Top News – Winnipeg Free Press

COLE BURSTON / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Peter Nygard arrives at a courthouse in Toronto in 2023. Nygard has denied allegations of sexual assault and other crimes.

Ex-Winnipeggers who accused Nygard of sex crimes not surprised by Epstein link

Chris Kitching 7 minute read 5:41 PM CST

Two former Winnipeg residents who accused Peter Nygard of rape and a therapist who supports survivors weren’t surprised when the convicted sex offender’s name emerged in new Epstein files Tuesday.

The U.S. Justice Department released a letter revealing the FBI and New York prosecutors’ attempt to interview disgraced former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in separate criminal investigations into former fashion mogul Nygard and infamous pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

“Everybody keeps asking me, amongst my friends, how I feel about things. How I feel about things is how completely unsurprising any of it is,” KC Allan, a former model who accused Nygard of raping her in 1979, when she was 17, told the Free Press.

“I find a lot of the interest in the Epstein files to be prurient, and I’m not sure how far it advances the notion of justice for these victims. I find it offensive that we’re all so excited to learn that so and so was in a hot tub with (Epstein). I feel like it has become entertainment versus justice.”

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Union warns about staffing ahead of change to breast cancer screening

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Preview

Union warns about staffing ahead of change to breast cancer screening

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read 7:35 PM CST

Manitoba has lowered the age for breast cancer screening to 45 from 50, but the union for mammographers has warned that without more staff, the system could be overwhelmed.

On Tuesday the province announced it will begin accepting appointments for younger women as of Jan. 2, 2026.

Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals president Jason Linklater applauded the announcement, but questioned how the province will be able to accommodate the increased patient load.

“Breast cancer screening saves lives, and when screening age is lower and cancer is caught, there’s certainly greater success in treatment and better outcomes, but staffing will be a big barrier,” Linklater said.

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7:35 PM CST

A national task force that provides guidance for primary health-care providers is not lowering the recommended breast cancer screening age to 40, despite pressure from several cancer specialists, surgeons and radiologists. A woman gets a mammogram at the University of Michigan Cancer Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. in a 2015 photo. (File)

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Ruts in the snow on Pembina Highway near McGillvray Boulevard.

‘Just bear with us’: city asks drivers for patience with snow-clearing operation

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read 5:43 PM CST

Manitoba data missing from Health Canada flu report

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Preview

Manitoba data missing from Health Canada flu report

Carol Sanders 5 minute read 6:11 PM CST

Health Canada says it has received no flu data from the Manitoba government this month as it tracks one of the worst influenza seasons in the country in years.

The Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report offers a weekly overview of key trends in respiratory viruses by using data from multiple sources across Canada. Its latest interactive map shows flu activity almost coast to coast for the week ending Dec. 13 — except for Manitoba and Nova Scotia, that reported “no data.”

Winnipeg epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said it’s the first time she has noticed Manitoba is absent from the map.

“I do review this data fairly routinely, and this is the first time looking at the interactive data map and seeing no data being submitted,” Carr said Tuesday.

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6:11 PM CST

A screengrab of Health Canada’s surveillance map for influenza activity, captured Dec. 23, 2025, shows no data reporting in Manitoba and Nova Scotia. (Health Canada)

Wally Daudrich eyes legislature seat after losing Manitoba Tory leadership bid

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Wally Daudrich eyes legislature seat after losing Manitoba Tory leadership bid

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 10:10 PM CST

WINNIPEG - Wally Daudrich, who finished a close second in this year's Manitoba Progressive Conservative leadership race, is now hoping to run for a legislature seat.

Daudrich is seeking the Opposition party's nomination in the Turtle Mountain constituency — a Tory stronghold where incumbent Doyle Piwniuk has announced he will not seek re-election in 2027.

Daudrich owns a northern hotel and ecotourism company in Churchill and lives outside Morden, close to the Turtle Mountain constituency.

Daudrich garnered the most votes in the Tory leadership contest in April, but lost to Obby Khan under a point system the Tories use to weigh support in different constituencies.

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Updated: 10:10 PM CST

Obby Khan, left, shakes hands with Wally Daudrich after winning the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in Winnipeg, April 26, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew drops promise to regulate gas prices

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew drops promise to regulate gas prices

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 11:58 AM CST

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he's not going to fulfil a 2023 election campaign promise to regulate gas prices.

The promise, outlined in the New Democrats' campaign platform, was to give the Public Utilities Board, which currently sets rates for electricity, natural gas and other services, "new powers to review, investigate and regulate retail gasoline prices in Manitoba."

After reviewing fuel regulations in the four Atlantic provinces, and a discussion with some of his counterparts in that region, Kinew says he has decided to drop the idea.

The concern appears to be that companies in regulated environments might apply for higher prices than needed to ensure they're protected against any sudden, unexpected change.

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Updated: 11:58 AM CST

A gas pump is shown at a station in Montreal on April 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Opinion

Cameron’s degrading, one-dimensional take on Indigenous people a money-making machine Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:38 PM CST
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Season’s messages of love and joy at St. Vital group home for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Scott Billeck 8 minute read Preview

Season’s messages of love and joy at St. Vital group home for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Scott Billeck 8 minute read 5:00 PM CST

There’s a promise of warmth inside before anyone opens the door.

On the deck, a table wearing a thin layer of fresh snow has been transformed into a greeting.

“Happy Winter,” it reads, etched by hand and punctuated with a smiling face — a small, cheerful signal that there’s a sense of home that extends beyond the four walls of this house.

It’s four days before Christmas and the mood is festive. There are sounds of easy conversation and laughter as soon as the door opens and a visitor is welcomed inside, out of the cold.

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5:00 PM CST

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Kimberly Palmer and her mother Francie are photographed at a Pulford Community Living Services group home Sunday, December 21, 2025. Pulford provides community based support for adults living with an intellectual disability. reporter: scott

Schenns welcome Winnipeg winter

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Schenns welcome Winnipeg winter

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read 5:26 PM CST

Luke Schenn is looking forward to switching from professional hockey player to amateur hockey dad for a few days this holiday season.

The Winnipeg Jets defenceman will be spending part of his break the way many parents do: at the rink, cheering on his children. Schenn’s two oldest boys, ages eight and five, will hit the ice in the annual Winnipeg Jets Challenge Cup, an event that draws dozens of teams from around the city, province and beyond.

“With our schedule, obviously I miss a lot of their time. But when I’m able to go… I even took all the coaching certifications this year. That’s 10 hours of my life I’ll never get back,” Schenn joked in a recent chat with the Free Press.

“But yeah, I try to get on the ice with the kids and help out whenever I can, push some pucks around.”

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5:26 PM CST

LUKE SCHENN PHOTO
Weston (left) and Kingston Schenn hit the ice as often as they can.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Paul Doyle’s paella is a rich, savoury blend of sausage, seafood, spice, veggies and rice.

Impress dinner guests without excess kitchen labour

Readers share recipes for welcoming the new year with low-fuss, big-taste fanfare

Eva Wasney 5 minute read 4:25 PM CST

Manitoba to give $3M to repair rail bridge at The Forks

Joyanne Pursaga 2 minute read Preview

Manitoba to give $3M to repair rail bridge at The Forks

Joyanne Pursaga 2 minute read Updated: 4:27 PM CST

The Forks is celebrating new funding it says will help reopen a popular active transportation bridge.

Premier Wab Kinew has promised $3 million on behalf of the Manitoba government to support a $9.3-million project to restore The Forks Historical Rail Bridge, The Forks said.

“It was a nice early Christmas gift for The Forks and the people of Winnipeg,” said Adam Dooley, corporate communications director for the downtown site.

The rail bridge closed due to safety concerns in 2023, while a campaign now aims to raise funds to repair it.

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Updated: 4:27 PM CST

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
The rail bridge closed due to safety concerns in 2023.

Move to D-line coach natural for lifelong Bomber Thomas

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Move to D-line coach natural for lifelong Bomber Thomas

Taylor Allen 4 minute read 6:49 PM CST

Jake Thomas wasn’t planning on retiring.

The 35-year-old defensive tackle expressed in his exit interview with head coach Mike O’Shea that he was interested in strapping on a helmet for a 14th season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Then, a few weeks later, a new opportunity presented itself. Defensive line coach Darrell Patterson had informed the club he was retiring after five seasons in the role, leaving O’Shea with a vacancy on his staff that needed to be filled.

He floated the idea by Thomas, and the rest, as they say, is history.

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6:49 PM CST

Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Jake Thomas ends his playing career with two Grey Cup rings.

Manitobans still give but charities feel squeeze

Toni De Guzman 5 minute read Preview

Manitobans still give but charities feel squeeze

Toni De Guzman 5 minute read 6:52 PM CST

Some local charities are struggling to keep up amid the rising costs of living for donors.

“The challenges of the community that we serve are growing. You can see that every day you just need to open your eyes if you’re outside here in Winnipeg,” said Darren Nodrick, director of development at Siloam Mission.

The non-profit organization relies on donors but donations are down.

“The need for our services is increasing. The demand is increasing and what we’re able to do to meet that need and demand is dictated by what resources we have,” said Nodrick.

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6:52 PM CST

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Darren Nodrick, director of development at Siloam Mission, says the need for its services is increasing.

Transit change delivers fear to end-of-the-line stop in North Kildonan

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Transit change delivers fear to end-of-the-line stop in North Kildonan

Malak Abas 4 minute read 6:00 AM CST

Residents of a once-quiet North Kildonan neighbourhood say a Winnipeg Transit route change that put an end-of-the-line stop in their community, led to safety concerns that have been amplified by bitter winter weather.

The FX4 route begins at Polo Park, passes through downtown and ends at Raleigh Street, where bus operators take a break before changing their routes. The end-of-the-line stop is steps away from a 55-plus condominium complex on Gateway Road and nearby homes.

Several tenants of The Cornerstone Life Lease Estates complex told the Free Press on Monday that some people who get off the bus at route’s end have made their way inside to get out of the cold and sleep in the building’s vestibule.

“That bus is the problem… (operators) kick them out, they come to a warm place,” said one tenant on his way to his suite, who didn’t offer his name.

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6:00 AM CST