City comics apply for funniest person with a day job

What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on Labour Day

Here's a roundup of hours of business for services and things to do on September 7.

A life's story: translator, poet, radio host, actor loved life to the fullest

Born with an innate sense of curiosity, Charles Leblanc always wanted to understand the world around him. To him, words and theatre weren’t just pastimes. They were means of understanding the human experience and helping others see different perspectives.

The poet, translator, actor and radio host dedicated his life to this practice, founding the Winnipeg International Writers’ Festival, establishing French community radio station Envol — where he hosted a show for 25 years — and acting as a core member of the Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of Manitoba.

Leblanc’s contributions and dedication to Manitoba’s arts and literary scenes made an impact that continues to be felt by the community.

He died June 26 at the age of 75.

(Un)friendly competition

REGINA – Jermarcus Hardrick knows exactly what kind of battle he is in for on Sunday in the 61st edition of the Labour Day Classic.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders right tackle has ample experience lining up opposite Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson, both as teammates and opponents during the past decade and change.

In this pivotal matchup between Prairie rivals jockeying for position in the CFL West Division, this head-to-head battle in the trenches figures to be must-see TV.

“Willie is one of my best friends, one of the best players in the league. It’s amazing to see what he’s doing on film, what he’s always done on film,” said Hardrick, who spent eight seasons with the Blue Bombers before joining the Roughriders in 2024 as a free agent. “With the way that you know he plays and what he can do to a team with his energy and knowing that’s on the other side from you all game, that’s a big challenge that you look forward to.

‘Quite a journey’: dozens move into transitional housing downtown

Dozens of residents have moved into transitional housing units in a former university building in downtown Winnipeg.

Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith said 42 residents have moved into suites on the third and fourth floors of a seven-storey building previously owned by Providence University College and Theological Seminary. There will be space for as many as 118 people who were in encampments or otherwise homeless.

The remaining units under renovation are expected to be ready and occupied in the coming weeks, Smith said.

“This has been two years in the making,” the minister said at a media event with residents, staff, neighbours and supporters. The building cost the province $24.4 million to purchase and renovate.

Dynacare labs quickly reach capacity ahead of strike

Patients were being turned away from several Dynacare locations Saturday morning as people packed the labs in hopes of getting their blood collection done before workers strike.

By 10:30 a.m. the lobby at the Dynacare at 1581 Regent Ave. was standing-room only and walk-up patients were being turned away as the wait time for those lucky enough to get in creeped past two hours.

One woman got in right before workers cut off walk-ins at 10 a.m. after travelling to two other locations.

“I was driving by at 7:15 this morning and there was already a line-up to the road, so I was like ‘nope, not going there’ so I went to the one on Sterling Lyon (Parkway) and it was closed, and then I went to the one at St. Vital Mall and there had a line zig-zagging all the way through the corridors so I gave up and came back,” said Joanna, who declined to give her last name.

US tourism groups want to win Canadian visitors back. A testy trade war isn’t helping

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Appeals from American tourism organizations seemed to be everywhere Josh Loewen looked over the last year. Billboards and banners proclaimed a state or city's love for Canada. Online and social media ads offered special deals for travelers from north of the border.

As a Vancouver resident and marketing executive himself, Loewen said he understands the conciliatory overtures. The number of Canadians traveling to the United States plunged after President Donald Trump returned to office with remarks about making Canada the 51st state. An acrimonious trade war between the two countries now is threatening to reinforce the informal boycott just as it appeared to be easing slightly.

"It’s such a big ask right now,” Loewen, 45, said of the U.S. tourism industry's attempts to woo Canadians like him back before a new president occupies the White House. “It’s just a wasted effort.”

Relations between the U.S. and Canadian governments have deteriorated sharply since their trade negotiations collapsed last month. Trump imposed import taxes of up to 50% on a range of Canadian products. Canada’s government responded in kind. Trump ordered the U.S. government to change the name of border-spanning Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed insults from members of Trump's Cabinet as childish and undignified.