“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15

Welcome to a two-part series with two powerful stories. Last week we looked at how there is more pain around us and we should be ready to ‘mourn with those who mourn.’ This week we look at how there is more love for us to rejoice in than we realize. Such knowledge should soften our hearts and attitudes as we go about our day. I received the following story from fellow chaplain Gary Blaine in his book I am Here for You:

“The story is told of the little girl who was busy wrapping a large box, about the size of a liquor box. The eight year old was using gold wrapping paper. She was almost finished when her father came home from work. He looked at her project and exclaimed, “What are you doing? Don’t you realize how expensive gold wrapping paper is? How can you be so wasteful?” He stormed off to his study.

The next morning at breakfast the father was drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper. He was a little embarrassed about his profusion of anger the night before when his daughter approached him. She presented him with the box wrapped in gold paper. “Here, Daddy, this is a gift for you.”

The federal government has released a survey asking for input from people regarding the current state of men and boys’ mental and physical health with the goal of developing a national strategy. The initiative has researchers and advocates applauding the move, with one non-profit saying the situation with men’s health is at a crossroads and men are in crisis.

“Men are in a real crisis right now. (About) 4,000 men (are) disappearing in Canada every single year, that’s not a good state for society or the Canadian population as a whole,” said Kenton Boston, president and CEO of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF), who was elated that the federal government is taking this initiative, something it has already done for women and girls and has already created a strategy for them.

Last December, Minister of Health Marjorie Michel announced plans to launch a federal men’s health strategy in 2026 after participating in a men’s round table. In February of this year, the government released its men and boys’ survey.

“We invite everyone to join this conversation. Men, young adults, boys, partners, families, friends and communities can share their experiences and ideas,” stated a Health Canada spokesperson in an email.

Manitoba RCMP are launching a pilot project to test a new public-safety alert system that can send direct notifications to several communities, including three from the Southeast.

The new system will send alerts from local RCMP detachments by text messages, phone calls or email to residents who register for the optional program, using software from U.S.-based Rave Mobile Safety.

Starting on May 21, detachments in Norway House, Thompson, Dauphin, Winnipegosis, Beausejour and Oakbank, Morris and Emerson and Ste Rose will have access to the service. The pilot project will run for three months and be evaluated on whether to expand to all of Manitoba’s detachments.

The system will send alerts regarding public safety advisories, requests for public assistance, missing persons, traffic or road conditions, crime prevention and other community updates.

As a result of what is being referred to as the wind event of May 14 and 15, the RM of Montcalm has declared a state of local emergency.

In a May 20 press release the RM states that there’s lots of work to be done.

“Montcalm has started emergency recovery to a substantial amount of blown in ditches and drains and to repair damaged gravel roads throughout the RM,” they said.

The state of emergency will remain in effect until June 18.

It was a long time ago, but I remember it very clearly. It was 1995 and it was the night of the second Quebec referendum which would decide whether Quebec would leave Canada or stay part of the federation. I was working as political staff in the government of Premier Gary Filmon, and like most staff, had remained in the building that evening to work and to watch the results.

Late into the evening, my work was done. I had drafted two news releases for various MLAs. The one release would be sent to their local media if Quebec voted to separate. It was filled, as I recall, with lots of cautionary language about the uncertain road ahead and disappointment in the result. The second release was to be sent if Quebec voters decided to stay in Canada. It contained more hopeful sentiments, but still cautionary language about what was avoided and the challenge to ensure that steps would be taken to ensure we never reached this point again.

While most staff were in the various offices huddled around T.V.’s watching the results (this was before our phones and social media gave us immediate updates), I sat on the grand staircase of the legislature with the different news releases in separate hands waiting to hear which one to send. But mostly, I was contemplating what Canada would look like the morning after the referendum.

Of course, history shows I was able to send the release signifying a vote by Quebec to remain in Canada. Barely. The vote was 50.58 percent to 49.42 percent to remain. I have always felt grateful that I was able to send out the release I did. I love Canada, every part of it, and want it to remain strong and united.