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Free Press Head Start for Nov. 18, 2025

Good morning.

A new 20-suite detox centre in South Point Douglas, where people high on long-lasting drugs can be held for up to 72 hours, will open for alcohol-related detentions by the end of the November. Chris Kitching reports.

The Manitoba Municipal Board’s decision on a hotly debated plan to build affordable homes at a Granite Curling Club parking lot is triggering fears it could set a dangerous precedent for city projects and leases. Joyanne Pursaga has the story.

— David Fuller

 

 

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Your forecast

Increasing cloudiness early this morning. Wind becoming south at 20 km/h near noon. High 4 C, wind chill -10 this morning. UV index 1 or low.

What’s happening today

Toronto novelist Terry Fallis lands in Winnipeg today to launch his new novel about a thriller writer turned CSIS operative trying to help trapped Canadian gold miners escape a politically unstable Mali.

Fallis launches The Marionette at 7 p.m. at McNally Robinson Booksellers’ Grant Park location, where he’ll be joined in converation by marketing/communications whiz and Free Press book reviewer Deborah Bowers. Ben Sigurdson has a full preview here.

Toronto-based novelist Terry Fallis’s 10th book is set in the midst of a CSIS operation in Mali. (Tim Fallis photo)

Toronto-based novelist Terry Fallis’s 10th book is set in the midst of a CSIS operation in Mali. (Tim Fallis photo)

Today’s must-read

Manitoba’s NDP government will open the third session of the 43rd legislature today with a pledge to have a supervised drug consumption facility up and running in January, the Free Press has learned.

The speech from the throne will, for the first time in the province’s history, be presented in English, French and Anishinaabemowin, the Manitoba dialect of the Ojibwa or Anishinaabe peoples.

And, after relying on an American company to sell provincial park passes and hunting and fishing licences for the past five years, Winnipeg-based Online Business Systems has been contracted to take over starting in 2026. The new deal is expected to create about 40 local jobs, a source said. Dan Lett, Tom Brodbeck and Julia-Simone Rutgers have more here.

After two years of listening tours and announcing plans, it’s time for the Kinew government to take action, say anti-poverty supporters and members of Manitoba’s business community ahead of Tuesday’s throne speech. Carol Sanders reports.

Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville (centre) will open the third session of the 43rd legislature today. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files)

Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville (centre) will open the third session of the 43rd legislature today. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press files)

As well, today’s provincial throne speech will announce the construction of an overpass at an intersection near Carberry, the site of a bus crash that killed 17 seniors two years ago, the Brandon Sun has learned.

The decision came after pressure from the community to abandon a tentative plan to construct a restricted crossing U-turn, or RCUT, at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5. Alex Lambert has the story.

A memorial sits at the intersection of the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 5, north of Carberry – not far from the scene of a deadly bus crash in 2023 that killed 17 seniors. (Tim Smith / The Brandon Sun)

A memorial sits at the intersection of the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 5, north of Carberry – not far from the scene of a deadly bus crash in 2023 that killed 17 seniors. (Tim Smith / The Brandon Sun)

On the bright side

Thousands more children will get nutritious snacks to eat on weekends thanks to Harvest Manitoba.

Harvest’s Meals2Go program is expanding from its current size — helping 5,000 students from kindergarten to Grade 8 — to assisting 7,000 each week at 21 schools in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and Opaskwayak Cree Nation near The Pas.

Harvest executive director Vince Barletta said the program helps ensure no child goes hungry over the weekend. Kevin Rollason has more here.

Grade five students Jordan Musseau (left), Elisha Tardeen, and Charles Malonzo pack meals at Harvest Manitoba’s Meals2Go program kickoff on Monday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Grade five students Jordan Musseau (left), Elisha Tardeen, and Charles Malonzo pack meals at Harvest Manitoba’s Meals2Go program kickoff on Monday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

On this date

On Nov. 18, 1938: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that trade barriers between the U.S. and Canada, and between the U.S. and the U.K., had been substantially lowered; as a result Canadian wheat would no longer enjoy prereferential treatment from the U.K. Two Trans-Canada Alliance pilots who were stationed in Winnipeg died in a plane crash two miles west of Regina. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

 
 

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Top news

Dean Pritchard:

Restaurant owner started fight, but man accused in fatal beating went beyond self-defence, Crown tells court

A Winnipeg man accused of beating Kyriakos Vogiatzakis to death outside his St. James-area restaurant nearly two years ago is expected to argue he was acting in self-defence, a court heard Monday. Read More

 

Kyle Duggan and David Baxter, The Canadian Press:

Carney Liberals narrowly survive crucial budget vote, preventing winter election

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government narrowly survived a crucial budget vote Monday evening, one that could have sent Canadians to the polls this winter but instead propped up the mi... Read More

 

Dean Pritchard:

Judge finds woman with schizophrenia not criminally responsible in stabbing death of 14-month-old son

A Manitoba woman has been found not criminally responsible for stabbing her 14-month-old son to death in a case a judge said highlights fatal gaps in the province’s mental-health system. Read More

 

Scott Billeck:

Encampment residents defiant as new policy takes effect

As the sun broke through the gap between two high-rise apartments on the north side of the Assiniboine River Monday morning, the large encampment tucked behind the Granite Curling Club lay quiet. Mond... Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Ken Wiebe:

Samberg’s return seamless

D-man’s hockey smarts a welcome addition to Jets blue line Read More

 

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press:

Grey Cup champions Saskatchewan Roughriders to hold parade in Regina following win

REGINA – It’s parade day as the Grey Cup champions Saskatchewan Roughriders bring the CFL’s top prize home.  The Riders are to hold a procession this afternoon in Regina down Albert... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman:

Hospital bed as easel

Artist with Parkinson’s prolific output celebrated with upcoming exhibitions Read More

 

Denise Duguay:

Sentimental journeys into holiday season

Confounding weather patterns aside, we are slipping into winter. Our screens are happy to oblige our hibernation urges with movies and series that might give the gift of a smile or a wee sniffle. Plus a sexy hockey drama! Whoa. Let’s have a look at some new viewing options. Read More

 
 

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Maple Leaf workers at Winnipeg plant vote in favour of strike

Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc. workers in Winnipeg could go on strike in the new year. Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

Cross-border ‘opportunities for synergies’

World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia representatives tour Manitoba capital to promote 2026 event, business links Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

Freedom Mobile to launch Manitoba wireless network in 2026

Freedom Mobile will build a wireless network in Manitoba starting next year, following a promise the Toronto-headquartered company it made upon entering the province in 2024. Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Running out of sewage options — quickly

Winnipeg should never find itself in a position where basic infrastructure threatens to run out of room. Read More

 

Nichelle Desilets:

Doctor retention needs focus in year ahead

It’s time for Manitoba’s annual check-up: the provincial government’s speech from the throne. Physicians watch closely because this is where government sets its priorities for improving health-care quality and access. Read More

 

Peter McKenna:

Why are women and young girls being murdered in Mexico?

Feminist activist Susana Chávez Castillo from Ciudad Juárez — who was strangled to death in 2011 — coined the phrase: “Not one woman less, not one more death.” Read More

 
 

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