Committee of MPs, former judges to examine firing of 2 National Microbiology Lab scientists
CBC
23-05-17 16:17
An ad hoc committee has been formed consisting of members of Canada's House of Commons and three former judges to investigate the firing of two scientists from Canada's top virology lab, the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. Dr. Xiangguo Qiu and Keding Cheng were escorted out of the lab in July 2019, and their dismissal was announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada in January 2021, but no reasons have been given for the firings or investigation by the RCMP. The lab is the only Level 4 facility in Canada. The investigation has caused concern about Chinese espionage.
Remains found on Winnipeg riverbank identified as June Christine Johnson
CBC
23-05-17 15:58
The remains of 40-year-old June Christine Johnson have been found in Winnipeg, and her death has been ruled a homicide. No arrests have been made in connection with Johnson's murder. Police are asking the public for any information about her whereabouts or people she interacted with between February and April. Tips can be given to the homicide unit or anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
The government of Manitoba is selling six homes, previously linked to suspected criminal activity under Canada's Criminal Property Forfeiture Act, for CAD1 each to non-profit groups or Indigenous organisations so that they can be repurposed and sold at affordable levels to low- or moderate-income families. The homes are in the Point Douglas neighbourhood near Winnipeg, which has seen investment as a result of a crackdown on suspected drug production and trafficking and has been earmarked as a development area. Normally, proceeds from forfeited assets are sold and the money raised is donated to victim-focused charities, police services or returned by the state to victims.
Six properties previously connected to suspected criminal activity could be turned into affordable housing as part of Manitoba government's new initiative to provide low-cost single-family houses for low- and moderate-income families. The houses, seized by the government under the province's Criminal Property Forfeiture Act, are based in the Point Douglas neighbourhood in Winnipeg. The province is seeking an indigenous-at-run or non-profit organization to buy and develop the properties. The houses are assessed to be worth around CAD75,000 ($56,000) to CAD215,000 each.
The Arizona Coyotes have been left with an uncertain future after a proposed $2.3bn Tempe Entertainment District referred to a public referendum failed to be passed by voters. The proposed development would have allowed the team, which has been plagued by instability since moving to Phoenix in 1996, to construct its own arena. The rejection of the project has left the team searching for alternative options, including a return to downtown Phoenix, a move to a new Phoenix suburb, or a possible relocation to elsewhere in the US or Canada.
Seattle Thunderbirds top Winnipeg Ice 4-2 to take commanding 3-1 lead in WHL finals
The Toronto Star
23-05-18 05:21
The Seattle Thunderbirds took a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Ice in the Western Hockey League championship, with Dylan Guenther scoring his playoff-leading 16th goal and providing a commanding 3-1 series lead. Kevin Korchinski, Gracyn Sawchyn, and Nico Myatovic were also on target for Seattle. The Thunderbirds, who won the championship in 2017, lost out to the Edmonton Oil Kings last year and are seeking redemption as they look to secure a second title in franchise history.
Magic mushroom dispensary with Ontario-based owners opens in Winnipeg's Osborne Village
CBC
23-05-18 10:00
Magic Mush, a psychedelic retail operation, has opened in Osborne Village, Winnipeg. The store is the first in Manitoba and one of many illegal magic mushroom dispensaries to open across the country, challenging existing laws on the substance. The substances contained in magic mushrooms are classified as Schedule III substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, making their production, sale and possession illegal in Canada. Despite this, several other magic mushroom dispensaries have opened in Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto, London and Hamilton. Law enforcement has so far not taken any action against the stores.
Demand for internships dropped by 19% on last year's figures, with the steepest fall (61%) seen in software development, according to a report by Indeed.com. Marketing and finance followed software with drops of 41% and 43%, respectively. Summer jobs declined by 17%, while course-related work, which can be taken for university credit or as part of a co-op programme, was down by 43%. However, overall demand for internships was 18% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, demand for summer and seasonal staff was up by 55%.
Want to know how Hamilton police used its $279K armoured rescue vehicle? It'll cost you over $5K
CBC
23-05-18 16:20
Hamilton Police Service (HPS) has not tracked usage of a 15,000lb “armoured rescue vehicle” since its purchase completion 10 years ago. At a cost of $279,180 to taxpayers, the HPS truck has never been quantified for its number of trips, the events attended, location of deployment, or why the vehicle was used. When asked for this information, the HPS freedom of information unit said that insofar as they knew, the vehicle had made at least 1,000 trips, but could not give a precise figure. The unit did claim 10,000 hours of work would be required to collate the data paying staff beyond the $5,060 it estimated. However, some researchers claim that HPS would keep a “simple log” of the truck’s records, expecting it to be used and maintained. HPS also failed to provide usage numbers for parts or maintenance costs from 2012 to clarity maintenance requirements and cost.
No Canada, but the NHL's final four could still be fun
CBC
23-05-18 20:17
The NHL Conference Finals will open this week and the competing teams have resulted in the league billing it as the "southernmost" final four ever as all of the semifinalists are based in Sun Belt states. These comprise Carolina, Dallas, Las Vegas and Florida. None of these teams have been in their current locations for more than 30 years, and the Golden Knights are just five years old. The four franchises have combined to win only two Stanley Cups.
Ukrainian refugee returns to war zone to bring ashes of husband killed in battle back to Winnipeg
CBC
23-05-20 01:00
A Ukrainian war widow residing in Canada, Hanna Sidorchenko, is returning to Ukraine to locate the body of her husband Andrii, who was killed in battle in eastern Ukraine. Sidorchenko and their son went to Canada earlier this year, and Andrii remained behind to fulfil his military obligations. If Andrii's remains are found, Hanna will hold a funeral in Ukraine before bringing his ashes back to Canada. A Winnipeg church raised the funds for Hanna's travel costs, and extra money collected will be used to help furnish her apartment.
Winnipeg police raid magic mushroom dispensary, arrest 2 people for trafficking
CBC
23-05-19 23:57
Police in Winnipeg, Canada arrested the operators of magic mushroom dispensary Magic Mush, during a raid on Friday. The arrest highlights the difficulties experienced by start-up delivery services offering controlled substances. Magic mushrooms contain Schedule III classified psilocybin or psilocin, which are hallucinogens. The dispensary had previously launched outlets in Ottawa and Toronto. Insp. Elton Hall from the Winnipeg police said two people had been arrested, with more arrests a possibility as the investigation is still ongoing.
Seattle Thunderbirds beat Winnipeg ICE to claim WHL title
The Toronto Star
23-05-20 05:51
The Seattle Thunderbirds have won the Western Hockey League title by beating the Winnipeg ICE 3-1, with Nico Myatovic scoring the game-winning penalty shot against ICE netminder Daniel Hauser. The Thunderbirds, who previously won the title in 2017, have now qualified for the Memorial Cup.
Up to 180 displaced after apartment fire in Winnipeg's Heritage Park neighbourhood
CBC
23-05-20 03:50
Multiple families have been evacuated and one firefighter hospitalised following a four-storey apartment fire in Winnipeg. The rapid spread of the flames caused structural damage to the building, meaning residents will be unable to return. The Red Cross is working to find temporary accommodation for residents, and the cause of the incident is unknown.
Court dispute between First Nations and Métis Nation of Ontario highlights longstanding issues
CBC
23-05-20 09:00
A court battle between the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and several First Nations groups in northeastern Ontario, is casting a light on longstanding conflict that arises over the recognition of the rights of Métis communities. The Wabun Treaty Council (WTC) representing six First Nations filed a judicial review to have the MNO's self-government deal thrown out and challenged the existence of six more historic Métis communities in Ontario. Shared characteristics like language, laws and history, not mixed ancestry should be enough to define a community.
Ontario's Conservative government is separating Peel region, the third-largest municipality in Ontario, by carving out Brampton and Mississauga to become independent cities. The move is said to resolve long-standing power struggles over regional control but creates other challenges to be overcome, including the financial accounting of shared services, such as water treatment. Legislated to be implemented by January 2024, the split will allow for the creation of two powerful “strong mayor” roles in the newly formed independent cities, something Premier Doug Ford has conferred on both Ottawa and Toronto, and will no doubt look to promote in the newly independent cities at the right time. The split will cost significant sums and amid calls for the local municipalities to merge or amalgamate services instead, there is an acceptance that the growing pains of both cities have, at last, become too great to ignore.
Northern Manitoba First Nation sounds alarm over isolation after youth suicides
CBC
23-05-20 17:20
The chief of a Manitoba First Nation in Canada, Darryl Wastesicoot, has called on the Canadian government to address his community's isolation from the rest of the country. Located approximately 900km north of Winnipeg, York Factory can only be accessed by airplane when the winter ice roads crossing Split Lake are closed, or by ferry, which doesn't run until June, despite the lake having opened up. Wastesicoot said this level of isolation was compounding youth suicides, which he described as a "tragic symptom" of the larger problem. A total of five young people attempted suicide in the community.
'Nobody has anything. The building is done,' Quail Ridge apartment resident says
CBC
23-05-20 20:09
A recent fire at the Quail Ridge Apartment Homes in Winnipeg has left 180 people homeless. Kayla Mckay, who lived in the apartment complex, said firefighters told those at the scene that the building could not be saved. The City of Winnipeg has not yet identified the cause of the fire or an estimated monetary return. However, the Canadian Red Cross and local authorities have been working to help the displaced find temporary housing, and firefighter rescuers reported saving a number of pets.
The Dallas Stars have shown an amazing ability in the NHL playoffs to respond to early adversity, including Friday night’s 4-3 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Stars have opened all three playoff series with an overtime loss and have come back to win the other two series following similar situations. Although the other two ended positively, the Stars need to win overtime games if they want to advance in the playoffs. The teams meet again in Game 2 on Sunday in Las Vegas.
Newcomers to Canada get to see a powwow for the first time at Manito Ahbee
CBC
23-05-21 00:33
Newcomers to Canada from around the world attended the 2019 Manito Ahbee powwow in Winnipeg to gain insight into the customs of the country's Indigenous people. The newcomers were driven to the event on four buses, organised by the Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network, the Immigration Partnership Winnipeg and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba. Last year's event proved highly popular according to Shereen Denetto, executive director of IRCOM, with attendees speaking about it "for months after". The powwow featured workshops on traditional dances and dress, and attracted roughly twice as many people as in 2018.
