One local man is in jail after Dauphin RCMP found him in possession of a homemade firearm.

Christopher Bilay, 37, is facing charges of possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon without a license, unauthorized possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon, two counts of possessing a weapons contrary to an order, impaired driving and possession of property obtained by crime.

The charges stem from an incident, June 13, when, at approximately 10:40 p.m., police were on patrol when they noticed a vehicle headed northbound on Main Street in Dauphin travelling at a high rate of speed and a traffic stop was initiated.

When the officer approached the vehicle, there were two males in the front seat.

An odour of alcohol was detected and a large bag of unmarked cigarettes was in the centre console.

The driver, Bilay, was given a roadside alcohol screening test, which he failed.

A search of the vehicle revealed the homemade gun with a bayonet attached, a spent round of ammunition, unused ammunition, multiple cell phones and Canadian currency.

It was determined that the driver was on parole for drug trafficking-related charges and was breaching several of his conditions, including abstaining from alcohol, not owning or possessing more than one mobile communication device, and abiding by a curfew.

Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Dan Mazier is upping his efforts to tackle crime through reform of Canada’s bail system.

Mazier has dedicated a significant amount of his parliamentary work to promoting legislation, which gets tough on crime and draws attention to what he says is an increase in crime under the current Liberal government.

“The reality is that violent crime has increased by 32 per cent since Justin Trudeau took office,” Mazier said. “Violent repeat offenders are being released on bail because of the prime minister’s catch-and-release policies and now Canadians see the disastrous result.”

Mazier has spent the last year focusing his work on addressing crime, through meetings with law enforcement, initiating community townhalls, launching petitions, and opposing the government’s Bill C-5, which removed mandatory minimum sentences for multiple offences.

Now he is going one step further by working to change the law and formally adding his name to bills C-325 and C-313.

Bill C-325 seeks to reform Canada’s Criminal Code by creating a new offence for criminals who violate parole conditions. Pierre Paul-Hus, the Conservative MP who authored the legislation, highlighted the story of Myles Sanderson, who murdered 10 people in Saskatchewan in multiple knife attacks.

Despite being charged with 59 crimes before the murders, Sanderson was released on conditions.

Paul-Hus says a criminal like Sanderson should have never been on the streets, but the current legal system made it possible.

Additionally, Bill C-325 would require probation officers to report violent criminals who breach their release conditions, an action that is currently not required.

“Canadians are fed up with a failed justice system that allows dangerous repeat offenders to serve their sentences from the comfort of their home. One day a criminal is arrested, and the next day they’re back on the streets committing another crime,” Mazier said. “This isn’t fair to communities, and it’s certainly not fair to victims.”

The local MP is also working to pass additional bail reform laws by jointly seconding Bill C-313, which would amend the Criminal Code and result in a greater burden being placed on repeat offenders to justify why they should be granted bail.

By eliminating the wording that someone must pose a “substantial” likelihood to re-offend in order to be denied bail and replacing it with a ”minimal” likelihood to re-offend, the threshold for detention would be lower.

Mazier plans to continue his efforts in tackling crime by working with all members of the House of Commons to pass the bills.

Dauphins Countryfest is offering high school seniors more than just a pat on the back for successfully wrapping up their secondary school careers.

Canada’s longest running country music festival, is offering graduates in Manitoba and Saskatchewan a free 730 CKDM Thursday Kick-Off Party pass to extend a heartfelt congratulations for their hard work and dedication.

Countryfest general manager Rob Woloschuk said festival organizers understand the importance of celebrating milestones. By providing complimentary access to the kick-off party, graduates can kick off their summer festivities in style while enjoying a fantastic lineup of live country music performances.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of graduates from Manitoba and Saskatchewan,” Woloschuk said. “As an organization committed to fostering community spirit and providing unforgettable entertainment experiences, we believe that offering free access to our Thursday kick-off party is a great way to honour their accomplishments. We invite graduates to join us and create lifelong memories at Dauphin’s Countryfest.”

If graduates wish to extend their experience beyond Thursday night, they have the option to upgrade to a weekend pass for $150, inclusive of all service charges and taxes, Woloschuk said, adding the offer is only available until June 1.

Dauphin’s Countryfest attracts thousands of music enthusiasts each year and promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

With a variety of food vendors, merchandise stalls, and lively entertainment, Woloschuk said Dauphin’s Countryfest has something for everyone.

For more information about or to access the form for the free Thursday kick-off party pass, visit countryfest.ca, or call toll-free to 1-800-361-7300.

Elected officials and senior administration from the Rural Municipality of Dauphin and the City of Dauphin were given a tour of Vermillion Growers’ greenhouse development located on the northern edge of the city, recently.

The tour opened the participants’ eyes to the level of technology integrated into the operation and the economic potential for the area.

The facility is expected to accept its first plants sometime in May with the first crop to be harvested soon after.

Manitobans may soon be able to purchase their alcohol with their groceries after the Manitoba government introduced amendments to the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act and the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act that would enable retail store operators to be licensed to sell liquor as part of a five-year pilot project.

The proposed amendments would create the necessary conditions for a five-year liquor retail pilot project that would be set out in regulation including:
• when the five-year period begins;
• eligible pilot project participants;
• proximity and number of pilot project stores; and
• display requirements for liquor.

Under the proposed amendments, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries would be able to enter into liquor retail agreements with operators provided the terms of the project are met.

In addition, the definition of a liquor store would be condensed and clarified to mean the premises or that part of the premises specified in a liquor store license where the retail sale of liquor is authorized. The change would provide flexibility when determining who is eligible for a liquor store license and expands eligibility to meet the needs of a pilot project agreement holder.

Participating retailers would have to purchase liquor from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.

Fort Dauphin Museum will help the community celebrate its 125th birthday this summer, thanks in part to a grant through the Community Celebrations program of the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund.

The museum received $5,000 to help organize the July 11 birthday party.

Through the program Manitoba government awarded $323,000 to 67 community events across Manitoba, Department staff evaluated grant applications based on project goals and eligibility, feasibility, and community impact.

The $100-million fund was established in August 2022 to support arts, culture and amateur sport.

Funding is distributed through three programs:
• large capital projects;
• small capital projects and special initiatives; and
• community celebrations.

Applications for the Community Celebrations program are reviewed quarterly.

The current intake for the program is open until Mar. 15.

Search and rescue specialists will hone their skills at a special training exercise in Dauphin, this weekend.

Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) will hold a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) in the Dauphin area, Mar. 18.

The Dauphin SAREX 2023 participants include the Canadian Air Force’s 435 Squadron and its Hercules aircraft and SARTEC’s (parachute jumpers) along with the RCMP Search and Rescue unit, CASARA pilots, ground homing specialists and drone teams.

The exercise will centre on a simulated crash site designed and constructed by the 50 Squadron Air Cadets, Dauphin.

CASARA is a Canada wide volunteer aviation association dedicated to the promotion of aviation safety, and to the provision of air search support services to the National Search and Rescue Program.

CASARA Manitoba is dedicated to the development and maintenance of a capability within the province for private light aircraft and crew to assist in searching for lost aircraft and others who may require such assistance.

In addition to training search professionals, CASARA assists the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian military and its divisions, Parks Canada, and local municipal forces in searching for aircraft, boaters, hikers and others in need of assistance.

Kyle Forsyth topped the field at the Dauphin Men’s Bonspiel, presented by Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy, over the weekend.

Forsyth and his team of Jarvis Whyte, Trent Hill and Cody Hill won the championship event, sponsored by Embroidery by Design, beating Dave Marohn in the final. Rob Rempel was third and Logan Devos was fourth.

In the second event, sponsored by McMunn and Yates Building Supplies, Seth Gares and his team of Darcy Gares, Jeff Campbell and Blaine Johnson beat Dwight Bottrell in the final, with Jared Nimegeers in third and Nolan Hadway in fourth.

Darcy Todoruk and his team of Mark Graham, Dustin Mayuk and Chris Todoruk won the third event, sponsored by Parkland Source for Sports, beating Rob Fisher in the final.

Third place went to Steven Michaleski and in fourth place was Craig McLean.

The fourth event, sponsored by Baker Computers, was won by Greg Todoruk and his team of Barrett Procyshyn, Jeff Abrahams and Jeremy Mills. They beat Mike VanAlstyne in the final. Third place went to Peter Prokopowich and in fourth place was Luke Michaleski.