Local poet will compete in national poetry slam

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

St. Andrews resident Kortnee Stevens, 18, will represent the City of Winnipeg at the Verses Festival of Words in Vancouver next month.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

A St. Andrews poet will represent the City of Winnipeg at a national poetry competition in Vancouver next month.

Kortnee Stevens, 18, will face off against almost 40 other poets at the Canadian Independent Poetry Slam, which starts at the end of next month in Vancouver.

Stevens was named the Individual Poetry Slam champion last December for a piece she performed on mental health, and is now competing for the national title.  

The poetry slam is part of the Vancouver Verses Festival of Words.

Stevens will be performing a piece, no longer than four minutes in length that will criticize society in some way. The exact length of the piece and the topic will be determined at the festival.

She successfully spoke about stigma associated with mental health at the Winnipeg competition last December.

“The motivation came from a lot of friends that I’ve had and they’ve been struggling a lot with the mental health stigma,” Stevens said.

“People don’t see depression or anxiety is a real illness or a real disadvantage in everyday life.”

Poetry slams are short memorized pieces of art made by writers. The slams can be about pretty much anything, but poets are usually restricted to no more than three minutes of stage time, Stevens said.

Judges evaluate contestants on their overall performance and any extra entertainment a candidate has created to compliment their piece.

The pieces must be done without the aid of props, costumes, nudity, animal acts, or musical accompaniment.

“You sort of just sign up and spill your heart out on stage,” Stevens said.

“If it’s a meaningful piece to you then the audience really sees that and that’s kind of where you get your points.”

Stevens first started writing poetry a few years ago when she was in Grade 11 English class, and then began attending open mic nights with friends that were put on by the Winnipeg poetry community.  

“We kind of grew addicted to it I guess,” Stevens said.

Stevens calls herself a relatively new competitor and said she’s relishing the opportunity to go to Vancouver to compete.

“This is the one that takes you places,” Stevens said.

“That’s why it’s major and kind of stands out from the rest.”

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.15

Future of Selkirk & District Handi-Bus in limbo.

‘Alternate service model’ being explored by Tri-S councils

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

The future of Selkirk and District Handi-Bus is in jeopardy.

 By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

The future of Selkirk and District Handi-Bus is in jeopardy, and starting next Tuesday rates for users are expected to skyrocket.

But a new alternative service model that would provide clients with a “safe and reliable handi-transit service” might be hitting the streets though few details about the new service have been made public.

Thousands of dollars in funding provided by municipalities in the Tri-S area for Selkirk and District Handi-Bus is expected to disappear April 1.

The move by the City of Selkirk, the RM of St. Clements, and the RM of St. Andrews came after “ongoing concerns about the stability and viability of handi-transit service” were raised.

A Feb. 13 online notice published by all three of the municipalities said the move follows a joint resolution that was passed unanimously by the three councils.

The municipalities struck a joint committee earlier this year after concerns about persistent financial and operating challenges were raised, the online notice said.

“The three councils are taking this action to reduce the likelihood of a service interruption in the short term, and in the longer term to ensure that this important service will continue to be available to those who need it.”

Selkirk and District Handi-Bus board member Sharon Wasny said she was blindsided by the notice.

“These resolutions were made without our knowledge and posted on the website,” Wasny said Sunday when reached by phone.

A media release from Selkirk and District Handi-Bus Inc. published last December said the bus service has been operating in “crisis mode” since last November.

The release, which is linked to change.org, an online petition site, said allegations from the three municipalities have been unsubstantiated.

“It is impossible for the board to take action on allegations that are not spelled out and substantiated,” the release said.

The Feb. 13 online notice from the three councils doesn’t address any specific allegations made against Handi-Transit, but said the local governments have a responsibility to ensure a responsible handi-transit provider serves the region.

Expectations for transparency, fiscal responsibility and sound operating practices must all be met, the notice said.

Wasny said the change in funding is a “big concern” for the Handi Bus board.

“We rely very heavily on the grants from the three municipalities.”

She said starting March 30 Handi-Bus will be forced to raise rates and work under a new model.

“We are prepared to go out on our own,” Wasny said.

“The rates will be significantly more than what they are now, but we’re prepared to still service our clients.”

She said the Handi-Bus board is willing to work with the councils to “make some much needed changes within the organization,” if they have a change of heart.

No one from the joint committee would comment on this article.

The Record will update this story.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.10

Biker narrowly escapes head-on crash with car

Entire ordeal was caught on dash cam

 

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Winnipeg resident Ryan Evans, 41, is lucky to be alive after narrowly escaping what would have been an ugly head-on crash with a car that had just barged into his lane.      

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

A Winnipeg biker, who was merely inches away from being hit head-on by a fast-travelling car, says some quick instinctual thinking is the reason he is alive today.

Ryan Evans, 41, was nearly hit head-on by a car during an afternoon ride on March 14 on Highway 9.

Evans had just left Lockport and was on his way to Gimli when he made his narrow escape from the car, which appeared to make no effort to slowdown or return to its proper lane.

Evans was driving 100 kilometres per hour, and was approximately five minutes south of Winnipeg Beach when he said he noticed another vehicle travelling in the opposite lane.

“Then all of the sudden this silver car popped out from behind him into my lane,” said Evans.

“It was a matter of inches from my handlebar clipping his mirror and sending me down if not worse.”

“So I just headed over to the edge of the road hoping that I’d be able to stay on the road, and not have to get on the shoulder, because I probably would have gone down if I had to go on the shoulder.”

“It just kind of was instinctual,” Evans said.

The entire ordeal, which lasted for just a few seconds, was caught on a GoPro camera that was mounted on the dash of Evans’ motorcycle.

Evans said it wasn’t until he returned home and watched the video that he realized just how lucky he was to be alive.

“I mean I really didn’t know how close it was,” he said.

Evans posted the video online, and it’s since been shared thousands of times making him somewhat famous.

During an interview on Saturday with the Record at a Subway, a random stranger shouted at Evans.

“Good job missing that car,” the man said.

Evans said although he’s lucky to be alive what’s touched him is the response he’s received from his friends and family.

“I mean I’ve been affected more by the reactions of the people around me,” he said.

“I am OK. Everything’s good, but when I watch the video I realize that could have been a whole lot different.”

Evans filed a report with Selkirk RCMP on Saturday and handed over the licence plate number of the car, which was captured clearly on video.

But his narrow escape from the car didn’t stop him from getting back on his bike.

Just a day after the ordeal he drove out to Lockport for a ride with his wife Nicole.

Police are now investigating the incident.

RCMP spokesman Paul Human said now that spring has arrived motorists need to pay more attention on the road.

“Motorcycles are out there and sharing the roads,” said Human in an email.

Post by Ryan Evans.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.2

Flood risk low for Selkirk so far

 

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson and City of Selkirk emergency co-ordinator Darrell Kupchik are happy ice-cutting in Selkirk has now finished. Both are optimistic about the current flood forecast for the city.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

There’s a small chance of a spring flood in Selkirk this year, but officials with the city say they are prepared for one just in case.

“We’re optimistic that we’re going to be in good shape,” said Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson in an interview Friday.

“The temperatures have been really really good, the ice is rotting underneath, and we’re getting good strong sun during the day,” Johannson said.

Ice-cutting crews finished chopping their way through 29 kilometres of ice in the area between Breezy Point and Selkirk last week.

The Amphibex machines are now working on the Brokenhead River, north of Selkirk.

Officials are praising the gradual melt that’s taken place so far this spring and say minimal run-off is what’s partly caused the low flood-risk.

“We’re in a good spot right now,” said City of Selkirk emergency co-ordinator Darrell Kupchik.

The current flood forecast is a sigh of relief for the city who dealt with flooding just last year.

“I breath a lot easier than I did last year,” Johannson said.

Last year a dumping of snow was blamed for flooding that affected some parts in Selkirk like the Selkirk Park.

But if the situation changes Johannson said Selkirk will be protected.

“All our guys are ready,” Johannson said.

Kupchik said staff in both the public works and community services departments at the city are ready to respond to a flood risk if one arises.

“We are prepared,” Kupchik said.

He said the city has clay for dikes ready to go and there is enough sand to fill thousands of sandbags if needed.

But Kupchik stressed everything will depend on the weather so crews will just be on stand by for now.

“A lot of what we do is we prepare and wait,” Kupchik said.

Johannson said if the flood-risk changes the city will move to protect high-risk areas that are prone to flooding like the waterfront and the Selkirk Park.

“We’ve got a plan in place,” Johannson said.

“We want the citizens and the people on the waterfront to know that we’re watching things, and we’re keeping a close eye on it, and if trouble arises our guys are ready to kick into gear.”

“We feel pretty good.”

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.3

New tax treat for seniors

But despite rebate, original promise to wipe away taxes still broken 

 

RECORD FILE PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Manitoba Finance Minister Greg Dewar announced a new school tax rebate for seniors last Thursday.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

The Manitoba government is doubling an education property tax rebate for senior citizens, but won’t wipe out the taxes completely this year as the NDP had originally promised in 2011.

Rookie Finance Minister Greg Dewar made the announcement at a press conference in Winnipeg last Tuesday.

Seniors 65 years or older can now get a school tax rebate of up to $470. The rebate was previously capped at $235.

After announcing the new rebate Dewar was asked about the NDP’s 2011 promise to wipe out the school taxes completely for seniors.

He said the province didn’t have a firm timeline for when it would eliminate the taxes, but just hours after the news conference Dewar recanted his statement, and told the Canadian Press the school taxes will be eliminated.

"We made a commitment to eliminate it and we'll eliminate it by 2016," Dewar told the Canadian Press.

“We’re committed to making things more affordable for the seniors who have worked so hard to help build our province.” 

Last year, the province said it needed until 2016 to eliminate the taxes. It’s been struggling to get the provincial deficit under control.

Opposition leader Brian Pallister said last Thursday’s announcement doesn’t live up to what the NDP promised in 2011.

“The reality is that seniors have been hit very hard with the broken promises the government has inflicted on them,” Pallister said.

“I think it’s sad. I think it’s shady, and I don’t think seniors will be fooled again,” Pallister said.

“Seniors were born not yesterday.”

The province said seniors can apply for the new rebate starting in mid-May. Residents will have until the end of March to apply for the rebate for 2014.

The new rebate is in addition to a basic $700 education property tax credit and the income-tested $400 seniors’ education property tax credit top-up that already exist for homeowners. 

Dewar also released the date he will deliver the 2015-16 budget. He’s making that announcement on April 30.

“Preparation work for the budget is in the final stages, and I can tell all Manitobans that despite the financial pressures caused by major flood damage, we’ll have a budget that will take a balanced approach to providing front-line services,” Dewar said.

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.11

School tax increase irks Selkirk mayor

RECORD FILE PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

A tax increase by the Lord Selkirk School Division isn’t sitting well with Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

 Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson has joined a growing chorus of politicians who are decrying an increase in school taxes.

The Lord Selkirk School Division announced a 4.75 per cent increase in taxes earlier this month, and the increase isn’t sitting well with Johannson.

“I don’t think it’s fair and equable,” Johannson said.

Johannson is the latest mayor to come forward and decry a school tax increase.

West St. Paul Mayor Bruce Henley raised concerns about a 4.7 per cent tax increase in the Seven Oaks School Division, which was passed earlier this month.

Both Henley and Johannson want school taxes to be removed from municipal property bills.

Municipalities are required to collect school taxes and hand over the cash to the appropriate school division every year.

But both mayors think many residents don’t realize the taxes, which appear on their bills, aren’t all from their municipality.

“A lot of people look at the bottom line of the bill and compare it to last year’s and they’re thinking holy jeez the tax has gone up,” Johannson said.

The city of Selkirk raised municipal taxes earlier this year by 2.99 per cent, and Johannson said he doesn’t see why the school division can’t raise taxes at a rate that’s close to or on par with the municipality.

He said school divisions need to work harder to lower taxes.

“We should be looking at more efficiencies in the school division,” Johannson said.

“We’re doing it at our end. We’re not just saying spend and pass the taxes onto the citizens and the ratepayers. We’re looking for efficiencies and creating a good budget and sticking to that budget.”

While speaking to the Record after releasing their 2015-2016 budget, Lord Selkirk School Division superintendent Scott Kwasnitza said a tax increase was necessary, and said the only other option would have been cuts to programming and staff.

“If you are going to reduce taxes or hold the line, you are looking at significant reductions to programming and staffing,” said Kwasnitza. “And I don’t think the public wants to see us dismantling staff or programming.

“That would be detrimental to the quality of education in the Lord Selkirk School Division.”
Kwasnitza also said the division is not getting an increase in funding from the province.
 

He said they have a funding agreement with the province, and said that enrollment for next year is expected to decline by about 80 students, so if they did not have that agreement their provincial funding would have actually decreased by about $500,000.“So I’m not criticizing the province. 

I’m just letting people know we aren’t getting an increase,” said Kwasnitza. 

The Lord Selkirk School Division also took $150,000 out of their surplus fund to help mitigate the tax increase.
 

But Johannson thinks the increase is unacceptable.

“I think it’s high. I really do,” he said.

Johannson said every time taxes are increased he hears about it from discontented residents.

“Guess who’s out there and hears about that increase,” he said.

“And I’m sure the councillors hear about it too.”

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.7

Communication and housing top priorities for chief hopeful

 

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cindy Spence is running for chief of Peguis First Nation.

By Austin Grabish, The Express Weekly News

Cindy Spence has a lengthy list of issues she says she would tackle if elected chief of Peguis, but first and foremost she is pledging to address the Interlake First Nation’s dire housing situation.  

“My biggest priority would be to review the housing circumstance on reserve,” said Spence in a phone interview Monday.

Hundreds of homes on the Peguis First Nation are awaiting repair or replacement, and Spence said they should be a top priority for council. 

“Our people really have been suffering,” Spence said.

But housing is just the first of many problems on the reserve she is promising to address if elected chief.

The next item on her list is communication.

She said there is a paucity of communication between council and its band members.

“I really believe that it’s time for Peguis people to take an active role in community consultations,” Spence said.

“People have to be informed of revenues, they have to be informed of what type of investments are required of Peguis band members on an ongoing long-term basis.”

Spence, who has run for chief of Peguis before, thinks poverty in the community could be eradicated if funds from large settlements the band has received were used strategically. 

“We are the beneficiaries of these trusts, and it’s time for the Peguis people to have a voice in how and where our money is invested,” Spence said.

She said many band members have questions about business dealings made by the First Nation. 

“The people of Peguis are very interested in taking a look at some of the deals that have been negotiated on our behalf.”

She said she supports businesses and if elected chief she would bring all of the recent business deals that have been made by the band to the people of Peguis.

“And pretty much review through public consultation process, and allow for people to have a proper informed decision in regards to moving any business ventures forward,” Spence said.

The long-time resident of Peguis feels there is an unfair divide in the pay employees receive on reserve.

“I think that the whole wage system needs to be reviewed in Peguis. It’s not only for chief and council, but for people who are underpaid in many cases,” Spence said.

“We are one of the wealthier bands in Manitoba however our people are some of the poorest and that’s for both on and off reserve members.”

She also questions honorariums that are given to council members when they travel and do work for off-reserve boards.

Monies paid to members of council from the boards aren’t reported like salaries and expenses, she said.

“When we look at those salaries we are only seeing one small piece of what a person is actually bringing in.”

“So I really think the whole thing needs to be looked at.”

She said if elected chief any honorariums she received for off-reserve board work would be given back to the community. 

Spence said she wants to shape the future of Peguis together with band members.

“I think that my voice represents the voice of the people, and that if I’m elected it will be the people that will be my number one priority.”

Voting takes place March 24.

**An earlier version of this story identified Spence as Smith. The Express apologizes for the error.

-- First published in the Express Weekly News print edition March 19, 2015 p.13

Peguis candidate running for chief pitches co-operative model

Says business dealings have hurt impoverished community 

By Austin Grabish, The Express Weekly News

Dawn Thomas has a vision for Peguis and it’s one that doesn’t include capital development.

Thomas is running to be the next chief of Peguis and is campaigning on a model that’s entirely different than one put forward by incumbent chief Glenn Hudson.

It’s Thomas’s second run at politics – she ran to be chief two years ago, but lost to Hudson who has been the leader of the First Nation for the last eight years.

“We need to shift our focus from the for-profit model that we’re following to the co-operative model for our business model that we’re doing,” said Thomas in a phone interview last week.

Thomas feels there is a divide on the Interlake First Nation that is directly related to the business dealings Peguis First Nation has gotten involved with in recent years.

“It is causing a lot of grief and division in the community,” Thomas said.

“A lot of people are feeling left out.”

If elected chief she is pledging to move the band’s focus to a co-operative model, which would align better with traditional aboriginal culture, she said.

She thinks if Peguis switched its financial model to a co-operative fighting on the reserve over money would stop, because everyone would have something coming to them at the end of the year.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Dawn Thomas is running for chief of Peguis First Nation.

Thomas, a resident of Peguis for the last eight years, said her community is riddled in pain and grief that has come from poverty, the biggest problem on the reserve, she said.

Thomas said there is a serious lack of housing and community services in Peguis.

“We’re like pretty much every other First Nation in Canada,” Thomas said.

“The community and nation itself really needs support.”

She said rather than focusing on citizens, the current council has been prioritizing business dealings off-reserve in Winnipeg.

Thomas thinks there is a lack of communication between Peguis council and its band members.

She said she’s seen it first-hand during meetings she’s attended on the reserve over the last eight years.

“What needs to change is (the) lack of communication,” Thomas said.

“We’re starting to see a great divide happening.”

Thomas believes Hudson has too high of a salary and is promising to let the community set her salary if elected chief.

“I do have a problem with the high amount of salary. It isn’t necessary, I don’t think,” Thomas said.

Band members go to the polls on March 24. 

-- First published in the Express Weekly News print edition March 19, 2015 p.14

Peguis chief wants another two years

Hudson pledges to build homes, expand business

EXPRESS PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson is seeking re-election. Band members go to the polls on March 24.

By Austin Grabish, The Express Weekly News

The chief of Manitoba’s largest First Nation says he is proud of progress that’s been made by his band over the last two years, but Glenn Hudson isn’t ready to step down as leader of Peguis just yet.

He is seeking re-election and will have to win votes from band members who will choose between him and two other candidates at the polls later this month.

But if you visited Hudson’s Winnipeg office you’d hardly know he’s just weeks away from the end of an election. There are no visible campaign signs posted and Hudson’s talk is all business.

“Certainly my work, I think, speaks for itself,” said Hudson.

“We’ve been moving forward certainly.”

Hudson is finishing his fourth two-year term as chief of Peguis, but said he wants to stay on for at least one more term, because the band is still in the early stages of many projects.

“The work that we’ve started is not completed,” Hudson said.

Part of the uncompleted work includes what Hudson calls a ‘comprehensive community plan,’ which he says will build the Peguis economy and create jobs.

“There’s a lot of growth that’s happening in our community,” Hudson said.

Hudson wants his band to further expand outside of Peguis onto traditional Treaty No. 1 lands in Winnipeg.

Plans to build a hotel and conference centre at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg are already in the works.

“The future’s very bright,” Hudson said.

Hudson said his biggest accomplishment as chief was the leading role he played in the historic St. Peters land claim settlement, which saw Peguis get a $126.1 million payout from the federal government in 2009.

He also said he’s brought 150 jobs to the community by creating the Chief Peguis Construction company.

“That has helped address our poverty issues and social issues within the community.”

Hudson said he’s been able to reduce debt on the First Nation while also having new projects take flight.

He used the Peguis Multiplex Centre, which opened late last year as an example.

“It acts as a gathering point for us when we do have gatherings in the community,” Hudson said.

He also said the band’s acquisition of the former motor vehicle branch on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg is something he is proud of.

The building is currently being remodeled and already has some band offices in it.

But Hudson’s tenure as chief hasn’t been without controversy.

In 2012 red flags were raised after an independent audit found issues with the way $10.5 million in flood money was handled.

Aboriginal Affairs expressed concern that not all of the federal flood compensation funding was used for its intended purposes.

Hudson dismissed the report at the time and defended his administration.

Hudson’s high salary has also come under fire.

He is one of the highest paid chiefs in Manitoba and took home a base salary of $113,646 last year in addition to the $88,794 in cash he received for expenses.

“I’m the third or fourth highest paid in the province, but yet I’m the largest First Nation,” Hudson said.

“So if you want to compare in terms of population wise I ain’t the highest paid, but certainly we have the largest First Nation.”

Hudson said he would not raise his salary if he were re-elected.

He is also pledging to build at least 50 homes per year in Peguis.

Hundreds of homes on the Interlake reserve are in dire need of repair or replacement.

Hudson also said he would work towards expanding the multiplex in Peguis.

Band members go to the polls on March 24.

-- First published in the Express Weekly News print edition March 19, 2015 p.14

Province sucking rural hotels dry: owner

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Lockport Inn owner Jim Major is one of many rural hotel owners who say it’s becoming increasingly difficult to turn a profit due to low profit margins set by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.   

 

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

Rural hotel owners say they can’t make a buck like they used to and are calling on the province to change its liquor and gaming rules so they can keep a higher return from beer and VLT revenues. 

Three hotels closed their doors for good last month.

But Liquor and Lotteries says the rural hotels are the highest paid in Western Canada and are doing “really well”.

The newly formed Manitoba Rural Hotel Association held an inaugural meeting earlier this month in Winnipeg to address what they say are unfair profit margins set by the province.

“It’s not easy today,” said Lockport Inn owner Jim Major.

“We’re trying to just keep our cash flows up and pay the bills and stuff.”

The hotel owners say it’s unfair they are only allowed to keep 17 per cent of the revenue earned on sales made at their beer vendors.

The province supplies the vendors with the beer, sets the price at which the products can be sold, and keeps the majority of the profit.

“We gotta do all the work,” Major said.

“Why should they be taking (that much of the profit)?”

The Rural Hotel Association would like beer vendors to instead keep 30 per cent of all revenues.

“That’s not going to make me all of the sudden successful, but that will give me a solid base on which to grow,” said Angelo Mondragon, president of the Manitoba Rural Hotel Association.

Mondragon owns the Notre Dame Hotel and said it’s becoming increasingly difficult for hotels to turn a profit due to the “enormous” price of alcohol and a lack of young people frequenting the bars.

“Right now I believe we’re at a tipping point,” Mondragon said.

Another complaint is rural hotel owners are only allowed to keep 20 per cent of revenues from VLTs.

Mondragon and others want to see that number increase to 50 per cent.

“It’s just trying to be fair a little bit,” Major said.

“We have payrolls to make, we have to keep proper people.”

Liquor and Lotteries critic Ron Schuler said when rural hotels struggle there is a direct ripple effect on their town.

“Once you lose your hotel and you lose the gas station and you lose this and that eventually the town dies,” the PC critic said.

But Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries says rural hotels are booming.

“Especially the smaller hotels (they) do really well,” said spokesperson Andrea Kowal.

Kowal said Manitoba hotels are the highest paid in Western Canada and have almost a complete monopoly on off-sale beer.  

“They sell almost all of the beer in the province,” Kowal said.

But at least three rural hotels closed their doors for good in the last month and numerous other hotels that have closed are listed on the Rural Hotel Association’s Facebook page.

Kowal said it is unfair to only look at beer and VLT profit margins, because vendors also make money by collecting empty beer cans and bottles.

“It’s not even beginning to look at what they get from their relationship with liquor and lotteries,” Kowal said.

In 2014 there was $307 million worth of beer sold in Manitoba. Liquor and Lotteries turned over $284.1 million to the province.

“They make a lot of money,” Mondragon said.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 19, 2015 p.10

Back to square one for the NDP

Selinger stays on as premier, but party still divided

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Greg Selinger rises after successfully winning his fight to keep his job as Manitoba’s premier while his son Pascal roars in elation about the news. 

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

Premier Greg Selinger likely slept a little easier Sunday night. The embattled premier won his fight to keep his job and will continue to lead Manitoba, at least for now.

Selinger defeated Theresa Oswald with a slim 33-vote win after a second vote at the NDP’s leadership convention in Winnipeg.

“You might recall, it’s been a bit arduous, said Selinger moments after the results were announced.

“It’s been difficult. It’s been a long journey.”

Selinger received 759 votes from delegates and Oswald wasn’t that far behind – coming in with a total of 726 votes.

Oswald and Steve Ashton, who was also fighting for the premier’s seat, moved a motion to make Selinger’s win unanimous.

“We all came together,” Selinger said.

The premier took the stage and boisterously thanked delegates after the results of the vote were announced.

“I want to congratulate all of you for your dedication, for your involvement, your support for those sleepless nights you’ve gone through, the campaigning, the voting,” Selinger said.

“My god the voting.”

“Let us go home cherishing the friendships we’ve made. Let us go home and have a good night sleep.”

Selinger told reporters he was prepared for any outcome and is ready to move past the controversies that have plagued him and his party in the last several months.

“It’ll be up to all of us. I’m certainly ready to move past it,” Selinger said.

Despite the split in votes Selinger said the NDP has come out of the convention united.

“The party will come together. We all know that we’re one big New Democrat family, one big New Democratic movement,” Selinger said.

Selinger gave a familiar response when fielding questions from reporters about damage that’s been done to the NDP since last year’s caucus revolt, which saw five of his former most senior cabinet ministers, including Oswald, call on him to resign.

The premier said he is focused on the priorities of Manitobans and ensuring they have a better quality of life.

“I know we can make a better (Manitoba) starting tomorrow again,” Selinger said.

Minister of Finance Greg Dewar said he was confident Selinger would win the race.

“I’m obviously very excited that my leader, my friend and my premier won today,” Dewar said.

“That means that we can continue onto our path of providing good governance.”

Oswald said Selinger now has her full support.

“I’ve honoured the decision of our members and I’m going to get behind the premier because he was selected by the delegates, and I’m going to do my best to help in any way I can,” Oswald said.

The former jobs and economy minister wouldn’t say if she would run again with the NDP in the next provincial election.

“It’s a really big decision that has a profound and meaningful impact on one’s family,” Oswald said.

“We need to have a big talk about that.”

By all accounts Sunday’s leadership race was a historic one.

Opposition leader Brian Pallister said he’s happy the leadership race is over.

“I’m glad the circus is packing up and leaving town now,” Pallister said.

The PC leader said the NDP remains right where it was before the convention.

“Nothing’s changed here,” Pallister said.

“What’s stopping the knives from coming out in a few months after another poll shows that the premier’s not popular? That’s what caused this in the first place.”

Pallister said a dangerous precedent was set by the highly publicized leadership race.

“This is without precedent in Canadian political history,” Pallister said.

Selinger and Pallister will face off in the next provincial election, which has yet to be called.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 12, 2015 p.13

A safe place to talk about mental health

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

Mathew Dueck knows first-hand how difficult it can be to talk about mental illness.  

The Selkirk resident is living with post-traumatic stress disorder, and is a cancer survivor who knows the struggle all to well. 

But now he’s created a new space for people to talk about the disease, which is estimated to affect one in five Canadians. 

Starting March 26, Dueck will be hosting a regular bi-weekly peer support group for anyone living with mental illness.

People struggling with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or any other kind of mental illness are welcome to join the new group, which will meet at the Gaynor Family Regional Library in Selkirk.

“We’re inclusive to any mental illness,” said Dueck.

The 20-year-old psychology student said his own struggle with mental illness inspired him to create a new space where people could talk about the disease.  

Dueck recently overcame a grim battle with lymphoma and was sexually abused as a child. Both have left a lasting mark on Dueck, who in the last year has also been battling anxiety. 

“It’s been a rough year for me,” Dueck said.

The new support group aims to help alleviate pains like Dueck’s by giving people who are struggling with mental health issues a safe place to speak. 

“I’m just creating a safe space that is supportive and that has resources for people,” Dueck said. 

“Let’s talk about this. Let’s get it out there if you’re struggling you should have a resource. You should have a place to come and share how you feel.”

Mathew Dueck

Dueck has accessed mental health resources before, but said many supports that are currently available have a specific mandate and only focus on one illness. 

The new support group won’t focus exclusively on any one illness and will be open to anyone.

“We’re looking at everyday challenges of people who struggle with mental illness,” Dueck said. 

The new support group will also fight to end the stigma that is often associated with mental health issues. 

Dueck said in his experience the general public doesn’t treat mental illness the same as other illnesses. 

“The sympathy really isn’t extended the same way,” Dueck said. 

“It’s easier to say that I (had) cancer than it is to say that I have (post-traumatic stress disorder), and that’s sad that we live in a society that that’s the way it is.”

Dueck said the stigma prevented him from getting help when he was younger.

“I knew that I was struggling with it, but I was embarrassed,” Dueck said. 

And Dueck’s not alone. 

The Mental Health Commission of Canada says 60 per cent of people with a mental health problem or illness won’t seek treatment for fear they will be labeled.  

“That’s over half of consumers that don’t want to receive the treatment that they require because they are scared of a label,” said Tristan Dreilich, mental health resource developer for the Canadian Mental Health Association. 

“That’s quite significant.”

The new support group already had its first meeting late last month and will begin meeting regularly every second Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the library starting March 26. 

For more information you can search for Mathew Dueck on Facebook. 

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 12, 2015 p.5

Who wants to dismantle the Lord Selkirk?

 

RECORD FILE PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

The MS Lord Selkirk ship continues to rot.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record 
 

Companies who are interested in removing Selkirk’s greatest eyesore are being asked to make their pitch to the City of Selkirk.

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson says he’s optimistic the MS Lord Selkirk ship will be removed from the slough it’s been rotting in for the last 25 years.

But neither the federal or provincial government have come on board with the project so there’s a good chance the ship will just continue to rot.

The City recently put out a formal call for proposals and has already received interest from at least four companies who want to take a stab at removing the ship, Johannson said.

The cost to remove the ship is estimated to be somewhere between $700,000 - $900,000, Johannson said.

The City has set aside one third of the better part of $900,000 for the project, but who the rest of the bill will go to is a challenge that lies ahead.

Johansson said he wants the bill split evenly with the province and the feds.

“We’re not going to do this all by ourselves we need help. We know it’s very very important to get this ship out of there. It’s important for the environment, it’s important for the beautification of our park,” Johansson said.

But both have yet to jump on board with the idea. 

Selkirk-Interlake MP James Bezan previously told the Record if the federal government paid for the ship’s removal a dangerous precedent would be set, because there are many other abandoned vessels like the Lord in waters across Canada. 

Selkirk MLA Greg Dewar told the Record last December he would like to have the ship removed by this spring or next year at the latest, but so far no action has been taken, Johannson said. 

The mayor said the request for proposals isn’t a formal tender and the City may not take the lowest bidder. 

“We want it all done right,” Johansson said. 

“We want everything out of there.”

A 60-page document posted on the City’s website gives key information on the project.

Details in the document paint a grim picture of how toxic the ship is and it’s noxious self isn’t just an eyesore – it’s an environmental misfortunate. 

Asbestosis, lead, mould, PCBs, mercury, and several other environmental toxins have all been found to be present on the ship. 

Johannson said the company that’s hired to remove the ship will have to meet a strict environmental criteria. 

“It has to be done the environmentally friendly way of course,” Johansson said. 

“And then finally we can get this rotting hulk out of our slough and out of our city once and for all.”

“I think everyone in Selkirk is sick and tired of driving down Eveline and seeing this ship sitting there rotting so we’re crossing our fingers that we can get something done with it.”

 The request for proposals closes on April 7.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 12, 2015 p.6