September 19, 2013

2014 COMMUNITY PLACES GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR MANITOBA COMMUNITIES

– – –
Grants Assist in Improving Quality of Life in Communities Throughout Province: Premier

FISHER BRANCH—Manitoba communities can once again apply for grants to improve their recreational and wellness facilities through the Community Places Program, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
The premier made the announcement while touring the Care-A-Lot For Tots daycare’s new play structure, built with $10,000 in support from the provincial government program.
“Along with supporting a variety of non-profit community organizations’ facilities such as the upgrading of seniors centres and recreational sporting facilities, Community Places grants revitalize and bring employment to communities throughout the province,” said Selinger.  “These investments keep public facilities and recreational sites in good condition so they can serve communities in the future.”
The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects.  Eligible projects are those that provide sustainable recreation and wellness benefits to communities.
Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to one‑third of costs over that amount.  The maximum grant is $50,000.  Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, or donated labour and materials.
Examples of Community Places Program projects approved in 2013 include:

• a gymnasium expansion project for the Queenston School advisory council;
• a minor/senior ball diamond retrofit for the Neepawa Minor Baseball Association;
• a year-round washroom facility at Assiniboine Park’s Lyric Theatre for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy;
• a relocation and renovation of the Boissevain and Morton Regional Library;
• a roof renovation for the Poplarfield Community Centre;
• a playground expansion for the Fisher Branch Care-A-Lot for Tots daycare;
• a playground for the city of Steinbach; and
• a roof replacement for the Emerson Co-operative Community Centre.

Since its inception, Community Places has provided more than $107.4 million in grants to support 7,056 community construction projects provincewide.  These grants have leveraged an estimated $691.6 million in infrastructure improvements in both rural and urban communities.  Community Places has provided funding and planning assistance for 11,200 applicants from non‑profit community organizations.
To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office by telephone at 204-945‑0502 in Winnipeg or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), by email at mcpp@gov.mb.ca or on the website at www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp.  Grant applications are now being accepted until Dec. 15.

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Disease problems with Canola in Manitoba

September 19, 2013

CLUBROOT SYMPTOMS FOUND ON CANOLA IN MANITOBA

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MAFRI Advises Best Management Practices for Disease Prevention

Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) advises, in August and September, plants from two unrelated fieldsshowed symptoms of clubroot galls on their roots.  Further testing has resulted in a positive clubroot DNA analysis of both plant samples.  Due to these results, the department says Manitoba can no longer be considered free of clubroot disease.
The discovery of clubroot symptoms in Manitoba had been considered likely, as clubroot DNA had been confirmed previously in soil samples unrelated to these fields.  With awareness of the potential for development in Manitoba, growers and industry members have been monitoring canola more closely for signs of the disease.
MAFRI reminds farmers to follow best management and disease prevention practices as they prepare for the 2014 crop year.  Workshops to discuss reduction of pest movement and bio‑security for crop producers will be delivered by the department in the upcoming months.
Proper equipment cleaning, specifically to reduce the movement of soil on field equipment, is key to reducing the risk of spreading this soil-borne disease.  The use of clubroot-resistant crop varieties, proper crop rotation and good weed management of alternate hosts will help prevent heavier infestations from developing within a field where a disease may already be present at undetected levels.
Clubroot can cause economic yield losses in host crops including canola.  The disease survives in soil as hardy, resting spores, with a half-life of four years, but it has the capacity to survive up to 20 years.  Once established in a field, clubroot requires long-term management.
Because canola is an important crop to Manitoba producers, MAFRI, in collaboration with the Manitoba Canola Growers Association and the Canola Council of Canada, is developing information for producers to ensure canola’s continued profitability in the province.  
For more information, contact MAFRI’s Crops Knowledge Centre at 204-745-5630.

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  Jennifer Howard, Minister of Family Services and Labour discusses announcement of plans for a new, 80-space child care centre in Winnipeg and consultations on the next multi-year plan to grow the child care system

September 19, 2013

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION OF NEW 80-SPACE CHILD-CARE CENTRE, CONSULTATIONS ON NEXT MULTI-YEAR PLAN TO GROW CHILD-CARE SYSTEM

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More Parents Will Have Access to Child Care They Need to be Able to Work, Support Their Families: Howard

As part of its continued commitment to families, the Manitoba government is creating a new,
80-space child-care centre in ACCESS Winnipeg West, a one-stop-shop for many government services, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard announced today.
The minister also announced the launch of consultations on the province’s next multi-year plan for expanding child care in Manitoba.
“Affordable, high-quality child care is important to my family and many families across Manitoba.  As parents, we want a safe, engaging environment where our children can learn and grow,” said Howard.  “That’s why the province has funded 12,600 more spaces since 1999 and will continue adding more while we keep parent fees among the most affordable in Canada, outside Quebec.”
ACCESS Winnipeg West, located at the Grace Hospital, was developed through a partnership between Manitoba Health, Manitoba Family Services and Labour, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Grace Hospital Foundation.  The new child-care centre, to be operated by Horizons Children’s Centre, is expected to open in 2014 when ACCESS Winnipeg West construction is finished.
“Grace Hospital enjoys an outstanding relationship with Horizons Children’s Centre, which currently operates 46 child-care spaces in Grace Hospital,” said Kellie O’Rourke, chief operating officer of West Winnipeg Integrated Health and Social Services.  “These 80 new spaces in ACCESS Winnipeg West will provide families in our neighbourhood with a premier service for their children, and we and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority are pleased to continue to work with Horizons.”
Howard noted this year the provincial government is investing up to $5 million to build and expand a number of child-care centres across the province.  In addition to the new ACCESS Winnipeg West, six other major projects are under construction now and are expected to open early in the new year, creating more than 250 new spaces, she added.
This year also marks the end of the province’s second consecutive multi-year child-care plan called Family Choices, which included new capital investments to build or expand more than 100 child-care centres and provide more spaces across Manitoba.  Since 1999, wages for child-care workers have increased by 58 per cent and annual funding for child care has close to tripled, Howard said.  She also announced the government will work with families to create the next multi-year child-care plan. 
“We listened to families in 2002 and 2008, and their ideas and support helped to dramatically expand our system and to ensure our children are receiving the best care,” said Howard.  “I want to see the same collaboration as we move forward with a new plan that will help us create the system of the future.”
St. James MLA Deanne Crothers will assist Howard with the consultations including meeting with parents, early childhood educators, child-care centre operators, providers of home-based care and other important stakeholders.  The consultations will take place throughout the fall and winter and will reach representatives from urban, rural and northern Manitoba. 
Comments and suggestions on how to improve and strengthen the province’s child-care system can be made at www.manitoba.ca/fs/childcare/consultation.html.
For more information about Family Choices and child-care options for families in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare.

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Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau announces plan to develop alcohol harm reduction strategy with CPPHO Dr. Mike Routledge, Michel Perron of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Jim Baker of the Manitoba Hotel Association and Dwayne Marling of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association

Quotable Quote

Premier Greg Selinger Announces Further Investments into Smaller Class Sizes in Manitoba Schools

 

September 10, 2013

INVESTMENT IN SMALLER CLASS SIZES CONTINUES WITH 70 NEW TEACHERS HIRED FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR: PREMIER

The Manitoba government continues to move forward on its commitment to reduce kindergarten to Grade 3 class sizes, Premier Greg Selinger said today.
“Smaller class sizes make a real difference in students’ ability to learn,” said Selinger.  “Teachers have told us that smaller class sizes and investments in teaching contribute significantly to improving student achievement.  Smaller classes allow teachers to individualize instruction and provide better support to students who need it.”
The province is in its second year of implementing smaller class sizes and recently announced an additional $4 million to hire teachers across Manitoba.  This brings the total provincial funding for smaller class sizes to $7 million in 2013-14.
So far this year, school divisions have hired an additional 70 teachers, bringing the total number of teachers hired through the smaller class size initiative to 153 to date.  Last year’s $3-million investment resulted in a 21 per cent reduction in kindergarten to Grade 3 classes with 24 or more students. As schools finalize their enrolment for this year, a number of additional teachers are expected to be hired.
Class size tracking will be updated on school division websites at the end of September when 2013‑14 enrolment is finalized.
The province has also invested more than $15 million to renovate or build 28 classrooms in six school divisions across the province through the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan.  Funding for smaller class size infrastructure is in addition to education capital funding that is building and renovating schools across the province, adding new gyms and renovating and building new science labs, the premier said.  The province currently has five new schools under construction or in the design phase in Thompson, Winkler and Winnipeg.
School divisions in Manitoba are required to cap their kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms at 20 students by September 2017.  While 10 per cent of classrooms per division will be allowed the flexibility to go beyond the cap of 20 students, no classes will be permitted to have more than 23 students in a kindergarten to Grade 3 classroom.

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This is a great one for a Wisdom Wednesday

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/19/self-esteem-building-iyanla-vanzant_n_2330791.html

Divine love and care

Warning

September 9, 2013

CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFICE ISSUES CAUTION ABOUT DOOR-TO-DOOR SALES

The Manitoba Consumer Protection Office (CPO) urges Manitobans to be cautious about door-to-door selling and reminds consumers to be aware of their rights if they agree to a purchase from a direct seller.
The CPO licenses companies and individuals that direct sell goods and services to consumers.  Common products offered through door-to-door sales are home alarms, vacuum cleaners and furnaces, as well as home renovations such as roofing, building decks or paving driveways.
Consumers who enter into direct sales agreements with licensed companies have 10 days to cancel. Cancellation must be done in writing within that time period and the seller must then provide consumers with a full refund.  If the business or individual is unlicensed, consumers have a year in which to cancel.
If approached by any door-to-door direct seller, the Consumer Protection Office suggests the following tips:

• ask to see the salesperson’s direct seller licence and if they can’t provide a licence, write down the person’s name and the company name being represented and contact the CPO to verify if the company is licensed;
• be sure to comparison shop, ask for references and check out the seller’s reputation;
• get three estimates before making a decision on large purchases;
• always read and understand any contract you are signing and make sure you are given a copy;
• be cautious of requests for large deposits;
• if you feel rushed or pressured, ask the direct seller to leave information with you; and
• if you’re not comfortable, ask them to leave.

Another tip to remember with respect to home renovations is that consumers do not have to pay the full price of any work up front.  Under the Builders’ Lien Act, a consumer can hold back 7.5 per cent of the cost for 40 days after substantial completion of the job to ensure a supplier hasn’t registered a lien against your property.

The Consumer Protection Office investigates complaints about unlicensed businesses and direct sellers, high-pressure sales tactics, warranty concerns on goods and services and cancellation rights.
To get more information, Manitoba consumers can contact the Consumer Protection Office at
204-945-3800 or 1-800-782-0067 (toll-free) or by email at consumers@gov.mb.ca.

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New Seniors Housing

Premier Greg Selinger participates in the official opening of the new Villa Youville seniors housing apartments in St. Anne

September 6, 2013

GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND MANITOBA CELEBRATE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS IN STE. ANNE

Ste. Anne, Manitoba – The Governments of Canada and Manitoba celebrated the official opening today of Villa Youville, a new 24 unit affordable rental apartment complex for seniors living on low incomes in Ste. Anne. The project received $8.5 million in funding from the Governments of Canada and Manitoba.
The Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba, along with the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), attended the official opening.
“This new building improves the lives of many seniors living in the Ste. Anne’s area and it alleviates the growing demand for senior housing through more affordable housing options,”said Premier Selinger. “Our government is committed to supporting our seniors and our communities by working with other levels of government, the private sector and not-for-profit sectors to create housing opportunities for Manitobans.”
“We remain committed to helping seniors in Manitoba and throughout the country. Projects like this one are providing safe, affordable housing to many residents in our community while creating jobs and stimulating our economy,” said Minister Glover. “Our Government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security.”
“The Villa Youville organization is proud to finally be able to offer this new housing option to the elderly population of our region,” said Louis Sorin, President of the Villa Youville Inc. Board. “It’s been a long process and the participation of our many partners made this project possible. This brand new state-of-the-art facility will provide a new much needed type of housing for the people of the southeast region.”
The project involved the demolition of the former personal care home and replacing it with 24 units of affordable, supportive housing. Twelve of the new units will be rented on a rent‑geared-to-income basis, and the remaining at median market rents for the area. In addition to working with existing infrastructure and service supports, this project introduces supportive housing into the community of Ste. Anne. The building uses geothermal heating and cooling and includes a chapel, and expanded kitchen and dining room that were funded through community fundraising.
Funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the federal government’s plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $176 million under the amended Canada-Manitoba Affordable Housing Program Agreement. Additional provincial funding was also provided through HOMEWorks!, Manitoba’s long-term housing strategy.
Annually, the Government of Canada, through CMHC, invests approximately $2 billion in housing. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of close to 594,000 households living in existing social housing. In Manitoba, this represents an estimated 39,700 households. The remaining funding supports housing-related activities and affordable housing programs, including the Investment in Affordable Housing. These investments are improvingthe quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in existing social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people. Economic Action Plan 2013 continues this commitment with a federal investment of more than $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing to 2019. The Government of Canada will ensure that funds provided to provinces and territories support the use of apprentices, which will support training of skilled labour. More than 142,000 households across Canada are no longer in housing need as a result of funding provided under the IAH from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013.
Over the next three years, the Manitoba government will invest $100 million annually to restore and redevelop housing units in its portfolio. An additional $34 million will be dedicated annually to repair existing stock and provide quality home environments for tenants. Manitoba will also build 500 more social housing units and 500 more affordable rental units over the next three years. This is in addition to the 1,500 social housing and 1,500 affordable housing units that are on schedule for 2014. These investments, to build more affordable housing, are in addition to increased benefits for employment and income assistance recipients and other low-income Manitobans announced in Budget 2013 through an annual increase of $6.3 million in RentAid shelter benefits. Better housing is a part of the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan, which will also help build the province’s critical infrastructure priorities including flood protection, roads, schools and health centres. Information about Manitoba’s three-year plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing/three_yr__plan.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

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Check out this crafty idea

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Candle-out-of-an-Orange

 Steps. 1

Cut the orange on the cutting board. Use the paring knife to slice into the peel of the orange. Insert only as far as the pith, taking the knife around the middle of the orange, going all the way around the circumference.2. 2

Peel the orange. Gently push your finger under the skin of the orange and peel the skin away so that it separates from the orange without tearing.3. 3

Locate the "wick". Once separated from orange flesh, the orange peel should be easy to remove. When removing the orange flesh, a white wick-like “stem” part should remain––leave this intact, still attached to the peel.

4. 4

Add oil. Pour olive oil (approximately 3 tablespoons) to cover the stem and allow wick to soak for a 2-3 minutes.5. 5

Create a design. The design is both pretty and functional, as it allows the candle to breathe. Create a design on paper first, to help prevent mistakes when cutting the orange. Then, take the top off the orange and score out the design you've made, using the paring knife.6. 6

Light the candle. Light the orange’s stem with a lighter. This may take a couple of attempts. It might be easier to use extra long barbecue matches if you feel it's too cramped using a lighter.

7. 7

Place the top half (with its pre-designed hole) onto the bottom half with the wick. This completes the candle.

8. 8

Enjoy!

Bullying in Society - More legislation not the answer

http://www.brandonsun.com/lifestyles/breaking-news/manitoba-agrees-to-newborn-hearing-screening-and-to-more-talk-about-bullying-222419071.html?thx=y

I applaud Dr. Jon Gerrard, leader of the Liberal Party for making a case for respectful schools and workplaces, however what I do not agree with is the need for another piece of legislation to deal with this situation. Legislation will not solve the problem. There are enough legislation in place and policies to support respectful workplaces.  Perhaps the Workplace Health and Safety Act could be beefed up with a little more teeth.  But what we need is workplace and schools to take this issue more seriously. Perhaps in each school or workplace there might be a Bullying Officer who would address with bullying situations and recommend consequences that will deter people from behaving this way in schools and workplace. In the workplace a person might be sent for sensitivity training, might be suspended for a week or so without pay, or be terminated from their jobs if it is proven that bullying tactics are being used.
In most cases when people bully the underlying issue is that that person feels powerless, does not know how to solve the problem they are confronted with and feels that by bullying another person, putting them down, dehumanize them and then threaten their jobs they can get a person to work.  It does not work that way.
   Employers also need to promote competent persons in management positions, problem solvers, empathetic people and people who respect human dignity. To promote a person to management and supervisor positions just because they've been with the company a long time or know how to weld, or build things or can speak properly are not enough, the human relations component is key.
   As for schools teachers and principals should be given more powers to expel a child or recommend a special school for belligerent children who fail repeatedly to  conform to the community standard of behaviour in the school. Parents have a big role to play in ensuring their children are properly nourished both physically and emotionally.  We all have a role to play.  When children feel that they don't matter, they do not think others matter as well.  Parents need to be there for their children and to model good behaviour, teachers also need to model good behaviours.
    More legislation will not be the answer but community approach involving business, organizations, parents and government.

And that's the way I see things
  

Building a Stronger Southeast Winnipeg Community

Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux today announced 14 projects in the south east sector of Winnipeg will share more than $500,000 in funding through the Winnipeg Community Infrastructure Program. Ecole Guyot School will receive more than $134,000 to improve the drainage of the playground, install a climbing wall and establish an outdoor classroom

 

August 28, 2013

MANITOBA BUILDING AND RENEWAL PLAN INVESTS IN RECREATION PROJECTS IN SOUTHEAST WINNIPEG

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Province Providing over $500,000 for Local Projects: Lemieux

The provincial government is investing in southeast Winnipeg infrastructure that will renew and revitalize many popular recreation facilities and create green spaces for local families, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux announced today.
“We all know the benefits of exercise and recreation in a safe, healthy environment and that’s why we are pleased to invest in these facilities on behalf of families in southeast Winnipeg,” Lemieux said.  “Working with these communities, we can build stronger neighbourhoods where children can develop healthy lifestyles and strong friendships.”
The province is providing the École Guyot parent advisory council with funding to install a natural playground, which will repair existing drainage issues and make the site more accessible.  Also included in the project are 500 feet of walking and biking paths, a small hill with a six-ft. climbing wall, as well as buried tree stumps and log benches to create seating for an outdoor classroom.
Other organizations in southeast Winnipeg receiving funding include:

• Norberry–Glenlee Community Centre – to renovate the Walter Jennings Sports Facility common area and installing video surveillance;
• Greendell Park Community Centre – to renovate washrooms, outdoor rink, kitchen and basketball courts;
• Winakwa Community Centre – to renovate washrooms and providing energy-efficiency upgrades;
• Holy Cross School parent advisory council and St. Boniface Diocesan High School parents guild – to renovate gym and washrooms;
• St. Germain Daycare Centre – to enhance outdoor space;
• Norwood and St. Boniface Legion Branch #43 – to replace the banquet hall roof;
• Norwood Grove Business Improvement Zone – to construct a new picnic area and skating rink;
• Henteleff Park Foundation – to create a new interpretive centre;
• École Varennes Parent Committee – to renew a playground;
• Windsor Park Collegiate parent association – to upgrade a basketball court;
• St. Vital Mustangs – to enhance storage facilities;                                                                                         
• Conseil jeunesse provincial (Provincial Youth Council) – to hold a bike co-op workshop; and
• Centre de Renouveau Aulneau (Aulneau Renewal Centre) – to provide accessibility upgrades.

Budget 2013 and the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan committed $7.5 million over the next three years for the Winnipeg Community Infrastructure Program.  This new initiative is providing grants forprojects that will provide long-term recreational and wellness benefits to communities.
“I meet regularly with parent advisory councils at all our local schools because parents are the best resource for what’s working and what improvements are needed in the community,” Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby said.  “Parents at Guyot were quick to identify drainage problems in the playground that meant children were not getting the full use of the space at lunch and recess times.  I’m pleased that by working together, we can not only solve the drainage issue but improve the school yard to allow for better use and more kids to stay active.”
The first application intake for the Winnipeg Community Infrastructure Program began on May 22 making grants available for projects such as libraries, swimming pools and splash pads, parks, trails, community centres, sports facilities including arenas and gymnasiums, as well as other community infrastructure facilities.  The first application intake has closed and details on the next intake will be announced on the program’s website.
For more information about the Winnipeg Community Infrastructure Program (WCIP), go to www.gov.mb.ca/ia/wcip/index.html.                                                                                                                                                                              

The Welcome Mat

September 3, 2013

SELINGER WELCOMES MINISTERS FOR CANADIAN FRANCOPHONIE TO MANITOBA

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Federal, Provincial, Territorial Ministers Gather in Winnipeg for Annual Conference

The 18th annual Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie begins tomorrow morning in Winnipeg and representatives from federal, provincial and territorial governments will be meeting over the next few days to discuss issues important to francophone communities across the country, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
The conference begins tomorrow morning with the first session on early childhood development.  Other sessions will focus on economic development and job creation.  The conference is being held in Manitoba for the third time since its creation in 1994 and was last held in this province in 2003.
“It’s always an honour to be able to host colleagues from across the country in our province,” said Selinger.  “This conference is an excellent opportunity to talk about our common goals and challenges in preserving the French language and French culture across Canada for the benefit of all Canadians.”
In addition to the conference sessions, ministers will attend an event at Fort Gibraltar in St. Boniface on Wednesday.  The evening will showcase local artists and provide opportunities for francophone leaders to interact with delegates and ministers from other jurisdictions and to meet the new executive director for the Manitoba Francophone Affairs Secretariat, Mélanie Cwikla, who was appointed to the position Aug. 26.  Cwikla is joining the secretariat after spending over 10 years heading Translation Services for the province and, in recent years, also overseeing the Archives of Manitoba, the Manitoba Legislative Library and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Ministers are gathering in Winnipeg this evening for a reception at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

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School Daze are here again

Education Minister Nancy Allan Welcomes a Grade 1 Class At Grosvenor School in Winnipeg to their First Full Day of School.

September 4, 2013

EDUCATION MINISTER WELCOMES STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL

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Smaller Class Sizes, Improved Curriculum, More Classrooms to Benefit Families This Year: Allan

Thousands of Manitoba students making their way back to school will see improvements in their classrooms to give them more of the supports they need this year, Education Minister Nancy Allan said today while visiting a Grade 1 class at Grosvenor School in Winnipeg.
“For every parent, there’s perhaps nothing more important than ensuring their children can get a good education and the attention they need,” said Allan.  “That’s why we’ve said no to short-sighted cuts that some governments have made and instead we’re building for the future with investments in the classroom and the priorities of families.”
Allan said the 2013-14 school year will be a very exciting and busy one as government moves forward with a number of major initiatives that will further improve the province’s schools and increase student achievement.  Students will be welcomed back to new science labs and renovated facilities, and students in Winkler will attend a new school which will be holding a grand opening on Oct. 24.
During the past year, the provincial government took on a number of initiatives to strengthen education in Manitoba.  Some of these included:

•     implementing smaller class sizes for students in kindergarten to Grade 3;
•     building new schools in Manitoba’s growing communities;
•     constructing additions and renovating classrooms to better suit smaller classes;
•     adding new gyms and renovating and building new science labs;
•     revising the kindergarten to Grade 8 math curriculum to ensure students are getting the basic skills they need to do arithmetic and solve problems;
•     implementing a new assessment policy to ensure more rigorous standards in schools;
•     providing a new plain language provincial report card, now implemented provincewide; and
•     taking measures to stop bullying in schools through proposed new legislation.

Since 1999, the Manitoba government has invested more than $845 million in public school capital projects including 18 new schools and 13 replacement schools, and has completed extensive renovations and additions to dozens of existing schools, the minister said.

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Leanne Boyd - Winner

September 4, 2013

PRIX RONALD-DUHAMEL - RONALD DUHAMEL AWARD WINNER FOR 2013

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, September 4, 2013 – The Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Award was presented today to Ms Leanne Boyd, Director, Policy Development, Research and Evaluation, Healthy Child Manitoba.
As a Francophile, Ms Boyd has demonstrated a keen interest in Manitoba’s Francophone community.  She has worked tirelessly to support the community’s projects and has initiated many programs and research projects including:the Roots of Empathy program, the PAX Good Behaviour Game, the Triple P–Positive Parenting Program, the Centres de la petite enfance et de la famille (CPEF) and the Early Development Instrument.  These initiatives have been made available in French thanks to Ms Boyd’s efforts.
Ms Boyd has played a leadership role with government departments and Cabinet in supporting the CPEF initiative.  Her conviction regarding the benefits of an evidence-based decision-making process has led to research and studies resulting in concrete data respecting Francophone early childhood in Manitoba.  She sits on the steering committee of the Coalition francophone de la petite enfance in order to put forward within government the needs of the Franco-Manitoban community and the importance of investing in this sector.
The Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Award is a joint initiative of the Société franco-manitobaine (SFM), the Manitoba Federal Council, the Manitoba Francophone Affairs Secretariat, and the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM). It was created to recognize an employee or a group of employees of a governmental or quasi-governmental body at the federal, provincial or municipal level for distinguished service to Manitoba’s Francophone community.
Officially launched in March 2005, the Award was named in honour of Ronald Duhamel and his significant contributions, first as a senior public servant in the Government of Manitoba and then as a federal MP, minister and senator.  During his career, Mr. Duhamel did much to promote the cultural, educational, economic and political development of the Franco-Manitoban community.  He also supported a number of minority Francophone community initiatives at the national level.
According to Gordon Miles, Co-Chair of the Manitoba Federal Council, “the very fact that the award is the result of a federal-provincial-community initiative sends out a very strong message as to the commitment of the three partners to work in close cooperation in order to achieve common objectives for the benefit of the Francophone community in Manitoba”.
"We wish to congratulate Ms Boyd on the exceptional energy she has invested in ensuring that the community’s needs are recognized, and on her skills in developing solutions that enrich our Francophone communities,” commented Daniel Boucher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société franco-manitobaine.  “Thanks to her innovative spirit, Ms Boyd has been able to implement programs that are now available in French.”
"The testimonials received from community and government partners attest to the special place that Ms Boyd has forged within the Manitoba Francophonie,” emphasized Mélanie Cwikla, Executive Director of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat.  “I'm delighted that Ms Boyd is being recognized in this way.”
Louis Tétrault, Executive Director of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities, stated:  “Ensuring the implementation of municipal services in French for the citizens of Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities is at the very heart of the AMBM’s mission.  Ms Boyd has strongly encouraged and supported the CPEF initiative.  The CPEFs provide services and resources in French that are key to the growth and development of our regions.  Congratulations to Ms Boyd who, through her interest and commitment, has made an enormous contribution to the vitality and development of Manitoba’s bilingual communities.”
Members of the general public and public sector employees at the federal, provincial and municipal level were invited to submit nominations for the Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Award by January 31, 2013.
The award ceremony was held during the 18^th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie hosted by Manitoba this year.  Ms  Boyd is the fifth recipient of the award since it was created.

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 The Province of Manitoba is distributing this press release on behalf of the governments of Canada and Manitoba, the Société franco-manitobaine and the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM).