Postal worker union won’t deliver The Clipper

By Mark T. Buss

Brokenhead and Springfield readers who receive The Clipper through Canada Post will have to make alternate arrangements to pick up copies of the community newspaper starting this week.

Announced Friday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ (CUPW) mail carriers stopped delivering unaddressed mail as of Sept. 15. The CUPW advised its 55,000 workers will switch their labour action from an overtime ban to a flyer ban, meaning addressed mail will still be delivered to rural group boxes, but commercial flyers and products sent under the Neighbourhood Mail agreement, which includes community newspapers, will not.

This is being done in an effort to bring Canada Post back to the bargaining table. In August, CUPW members turned down Canada Post’s latest contract offer, which included a wage hike of 13 per cent over four years and some restructuring to include part-time workers. Some 69.4 per cent of rural mail carriers who voted were against the deal.

The potential for ongoing strike actions comes at a critical moment for the postal system. Since 2018, the corporation has recorded more than $3 billion in losses before tax, and it will post another significant loss for 2024. In early 2025, the Government of Canada announced repayable funding of up to $1 billion for Canada Post to prevent insolvency.
In 2023, Canada Post changed community newspaper distribution under their ‘consumers’ choice’ policy, allowing users to make the request to stop receiving unaddressed advertising mail – flyers, menus, coupons, catalogues, etc. Community newspapers, mailings from governments, band offices and materials related to elections had been exempt and delivered up to that point.

This reclassification was done without prior consultation with Canada’s news industry. As newspapers with inserts was the only such designation change under the consumers’ choice policy, it has been viewed by journalism agencies as an effort by the Crown corporation to hamstring publishers and monopolize the flyer business. 

A Canada Post strike will have no impact on paid subscriptions or on distribution of The Clipper in Beausejour, Oakbank, Dugald, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, Powerview-Pine Falls, Whitemouth and Reynolds.
Those who normally receive the community newspaper via Canada Post in the RM of Brokenhead can pick it up at the Clipper Publishing office located 27 Third St. S in Beausejour, at one of our business partners in town or at outdoor boxes at Sherwood Forest Grocery, Garson Grocery and beside the Tyndall Curling Club. Springfield residents in Anola, Cooks Creek and Birds Hill can pick up The Clipper at numerous stores and locations in Oakbank, at Garven Grocery and at newspaper box locations at the intersections of Garven and PR 207, Pineridge and Hillside Roads and Hwy 15 and PR 207 as well as Lake Trail Convenience in Anola, the Dugald Store and several businesses at Deacons Corner.

Beausejour community safety open house Sept. 18

The Town of Beausejour is holding a community safety open house Thursday to discuss increasing crime in the area and provide residents an opportunity to express their security concerns and priorities.

Residents are invited to attend the community event on Sept. 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the Town of Beausejour municipal office, located at 639 Park Ave. Town council, members of the Beausejour RCMP and Beausejour Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) will be in attendance to provide an outlet for taxpayer feedback. This is also an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Citizens on Patrol Program, their role in our community and the possibility of becoming a COPP volunteer.

With the rise in crime, specifically related to repeat offenders taking up residence in Beausejour, council and administration have been working closely with the RCMP, Manitoba Justice and Manitoba Housing to develop strategies to mitigate and potentially reduce the risk of crime in the community.
Beausejour Mayor Ray Schirle said criminal activity including break ins, thefts and drug related issues has reached the tipping point where Beausejour applied for and received additional police officers and supports through the provincial Safer Communities program.

Council and administration is also working with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby the provincial and federal governments to put the need for bail reform as a top priority to stop the continual catch and release of repeat offenders.

Schirle said following crime articles in The Clipper and several radio and TV interviews discussing the issue, people want to get involved and help create a safer community. To accommodate, this come and go with Citizens on Patrol and the RCMP was organized where residents can talk about crime, share incidents and information.

He said COPP regional coordinator Murray Luschinski will be on hand with displays, a powerpoint presentation and is ready to answer questions for anyone willing to sign up.

“People are upset in town and they are realizing they need to get involved,” Schirle said. “We will have the RCMP, COPP and information on how citizens can get involved.”

“Are we the worst community out there, no... but I just don’t want us to go down that path.”
– Buss

By Simon Ducatel

A little cooperation among neighbouring municipalities can go a long way. 

At no extra cost to residents, the Town and RM of Lac du Bonnet have signed a shared services agreement to split the cost of providing recreational activities.  

Under the agreement, which amalgamates municipal assets and pools resources, the town’s recreation department will, in collaboration with the RM, administer and operate the Lac du Bonnet Recreation Department. Cost sharing will be split 50/50 and user fees will remain the same for both the town and the RM residents, who have equal access to services.

“This is the most efficient way to operate this,” said Deputy Reeve Greg Mandzuk during the RM’s Sept. 2 meeting. “Our recreation needs for the town and the RM are completely different, but having this agreement in place just delivers efficiencies in my view.”

“And what it also does, it deals with this ongoing debate about per capita,” he added.

Mayor Ken Lodge said the agreement is a positive step forward. 
“Ultimately, what we hope to do is gain a number of efficiencies, but primarily to provide better integration and better utilization of the resources that we’ve got available to us for the benefit of all the people in our community,” Lodge said.

Per the definitions as outlined in the agreement, “recreational services refers to the planning, coordination and delivery of programs and events that promote the physical, social, and cultural well-being of residents and visitors.”

The combined recreation department, under coordinator Bianca Tetrault, will also serve as a kind of one-stop shop where residents can find out about all of the available recreational activities in the area, said Lodge.

Many of the existing recreational facilities are located either in town or within very close proximity. Amenities that are situated in the town include the arena, the bowling alley, the curling club, town dock, as well as the Lakers property, he said, also noting a number of nature trails just outside of town. Programs also occur outside of town limits, like learning how to forage in the wilderness beading classes. These are different programs not normally viewed as sporting activities.
Additionally, the shared services agreement will open doors to possibilities to not only expand existing opportunities, but introduce new ones.

“We also have our youth rec centre, which isn’t directly involved right now,” he said. “There probably will be some utilization in the future, just to make sure that nobody’s left out.” 

Lodge says there are some people in the RM who may not use facilities in town “simply because they feel that they’re unavailable,” so properly funding and administering recreation services to ensure they are accessible to the whole community is important.

Per the new agreement, the department’s operations and activities shall be guided by an annually updated plan developed by the town in consultation with the RM, and will include proposed priorities, goals, programs, events and equipment, with staffing to be approved by both councils once a year. 

The town will also provide the RM with an annual operating budget for the department to be approved by both councils. Any surplus or deficit will be shared equally, while unbudgeted expenses exceeding five per cent of the annual budget shall require prior written approval from both councils. 

As well, all existing recreational equipment and assets owned by the town and formerly managed by the Winnipeg River Recreation Commission and all existing recreation equipment owned by the RM shall become assets of the Lac du Bonnet Recreation Department.
Per the agreement, the document shall remain binding on both parties and any future councils or legal successors and indefinitely remain in effect unless terminated. 

RM Coun. Cindy Kellendonk expressed optimism about moving forward in the spirit of collaboration and hoped having the agreement in place will prevent any repeat of past situations that had previously resulted in the municipalities going their own way.   

“It’s a matter of, as we were all focused on, rebuilding the relationships, these shared agreements, the efficiencies and the benefits to the community,” said Kellendonk.

Hold and secure at Beausejour schools

By Mark T. Buss

Both Beausejour schools were locked down last week after an individual, not connected to either school, was in the area and acting erratically.

On Sept. 11, École Beausejour Early Years School and was placed in a ‘hold and secure’ for approximately 30 minutes when a man was observed walking and ‘waving sticks’ in the parking lot by the Beausejour Sportsplex.

RCMP say that although the person was not on school property, in the interest of safety, the incident was reported to the Beausejour detachment at 11:38 a.m. École Edward Schreyer School was also locked down, meaning nobody could enter or leave.

“We didn’t want anyone to walk out of the building unaware of what was going on into a potentially harmful situation,” Sunrise School Division superintendent Trevor Reid said.

Police responded. The male was identified and warned about his action. No arrest was made. 

A letter sent home to parents stated the school’s emergency response procedure was implemented. During that time, staff and students were safe inside the building as classes continued. No injuries were reported.

Jennifer’s final season comes to a close

By Rick McGregor

An iconic North Eastman eatery has closed for the season for the final time, leaving a lasting legacy of satisfied patrons.

Jennifer’s – a fixture in Seven Sisters for the past 31 years – closed at the end of the August. Chef Jozef Slavik built an almost cult-like following over those years and many past customers from all over Manitoba and other places far and wide are saddened about the closing, but happy for Jozef and his wife Nathalie on their retirement announcement.

Slavik grew up in Slovenia but says his background is Hungarian, Russian, German and even Gypsy, He received his formal culinary training 51 years ago in Europe and moved to Canada in 1980. He cooked at a number of Winnipeg restaurants including the legendary Restaurant Dubrovnik. He then spent eight years in Nunavut before eventually arriving in Seven Sisters. He opened Jennifer’s Restaurant in a commercial space down the street from his home.

Jennifer’s became a go-to place for many cottagers and campers on their way to and from Whiteshell Provincial Park. Over the years, word spread about the great food and an almost reverence for the rules laid down by Chef Jozef – no substitutions, no adds and no changes.

As their children grew, Jozef made a decision that his kids needed “a father around the house” so he stepped away from cooking for two and half years. Nathalie took a job to help pay the bills. The family used this opportunity to bond through travelling, camping, fishing and canoeing.

In 2014, he opened Jennifer’s Picnic, an outdoor eating establishment with the kitchen in a trailer in their yard on PR 307. Specializing in dishes such as pork schnitzel and lemon pepper chicken, paired with his famous potatoes, the restaurant drew line-up crowds from far and wide.

Over the years, many customers asked where the name “Jennifer’s” came from. A secret over the years, Slavik revealed that Jennifer is his second oldest daughter and the inspiration for the name. 

Another mystery to many of his patrons was his posted closing time of 7:13 p.m. Slavik said that only his children know why and that secret will stay in the family.
Asked what the plans were retirement, Jozef talked about “living the simple lifestyle of 1897” – gardening, canning, fishing, hunting and vacationing. 

When pressed for what he would like to say to his many customers over the years, he did not hesitate. 

“I would tell them I wish I could live a thousand years so that I could get to know you all better,” he said. “I never had enough time for all of you. I wish you well and I thank you all.”

Share the road at harvest time

With farmers bringing in their crops and harvesting until the end of October, motorists and machinery operators are asked to respectfully share the roads.
Agriculture producers are an important staple of our community and industry, meaning plenty of large farm equipment will be on and working around our roadways over the next number of weeks. 

Whether driving a car, motorcycle, truck, tractor or combine, motorists share the same public roadways and have the same goal of getting to destinations safely. Slow down and exercise caution near farm machinery. 

Farm equipment may be larger than it appears, so always check there is time and a clear line of sight before passing. Remember, at highway speeds, approaching slow-moving farm equipment is faster than expected. Some farm equipment may encroach well over the centre line of a two-lane highway. 

For farm equipment operators, it is important to inspect machinery before hitting the road to ensure every light is working and visible. It’s also important to carefully plan routes to know of any obstacles faced when moving between farmyards and fields. 
Farm equipment operators can’t see vehicles behind them, so it is essential to stay a safe distance behind the machinery. Drivers following too close will not be able to see ahead or adjust their speed to avoid a collision. 

Do not expect equipment to pull over to the side of the road as this can be extremely dangerous for the operator. If the farm equipment pulls over too far onto the edge of the road, it can cause the shoulder of the road to collapse, resulting in the equipment going into the ditch or rolling over. 

Tractors with wagons, self-propelled implements and transport trucks require more room to turn. If they are making a right-hand turn into a field or laneway, they may be required to crowd or go over the centre line to ensure they can access the field safely.

Motorcycle club supports Springfield Food Bank

By Cathy Juskow

On Aug. 9, the Old Guys Breakfast Club (OGBC), a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, delivered $460 and two half ton truck loads of food to the Springfield Food Bank. 

This year was their seventh OGBC BBQ Ride and Fundraiser and they also raised $3,800 for breast cancer. Over the years they have fundraised for organizations such as CancerCare, the Alzheimer’s Society and local food banks. 

The club is made up of mostly senior guys and gals, who meet monthly for breakfast and a ride. The club was formed in 2018 when three motorcycle brothers, Ray “Mooch” Irving, Rick “Hawg” Herie, and Kerry “Wildman” Hannah – who used to ride together in 1969 but lost touch – reconnected. Getting together again on a regular basis, word got out and other riders they knew were interested in joining them.
Mooch decided that the group should get involved in fundraising and donating to various charities and organizations. He created the name Old Guys Breakfast Club (OGBC), asked his cousin in BC to design the OGBC logo, and registered the name. Mooch rounds everyone up, even calling people to make sure they are OK if he has not heard from them in a while.

The OGBC ballooned from three friends casually getting together, to 40-plus guys and gals, including their children and grandchildren, getting together for rides, barbecues and fundraising, indicating how popular the club has become. 
Many of their members live in the RM of Springfield area and they meet at the Oakbank Bar and Grill every third Friday for breakfast and a ride. The club dedicates the funds raised to honour the memory of their fallen brothers and sisters who have passed away over the years. 

Beausejour Co-op acquires car wash in Lac du Bonnet

Beausejour Co-op’s recent purchase of the four-bay wand car wash, located directly beside their Co-op gas bar location in Lac du Bonnet, is a significant step in continued commitment to providing convenient, high-quality services to the community. 

The car wash, previously operated by Beverly and Ritchie Nally, has served Lac du Bonnet for years. Beausejour Co-op is excited to continue that legacy and introduce new features to enhance the car wash experience. 

As part of the upgrade plans, the site will transition from a coin/token pay system to a tap-to-pay system – making the car wash experience faster and more convenient. For added flexibility, loadable car wash cards will be available for purchase at Beausejour Co-op’s Lac du Bonnet gas bar location. These cards are perfect for gifting or for those who prefer a prepaid option. Additional future enhancements are also being considered.

“We take pride in supporting our communities and enhancing the services we offer,” said Beausejour Co-op GM Kevin Van Den Bussche. “Beverly and Ritchie were great to work with through this transition, and we are excited to maintain this service to the community.” 

For inquiries or questions, please reach out to the Lac du Bonnet gas bar manager Stuart Petersen at 204-345-6655.

Services to Seniors celebrating 40 years Oct. 2

By Morgan Mague

North Eastman Services to Seniors will be honouring four decades of dedicated service to seniors in the region with a day of inspiration, education and entertainment in Victoria Beach next month.

Thanks to the $10,000 grant from New Horizons for Seniors Program, North Eastman Services to Seniors will host an event on Oct. 2 at the Social Scene, 3 Ateah Rd. in Victoria Beach, celebrating 40 years of serving seniors within the region. The initiative is part of a federally-funded program supporting projects designed by seniors - for seniors within their communities. The event will be focused on cultural diversity and inclusion, senior abuse prevention and healthy aging.

Whitemouth’s Two Rivers Seniors resource coordinator Sandra McGonigal applied for and received the grant from New Horizons and partnered with the community resource coordinators for seniors in the North Eastman region. This special event will bring together community leaders, health professionals, cultural voices and performers to celebrate aging with dignity, vitality and joy.

Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) regional senior support supervisor Bev Airey will be MC and provide opening remarks. Guest speakers will include representatives from Total Brain Health (IERHA), Elder Abuse Prevention and Active Aging.

Cultural highlights involve Manitoba Métis Federation, a speaker from Sagkeeng First Nation and dancers. The event will also feature award-winning magician, comedian and Toastmasters speaker, Greg Wood, who has wowed audiences across Canada and five continents with his blend of humour and magic.

Special guest will be Dorothy Walker, an active and dedicated member of the Pinawa community since arriving in 1965. As she is known for her much-loved character roles, we are excited to hear Dorothy speak. At 98, she continues to inspire with a lifetime of creativity, service and commitment that has left a lasting impact on Pinawa.

Tickets are available by calling SJ Nesbitt, Pinawa Two Rivers Seniors, 204-753-2962; Sandra McGonigal, Whitemouth/Reynolds Two Rivers Seniors, 204-348-4610; Tina Polischuk, Powerview-Pine Falls Services to Seniors, 204-367-9128 and Tara-Lee Thomas, East Beaches Resource Centre, Victoria Beach, 204-756-6471.

Springfield unplugs data centre plans

By Tony Zerucha

A Springfield entrepreneur’s plans to build a data centre near the Red River Floodway were defeated after Springfield’s council voted against amending Springfield’s development plan to redesignate 80 acres of land from agricultural preserve to employment. 

Council had passed first reading on May 13, where Wayne Edie and Steinbach-based real estate developer Paul Marsch introduced the proposal for the data centre, which would be built in stages on 80 acres of land Edie owns adjacent to the Manitoba Hydro Riel Converter station on PR 207 near Deacon Road. The project could create up to 200 jobs.

The site was specifically chosen due to its proximity to the converter station. That station was pegged to handle a larger load. A nearby location allowed the power to be used more efficiently.

“It’s the only spot that will work for the project,” Marsch said, while adding that Manitoba Hydro suggested the site.

Marsch and Edie said there is tremendous demand for high-capacity energy production. Cloud storage and digital systems consume plenty, as do alternative intelligence systems. Those systems must be trained on massive amounts of data, which takes energy. Once running, they also use it.
A total of 10 objections were registered against the plan, along with a 72-person petition. The Department of Agriculture said there were several other employment areas nearby that could accommodate Edie’s plans. 

Edie argued that it was that proximity to service those sites that made this parcel ideal.

“By rezoning this land, we can help provide the necessary infrastructure to contribute to the RM’s long-term prosperity,” Edie said.

At several points, Mayor Pat Therrien and other council members reminded the crowd that this public hearing was specifically about amending the development plan. Issues related to the type of business, zoning and environmental issues would be addressed at future hearings and in a negotiated development agreement.

Many speakers feared the loss of agricultural land, with some questioning why the plan needs roughly 80 acres when only 20 were required for the data centre.

“I don’t like the idea that we’re taking any kind of acreage out of prime agriculture and putting it into employment,” Cooks Creek resident Sue Ziemski said. “Let the remaining acreage stay as agricultural.”

Edie also had to fend off questions about his motives behind the project.
“I’ve been a life-long resident of this RM,” he said. “It’s not a money grab. I do quite well in my other businesses. I don’t need to boost the price of 50 acres of farmland. 

“It’s been said that 63 per cent of the taxes in the RM of Springfield come from commercial entities. Let’s keep commercial entities going to build that up, so our personal taxes aren’t going up.”

Coun. Mark Miller, who spoke favourably about the project in May, cited the Department of Agriculture’s concerns in urging more caution.
“The most critical issue of this is... the Department of Agriculture has said don’t move forward with this,” Miller said. “If we don’t listen to them... are we a bunch of renegades?”

Council voted 4-1 against the amendment. Therrien was the only member in favour with Miller and Couns. Glen Fuhl, Melinda Warren and Andy Kuczynski opposed.

Comets preparing for CRJHL campaign

By Tony Zerucha

With the new Capital Region Junior Hockey League (CRJHL) season only a few weeks away, GM Curt Ramsden said the Beausejour Comets are doing everything they can to bring a championship to the region that has passionately supported them.

As of Sept. 10, the Comets had completed two skates in Winnipeg. Mostly due to construction in Beausejour, the move also allowed the team to attract players from other areas to camp. Ramsden sees his charges quickly shaking off the summer rust.

Excitement is high, as the Comets have appeared in the last two CRJHL championship rounds. In 2024, they upset the Selkirk Fishermen to reach the final, only to bow to the St. Malo Warriors. Last season, the rematch saw it go to extra hockey in the seventh game before the Warriors outlasted the Comets.    

Ramsden likes the spirit he’s seen so far. The returning players have unfinished business, while the newcomers want to be part of a good thing. That’s produced competition.

And there are spots to be won. Last season’s top defenceman, Jace Ticknor; captain and Bob Carmichael Award winner Evan Leeson; Top Forward and scholarship winner Jarvis Ewasko; and CRJHL MVP and top goalie award-winner Dylan Liske have all aged out.

Ramsden and head coach Troy Kennedy have been preparing for this moment. Alex Cavanagh spent a few seasons as the third goalie before earning some starts. Sawyer Abraham did the same and wants a promotion. Ramsden said Abraham has worked hard in practice and has something to prove.

“We have two guys who are hungry to grab the number one role,” Ramsden said.

The Comets enter camp with nine returning 20-year-olds, and they’re only allowed six. Ramsden knows three difficult conversations are looming.
“There are always tough choices,” Ramsden said. “Both seasons we’ve been involved, we’ve had to cut one or two veterans. You get emotionally invested with these guys and become close to them.”

Roster turnover is part of the game. Ramsden hopes this season’s process yields as much fruit as last season. Rookies Jaedys Dancyt, Liam Johnston, Easton Gaffray and Cash Clarkson shone, especially in the second half.
“Halfway through the year, they adjusted to older players and a new style of game,” Ramsden said. “They were huge contributors for us down the stretch. We’re looking for that group as a whole to step forward as 19-year-olds.”
Several former high school stars hope to crack the roster. Former École Edward Schreyer  School Barons Vaughn Senebald, Crosby Liske and Miles Armit are pushing for spots. In 67 career games with the Barons, Senebald racked up 58 goals, 66 assists and 124 points, including 26 goals and 59 points in 24 games last season. He’s appeared in four Comet games over two seasons.

Liske has 61 high school games on his resume, where he produced 34 goals, 31 assists and 65 points. In 14 Comet appearances over two campaigns, Liske scored one goal and added three helpers.

Armit has 67 Barons’ games of experience, chipping in 28 goals, 38 helpers and 66 points. He appeared in one Comets game and has also suited up for the MMJHL’s River East Royal Knights.

“They’re three really good players,” Ramsden said.

Greyson Wood is another one to watch. After two low-scoring high school seasons split between the West Kildonan Wolverines and Garden City Gophers, Wood exploded for 20 goals and 26 assists in 24 Gopher games last season.

“He got in touch with us because he’s heard good things about the program,” Ramsden said. “He wants to be a Comet.”

Ramsden said that recruiting process is boosted by the boisterous fans that pack the rink and follow the team on the road. Recruits see the videos and talk to Comet players, who tell them it’s a great place to play.

The Comets are always seeking to improve the fan experience, but that takes volunteers. Contact the team to help out. 

“We’re expanding our relationship with minor hockey and ringette,” Ramsden said. “We have the kids as flag carriers, and they come through the dressing room for high fives after the games. It’s part of building a community; the kids are excited to come to the games and tell their friends.”

Fans have two chances to see the Comet hopefuls before the regular season. The Comets visit Gimli for a game against Arborg on Sept. 19 before hosting the La Broquerie Habs at the Beausejour Sportsplex on Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. 

Demoline Golf Tournament raises $12,000

The 22nd annual Rod Demoline Golf Tournament held at Granite Hills on Sept. 10 was another success as participants raised $12,000 for the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre (LdBCC).

“We had an amazing day with perfect weather. We had the biggest turnout with 29 teams,” said LdBCC president Sharalyn Reitlo. “We can’t thank the players and sponsors enough for their support. Granite Hills Golf Course was in impeccable condition and the staff was wonderful, making our golf tournament a big success.”

The tournament is held in memory of Rod Demoline, an instrumental founding board member who helped establish the community centre. Demoline gave back to Lac du Bonnet serving as town councillor, VP of the community centre, president of the Lac du Bonnet Curling Club and president of the Lac du Bonnet Lions Club before his passing in 2003.

The largest fundraiser for the LdBCC, the winning team of Kyle Costello, Matt Turanski, Geoff Born and Jonny Litman shot a sizzling 56 or 16 under par.
Boyd Miller was 18 inches away from winning the $10,000 Hole in One Contest, another notable for the day.

Reitlo said the funds raised for the community centre will go towards future capital projects. 

“A few projects we are preparing for include four new furnaces and a new outdoor electronic message sign.”

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