Roots of Hope is bringing the Thompson community together this week with a free barbecue in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day.

 

The event will take place Wednesday, September 16 from noon until 2 p.m. at the Thompson Regional Community Centre, with food available while supplies last.

 

The afternoon will feature activities, music in the gym, information booths from local service providers and prizes.

 

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” with the event focused on creating more understanding, compassion and hope around suicide prevention and mental health.

The Manitoba government is offering a new tax incentive aimed at attracting major investment to the Port of Churchill.

 

Premier Wab Kinew announced Sunday that major capital investments connected to the Port of Churchill Plus project will be exempt from Manitoba’s seven-per-cent provincial sales tax on eligible purchases.

 

The exemption could cover upgrades to the Hudson Bay Railway, a new energy corridor and liquefied natural gas facilities, along with icebreakers or ice-class ships needed to support year-round shipping.

 

The province says studies estimate the marine icebreaking component alone could cost between 100 and 130 million dollars.

 

Kinew made the announcement while meeting with Canadian and international investors in Toronto, saying the goal is to expand Churchill’s role in shipping grain, critical minerals and other commodities to global markets.

 

The province says more details on which investments will qualify for the exemption will be released at a later date.

The Northern Health Region has issued a drug alert for Thompson after reports of a dangerous substance being sold as crack in the community.

 

Health officials say the rock-like substance has reportedly caused seizures and one death in recent weeks.

 

People who use substances are being urged to start low and go slow, avoid using alone, and keep naloxone nearby and know how to use it.

 

Anyone using alone can call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS to have someone stay on the line and respond if something goes wrong.

 

Drug-checking test strips are available through the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network by calling 204-783-6184.

Since 2016, Point in Time or Pit counts have been conducted in Thompson to measure the scale of homelessness in the city.

Typically, the count is held in a specific area on a single night, but some in Thompson have spanned a number of days and included surveys of those who self-identify as homeless.

Mary Demare with the Thompson Crisis Centre and a member of this year’s Pit Count committee has more on who are counted.

 

Demare went on to say the results of the counts demonstrate resource needs in communities and support the development of programs and policies to prevent, reduce and end homelessness.

Learn more about Thompson’s upcoming Pit Count on October 14th and 15th.  Tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.

On September 12, 2026, at 8 am., Grand Rapids RCMP were headed to a non-emergency call when they spotted a male - known to them, breaching conditions of his release order.

 

The male was located sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle parked on Beardy’s Point. Officers approached the vehicle and arrested the male without incident.

 

As the male exited the vehicle police observed a clear bag of what appeared to be an illicit drug in plain view.

 

A subsequent search of the vehicle was done and additional bags were discovered, which were later found to be cocaine.

 

In total, 186 grams of cocaine was seized with an estimated community value of over $11,000.

 

Keiran Ballantyne, 22, of Thompson, faces charges of Possession for the purpose of trafficking and Fail to comply with release order condition.

 

Ballantyne was remanded until his court date.

 

Grand Rapids RCMP continue to investigate.

On Sept. 9, Swan River RCMP received a report of a suspicious death on the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.

 

RCMP responded immediately and located a deceased 21-year-old male on a community road. Officers secured the scene and RCMP Major Crime Services took carriage of the investigation.

 

Following an autopsy, the preliminary cause of death was determined to be from an animal attack. The type of animal has not been determined.

 

RCMP has notified Manitoba Conservation officials of the investigation and its findings.

Thompson city crews are looking to finish more road and infrastructure work before colder temperatures bring the construction season to an end.

 

Mayor Colleen Smook says work on potholes, paving, curbs and sidewalks will continue while conditions allow, but preparations for winter operations are already getting underway.

 

 

Smook says preventative maintenance is also beginning on equipment needed for snow removal to make sure it’s ready once winter conditions arrive.

The future of the Thompson Public Library could become a bigger priority for the city’s next council.

 

The library recently received support from 100 Women Who Care Thompson for security improvements, but Mayor Colleen Smook says there are currently no specific city upgrades planned for the facility.

 

She says the building and its location have faced limitations for some time.

 

 

Smook says she believes the library will need to become a focus of the next council as the city determines how to move forward with the facility.

With students back in class, Thompson RCMP are reminding drivers that reduced school zone speed limits are once again in effect.

 

Special Constable Robert Cleveland says the rules apply throughout the school year, even on days when classes aren’t taking place.

 

 

Cleveland says drivers should remain alert around schools and crosswalks, with more children walking and biking throughout the community.

 

The official nomination period for Thompson’s municipal and school board elections opens this Wednesday.

 

The City of Thompson says nominations for Mayor, City Councillor and School District of Mystery Lake Trustee will be accepted from September 16 through September 22.

 

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is raising concerns over new federal regulatory changes affecting how major projects are assessed.

 

MKO says several categories, including interprovincial pipelines and electrical transmission lines, some oil and gas facilities, and fossil-fuel power projects will no longer be subject to the federal Impact Assessment Act.

 

Grand Chief Garrison Settee says removing that oversight risks weakening protections for Treaty and Constitutional rights, environmental stewardship, and meaningful consultation with First Nations.

On September 9, 2026, at 7:57 pm., Oxford House RCMP was contacted by a First Nation Safety Officer (FNSO) requesting assistance at the community airport.

 

Officers attended the airport where FNSO’s had a female suspect in custody.

 

Police were advised that upon a routine search of passengers arriving,  an FNSO discovered an unknown package believed to contain illicit drugs, in the suspect’s clothing.

 

The package was found to contain cocaine with an estimated community street value of  $44,000.

 

Tiana Grieves, 23, from Oxford House, was arrested and charged with Possession for the purpose of trafficking and Failing to comply with undertaking condition.

 

Grieves remains in custody.

 

Oxford House RCMP continue to investigate.

 

Thompson residents looking to strengthen their employment skills can learn more about the resources available to them during Skills for Success Day next week.

 

Steps to Success is holding an information session on Thursday, September 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. at YWCA Thompson, located at 39 Nickel Road.

 

The afternoon will focus on the nine Skills for Success and how developing those skills can help people find and retain employment.

 

Residents can drop by the classroom for information, along with afternoon tea or coffee. For more information, contact Steps to Success at 204-677-5016.

With students back in the classroom, Manitoba RCMP are reminding drivers, parents and students to keep safety top of mind around schools.

 

Police say motorists should watch for reduced speed limits in school zones, obey crossing guards and avoid distracted driving.

 

Drivers are also required to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop sign extended.

 

The fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus is $670.

 

RCMP are also encouraging parents to remind children to use sidewalks and marked crossings, put devices away while walking, and wear a properly fitted helmet when biking or riding a scooter to school.

 

Police say families should also discuss online safety, including who children communicate with, the apps they use and what to do if something online makes them uncomfortable.

Thompson residents will get a chance to experience cultures from around the world this Saturday as Culturama Thompson brings food, music, dancing and traditions together under one roof.

 

Thompson Immigrant Services Settlement Coordinator Nadine Caballe says the event gives people a chance to experience different cultures in a more personal way.

 

 

Culturama runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, with cultures including the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Mali and Mauritius represented, along with Canada and Indigenous and First Nations culture.

 

Hear more from Nadine on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10.

Thompson’s mayoral race is beginning to take shape, with two potential candidates now submitting their paperwork ahead of October’s municipal election.

 

Mayor Colleen Smook says neither candidate had been officially confirmed at the time of the interview, as their paperwork still needed to be vetted by the senior election official.

 

 

Smook says six potential mayoral candidates have picked up papers, while four candidates have registered for council and seven for school trustee.

 

The deadline to officially enter the race is September 22nd.

The City of Thompson has received 12-thousand-500 dollars from the province to support this year’s Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day event.

 

Mayor Colleen Smook says the city makes its facilities available free of charge for activities marking National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.
 

 

Smook says the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre and Manitoba Métis Federation will also be involved in activities this year.

 

She says the goal is to make sure Thompson continues to practice reconciliation rather than simply speak about it.

Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day, an annual day focused on raising awareness, reducing stigma and encouraging conversations around suicide prevention.

 

CMHA Thompson’s Darren Fulford says recognizing the warning signs can be an important first step when someone may be struggling.

 

The Thompson Public Library has been selected as the September donation recipient by 100 Women Who Care Thompson.

 

The library is fundraising for new safety fencing around its property following concerns over frequent vandalism, loitering, littering, indecent exposure and verbal abuse.

 

Library officials say RCMP are being called to the area daily, with children among those witnessing some of the incidents.

 

The proposed project would include two lockable fenced areas, providing space for children to play, patrons to read and sit, and the library to hold programming.

Thousands of rural and northern Manitoba homes are set to gain access to high-speed internet through a major new broadband expansion.

 

The federal and provincial governments are partnering with municipalities, First Nations and Valley Fiber on the multi-year project, which is expected to reach more than 10-thousand homes.

 

The overall project is valued at 157-million dollars and will use a combination of private investment and government support.

 

Manitoba Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz says northern communities have waited too long for the same level of internet service other Manitobans take for granted.

Thompson Rural RCMP say the search for a missing Alberta man near Kelsey has ended after his body was recovered from the water.

 

Dominion Divers and the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team returned to Kelsey Dam on September 1st to continue searching for 60-year-old James Redmond, who had been missing since August 3rd.

 

During the search, a body was spotted in the water near the shoreline.

 

The body was transported to Winnipeg for an autopsy, which has now confirmed the deceased was Redmond.

 

RCMP say his death is not considered suspicious.

Norway House Cree Nation is looking to replace the ferry crossing that links the community with the rest of the province by building a bridge over the Nelson River.

On August 24th, provincial representatives including Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure met with local leaders and engineering consultants in Norway House.

While the project has been decades in the making, there is hope it will be completed within three years once construction begins.

In a statement from the province, they said - quote - "Detailed design is underway and is expected to be completed by 2027. Once design is complete, regulatory approvals and federal and provincial cost sharing would need to be determined prior to proceeding to construction."

Meanwhile, in the summer, the residents of Norway House will still rely on the ferry from their community to reach Public Road 373, their link to the rest of the province.

Winter travel takes the form of a winter road which is built along the ferry line after freeze-up.

Canadian households and businesses could continue facing higher long-term borrowing costs as the effects of U.S. tariffs ripple through financial markets.

 

Farm Credit Canada says rising U.S. inflation and increased risks surrounding government debt have helped push American bond yields higher.

 

Those increases are also affecting Canadian bonds because of the close connection between the two markets.

 

FCC says the impact could be felt through fixed mortgage rates and long-term business financing, including for Canada’s agriculture and food industry.

United Steelworkers Local 6166 is inviting Thompson residents to celebrate working people at its annual Labour Day picnic this Monday.

 

The free event runs from, with hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, bouncy houses, kids’ activities and prizes.

 

New USW Local 6166 President Scott Clements says the event is open to everyone.

 

 

Clements says the picnic has drawn hundreds of people in previous years, although turnout and some activities are weather permitting.

 

He says the event is a chance for workers, retirees and families across Thompson to come together and enjoy Labour Day.

Thompson’s Community Safety Officer program is back on patrol, after staffing shortages had previously put patrols on pause.

 

Deputy Mayor Louise Fitzpatrick says the city hired an experienced CSO in July, while another former officer has now returned to the department.

 

 

Fitzpatrick says the city has also conducted several interviews and could have all four positions filled this fall, although new hires would still need to complete training in November.