New pool for Thompson as byelection call looms

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This article was published 09/05/2022 (864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ONE day ahead of the deadline to call a byelection in Thompson, three levels of government announced $15 million for a new aquatic complex in the northern Manitoba city.

Plans for the recreational facility were announced Monday by federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, provincial Government Services Minister Reg Helwer and Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook. The three levels are putting up $6 million, $5 million and $4 million, respectively.

The aquatic centre will replace Norplex Pool, which closed in 2019, and provide a larger multi-use venue with two tank pools and another pool featuring a shallow end with beach entry and splash pad. The announcement came a day ahead of the expected byelection call for the Thompson district, when election blackout communication rules take effect.

The Election Financing Act restricts government advertising to ensure government resources are not used to support an election campaign.

The byelection is to fill the seat formerly held by Danielle Adams, who died in a motor vehicle accident Dec. 9. The New Democrat who was elected MLA for Thompson in 2019, died in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 6.

Election rules state a byelection must be held within 180 days of a seat being vacated, it must be held on a Tuesday, and with an election campaign period of at least 28 days. That points to a June 7 byelection.

The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba confirmed Monday that former Thompson Chamber of Commerce president Charlotte Larocque will carry its banner.

The NDP have nominated prominent First Nations leader Eric Redhead. The Manitoba Liberals had announced earlier they weren’t fielding a candidate in the byelection.

The Keystone Party, meanwhile, has said it is forming a constituency association in Thompson but did not respond to a request for comment Monday. It had not yet registered as a party with Elections Manitoba, as of Monday.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca