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Today’s must-read
A key contract change related to the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters project was highlighted Tuesday as an extremely rare move that raised the city’s risk.
Barb D’Avignon, the city’s manager of purchasing, was the first witness to testify at the public inquiry into the project, which began Tuesday morning.

The inquiry into the construction of the Winnipeg police headquarters building began today. (Jessica Lee / Free Press files)
D’Avignon was asked about documents that note she warned others the city’s decision to reduce a $40-million construction bond required for a project of such size to $25 million in early 2011 posed a “medium to high risk.” The bond was linked to an $80-million construction contract for the project.
“Never seen it before and I’ve never seen it again,” D’Avignon said about the reduced amount. Joyanne Pursaga has the story.
On the bright side
At post-secondary schools across Ontario students can be found taking unique courses, some of which have them learning about the history of witchcraft, studying Japanese comics or occasionally wearing a Dracula costume.
Instructors say these courses aren’t just for amusement – they’re also about teaching students critical thinking skills that are important now more than ever.
The Canadian Press reports on some interesting and niche course offerings at Ontario universities that instructors say engage students’ learning skills – and their fun sides.

The University of Toronto campus in Toronto (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press files)
On this date
On Feb. 11, 1969: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Ottawa, Ontario premier John Robarts called the national medical care insurance program “one of the greatest political frauds ever perpetrated on this country.” In Winnipeg, Eugene Drysdale was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the manslaughter of the three-year-old daughter of his common-law wife. Compulsory breath tests for motorists suspected of driving while impaired would come into effect in Manitoba on March 1. Read the rest of this day’s paper here. 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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