The Wrap: Police tow contract, BerMax case limbo, and making the case for bike lanes
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The City of Winnipeg has awarded a new contract to Tartan Towing, a company it is suing for allegedly overcharging the municipal government in the past.

On Aug. 2, the city awarded Tartan a contract to tow and store vehicles when Winnipeg police call for it, such as in cases of impaired, unlicensed or suspended driving.

In 2023, the city sued Tartan, alleging the government paid the company more than $1 million between 2016 and 2022 for “invalid” tows it either did not perform or recorded improperly. The allegations have not been proven in court and Tartan has filed a countersuit.

Five years after they were accused of staging antisemitic hate crimes at their River Heights restaurant, there are no signs three members of a Winnipeg family will ever return to the city to face prosecution.

Alexander and Oxana Berent and their son, Maxim Berent, were charged with public mischief after alleging their Corydon Avenue restaurant, BerMax Caffé and Bistro, had been the target of four antisemitic attacks in 2019.

Court reporter Dean Pritchard looked into where the case stands.

Every year in Winnipeg, an average of 70 people riding a bike are hit by drivers so severely that an injury report is filed with the police.

Yet, naysayers voiced opposition when the city began recent public consultation for three new protected bike lanes.

In his latest column, Brent Bellamy dismantles common arguments against building more bike lanes, and “we can’t afford it” is no excuse.

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