Kayla Gillis will carry the Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative banner into next year’s provincial general election as the party’s candidate in the Dauphin constituency.
The PCs announced the nomination last week, citing Gillis’ high profile across the Parkland and beyond for her lifelong contributions to local economic development and community-building efforts, as the driving factor behind her nomination.
Gillis served 15 years on the board of Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival - 11 as board chair - in addition to her work with Dauphin’s Countryfest, Dauphin Tourism, and numerous other organizations.
In those roles, Gillis has helped lead some of Canada’s most notable cultural events, playing an instrumental part in spurring tourism in the region and the province as a whole.
Gillis also takes keen interest in the needs of Manitoba’s agricultural producers and the multitude of challenges faced by the sector today.
Beginning with her upbringing on a farm, she went on to graduate from Assiniboine College’s agribusiness program, served as vice-chair of the Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference, and spent more than a decade working in Manitoba’s agribusiness sector. She continues to support families, farmers, and businesses today as a leading financial service provider in the community.
“My parents taught me at a very early age that we should always strive to help others and make our community the best it can be,” Gillis said.
“That value has empowered me throughout my life to seek out any opportunity to give back to my community. Being able to advocate for the needs and concerns of our constituency at the provincial level is just that kind of opportunity.”
An enthusiastic community builder since her early years volunteering for the local 4-H Club, Gillis’ efforts have earned her the One to Watch Alumni Award from Assiniboine College’s Parkland Campus (2022), both a Global Citizen Award and a Community Leadership Award from the Royal Bank of Canada (2023), and the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025).
She was also a 2024 nominee for the Community Leadership and Social Action Award as part of YMCA Westman’s Women of Distinction Awards.
“From the recent flooding and hospital closure, to the economic fallout of tariffs, to every day cost-of-living pressures, Dauphin families have gone through a lot in a very short amount of time. Now more than ever, they need an optimistic path forward with real, practical solutions,” Gillis said.
“I’m ready to deliver that leadership as part of a Progressive Conservative team.”
The 44th Manitoba general election will be held no later than Oct. 5, 2027.

Police are hoping for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a recent armed robbery at a Dauphin convenience store
On Sept. 14, at approximately 6:25 a.m., RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery that had occurred at a business on the 100-block of Main Street South.
Responding officers learned a man had come into the store wearing a mask and carrying a crowbar.
He threatened the store employee with the crowbar, then walked behind the counter and stole several packs of cigarettes. He then ran to the front of the counter, grabbed several bags of potato chips and a drink from the fridge, then fled the store.
The suspect was last seen fleeing down an alley.
Officers, with assistance from RCMP Police Dog Services, searched the area following the incident, but were unable to locate the man.
Police are asking for help indentifying the man, who at the time of the robbery was wearing a white sweater, black pants, white shoes, a black ski mask and gloves.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dauphin RCMP at 204-622-5020, Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or to submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
• • •
A local cyclist was sent to hospital last week following a report of a collision with a vehicle.
The incident occurred on Fourth Avenue Southwest and Main Street in Dauphin. Upon responding, police learned a truck turning right onto Main Street was struck by a cyclist riding on the wrong side of the street.
The cyclist, a 33-year-old woman, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle, a 39-year-old woman, was uninjured.
No charges or tickets are expected.
• • •
Two people are facing numerous firearms charges after police executed multiple search warrants at residences in Dauphin and on the Pine Creek First Nation as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
The first search warrant was executed at a home on Hwy. 272 by the Manitoba West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), with support from the Manitoba West District General Investigation Section (GIS), Police Dog Services and Winnipegosis and Dauphin RCMP detachment members.
Once inside, officers found five firearms and some ammunition. Neither resident had a valid licence to possess firearms, with the man being prohibited via court order from possessing guns. The firearms were seized.
Further investigation led RCMP to writing and executing a second search warrant at a residence on King Street in Dauphin later that day.
Fifteen firearms and ammunition were seized from that residence.
As a result, Ernest Chief, 41, of Pine Creek First Nation is charged with two counts each of unsafe storage of firearms, unauthorized possession of a firearm and disobeying acourt order.
In addition, Natasha Chief, 36, of Dauphin is charged with two counts each of unsafe storage of firearms and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
• • •
During the morning of Sept. 16, Dauphin RCMP observed a man wearing a mask and gloves, while they were assisting paramedics at a medical call on Second Avenue Northeast.
A witness at the scene then directed officers to a knife and a cannister of bear spray that the man had just discarded.
The officers arrested him, at which point the suspect provided a false name.
Soon after, officers identified the man who was wanted in connection with a Sept. 11 incident in which a man had gone into the home of someone he knew, threw stuff around and damaged their television.
James Fredrick Ducharme, 22, of Duck Bay is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief under $5,000.
He was remanded in custody.

Although they lost both games over the weekend, there were plenty of positives the Dauphin Kings can take from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s opening weekend.
In a back and forth season opener, the Kings fell 6-5 in overtime to the Selkirk Steelers, Friday in Selkirk.
In Saturday’s home opener in front of 904 spectators, the Kings dropped a 3-2 decision.
Kings head coach Bryan Kromm felt the Kings did a lot of good things in the two games.
“With a young group, it’s about consistency. And I thought we played well on Friday and tonight, we weren’t really consistent with our game for a full 60,” he said.
“So when you don’t play hockey that way, the right way, for that amount of time, obviously, you’re going to end up on the wrong side of the scoresheet.”
Kromm was pleased with the compete level he saw, noting the team is working on its resiliency.
“Obviously, there’s ups and downs. And again, with the young group like we have, they’ve got to figure out how to handle those ups and those downs and stay level headed throughout it,” he said.
The injury bug has hit teams to start the season with four players missing Friday’s season opener and Kurtis Kinoshita leaving that game.
Every team, Kromm said, goes through injuries at some point in a season.
“You’ve just got to deal with it. There’s no excuses, right?” he said.
Also missing from the lineup was veteran Dylan Miko, who served a two-game suspension for a checking from behind major he picked up in game four against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in last year’s quarterfinal series.
Kromm expects to have everyone back by this weekend, when the Kings host the Swan Valley Stampeders, Friday, at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the teams faceoff in a rematch in Swan River, also at 7 p.m.
Kromm said there is still a lot of things for the team to work on, noting it is a work in progress.
Kings court: After recording four points in 18 games last season, defenceman Sam Swanton registered four assists in Friday’s season opener and added a fifth helper Saturday. Counting the preseason, forward Collin Friedrich has seven goals in six games. He scored four times in four preseason contests and has three goals in the first two games of the regular season.

A large turnover of players has resulted in a young Dauphin Clippers football hitting the field in the Rural Manitoba Football League, this season.
And, although they lost the season opener, 48-0, to the St. Vital Mustangs, Sunday in Dauphin, it was a good learning experience for the young squad.
“I think it was huge. We had so many things that we didn’t have a chance to work on. In fact that was our first time on the football field,” said Clippers head coach Nathan Thacker.
“We do all our practicing off to the side, because we don’t like to damage the field. So spatially, it was a lot of learning that had to go on.”
Despite the lopsided score, Thacker was pleased with a lot of aspects of the game.
“When you look at the fact that at the end of the game, we still had kids clawing for every inch on offence and running their butts off on defence trying to make tackles. Not shying away from contact,” he said.
The coaches, Thacker said, can work with players who maybe miss an assignment or aren’t quite sure what they’re supposed to be doing.
“You learn a lot about your kids in a game like that. Who wants to play when they’re down? Who gives up early? And we didn’t see a lot of people that gave up early. And we saw a lot of people that wanted to play at the end. So that means a lot,” he said.
The Clippers, who have plenty of things to build on for the next game, will now get ready to host the Swan Valley Tigers, Sunday, at 1 p.m.
“Defensively, we had a few people who wanted to spectate, because when the older kids are making plays, you step back, but they know what it takes now,” Thacker said.
“And then offensively, we saw the things that we struggled with, which was mainly timing. And we knew that. But when you’re not executing on offence, you make your defence pretty tired.”
Thacker added this is the happiest he has ever been after losing a game by 48 points.

The Terry Fox Run, Walk, Skate, Roll, Bike event took place this past Sunday (Sept. 20), with registration outside the Swan River Centennial Arena. The event was attended by all walks of life, as well as all ages, to help raise awareness and support cancer research. Pictured, The event gets underway with numerous Swan Valley residents setting out on the route.

The Terry Fox Run, Walk, Skate, Roll, Bike event took place this past Sunday (Sept. 20), with registration outside the Swan River Centennial Arena. The event was attended by all walks of life, as well as all ages, to help raise awareness and support cancer research. Pictured here, Andrew Pidskalny signs the No Matter What sign that was placed outside for everyone to view and sign.

After listening to the views of Manitobans on seasonal time changes, the Manitoba government has decided to remain on daylight saving time (DST) permanently, Premier Wab Kinew announced today.

“We heard from Manitobans loud and clear – no more changing the clocks in Manitoba,” said Kinew. “Permanent daylight saving time is good for our health, good for business and good for parents. For families, especially those with young kids, that one-hour shift can disrupt sleep and routines for days. This change means one less adjustment families have to deal with each spring and fall. That’s why this November, your clocks won’t be changing.”

This change means Manitobans’ clocks will not revert to standard time on Nov. 1. Manitoba joins several other provinces and territories that have adopted or are moving toward a permanent time including British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In May, Manitobans were asked to share their views on the future of time changes and nearly 72,000 votes were submitted. A total of 92 per cent of Manitobans surveyed wanted to see an end to seasonal time changes. A majority of Manitobans (58 per cent) preferred to stay on permanent DST, while 34 per cent voted to eliminate the time change but stay on standard time.

The Manitoba government is working closely with organizations, businesses and industry partners as it works to implement permanent DST, the premier noted.

“Permanent daylight saving time is good for Manitoba businesses,” said Loren Remillard, president and CEO, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. “More daylight in the evening means more opportunity for restaurants, retailers, farmers, and communities across our province to make the most of the day. Ending the twice-a-year clock change reduces friction for companies working across provincial borders and offers all Manitobans greater predictability and stability. The Winnipeg Chamber welcomes this practical step to make doing business in our province a little easier.”

An analysis by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care concluded that eliminating time changes would be better for population health than maintaining the status quo.

The full report is available at: https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/20252026/time-policy-factsheet.pdf

By Terrie Welwood
Russell Banner

“It was an incredible – such pro-Canada spirit and energy that I’ve never experienced in my life before. The spirit was ‘enough talking, let’s get it done and get Canada independent’” Daymon Guillas President of PADCOM

At the invitation of the Prime Minister, Daymon Guillas attended the Canada Investment summit as part of the Manitoba team which included the finance minister, the minister of mines and economic development and others.
A large part of the Manitoban pitch to investors revolved around the port of Churchill and it’s importance to not only the protection of the Arctic but opening of transportation to European and Asian markets as well as the focus on increased mining in Manitoba.
One of the biggest changes is happening before a shovel even hits the ground, with average mine permitting times reportedly falling from more than 300 days to about 95.
There’s already a small proof of concept for the Churchill route, PADCOM recently sent a 20-tonne shipment through the Arctic port to Belgium.
Now, days after the Canadian Investment Summit has concluded, panels of economists are talking about the importance of and the excitement around PADCOM as the first and only potash mine at a time when potash and fertilizer is so very important on the world stage. That and the fact that it’s the first shipment of potash to Europe through the Port of Churchill.

Find out more on the front page of this week's Russell Banner.

Thinking you don't want to miss out on what is happening in the Russell area? Click the link below to subscribe to our mailed or online edition of the Russell Banner.
Subscribe | The Russell Banner

BY JENNIFER LAVIOLETTE FOR THE REVIEW

It’s the start of a new school year for students and Roblin Elementary School (RES) has been preparing to welcome back staff and students for some time. This year, there are only a couple of new staff to join the team at RES.
“We got a couple of new staff this year,” said RES Principal Mark Rathgeber. “We have Meagan Bonnema and she is a part-time secretary in the office. We also have Rebecca Olson, who is teaching grades 3 and 4 in the afternoon. We had a couple of teachers, Mrs. Bailes and Mrs. Campbell, retire last year. We’ve been fortunate to always find good staff to come and work here.”
There are some new changes to the curriculum this year for students. A lot of the changes reflect and tie into getting students to develop critical thinking skills as they develop their reading and scientific processes.

Get the whole story on page 8 of this week's Roblin Review.

BY TERRIE WELWOOD FOR THE REVIEW

Students and staff have returned to Goose Lake High school with a couple of new staff members and student numbers that have grown consistently over the last few years.
“Our highlight this year is our increased enrollment,” Goose Lake principal Kirk Wilson said. “Last year at this time, we were up 25 students and this year we’re up another 10 students for a student count of 171 registered students.
“That largely comes because we inherited a rather large grade nine class along with a few new families who have moved to Roblin.”
As always, the international students form an integral part of the Goose Lake classrooms too, Wilson said.

Get educated on what is new at GLH for the 2026-2027 school year in this week's edition of The Roblin Review.