The bi-weekly lunch meeting of the Thompson Chamber of Commerce will take place today.

The meeting will feature Councillor Dennis Foley, who will be talking about the off-road park located to the south of Thompson and why it’s important for the community.

Councillor Foley, who serves as the president of the Northern Manitoba Off-Road Association, recently gave a presentation at the V.R.C.C. in an attempt to start a motocross club here in the city. At the meeting, Foley said that one of the main reasons that the park is important is to provide outdoor enthusiasts a safe place to enjoy their vehicles without doing so on city streets.

One of the other reasons Foley says both motocross club and off-road park are important is that the space could be used as a tourist attraction, as the land could be used for many different events, such as potentially hosting a music festival without worrying about noise complaints or mud runs.

The Chamber of Commerce meeting starts at 12:00pm in the conference room at the Meridian Hotel.

Registration for the July summer reading program at the Thompson Public Library closes Friday.

The theme for this year is Canada 150, and the July session will focus on eastern provinces. The July summer reading program runs from the 11^th until the 15^th at 2:00pm daily, and will focus on a different province every day. 

For more information, you can contact the library by calling 1.204.677.3717.

Registration for the summer reading challenge also closes on Friday. The challenge is also running a “Canada 150” theme.

There will be a meeting of the trustees for the School District of Mystery Lake tonight at 7:00pm. The meeting will be at the school board office on Thompson Drive beside the Giant Tiger Mall, and will be the last meeting for the 2016-2017 school year.

The meeting will include a presentation by Hugh Fraser and Volker Beckman about Aurora Fest, as well as a presentation from Bella Moose, the winner of CBC Kids “Prime Minister for a Day” contest.

The agenda also includes the secretary-treasurers report and a piece of correspondence from the Manitoba School Boards Association. Other items on the agenda are an invitation to attend the fourth annual northern health summit, and the second and third readings of a procedural by-law

City crews are working hard to get the roads around Thompson clean, but there have been delays.

Deputy Mayor Kathy Valentino spoke to 102.9 CHTM late last week during City Beat, and said that the street sweeping has been slowed down, as one of the two crews has been re-tasked to deal with pot-holes.

She said that even if both crews were focused solely on the street sweeping, it would still be a lengthy process.

Valentino added that crews will continue to paint intersections as long as the weather permits, and that the provincial contractors are supposed to be here later in the summer to paint the road lines.

Mayor Dennis Fenske and City Manager Gary Ceppetelli are in Winnipeg today as representatives of the city at the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Look North MBiz breakfast meeting.

The meeting will feature a presentation by Chuck Davidson and Chief Christian Sinclair, the co-chairs of the Look North strategy.

The presentation will include findings from the Look North summits which took place in three different northern communities earlier in the year.

After the breakfast meeting, the Mayor and City manager will be meeting with various provincial ministers.

The trip was approved by city council 8-1 Monday evening, where Deputy Mayor Kathy Valentino said that this was an important event for the city to be at.

McLean Park will be getting a new canopy for the stage.

City Council voted seven-two on Monday evening to approve the reallocation of $32,600.00 from the air conditioning capital project for the McLean Park redevelopment.

The city had originally budgeted $50,400.00 for the project, so council had to approve the reallocation of $32,600.00 dollars from the air conditioning capital project. $6,400.00 of the original budget for the project is a grant from the Manitoba Community Places program.

Councillor Byer was one of the councilors’ to voice her support for the resolution, as McLean Park is well-used, and this would make it even more attractive.

Councillor Kolada also voiced her support of the project, saying that while the city has previously sunk a lot of money into the project, she believes A&B builders will do the job correctly.

Councillors Foley, Smook, Ellis, Byer, Kolada, Deputy Mayor Valentino and Mayor Fenske voted in support, while Councillors Wong and Matechuk voted against.

The vote was recorded at the request of Councillor Wong.

(Pictured is a sketch of the proposed canopy design)

City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Thompson 2020 mast project charter at the regular meeting of city council Monday evening.

The project is a combined effort by the City of Thompson, the Province of Manitoba, Vale Canada, Service Canada, Community Futures North Central Development, Community Economic Development Fund, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, the Thompson Chamber of Commerce and Churchill Regional Economic Development to deal with Vale’s 2018 closure of the smelter and refinery in order to mitigate the economic impacts on the city.

The project will focus on four buckets; workforce utilization, retain and attract residents, business (re)development and infrastructure.

Workforce Retention:

• Creating meaningful opportunities for people affected by the smelter and refinery closures, as well as staff effected by the recent Birchtree announcement

Retain and Attract Residents:

• Seeking new opportunities for residents of all ages in an attempt to keep them in the north.

Economic (re)Development:

• Will provide the tools and environment for new and existing businesses to thrive in Thompson and the north, as most assets in the region have been underutilized.

Infrastructure (All-weather roads):

• Will push to initiate the construction of all-weather roads in the NorMan region, which will reduce the cost of goods and further solidify Thompson as a regional hub.

Mayor Dennis Fenske said in a release that as the new decade approaches the city will be faced with its greatest challenge yet. He added that prompt and deliberate action is needed to ensure that the city mitigates the impact on the workforce and residents and that Thompson 2020 will be the city’s compass.

Tim Gibson is spearheading the efforts as project manager, while Harold Smith is the assistant project manager.

Gibson is an industrial engineer by trade, and holds an MBA in natural resources, energy and economics, and a Master’s in project management. He has over 25 years in project management and sits on the board of directors for the Thompson Recycling Centre.

Harold Smith is a former city councilor and long-time resident of Thompson. He has extensive experience in public housing, project management and land claims implementation and negotiation.

There will be an open house in the V.R.C.C. multi-purpose room starting at 7:00pm to discuss the formation for a community motocross club.

The club would be focused around the off-road park, which is located to the south of Thompson. The proposed purpose of the club is to provide motosport enthusiasts with a safe and unobtrusive facility while enhancing the possibilities for skills and community development.

The meeting is being hosted by the City of Thompson, in partnership with the Northern Manitoba Off-Road Association (N.M.O.R.A.).

The City is encouraging all residents to come and discuss their concerns and desires for the future club and its role in the park. The City and the N.M.O.R.A. are also looking for potential active members who are willing to help make the club a reality.

Monday evening a letter was presented to city council requesting that Councillor Duncan Wong apologize for sexist remarks made at a previous council meeting.

Councillor Wong responded to the letter with a prepared statement, saying that the issue should have been solely brought to him instead of to council, and that he wouldn’t be apologizing. Councillor Wong added that the letter was a defamation of his character.

Councillor Dennis Foley responded to his remarks, saying that process was followed and that the letter did go to him directly. He said that the letter, which was dated May 30^th, had been sent to all councilors and that Councillor Wong did have the opportunity to deal with the matter privately.

During his response to the letter, Councillor Wong brought up another letter, which was not included in the agenda for the council meeting, in which the YWCA Thompson board of directors requested that Councillor Judy Kolada not give greetings from the City of Thompson at the Women of Distinction dinner since she did not object to Councillor Wong’s remarks. Wong said that Councillor Kolada deserved an apology more than anyone else in this matter.

Deputy Mayor Kathy Valentino responded to those comments, saying that what happened with the YWCA Women of Distinction event was not in the letter before council, and it had nothing to do with what was being discussed. The Deputy Mayor also added that sometimes it’s the right move just to say “sorry” and that the grandstanding needs to stop.

Councillor Wong responded to the latter comment, saying that he’s been given the opportunity to grandstand thanks to the letter coming before council.

Multiple times throughout the meeting, Mayor Dennis Fenske had to restore order, as members of the public were being obstructive and interrupting the meeting.

After the meeting, some of Councillor Wong’s supporters were outside of City Hall yelling at the father of the person who wrote the letter and at those who voiced displeasure with the councilors’ original remarks.

Tomorrow is National Indigenous Day. The day will be marked here in Thompson, as it is every year, with a day-long celebration at McLean Park.

Festivities will get underway at 5:00am with a sunrise ceremony at city hall and will conclude with fireworks at night.

Most of the activities are taking place in the afternoon, starting with free hotdogs, starting around noon.

The events will be led by masters of ceremony Sylvia McKay (MKO) and Ken Bighetty (KTC).

Below is a full list of all activities taking place:

MORNING:

• 5:00am
  • Sunrise ceremony
• 10:30am
  • Pancakes & sausages
  • Start of children’s activities

AFTERNOON:

• 12:00pm
  • Free hotdogs
• 1:00pm
  • Opening ceremonies
    • Oh Canada (Wapanohk School)
    • Songs by Margaret Dumas
    • Opening prayer (Elder)
    • Grand entry
    • Opening remarks (MKO)
    • Dignitary greetings
      • Mayor Dennis Fenske, City of Thompson
      • Kelly Bindle, Thompson MLA
    • Thompson Aboriginal Accord
• 2:30pm
  • Oskinikis drum group
• 2:45pm
  • Powwow demonstrations
• 3:30pm
  • Soaring Eagle awards
• 4:00pm
  • Mathias & Marcel show featuring Trapper

EVENING:

• 5:00pm
  • Fiddler & open talent
• 6:00pm
  • Brendan Rhodes (singer)
• 7:00pm
  • Richard Farrow Band
• 10:30pm
  • Fireworks

$97,949.30 was awarded yesterday afternoon as a part of the Thompson Community Foundation’s annual general meeting.

Since the foundation started, they’ve handed out $1,149,654.59 to various causes around Thompson.

The largest grant was awarded to the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, who received over $14,000.00 towards classroom renovations and expansion.

List of all grants awarded:

1. Boys & Girls Club of Thompson
   • Approved under the Moffat Family Fund.
   • $3,000.00 towards railing and signage.
2. Thompson Children’s World Daycare
   • Approved under the Moffat Family Fund.
   • $5,000.00 towards renovations and expansion.
3. Spirit Way
   • Approved under the Moffat Family Fund.
   • $5,424.00 to purchase and install a gazebo at Children’s Adventure Playgound.
4. 2018 Manitoba Games
   • Approved under the Moffat Family Fund.
   • $12,879.78 for two sets of bleachers for the V.R.C.C. Wellness Centre .
5. R.D. Parker Collegiate Envirothon Club
   • Approved under the Moffat Family Fund.
   • $4,176.90 towards teaching materials for the R.D.P.C. Environmental Club.
6. Juniper Centre          
   • Approved under the Moffat Family Fund.
   • $12,000.00 for new flooring.
7. Burntwood School
   • Approved under the Joe Brain Fund & Moffat Family Fund.
   • $8,471.40 for tables and appliances for their breakfast program.
8. Northern Regional Health Authority
   • Approved under the Hospital Health Foundation Fund & Moffat Family Fund.
   • $4,709.40 to purchase seating in the Public Health reception area and a four-wheel walker.
9. Thompson Zoological Society
   • Approved under T.C.F. Fund.
   • $13,422.32 towards flooring in the aquarium exhibit.
10. Society for Manitobans with Disabilities
    • Approved under T.C.F. Fund.
    • $14,408.00 towards classroom renovations and expansion.
11. Wapanohk Community School
    • Approved under the T.C.F. Fund & Moffat Family Fund .
    • $14,457.50 to develop an outdoor classroom and green space.

The 2016/2017 school year is rapidly coming to a close, which means the year-end concerts for the music department at RD Parker are in full swing.

Senior music groups wrapped up their season (and for the graduates, their high school music careers) with the 32^nd annual R.D.P.C. Cabaret last Tuesday. The theme of this years’ Cabaret was “A Tribute to the Post-War 40’s”.

There are two concerts left this year, the first of the two taking place tonight.

Tonight’s concert will feature the grade eight and nine concert bands, the grade eight and nine massed band, as well as the junior jazz ensemble and the grade seven and eight choirs.

Tomorrow evening’s concert will mark the final appearance of the grades six and seven bands, the intermediate jazz ensemble, and the grade nine choir.

Both concerts are taking place in the Letkemann Theatre at R.D. Parker and start at 7:00pm. The concerts are absolutely free to attend and everyone is encouraged to attend.

For more information on the concerts and the music department at R.D.P.C., head to www.rdparkermusic.com

With the news that rail line to Churchill will be closed until winter, Calm Air is stepping up to help bring much needed tourists, and supplies, to the remote northern community.

Calm Air President Gary Bell spoke to 102.9 CHTM and said that the company will be scheduling two flights a week, currently on Mondays and Fridays, from Thompson to Churchill to bring people north.

Bell added that Calm Air will be meeting with Via Rail and the Town of Churchill today, and that the flights might change to accommodate the existing Via Rail schedule. Bell said that if the flights are changed, passengers would arrive in Thompson on the train Monday and Friday, then spend the afternoon exploring Thompson before catching their flight to Churchill the next morning.

Bell added that the airline will be increasing cargo shipments to Churchill. He said that Calm Air is currently up to three freight shipments a week, and will add more if the demand is there.

Ultima Foods has recalled some products due to concerns that there may be pieces of plastic in their product.

All of the affected products are iögo drinkable yogurts and are sold in 1L bottles and six-packs of smaller 93ml bottles.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has launched an officially investigation into the matter. At this point, no one has reported an injury due to the recalled products.

Below is a full list of the recalled products, as well as the code on the product and the UPC

• iögo nanö Raspberry Drinkable Yogurt, sold in a six-pack of 93 ml bottles
  • Product Code: 2017 JN 16 C to 2017 JL 26 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 35004 6
• iögo nanö Raspberry Drinkable Yogurt, sold in a six-pack of 93 ml bottles
  • Product Code: 2017 JL 04 C and 2017 JL 05 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 35006 7
• iögo nanö Vanilla Drinkable Yogurt, sold in a six-pack of 93 ml bottles
  • Product Code:  2017 JN 30 C and 2017 JL 01 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 35007 7
• iögo nanö Banana Drinkable Yogurt, sold in a six-pack of 93 ml bottles
  •  Product Code: 2017 JL 12 C and 2017 JL 14 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 35005 3
• iögo Smoothie Mango Yogurt Based Drink, sold in a 1L bottle
  •  Product Code: 2017 JL 20 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 32000 1
• iögo Smoothie Strawberry-Raspberry Yogurt Based Drink, sold in a 1L bottle
  •  Product Code: 2017 JN 10 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 32001 8
• iögo Protein Strawberry Protein Yogurt Based Drink, sold in a 1L bottle
  • Product Code: 2017 JN 17 C
  • UPC: 6 29025 35002 5

If you have purchased any of the affected products, you are advised to either throw them out or return them to the store you bought them at.

A Thompson man’s quest to get his family into Canada from Nigeria has now garnered national attention, as a petition started by Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle made its way to the floor of the House of Commons in Ottawa.

Video of the petition being introduced in the House of Commons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXtd2DT0OSQ

Abiodun “Abbey” Ogunbanwo has been in Canada for the past 13 years, and works here in Thompson full-time with the Canadian Mental Health Association in addition to being a pastor.

The petition is for the Federal government to keep the ball rolling when it comes to Abbey getting his family here in Canada, something that’s been in progress for years. Ogunbanwo wants his family to come to Canada as quickly as possible, as attacks against Christians in Nigeria are increasing.

Ogunbanwo first submitted the application for his wife and two step-children to come to Canada over five years ago. The family has had to go through interviews, DNA tests, and has had to spend large amounts of money on legal fees and travel expenses.

The petition, which was spearheaded by Bindle with assistance from Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon and Assiniboia MLA Steven Fletcher, was read in the House of Commons last week by Conservative MP Ted Falk, who represents the southern Manitoba riding of Provoncher.

Bindle said that Ogunbanwo brought the situation to his attention after almost a year of trying (without success) to get help from local MP and NDP leadership hopeful Niki Ashton.

Clean Community Day is taking place tomorrow.

It was originally scheduled for late May, but was pushed due to bad weather.

The city say’s tomorrows clean-up is taking place no matter what the weather is.

The event is set to run from 9:00am to 4:00pm, and gloves, bags and bottled water will be handed out at Robin’s Donuts to everyone taking place.

The city will be on hand to give you $3.00 cash on the spot for every full bag of garbage.

The Defeat Depression walk and run is taking place this Saturday.

The run will start at the Thompson Clinic in the Plaza at noon. This years’ goal is to raise $10,000.00.

Those who have registered are asked to get there early, and those who have made purchases through the online store can pick up the items purchased before the run starts.

The run has been going on here in Thompson for five years, with all funds going towards mental health initiatives.

The run also helps spread awareness about mental health issues and de-stigmatize mental illness.

For more information or to register for the event, you can visit Thompson.DefeatDepression.ca or call Jen Whalen at 204.778.6513.

On the website, you can see a map of the run route, download a poster for the event, and download an offline pledge form.

Wabowden RCMP are investigating after a break and enter at My's Place Gas Station this past weekend.

The business was closed at the time, and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. No one was reported injured.

This is the second time in the last few months the gas station has been robbed and the RCMP believe the two could be connected. The first robbery took place between April 13^th and 17^th of this year.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Wabowden RCMP detachment at 204.689.2685 or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.

The annual commuter challenge gets under way this Sunday (June 4^th) and runs until June 10^th to coincide with Canadian Environment Week. It is a friendly challenge between cities and workplaces across the country aimed at encouraging people to leave their cars at home.

The challenge has been undertaken here in Thompson for the past few years, and according to Bruce Krentz from the Northern Health Region, the city has placed first in the country on multiple occasions and fourth last year for communities our size.

To participate in the challenge, you need to register at CommuterChallenge.ca and log your activity every time you go somewhere without using a motorized vehicle, in a car pool, or via public transit. To be included in the final results, you have to have make at least one sustainable commute.

Stats are calculated and available for viewing daily to see the progress in the different cities participating, as well as for the businesses participating.

The challenge is run nationally by a team of volunteers.

The last of the 615 evacuees of Red Sucker Lake First Nation are returning home today

They had been evacuated their homes last week following a nearby forest fire. The evacuation was voluntary, as the First Nation leadership, as well as Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, determined on May 25^th that those in the community whose health could be at risk due to the fire should be evacuated.

The Canadian Red Cross had been providing assistance in Winnipeg to the evacuees, providing them with lodging, food, clothing, personal items and anything else they needed.

Cailin Hodder, the senior manager of disaster management for Manitoba and Nunavut said in a statement that "The Red Cross team of volunteers and staff has worked very closely with the leadership of Red Sucker Lake First Nation to make sure the evacuees have received all of the support they have needed. We are happy it is now safe for the residents to return and we are working with the community leadership to ensure that happens smoothly so that everyone can get back home to their daily lives."

The return home is taking a few days to complete; as the Red Cross is flying all of the evacuees from Winnipeg back home to Red Sucker Lake, and the plane being used has a limited seating capacity. The expenses incurred by the Red Cross in assisting the evacuees will be covered by the Federal government.