
Shawn Bailey
Open doors
Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (DNRC) made it official with the unveiling of its new logo and facility during an open house, last Thursday.
The grand opening of the facility located at the former Dauphin First United Church was postponed earlier this summer following the bus crash at Carberry, June 15.
The building, previously known as Under One Roof, will now go by the moniker Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation Community Centre or DNRC Community Centre.
The grand opening included tours of the facility, speeches by local dignitaries, a ribbon cutting and a hotdog barbecue hosted by the HERO Club, a tenant at the facility.
The DNRC operates as a not-for-profit entity in the geographical area defined by the City of Dauphin boundaries concentrating on pockets of need.
DNRC’s mandate is to empower the neighbourhood through collaboration and leadership to build a healthy community.
Union requests a conciliator to move negotiations forward
As the strike by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) employees stretches into its third week, the Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU) is asking for a conciliator to be brought in to end the job action.
At a news conference last week MGEU president Kyle Ross indicated a conciliator was instrumental in ending the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries strike last month and he is hopeful the same could be achieved for the 1,700 MPI employees currently on the picket lines.
“The conciliator is just an opportunity to bring in someone to facilitate conversation, and we know at MBLL, once that conversation started, we were able to resolve this very quickly,” Ross said. “We’re hopeful that this will bring up those discussions at the table, and we can get these members a fair offer to vote on and put an end to this strike.”
The main roadblock in the negotiations is wages for workers.
Calling the union’s approach “disappointing”, MPI board chair Ward Keith said the MGEU, from the beginning, has rejected an enhanced four-year collective agreement worth 17 per cent in total monetary value, as well as an offer to avoid strike action by going directly to voluntary arbitration.
The union, he added, is demanding almost double the settlement pattern established across the provincial sector.
“Conciliation is not required to end this strike – that could happen tomorrow without any risk to our employees,” Keith said in a statement. “But we’re still open to exploring conciliation with MGEU if we’re on the same page. Obviously, we won’t resolve the impasse over general wage increases, but a conciliator can help us streamline the arbitration on that issue, and we can discuss other issues to narrow the overall dispute.”
From the union’s perspective, arbitration takes away it members’ “democratic rights” and Ross would rather hammer out a deal at the negotiating table.
“Arbitration is an imposed deal, and we would rather have an opportunity for our members to vote on a deal,” he said.
Striking employees include estimators, adjusters, call centre workers and service centre representatives.
“No one wants the strike to end more than MPI,” Keith said. “We continue to seek the quickest and most responsible approach to resolution, so our dedicated 1,700 employees can return to their important work of delivering services that Manitobans rely on every day.”
A quick once over
Mike VanAlstyne, Dauphin’s director of Public Works and Operations, right, checks out the progress of crews from Maple Leaf Construction as they put new curbs and gutters in place on First Avenue Northeast.
Getting that infrastructure reconstructed is the first step towards a new sidewalk and reopening the street to foot traffic looking to access businesses along the block.
Maple Leaf Construction also ran their curb and gutter machine along reconstructed blocks on Ninth Avenue Southeast, Fourth Avenue Northeast and Aster Bay.
Infrastructure renewal
Public Works crews work at ripping up the sidewalk, curb and gutter along a block of First Avenue Northeast in anticipation of Maple Leaf Construction arriving in town with its curb and gutter machine.
The construction company will add the work to its list, which includes new curb and gutters on sections of 10th Avenue Southeast, Fourth Avenue Northeast and Aster Bay.
City officials say utilizing the curb and gutter machine on the First Avenue project will shorten the disruption for businesses on the block.
What you need to know as election campaign officially gets underway
The writ has officially dropped to send Manitobans to the polls.
Premier Heather Stefanson visited Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville, last Tuesday to kick off Manitoba’s 43rd provincial general election with polling day set for, Oct. 3.
As of press time there are two registered candidates in the Dauphin electoral district. Gord Wood is looking to retain the seat for the Progressive Conservative Party, while Ron Kostyshyn is hoping to win the constituency back for the New Democratic Party.
Advance voting runs for eight days, from Sept. 23 to 30.
To be eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on election day and have lived in the district for at least six months immediately before election day.
Voters will receive a voter information card in the mail. This card confirms you are registered to vote and when and where to vote on election day and the advance voting period.
Voters who have not received their cards or received a card with incorrect information can visit www.electionsmanitoba.ca or contact their local election office to register or update their information before Sept. 14. Voting is faster and easier when registered before the election, but you can still register at the poll when you vote.
During all eight days of advance voting, Manitobans can vote at any advance poll in the province.
Advance polling in the Dauphin constituency at the Local Election Office in Dauphin at 1550 Main St S, and at Dauphin Market Place Mall at 1450 Main Street South every day throughout the advance voting period from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the exception of Sunday, Sept. 24, when voting can take place from noon to 6 p.m.
Advance voting will also be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 only at:
• Winnipegosis Elks Lodge at 337 3rd St., Winnipegosis.
• Waterhen Council Office at 104 North Mallard Rd., Waterhen.
• Rorketon Community Hall at 800 1st St. S., Rorketon.
• Sifton Community Centre at 115 2nd Ave., Sifton.
• Richardson Pioneer Community Hall at 201 Main St. N, Gilbert Plains.
• Grandview Kinsmen Hall at 435 Burrows St., Grandview.
• Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Nation Band Hall on Hwy. 5, Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Nation.
• Ste. Rose du Lac Curling Club at 555 Maillard St., Ste. Rose du Lac.
• Ebb and Flow First Nation Community Complex at 517 Arena Ave., Ebb and Flow.
• Royal Canadian Legion McCreary Branch at 431 1st. Ave., McCreary.
• Alonsa Community Centre at 10 PTH 50, Alonsa.
On election day, you can vote at any polling place in your electoral division.
In the Dauphin constituency that includes:
• Winnipegosis Elks Lodge at 337 3rd St., Winnipegosis.
• Skownan Hall at 1050 Skownan Rd., Skownan.
• Waterhen Council Office at 104 North Mallard Rd., Waterhen.
• Maurice Morrisseau Memorial Hall at 3207 Lakeshore Rd., Crane River.
• Rorketon Community Hall at 800 1st St. S., Rorketon.
• Fork River Community Hall at 105 1st Ave. W, Fork River.
• Sifton Community Centre, Sifton.
• Richardson Pioneer Community Hall at 201 Main St. N, Gilbert Plains.
• Grandview Kinsmen Hall at 435 Burrows St., Grandview.
• Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Nation Band Hall on Hwy. 5, Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Nation.
• Valley River Community Centre at 5 Hassard St., Valley River.
• Dauphin Friendship Centre at 210 1st Ave. NE., Dauphin.
• Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium at 304 Whitemore Ave. E., Dauphin.
• Happy Haven Home at 116 Whitemore Ave. W., Dauphin.
• Ochre River Community Hall at 401 Mann St., Ochre River.
• Ste. Rose du Lac Curling Club at 555 Maillard St., Ste. Rose du Lac.
• Westlake Community Centre at 16 Eddystone Dr., Eddystone.
• Ebb and Flow First Nation Community Complex at 517 Arena Ave., Ebb and Flow.
• Kinosota Community Centre on Kinosota Front Rd., Kinosota.
• Les Nouveaux Horizons Centre at 112 Fosbery St., Laurier.
• Royal Canadian Legion McCreary Branch at 431 1st. Ave., McCreary.
• Alonsa Community Centre at 10 PTH 50, Alonsa.
• Amaranth Memorial Hall at 12 PTH 50, Amaranth.
All polls will be open from 8 a.m. on election day.
All voters require ID to vote, either one piece of government-issued photo ID or two other pieces. There are many options. A complete list of acceptable ID is available on the Elections Manitoba website.
Voters are encouraged to bring their voter information card, which can be used as one piece of ID.
This election will see new technology at the polls, resulting in reduced wait times for voters and faster results reporting. This new technology includes:
• Laptops with secure access to the voters list;
• Scanners to scan voter information cards and quickly find voters on the voters list;
• Printers for printing ballots on demand in place of write-in ballots for advance voting; and
• Vote counting machines to scan and accurately record ballots and provide results at the close of polls.
It is expected that approximately 85 per cent of election day voters and 95 per cent of advance voters will see these tools in use in the 2023 general election.
The bear necessities . . . avoid contact if possible
Residents at Kinsmen Villa had a special visitor last week when a wayward black bear decided to use a tree outside the Sixth Avenue Northwest apartment block for a late morning nap.
It is that time of year when bears are on tour looking for that last bit food to build up fat prior to winter.
And with a river running through the middle of the community, the bears are provided with a perfect highway to embark on their adventures. Sometimes those adventures will bring them into the city and in contact with its residents.
If left alone, the animals will usually continue on their way without causing any problems. In fact, problems with bears are usually created by people.
Here are some tips to help you avoid attracting bears to your property:
• Garbage - eliminate odours. Put garbage in containers that have tight fitting lids, and only put it out on the morning of garbage day, not the night before. If possible, store garbage in bear-resistant containers, or indoors (house, shed, garage). Do not store garbage in plywood boxes, old freezers or vehicles. Put meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day. If you do not have curbside pick up, take your garbage to the dump often. Frequently wash garbage cans and recycle containers and lids with a strong smelling disinfectant.
• Bird and pet food - Fill bird feeders only through the winter months. Do not leave pet food outdoors. Feed pets indoors, not outside or in screened-in areas or porches.
• Fruits, vegetables and compost - Avoid landscaping with trees, shrubs or plants that produce food known to attract bears (some examples include crab apple trees, mountain ash, beech and oak). Do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter. Remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground. Pick all ripe fruit from trees and bushes.
• Smells - Be aware that cooking odours can attract bears. Remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease cup underneath, after each use.
Learn about bears, their needs and behaviour. Share your knowledge with others and encourage your neighbours to practice bear-wise habits.
New committee struck to explore transportation
The need for some form of affordable, accessible public transportation has long been a topic of debate in Dauphin. And that conversation has arisen once again, prompting the Dauphin Neighborhood Renewal Corporation (DNRC) to take action by way of facilitating a stakeholders meeting.
“From a board’s perspective, and a staff perspective, from clients and stakeholders you work with and just some of the work that we do, it came to our attention that the lack of some kind of public transportation was affecting community members,” DNRC board member Phil Fafard said. “So we took it upon ourselves, as part of our mandate, to help initiate and facilitate a process whereby the stakeholders would come together to, first of all hear from the stakeholders, as to whether or not they saw this as an issue.”
The idea was to explore what kinds of transportation services are being provided in the community, whether those were fully addressing the needs and if not, whether people were willing to work towards a community-based, made-in-Dauphin solution.
“We invited as many stakeholders as possible and that included the City, provincial organizations, service providers, private business owners and non-profit organizations to this meeting to hear from them about whether or not is there an issue,” Fafard said, adding there was a concensus among attendees that there is, in fact, a gap in services around transportation in the community.
“It’s affecting community members in terms of their participation in the community or the economy. Even just being able to get around town, whether it’s for child care, for work, shopping.”
In the end, a group of people indicated their to advance the conversation through participation on a steering committee.
“To look at, and do a little research to find out what is available, what isn’t available, what the need is and maybe look at some potential options that Dauphin could pursue as a community,” Fafard said, adding while DNRC initiated the process, it will not lead the process going forward. “I think at the start of the committee work we’ll certainly be involved in terms of help and support. And we may remain involved, but we may not be the lead in terms of where this goes. That will be determined by the committee and who is able to actually pursue a solution.”
Fafard added the process is in its infancy and there may be many options available ranging from public systems, to private businesses to public-private partnerships.
“We’re reaching out to the other communities in Manitoba to find out what they’re doing. That will be part of the research. So it’s really just the start of a process and I don’t know how long it will take, but we’ll see where it goes,” he said. “I think we have a group of people who know that this issue is holding back and affecting community members. And it’s actually holding back the community of Dauphin from an economic development standpoint. We heard that from business owners and non-profits. So it’s an important issue, that has been an issue for a long time and really needs a solution.”
Perchaluk honoured with Community Service Medallion
A dedicated community advocate has been recognized for the effort he puts into improving the lives of others.
Jim Perchaluk received a Community Service Medallion for his work as president of the the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum, the Selo Ukraina site, and other volunteer efforts such as the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund.
Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Dan Mazier made the surprise presentation during a visit to Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF).
“In reading and speaking with others on Jim’s contributions over the years, it is clear how selfless he was, and continues to be, in supporting his community and those around him,” Mazier said. “Jim’s contributions are genuinely bettering the lives of countless people and these contributions should not go unrecognized.”
The award truly was a surprise for Perchaluk.
“It came out of the blue,” Perchaluk said, adding you do not think about awards and recognition when you donate your time and talents. “When you volunteer you’re not looking to get anything in return. I guess I’ve been volunteering with Selo for more than 25 years and out of the blue somebody recognized that. It was quite an honour.”
The full story is in this week's Dauphin Herald!
Wood excited to be representing PCs in Dauphin race
After many years as an educator teaching about the workings of government in his social studies classes, Gord Wood is looking to get directly involved.
Wood is seeking election to the Manitoba Legislature in the Dauphin constituency as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party in the upcoming provincial election.
“I’ve had a very strong interest in the democratic system and always thought at some point I would like to be involved in running for an election,” Wood said. “So when the opportunity came up with Mr. (current MLA Brad) Michaleski retiring, I put my name forward and was able to receive the nomination in late June for the candidacy for the PC party.”
Wood has been going door-to-door throughout the constituency talking with voters to get a handle on what people are expecting from their next provincial government.
He has been having good conversations, he said, and some common themes have been emerging.
“Concerns about our health care system, concerns about affordability, concerns about crime, in the Dauphin area in particular and the entire area in general, concerns about the education system and where that’s going. So those are those are probably the major ones that have flushed out here as the campaigns or the canvases gone on,” Wood said. “Every issue affects people in different ways, we’re all dealing with different life circumstances, but it’s interesting how those themes still seem to come out for majority of our constituents.”
In all instances, the governing PCs are best equipped to deliver results, Wood added, citing the party’s record on crime, investments in health care and plans for public education.
And when it comes to representing the area within the party, Wood feels he is the proper choice for voters.
“People that know me or have worked with me or had interactions with me know that I’m going to work for them. I’m going to ask questions. I’m going to dig into where we need supports and really seek out as much knowledge as possible, connecting people with the right individuals,” Wood said. “A lot of that is the role of an MLA, trying to connect, whether it’s government to the right people or the individuals that are in need, connecting them with the right services.”
In his campaign literature, Wood commits to fighting for good jobs, more businesses and development which will create more opportunities for area residents.
The candidate also commits to fighting for agriculture which he considers the backbone of the province. Specifically, he will work to keep the School Tax Rebate for farm properties, keeping more money in the pockets of those who grow our food.
When it comes to crime, Wood will ensure front-line officers get the resources they need, while also investing in more mental health, addictions and homelessness services.
And whether it’s healing the health care system, creating good jobs, providing reliable infrastructure or keeping taxes low, Wood vows to keep the best interests of constituency resident and all Manitobans at the forefront.
“I will fight to make sure Dauphin and the surrounding communities are positioned well for the opportunities of tomorrow,” he said. “I will be out at the door for a majority of that time, contacting as many people as possible. There are a few events on my calendar but really, right now it’s about meeting individuals, connecting with them and hearing what their concerns are and addressing how the PC party can support them.”
Election 2023? Mayor hopes for improved relationship
While the promise of a new Community Centre for Justice by NDP leader Wan Kinew is encouraging, Dauphin mayor David Bosiak is hoping for more from the upcoming provincial election.
“I’m supportive of (Community Centre for Justice) from a sense of there was plans and everything done in their past mandate and they’re fulfilling a promise. So I think that, from that point of view, it’s really good for us and it’s certainly something that may help stem the tide of the loss of public service jobs in our community. There was a huge loss when the jail closed,” Bosiak said. “I want to take them at their word. From what I can gather, historically the previous NDP government was beyond just the idea and the promise phase. The city and RM had developed the property and we spent some money and did a lot of planning on getting the land available for them. And they were designed, they were all ready, they were way past just the schematic plan for this.”
Historically, for a variety of reasons, governments do not always keep their promises, Bosiak said, and while the original plans for a new jail did not come to fruition, he believes the community will do whatever it can to make the centre for justice become a reality should the NDP come to power in October.
“I think that this may be one, at least for us locally, that is of importance enough that locals won’t allow them to ignore it,” Bosiak said. “Especially with a first-term commitment that was made and considering how our existing government handled (the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Centre).”
And while the jobs the new centre would bring many needed jobs to the community, Bosiak has his sights set on something less tangible coming out of the election.
“I would like to see a renewed level of communication between the municipal government and the provincial government and a willingness to discuss issues, ideas and concerns,” Bosiak said, citing the Community Safety and Well-being plan as one instance. “It’s been over a year and a half that it was announced and we’re just now starting to have discussions with consultants. But we still are yet to have a one-on-one with a consultant for our project. We are still in the infancy stages of the overall plan for the province with the consultants and it’s just so frustrating to see that this is what needs to be done.”
A more open relationship would also help in instances such the Main Street South redevelopment project, which became hung up when tenders came in $1.5 million over what the city had borrowed through debenture.
Government rules and regulations make it difficult for the City the raise the remaining funds and the City has been attempting to get some help from the province.
“We went to the province to say ‘hey can you throw us a bone, can you maybe help us, can you maybe do something?’,” Bosiak said. “Because we had seen this in other jurisdictions around the province, the province came to help other municipalities whether it’s water treatment plants in central Manitoba or crime stuff in the North or health stuff. There doesn’t seem to be an ability to help Dauphin.”
Bosiak said the City met with Minister of Municipal Relations Andrew Smith, last week, but now, because of the election blackout, there is nothing that can be done until after the election in October.
“So we just have to hurry up and wait, which is frustrating and it just means further delay,” Bosiak said. “Whichever government gets elected I just hope that we have a heightened sense of communication and collaboration as we work forward in the next three years for us and four years for them. I’m hopeful that we have someone on the government side again and that we have someone who may be a minister. But if not, I still want to have a positive relationship with the provincial government because quite honestly, municipalities can’t do much without support from the province.”