Oscar Winners 2013

List of the 85th annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday in Los Angeles:
1. Best Picture: "Argo."
2. Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "Lincoln."
3. Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook."
4. Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Django Unchained."
5. Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Les Miserables."
6. Directing: Ang Lee, "Life of Pi."
7. Foreign Language Film: "Amour."
8. Adapted Screenplay: Chris Terrio, "Argo."
9. Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, "Django Unchained."
10. Animated Feature Film: "Brave."
11. Production Design: "Lincoln."
12. Cinematography: "Life of Pi."
13. Sound Mixing: "Les Miserables."
14. Sound Editing (tie): "Skyfall," ''Zero Dark Thirty."
15. Original Score: "Life of Pi," Mychael Danna.
16. Original Song: "Skyfall" from "Skyfall," Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth.
17. Costume: "Anna Karenina."
18. Documentary Feature: "Searching for Sugar Man."
19. Documentary (short subject): "Inocente."
20. Film Editing: "Argo."
21. Makeup and Hairstyling: "Les Miserables."
22. Animated Short Film: "Paperman."
23. Live Action Short Film: "Curfew."
24. Visual Effects: "Life of Pi."

February 27, 2013

PROVINCE ISSUES 2013 FEBRUARY FLOOD OUTLOOK

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Minor to Moderate Flooding LIkely Along Red, Souris, Pembina, Assiniboine Rivers and in the Interlake

The Hydrologic Forecast Centre of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation preliminary 2013 spring flood outlook suggests there could be a risk of minor to moderatespring flooding for the Red, Souris, Pembina and Assiniboine rivers, and in the Interlake region.
Above-average snowpack with high moisture content in many parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota have increased the potential for flooding this year, but overall low soil moisture levels in the province mean the flood risk in 2013 is, at this point, considerably less than in 2011 and moderately higher than in 2012.  At the time of freeze-up in 2012, soil moisture levels were significantly lower than the unprecedented and wide-spread wet conditions seen in 2010 prior to the major 2011 floods.  At that time, there were high soil moisture levels at freeze-up followed by heavy precipitation in winter and spring. 
Spring flooding is also likely in portions of northern Manitoba including overland flooding in the agricultural area around The Pas, where there are both above-average soil moisture conditions and significant snowfall this season.  At this point, it is unlikely the Saskatchewan River at The Pas will exceed its banks, however the province has constructed new dikes in the area that are capable of taking water levels beyond levels seen in 2011.
The spring flood potential is still dependent on weather conditions from now until the spring melt.  The amount of additional snow and rain, the timing and rate of the spring thaw and the timing of peak flows in the U.S., Manitoba and other provinces will have a significant effect on flood potential.
Though it is impossible to predict the occurrence or extent of ice jamming, ice-cutting and Amphibex icebreaking activities should limit ice jam-related flooding on the lower Red River.  The Amphibex fleet has already broken a six-kilometre channel down the center of the river and 12 km of ice has been cut.  The Amphibexes can be quickly deployed to break up ice jams on other rivers on an emergent basis as they were in 2011 when they were deployed to the Assiniboine River.  The chances of minor localized flooding due to snow blockages in drains, ditches and small streams during the early part of the run-off period will be dependent on the nature of the spring breakup and rate of melt.

To address potential high water flow from Saskatchewan’s above-average snowpack, there has been a controlled release of water from the Shellmouth Dam since February.  This will increase its reservoir capacity by approximately 10 feet.
The Portage Diversion operating guidelines allow it to be used for three objectives:  minimizing the volume of water diverted to Lake Manitoba, protecting the city of Winnipeg or preventing ice from jamming on the Assiniboine River east of Portage la Prairie.  The diversion has been used to prevent ice jamming every year since its construction and, under this year’s medium-to-moderate flood scenario, it will likely be again.
The Fairford Channel has been operating at full maximum discharge since fall 2010, drawing down Lake Manitoba to its current level of 811.8 ft. above sea level, which is well within the operating range of 810.5 to 812.5 ft. and its historical long-term average level of 812.12 ft.
The Manitoba government and municipalities are busy preparing for the potential of spring flooding.  In the last few months there have been more than a dozen training sessions with municipal emergency management staff.  The Manitoba government and its municipal partners are reviewing existing emergency response plans.  Flood preparation will continue into the spring with more focused regional meetings and conference calls.  The province is in discussion with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to ensure that First Nation communities are also prepared for potential flooding.
The geographical scope and duration of the 2011 flood was the largest in Manitoba's history.  The province responded by developing special assistance programs like the Lake Manitoba Financial Assistance Program, which included assistance for cottage owners for the first time, and several other agriculture assistance programs that were completely provincially funded.  While the multi-year flood recovery is ongoing, so far 95 per cent of the program payments under the Lake Manitoba Flood Compensation Program have been paid and over 80 per cent of private disaster financial assistance claims have been closed to date.  To date, the total flood expenditure exceeds $1.2 billion.
The next flood outlook is scheduled for the end of March.  The detailed forecast with text and charts is available at www.gov.mb.ca/mit/floodinfo/floodoutlook/forecasts_reports.html#spring_flood_outlook.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

February 27, 2013

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW JUDGE TO PROVINCIAL COURT IN BRANDON

Attorney General Andrew Swan today announced the appointment of Donovan Dvorak to the bench of the provincial court in Manitoba.
“Donovan Dvorak has dedicated his legal career to criminal law and I am pleased to welcome him to his new position as a judge,” said Swan.  “His extensive experience as a Crown attorney and the expertise he has developed will help him serve Manitobans well.”
Dvorak received his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1994.  He began his career with the Manitoba Prosecution Service as an articling student and a Crown attorney in the Brandon office.  He relocated to Dauphin in 1996 and most recently held the position of supervising senior Crown attorney, handling complex and serious cases.
Over the years, Dvorak has assisted with training police and support agencies in the area of child witnesses.  He also provided learning opportunities for students and police agencies through presentations and mock trials.  He has been involved in various community organizations and activities including the Dauphin and District Food Bank and is currently the president of the Dauphin– Swan River Bar Association.
The new judge was selected from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee.  The committee was chaired by Ken Champagne, the chief judge of the provincial court of Manitoba and included three community representatives, representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and a provincial court judge.
The appointment iseffective immediately and an official swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.

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Premier Selinger watches demonstration of equipment that was purchased with provincial Technical Vocational Training funds

 

 

February 27, 2013

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDING FOR HIGH SCHOOLS TO UPGRADE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING EQUIPMENT

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Funding Will Create More Opportunities for Young Manitobans to Learn a Trade: Premier

To help meet the growing demand for skilled workers in Manitoba, the provincial government is providing $500,000 to upgrade technical vocational equipment used to train high schools students, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“As Manitoba grows, so does our demand for skilled labour,” said Selinger.  “This investment in advanced equipment will allow students to gain more hands-on experience in the classroom, further encouraging them to pursue careers in the trades.  Providing more opportunities for young Manitobans to transition from high school into good jobs is critical as we work toward our ambitious target of adding 75,000 more workers by 2020.”
The Manitoba government has invested $13.4 million in technical vocational education and equipment upgrades across the province since 2004, the premier said, adding the investments provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment that create a pathway to post-secondary education and good jobs.
“By training students in welding, electrical, carpentry, culinary arts and many other occupations, we are meeting labour market needs and helping students find the path to successful careers,” said Selinger.  “We are also investing in equipment that will help train students for high-tech jobs in new and exciting fields, such as robotics, aeronautical design and video-game development.”
Some of the equipment purchased with last year’s funding includes:

• a new engine lathe for the millwright program at Winnipeg Technical College,
• a new gas range and oven for the culinary arts program at Winnipeg Technical College, and
• new virtual welders at Margret Barbour Collegiate in The Pas and the University College of the North campus in The Pas.

This funding builds on resources announced by the provincial government last fall to upgrade industrial arts classrooms in rural and northern Manitoba for apprenticeship training.  The program, known as Skill Build, is providing $200,000 over the next two years to rural and northern school divisions to upgrade their facilities and buy new equipment such as plasma cutters and small-engine diagnostic equipment.
“Early training in trades and technology provide young Manitobans a path to high-wage, high-skilled jobs that will be in demand in Manitoba for years to come,” said Selinger.
The premier noted that, starting this evening, the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) is hosting a skills summit to ensure the province can meet its ambitious target of adding 75,000 more workers to the Manitoba labour force by 2020.  The summit will focus discussions among leaders in business, labour and education and training around five key themes:

• training more young people for the jobs of tomorrow;
• connecting more Manitobans with trades training;
• growing Manitoba’s successful immigration strategy;
• building Manitoba’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit workforce; and
• ensuring every Manitoban who faces barriers to working, has access to training and good jobs.

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Health Minister Theresa Oswald presented the first of 1,000 free, easy to use, defibrillators for public places to Glenlawn Collegiate

 

 

February 25, 2013

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT STARTS DELIVERING 1,000 FREE HEART DEFIBRILLATORS ACROSS PROVINCE

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Defibrillators will help to Increase Survival of Manitobans During Time of Critical Need

Health Minister Theresa Oswald presented the first free defibrillator funded by the Manitoba government to Glenlawn Collegiate today, as part of the provincial initiative to place 1,000 free life‑saving defibrillators in public places to ensure crucial help for cardiac arrest victims is nearby.
“You never know when or where cardiac arrest will happen.  To ensure, during that critical time of need, a life-saving defibrillator will be close at hand, our government is adding 1,000 free defibrillators to public facilities all across the province,” said Oswald.  “We know the chance of survival is increased by almost 75 per cent when a heart defibrillator is used with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  It can really mean the difference between life and death.”
The Manitoba government is providing over $1.3 million to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Manitoba for 1,000 free defibrillators, to make it easier to acquire the life-saving devices for non-profit and community-owned public facilities that will soon be required to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available on site under new provincial legislation.
“The placement of AEDs like this throughout the province is a great step toward creating a heart-safe environment and we fully support and thank the Manitoba government for recognizing this as an important public safety initiative.  This first AED placement symbolizes our government’s commitment to creating a heart-safe environment for all Manitobans.  This means more lives can be saved in this province,” said Debbie Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Manitoba.
The province of Manitoba was the first in the country to develop legislation to require high-traffic public facilities like schools, hockey arenas, community centres, fitness clubs and curling rinks to have a defibrillator on site.  The Defibrillator Public Access Act also facilitates rapid public access to a defibrillator during an emergency by requiring signage to easily identify the location of the AED and requiring that they be registered so 911 operators can help a caller locate the life-saving machine during a cardiac arrest.  Designated facilities have until Jan. 31, 2014, to install a defibrillator.
“Like all schools, we have parents, teachers, students and visitors at Glenlawn Collegiate morning, afternoon and evening.  Having an AED device on site gives us peace of mind that we have the equipment we need should cardiac arrest ever strike” said Duane Brothers, superintendent for the Louis Riel School Division.  “The Manitoba government’s funding for free defibrillators is making it much easier to afford installing defibrillators in all of our schools.” 
The ministers noted, to date, applications for over 900 free defibrillators have already been approved by the Heart and Stroke Foundation for public facilities across the province.  This includes over 500 AEDs for schools, over 200 for community and fitness centres, and over 100 for curling clubs, golf courses and other sports venues.
“The Heart and Stroke Foundation in Manitoba has been an important partner as we place 1,000 defibrillators across the province,” said Oswald.
A full list of designated public places required to have a defibrillator on site, as well as information about the types of defibrillators that are acceptable and how they must be installed and registered is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/aed/.  Information about the free defibrillator initiative is available at www.heartandstroke.mb.ca/AEDlegislation.
Defibrillators deliver an electric shock to restart a stopped heart and are programmed to detect if a person is having an irregular heart rhythm that indicates potential cardiac arrest.  AEDs offer step-by-step instructions so training is not required.  If the AED does not detect a shockable heart rhythm, the machine does not deliver a shock.

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The Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg announced a $9.5 million investment for a field house at Jonathan Toews Community Centre in Dakota Park. Participants included JTCC general manager Jacques Levesque; St. Norbert Councillor Justin Swandel; St. Vital Councillor Brian Mayes; Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick; Mayor Sam Katz; Health Minister Theresa Oswald; JTCC president, Barry Catt.

 

February 22, 2013

NEW SPORTS AND RECREATION CENTRE WILL OFFER NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES

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Province and City Contributions Bring Community's Dream Closer to Reality

Families in the south end of Winnipeg are a major step closer to the community’s dream of a new sports and recreation centre to be built as part of the Jonathan Toews Community Centre in Dakota Park. Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick, Health Minister Theresa Oswald and Mayor Sam Katz were on hand to announce the combined funding contribution of just over $9.7 million to the new field house project today.
“Manitoba’s community centres have a key role in our communities,” said Melnick. “They are focal points for neighbourhood activities, attract more families and businesses to the area and create a stronger sense of community pride among residents. This exciting new project will be an added asset to our already vibrant community.”
“Active Winnipeggers have been asking for multi-use facilities like this one,” said Katz. “The city is pleased to contribute to a sports and recreation centre that will no doubt become a hub of activity in South Winnipeg. The court sports and fitness programming offered at the field house will be an excellent complement to the ice rinks at the Jonathan Toews Community Centre.”
The preliminary cost of the new 54,210-square-foot multi-use sports hall, or field house, is estimated at up to $17.3 million (pending the final business plan and design). The province and city are contributing up to $9.7 million, with the province’s share at $5 million and the city’s share at $4.767 million toward the total construction costs, with other funding partners including various sports associations and community groups, contributing the remaining funds.
“Keeping Manitobans fit and active is an ongoing provincial government priority,” said Oswald, “We know this new recreation project is important to all the individuals and families in this neighbourhood. By expanding these facilities, we increase the fitness and activity choices for residents of all ages and help them improve their health and quality of life.”
The new field house will support a wide variety of recreational sports including volleyball, all-season baseball, basketball, aerobics, track and indoor soccer. It will also provide space for numerous fitness options for seniors. The new design will integrate with the existing building complex and will be capable of staging multi-court volleyball and basketball tournaments that can seat up to 1,500 spectators.
“As president, I’m very excited that both the province and the city are providing funding support for this important field house project,” said Barry Catt, president of Jonathan Toews Community Centre. “This facility is already well used by community members of all ages. With this addition, we can greatly expand the recreation options for everyone in this area.”

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February 6, 2013

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH STUDENTS, BUSINESSES, MUNICIPALITIES TO GROW GREEN ECONOMY

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Students Leading the Way in Reducing 50 per cent of School Division Waste

The Manitoba government is partnering with 21 groups that are making a positive impact on the environment and at the same time gaining a competitive economic advantage through leading-edge technologies for recycling and pollution reduction, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.
“I am always looking to build partnerships that protect our environment and at the same time make Manitobans money.  That’s what growing a green economy is all about,” said Mackintosh.  “Today I am pleased that along with business leaders we are seeing our children lead the way in making environmentally responsible choices that will make big changes for everyone.”
The minister announced $360,000 will go to the groups through grants from the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund.  The WRAPP Fund supports improved waste reduction and pollution prevention practices in Manitoba.
Antex Western Ltd. will use its funding for a project that will be piloted on Bishop Grandin Boulevard, in which materials such as discarded glass and carpet fibre will be used to create soil stabilizers that prevent erosion.  Altima Cabinet Works Ltd. will use its funding to convert 95 per cent of its waste, consisting primarily of wood scraps, to be recycled into particle board for reuse in cabinet making.   It will also use new air-filtering technology in its spray‑paint booths and switch from solvent to water-based products.  The companies said both initiatives will improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.
A new initiative of Russ Dirks and his students at Landmark Elementary School will divert more than 50 per cent of the entire school division’s waste by using green products, and increasing recycling and composting activities.  This includes transporting material to the City of Steinbach’s composting facility.  Schools that are developing greenhouses and community gardens will have access to the finished compost along with the general public, free of charge.
Since 1999 with the support or the WRAPP Fund, Manitobans have recycled more than 811,501 tonnes of material, equal to almost 101,000 full garbage trucks, the minister said, adding  a total of 315 projects have been supported with more than $5.4 million in grants since the fund’s creation in 2000. 

The minister noted the projects support the implementation of TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, the province’s eight-year strategic action plan, which is guiding the work of Manitobans to protect the environment while ensuring a prosperous and environmentally conscious economy.  More information on the plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrownowgreenplan/.
“I want our province to be a place where forward-thinking solutions thrive,” said Mackintosh.  “By working together, we will find new ways to protect our environment for future generations, while building a sustainable economy.”
Information on the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund is available at www.susdev.gov.mb.ca.  For more information about Green Manitoba, visit www.greenmanitoba.ca.

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Representatives from the province, city and Garden City Community Centre together announced plans for the new $17 million multi-plex Seven Oaks Arena to provide more opportunities for families to get exercise and get active in their community. L to R: Peter Woods, Executive Director, Hockey Manitoba; Councillor Devi Sharma; Mayor Sam Katz; Andy Haworth, President, Garden City Community Centre and Hon. Erin Selby, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy.

January 16, 2013

EDUCATION MINISTER TOURS NEWLY RENOVATED ÉCOLE VISCOUNT ALEXANDER

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Upgrades Enhance Learning for Students: Allan

Education Minister Nancy Allan toured Winnipeg’s École Viscount Alexander today to get a glimpse of recent renovations that will provide an improved learning environment for students.
“We know that education is an investment in the future of our children and our province,” said Allan.  “That’s why we’re working to give more students access to state-of-the-art learning environments where they can get the quality education they need to do well in school and in life.”
Total cost of the restoration project was $6.9 million and included acomplete exterior facelift including a new roof, energy improvements, improved building accessibility, increased window sizes and a new heating and ventilation system.
École Viscount Alexander is a grade 5 to 8 French immersion school with more than 287 students.  The minister acknowledged the hard work of École Viscount Alexander and the Pembina Trails School Division staff in carrying out the project to its completion.
"Pembina Trails School Division is committed to creating an enhanced learning environment.  These improvements will mean a better space for our students to learn and grow,” said Lawrence Lussier, superintendent of the division.  “We are grateful to the province for all of the support it has provided in helping us bring this project to fruition.”
“Schools are important community assets,” said Allan.  “This state-of-the-art school will benefit students, parents, teachers and the community as a whole.”
Since 2009, the provincial government has provided more than $362 million in capital funding for public schools, an increase of $167 million from the previous four-year period, the minister said.

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February 20, 2013

MANITOBA'S AMPHIBEX FLEET BEGINS ICEBREAKING AROUND THE CLOCK

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Enhanced Structural Strength, Hydraulics in Place for Thicker Ice Conditions: Selinger

The Amphibex icebreaking team is beginning work on the Red River north of Selkirk, kicking off the 2013 ice-jam prevention program, Premier Greg Selinger announced today near Netley Creek.
“Ice-jam-related flooding can develop quickly and without warning.  Working 24 hours a day, our icebreaking machines and personnel make us world leaders in ice-jam prevention,” said Selinger.  “These machines, and the 28 dedicated people who operate them, work to protect thousands of Manitoba families and their properties and are an important part of our overall flood-fighting efforts.”
Ice cutting began last week in a specialized grid pattern to weaken the ice so the Amphibex machines can more efficiently break the ice and enable its movement to prevent jamming, the premier said.
“At between 24 and 30 inches, the ice is thicker than we’ve see in previous years,” said Selinger.  “The significant investments we made last year in bolstering our Amphibex fleet with enhanced structural strength and hydraulics for improved icebreaking capability will serve us well this season.”
The 24-ton Amphibex machines are breaking through the ice on areas of the Red River that have seen ice jamming in the past.  If ice-jamming issues develop on other rivers in the province, the Amphibex icebreakers can be transported to those areas by heavy trucks.  Two-person crews pilot the vessels with safety and support crews nearby.  Global positioning systems have been installed on the ice cutters to track exactly where the cuts have been made.
The provincial ice-mitigation fleet consists of four Amphibex AE 400 icebreaking machines, seven ice‑cutting machines, and six amphibious transport and support vehicles.  The Amphibex icebreakers are maintained by North Red Community Water Maintenance Inc., formed with provincial assistance by the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements and the City of Selkirk.  The Amphibex was first used in Manitoba in 2006.  At that time, the provincial fleet was able to crush about six kilometres of river ice each year.  Since then, improvements to the fleet allow more than 25 km to be crushed annually.
Notices have been posted in areas where the Amphibex machines will be working as a safety reminder for ice fishers, snowmobile enthusiasts and river users.  River users are reminded to clear away any ice-fishing huts or other material in the areas covered by the ice-mitigation program.

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February 15, 2013

PREMIER UNVEILS NEW SCIENCE LAB AT MILES MACDONELL COLLEGIATE

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Facility is First in Winnipeg to be Completed Under Provincial Government's Science Lab Renewal Program

Students at Miles Macdonell Collegiate now have access to a modern, state-of-the-art science lab as a result of the province’s $25-million science lab renewal program, Premier Greg Selinger announced today as he joined students for a tour of the new facility.
“The investments we are making today to build and renovate science labs across the province will create learning opportunities that inspire students to pursue careers in the sciences,” said Selinger.  “A skilled workforce is critical as we continue growing our economy.  Giving students the chance to begin developing those skills from an early age through quality educational opportunities will help set them and our province on the right path.”
Funding of more than $240,000 was provided to the River East Transcona School Division to renovate the science classroom at Miles Macdonell including the provision of a new fume hood.  The collegiate also received $25,000 for the purchase of equipment and apparatus that will allow students to perform more complex experiments.
The Miles Mac project is one of many science lab upgrades across the province that will benefit thousands of students by providing them with modern laboratory spaces and state-of-the-art equipment.  New equipment and classroom space support the implementation of Manitoba’s updated high school science curriculum, the premier said.
Manitoba’s five-year Science Education Action Plan includes funding for science classroom renewal, teacher training and new strategic partnerships to promote the province’s science programming.  The plan ensures high school students have access to the best labs and equipment, and are taught according to a continually updated science curriculum.  Additional science lab projects will be announced annually as part of the Manitoba Public Schools Capital Program for the five-year life of the action plan fund.
The premier noted, since 1999, the provincial government has built 27 new schools with four more under development and has completed extensive renovations and additions to several existing schools.
Manitobans can visit the Science Education Action Plan website at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/science/action_plan/index.html.

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February 20, 2013

NURSE PRACTITIONERS CAN NOW ORDER LIFE-SAVING MRI TESTS

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Change Provides Manitobans with More Services, Convenience: Oswald

The role of nurse practitioners in the delivery of health care to Manitobans has been expanded to allow them to independently authorize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic tests for their patients, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
“Nurse practitioners play a key role in our health-care system as they already provide a wide range of services that help increase access to front-line health-care services,” said Oswald.  “This change will save patients from making an extra visit to a doctor to confirm the need for or benefit of an MRI, while helping to reduce demands on a physician’s time and making the system more efficient.”
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with a master’s level education and clinical experience that allows them to diagnose illnesses, treat conditions, prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests.
The expanded authority for nurse practitioners was supported by the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, the minister said.
“We are pleased to have worked alongside government on this initiative because we know that making full use of the range of care nurse practitioners can provide increases access to health care and is in the best interest of Manitobans,” said Diane Wilson Máté, executive director of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba.
More than 100 nurse practitioners work in various health-care facilities across the province including  hospitals, QuickCare Clinics, primary-care clinics and personal-care homes.
“Nurse practitioners welcome the opportunity to provide this important service to Manitoba families.  The ability to order MRIs will expedite diagnosis and allow treatment to begin faster,” said Sandra Christie, president, Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba.
The province supports the nurse practitioner program at the University of Manitoba and provided funding to add three additional seats to the program last year, Oswald said.
“With nurse practitioners seeing more and more patients, doctors can accept more patients of their own and spend more time with those who have more complex medical needs.  We’re providing faster, more convenient access to quality care and offering more choice for patients and families.  These important changes to how care is delivered improve the health-care system and ensure Manitobans have access to the front-line services they need, when and where they need them.  The health-care system must continue to evolve to make sure we’re able to meet the needs of Manitobans of all ages in every corner of the province,” said the minister.
More information on primary care in Manitoba is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/primarycare

Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh joins Concordia MLA Matt Wiebe and his family to launch the province’s winter Free Family Fishing Weekend from February 16 to 18, 2013.

 

February 12, 2013

INQUEST CALLED

The Province’s Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. A. Thambirajah Balachandra, has called an inquest into the death of HEATHER BRENAN, age 68 years, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who died at Seven Oaks General Hospital (SOGH) on January 28, 2012.
Ms Brenan lived alone and had multiple medical problems. On January 24, 2012, at 14:08 hours, she was brought by a friend to the Emergency Department of SOGH, complaining of weakness, difficulty swallowing, pain when attempting to eat solid food, and continuous weight loss since December 2011. Although Ms Brenan was kept in the hospital from January 24 to 27, 2012, she was never admitted. She underwent numerous tests and was assessed by Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and Home Care regarding a discharge plan for when she was medically stable and ready for discharge. On January 27, 2012, following an assessment by a physician, Ms Brenan was discharged from SOGH at 22:35 hours. Apparently the hospital had made arrangements for Ms Brenan to be met at her residence by a friend who had the house key.
According to the friend, Ms Brenan had arrived in a cab and had collapsed in the doorway of her home almost immediately. An ambulance was called and Ms Brenan was brought back to the Emergency Department of SOGH at 00:13 hours on January 28, 2012. Although a pulse was restored, Ms Brenan was found to be non-responsive and her pupils were fixed and dilated. She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit where her condition continued to deteriorate. Ms Brenan died on January 28, 2012 at 11:55 hours. The medical examiner was notified and an autopsy was ordered. The cause of death was bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli due to deep vein thrombosis of the lower legs. The manner of death was natural.
The inquest was called in accordance with s. 19(2) of The Fatality Inquiries Act for the following reasons:

1.  to determine the circumstances relating to Ms Brenan’s death;
2. to examine hospital policy regarding the discharge of patients at night, particularly those who are elderly, frail, and who reside alone;
3. to examine the hospital acute care bed situation in Winnipeg; and,
4. to determine what, if anything, can be done to prevent similar deaths from occurring in the future.

Information as to the date, time, and location of the inquest will be determined by the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba and released at a later date.

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Education Minister Nancy Allan Announces Provincial Funding for Reducing Kindergarten to Grade Three Class Sizes

 

February 11, 2013

PROVINCE SUPPORTS FUTURE SUCCESS OF MANITOBA CHILDREN BY INVESTING NEW FUNDS FOR REDUCING CLASS SIZES

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Success in Life Depends on Access to Quality Education in Early Years: Allan

The Manitoba government continues to reduce class sizes for children in kindergarten to Grade 3 by providing additional new funding of $4 million for the province’s Class Size Initiative in 2013-14, Education Minister Nancy Allan announced today.
“Every parent wants their child to receive the attention they need in the classroom,” said Allan.  “Smaller class sizes and investments in teaching contribute significantly to improving the quality of education in our province because students do better when they receive more one-on-one time.  Our investment will allow our schools to hire 69 new full‑time teachers. ”
This additional $4 million will bring the total provincial funding for the class size initiative to $7 million in 2013-14.  The funding is in addition to the $27.2 million in new provincial education funding the minister announced last week.  The funding will be targeted at school divisions that require additional teachers to reduce class sizes.
In 2011, the province announced that it will provide new supports to enable school divisions in Manitoba to cap their kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms at 20 students by September 2017.
In the first year of the initiative, 79 teachers were hired to teach in 31 school divisions.  The minister said all of them are having a direct impact on class size that has resulted in:

• a 20 per cent reduction in kindergarten to Grade 3 classes with 24 or more students,
• 11 per cent more kindergarten to Grade 3 classes that have 23 students or less, and
• 13.7 per cent more kindergarten to Grade 3 classes that have 20 students or less.

“In the past, economic uncertainty meant freezes and cuts to our schools.  Our government is committed to making investments in education that give our children the start they deserve,” said Allan.  “Fourteen consecutive years of funding education at the rate of economic growth demonstrates this.”  

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Health Minister Theresa Oswald is presented a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizing the 24 Canadians most pivotal in the fight against cancer. The minister was joined by Carla Veldkamp, the mother of Ryan (not shown) who has leukemia, and Dean Schinkel, Chair of the Canadian Cancer Society, Manitoba chapter

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH STUDENTS, BUSINESSES, MUNICIPALITIES TO GROW GREEN ECONOMY

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Students Leading the Way in Reducing 50 per cent of School Division Waste

The Manitoba government is partnering with 21 groups that are making a positive impact on the environment and at the same time gaining a competitive economic advantage through leading-edge technologies for recycling and pollution reduction, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today. 
“I am always looking to build partnerships that protect our environment and at the same time make Manitobans money.  That’s what growing a green economy is all about,” said Mackintosh.  “Today I am pleased that along with business leaders we are seeing our children lead the way in making environmentally responsible choices that will make big changes for everyone.”
The minister announced $360,000 will go to the groups through grants from the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund.  The WRAPP Fund supports improved waste reduction and pollution prevention practices in Manitoba.
Antex Western Ltd. will use its funding for a project that will be piloted on Bishop Grandin Boulevard, in which materials such as discarded glass and carpet fibre will be used to create soil stabilizers that prevent erosion.  Altima Cabinet Works Ltd. will use its funding to convert 95 per cent of its waste, consisting primarily of wood scraps, to be recycled into particle board for reuse in cabinet making.   It will also use new air-filtering technology in its spray‑paint booths and switch from solvent to water-based products.  The companies said both initiatives will improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.
A new initiative of Russ Dirks and his students at Landmark Elementary School will divert more than 50 per cent of the entire school division’s waste by using green products, and increasing recycling and composting activities.  This includes transporting material to the City of Steinbach’s composting facility.  Schools that are developing greenhouses and community gardens will have access to the finished compost along with the general public, free of charge.
Since 1999 with the support or the WRAPP Fund, Manitobans have recycled more than 811,501 tonnes of material, equal to almost 101,000 full garbage trucks, the minister said, adding  a total of 315 projects have been supported with more than $5.4 million in grants since the fund’s creation in 2000. 

The minister noted the projects support the implementation of TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, the province’s eight-year strategic action plan, which is guiding the work of Manitobans to protect the environment while ensuring a prosperous and environmentally conscious economy.  More information on the plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrownowgreenplan/.
“I want our province to be a place where forward-thinking solutions thrive,” said Mackintosh.  “By working together, we will find new ways to protect our environment for future generations, while building a sustainable economy.”
Information on the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund is available at www.susdev.gov.mb.ca.  For more information about Green Manitoba, visit www.greenmanitoba.ca. 

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February 1, 2013

MANITOBA PROVIDES SUPPORT TO UNDERPRIVILEGED, ABANDONED CITIZENS IN INDIA

AMRITSAR, India—The Manitoba government will provide financial support to the Pingalwara hospice in the Indian state of Punjab, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
“Manitobans are known for their generosity and their support for people in need,” said Selinger.  “Pingalwara provides support to some of India’s most forgotten people – the poor, elderly, sick and underprivileged – and I’m proud to extend Manitoba’s support for its important work.”
The premier announced a $50,000 donation to Pingalawara through the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) and the Manitoba Matching Grant Program, which funds projects overseas that relate to education, literacy, health, job creation, agriculture, the environment and micro-enterprise business development.
Pingalwara was founded in the early 1900s by Bhagat Puran Singh to support the disabled, mentally ill and others who were forgotten by Indian society.  Today, Pingalwara has facilities for 1,080 patients who are fed, housed and looked after thanks to donations.  The facility also offers a free drug dispensary, blood bank services and free primary school in the slum area of Amritsar.
“Manitoba has strong and meaningful connections with India and, through the work of MCIC, we are helping improve the lives of some families in India, as we do in other parts of the world,” said Selinger.  “It’s incredible to see the particular impact that Pingalwara has had on the lives of abandoned children in the Punjab, helping educate them and prepare them for a better life.”
As a sign of gratitude, the premier was presented with a siropa, a garment of honour in Sikh culture.
Since 2009, the Manitoba Matching Grant Program, administered by MCIC, has provided nearly $240,000 in support to India and this funding has been leveraged through other supports and donations to provide nearly $2.4 million to projects in that country.
The premier is participating in a 10-day trade mission to India with a delegation of provincial business leaders and representatives of Manitoba's colleges and universities.  Earlier this week he addressed the Confederation of Indian Industry and Ludhiana Management Association, promoting Manitoba as a great place to do business and study.

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Teacher Russ Dirks, students Celina Lackmann and Owen Plett and Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announce a new waste reduction and pollution prevention grant to divert more than 50 per cent of Hanover School Division’s waste by using green products, and increasing recycling and composting activities

 

February 6, 2013

MANITOBA GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH STUDENTS, BUSINESSES, MUNICIPALITIES TO GROW GREEN ECONOMY

– – –
Students Leading the Way in Reducing 50 per cent of School Division Waste

The Manitoba government is partnering with 21 groups that are making a positive impact on the environment and at the same time gaining a competitive economic advantage through leading-edge technologies for recycling and pollution reduction, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today. 
“I am always looking to build partnerships that protect our environment and at the same time make Manitobans money.  That’s what growing a green economy is all about,” said Mackintosh.  “Today I am pleased that along with business leaders we are seeing our children lead the way in making environmentally responsible choices that will make big changes for everyone.”
The minister announced $360,000 will go to the groups through grants from the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund.  The WRAPP Fund supports improved waste reduction and pollution prevention practices in Manitoba.
Antex Western Ltd. will use its funding for a project that will be piloted on Bishop Grandin Boulevard, in which materials such as discarded glass and carpet fibre will be used to create soil stabilizers that prevent erosion.  Altima Cabinet Works Ltd. will use its funding to convert 95 per cent of its waste, consisting primarily of wood scraps, to be recycled into particle board for reuse in cabinet making.   It will also use new air-filtering technology in its spray‑paint booths and switch from solvent to water-based products.  The companies said both initiatives will improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution.
A new initiative of Russ Dirks and his students at Landmark Elementary School will divert more than 50 per cent of the entire school division’s waste by using green products, and increasing recycling and composting activities.  This includes transporting material to the City of Steinbach’s composting facility.  Schools that are developing greenhouses and community gardens will have access to the finished compost along with the general public, free of charge.
Since 1999 with the support or the WRAPP Fund, Manitobans have recycled more than 811,501 tonnes of material, equal to almost 101,000 full garbage trucks, the minister said, adding  a total of 315 projects have been supported with more than $5.4 million in grants since the fund’s creation in 2000. 

The minister noted the projects support the implementation of TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, the province’s eight-year strategic action plan, which is guiding the work of Manitobans to protect the environment while ensuring a prosperous and environmentally conscious economy.  More information on the plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrownowgreenplan/.
“I want our province to be a place where forward-thinking solutions thrive,” said Mackintosh.  “By working together, we will find new ways to protect our environment for future generations, while building a sustainable economy.”
Information on the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund is available at www.susdev.gov.mb.ca.  For more information about Green Manitoba, visit www.greenmanitoba.ca. 

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February 4, 2013

MANITOBA EXPANDING BUSINESS WITH INDIA: SELINGER

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Ties Strengthened Through Westeel, MTM-Kirpekar, Riya Travel

DELHI, India—At the official residence of the Canadian High Commissioner in India, Premier Greg Selinger congratulated Manitoba firms who are growing their business with India and welcomed a major Indian firm that has established a Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg.
“India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and with our strong cultural and business connections, there’s huge potential for greater trade between our economies,” said Selinger.  “Homegrown companies like Westeel and MTM are thriving and sharing Manitoban expertise with India, helping store their grains and foods, and power their homes and businesses.  And Indian firms like Riya Travel are taking advantage of opportunities in Manitoba.”
Westeel, a leader in the commercial storage industry, announced it will open an office in Mumbai to share its expertise in agricultural storage to help Indian producers preserve more of their harvest and better protect India’s food supply.  Westeel participated in a Manitoba trade mission to India in 2006 and were introduced to key contacts in India’s private sector and state governments, through the Manitoba Trade and Investment office.
“Westeel is very pleased to have the opportunity to support the need for crop storage in India.  We recognize the enormous potential of the India grain storage market and we hope that through our office in Mumbai, we will be better positioned to serve the market needs,” said André Granger Westeel president.  “I would like to personally thank Premier Selinger and the province of Manitoba for the support they have provided as we continue to expand our business.”
Micro Tool & Machine Ltd. (MTM) of Winnipeg and Kirpekar Engineering of Pune announced the creation of a joint venture company, MTM-Kirpekar, to design and manufacture advanced transformer production equipment for the Indian market.  MTM participated in a Manitoba trade mission to India in 2010 when it first made contact with Kirpekar Engineering and has worked with Manitoba Trade and Investment to make its entry into the Indian market.
“India holds amazing potential for MTM.  In the last year, our presence in the Indian market has grown through the support and hard work of our partner, Kirpekar Engineering and Manitoba Trade and Investment.  MTM sees India as a continued growth area in the coming years and as a foothold to the entire Asian market,” said Gord Atamanchuk, MTM general manager.
Riya Travel, one of India’s largest travel companies, also announced the official opening of its Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg to grow its Canadian operations.  Manitoba Trade and Investment has worked closely with Riya Travel since 2012 including developing a comprehensive industry analysis to demonstrate the benefits of establishing Riya’s Canadian headquarters in Manitoba.
“With as many as 17,000 Manitobans traveling to India each year, Manitoba presents significant opportunities for Riya Travel.  Located in the heart of Canada, Manitoba is the ideal location for us to expand our operations across Canada,” said Benson Samuel, CEO of Riya Travel.
“Greater trade and business with economies like India’s is key to keeping Manitoba’s economy moving forward through the economic uncertainty,” said Selinger.  “As I’ve met with elected officials and business leaders in India, one thing is clear – Manitoba firms have expertise the Indian economy needs and together we can create tremendous new opportunities.”

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February 1, 2013

DUCKS UNLIMITED, MANITOBA GOVERNMENT PARTNER FOR NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST WETLANDS RESTORATION PROJECT

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$3.5 Million to Help Delta Marsh Keep Pollutants Out of Lake Winnipeg: Mackintosh

The Manitoba government and Ducks Unlimited Canada marked World Wetlands Day by announcing a $3.5-million partnership to help restore Delta Marsh, one of the world’s largest marshes covering 190 square kilometres on the southern shores of Lake Manitoba.  The restoration will improve the marsh’s natural function to filter out nitrogen and phosphorus that would otherwise flow into the province’s waterways including Lake Winnipeg.  It is the largest project of its kind in North America.
“Manitoba’s Delta Marsh is one of the world’s greatest marshes.  It has been recognized as a Wetland of International Importance for decades,” said Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh.  “Scientists tell us wetlands like the Delta Marsh are the ‘kidneys of our province’ because of their ability to filter pollutants out of our waterways.  This project has benefits for generations of Manitoba families who look forward to full fishnets and clean, healthy beaches.”
The new project will keep the invasive and destructive fish species known as common carp from entering Delta Marsh.  Common carp, native to Asia and parts of Europe, are large bottom-dwelling fish that disrupt entire wetland ecosystems by regularly rooting up vegetation and stirring up silt and sediment, which stops sunlight from reaching other aquatic life.  The minister noted that research has shown vegetation will recover if the carp are prevented from entering the marsh during the late spring and summer, as they do not overwinter in the marsh.
The project will see fish screens that keep out large destructive carp placed in strategic entry points to the marsh over the winter.  The placement of the screens will be timed to allow the movement of native species of fish, such as walleye, that use the marsh to spawn earlier in the spring. 
The province’s contribution of $500,000 to the project was used to leverage an additional $3 million from Ducks Unlimited Canada and their partners, including Wildlife Habitat Canada, for a total project contribution of $3.5 million.  Ducks Unlimited is supervising the undertaking, which will begin in February and finish in late spring.
“This commitment to Delta Marsh is a fantastic tribute to the future of conservation in Manitoba and Ducks Unlimited Canada is looking forward to the results of this public-private partnership,” said Greg Siekaniec, CEO for Ducks Unlimited Canada.  “Scientists have discovered the damage caused to Delta Marsh to be largely reversible, so immediate action is needed to restore Manitoba’s premier marsh back to its continental importance.” 

Common carp have destroyed habitat for native fish species and waterfowl in several marshes across North America including Delta Marsh.  They were first introduced in Manitoba in the late 1800s and spread throughout the Red and Assiniboine rivers, and lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba.
“Our experiments in small areas within the vast Delta Marsh have shown remarkable recovery within a few weeks of excluding carp, similar to findings at marshes around the Great Lakes,” said Dr. Gordon Goldsborough, associate professor of biological sciences at the University of Manitoba.  “We are confident that substantial improvement in Delta Marsh can occur this year and look forward to seeing for the first time what can be accomplished at this unprecedented scale.”
Commercial fishers will also benefit from the project.  The minister noted the province is partnering with the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation to harvest the carp as they congregate by the fish screens and to explore ways to add value and find new markets for the harvested carp.
Every Feb. 2 is World Wetlands Day, which marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on Feb. 2, 1971.  The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that requires signatory countries to plan for the sustainable use of wetlands in their territories.  Delta Marsh is one of 37 sites in Canada listed as a Wetland of International Importance site under the Ramsar Convention.
Today’s announcement supports the province’s commitment in TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, to substantially restore Delta Marsh by 2020 including returning the marsh to its normal ecological function of filtering out nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) that would otherwise flow into Lake Manitoba and other waterways including the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
For more information on TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, visit www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrownowgreenplan/.

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From left to right: Rob Altemeyer, MLA for Wolesley, John Parenteau, Minister of Fisheries for the Manitoba Metis Federation, Dr. Gordon Goldsborough of the University of Manitoba, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh, Tim Sopuck of the Manitoba Heritage Habitat Corporation and Greg Siekaniec, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Canada announce a historic project to restore Delta Marsh and better protect the Lake Winnipeg basin

January 31, 2013

PROVINCE IMPROVES, EXPANDS PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM ONLINE APPLICATION

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Change Would Provide Faster Processing Times For Skilled Workers:  Melnick

A faster and easier electronic process for applying to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is now available to all applicants through MPNP Online, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick announced today.

"Introducing MPNP Online in 2011 was an excellent technological step forward," said Melnick.  "We're now proud to make this innovative online tool available to all Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program applicants. This will help simplify the process and help get skilled workers to Manitoba sooner."

While the paper application process for applying to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program can take up to 10 months, using MPNP Online can reduce the processing time for complete applications to an average of four months, added Melnick.

Applicants using MPNP Online are now able to:

* predetermine eligibility for the program,

* connect to pre-arrival services including labour market and English-language services, and

* reduce their chances of submitting an incomplete application and delaying the processing time.

Since the launch of MPNP Online, nearly 4,000 priority applicants have applied to the program using the service.  Applicants using MPNP Online have been very positive about their experience with the online tool, with 98 per cent describing the application as easy to use and follow, Melnick said. 

For more information about MPNP Online, go to www.immigratemanitoba.com.