The Pas Local News

Mayor Report

Mayor Andre Murphy says the town is addressing the problem of improperly disposing of sharps in the community.

 

"So we had another meeting yesterday and this group has been meeting monthly now for the last, oh, I would say six months or so more or less monthly, and we're coming up with them.  They're coming up with more plans on how to deal with Sharps in our community, making sure that people understand the hazards of sharps."

 

There will be an education event in April to help address the issue.

 

The town is also working on community safety, and there have been collaborations with the OCN.

 

The interview process for the community safety officer position the town has been actively trying to fill is now underway.

 

The next council meeting will be on March 25th.

 

The final budget presentation will be on April 17th.

Getting Better Together

Getting Better Together is running here in the community, and the Northern Health Region is encouraging health-conscious habits for those with chronic health issues.

 

The program is coordinated by the Wellness Institute out of the 7 Oaks General Hospital in Winnipeg and implemented in the north by The Northern Health Region.

 

Russell Thorne, Community Health Developer with the NRHA, says the program is designed to help manage chronic health conditions.

 

"The Get Better Together program is designed for individuals with any type of ongoing health issues.  It can be from arthritis, asthma, cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure.  Basically, you're looking at any ongoing health issue that a person is dealing with."

 

During the six-week program, participants will discuss various topics, including physical activity, healthy eating, stress-reducing techniques, pain and fatigue management, communication skills, problem-solving, medication use, and working with healthcare teams.

 

The program starts on Wednesday, March 27th, at The Pas Primary Health Care Centre and will run till May 1st.

 

The class is free and will run from 6:30 to 9 pm.

MLA Report

Tansi,

 

Last month saw the return of the 77th Annual Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival as hundreds gathered in The Pas for this year’s festivities. The warmer weather did not stop us from enjoying our outstanding food, rich traditions, and each other’s company. I commend everyone who participated in this year’s festivities and let their spirit soar in 2024!

 

This year I was honoured to be joined by my NDP colleges Glen Simard, Diljeet Brar, Logan Oxenham, and Rochelle Schott, each of whom expressed deep gratitude for our northern hospitality. It was a great opportunity for my fellow MLAs to learn about Northern Manitoba and to celebrate alongside us. The Torchlight Parade was particularly fantastic with its elaborate floats, wide smiles, and joyful cheers.

 

Our team also spent time with students, staff and faculty at University College of the North, learning about the unique strengths of our programs and exploring opportunities for further collaboration with the province.

 

I am proud of our community. It is an honour to represent you in our provincial government. Every year Trapper’s Festival reminds me of how much we have so much to offer our fellow Manitobans.

 

If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out to my office by emailing amanda.lathlin@yourmanitoba.ca or calling us at 1-204-623-2034.

Makers Circle

The Pas Community Renewal Corporation hosts weekly makers' circle events at the center.

 

It's designed to allow everyone to work on various projects in a quiet and mature setting.

 

Holly Lajamb, Event Coordinator with The TPCRC, teaches a variety of beading at the event and always welcomes others to join in.

 

She said one thing that led to the creation of the circle was that others were asking for advice on their projects, which she is always happy to share.

 

"It started out with just kind of a beading circle and it went from there,  it's just a drop in session.  Everyone is welcome.  If you’re 12 and under, bring an adult. "

 

"You can drop in at any time on Saturdays between 11 and 1.  We have water and tea and we have a good visit and you can bring whatever project you're working on."

 

You can share your advice, expertise, or encouragement with others at the event, and everyone is encouraged to do the same.

 

Anyone working on any artistic project can join the makers' circle from 11 to 1 pm on Saturdays.

Book Fair

The Book Fair is running this week for students in the Kelsey School Division.

 

Children at both the Kelsey Community School and Ecole Opasquia Schools will be able to take part.

 

During the event, classes will be able to look over the available material and purchase something to take home.

 

Parent-teacher conferences will be held this week at the schools as well.

 

The book fair will be open to families attending conferences on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

 

There will be books for readers of all levels, games, toys and other goodies for the kids.

 

Cash, credit, and debit will be accepted, and funds raised will support school projects and events.

Handi-Van Pledge Show Wrap Up

Last week, The Pas Handi-Vans annual pledge show on CJAR was a huge success.

 

The event raised just shy of $20,000 to support the van and the services offered in the community.

 

Representatives from the Handi van are picking up last-minute donations.

 

Val Miron Shares details on how you can contact the offices and the van driver, Dean Zorn.

 

"So if you want to try calling Dean to pick up your donation: 204 620 2584.  Or leave a message on the handy van office: 204 623 2036."

 

Miron went on to say that donations from the community are the main reason the services continue to be offered at such an affordable rate.

Jimmy Jackfish Derby Tomorrow

The Jimmy Jackfish, ice fishing derby, runs tomorrow at the Rocky Lake east shore boat launch, and there is still time to purchase last-minute tickets.

 

The event is family-friendly. First place will receive prizes of up to 15,000 dollars, and the anglers who pull the 13 largest fish from the lake will all receive prizes.

 

This year, a side pot has been set up for the largest walleye.

 

The 50/50 costs 10 dollars, and if no walleye is pulled, a draw will be made from all the names entered.

 

Everyone is reminded to bring a chair, fish pail camera and all the weather-appropriate essentials.

 

The Derby starts at Noon and runs till 3 pm.

Kelsey School Division Meeting

Tonight, the Kelsey School Division will host an open house division budget meeting at the Scott Bateman Middle School from 7 to 8 p.m.

 

Public participation and input are required as the Division looks toward program upgrades and improvements.

 

Recent provincial funding announcements for schools mean a larger budget for the upcoming school year; Cheryl Sinclair, the board trustee, shares more.

 

"Many of the public may know that recently the education funding was announced and our school division actually did get an increase from the provincial government.  So we're thankful for that funding announcement. 

 

"And we also discovered that for the 24/25 fiscal year, we're under the same education framework."

 

Sinclair said that the school board will need to make tough decisions as inflation drives up costs.

 

For those unable to attend there, you can email K-S-D Budget at K-S-D Dot MB Dot Ca to receive updates about the budget.

UCN's Early Childhood Education

The UCN’s Early Childhood Education program is growing to accommodate the need.  

 

The UCN Recently received a 5.5 million dollar grant to expand services.

 

The 40-hour program has already been upgraded in The Pas, Swan River, and Thompson, and distance options are now available.

 

Laura Ayres, ECE Program Coordinator, talks about the different levels of the program.

 

"We start with our 40-hour course in the fall and winter.  This is required for all childcare assistance.  During their first six months of working in childcare, you can then step up to our two-year diploma program that leads to a provincial EC2 designation.

 

"And then after about 1 to 2 years of experience, you can take our 18-month evening distance program that will lead to an EC three designation with the province.  And this is suggested for all directors of childcare facilities."

 

UCN’s ECE Programs will be extended to Grand Rapids, Norway House, and Pukatawagan, and they are still looking for one more community to host the program.

 

To learn more about the program or to apply, go to UCN dot ca.

Guy Hill Ground Search

During last summer's ground search at the Guy Hill residential school site, ground penetrating radar found 241 anomalies.

 

Starting today and running tomorrow and Thursday, OCN will host a ground search information gathering.

 

At the gathering, all information involving the ground search and some of the work that has been done in preparation to search other areas will be shared and discussed.

 

Dr. Emily Holland, a forensic anthropologist from the University of Brandon, will lead a team through the excavation process along with the RCMP and the government of Manitoba's research branch on the first day.

 

Together, the team will discuss various aspects of the search.

 

On the event's second day, a team from the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation will help with the processes.

On the third day, Gordon Ratt, an elder, will speak about the cultural ceremonies component of the search.

 

During the event, Guy Hill Residential School survivors will be attending and sharing their insights on the search, and the event is open to the public.

 

The gathering is in the Bignell room in the Kikiwak today and tomorrow from 9 am to 4 pm and on Thursday from 9 am to noon.

Handi-Van Pledge Show

The Pas Handi-Van's annual pledge show is coming this Thursday and Friday.

 

The event runs to support the non-profit organization's efforts to provide transportation services to individuals with mobility issues.

 

The services are offered to those in The Pas, OCN, and RM of Kelsey for a small user fee.

 

However, the costs associated with maintaining and operating the vehicle can be demanding.

 

Val Miron explains:

 

"Annually, our budget runs in the mid $80,000 range.  So when we did up our budget this year, that's basically what we're looking at again.  We really try to keep our cost at the essentials, but there's nothing we can reduce costs on anymore. 

 

We just operate, you still have to pay wages, you still need fuel, you still need Hydro, et cetera.

 

So those are all the costs that we do incur."

 

For anyone interested in donating, the pledge show runs this Thursday and Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 am; pledges will be accepted at the CJAR offices during the event.

OCN's Community Safety Plan

A meeting in regard to the community safety plan will happen at the OCN veteran's hall on Wednesday, March 6th.

 

A community meeting was held last week, and there was a request from the community to come up with a safety plan.

 

Diane Pelly, executive director for OCN Government Services branch, shares more:

 

"We know that there's a high increase in our community in terms of drugs and gang violence.  And it's happening everywhere.  We realize that what we're tasked to do at government services and in partnership with our leadership is to establish what that community safety plan looks like."

 

A group is working on that plan but is looking for community feedback, which will be addressed at this meeting.

 

The group will discuss preventative measures and how they would like to work directly with the schools to provide information using the GREAT model for Gang, Resistance, Education, and Training.

 

The meeting occurs next Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm at the Veterans Hall.

Town Update

The budget was again front and center at this week's town council meeting.

 

Mayor Andre Murphy spoke about work being done as the mill rate will increase by 3 percent while the town's mill rate will only increase by 2 percent, lessening the impact on taxpayers.

 

The town and council will also meet with the finance minister tomorrow regarding the challenges the north faces and how an escalation to the sustainable provincial grant funding can help.

 

There will be a budget hearing on April 17th ahead of the regular town council meeting, where the proposed financial plan for 2024 will be presented.

 

The next town council meeting will take place on March 11th.

Pink Shirt Day

It's Pink Shirt Day, and everyone is encouraged to wear a pink shirt in support of anti-bullying.

 

1 in 5 children is affected by bullying.

 

Pink Shirt Day aims to support those affected by bullying by wearing a pink shirt and letting others know it won't be tolerated.

 

Wearing a pink shirt is more than just a statement; it's a commitment to creating a safer place for children to grow and thrive.

 

It was initially started in 2007 by two high school students in Nova Scotia who wore pink shirts to school in support of a student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.

 

Since then, the day has become a nationwide movement, with people across Canada wearing pink shirts to support the cause.

 

Schools across the community will be participating, encouraging everyone to join in to raise awareness about bullying and promote kindness, compassion, and inclusivity.

The 48th Northern Juried Art Show

the 48th Northern Juried Art Show is creeping up from March 22nd to the 24th, but the setup for the event will be time-consuming for the volunteers that will begin on March 15th.

 

There is still a need for volunteers to help with the show.

 

The entry deadline to place pieces is March 8th. 

 

Adult entries cost 25 dollars, but youth entries for the ages 9 to 17 are free.

 

Entire forms can be found at Northern juried art show dot ca.

The Moffat Family Fund

The Moffat Family Fund is once again applications.

 

These funds have helped projects with the Little Dreamer’s Daycare, the Life Skills program, the girl empowerment program at the Scott Bateman Middle School, video and streaming equipment at the MBCI, playground equipment and more.

 

To disburse these funds fairly and equitably, a call for proposals is being made through the Kelsey Rec and Wellness Center. 

 

Applicants must be for charitable, non-profit organizations and can be picked up at the front desk of the Wellness Center.

 

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 8th.

ATV and Snowmobile Presentation at A&W

Safety Service Manitoba will host a free ATV and snowmobile presentation on Monday, March 4th.

 

They will also be touring the schools and making presentations for the youth.

 

Riders must know how to take proper precautions and prepare in the event of an emergency.

 

The goal is to teach novice riders of all ages how to be better prepared.

 

The 2-hour presentation will cover topics such as age requirements, proper riding gear, laws and guidelines, pre-ride checklists, survival and first aid and more.

 

Seasoned, experienced, and certified trainers will run the session.

 

The open presentation will occur on March 4th at 6:30 pm in the A&W meeting room.

 

Presentations are free, and there is still time to register for events at local schools by going to safetyservicesmanitoba.ca.

RCMP Musical Ride

The RCMP Musical Ride will be coming to The Pas on July 31st.

 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride is a performance by a mass group of RCMP members on horseback.

 

The Ride involves a choreographed cavalry drill set to music and has been performed since 1876.

 

The Musical Ride displays the riding skills of the RCMP as well as the heritage and traditions of the Force.

 

It's performed by an entire troop of 32 riders, horses, and the member in charge.

 

The performance consists of various intricate figures and drills set to music, including the famous Dome formation.

 

The Musical Ride is a Canadian icon often performed at national events, such as Canada Day celebrations and royal visits.

Mayor Update

A lot was going on at last week’s council meeting as the team worked to finalize the budget for 2024.

 

Funding for the RCMP, highway work, and various infrastructure were tabled.

 

Some other things discussed at last week’s meeting included healthcare challenges and shortfalls within the community as well as taxation tools that are lacking in the province but are available elsewhere.

 

The next council meeting is coming up on February 26th, and there will be a special meeting regarding the budget beforehand.

 

The budget meeting will be at 5 pm, and the regular council meeting is at 6 pm.

Trappers Wrap Up

The 77th annual Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival wrapped up over the weekend, and a big thanks goes out to all the volunteers who made the event possible.

 

All the fur queen contestants worked diligently raising funds for the event, and when it was all done, Lynelle Bon was crowned this year’s fur queen, Nicole Ducharme-Chief won 1st princess, and Brook Scott was the 2nd princess.

 

In the king trapper contest, Chris Perchaluck was once again awarded the trophy, and Kristen Burns took the prize for the women’s event.

 

Laine Connors is this year’s junior queen trapper, and Colin Perchaluck is the junior king trapper.

 

For a complete event and contest winners list, visit the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival Facebook page.

Northern Health Foundation Great Raffle

The Northern Health Foundation's Great raffle of 2024 is wrapping up shortly, and there is only a week left to get tickets and contribute to the cause.

 

Ticket sales run until February 27th, with the grand prize drawing happening on the 28th.

 

The current pot is sitting at over 1000 dollars and growing.

 

Last year, over 6000 dollars was raised from the raffle, half of which was awarded as the grand prize.

 

Impacts from the foundation can be seen across the north; recently, funds went towards the Northern Lights Manor in Flin Flon to open a mini-mart for residents; it gives seniors a chance to play games to win tickets that can then be used in the mini-mart.

 

Funds from the health foundation should be directed to facilities in the northern health region.

 

Donate or find tickets for the raffle at northernhealthfoundation.com

The Pas & OCN Chamber of Commerce's General Meeting

The Pas and OCN Chamber of Commerce hosted last week's annual general meeting.

 

A new president, Dan Quesnel, was elected at the meeting and will act as president for the coming year.

 

Quesnel said that the chamber is working on finalizing details of the trade show, and plans should be

completed by April.

 

The chamber is actively looking for new members; the group works to develop and educate the economic, civic, cultural and social welfare of all citizens. 

Trappers' Festival Begins Today

Today marks the start of the Northern Manitoba Trapper's Festival in The Pas Manitoba, and there will be many activities to participate in.

 

The only significant change to this year's event will be the lack of the dog sled races.

 

The races had to be cancelled due to a lack of snowfall required for the track.

 

Opening ceremonies will occur at 12:15 at the fort set up along the Saskatchewan River in Devon Park.

 

Volunteers have been busy preparing the Ice shack using traditional and new methods to cut and prep the ice straight from the river.

 

 The torchlight parade and Fur queen pageants are set to take place this evening, and contestants are readying for the king, queen, and junior king and queen competitions set to start tomorrow.

Trappers' Festival Youth Board

With the Northern Manitoba Trappers festival just a day away, over 200 volunteers have been busy getting ready.

 

The youth board has been busy for months planning and preparing for the event; they host a variety of activities and volunteer at events during the week.

 

One of the most significant events the youth board is involved in is the family fun day on Saturday afternoon.

 

The event is free to attend.

 

The Youth Board will also host the scavenger hunt on Friday afternoon; registration will happen from 11:45 to 1 pm at the event HQ, and the scavenger hunt will occur from 1 to 3 pm.

Trappers' Festival Begins this Week

The Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival kicks off this week, and the town is buzzing with events.

 

The festival starts on Wednesday, but games and activities are underway.

 

One change the committee says has worked well over the last few years is the addition of the event headquarters on top of the Trappers Festival Headquarters.

 

Jen Cook, Festival Director, shares details about the festival headquarters.

 

"We have our usual festival event HQ, that's where you buy all our merchandise, where you pick up your event tickets, pageant, teen fashion show, things like that.  Pub Crawl registration will (also) be there.

 

"So one thing that is not at event HQ is Festival HQ, which is located in The Pas Regional Library's Annex again."

 

The event HQ will be located at the Wescana towards the back in the Rendevous Room.

 

That will be the central location to register for events like the King and Queen Trapper Contest and others.

 

Festival booklets are now available at Opasquia Times, Wescana Inn, Michaels, Paperwork's Plus and Super Thrifty. 

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