The Social Page: Grand Régal

Premier, mayor voice support for decision to end police officers’ OT retail-security shifts

Premier Wab Kinew and Mayor Scott Gillingham are backing the Winnipeg Police Service decision that ends the option for officers to work overtime shifts providing security at retail stores.

Police Chief Gene Bowers informed officers of the change Monday in a memo that cited the recent inability to fill key WPS vacancies and the need to “protect the service’s ability to staff critical positions.”

“The operational decisions, it’s up to Chief Bowers and the other folks that are part of the force, but we’re happy to support their efforts,” Kinew told reporters at an unrelated event Thursday.

“We know there’s a lot of need out there in the community. Manitobans want to have police officers in so many different places for that reassurance, for the community impact and also in case something bad happens.

Man who tried to kill pregnant woman pleads guilty

A 21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder for cutting a pregnant woman’s throat and repeatedly stabbing her during a home invasion in Erickson in 2023.

Jets’ Hellebuyck trade request marks pivotal moment for the franchise

Connor Hellebuyck has broken his silence in an effort to expedite his departure from the Winnipeg Jets.

In a statement released by agent Ray Petkau on Thursday afternoon, Hellebuyck confirmed he has asked to be moved by the team that chose him in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL draft.

“I have never forgotten June 23, 2012. That’s the day the Winnipeg Jets took a chance on a goalie playing in Odessa, Texas. I gave everything I had from that moment to prove the Jets made the right decision,” Hellebuyck said in the statement.

“Several months ago, I privately requested a trade. I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully, while giving the organization time to explore its options. With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”

‘Not his best work,’ Kinew says of Trump’s order to rename Lake Ontario

An executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America is “sad,” Premier Wab Kinew says.

“You know, when a rock band is really over the hill and you see them in a casino playing some song from 50 years ago? I think that’s the part of Donald Trump’s presidency we’re at now,” the Manitoba premier said Thursday.

The Republican president signed an executive order Thursday directing his Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the U.S. geographic naming service. Canada is not bound by the name change.

Trump had been floating the idea of the renaming in recent days as the U.S. announced it was imposing 50 per cent tariffs on $27 billion worth of Canadian goods over the weekend after trade talks between the countries broke down.