It has only been operating for a week, but operation of the temporary emergency department at Dauphin Regional Health Centre has been smooth.
“Any little challenge that has come up, we’ve been able to quickly work together to find solutions,” said Prairie Mountain Health chief executive officer Treena Slate.
“Thanks to the excellent planning that went into establishing the ER in Dauphin with the concerted efforts of our clinical teams, the physicians and nurses, and support staff and the lab and diagnostic staff, everything has gone very well.”
The idea of temporarily rebooting emergency medical services in the existing space came up late in the process of evaluating options, Slate added, which included evaluating other spaces, as well as the use of trailers and tents.
Once the idea of moving back into the main floor of DRHC was identified, everything came together quickly.
“Our contracting partners informed us that we might be able to access and energize undamaged air handling units on the roof of the emergency department. Once we found out that it was going to be a possibility to use the actual emergency room space, we were very excited about that,” Slate said, adding the advice was received in mid-August.
“We quickly came together to get plans in place to make it happen. So, it’s just tremendous that we were able to achieve that.”
The project was possible due to recent renovations on the emergency department, which included new, dedicated air handling. However, Slate stressed the solution remains a temporary one as much of the infrastructure for that newer part of the building was submerged in flood water in the basement and damaged.
“But fortunately there was several air handling units positioned on top of that newer part that we were able to tie power into,” she said.
“We’re still dealing with temporary power. It’s not generator power, it’s directly from Hydro, but it’s shunted more temporarily into the building than the permanent structures will be. If you look at the outside of the building, you’ll see some cabling going up to the air handling units.
“That was all done in recent weeks. So, it’s just amazing what the electrical engineers were able to accomplish, and the contractors, the construction company, and the mechanical engineering people, as well.”
With this big hurdle out of the way, PMH can now start to focus on returning other services to the community.
Saying she wants it all, right now, Slate knows that is asking a bit much under the circumstances, given the situation.
“We know that there’s limitations, given that we’re dealing with limited power sources and still most of the air handling units for the building were damaged and have to be replaced. So, there’s limited capacity, with what we have and with what was not damaged, what can we do? I think that’s the question right now,” she said.
“We’re looking at what else can be accessed on that main floor space as a starting point. We still need our elevators in service, so that we can access our upper floors. Several of our elevators actually have to be replaced, which is going to take a little while. So we’re looking at all possible solutions.”
Those solutions might included repurposing space on the hospital’s main floor into interim care space, she added.
In the meantime, a mobile CT scanner is on its way and should be operational by the end of the month, however, while the MRI is located on the main floor of the facility, there is not a sufficient enough power supply to get it operational.
“We’re exploring every option and we’ll know more in the weeks to come from the engineers involved on what might be possible. But we definitely want to get that going as soon as we can, for sure,” Slate said.
Work is also underway to move care services such as dialysis and cancer care closer to home, especially considering winter is approaching and travel will be difficult for patients, she said, adding PMH hopes to make some announcements soon.
In the meantime, clean up continues in the crawl space of DRHC, while restoration work is underway in other parts of the basement.
A timeline for the complete reopening of the facility remains elusive.
“But we are working actively with our contractors to get that as soon as we can. We want to know more than anybody what we can open next,” Slate said, adding endoscopy is high on the list of priorities.
“We keep working and haven’t slowed down our pace on this at all just because the emergency department is open. Everything is still in action. We’re still working really hard to get some solutions to open more services as soon as we can,” she said, adding parts are being ordered and will be installed as they arrive.
“I know (having the hospital closed) creates so much concern for folks, especially those who have limited access to transportation. We recognize that and it causes lots of angst for us as a service delivery organization not having all the inpatient bed capacity that we’re used to in Dauphin.
“I just want to reassure the public that all emergency room services that normally were available in the Dauphin ER are available right now in the Dauphin ER.”

When you want to know how people are doing, the logical thing to do is ask them.
That is exactly what the Manitoba Progressive Conservative caucus did during a three-day visit to Dauphin last week.
“Anytime we can get out and meet the great people of Manitoba, it’s well worth it and Dauphin, with all the stuff they’ve gone through in this last year here with the flood and the hospital, it’s great to get the caucus out . . . and hear from them what their concerns are,” said party leader Obby Khan.
“When you get 20 MLAs up here and all of the staff, it’s a great time to get out and meet people in Manitoba. So, I take full advantage of it as a leader and I’m really enjoying our time up here.”
Following a meeting with area municipal councils and community organizations, as well as some good old fashioned door knocking, Khan said it was clear what is forefront in the minds of community residents.
“The issues, they cover a wide range, but they’re all focused on the same thing. They’re all on the flood and what this government is doing to help, the delay in response and action from this government when the premier promised that he will help every Manitoban,” Khan said.
“So people are really concerned about that, that the premier said he’ll leave no Manitoban behind and they feel like they’re being left behind.”
Public safety and crime was another major theme, the same as it is across the province.
“I was actually shocked to hear from the chamber and a few other organizations that that was their number one concern after dealing with the floods, crime and safety in Dauphin and surrounding communities,” he said, which ties in with uncertainty around the future of Dauphin Regional Health Centre.
“People are tired of announcements. They want action. So, although the ER is opened, they want to know when surgeries could be back online, when people will be able to receive chemotherapy, when the MRI machine will be operating. People want answers, they don’t want empty announcements. That’s the overarching message I take away, dealing with the floods and just empty announcements.
“When are they going to build the jail like they promised? When are they going to tackle the real problems that they’re having in the community? So that’s been the reoccurring theme is that people don’t want announcements, they want action.”
Information like that gathered in Dauphin last week, informs the PC strategy as it goes forward in attempting to find practical solutions to the challenges Manitobans are facing, Khan said.
And the challenges are the same across the province, Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt said.
“No matter where you go, cost of living is a big thing, affordability. People are having trouble putting groceries on the table, saving money, things like that. Young people are having trouble saving money to make down payments on houses and things like that,” he said.
“So, we’ve got to get the economy moving, that’s what we’ve got to do. The economy has been stagnant under Wab Kinew, nothing’s been happening.”
Manitoba has so much untapped potential, Khan added, but the NDP government doesn’t seem to support development.
“What has our premier done in the last year and a half? He said no to a pipeline in the south that Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta said yes to. He said no to a $4 billion investment in the province of Manitoba. He has said no to every major project. There’s not one major project in this province happening right now,” Khan said.
“And there’s nothing on the horizon in real terms other than the talk of Churchill, which, although I think most Manitobans and we agree is an amazing aspiration to work towards, but it’s not going to help people today put food on the table. That’s the reality of the world we live in and the premier doesn’t live in that world.”
And while effecting change can be difficult from the opposition side of the Legislature, Khan promised he will continue to hold the premier and the government to account on the issues which matter most - the economy, health care, public safety and more.
“What I can hopefully get him to do is admit the truth to Manitobans, that he has failed them on every single one of his promises,” Khan said, adding he hopes last week’s caucus retreat in Dauphin sends the message that his party is looking out for them.
“The Parkland plays a key role in Manitoba’s growth and economic success. But it’s not enough to just say that. We have to make sure that local communities actually see themselves as partners in Manitoba’s prosperity, and that no one is getting left behind.
“Dauphin families have been hit from all angles over the past few months - a shuttered hospital, devastating flooding, tariffs, and so on. Our Progressive Conservative team wants to show these families that we are here for them every step of the way.”

The Dauphin Kings finished the Manitoba Junior Hockey League preseason with a 3-2 record after a sweep of a home-and-home with the Neepawa Titans.
The Kings handed the Titans a 5-1 loss, Wednesday in Souris, before completing the sweep with a 4-2 victory in Dauphin, Friday.
Kings head coach and general manager Bryan Kromm was pleased with the team’s play in the two wins.
“I think it was nice to see our group start to gel a little bit and start to implement some of the stuff that we’re trying to teach with them. It was a step in the right direction,” he said.
“It’s good for the players to feel good about themselves going into the regular season, for sure.”
Kromm was most impressed with how well the players have come together as a team.
“It’s been great to watch over these last couple of weeks how well these guys are buying in and how much they love each other. It’s been great to see,” he said.
The Kings will now prepare for the season opener, Friday, in Selkirk against the Steelers, with the home opener going Saturday, at 7 p.m. at Credit Union Place.
The team will continue to work on its structure in practice leading up to Friday.
“We’ve already started building towards for games. I think we’re in a good place and we’ve just got to keep the train moving,” he said.
Final cuts were made following Friday’s game.
“That’s just part of the process. But I’m really proud of the guys that were here and the effort that they gave us over the last two weeks,” he said.
Kromm is pleased with the team he has chosen to start the season with and knows there will be some growing pains with it being a younger squad.
“But as long as they’re working hard and they believe in the process, then it’s going to be a good season,” he said.
The games marked the first time Kromm was on the bench as he watched the previous three games from the stands.
It was a way better experience, he said, not having to hear comments from fans.
The Kings made a pair of deals over the weekend, acquiring defenceman Beckham Garchinski from the Niverville Nighthawks in exchange for a player development fee (PDF) and the MJHL rights to forward Ethan Stewart.
Garchinski, 19, began last season with the Virden Oil Capitals, where he had one goal and one assist in nine games. In seven games with Niverville, he had three assists.
The other deal completed the trade which sent Matthew O’Sullivan to the Northern Manitoba Blizzard in the summer.
At the time the trade was announced, Dauphin received a PDF. Now they have added 19-year-old forward Carson Meyer, who tallied one goal and one assist in 27 games with the Blizzard last season.

The start of the Rural Manitoba Football League season was postponed for a week after the Transcona Nationals folded less than a week before the season was to start.
As a result, the schedule was remade, with the Dauphin Clippers now opening the season at home, Sept. 20, against the St. Vital Mustangs at 1 p.m.
Clippers coach Nathan Thacker said the delay will actually benefit the local high school team.
“We’ve still struggled right up until the last couple of weeks with numbers. So we had a little influx with school starting,” he said.
“So this is going to give us an opportunity to prepare some kids a little more that were already there. But also, potentially, get some of our younger ones a chance to get a couple plays in on offence or defence and specialty teams.”
While he liked the idea of starting the season against Neepawa as originally scheduled, because of the proximity, Thacker understands changes had to be made for everybody.
With an extra week to practice, Thacker said the focus will be on execution on both sides of the ball.
“Knowing your responsibility. Making sure everyone is safe. The idea that it’s still your first game of the year, you’re in that spot where you’ve tackled each other, but you haven’t tackled someone that you don’t know.
“And the speed of the game means that tackles are a bigger collision than they are in practices. And on offence, when you’re going to catch a ball, our defensive guys generally put their hands on you and say, ‘hey, get your head up.’ You’re not liable to see that from an opposing team. So we get a little more time to prepare for that.”
The game against St. Vital will be a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which the Winnipeg school won.
Thacker knows the Mustangs will be well prepared. Being a club team, he said, they will have had good numbers throughout training camp.
“And now with them being the only club team in Winnipeg this season, they’re not going to be short of bodies,” he said.
“But they also have a long trip to make. I don’t think teams in the city naturally like driving for three-and-a-half hours to play a game.”

The Swan Valley Bengals girls’ football team kicked off their season at the SVRSS field this past Sunday (Sept. 13), hosting the Melville Vipers. While they came out on the wrong end of the score, it was an excellent football experience and, for many, their first ever game action. (TOP) Maddie Buchanan gets her grip on a Melville ball carrier in hopes of bringing her down. See more on B2

Members of CMHA Swan Valley and the greater community walked around downtown Swan River at noonhour on Thursday (Sept. 10) as part of World Suicide Prevention Day. World Suicide Prevention Day is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, with the purpose of raising awareness around the globe so suicide can be prevented. In Canada, approximately 12 people die from suicide every day and is the leading cause of death among youth and young adults between ages of 15 and 34. The demographic with the highest rate of death by suicide is those between 50-64 years of age, with men being three times more likely to experience death by suicide than women.

Drivers across the province can stay safe this winter by applying to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s Winter Tire Program.
Manitoba winters come with very cold temperatures and harsh road conditions, including packed snow, blowing snow, slush and ice. Winter tires are designed with rubber compounds that remain flexible in frigid temperatures, allowing the tread to conform to the road rather than becoming hard and losing grip.
“Wintertime in Manitoba means snowy and slippery roads, and as a result we consistently see the highest number of collisions between November and March,” said Maria Campos, MPI’s Vice President and Chief Customer and Product Officer. “Winter tires reduce collisions by 6.3 per cent, and vehicles equipped with winter tires may experience less severe damage in crashes.”
Winter tires should be installed when temperatures stay below +7°C. It’s a common misconception that all-season tires are sufficient for handling winter roads; tests show a full set of winter tires has better traction below -30°C than all-season tires and stop much faster on ice.
“MPI’s Winter Tire Program was created to keep Manitobans safe on the roads in winter,” said Campos. “For the past 12 years, MPI has been providing loans for tires that are engineered to handle these conditions through low-interest financing options that make them a more affordable investment.”
The Winter Tire Program, which provides financing of up to $2,000 for the purchase of eligible winter tires and related equipment, has provided over 287,000 loans to Manitobans worth over $387 million since it began in 2014.
To ensure program funding supports tires that deliver the greatest safety benefits in winter driving conditions, effective October 1, 2026, only manufacturer designated winter tires that display the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol will be eligible under the program.
Customers considering a tire purchase are encouraged to speak with any of the over 670 participating retailers across Manitoba to ensure the tires they select meet program eligibility requirements. Financing terms are between one and four years. The retailer will confirm eligibility and begin the loan authorization process. Manitobans can check their eligibility and learn more about the program at mpi.mb.ca/winter-tire-program.

The Arctic Gateway Group celebrated their first ever export shipment of Manitoba potash for PADCOM to Belgium, alongside their third successful year of zinc shipments from Hudbay Minerals. As PADCOM continues to ramp up production, much potash will be shipped through the Port of Churchill. The PADCOM potash will be tested by farmers in Belgium.
The Hudson Bay Railway connection to Western Canada and the broader Canadian rail network make the Arctic Trade Corridor an ideal route to ship to the North and world markets. Arctic Gateway Group is owned by a partnership of 41 Indigenous and Bayside communities, including 29 First Nations. This local ownership model ensures that the economic growth of the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway directly benefits the communities that call the North home. Instead of profits leaving Canada, they are reinvested in Northern communities through reliable rail service, financial benefits, workforce training, and good-paying jobs – most of which are held by Indigenous workers. At the invitation of the Prime Minister, PADCOM attended the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto over the weekend. The objective of the summit is to attract a trillion dollars of international investment into Canada over the next five years.

One of the tri-community’s talented groups of musicians, Low Budget Rock Star, have released a new single. Over the years, the band has changed some members, but the sound has always transitioned with the change. Low Budget Rock Star consists of frontman Kennie Henderson, Harley J.D. Whitehead, Terry Constant and Marshall Bignell.
“What I’ve come to understand is how it works sometimes in this business is that a song can take a life of its own and go a certain direction,” said Henderson. “It took a while and things have been a work in progress.