Winnipeg Free Press – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Dr. Ed Buchel, provincial surgery specialty lead and Jonathon Lyon CEO, Health Sciences Centre Foundation, hold presser on $12M spine program boost at HSC Tuesday.

New spine program aims to cut surgery wait times

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:44 PM CDT

A spine care program announced by the province Tuesday seeks to speed up surgeries and lessen the suffering of Manitobans waiting for relief.

“Until now, folks living with spine pain or trauma had no other choice but to suffer for months — for years in some cases — while waiting to to be seen, never mind waiting for surgeries,” Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said Tuesday at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. “Our government has developed a comprehensive, multifaceted provincial spine program aimed at delivering timely care to patients with spinal conditions,” Asagwara said.

As part of the $12-M investment by the provincial government, three additional spine surgeons have been hired at HSC, Concordia Hospital and Brandon Regional Health Centre. Each hospital has been outfitted with new, state-of-the-art surgical equipment to “dramatically improve patient care” while reducing wait times and backlogs, the minister said.

The program will also increase the number of surgeries that can be done by more than 50 per cent starting next month, Asagwara said.

New

Avs grab momentum, roll over Jets

Mike McIntyre 10 minute read Preview

Avs grab momentum, roll over Jets

Mike McIntyre 10 minute read Updated: 12:27 AM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets took the foot off the gas pedal for just a few minutes on Tuesday night — and ended up getting run right off the road by a high-octane Colorado Avalanche club.

A 5-2 loss at Canada Life Centre levels the best-of-seven playoff series at 1-1.

“It stings. You never like losing, let alone a home game here. I’m sure they’re happy with the split,” said Jets forward Kyle Connor.

You can file this under “one that got away” from the home team. Winnipeg had built a well-deserved 2-1 lead by the midway mark of the game and seemed in full control.

Read

Updated: 12:27 AM CDT

Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Colorado Avalanche players celebrate after Zach Parise’s secon-period goal Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre.

Incoming registry expected to curb bike theft, reunite owners with wheels

Erik Pindera 6 minute read Preview

Incoming registry expected to curb bike theft, reunite owners with wheels

Erik Pindera 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:01 PM CDT

Kevin Glasier and his family were fast asleep in their Wolseley house last week when the blaring home security alarm jolted him awake at 6:26 a.m.

“I just jump out of bed, in my underwear, and all you think is: Is somebody in the house? And you’re concerned with the safety of your family at that point,” the 49-year-old father of three said Tuesday.

Running past his kid’s rooms and through the house, he made his way to the door to his garage, and spotted a man inside dressed in black with his hood up.

“He wasn’t supposed to be there,” said Glasier. “I yelled at the top of my lungs, ‘Get the f—- out of my garage’ to try to scare him off, and he turned and ran.”

Read

Updated: Yesterday at 5:01 PM CDT

SUPPLIED
Security footage showing Kevin Glasier chasing the intruders away.

Tenants of former Lions Place victims of ‘organizational elder abuse’: report

Kevin Rollason 5 minute read Preview

Tenants of former Lions Place victims of ‘organizational elder abuse’: report

Kevin Rollason 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:17 PM CDT

Lions Housing Centres and the Lions Club of Winnipeg have been accused of inflicting “organizational elder abuse” on seniors because of the way they sold Lions Place to a for-profit real estate company in 2023.

The accusation is listed in a new report that states the two groups failed to investigate alternatives to selling the 610 Portage Ave. property and kept its tenants, many of whom had lived there for decades, in the dark about the transaction.

In “A Betrayal of Trust: Exploring the Financialization of Lions Place in Winnipeg as a Case of Organizational Elder Abuse,” the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls on the provincial government “to launch an immediate public inquiry, investigation and/or audit” into the management and spending of both Lions Housing Centres and the Winnipeg branch of the Lions Club.

“The sale of Lions Place represents both a major net loss of affordable housing and an example of the targeted dismantling of community for older adults in Winnipeg,” says the 46-page report, which is being released Wednesday.

Read

Yesterday at 7:17 PM CDT

“The sale of Lions Place represents both a major net loss of affordable housing and an example of the targeted dismantling of community for older adults in Winnipeg,” says the 46-page report, which is being released Wednesday. (John Woods / Free Press files)

Hawerchuk’s son in wonder of Winnipeg’s “Whiteout” conditions

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Hawerchuk’s son in wonder of Winnipeg’s “Whiteout” conditions

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 4:34 PM CDT

Dale Hawerchuk and the Winnipeg Jets will forever be linked, and a statue of the late, great “Ducky” that stands outside the downtown rink serves as a permanent reminder.

That deep bond has been re-enforced this week as Hawerchuk’s son, Eric, has returned to his birthplace to experience his first “Whiteout”.

“My whole family has felt a big connection to this city for a long time, but especially since they put the statue up,” Eric told the Free Press on Tuesday, a few hours before the puck was dropped in Game 2 between the Jets and Colorado Avalanche.

“I feel like I’m connected to my dad here. This place meant so much to him, and it meant a lot to us. It’s nice to come and visit friends and family. I’ve never seen the city like this.”

Read

Yesterday at 4:34 PM CDT

(Supplied photo)
Dale Hawerchuk’s son, Eric, in front of the statue of his father in downtown Winnipeg.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Bobby Mottola, who collaborated with Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey on a new fast-casual food concept in Hargrave Street Market called The 44, at the new food stall on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The concept launched Sunday in the midst of the first playoff game with a menu of wings, sliders and Josh’s famous chili recipe.

For Eva story.

Defenceman Josh Morrissey gets assist to open food kiosk

Restaurateur Bobby Mottola teams up with Jet for The 44

Eva Wasney 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:34 PM CDT

Opinion

Land acknowledgement far more inclusive, respectful than prayer at legislature Tom Brodbeck 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:10 PM CDT
Bratty premiers out of line on feds’ housing conditions Dan Lett 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:18 AM CDT
Making policy amid public pressure Rochelle Squires 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

Learn more about Free Press Advertising solutions

Inflation pressure weighs heavy on Manitobans’ dream of homeownership: poll

Gabrielle Piché 6 minute read Preview

Inflation pressure weighs heavy on Manitobans’ dream of homeownership: poll

Gabrielle Piché 6 minute read Yesterday at 7:35 PM CDT

Maybe if apartment rental rates stopped increasing, Anjali Soni would be closer to buying a home.

Currently, she’s facing a $200 per month jump for her three-bedroom rental suite. “That is too much,” the University of Winnipeg student says.

The 21-year-old business student and her roommates are searching for a new place to live; their lease is up soon. Soni hopes to buy a home in the next five years, after graduation — some point when she’s “a little more settled.”

But homeownership seems expensive, too, even if Manitoba prices are cheaper than other major Canadian markets, Soni added.

Read

Yesterday at 7:35 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
A for-sale sign in the Weston neighbourhood Tuesday. More than half of Manitoba and Saskatchewan respondents to an RBC poll say inflation is eroding their ability to save for a home.

‘All too common’: retail theft shows no sign of slowing down

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Preview

‘All too common’: retail theft shows no sign of slowing down

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

It’s a cost of business Phil Klein never expected, but now knows all too well.

The owner of Bagelsmith in downtown Winnipeg has been burglarized four times since opening his flagship store on Carlton Street in late 2020.

“My experience downtown has really only been that it’s pretty rampant with break-ins,” Klein said Tuesday afternoon. “It seems to be an all too common thing that happens.”

New data from the Winnipeg Police Service shows the incidents of crime show no indication of slowing down, despite the police force’s initiative to curb retail theft.

Read

Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Bagelsmith owner Phil Klein says his downtown location has been robbed four times in the last three years.

Winnipeg seeks two-year extension for $2.3-B sewage project

Joyanne Pursaga 6 minute read Preview

Winnipeg seeks two-year extension for $2.3-B sewage project

Joyanne Pursaga 6 minute read Yesterday at 6:38 PM CDT

The City of Winnipeg doesn’t expect to meet the 2030 provincial deadline to complete its more than $2.3-billion upgrade of the north end sewage treatment plant, in part because there’s still no plan to pay for most of the tab.

In a report to the province, the city notes it aims to finish the work in 2032, despite facing a provincial deadline of Dec. 31, 2030.

Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of the water and waste committee, said council has yet to secure any senior government funding to help cover the recent $482-million increase for the project’s second phase and has no plan to pay for the third and final phase.

“I think there’s an element of fantasy in debating whether you can be done by 2030 or 2032 when you have no money budgeted for a billion-dollar program… Let’s get the money allocated and then come up with the construction time frame,” said Mayes.

Read

Yesterday at 6:38 PM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Phase one construction for the north end sewage treatment plant in Winnipeg on Thursday, July 21, 2022. For Joyanne story.
Winnipeg Free Press 2022.

Jets and Avs prove four strong centres key to success in NHL

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Jets and Avs prove four strong centres key to success in NHL

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Yesterday at 5:55 PM CDT

Having a solid one-two punch down the middle is no longer enough.

To be the last team standing in the chase for the Stanley Cup these days, having four reliable centres is the rule and not the exception.

As the opening-round series between the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche continues, a quick look under the hood supports the aforementioned theory.

Much like when the Vegas Golden Knights reached the top of the mountain last spring with Jack Eichel, Chandler Stephenson, William Karlsson and Nicolas Roy taking the majority of the reps at centre, the Jets and Avalanche feature the type of four-line depth that is required to go on a deep run.

Read

Yesterday at 5:55 PM CDT

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Adding centre Sean Monahan prior to the trade deadline has proven a savvy move that gives the Jets four solid centremen.

Show us the money: Lukes appeals for more funding from province, feds

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Preview

Show us the money: Lukes appeals for more funding from province, feds

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:46 PM CDT

A Winnipeg city councillor issued a blunt plea for a new funding model for cities Tuesday, as officials from three governments broke ground on a new temporary fire-paramedic hall in her ward.

Coun. Janice Lukes, who represents the rapidly growing Waverley West ward, urged members of the provincial and federal governments to help Winnipeg secure sustainable and predictable funding.

“As you know, the southwest corner of Winnipeg has been the fastest-growing area in the city for the past 10 years… The sad fact of the matter is we should have been standing here five years ago, doing this sod-turning for a fire hall,” said Lukes.

The temporary fire-paramedic hall is just one of many critical pieces of infrastructure — along with roads, sewage treatment and recreation facilities — that the city is expected to fund to support population growth despite claiming a very small share of the tax-dollar pie, said Lukes.

Read

Updated: Yesterday at 5:46 PM CDT

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Coun. Janice Lukes says immigration is essential for Canada’s growth and workforce, but cities need more resources to supply the infrastructure to support it.

Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:23 PM CDT

OTTAWA - The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing they will affect doctors' retirement savings.

Kathleen Ross, the association's president, says many doctors incorporate their medical practices and invest for retirement inside their corporations.

The proposed changes would increase taxes on those investments, something the association says will add "financial strain" for doctors who do not have a pension to rely on.

Ross argues the change could also affect recruitment and retention of physicians in Canada.

Property management company defrauded clients, securities commission finds

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:51 PM CDT

A now-defunct property management company defrauded clients of nearly $150,000 over the course of one year in undelivered services and accounting sleight of hand, a Manitoba Securities Commission investigation has found.

Lead Property Management Inc. was dissolved in August 2012. An investigation into the company’s misdealings began in 2011, one year after the death of one of the company’s two shareholders, Kevin Dell. Sharon Conway was the other shareholder.

In a resolution repeatedly delayed by changes to commission staff, hearing panel members and relevant legislation, the commission has ordered that Lead’s defrauded clients be fully compensated for their losses.

Lead Property Management “through its shareholders and staff, committed numerous fraudulent acts, which included acts of deceptive dealings and wrongful takings, and which all related to trades in real estate,” the commission said in a recently issued written decision.