Last week’s Smile Cookie Campaign at Tim Horton’s was a huge success.

And 100 per cent of the proceeds are going to the Thompson Regional Humane Society.

According to Board Chair, Oswald Sawh, 12-thousand 873 cookies were sold, meaning the organization will receive over 19-thousand three hundred dollars.

Their goal was to raise 25-thousand dollars to purchase equipment for their animal clinics.

Sawh thanks all the individuals and businesses who purchased cookies and the local businesses who allowed the Humane Society to sell cookies at their locations.

On April 27, 2024, at 12:55 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of an assault at a residence located on Cornell Place in Thompson.

Officers attended to the location and spoke to several residents but could not substantiate what had occurred earlier that morning.

Investigators have been attempting to locate a 20-year-old female who may have information in relation to this incident but efforts to locate her have been negative. Her current whereabouts are unknown but she may have travelled to the City of Winnipeg.

RCMP are requesting assistance in locating Raylene Oman, 20, of Thompson as we now believe her to be missing.

She’s described as being 5’4”, 160lbs with long black hair and brown eyes. No clothing description is available.

If you’ve seen Raylene Oman or have any information on her whereabouts, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909/6911, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
 

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care is reminding people to be vigilant about ticks, take steps to prevent bites and know when to seek treatment. Blacklegged ticks, often called deer ticks, are a risk to human health because they can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease. These diseases can all be serious, particularly in older adults, young children or people with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions.

Public health officials recommend visiting a health-care provider within 72 hours of removing a tick to receive preventative treatment for Lyme disease if:

• the bite was from a reliably identified blacklegged tick; and
• the tick was attached for 36 hours or more, or the tick was engorged (filled with blood).

Blacklegged ticks may be found anytime snow is not on the ground, with peak activity in spring and fall. Due to the health risk posed by blacklegged ticks, it is important to be able to distinguish between them and the more common wood tick. While wood ticks are a nuisance, in Manitoba these species do not transmit diseases. Blacklegged ticks have a red-orange body, black legs and a black spot on their back, and are smaller than wood ticks. Adult females are about the size of a sesame seed. When attached and feeding, blacklegged ticks become larger and change colour to grey and brown. Wood ticks are larger, brownish in colour, with white markings on their back. Photos comparing wood ticks and blacklegged ticks are available at: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/tickborne/about.html

Anyone who finds a tick on animals, humans or in various habitats can submit a picture to have it identified by experts, to confirm if the tick belongs to a species capable of transmitting diseases. For more information or to submit a picture of a tick, visit www.etick.ca.

Reduce your risk of tick bites and disease exposure by:

• applying an appropriate tick repellent on exposed skin and clothing, following label directions;
• wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts;
• tucking in clothing to create a barrier;
• staying to the centre of walking trails;
• inspecting yourself, children and pets after spending time outdoors;
• removing ticks as soon as possible from people and pets, using tweezers; and
• keeping grass and shrubs around homes cut short to create drier environments that are less suitable for tick survival.

Milder winters and shifting weather patterns caused by climate change means ticks are expanding their geographical range to more regions of the province, although southern Manitoba remains the highest-risk area.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. To learn more about blacklegged ticks, tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, prevention and treatment, visit: 
www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/tickborne/.

On May 6, 2024, at 2:05 pm, Shamattawa RCMP received a report of a missing 28-year-old male from the community.

Melvin Lawrence Redhead was last seen in Shamattawa on May 4 wearing brown pants, a green and brown sweater and black shoes.

He is described as being 5’10”, 210 lbs with black hair and brown eyes.

RCMP are requesting the residents of Shamattawa to check their backyards and outbuildings for any sign that Melvin Redhead may have taken shelter.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2351, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

A number of provincial parks in southern Manitoba will welcome campers this weekend, officially kicking off the 2024 season, Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today.

“I know many Manitobans, like me and my family, are eager to head out to the great outdoors to camp at one of our province’s beautiful provincial parks,” said Schmidt. “We encourage all Manitobans to take the opportunity this spring and summer to explore our provincial parks and make lasting memories.”

Campers will notice improvements in several provincial campgrounds this season including:

• redevelopment of the Nutimik Lake Museum in Whiteshell Provincial Park;
• new playgrounds at Kiche Manitou in Spruce Woods, Winnipeg Beach, White Lake in Whiteshell and Whitefish Lake;
• completed work on water and wastewater treatment system upgrades at Asessippi, Birds Hill and Paint Lake provincial parks; and
• new washroom and shower facility at Bakers Narrows Provincial Park.

All other provincial park campgrounds will open for the May long weekend. Manitobans can make a reservation for campsites, cabins, yurts and group-use areas through the Parks Reservation Service, online at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling (toll-free) 1-888-482-2267.

Reminders for visitors and campers at Manitoba provincial parks include:

• check the Manitoba Parks website at www.manitobaparks.com for advisories before travelling;
• buy and print provincial park vehicle permits online before leaving home at www.manitobaelicensing.ca;
• all campers must check in at campground offices upon arrival to receive camping permits;
• have reservation confirmation and personal identification ready for check-in;
• be ‘Wildlife Smart’ by maintaining a clean campsite, keeping all food, trash, toiletries and cooking utensils locked in a vehicle or trailer, and pack out trash and recyclables before leaving;
• keep all pets on leash; and
• keep all campfires in approved pits such as those found in campsites and check with the campground office for any campfire restriction.
•  

Do not transport firewood from Winnipeg to areas outside the city to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer, an invasive species of beetle. To avoid charges and fines, purchase firewood from local retailers at or near most campgrounds.

For more information on provincial parks, visit? www.manitobaparks.com and follow Manitoba Parks on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

“Cigarettes cause cancer,""Tobacco smoke harms children" and "Poison in every puff."

Those are some of the messages smokers will find on their cigarettes as of August 1st when new legislation kicks in.

This will make Canada the first country to approach the deterrence of tobacco use in this fashion.

Dr. Michael Chaiton with the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, says it is easy to become addicted to tobacco.

“In our current environment, I think it is one of the most addictive. That’s partially because it’s one of the most easiest to obtain and they are more socially acceptable to be able to use in more places. The products themselves are also really streamlined and engineered in order to become the most addictive as possible.”  

Chaiton said past anti-smoking campaigns directed at cigarette packaging have helped reduce smoking in youth.

But he did add that vaping, which was originally created to be a smoking-cessation product, has become popular with younger people who previously hadn’t used tobacco.  

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

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Emergency Management Organization is notifying Manitobans the National Public Alerting System, Alert Ready, is scheduled to issue an emergency alert test message on multiple communication channels tomorrow, May 8, at 1:55 p.m. CDT.

Testing of all components is an important and necessary part of any public alerting system. It provides an opportunity to validate and improve the end-to-end performance and reliability of the system to ensure it operates as it is intended on TV, radio and compatible wireless devices. Test alerts also educate the public on what an emergency alert will look and sound like in the event of a life-threatening situation.

The test alert will be distributed on TV, radio and compatible wireless devices. However, not all Manitobans will receive the test alert on their mobile devices. This may occur for various reasons including device compatibility, connection to an LTE network, cell tower coverage and device software and settings.

For contact information and questions about the upcoming test alert, visit: 
www.alertready.ca/.

Support sick kids and their families tomorrow during McHappy Day.

Purchase any item on McDonald’s menu tomorrow and a portion of proceeds will go to fund the important work of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

RMHC CEO, Wendy Galagan, provides details about their growth here in Manitoba.

“We opened our new house in September of 2022 and we grew from 14 bedrooms to 40, from 11 thousand square feet to 60 thousand square feet and that was really in response to the needs of Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and surrounding areas.”

In 2023, RMHC supported 1327 families and provided almost 11-thousand nights of accommodation.

These families came from over 292 communities in Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and beyond.

RMHC saved families over $3.4 million in out-of-pocket expenses as they provide accommodations, meals, transportation, parking, and other day-to-day essentials.

Find out more about RMHC and McHappy Days at thompsononline.ca.

On May 4, 2024, at 1:45 am, Chemawawin RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence located in Easterville.

Officers attended to the address and located a 32-year-old female in critical condition. EMS attended the scene and provided medical attention but the victim succumbed to her injuries.

A second victim, a 35-year-old female, was located a short distance away with non-life-threatening injuries. She was transported to hospital in Winnipeg where she remains in stable condition.

RCMP have arrested two female youths, ages of 14 and 13, in relation to this homicide. They remain in police custody at this time.
 

Chemawawin RCMP, along with RCMP Major Crimes Services and Forensic Identification Services, continue to investigate.

On May 4, 2024, at 7:50 pm, South Indian Lake RCMP responded to a report of a deceased male located in a wooded area outside the community.

Officers attended and located a 61-year-old male with obvious injuries.

The death is being treated as a homicide.

South Indian Lake RCMP, along with RCMP Major Crimes Services and Forensic Identification Services, continue to investigate.

The Manitoba government is establishing a new $15-million endowment fund to enable a grant program offering supports to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit (MMIWG2S+) relatives, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for women and gender equity, announced today.

“This is a transformative, historic announcement for MMIWG2S+ relatives, one that recognizes the needs of families and the work we can do together,” said Fontaine. “This fund will ensure a stable long-term commitment to help meet the needs and support families for years to come.”

The endowment fund will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and revenue generated will be used to provide application-based grants for MMIWG2S+ families to heal, learn and empower. The initial investment is expected to generate up to $750,000 per year, which will be paid out in grants, noted the minister. The initial investment will continue to grow, allowing the grant program to continue in perpetuity.

The minister noted the first intake for the new grant program is expected to launch in 2025. The Manitoba government will work with MMIWG2S+ families, the Matriarch Circle and community partners in the coming months to develop grant eligibility and distribution guidelines.

The fund is the first foundational initiative of the Manitoba government’s new multi-year Strategy and Action Plan on Empowering and Protecting Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples, which is being supported by Cora Morgan, Manitoba’s special advisor on Indigenous women’s issues and secretary to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples and Gender-Based Violence Committee of Cabinet.

This investment aligns with the Calls for Justice in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls including the call to provide continual and accessible healing programs and support for the children of MMIWG2S+ people and their families.

The Winnipeg Foundation is a registered charity and community foundation that distributes funds to support organizations in Winnipeg and beyond. For more information, www.wpgfdn.org.

The Manitoba government is presenting its latest project to help address the housing needs in Manitoba, with capital funding, rent supplements and in-kind contributions to bolster the redevelopment of 575 Balmoral, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing housing access for those who need it most, Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith announced today.

"Our government is pleased to support the redevelopment of 575 Balmoral, which will address some of the most pressing housing needs of First Nations youth in Winnipeg,” said Smith. “I believe wholeheartedly that our collaborative efforts must be focused on supporting youth and families with young children who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. From emergency housing and wraparound supports to social housing, the Manitoba government is taking action to improve housing across the spectrum including projects like this one that prioritize the well-being of our young ones and will allow them to thrive and become future leaders in our communities.”

As the successful proponent of Manitoba Housing’s negotiated request for proposals to redevelop the site, the Manitoba government is donating the land to the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC). The WHRC will receive the property and buildings located at 575 Balmoral St. and up to $2.2 million in capital funding toward its redevelopment, which will include the construction of a new 30-unit building. The Manitoba government is also providing funding of approximately $577,000 annually to ensure all units can be rented on a rent-geared-to-income basis and that wraparound supports can be provided by project partners.

“Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation is honored to be selected to re-develop 575 Balmoral,” said James Heinrichs, executive director, Winnipeg Housing and Renewal Corporation. “With concerted efforts, collaborative support and commitment from all levels of government, this project will provide a home and hope for one of our most vulnerable populations, youth at risk of homelessness. We are eager to move this project forward with our partners: the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ First Nations Family Advocate Office and Spence Neighbourhood Association, who will be instrumental in providing on-site support services and community care crucial to fulfil the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of our youth and prevent the recurrence of homelessness. Together, we will make great strides towards ending our homelessness and housing crisis.”

WHRC will partner with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ First Nations Family Advocate Office and Spence Neighbourhood Association’s Youth Homelessness Program to provide housing and wraparound supports to youth exiting the child welfare system and to expectant parents at risk of Child and Family Services involvement.

“This historic partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to support First Nations youth who find themselves here in the city,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “Our partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with a common purpose – to uplift and support the next generation. By providing a foundation upon which they can build a stronger, brighter future, we are not just investing in individual lives but in the collective future of all First Nations. We continue to envision a future where every First Nations child grows up in a safe, nurturing environment surrounded by their culture, language and traditions. Today marks an important step towards building the foundation to which this can be achieved."

Budget 2024 delivers on the government of Manitoba’s commitment to end chronic homelessness. It invests over $116 million for the construction and upkeep of social and affordable housing initiatives.

To learn more, visit www.manitoba.ca/budget2024.

The City of Thompson has formally terminated its contract with Maple Bus Lines for the operation of local transit.

The termination, effective May 3, is the result of ongoing service delivery issues.

Council will discuss the contract termination at their Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, May 6.

There will be no transit service until further notice

The Manitoba government is providing financial support for two projects that will create 46 new social housing units that target immediate community needs, Housing, Addictions, and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith announced today.

“Through meaningful partnerships with community housing providers and significant investments, our government is increasing the social housing supply in Manitoba,” said Smith. “I am pleased to announce we will be providing up to $5.25 million in capital funding for the creation of 46 new units of social housing that will support Manitobans with safe, inclusive housing and wraparound supports to set them on a life-changing path.”

As a result of investments from Manitoba Housing, these two projects will receive funding in the form of secured, fully forgivable loans for the development of social rental housing units.

Led by the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation 2.0 (UWCRC 2.0), a four-storey, 15-unit building in downtown Winnipeg will serve as second-stage transitional housing for Indigenous and newcomer women and children who have faced gender-based violence. Partners in the project include Ikwe-Widdjitiwin, Family Dynamics and New Journey Housing. The Manitoba government is dedicating $2.25 million for its construction.

“Miigwech to the Manitoba government for prioritizing the need for transitional housing for Indigenous and Newcomer women and children impacted by gender-based violence,” said Kim Fontaine, executive director, Ikwe-Widdjiitiwin. “The ability to transition families to a home that is layered in support and is safe and affordable provides the family the ability to continue on their healing journey in the best way possible.  It allows them to live a life free of violence and to thrive. We are so thankful to be a partner in this project.”

The government has also earmarked $3 million for a new six-storey, 154-unit complex situated in Transcona, spearheaded by the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation (WHRC). This development will include 31 social housing units with several designed to be fully accessible, ensuring accommodation for individuals with diverse mobility needs.

“Following our success with Sir Paul Martin Estates, we are honored the Manitoba government is committed to supporting our new development in Transcona as the need for affordable housing extends beyond the confines of our city’s core” said James Heinrichs, executive director, Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation. “Together with several social support partners, this mixed income project will create a truly inclusive supportive community, welcoming all in need of affordable housing, including those with physical challenges at risk of homelessness and starting their journey through the community housing and support system.  We are excited to work with all levels of government and our partners to move this project forward.”

“This marks another significant step forward in our collective efforts to address homelessness and provide vital support to our community,” added Smith. “I can’t wait to see these projects come to life as we take another step forward in our commitment to end chronic homelessness in our province and provide essential support to our communities.”

The Manitoba government will provide rent supplements to ensure the units are rented to eligible tenants on a rent-geared-to-income basis, which helps ensure people are housed longer term, noted Smith. Additional funding will also support residents with wraparound services to help them maintain successful tenancies. Together, annual funding amounts to $419,000 to UWCRC 2.0 and $334,000 to WHRC.

The Manitoba government reiterated its commitment to making rural communities safer and Manitobans feel safe through its five-point plan that includes strengthening the province’s bail system and developing a new provincewide strategy to reduce crime and make communities safer, Premier Wab Kinew and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced here today.

“We have been hearing so much about public safety and crime from Swan River,” said Kinew. “In the past few years we’ve heard about business locking their doors, frustrations with a revolving door of chronic offenders and average families worrying about the future of their community. It’s really hit home for us. We’re here to take action. We have a five-point plan to reform bail that will build a direct response to the issues in this community and others and set the stage for a long-term approach that will make a difference. Our plan is grounded in a commitment to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”

The minister noted the plan includes:

Bolstering Crown bail policies. Crown attorneys were recently equipped with enhanced policies that include considering impacts of bail on victims and the community, particularly in cases of intimate partner violence and chronic violent offenders. Crown attorneys assess whether detention is necessary to maintain public confidence in the justice system and public safety having regard to all the circumstances including any relevant community perspective.

Investing more than $500,000 to implement an enhanced Community Monitoring and Supervision Program. This program will provide intensive supervision and expanded supports to chronic offenders with better mental-health and substance-use supports.

Investing in law enforcement resources. The province is giving police the resources they need to help track down offenders who violate their bail conditions by investing $3 million for 12 new officer positions whose primary focus will be to arrest offenders who pose a serious risk to the safety and well-being of the community including those charged with intimate partner violence offences.

Data and intelligence through business intelligence. The province is investing $514,000 to expand capabilities to provide robust reporting capacity to inform decision-making at provincial and federal levels. This expanded capacity will enable information to be more widely shared with other jurisdictions and policing agencies.?

A public safety summit, which was hosted earlier this week.

“Manitobans in every part of our province deserve to feel safe in their community,” said Wiebe. “With our five-point plan on bail reform, we are taking action on public safety in Manitoba, making our communities safer with investments in monitoring and supervision, stronger policies for Crown attorneys and more tools for law enforcement. Together, these changes will help us create a future where every Manitoban feels safe in their community.”?

The public safety summit brought together a variety of community leaders from across Manitoba including representatives from Indigenous leadership and organizations, law enforcement, restorative justice, victims service organizations, municipalities, advocates serving vulnerable populations and other agencies, to discuss shared priorities and how to address the root causes of crime.

Feedback from the public safety summit will be incorporated into a provincewide strategy to reduce crime and make communities safer, which will be released in late September. The justice minister will discuss public safety in partnership with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities at district meetings in the Parkland and other regions.

For more information about Manitoba Prosecution Services policies visit: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/crown/prosecutions/policy.html.

On April 24, 2024, as a result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking within the City of Thompson, RCMP officers with the Thompson General Investigative Section (GIS), along with assistance from Thompson Detachment officers and Police Dog Services (PDS), executed a search warrant at a residence located on Yale Avenue.

The search of the property led to the seizure of approximately $10,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine, drug packaging paraphernalia and weapons.

A 16-year-old male youth was arrested on scene and later released for a court appearance scheduled for August 23, 2024, in Thompson, where he will face charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Production of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Thompson RCMP continue to investigate.

Tomorrow, the 33rd Annual Trade Show and Sale kicks off at 4 o’clock.

You can expect an arena filled with local and out-of-town vendors providing a wide variety of goods and services.

There will also be non-profit organizations at the show, looking to provide you with information about what they do.

The show will run tomorrow from 4 until 10 pm, Saturday from ten until eight, and Sunday from eleven until three.

Everything is taking place at the C.A. Nesbitt Arena.    Admission is free.

The Manitoba government has appointed a new chairperson and full-time vice-chairperson to the Manitoba Labour Board, Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino announced today.

“The Manitoba Labour Board has the important role of assisting Manitobans and employers by ensuring fair and efficient resolution of labour matters,” said Marcelino. “I am pleased to welcome Karine Pelletier and Helen Krahn, both highly respected labour and administrative lawyers with adjudicative experience, to their new roles on the board. I also want to thank outgoing chair Colin S. Robinson for more than 20 years of service with the board and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Pelletier, the board’s current full-time vice-chairperson, has been appointed to chairperson to replace Robinson, whose term expired April 30. Pelletier is a mediator and arbitrator who practices in labour, employment, human rights and administrative law.

Krahn, who was a part-time vice-chairperson, has been appointed to full-time vice-chairperson. Krahn is an arbitrator on the Manitoba Labour Board’s list of arbitrators and a deputy chief commissioner at the Residential Tenancies Commission.

“I am thrilled to be offered the opportunity to serve as the Manitoba Labour Board’s next chairperson,” said Pelletier. “The board is well-respected in the community due in large part to individuals who have served before me. I am eager to continue to build on our successes, strengthening relationships and serving our labour and employment community.”

The Manitoba Labour Board is an independent and autonomous specialist tribunal responsible for the fair and efficient administration and adjudication of responsibilities assigned to it under the Labour Relations Act. The board also has statutory responsibilities under 13 other statues including the Employment Standards Code, the Construction Industry Wages Act and the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

The Manitoba Labour Board consists of a chairperson, vice-chairpersons and an equal number of members representing employees and employers.

On May 1, 2024, at approximately 9:00 am, Gypsumville RCMP responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in Lake St. Martin First Nation. Officers responded immediately and located a deceased adult female on scene. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

The incident does not appear to be random.

RCMP Major Crime Services is en route to the community to take carriage of the investigation.

More information will be provided when it becomes available.

Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara met with more than 120 front-line health-care workers at Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg last night to hear their concerns, experiences and ideas on the sixth stop of their health-care listening tour.

“After listening to the amazing team at HSC Winnipeg, it’s crystal clear that we have to step up our game when it comes to keeping our health-care workers safe and sound,” said Kinew. “As we continue our listening tour, we continue to hear feedback from front-line workers about how we can improve patient care, lower wait times and make the system a better place to work. That feedback informs the decisions we make as a government every day – including our vision for the future of health care. I want to thank all the workers who have the taken time to share their thoughts with us. Together, we can fix health care.”

Kinew and Asagwara noted the HSC Winnipeg stop on the health-care listening tour was their largest attended event yet.

“We can’t fix health care without working with and listening to health-care workers,” said Asagwara. “HSC Winnipeg is a pillar in our health-care system, providing complex and specialized care to those that need it most. The concerns and experiences we heard last night will inform our creative solutions moving forward. I look forward to what we will accomplish together.”

The in-person listening tour will continue over the next few months with stops in rural Manitoba at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach and Thompson General Hospital. More locations will be added in the future, noted the minister.

Health-care workers can anonymously share their experiences, current views of the health-care system, thoughts on work-life balance and suggestions on how to improve Manitoba’s health care through EngageMB at https://engagemb.ca/listeningtothefrontline.

As part of its commitment to making Manitobans feel safer at home, school and work, the Manitoba government is hosting a public safety summit to discuss pathways to reduce crime, keep communities safe and address the root causes of crime, Premier Wab Kinew and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today.

“Too many Manitobans are feeling unsafe at home, at work and in our communities, while at the same time more Manitobans are struggling with chronic homelessness, mental health and addictions, and we know more needs to be done to address these issues,” said Kinew. “Our government is reaching out to stakeholders across the province to get their input as we work to make sure Manitoba families feel safe in their communities. We believe that we can do big things if we come together as one Manitoba.”

The public safety summit brought together a variety of community leaders from across Manitoba, including representatives from Indigenous leadership and organizations, law enforcement, restorative justice, victims service organizations, municipalities, advocates serving vulnerable populations and other agencies, to discuss shared priorities and how to address the root causes of crime.

“Manitobans deserve to feel safe no matter where they live or work,” said Wiebe. “This summit is one part of our government’s plan to get tough on crime and the root causes of crime. We want to hear ideas from community leaders on how to make Manitoba safer.”

Sessions at the summit included:

mental health, addictions and homelessness;

youth violence;

gender-based violence and MMIWG2S+;

rural and northern safety;

access to justice and victim services;

vandalism, theft and property crime;

law enforcement;

organized crime; and

strengthening the Criminal Code.
 

Feedback from the summit will be incorporated into a provincewide strategy to reduce crime and make communities safer. The justice minister noted he will continue to meet with stakeholders across the province throughout the spring and summer in preparation for a strategy, which will be released in late September.

Early Saturday morning, a man and woman were wounded in separate attacks near Brandon Crescent in Thompson by a group of youth.

Just after midnight, a 33-year-old man arrived at the hospital with a stab wound believed to be caused by a  machete.

He had been walking in the Brandon Crescent area when he was approached by three or four young males who asked the victim for a cigarette. He was then physically assaulted and injured by the weapon.

Later,  while RCMP were patrolling in the area of Brandon Crescent and Queen’s Bay, an injured female flagged them down.   She was also approached by three or four males who asked her for a cigarette. She was then physically assaulted and injured by what is  believed to be a machete.

Both victims were treated and released at the hospital.

If you have information about these assaults, please call Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909 or go to manitobacrimestoppers.com.

This Wednesday, an elite group of musicians from the University of Manitoba will share their skills with local music students.

Kevin Lewis, the Music Director at R.D. Parker Collegiate, shares the details.

“The University of Manitoba Wind Ensemble is their top concert band performing ensemble. There are 49 musicians who will be coming up to Thompson that are part of a Northern Manitoba tour. They are going to be playing with students from RD Park Collegiate and working with them along with a couple of other schools in the North of Manitoba.”  

On Wednesday night at 7 in the Letkemann Theatre, the Wind Ensemble will be joined on stage by the R.D. Parker Concert band and the Thompson Community Band.

The community is invited to attend and the cost of admission is free.

As part of a commitment to build safer, healthier communities where individuals, children, youth and families can thrive, the Manitoba government is launching a new community development program that will focus on revitalization and community building in high-needs neighbourhoods, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Ian Bushie announced here today.

“Our government believes in revitalizing, supporting and building communities from the ground up to create healthier and safer neighbourhoods in Manitoba,” said Bushie. “It is our goal to support Manitobans where and when they need us most. We encourage all eligible applicants to apply for the From the Ground Up program and thank everyone for their continued efforts in helping our communities grow and thrive.”

The Manitoba government is investing $12.5 million to launch the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for All program, which will focus on the revitalization of high-needs neighbourhoods throughout Manitoba and community infrastructure and initiatives to support poverty and crime reduction efforts.

Grants under the program will support initiatives in the areas of community capacity building, community economic development, well-being and recreation, and housing and safety co-ordination supports.

“As an organization with a mandate surrounding capacity building, advocacy, community development, recreation, housing and homelessness we are driven by the people that we serve.” said Rushana Newman, executive director, Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation. “We strive to engage in initiatives aimed at community revitalization. From the Ground Up is clearly built in the true spirit of community revitalization. In every community there are a group of non-profits, businesses, residents and clients who are working with their municipal governments to develop and revitalize their communities but they are unable to do so without supports. A big thank you to our provincial partners for giving us hope by means of this new program. We look forward to leveraging these funds within our community to build a better Brandon.”

Intake for the program will launch today and eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, Northern Affairs community councils and municipalities. The intake deadline is May 31.

Under the program, applicants can apply for funding under the following three streams:

Community Renewal Initiatives;

Community Spaces; and

Healthy, Safe, Connected Children and Youth.
 

In addition, the program will also invest in expanding and extending service for children and youth programs. The province has allocated $800,000 for non-application-based strategic partnerships to support after school and weekend programs in high-needs areas in Winnipeg, Brandon and Thompson.

The new program will repurpose the former Building Sustainable Communities program. From the Ground Up will focus on supporting community renewal initiatives and improving neighbourhoods and community spaces that are most in need, the minister noted.

This initiative aligns with commitments made in Budget 2024 to invest in community supports to build safe and healthy communities for all Manitobans.

To learn more and apply for the From the Ground Up program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/grants/.

The Manitoba government will soon require Manitoba public sector organizations to make information and communication more accessible, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced today.

“So much of our world revolves around access to information and Manitobans should not face barriers when accessing digitally, in print or through interactions with technology or people,” said Fontaine. “The accessible information and communication standard removes barriers and ensures we all strive to identify, reduce and remove barriers for everyone, including the one-in-three Manitobans with a disability.”

As of May 1, Manitoba public sector organizations will have to comply with the accessible information and communication standard regulation under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA). The standard improves accessibility by:

building on existing requirements of the Human Rights Code;

requiring websites and web content to follow globally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 standards to a minimum level AA;

requiring organizations to provide information in an accessible format or through a communication support if requested;

requiring organizations to develop a feedback process, implement policies and practices to enhance accessibility and provide training to relevant staff; and

setting specific requirements for supporting the purchase of accessible library resources within public libraries and supporting accessible material for students at educational institutions.
 

The minister noted an online training module on the requirements of the standard is available on the Manitoba Accessibility Office’s AMA learning portal. Presented in plain language, the training includes examples of how to comply, tips for best practices and other useful resources.

The accessible information and communication standard regulation is the third standard under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. For more information or to take the training, visit: https://accessibilitymb.ca./.

For more information on WCAG guidelines, visit www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/glance/.