(File Photo) One year into its first term and six months into its first provincial budget, the Manitoba government is over halfway to its goal of hiring 1,000 net new health-care workers, Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today at Grace Hospital. “Manitobans told us clearly they want more nurses, doctors and health-care professionals working in our province,” said Kinew. “We made an ambitious promise to add 1,000 net new people into our system and today we’re proud to say we’re more than halfway to that goal. Setting big goals like this is exactly what government is for. When we work together, we can get things done that aren’t possible on our own.” The premier noted the staff means Manitoba is making progress on the government’s commitment to hire hundreds of specific professions over the four-year term. From April 1 to Aug. 31, 873 net new health-care workers have been added, of which 116 are physicians, 304 are nurses, 290 are health-care aides and 87 are allied health. Staff has come into the system across the province, with increases in staffing in every region and at CancerCare Manitoba. “Every new health-care worker in our province takes us one step closer to repairing the damage done by the previous government,” said Asagwara. “With staff at our side, we can make progress on shortening wait times and delivering the best quality care. “We’ve left no stone unturned when it comes to adding more staff into the system and we’re going to keep going so we can start to turn the corner on some of the most important priorities in health care. To every person who decided to pursue a career in health care, or came back to the system, thank you.” The plan laid out steps taken to recruit new health-care workers, entice staff back into the system from private health care, expand opportunities for new graduates and reset the relationship with health-care staff after years of disrespect under the previous government, noted the premier. The government has: taken steps to change the culture in health care including sending letters to every new graduate, holding five listening tour town halls and working to hire every new graduate into the system; improved safety measures for staff at major hospitals; increased seats in training programs for medicine, physician assistants, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and nursing; increased the number of training spots for internationally educated medical graduates; launched a new Healthcare Retention and Recruitment Office focused on helping internationally educated health-care professionals find jobs or training in Manitoba; changed the requirements to make it easier for nurses to return to practice; and increased flexibility for nurses joining the provincial float pool. “Growing up watching my mom work as a nurse for over 36 years guided me to this profession that I am so fortunate to be a part of,” said Tiana Wyryha, a newly graduated nurse working in Children’s Emergency, Health Sciences Centre. “I’m so glad to work in Manitoba’s health-care system because Manitoba is my home and I strive to give back to those within my community.” “Manitoba has given a lot to me. I grew up here and attended the University of Manitoba for undergrad, med school and residency,” said Dr. Matthew Buchok, psychiatrist, Health Sciences Centre. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to stay and practice in Manitoba and have a positive impact on our community.” The premier noted the numbers are a result of the government’s investments in retaining, recruiting and training more health-care workers including adding new training seats, streamlining licensing for internationally educated health-care workers and emphasizing community recruitment. The premier and minister have also sent a letter to every recent graduate to welcome them to Manitoba’s health-care system.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Mitchell Eagle FOR Impaired Driving & Fail to Attend Court. On January 4th, 2024, Mitchell EAGLE was operating a vehicle and involved in an accident on Queens Crescent. EAGLE fled the scene and was arrested shortly after by police. EAGLE was intoxicated at the time and provided breath samples showing his blood alcohol levels double the legal limit. EAGLE was later released, however; has failed to attend court. Mitchell EAGLE’s whereabouts are unknown currently, please contact Brandon crime stoppers with any information. CRIME OF THE WEEK for September 26, 2024 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Mischief Under $5000. On September 14, 2024, a group of 6 unknown people were captured on video surveillance in the 600 block of 10th Street. The video clearly shows the miscreants throwing pumpkins onto a vehicle causing damage to the windshield vehicle. *************************************************************** If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.  

The Manitoba government intends to extend the gas tax holiday until the end of the calendar year, Premier Wab Kinew announced today.   “Since we cut the gas tax in January, inflation has gone down in Manitoba,” said Kinew. “This is what governments are for. We know Manitobans are still struggling with the impact of interest rates and grocery prices so we’re going to continue to step up and save you 14 cents at the pump.”   The current gas tax holiday on gasoline and diesel used to operate motor vehicles will be extended until Dec. 31, noted the premier.   The premier noted the people who drive the most popular type of vehicle in the province, a pickup truck, will save around $14 every time they fuel up. The Manitoba Bureau of Statistics estimates the gas tax holiday has directly contributed to a decrease of 0.4 percentage points to inflation.   Since the introduction of the gas tax holiday, Manitoba has had the lowest average retail price on gasoline in Canada and inflation has dropped to within the Bank of Canada’s target inflation range of one to three per cent.

In a joint news conference held today, MGEU and CUPE announced that formal strike notice has been served for more than 25,000 health care support workers across Manitoba. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a strike will begin on October 8, 2024. A number of these often physically demanding jobs start at just above minimum wage ($17.07/hour for many). Far too often people in Manitoba communities are choosing other jobs on the way to something better. Even if these workers had accepted the employers’ last offer, they would still be the lowest paid health care support workers in Canada. “You can’t expect to fix health care if you have the lowest paid health workers in Canada. The employers’ last offer just doesn’t do enough to recruit and retain the workers needed to run our health care,” said MGEU President Kyle Ross. “Continuing to fill staffing gaps with private agency workers is costly and wasteful. Instead, Manitoba needs to grow its health care workforce to provide the care that patients and residents deserve.” “Every day the employer puts off addressing these issues means patient and resident care will continue to suffer,” Ross said. “Strike action is a last resort, but health care in Manitoba is in crisis and that crisis demands urgent action.” “If Manitoba is serious about fixing health care, it will need to resolve the health care staffing crisis, and that means paying fair and competitive wages for health care support workers,” said CUPE President Gina McKay. “Health care jobs that were once seen as highly desirable are just not competitive anymore. The result is increasing staff vacancy rates that are negatively affecting patients and residents.” Both leaders agreed, fixing health care and delivering quality health care takes a whole team. By serving strike notice today, CUPE and MGEU hope to persuade the employer to come back to the table ready to negotiate a fair deal that respects these workers as key members of the health care team. CUPE and MGEU bargaining committees are ready to return to negotiations as soon as possible to try and reach a settlement before October 8. In the interim, however, both unions are preparing for strike action, should it become necessary. In the event of a strike, agreements have been negotiated with the employer, in accordance with provincial legislation, to ensure essential health care services continue. These health care support staff members work at hospitals and personal care homes, and in the provincial home care program. The workers include health care aides, laundry workers, dietary aides, ward clerks, recreation coordinators, maintenance, housekeeping and other support staff.  MGEU represents 6,500 health care support workers in Prairie Mountain Health and Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority.

The Keystone Centre unveiled a significant new addition to Westoba Place, Sept 20, at the Brandon Wheat Kings home opener game against the Moose Jaw Warriors: the “Seat of Truth.” This installation is described as a deliberate effort to foster awareness, understanding, and dialogue surrounding issues of truth and reconciliation. Located on Treaty 2 territory—home to the Dakota, Ojibway, and Métis peoples—this initiative reflects the Keystone Centre’s commitment to recognizing and honoring the rich Indigenous heritage of the area. The Seat of Truth, located in Section 112, Seat 2 in Row K, is easily visible to all guests entering the arena, and the placement serves as a deliberate acknowledgement of Treaty 2, signed in 1871 at Manitoba House, present day Kinosota, MB. This seat will remain intentionally empty to serve as a commemorative action for the spirits and lives of those lost to historical violence, including Residential Schools, and whose memories must be honored. Connie Lawrence, CEO & General Manager of the Keystone Centre, emphasizes the importance of this space: “The ‘Seat of Truth’ is more than just a physical installation; it represents the Keystone Centre’s ongoing commitment to helping our region’s shared history remain visible in a highly public space. It serves as a powerful reminder for everyone who enters the arena that understanding and respect are crucial for building a unified community. The initiative has also been supported by local Indigenous leaders who champion the significance of truth and reconciliation. Jason Gobeil, Outreach Coordinator with the Province of Manitoba, notes, “creating opportunities of awareness and education are pathways to learning about a history untold; the Seat of Truth reminds us of the importance we all play in reconciliation locally and within our province,” highlighting the importance of creating awareness in public spaces. The Keystone Centre invites all community members to engage with the “Seat of Truth” as a space not only for reflection but also for action. As events and gatherings take place within Westoba Place, visitors are encouraged to take a moment to acknowledge the histories that shape our collective identity and to participate in conversations that can lead to deeper understanding. For more information on the “Seat of Truth” and upcoming events at the Keystone Centre, please visit www.keystonecentre.com or reach out directly.