Thompson Local News Archives for 2018-07

Eight Accessible Customer Service Standard Trainers Certified In Thompson

Eight people recently became the first group for northerners certified as Accessible Customer Service Standard trainers here in Thompson.

 

The training is in response to a new law, the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, which says that all businesses and organizations need to train staff and volunteers about the Accessible Customer Service Standard before November 1st of this year.

 

The eight participants in the “train-the-trainer” program took the course over the course of one day, and each left with a facilitators guide, a binder of resources, a PowerPoint presentation which can be personalized to suit each audience and access to a made-in-Manitoba video series focused on accessibility, understanding barriers, legal requirements, human rights and customer service.

 

The participants from the initial course here in Thompson represent different groups including the City of Thompson, the Juniper Centre, the Thompson Supported Employment Program and Community Futures North Central Development. 

 

There are around 30 trainers located throughout the province.

Registration Deadline Thursday For Thompson Golf Club 50th Events

The Thompson Golf Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend.

 

The weekend will kick off with a Friday evening scramble, followed by junior and reunion golf on Saturday, a social Saturday night. The celebration will wrap up Sunday with family golf.

 

To allow more people to take part in the golf events, the deadline to register was extended until August 2nd, this thursday, at noon.

 

If you’d like more information on the weekend, or would like to register, you can email thompsongolfcourse@gmail.com or message the Thompson Golf Club on Facebook.

Registration Is Open For TSEP Fall Program

Registration is open for those wishing to take part in the fall program offered by the Thompson Supported Employment Program (TSEP).

 

TSEP has been around for more than two decades, and offers employment and pre-employment services to those in the community who face barriers when it comes to employment. The barriers can include anything from a learning disability to hearing loss.

 

Their program is 12 weeks long, and those taking part learn valuable skills such as public speaking, teamwork, budgeting, resume writing and interview skills.The program is limited to eight participants.

 

If you’d like more information on the program, including how to register, you can either call 204-677-8322 or send a message to the Thompson Supported Employment Program Facebook page.

 

Tyler Doran and Natalie Legace, from TSEP, joined Arctic Radio News to talk about the program recently. That interview will air as a two-part Thomson Today, with part one airing tomorrow and part two coming on Thursday.

 

Thompson Today runs every weekday on 102.9 CHTM at 12:40pm and then again at 5:10pm.

Police Watchdog Investigating Nelson House RCMP

The Independent Investigation Unit is investigating following the arrest of a 20-year-old in Nelson House.

 

RCMP in the community responded to a complaint of an intoxicated male in a residence Saturday, and officers were required to use force to control the suspect.

 

The suspect was later transported to the Nelson House nursing station, where he was treated for a fracture in his right hand.

 

Nelson House RCMP informed the IIU the next day, and even though a fracture is not considered a serious injury the unit’s civilian director determined that it is in the interest of the public to investigate.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

Search Resumes For Dianne Bignell

The search continues today for a missing woman. 

 

60-year-old Dianne Mae Bignell has been missing since May 17th, with a report made to the Thompson RCMP detachment three days later. 

 

Family, friends and volunteers have been searching Thompson and the surrounding area since, without any major breakthroughs. 

 

If you would like to help with the search or make a donation, you're asked to head to the "Search For Diane Bignell #1" group on Facebook.

Fire Destroys Ponton Service Station

A northern Manitoba landmark is gone following a fire. 

 

The Ponton Service Station, located at the intersection of highways 6 and 39, went up in flames Saturday after the fire spread from two trucks in the back parking lot. 

 

The fire was contained to the building, and water bombers were used to battle the flames. 

 

A spokesperson for Cross Lake First Nation, who owns the station, said that even though it’s heartbreaking, they will rebuild. 

 

The spokesperson said that it shouldn’t be a problem getting to the next service station in the summer months, but that they “better build something before the winter”. 

 

Steps To Success Offers 11 Classes In August

With the start of a new month comes a new set of classes offered by the Steps to Success program.

 

There are 11 scheduled classes being offered this month, with topics ranging from spelling tips to keyboarding.

 

The first class for August will be on Thursday, where the instructors will teach social media from nine until noon.

 

Below is the full list of the classes being offered this month:

  • Social Media (August 2, 9:00am-12:00pm)
  • Microsoft Word (Thursdays, August 9-30, 1:00pm-3:00pm)
  • Using APA (August 28, 1:00pm-3:00pm)
  • Spelling Tips (August 7, 9:00am-3:00pm)
  • Learners’ Permit Prep (Fridays, August 10-31, 9:00am-12:00pm)
  • Punctuation (August 14, 9:00am-3:00pm)
  • Resumes, Cover Letters and Interview Skills (August 15, 9:00am-3:00pm)
  • PowerPoint (August 13, 9:00am-3:00pm)
  • Essay Writing (August 21, 9:00am-3:00pm)
  • Excel (August 20&27, 10:00am-3:00pm)
  • Keyboarding (Fridays, 9:00am-3:00pm)

 

In addition to the eleven different classes, Steps to Success is offering learning lunches, which will cover either job search skills or conversational English depending on the day of the week.

 

If you’d like more information, or would like to register for a class, you can call 204-677-5016.

 

All of the classes are free to attend, though you are asked to register.

Province Announces Almost $250k For Thompson

There is money coming from the Province for Thompson, just not from the Mining Community Reserve Fund.

 

In a recent report, Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle said that Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton has approved just over $125,000 dollars for four different projects; $9,811 to the City of Thompson for change room upgrades at the Norplex Pool, $15,626 to Thompson Early Learning and Child Care Centre for a new outdoor natural playground, $50,000 to the Legion for washroom upgrades and $50,000 to the humane society for shelter upgrades.

 

Bindle also mentioned that Cathy Cox, the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, has approved $122,763 in operation funding for the Thompson Public Library.

 

The PC MLA then turned to the Mining Community Reserve Fund, saying that the City of Thompson does not qualify for funding, as the Mining Tax Act states that the funds are only available in situations where ore deposits have been depleted.

 

This differs from what both Blaine Pedersen (Minister, Growth, Enterprise and Trade) and Dave Dyson (Deputy Minister, Growth, Enterprise and Trade) have said, which is that there isn’t enough money in the reserve.

 

Read: Pedersen Clarifies Mining Community Reserve Fund Decision

 

Bindle concluded by saying that northern Manitoba has “tremendous untapped potential”, and that the government is committed to breaking down barriers for economic growth and new job creation in the north.

Vaccine Levels Above 80% For Children In Northern Manitoba

Childhood vaccine rates here in northern Manitoba are high according the Northern Health Region.

 

Stats from the NRHA say that the rates are in the 80-95% range, and vary depending on age and the type of vaccine.

 

The health region says that those numbers are very good, and are "reflective of our strong public health and community efforts".

 

The Medical Officers of Health for the region, Doctor Randy Gesell and Doctor Michael Isaac, said that high rates of vaccine coverage provides both individual and herd immunity, which protects those in the community who are more vulnerable to infection.

 

The World Health Organization recently released statistics for 2017, saying that just over 50 percent of the world has been vaccinated for measles and rubella, and that 20 million children worldwide did not receive full immunization last year.

Fenske: Thompson judged for one square block with Crime Severity Index

The 2017 Crime Severity Index has been released, and Thompson is once near the top.

 

Thompson ranks first in violent crime, second in non-violent crime and second overall for communities with a population over 10,000.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that Thompson’s numbers keep going up every year, with two main issues driving the increase. Fenske said that 15% of the increase is mischief, while 9% is assaults.

 

He said that when you look deeper into those statistics, addiction and mental health issues are often at the root of the problem. Fenske added that the City will continue to push for additional support for local groups like the CMHA and homeless shelter so they can better help those in need.

 

The Mayor repeated something he’s said every year; do you feel any less safe today than you did yesterday? Fenske said that for the most part people feel safe here. He said that when it comes to the index, Thompson is judged by one square block which is centred around the Canadian Tire Parking lot.

 

North Battleford, SK once again remained first overall, with all cities in the top ten located in western Canada.

Bellegarde Re-Elected As AFN National Chief

Perry Bellegarde has been re-elected as the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

 

Bellegarde, a member of Little Black Bear First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, won in the second ballot garnering 328 of the 522 votes cast.

 

He was first elected in 2014, when he received the support of over 60% of voters in the first ballot.

 

MKO Grand Chief Sheila North finished second with 125 votes, while Miles Richardson finished third with 59.

 

Russ Diabo, who finished with only 10 votes in the second ballot, claimed that Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister of crown-Indigenous affairs, interfered with the election by meeting with the Alberta delegation before the first ballot.

New Northern Affairs Minister Represents Southern Riding

It turns out that Dominic Leblanc, the new Minister Northern and Indigenous Affairs, has joined a long line of people to hold the profile while representing a southern riding.

 

Leblanc, who was born in Ottawa and represents a riding in New Brunswick, took over the role recently during a cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

 

He took over the profile from Carolyn Bennett, who was born in and represents an upper-class riding in Toronto.

 

There are at least three Liberal MP’s currently representing northern regions including the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

MPI Urges Drivers Not To Drive While Drowsy

Manitoba Public Insurance is urging drivers to stay awake while behind the wheel.

 

According to the crown corporation, a recent poll suggests that half of the 800 people surveyed admit to driving while feeling drowsy at least once including while driving on long road trips.

 

MPI Vice President Ward Keith says that traffic on highways typically increases during the summer months and that some may be tempted to push themselves to drive longer to get where they’re going more quickly.  He added that they strongly encourage all drivers to act responsibly, and to pull over and rest when you become too tired to drive.

 

Fatigue warning signs to watch for include uncontrollable yawning, trouble keeping your eyes open, drifting within your lane and not being able to remember the last few kilometres that have passed.

 

There is an average of 83 collisions annually due to driver fatigue in Manitoba, and statistics indicate that over the past decade around seven of those crashes every year result in a fatality or serious injury.

Gateway Bible Baptist VBS Starts Tomorrow

Gateway Church is holding their annual Vacation Bible School this week.

 

The program, which is open to children ages four through twelve, will take place from tomorrow until Sunday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm daily at the church, located on Cree Road beside the Manitoba Métis Federation building.

 

Registration is free, and can either be done in advance or at the door.

 

Activities will include crafts, outdoor games and adventure-filled stories.

 

The VBS will start tomorrow and end on Sunday with grilled hotdogs for the children and their parents/guardians.

 

For more information, you can visit GatewayBibleBaptistChurch.ca or call 204-677-3000.

Company Plans To Open Cannabis Retail Location In Thompson

Plans are in the works for a cannabis retail store to be open in town by the end of the year.

 

Delta 9 Cannabis Inc., one of the four marijuana companies conditionally approved for sales here in Manitoba, say that Thompson is one of four locations that they are planning.

 

Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot said that Thompson may seem like an unattractive location to open up shop, but it’s strategically important as Thompson serves as the hub of the north.

 

Arbuthnot added that they will have an online portal available October 17th, the date of legalization, and that his company will offer mail order delivery to every corner of the province.

 

The company, which has a contract to supply over two million grams of cannabis provincial in the first year of legalization, says that they will be announcing the proposed location of the Thompson location at some point soon.

 

Delta 9 plans on opening two stores in Winnipeg and one in Brandon in addition to the Thompson location once marijuana becomes legal in October.

Liberals Call For Feds and Province To Step Up And Support Transit Outside Of The Perimeter

The Manitoba Liberal Party is calling on both the Pallister and Trudeau governments to step up to the plate when it comes to funding for rural and northern transportation.

 

They say that currently there is support from all levels of government for transit in Winnipeg, but that investments must be made in rural and northern transportation so that “Manitobans outside the perimeter can afford to travel”.

 

Kewatinook MLA Judy Klassen says that even though northern bus companies have started to say they’ll operate in the region, support from all levels of government is needed. She added that if a large company like Greyhound can’t afford to service northern routes, money is needed to make sure the smaller operations can survive.

 

Liberal leader and recently elected MLA for St. Boniface Dougald Lamont suggests that a portion of the almost $250M in expected revenue from the proposed Manitoba Carbon Tax could be used to provide support for inter-city bus service. He added that those in the Legislature need to govern for everyone, and not just those who live in urban centres.

 

Lamont went on to say that investment in inter-city bus transportation would eliminate what he calls a double standard that "currently treats northern and rural residents as second-class citizens".

 

Ron Schuler, the provincial Minister of Infrastructure, has said that the province won’t be providing subsidies and that they won’t “get in the way of business”. When asked about the situation, Prime Minister Trudeau said that he has asked Federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau to work with the provinces to try and find a solution.

 

Two companies, including a local Thompson start-up, have said that they will be serving the north when Greyhound shuts down service in October, though there is not currently any information on what operations will look like for either company.

Thompson RCMP Seize Over 4000 Unmarked Cigarettes

Charges are pending following the seizure of over 4000 unmarked cigarettes.

 

Thompson RCMP pulled over a van without licence plates early Saturday morning near the Miles Hart Bridge and conducted a traffic stop. 

 

During the stop, officers discovered and seized around 4100 unmarked cigarettes. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending under the Tobacco Tax Act. 

Local Artist Nominated For Provincial Award

Jasyn Lucas has been nominated for a Manitoba Tourism award.

 

The local artist, who opened The Gift of Art (which serves an art gallery, studio and tattoo parlour) three years ago with his partner Nikki Brightnose, is nominated for the Indigenous Tourism Award.

 

The nomination came from Community Futures North Central Development (CFNCD), who helped him get his business off the ground.

 

A spokesperson for CFNCD said that they wanted to nominate Lucas as he is a great ambassador for Northern Manitoba, and sets an example for youth and the business community that it is possible to make a living doing what you’re passionate about.

 

They added that the opening of the business enhanced both the art community and retail landscape here in Thompson.

 

The Indigenous Tourism Award is for those in Manitoba who are committed to sharing an authentic and realistic cultural activity and contribute to the promotion and advancement of Indigenous culture locally.

 

Photo of a mural painted by Lucas on the side of a local business, courtesy of jasynlucas.ca

39th AFN General Assembly Starts Tomorrow

Tomorrow marks the start of the Assembly of First Nation’s 39th Annual General Assembly in Vancouver.

 

The three day event will start with a candidate’s forum, where the five candidates for National Chief will have one last chance to try and garner votes. There are 635 voting members of AFN, and at least 60% of votes cast are needed to elect the National Chief.  

 

Two of the five candidates are women and both come from First Nations here in Manitoba; former AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Katherine Whitecould and Sheila North, who became the first female MKO Grand Chief in 2015.

 

The ballot also includes incumbent National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Russ Diabo and Miles Richardson.

 

The voting will happen Wednesday starting at 9:00am Pacific, with the results expected to be announced at some point throughout the afternoon.

 

The assembly will conclude Thursday, following a discussion on resolutions and the closing ceremonies.

Mike Bourgon To Assume Mantle Of Thompson Fire Chief Next Month

There will be a new fire chief here in Thompson this time next month.

 

City Council has officially passed a resolution which will make now soon-to-be former Deputy Chief Mike Bourgon the new director of Fire and Public Safety as of August 13th.

 

Speaking to Arctic Radio News, Deputy Mayor Colleen Smook explained why he was the right choice.

 

Smook said that Bourgon is the right choice as he has been mentoring under Chief Maskerine for many years, and that the City is happy when they can promote from within rather than having to look to bring someone in from the outside.

 

She added that there was some discussion before the resolution was passed, and was focused on what Bourgon’s official title would be. Smook said that the Municipal Act, which comes from the Province, says that the City needs to have a Fire Chief while the City of Thompson uses the Director of Fire and Public Safety title.

 

The Deputy Mayor said that director of Fire and Public Safety is a better fit as the CSO’s and By-Law officers also fall under the jurisdiction of the fire department.

 

Mike Bourgon has been with the Thompson Fire Department for over ten years, and he will be taking over from John Maskerine, who has served as a firefighter in Thompson since 1969.

 

Police Watchdog Clears Two Northern RCMP Officers

Two northern RCMP officers have been cleared following investigations by the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba.

 

Both officers, one from the Thompson detachment and one from Norway House, were the subject of an investigation for separate incidents where the suspects had been injured.

 

Officers received a call to remove an intoxicated and unwanted man from a residence here in Thompson in mid-March, and had to use force when the suspect ran and resisted arrest. The suspect was treated for a broken rib at Thompson General, prompting the IIU investigation.

 

The incident in Norway House took place last October where the suspect tripped and fell while attempting to run through bushes and rocks, breaking multiple ribs and puncturing a lung.

 

In both cases the IIU’s civilian director, Zane Tessler, concluded that there are insufficient grounds for charges to be laid against the officers.

New Local Bus Company Launched

Despite the loss of Greyhound service, Thompsonites will have more options for transportation come the fall.

 

The company is being run by Jimmy Pelk, Vipan Sikri and Siddharth Varma, who started TBL to fill the need that they saw arise by the recent Greyhound announcement.

 

The announcement was made yesterday at City Hall by Pelk and Varma that the new company, Thompson Bus Limited (TBL), will start limited service September 1st with full operation the day after Greyhound locks their doors.

 

At the announcement, Pelk said that one of the most important things for their new company is that it’s transportation for Thompsonites by Thompsonites. He added that their main goal is to meet the needs of the consumer.

 

Pelk, the general manager of Twin Motors Thompson, said that they don’t currently know what vehicles will be in the TBL fleet or how much a trip will cost. He said that those decision will be made later once they know what is needed.

 

Councillor Duncan Wong was one of four City Council members in attendance and asked if Thompson Bus would consider running municipal transit routes. Varma responded with a resounding, and quick, yes. Deputy Mayor Colleen Smook spoke to Arctic Radio News yesterday, and said that there are internal discussions being held, but no announcements have been made as to what will happen to Thompson City Transit once Greyhound leaves.

 

The initial release from Thompson Bus says that they plan on providing service to medical facilities in Winnipeg, Richardson International Airport, surrounding hotels and the Polo Park Shopping Centre.

 

TBL said that their primary focus will be transportation to and from Thompson, though they would be open to expanding to areas like Flin Flon or The Pas should the demand be there.

 

The announcement comes 10 days after Greyhound announced that they will end all service in the prairies as of October 31st, and nine days after Ontario-based Kasper Transportation announced that they would be starting a Winnipeg-Thompson bus route.

Manitoba Chiefs Elect Regional Chief of Assembly of First Nations

Kevin Hart has retained his position as Manitoba Chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

 

The election took place yesterday at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ annual general assembly.

 

Hart won on the second ballot with 33 of 55 possible votes.

 

He was up against two other candidates - Nelson Genaille,  chief of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, and David Harper, the former grand chief of MKO.

 

Next week, there will be an election in Vancouver for the national leader of the Assembly of First Nations.   

 

Five candidates are in the running including incumbent Perry Bellegarde, Miles Richardson, Russell Diabo, Sheila North and Katherine Whitecould.

Ottawa Announces Increase To Canada Child Benefit

If you receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) from the federal government, you might notice a little bit more on your next cheque.

 

Families Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has announced that the CCB will be increased to keep up with the cost of living; that means that there is now a maximum annual benefit of  $6,496 for every child under six, and $5,481 for those between six and 17.

 

Duclos said that the increase will mean more money for Canadian families starting tomorrow, and that the government is committed to quote ensuring that this tax-free benefit continues to help the middle class and people who are working hard to join it.

 

Employment and Social Development Canada says that CCB provides over $23B annually to 3.7M families and that the program has helped lift over half a million people out of poverty.

 

The CCB has helped nine out of ten Canadian families give their children a better start in life, and the program has been recognized by organizations such as the International Fund and the Bank of Canada as a key contributor when it comes to strengthening the middle class.

Alistair Ross New Head Of Vale For Thompson

Tomorrow marks the end of an era for Vale’s Manitoba Operations.

 

Mark Scott will no longer be an employee of Vale, having served as the vice president of Manitoba Operations since February 2016.

 

The mining giant recently announced changes in their North Atlantic operations, which included the elimination of Scott’s role; vice president of Manitoba Operations.

 

Scott first joined the mining industry in 2001, working then for Inco in a human resources role based in Ontario.

 

Alistair Ross is the new head of mining operations for the Brazilian mining giant’s North Atlantic division, which includes Thompson and Sudbury.

 

Ross was previously the director of Ontario mining operations, and will be reporting directly to the director of North Atlantic and Asia refineries Ricus Grimbeek.

 

There are questions being raised as to the structure of Vale’s Manitoba Operations, though a spokesperson said that things are still being finalized and decisions will be made public in the coming weeks.

 

Grimbeek said that Vale cannot work the same way they have in the past during what he calls “a period of fundamental change”.

 

Manitoba Chiefs to Vote for Regional Chief of Assembly of First Nations

There are three men running for the position of Manitoba chief at the Assembly of First Nations, who will be elected today by the chiefs of the province's 63 First Nations.

 

Incumbent Kevin Hart is seeking a second term, running against Nelson Genaille, chief of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, and David Harper, the former grand chief of MKO.

 

The election takes place ahead of voting next week for a new national leader of the Assembly of First Nations.

 

The Assembly of First Nations represents 634 First Nations across Canada. There are 10 regional chiefs, each with a seat on the AFN's executive committee.

 

The election for the Manitoba regional chief will take place during the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' annual general meeting at the South Beach Casino and Resort on Brokenhead First Nation.

National Drowning Prevention Week

National Drowning Prevention Week kicked off in Manitoba with the announcement of a troubling statistic Tuesday.

 

Children under four in Manitoba are drowning at a rate more than three times the national average, according to Kevin Tordiffe, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society's provincial branch.

 

The information is based on coroner's reports from across the country.

 

Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said the province is starting a life-jacket loaner program at Spruce Woods Provincial Park.

 

The program, which lends life-jackets free of charge, is already available at Bakers Narrows, Gyles Lake and Birds Hill Provincial Park.

Rotary Club's MDHIO

David Platford can claim bragging rights after coming out on top of the Rotary Club of Thompson’s latest Million Dollar Hole in One event.

 

He and a number of Thompson golfers took part in the semi-final event at the Thompson Golf Club Saturday evening.  

 

Platford came closest to the pin during the semis with a distance of 1 foot and 2 inches.  

 

He was followed by Kenton Fayant at 3 feet 5 and a half inches from the hole and  Scott Marcinyshyn (Mar-sin-ish-in) at 6 feet 5 and a quarter inches from the hole.

 

In the finals, it was Platford first, Fayant at second and Marcinyshyn at third.

Thompsonite To Compete In 2018 Miss Teen Canada Globe Competition

A Thompsonite is headed to Toronto next month to vie for the title of Miss Teen Canada Globe.

 

Avery Lagimodiere, a student at Burntwood School, will be entering her first pageant following experience in both dance and figure staking.

 

According to her mother, Avery has always expressed interest in pageants though hasn’t been able to make it to audition locations.

 

The 13-year-old, who admits that she’s nervous about the competition, says that she wants to be a role model for Aboriginal girls her age, show them not to be scared to go out, and to simply be you.

 

Each participant of the contest, which runs from August 16th through the 26th, will be judged based on traditional pageant criteria like interview skills, a unique talent and evening gown attire.

Brandon Crescent Construction Scheduled To Be Complete By Monday

The City of Thompson says that they hope to have construction finished in the Brandon Crescent area by Monday.

 

Work started to renew water and sewer connections in the area on July 6th, which should be done at the start of next week.  

 

The Fox Bay area is also currently under construction, as work is underway on water main renewal.

 

Other work to come this summer includes major repairs to Station Road and the continuation of work on the new water treatment plant.

Jerry Primrose To Run For NCN Chief

Jerry Primrose is looking to once again take charge.

 

The former NCN Chief, who stepped down before the 2014 election, has entered the race to be the next chief.

 

Primrose was chief for 16 years before he stepped down, and says that he is running after a time of personal reflection and input from family.

 

He said that some of the major issues he’s looking to tackle if elected are housing and recreation.

 

Primrose says that if elected, he would ask for input from the entire community when it comes to things like alcohol.

Hudson Bay Railway President Says Talks Are Back On

According to the Hudson Bay Railway, negotiations are once again on.

 

Sergio Sabatini, the president of HBR, told the media earlier this week that negotiations for the sale of the rail line resumed between OmniTrax and a consortium including Northern First Nations on Monday.

 

Sabatini said that they believe that an expeditious transfer of ownership is best for all concerned and that they are doing everything they can to make it happen.

 

HBR also confirmed that a request for proposal has been sent out for repairs, though they still plan on appealing the recent order to repair the line.

 

Sabatini said that by issuing the request and the repair process, it puts both HBR and OmniTrax in the best position to complete a transaction.

Vale Introduces Three New Scholarships For Indigenous Graduates

There are now three more opportunities for Indigenous graduates to get a head start on their post-secondary education.

 

During the recent graduation ceremony for RD Parker Collegiate, Vale Manitoba Operations announced three new scholarships, which were created as a result of the Thompson Aboriginal Accord.

 

Kiya Spence, who recently graduated in Nelson House was the recipient of the first ever $1000 James Spence Scholarship.

 

Cross Lake graduate Andrea Genaille was awarded the $1000 Vale Manitoba Operations Henry Cook Award, while the third scholarship, which will be named after Robert Snowshoe Parenteau, will be handed out this summer during the Manitoba Metis Federation’s regional meeting.

 

The Thompson Aboriginal Accord, and the three new scholarships, put a large emphasis on recognizing historical figures who contributed to the community in a meaningful way.

Man Walking To Winnipeg From Leaf Rapids

A man is on his way to Winnipeg from Leaf Rapids to raise awareness for a northern First Nation.

 

33-year-old David Bighetty’s trek will end at the Manitoba Legislature, and he hopes to raise awareness about the community of Granville Lake.

 

Bighetty, who has been living in Leaf Rapids since an evacuation of his home in 2003, says that many former Granville Lake residents are waiting for financial compensation, and that some are still paying rent on properties they haven’t lived in for over a decade.

 

He said that being displaced from his home hit him hard, and he hopes that future generations will be able to return home. He added that he wants to go home, but can’t because there is no construction for housing or water and sewage infrastructure.

 

Bighetty made his way through Thompson last weekend, and hopes to be in Winnipeg by early August.

LIGA Committee To Meet Tomorrow

Tomorrow marks the lone meeting for the City of Thompson’s Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (LIGA) committee this month.

 

The agenda includes a letter Federal Transportation Minister Marc Garneau, as well as an invitation for Mayor Fenske to attend the Northern Association of Community Councils 48th Annual General Assembly and Information Expo.  

 

The committee will also review a letter from Manitoba Sustainable Development about the Northeast Management Plans and proposed Park Boundary Expansions, and an invitation to attend an asset management readiness assessment workshop hosted by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.

 

The meeting is scheduled for 3:45pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

Kasper Transportation To Start Thompson-Winnipeg Route October 31

When one company leaves, another steps up to the plate.

 

Following Monday’s announcement from Greyhound that they would be ending all service in the Prairies, Kasper Transportation announced that they will offer service between Thompson and Winnipeg.

 

The Pickle Lake, Ontario-based company, whose website says they are the second largest bus operator in northern Ontario, says that in addition to the Winnipeg-Thompson route, they will also be operating between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay as well as Winnipeg to Prince Albert via Regina and Saskatoon.

 

The new routes, in addition to one between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg, will be in operation as of October 31st, the day Greyhound says that they’re closing up shop.

Bindle Takes To Facebook To Continue MCRF Feud

Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle continued the back and forth between the Province and the City of Thompson about the Mining Community Reserve Fund, this time on Facebook.

 

The PC MLA took time to comment using his own personal account, saying that the City’s request for economic development money was quote vague, and that someone has to protect the taxpayer.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that the Mining Community Reserve Fund doesn’t impact the taxpayer at all, as it is entirely funded by the mining companies operating in Manitoba.

 

Fenske added that he takes offense to Bindle’s comment that “the City has not presented a plan to come to balance without bailouts over the long term”. Mayor Fenske said that the requested funds ($1M per year for 2019, 2020, 2021) will go directly to offset revenue lost from the Grant in Lieu.

 

He added that if Thompson can’t make up the money lost in the new GIL, there could be upwards of a 10% tax increase.

 

Bindle, who serves as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, said that there are other ways the Province is going to help the City, but they cannot be announced due to the by-election media blackout. He added that the St Boniface by-election was caused when “another NDP MLA quit.”

 

In his most recent “MLA Report” for The Thompson Citizen, Bindle said that “It’s important to note the depletion of the reserve fund is due to the fact that the NDP did absolutely nothing when it was in government to prepare for the impacts on the mining industry that Northern Manitoba is currently experiencing.

 

 

Lamp Vacation Bible School Running This Week

There is still an opportunity for your child to take part in vacation Bible school.

 

Lamp VBS is running all this week from 9:00am until 12:00pm at St James Anglican Church.

 

It’s for kids aged five through 12, though preschool children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Registration is free, and the children get to experience crafts, games, stories, snacks and more.

Open House Set For Tomorrow

There is an opportunity tomorrow to learn about the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities and the Thompson Supported Employment Program.

 

From 10:00am until 2:00pm, you can drop by their office (located on the third floor of the professional building across the street from McDonald’s) and learn about their programs.

 

They will be handing out champion of diversity awards at 12:15pm, which are for employers who promote diversity and inclusion in the work force.

 

Light refreshments will be served, and you can get more information by calling 204-778-4277.

 

Niki Ashton Calls Out Pat Broe, OmniTrax

Niki Ashton is not happy with the recent announcement from Denver-based OmniTrax that the deal to sell the rail link to Churchill has fallen through.

 

Ashton spoke to the media following a visit to Churchill, where she singled out both OmniTrax and its owner Pat Broe. She said that their words have been nothing more than a bullying tactic, and that OmniTrax owner Pat Broe is nothing more than a “two-bit Donald Trump wanna-be”.

 

The local M.P. said that Churchill is “breaking” due to how OmniTrax and the federal government are handling the situation. She added that there is now an increased reliance on the food bank, and that a once proud community has now been reduced to trying to make do with whatever gets donated.

Free Girls Coding Camp Next Week

Girls will have the opportunity to try their hand at coding next week.

 

The WISE Kid-Netic Energy will be offering a free all-girls codemakers camp from Monday through Firday at R.D. Parker.

 

The camp is free of charge, and open to girls aged 13 through 15.

 

The week is set to include 3D printing, robotics through Lego Mindstorms, and electronic building blocks.

 

To find out more about the camp or to see if there are any spaces left, you can visit the WISE Kid-Netic Energy webdsite.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Event Sunday

There will be a barbecue fundraiser Sunday for Canadian Tire Jump Start.

 

The event will start at noon near the Miles Hart Bridge at Lions Park, where there will be a barbecue, raffles, games and a chance to win over two thousand dollars towards a vacation.

 

To learn about Jumpstart and why is important, as well as more on what is goign on this Sunday, tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40pm and 5:10pm tomorrow only on 102.9 CHTM.

Train Derails Near The Pas

A train travelling between Winnipeg and The Pas has derailed.

 

Via Rail has said that two locomotives and a baggage car went off the tracks early Thursday morning 37 kilometres from The Pas.

 

Reports say that there 16 passengers and five crew members on the train, though no passengers were injured with two crew members sustaining minor injuries.

 

The train was traveling at 50 kilometres an hour when it hit an area that had been washed out.

 

Via has announced that it has suspended service between Winnipeg and Gillam until further notice.

Thompsonites Win Prizes At Flin Flon Art Exhibition

Three Thompsonites received top honours over the Canada Day weekend at the Northern Juried Art Exhibition in Flin Flon.

 

Mable Glaicar took home first and third in the fiber art division, while Keith Derksen and Veronica Buda came first and third respectively in photography.

 

There were 21 artists who submitted 40 pieces for the show, with entrants coming from Cranberry Portage and The Pas as well as Flin Flon and Thompson.

 

Flin Flon’s Karen Clark won both best in show and best painting for her work entitled “Kayak Scenes Schist Lake Island”. (Pictured above)

Grade One Class From Westwood Wins RCMP Contest

One of the newest members of the RCMP’s Musical Ride got its name from Thompson.

 

A grade one class from Westwood School took part in the annual “Name the foal” competition, and their suggestion of the name “Penny” was selected as one of the twelve chosen.

 

The class was presented with a 2018 Music Ride horseshoe, a set of 2018 Musical Ride trading cards, a horse-and-rider pin, a picture of Penny, and a certificate signed by the RCMP commissioner.

 

This is the second year in a row that a winning name has come from Thompson, as five-year-old Bella won in 2017 for the name Osawaw.

 

The RCMP says that they are already looking forward to next years’ contest, when the names will start with the letter R.

Churchill Deal Falls Through

The deal which would have seen OmniTrax sell the Hudson Bay Railway has fallen apart. 

 

The Denver-based corporation says that they have been working with a consortium including northern First Nations for several months on a deal, though selling the railway to the group at this point quote may not be possible. 

 

The release from OmniTrax said that the transactions, which had previously been announced by the federal government, looks to have fallen apart. 

 

The company says that the outcome is unexpected and unfortunate and that they  offer their apologies to all who depend on the line. 

 

OmniTrax recently received an order from the Canadian Transportation Agency to repair the line, though no action has been taken as of yet. 

Thompson 2020 Investors Breakfast In Winnipeg Increases Outside Interest In Thompson

There is renewed interest from outside of the City when it comes to investing in Thompson.

 

Thompson 2020 held an investors breakfast in Winnipeg last week, which was aimed at attracting potential investors to Thompson. Those in attendance came from different fields including legal, banking and the government.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that talks at the breakfast from Thompson 2020’s Harold Smith and Vale’s Mark Scott clearly outlined plans that have been in place since 2010 when it comes to changes to Vale’s presence here in the north.   

 

He added that Thompson 2020 and City of Thompson officials heard good things in exit comments from those in attendance.

 

Fenske took the opportunity to again express his disappointment in both Minister Pedersen and local MLA Kelly Bindle, asking what that the Mining Community Reserve Fund is for if Thompson doesn’t qualify following Birchtree being put on care and maintenance in addition to the 700 jobs lost. 

Niki Ashton Addresses MCRF Situation

Niki Ashton says that she is in support of the City of Thompson when it comes to the Mining Community Reserve Fund.

 

Our Member of Parliament was the guest at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting, where she addressed the issue.

 

She said that she stands in support of Mayor Fenske and City Council, and that she expects both the Pallister and Trudeau governments to be at the table looking for solutions.

 

Ashton said that it is very frustrating to see leaders that are unwilling to work with Thompson.

 

She added that even though it was the federal government that approved the sale of Inco to Vale, Ottawa hasn’t been active in trying to find solutions.

RCMP See Rise In Assault, Decrease In B&E's In May

The Thompson RCMP detachment was busy during May.

 

That’s according to the recently released Thompson Municipal Policing Report, which is set to be reviewed at the next Public Safety meeting in September.

 

According to the report, numbers were up for impaired operation charges when compared to statistics from May 2017.

 

Other categories that saw an increase this year include assaults, sexual assaults and provincial traffic violations.

 

Break-and-enters is one category that saw a decrease in May, though the RCMP are still reporting a year-to-date increase in 2018 over 2017.

 

Numbers remained the same for theft, though the Mounties are reporting an increase in year-to-date numbers over 2017.

 

The complete report can be viewed below.

 

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