Growing ‘anger and resentment’ prompts message from Winkler police chief
As southern Manitoba grapples with low vaccination rates and adherence to public health orders, City of Winkler officials are warning conflict in the community is at an all-time high.
While enjoying a nice late summer day on Sunday, Winkler residents were quick to talk about how great the community is.
"As a whole, Winkler is very caring," said Steve Warms, who lives in Winkler.
"Friendly and caring, and we help each other out when we need to," said Tina Dyck, another Winkler resident who was reading a book in a park.
However, there have been growing differences in the city since the start of the pandemic.
"There are the anti-maskers, and they don't want to follow the rules. They say, 'Oh, with the COVID vaccine, we don't have to follow it,'" said Winkler resident Kaius Wiebe.
"A lot of us are sick of the masks. A lot of us are sick of government rules,” added Warms. “However, I don't think it's affected us as much as people are complaining about."
The situation in Winkler prompted Police Chief Ryan Hunt to write a long Facebook post Saturday.
"The anger and resentment that we are seeing in our community are unacceptable. We are better than this. This great community did not become great by acting the way we currently are," read part of the post.
Hunt's post discusses the animosity towards young people working in stores trying to enforce public health measures, and how enforcement officials are being targeted when handing out tickets.
"It is concerning to realize that drug traffickers and career criminals are more respectful to law enforcement than people who decide not to wear a mask," read the post.
Winkler Mayor Martin Harder agrees the division within the city is at a critical point but believes there isn't a quick fix to the issue.
"We've had lots of money distributed. I'm not questioning the amount of money the province has given us,” Harder said. “What we need is a change of heart in people."
Harder said Winkler residents need to think about each other and return to their community roots.
"There needs to be a better understanding. They need to get down to it and say, 'yes, the health orders are important. We need to make sure to protect not only ourselves but those in our community."
Harder said it's hurtful to hear people talk negatively about Winkler. He believes the city has shown its positive traits and will do so again in the coming months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.