The opening for the season at the Goodon International Wildlife Museum, and grand opening of the Boissevain Model Railway Exhibit made a cool May Long weekend a little more enjoyable in Boissevain.
According to Boissevain-Morton Executive Assistant Melissa Perkins, Saturday and Sunday were great days to start the 2025 season.
“The poor weather did not keep people away which was great to see,” Perkins stated. “Our opening day of the season on Saturday was an extra special one with the official opening of the Boissevain Model Railway Exhibit. The event was well attended by a mix of locals and visitors of all ages with over 220 visitors on Saturday. Visitors travelled in from various Manitoba communities, as well as Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Missouri, and Oregon. It was a great start to the visitor season at the museum with just under 300 visitors despite the weather.”
The railway museum was originally housed in a building on the same spot as the Wildlife Museum, right next to Tommy Turtle. Members of the community like Earl Patterson, Jake Rempel and Stan Peck brought the exhibit of their model trains together, sharing their passion with the public. Their volunteer dedication kept their love of trains alive for everyone until the building closed in 2021.
Boissevain’s Kyle Howarth was happy to continue to hone his skills at the Livestock Markets Association of Canada auctioneering championships last weekend.
Held in Virden on May 9, it was part of the LMAC Convention. Howarth said it was a good overall showing.
“It was great,” Howarth stated. “There were 39 auctioneers from across Canada, from Quebec to BC competing. There were a lot of cattle selling for a good price.”
As well as the national championships, the ManSask championships were held at the same time. This year, it was won by Allan Munroe of Killarney Auction Mart, a colleague of Howarth’s.
Howarth said auctioneers get an opportunity to compete by signing up. Many cattle auctioneers want to test their skills and get one of the championship buckles. What makes this event interesting is it is not separate from the sale.
“Yeah, it’s a live sale. There is money changing hands, a lot of money changing hands.”
He said they sign up and draw for selling order the night before. The morning of the competition they all get together for breakfast. It makes for an interesting situation, as they are all competitors, but also friends.
After the opening ceremonies, they get down to selling sets of cattle, including four single cows. There is also a “black box” made up of sponsors’ donations sold by each competitor, which helps fundraise for the event. Each competitor sells, and then judges pick those who will move along. When the top ten are chosen, they sell again, with numbers increasing until someone wins the final.
“Our sentinel is gone,” said Dawn Minne of Waskada as she watched the remains of the former Pool Elevator in flames on May 5, 2025.
Flames were first spotted by Oscar Spence when he woke up at 5:00am. He said to his mom, “The elevator is on fire.” His mom, Marlys Spence said, “Oh no it’s just the flame stacks from the oil battery.” Oscar insisted saying, “No the elevator is on fire.” Then she went into her kitchen, which was orange from the flames reflecting into it.
The Waskada, Melita and Deloraine fire departments were alerted immediately.
The organizers of the new playground at Boissevain School received thrilling news and are giving thanks to the community for their continued assistance.
It was announced on April 29 that the project was the Manitoba winner of the Growing Home with BASF prize. Finishing first in the province means they are walking away with a $25,000 portion of the national $160,000 fund.
Co-chair of the playground committee Heather Janssens was thrilled.
“This is so awesome, it’s a little bit surreal,” she stated. “The best part is the community helped us win this money. They saw it as a great community project and we are so thankful for their support.”
A contract pharmacist will be taking a lot of memories, as well as a lot of learning, back home after her time in Boissevain.
Hien Ha has been serving clients at Hazlewood Drugs for about a month. A native of Vietnam, she is very much enjoying her time at the pharmacy.
“I like it very much,” she stated, “in the way that Boissevain is a very peaceful town and people are very nice and friendly. Whenever I walk outside and if I see anybody, they will say ‘good morning’ and that really makes my day.”
For Ken Hole, the 40th birthday of Turtle Mountain Appliances seems to have come quickly.
“You just can’t believe where the time has gone and how fast it has gone,” Hole stated. “There have not been many moments I haven’t enjoyed it.”
The story began on April of 1985, when Hole purchased Spic ‘n Span Appliance Sales and Service from Bob Deleurme. The shop was located in a multi business building on Stephen Street. Deleurme had operated the dry cleaners in the same complex, but had moved out of that end, continuing with appliances.
Hole said the previous owner needed a change and so did he.
Ninga, a small community between Killarney and Boissevain, was born in 1887 and ever since it has been a part of the RM of Turtle Mountain (presently the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain). Originally an unincorporated village district, Ninga became “grandfathered in” as a local urban district (LUD) at around the same time other municipalities were incorporating.
While the village boasts around 45 residents these days, there was a time when Ninga had a larger business district than Boissevain, and more square feet of paved sidewalk than Killarney. With a rich, quirky history, and a collection of dedicated residents, Ninga made it through the 20th century to the 21st, although a bit worse for wear, and now is considering how to take on the future.
As it sits, Ninga is an LUD within the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain, much like Minto is within the Municipality of Grassland. After the dissolution of the Holmfield LUD, Ninga is the last remaining LUD in the municipality. Technically, an LUD must have 250 residents, and are typically formed when a community is looking for special services above and beyond what a municipality normally provides, such as town beautification like mowing and planting flowers. In some places in Manitoba, LUDs are responsible for other services like drainage, sidewalks, and streetlights.
Remote. The definition from the Oxford Dictionary is “a place situated far from the main centers of population; distant.”
In Manitoba the north has always been considered remote. Because of this the area and people living and working there receive special payments known as north allowance or remote living allowance.
The extreme southwest area of Manitoba could easily be considered remote as well, especially in the case of healthcare. Melita Health Centre serves a large area from the US border north and Saskatchewan border east. Three years ago during the COVID-19 epidemic, Prairie Mountain Health Regional Health Authority closed Melita’s emergency and acute care. The reason given at the time was that Melita nurses were needed to serve at other local hospitals. Naturally this caused concern, anger and uneasiness among the residents affected by this decision.
Bill Holden, mayor of the Town of Melita said a committee was formed to address the delivery of, or lack of, healthcare. This committee has been fluent throughout the process.
“We started working with the RHA on this matter so the hospital wouldn’t close. A proposal was drafted by the RHA and sent to us. We have been turned down twice in the provincial budget.”
The reasons given included there was no room in the budget or the proposal arrived too late.
Holden said he was recently speaking to Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care Uzoma Asagwara and they said they only just recently had a first glimpse of the proposal. Minister Asagwara assured Holden this project had merit in the budget.
“We’re eligible for four positions and currently have two Nurse Practitioners (NPs). This summer we will be getting a third NP and there is ongoing communications with a possible physician to fill the fourth position.”
“The provincial government has to step up. We need at the very least primary care, and lab and ambulance services,” said Holden.
Province rejects Melita healthcare proposal twice
Over 350 people attended a public meeting concerning healthcare held April 1, 2025 at the Melita Legion Hall. Prairie Mountain Health RHA was represented by CAO Treena Slate, Debbie Poole (Regional Lead, Clinical Planning), Glenda Short (Regional Lead, Community Services) and Janet Twordoclid (Regional Lead, Acute Care) and Shared Health personnel participating on the panel, included Karen Beheyt (Manager, Lab Services), Callum Melvin (Director, EMS) and Scott Noble (Director, EMS).
Also attending and in support were council members from the municipalities of Two Borders, Brenda-Waskada, Grassland, Sifton and towns of Virden, Killarney, and Melita. Bill Holden gave opening remarks with Scott Phillips, councillor with the RM of Sifton as the moderator.
Holden began by stressing the local healthcare committee had an excellent working relationship with Prairie Mountain Health (PMH).
Slate gave an update on the community-based program being developed for Melita.
“This plan was started in 2022 when Mayor Bill and Reeve Sandra Clark requested something be done for healthcare in the area. The plan is a Made in Melita program that is unique to the area and serves the remoteness of the area. It is led by nursing providing enhanced primary and community-based care.”
She added that PMH has requested government approval and funding for the plan. To date they are still waiting for response from the government. In the meantime PMH is carrying out analysis of services needed in the area and ensuring everything is aligning with the needs.
“Currently there are two NPs and visiting physicians from Deloraine and Virden. We want to build on this with a proactive stance and we are hopeful to soon hear about funding.”
“The plan for Melita is based on various programs across Canada, including one that is called The House – Care Under One Roof. It is not an ER but rather semi-acute care. It gets you to where you need to be for timely accessible care, consistent and reliable,” said Slate.
While all medical services are needed, perhaps the most pressing one is ambulance service.
Melvin said the whole province is experiencing a shortage in EMS services. The paramedic shortages are prevalent and most acutely in the southwest. There is a high vacancy rate, 20-25% across Canada and we are working actively to fill shortages.
“We move ambulances around on a regular basis to best serve all regions.”
There is some good news. At one time there was significant disparity between wages of paramedics working in city versus those working in rural areas. After intensive lobbying the wage difference has been corrected.
“As well, the access to education has improved. Paramedics students can now do single stream studies. Interest in paramedics is trending upwards as work is being done to promote this career to students,” added Melvin.
Beheyt, Manager Lab Services for Shared Health said there is also good news in the Lab and Diagnostics world with ACC to soon be offering a medical lab program.
“Currently lab/diagnostic students are being trained in Saskatoon. Because the course will be offered in Brandon there are five students set to graduate in 2026 returning to service in Manitoba. The ACC program will see its first class of students graduate in 2027.”
Questions and Answers
The panel invited questions from the floor.
Question: We have heard that Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation is interested in purchasing the Melita Hospital. Where is that at?
Answer: “We are not in a position to act on any proposal to purchase the health centre. The RHA owns it and it would have to go through the proper procedures with them,” said Holden.
Slate added that PMH is engaged to work with Canupawakpa and fully support the development of Indigenous-led health services.
Question: Why are we not looking into educating and recruiting more Primary Care Paramedics (PCPs)?
Answer: Melvin said there is a move towards reintroducing EMRs for ambulance response roles.
“We have boosted the medical first responders program with EMR stations and MFR (Medical First Responder) models. There are stations in Rapid City, Miniota, Wawanesa and other locations.”
Question: Why not have PCP training courses in the rural areas. There has been good luck with Melita hosting nursing courses in the past, why not PCP as well?
Answer: Shared Health agrees with this but Red River Community College no longer offers rotating campus. Scott Phillips added the local health committee is pushing ACC and RRCC to bring courses to rural Manitoba.
“We push for this weekly,” he said.
Question: What does the plan look like for Melita Health Centre’s future?
Answer: Slate said there would not be much change. The final plan would see more NPs with extended hours, hope to acquire a local medical graduate for physician role, and there would be some virtual-care options.
“There is no plan to change the transitional care or PCH. We are trying to align resources and ensure there is access to many facets of medical care. Observation beds would be part of the plan but this won’t exist right away,” she added.
Question: Will we be getting any more lab/x-ray days? Some things cannot wait and people are going to go elsewhere for care.
Answer: Beheyt said they are trying to increase the x-ray days from one day to two days.
Question: What if the government does not accept proposal?
Answer: If there is no approval by government a walk-in facility might be a possibility but this would need to be discussed with the NPs.
Holden added that the biggest issue right now is the lack of ambulance service.
“We will continue to meet and work with the RHA. We have a good working proposal but it will take time to implement. The RHA is working well with us and we would like to thank PMH for working on the EMS situation. We have to have ambulance service,” he said.
Holden encouraged people with further questions to call himself or stop by the Town of Melita office.
“We wish to thank Mayor Bill Holden and Reeve Sandra Clark for their tremendous initiative and lead in this project. And the government says the plan for Melita is very innovative,” added Slate.
by JUDY WELLS
Recorder staff
A surprise announcement on Sunday ends the 25-year political career of one of the most popular representatives in local history.
On March 23, the same day Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the governor general to send Canadians to the polls, Brandon-Souris Member of Parliament Larry Maguire announced he would not be running in the April 28 election. The move was a surprise to constituents, but was due to serious circumstances.
“The responsibility of representing the people of Brandon-Souris as the Member of Parliament for the past 11 years, as well as the 14 years prior to that as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Arthur-Virden, apart from my partner, family, and my 33-year farming career, has been the most fulfilling highlight of my life,” Maguire stated.
“However, today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election in Brandon-Souris. This decision is based on being recently informed of a concerning health condition that may prevent me from participating in some or all of the campaign and could impede my ability to give my full attention in the future.”
Maguire has long been a part of the local political scene for the Conservative Party. The Elgin native first ran in Brandon-Souris for the then federal Progressive Conservative Party in 1993, losing in an election that saw only two PC’s gain a seat in the House of Commons. He returned provincially in 1999, running to take over from retiring Jim Downey in the seat of Arthur-Virden. He successfully took his seat in the Manitoba Legislature, later filling several critic roles. He was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. When Brandon-Souris MP Merv Tweed resigned the seat in 2013, Maguire moved over and won a by-election, and was re-elected by large majorities in 2015, 2019 and 2021.
Jordan Sisson, president of the Brandon-Souris Conservative Electoral District Association, said they heard about Maguire’s decision at 1pm on the 23rd, shortly before it was publicly announced. There were no early indications this would happen.
“Absolutely a surprise,” Sisson said. “We were actively in campaign mode preparing for the writ drop yesterday afternoon when we needed to come together for a urgent meeting. Larry had every intention on running and I think he was as surprised as anyone that it would not be a possibility any longer.”
Reflecting on his career, Maguire said there were several accomplishments in the riding he was proud of. They secured federal funding to refurbish the Brandon Airport, an important link for the whole area. Critical flood protection infrastructure was built in many communities. Federal funding helped construct the new 18th street bridge, known as the Daly Overpass, in Brandon, with Maguire saying adding the fourth lane helped make traffic congestion a thing of the past.
He added he still receives emails from families who remark on how his private member’s bill, C-208, saved them thousands of dollars when transferring farms to children or grandchildren.
For many in the area, however, Maguire will be best remembered for his continuous presence in the communities. There were few events, such as fairs, community celebrations or even Christmas concerts, that the MLA or MP did not attend. His constant presence among his constituents was always appreciated, and he seemed to truly enjoy being there, talking to people or tossing candy during a parade.
Maguire gave thanks to his staff for their help over the years and who have reached out to him with concern. As well, he showed appreciation to the people of the whole region.
“I want to thank every person, including the board of directors of the local Conservative Electoral District Association in Brandon-Souris, for their support during the sometimes trying years,” Maguire said. “Westman is undoubtedly one of the best regions of Canada.”
Right after the announcement, the Conservative Party went into overdrive to find a new candidate. Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson of Souris, who worked for Maguire, will be running. Sisson said he is a great candidate, but added Maguire deserves all of the accolades coming his way, and will definitely be missed.
“With over 11 years in the federal role and 14 in his role as MLA for Arthur-Virden, Larry has done so much for all of Westman,” Sisson said. “I personally am lucky to call Larry a mentor and a friend and he has been with me in one capacity or another for all of my political life. The constituents will undoubtedly miss Larry, but we all know him well enough that he will be around for many years to come full of stories and advice. Our thoughts are with Larry as he overcomes this current health crisis and on behalf of the Brandon Souris EDA we thank Larry from the bottom of our hearts.”
Maguire said he always carefully considered the energy needed to fulfill his role adding he very much enjoyed working with his staff for the betterment of the area.
“As I step away, I feel incredibly blessed and offer my sincere blessings to all,” Maguire stated.
by PAUL RAYNER
Recorder staff
With a damaging and confusing tariff situation ongoing, Boundary Co-op is trying to find ways to make it work for their members.
Ever since Donald Trump’s election in November 2024, and especially since his return to the White House this January, Canadian government officials, businesses and ordinary citizens have been subjected to an ever changing but always-hostile economic situation. Trump’s government promoted a pretty much across the board 25% tariff on Canadian products entering the US, which would make them more expensive than their domestic competitors. Canada threatened retaliation. The US has delayed many of the tariffs, but did place some on items like aluminum, while Canada has also slapped a few on, with possibly more to come.
With all of this ongoing, Canadians have responded in a more nationalistic mood. Even before any counter-tariff hit products, “Buy Canadian” and “Elbows Up” became bywords, and people went on the search for Canadian, or at least not American, products to purchase.
It is quite rare for an individual to stick with a career from their 20’s up to retirement.
Pam Hainsworth started with the Rural Municipality of Winchester on March 4, 1987 through a Career Start-type funding program, which paid a portion of her wage for the first six months of employment. She started following the closure of the Town of Deloraine Police Department where she was employed as a clerical support from the latter part of 1985.
“Leona Williams was my CAO and I could not have had a better mentor. She literally gave me the best wings possible, and I’ll always be so grateful for that. I started out as an administrative assistant, and learned lots, quickly being appointed assistant to the CAO. When Leona retired in 2000, I transitioned into my current position,” said Hainsworth.
Overseeing an organization’s day-to-day operations has its share of challenges. Hainsworth says during her early days the challenges included things like airport paving (which is again a challenge currently), dredging between Dromore and Hasselfield lakes, and politically navigating with the Oak Creek Board about the water levels at the resort. As well there is always gravel, fluctuations between high water years, and conversely drought, all of which bring their own set of problems.
In 2015, provincially mandated amalgamation took place, and Hainsworth was appointed to the position of CAO for the newly formed Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester, which was consolidation of the former Town of Deloraine and the Rural Municipality of Winchester.
She said amalgamation has been by far the biggest challenge in her years of service. Balancing the needs and resources from all the sectors within the municipality.
“I have been humbled to have been challenged with reaching a myriad of goals and ever changing dynamics and needs of the community, from balancing budgets and service delivery to addressing navigation through all levels of government. Navigating the CAO and elected officials’ roles has also been extremely challenging,” she added.
Hainsworth feels the municipality’s greatest asset is its love of the community and region and always wanting the best for the people they serve. The challenge arises when balancing the two.
Hainsworth’s last day of work is March 19. She says she is humbled to have been surrounded by the most amazing staff members, who really are the heart and soul of any organization, past and present.
“They do amazing things every single day. Even when it is hard, they show up and give me 110% without having to ask. Public service is often the most thankless job, where everyone is a critic and knows how to do what you do, better. It has become even more challenging with the advent of social media,” added Hainsworth.
As a matter of interest, Hainsworth created a list of people who have transected the municipality from a work perspective. She counted 18 full time public works employees, 10 administration, eight economic development officers, a plethora of summer students, contract positions and finally 40+ reeves and councillors.
Reeve Kelly McMechan said he was grateful for Hainsworth’s vast municipal knowledge that council looks for when making decisions.
“I am very happy for Pam and her retirement. I really relied on her knowledge when this council first started,” he said.
Hainsworth’s future plans include ‘not setting an alarm clock’.
“We are going to bike more, including some longer trips. I might read some books and spend some time in my sewing room that I haven’t been able to in about 15 years. I’d like to maybe have a garden. The possibilities are endless and I am looking forward to spending time with my husband and grandchildren.”
Creepele returns
Council and staff now welcome Breigh Crepeele as incoming CAO.
Crepeele is no stranger to Deloraine or the municipality’s administration. She graduated form Deloraine School in 1999, from ACC in 2001 with a diploma in Business Administration and then from Brandon University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 2013 she graduated with her Certificate in Manitoba Municipal Administration from the University of Manitoba.
Her association with local government started in 2002 working with the Green Team. This was followed by working part-time in the office while attending BU in 2003 to fill in for a maternity leave. She started a full-time position with the Town of Deloraine in 2008 until amalgamation with the Municipality of Winchester in 2015.
Crepeele started working at the Town of Melita in 2018 and became CFO in 2019 followed with becoming the CAO/CFO in 2022.
“The Town of Melita has been very welcoming to me and my experience in Melita has been both fulfilling and very rewarding. Council put their trust in me and let me make the necessary changes for a new accounting structure, which helped modernize financial reporting and developed essential policies and procedures,” said Crepeele.
She strongly feels that the improvements have enhanced efficiency, transparency, and financial oversight, ensuring better decision-making for the municipality.
Crepeele expressed her gratitude for support from council, staff and the community.
“It has been a pleasure working with everyone and I truly appreciate the relationships I have built along the way. While I look forward to coming back to my home community, I will sincerely miss everyone in Melita and will always be thankful for the experience.”
Crepeele starts her new position as CAO for the Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester on March 24. She says her initial focus will be on her transition. Though she worked in the administration office for almost 10 years, Deloraine-Winchester is a larger municipality with different aspects she is not yet familiar with.
McMechan said council is happy to be able to welcome Crepeele back to her home in Deloraine.
“I know she will fit in well with council, and we are looking for a smooth transition.”
“I know that there is a great council and staff to work with,” Crepeele stated. “I am up for the challenge and committed to doing my very best. I have goals and ideas but first I want to come in and develop relationships with all necessary parties to ensure our goals for the future are aligned.”
by JUDY WELLS
Recorder staff
It will be a smaller crew who hit the stage later this month, but ADLIB is once again planning to entertain the community in a big way.
Amateur Drama Loose in Boissevain is presenting “Smarty Pants”, written by Shelley Hoffman and Stephen Sparks at the Boissevain Community Theatre from March 19-22. According to director Brandt Bessant, all is going well.
“Oh yeah, everything is great. We got the set and everything up on the weekend,” Bessant said. “I think everyone is ready to go.”
A little extra help would give the volunteers at the Boissevain Recycling Project the boost they need to continue doing their important community work.
For over 30 years recycling has been a major effort in Boissevain-Morton. Tonnes of material have been kept out of the community’s landfill site and reused by consumers in different forms. The project, located at their plant just north of Boissevain, is still going strong.
“It’s not bad,” said Gib Beard, who along with Herman Dyck, heads up the workers, “but we could use more sorters, more help out here.”
The eighth annual Taylor Renwick Memorial hockey tournament was another success with 46 participants.
“I’d like to think that each year it gets a little better. The ladies know each other from previous years and they are all excited to catch up on what’s been happening in each other’s lives,” said Vicki Renwick, Taylor’s mother.
The players welcome new faces and by the end of the weekend are adding each other on social media.
“One lady told me that this weekend ‘fills her cup’,” added Renwick.
The weekend remains bittersweet for Taylor’s parents Vicki and Wink.
“It’s hard because this is the kind of weekend Taylor would have loved,” said Renwick.
It helps to see all the smiles and friendships being made with the players and the family. It is healing.
Taylor Renwick was killed by a drunk driver on October 15, 2015 on her way home to Napinka for Thanksgiving. She was enrolled in the Athletic Therapy program at the University of Manitoba with the goal of working with Canada’s Olympic Women’s hockey team.
The family says all the smiles and hugs remind them the reason for the tournament and that one of the things Taylor loved most about hockey aside from playing was the people she met.
“A story she liked to tell was her first day of university she waked into a class of 200+ students and saw a girl she had played with in extended season hockey. She was so excited to see a face she knew and someone she could sit with.”
The tournament proceeds go to the Taylor Renwick Sponsor A Minor Hockey Player Fund, which has to date, helped approximately 45 kids. The kids had the opportunity to play hockey due to the fund.
“We have helped kids not only from Melita but from Southwestern Manitoba. We love sharing updates about how the kids are doing in their seasons,” added Renwick.
The Renwicks are so grateful to all the volunteers, community support, generous donations and of course the players.
“We are so grateful that having the tournament allows us to raise some money each year to keep Taylor’s Support a Minor Hockey Player Fund going. Save the date for next year February 14 to 15, 2026,” said Renwick.
by JUDY WELLS
Recorder staff
Ask anyone: farming on the prairies is not as simple as planting a seed and waiting for rain. Each farmer has to make the choice between the myriad of machinery, seeds, and procedures available and decide which combination is right for them. For Jagger Thomas, who farms and raises cattle southeast of Ninga with his wife Lora and two kids, an innovative new bit of technology has been a helpful addition to their farmstead.
Last spring, Thomas invested in a drone to seed his cover crops. This small machine (small compared to typical farm machinery) measures eight feet wide once its four propellers are extended and can carry between 50 and 110 lbs of seed, depending on its density. It is programmed by a tablet-sized remote control, so once its flight-path is input, all a farmer has to do is press ‘go’.
Although President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods entering the US has been paused a month, if resurrected, they could still be a disaster for the economies on both sides of the border.
Trump announced his long awaited tariffs, and said they would hit on February 4. After phone conversations with Prime Minister Trudeau, and a few border related concessions, he agreed to pause their implementation for a month. He had done the same with Mexico earlier in the day.
A sigh of relief was audible, but paused tariffs are not cancelled tariffs and it might be something we will have to deal with again. Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk spoke about the situation just prior to the pause, saying he was hearing rumbles against their implementation from south of the 49th.
“I have always built up good relationships with US state legislators over the years,” Piwniuk said. “If you look at the trade maps, many of these states, 3/4 of them, their trade is mostly with Canada. Canada is their greatest trade partner. This doesn’t make sense.”
Piwniuk said one of the issues is in Ottawa. With Trudeau saying he will resign, and proroguing the House of Commons while the Liberal Party looks for a new leader, the ship is rudderless. As he said, a lame duck government at the same time Trump is pushing his agenda aggressively, is a “perfect storm” to cause problems.
Ninga may be a small community, but it has always had a big heart. While fewer than 45 people live there, around 70 kids and their families come to town every Thursday evening to participate in Ninga Rec Hockey, a recreational hockey organization that brings in kids from the surrounding area including Killarney, Boissevain, and Deloraine.
Since 1994, the organization has been giving kids the opportunity to play community hockey no matter their family situation. While “official” minor hockey organizations remain popular, rec leagues like the one in Ninga can offer team sports to kids and families who might not be able to fulfill the time or financial commitment. For instance, while Ninga Rec Hockey still has a registration fee, its season starts in January rather than October, and only has one practice per week. They host and travel to games and tournaments, too, but only on the weekends.
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It is rare but it does happen when a capital project comes in under budget. The new aquatic centre in Deloraine-Winchester is a good example.
In 2021, structural issues at the former pool were identified by the Public Health Inspector and confirmed by an engineering assessment. The Municipality of Deloraine-Winchester Council was informed it was not just the pool structure itself that needed major repairs but also all the drains, pipes and infrastructure. Based on this, Council determined repairs were not feasible, as they would be estimated to cost at least $1,000,000. The pool was closed in interest of public safety.
Members of the Turtle Mountain Nordic ski club are saying, “That’s more like it!”
The 2024/25 season is a little more what cross-country ski enthusiasts are after. The snow in the mountain, and across the province, is fairly heavy and that makes for good conditions. Compare that to the previous season, where snow was surprisingly scarce and melted when it came. In the case of Boissevain-based Turtle Mountain Nordic, it meant cancelling their main event of the year. This time around, said Casey Guenther of the club, the situation is very different.
Although having some high profile challenges lately, water fluoridation still has support by professionals in the dental care field.
The addition of fluoride to water has been a part of Canada since about 1946, with different rates across the country. Although there have always been some skeptics, the issue has come more to the fore in the last few years. Most recently, the election of Donald Trump to a second presidential term has seen the rise of Robert Kennedy Jr. to the ranks of his advisors. Water fluoridation has come under fire from Kennedy, who has shown very strong contrarian opinions on health care topics.
In November, municipal council representing suburbs in Montreal decided to stop putting fluoride in the water in parts of the West Island due to a petition supposedly supported by Kennedy.
Fluoride is the ionic form of fluorine, a very abundant element in nature, which is actually found in some water. Studies in the 1930’s and ‘40’s looked at the benefits and drawbacks of fluoride in drinking water, finding too high a level could cause fluorosis, discolouration and sometimes damage to teeth, but a lower level to be beneficial in preventing cavities. After running tests in some cities, fluoridation became a part of North American public drinking water, and was later added to toothpaste around 1956.
As our society grows more multicultural, it allows us the privilege of learning about other cultures and to share our own. While conflicts may have driven newcomers from their homes, settling in Boissevain and the surrounding area has allowed them to take a breath and have a safe, happy holiday season. Many newcomers to the area come from Ukraine or Eritrea, which are both countries where folks celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7. This is because the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, which puts the birth of Jesus Christ on these dates. Much like Canadians, traditions vary by region.