Old flame back in town causing an inferno

Woodstock pledges radical change at city hall

A mayoral candidate has vowed to abolish several city committees, eliminate pay bumps for executive policy committee members, and keep monthly office hours to meet Winnipeggers, if elected.

Don Woodstock said city council holds too many private meetings before public sessions of EPC, whose members are appointed by the mayor. He also alleged members of EPC, also known as the “mayor’s inner circle” get more information and special treatment for their wards.

“If the mayor cannot govern and treat every single councillor and every single ward with absolute equality, they are not a leader,” said Woodstock, who is seeking the job for the third consecutive time. Four years ago, he placed ninth out of 11 candidates. In 2018, he was fourth in a slate of eight contenders.

Provincial legislation requires the city to have an executive policy committee. When asked about that law, Woodstock said he’s confident he could successfully lobby the province to change it.

Concordia doctor denies responsibility for Calgary man’s permanent disability

A Concordia Hospital doctor accused in a negligence lawsuit after a Calgary man was left permanently disabled when he was given a massive overdose of a powerful sedative has denied she ordered he be given the drug.

Zachary Hoogerdyk’s father, Edward Hoogerdyk, and the Alberta government filed their statement of claim earlier this year in Court of King’s Bench naming the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, provincial health agency Shared Health, Concordia Hospital, Dr. Anna Ziomek and two other hospital staff as defendants.

Hoogerdyk, who was 23 at the time, went to Concordia’s urgent-care centre with flu-like symptoms and worsening breathing difficulties on March 25, 2024 while he was in Winnipeg on business and to visit family, the lawsuit says.

The claim alleges Ziomek diagnosed Hoogerdyk with low levels of oxygen in his blood and a strain of the flu, before ordering him to be intubated.

Endoscopy backlog, wait times greatly reduced

The Manitoba government says it has put a dent in the backlog of patients waiting for an endoscopy, a procedure used to diagnose intestinal diseases.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced Wednesday a record number of the procedures have been completed in the last three years — approximately 50,000 annually.

“When we took office, thousands of Manitobans were waiting far too long for procedures that can detect cancer and other serious illnesses because of the previous government’s cuts and mismanagement,” the minister said in the release.

“Thanks to the hard work of health-care workers across Manitoba and targeted investments to expand capacity, more Manitobans are getting the care they need sooner.”

‘Catastrophic’ ending to eventful Manitoba Derby

It had everything you could have wanted for the signature racing event of the season, including plenty of drama and excitement in front of a packed crowd at Assiniboia Downs.

Unfortunately, Monday night’s Manitoba Derby also served up another painful reminder of the potential perils of “The Sport of Kings” and what can occasionally happen when these magnificent animals are pushed to their limits.

Forty Twenty, a three-year-old bay colt who was one of the morning line favourites, looked to be in great shape as he approached the final turn and was near the lead in the nine-horse race.

But disaster struck as he approached the final turn and suddenly pulled up as the rest of the packed passed him.

Once hailed as sign of strong bond, U.S. consulate in Winnipeg to close

There was much fanfare when the U.S. government re-established a permanent presence in Winnipeg in April 2001 as it unveiled its consulate and hailed it as a major achievement between two friendly nations.

“It is testimony not only to the importance the U.S. government attaches to our bilateral relationship with Canada but also to the increasing prominence of Winnipeg, Manitoba and the western region of the country in bilateral and multilateral affairs,” said U.S. Ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin at a ceremony with then-premier Gary Doer.

Fast-forward to this week when it was learned the office at Portage and Main is set to close, meaning the U.S. will lose its primary advocate for American business and trade interests in Manitoba.

Dwight MacAulay was chief of protocol for the Manitoba government in 2001, calling it a time of celebration and strength between the countries.

‘Sewing angels’ come to Folklorama pavilion’s rescue after Ghana dancers’ costumes stolen

Parents and volunteers had tears in their eyes when dozens of young dancers took to the stage for their opening performances at Folklorama’s Ghana pavilion Sunday night.