Thompson Local News Archives for 2017-08

Hearings Wrap Up In Winnipeg

The first three days of hearings in Winnipeg for the national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls wrapped up late last week.

 

Chief Commissioner Marion Buller said that they came to Winnipeg to open a space where they could learn more about indigenous laws, because there are many that they don’t know yet.

 

The inquiry heard from six experts on Indigenous law and decolonization as a part of their information gathering process leading up to the fall community hearings.

 

The hearings were held at the Human Rights Museum, which some are calling a controversial location as the museum doesn’t use the word genocide when talking about the treatment of Indigenous Peoples by the Canadian government.

 

The next national hearing will be in Montreal on October 2nd, with a community hearing being held in Winnipeg the week of October 16th.

Boys And Girls Club Closed First Week Of September

The Boys and Girls Club here in Thompson will be closed next week.

 

Executive director Regina DaSilva-Gibbons joined Jason Sonser on 102.9 CHTM late last week to explain that participation in programs during the first week of school is, for the most part, quite low.

 

She added that they will be using the time to have three full staff training days, which will help maintain standards for the club. DaSilva-Gibbons added that the training is also needed as there is a lot of turnover.

 

The club will resume all regularly scheduled programming starting on September 11th.

Thompson R.C.M.P. Charge Two Over The Weekend

Last weekend, Thompson R.C.M.P. laid charges in 2 separate impaired driving incidents.

 

 One male was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle over .08 resulting in a blood alcohol reading of twice the legal limit.  He was also charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, having open liquor in a vehicle and driving without vehicle liability insurance. 

 

In a separate incident, police responded to a construction zone Saturday morning where a male drove through a barricade, challenged the workers to a fight, and then drove away. 

 

Police located and observed the vehicle travelling at high speeds through a residential area.  He stopped and fled from police on foot.

 

The driver was charged with numerous charges, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, mischief under $5,000.00, impaired operation of a motor vehicle and having open liquor in a vehicle. 9 tickets were also issued. 

 

Both are set to appear in Provincial Court next month.

Council Passes Resolution For Watermain Work On Brandon Crescent

City Council passed a resolution Monday evening to approve the installation of service connections on Brandon Crescent as a part of the City of Thompson Phase 2 Watermain renewal.

 

Deputy Mayor Kathy Valentino spoke out in support of the resolution, saying that it was a smart thing to do

 

She said the area was designated as part of the paving program, but that it makes more sense to do the watermain work that needs to be done first, so that they don’t pave the road then rip it up to do the work.

 

She added that it’s good that the City has contingency money so they don’t have to go looking for funding elsewhere.

 

The recommendation from City administration is to defer the paving until next year.

Water To Be Off City-Wide Tonight

Water will be shut off across the whole city starting at 10:00pm tonight.

 

The shut-off is taking place so that upgrades can be made to the water system.

 

The city expects water to be fully restored by 5:00am tomorrow, though it could be longer if any complications arise.

 

Following the restoration of water, there will be a boil water advisory in affect across the city until water safety levels are restored.

 

Anyone with questions is asked to call the city of Thompson at 677-7910 or the office of drinking water at 677-6704.

Cross Lake RCMP Seize Drugs For Second Time In Less Than A Week

RCMP in Cross Lake have made a drug bust for the second time in less than a week.

 

Last Saturday evening, RCMP in Cross Lake conducted a traffic stop after spotting a quad with two occupants being driven erratically through the community. The occupants were not wearing helmets and not obeying road safety signs.

 

The 33-year-old driver, a resident of Cross Lake, was arrested for Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

 

A further search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 42 grams of cocaine and a sum of Canadian Currency. Police also seized a case of beer from the quad.

 

The accused is facing charges of Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, and Resisting Arrest.

 

He was released on a Promise to Appear and will appear in court at a later date.

Council Hands Out Certificates Of Achievement

City council met last night for the only time in the month of August.

 

The meeting started out with three certificates of achievement presented to an individual and two businesses. They were handed out to the Thompson branch of the Assiniboine Credit Union in recognition for being awarded the 2017 National Credit Union award for social responsibility as well as the Best Western and Thompsonite Breann Pagee.

 

Councillor Dennis Foley spoke to 102.9 CHTM and said that things like that are his favourite part of being a city councillor.

 

He said that often times people can be so focused on the finances, by-laws and negative aspects of municipal politics, so it’s important to highlight the achievements of business and residents in the city.

 

Foley added that one of the highlights every year for him has been the Volunteer of the Year awards, as they highlight all of the good going on in Thompson by Thomponsites.

 

The meeting also included letters from Eileen Clarke, the Manitoba Minister of Indigenous and Municipal Relations. The letters formalized funding from the province for work here in Thompson, including $400,000.00 which has gone towards the Selkirk road work.

 

Council will resume their bi-weekly meetings following their next meeting on September 5th.

City Reminds Residents: Don't Throw Rocks At Vehicles

     Following an incident last week, the City of Thompson is reminding residents not to throw rocks at buses, cars, taxis or any vehicle.

 

     If you are caught in the act, the penalty ranges from fines to prison time depending on whether or not people are injured.

 

     Parents are encouraged to be aware of their childrens’ whereabouts and activities and to remind them to respect the property of others.

 

     Taxi Cabs here in the city were pulled off the road late last week after some vehicles were damaged due to stones being thrown by minors. The incidents, for the most part, have been isolated to the Eastwood area, near the Highland Towers.

 

     Anyone who witnesses any dangerous behaviour throughout the city should call the RCMP Thompson detachment at 204.677.6909 or 204.677.6911 if it is an emergency.

Nothing To Worry About Despite Haze, Says Manitoba Sustainable Development

     While there are a number of wildfires burning across the province, Gary Friesen, the manager of the wildfire program for Manitoba Sustainable Development, says that Thompsonites have nothing to worry about.

 

     He said that while there are a large number of fires burning across the province, there are not any in the Thompson area and that Thompsonites shouldn’t feel concerned.

 

     Friesen added that the haze in the city is from fires in British Colombia, the Northwest Territories and north-west Manitoba, and that the conditions should improve here in Thompson as they improve out west.

City Council Meeting Tonight

     Thompson City Council will meet tonight for the only time in August, and the first time since July 17th.

 

     Councillor Colleen Smook spoke to 102.9 CHTM and said that this meeting will have a positive note. The meeting will start out with the city, and council, recognizing Breann Pagee, the Thompson branch of the Assiniboine Credit Union, and the Thompson Best Western hotel with certificates of appreciation.

 

     Smook added that she doesn’t expect the meeting to be long, as there are no major by-laws or resolutions on the agenda.

 

     The full agenda for the meeting is available to the public, and can be found either online at Thompson.ca or can be picked up by visiting City Hall during business hours.

 

     The meeting will start at 7:00pm upstairs in council chambers at City Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend. Council will resume bi-weekly meetings in September, starting on September 5th.

Thompson R.C.M.P. Looking For Suspect Following Possible Attempted Abduction

Thompson RCMP are asking for the publics’ assistance.

 

     Late Friday evening, Thompson R.C.M.P. received a report of a possible attempted abduction of two young girls.

 

     The girls, ages 7 and 8, were at the Rotary Park on Deerwood Drive when a masked suspect exited a vehicle and approached them while they were on the swing set. The masked suspect then attempted to pull the girls off the swings. An unknown female that was driving by witnessed what was occurring and stopped to offer her assistance. The suspect fled the area in a pickup truck, possibly a blue Dodge Ram.

 

The girls were unharmed.

 

     The witness who stopped the possible abduction attempt then helped them get their bicycles and stood watch as they safely made it back home but did not stay to speak with police. The R.C.M.P. would like to speak with this female witness. It is believed that she was driving a dark coloured Jeep and had a dog with her.

 

     Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, have any information, or any residence in the area of the Rotary Park on Deerwood Drive that may have video surveillance, are asked to contact Thompson R.C.M.P. at 204.677.6909.

Cross Lake RCMP Seize Drugs, Alcohol

RCMP in Cross Lake have seized drugs and alcohol following a traffic stop in the community.

 

The Mounties searched the stopped vehicle and found one hundred and 54 grams of cocaine, 28 grams of marijuana, 52 Tylenol three tablets and eleven bottles of liquor.

 

Garrett Ross (18), Tamar Thomas (25), Shannah Scott (27) and Dolores Thomas (50) have been charged each with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and possession of property obtained by crime.

 

The four are being held in custody and are to appear in provincial court here in Thompson. The investigation is still ongoing.

 

The RCMP said that those who produce and traffic illicit drugs destroy lives, homes and communities, and that the RCMP remains fully committed to enforcing laws against illicit drugs to their fullest extent.

 

If anyone has any information regarding drugs or any other criminal activity, please contact the RCMP or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

Bi-Weekly Meeting of Thompson Chamber Of Commerce Today

The Thompson Chamber of Commerce will be holding their bi-weekly lunch meeting today in the conference room at the Meridian Hotel.

 

The guest for the meeting is AuroraFest co-chair Hugh Fraser, who will be talking about the upcoming AuroraFest 150.

 

The meeting will get underway at 12:00pm.

 

The mission of the Chamber is to promote and improve trade, commerce and the economic well being in the city of Thompson and its trading area.

Premier Announces New Ferry, Resurfaced Road For Norway House

Premier Brian Pallister recently announced that the province is investing in Norway House.

 

Premier Pallister was recently in the community, and announced that a new cable ferry will soon be in operation, which will ensure safe and reliable access to Norway House.

 

He also announced that the province will be resurfacing a portion of PR 373, and that the province will be spending an additional $2,000,000.00 in 2018-19 to improve traffic signals and crosswalks at Rossville on PR 373.

 

Pallister said that the provincial government is committed to strategic infrastructure investments that directly support economic growth while enhancing access to northern communities. He added that the investment in a new cable ferry and the resurfacing of PR 373 are vitally important to the health, culture and economic prosperity of the people living in and visiting the region.

 

The announcements were made alongside Norway House Cree Nation Chief Ron Evans and the mayor of Norway House, Cristo Spiess, during Treaty and York Boat Days.

 

Photo courtesy of CBC

Thompsonite Reported Missing In Thunder Bay, Ontario

Police in Thunder Bay say they're looking for a woman from Thompson who has been reported missing.

 

Police say 37-year-old Amy Trout was last seen in Thunder Bay while she was visiting from Thompson.

 

Police described her as being Indigenous and about five-feet-two-inches tall, weighing 150 pounds with long brown hair.

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.

New Coalition Forms To Fight For Carbon Tax

A new coalition in the province is arguing that carbon pricing is essential in the fight against climate change.

 

The Manitoba Carbon Pricing Coalition (M.C.P.C.) officially launched yesterday morning on the steps of the Legislature in Winnipeg and plan to push the Pallister government to put a price on carbon. The group is made up of climate change activists and public policy experts from groups such as the Green Action Centre and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

 

The group was launched less than a month after the Manitobans Against Carbon Taxes Coalition (M.A.C.T.C.) was founded. The M.A.C.T.C. is made up of members from the Canadian Wheat Growers Association, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The group believes that any sort of price on carbon will create strain on the economy, which in turn will hurt businesses.

 

The M.C.P.C. argues their claim, saying that while it will create a pinch on the economy, that pinch will be a good thing since it will drive change.

 

Manitoba is one of the two provinces not to have a deal in place with Ottawa with regards to carbon and a recent poll says more than half of Manitobans are against any form of carbon pricing or taxation.

 

Photo courtesy of National Geographic

Mayor Fenske: Construction Is Always A Good Sign

Mayor Dennis Fenske recently spoke to 102.9 CTHM about the Selkirk Drive construction project and said that even though it’s frustrating sometimes, construction is a good thing for Thompson.

 

He said that it shows that there is an investment in Thompson which means improvement for the community. He added that the project is going to cost between $1,500,000.00 and $3,000.000.00.

 

Fenske added that the City is asking for everyone’s patience while the construction is taking place, and to be safe as there are large construction vehicles moving around the area.

 

The Mayor gave an update on the work being done, saying that they’re finishing up excavating down a few feet, and that the next step is going to be to build the road back up. The final step will be for the asphalt company to come and surface the road.

 

Fenske added that Selkirk Drive should be done by next month, and next years’ work will be on Station Road from Mystery Lake to Nelson Road.

Hydro Prices To Hit Hardest In Winter Here In The North

The Public Interest Law Centre is raising a red flag with regards to the new hike in hydro rates here in the province.

 

While the crown corporation says that the increase will only be a few extra dollars on every bill, the centre is saying it could be up to $15.00 more when winter comes here in the north.

 

Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Kelvin Shepherd said that the rate increase is to help cover the cost of new hydro projects and to help reduce debt. He added that the interim rate increase is about half the rate increase Hydro would have liked to seen.

 

Shepherd said that if there aren’t more rate hikes, Manitoba Hydro’s debt will continue to increase.

 

The centre says that the raise in price will impose a significant hardship on consumers, businesses, and especially consumers who are either on a fixed income or have no choice but to use more electricity in the winter.

 

Manitoba Hydro is proposing a 7.9% rate hike for next year.

Manitoba Chambers Of Commerce Think The Government Should Pay To Fix The Line

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce recently polled its members with regards to the ongoing situation with Omnitrax and the rail line connecting Churchill to the rest of the province.

 

Over half of the respondents said the rail should be fixed by both the federal and provincial governments, while a quarter said that the rail line and port should be bought by a new private investor.

 

A little over 15% said that Omnitrax should be held responsible for fixing the damaged line.

 

Last week, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President Chuck Davidson met with business owners and local government officials in Churchill to hear first-hand the challenges facing the community.

 

The Chamber has requested a meeting with Growth Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen to discuss the creation of a fund that could be used to offset the increased costs business owners are experiencing in affected area.

 

The community has been without the rail line for over two months.

 

Photo courtesy of CBC

Province Announces Health Board Appointments

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen has announced appointments to the boards of Manitoba's five regional health authorities.

 

Appointed to the eleven member board in the Northern Health Region are June Chu from Wabowden, Angela Enright from Snow Lake and Mary Head from OCN.

 

Thompson City Councillor Judy Kolada was reappointed to the board.

 

Goertzen noted the regional health authority boards guide the important work of providing the right care, adding these new board members will help guide health care as they work to strengthen the system and improve access to consistent quality care across the province.

 

Photo courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press

 

Manitoba Housing Officially Assigns Harold Smith To Thompson 2020

City Council received a letter recently from the provincial government with regards to the Thompson 2020 project that contained some very good news.

 

The letter, which was signed by the CEO of Manitoba Housing Steven Spry, says that on behalf of Manitoba Housing he is pleased to assign Harold Smith to work on the project. Smith is currently the executive director of Northern Housing Operations for Manitoba Housing.

 

This will cover up to 25% of Harold Smith’s time for up to one year, and any non-salary related costs associated with his participation in the project will be covered by Thompson 2020, and not Manitoba Housing. The assignment of his time is renewable upon the written agreement of Manitoba Housing and the City of Thompson.

 

Mayor Dennis Fenske said that while the letter is fantastic news, it’s more a matter of housekeeping. He said that the deal was already in place, but needed the paperwork to come through on both ends before it could be finalized.

 

Fenske added that this letter is an example of the Provincial Government’s commitment not only to Thompson 2020, but also to the City of Thompson.

 

Harold Smith is the assistant project manager for Thompson 2020.

 

Photo courtesy of Thompson Citizen

Province Announces New Mining Development Protocol

Premier Brian Pallister has announced that his Progressive Conservative Government will be developing a new provincial mineral development protocol with First Nation communities. He says the protocol will enable them to establish a clear pathway forward on mineral development.

 

The process will be co-chaired by Chief Ron Evans from Norway House Cree Nation and Jim Downey, former Manitoba Deputy Premier. The two will engage First Nations communities that have immediate or potential mineral development opportunities and are interested in participating.

 

The new protocol will define how consultations will occur during phases of mineral development including grassroots exploration, mechanized disturbance, advanced exploration and mine development.

 

Pallister added it will also provide mineral exploration and mining industries with a clear understanding of the requirements and processes for mineral development projects in indigenous territories.

 

Photo courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press

Erna Braun, UFCW 832 Throw Support Behind Wab Kinew

Manitoba NDP leadership hopeful Wab Kinew has received another endorsement, this time from former NDP minister of labour Erna Braun.

 

Braun joins Becky Barrett and Nancy Allen as the third former labour minister to back Kinew for the top job.

 

Braun said in a release that Wab is the leader we need to represent NDP values today. She added that working with families needs their support, and Kinew has the full support of the labour movement. She added that he (Kinew) is uniting party elders while bringing in the next generation of thinkers and organizers and that he will make an excellent leader and an outstanding Premier.

 

Manitoba’s largest private-sector union also announced that they are throwing their support behind Kinew.

 

UFCW local 832 represents over 19,000 people across a variety of industries including retail, food processing, hospitality, security, industrial, support centres and healthcare.

 

Jeff Traeger, president of the union, says that they clearly see that Wab is the best choice to renew the NDP. He added that Kinew is dedicated, driven and is willing to fight for positive change for all Manitobans.

 

Barrett said that labour is under attack by the Pallister government, and that the labour movements’ message to New Democrats is clear: if you want to help us resist Pallister, support Wab. She added that the party needs a leader with integrity and passion for the future, and that Wab is that man.

 

Kinew said that with the support of the unions, the NDP will bring the party together to focus on righting the wrongs of this Conservative government, and bring Manitobans together to fight for stronger families, and better opportunities for every kid wanting to build a brighter future.

 

He also added that he is honoured to have the support of those on the front lines of the labour movement, and long-time leaders like Erna.

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