Niverville Mayor Champions Innovation and Remembrance Day Service

At a council meeting on November 4, Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck outlined his recent efforts to engage with provincial leaders and encourage innovation within the community. On October 31, Dyck attended the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce’s (MCC) innovation and prosperity event, featuring notable speakers such as Premier Wab Kinew, Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research in Motion, and Mike Moroz, the Minister of Innovation and New Technology.

Dyck emphasized the importance of addressing the skills gap in the region, particularly in skilled trades. “They’ve been talking about needing skilled trades workers, and I know that their focus is on colleges and universities,” he stated. He believes that the groundwork must begin earlier, specifically at the high school level. “Our students need to be exposed to this sooner than when they get to postsecondary,” he added.

Discussions are already underway between Dyck, Niverville High School Principal Paul Grosskopf, Juliette Hagopian from Jette Studios, and Bev Stuart, Vice-President of Business Development and Community Initiatives at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT). Their collaborative brainstorming has focused on developing trades courses at Niverville High School, inspired by a successful model in the Pembina Trails School Division that includes a program for early college students.

“Pembina Trails Early College allows students to train in areas like software development, coding, networking, and cybersecurity,” Dyck noted, highlighting the potential for similar initiatives in Niverville. He envisions a shared vocational instruction approach among high schools in the division, which could provide broader educational opportunities at a lower cost.

In addition to educational innovation, Dyck is keen on attracting more innovators to Niverville. “When it comes to innovation, Niverville has had experience with what I call pilot projects, whether it was our wetlands or now with our mechanized wastewater facility,” he explained. He believes that the town can serve as a testing ground for new ideas and projects. “We’re available if the [innovators] need to do a pilot project. Maybe that’s something we could do here,” he suggested.

The mayor’s enthusiasm for innovation is paralleled by his commitment to community traditions. During the same council meeting, he encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming Remembrance Day service, which will be held at the Community Resource and Recreation Centre (CRRC) at 10:00 a.m. this year. The service will feature a live interview with Scott Stroh, a retired master sailor and Niverville resident.

Reflecting on the significance of Remembrance Day, Dyck noted the pride the community takes in this annual observance, thanks to a dedicated group of local volunteers. For Dyck, the day serves as a crucial moment for reflection and gratitude. Having grown up with family members who experienced the Second World War, he is particularly attuned to the impact of these stories.

“Our kids and youth today, they hear the stories, but they don’t know the stories,” Dyck said. He emphasized the need to continue sharing the narratives that shape the country’s identity and values. “We have to continue to tell the stories of why the country we have is the country we have. It’s because of the price that’s been paid.”

Through these initiatives, Mayor Dyck aims to foster a culture of innovation and remembrance in Niverville, ensuring that both the community’s future and its past are honored and developed.