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MLA Report - May 31, 2019

Capital projects and tourism marketing funding assisting Churchill
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It was my pleasure to travel to Churchill early this week with Premier Brian Pallister, Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, and Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous Relations. We met with Mayor Mike Spence and councillors as well as Churchill Chamber of Commerce members to discuss challenges and opportunities for those living in Manitoba’s far north. As part of the Northern Tourism Strategy action plan, Travel Manitoba hosted a summit with more than 40 stakeholders in Churchill as it invests over $2.5 million annually to market the town internationally. 

Currently, there are two approved provincial capital projects for Churchill Town Centre – theatre renovations with a total cost of $1.9 million, and ongoing roof and exterior building repairs with a total cost of $5 million. The premier also announced that our government has allocated $250,000 toward the construction of the Twin Lakes Road in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area through the Manitoba 150 capital fund. 

Prior to attending meetings in Churchill, we were treated to a tour of the Itsanitaq Museum by curator Lorraine Brandson. The museum has its origins in 1944 when Roman Catholic missionaries from the Order of Oblates of Mary Immaculate recognized the value of preserving “cavings” that are representative of the culture of the people of the north. Thanks to Lorraine and the ladies at the gift shop for hosting us, and for their dedication to preserving, promoting and sharing the unique history and culture surrounding Churchill and Hudson Bay.    

Separately, our government has announced an investment of $2.7 million in a new policing and public safety strategy, which will ensure police and Manitoba Justice work together to keep Manitobans safe. Supporting greater collaboration between police agencies and Manitoba Justice, the strategy will improve criminal intelligence gathering and enforcement, and help police battle the illicit drug trade. Along with other initiatives, the strategy includes enhanced support for community mobilization with $250,000 to develop standards and expand programming to northern communities, and $300,000 to assist with a collaboration between RCMP, the City of Thompson and other stakeholders in development of a public safety strategy for our northern city. 

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