The Wrap: Provincial deficit quadruples, Kromar Printing closes, Willie Jefferson extended and holiday side dishes from local chefs

Manitoba’s forecast deficit for this year is now $1.6 billion — more than four times higher than the $363 million indicated in the Sept. 30 annual report released by the former Progressive Conservative government days before the Oct. 3 election.

It’s the largest in Manitoba’s history outside the global pandemic and “a significant hole for us to climb out of collectively,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

Digitization and the COVID-19 pandemic were the death knell for Winnipeg’s Kromar Printing Ltd., one of the few companies left in the city still operating traditional printing presses.

Founded as Kro-Mar Printing in 1945, the company became a major Winnipeg printing supplier and included the federal government and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corp. among its customers over the years.

The Business Development Bank of Canada filed for a receivership of the Winnipeg-based printing business on Nov. 24 and the company shuttered Dec. 1.

The company’s one-million-square-foot building at 725 Portage Ave. will now sit mostly empty at the edge of Winnipeg’s West End. A local historian said finding new occupants will be a challenge.

Willie Jefferson’s contract negotiation with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was quick and painless.

The star defensive end had no desire to leave Winnipeg and the team was eager to have him return to the Blue and Gold for a fifth season. The two sides agreed to a one-year contract extension on Monday.

“I knew what I wanted, and the team was ready to give me everything I wanted plus a little bit more. I’m happy. I’m satisfied. All of the above,” he said Tuesday.

The Free Press asked five Winnipeg chefs to share the story behind their favourite or most memorable side dish so the supporting players on the holiday table can have their time in the limelight.