The Wrap: Baby steps in child care, shoplifting anxiety, battling hate, Indigenous Peoples Day, Rainbow Stage preview
Plus: Dr. Joss Reimer on a new episode of Niigaan and the Lone Ranger

Good evening. Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'It’s a terrible burden on parents'

Child care, vital for societal benefits, remains inaccessible for many families due to outdated government policies. This investigation by Free Press reporters Katrina Clarke and Jeff Hamilton is part of a six-part investigation into the state of child care in Manitoba, examining the underlying issues that put kids and families at risk.

It reveals a lack of transparency, unmet standards, and limited special needs care.

Experts argue for universal child care, highlighting successful international models and Quebec’s example.

Katrina Clarke:

Child-care chasm can be bridged

Other jurisdictions with universal, affordable daycare see positive impacts on domestic front, and economy Read More

Building Blocks, Crumbling Foundation: Child Care in Crisis

A six-part investigation into the state of child care in Manitoba, examining the underlying issues that put kids and families at risk.... Read More

Get ready to savour Manitoba's freshest summer flavours

'It makes me uncomfortable, but mostly mad'

Most Manitobans have anxiety about shoplifting and think efforts to prevent it should be stepped up, a poll commissioned by the Free Press has found.

Six in 10 respondents said they are concerned about witnessing a shoplifting incident or seeing a violent encounter between a thief and retail staff, the results show. Forty-five per cent reported they avoid shopping at places they perceive as theft hot spots.

Business reporter Gabrielle Piché talks to pollsters, customers, shop owners and industry experts.

Gabrielle Piché:

Anxiety attack

Majority of Manitobans fear witnessing shoplifting, violence in stores: poll Read More

'You never know what people are capable of doing'

Members of Winnipeg’s Jewish and Palestinian communities say they are facing unabated threats, intimidation or hate eight months after the Israel-Hamas war began, creating fear and tension as the conflict drags on.

But meanwhile, a decreasing number of Canadians believe antisemitism and Islamophobia are serious problems in this country.

Chris Kitching talks to people from both communities about a significant rise in hate-motivated incidents in places such as streets and schools and on social media, while John Longhurst reviews the results of an Angus Reid poll on religion and hate.

Chris Kitching:

Under threat by war on the other side of the globe

Jewish, Palestinian Winnipeggers target of increased hate, intimidation Read More

John Longhurst:

Fewer Canadians believe antisemitism, Islamophobia a problem: poll

A decreasing number of Canadians believes antisemitism and Islamophobia are serious problems in this country, a new survey says. In an Angus Reid Institute survey released on June 18, 69 per cent o... Read More

'It’s going to resonate across Canada'

Today is the 28th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time set aside for Canada to recognize and honour the diverse cultures, traditions and contributions of its First Nations, Métis and Inuit citizens.

Indigenous leaders, elders and performers gathered with civic and provincial government officials to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day and the renaming of Bishop Grandin Boulevard to Abinojii Mikanah.

And in opinion, Niigaan Sinclair writes that Indigenous Peoples Day is a great time to consider a new flag for Manitoba, while Rebecca Chambers reflects on the responsibility of doing the work of reconciliation.

Joyanne Pursaga:

Thoroughfare that bore residential school proponent’s name now honours missing children in Indigenous language

The new name of a major boulevard is being celebrated as a critical step in reconciliation amid calls for many more to follow. Indigenous leaders, elders and performers gathered with civic and prov... Read More

Katie May:

Students find their voice — in Ojibwa

A group of students ranging in age from under 18 to over 70 is the latest Red River College Polytechnic class to learn the power of the Ojibwa language. About 26 students enrolled in this spring’s ... Read More

Niigaan Sinclair:

Manitoba needs a flag representing more than one history, one future

Everything in Canada begins with Indigenous peoples, and our knowledge and relationships in this place for a millennium. Read More

Rebecca Chambers:

Contemplation cramped by cleaning up others’ messes

As partners in reconciliation, we need to remember, like canoeists, to “pack out what we pack in,” even when it wasn’t ours to begin with. Read More

Ben Waldman:

Defining reconciliation: insights from WAG-Qaumajuq discussion on building respectful relationships

How to define reconciliation? It was the central question to a wide-ranging discussion Wednesday at WAG-Qaumajuq including Free Press editor Paul Samyn, WAG-Qaumajuq director and CEO Stephen Borys, Free Press columnist and academic Niigaan Sinclair and Julie Lafreniere, head of Indigenous ways and learning at WAG-Qaumajuq. Read More

'Family is everything'

Brothers, sisters, uncles, nephews, husbands, wives and titas unite in Ma-Buhay, the long-awaited, all-Filipino musical that opens the season at Rainbow Stage on June 27.

The Rainbow Stage première features four sets of siblings, three married couples, a father and his son, an uncle and his nephew, and a legendary tita who taught most of them how to sing.

Arts reporter Ben Waldman chatted with a few families within the greater Ma-Buhay family.

Ben Waldman:

Everything’s relative

Onstage and on the page, new musical is filled with Filipino family connections Read More

Niigaan and the Lone Ranger

Columnists Dan Lett and Niigaan Sinclair offer a new episode of their podcast.

Niigaan and the Lone Ranger Podcast:

Trump and trade and Kinew, oh my!

A candid chat with the Winnipeg mayor about opening Portage and Main to pedestrians and (possibly) closing Graham Avenue to cars. And other stuff. Read More