Thompson Local News Archives for 2018-08

Fire In Burntwood Trailer Court

There is currently a fire burning in the Burntwood Trailer Court.

 

Thompson Fire and Emergency Services are on scene battling the blaze. The area should be avoided at this time.

 

More information will be passed along once it is made available.

RCMP, MPI Remind Drivers To Stay Safe During Long Weekend

Tomorrow marks the start of the final long weekend of summer.

 

Constable Sandy Deibert, from the Thompson RCMP detachment, spoke to Arctic Radio News with a reminder not to drink and drive. She said that impaired driving remains the leading criminal cause of death in Canada, and that it’s something that is preventable. Deibert asked everyone not drive while impaired or distracted, and that those on the roads need to make sure that it’s a safe weekend for everyone.

 

Manitoba Public Insurance added to Constable Deiberts’ reminder, telling everyone to buckle up no matter where you are sitting in a vehicle or how long the trip is. Statistics show that people who don’t wear seatbelts are 26 times more likely to be killed and two times more likely to be seriously injured in a collision over people who do wear them. 

 

MPI added that speeding is also a danger, as speeding at-fault drivers are responsible for more than 700 injuries per year, in addition to 19 deaths.

 

On average more than 800 collisions are reported to MPI annually over the Labour Day weekend.

 

Thompson Chamber Calls On Ottawa To Repair Churchill Line

The Thompson Chamber of Commerce is going right to the top to join the chorus of voices pleading for repairs to commence on the washed-out rail line to Churchill.  

 

The Chamber recently announced that they have passed a resolution to urge the Trudeau Government to “repair the rail line immediately for it to be operational to salvage the 2018 polar bear tourism season that is essential for the town of Churchill” and that they “further resolve (to press) the Government of Manitoba (to) lobby and work with all parties to have all this accomplished immediately for the benefit of all Manitobans”.  

 

The release says that the lack of train service between Gillam and Churchill is a detriment to the north, with the town of Churchill being affected the most. They added that the lack of rail service to Canada’s only deep-water sea port in the Arctic for 18 months or more is unacceptable.  

 

The Provincial Government remains on the sidelines, with Premier Brian Pallister and multiple cabinet ministers maintaining that ports and rail issues are a federal responsibility.  

 

OmniTrax recently said that a deal to sell all their assists in Manitoba is “imminent”.  

School Zone Speed Limits In Effect As Of Saturday

With the first official day of the new school year set for Wednesday, the school zone speed limits will come back in effect on Saturday. 

 

The reduced speed zones, which make the maximum 30km/h instead of the normal 50km/h, are present in front of all elementary schools within the City. There is however no reduced speed limit in front of R.D. Parker Collegiate.  

 

The reduced speed limits are only in effect from 8:00am until 5:00pm on weekdays during the school year. 

 

If caught going 50km/h in a school zone, you could face a ticket of over $300.

 

Motorists are also reminded to use extra caution both in and around crosswalks and drop-off zones, as come next week they will once again be busy. 

OmniTrax Claims Sale Is "Imminent"

The owner of the rail line connecting Churchill to the rest of the province says that a deal to sell the damaged line is imminent. 

 

The announcement was made earlier this week, when lawyers representing the Denver-based corporation said that negotiations are at the point where “both sides’ present expectation is that the share purchase will be completed shortly”.  

 

OmniTrax did not say who the potential new owner is, and it is the next in an ever-growing list of deals for the property that have been announced.  

 

The potential deal would include all of Hudson Bay Railway’s assets in Manitoba, which includes a rail yard in The Pas in addition to the rail line, fuel tank farm and port in Churchill. 

 

OmniTrax, the parent company of HBR, says that it would cost between $40M-$60M to get the rail line in operating condition. Amid growing pressure from the Manitoba NDP, the corporation says they cannot afford the repairs.  

Investigation Underway Across From Thompson RCMP Detachment

The RCMP’s Major Crime Unit North has been called in to investigate following an incident overnight in Thompson. 

 

Police have taped off an area on Cree Road near Public Lane, where what looks like a tarp-covered body was seen earlier this morning. 

 

Constable Sandy Deibert, from the Thompson RCMP detachment, says that they are asking for the public to be patient and to stay away from the area during the investigation. 

 

Information will be passed along once it is received by Arctic Radio News. 

City To Host Pre-Election Candidate Information Session

There is an information event scheduled tomorrow night for those who want to run for office in the upcoming municipal election. 

 

The City of Thompson is hosting a pre-election orientation with the goal of informing candidates, and those thinking of becoming one, of what to expect during and after the election process. 

 

The session is set to cover topics including registration and withdrawal deadlines and conflicts of interest. The night will also cover eligibility criteria and restrictions as well as the roles and responsibilities of elected officials.  

 

The information that will be covered is for those interested in running for mayor, council or school board. 

 

The orientation is set to take place in the Letkemann Theatre at R.D. Parker Collegiate, starting at 7:00pm. 

 

If you’d like more information you should call Dave Turpin, the senior election official for the City, at 204-677-1000 or email seo@thompson.ca.   

 

Busy Month For YWCA Steps To Success Program

September is set to be another busy month for the Steps to Success program at the YWCA here in Thompson. 

 

The first classes of the month will look to teach modern technology, with social media on September 4th and cell phones on September 6th. 

 

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

 

  •  Social Media (September 4th, 9:00am-12:00pm) 
  •  Cell Phones (September 6th, 9:00am-12:00pm) 
  •  Keyboarding (Fridays, 9:00am-3:00pm) 
  •  Basic Computer (September 11th-14th, 9:00am-2:00pm) 
  •  GED Essay Writing (September 17th, 9:00am-3:00pm) 
  •  PowerPoint (September 18th, 9:00am-3:00pm) 
  •  Resumes, Cover Letters and Interview Skills (September 19th, 9:00am-3:00pm) 
  •  Essential Skills for Employment/EWIN (September 24th-November 23rd, 9:00am-3:00pm) 
  •  Learning Lunches (12:10pm-12:50pm) 
    • Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays - Job Search Skills 
    • Tuesdays & Thursdays - Conversational English 
  •  Workplace Wednesdays  
    • Adapting to change (September 5th, 9:00am-3:00pm) 
    • Problem Solving (September 12th, 1:00pm-3:00pm) 
    • Time Management (September 26th, 9:00am-12:00pm) 

 

The Steps to Success program, which is run by Cat Cogle, offers adult literacy and workplace essential skills training as well as GED tutoring and upgrading every month, in addition to the classes completely free of charge. 

 

If you’d like to attend a class, or would like more information, you are asked to call 204-677-5016 or email essentialskillywca@mts.net 

City Announces New Director Of Recreation

The City of Thompson didn’t waste any time in hiring a new director of recreation, parks and culture.  

 

Carol Taylor was officially announced as the new director in a press release from the City earlier today, a role that she had been filling temporarily throughout the summer. 

 

Taylor has been a City employee since 2006, starting as the assistant treasurer, before becoming the CFO a year later and then a project specialist in 2011.  

 

According to the release, her first priority will be to review the City’s recreational facilities, and to develop a path forward that will both ensure long-term financial sustainability while maximizing services offered.  

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske said that Taylor has been an invaluable member of the municipal team for over a decade, and that he is excited to see her returning t of director’s role.   

CFIB Says Thompson, Other Northern Municipalities Spending Beyond Sustainable Levels

Accord to a small business advocate, municipal overspending in Manitoba is a $1B problem.

 

The fourth edition of the Manitoba Municipal Spending Watch report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says that overspending works out to $4,696 per family of four in the province. 

 

Jonathan Alward, the CFIB’s director of Manitoba affairs, spoke to Arctic Radio News to talk about what the report says about Thompson. He said that during the eight-year period that the report is based on (2008-2015), the City of Thompson increased operational spending by 15%, while the population increased by 2%. He added that during the same time, municipal labour costs increased 29%.  

 

Alward added that The Pas and Flin Flon are in the same boat when it comes to overspending, though he said that Flin Flon has started to trim their budget. Of the 10 cities and towns listed in the report, Thompson, The Pas and Flin Flon are ranked 7, 9 and 10 respectively.

 

The City of Winnipeg was listed in its own category due to the difference in size to other municipalities in the province. Alward said that if it had been included, it would be “somewhere near the middle” of the pack.  

 

Alward will join 102.9 CHTM next Wednesday, on September 5th, to talk about the report during Thompson Today at 12:40pm and then again at 5:10pm.  

 

The full report can be viewed here.  

 

Lindsey To Continue Fight For The North In October

An NDP MLA here in northern Manitoba says that when the Legislature resumes sitting, he’s going to keep pressing the Pallister Government on labour and the north as a whole.

 

Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey, who serves as the Manitoba NDP’s labour critic, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that it’s time for the Pallister Government to look at what’s happening with jobs in the region. 

 

Lindsey suggested that the governing PC’s should look at how the Mining Community Reserve Fund could be used to create mining jobs, and that having the rail line to Churchill closed hasn’t helped at all. He also said that exploration needs to take place, and that consultation is in place with First Nations communities to allow the north as a whole to grow together. 

 

Lindsey added that the current administration has made it harder for a working person to get ahead by freezing the minimum wage and making harder to join a union. 

 

The Manitoba Legislature is set to resume their sitting on October 3rd. 

City Partners With U Of M For Aging Workshops

The City of Thompson will play host to two University of Manitoba workshops on the topic of aging on September 26th. 

 

The first workshop, called “Reframing our views on aging”, will take place in the T.R.C.C. multipurpose room from 9:30am until 12:00pm. The focus of this session will be being providing sound information and practical solutions for how to communicate effectively about aging-related issues. The workshop is aimed at anyone who communicates about aging, including staff and board members of organizations related to older people, teachers, students and researchers.     

 

The second workshop, which will take place from 1:00pm until 3:00pm, focuses on healthy aging. This workshop is intended for older adults, researchers and decision makers to learn more about the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy and Action Plan on Aging and Health.  

 

Both workshops are being offered free of charge, but pre-registration is required. If you’d like to register, you can find the required information for “Reframing our views on aging” here, and information for the healthy aging workshop here

 

Registration for both workshops will close on September 19th, one week before the Thompson sessions are scheduled to take place. 

Northern Manitoba Walleye Challenge Set For This Weekend

The annual Northern Manitoba Walleye Challenge is taking place this weekend at Paint Lake.

 

Eric Labaupa, from event sponsor Kickerfish, spoke to Arctic Radio News about what the competition will look like for those participating.

 

He said that it is a catch and release tournament, where competitors will turn in their best six fish in the size limit. The fish will be weighed before they are released back into the lake.

 

Labaupa added that there will be prizes for everyone who finishes in the top ten. The top prize this year is a boat, motor and trailer valued at $10,000.

 

The entry fee is $300 per team.

 

More information on the weekend can be found by visiting the Northern Manitoba Walleye Championship Facebook page, or at the Kickerfish website

Healthy Diet Helps With Mental Health

Taking your vitamins could help you with your mental health.

 

Katherine Rushton, from the CMHA here in Thompson, spoke to Arctic Radio News to talk about the importance of just a few of the member of the vitamin B family when it comes to the brain.

 

She said that vitamin B1 help turn glucose into fuel for the brain, and that without it your brain will rapidly run out of energy. A vitamin B3 deficiency results in increased agitation and anxiety, while low B5 levels lead to fatigue and depression.

 

Rushton said that when it comes to the food you eat, high sugar meals should be avoided, as they result in what she calls a vicious cycle of mood swings. She said that foods like eggs help boost serotonin levels, which is known to help reduce depression and regulate anxiety.

 

While healthy nutrition and vitamins are important, Rushton said that those who are dealing with a mental health issue should not see it as an alternative to professional help. She added that a property diet is more of a supplement to go along with sharing, seeking proper help, and taking prescribed medications.

Wharton: Road Work Funding Dependant On Actual Cost, Annonuced Numbers Just Maximum Contribution

It looks like there is a slight chance that the City might get even less help from the Pallister Government when it comes to road work this year.

 

A recent letter from Jeff Wharton, the Minister of Municipal Relations, says that the announced $200K is just the ceiling for funding that Thompson is eligible for. The actual amount provided, according to the Minister, is dependent on the actual costs incurred by the City.

 

The letter, dated August 15th, says that the deadline for completing the approved road projects and submitting all funding claims to the Province is March 1st, 2019.

 

Earlier this month, multiple members of City Council voiced their displeasure for the then-recently announced $200K, half of what the City says they were assured by Wharton’s office they would be getting.

 

Photo courtesy of Pembina Valley Online

RCMP Asked To Investigate Allegations Of Sexual Abuse, Racism

The Province has asked the RCMP to investigate Manitoba Hydro over allegations of sexual abuse and racism here in the north.

 

The allegations come from a report which studied the social impact of hydro development, both past and present, on communities.

 

The Clean Environment Commission, who published the report, is described as an arms-length provincial agency.

 

Members of the Commission met with members of Fox Lake Cree Nation earlier this year and heard testimony that described what it was like when hydro workers came to town starting in the 1960's.

 

Those who testified spoke of racism, marginalization and sexual assaults with one person saying that they weren’t included as humans in their own community.

 

Another person told the Commission that his late wife came home from a residential school to a Hydro project which was just as bad.

 

Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires says that the Pallister Government takes the matter seriously, and will be referring the report to the RCMP for investigation.

No Plan From City To Remove Graffiti

Local businesses appear to be on their own this year when it comes to the removal of graffiti.

 

The Canadian Mental Health Association usually runs a graffiti cover-up program during the summer months offering their services free of charge, but were unable to this year.

 

Deputy Mayor Colleen Smook spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that she thinks the City should look into developing their own cover-up program in the, at least temporarily, absence of the CMHA-run program.

 

Smook added that the cover-up program was great, but that the CMHA struggled last year in hiring and retaining workers.

 

According to the 2018 fee and fine schedule, failure to remove graffiti within three days could result in a 157 dollar ticket.

Marcel Moody Re-Elected

Marcel Moody has been re-elected as the Chief of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

 

The election for Chief and Council was held Wednesday and Thursday, with 1684 turning up to the five polling locations to have their say.

 

Despite Moody receiving more than double the support over the second-place candidate, the last council seat came down to only 28 votes.

 

The new NCN Council will be made up of Cheryl Moore, Willie Moore, Ron D Spence, Jackie Walker, Jeremiah Spence and Cheyenne Spence.

 

Moody received 960 votes, more than double what Jerry Primrose received, and more than triple the support for William Elvis Thomas.

Full Cost Of January Arena Repairs Approved

The cost of the repairs done to the C.A. Nesbitt arena in January was only fully approved by City Council this month.

 

Council had approved the $22,000 quote at the end of January, but were recently was presented with an addition bill totalling over $11k.

 

Deputy Mayor Colleen Smook spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that it’s

unclear why council didn’t get the full bill more than half a year ago, but that the work was necessary and needed to be done at the time.

 

When the contractor had arrived on site, Smook says that the City was told a temporary patch wouldn’t hold. Council then approved a resolution for the work to be done immediately, as hockey season was still in full swing and the Manitoba Winter Games were just around the corner.

 

Smook said that it’s not clear as to why the full bill wasn’t given to council at the time, but that when the resolution was before council earlier this month it had already been paid.

 

She added that the extra cost was due to overtime, freight, and materials not included in the original quote.

 

CTA Sets Monday Deadline For OmniTrax

The Canadian Transportation Agency has told OmniTrax that it has until Monday to show that they are complying with a recent order, or else.

 

The CTA ordered the Hudson Bay Railway, which is owned by OmniTrax, to start the process of repairing the rail link to Churchill by July 3rd .

 

The agency says however that their preliminary view is that HBR has failed to

comply with the order, and that the CTA should establish specific deadlines for

compliance steps.

 

A report from OmniTrax says that they issued a request for proposal to six pre-screened contractors on June 28 th , though they have not commented on whether or not they have received any bids.

 

The CTA has said that the Denver-based Corporation is ignoring the fact that

their order made it clear that financial circumstances do not release the company from its service obligations.

 

Wayne Koversky To Temporarily Head Rec Department

There’s a new face temporarily running the recreation department for the City of Thompson, though he was with the City for a long time in a different role.

 

Council has approved a temporary contract with Wayne Koversky to provide

management support services as Facility manager until the City hires a new

director of recreation and facility manager.

 

There was some back and forth from council during discussion on the resolution, which included Councillor Duncan Wong saying that the job should have been added to the responsibilities of the City Manager.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske responded, saying that it is far reaching to expect the city manager to step in as the director of recreation on top of all his other responsibilities.

 

Fenske added that once the facilities manager retired and the recreation director was dismissed, City administration made it their priority to put an experienced leader in place temporarily to make sure groups can use the ice on a timely basis.

 

The resolution was approved by a vote of six to three.

 

Call Made For Provincial Cabinet Minister To Resign

The leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party has called for the resignation of Rochelle Squires, the Minister for Sustainable Development.

 

Dougald Lamont says that Squires should resign her post for withholding a report that says there are elevated levels of toxic materials in an area of Winnipeg, and for misleading people as to why.

 

A report revealing a soil test result from South St. Boniface, which showed increased levels of lead and other metals, was released by the Pallister Government on July 17th, a day after the St. Boniface by-election.  At the time, government officials claimed that the report could not have been made public before then due to by-election blackout rules.

 

Reports have surfaced that the results of the soil tests were delivered to the minister by her deputy over a month before it was made public, and two weeks before the by-election was called.

 

Once it was made public that Squires had the report long before the blackout took effect, Lamont says that she now blames her staff. The release from the Liberal party says that Squires claims that she didn’t know about the reports, despite her deputy and other staff having included her on emails. 

 

The Liberal leaders said “for a Minister to withhold a report like this, and for a government to mislead people about why, is unacceptable.” Lamont added that the only way for the Pallister Government to show accountability in this case is for Squires to take responsibility and resign.

 

The minister held a press conference last fall based on preliminary data, telling residents of St. Boniface that there was no problem with the soil and that they “just had to wash their vegetables”.

Minor Changes Approved To Executive Staff Terms And Conditions

Despite opposition, City Council has approved the annual review of the executive staff terms and conditions.

 

Deputy Mayor Colleen Smook spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that there were a few amendments made this year, including minor changes to clarify overtime pay in addition to the reclassification of two job descriptions.

 

When it comes to the overtime pay, Smook said that they clarified that overtime can be paid out in money or in banked days, and that if a member of the executive staff switches position, any banked overtime will be paid out at the rate of the old position.

 

The deputy mayor added that there were some other minor changes made when it came to the wording of the staff benefits package.

 

The biggest change made was the reclassification of two positions; Norplex Pool manager and director of public works.

 

Smook said that the job of pool manager has been moved away from the department of recreation, adding that the reclassification allows the position to be quote more answerable to the public. The other position that saw changes was the director of public works, with the water treatment plant and landfill added to the scope of responsibility.

 

Hydro At Odds With Public Utilities Board

The fate of the new Manitoba Hydro On Reserve First Nations customer class is now in the hands of the Manitoba Court of Appeal.
 
The order came from the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba earlier this year, as the board said the On Reserve First Nations customer class is needed to deal with “energy poverty”.
 
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs heralded the new rate class as a victory, saying that the board is recognizing the hardship faced by people who live on reserves.
 
The PUB also told Hydro they could raise rates by 3.6%, but ordered the crown corporation to freeze rates on reserves.
 
Hydro has since asked the court to overturn the order, with Manitoba Hydro president Kelvin Shepherd says that the PUB is exceeding it’s authority by ordering the new rate class.
 
He added that Hydro is required to maintain uniform rates for all residential customers across the province.

NCN Polls Open Tomorrow

Tomorrow marks the start of election season here in Thompson, as NCN citizens head to the polls.

 

There will be polls  at the Mystery Lake Hotel and Canada Post main locatione here in Thompson. There will also be places to vote in Nelson House, Leaf Rapids and Winnipeg. 

 

The polls will be open both tomorrow and Thursday from 9:00am until 8:00pm, and you are asked to bring proof of identity.

 

There are 26 people running for six council seats, and three aiming to be Chief.

Province To Consider Extending Camping Season

Two topics of conversation from here in the north are making their way to the ears of decision makers in Winnipeg.

 

Chuck Davidson, the president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, recently met with the Minister of Sustainable Development to discuss the possibility of extending the camping season, as well as creating more flexibility when it comes to obtaining a fishing licence.

 

Both topics were brought forward by the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce.

 

Davidson said that the meeting with Rochelle Squires, which also included Deputy Minister Rob Olsen, included some exciting possibilities, as well as an agreement on the importance of creating flexibility.

New Head Of Vale Manitoba Operations Announces Shutdown Extension

More changes are coming to Vale’s Manitoba Operations.

 

Alastair Ross, the recently-appointed head of Vale’s North Atlantic division, sent out an email recently to employees saying that the planned maintenance shutdown of Manitoba Operations will be extended by three to four weeks.

 

Ross explained that the extension is due to a number of serious high potential incidents in the last few weeks, which he believes have been caused by employees being “more prone to accepting risk, distraction and even shortcuts” due to the transition and uncertainty facing the mining industry in Thompson.

 

The former director of Ontario Mining Operations for the Brazilian company, explained that the extra time will be used to quote engage every member of the Thompson workforce in a deeper commitment to operational excellence and to contribute to guaranteeing the safety of the workplace, in addition to the ongoing effort to optimize production.

 

Ross said that extension will not result in any temporary layoffs, and that everyone is expected to come to work when they’re scheduled.

 

The recently-appointed head of Vale’s North Atlantic division also announced that Warren Brass will be retiring in the fall after 37 years, and the current manager of the Garson Mine in Sudbury Ontario will become the interim manager of Thompson Mines.

 

City Scaling Back Road Work Due To Cut In Promised Funding

The City of Thompson will have to work with significantly less money than was budgeted for when it comes to municipal road improvements following a cut from the Pallister government.

 

City Council received a letter from Jeff Wharton, the Minister of Municipal Relations, saying that Thompson would be getting $200,000 from the annual Municipal Road Improvement Project fund.

 

Councillor Blake Ellis said that the City was told by officials in Minister Wharton’s office that Thompson would be getting $400,000 from the annual Municipal Road Improvement Project fund, the amount that they had received the previous year. He said that having received confirmation of the amount, Council used that number in their budget.

 

Ellis added that the funding announcement came late in the season, as workers are already on site preparing for and doing the work.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske said that with the reduction in funds, the City would probably have to scrap eight of the additional 11 road improvement projects they had added.

 

Council approved a resolution later in the meeting, which asks the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby the province on this issue.

Province Appoints New UCN Governing Council

The new governing council for UCN has been announced.

 

Manitoba Education and Training says that Tracey Como of Cranberry Portage, and Albert Tait of Norway House, are the only returning members. That means that there are now five new faces.

 

Gabrielle Lytle of Thompson, as well as Ryan Shewchuk of The Pas, have been appointed as student members, while Becky Cianflone of Flin Flon and Alfred McDonald of The Pas join as board members.

 

Cameron Mateika, from Minitonas, will serve as the chair of the board.

 

The governing council is responsible for determining the college’s mission, vision and values. They are also in charge of appointing a president, and determining the administrative and academic organization of the school.

Bowman Says Like Fenske, He Can't Get Meeting With Premier

It turns out that it’s hard to get a meeting with the premier even if you’re inside the Perimeter.

 

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said that much like his counterpart here in Thompson, he was denied a meeting to discuss important issues with Premier Pallister.

 

Bowman said that he wanted to talk about $7.9M in promised funding that hasn’t been delivered.

 

The news of Bowman’s inability to meet face to face with Premier Pallister emerged not long after Thompson Mayor Dennis Fenske was been denied access to the premier while he was in Thompson last week.

 

According to Pallister’s office, the premier meets with municipal officials throughout the year, though he expects ministers to "take the lead on matters pertaining to their portfolios".

 

Nine members of the Manitoba Hydro board resigned earlier this year saying that the premier would not meet with them, a claim that Pallister says holds no water.

Report Finds 130 Considered To Be Homeless In Thompson From March Point In Time Count

The results from the most recent point in time (PiT) count, which was conducted earlier this year, have been released. 

 

This was the second federally-coordinated PiT count, with the first being introduced by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy in 2016. This years’ count was conducted in over 60 communities across the country between March and April.

 

In Thompson, the PiT count was organized by the CMHA, with support from the University of Manitoba Northern Social Work Program and organizations like the Northern Regional Health Authority, the Thompson Crisis Centre and the Ma Mow We Tak Friendship Centre.

 

Volunteers found that 130 individuals (112 adults, 18 children) in the city were considered to be homeless when they were out on the evening of March 13th and during the day on March 14th. Of the 112 adults surveyed, almost 70% were staying in transitional facilities (such as the homeless shelter) while the rest were counted on the street.

 

The key findings of the report indicate that 60.4% of the adults who were surveyed identified as male, while 94.5% of the participants identified themselves as Indigenous. The largest age group (27% of the adults) said they were between 40 and 49, with 36.1% saying that they first became homeless before the age of 20.

 

The report says that 65% met the criteria for chronic homelessness, 51.8% said that they have lived in Thompson for years and that 54 participants (36.5%) stated that they need services for substance use. 

 

The forward to the PiT count report says that “the causes of homelessness amongst Indigenous people must be viewed within the context of the historical injustices brought on through the process of colonization” and that “the north has a long colonial history that has affected Indigenous peoples and communities. 76.6% of those who were surveyed said that either they or a family member had been to residential school.

 

The CMHA has said that they will be hosting a community cafe to discuss the report. 

 

The full document can be viewed online by clicking here.

City Council Approves Executive Staff Wage Increase

Thompson City Council approved what was the most contentious item on last week’s agenda: a 1.25% wage increase for executive staff working for the City of Thompson.
 
The resolution was originally on the agenda for councils meeting in July, but was pushed to the August meeting to make sure everyone was voting from a position of knowledge. The debate on the resolution lasted over 15 minutes, with Councillors Duncan Wong and Ron Matechuck leading the charge to have it defeated. 
 
As is the case with all resolutions before council, Mayor Dennis Fenske turned to City administration to provide any pertinent background information on the resolution that might not already been known to members of council. For this resolution, city manager Gary Ceppetelli spoke and said that this is an annual resolution that for the past four years has mirrored the increase unionized city employees receive. He added that the money ($12,395.38 in total) was budgeted for in the City’s 2018 Financial Plan, which was approved by council earlier this year.
 
Councillor Blake Ellis opened the debate, saying that he is in support as the increase maintains consistency between all City employees and will help retain and recruit workers. Like Ceppetelli, Ellis reminded the rest of council that the increase isn’t spending new money as it was already accounted for in the budget.
 
Councillor Matchecuk was the first to speak against the resolution, saying that executives shouldn’t be getting raises. He also took the time to once again point fingers, saying that the City wouldn’t be facing the economic issues that it is had the Grant in Lieu negotiating committee not failed at their job. 
 
Councillor Wong took a different approach by saying that the city manager is in conflict of interest by putting forward the increase, as he is a member of the executive staff that would be seeing the pay bump. Wong then asked if Ceppetelli could prove that he had done his due diligence to show that a raise was in order.
 
Mayor Dennis Fenske shut down Wong’s attack on the credibility of the city manager, saying that putting in forward and signing off on resolutions is part of Ceppetelli’s job, and that it in no way constitutes a conflict of interest.
 
Councillor Penny Byer, who is currently the only person who has declared their intent to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election, said that the increase can be boiled down to a matter of morale. She said that they as the City will be asking them (administration and executive staff) to put in more time and more effort during tough times, and that it’s a “small token to show them we care”. Byer added that at the end of the day, the increase “probably wouldn’t be enough to buy them breakfast somewhere”. 
 
Mayor Fenske exercised his right as head of council to speak last before the vote, saying that council is “picking on 21 employees” to score points heading into the election. He added that council discussed requiring all City staff to take an extra 10 days off per year, which would have saved $500,000 but ultimately chose to go in a different direction. 
 
Fenske concluded by saying that on one hand council as a whole said that they did not want to to save $500k annually, but that they now want to make a big issue out of $12,395.38 (in 2018) and that they can’t have it both ways.
 
The vote, which was recorded at the request of Councillor Wong, passed by a count of 6-3. Councillor Judy Kolada sided with Wong and Matechuk, making up the three opposition votes.
 
Thompson City Council will resume their regular bi-weekly meeting schedule in September, with the first meeting of the month scheduled for September 4th. 
 

Opposition Leader Says Pallister Government "Totally Ignored" Thompson In Budget

According to the Manitoba NDP, the 2018 Budget Implemenation Act doesn’t make any reference to Thompson or the north.

 

Wab Kinew spoke to Arctic Radio News late last week, and said that it was disappointing to see that Pallister government “totally ignored the north” and that they didn’t do anything with the Mining Community Reserve Fund. The Fort Rouge MLA said that Premier Pallister not meeting with Mayor Fenske and Thompson City Council “seems like an oversight”, adding that “when you visit a community you should meet with the leadership...that’s pretty straight forward”.

 

The Mining Community Reserve Fund is one of the biggest points of contention between the municipal and provincial governments. The City of Thompson submitted a request to access the fund, but was denied by the department of Growth, Enterprise and Trade who said that the money in the fund is not accessible when it is below $10M. Before the Legislature rose for the summer, Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey repeatedly brought up Thompson and the MCRF, asking Blaine Pedersen (Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade) why the funds are not being made available. 

 

In response to the budget, the Manitoba NDP reached out to communities about the kind of spending they’d like to see. When it comes to Thompson, Kinew told Arctic Radio News that the opposition asked for something to be done about the MCRF so that the City can access the funds, or that the Province simply provide money from somewhere other than the MCRF to help offset both the reduced GIL and the lost jobs due to changes at Vale. 

 

Kinew said that as a leader, he wants to be able to represent people and bring forward their concerns. 

 

The full interview with Wab Kinew will air as a three-part Thompson Today series, with part one airing Monday August 20th at 12:40pm and then again at 5:10pm on 102.9 CHTM. Part two will air on Tuesday August 21st, while part three will be played Wednesday August 22nd.

Pallister: Thompson Isn't Getting MCRF Money Due To Fund Depletion

Premier Brian Pallister is sticking to the answer that was given to the City by Minister Pedersen’s office when it comes to the Mining Community Reserve Fund.

 

The Premier spoke to Arctic Radio News last week, and said that Thompson isn’t going to be able to access the fund as there just simply isn’t enough money there.

 

Pallister said that the lack of funds is a result of the previous NDP government, who he says let the fund fall below the $10M threshold.

 

The response from the Premier is different though from that of Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, who most recently quoted a line from the Mining Tax Act, saying that the fund can only be used for communities who are hurt from ore depletion.

 

Many people, including Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsay and Mayor Dennis Fenske, say that the official response of not enough money is just an interpretation, as the tax act says that money cannot be given out for exploration if the fund is below $10M. There is no reference to supporting communities if the fund isn't above $10M.

Window Closing For Rail Repairs Before Winter

The opportunity to repair the washed-out line to Churchill before winter appears to have passed for a second straight year.

 

Despite an order from the Canadian Transportation Agency and a push from different groups including the Manitoba NDP, OmniTrax says they will only order the work to start if someone else is willing to foot the bill.

 

The Denver-based company has started the process to find a contractor to make the repairs, but maintain that they cannot afford the cost.

 

The Manitoba Government, along with Superior propane, has ordered a supply of fuel for the winter to arrive by sea, though the PC administration continues to say that finding a solution is the responsibility of Ottawa.

City Forming Committee To Look At Public Transit Within City

The City of Thompson is wasting no time when it comes to figuring out what public transit will look like come November.

 

Having recently received a letter from Greyhound saying that they are terminating the municipal transit contract with the City as of October 31st, mayor and council have announced a committee to identify and investigate potential solutions.

 

The committee will be made up of Councillors Wong, Matechuk, Byer, Kolada and Ellis as well as members of both City administration and the community.

 

At Monday’s council meeting, Mayor Fenske said that the options range from a direct replacement of the current service to the complete elimination of transit services within the City.

 

The chair of the committee will be announced next week.

Report: Ottawa To Announce New Statutory Holiday

It appears that Ottawa is moving from words to actions when it comes to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Trudeau Government is expected to announce the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which will become the sixth national statutory holiday.

 

The day is intended to mark the ruinous residential school legacy, and a statutory holiday is one of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

There are two dates that have been named as possibilities, National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21st or Orange Shirt Day on September 30th.

It is reported that September 30th is the preferred date, as June 21st is three days before Saint Jean Baptiste day in Quebec, and just over a week before Canada Day. 

 

Ottawa says that they are working closely with the First Nations, Inuit and Metis people to ensure that the day is both meaningful and truthful.

10th Annual Burgers To Beat MS Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the annual Burgers to Beat MS day at A&W.

The fast food company will be donating $2.00 from every Teen Burger sold to multiple sclerosis research and support programs. Alternatively, people can make a contribution online by clicking here

A&W says that in addition to money from burgers purchased and online donations, they will donate two dollars every time a video of Canada soccer legend Christine Sinclair talking about the disease is shared, up to a total of $40,000.

This year marks the 10th year the Canadian company has partnered with the MS Society, and since 2009 the fundraiser has collected over $11M dollars for MS research and support programs. That number makes the day the largest annual corporate fundraiser for the MS Society of Canada.

 

Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, with 1 in every 385 Canadian living with the disease.

Premier Brian Pallister Featured In Two-Part Thompson Today

Premier Brian Pallister was in Thompson last week to take part in one of three simultaneous press conferences announcing a new communications system for first responders.

The visit was met with mixed reactions, as some members of City Council were upset that he turned down a meeting with them, while others were happy that Pallister was once again north of the 55th parallel.

The Premier took time to sit down with Arctic Radio News to talk about his recent cabinet shuffle, the newly-announced rapid access to addiction medications (RAAM) clinics and the Province’s plan and vision for the north.

Part one of the two-part interview will air tomorrow afternoon at 12:40pm and again at 5:10pm during Thompson Today.

Province Announces Upgrades For Pisew Falls

You might notice construction the next time you visit Pisew Falls.

Manitoba Parks has announced that they are making the Provincial Park more accessible by replacing the existing staircases and boardwalk with a granular path.

The new path will not only feature a handrail, but also allow for those in wheelchairs to access the viewing platforms. 

Manitoba Parks says that the existing infrastructure will remain open during construction, and that the new upgrades will help make Pisew Falls accessible year-round.

Recycling Centre Open House Tomorrow

If you’ve ever wondered what happens once your recycling is picked up, tomorrow is your chance to find out.

 

The Thompson Recycling Centre is holding an open house from 11:00am until 2:00pm tomorrow, where you can take a tour of the facility.

 

The tours will feature the newly purchased and installed baler, as well as a birds-eye view of how recycling is processed.

 

There will be hot dogs, drinks and watermelon for those who come out, and they will be selling tickets for Juniper School’s Tabs for Wheelchairs Christmas Raffle.

 

The recycling centre is located at 16 Severn Crescent.

Gillam RCMP Ask For Help With Sexual Assault Investigation

Gillam RCMP are turning to the public for help in an investigation.

 

Moutnies in the community started an investigation into a sexual assault on August 5th, where it is believed that a 32-year-old female was assaulted in a wooded area near the trailer court in the early hours of the morning.

 

There is currently not a description of the suspect, and the RCMP are asking for anyone who knows anything to come forward.

 

A police spokesperson said that even the smallest detail could help the investigation, and that no one should assume that investigators have the information.

 

Anyone with information should call the Gillam RCMP detachment at 204-652-2436 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

MKO Organizing Search for Diane Bignell Tomorrow Morning

There will be a coordinated search effort for Diane Bignell tomorrow morning.

 

Bignell was reported as missing to the Thompson RCMP on May 20th, having last been seen in the Juniper area on May 17th.

 

Tomorrow’s search is being coordinated by MKO, and will be led by Ivan Hart and Wilson Moore. Both Hart and Moore are trained and experienced in search and rescue techniques.

 

Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison with MKO, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that the search will start at 7:30am outside the professional building, located at 55 Selkirk Drive. She added that anyone who wants to come and help will be welcomed.

 

Anderson-Pyrz said that if you can’t donate your time, they are looking for supplies such as gas, bottled water and life jackets. The full list of donations that are needed can be found below.

 

  • #14 hooks (x50)
  • Spool of 100ft floating rope
  • Spool of sideline
  • Life jackets (x8)
  • Knives (x6)
  • Submersible camera
  • Sonar equipment for victim recovery
  • 25L jerry cans (x10)
  • Cases of outboard motor oil (x2)
  • Gas
  • Bottled water
  • Food
  • Bug spray
  • Sun screen
  • First Aid kits
  • Cooler
  • Financial donations

 

If you’d like more information, you can give Anderson-Pyrz a call at 204-307-5919.

 

 

City Gets Cold Shoulder From Province

The relationship between the Province and the City took yet another step in the wrong direction when Premier Brian Pallister turned down a meeting with City officials while in Thompson last week.

 

Deputy Mayor Colleen Smook spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that they had more than just one or two things that needed to be discussed. She said that the biggest item they wanted to talk about was provincial funding for road work, with some of the other items including Thompson 2020, a restorative justice facility and the canceled northern consultation clinic.

 

Smook added that they found out just a few days before the visit that Pallister wouldn’t have time to meet, something that she says felt like a slap in the face.

 

The Premier was in Thompson the morning of August 8th, along with Ministers Jeff Wharton and Blaine Pedersen, to announce a new $380M communications system for first responders.

 

 

 

 

Liberals Say Province Is Making Excuses For Bell MTS

The newest MLA in the Legislature is saying that Manitobans shouldn’t be the ones financing Bell MTS’ $1B investment here in the province.

 

The statement from Dougald Lamont, the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, was released to the press moments after simultaneous press conferences in Thompson, Brandon and Winnipeg last week where the Pallister Government announced a new $380M contract with Bell for a new communication system for first responders.

 

Lamont said that the Pallister government has abandoned their commitment to improve rural cell phone service, saying that Bell MTS’ $1B investment announcement is $300M less than what MTS invested before the merger between 2011 and 2015.

 

He added that the province is seeing the same or worse cell service, and that that shouldn’t be a surprise as the Association of Manitoba Municipalities has been calling for improved cell service for years.

 

Lamont said that it appears that the government is moving towards a system of emergency services where Manitobans will only be warned or rescued if a private company can make tons of money while doing it.

Terry Fox Run Committee Looking For Help

The 2018 Terry Fox Run for cancer research is right around the corner.

 

The event is taking place on September 16th this year at the TRCC, with registration starting at 12:00pm followed by the run at 1:00pm.

 

Josh Cain, one of the organizers of the Thompson run, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that the committee will be going around to local businesses asking for support, as well as putting out registration forms.

 

To hear more about this years’ run, including how you can get involved, tune in to 102.9 CHTM this afternoon at 12:40pm and 5:10pm for Thompson Today.

City Council To Meet Tomorrow

Tomorrow is your only chance to satisfy your craving for municipal politics this month here in Thompson.
 
Thompson City Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow night, following a meeting of the Thompson Planning District.
 
The agenda that will be before council includes a report on the July cheque registers, as well as the second and third readings of an amendment to the financial assistance by-law. 
 
Council is also scheduled to vote on eleven different resolutions, which include the attendance of representatives at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities Fall Cities Caucus meeting scheduled to take place September 19th in Flin Flon.
 
The meeting will start at 7:00pm in Council Chambers at City Hall and all are welcome to attend.
 
The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

Greyhound Serves City Notice Of Contract Termination

It's now official; Greyhound will not be operating municipal transit buses here in Thompson as of October 31st.
 
The bus line, who is owned by the UK-based First Group, has officially given City officials notice that when the company pulls out of western Canada, they will be terminating their contract with the City of Thompson.
 
Thompson Bus said during their official announcement that they would consider taking over the municipal transit routes, though their recently-released limited service schedule only indicates inter-city routes.
 
Ontario-based Kasper Transportation quickly responded to Greyhound's announced departure by saying that they would operate a Thompson to Winnipeg route, though they have not said anything since.
 
The only Greyhound bus route that will continue to run past Halloween is a US-based service that runs from Seattle to Vancouver. 

OmniTrax To Start Rail Line Repairs This Month

According to a report, OmniTrax has said that they will start repairs on the washed-out rail line to Churchill this month.

 

The Denver-based corporation was ordered to repair the line by the Canadian Transportation Agency in June, and the company has said they have "made progress in soliciting four reputable and experienced contractors" to do the repair work.

 

The order from the CTA says that the US company, who bought the rail line 1997, must provide monthly progress reports on the repairs, and that if OmniTrax can't come up with the money for the repairs they have to put the line up for sale at a price set by Ottawa.

 

The recent report comes as talks regarding the sale of the rail line, and the Port of Churchill, seem to have stalled. 

Settee Named New MKO Grand Chief

Garrison Settee is the new grand chief of MKO.

 

The former Pimicikamak chief was elected to the top MKO job yesterday over Ted Bland, with Settee receiving 53 of the 89 possible votes.

 

Settee says that he ran on a platform of transformational change, and that he didn’t run for the title, but for the north.

 

He added that his ultimate goal is to make northern Manitoba a better place for First Nations families, and that that will mean Canada has to pay more attention to treaties, issues and concerns.

 

The vote took place during the MKO general assembly, which wraps up today on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

 

Settee and Bland were the only two to put their names forward after now former Grand Chief Sheila North decided to step down to run for AFN national cheif, a race that she ultimately lost.

Fenske: Executive Wage Increase In-Line With Unionized Wage Increase

City Council will vote on a resolution Monday to approve a 1.5% wage increase for executive staff with the City of Thompson.

 

The resolution was originally on the agenda for the last meeting, but was delayed one month.

 

Fenske added that the resolution was moved to this meeting as not everyone would have been talking and voting from a position of knowledge when it was originally on the agenda in July.

 

Mayor Fenske explained that the increase is annually based on an agreement between the city and local unions, giving the executive staff the same increase as unionized workers.

 

He added that he finds it interesting people are vocally opposing the resolution which would cost a total of $25k, yet were also vocally opposed when Council proposed city employees taking an additional 10 days off which would have saved the city around $500k.

Thompson Bus Announces Schedule Ahead Of September 1 Launch

Thompson Bus has announced what their schedule will look like when they start limited service as of September 1st.

 

They plan on operating passenger and freight service from Thompson to Cross Lake, Gillam and Winnipeg.

 

The Thompson to Winnipeg route will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with buses leaving Thompson at 10:00pm and arriving in Winnipeg around 7:00am the next morning.

 

Stops along the way will include Wabowden, Ponton, Grand Rapids and Ashern.

 

The Winnipeg to Thompson route will also operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with buses leaving Winnipeg at 10:45pm and arriving in Thompson around 8:00am the next morning.

 

A one-way ticket to Winnipeg will cost $132.74, a trip to Gillam will cost $57.52 while a ticket to Cross Lake will set you back $44.25.

 

Thompson Bus says that there will be 30 seats available on each bus, a number that will be evaluated for use in the full service phase currently scheduled to start in November.

 

The local start-up says that their goals for this month, before they launch three weeks tomorrow, include obtaining the required documents to operate and the hiring of local staff. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCN Administrator Represents Canada At Conference

An administrator from UCN is currently one of five Canadians representing the country at an Indigenous leadership program in the United States.

 

Charlene Lafreniere, the director of institutional advancement, was chosen by the US Embassy to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program, which started Tuesday and will run until next Saturday.

 

The program will take place in different American cities, including Washington D.C., where those involved will examine initiatives that promote increased participation of Indigenous and rural youth in both the education system and the workforce.

 

The IVLP has been running since 1940, and enables Canadians who are emerging as leaders in their fields to observe and meet with their counterparts in the US to explore issues of common interest.

 

Thompson Breastfeeding Group

There is a group for breastfeeding mothers every Friday afternoon.

 

The Northern Regional Health Authority hosts a mom and baby group every Friday from 1:00pm until 3:00pm at the NRHA building beside the hospital in room 141.

 

The group is free to attend, and there are monthly topics, snacks and prizes.

 

The drop-in group is for moms to meet other breastfeeding moms, and is open to everyone.

 

If you would like more information, you can call 204-677-5350.

 

Premier Announces New Communications System For First Responders

There is a new communication system coming for first responders here in Manitoba.
 
Premier Brian Pallister was in Thompson yesterday to announce that the government has awarded the replacement of the FleetNet system to Bell Mobility at a cost of $380M.
 
The Premier said that ensuring the safety of Manitobans is the duty of the Province, and that this new digital two-way mobile radio system will provide expanded coverage over a more secure network.
 
Pallister said that the project was awarded based on tender, saying that Manitobans are smart shoppers who expect the government to do the same.
 
The new system will include radios with built-in GPS and advanced radio encryption, ensuring the safety of those using it.

YWCA Hosting Girlspace Junior Throughout August

There is a program running for girls aged nine through 12 two days a week until the end of august.

 

The YWCA Women’s Centre is offering girl space junior, every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 until August 29th.

 

The time is intended as a girl-friendly environment for young girls to come together for activities like arts, crafts and movies.

 

Girl Space Junior is completely free, though there are limited spaces and a legal guardian must register the child in person.

 

For more information, you can call Freddy at 204-778-1209.

Construction A Sign Of Sustainability Outside Of Mining

There will be a new liquor store here in Thompson next year.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske spoke to Arctic Radio News and gave updates on a few construction projects within the City, saying that the new liquor store is under construction in the City Centre Mall parking lot and that the work on Station Road will be finished by the end of September.

 

There is over $160M being invested in Thompson this year from the private and public sectors, which Mayor Fenske said is a sign that Thompson is sustainable outside of the mining industry.

 

Fenske added that the construction of the new wastewater treatment plant is both on schedule and budget, and that the progress on the structure can now be seen from the bridge.

7 Firearms Turned In During Amnesty Program In Northern Manitoba

Around 700 firearms and over 22,000 rounds of ammunition were collected by law enforcement during the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police Gun Amnesty Program, though only seven came from the north.

 

The program, which ran through the month of June, allowed Manitobans to turn in any firearms or ammunition to police no questions asked, with most of what was collected destined to be destroyed.

 

There were no weapons turned in here in Thompson during the program, though three were collected in The Pas, two in Flin Flon and one each in Cranberry Portage and Churchill.

 

 Heather Stefanson, who was the Minister of Justice at the time, said that the Province takes the safety of families and communities very seriously, adding that the program was a great success.

Shoppers Drug Mart Hosting Lions Manor 55 Fundraiser

Shoppers Drug Mart is helping with a fundraiser for Lion’s Manor 55 this month.

 

Penny Byer, a member of the Lion’s Manor board, spoke to Arctic Radio News to explain what’s going on. She said that they have a fundraising initiate all month long at Shoppers Drug Mart, where you can buy a house card for two dollars at the checkout counter to support the project.

 

Byer said that construction on the seniors’ housing co-op is coming along nicely, with the windows, plumbing and electric work mostly done.

 

To learn more about the fundraiser and the project itself, make sure you listen to Thompson Today Tuesday afternoon at 12:14pm and 5:10pm only on 102.9 CHTM.

USW Local 6166 Boss Not Happy With Vale

Despite the temporarily rescinding 34 layoff notices, United Steelworkers Local 6166 President Warren Luky is not happy with Vale.

 

A spokesperson for Vale says that 34 workers, who were originally told they’d be out of work in September, have had their notices rescinded and will now be a part of the next round of layoffs at the end of 2018.

 

Luky says that there is frustration with how Vale is handling their communication with employees, adding that some union members were told they would be out of work and have made plans to or already had moved. He said that some have now received a letter saying that they have to come back to work or lose out on their severance package.

 

127 Vale employees were laid off July 31st when the smelter and refinery officially closed.

Lucas Named Finalist For Manitoba Tourism Award

A Thompsonite is one of only two northerners named as finalists for the 2018 Manitoba Tourism Awards.

 

Jasyn Lucas, who was nominated by Community Futures North Central Development (CFNCD) last month, has been named as a finalist in the Indigenous Tourism category. The local artist opened The Gift of Art (which serves an art gallery, studio and tattoo parlour) three years ago with his partner Nikki Brightnose.

 

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. The other two finalists in the category are the Manito Ahbee Festival (Winnipeg) and Traditional Trails (Winnipeg).

 

The only other northerner up for one of the awards is Mike Reimer of Churchill, who is a finalist for an individual award of distinction. 

Mac's Rebrands as Circle K

Mac’s here in Thompson is now Circle K.

 

The outdoor signs are now up at the store, completing the name transformation for the convenience store.

 

The change was planned back in 2015, when Mac’s owner Couche-Tard announced that they would be re-branding their stores as Circle K, a name that is used all around the world. The Quebec-based company said that they would have the stores re-branded as of 2017, though that was pushed to this year in most places across the country.

 

The change will come to the around 800 retail locations across the country, though nothing other than the name and logo are being impacted.

Recent Thompson Library Funding Announcement Part Of Annual Province-Wide Grant

A recent funding announcement from our MLA when it comes to funding for the Thompson Public Library isn’t as big as it was made out to be.

 

As a part of his July 27th report, Kelly Bindle said that Minister Cathy Cox approved over 120 thousand dollars in operational funding for the Thompson Public Library, something that the library’s administrator says is an annual grant.

 

Cheryl Davies said that while the library is grateful for the money, it is an annual grant that is provided to all libraries across Manitoba. She added that the grant amount has not increased in the past decade, and the City "supports the library twice that amount".

 

Bindle also spoke on the Mining Community Reserve Fund, and why Thompson does not qualify for funds from the account. Thompson Mayor Dennis Fenske told Arctic Radio News that this information had not been directly communicated to him or the City.

RCMP On Lookout For Impaired Boaters

You can expect the RCMP to be out in full force this August long weekend not only patrolling the roads, but also the waterways.

 

Constable Sandy Deibert, from the Thompson RCMP detachment, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that a good chunk of boating fatalities in Canada are due to impairment.

 

She said the number is around 40%, and that both the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the RCMP are worried that the number could climb with the pending legalization of recreational cannabis. Constable Deibert added that they are also seeing a rise in the use and abuse of prescriptions drugs.

 

Deibert went on to say that impaired operation of a boat carries the same penalties as impaired operation of a motor vehicle. That means that if you get charged on the water, it could impact you on the roads as well.

 

To learn about Operation Dry Water, a joint effort from the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the RCMP, make sure to listen to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 tomorrow.

Contamination One Of Biggest Issues Facing Recycling Centre

The Thompson Recycling Centre says that one of their most pressing issues is the rate of contamination.

 

The contamination rate, which is the percentage of non-recyclables that arrive at the centre, currently sits at around 16% where it has been for the past few years.

 

Contamination rates across the country range from 3% in Saint John’s to 26% in Toronto, with Winnipeg coming in with a rate of 13%.

 

The Centre says that even though more people are making the effort to recycle here in Thompson, many people still end up including food and other garbage with their recycling, making more work for those who process the items.

 

Not only does the contamination lead to increased processing costs, but in the summer months the Recycling Centre says it often leads to other issues such as maggots, wasps, hornets and mice.

Fenske: Nothing Surprising In 2017 City Audit

The City of Thompson recently held a special meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee to review the audited financials for 2017.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske spoke to Arctic Radio News following the meeting, and said there were two main suggestions made by the auditors.

 

The first suggestion made is that the City should do a better job of cataloguing inventory, as they are are a large organization that “carries a lot of items”.

 

Fenske said that the second suggestion was that they need to “tighten up” when it comes to outside agencies that the City funds. He added that the audit is consistently delayed as some agencies are late reporting their numbers, which is something the Mayor says the next City Council will have to look at improving upon.

 

Despite the suggestions, Fenske said that there were no surprises in what was presented, and that he gives a lot of credit to the City’s CFO Jenny Krentz for the work her and her staff do.

 

The audit will be reviewed for information by City Council at their next meeting on August 13th.

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