Dauphin was included in a recent $1.1 million provincial investment meant to strengthen community safety in several municipalities across Manitoba as part of its Safer Neighborhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy.

In what Mayor David Bosiak referred to as a pleasant surprise, the City will receive $200,000 to help support community safety initiatives and enhance security at municipal buildings,

“It appears that the government program that they had put in last year’s budget in regards to providing grants to businesses for safety equipment might have been undersubscribed,” Bosiak said.

“So the province took what was left over in that program budget line from last year and, based on conversations they had with several communities, redistributed that money.”

Bosiak believes the grant is a result of conversations city officials have had with Justice minister Matt Wiebe regarding safety concerns in the community.

“We’re not immune. We absolutely know that we’ve got some problems downtown in particular, but in the community in general with some homelessness, with some people with mental illness or some drug-related issues,” Bosiak said.

“It’s a problem. We know that, and we’re trying to do whatever we can within our jurisdiction to address it.”

While the money  will be used to help support existing efforts, such as the anti graffiti program through the purchase of supplies and equipment, it will also help to support a Community Safety Patrol pilot program, which will launch soon.

“Have qualified people interact with people who might be seen as either loitering or maybe, causing minor disturbances, or just hanging around too long someplace, and ask them what do you need? How are you doing? Is there anything we can help with?” Bosiak said.

“We looked at Portage and we looked at Thompson, who have community safety officer programs and they’re expensive. But Thompson and Portage have both said it’s helped them.”

Bosiak said upset city residents often advocate for simply removing problem people from the community, or at the very least, from the public’s view. While that might be appealing for some, it is not a solution for what is a complex problem, he said.

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

A Dauphin man out on bail awaiting trial in the United States connected to the theft of a handgun is facing additional charges following a search of his residence by RCMP.

Wilfred Kachurowski, 73, has been charged with seven firearms and gun smuggling related offences, including weapons trafficking, importing weapons knowing they are unauthorized, possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a restricted firearm, and unsafe storage of firearms.

On March 23, Manitoba RCMP were notified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that firearms charges had been laid in Minnesota against Kachurowski after a handgun was stolen during a gun show two days earlier in Newfolden, Minn.

Kachurowski was arrested at the scene and a handgun was recovered from his bag by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. He was subsequently charged with felony theft, released on bail and returned to Canada, Mar. 28.

Officers from the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team (MILET) and the RCMP National Weapons Enforcement Support Team (NWEST) began investigating after learning additional stolen weapons may be located at Kachurowski’s residence, in the RM of Dauphin.

On April 15, MILET West officers - assisted by NWEST, the RCMP West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team and Dauphin RCMP - executed a search warrant at the address.

Six handguns were recovered, at least two of which were identified as being stolen from the United States.

None of the firearms were stored in compliance with regulations and several firearms were loaded.

Kachurowski was remanded in custody.

The investigation continues.

Recognizing that climate change represents the greatest challenge to the future of humanity and the life support systems that make the earth habitable, Dauphin city council kicked off its Apr. 13 regular meeting by proclaiming Apr. 22 as Earth Day.

The proclamation notes municipal governments have a firsthand understanding of community needs and are capable of “greater agility to take swift, concrete measures, with effects that ripple well beyond local spheres.”

Council also proclaimed Apr. 19 to 25 as Invasive Species Awareness Week as a way to increase public knowledge of invasive species, including Dutch elm and emerald ash borer beetles and zebra mussels, which can result in the loss of Manitoba’s unique ecosystems and native species.

Added to taxes

Councillors opted to add one outstanding water account to the tax rolls in the amount of $194.22 owing at 113 Johnson Street after the owners did not pay current water bill.

Celebration dollars

Council received correspondence from Canadian Heritage informing them they will receive a $5,000 grant under the  Celebration and Commemoration Program, Celebrate Canada Component to help finance local Canada Day celebrations.

Right of way

Council received word from CN that it will be conducting  vegetation management activities in the area, between April and October. Vegetation management is a crucial component of railway safety and regulatory compliance. Management through both chemical and mechanical methods is conducted in accordance with Transport Canada’s requirements.

Prairie Park Place

In her report to council, city manager Sharla Griffiths indicated the Prairie Park Place early learning centre project is progressing.

Although many of the details remain confidential, Griffiths shared the tender to bid on construction closed, Mar. 5, and Sternberg Architecture, reviewed all the bids for validity and reported on them to the City

She added the City is now working with the Province to get the project awarded so construction can begin late spring.

Read the full story in this weeks Dauphin Herald.

We all saw it during last year’s wildfire season, the risks associated with a warming climate are growing.

To help mitigate those risks, the City of Dauphin is utilizing a $15,000 grant from the province’s Climate Action Fund to develop a formal plan framework around resiliance and climate leadership objectives which reflect local realities.

The process formally began recently when council received correspondence announcing the start of the process from the International Institute for  Sustainable Development (IISD), which is leading the project in collaboration with CVLNS, a community planning consultant based in Winnipeg, and the Prairie Climate Centre.

A warming of the planet is increasing climate-related risks, such as flooding, extreme heat, and drought, which pose challenges to public safety, municipal assets, and long-term sustainability.

While these risks are currently managed through existing operational practices, in a memo to council, Ashley Rawluk, a policy advisor  with IISD, said a climate adaptation plan “provides a co-ordinated and proactive framework to strengthen long-term resilience and support council’s climate leadership objectives.”

The City’s climate adaptation plan, expected to be completed this fall, will focus on identifying and assessing climate-related hazards and risks to City-owned assets and services, including transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater, public works, and parks.

The development process will consider risk assessments identified by City staff and stakeholder engagement, along with the identification of adaptation actions and funding opportunities.

Rawluk said the final document will support informed decision-making and long-term resilience by providing a clear, actionable roadmap to reduce climate risks, protect municipal assets, and integrate climate considerations into everyday operations.

A Climate Adaptation Working Group (CAWG) will lead the engagement process and will be comprised of eight members representing the City of Dauphin, the Northwest Metis Council and Aninshinaabe Nation in Treaty 2 Territory.

Public input will be gathered through both in person events and an online community survey. These will share key findings from the climate hazard assessment and the emerging plan, while gathering feedback on local climate impacts, community priorities, and adaptation needs.

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

Two Dauphin projects figured prominently in the tabling of Budget 2026 in the Manitoba Legislature, last week.

The budget document drew attention to the Dauphin Centre for Community Justice, with a promise of $7 million to break ground on the $142 million project this fiscal year, as well as a commitment of $1.5 million for Northgate Trails, to allow for the expansion of the network, with an eye toward integration of the system with the northern escarpment of Riding Mountain National Park.

For Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn, the justice centre announcement is a bright light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

“I think we have nightmares about what was done a number of years ago by the previous government. I’m so very proud that our government sees the importance of working with the justice facility. We know there’s a shortage in the area,” Kostyshyn said.

“I think what we’re going to be seeing is a modernized version of a justice facility to work with individuals and, hopefully, correct some of the challenges they face.”

Kostyshyn views the justice centre as one of the largest opportunities for development, not only in the region, but in the province as a whole, and he is pleased to see the project get underway in the community in 2026.

“The latest I got is the documents are being designed and going out for tender darn quick. Things just don’t happen too quick, but the intent is to, hopefully, put some shovels in ground or get some movement. But it’s happening, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

The province’s commitment to the expansion of the Northgate Trail System is another source of pride for Kostyshyn, considering the benefits the project unlocks.

“What’s going to be one of the greatest things that’s going to be specifically for the tourism industry is the continuation of the Northgate Trail,” he said.

“I don’t think people have any idea what opportunities that will have in the future for  us. It’s hard to believe Dauphin will be one of the unique locations for such a bike trail, actually internationally. In a perfect world, competitions could be held because of the trail.”

The out-of-box thinking that went into supporting Northgate is the approach the province is taking when it comes to being innovative and seizing opportunities to create economic development and economic growth.

Read the full story in this weeks Dauphin Herald.

The City released a video last week of a man disposing of an old toilet at the residential recycling drop off located along First Avenue Southeast to highlight ongoing problems at the facility.

At their regular meeting earlier this month, council was made aware of the situation by deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet.

“I wanted to briefly highlight, sadly, the ongoing misuse that we’re seeing at the residential recycling depot on First Avenue Southeast. This site is intended for city of Dauphin for approved residential recyclable materials only,” Gaudet said.

“But we continue to see household garbage, furniture, yard waste, and materials left outside the bins.”

Gaudet said the City has been reinforcing proper use of the facility through social media messaging and public education.

“That recycling must be placed inside the bins and absolutely no garbage or black garbage bags are acceptable here,” she said.

“If the misuse continues, we may have to evaluate the depot site and ultimately might have to consider reducing the service.”

The depot is intended for approved residential recycling from city households only

Household garbage, furniture, appliances, mattresses, renovation debris, yard waste and black garbage bags are not allowed.

When using the depot, place materials inside the correct bin and flatten cardboard boxes before placing them in the cardboard bin.

Do not leave anything outside of the bins. Ottenbreit Sanitation Services rotates the bins regularly. If a bin is full, wait until space becomes available or call 204-622-3200.

When contamination or illegal dumping occurs recyclable materials may be redirected to the landfill. As well, City staff time and equipment are required for cleanup, meaning taxpayer dollars are diverted to address improper disposal.

Gaudet stressed this service is provided for the convenience of City residents and can only remain available if it is used properly.

The efforts of local business and community leaders were in the spotlight at The Parkland Chamber of Commerce Celebration Night, Mar. 18, at Countryfest Community Cinema.

Dr. Kara Vanderheyden, owner of WillowBrook Eye Care, was presented the Business Person of the Year Award.

The award recognizes a well-known passion for excellence and leadership in the business community and a commitment to economic development, innovation, business ethics and community involvement.

Flying under the radar for many years, Ritz Machine Works came out into the light as the Outstanding Business Award winner for 2026.

Criteria for the award considers success in positive company growth including sales, growth prospects, and employment creation, while demonstrating a clear strategic vision and engaging in innovative practices, which have a continuing positive impact on the community.

Any healthy business requires the presence of young entrepreneurs, who exemplify the qualities of effective leadership, innovatively applied know-how, and excellent potential for growth.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year, presented to an individual between the ages of 18 and 35, who has been in business no longer than two years was presented this year to Jarrod Delaurier of Delaurier Welding Ltd.

The Start-up Business Award, presented to an undertaking which has been in operation for  less than two years and shows promise in positive growth, while creating new employment opportunities, was this year presented to Flett’s Custom Cutting in Gilbert Plains.

A pair of awards named after a former mayor, recognized contributions through personal efforts to the well-being of the community as a whole.

This year the Eric Irwin Community Appreciation Award Individual was presented to Lindsay Dingwall, while the Dauphin RIDE Program took home the Eric Irwin Community Appreciation Award Group.

Carla Vandenbrink of Carla’s Adventures accepted the Side Hustle Business Award. The award recognizes an entrepeneur, who demonstrates success within a venture they choose to operate outside of their regular job.

To bring the clebration to a close, Gary Sydor was posthumously presented the Legacy Award with his accomplishments highlighted in a video presentation of Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn reading a Member’s Statement in the Manitoba Legislature.

The award recognizing Sydor’s extraordinary accomplishments, which benefited the region in unique and meaningful ways and served as an inspiration for the community, was accepted by his wife Liz.

With fierce competition for quality employees in the agriculture sector, a proper human resources program can improve the odds of attracting and retaining productive farm workers.

That was the message Lyndsay Seafoot of  The Curbridge Group relayed to area producers gathered for the Dauphin Agricultural Society’s Farm Outlook 2026, Mar. 10.

“I think a lot of times we give up on some of these HR things that seem overwhelming, they seem complex,” Seafoot said.

“But there is a huge responsibility and a huge impact that you can have on other people when you’re a manager or an owner and people work for you and with you.”

Farms, like all businesses, are competing for employees and it is important to set things up professionally to slant the field in their favour, she added.

“What happens when you build up your business on some very basic HR stuff is that you become a better competitor,” Seafoot said.

“You want to give people assurance and trust and comfort that you’re doing things properly from an HR perspective.”

The HR function of any business, she said, is every interaction an employee has with a business from hiring to retiring.

“How do you hire people? How do you pay people? What do you do for overtime? What do you do on stat holidays? Do you have benefits? Why or why not? Do you have a retirement program? Why or why not? What happens if I do something wrong? How can I get fired? How much are you paying people when they get fired? All of those things, that’s HR,” Seafoot said, adding it is important to have all that information and more written down in an employee handbook and that the parametres are followed. Expectations and boundaries should be clearly communicated and communication should be continuous throughout the employees’ tenure. Employment contracts are another important area which should be considered.

“Employees feel stable, they feel comfortable when they enter a workplace that has things organized for them.”

Recommending leadership training as a worthwhile investment, Seafoot said the goal of developing a comprehensive HR program is to position the business as an “employer of choice.”

“When you’re hiring and you’re looking for employees, you have a good reputation and you’re a choice employer, meaning people want to work for you and try to work for you,” she said.

“So, setting yourself up as an employer of choice makes hiring and retention a heck of a lot easier.

“You can experience a lot of ease and a lot of smooth sailing with employees when you do things right.”

Normally, Jon Driedger finds grain markets straight forward and, at times, a bit boring.

But the representative of LeftField Commodity Research told area producers gathered in Aspen Lodge at the Parkland Recreation Complex for Farm Outlook 2026 in this crop year, things are anything, but normal.

“That’s maybe a bit flippant because markets are always hard, right? They’re always unpredictable. But certainly there’s just an element of utter chaos that has become a part of grain markets and trying to get a sense of what’s going on,” Driedger said, adding when he last attended the event, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia had just taken place.

“Now we got war going on in Iran and it seems like it’s utter chaos, which doesn’t make our job any easier.”

Despite that chaos Driedger shared some of his thoughts about the markets and how to navigate them.

“I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I have any kind of perfect crystal ball. Because I think in this kind of environment, no one does,” he said, adding LeftField Commodity Research is not aligned with any major agricultural company and is free to “call it as we see it.”

While overall, he is cautiously optimistic about prices, Driedger warned producers the “external

shocks” everyone has been dealing with result in wide ranging outcomes, good and bad. 

“Think about the potential for extremes even if grain market fundamentals are pretty normal,” he said.

Driedger opened his analysis with a look at U.S corn and soybean markets as they are a bellweather for Canadian crop markets.

In both cases, large crops were grown last season and the carry out of both commodities will be higher than normal.

“They grew a lot, we’re going to use a lot, but there’s a cushion going into this next season. We got a comfortable carry out, it’s not crushingly burdensome, but it just has a bit of a dampening effect,” Driedger said, adding the U.S. is expected to plant additional acres of each crop this season, while South America is on track for a record soybean crop this year.

On the good news side, demand is on the rise particularly in the biofuel industry, Driedger said, which can help keep prices on the higher side of the ranges traditionally seen.

“That’s kind of the setup you have, decent production, decent supplies, but also pretty good demand,” he said.

For the full story, read this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

When ratepayers in Mountain View School Division head to the polls this fall to elect a new board of trustees, things will be a little different than in the past.

As part of their public budget meeting, Mar. 2, MVSD presented some options for the realignment of its electoral wards ahead of the Oct. 28 vote.

“I guess the first question that a lot of people have is why are we changing the ward systems,” MVSD board chair Jason Gryba said.

“We have to do this to stay in compliance with the Public Schools Act, particularly section 57, which states that there has to be fairly close to equal representation of voters per trustee, across the wards.”

The effect of Bill 16, which finally extends voting rights to First Nations, also has to be considered in the calculation.

“So we have the Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nation, which are also going to be included into a ward,” Gryba said.

Under the current system, Ward 1 in the Roblin area does not have enough ratepayers to support the two trustees currently representing it, while Ward 4, the City of Dauphin needs more than its current three trustees, given its population.

“The number of voters that are represented by a trustee can vary slightly, but can’t be below a 25 per cent difference or above a 25 per cent difference,” Gryba said.

Currently Ward 1 is comprised of the Roblin Municipality and is represented by two trustees. Ward 2, also with two trustees, is made up by Grandview Municipality, Gilbert Plains Municipality, Municipality of Ethelbert and a portion of the RM of Mountain South. Ward 3 includes the RM of Dauphin, RM of Lakeshore, Mossey River Municipality and a portion of the RM of Mountain and McCreary Municipality, again with two trustees, while three trustees represent the City of Dauphin in Ward 4.

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