available to students who are required to learning from home due to a medical condition that affects them or a member of the household. If the requirements are met, parents/guardians must contact their current school principal to further discuss their situation.

If there is no medical requirement for your child to learn from home, the Manitoba Government mandates that students attend in-school learning at their current school or register with the province for homeschooling.

Telephone: 204-594-3535

Form: https://www.lrsd.net/schools/RDC/ContactUs/Pages/Online-Contact-Form.aspx Website: https://www.lrsd.net/schools/RDC/AboutUs/Pages/Who-We-Are.aspx

Compulsory Education Requirements

• In Manitoba, compulsory school age is 7-18 years old.
• The Public Schools Act 260.1(1) requires that the parent or guardian of a child who is a student in a home school, and not registered in a division school, shall, in a form approved by the minister, notify the minister of the home school. See homeschooling legislation at https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/schools/ind/homeschool/legislation.html
• Families whose children will not be attending a local KSD school will need to contact the Homeschooling Office regarding child’s registration, program costs and expectations at the following:

Homeschooling Office - Manitoba Education

Telephone: 204-945-8138

Toll Free (in Manitoba) 1-800-282-8069 ext. 8138 Email: homeschooling@gov.mb.ca

Further references can be located at the following sites:

1. Restoring Safe Schools

https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/covid/k12-guidelines-aug2021.pdf

2. Covid 19 Screening Tool https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/
3. Symptom confirmation with Health Links https://misericordia.mb.ca/programs/phcc/health-links-info-sante/
4. Self-Isolation and Quarantine https://manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self-isolation.html
5. List of effective disinfectants from Health Canada

www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugshealth- products/disinfectants/covid- 19/list.html.

6. General Covid-19 prevention order https://manitoba.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/20212022/orders-soe-08272021.pdf

Public health officials advise no new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today including the weekend.
 
The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is three per cent provincially and 1.6 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 213 new cases of the virus have been identified since Thursday:  31 cases on Friday, Aug. 27; 102 cases on Saturday, Aug. 28; 46 cases on Sunday, Aug. 29; and 34 cases today, Monday, Aug. 30. 
 
Eleven cases have been removed due to data correction bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 58,681.
 
There were 34 new cases identified in Manitoba today. Of these, 25 are in individuals who were not fully vaccinated. This includes:
• one new case with one not fully vaccinated, in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• five new cases, with two not fully vaccinated, in the Northern health region;
• three new cases, with two not fully vaccinated, in the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• nine new cases, with eight not fully vaccinated, in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and
• 16 new cases, with 12 not fully vaccinated, in the Winnipeg health region.
 
Today’s data also shows:
• 503 active cases and 56,989 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; 
• 65 Manitobans hospitalized with COVID-19 including 23 people with active COVID-19 as well as 42 people who are no longer infectious;  
• a total of 18 Manitoba patients receiving intensive care for COVID-19, including six people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 12 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care; 
• 1,607 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 923,548 and 
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 1,189. 

Individuals who do not have a Manitoba health card can now request a Manitoba immunization card if they meet the following requirements: 
• have received two doses of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with the final dose more than 14 days ago; and 
• have submitted proof of any COVID vaccination(s) received outside of Manitoba to public health and the data has been recorded in the system. 

Individuals can call 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222) to speak with an agent, who will provide a client identification number for the digital version of the card. The agent can also request a physical card on behalf of callers.
 
Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit? www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event ?and click on your region.?
 
Additional data is available at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.??
 
For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.

The federal election is a few weeks away and there is still time to apply for a mail in ballot.

The deadline to apply for a mail in ballot is September 14^th and you can apply for a ballot by following this link.

https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=vote&dir=app&document=indexapp&lang=e

As of news time the polling location for The Pas as not been determined. If you have any questions or concerns about the election you can call elections Canada Toll Free 1-800-463-6868 or visit elections.ca

The elections Canada website will also provide information on how to go to the polls safely during the pandemic.

The Pas Community Development Corporation wants residents of the tri community to fill out a new survey to provide feedback on how they feel about having public washroom facilities in the community.

The survey results are expected to be shown in a public report once they are finalized.

The survey will be active until October 29^th

You can find the survey by following this link.

https://j73ahi1u7ae.typeform.com/publicwashrooms?fbclid=IwAR0SpKpucH8XzS8y3HcA-vWZuIrUJEnv5bH_XkLGrZenWo-qTwettuHBzQU&typeform-source=l.facebook.com

The Flin Flon Salvation army made a surprise visit to The Pas Yesterday afternoon to provide a free hot meal for people in need.

They parked their van near The Pas Fire Hall to serve the food and Fire Chief Randy Manych says that having this assistance to help at risk people is greatly appreciated especially during these difficult times.

On August 21^st The Opaskwayak Detachment of the Manitoba First Nations Police responded to reports of a man causing a disturbance at a residence.

It was soon discovered that the man had numerous outstanding arrest warrants; he was placed under arrest and police found a bag of what was believed to be cocaine in the man’s possession.

The 35 year old Opaskwayak Cree Nation man has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime and was remanded into custody.

Arctic Radio and CJAR were able to donate $1000 to local seniors home recreational programs this august with the help of the 100 grand in your hand contest.

The funding has been donated to the Rod McGillivray Care Home and St Paul’s residence.

Arctic Radio looks forward to running this contest next year.

With four out of five business owners in Manitoba concerned more COVID-19 lockdowns could impact their business in the fall, the CFIB is calling on Canada’s premiers to adopt a Stay Open plan.

Prairies Director Jonathan Alward states 87 per cent of business owners say they want their provincial government to develop a stay open strategy so that businesses can still operate during the next waves of the pandemic.

Alward says stay open plans should include attention to hospitalization rates as opposed to case counts, more use of rapid testing, proof of vaccination, and direct provincial funding in place prior to announcing additional restrictions.

The announcement of the plan comes as surges of the Delta variant continue to rise in Western Canada, with Chief Public Health Officer Doctor Teresa Tam stating the country is now in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

Public health officials advise no new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today including the weekend.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.3 per cent provincially and 1.4 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 153 new cases of the virus have been identified since Thursday:  44 cases on Friday, Aug. 20; 46 cases on Saturday, Aug. 21; 36 cases on Sunday, Aug. 22; and 27 cases on Monday, Aug. 23.

Eight cases have been removed due to data correction, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 58,283.

Today’s data also shows:
• 345 active cases and 56,750 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 63 Manitobans hospitalized with COVID-19 including 18 people with active COVID-19 as well as 45 people who are no longer infectious; 
• a total of 16 Manitoba patients receiving intensive care for COVID-19 including five people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 11 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care;
• 1,120 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 909,797 and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 1,188.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

Additional data is available at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

The Play it Safer Network is hosting a special International Overdose Awareness Day event on August 31^st.

Participants will learn how to use naloxone to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and receive a free naloxone kit.

The workshop will be held outside the CJAR studios on 3^rd Street West from 11AM until 3PM and there will also be games, prizes, and refreshments.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a campaign to raise awareness of drug overdoses and to commemorate lives that have been lost ro drugs.

If you have any questions you are asked to call Krista Tooley at 204-620-2373

Our MP Niki Ashton will be conducting a local campaign launch here in The Pas this afternoon outside the Union Hall on 1416 Gordon Avenue.

It will begin at 3:45 and people are invited to attend to ask questions or raise any concerns they may have.

If you are unable to attend, CJAR Radio will be conducting a live interview with Ashton after the 4:00 newscast

The University College of The North issued a statement that as of November 1^st of this year, all students, staff, faculty, and visitors must be vaccinated against covid 19 if they intend to be physically present at their facilities.

This decision was made in collaboration with other colleges and universities in the province and UCN president and vice chancellor Doug Lauvstad says they will do whatever they can to ensure the safety of everyone and the communities they serve.

Students and faculty that are working remotely are exempt from the vaccination requirement and UCN will also have on campus vaccination clinics. 

The Pas Families Building a Better Community has received more funding for the construction of the new skate park.

The Pas Destination Marketing Committee provided $50,000 and the Moffat Foundation provided $29,650.

The Pas Families BBC vice president Jerome Conaty would like to thank both organizations for the donations adding that this skate park will provide a good recreation option for local youth once it’s complete.

Phase two of project will begin this fall.

The Pas mayor Herb Jaques spoke to Arctic Radio to give an update on the construction of the town’s new sewage lagoon.

Mayor Jaques says the construction is on time and on budget with no real challenges.

With the new lagoon being built proposals can now be put in to have new buildings such as apartment complexes built in The Pas with provincial approval, something that wouldn’t be allowed unless an upgraded lagoon was built.

The estimated completion date is spring of next year.

The Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival board of directors would like to announce they have regretfully accepted the resignation of the 2021 Fur Queen Jordan Constant.

The board would like to thank Jordan for her time, energy and enthusiasm in the time prior to, during and after the 74^th Annual Trappers’ Festival. “While we are sad to see Jordan step down from her position as the 2021 Fur Queen, we wish her nothing but the best and support her in the decision she has made,” General Chairperson Jennifer Cook said.

Jordan has offered the following comments regarding her decision to step down. “The reason for my resignation is that I do not anticipate I will be living in our community come February 2022.

As much as I wish I could have made this work I know that once I leave I will not be able to fulfill my duties as the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival 2021 Fur Queen. I am fully confident that the rest of the 2021 Reigning Court will fulfill these duties in every way that I cannot.”

Jordan went on to say, “I would like to thank the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival with all my heart for the opportunity they have provided me. This experience has been a genuine one, I believe that I have changed in ways I never dreamed to be possible and it is all thanks to this competition. Competing in the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival Fur Queen Competition has taught me so much about our community and what our community means to me.”

“During the competition our Tri- Community opened up to me and showed me an overwhelming amount of love and support, because of this I got to meet so many wonderful individuals and sprouted new friendships all over the place.  As someone who was once terrified by the thought of stepping an inch out of my comfort zone this has taught me how deeply important it is to put yourself out there. Although it was intimidating, I had no idea what I was missing out on. I know that I will never be able to repay each and every one of you for the support you have shown me but I hope you all know how much it means to me and none of it went unnoticed,” Jordan said.

She added, “I understand that this news will come as a shock to many, please know that I have thought of every possible way I could to make this work. This was not an easy decision to come to, but it is the necessary one. This competition deserves the very best, it deserves a queen who will be there to guide the new Fur Queen Candidates through their experience and provide support to the Reigning Court and Krista and her team. As much as I wish that could be me, given my current life circumstances, it cannot. Even though my reigning year has been short-lived, I would like to say that being a part of this festival has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival will always have a special place in my heart.”

First Princess Sydnie Nolan has accepted the crown from Jordan and will serve as the Fur Queen until the 75^th Annual Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival February 16-20, 2022. Keely Bignell has stepped into the role of first princess.

“Both Sydnie and Keely can be found enjoying this weeks Opaskwayak Indigenous Days and assisting with the Junior and Little Miss Sweetheart Princess Pageant.”

The Highway 10/60 gang conducted another clean up south of The Pas last week.

Five volunteers took part in the clean up and They started at the trucker turn out south of Westray and collected 6 industrial size bags of trash and one bag of recycling, before heading to the Highway 10/60 junction to clean up more garbage.

The Highway 10/60 junction is a place where people have a tendency to litter and the Highway 10/60 gang’s goal is to clean up the area.

The gang plans to conduct another clean up sometime next month.

The first set of winners for the Manitoba Vax to Win lottery have been drawn.

One of the winners is Bernell Lavallee from Easterville who is now $100,000 dollars richer.

The goal of this lottery was to encourage Manitobans to get vaccinated against COVID 19 and crown services Minister Jeff Wharton would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of people that got vaccinated.

The second lottery draw is expected to take place next month.

August 17, 2021 – Carrot River, SK Stakeholders in North East Saskatchewan are about to
receive an economic boost as a $21.7 million two-year construction project is started on building
Highway 55 into an export corridor into northern Manitoba.

“This is a game changer, says Mayor Roman Charko of Carrot River, this transportation
infrastructure investment has come at a time when we need it the most to export our agriculture,
forestry and mining products to global markets. Currently we face high transportation and input
costs and this is not sustainable.’’

Gateway Keewatin Stakeholders are in the opinion that the problem to the high costs of doing
business is not the northern location, but rather the transportation policies of the prairie provinces
that is creating an economic deficit to northern industries and communities. The Stakeholders
believe there needs to be a paradigm shift in transportation planning as well educating policy
makers and the public on why investing to build a safe and reliable export corridor highway into
Northern Manitoba is of interest to the Provinces and Canada.

Economic Impact Study written by Stephen Johnson of Praxis Consulting helped to provide the
Stakeholder with key information to bring forward to the provinces on the economic and social
benefits in having an export highway corridor into Northern Manitoba that connects to the
community owned Hudson Bay Rail at The Pas and the open Arctic Sea Port at Churchill. The
study concluded by investing into a 12-month dust free primary weight highway could lead to a
$7.2 billion increase to the GDP and $894 million tax for the provinces as well $1.9 billion tax
revenues to the Federal Government over 20 years. Further the social benefits include better
access to health care, education and the potential of 12,000 new direct, in-direct and induced
jobs.

There still remains improvements of dust control and upgrades in the forest area east of Shoal
Lake First Nation to the Manitoba border as well the need to harmonize traffic regulations
between the two provinces. Manitoba Highway 283 from the Saskatchewan border to The Pas
requires further road improvements.

Opaskwayak Cree Nation is set to have their election on September 16^th.

The planned polling location is expected to be the Kikiwak Inn and the polls will be open at limited capacity as part of their covid 19 safety measures. 

The election coverage will be live streamed on the opaskwayak ininew facebook page, where you can also find a list of chief and council candidates.

The monthly crime stats for the month of July have been finalized.

The Pas had mainly disturbances of the peace a total of 127, The RM of Kelsey had mostly provincial traffic violations a total of 121, and the community of Cormorant had mostly assaults a total of 3.

Public health officials advise three new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today including deaths reported on the weekend:
• a female in her 60s from the Prairie Mountain Health region;
• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region; and
• a male in his 60s from the Interlake–Eastern health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 (alpha) variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 1.8 per cent provincially and 1.4 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 102 new cases of the virus have been identified since Thursday: 25 cases on Friday, Aug. 13; 24 cases on Saturday, Aug. 14; 20 cases on Sunday, Aug. 15; and 33 cases on Monday, Aug. 16.

Four cases have been removed due to data correction, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 58,049.

Today’s data also shows:
• 591 active cases and 56,271 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 69 Manitobans hospitalized with COVID-19 including 15 people with active COVID-19 as well as 54people who are no longer infectious; 
• a total of 12 Manitoba patients receiving intensive care for COVID-19 including two people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 10 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care;
• 1,380 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 897,858; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 1,187.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

Additional data is available at: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, variants of concern, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

As the end of August draws nearer, I wanted to give you all a brief update of what I have been doing this summer, as well as the issues that will be important for the North this fall.

I am currently in the middle of my summer tour, visiting seventeen different communities. I started in the northern parts of our constituency and have been making my way south into the Interlake region. I’ve been having a wonderful time reconnecting with people who I haven’t been able to see during the pandemic, building new relationships, and hearing about the issues that are important to you.

In The Pas – Kameesak constituency, parents want their kids to be safe at school this fall. My NDP colleagues and I have been talking to parents, educators, and public health experts about what our schools need this September.

While the government was silent, we put forward a 5-point plan to protect our kids. We called on the province to upgrade ventilation systems in every school, set up in-school vaccine clinics that make it easier for families and staff to get vaccinated, create smaller class sizes by hiring more teachers, EAs and other support staff, increase mental health supports for kids and staff, and implement paid sick leave so families can afford to stay home when their kids are sick.

Instead, the PC government has eliminated the mask mandate in schools. It just doesn’t make sense. I know many Northern families are disappointed that the PCs would choose politics over the safety of our kids. Kids deserve to be safe, parents and teachers need consistency and support, and Manitobans need a government that looks out for their families.

The PCs priorities are out of touch with Manitobans. Instead of making classrooms safe for September, they’re focused on their own internal conflict and wasting money to promote Bill 64. Now that the Premier has announced his intentions to step down, the rest of the PC Caucus need to make it clear they don’t side with Pallister by withdrawing his five most controversial bills, including Bill 64. Bill 64 would irreparably damage local democracy in education – making it harder for our children to have the supports they need to succeed.

We have called on the PCs to abandon Pallister’s legislative agenda and move forward in a way that benefits all Manitobans. Their actions in the months to come will be telling. If they stand by these bills, they are saying loud and clear that any potential leader from within the PC Caucus will be no different than Brian Pallister.

The past five years have been damaging to Manitobans, with cuts to everything from healthcare to education, to raising hydro rates multiple times for families. The PCs have repeatedly failed our communities when they needed help the most. Now they have a chance to do better for Manitobans by tossing out Pallister’s agenda and getting to work on making sure kids and educators can go back to school safely this fall.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office anytime at Amanda.lathlin@yourmanitoba.ca  or 1-204-623-2034. Kinanaskomitin.

Investment Will Help Manitobans in Rural and Remote Communities Access Mental Health Resources, Reduce Travel for Care: Gordon

The Manitoba government is investing more than $342,000 to provide emergency telepsychiatry assessments to rural emergency departments (EDs) and First Nations communities without current access to these services, Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.

“Right now, there is a need for adult emergency telepsychiatry services in First Nations communities and rural emergency departments and nursing stations,” said Gordon. “This investment will ensure people experiencing mental health issues can have access to psychiatric support that is timely, efficient and reliable.”

Telepsychiatry delivers real-time care through secure videoconferencing. Accessing psychiatric assessments for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis can be particularly challenging in remote and rural communities including many First Nations communities across Manitoba. 

The minister noted that for too many Manitobans, quickly accessing care could require transportation out of their home community. Offering these services virtually allows for timely access to specialized care without the need for an individual to be relocated away from their community and support network.
 
“For people experiencing a mental health crisis, reaching out for help is not always easy,” said Jitender Sareen, provincial specialty lead, mental health and addictions, Shared Health. “The use of telepsychiatry removes a major hurdle to accessing care, allowing individuals to remain at home or in the community while accessing these specialized services.”
 
This investment, which will use secure videoconferencing equipment to connect individuals with real-time psychiatric assessment as well as appropriate supports and resources, is expected to support between 350 and 500 patients across the Manitoba each year, and will reduce both unnecessary hospital admissions and medical transports, the minister said.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical providers and patients from across Manitoba have told us of the benefits of virtual care including the ability to heal and recover at home, or closer to home,” said Gordon. “Our government is pleased to support options that improve access and equity for Manitobans.”

For more information on mental health and addictions services in Manitoba, visit:
https://sharedhealthmb.ca/services/mental-health/.

On average, there are 48 collisions yearly in Manitoba involving agricultural equipment and passenger vehicles, according to Manitoba Public Insurance data.

“Observance of road safety is key to keeping our roadways safe during harvest season,” said Satvir Jatana, MPI’s Chief Customer Officer. “While some areas of the province are experiencing severe drought, many other producers are on the roadways moving their machinery.  Crops are coming off the fields and large agriculture machinery will be travelling on roadways. It’s important motorists be aware and drive responsibly.

“Everyone is expected to share the roads responsibly and safely. On average, five people are killed or injured yearly in a crash between agricultural machinery and passenger vehicles.”

Farm equipment is large, may take up more than one lane, and is slow moving so motorists need to use extra caution when approaching and overtaking. Producers need to do their part to ensure equipment is properly signed with lights and reflectors in use. Extra caution is also required when entering roadways and making turns with this equipment.”

Farm equipment is required to have a slow-moving vehicle emblem clearly visible to traffic approaching from behind, with red reflectors on the back as close as possible to the left and right sides. At night, farm equipment must have headlights, red tail lamps and flashing amber warning lamps.

Farm equipment has a maximum speed of 40 km/h so it’s easy for motorists to misjudge their speed of approach. Motorists can do their part by keeping a safe distance from agricultural machinery added Jatana.

“Motorists should be patient when they come upon farm equipment and only pass when safe to do so,” said Jatana. “Be particularly diligent during dusk and dawn hours when it can be difficult to see.”

Local Musician Rhonda Head spoke to Arctic Radio to talk about two Global Music Awards that she has received.

This is her fourth time winning global music awards and The first award was for her song “Kisahkitin I Love you” for best Contemporary Classic and the other award was for her song “500 Years” for best protest song.

The song 500 Years is dedicated to children that didn’t return home from residential school and Rhonda’s Mothers Experience in residential school.

Rhonda Head stated that she was very grateful to receive these awards.

She also took the time to talk about her Recent Manitoba Northern Tour 2021 where she performed in several Manitoba communities and for many it was the first time that they saw live music since the pandemic began.

The federal government has announced 16.5 million dollars in funding for the construction of high-speed fibre infrastructure in Pimicikamak Territory.

This will be done through a joint venture between Cross Lake and Norway House Cree Nation, which has the approval to install nearly two hundred kilometres of fibre optic cable connecting the two communities.

Broadband Communications North also received 6.5 million dollars in funding, which will service communities such as Pukatawagan, Shamattawa First Nation, Saint Theresa Point, and Tadoule Lake

The detail engineering will begin immediately, and construction is expected to be completed by December of next year.

Last week The Pas Fire Department responded to three different incidents at the Saskatchwan River here in The Pas.

The first incident occurred on the evening of August 2^nd where they responded to a water rescue at the request of the RCMP. The RCMP managed to rescue the person in the water requiring no further action from the fire department.

On August 3^rd just before 11PM, The Pas Fire Department rescued a girl trapped on the train bridge here in The Pas and on August 4^th they responded to another water rescue where they helped a person that entered the water on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation side of the river where the fire department managed to get the victim out of the water and into their boat.

In response to these incidents Fire Chief Randy Manych wants to remind people to be careful around water especially the Saskatchewan River with the low water levels and the strong currents.

Last Friday the Second Annual Remembering Kendara Memorial Walk was held in The Pas. The walk is in memory of Kendara Ballantyne who was tragically murdered in The Pas two years ago.

The walk began with a barbeque and an appearance by Rhonda Head and this year they had a great turnout with over 100 people in attendance.

Kendara’s Sister Gloria Ballantyne Packco says she greatly appreciates the help from the community and encourages everyone to join the Remembering Kendara Facebook Group to keep up to date with future fundraising events.

Helga Bryant the CEO of the Northern Health Region spoke to Arctic Radio about the vaccination efforts in Manitoba and says the Northern Health Region is doing very well compared to the other RHA’s in the province.

Even though case numbers have lowered and certain restrictions have been lifted Bryant wants to remind people that COVID 19 is still with us and is encouraging people to follow the three W’s, wear a mask, watch your distance, and wash your hands.

She also wants to encourage people to get vaccinated as it not only protects the people that get it but people that we come into to contact with.

Public health officials advise one new death in a person with COVID-19 is being reported today. This includes deaths reported on the weekend:

• a female in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an unspecified variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.5 per cent provincially and 1.6 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 128 new cases of the virus have been identified since Friday: 29 cases on Friday, Aug. 6; 29 cases on Saturday, Aug. 7; 45 cases on Sunday, Aug. 8; and 25 cases Monday, Aug. 9. Seven cases have been removed due to data correction, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 57,860.

Of the 25 cases reported today, the COVID-19 data shows:

• three new cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region; 
• four new cases in the Northern health region;
• two new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;    
• eight new cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and    
• eight new cases in the Winnipeg health region.

Members of Kendara Ballantynes family spoke to Arctic Radio to tell Kendara’s story and how they are keeping her memory alive.

Kendara was tragically murdered two years ago in The Pas and she would have been 20 years old this year and family members said that she could bring a smile to anyone’s face and her death was a huge loss to the family.

In addition to the annual Remembering Kendara Memorial Walk held this past Friday the Kendara Ballantyne Award was created for a student graduating from Margaret Barbour Collegiate. It’s cash award in recognition for completing a high school education.

People that have any information about the death of Kendara Ballantyne are strongly encouraged to contact appropriate authorities.

The Manitoba government has released its safe return plan for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students to classrooms on Sept. 7.

“We are pleased to have all students and staff returning to full-time in class learning, while continuing to follow recommended public health fundamentals,” said Cullen. “We know that students learn best in the classroom and the return to school plan will help to ensure schools stay open and adjust with additional measures, as needed, to address changes in local community or school situations.”

Students and school staff will be expected to continue to follow the ”COVID-safe” basics, such as self-screening, hand hygiene and staying home when sick. Masks are recommended for all students, staff and visitors. Masks and personal protective equipment will be provided to schools. Public health officials will continue to monitor data and local conditions closely. All guidance will be reviewed before the start of the school year and on an ongoing basis.  

“After 18 months of facing the global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic together, Manitoba is on the road to reopening, including schools with near normal operations,” said Cullen. “Children returning to full-time in-person learning is another example of a transition to a post-pandemic Manitoba and a closer return to normal life.”

While it is expected that COVID-19 infections will continue to occur in the community as well as in schools, COVID-19 cases and severe illness have declined significantly due to most people 12 years and older being vaccinated for COVID-19, particularly parents and caregivers of school-aged children. When most people 12 years and older are immunized, exposures in schools are less likely to lead to further transmission. As a result, schools will be able to return to close to normal activities in September, with some health and safety measures still in place. Notification of cases in schools will continue and the public dashboard will resume in September.  

“I support this reopening school plan,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer. “Studies show that children are less likely to transmit COVID-19 while at home, in school or in community settings, and they are at lower risk of severe illness from COVID-19. There are significant benefits to their learning and overall well-being from the in-person interaction and extracurricular activities they get at school. The strong determination of Manitobans has helped limit the spread of the virus. This has resulted in a reduction in overall case numbers, community transmission and test positivity rates. The strain on our health care system continues to decline as vaccination rates continue to increase.”

The 2021-22 school year will focus on addressing the mental health and well-being of students and the education workforce, ensuring supports for students with special needs, as well as addressing the learning impacts from the pandemic.

As part of the province’s plan to ensure the health and wellness of students, a renewed focus on immunizations for school-aged youth will also launch this fall. Currently, about two-thirds of those aged 12 to 17 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and about 52 per cent have received both doses. Immunization teams will attend all schools with students aged 12 to 17 to provide first and second doses, beginning in areas with lower vaccine uptake, to help reduce potential barriers to immunization.  Planning is also underway for a school-based campaign for children aged five to 11, once the COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use.  School-based clinics will be one of many options available to students and their parents to get a COVID-19 vaccination.  Vaccine appointments, community based pop-ups, medical clinics and pharmacies will continue to be options into the school year.

Public health and education officials are also putting plans in place to ensure young people can catch up on important immunizations that may have been delayed due to the pandemic, such as HPV, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.  Additional details will be shared with parents, students and school communities as soon as possible.

Public health officials are also recommending changes to cohort sizes for child care facilities. Cohort sizes will increase from 30 to 48 children, plus staff. In addition, physical distancing within a cohort is no longer required, however it is strongly recommended that the same staff work exclusively with the same cohort. Sharing staff across cohorts should be avoided to the greatest extent possible.  A revised Coronavirus (COVID-19) Early Learning and Child Care Practice Guidance document with technical information will be distributed within the next few weeks to reflect the new public health directives.

Schools will use student assessments to further understand and address the impacts of COVID-19 on learning and plans to hold stakeholder engagements to develop supports to improve the mental health and well-being of students and staff.  This will build on $2.5 million in student mental health investments made last year, over and above the allocations to school divisions. Another $58 million is dedicated to supporting Safe Schools, including a $5 million fund that has been provided to school divisions over the summer and at the start of the year to assess and address learning impacts because of the pandemic.

Funds dedicated to helping and protecting students include:
•    $40 million for additional staffing, learning and technology, and health and safety;
•    $6 million for masks and personal protective equipment;
•    $5 million for the Kindergarten to Grade 8 Remote Learning Support Centre for students who are immunocompromised; and
•    $2 million in contingency funding.

Manitoba’s reopening plan set key milestones so that by Labour Day, all services, facilities, and businesses will reopen with limited restrictions in some cases. Further information on vaccination rates will be made available through public health officials.

The provincial plan for reopening schools and ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff is available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/schools/.

Public health officials advise the provincial response level in the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System is moving from restricted (orange) to caution (yellow), effective Aug. 7. This change reflects that the spread of COVID-19 is at low to moderate levels.

Two new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today, including:
•    a male in his 50s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 (alpha) variant of concern; and  
•    a female in her 60s from the Interlake-Eastern health region, linked to an unspecified variant of concern.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.1 per cent provincially and 1.8 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 54 new cases of the virus have been identified since Tuesday: 17 cases on Wednesday, Aug. 4, and 37 cases today. Six cases have been removed due to data correction, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 57,739.

Of the 54 cases reported today, the COVID-19 data shows:
•    22 new cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;
•    one new case in the Northern health region;
•    one new case in the Prairie Mountain Health region;    
•    eight new cases in the Southern Health-Santé Sud health region; and    
•    22 new cases in the Winnipeg health region.
 
Today’s data also shows:   
·    528 active cases and 56,028 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
·    91 Manitobans hospitalized with COVID-19 including 29 people with active COVID-19 as well as 62 people who are no longer infectious;  
·    a total of 17 Manitoba patients receiving intensive care for COVID-19, including four people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 13 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care;
·    1,815 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 880,959; and
·    the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 1,183.

The Manitoba government is also providing an update on ongoing enforcement efforts to protect Manitobans from the spread of COVID-19. A total of 27 warnings and 14 tickets were issued for the week of July 26 to Aug. 1, including:
•    nine $1,296 tickets to individuals;
•    three $298 tickets to individuals for failure to wear a mask in an indoor public place; and
•    two $5,000 tickets to businesses.
 
Manitobans are urged to continue reporting compliance and enforcement issues by visiting www.manitoba.ca/COVID19 and completing the reporting form, or by calling 204-945-3744 or (toll-free) 1-866-626-4862 and pressing option three on the call menu. Updated enforcement statistics are posted online weekly at: https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html#cdr.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

Additional data on variants of concern is available at: https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site.  

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit: www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

The Regional Airport Transportation initiative will provide over four million dollars towards airports across the prairies to help them overcome challenges brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic, and the Town of The Pas will be receiving a total of $335,000 worth of funding for the airport.

The minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada acknowledged that regional airports play a large role in rural areas and believes this funding will go a long way.

Mayor Herb Jaques stated that connectivity is important for all of us and the help that the airport will receive is greatly appreciated.   

The Pas Fire Department responded to a report of a trailer fire this past Saturday afternoon at Valley View Trailer Park.

Upon arrival it was found that the deck of the trailer was on fire.

With the help of neighbors fighting the fire, the crews were able to contain the blaze and Fire Chief Randy Manych commended the neighbours for helping to prevent the spread of the fire.

The fire was contained in about 20 minutes but the exact cause of the fire has not been determined.

Yesterday, a group of youth spent time at the The Pas Fire Department to learn about fire safety.

They learned about how to create a fire safety plan and how to use a fire extinguisher in case of a fire. They also learned how to make sure the fire extinguishers are fully charged and the types of fire extinguishers that are used to put out fires.

Manych says the most important part of having a fire extinguisher is not to extinguish the fire but to use a tool to buy some time so you can get out safely which is why it’s important to keep a fire extinguisher near an exit.

Even you have extinguished the fire it’s still a good idea to call the fire department to ensure that it is under control.

Manych added that the children had a good time at the fire hall and he hopes they will ask their parents and care givers to ensure that smoke alarms are working at home and to create a fire safety plan for their homes.

Highway 10 south of the Pas is once again open for traffic. Reduced speed signs have been put in place as visibility is still reduced.

Keep following The Pas Fire Departments Facebook page for updates.    

Public health officials advise three new deaths in people with COVID-19 are being reported today. This includes deaths reported on the weekend:
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to the B.1.1.7 (alpha) variant of concern;
• a male in his 60s from the Winnipeg health region, linked to an unspecified variant of concern; and 
• a male in his 80s from Southern Health–Santé Sud health region, linked to an unspecified variant of concern. 

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.6 per cent provincially and 1.9 per cent in Winnipeg. As of 9:30 a.m. today, 101 new cases of the virus have been identified since Friday: 27 cases on Saturday, July 31; 34 cases on Sunday, Aug. 1; 18 cases Monday, Aug 2 and 22 cases today. Three cases have been removed due to data correction, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Manitoba to 57,691.

Of the 101 cases reported today, the COVID-19 data shows:
• 24 new cases in the Interlake–Eastern health region;
• seven new cases in the Northern health region;
• three new cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;   
• 18 new cases in the Southern Health–Santé Sud health region; and   
• 49 new cases in the Winnipeg health region.

There is no change to the current requirement for masks to be worn during entry and while in health-care facilities including hospitals and personal care homes. Medical masks continue to be required and will be provided by the facility.
 
Today’s data also shows:  
• 528 active cases and 55,982 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19;
• 95 Manitobans hospitalized with COVID-19 including 35 people with active COVID-19 as well as 60 people who are no longer infectious; 
• a total of 19 Manitoba patients receiving intensive care for COVID-19 including six people in intensive care units with active COVID-19 as well as 13 people who are no longer infectious but continue to require critical care;
• 1,345 laboratory tests were completed yesterday, bringing the total number of lab tests completed since early February 2020 to 878,040; and
• the total number of deaths in people with COVID-19 is 1,181.

Possible exposure locations are listed online by region at the province’s #RestartMB Pandemic Response System webpage. For up-to-date information on possible public exposures to COVID-19 in regions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/flights.html#event and click on your region.

Additional data on variants of concern is available at https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/. Data related to COVID-19, outbreaks and some downloadable and historic data can also be found at this site. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, including the online screening tool, testing criteria and locations, self-isolation requirements, public health fundamentals and the provincial response level on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.

The province will implement new public health orders and guidance on Aug. 7, one month earlier than forecast, Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, announced today.

“Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Manitobans, we are now in a position to reopen more, sooner, as we have achieved our highest vaccination rates yet,” said Pallister. “This means Manitobans will enjoy the least restrictive public health orders since the start of the pandemic last year.”

The new public health orders follow the 4-3-2 One Great Summer Path to Reopen. Manitoba is expected to reach the third vaccination milestone ahead of schedule; as of today 80 per cent of Manitobans age 12 and over have received their first dose and 75 per cent are expected to receive their second dose over the next week.

With continued improvement in the overall COVID-19 situation, the premier noted the interim orders only restrict the most high-risk transmission environments. Public health recommendations and guidance, rather than restrictions, will play an increasingly significant role as the province prepares for a shift from pandemic to endemic COVID-19.

Specifically, the new public health orders will allow the following sectors to open without restrictions:
• indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences;
• gyms and fitness centres;
• libraries;
• personal services such as hair and nail salons;
• day camps; and
• retail businesses, markets, garden centres and malls.

Other sectors will open with limited restrictions including:
• expanded capacity limits will remain in place for weddings, funerals and other public gatherings both indoors and outdoors including larger capacity limits for worship and cultural events like pow wows;
• restaurants and bars will no longer need to restrict the size or space between tables and dining will not be restricted to households or vaccinated individuals; however, patrons will still be expected to avoid congregating or socializing between tables;
• museums, galleries and movie theatres will remain limited to 50 per cent capacity but will no longer be restricted to vaccinated individuals;
• casinos and bingo halls, professional sporting events, horse and auto racing, and concert halls will continue to be limited to vaccinated individuals; however, all these facilities may now open to 100 per cent capacity;
• indoor and outdoor sports and recreation will fully reopen with limits only on spectator capacity;
• overnight camps will be permitted with limits on camper cohorts;
• workplaces must continue to report cases to government for followup and public health-confirmed transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace may result in workplaces being ordered to close for a minimum of 10 days; and
• remote working will no longer be required or recommended by public health and workplaces will be encouraged to transition from COVID-19 safety plans to a general communicable disease prevention plan that focuses on basic risk-reduction principles to reduce the risk of workplace transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Due to the ongoing presence of COVID-19 in Manitoba and elsewhere, and the extra risk posed by the more contagious delta variant, provincial public health officials strongly recommend the following:
• wearing masks in indoor public spaces for everyone who is not fully immunized including children under 12; and
• maintaining physical distancing of two metres (six feet) in indoor settings.

“Unless you are fully immunized, you are still at risk for more severe effects of COVID-19, such as requiring hospital care or even death,” said Roussin. “We are slowly but surely approaching a post-pandemic Manitoba, but this does not mean COVID-19 will disappear. We need to remain cautious and vigilant in our efforts to stop the spread of this virus.”

The new public health orders will go into effect at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 7.

The orders will expire at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7, and will be reassessed at that time in the context of vaccination rates and the province’s overall COVID-19 situation.

“We are very close to hitting that final milestone in our reopening path and reopening fully and completely,” said Pallister. “We need everyone on ‘Team Manitoba’ to for this final stretch. Get vaccinated – not once, but twice – and follow the public health orders and guidance designed to bend our COVID curve down, and keep it down.”

For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/.