Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey provided city councillors with a year-to-date overview of his department’s operations as part of council regular meeting, May 26.
To May 22, Dauphin Fire Department responded to 97 incidents, an increase of 17 incidents compared to the same time frame in 2024.
Proclamations
Council proclaimed June as Pride Month as an opportunity to celebrate diversity, promote equal rights and build awareness of the challenges faced by those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
June 1 was proclaimed Lieutenant Colonel W.G. (Billy) Barker, V.C. Day, recognizing Dauphin’s bravest son as an Individual of National Significance as commemorated by the Government of Canada. Barker, a World War I pilot, is one of Canada’s most renowned and decorated servicemen of any armed conflict.
June 5 was proclaimed as World Environment Day as a call for urgent action to revive the damaged ecosystem globally. World Environment Day in 2021 saw the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a global rallying cry for everyone to do their part in healing the ailing planet.
Finally, June 8 to 14 was proclaimed as Bike Week, recognizing the City’s adoption of an Active Transportation Strategy in 2021 as a commitment to active living, promoting cycling opportunities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Community events
In accordance with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries rules, councillors voted in favour of recognizing several Dauphin flagship events as community events. The list includes Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival Kick-off Party, June 14; Dauphin’s Countryfest, June 26 to 29; Dauphin Agricultural Society Fair, June 27 to 29; Parkland Chamber of Commerce Annual Street Fair, July 31; Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival, Aug. 1 to 3; and Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival Parade, Aug. 2.
Operating grant
Council received correspondence from Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations Glen Simard informing them about the details of Dauphin’s 2025 municipal operating grant. This year Dauphin will receive a total $1,056,006.68 with 75 per cent of the grant, or $792,005.01, coming soon and the balance to be paid in September.
Additionally, the City will receive the full payment of its 2025 One Manitoba Growth Revenue Fund in the amount of $77,300.64.
Protecting the
economy
Council received correspondence from Simard, encouraging communication around the impact of the current trade dispute.
RMNP restrictions
Councillors reviewed an email from Parks Canada outlining its recent policy of allowing non-motorized watercraft on Clear Lake and outlying waterbodies in Riding Mountain National Park. Users of non-motorized watercraft, including kayaks and canoes, may choose between an annual permit to use only Clear Lake or an annual permit to use the various outlying waterbodies in Riding Mountain National Park, such as Lake Audy, Moon Lake and Lake Katherine, in an effort to reduce the rate of spread of zebra mussels.
Lift assists
Council heard from City manager Sharla Griffiths regarding the rising rate of lift assist calls to the fire department by EMS staff. Griffiths said the Association of Manitoba Municipalities passed a resolution in 2023 calling for municipalities to not perform unnecessary lift assists as the costs were starting to become significant, however, the practice is continuing. Griffiths added the City of Selkirk tracked one year of actual costs and found it to be approximately $32,000.
Griffiths added the issue is part of a trend which has seen the Province download many tasks to municipalities with insufficient or no monetary compensation.
Zoning bylaw
Griffiths told councillors the City has completed its first review of the new Zoning Bylaw. The bylaw has been sent back to consultants at Urban Systems to make changes and provide more information and options.
Accounts approved
Councillors authorized the issuance of 49 cheques totalling $1,709,988.50 to cover outstanding accounts. Three electronic fund transfers were also approved in the amount of $3,238.42.
Lagoon contract
Council awarded the contract for the general construction portion of the lagoon expansion to Penn-Co Construction Canada Ltd. of Steinbach, in the amount of $14,319,931.69 plus applicable taxes. The tender for the project attracted two very different bids with the second coming from Strilkiwski Contracting Ltd. of Dauphin for $27,596,172.77. The work will be paid for through a combination of provincial and federal grants, withdrawals from the Utility Reserve and Gas Tax Reserve, as well as borrowing.
AMM resolution
Councillors agreed to submit a resolution for consideration to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities district meetings calling on the province to update and modernize The Mental Health Act.
Bylaws
Council gave first reading to Bylaw 09/2025 to amend the Zoning Bylaw regulating the use of land at 722 Main Street North.
