Shawn Bailey
Squeaky clean
City crews conducting a spring cleaning of the community have moved on to Day 2 on the garbage and recycling schedule.
During one pass through the city, crews will collect accumulated garden waste, grass clippings and leaves, as well as shrubs and tree branches less than six inches in diameter at a maximum length of eight feet, last week.
These items will only be collected if they are free of household waste, hazardous waste and recyclable materials and are in a clearly identifiable pile.
The spring clean up campaign will occur in the back lanes, so place the items near your back lane for pick-up.
Those residences that do not have a back lane, place your items on the boulevard near the curb.
Large equipment will be used, so it is important to place the items close to the lane or curb to avoid property damage.
Brewing up some magic . . .
Even before it opens its taproom doors to the public, Obsolete Brewing Company is receiving industry accolades.
At the recent Prairie Beer Awards in Regina, Obsolete Brewing Company earned a gold medal for its Hourglass Coffee Kolsch, as well as a silver medal for its Cavalry Soldier Imperial Maple Stout.
The competition drew microbreweries from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan and saw judges make their selections from among 270 different brews.
Company co-owner Steve Sobering said while the awards are an affirmation of all the hard work everyone has put in to get the venture to this point, the bulk of the credit has to go head brewer Marcos Bardelli.
“I feel like we have one of the best brewers in the country. And even though he was brewing on a small batch system and all the headaches that goes with that, I still had this assumption that he would come home with something. And he totally delivered. I’m very confident in him just because of the years of experience he has and he has such a deep knowledge,” Sobering said.
“When it comes to the brew zone it’s all Marcos. We would never be as confident in this venture without having him at the helm of our brewing team. “He’s a great brewer, we’ve got a couple great awards and we’re super excited because that just means we are a credible microbrewery. We can compete with anybody and still bring home some hardware.”
Sobering is hoping the public will have an opportunity to sample the award winning brews as work is progressing on getting all of the proper permits in place to open the company’s tap room, located in the former Acklands building on Second Avenue Northwest.
“We’re dealing with government regulatory requirements, and when you’re brewing beer there’s a lot of them,” Sobering said. “We have a manufacturing license, we’re looking for a retail license and we’re also registering our product with MBLL (Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries).”
He hopes all that can happen in the next few weeks.
“We’re in good shape. We want to be open, obviously. We want to get to the next phase, which is the fun part, serving good, tasty beer and building that community, working on our outdoor space and trying to start driving some activity in the up-and-coming craft district,” Sobering said.
City, area rakes in Building Sustainable Communities grants
Maamawi Park Phase 2 got a huge boost when the list of projects approved under the Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) program was released, last week.
The toboggan hill/recreational park development planned for the local Dauphin Recreation Services grounds received $300,000 as part of the $25 million set aside to to support 428 community development projects throughout the province.
“Locally developed projects are, by design, tailored to address their community’s specific, unique needs and opportunities,” said Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith. “Our government is pleased to continue supporting community-based projects that foster thriving, sustainable neighbourhoods and improve residents’ quality of life.”
The province’s 2023 budget maintained funding support to the Building Sustainable Communities Program for a total commitment of up to $25 million. This investment was doubled last year to increase support for community projects.
This investment included over $12 million for 368 local and regional initiatives and nearly $13 million for 60 larger-scale capital projects.
“The Building Sustainable Communities Grant has been integral to our process as they committed $300,000 to phase one of the project, which is the hill itself and now has just recently again committed $300,000 to phase two of the project, which will involve pathways, proper lighting and we’re looking at extending a beautiful grand entranceway,” said Stacey Penner, one of the driving forces behind the Maamawi Park project.
“So we’re very lucky that the Manitoba government has put forward this opportunity and we wouldn’t be as near as where we are without this granting opportunity.”
Penner said the funding has increased the options for the planning committee as what exactly is included as part of phase 2 will depend on available funds.
“Phase two right now is a little bit negotiable, like what we want to include. There will be a phase three and potentially a phase four. We have some other big granting opportunities out right now that we have our fingers crossed on, so there is no firm end of phase two and beginning of phase three,” Penner said. “Funds will continue to roll in and we will continue to plan accordingly.”
Other Dauphin projects receiving grants include:
• City of Dauphin - $25,000 for Watson Arts Centre repairs.
• Dauphin and District Snowmobile Club Inc. - $67,987 for construction of a storage facility.
• Dauphin and District Handivan Inc. - $71,394 for the purchase of a new handivan.
• Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation - $75,000 for Community Resource Center upgrades.
• Dauphin Recreation Services - $74,750 for iceplant upgrades.
• Dauphin’s Countryfest Inc. - $9,476 for upgrades at the Selo Ukraina festival site.
The BSC program was launched in 2019 to offer municipalities and non-profit organizations a new program that streamlined administrative processes and reduced red tape, the minister noted, adding that the program replaced seven programs that were restrictive, operated in silos and were administratively burdensome. Since 2019, the BSC program has committed over $82 million to support 1,745 community projects throughout Manitoba and leveraged $185 million in other funding sources.
The grant program supports planning activities, organizational capacity building projects, equipment costs, capital infrastructure and other local or regional initiatives that enhance the sustainability of communities.
Other area projects included in the announcement include:
• Gilbert Plains Country Club Inc. - $75,000 for golf course upgrades.
• Gilbert Plains Municipality - $176,200 for Gilbert Plains Recreation Complex upgrades.
• Grandview Kinsmen Club Inc. - $58,921 for Wilson Park upgrades.
• The Grandview Senior Drop In Centre - $25,756 for facility upgrades.
• Mallard Community Council - $5,593 for community hall upgrades.
• McCreary Golf and Country Club - $10,584 for clubhouse upgrades.
• Municipality of Lakeshore - $71,325 for Ochre River Hall upgrade.
• Municipality of McCreary - $15,143 for facilities renovations.
• Municipality of Mossey River - $43,754 for Winnipegosis Beach area renewal.
• Municipality of Mossey River - $44,814 for Winnipegosis Arena and Curling Rink upgrades.
• Ste. Rose Recreation Commission - $83,250 for phase two of the Turtle River Trail.
BSC projects can receive up to 50 per cent toward eligible costs. The maximum grant for projects in the regular stream is $75,000, while larger-scale capital projects can receive up to $300,000. Approved projects, with the exception of planning activities, are required to have a minimum of 10 per cent of funding from non-government sources.
“The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) greatly appreciates the collaborative partnership between our organization and the Manitoba government in assessing municipal project applications under the Building Sustainable Communities program,” said Kam Blight, AMM president. “Municipalities have identified numerous projects and initiatives that benefit local communities and contribute towards building a stronger Manitoba. Thus, this funding announcement is certainly timely and will help grow our province.”
The minister noted the BSC program intake includes valued feedback from AMM to ensure local and district priorities are addressed.
“The BSC program is making a remarkable difference in communities provincewide,” said Smith.
“From installing play structures to creating outdoor recreation spaces to renovating community centres, these projects make communities healthier, stronger and more competitive.”
The 2023-24 BSC program intake period closed on Jan. 23 with 655 applications received. The list of the 428 approved projects is posted at gov.mb.ca/mr/bldgcomm/index.html.
City’s 2023 construction plan leans on reserve funds
The City of Dauphin’s capital plan is set for 2023 and Public Works crews will be busy throughout the community.
“It’s going to be a busy year again, so we’re hoping to hit the ground running in the next week or two,” director of Public Works and Operations Mike VanAlstyne said. “We’ll start with some of our sidewalk work, get going on that and everything should fall into place.”
More than $13.8 million in capital expenditures is included in the plan for 2023, ranging in scope from the design and construction of a south end drainage system to the purchase of a carpet cleaner.
“It’s about the same as we’ve done the past few years. We have a little bit more paving and road reconstruction this year than normal, but that just meant we were doing less than the previous year, but it’s because we had more utility work last year,” VanAlstyne said.
Coming in at a cost of $8,196,415, the south end drainage system accounts for the majority of the capital budget. While $46,415 of the costs will be borne by reserves, the remaining $8.15 million will be debentured.
Road work is also planned at a cost of $643,330. That involves road reconstruction projects on Aster Bay at a cost of $168,000, as well as Fourth Avenue Northeast from First Street to Second Street at a cost of $215,500 and 10th Avenue Southeast from Main Street to First Street at a cost of $158,000.
Milling and overlaying work is also planned for Second Street Northeast from Fourth Avenue to Mountain Road at a cost of $101,830.
Sidewalk work will take place along with roadwork projects, but there is additional sidewalk work planned outside the capital budget, VanAlstyne said, specifically on Main Street.
The east side of Main Street South will see the paving stones replaced with poured concrete from Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue at a cost of $51,000; Eighth Avenue to 10th Avenue at a cost of $46,000 and a half block from Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue at a cost of $19,600.
A pedestrian crossing with flashers will be installed on Buchanon Avenue at Johnson Street at a cost of $15,000, which will be borne by reserves.
The project was originally slated to be completed last year at the intersection of Buchanon and Jackson Street.
“After talking with the province, they didn’t like it at the (original location) just with how busy the rail crossing is there,” VanAlstyne said.
“So we’re moving that a little bit to the west.”
Construction of a new back lane will take place in the west end between West Street and King Street at a cost of $23,000 which will be borne by reserves.
A design and refurbishment of the Buckwold Bridge over the Vermillion River on Fourth Avenue Southwest is also slated at a cost of $969,036, which will also be paid for out of reserves.
Several civic buildings will also see work done this year.
The Watson Arts Centre windows have already been replaced at a cost of $111,782, with the General Fund budget covering $60,891 and the remainder coming from reserves.
The building will also undergo some brick repointing work with the General Fund and reserves equally covering the $88,000 cost.
Finally, the Public Works Shop will see the addition of a lunchroom at a cost of $50,000 and exterior lighting will be installed at City Hall at a cost of $35,000. Both projects will be paid for out of reserves.
The Fire Department has a couple of capital purchases set for the year. The most substantial is a new pumper truck at a cost of $750,000 with $262,500 of the cost borne by the General Fund budget and $487,500 coming from reserves. The department will also receive a new hydraulic rescue tool valued at $6,000, paid for by the general fund.
A $10,000 upgrade is planned for the Diversion Centre at the waste disposal ground with the costs borne by reserves, while reserves will also pay the $12,000 required for a new computer server at City Hall. The cost of a new digital information kiosk will be split with the budget covering $7,500 and reserves the remaining $8,000.
An addition to the city’s statue inventory celebrating our Indigenous heritage will be erected at a cost of $107,000 with $100,000 coming from the General Fund and the remainder being drawn from reserves.
Several recreation-related capital expenditures are planned, such as additions to the Active Transportation system at a cost of $215,000 with $70,016 coming from the budget and the rest being borne by reserves.
As well, a new Parks lead hand truck will be purchased for $35,000, along with a new riding mower for $20,000, both of which will be covered by reserves.
Reserves will also cover completion of the toddler playground at Meadowlark Park for $20,000 a boiler and compressor replacement costing $103,558, the purchase of a carpet cleaner for $4,860 and lighting upgrades at Vermillion Park costing $23,000.
Machinery purchases planned for the year include a new garbage truck with a price tag of $405,521, a new Public Works truck for $60,000, refurbishment of the waste disposal site compactor for $153,399 and a new loader valued at $279,000. All will be paid for from reserves as will a new plasma cutter valued at $7,500.
Utility capital
On the Utility side of the budget water main renewal projects are planned for 10th Avenue Southwest from First Street to Second Street at a cost of $127,700 and Seventh Avenue Southwest from Main Street to First Street at a cost of $104,300.
Water main relining projects are set for Dunfield Avenue from Dorothy Street to Elmay Street at a cost of $100,000 and Main Street South from Ninth Avenue to Fourth Avenue at a cost of $305,000.
Sewer main relining is set for 10th Avenue Southeast from Main Street to First Street at a cost of $45,000 and Fourth Avenue Northeast from First Street to Second Street at a cost of $45,000.
Other utility capital projects include Manitoba Water Services Board supported upgrades in the amount of $177,452, the majority of which will be split evenly between the Utility Fund budget and reserves.
Lagoon dredging and design work is planned valued at $525,000 with $220,000 in the current budget and $305,000 being borne by reserves.
The purchase of a new flow metre at the booster station valued at $30,000, a new water metre reading device valued at $12,000, SCADA modem upgrades worth $15,000 and the purchase of a new trench cage worth $20,000 will all be paid for out of reserves.
City council sets its 2023 financial plan
After years of mill rate reductions and freezes, Dauphin residents will see an increase in their property tax bills for 2023.
Dauphin city council passed the 2023 financial plan at a special meeting, May 11, which will see the mill rate rise from 18.332, which raised $6,382,457 in 2022, to 18.937 this year, which will raise $6,827,186, representing a 6.3 per cent increase.
“It became apparent very early in the 2023 deliberation process that we could no longer provide the same level of service without needing to raise some taxes,” Mayor David Bosiak said. “So therefore for 2023 there will be a 6.3 per cent Municipal tax increase or a 3.3 per cent increase in the mill rate in order to continue to provide a consistent, if not better level of service to our residents. So those were some decisions and discussions that we’ve had to get to this particular point and I think that we’ve balanced both a need for generating revenues to support our operations and also to hold the line as best we can on, I’ll call it frivolous or any spending that is not absolutely necessary for us as a community.”
The plan also includes increased income from grants in lieu of taxes and “other” revenue for a total revenue/expenditure balance of $13,295,966.
On the expenditure side of the ledger, General Government Services will see an increase in its budget to $1,433,111 from the $1.389 million budgetted in 2022. That represents a 4.19 per cent increase driven mainly by regular staff wage increases and in-person conferences and training, community grants and appropriations of $58,000 and a Dauphin Regional Airport Authority subsidy of $98,000.
The Protective Services budget will see a six per cent overall increase to $3,754,132 in 2023, mainly due to increased RCMP costs resulting from retroactive unionization costs and wage increases. Other areas covered under the budget category include fire, emergency measures, building inspection, animal control, insect control and bylaw enforcement.
Transportation Services expenditures will increase by 7.58 per cent for 2023 to $1,945,576. The budget category includes administration and operating costs for Public Works and engineering, such as maintenance of curbs and gutters, lanes and roads, as well as general pavement repairs, crack sealing, sidewalk repairs, drainage maintenance, mowing, street cleaning, snow and ice removal, bridge maintenance, street lighting and signage.
Environmental Health will also see a slight increase of 1.64 per cent to a total of $1,030,239 to cover operations such as collection of garbage, yard waste and recycling, as well as maintenance and operation of the waste disposal grounds. Plans are to purchase more garbage and yard waste bins.
Public Health and Welfare Services again remains unchanged at $33,749 as the category consists entirely of a one-tier social assistance payment to the Province.
Environmental Development Services sees a decrease of 24.35 per cent to $222,407 as the Development Plan review nears completion. Other areas covered under the budget category include Dutch Elm Disease tree removal, Communities in Bloom, weed control and city events, such as parades and Remembrance Day services.
The Economic Development Services budget, which fluctuates depending on development, will see a sizeable increase of 30.39 per cent to $525,733 for 2023. Areas covered by the increase include economic development incentives programs for residential and commercial developments, tipping fees, spec homes and operation of the Dauphin Business Park. The category also includes Tourism related costs such as the Adventure Guide and place branding program, as well as merchandise costs, displays, the City’s website and photography and ideography expenses. Other areas include Tourism
Accommodation Tax Project and the Veterinary Services Board appropriation.
Recreation and Cultural Services will also see an increase, 7.93 per cent overall, to a total of $2,164,866. While over 86 per cent of that budget consists of operating funds for Dauphin Recreation Services, the money also includes appropriations for other facilities, such as the Watson Arts Centre, Fort Dauphin Museum, the Dauphin Rail Museum and the library. Also included is money for the Community Band and the Community Jazz Band.
Fiscal Services, which outlines capital expenditures and reserve transfers totals $13,994,146 in 2023 about $650,000 more in capital spending and transfers. Also included is the City’s portion of the Main Street South twinning project, which involves $8.15 million in borrowing.
Utility Fund
Income in the utility ledger will decrease in 2023 due mainly to less in the way of Provincial grants to $3,660,006.
The bulk of that income will come through residential water sales budgeted at just over $2.3 million and sewer service charges totalling $663,273.
On the expenditure side, operation and maintenance of the water supply system accounts for the majority of expenses at just over $2 million while sewage collection and disposal accounts for another $415,145. There is also $863,026 in capital work planned, transfers to reserves in the amount of $250,000 and $83,517 in debenture debt charges.
Continued support
St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church continued its strong support for the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund with a further donation towards the group’s humanitarian efforts, undertaken in response to the war in Ukraine.
Here, from left, fund member Larry Hyrtsay looks on as St. George’s president Calvin Korman presents fund members Jim Perchaluk and Don Tarrant with a cheque for $3,200.
The money comes the proceeds of a recent fish fry hosted by the church totalling $1,450 and a return of $1,750 in rent money the fund paid to the church for use of its basement to conduct English classes for Ukrainians who have relocated to the community over the last year.
To date 35 families totalling more than 100 people have relocated to theParkland with the assistance of the fund.
Local nurses get a boost from RBC Foundation
In the midst of National Nursing Week, the health care professionals working locally have an extra reason to celebrate.
The RBC Foundation has supported continuing education for local nurses through a $10,000 donation to the Delha Cort Fund held by the Dauphin Hospital Foundation.
The fund, started by an endowment from Cort, a long-time nurse at the Dauphin hospital, encourages staff to pursue continuing education.
Priority is given to facility-related education, which can enhance an employee’s current job performance or personal development toward advancement in their health care careers.
“RBC recognizes the impact that nurses have in our health care system is unparalleled. Dedicated, committed, and always answering the call no matter the sacrifice, they are our caregivers and comforters during our deepest times of need,” said Kim Ulmer, RBC regional president for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Western Ontario.
“We aim to give back to nurses through a donation supporting their continuing education and professional development, to refresh their skills and open more opportunities for their career options and advancement.”
The show of support comes at a critical time. Recent Statistics Canada data shows Canadian frontline healthcare workers are feeling strained and overloaded.
Last July, Statistics Canada reported 23,620 vacant nursing positions in the first quarter of 2022 - up 219 per cent from 2019 - and an all-time high of 136,800 job vacancies within the health sector throughout the first quarter of 2022.
Recent data released by Mental Health Research Canada also shows that health care workers, and nurses in particular, were profoundly impacted by the pandemic.
“Recruitment and retention of health care professionals is front and centre in Manitoba and Canada right now,” said Greg Thompson, Dauphin Hospital Foundation chairman.
“We continue to provide various levels of training support for nurses to offer even better patient care and we sincerely appreciate RBC Foundation’s contribution to our foundation, which allows us to offer even more educational opportunities.”
Held in honour of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, National Nursing Week is designed to increase the awareness of the many contributions nursing makes to the wellbeing of Canadians.
National Nursing Week runs from May 8 to 14.
NDP talk health care for rural Manitobans
Rural health care was front and center as the Manitoba NDP unveiled its plan to repair any problems should the party form government in this fall’s general election.
NDP leader Wab Kinew unveiled the five-point plan at a news conference in Virden, last week, saying the platform, “delivers better health care and a brighter future to rural Manitoba.”
“The biggest challenge facing rural communities right now is health care,” Kinew said. “Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson eroded rural health care for seven years, leaving rural families cut off from care and rural communities struggling to build a future. Our team is ready to fix that with common sense solutions that will deliver better health care and a brighter future for rural families and communities.”
The NDP plan would double the rural doctor recruitment fund Brian Pallister cut and bring more doctors, nurses and health care workers to rural communities, Kinew added, by addressing the closures of rural ERs and health care centres, health care staffing shortages, and dangerous wait times for emergency care.
More doctors in rural communities
The NDP plans to reinstate the rural physician recruitment fund cut by the Conservative government and then double it. More doctors in rural Manitoba will keep families healthier with better primary and emergency care, Kinew said. Restoring this fund will help recruit more doctors in rural areas, while taking the pressure off smaller communities that have been forced to fundraise for their health care, he added.
“We need to relook at the finances of the department and I think Shared Health was another layer of bureaucracy that was brought in and so let’s revisit that opportunity,” said Ron Kostyshyn, who is running for the NDP in the Dauphin constituency and attended last week’s announcement. “That’s not saying that Shared Health doesn’t have a spot, but according to my sources or what I’ve read in the paper $85 million has been allocated to Shared Health and I think we can definitely trim off some of the financial dollars and put it towards doctor recruitment.”
Shorter wait times for ambulances and better cell service
Kinew said the NDP will fill the paramedic staffing vacancies that grew under the current government by giving rural paramedics a new contract, paying them the same as Winnipeg paramedics and allowing Advanced Care Paramedics to work to their full scope of practice. Work will also be undertaken to improve cell service in rural communities so emergency calls do not get dropped.
More staff to keep rural health centres open
The NDP plans to keep ERs open by recruiting and retaining more diagnostic imaging and lab technologists by giving them a competitive deal, Kinew said, along with offering incentives to allied health professionals, nurses and nurse practitioners to work in rural communities.
“We’ve gone through some pretty big challenges, not only in Manitoba, but across Canada. But let’s move forward because with the status quo we’re moving backwards instead of forward. So what do you need? You need your doctors, you need your nurses, you need your paramedics, you need your medical experts to get this done,” Kostyshyn said.
Health technology to connect families with the best specialists
The NDP plan calls for equipping rural health care centres with technology to reduce patient transfers and connect rural families with the best specialists in the province. Kinew said the party will improve rural broadband to support this.
The care seniors need to stay healthy at home
The NDP plans to reimburse homecare workers properly for their mileage to help seniors age in place. The party will build more personal care home beds to keep seniors in their home communities and increase access to primary care in rural communities to keep seniors healthy.
The Manitoba NDP’s rural health care commitments are one part of their comprehensive plan to fix health care across the province, the local candidate said.
“We’ve all witnessed what’s transpired in the last number of years and I think the rural health care probably is the biggest sufferer in our health care system. And when we think about smaller communities such as the Grandview Hospital and the Roblin hospital and the Dauphin hospital, they all experienced some challenges,” Kostyshyn said. “So I think we need a serious, I guess, retake of what’s happened in our health care in the last number of years and I think Wab and our party have the right ideas.”
Kostyshyn added problems in the health care system are not going to be solved in the short term, but the time to start a rebuild is now.
“Definitely we need to have a revisit because we can’t continue on the path we’re on right now,” he said.
Mazier Bill on internet accountability passes in the House
Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Dan Mazier took a step towards his goal of making Canadian internet suppliers more accountable with the passage of his private member’s bill in the House of Commons, last week.
Bill C-288, an Act to amend the Telecommunications Act, is meant to provide Canadians with transparent and accurate information regarding Internet speeds.
“I’ve heard so many Canadians, especially rural Canadians, tell me that they’re not getting the internet speeds they pay for,” said Mazier, who is the Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Economic Development and Connectivity. “This is because the government has allowed internet companies to advertise speeds you may never receive.”
Read the full in depth story in this week's Dauphin Herald!
On strike
Braving unseasonable weather, local members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada whose jobs were deemed nonessential, were on the picket lines last week as the union seeks a new contract with the Government of Canada.
Among other things the union is seeking wage increases and a deal on working remotely.
As the strike drags on across the country, the union is preparing to ramp up by moving picket lines to more “strategic locations.”