As part of Red Tape Awareness Week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has awarded the Canada Border Services Agency with the 2024 Paper Weight Award.

Imported themed costumes offered by the Costume Shoppe in Calgary are now subject to around 100-thousand dollars in import duty fees because the CBSA changed the classification on the costumes from “festive wear” to “fancy dress.”

CFIB director Julie Kwiecinski said the CBSA should be able to differentiate between Santa suits and clown costumes and every day clothing.

The shop’s owner, who has over 25-hundred costumes, must refile previous inventory, even if those items are no longer being imported, and he can’t appeal the CBSA’s decision unless he pays first.

Two other finalists for the award are Health Canada for paperwork challenges and excessive fees for natural health products, and Finance Canada, for making payroll services subject to the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act, basically duplicating the existing controls used by banks.

The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre will head to communities around the province beginning in February with their latest road tour.

This year’s play titled “Mix Tapes from My Mom”, will be in Thompson on Friday, February 16th at the Letkemann Theatre.

Here, Cory Wojick (Woe-jick), the writer and main character of the show, shares details about the story.

“It’s what I call, it’s a story-telling concert and it’s about the most extraordinary day that I’ve had in my life and it’s accompanied by a live band. It’s a story about love and loss and grief but also of the legacy of these mix tapes that my mother had left behind for me.”

Wojick, who is Winnipeg-born and bred, has been a performer for over 25 years.  He has been in a number of earlier Royal MTC plays, performed on Rainbow Stage and had film and TV roles.

Catch more about Wojick’s journey as a performer and “Mix Tapes from my Mom” on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

This week marks the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s 15th Annual Red Tape Awareness Week.

Keyli Loeppky, Director of Interprovincial Affairs with the CFIB, explains why the awareness week was launched.

“What we found was that small businesses across the country were dealing with filling out paperwork and jumping through hoops and trying to decode government jargon across all the different forms and licenses required to run their business. They are having a really hard time with it so what we did was we tried to bring government attention to the issue of red tape at all levels of government through Red Tape Awareness Week.”

Loeppky said at the time, very few governments across Canada had checks in place to report on their regulatory burden.

The initial awareness week was an opportunity to put a spotlight on something that causes frustration for businesses and everyday Canadians alike.

To hear more about what to expect during Red Tape Awareness Week, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Bernadette Smith, Manitoba’s Minister of Housing, Homelessness and Addictions was in Thompson last week.

Mayor Colleen Smook shares the purpose of the visit here.

“Minister Smith just wanted to get a firsthand look at what is happening with housing, shelter services, addictions, etc. In Thompson. She toured the Well-Briety Centre, AFM and got an idea of what is happening in the North.”

Smook said the topic of affordable housing was discussed and that they shared a vision for it to be geared to minimum wage earners along with those on income assistance.

The minister was also updated on the Keewatin Tribal Council’s new Pusiko land development and the housing it’s expected to provide, and the Sobering Facility that’s slated to be added at the Well-Briety Centre in the future.

The provincial government has made commitments to end chronic homelessness in two terms.

On January 21, 2024, Oxford House RCMP responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the community. A home was damaged but no one was injured.

On January 23, the investigation led officers to obtain a search warrant for a residence in Bunibonibee Cree Nation.

A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of three rifles, two shotguns, and ammunition.

Two females, aged 30 and 34, are facing charges of Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Careless Use of Firearm and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm.

Oxford House RCMP continue to investigate and anyone with information is asked to call 204-538-2046, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

This September, the University College of the North will introduce pre-law courses at their Thompson and The Pas campuses.

They hope to provide these courses to other communities in the near future.

President and Vice-Chancellor of UCN, Doug Lauvstad, said there is a pressing need for lawyers in the north and this new programming hopes to address that need.

Pre-Law course opportunities under development will include courses that provide students with skills and competencies needed for successful entry into law school.

Provincial Court Judge Todd Rambow, who had a hand in creating the programming, said that  
Pre-Law course work will be available to help ensure that the north is served by competent, capable and qualified lawyers who are from the north.

Manitoba groups and organizations have until February 16th to apply for the 2024-2025 Manitoba Accessibility Fund.

Managed by The Winnipeg Foundation, the fund was launched in 2021 with an initial $20-million investment.

Since then,  the program has supported increased compliance with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act through $1.6 million worth of funding for 72 projects across the province.

Projects must fulfil one of three objectives including raising awareness about the prevention and removal of barriers; developing tools, resources and training to support compliance with legislated standards; or removing barriers to information and communications electronically, in print and in person.

For information on eligibility or to apply go to accessibility mb DOT ca slash grants and awards.

A report delivered by Fire Chief Steve Molloy to the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Monday night provided some interesting facts about resources at Thompson Fire and Emergency Services.

Molloy’s report showed that while fire calls in 2023 were down 6 per cent from 2022, EMS calls were up almost 7 per cent and the number of double trips increased almost 15 per cent.

Double trips or calls means two or more ambulances are being used at the same time.

Mayor Colleen Smook explains the impact of that.

“TFES normally has two ambulances available to respond immediately. The issue then is that those two ambulances are out and there isn’t the staffing for the third ambulance until we call extra people in. This is why, with the number of calls increasing all the time, we’ve definitely been advocating with Shared Health.”  

Smook says besides trying to get more ambulances and personnel through Shared Health, other aspects such as housing and recruitment and retention are important factors in getting the resources Thompson needs.

Out-of-town laboratory medical technologists, adjusted hours at the lab for outpatients, and point-of-care testing are some methods that Shared Health is using to manage a current staffing shortage at the Thompson General Hospital.

A spokesperson for Shared Health says lab services for emergency and hospital inpatients remains the same, but lab hours for outpatients has been cut back from 8 am to 1:30 pm from 3:30 pm.

Point-of-Care testing at the Thompson Clinic allows some testing to take place by clinical assistants, nurses and physicians at the clinic.   It is expected that this testing will reduce lab traffic by about 30 per cent and reduce pressure on both outpatient services and the hospital lab while allowing for more timely care for clinic patients.

Shared Health says they have posted three vacant positions and will continue recruiting until all the vacancies are filled.

Learn more about the shortage of lab techs at the hospital.  Catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak honoured two Indigenous leaders Tuesday in Winnipeg.

The first was former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, who has been an activist, and an advisor on Indigenous relations.

During his three terms as AFN National Chief, he negotiated the Kelowna Accord, and the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. He has received many accolades for his work including a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Order of Canada, and numerous honorary doctorates.

The newly elected AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse was also acknowledged.

From Pinaymootang First Nation, Woodhouse has worked as an AFN Regional Chief for Manitoba.  In that role, she helped to negotiate a $23 billion dollar child and family class-action settlement with the Federal Government of Canada last year.

Her campaign for National Chief promised to focus on child welfare, housing, economic development, policing, and other core issues.

On January 12, 2024, at approximately 5:25 pm, Thompson RCMP initiated a traffic stop on Oak Street in Thompson, Manitoba. The vehicle would not stop and proceeded slowly, but erratically. The officer activated the air horn and siren, and the vehicle eventually stopped on Dominion Bay.

When the officer approached the vehicle, he immediately recognized the male passenger as being wanted on an outstanding warrant. The officer arrested Jodi Alguire, 25, of Thompson. Other officers arrived on scene, and the female driver misidentified herself to police. When she was properly identified, Jolene Spence, 31, of Thompson was also found to have an outstanding warrant for arrest. She was taken into custody.

A search of Alguire located a restricted firearm – a handgun – in a satchel he was wearing around his shoulder. Police also found a loaded prohibited magazine and a large amount of Canadian currency.

A search of Spence also resulted in the seizure of a large amount of Canadian currency.

The vehicle was searched. A prohibited assault rifle with a round in the chamber was located as were two sawed off shotguns; several prohibited magazines, including a high-capacity magazine loaded with rounds that matched the handgun located on Alguire; a large amount of ammunition for all types of firearms; several machetes and throwing knives; numerous cell phones; and bear mace. Upon further investigation, it was determined the handgun located on Alguire’s person was stolen.

The continued investigation lead officers to execute two search warrants on January 13, 2024, on two residences in Thompson – one on Oxford Bay and one on Dominion Bay, both of which are connected with Alguire. At the residence on Dominion Bay, three adults were inside the home and were arrested for Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime. The search yielded a large amount of Canadian currency, ammunition, cell phones, parts of firearms, and weapons.

The search on Oxford Bay resulted in the seizure of gang paraphernalia, cellphones, drug paraphernalia, and weapons.

Two of the adults arrested were released without charges as it was determined they were not involved in trafficking. A 56-year-old male was charged with Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000, and was released with an appearance notice.

Alguire is charged with multiple firearms offences, Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000, as well as Fail to Comply with Release Order. He is remanded in custody.

Spence is charged with Obstruct a Peace Officer by Giving False Name, Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000, as well as firearms charges. She is remanded in custody.

In total, four firearms were seized and more than $100,000 in Canadian currency.

The investigation continues.

Support Changes Everything is the theme for a Campaign that the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba is running through January.

Erin Crawford, CEO of the Society, tells us that the campaign gives people a chance to learn about Alzheimer’s and dementia in a very real way.

“When someone is willing to say publically, like our spokespeople are this month, ‘So there is a dementia diagnosis, my wife has dementia, I have dementia, this is what it’s meant for us, this is what it’s looking like for us, this is what we are challenged with and this is what has been good.’”

Crawford says it’s important to hear the stories people are sharing as they can prepare us for what lays ahead if we or a loved one has a form of dementia.

The Society will be hosting education sessions over the month for those new to dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Go to Alzheimer.MB.CA to learn more about the awareness campaign, and listen to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10

January 15, 2024 - Treaty 1, Winnipeg – The Thompson General Hospital (TGH) lab, essential to health care services in the Northern Health Region (NHA), is at risk of collapse following years of chronic understaffing and the December 2023 departure of a technologist. The lab continues to operate 24/7 despite being down to just two medical laboratory technologists, putting patients and staff at risk.

According to the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals (MAHCP), the union representing 7,000 specialized health professionals across 44 professions, lab technologists are in high demand. Shared Health has not taken sufficient steps to recruit and retain diagnostics professionals in the North, despite the deteriorating situation in Thompson.

“We are burning out our lab technologists with unsustainable overtime and overwork caused by not filling critical vacancies. Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are outcompeting us when it comes to recruitment and retention incentives,” said Jason Linklater, President, MAHCP. “Saskatchewan is offering lab technologists a $40,000 incentive, yet Manitoba is still not doing anything to address grave deficiencies in staffing and working conditions to ensure we retain these professionals.”

MAHCP confirmed that technologists were not available to perform urgent tests on two emergency room patients, after working several days in a row without adequate time to rest. Lab technologists perform vital diagnostic tests used in emergency patient care to assess life-threatening conditions such as cardiac failure, renal failure, pregnancy complications, internal injuries caused by accidents, and more.

“The reality is that Thompson General Hospital lab has only been able to continue operating because of the superhuman efforts of two remaining technologists. Imagine performing intensive work that requires accuracy and attention to detail with one hour of sleep over the course of 48 hours? The current staffing situation is unsustainable.”

In November 2020, the lab’s seven technologists flagged the seriousness of the crisis in a letter to WRHA leadership. Then, in April 2023, MAHCP launched a campaign with the goal to secure much-needed staffing resources for the team, which was down to just three technologists.

“MAHCP is once asking again for Shared Health and government to take action. We can’t afford to lose any more technologists.”

-30-

The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals is a union representing more than 7,000 allied health professionals working in 40+ professions across Manitoba, including lab and diagnostics. For more information on MAHCP, visit www.mahcp.ca

Annual eye tests are not only necessary for those who wear eye glasses already.

Conditions that can cause vision loss, such as glaucoma, have no signs or symptoms but can be detected through regular eye screening.

Dr. Bryce Ford with the Canadian Ophthalmological Society lists the risk factors for glaucoma here.

“If you have a direct family member with glaucoma, such as your brother, sister, mom or dad, that is certainly a risk factor and you should be checked more frequently. We suggest annually. Other risk factors would be if you have migraine headaches or if you are on certain medications such as steroids like prednisone or cortisone.  Also the greater your age, the more likely you are to get glaucoma.”

Treatment for glaucoma ranges from eye drops to laser treatments and surgery, depending on how quickly it’s diagnosed.

Ford says anyone over 65 should have an annual eye exam to monitor for the disease, but he added that anyone of any age can have the condition and regular visits to an eye care specialist are recommended.

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Ford on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

We’re still early into the New Year,  but if you’re having a hard time with your resolution to quit smoking, take heart.

National Non-Smoking week is coming up and Weedless Wednesday is on January 17th.  

The theme this year is “Finding the Right Moment to Start the Conversation” and Bruce Krentz with the Northern Health Region tells us here what the focus is of the week.

“January 15th to the 23rd is National Non-Smoking week. This year, nationally, we are focusing a bit on vaping and keeping youth nicotine free. Vaping continues to grow in our country so we would really like to turn the tide on that.”

Krentz shared that smokers helpline.ca provides a number of resources for those who are needing support for their quit-smoking efforts.

The federal government is standing firm on the January 18th deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account or CEBA loan repayments.

That means tense times for business owners across Canada as they try to recover from the hardships of the pandemic or decide to close their doors.

Christina Santini, the Director of National Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, updates us on the current situation.

“We know that thirty five percent of our members have already repaid. Forty one percent have an outstanding loan balance but are currently in the process of trying to refinance it, and then twenty two percent have told us that they won’t be able to repay it by January 18th. That’s the twenty two percent that we are particularly concerned of.”

Based on survey data from March 2023, the CFIB has estimated that 19 per cent of small business owners across Canada would close their doors due to the financial pressures they are facing.

Santini says that translates into just over 200-thousand businesses whose loss will have impacts on them, their employees and, in turn, their communities.

To hear the full interview with Santini, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

The Pas will play host to the 48th annual northern juried art show this March 21st to 23rd.

The event encourages artists across the north to showcase their talents and compete for various prizes.

This year’s theme is Northern Pulse.

Artists interested in taking part in the show must complete a registration form for each piece they’re submitting.

Some of the categories people can submit for include painting, drawing and printmaking, crafts, water colour, Fibre Art, 3-D art and photography.

Youth can also participate in their own category.

This year's show takes place at the UCN.

Contact northern juried art show at gmail dot com for details on how to submit your entry.

The Thompson Model for addressing homelessness presentation was well received at the Canadian Alliance of Ending Homelessness Conference in Halifax last November.

On City Beat last week, Mayor Colleen Smook explained what the Thompson model is.

“The Thompson model, it includes everybody that is a decision maker right from the people that have experienced homelessness, or are in the throes of it, so that we are listening to what we need to do to make sure that it’s not just the top down telling people what to do and that they are part the solution.”
           
By consulting with people with lived experience of homelessness, it allows them to be at the heart of decision making in a system that serves them.
                                   
A Lived-Experience Circle,  or L-E-C, has been meeting regularly since last June.  They set policies, procedures and evaluate and make recommendations to the local Community Advisory Board on the allocation of Reaching Home funding.   

On January 3, 2024, at approximately 1:05 am, Nelson House RCMP responded to a report of a possible home invasion at a residence in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

It was reported that a group of males had shown up at the residence with a firearm and were banging on the door and trying to gain entry. The males did not enter and fled on foot.

Officers attended immediately and located the suspects walking on foot. When they saw RCMP they fled. The officer could see one of the males carrying a long gun. The officer began to pursue the males on foot and told them they were under arrest. Some of the suspects stopped however the male carrying the firearm continued to run. The foot pursuit continued and the officer caught up with the armed suspect and saw him discard the gun and fall to the ground. He was subsequently arrested.

Further investigation determined that earlier the group of males had assaulted and threatened a 19-year-old male while walking in the community. The victim fled to the residence looking for help, and the suspect males followed and tried to gain entry into the home.

A 15-year-old male from the community has been charged with Assault with a Weapon, Pointing a Firearm, Uttering Threats, Resist Arrest, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm.

Nelson House RCMP continue to investigate.

Manitoba’s abundance of lakes and rivers, plus our cold winters, make the province an ice-fisher’s dream.

Chase Dreilich, Recreational Angling Coordinator for the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, shares how the popularity of the sport has grown in the last few years, and what contributed to that growth.

“When COVID came around, it really pushed a lot of people outside because weren’t allowed to be in large groups and we weren’t allowed to be together but Manitoba has this great resource right out our front step and anywhere across the province.”

Dreilich says that ice fishing can fit any budget, with fishing licences being very affordable - just 8 dollars for one day or 22 dollars for an annual licence.

There are licence exemptions for those over 65, those who are active military or Canadian veterans, First Nations, and in certain areas, Metis members are also exempt.

But, you must carry identification to indicate your status.

Catch the complete interview with Dreilich on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

A person in Barren Lands First Nation died in a house fire on New Years Day.

Several people who were inside the home at the time of the fire escaped safely, except for one adult.

The home was completely destroyed and the Office of the Fire Commissioner was notified.

On Tuesday, RCMP located the victim inside the home.

The MKO Crisis Response Team will be attending the community to assist and support all those involved.

The investigation into the fire and its cause continue.

Special Olympics Nor-Man Region athletes are seeing great success in their provincial competitions.

That has seen a number of them invited to participate in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary in late February.

Marlene Enberg, Regional Leader, provides details here.

"Mervin Linklater will be competing in the five pin bowling, Shane Dysart-Wood, Michael Harrison and Amiee Chubb will be competeing in the snowshoeing event and Fate Frank and Cory Beardy will be representing the Norman Region in cross country skiing."

In the lead up to the Calgary games, the Nor-Man Region will host a competition at Mystery Mountain on January 20th, with athletes from Winnipeg and the north competing in cross-country and Alpine skiing.

Enberg says the local group is in need of volunteers to act at time-keepers and spotters.

You can reach her at 204-679-3470.    Catch the full interview with her at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon on Thompson Today.

Got some ideas for how Thompson can celebrate the winter season?

Then you’re encouraged to attend the kickoff Winterfest Planning meeting today at 1:30 in the Mary Fenske Boardroom at the TRCC.

The City of Thompson is looking for your input to make this year’s Winterfest weekend an event the whole family will be talking about for years to come.

If you can’t make today’s meeting, future planning meetings will take place every Wednesday at the same time and location up to Winterfest  weekend, which takes place February 23rd to 25th.

For more details you can also contact Darlene at the TRCC at 204-677-7969.

Fitness pros have weighed in on the top fitness trends for 2024, and active aging and mental well being have been identified as top priorities for every generation.

Mo Hagan (Hay-gen), C-O-O of canfitpro, says people are changing their mind sets on how they approach their fitness plans.

Hagan explains.

“While the growing, older adult population is embracing fitness to stay mobile, strong and independent in their lives, especially later in their years, that is continuing to grow in popularity. We are now seeing all generations, especially the younger generation, prioritize active aging earlier, starting in their twenties.”  

Hagan goes on to say that functional fitness is also a top trend and has been for years.

She says this refers to the basic building blocks for overall strength, mobility, vitality, and  stability not only of your muscle and bones, but your overall energy.

This training incorporates the primal movements that allow us to perform the activities of daily life without pain and injury.

For the complete interview with Hagan, catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.