City council held a pair of public hearings related to the lagoon project set to kick off this spring to open its regular meeting, Feb. 3.

The hearings centred on Bylaw 02/2025 and Bylaw 03/2025, which allow for financing $9.1 million of the City’s portion of the $20 million project.

Bylaw 02/2025 authorizes the expenditure and borrowing of $4,692,500 as a local improvement to be paid through taxation, while Bylaw 03/2025 allows for a further $4,692,500 to be paid back by way of a utility surcharge.

Additionally, the City’s portion will be topped up with $58,000 from the Gas Tax Reserve Fund and $971,000 from the Water and Sewer Reserve. The remainder of the funding comes by way of a $9,135,000 grant through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Added to taxes

Councillors opted to add to receivable accounts to the tax rolls in the amount of $469.18. That total is comprised of $201.07 owing at 38 7th Ave. SE for weed control costs and $268.11 outstanding at 108 3rd Ave. NE, also for weed control costs.

Recreation

In her report to council, city manager Sharla Griffiths updated on the efforts of senior administration pertaining to recreation. Hours of discussion have resulted in some direction for Dauphin Recreation Services to consider in both the long term and short term. The City remains committed to working collaboratively with the RM of Dauphin to establish a fair and sustainable recreation agreement that ensures the long-term success of local recreation programs and facilities, given that both councils recognize the vital role that recreation plays in enhancing the quality of life for residents and the importance of ensuring that facilities remain accessible, well-maintained and financially supported.

Performance management

Griffiths informed councillors administrators have been working on a performance management policy and review forms to better deal with employee performance in a fair and consistent manner. Performance management, she said, is a tool to measure an employee’s performance and to track their progress throughout their time with the City.

Radon plan

Deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet updated councillors on the radon file. Utilizing a $15,000 grant through Health Canada’s Radon Outreach Contribution Program, Gaudet has raised awareness about the dangers of radon in the community and has developed a draft of a City of Dauphin Radon Action Plan, to guide a  radon education and action campaign in the future. Gaudet hopes the plan serves as a model for other municipalities to  follow, igniting further action at the provincial and federal levels to support radon action.

The plan will be presented for council’s approval at its next regular meeting, Feb. 24.

Accounts approved

Council authorized the issuance of 26 cheques totalling $287,007.82 to cover outstanding accounts. Three electronic payments were also approved, totalling $17,320.23.

Curling rink chiller

Councillors gave Dauphin Recreation Services the go ahead to order a new chiller for the Parkland Recreation Complex curling rink at a cost of approximately $220,000 plus applicable taxes. While such purchases would normally wait to be included in the City’s operating budget,  the lead time for procurement and installation prior to next curling season meant the request had to be expedited. The purchase will be financed by funds withdrawn from the City’s Active Living and Recreation Reserve.

DRS also sent requests for additional 2025 capital expenditures including a pool change room rooftop unit at an estimated cost of $62,000, pool sandblasting and painting at a total project cost of $25,000 (with $10,000 already allocated by DRS) and a paint sprayer for ice making at an estimated cost of $16,000. Those requests were forwarded to budget deliberations.

To see the full story, read this week's edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Many families have created legacies within the Swan Valley based on their contributions, time and effort given to projects they are most passionate about. For Carolyn and the late Harvey Baldwin, skiing was something that brought them together and a sport they shared with their family and generations to come.
“When I moved to Swan River in the mid 70’s, what drew me the most to Thunderhill Ski Club was its beauty and that it was not far from my doorstep,” said Carolyn Baldwin. “After a few years of skiing, I decided to join the board in the late 70’s. It was just a small club at that time.
“It was on the slopes where I first met Harvey and well, that’s a story in itself. Our family grew, when we had two girls, LeeAnne and Lana. The Thunderhill Ski Club was our family time, where they learned to ski, work, and volunteer. Now I am enjoying teaching my 2-year-old grandson Coulter to ski.”
Both Carolyn and Harvey were active in the Thunderhill Ski Club. They both saw many positive changes and expansion of the facility over the years.
“Being part of the Thunderhill Ski Club board for 40 plus years and managing day-to-day operations for approximately 25 years, I have seen many changes and projects,” said Baldwin. “The Chalet expanding, the new shop installed, and new slopes being developed.
“The biggest project of my time was upgrading the T-bar. 2011 began the long project of installing the Brandson Express and JB Construction lifts. Harvey came on board helping with the installation and moved to being the hill manager.”
Carolyn accredits Thunderhill Ski Resort’s growth to all the people who worked there together to make things happen. Everyone pitched in to get things done and helped it to grow into what it has become today.
“In all the years I have been with Thunderhill Ski Club and the projects I worked on, the one thing I know is it’s the team that makes it happen,” said Carolyn. “Thunderhill Ski Club has a big team behind it.
“Throughout the time I managed the hill, I always had an awesome team supporting me, from staff to board members and volunteers. I was so grateful to have that support.”
Recently the Thunderhill Ski Club presented a special tribute to the Baldwin family and their efforts to help the facility improve and grow. One of the ski runs has been named after them and will be there for all to enjoy as much as the Baldwins have enjoyed skiing.
“It is an honor to Harvey, myself and our daughters to recently have Homeward Bound renamed to Baldwin’s Bend,” said Carolyn. “As well as being recognized along with those who have come before us and those who will continue the legacy of Thunderhill Ski Club.”

The Westwood Inn and Conference Centre was home to PC Party leadership candidate Obby Khan this past weekend (Feb. 8), learning and connecting with Khan about Manitoba...

As the health region spending the most, Prairie Mountain Health has been directed to reduce private agency nursing costs by 15 per cent by the end of this fiscal year.

Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara issued the directive last week as part of a systemwide effort to refocus funding on nurses in the public system.

“Prairie Mountain Health has consistently been dealt a bad hand,” said Asagwara.

“Alongside the challenges in the area, the previous government gave the region little to no support by cutting services, closing ERs and firing nurses resulting in millions overspent on private nursing agencies. Enough is enough. It’s time to put a hard stop on private for-profit nursing agency over-spending and re-invest in the public system. Our government is committed to working with all health regions to bring nurses back into the public system.”

In an emailed statement Prairie Mountain Health indicated patient care will be a priority as it works to fulfill the government’s directive.

“Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is committed to providing consistent, safe, reliable and quality care. PMH commends the work of the Province in reducing reliance on agency nursing. We are diligently working to reduce our dependency on private agencies,” the statement read.

“The recent issue of the request for proposal referenced in the provincial announcement is a step toward redirecting nurses into the public system. In addition, reducing the number of agency organizations will assist in streamlining administrative processes, and in reducing costs. Utilizing the provincial travel nurse team is also proving to be an effective way to reduce agency nurse usage.”

The statement also indicated the health authority remains committed to hiring nurses into the provincial system.

“We remain focused on recruitment strategies including promoting the advantages of working for PMH versus agency.  PMH offers robust staff wellness resources, a pension plan and benefits that are not usually available through private employers,” the statement read.

“Regional recruitment initiatives also include attendance at career fairs, offering student practicums, and local and provincial grants and incentives.”

PC Health Critic Kathleen Cook said attempts by the government to shift the focus to PMH is simply a distraction from their own failures to address problems in the system.

Documents obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests show agency nursing costs in PMH have increased by 25 per cent this year, with the province on track to spend more than $25 million on agency nurses in Prairie Mountain Health alone.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of The Dauphin Herald.

Grade 4 students from the Swan Valley and area converged at the SVRSS on Wednesday (Jan. 29) for My Vision 4 My Education, where the elementary-level students get a sneak peek at the opportunities that await them at the secondary regional school where they are projected to attend in less than five years...

The former chief administrative officer of Gilbert Plains Municipality has been officially charged in connection with allegations of fraud following a two-year investigation.

On Jan. 16, as part of a joint investigation involving the Dauphin RCMP detachment and Manitoba RCMP Cyber and Financial Crime Unit (CFCU), Amber Fisher, 40, was arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and use of proceeds knowing it was obtained by the commission of an offence.

The investigation began following a complaint  in 2022 that Fisher had defrauded the municipality of upwards of $500,000 while employed there.

Reeve Jim Manchur said the municipality has been anticipating this day for some time.

“We initiated this process over two years ago, so we had hoped it would happen sooner than it did, but we’re glad that we’re at this point,” Manchur said.

The investigation involved numerous witness statements, along with the obtaining and review of extensive financial records and other reports.

“Any time you have an investigation of this duration that reaches the charge stage it’s a major milestone. However, the work is not complete,” said Const. Ricky Perkins of the Manitoba RCMP CFCU.

“We realize for the people affected, a lengthy investigation can feel as if there is no progress being made. In reality, there are many investigative steps taking place behind the scenes, and we’ll continue to work with the Dauphin RCMP Detachment until it’s conclusion.”

However the municipality has not been idle while they have been waiting for the investigation to process.

One step they have taken, Manchur said, was to sue Fisher in an attempt to recoup their losses.

“We’re still in the process of that. That’s another, kind of, frustrating thing, it takes time so we’re hoping that will move forward as time goes by,” he said.

He added the municipality has also been working closely with it’s insurance company in an effort to minimize its losses.

“I would say that of the $500,000 plus that we lost, $400,000 did come back from insurance, but we still have other funds to recover in terms of  legal fees and interest and those sorts of things,” Manchur said.

“Ultimately, we’d sure like to recover all our funds and go back to business as normal.”

But it will not be business as it once was.

“We’ve really tightened up everything on our financial side. We revamped our whole administration staff and all our financial controls are really, really tight now. So I really don’t think this could happen again, certainly in our municipality,” Manchur said.

Those changes include  eliminating the ability to etransfer from municipal accounts without dual authorization and requiring council approval on all financial reports. There have also been increased controls put in place to ensure bank statements are reconciled on a regular basis, as well as requirements for regular and up-to-date audits.

“You wouldn’t believe the stress and the frustration that this did cause for us on council over the past few years and, you know, it’s hard to believe that we’d be the victim of it, but that’s what we ended up with. I think a lot of ratepayers aren’t totally happy with how it happened, but in the end we have to continue to be vigilant and go from there,” Manchur said.

“We appreciate the efforts of the RCMP. We were in contact with them through the whole process and they did a great job.”

Fisher was released from custody with conditions and will appear in Dauphin Provincial Court on Mar. 18.

The Town of Swan River is in another period of transition as CAO Derek Poole stepped out of his role and away from the Town of Swan River this week, making way for the incoming CAO that is scheduled to begin his duties in March.
Mayor Lance Jacobson announced the hiring of Will Tewnion last week. Tewnion is a retired RCMP member who worked in Swan River once before as Detachment Commander from 2007 to 2010, and is excited to return back. For the past five years, he has worked in various Director roles with the Yukon Government.
Until Tewnion is able to return to Swan River, Darren Harvey has been appointed Interim CAO. Harvey was otherwise working as the Director of Public Works.
Poole’s exit from the Town of Swan River ends a 16 year tenure that saw him start as Superintendent of Public Works when he was 28 years old. He kept that role for 12 years. During that time he had some stints serving as Interim CAO until finally taking on the job full time in 2021.
“I was young for the position but now I’m 42 and have 16 years of Municipal Administration under my belt,” said Poole. “I’ve achieved a lot and I’m proud of it.”
During his time as Superintendent of Public Works and later Director of Public Works, Poole was focused, of course, on public works but also the utility, which saw a lot of improvements during Poole’s time.
“I did what any manager would do, I did a large assessment, and discovered that the number one priority was the utility, the lift stations, the lagoon, the well control sites,” said Poole. “All of it was aging. That was the focus for a good 10 years to get everything retrofitted. It took millions of dollars of grants. It was lot of work but the people didn’t really see it because it was a lot of underground work and might only see it at budget time.”
Even during crisis times when the Ross Lift Station failed in 2012 during the Manitoba Summer Games or in 2018 when a well control site failed, Poole sees the management of those crises as one his proudest moments because, through careful water management and conservation from everyone that uses the utility, the Town was able to make it through that time without a boil water advisory.
“Everyone did what they were supposed to do,” he said. “Even council was able to help get an O-ring that we needed for one of our wells that we could only locate in Phoenix, Arizona. Council did what they had to do to get a plane to cross the border through customs directly from Chicago to Swan River.”
Once he stepped into the role of CAO, he found it to be, naturally, more political, and did a lot of work in updating policies and bylaws.
“We did full reviews of our bylaws and policies, everything from the enforcement of it, to the filing of them, so it’s easily changeable when its time to review it for council,” said Poole. “It’s so important for our operation and it saves time, keep everything running smoothly and your employees can enforce a policy without a fear of missing a process.
“There has also been changes in the general professionalism of the Town of Swan River and how council carries itself. That of course I can’t take the credit for that, as Mayor Jacobson deserves credit for that. It was his vision and I implemented it through orientations with council and we got our strategic plan fixed, a proper one with objectives.”
Looking back on his tenure as leader of the Town’s administration, he sees the Town of Swan River being put in a positive light.
“A lot of the time, if you’re struggling, it’s in the news and it’s loud,” he said. “Your failures are in the news. I don’t believe that was us. I believe we were in the news for things that we controlled. We spoke loudly and lobbied loudly. We weren’t so much in the news for HR issues or legal battles. And, we do have our fair share of legal issues, but not because of operational missteps.
“During my tenure, I feel I wasn’t loud as a leader. Behind the scenes, everyone was doing their job.
“I think the Town’s greatest asset is their employees.”
Poole also added that he feels the most important relationship in a municipality is between a Head of Council and a CAO, and he feels that he and Jacobson were able to accomplish a lot during their time together.”

The Swan Valley Historical Museum held their Winter Warm-Up event this past weekend (Jan. 24), welcoming the band, The Pugs, featuring Steve (Left), Ken
(Middle), and Claude. The Swan Valley Co-op provided appetizers and along with some craft beer sampling courtesy of Black Wheat Brewing

One Mountain View School Division trustee is upset with and speaking out against a new divisionwide directive that will require students to sing “God Save the King” as part of their daily morning exercises.

Jarri Thompson took to Facebook to spread the word after learning about the requirement secondhand, last week.

“This wasn’t a directive of the board. It was a directive of the chair (trustee Jason Gryba), not on behalf of the board, even though he thinks so,” Thompson said.

“I had given him the opportunity to call a meeting and discuss it as a board, but he seems to think that because it is in the Public Schools Act he doesn’t need to go through the board.”

As part of the 1988 Schools Patriotic Observances Regulation under The Education Administration Act, students are required to sing the opening verse of “God Save the King” at the end of the day or as part of the opening exercises.

The practice was abandon by school divisions in the province following direction from the education minister of the time, approximately 25 years ago. However, the regulation was never officially removed from the legislation. No public school in Manitoba currently includes the song in its opening exercises.

As of Monday, MVSD schools were told to include the song in their opening exercises immediately following the land acknowledgment and announcements.

“I don’t know the procedure behind it except for the one that has been leaked online. Nobody’s shared any procedure with the board itself,” Thompson said, adding the directive is causing concern among the division’s teaching staff.

“It was brought to my attention that teachers don’t know what to tell the students. They’ve been working on reconciliation and the true past of Canada and how the monarchy plays into that. Now they’re going to tell these students to stand to an anthem that is not our own anthem.”

Thompson has received direction from the Manitoba School Boards Association indicating the MVSD board as a whole is required to discuss the issue “as presented by the CEO.”

“Regardless of the fact that it’s still in the act, the board chair was still supposed to talk to the whole board. We were still supposed to sit and discuss this procedure and none of us have done that as far as I know,” she said.

In an email response to a request for information, Gryba stressed that   board approval is not necessary.

“The decision to align with the legislation outlined in The Education Administration Act and Regulations does not require a vote or discussion at the board table. When trustees take their oath of office, they swear to uphold the PSA and other governing Acts and Regulations. Following this legislation is not a matter of debate; it is our duty as trustees to enforce the law. Any concerns with the PSA should be directed to the provincial government, as boards lack the authority to override or disregard provincial legislation.”

Gryba also indicated the new directive offers the opportunity for educating students about their country’s history, including the treaties signed between the Crown and Indigenous people.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of The Dauphin Herald.

With the frosty temperatures going down to a blistering -35 degrees, some snowmobilers took advantage of the cold day. Tucker Thompson pops a wheelie.