July 16, 2026

Tabin homecoming scheduled for July 25

By Tony Zerucha

Fans can celebrate Kati Tabin’s special season when the Oakbank-raised hockey star comes home on July 25. 

Tabin, along with her Olympic silver medal and the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Walter Cup, will appear at the One Insurance Arena in Oakbank from 10 a.m. to noon. She will speak, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Springfield’s Ace Burpee hosts the celebration. 

The Springfield Minor Hockey Association is organizing the day. To ensure everyone gets to meet Tabin, they ask everyone to limit their autograph requests to two items per person.

On July 7, Springfield council members voted to provide $575 toward covering event costs from their individual ward appropriation allowances. Mayor Pat Therrien and Couns. Melinda Warren and Glen Fuhl provided $125 each, with Couns. Mark Miller and Andy Kuczynski contributing $100 each.

The 29-year-old Tabin began her hockey career in Oakbank before joining Balmoral Hall in the Junior Women’s Hockey League in 2012. She registered 66 points in 88 games while playing left-shot defence. 

In 2015-16, Tabin played for the Cambridge Rivulettes in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League, scoring 20 points in 39 games. That strong performance earned Tabin a spot with the NCAA’s Quinnipac University Bobcats. Over 141 games across four seasons, she posted 52 points.

After her graduation, Tabin tried out for the Premier Hockey League’s Connecticut Whale. Visa issues stalled her comeback after six games, so Tabin returned home, thinking her career was over.

Six months later, the Premier Hockey Federation’s Toronto Six asked Tabin to join them for the upcoming season, so she resumed training. Consider the comeback a successful one, as Tabin posted 18 points in 24 games during the 2022-23 season. 
From there, Tabin joined the Victoire and has been there ever since. In 82 games over three seasons, she has seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points.

Tabin said she’ll remember every detail of her Olympic experience this past February, calling it a dream come true. Even though Team Canada lost to the U.S. in overtime in the gold medal game, she retains a trove of positive memories.

There was little time to reflect, as Tabin returned to the Victoire and prepared for the Walter Cup playoffs. That work paid off when Montreal topped the Ottawa Charge in four games, becoming the first Canadian team to hoist the Walter Cup.

Brokenhead, Springfield seek disaster assistance

By Tony Zerucha

Add the RMs of Springfield and Brokenhead to the list of more than 50 municipalities requesting provincial assistance to cope with damage caused by recent heavy rainfall.
On July 7, Springfield’s council unanimously passed a resolution requesting that property owners be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) funding. That request was forwarded to the Province of Manitoba. 

Brokenhead was included in the province-wide program activated by the Manitoba government on June 11. 

Over the last month, wind and rainfall damage has been extensive and widespread. Both RMs have identified several locations that have been impacted by the recent weather events, and additional sites continue to be discovered as staff complete inspections. The damage is widespread and includes erosion affecting municipal drains, culverts, significant sediment and debris deposited from adjacent agricultural lands, road surface washouts, culvert failures and locations where culverts have been undermined or collapsed, resulting in roadway failures.

“Public Works staff continue to assess the full extent of the damage,” Springfield CAO Colleen Draper said. “Until all assessments are complete, it is too early to provide a final estimate of the total extent or cost of the damages.”

Municipalities must complete a Community Impact Assessment as part of its DFA application process. Individuals and business owners impacted are asked to report their damages to the municipality so they can be included. Property owners should include whether the impacted property is a private residence or an organization; the type of damage (e.g., exterior or interior damage, cleanup needs, replacement of property); the cause of the damage (e.g., sewer backup, overland flooding); and any available estimates.

The province has acknowledged the damage could impact property assessments. Municipalities must advise Property Assessment Services about any damaged properties.

“Where flood damage has occurred, Property Assessment Services will prioritize property inspections and the review of any assessment adjustments related to 2026 flood damage, including consideration of potential supplementary assessment reductions,” a provincial memo states. “As usual, if a supplementary assessment reduction is issued for a property, it will be up to your municipality to decide whether it will issue a corresponding property tax reduction for that property.”
Municipalities have until Sept. 9 to request and submit their DFA applications for the event.

Lac du Bonnet seeking DFA after deluge

By Mark T. Buss

The RM of Lac du Bonnet is asking the province to establish a disaster financial assistance (DFA) program following recent heavy rains to assist with eligible municipal response and recovery costs.

According to the Manitoba Ag Weather network, approximately 63mm of rain fell in Lac du Bonnet June 29. This downpour was part of a major overnight thunderstorm system that resulted in widespread overland flooding and damage to roads, ditches and culverts as well as private property, buildings, yards and washed out approaches.
The precipitation resulted in the closure of some roads in Lac du Bonnet including Langsdin Road. When the RM found a failed culvert was part of the issue, Public Works staff worked until 8 p.m. on Canada Day to re-open Langsdin so they could close Wendigo Road due to a huge sinkhole. The RM blocked off most of the road so it was down to one small lane until it was eventually opened.

On July 2, the RM urged residents with damage that prevented them from leaving their property to access emergency medical care or other urgent situations to contact the municipality for emergency assistance.

The next day, council held a special meeting where they passed the DFA resolution. To assist with the request, the RM is asking individuals with damage caused by heavy rain to reach out to their insurance provider to review their coverage and to also report any damage to the municipal office as soon as possible. The information helps the municipality understand the full impact on the community and provide the necessary details to the province.

Information required by the RM includes whether the impacted property is a private residence, farm, business or non‑profit, and the type of damage including exterior or interior damage, cleanup needs or replacement of property. They also need information on the cause of the damage – sewer backup or overland flooding – and a cost estimate of the damage, if known. Provide the information via email to rmldb@lacdubonnet.com or by phone at 204-345-2619.

As overland flooding has increased the risk of bacterial contamination in private wells, the province is providing temporary free water testing. This applies to one bacteriological test per private well owner. Valid samples must be submitted by Aug. 31 to Duracan Labs. They encourage private well users to boil water before using and to test wells only after flood waters have fully receded. For questions, contact Duracan 204-960-9995 or www.duracan.ca/contact

The latest severe weather action comes on the heels of the RM declaring a state of local emergency earlier in the month due to drainage issues in the western part of the municipality. Soil drifting in May and the extensive rains in mid-June caused significant drainage problems and the RM worked through these issues with the use of local contractors. 

The RM at that time advised they were going to engage the agricultural community in the development of a master drainage plan while discussions continued directly with Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor and MTI staff on the outstanding Wardrop/Maple Creek drainage project.

Springfield Country Fair July 25

By Mark T. Buss

Springfield will continue to celebrate the community’s rural roots at the 142nd annual Springfield Country Fair on July 25.

Hosted by the Springfield Agricultural Society at the Dugald fair grounds located at the corner of Hwy 15 and PR 206, the event is a staple on the summer calendar.
Kicking off with the traditional pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., the festivities will continue throughout the day offering activities, displays and competitions for visitors of all ages.
For adults, the cribbage tournament begins at 10 a.m.

Youngsters are encouraged to display their creative skills in the bike decorating contest and scarecrow making contest at 10:30 a.m. 

After that, children ages four to 12 are invited to show-off their strength in the tractor pull at 11 a.m. There will also be a 27-foot climbing wall, children’s crafts, petting zoo, mini-golf, barrel train and pony rides.

Entertainment on the outdoor stage this year will run from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. with singer/songwriter Fuller Hull performing while magician Alex Jay Hamm will be travelling through the fair grounds wowing the crowd with magic tricks.
A great way to participate at the fair is to enter exhibits and other opportunities for friendly competition. Exhibition categories include engineering, seed, grain and forage, junior hobbies, artwork, garden fruits and vegetables, plants and flowers, baking, fruits and preserves as well home crafts like sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and photography. 

After judging, all entries are displayed on the many exhibit racks with ribbons affixed to the Top 3 winners in each of the categories.

More than 20 vendors will also be set up in the curling club to sell their wares.
Of course, no day at the Springfield Country Fair would be complete without the Canadian Wellington Boot Throw competition. Open to everyone ages four and up, the Children’s Huck-a-Boot contest will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the adult competition to follow.

Following the boot toss, the Springfield Braves senior men’s baseball team will host the North Winnipeg Pirates at Braves Field at 4 p.m.

A country fair dinner will be for purchase at 4:30 p.m. featuring pizza, salad, dessert and a drink.

Admission is $3 per person and $10 for a family. For more information, including contest categories, visit www.springfieldagsociety.com

Fire & Water celebrates 20 years

By Mark T. Buss

The Fire and Water Music Festival is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a three-day event from July 24-26 featuring music and art with a focus on local and provincial talent. 

Held at the Lakers Water Ski Club site on PR 502, the festival provides important opportunities for upcoming acts to introduce their talents to a broader audience and showcase their original material.

The festival is organized and run by volunteers, many of them being artists and musicians as well. The laid back environment of the festival encourages up front and personal contact with artists who often leave the stage following their performance and join the audience to catch the next act. 

Fire and Water president Norine Harty said celebrating 20 years is a tremendous milestone for the community-run festival, which has undergone several venue changes, survived a pandemic and still continues to grow stronger.

“We continue our mission to showcase and celebrate independent Manitoba musicians and introduce our audience to emerging and local musicians,” Harty said. “This is thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who have committed hundreds of thousands of hours to plan and deliver the festival.”

The 2026 line-up is a wonderful collection of talent. Leading the way is Cara Luft, one of Canada’s most respected and beloved singer-songwriters, makes a long-anticipated return with a joyful solo album – her first in over 13 years. Known for her warmth, authenticity and exceptional musicianship, Luft is a Juno Award winner who has amassed legions of fans captivated by her talent for pairing heart-on-your-sleeve lyricism with indelible ear-catching melodies. Her new album, My Heart Will Always Be, is her most assured and personal work to date, reaffirming her legacy as an essential voice in folk music.

Experiencing Alex Maher live is a moment where music reminds us of its magic – when something clicks, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Layer by layer, he builds a song from scratch: starting with a beat, locking in a groove, adding synths, keys, and guitar. Then come the vocals – his own lyrics or a fresh take on someone else’s – followed by a soaring alto sax solo that brings it all home. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, he does it again.

Sheena Rattai and Friends will perform a Tribute to Lilith Fair; a musical movement that celebrates the iconic women singer-songwriters of the 1990s with soaring harmonies, raw emotion and timeless songs. A powerful night of nostalgia, feel-good energy, and music that honours women’s voices and their lasting impact.

After meeting by chance at a house show, Dom and Jacob (Dominique Adams and Jacob Brodovsky) accidentally wrote an album together and began collaborating on each other’s solo work. When Dom and Jacob bring their respective voices and writing styles together, they write intimate and thoughtful songs born out a true collaborative partnership.

Amby is a Winnipeg based band starring frontman Amber Landry, Ava Glendinning on guitar and vocals, Amilia Fehr on bass and Spencer Hanton on drums, Amby is an ensemble that plays music for lovers and losers who like alternative, folk, pop, and country music and are open to laughing and crying while listening. Amby’s songwriting is a deep and personal well of experience and emotion, their voice the bucket that pours it into a vessel of sound that is refreshing, honest, and intimate. The rest of the band gives this intimacy a grounded and supported sonic structure as they all skillfully and playfully serve up the songs.

The Fu Fu Chi Chi Choir composes toe-tapping songs rich with unexpected instrumentals and tremendous harmonies. During captivating live performances, the band takes the stage clad in 1930s house dresses – telling clever stories of strange, lovable, and relatable characters, engaging with their audience both on and off stage.
Dreams and Rumours is the he ultimate tribute band, paying homage to the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. Dreams and Rumours strives to embody the mastery of sound and performance originated by this supergroup. Each member of Dreams and Rumours has focused on mastering the details of their performance, allowing them to transport you to a place where you feel enveloped by the beautiful sounds  Fleetwood Mac.
Andrew Neville is a festival favourite who returns to share his special blend of outlaw and classic country along with fun originals. Neville has been making classic rough and tumble country music since 2003 and cites artists such as John Prine, Johnny Cash, Fred Eaglesmith and Stompin’ Tom as influences.

Jacob Brodovsky  is a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg. In the tradition of other prairie songwriters, Brodovsky’s songs are humble yet intricate, and as humorous as they are heartbreaking. He writes songs about feelings, the people who have them, the places that create them, and the fears we have about them.

A smaller festival with an annual attendance around the 200-person mark, Fire and Water’s board of directors would like to keep improving the event and tailor it for people to attend and enjoy live music.

With the 20th anniversary on tap, Harty said organizers will be inviting their audience to share memories, photos and stories of past gatherings with them so they can be featured leading up to this year’s festival.  

For more information visit the Fire and Water Music Festival website at firenwater.ca

North Eastman MPs named to Shadow Cabinet

North Eastman MPs are continuing their work in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s shadow cabinet.

Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman MP James Bezan retains his role as Shadow Minister for National Defence. 

“It is an honour to continue serving as the Shadow Minister for National Defence as part of the Conservative team focused on strengthening our Canadian Armed Forces and national sovereignty,” Bezan said. “Our Conservative Shadow Cabinet team is focused on ensuring Canada meets its defence obligations under NATO. We will continue to fight against wasteful spending, insider deals, and policies that weaken Canada’s security and prosperity.”

From 2011 to 2013 Bezan was chair of the Standing Committee on National Defence before becoming Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence through 2015.

First elected in 2004, Bezan has been sworn in a an MP eight times. He became the Conservative National Defence critic in 2015.
He said he looks forward to continuing his work standing up for Canadian Armed Forces members and overseeing the expenditure of taxpayer money on national defence to properly equip those who serve.

Kildonan-St. Paul MP Raquel Dancho was has been appointed Shadow Minister for Health.

“As Shadow Minister for Health, I will hold the Liberal government accountable for results, respect provincial jurisdiction, champion patients and families, and advance a vision for a health care system that is modern, accountable, and centred on meeting the needs of Canadians,” Dancho said.

From Beausejour, Dancho was first elected as the MP for Kildonan-St. Paul in 2019. She was named Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in 2020 before moving on to be the Shadow Minister for Public Safety for three years.

In 2025, Dancho was named Shadow Minister for Industry and Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology, which successfully pressured the Liberal government to back down on its costly electric vehicle mandate, exposed wasteful taxpayer subsidies, defended Canadian manufacturing against unfair competition from China and advocated for policies that strengthen productivity, investment and Canadian sovereignty.

“I’m committed to bringing the same focus, discipline and commitment to accountability and results to the health portfolio,” she said.

Elmwood-Transcona MP Colin Reynolds was appointed as the Associate Shadow Minister for Labour for the Conservative Party of Canada. As a 20 year construction electrician and VP of IBEW Local 2085, Reynolds knows what it’s like to put his boots on in the morning and is aware of the struggles many working families are facing today.
“I am excited to get to work representing workers, holding the government to account, and continuing to move our parliament and party in the right direction,” Reynolds said.
Provencher MP Ted Falk did not receive a post.

Cottage association opposed to lifting moratorium 

By Simon Ducatel

Members of the Bird River Cottage Owners’ Association (BRCOA) remain firmly opposed to the Winnipeg River Planning District’s (WRPD) updated development plan that has stirred up concerns pertaining to a decision to lift a longstanding development moratorium. 

“We’re doing everything we can to get the attention of Premier Wab Kinew and Municipal Affairs Minister Glen Simard on this,” BRCOA President Carlene Strand said.
Strand said both the association and the public have “been shut out of an issue that impacts the local ecosystem and the quality of life of cottagers and residents on Bird River.”

The concerns stem primarily from municipal and provincial authorities who agreed to lift the moratorium “despite scientific and carrying-capacity studies – the latest in 2010 – that show further development would be detrimental to the Bird River,” she said.
“We’d like to know why. We ask, what’s changed? The Bird River is the same as it’s always been.”

Further compounding concerns is the fact modern watercraft are far more powerful and potentially damaging to fragile ecosystems than when the studies were conducted, she said.

“If studies show the area can’t tolerate further development and boat traffic, then something must have happened at the bureaucratic level to cause decision-makers to go against the science. We have a right to know what that is.”

The association represents long-standing residents and community-minded individuals who feel they have been “ghosted by the government on this, forcing us to file lengthy (requests for information with the Manitoba government, the WRPD and the RM of Alexander) to get answers to which we’re entitled,” she said. 
“The public is being shut out of a process that will change a pristine ecological area forever – a place we call home – and we can’t sit silently by and watch this happen.”
Stand also feels the provincial government’s responses to date leave a lot to be desired

She said Assistant Deputy Minister David Neufeld “hasn’t answered a single question that touches on the important issues we’re raising.”  

The minister sent a letter to the Winnipeg River Planning District Jan. 28 approving the bylaw that will strengthen the new policies on limited subdivision, (which) replace the previous moratorium on subdivision.

Strand said the association had previously organized a campaign that ultimately collected close to 500 letters that were sent to the minister’s office.
Neufeld’s response, dated April 16, said in part that the minister had reviewed the plan and concluded the document is “generally consistent” with the provincial government’s land use policies.

“We understand it can feel discouraging when outcomes don’t match personal expectations, even after speaking up. That does not mean your participation didn’t matter,” Neufeld wrote. “Public input helps shape decisions, improves plans, and is an important part of a healthy community.”

But Strand says that doesn’t adequately reconcile with the association’s main question about what has changed since the scientific studies that identified further development as detrimental to Bird River were published.

“What new evidence did the decision-makers cite that made the previous carrying capacity studies no longer applicable? What new evidence justified reversing decades of planning policy?” she said. “There’s just simply no evidence, scientific, environmental or otherwise that suggests lifting the moratorium is a good idea.” 
Looking ahead, the association wants to meet with Simard to better understand the process. 

“It’s frustrating and disappointing that things have gotten this far without the voices of all stakeholders being heard,” she said. 
During the public hearing held last September when officials went through the plan’s second draft, participants were prohibited from speaking, she said. 

“No one was allowed to attend in person and only a select few of the submitted questions were addressed. That’s the basis of our Ombudsman complaint,” she explained. “Had we the opportunity to voice our opinions at the Sept. 11 hearing, ideally this may have never made it past the draft stage.”

Offering her thoughts on how the situation has unfolded, Strand said, “It certainly feeds into the idea that when government makes up its mind, there is little the constituents that voted them into office can do.”

Prairie Bylaw makes service pitch in Springfield

By Tony Zerucha

Springfield’s council recently received a preview of how bylaw enforcement could look in the future when Prairie Bylaw Enforcement executives Chris Steinke and Dave Prud’homme made a presentation.

Steinke, Prairie Bylaw Enforcement’s (PBLE) operations manager, and Prud’homme, a former RCMP officer, appeared before council on July 7. Prud’homme founded PBLE in 1999 as a way to provide municipalities with more options in enforcing their bylaws and finding resolutions for infractions that occur. The company currently serves 12 rural municipalities covering roughly 15,000 square kilometres. It employs 25 full-time officers, with another 30 on standby; many are ex-police or conservation officers.
Prairie Bylaw Enforcement is a recognized agency in the provincial court system and can issue tickets for spring weight restrictions and other bylaws.

“I’ve never seen an issue we can’t resolve,” Steinke said.

Springfield currently seeks feedback on which service it should use to complement the RCMP, which does not enforce local bylaws. Municipalities have three options to meet that need: operating a local police force, hiring bylaw enforcement or implementing a community safety officer program.

Previously, Springfield opted for its own police service, but it was mothballed last August when its two remaining officers accepted positions with the RCMP. It recently hired a community safety officer on a trial basis.

Springfield residents are invited to attend a second public meeting to review initial survey results regarding the three proposed options for enhancing community safety within the municipality. The event will be July 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Dugald Community Club.

Steinke added that PBLE covers all staffing, vehicle, supervision and reporting costs. It also operates a 24/7 dispatch system.

“Bylaw-wise, that system will do 90 per cent of your bylaw work,” Steinke said. “People like to call in at 2 (a.m.) and talk to a human voice; it gets that vent out of their system.”
Officers wear body cameras, and their vehicles have a series of cameras providing a full view. One officer in a vehicle costs $100 per hour, two officers in one vehicle cost $160 per hour, and two officers in two vehicles cost $190 per hour. Discounts are available for full-time contracts.

Steinke said coverage can be catered to specific areas and times, or increased during busy periods. Officers can address unsightly properties, derelict vehicles, traffic issues, disaster assistance, and animal control.

A new and popular addition is the ability to ticket people for bad behaviour at council meetings or in public, provided it is spelled out in municipal bylaws. Steinke said it was drafted by a lawyer and tested in other RMs.

“Our behaviour bylaw is probably the most popular,” Steinke said. “There are threats to you guys. We have a method in the behaviour bylaw where we can issue tickets for poor behaviour in the chamber and poor behaviour outside.”

Prairie Bylaw Enforcement officers can pull over off-road vehicles. They help building and fire inspectors enforce their regulations and can serve papers to dangerous people.

“We don’t deal with criminal issues,” Steinke said.

Officers prefer to work with people before opting for enforcement.

“It’s a light hand to educate,” Steinke said. “If they don’t get the hint after the first warning, we move to fines at that point.”

Braves hosting provincials in Dugald July 17-19

By Tony Zerucha

The Springfield Braves are on a roll as they host Baseball Manitoba’s Senior A Provincial Championships this weekend at Braves Field in Dugald. 
Games begin at 4 p.m. on July 17 and run all day July 18, with the final slated for 4 p.m. on July 19.

Six senior baseball teams will vie for the title. The Braves find themselves in a pool with the Thompson Reds and Carman Cardinals. Springfield and Carman lock horns at 6:30 p.m. on July 17, with Springfield hosting Thompson on July 18 at 3 p.m. The Virden Oilers, North Winnipeg Pirates and Carberry Royals make up the second pool.
Springfield general manager Gerry Palidwor invites fans to a pair of special events during championship weekend. The opening ceremonies are on July 17 at 6 p.m. Catch Manitoba’s top sluggers vying for supremacy in the Home Run Derby on July 18 at 8 p.m.

The semi-finals are slated for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on July 19, with the final at 4 p.m. Should a tie-breaker be required early on July 19, all game times are pushed back 90 minutes.

An 8-4 record has Springfield in third place, behind only the 13-3 Elmwood Giants and 7-2 West Winnipeg A’s.

The Braves have won six of their last seven games heading into a July 13 double-dip against the St. Boniface Brewers. Andrew Blocker is having an MVP-calibre season as he leads the league with a .567 batting average and is tied for first with two triples. Blocker is second with a .606 on-base percentage and 10 stolen bases, and is tied for second with 15 runs scored.

Top Braves hurler James Walker leads the league with three saves. Brody Welsh is second with a 1.75 earned-run average.

The Clipper Weekly

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