The Buzz

Katz ‘violated public trust,’ Sheegl lacked ‘moral compass,’ police HQ inquiry commissioner concludes

The final report from the public inquiry into the scandal-plagued Winnipeg Police Service headquarters construction project concludes that former mayor Sam Katz and former city CAO Phil Sheegl broke public trust and engaged in unethical conduct.

And the report, released Monday by inquiry commissioner Garth Smorang, says the cost of the project — transforming a downtown Canada Post office tower and warehouse into the police HQ — soared, in part, because main contractor Caspian Projects overcharged the city by more than $40 million in expenses.

The project’s initial $135-million initial price tag rose to about $209 million in the end. The city purchased the complex in 2009; construction was completed in 2016.

Smorang’s report concludes Katz “violated the public trust” and council code of conduct, and Sheegl suffered from a “complete lack of a moral compass.”

Bayer Canada begins construction on new R&D facility in St. B

Instead of canola on Friday, there was sod.

But in two years’ time, by current estimates, the bare plot of land in a St. Boniface industrial park will hold canola samples and seeds for testing.

Bayer Canada officially broke ground on a 60,000-square-foot research and development facility Friday morning.

“It’s about bringing new and better innovation to farmers,” said Kacy Perry, Bayer Crop Science Canada’s country division head.

Salvation Army calls on Winnipeggers to donate merchandise as sales soar

The Salvation Army is taking donated merchandise from other regions to stock its Winnipeg thrift stores as increasing sales outpace local donations.

Retail activity at the charity’s eight Winnipeg locations grew more than 10 per cent year over year during several months, from January through April, and again in June.

Although local donations remain strong, they haven’t kept pace with demand, prompting the organization to supplement inventory with merchandise from elsewhere.

Ted Troughton, managing director of the Salvation Army’s thrift store operations, said rising living costs are bringing in new customers.

The Buzz: pop-culture trends

BEN MacPHEE-SIGURDSON / BEERCharleswood beer vendor showcasing local brewers

Lovers of local craft beer would do well to heed the advice of the esteemed Village People: go west. The inaugural Charleswood Craft Beer Fest takes place Thursday, June 6, through Saturday, June 8, at the Beer Mkt (6600 Roblin Blvd.). Each of the three evenings (June 6 from 4-7 p.m., June 7 from 4-8 p.m. and June 8 from 2-6 p.m.) will feature more than 50 products to be sampled from Manitoba brewers including Kilter, Little Brown Jug, Barn Hammer, Winnipeg Brew Werks, Farmery, Sookram’s and more. In addition to the beer sampling, which is free, there will be food, prizes and more.

ERIN LEBAR / ANIMATIONFormer Disney drawing instructor offers local workshop