The recipient of the Troy Anand Scholarship this year is Kyle Tomchuk.

The scholarship is awarded every year in honour of a local entrepreneur, Troy Anand, who was a dedicated and active member of the Thompson community.

Tomchuk is a recent RD Parker Collegiate graduate, and talks about how it feels to receive the scholarship.

"It's an honour to win this scholarship. It's a great one to get because I read a little bit about the guy. He's a very great person, and it just meant a lot to me."

He will be attending Brandon University in the fall, and would like to thank everyone who has helped him throughout his high school career.

CMHA Thompson will be covering up Graffiti in the city this year.

The Graffiti Cover-Up is a free service where volunteers from the CMHA career programs paint over graffiti for businesses in the city, and will cover a variety of surfaces, including concrete, vinyl, masonry, and wood.

The goal of the program is to help support people living with mental health issues by allowing them to gain social skills and work experience.

Katherine Rushton, the Education and Training program coordinator at the CMHA, explains the impact graffiti can have on people whose property was vandalised.

“Graffiti can be demoralizing. It can make us feel that we don’t have control over our own space, especially if you are a business and you might not want your outside walls tagged, you might not want the slogans. Of course, it can be profanity, as well, which none of us need to be looking at. It’s not helpful for our youth, either.”

The program will run from July 2nd to September 13th.

People interested in having graffiti covered up can find the Graffiti Cover-Up request form at Thompson dot CMHA dot C-A.

Monday is Canada Day, and the city has planned a day full of performances and activities.

There will be a bicycle parade, a truck pull, and outdoor activities with the Thompson Firefighters Association.

There will also be performances by the Asham Stompers, the Aurora Dance Academy, and the Diamond Dance Academy.

The inaugural Junk-in-the-Trunk event will be held at the TRCC parking lot from 9 AM to 11 AM, which is a community rummage sale that sellers hold from their vehicles.

There will also be two escape acts by Dean Gunnarson, and the night will finish off with a firework display at 11PM.

The event will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items, which will be going to the Salvation Army foodbank.

The day’s festivities will be held at the Thompson Regional Community Centre.

There are multiple activities going on at the Boys and Girls Club of Thompson throughout the summer.

Regina Da Silva-Gibbons, the executive director for the Club, says they will be hosting an End-of-School Party today at the club, which is open for both the kids and their parents to attend.

She adds that throughout the summer, the drop-in camp for kids will be back, which runs in the afternoon from 2:30 until 7.

Summer Brain Gain, a free curriculum-based program designed to help fill the learning gaps during the summer, will also be returning, but will require registration.

For more information about the summer activities at the Boys and Girls Club, check out the Thompson Today podcast on our website.

Registrations for the Boreal Discovery Centre’s Discovery Camps are still being accepted.

The BDC’s program coordinator, Samantha Graham, says the camp will include activities like making miniature animal habitats, and learning about animals, trees, and plants.

There will also be other arts and crafts projects.   The camps will run from July 2nd to August 23rd, and the BDC is accepting registrations until all the spots are filled.

For more information about the Discovery Camps, you can contact the BDC at 677-5919.

First time contestant and 102.9 CHTM’s own afternoon drive host, Robyn Thomson, won the Thompson’s Got Vocal Talent Show on Sunday.

Robyn Thomson claimed first place and five hundred dollars by wowing the judges with her performance of “You and Me” by Pink and City and Colour and “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz.

Here’s Thomson talking about her win.

“I was really surprised. I signed up last minute. I don’t perform much. So, it was just kind of a fun thing. I figured if I did well I’d get a prize and then I ended up doing really well. It was fun.”

Thomson explains how she got into singing.

“I started singing in high school when we had to sign up for arts classes. My school had vocal classes and I thought singing was fun so I did it. I continued doing it for all four years and I did every choir and every vocal class that I possibly could and now I do it for fun.”

The rest of the top five contestants include Richard Obierna, Olivia McLeod, Brendan Rhodes, and Andria Stephens.

The Manitoba Liberal Party is proposing a new provincial police service, specifically to help rural and northern communities.

Leader Dougald Lamont says one of the reasons why his party wants to create the Manitoba Police service is because rural and northern communities are underserved.

“There just aren’t enough boots on the ground. We don’t have enough coverage of large parts of rural and northern areas. And sometimes the police don’t have enough resources and enough training and that’s unfair to the police and it’s unfair to the community.”

“People are often concerned about the high crime rates in Winnipeg, but there are higher crime rates outside of Winnipeg in rural and northern areas. Thompson is a hotspot and people have the right to feel safe in their homes and that hasn’t happened.”

Lamont adds that the MPS would not replace existing police forces in the communities, including First Nations policing, as the MPS would instead work in partnership with local police services, and offer training and resources.

The MPS would have a focus on border enforcement, as well as white collar and commercial crime, and will also have an Indigenous Unit led by First Nations, which is a recommendation of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report.

Thompson RCMP was busy during the Nickel Days weekend.

161 traffic tickets were issued throughout the weekend, with 81 of them for speeding. At least 9 of those busted were driving at speeds of over one hundred kilometres an hour within city limits.

There were also two tickets issued for impaired driving; one for alcohol and one for cannabis; and there were four roadside suspensions.

One traffic stop resulted in around 330 oxycodone pills being seized by police, and a 32 year-old man being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Constable Sandy Deibert says the RCMP is committed to keeping Thompson roads safe, adding that they are ensuring drivers who refuse to obey the laws of the road are held accountable.

Miners and non-miners alike, pitted their skills and endurance against one another Saturday at the 47th National King Miner contest.

The contest was made up of 11 different events which were timed to determine the winners.

The coveted title of King Miner 2019 was awarded to Josh Forest.

First runner up was Jason Stykalo.  Matt MacGregor was second runner up and third runner up was Kerry Roberts.

The rookie prize went to Ashley Mallett.

The full lineup of results can be found at thompsononline.ca.

2019 National King Miner Contest Winners
I. King Miner:          Josh Forest                        $2000.00 and a Plaque (Sponsored By USW 6166)

II. 1st Runner Up:   Jason Stykalo                    $700.00 and a plaque

III. 2nd Runner Up:  Matt MacGregor             $200.00 and a plaque

IV. 3rd Runner Up:   Kerry Roberts                   $100.00 and a plaque

2. Team Event: Sponsor - A & B Builders

Sponsored by Nickel Days Corporation

I.   Scott Kennedy

II.  Justin Lefebvre

III.  Jason Stykalo

IV.  Alex Martin

$1000.00 and a plaque (Sponsor A&B Builders)

3.   Rookie Prize: Sponsor - Sling Choker

I.  Ashley Mallett                   $500.00

Individual Events
1 Stoper Drilling (Sponsors - Epiroc)

I. 1st Prize:              Alex Martin                    $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Josh Forest                   $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Kerry Roberts                $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Michael Gallant             $100.00

2 Jackleg Drilling (Sponsor - Maclean)

I. 1st Prize:              Josh Forest                   $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Matt MacGregor            $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Justin Lefebvre             $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Alex Martin                    $100.00

3 Bolting (Sponsor - Orica)

I. 1st Prize:              Josh Forest                   $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Matt MacGregor            $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Alex Martin                    $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Ashley Mallett               $100.00

4 Log Sawing (Sponsor - USW Northern Area Council

I. 1st Prize:              Frank Bushby               $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Karlyle Knutson            $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Troy Martin                    $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Evan Bercier                  $100.00

5 Ladder Climbing (Sponsor - Smook)

I. 1st Prize:              Scott Kennedy              $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Ethan Amyotte              $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Justin Lefebvre             $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Jason Stykalo               $100.00

6 Hose Mending (Sponsors - Kleysen Group LTD/Thompson Co-op)

I. 1st Prize:              Josh Forest                   $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Troy Martin                    $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Scott Kennedy              $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Jason Stykalo               $100.00

7 Hand Mucking (Sponsor - Alex MacIntyre)

I. 1st Prize:              Josh Forest                   $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Scott Kennedy              $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Jason Stykalo               $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Matt MacGregor            $100.00

8 Steel Packing (Sponsor - USW Canadian National Office)

I. 1st Prize:              Scott Kennedy              $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Frank Bushby               $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Kerry Roberts                $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Justin Lefebvre             $100.00

9 Crib Building (Sponsor - Thompson Inn, Burntwood hotel, & The Marlborough)

I. 1st Prize:              Scott Kennedy              $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Josh Forest                   $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Frank Bushby               $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Kerry Roberts                $100.00

10 Pipefitting (Sponsors - Manitoba Federation of Labour/Manitoba Government Employees Union)

I. 1st Prize:              Josh Forest                   $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Jason Stykalo               $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Michael Gallant             $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Scott Kennedy              $100.00

11 Nail Driving (Sponsor - UFCW Local 832)

I. 1st Prize:              Jason Stykalo               $500.00 and a plaque
II. 2nd Prize:             Scott Kennedy              $300.00
III. 3rd Prize:             Ashley Mallett               $200.00
IV. 4th Prize:             Frank Bushby               $100.00

On June 15, 2019, at 8:40 pm, Selkirk RCMP received a report of a missing 30-year-old female from Selkirk.

Druscilla Kirkwood last spoke with her family on June 13 at 7:45 pm.

Kirkwood is described as 5’3”, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue zip up hoodie and rainbow colored leggings.

She’s believed to possibly be in Thompson or the city of Winnipeg.

The RCMP are asking anyone with information to call the Selkirk RCMP at 204-482-1222, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Photo attached.

The Nickel Days President’s Reception was held Wednesday night, hosted by the event’s Board of Directors.

The Thompson Community Band kicked off the event with a performance.

As part of the President’s Reception the Honorary King Miner and Honorary Driller were also announced. This year’s Honorary King Miner is Susie Miscavitch, and the Honorary Driller is Merv Sterzuk.

Nickel Days runs until Sunday, and a full schedule of the events is available on Nickel Days dot C-A.

The city’s transit bus line will be on hiatus for July and August.

This is due to Thompson’s interim contract with Maple Bus Lines expiring at the end of this month. The contract can’t be prolonged, as it was developed with a defined term with no option for an extension.

The city says the transit committee will continue meetings throughout the summer.

The committee has gotten input from the School District of Mystery Lake, as well as feedback from students from RD Parker Collegiate, including ridership throughout the day, and the most used bus stops and transfer points.

The committee has determined the overall budget for the transit service, and has provided the collected information to administration to prepare a number of options for the committee to consider prior to sending a request for proposal.

Mayor Colleen Smook says the committee has spent many days reviewing the city’s resources, understanding the needs of transit users, and reaching a certain degree of agreement among committee members.

Yesterday kicked off the first day of Nickel Days 2019.

The main gates opened yesterday afternoon at 4.   There’s a midway, booths, and food vendors. The midway closed at midnight.

Today’s events will include the Doctor Von Houligan show under the big top circus tent, as well as stage shows with local bands, and the annual softball tournament.

Saturday will have head liner band The Watchman at the Nickel Days social and the weekend will wrap up on Sunday the Thompson’s Got Vocal Talent Show.

The annual celebration runs until Sunday, and the full schedule for the weekend can be found at Nickel Days dot C-A.

Elections Manitoba is in Thompson registering voters in person beginning today.

Voters will be able to check if they’re registered to vote in the next provincial election, register to vote, or update their information.

To register or update information, voters will need to show one piece of government-issued photo ID or two other pieces of ID.

Voter registration will be held at the City Centre Mall  near Walmart now until Monday.

Education, poverty reduction, strengthening neighbourhoods, and support for the arts and environment.

The Thompson Community Foundation is committed to funding charitable organizations in the city to achieve these ends.

Created in1995 as an endowment fund to serve the community, the fund has grown so that today it sits at just under two-million dollars.

Thanks to that growth, the Foundation was able to fund 12 local groups to the tune of almost $138-thousand this year.

Those grant announcements were made Tuesday at the Foundation’s annual general meeting.

This year’s grant recipients are:

The City of Thompson

Thompson Zoological Society

Wapanohk Community School

Thompson Public Library

Skate Thompson

Thompson Minor Hockey Association

Boys and Girls Club of Thompson

Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre Inc.

Thompson General Hospital Auxiliary

Lions Manor 55 Men are Part of the Solution (MAPS) Inc.

Juniper Centre Inc.

Thompson RCMP is reminding all ATV owners that the rules of the road also apply to all-terrain vehicles.

ATVs must not be driven on roadways, and anyone operating an off-road vehicle on city or private property or land without permission could face a fine of 237 dollars and 50 cents.

Constable Sandy Deibert explains why it’s important for ATV owners to follow the rules.

“The new season is upon us and we want to just make sure and remind people that city property, schools, sports fields, parks and that kind of thing are really off limits to ATVs. We want to make sure that those areas are kept in the best possible condition for use and we want to just ask that people stay off of them.”

Deibert goes on to say that the city and RCMP want everyone to be safe, including ATV owners and those who use parks in the city.

Anyone driving an ATV on privately owned land must do so with permission, and seatbelts and helmets must also be worn, as failure to do so will result in a fine.

The Manitoba NDP is calling on the provincial government to invest more in northern healthcare.

This follows news that the Thompson General Hospital has closed three of its four operating rooms after sustaining water damage from the roof.

Party Leader Wab Kinew says the Pallister Government under spent its health care budget by one hundred million dollars last year, adding that the PC’s quote “refused to act on the replacement of the roof” for the hospital.

The province announced that it would fund the replacement of the roof in February 2018, which they reiterated last month, though there is currently no timeline announced for the project at this time.

Thompson RCMP is looking for a missing man.

Police received a report about a missing 50-year-old man last week, who has not been seen or heard from by his family in over four months.

Blaine Ashley Birkholz is described as five foot ten and 180 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes, and is very transient in nature.

He is believed to be in Thompson, The Pas, or Winnipeg.

Anyone with information is asked to call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Boreal Discovery Centre’s inaugural Walk, Run, Bike for the Boreal Fundraising Event raised over two thousand dollars.

Around 35 to 40 people participated at the event last Saturday, which included a two kilometre, five kilometre, and ten kilometre routes.

With Vale Manitoba Operations matching donations for money raised for the BDC between June and September, the total amount raised from the run is over four thousand dollars.

The funds collected will be used to build an accessibility ramp for the front entrance of the building.

The Boreal Discovery Centre is planning other fundraisers throughout the summer, with the Bud, Spud, and Steak Dinner taking place at Trapper’s Tavern tonight from 6 to 8 PM.

MP Niki Ashton is calling on the federal government to honour its promises to Grassy Narrows First Nation.

In her MP Report, Ashton says the Liberals are - quote - “failing to fulfill their promise to the community”, explaining that the Grits rejected to move the motion to provide Grassy Narrows with a trust fund to build a mercury treatment plant for the community.

The First Nation has been dealing with mercury contamination in their water for decades, with a health assessment report published in December linking the contamination to multiple health problems in the community.

Ashton goes on to implore the federal government to listen to the community and address their needs.

On Friday, the Thompson RCMP will be hosting its Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The Run is held to spread awareness about the Special Olympics in Manitoba, and it is also an opportunity for RCMP detachments and the communities they serve to connect with Special Olympic athletes in their area.

The Torch Run will begin Friday afternoon at 1:30, and will start at the ice rink at the Thompson Regional Community Centre, with the route ending at City Hall.

Tune into Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this Thursday afternoon to hear more about the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Manitoba’s police watch dog has charged one Thompson RCMP officer with assault.

Constable Greg Oke has been charged with one count of assault, after he and another officer were involved in an altercation with a male bystander, while responding to a call regarding an intoxicated female last September.

The altercation resulted in Oke punching the bystander in the face multiple times.

The Independent Investigation Unit conducted an investigation of the incident, and determined there were reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a criminal offense occurred.

Oke is scheduled to appear in Thompson Provincial Court on August 9th.

On Sunday, June 9th, around 5:30 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a suspect pointing a firearm in the isolated community of Tadoule Lake.

Officers were advised that a 19-year-old male was in possession of a firearm and initial reports indicated that he may be barricaded inside a residence.

As officers are not stationed full-time in the community, an RCMP Air Services plane was used to transport officers to Tadoule Lake that evening, arriving at approximately 9:00 pm.

Officers attended the residence but could not locate the suspect and began an extensive search of the surrounding area.

On Monday around noon, 19-year-old Matthew Cutlip of Tadoule Lake was arrested.

He was transported to Thompson and has been charged with Pointing a Firearm, Careless Use of a Firearm, Using a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence, Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm.

RCMP continue to investigate.

You can nominate a local business for a provincial award.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is accepting nominations for their 36th annual Manitoba Business Awards.

Their President Chuck Davidson says they have six Chamber awards and two Lieutenant Governor Awards.

He explains the opportunity is to showcase Manitoba’s outstanding businesses and what they’re doing.

The provincial organization encourages the public to nominate businesses so they can be recognized. Awards will be presented during a gala to be held in late October.

Nomination forms are at these websites: jointhechamber.ca or mbchamber.mb.ca

The deadline for nominations is June 30th.

Elective Surgeries and procedures at Thompson General Hospital have been cancelled.

This is due to significant water damage to several of the facility’s operating rooms.

The water damage was discovered on June 1st, and the cause has been determined to be faulty air conditioning units located on the roof above the operating rooms.

Emergency surgeries and c-sections will continue to be performed at the site, while contingency plans are being developed to have scheduled elective procedures and surgeries proceed at alternate sites.

Clean-up is ongoing, and reconstruction is expected to take a number of months.

The Red Cross will be hosting a free community barbeque and information session today at MacLean Park.

The information available at the barbeque will include how interested Thompson residents could become a volunteer for either the Personal Disaster Assistance Team or Emergency Response Team.

Jessie Horodecki, the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Red Cross in Thompson, says the city currently is short on Emergency Response volunteers, which has 10 members, and is looking to boost the numbers up to around 30 members.

The barbecue will be from 4:30 to 6:30 at MacLean Park.

On June 5, 2019, at approximately 11:10 pm, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing on a path near Nelson Road.

Upon arrival, officers located a 23-year-old male from Oxford House being treated by EMS personnel for a stab wound.

The initial investigation has determined that the victim and another male were walking on a path near Nelson Road when they were attacked by two other males. The victim was stabbed during the attack and both suspects fled the scene. The victim was transported to hospital in Winnipeg with serious injuries and is currently in stable condition.

On June 6, a 16-year-old male from Thompson was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose. He has been remanded into custody.

The RCMP continues to search for the second suspect in relation to this stabbing. Trinity Flett is described as a 19-year-old male, 6' tall, 172 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. He is wanted for Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose and Failure to comply with probation order.

He is believed to be in the Thompson area.

On June 6, 2019, at approximately 12:15 am, Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence on Sandford Bay.

Upon arrival, officers did not locate a victim and a search of the area was initiated. A short time later, officers on patrol located a 31-year-old male from Thompson on Princeton Drive who had been stabbed. He was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The initial investigation has determined that an altercation took place on Sandford Bay between the victim and a suspect. During this altercation, the victim was stabbed.

Police are searching for the suspect Trinity Flett (see description above). He is wanted for Assault with a weapon, Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose and Fail to comply with a probation order.

Trinity Flett should not be approached.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate all of the incidents.

On June 4, 2019, at 9:40 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report that a 14-year-old had been chased by a group of teenagers near Juniper Drive.

It was further reported that two of the teenage boys had machetes while they were chasing the victim.

Officers immediately responded and spoke with the victim who was able to reach a safe location without injury.

Multiple patrols of the area were also made to locate the suspects.

On June 5, a 15-year-old male from Thompson was arrested and charged with Assault with a weapon and Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.

He has been remanded into custody. Police are searching for a second suspect in relation to this attack.

Keathen Caillou Bradburn, a 17-year-old male from Thompson, is described as 5'8" tall, 150 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes.

He is wanted for Assault with a weapon and Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.

A picture of Keathen Caillou Bradburn is attached.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

This year’s Tim Horton’s Camp Day has been a success in Thompson.

On Wednesday, the restaurant raised over 31 hundred dollars, with 23 hundred dollars collected coming from coffee sales alone.

All proceeds from the fundraising event will go towards the Tim Horton’s Foundation camps, which will give disadvantaged youth between the ages of 12 to 16 an opportunity to go to summer camp.

Anyone who wishes to donate can still do so at Tim Horton’s dot com slash Camp Day.

At the latest meeting of the One Hundred Women who Care organization, funding was awarded to the Hope North Recovery Centre.

Presenters Elizabeth Lychuk and Adam Driscoll were looking for funding for their Crisis Stabilization Unit for Youth. The money they receive will go towards providing items for youth once they’re discharged from the unit to help them with their recovery and healing.

One Hundred Women who Care meets quarterly to raise money for local groups and projects nominated for by their members. Members contribute $100 at each meeting to provide the funding.

Since One Hundred Women Who Care Thompson held its first meeting in March 2016, it has raised over 80-thousand dollars. All the funds raised have gone to local organizations to help with projects that benefit Thompson and area.

Any woman can join as an individual, but you can also join with co-workers and friends to contribute the $100 amount.

For more on the group go to their website at 100WomenThompson.com

Thompson RCMP are trying to identify two males in relation to a theft from a local business on June 5th.

If anyone has any information please contact the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911. Or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text messge TIPMAN plus message to CRIMES (274637)

Manitoba NDP Leader, Wab Kinew, says a New Democrat government would fight climate change while protecting mining jobs in the north.

Kinew says his party wants to say yes to the mining industry, but to say no to oil and gas subsidies, as mining can be done in an eco-friendly way.

“Supporting good jobs in the mining industry is going to help us meet emission reduction targets because we know that mining can be done in a more environmentally friendly way in Manitoba than it can be in other parts of the world.”

“And, also, we know we’ll need those minerals in order to build the technology for a sustainable economy.”

Kinew says one of the ways he’ll bolster mining jobs in the north is by utilizing the Mining Community Reserve Fund.

“One of the ways we want to do this is use the Mining Community Reserve Fund to help create jobs in communities like Thompson and Flin Flon and other northern communities, to keep people working.”

“One of the criticisms we’ve had of the Pallister Government is that they’ve got more than 10-million dollars in this Mining Reserve Fund that they’re not using to help mining communities.”

“We want to put that money to work to help people continue to have good jobs and along the way we’ll help improve the environment.”

Kinew adds that Manitoba’s mining industry is vital to the provincial economy, saying that the NDPs will work on meeting the Paris Accord emission targets by reducing reliance on subsidies from oil and gas companies. K

inew outlined his party’s climate change plan last week, which included incorporating a provincial carbon tax as a deterrent for big polluters, even if the federal carbon tax is rejected.

The Province recently released a Manitoba-First Nations Mineral Development Protocol.

The Protocol will serve as a template for agreements with First Nations.

It will define how Crown-Indigenous consultations will occur during all phases of mineral development and ensure First Nations can be actively involved in all phases of development projects within their traditional territories.

The province also confirmed 500 thousand dollars in funding to support First Nations in the development and implementation of protocol agreements and will enable the establishment of shared mineral management boards.

Manitoba will also continue to engage with the federal government and First Nations to facilitate trilateral discussions with respect to resource revenue sharing.

To advise to the government on priority issues concerning mining and mineral exploration in Manitoba,  the province will establish a Liaison Committee on Mining and Exploration.

The provincial government is investing over 11 million dollars in infrastructure projects to increase access to justice in the north.

Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced that a majority of the funding will go towards renovating the Thompson Provincial Office Building and Court Offices.

Here, he explains when construction will begin.

“ We want to just finalize the actual drawings for the renovations. Those will go back to Treasury Board for final approval. The funding amount has been approved to date.”

“ We’re optimistic we can have that done in the very near future and then we can get to tender and, hopefully, we have some construction underway here within the next 12 to 24 months.”

The design work for the renovations will include an additional courtroom, more holding cells, and a separate waiting and interview area for victims and child witnesses.

Cullen talks about some of the renovation plans here.

“There’s space where there’s opportunity to add another courtroom here. We will be adding additional cell capacity, as well, for inmates and certainly increasing the area for administration, as well.”

“ So, a number of areas that we’re going to be improving. We think physically we’ll be able to move about the facility better and get better value for the space we do have.

The provincial government says it plans to increase security at the court office as well, including CCTV security cameras, x-ray machines, and walkthrough and hand-held metal detectors.

RCMP are warning the public about 35-year-old, Arnold Edward Bourassa, of Easterville, who may be in possession of a shotgun and is considered armed and dangerous.

Arnold Bourassa is currently wanted on two warrants for multiple offences including recent charges of Pointing a Firearm, Careless use of a Firearm, Using a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence and more.

He may be in Thompson, Easterville, Grand Rapids or surrounding areas.

If you see Arnold Bourassa do not approach him and call 911.

If you have any information please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thompson RCMP responded to a report of a Break and Enter at a local business on May 25th.

Police are looking for a male youth who appears to be between the ages of 16-18 years, wearing khaki pants and a blue Nike jacket.

The male is seen in surveillance video to attempt to enter the building through the locked door before utilizing a child’s bike to break the glass.

The male is seen leaving the store with a set of golf clubs, but also took other items of value.

This happened between 1:30 am and 2:00 am on May 25th.

If anyone has any information on this or any other crime please contact Thompson RCMP detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Please see attached suspect photo

On June 1st at 1:40 pm, Nelson House RCMP received a report of a missing 51-year-old male from Nelson House.

Ricky Nelson Linklater was last seen in the evening hours of April 2 on Churchill Drive in the city of Thompson.

Linklater is described as 5’9”, 156 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, is transient in nature and believed to possibly be in the city of Winnipeg or may have travelled to the province of Alberta.

The RCMP are asking anyone with information to call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6911, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.