In brief

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This article was published 07/06/2025 (269 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

City approves zoning rules to promote development

Winnipeg city council has finally approved sweeping changes to zoning bylaws that aim to attract more home construction, following four days of feedback and debate.

Council voted in favour of the changes overnight Thursday, which will allow up to four housing units to be built on a single lot in most residential areas, and permit fourplexes up to 12 metres tall within 800 metres of high-frequency transit stops.

In a news release, the mayor’s office said the changes will ensure more than $450 million of federal funding flows through to Winnipeg. The federal government made the significant zoning changes a requirement to claim housing, sewage and transit funding.

“These changes are about the future of our city,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, in the release. “We’re growing fast, and we need to make sure there’s room for everyone — young workers, families, and older adults alike. These updates will help ensure Winnipeg stays affordable and competitive while making the best use of our existing infrastructure.”

Council will vote on a bylaw to implement the changes next week.

No charges for officers after man breaks leg

The province’s police oversight agency says no charges are warranted against Winnipeg officers in a December incident in which a man fell on ice and broke his leg after police used a Taser on him.

The Winnipeg Police Service said officers were called at about 2:40 a.m. on Dec. 19 about an intoxicated man armed with a knife trying to stab someone near the 400 block of Furby Street. Police found him brandishing the weapon and instead of dropping it as told, he walked toward them, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said. An officer then used the Taser.

The man was taken to hospital, where doctors found he had two broken bones in his right leg.

The IIU said Friday no charges would be laid against any police, after conducting interviews with witnesses and the man whose leg was broken.

Mom, kids assaulted at gunpoint: RCMP

A mother and her two children were assaulted at gunpoint in their home in McCreary in the early morning hours Thursday.

Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP were called to the home on 4th Avenue in McCreary, which is about 140 kilometres northwest of Brandon, at about 2:45 a.m.

Mounties were told by the homeowner that a woman she knew assaulted her and her kids inside the home and threatened them with a gun. The victim, 30, ran with her kids to a neighbour’s home to call police, RCMP say. No one was seriously hurt.

RCMP, along with the police dog and drone units, searched for the suspect and found her outside a home on Broderick Street with the drone. Officers on the ground then arrested the suspect, but did not find the gun.

Lacey Campbell, 38 of McCreary, is charged with pointing a firearm, assault, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and a court order breach.

Province warns of measles exposure

Manitoba public health officials are warning people may have been exposed to measles at two locations in the province late last month.

Officials said anyone who was at Green Valley School at 212 Oak Ave. in Grunthal on May 20 between 8:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. should monitor for symptoms of the highly infectious disease until June 11.

Anyone who was at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg on May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. should also monitor for symptoms until June 11, officials said.

The public health department has reached out to the Grunthal school to notify staff, volunteers and families of students to provide advice, including with letters, officials said.

Anyone who was at either location should check their records and make sure they’re up to date with the measles vaccine.

Two-day closure on Portage

Drivers will need to find an alternate route around Portage Avenue East at the start of next week.

A city news release notes a two-day closure to all traffic will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday to allow for paving.

The city expects to reopen the street, with some restrictions, after dusk on Tuesday.

Zoo welcomes grey wolves

The Assiniboine Park Zoo is welcoming a new addition with the recent arrival of a pack of five grey wolves.

The addition of Chinook (male, seven years), Gigi (female, seven years), Comet (male, three years), Stella (female, three years), and Virgo (female, three years) comes after the passing of Bear, the last member of the zoo’s original wolf pack, in March.

The wolves arrived from the Greater Vancouver Zoo on Thursday.

“Grey wolves are an iconic Canadian species that can be found across the country, including right here in Manitoba,” said Dr. Chris Enright, senior director of zoological operations, at Assiniboine Park Zoo. “Unfortunately, fear and misunderstanding have led to instances of human-wolf conflict and, in some cases, overhunting. Educating people about the critical role keystone species like wolves play in their ecosystems and why they should be protected is an important part of what we do here at the zoo.”

The grey wolves are the latest in a long string of new animals to be introduced to zoo visitors since last fall, including three red pandas, a great horned owl and and scarlet ibis, among many others.

4-H clubs to clean rural roadsides today

The province is warning motorists to be extra cautious today while crews of volunteers clean the roadsides of Manitoba highways.

Manitoban 4-H clubs will send out young members in crews to roadsides across the province from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. If it rains, crews will instead go out June 14.

The volunteers will wear safety vests and the areas being cleaned up will be marked with signage.