Thompson residents are being asked for their input.

This Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 pm, there will be a virtual meeting regarding the provincial public safety training strategy which was announced back in April.
                               
The online forum will focus on the four following areas: should there be topics added to the current training curriculum; how can training delivery be optimized; where can training be delivered from,  and what strategic partners can help enhance the development and delivery of the training?

The goal is to ensure equitable, consistent and culturally relevant public safety training options across the province by having a common, provincially approved curriculum and training facility.

When complete, the Training Strategy will be presented to the Government of Manitoba.

To confirm your attendance at the session on Wednesday, email janice herman at clunis consulting DOT com.  

The City of Thompson is getting a jump on Halloween celebrations with activities starting today.

Mayor Colleen Smook shared what’s happening on City Beat yesterday.

“The Haunted House runs from October 27th which is this Friday until Monday. The Haunted house is two dollars per person. There is a Halloween skate at the C.A Nesbitt on Saturday afternoon, it’s free and recreation staff has some candy to hand out so wear your costume and make sure to have your helmets on because this will be a safe skate.”

There’s also a Trunk or Treat event tomorrow night from 5 to 7 pm at the TRCC parking lot.

Smook said it’s like trick or treat meets a tailgate party. People can park their vehicles and do some car-to-car trick or treating.

She also reminded listeners that Thompson RCMP and Fire and EMS will be out patrolling the streets on Halloween night to keep everyone safe and to hand out some goodies.

As cold, flu and covid season ramp up, so are the flu and covid vaccine clinics in the Northern Health Region.

They began yesterday in Thompson and will run again today from 10 to 6 at the St. Lawrence Hall.

There are two more clinics scheduled for November 3rd from 10 to 6 pm and on November 4th from 1 to 5, also at the St. Lawrence Hall.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the NHR, has more.

“Come on down and bring your health card if you’ve got it, no appointments are necessary just swing on down! We want as many people to get vaccinated as we can so please get on down and get that done. In the meantime, don’t be shy about wearing a mask, keep washing your hands and watch your distance.”

Krentz said Northern Health Region facilities are back to requiring mask wearing, especially in one-on-one visits.

As a reminder, you can receive both flu and COVID vaccines at the same time.

Two men have been charged with arson after the former band office in Gods Lake Narrows was set on fire Monday afternoon.

RCMP responded to a report of two men causing a disturbance at the former band office.  One was reported to be armed with a weapon and threatening to light the office on fire.

Officers arrived to find smoke coming from the building, which was a supply storage site and contained historical records.

The fire was extinguished but the building is estimated to be a total loss.

39-year-old Delmar Hastings, of Gods Lake Narrows, and 45-year-old Erin Kanabee, of Crane River First Nation, were arrested and charged with Arson and other charges.

The investigation continues.

Safer Choices Northern Network is a branch of Manitoba Harm Reduction Network and has been in Thompson for more than 10 years.

It advocates for the rights and dignity of those who use substances or have risky behaviours.

Sean Smith, a peer volunteer with the network, shares some details about an event being held tomorrow.

“So this event will be a Halloween theme and will offer educational games, STBBI testing, Naloxone training and more.”

Sexually transmitted blood-borne infections or STBBIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, hep B & C, syphillis and HIV.     All are curable except for HIV, but they are all treatable.

The event runs from 10 am to 3 pm at 79 Selkirk Avenue.

Our local RCMP have been addressing some serious topics with local students.

Those topics include bullying, cyber-bullying and sexting.

Special Constable Rob Cleveland provides details here about cyber-bullying.

“Cyber-bullying is online and they use technology to bully. Other messaging services such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok and other social media and I want to make it clear that cyber-bullying is here in Thompson and it is serious. It can result, especially, in suicide because people have been picked on so much and it’s a heavy burden to carry. Sometimes that is the result and that’s unfortunate.”

Cleveland said that cyber-bullying is most common among girls, but not limited to them.

He encourages anyone experiencing this type of bullying to speak to a parent or adult they trust and to reach out to the authorities.

For resources on cyber-bullying go to cybertip.ca.    

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

Some residents along a stretch of Westwood Drive woke to not having water service Monday morning.

That’s because temporary water lines still in place because of ongoing water system work froze Sunday night when the temperatures dropped below zero.

If you live along the stretch of road from 311 to 352 Westwood Drive, you’re being asked to leave one tap in your home trickling overnight so as to help prevent further freeze-ups.

The latest water sample which was taken yesterday, has been sent to Winnipeg for testing.

Once the sample is tested and passes the test, the removal of the temporary water lines can begin.

The current estimate for removal is sometime between Wednesday and Friday of this week.

Some new messaging and programming should be coming soon from the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba.

That’s in response to a meeting between the Mayor, councillors, City Manager and a representative from the authority.

The meeting was initiated after the City received a letter from the authority about the closure of the Liquor and Gaming office here in Thompson.

Mayor Colleen Smook shares some concerns the city had about the insufficient number of inspectors currently.

“We’ve reiterated that Thompson has been down liquor inspectors for a number of years. Inspections of licensed premises, over selling in the liquor store and the vendors and that, we didn’t have enough people to keep an eye on that.”

Smook says the city needs a dedicated group of inspectors to be posted in the community to ensure that the laws and regulations are enforced, not to just fly in for a couple days here and there.

On September 26th last year, representatives from the Northern Health Region, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak and Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin signed a declaration to eliminate all forms of indigenous specific racism.

Bruce Krentz with the Northern Health Region provides details.

“We’ve acknowledged then that Indigenous specific racism exists and continues to be present within the Northern Health Region. What came out of that is we’ve spent the past year developing a policy around addressing Indigenous specific racism and we feel like that’s really one of the foundational steps that we can do to help make patients safer and to make our care better for all folks in Northern Manitoba.”

Krentz said this was one facet of patient safety that the NHR has addressed and that more information about the policy and processes will be announced soon.

To learn more about the advancement of First Nations, Inuit and Metis priorities for health care, go to healthcareexcellence.ca.

You’ll also find information about Canadian Patient Safety Week which runs October 23rd to 28th.

Halloween is an exciting time for kids, but in that excitement it’s important to still practice safety.

Make sure you only visit homes with the lights on.  For the most part, that shows those homes are participating in trick-or-treating.  

Also make sure kids are prepared for cooler temperatures and look for costumes that fit over warm jackets.   Instead of masks that can block sight lines and get uncomfortable, use makeup instead.

Constable Sandy Deibert with the Thompson RCMP shares some road safety here.

“Let’s make sure there is something bright on kids’ costumes, use a glow in the dark cape or glow sticks just to make sure kids can be easily seen from the front and the back. We don’t want kids running back and forth across the street to get to every house so go up one side and down the other side as that keeps things a lot safer.”

Drivers are also reminded to slow down and keep an eye out for children crossing streets and along the roads.   

Deibert also suggested that parents can park their vehicle and walk with their children to help keep them safe.

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

As the flu vaccine campaign ramps up in the province, Arctic Radio spoke to the Northern Health Region about it.

Public Health Physician, Doctor Eileen Burnett says the health authority is anticipating a busy late fall and winter with numerous respiratory pathogens in circulation, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19.

Because of that, the NRHA’s key message for the flu season should be familiar to residents.

“We’ve already started to see an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and we are expecting the same for influenza as we head into the cooler weather. We are encouraging everyone to stay on track by getting vaccinated for influenza and COVID-19 this fall. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective. Vaccinations protect us, our family and our community.”

Burnett adds people can get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine the same day.

For more information on vaccine clinics near you, visit northern health region DOT com or catch Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

This is National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Parachute, Canada’s national injury prevention organization, holds this annual event to bring awareness to an issue that is important to every driver on the road.

Here, Valerie Smith, Director of Road Safety Programs for Parachute, provides us with some teen driver statistics.

“The number one stat is that road crashes are the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24. Using young adults are killed in road crashes at a higher rate than any other age group under age 75 and just a little bit more specifically, we know that speeding is a factor in one third of the teen driver deaths in Canada.”  

This year’s driver safety week will focus on youth as change makers, to highlight and support young Canadians’ role in improving road safety, using the theme ‘Our Future Roads.”

For more on Parachute and National Teen Driver Safety Week, go to parachute DOT ca and listen to Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia cases are on the rise in Manitoba.

Education Manager for the Society, Jennifer Licardo, shares the latest numbers about how many Manitobans are affected.

“Currently there are over 18,400 Manitobans that do have Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. This number is growing rapidly and by 2050, it is expected to reach over 39,000.”

Licardo said that 62 per cent of Manitobans know someone such as a close friend or family member who is suffering from these conditions.

Their upcoming Care 4 You conference focuses on the caregiver, with the theme being “Building a Community of Empowered Care Partners.”

It will offer information on the progression of the disease, changes to expect, care-giving strategies, legal matters and more.

The conference takes place October 28th in Winnipeg at the Canad inn Destination Centre Polo Park.  Registration is $50.

Catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10 for more on the conference and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. 

This Friday through Sunday, the Thompson Humane Society is holding spay and neuter clinics.  

Oswald Sawh, Board Chair for the Humane Society, noted that this was the third such clinic arranged this year in the north.

He announced their new Healing and Wellness Centre will look to provide additional clinics in the future.

"The main intent of that centre to start with is having these clinics, we are hoping to have between four to six of them next year so we are hoping to have them every two months to quarterly.  Aside from holding spay and neuter clinics, all through the same thing, having a place where you can get health checks and vaccinations being done.”

Sawh encourages those interested in bringing their pets for the spay and neuter clinics, vaccines or wellness checks to call 778-3513 to make an appointment.

A 50 per cent deposit is needed to hold your spot.   

For more details on the clinic and the Thompson Humane Society catch the full interview with Sawh on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

In the past year since it opened, the facility originally known as the Sobering Centre has seen some changes.

Now known as the Well-Briety Centre, the facility also has had a change in management.

Initially it was operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association, but has been under the care of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak since July.

Here Mayor Colleen Smook talks about another big change, thanks to extra government funding.

“The Provincial Government announced in July that MKO would be receiving $350,000 to keep the Well-Briety Centre open 24 hours a day beginning in October until the end of March.  Prior to the announcement, provincial integral funding was only for 12 hours of overnight operation.”  

Smook said the government hopes that by providing the extra hours of care during the winter, the homeless people at the Well-Briety Centre will have an improved quality of life and it will help them access more services in a central location.

With cold and flu season comes the Northern Health Region’s vaccine clinics.

The first clinics for both flu and COVID vaccines are coming up.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the NRHA, has the details here.

“We have some vaccine clinics that are happening here in Thompson on October 25th and 26th and then November 3rd and 4th, so a Friday and Saturday. It’s all down at the St. Lawrence Hall. 25th and 26th are from 10am to 6pm, same thing on Friday, November 3rd and then on November 4th from 1pm to 5pm.”

Krentz advises those that attend the clinics to wear a mask, keep distance between themselves and others,  and to wash their hands to cut down on transferring germs.

For the complete schedule of vaccine clinics in the north and to see who is eligible, go to northern health region DOT com.

If you’ve considered upgrading your education or other skills but feel you’ve left it too late or it costs too much, Steps to Success at the YWCA Thompson can help.

Program Coordinator, Cat Cogle, says there is no cost to classes at Steps to Success, as they are sponsored by Manitoba Adult Learning and Literacy and Manitoba Economic Development and Investments and Trade.

Here, Cogle explains how their programming is available to students outside of Thompson and how that came about.

“Because of COVID, we had to expand how we delivered our programming. Our students, because they could not come to the classroom, we had to find ways to reach them so we now have a lot of programming that’s also available online. Because that programming is available online, if you are not right in Thompson, it’s okay because you can still attend some of our classes.”

Some classes remain the same monthly, but others change out so it’s always good to check their schedule of classes.

Anyone age 18 and older is eligible to sign up for classes.  To do so, email essentialskillywca@mts.net.

You can also catch the full interview with Cogle at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

On City Beat last Thursday, Mayor Colleen Smook touched on how the city will approach working with the new premier-elect, Wab Kinew.

“We’ll be approaching the new Premier of the government just like we did with the PCs, helping them understand Thompson’s realities, our issues and the larger forces at work and how they require a coordinated approach.”

Smook indicated that the city had fared well under Heather Stefanson’s Progressive Conservatives, receiving funding for a number of projects, such as the Myles Hart Bridge, the airport and much of the road work over the past couple years.

However, she also said that Kinew has been to Thompson several times and his promises regarding health care sound hopeful and she feels they are signs of good things to come.

She also hopes to see the NDP MLAs travel up to Thompson to get a feel for the community and our residents.

If you are missing vital pieces of government-issued identification, accessing various financial benefits or government services can be difficult.

On Wednesday, there is an identification clinic and financial services being offered at the multipurpose room of the Ma Mow We Tak Friendship Centre.  

It’s an opportunity to get a free Manitoba birth certificate and health cards, and MKO will have a booth to help with Status Cards, and Service Canada will be on hand to provide help with social insurance numbers, old age security, employment insurance and more.

There will also be help with income tax preparation.

The I.D. event runs this Wednesday from 11 am to 7 pm.  

THOMPSON, MB – Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook and her council colleagues congratulate the NDP and premier-designate Wab Kinew on their historic victory in the October 3 provincial election on behalf of the city’s residents.

The NDP are poised to return to the government side of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly after seven years as the Official Opposition following a campaign that ended with them capturing 34 seats, five more than needed to give them a majority in the legislature when the candidates elected October 3 are officially sworn in. The NDP had 18 seats when the 42^nd Legislative Assembly was dissolved and the general election called.

Kinew, who won the NDP leadership in 2017, becomes Manitoba and Canada’s first First Nations premier with the election victory.

“Thompson, like all municipalities, works closely with the provincial government as it provides services, facilities and infrastructure to its citizens and I know that the strong relationship our city has with the province will continue with this new government,” said Smook.

“As the mayor of a largely Indigenous city in a region in which the majority of the population is Indigenous, I know that many of our residents and those in the surrounding area were overjoyed to see our province elect an Indigenous politician as premier. We are proud of our province for becoming the first in Canada to elect a party with a First Nations leader.”

The mayor also extended congratulations to Thompson MLA-elect Eric Redhead, who captured a second term with a handy victory, and to his fellow northern NDP candidates Amanda Lathlin (The Pas-Kameesak), Tom Lindsey (Flin Flon) and Ian Bushie (Keewatinook).

“Our residents have chosen you to represent their interests and we know that you will do your best to live up to their expectations,” said Smook, noting that she was encouraged that the next premier said during a post-election interview that the provincial government has a responsibility to help address chronic homelessness, not only in Winnipeg but also in Thompson and other Manitoba communities.

The mayor also invited Kinew, who has visited Thompson several times prior to and since becoming NDP leader, most recently a few weeks ago during the election campaign, to travel up to the Hub of North any time he wants, preferably sooner than later.

“Thompsonites are known for their hospitality and I can assure you that we would give a warm welcome to our next premier any time he wants to pay a visit,” Smook said. “Christmas shopping season is just around the corner and Thompson and the North always have a long wish list for the provincial government.”

Driving up from Winnipeg, the mayor suggested, is an excellent way to get a little taste of what it’s like to live in Thompson and why residents would love to have more health care services closer to home, particularly during the winter months.

Media Contact

Ian Graham

Communications Officer

City of Thompson

Tel: 204-677-7929

Email: igraham@thompson.ca

On Saturday,  Thompson RCMP received a report that a 41-year-old woman from Tataskweyak Cree Nation was missing.

She had last been seen September 27th after shopping in Thompson.

She got a ride back toward Tataskweyak Cree Nation, and was dropped off approximately one kilometre outside the community to walk home through the woods.

RCMP conducted patrols both in Thompson and in the area where investigators had been told the woman  was dropped off.

On Sunday, the officers and community members conducted searches in the wooded area surrounding the community, where the woman was located deceased.

An autopsy is being conducted and the investigation continues.

“Cooking Safety Starts with you.  Pay attention for fire prevention.”

That’s this year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week, which runs October 8th to 14th.

Kelvin Taves, Vice President of the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, shares some kitchen fire safety tips.

“Probably the most important tip is that when you leave the kitchen for whatever the reason, turn the stove off. Keep flammables such as towels and plastic storage containers off the stove top, never cook when you are impaired in any way and that could be alcohol, cannabis, medications or even if you are tired.”  

Taves also advised that when cooking with oil to have a lid that fits snugly over the pot or pan you’re using.   That way if a grease fire breaks out you can slide the lid over the fire and snuff it out.

For more fire safety tips you can go to NFPA DOT org or catch Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.

Samaritan’s Purse has kicked off their annual Operation Christmas Child initiative.

One of the local organizers of Operation Christmas Child, Laura Carter, explains that people can fill up a shoebox with gifts for children living in desperate situations around the world.

Carter says that the shoeboxes can be filled with hygiene items, school supplies, and toys like stuff animals and balls.

However, she says that due to customs, shoeboxes should not have liquids or toothpaste, candy, or war-related toys.

In addition to the shoebox, people are also asked to give a ten dollar donation to cover the shipping fee.

This year, the local collection deadline is earlier than usual to ensure that the boxes can get to the collection depots on time. 

You’re asked to drop off the shoeboxes here at 102.9 CHTM on or before November 3^rd. 

Wab Kinew is Manitoba’s new Premier-elect, carrying the NDP to a majority government in yesterday’s election.

The north retained its NDP seats.

Eric Redhead in Thompson, Tom Lindsey in Flin Flon, Ian Bushie in Keewatinook and Amanda Lathlin in The Pas-Kamasack will return to the Legislature as members of the party in power.

Kinew's win makes Manitoba the first Canadian province to elect a First Nations premier.

He thanked Heather Stefanson for her service as premier.

The PC leader announced she will step down as party leader, as did Liberal leader Dougald Lamont who lost his seat in St. Boniface.

The only remaining Liberal in the Manitoba Legislature is Cindy Lamoreux.

Manitoba pharmacists hope to be able to provide more services to the public like their counterparts in other provinces.

For example,  Alberta pharmacists are currently able to do medicine reviews, order lab tests, and have the authority to prescribe for any medication as appropriate.

Darren Murphy, the Board President of Pharmacists Manitoba, shares the benefits of being able to take on these extra duties.

“By pharmacists having an extended scope and being able to provide more services to Manitobans, we can really increase accessibility for those who don’t currently have access to health care. Our profession is trusted, accessible, and both ready and able to do more to help improve the health of Manitobans and our health care system.”

Murphy says delays in regulatory changes and lack of funding are limiting the scope of services Manitoba pharmacists currently provide.

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