‘Step up or shut up’: Alberta mayor frustrated over lack of help with homeless

Hydro’s unpredictable fortunes

Hope for rain. Or snow. Or both. There’s a truism buried deep in a financial outlook in Manitoba Hydro’s 2025-26 annual report, released in late September: “Manitoba Hydro’s net income is highly dependent on several uncontrollable factors.”

Westaskiwin approves money for warming shelters

WETASKIWIN, Alta. - A central Alberta city has taken another step to secure warming shelters for vulnerable individuals living in tents in an open field, but its mayor says they need some help.

Up to 60 people have been sleeping in a homeless camp in Wetaskiwin, southeast of Edmonton, since August after the city closed its only overnight shelter.

The site has been described as "worse than a refugee camp." Health-service providers have identified numerous risks, including inadequate sources of warmth, shelter, food and safety.

At a special city council meeting Friday, an additional $35,000 was approved on top of $150,000 in federal grants to pay for emergency warming trailers until the end of March 2022.

Education alone cannot combat residential school denialism

Premier Wab Kinew has triggered a lot of attention after stating that residential school denialism should not be criminalized.

His comments were made in response to a question about Winnipeg NDP MP Leah Gazan’s private member’s bill, which aims to make condoning, denying or minimizing the residential school system a crime under the Criminal Code.

First Nations leaders, residential school survivors, and organizations such as the Manitoba Teachers’ Society have endorsed the bill, but Kinew disagrees with it.

“I have a lot of respect for MP Gazan, but I don’t think we can criminalize this. I think we have to just do the continued work of educating people and trying to combat misinformation,” Kinew said.

Secondary scoring steps up as Jets ride 4-1-1 record into Chicago

CHICAGO — It’s the type of unselfish, team-first play that can go a long way.

With the Winnipeg Jets holding a 5-2 lead over the Minnesota Wild late in the third period Tuesday night, forward Cole Koepke threw himself in front of a blistering slapshot off the stick of Daemon Hunt.

The result was painfully predictable — the puck was deflected far away from Jets goaltender Stuart Skinner, Koepke was briefly in agony as he hobbled to the bench and the crowd inside Canada Life Centre roared in approval.

“Fine. A little sore. But it’s all good,” Koepke said Wednesday following the team’s optional practice ahead of flying to the Windy City where they’ll face the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Manitoba e-scooter legislation changes set to impose speed limit, age restrictions, sidewalk ban

People riding e-scooters and other personal electric vehicles in Manitoba will have to strap on a helmet, stay off sidewalks and follow new age limits once new provincial rules for the devices take effect next year.

The vehicles, which also include electric skateboards, hoverboards and unicycles, will fall under The Highway Traffic Act starting in 2027, according to the province’s website. E-bikes are excluded from the new rules, according to the province’s frequently-asked-questions page.

All riders must be at least 16 years old and wear properly fitting helmets — that goes for passengers, too, the province said.

The proposed new legislation sets a speed limit of 25 km/h and would prohibit personal electric vehicles from sidewalks unless signs specifically allow sidewalk use. Riders would be using shared paths or roads with speed limits of 50 km/hr or less. They won’t be allowed to operate the vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they must use hand signals and obey traffic signs.

‘People count on this place’: Pembina Hwy. Giant Tiger latest location slated to close

Another Giant Tiger store in Winnipeg will shutter next year, leaving some area residents concerned about a lack of affordable groceries in the neighbourhood.