Shawn Bailey
Countryfest announces first acts for 2024
Dauphin’s Countryfest, has announced its first round of performers for 2024.
And with some of the biggest acts from throughout country music history set to take the stage, organizers say the 35th anniversary festival will take those in attendance on a nostalgic journey back to the roots of Countryfest, featuring “an incredible honky-tonk, two-steppin’ lineup that will have country fans reminiscing about the good ol’ days in Dauphin.”
“Join us in Dauphin as we put the Country back in Countryfest, and we celebrate 35 years of incredible music, unforgettable moments, and community spirit,” said Countryfest promoter Rob Waloschuk. The June 28 to 30, 2024, festival takes place at Selo Ukraina and has been dubbed “35 and Still Alive.”
Confirmed for the main stage at this point are Alabama, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jo Dee Messina, Mark Chesnutt, and Diamond Rio, along with the Great Canadian Roadtrip package featuring Michelle Wright, Jason McCoy and Doc Walker.
Another main stage surprise for festivalgoers is the super group The Frontmen, featuring Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar, and Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas. The three will come together to perform decades of chart-topping hits.
And Waloschuk said it wouldn’t be a proper throwback without some ‘90s queens of Canadian country music such as Patricia Conroy, Lisa Brokop, and Beverley Mahood, all of whom are confirmed for the main stage to deliver “some powerful performances that will keep you dancin’ all day long.”
Weekend passes, VIP packages, camping and reserved seating go on sale, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m., and can be purchased online at www.countryfest.ca or by calling toll-free to 1-800-361-7300.
A new payment plan lets customers reserve their ticket packages for only $100 down.
A presale for Countryfest members started, Oct. 23, and runs until Nov. 3.
RCMP initiating an important conversation with the community
Dauphin RCMP would like to have a conversation with the community.
And to begin the dialogue, a Community Policing Town Hall has been scheduled for the Aspen Lodge in the Parkland Recreation Complex, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.
“The detachment has not been able to actually just have a discussion with the town, the residents in the community about what we do,” Sgt. Scott Linklater of the Dauphin RCMP detachment said, adding the event was originally scheduled for this past June, but was cancelled following the Carberry bus crash. “Policing has changed over the years and I’m not sure if people get that. So we want to be able to say what we’re doing, who we are, how many members we have here, what the state of detachment is and the services that we’re doing.”
On top of discussions about area crime trends and policing priorities, Linklater said they will be sharing some crime reduction strategies and will set aside some time for a question and answer period.
“I want to make some time for that so I can hear what they have to say,” he said. “I’m not going to talk about specific investigations, but if they want to know about issues that we’re dealing with or what’s going on.”
A key message Linklater wants to share is that community safety is an issue which requires a response from the entire community.
“I want to be able to explain that there’s a lot of things that are put on our plate that are more of a community issue that we all have to work together on, he said. “Finding resources for the homelessness and the mental health in the community and addiction, so there’s more resources for people to keep them out of the justice system.”
There is a perception that the justice system will not hold people to account, he said.
“So if we can do more programs outside (the justice system), I know there’s a lot of good people out there doing some different things,” Linklater said, adding supporting existing social services organizations and groups will go a long way to improving the situation for everyone. “Hopefully, employ the community to help these people out so that they’re not doing it alone and getting burned out, so that we do it all as a community. We’re all here for the safety of the community, the betterment of Dauphin.”
Ultimately, Linklater wants the public to be aware of issues in the community so they can make some informed decisions about getting involved and the role they might play.
RCMP members, he added are doing a good job in their role and he hopes being open about issues will help people to realize that.
“I think our members here do a great job. We’re not perfect, we’re human. We have members with two months service all the way up to 20 and 25 years service,” Linklater said. “I just don’t think the community is aware of what we’re doing, so I think this is a good opportunity to say what we’re doing, how we’re doing things, what’s changed, some of the trends that are going on and how they can help. At the end of it, I think it’s just going to be a good conversation. Hopefully some people see that we are doing something. Hopefully, they realize that they can help out, as well, and policing isn’t just the members of detachment, it’s a community thing to make everyone safe. That’s my hope anyway, just engage them at least. I don’t think it’s been done in a while and it’s kind of good to hear.”
City part of annual testing campaign
Dauphin is one of 30 communities across Canada taking part in this year’s 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge through Take Action on Radon and BC Lung.
Targetting communities where radon testing has thus far been limited, but where there is a potential for homes to have elevated radon levels, the program provides municipalities the means to provide up to 100 test kits to citizens for free.
“After learning about this program, I thought it was a great opportunity to help families test their homes for radon for free,” said deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet, who is co-ordinating the program on behalf of the community. “We are all spending more time at home, and so it’s an important step for families to take to reduce their radon levels to protect their health.”
There is reason to think that radon testing in the city of Dauphin is necessary given the results from neighbouring municipalities.
Taking part in the 2020-21 challenge, 50 homes were tested for radon gas in the Rural Municipality of Lakeshore with 48 per cent of those testing above Health Canada’s guideline of 200 Bq/m³.
As part of the 2019-20 program, 87 homes in the Rural Municipality of Dauphin participated in the program with 71 per cent testing above Health Canada’s guidelines.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in every building in Canada and comes from the breakdown of uranium in the ground.
Radon levels vary, even between neighbouring houses, meaning the only way for homeowners to determine their home’s radon level is to test for it.
Long-term exposure to high radon levels is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and accounts for more than 3,000 lung cancer deaths in Canada each year.
“Radon is a well-established human carcinogen, and testing and reducing radon levels is an important method of lung cancer prevention,” said Dr. Anne-Marie Nicol, a researcher from the Faculty of Sciences at Simon Fraser University. “Residential radon is marked as Canadians’ primary exposure to radon; preventing radon exposure will reduce the number of Canadians dying of lung cancer.”
Despite that knowledge, public awareness remains low and a vast majority of homeowners in Canada - more than 90 per cent - have never tested for radon.
Canada has had a National Radon Plan for over a decade, encouraging people to test their home for radon and reduce high levels.
“We are seeing awareness increase in many areas across Canada. Many people know that testing for radon is an important action in looking after their health,” says Pam Warkentin, executive director of CARST and project manager for Take Action on Radon. “If you tested for radon years ago, it may be time to test again. Or if you haven’t gotten around to it, this is your chance to stop putting it off and get your radon test.”
Dauphin residents wanting to access one of the 100 free testing kits must sign up for the program online at form.jotform.com/232886191516261.
A free radon information session will be held, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. with two options for attending. Participants can attend virtually via a Zoom link that will be provided when they register. The session will also be streamed for viewing at city hall, located at 100 Main Street South, for those who would prefer to attend in person.
Participants will be able to pick up their radon test at city hall following the information session until Nov. 17.
Take Action on Radon is a national initiative that works to bring together radon stakeholders and raise radon awareness across Canada. The initiative is led by the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST), CAREX Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Canadians wishing to learn more about radon and how it affects their health are encouraged to visit www.TakeActiononRadon.ca.
Kostyshyn sworn in as member of provincial cabinet
Manitoba’s new executive council was sworn in last week and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn has a seat at the table.
Kostyshyn was appointed as agriculture minister during a swearing in ceremony, Oct. 18 which saw NDP Wab Kinew make history by becoming the province’s first First Nations premier.
“It is definitely an honour and a pleasure to be asked and work with a great team,” Kostyshyn said. “As you know we’ve got some major hills to climb as far as in the provincial situation, but definitely it’s an honour and it’s a great pleasure to be back at the legislative buildings.”
Having served in the legislature and the cabnet in the past, Kostyshyn said heading back feels a little bit like a homecoming.
“I felt very comfortable walking up the stairs into the legislative building and having our first cabinet meeting. It definitely was a good feeling,” he said.
Kostyshyn expects the house to resume sitting sometime in November. Until that time the cabinet will continue to meet and he will get up to speed on the Agriculture file through daily briefings with department staff so he can hit the ground running when the time comes.
“We have had our first cabinet meeting last Wednesday and we’ll be having cabinet meetings on Wednesdays on a regular basis,” he said “I am ready to go to work for the province of Manitoba and the Dauphin constituency.”
It is a sentiment which was echoed by Kinew in his opening address as premier.
“Manitobans have entrusted us with the great honour of leading our province and I do not take this responsibility lightly,” Kinew said following a ceremony honouring the seven Indigenous nations in the province. “I am proud of the team we have assembled to get real results for Manitobans on the issues that matter most - fixing health care, making life more affordable and bringing Manitobans together to build our shared future. We will work together to grow our economy and ensure that more Manitobans can join the workforce, join a union and join the middle class. I am humbled by the privilege of forming our province’s next government and I look forward to the work that lies ahead.”
The executive council has 15 ministers, reflect ing the province geographically, culturally and demographically.
Joining Kostyshyn at the cabinet table are:
• Wab Kinew, MLA for Fort Rouge - premier, minister of intergovernmental affairs and international relations, minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation;
• Uzoma Asagwara, MLA for Union Station - deputy premier, minister of health, seniors and long-term care;
• Matt Wiebe, MLA for Concordia - minister of justice and attorney general, keeper of the great seal of the province of Manitoba, minister responsible for the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation;
• Nahanni Fontaine, MLA for St. Johns - minister of families, minister responsible for accessibility, minister responsible for gender equity;
• Bernadette Smith, MLA for Point Douglas - minister of housing, addictions and homelessness, and minister responsible for mental health;
• Nello Altomar, MLA for Transcona - minister of education and early childhood learning;
• Ian Bushie, MLA for Keewatinook - minister of municipal and northern relations, and minister of Indigenous economic development;
• Malaya Marcelino, MLA for Notre Dame - minister of labour and immigration, and minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board;
• Jamie Moses, MLA for St. Vital - minister of economic development, investment, trade and natural resources;
• Lisa Naylor, MLA for Wolseley - minister of transportation and infrastructure, minister of consumer protection and government services;
• Adrien Sala, MLA for St. James - minister of finance, minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, minister responsible for the Manitoba public service;
• Renée Cable, MLA for Southdale - minister of advanced education and training;
• Tracy Schmidt, MLA for Rossmere - minister of environment and climate change, minister responsible for Efficiency Manitoba; and
• Glen Simard, MLA for Brandon East - minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism, minister responsible for francophone affairs, minister responsible for the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation.
“Our government is ready to get to work on the strong mandate given to us by Manitobans to improve health care, make life more affordable and bring Manitobans together,” Kinew said. “I have every confidence in the team of skilled and passionate individuals who have answered the call to serve in cabinet. I am grateful for their commitment to working diligently and collaboratively on the issues that matter most to Manitobans. I look forward to the varied perspectives they will bring to the cabinet table, representing the diversity of our province as a whole.”
The cabinet held its first meeting later in the week to continue shaping the new government’s priorities ahead of the next legislative session in November.
Work to begin on redevelopment of Main Street South
Work is about to begin on the redevelopment of Main Street South following the awarding of the more than $21 million contract to Russell Redi-Mix Concrete.
“We are expecting the equipment to start to mobilize in the first week of November,” director of Public Works ad Operation Mike VanAlstyne said, adding given the delays the contractor is hoping to make up some ground. “They hope to do as much work as they can throughout the winter months. It’s all going to be so weather dependent on how quickly we get going, when winter really hits us with full force, and what that’s going to do to the contractor’s capabilities and scheduling. But I think just any progress for the winter will be progress.”
VanAlstyne expects the contractor will begin with the excavation of the retaining ponds, one on each side of the highway, which make up a large part of the City’s drainage plans for the area and will collect spring runoff, as well as runoff from major weather events.
A portion of the excavation material, estimated at more than 30,000 cubic meters, will be used for the construction of the toboggan hill at Maamawi Park on the Dauphin Recreation Services grounds.
The construction cost of the entire drainage system, including the underground piping, has been set at more than $8 million.
The scope of the roadwork project covers a section of PTH 5A from Whitmore Ave., south to Triangle Road, and includes surface reconstruction with the creation of a divided highway.
The plans call to improve safety in the commercial area by having all local accesses connect to service roads, and service roads connecting to PTH 5A at upgraded intersections. Those service roads will be constructed along both the east and west sides of highway from their existing points south to Triangle Road.
As well, a new intersection allowing access to Dauphin Market Place Mall will be developed, complete with traffic signals.
The project has been delayed by more than a year, and while it has been a long road to get this point, VanAlstyne said the real work is just beginning.
“It’s a long time coming, but we’re excited to have it moving,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of adapting on the fly and a lot of moving parts, but I think we’ll get through and it’ll be a really great project for the city.”
Kostyshyn ready to work for constituency, province
Manitoba’s 43rd general election is in the books and voters in the Dauphin constituency were truly engaged in the process.
A total of 64 per cent of the 15,358 voters registered in the constituency - 9,969 voters - cast ballots in the Oct. 3 election.
When everything was counted, NDP candidate Ron Kostyshyn received 5,097 votes and PC hopeful Gord Wood earning 4,765 on top of 63 declined and 44 rejected ballots. The votes were cast at 46 polling places within the electoral district on election day and 56 outside or advance polls.
Provincially, the NDP will form government with 34 candidates elected, while the PCs will move to the opposition side of the house with 22 MLAs and the Liberal Party of Manitoba failed to achieve official party status with just one candidate elected.
And while he does not know the exact date, Kostyshyn is looking forward to heading into Winnipeg to take part in a fall sitting of the Legislature as the MLA-designate for the Dauphin constituency.
“There’s a process of the present government has to clean out their offices and move forward, so probably the earliest would be the 20th of this month that will probably kick into gear of shuffling over. I don’t know when the swearing in ceremonies are going to happen. That will all be discussed. Obviously, the fall session will be happening. Traditionally it’s November and usually goes for two to three weeks,” Kostyshyn said. “There’s got to be a fall session to do some of the things we promised like the gas tax, the freezing of the hydro rates and let’s start getting things in gear about the health care, talking to the health care workers.”
Addressing health care issues was the number one campaign plank for the NDP and Kostyshyn said the message he was hearing at local doors reflected the concerns of the rest of the province.
“It was a good tight election and I think everybody that Gord or I talk to, I think we heard the concerns from the local constituency,” Kostyshyn said, looking back at the campaign. “Health care was obviously the top concern.”
The first step in healing the system is to talk to the people on the front lines, the ones who live it every day, he added.
“I’m not an expert as a doctor, or medical professional, or a home care worker, but they are. We all strive to support the health industry and there is no better way to do that than to talk to the people in it, face to face,” Kostyshyn said. “We are government and we represent a geographic area along with our premier. In no way are we the solution. The solution is talking to the people that are in the various categories, whether it’s health care, the teachers, agriculture culture producers. We are there to carry the message forward and to work with those suggestions they bring forward because we all need to work together rather than be adversarial of what is being brought forward.”
The other main issues Kostyshyn heard at local doors was the need for economic development and some lingering anger over the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Institute.
The latter, Kostyshyn said, was addressed directly by NDP leader and new Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew early on in the campaign when he promised to begin construction of a Dauphin Centre for Justice in the first year of an NDP government. The facility, he added, will help to address crime in many ways, from incarceration to providing offenders an opportunity and assistance to change their ways.
“With our proposal to build the justice facility, it is kind of an opportunity to end and deal with the offenders and spend time with them to correct the unfortunate circumstances that they’re in,” Kostyshyn said, adding the approach has been used successfully in other jurisdictions. “It resonates so obviously when you spend time thinking about it. There’s a domino effect. Repeat offenders will end up going to Stony Mountain or Headingley and that’s just the university of how to be more professional as a criminal. We need to stop that.”
When is comes to economic development opportunities, it will, again, take a collaborative approach to tackle the issues.
“I would love nothing more than to sit around with a lot of entrepreneurs in the geographic area and discuss what’s it going to take for us to create the appetite of businesses and opportunities to expand into the geographic area. We, as people in this geographic area, the more opportunity of business developing, it just creates that additional dollars coming in and then we can grow,” Kostyshyn said. “It’s a starting point to talk to the Parkland Chamber of Commerce, talk to some entrepreneurs in the area. We want to talk to people, like what do you need, what are you thinking about?”
For Kostyshyn personally, the issues surrounding Crown lands will command a lot focus.
“We’ve made a commitment on the Crown lands issue. I’ll take part in the discussion to carry our mission through as we’ve been committed to revisiting the Crown land unit transfer,” he said. “But not only Crown lands just agriculture issues period. We need to grow the agriculture economy locally for the benefit of all agriculture sectors in our province.”
Kostyshyn is not new to the duties of an MLA, or a member of cabinet , having been elected in the Swan River riding in the 2011 election and serving as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister from 2012 to 2013, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development from 2013 to 2016 and Infrastructure and Transportation Minister from 2014 to 2015.
What role he will play in this administration is yet to be determined.
“It’s really not what I want, it’s up to the premier and his executive to make that decision,” he said, adding the one thing he is sure of is he will work hard for the good of the constituency, including those who voted for his opponent on Oct. 3.
“Give me four years and maybe I can, next election change your voting on the ballot. Because I am determined to work for all citizens in the Dauphin constituency and the province of Manitoba.”
Fresh and new
Crews from Maple Leaf Construction have been working hard to complete milling and paving projects on provincially-owned roads in the city.
The section of River Avenue from the Dauphin Courthouse to the intersection of Hwy. 20 has been completed, as has the work on First Avenue Northeast from Main Street to Fourth Avenue Northeast.
Work on Second Avenue Northwest from Main Street to the railroad tracks in the west end is ongoing and should be completed this week.
Mayor surprised with award from Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
Dauphin city council’s Sept. 25 regular meeting kicked off with a surprise for Mayor David Bosiak.
Through Economic Development manager Martijn van Luijn, Bosiak was presented with an Award of Merit from the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, which recognizes the efforts of individuals, organizations, community groups or corporations which have influenced the parks and recreation sector in a local, regional and national capacity.
Proclamations
Council passed six proclamations during their meeting, starting with proclaiming Sept, 25 to 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Week and Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The proclamation considers the 94 Calls to Action authored by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 and marks a public remembrance by the City of Dauphin of the dark history of residential schools.
Council also proclaimed Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 as Right To Know Week, recognizing that access to information is fundamental in a functioning democracy and the importance of open and accountable governments at all levels.
Oct. 1 was proclaimed International Day of Older Persons in recognition of the fact that by 2050, two billion people worldwide will be 60 years of age or older. As the fastest growing segment of Canadian society, older people will require attention to their specific needs, such as income security, housing, health care and elder abuse.
As well, council proclaimed Oct. 2 as Wrongful Conviction Day, recognizing that a wrongful conviction has far reaching and devastating effects and undermines society’s trust in the criminal justice system.
Oct. 8 to 14 was proclaimed as Fire Prevention Week, highlighting the City of Dauphin’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all of its citizens and visitors.
Finally, Oct. 15 to 21 was proclaimed Small Business Week and Chamber Days as a means of celebrating entrepreneurship and the important role played by small and medium sized businesses.
Read more in this week's Dauphin Herald!
Claimhte Solais
The Manitoba Chapter of the Markland Vikings set up an authentic Viking-era camp in Vermillion Park, Sunday.
Markland is the area Leif Erickson discovered when he reached what is now North America, while Claimhte Solais is borrowed from Celtic mythology and translates as Swords of Light.
The historical re-enactment group portrayed life in the Viking age from Scandinavia, Denmark and the British Isles in the period from 793 to 1066.
Dressed in period clothing, the group displayed what life would have been like in a Viking village from recreational pursuits to crafting, weapons practising and food preparation.
Here a participant, set up at what would have been a typical hunter’s camp, explains the duel purpose of the tools/weapons which would have been used as part of daily activities.
City fills a need with new safety manager position
The City of Dauphin has added a new position to address areas of need.
City manager Sharla Griffiths said Dauphin’s new safety manager will be responsible for fire inspections, workplace safety and health and municipal emergency measures.
The position came about as a result of Randy Daley, who served as municipal emergency co-ordinator on a contract basis, being elected to council and having to resign the position.
“When he ran for councillor, I gave him a leave of absence and because he won, then he had to resign,” Griffiths said. “So we looked at our organization and said ‘what are some of the things that we could perhaps combine to form a new full-time position?’ Workplace safety and health was getting done, but it was getting done maybe in a more disjointed way and we wanted to have a better process or better handle on that. And the fire chief has been expressing a need for some help with inspecting and other administrative functions at the fire department, so we saw this as an opportunity to combine those three roles into one position.”
Bylaw enforcement officer Conrad Demeria has been awarded the safety manager position, meaning a new bylaw enforcement officer will need to be hired, Griffiths said, adding interviews have been completed and she expects the job will be filled in the near future.
“I think it’s probably still a month away or so, and until then Conrad is providing us some basic services,” Griffiths said, adding Demeria started his new duties, Sept. 11, and like Daley, will provide emergency co-ordinator service for the Rural Municipality of Dauphin. “Right now we have a joint municipal emergency plan. It’s one plan for both municipalities.”
Griffiths added the new position was not created as part of the much-anticipated Community Safety and Well-being Plan, currently in development.
“If there is something in our community that first responders are overwhelmed with and we have to create a municipal response, then that’s where that municipal emergency co-ordinator kicks in. And then workplace safety and health is internal and fire inspections and administrative work is internal, as well,” she said. “So I actually do not see a big role for this position with (the Community Safety and Well-being Plan).”