Free Press Head Start for Nov. 3

Good morning.

The NDP government won’t be pulling the plug on its promise to freeze electricity rates after Manitoba Hydro slashed its projected profits by $225 million following a disappointing first quarter, reports Danielle Da Silva.

As Manitoba schools warn about a teacher shortage, an internationally trained educator and her family are bemoaning the bureaucracy required to become fully certified and unclear instructions that have left them in limbo, writes Maggie Macintosh.

— Nadya Pankiw

Your forecast

Cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of flurries this morning with a high of – 0 C and wind chill as low as -14 C.

What’s happening today

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in the U.S. capital today to represent Canada at the inaugural Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity summit.

More than 100 artists from 38 communities across Manitoba, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut will be featured in the ninth edition of Crafted: Show + Sale, WAG-Qaumajuq’s annual juried craft show, beginning today 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and continuing on Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit www.wag.ca.

There will be more than 100 artists from 38 communities across Manitoba, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut at Crafted 2023. (Leif Norman photo)

Today’s must-read

MPI is offering overtime and adding staff to deal with a massive backlog of thousands of cancelled road tests and other appointments following a bitter 65-day strike.

The auto insurer estimates it will take at least six months to catch up on more than 11,900 cancelled road tests and 4,000 vehicle-damage estimating appointments. Carol Sanders reports.

MPI says it has a massive backlog of cancelled road tests and appointments following a 65-day strike by its employees. (Kyle Darbyson / Winnipeg Free Press files)

On this date

On Nov. 3, 1964: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in London, prime minister Harold Wilson’s Labor government planned to renationalize the country’s steel industry, restore rent controls and open the way to abolishing capital punishment. Americans went to the polls to vote for president, a contest in which Democratic president Lyndon Johnson was expected to win in a landslide over Republican candidate Barry Goldwater. Ten Winnipeg units and regiments of the Canadian Army (Militia) were deactivated or disbanded in the reorganization recently announced by Ottawa. Read the rest of this day’s paper here. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

Top news

Erik Pindera:

Crown drops some sex-crime charges against high school teacher-coach

Crown prosecutors have stayed some sex-crime charges a Manitoba teacher and rugby coach was accused of committing against students. Teacher David Bueti, 43, of Winnipeg, was charged in July 2022 wi... Read More

Tyler Searle:

HSC nurses respond to union call for details on violence, safety concerns

Dozens of nurses have stepped forward with accounts of violence, theft and security concerns on the Health Sciences Centre campus, just a day after their union asked members to share their experiences... Read More

Kevin Rollason:

Christmas Cheer Board braces for record demand

The Christmas Cheer Board is expecting to deliver 19,000 food hampers this holiday season — the most in its 104-year history — as demand for food banks reaches record highs in Manitoba. That’s why ... Read More

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Jets special teams woes continue in 5-2 loss to Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS — They say what happens here is supposed to stay here. The Winnipeg Jets better hope that’s the case when it comes to their sorry special teams play. Quite simply, this team can’t afford ... Read More