Students heading back to class will now be able to get a nutritious meal or snack when they need one, with the universal school nutrition program now available in every school in the province.

“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” Premier Wab Kinew said.

“We made a commitment to Manitoba families that we’d make sure kids across our province had access to food when they go to school, and we’ve delivered on that promise. As kids head back to class, they’ll be able to get a meal or a snack when they need one, so they can concentrate, learn and reach their full potential.”

The Manitoba government committed $30 million in Budget 2024 to make a meal or snack available to students across the province.

Approximately $21 million has been allocated to public schools within the 37 school divisions, with $6 million being specifically earmarked for 50 schools in communities with the high socio-economic need.

Ahead of the full rollout of the school nutrition program this fall, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning worked with schools and school divisions to develop, and implement nutrition programming to meet the needs of students and families in their community, with the goal of ensuring any child who needs it will be able to access food at school.

The remainder of the funding is being provided to a number of key community partners including the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba.

Grant funding has also been provided to community organizations and school divisions for after-school, summer and school break nutrition programs.

The Manitoba government is establishing nutrient targets to protect Manitoba’s lakes and rivers.

Through the Water Protection Act, the Nutrient Targets Regulation will include Lake Winnipeg and the Red, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Dauphin rivers.

It commits Manitoba to report regularly on progress towards implementing the targets and actions underway to reduce nutrient levels in waterbodies in Manitoba.

This provides a clear, measurable benchmark with the goal of effecting real change in the protection of Manitoba’s waterways.

In recent decades, nitrogen and phosphorous have increased in Lake Winnipeg and the Red, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Dauphin rivers, contributing to increased frequency and intensity of algal blooms. These potentially toxic algal blooms have serious economic, health and environmental implications and contaminate beaches, reduce water quality and are detrimental to the communities and industries that depend on the lake.

Grandview has welcomed a new doctor. Dr. Assadullah Sayed introduced himself to the community through a small biography which follows.

I am a medical graduate from Windsor University School of Medicine in the Caribbean, completed Residency training in family medicine in India and an additional one-year diploma in Family Medicine accredited to the Royal College of General Practitioners, United Kingdom.

I retrained in family medicine at Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

I practice family medicine by providing care to patients of various age groups covering all aspects of medicine. I have a special interest in treating acute medical conditions and the management of chronic diseases.

I enjoy my interactions with patients and appreciate patients as people, not just disorders or diseases. This has helped me establish everlasting relationships with my patients and their families as we worked on individual, patient centred solutions to their medical needs.

I am very happy to be in Grandview and I look forward to making some lasting relationships with patients, and working in the clinic, hospital and care home with the staff.

I have a beautiful wife and three lovely children. I love travelling around the world and had been to many countries. I enjoy long drives with my family and making my daughter laugh.

I am looking forward to being part of the Grandview community with my wife Hajira and son Rasheed.

Please call 204-546-2774 to make an appointment.

Uber Eats has come to Dauphin.

Starting last week, Dauphinites and visitors in the community can order delivery from their favourite restaurants along with everyday essentials, groceries, alcohol, pet supplies, and more on Uber Eats.

Uber Eats is now available in over 300 cities across the country and is expanding rapidly as more Canadians embrace the convenience of its delivery model.

As communities across Canada grapple with challenging macroeconomic trends, Uber Eats offers local restaurants a new way to connect with hungry customers and local delivery people to make delivery fast and easy. 

To celebrate the expansion into Dauphin, which also included adding operations in Morden, Selkirk, and Lockport in Manitoba; Estevan and Weyburn in Saskatchewan; and Strathmore, Edson, Coaldale and Taber in Alberta, Uber Eats is running a special offer of $0 delivery fees on all eligible merchants for a limited time only.

Over the last few years, Uber Eats has grown rapidly, becoming the leading delivery platform in Canada. As the delivery platform of choice for Canadian consumers and merchants, Uber Eats has partnered exclusively with hundreds of restaurants across the country, including a recent deal with Domino’s.

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

With training camp less than two weeks away, the Dauphin Kings are finalizing their camp roster, with the addition of three players.

The Kings acquired forward Devun Olfert, 18, from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Olds Grizzlys for a player development fee.

In 37 games last season, the six-foot, two-inch, 174-pounder scored twice and added three assists for five points.

The Kings also added forwards Anthony Tudino, 20, and Lucas Durham, who turns 18 on Wednesday.

The five-foot, 11-inch, 185-pound Tudino played last season with the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Sarnia Legionnaires, where he produced 25 goals and 46 points in 47 games.

Durham, six-foot, four-inches and 185-pounds, had five goals and 18 points in 48 games with the Legionnaires last season.

Kings fall camp gets underway, Aug. 30, and will continue throughout the weekend with the JoFo Cup intrasquad game taking place, Sept. 2.

Season tickets will be available for pick up at the JoFo Cup.

Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU) representyed health care support workers in Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) have voted to reject the employers offer at the bargaining table and to approve a strike mandate.  

 “It takes a whole team to deliver quality health care, but health care support workers are being left behind - with the lowest pay in Canada,” said MGEU president Kyle Ross.

“Without a fair contract that recruits and retains dedicated support workers, Manitoba’s health care system will continue to struggle with critical staffing shortages.”

Union members in the  Interlake-Eastern Health Authority (IERHA) also voted in favour of strike action.

 The MGEU is requesting that negotiations resume as soon as possible. No official strike date has been set yet, but planning will begin immediately to prepare for the possibility that job action becomes necessary. 

“Health care jobs were once seen as highly desirable in Manitoba communities, but it’s hard to recruit when the starting wage for many of these jobs is just $17.07 per hour,” Ross said, adding the last contract expired Mar. 31.

“We’re asking the employer for a contract that makes health care jobs competitive and helps grow the workforce needed to care for Manitoba patients.”

The MGEU represents 6,500 members in the two regions including health care aides, laundry aides, dietary aides, maintenance staff, clerks and may other health care workers.

The road work under way in the south end of the City of Dauphin is an important project in terms of safety and convenience, but it is hardly the only highway work under way in the Parkland.

Last week, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, highlighted a provincial investment of more than $39 million to repair and improve highways and culverts throughout the region.

“Our government continues to get work done that builds and strengthens essential roadways and improves infrastructure for rural residents and their communities, which connect them to neighbouring areas and ensure smooth transportation of goods and services,” Naylor said.

“Our investment strategy in highways is robust and we are on track to build up areas that have been ignored for too long.”

In acknowledging the province’s funding in the Parkland, Dauphin mayor David Bosiak said regional investments benefit us all.

“Our community is grateful for the Manitoba government’s investment in improving the highways in the Parkland region, particularly the work on our own PTH 5A in the south end of Dauphin,” Bosiak said.

“These upgrades are crucial not only for the safety and convenience of local residents and businesses, but also for the smooth transportation of goods and the continued growth of tourism in our area. This project is a significant step forward in supporting the long-term prosperity of our community and region.”

Funding will support construction projects that improve road grade, fix culverts and enhance driving conditions.

Projects currently underway or scheduled soon include:

• bituminous surfacing on Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 5A in Dauphin;
• culvert replacements on PTH 10 south of Mafeking;
• bituminous surfacing on PTH 10 from Provincial Road 271 to PTH 20 (between Pine River and Cowan);
• surface restoration on PTH 16 from Saskatchewan border to PTH 83; and
• road restoration on PTH 77 (three sections beginning 33 kilometres west of PTH 10).

Budget 2024 invests $500 million in capital funding to repair and rebuild Manitoba’s highways and public infrastructure to spur economic development and make it easier to get around the province, the minister noted.

Dauphin Medical Clinic has been recognized as a centre of excellence when it comes to training the next generation of doctors.

Nominated by Dr. Chavi Tejpal, a second year resident at the Parkland Family Medicine Residency Unit and Dr. Anthony Wightman, who recently completed his first year of the residency program, the clinic recently received the 2024 Teaching Site of the Year Award as part of the University of Manitoba Department of Family Medicine’s Inspire DFM Awards.

The awards annually honour outstanding staff, faculty, residents, and teaching sites who elevate the Department of Family Medicine, improve health care, and help to train new family physicians.

“I support Dauphin Medical Clinic for multiple reasons. The Parkland Family Medicine Residency Program, created in 1991, is the second oldest rural training program in Canada for family medicine. With its strong roots and training, Dauphin provides more than academic opportunities for our residents,” Tejpal said in nominating the clinic for the award.

“Having been a part of this program, I have experienced first-hand the exceptional community foundations, resources, and support structures it offers to its residents. One of the standout features of the program is its unwavering commitment to the health of the community.”

Resources such as the Primary Care Outreach Clinic (PCOC), Tejpa said, and public health initiatives, such as breast feeding and immunization clinics, and multimodal mental health services ensures that residents are equipped to effectively address a wide range of patient needs.

She added the program fosters a culture of collaboration and support among inter-professionals, providing residents with invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary learning to enhance patient care.

“I am particularly impressed by the dedication of preceptors, who open their homes as spaces for wellness activities, demonstrating a personal investment in the growth and development of residents,” Tejpal said.

“The active involvement and presence of a dedicated dietitian and mental health worker further illustrates the program’s commitment to comprehensive care and resident support.”

Finally, Tejpal said accessibility of local specialists enhances the learning experience and provides residents with exposure to diverse medical perspectives and specialties. Among them are a geriatric, adult and child psychiatrist, surgeons and unique niches in family medicine such as cancer care, geriatrics, dermatology, obstetrics, anesthesia and emergency medicine.

In his support of the nomination, Wightman said Dauphin Medical Clinic is uniquely situated to provide a wide array of learning opportunities.

Read more in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Two area projects received a financial boost courtesy of Fusion Credit Union’s Full Circle Fund.

The Full Circle Fund, established by the credit union in 2019 to help their members and communities, has granted $25,000 towards Winnipegosis Curling Rink upgrades and $15,000 to the Watson Auditorium cooling project through it’s spring intake.

“The Full Circle Fund is our way to fairly, and transparently support worthy projects across our communities,”  said Mike Csversko, Brand and Business Development manager at Fusion.

With two application intakes each year, organizations can apply for funding to help improve or get their project off the ground.

A committee of Fusion executives, employees and board members are involved in the review process.

“There are so many people doing great things in our communities, it really is impressive” Csversko said.

Since its debut in 2019, the Full Circle Fund has committed more than $920,000 to 172 community projects in the Parkland and southwestern Manitoba.

Standing true to their tagline, Csversko added, Fusion Credit Union and the Full Circle Fund are Here for Good.

This year’s spring intake awarded a total of $89,900 to 15 recipients.

“The Full Circle Fund program is something we are very proud of,” Csversko said.

“We are changing lives and building stronger communities because of the support of our members. What goes around, truly comes back Full Circle.”

Anyone who has a community project that could benefit from Full Circle Fund’s support, can apply now at fusioncu.com.

The Blizzard Jr. A Hockey Club has a new name and logo.

Well known as the OCN Blizzard since their inception in 1996, the organization has updated its name and logo effective immediately and will now operate as the Northern Manitoba Blizzard.

“We wanted to show the inclusion and unity that we have in the northern region of our province,” said Blizzard co-owner, Rob White.

“I’m originally from Churchill and have close ties with many communities throughout Nor-Man. The Blizzard crest means so much to all of northern Manitoba and it’s so fitting, because, if you’ve ever been in a true northern Manitoba blizzard, you’ll know just how menacing it is.”

Ownership felt the change was necessary to reflect the shift and new direction of the franchise.

“The last few seasons the team felt like it was in limbo. After Opaskwayak sold the team and especially once it moved to be based from the Roy H. Johnston (Arena) in The Pas; it was more evident we needed to show the new direction of the club. However, the Blizzard name is so strong, and invokes such passion and emotion for northern hockey. It felt like this was honouring the essence of the club’s founding,” White said.

Since 1996, the Blizzard have made eight trips to the Turnbull Cup final, winning five straight MJHL championships from 1998 to 2003. During the 2001-02 season, the Blizzard defeated the Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to win the Anavet Cup before they would go on to lose in the national final.

Last season, the Blizzard skated to one of their best records in franchise history. Head coach Eric Labrosse was named MJHL Coach of the Year, goaltender Tomas Anderson was named MJHL Goaltender of the Year and the team fought its way to game seven in the second round of the post season.