Ian Baker-Finch will retire from golf coverage on CBS

Prime Minister Carney says it’s time to move ‘beyond’ the Indian Act

OTTAWA - A historic meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney, premiers and First Nations was meant to build bridges between communities and work out issues related to major projects development, the respecting of rights, health and public safety amid rising tensions.

But it ended with calls from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to abolish the controversial Indian Act, and agreement from Carney something must be done about the legislation from 1876 that governs First Nations -- something protestors outside the Ottawa venue were warning about before the announcement was even made, and something likely to generate heated debate.

Carney said he will instruct his ministers to work with First Nations to move Canada beyond the Indian Act, which he said could mean reforming it or abolishing it altogether. He said changes would only be made in partnership with First Nations leadership.

The Indian Act gives Ottawa sweeping powers over First Nations communities and people, including by defining who qualifies for recognition, what reserves can and can't do, dismantles traditional forms of governance and, at one point, outlawed ceremonial practices. 

‘Exciting’ turn for mayoral candidate Noah Redden as election race enters final stretch

A small but steady stream of voters arrived at a Portage Avenue diner Sunday to meet Noah Redden, just two days after a new poll suggested the 27-year-old has emerged as a player in Winnipeg’s race for mayor.

Once a low-polling candidate, the software developer is now in third place with 14 per cent support, tied with candidate Mike Vogiatzakis, an Abacus Data survey released Friday shows.

Incumbent Scott Gillingham remains in the lead with the support of 36 per cent of decided voters — 19 percentage points lower than a September survey conducted by Abacus for the Free Press.

The new data placed former city councillor and Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Kevin Klein in second place with 19 per cent support — a drop of four percentage points since September.

Property tax hike included in Gillingham’s costed platform

Mayoral candidate Scott Gillingham says property taxes will rise another 3.5 per cent in 2027, with no set cap on potential increases in each of the following three years, if he is re-elected as mayor on Wednesday.

A new property tax target would instead be determined by city council for the following three budget years, with a goal to keep annual hikes “close to inflation,” respect affordability and protect essential services, Gillingham said while releasing a costed election platform Monday.

“To say today we’re going to set a (property tax hike) target, set an amount without knowing where the inflationary rates would go would be irresponsible,” he said.

In his 2022 election campaign, Gillingham promised to raise taxes by 3.5 per cent per year. However, the city instead imposed a 5.95 per cent property tax hike in 2025, Winnipeg’s largest single-year increase since the 1990s.

Winnipeggers unhappy with city leadership, but mostly unwilling to do anything about it

This is not an endorsement (not my job) nor is it a prediction (predictions are for suckers) of what will happen Wednesday in Winnipeg’s mayoral race. It is, however, a call to arms for voters.