local 6166 was out in full force for the event, with both President Warren Luky and Vice-President Tony Colbourne in attendance.

 

Luky spoke after the rally was done, and said that it’s important to support the teachers as they are facing a big challenge when it comes to the current provincial government. He added that it’s disappointing that the Pallister Government did not consult teachers, and haven’t had the best interest of children in mind.

 

Luky said that the message needs to be sent to Bindle, Education Minister Ian Wishart and Premier Brian Pallister to make sure that the cuts are reversed, and that they still have the chance to give appropriate funding to education.

 

A video of the march and rally can be found on the 102.9 CHTM Facebook page.

 

Photo courtesy of Kyle Darbyson, Thompson Citizen.

 

Letkemann Theatre Hosts Year-End Concerts

Tomorrow night is the first of two year-end concerts for musical groups from the School District of Mystery Lake.

 

The first concert, on June 12th, will feature the junior high choir and junior choir as well as the junior and intermediate jazz ensembles.

 

The final concert of the year will be Wednesday night, and will feature the junior high bands as well as the R.D.P.C. junior concert band.

 

Both concerts start at 7:00pm in the Letkemann Theatre at R.D. Parker Collegiate.

 

Admission to both concerts is free.

Annual Gutsy Walk Raises $8000

It was another good year for the Gutsy Walk here in Thompson.

 

Despite the rain, local organizer Dave Moore said that around $8000 was raised for Chron’s and Colitis research. Moore said that there were 15 people participating, while 20 were there in support.

 

He said that there is still time to make a donation, as they still hope to reach their fundraising goal over over $10,000.

 

Donations will be accepted until the end of the month, and if you’d like to donate you can call Dave Moore at 204-679-5732.

 

The Gutsy Walk helps raise money for Crohn’s and Colitis research.

Fenske: Nothing Would Really Happen If Council Votes Down Resolution Approving Cheque Register

Despite fierce debating seemingly every time it comes up, nothing would really happen if the City’s cheque register was voted down by City Council.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that it’s just a housekeeping item when it comes up every month. By the time the resolution comes before Council to approve the register, it has already been passed by finance and the cheques have already been paid out.

 

He added that the cheque register resolution is very similar to the annual audit resolution, in that it’s housekeeping to say that Council has seen it.

 

Fenske said that the only real thing that could be done would be to go ask the people or organizations for the money back.

 

He added that they are considering not putting the register in the agenda as a resolution, but rather just for information.

Bindle Blasts NDP, Says Manitobans "Punted Them Out"

Our MLA did not mince his words when he spoke recently in the Manitoba Legislature.

 

Kelly Bindle said that he recently had breakfast with a group of retired Thompsonites who now live in Winnipeg. He said that they know that trust and working together was crucial to building up Thompson and the north.

 

Bindle then turned to his NDP counterparts and did not mince his words. The former Inco employee blasted the opposition, saying that they broke their word and that the current session is extended because of it.

 

He added that not telling the truth was one of the reasons that Manitobans “punted” the NDP from power two years ago.

 

Bindle said that nothing has changed when it comes to the Manitoba NDP, and that those who do not have a close relationship with the truth need to be challenged.

 

The Pallister Government says that there was a deal in place with the NDP when it comes to the opposition asking questions about the budget, as well as an interim supply motion (pays for government operations until the budget is implemented).

 

P.C. House Leader Cliff Cullen said that it was the NDP that broke the verbal agreement, though opposition leader Wab Kinew said that the only deal that was ever in place was to due with the interim supply motion.

 

Kinew responded to Cullen’s accusation, saying that he is “misrepresenting the situation” and that it seems like “somebody is trying to cover up the situation to try and look good for his boss”.

Camp Day 2018 Surpasses 2017 For Money Raised

Camp Day 2018 was a resounding success here in Thompson.

 

$5978 was raised, with $3500 coming from coffee sales alone.

 

One hundred percent of all coffee sales from 12:00am until 11:59pm Wednesday went towards the Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation.

 

The foundation will help send over 14,000 kids to camp this summer who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to go.

 

There was just over $4600 raised locally in 2017.

Cross Lake RCMP Seize Cocaine

Cocaine is off the streets of Cross Lake thanks to tips from the public.

 

Cross Lake RCMP made an arrest last week following several reports that several people were selling drugs in the community.

 

Officers arrested 27-year-old Tessa Joy Monias at the Cross Lake Inn, and she was found in possession of around eight grams of cocaine and a large amount of cash.

 

Monias was taken into custody on charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime. She was scheduled to appeared in court this past Monday.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

 

Thompson RCMP Seize Drugs, Cash And Weapons

There are mroe drugs and weapons off of the streets thanks to the RCMP.

 

Thompson RCMP executed three search warrants almost a week ago, and seized over 150 grams of cocaine, 84 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, cash, and weapons.

 

Five people were arrested, including a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old.

 

Four of the five were released, and are set to appear in provincial court next month.

 

The fifth person arrested, a 31-year-old-man from Eastwood area, remains in custody.

 

All five face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance, and other criminal code charges.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

 

 

Pedersen: The North Matters

Blaine Pedersen says that the north matters to Manitoba as a whole.

 

Pedersen, who currently serves as the Provincial Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, spoke to Arctic Radio News on a recent visit to Thompson and said that the north has been a priority of the Pallister Government since they were elected.

 

Pedersen added that he has been to Thompson more in the past eight months than some communities in his own riding.

 

To hear part one of the three part interview with Minister Pedersen, tune in to 102.9 CHTM tomorrow afternoon at 12:40pm and again at 5:10pm.

 

Photo courtesy of Thompson Citizen.

Tomorrow Is Tim Horton's Camp Day

If you chose to get your daily cup of joe at Tim Horton’s tomorrow, you’ll be helping send a kid to camp.

 

June 6 is Tim Horton’s Camp Day, where 100% of proceeds from hot coffee sales go towards the Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation (THCF).  

 

THCF uses the funds from Camp Day to help youth from low-income homes go on a “life-changing experience” at a Tim Horton’s camp.

 

According to Tim Horton’s, THCF runs programs that are designed to help kids think differently about themselves and their future opportunities.

 

Camp day started 25 years ago, and more than $175M has been raised with over 257,000 kids being sent to camp with the funds.

 

There are six Tim Horton’s camps in Canada, including one in Pinawa, Manitoba.

 

RCMP Receive Call About Rock Attack On Mystery Lake Road

Thompson RCMP says things are being blown out of proportion.

 

Officers received a call Monday night that people were putting logs in the middle of the road, and that rocks were thrown at the vehicles that were forced to stop. According to the RCMP, all suspects fled once the members arrived at the scene.

 

The incident was reported to have happened on what is known as the 70 stretch of Mystery Lake Road, between the Heritage North Museum and Robin’s Donuts

 

Multiple people took to FaceBook following the incident, prompting comments calling once again for a curfew.

33rd Annual Cabaret Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow night is the R.D. Park Music Department’s 33rd annual Cabaret.

 

The performance will feature the senior music ensembles from R.D. Parker, and serves as a celebration of the 25 soon-to-be graduates from the program.

 

The concert is scheduled to start at 7:00pm in the Letkemann Theatre, and the theme for this year is a tribute to the great villains of stage, page and screen.

 

General admission tickets are available at the door for $5.00, while students get in for free.

North Star Air Sets Up Shop Here In Thompson

There is now a new option for shipping cargo to and from Thompson.

 

North Star Air is set to partially move in to the airport on June 11th, though their $5.5M hangar isn’t scheduled to be fully finished until closer to the end of the month.

 

The airline says that they’re only going to be operating cargo flights, but have left the door open for passenger transportation down the road.

 

Tom Meilleur, the Vice President of North Star Air, spoke at a recent Thompson Chamber of Commerce meeting and said that North Star currently has 20 local full-time employees, with plans to add more within the next few months.

 

The Thunder Bay-based airline was acquired by the North West Company back in April 2017 in hopes of stabilizing food costs in the north.

 

Photo of Tom Meilleur at the Thompson Chamber of Commerce, courtesy of Kyle Darbyson, Thompson Citizen.

City To Revamp Community Contact List, Develop Online Profile

The City of Thompson is looking to refine and expand their presence online.

 

Kacper Antoszewski, the City of Thompson’s Communications Officer, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that the community contact list is something that needs work.

 

He said that the list hasn’t been on Thompson.ca since the new site was launched in December, and that they have many requests from the public for more information about what is going on in town and where they can find things.

 

Antoszewski said they’re hoping to update the list and create “a more targeted framework”, where you can find everything you need to know for everything from sports leagues to support groups.

 

Another thing on the radar for the Communications Officer is the development of both a comprehensive community profile and comprehensive investment profile.

 

Antoszewski said that the work would be done in conjunction with Thompson 2020 and its partners. He added that the goal is to paint a more complete picture of Thompson, as what you see when you Google Thompson is “very one-dimensional”.

New Neighbourhood Watch Forms Here In Thompson

There is a response to recent crime and mischief in the works that is being put together by ordinary citizens here in Thompson.

 

A neighbourhood watch group known as Peace and Prevention Community is currently in the development stages, though they say their first patrol is planned for this weekend.

 

Stephanie Third, one of the group’s main organizers, said that their goal is to be as visible and approachable as possible, adding that that might help some people that aren’t able to request help or feel comfortable doing so.

 

One of the main principals of the group is that they will not be using an aggressive approach, but rather focusing on safety and compassionate outreach.

 

Third clarified that the group is not a vigilante group, and said that they will never physically engage anyone.

 

She said that they are still looking for recruits who are willing to contribute “in whatever way they can”, and that more information is available on their Facebook page.

 

Photo courtesy of Kyle Darbyson, Thompson Citizen

CFIB Says Business Optimism Is Down

Small business optimism here in Manitoba is now below the national average.

 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) recently released their monthly Business Barometer, which saw Manitoba drop from 59.9 to 59.3. The national average currently sits at 62.5.

 

The figures are on a scale of 0 to 100, and the results are based on responses from members of the organization.

 

Jonathan Alward, who serves as the CFIB’s Director of Manitoba Affairs, said that the CFIB is concerned that state-of-business health dropped significantly from April to May, with only 32% of business owners saying their businesses are in good shape. That number is down from 53% at the start of 2018.

 

Alward added that only 16% of small businesses are planning on hiring in the near future, with 12% planning layoffs.

 

The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 110,000 members from coast to coast, including 4,800 in Manitoba.

Monday's Council Meeting Looks To Be A Short One

Thompson City Council is set to meet Monday night, thought it shouldn’t take long.

 

As always, the meeting will include an opportunity for the public to ask Council questions following the adoption of minutes.

 

The only other item on the agenda on the agenda is a resolution to approve the April 2018 cheque register.

 

The document did not make it to Council last month, as it was reviewed by the Finance and Administration Committee on May 28th after their regular mid-month meeting did not take place.

 

The register contains 200 cheques, representing $2814,941.77.

 

The meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

All are welcome to attend.

 

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