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Free Press Head Start for May 7, 2026

Good morning.

Seven-hour waits — or longer — are a reality for some Manitoba shippers trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border. Glitches in Ottawa’s digital portal for goods pre-clearance are causing delays, and it’s renewed calls from industry for a system revamp as businesses lose money and customers. Gabrielle Piché has the story.

A Winnipeg Police Service constable on trial accused of stealing marijuana from a crime scene he had been assigned to guard pointed the finger Wednesday at his partner that evening — now-imprisoned former constable Elston Bostock. Dean Pritchard reports.

Winnipeg families are decrying an elementary school’s decision to rebrand an annual tradition — making macaroni necklaces and other crafts for Mother’s Day — in the name of inclusion. Maggie Macintosh has more here.

— David Fuller

 

 

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Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud, becoming sunny this morning. Wind becoming northwest at 20 km/h early this afternoon. High 11 C, wind chill -7 this morning. UV index 5 or moderate.

What’s happening today

📽️ On now at the Berney Theatre at Asper Jewish Community Campus and running until May 23 is the Winnipeg International Jewish Film Festival. Ben Waldman has a preview here.

You Had to Be There, a documentary directed by Nick Davis, looks back at the many Canadian-Jewish artists who found success after appearing in the original Toronto production of Godspell. (Supplied)

You Had to Be There, a documentary directed by Nick Davis, looks back at the many Canadian-Jewish artists who found success after appearing in the original Toronto production of Godspell. (Supplied)

🖼️ Ningiukulu Teevee: Stories from Kinngait, an exhibition featuring her poignant and playful prints and drawings that make legible the oral stories passed down for generations, opens at WAG-Qaumajuq. Jen Zoratti has a preview here.

Today’s must-read

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan says it sounds like the premier has lost confidence in the Speaker.

Speaker Tom Lindsey added the words “racist,” “bigot,” “misogynist,” “transphobe” and “homophobe” to existing banned words in the legislative chamber Monday after excessive heckling in recent months. Premier Wab Kinew rebuked the move later that day, saying he would continue to “call out hate” when he sees it.

“The language that the Speaker has identified is language that is banned as unparliamentary in other legislatures,” Khan said Wednesday. “It’s up to the Speaker to enforce (the ban). It will be interesting to see how he enforces (it).” Carol Sanders has the story.

Speaker Tom Lindsey heads towards the Assembly Chamber for Question Period Wednesday afternoon. (Mike Deal / Free Press)

Speaker Tom Lindsey heads towards the Assembly Chamber for Question Period Wednesday afternoon. (Mike Deal / Free Press)

On the bright side

Gathered under the newly unveiled logo of École Mazina-Giizhik, students of all ages told a crowd what they’ve learned about their school’s namesake on Wednesday.

They spoke about how athletic and studious Murray Sinclair was when he was their age, his groundbreaking career in law and his legacy as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“He listened and listened and listened some more,” one girl told more than 300 people who showed up for an evening naming ceremony at 355 des Hivernants Blvd. in Sage Creek.

The Louis Riel School Division’s newest building pays tribute to Sinclair’s spirit name, an Anishinaabemowin phrase that translates to “The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky.” Maggie Macintosh has more here.

Niigaan Sinclair (left), with his daughter, Sarah Fontaine-Sinclair, at the renaming ceremony of École Sage Creek Bonavista to École Mazina-Giizhik in honour of his father, the late justice Murray Sinclair. (Brook Jones / Free Press)

Niigaan Sinclair (left), with his daughter, Sarah Fontaine-Sinclair, at the renaming ceremony of École Sage Creek Bonavista to École Mazina-Giizhik in honour of his father, the late justice Murray Sinclair. (Brook Jones / Free Press)

On this date

On May 7, 1964: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the federal government would underwrite large losses the provinces might incur in the operation of their crop insurance schemes because of very bad years. Winnipeg real estate men said premier Duff Roblin’s choice of the Main Street location for the Winnipeg Arts Centre might bankrupt the entire centennial organization because of land costs.

Today’s front page

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

 
 

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Top news

Chris Kitching:

Sex, lifestyle club closing after neighbourhood policy blocks proposed bar

The X Club, originally Aquarius Bath House under previous ownership, will shut its doors May 24, with the current owner citing high costs and a stymied bid to add a bar. Read More

 

Skye Anderson:

Crown wants sword attack on Brandon student treated as terrorist act

BRANDON — Federal prosecutors intend to apply for the rarely used terrorism provision of the Criminal Code in the case of a teenage male charged with attacking a student with a sword at Neelin High Sc... Read More

 

Joyanne Pursaga:

City sells North End building to longtime daycare tenant at hefty discount

The City of Winnipeg will sell a Salter Street property for $200,000 to a daycare that has used the space for decades. Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

Security assessment underway for public housing block home-care workers won’t visit

A public housing block no longer being serviced by home care due to safety concerns is undergoing a security assessment. On Wednesday, a collective of government and non-profit representatives met ... Read More

 

Tyler Searle:

Assault at city pot store reinforces union’s safety demands

The sexual assault of a woman while she worked at a cannabis shop has reignited calls to bolster safety requirements at city pot shops, where some in the sector say employees are at risk. Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Ken Wiebe:

Moose backed into corner

Facing third elimination game of post-season after loss in Grand Rapids Read More

 

Taylor Allen:

‘Seeing how much the Winnipeg community gets around their football’

Quarterback Perkins has more than one connection to Blue and Gold as rookie camp opens Read More

 

Mike McIntyre:

Frozen fish get into swing of things

Weather aside, Goldeyes warmed by potential of new season at training camp Read More

 

Mike McIntyre:

‘It’s more than just a baseball team here’

Goldeyes’ Murphy playing for the love of a game in a city he calls home Read More

 

Taylor Allen:

Bombers QB Elgersma not exactly your typical rookie

A little snowfall in May wasn’t going to spoil the opening day of Blue Bombers rookie camp for Taylor Elgersma. “To be here for the first time looking around this place, it’s beautiful. What more c... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman:

Winning filmmaker Sidney Phommarath honoured for her work

After screening her latest documentary at last weekend’s FascinAsian Film Festival, Winnipeg’s Sidney Phommarath has received the Erin Hembrador Emerging Filmmaker Award. Hembrador, who died in 202... Read More

 

What’s up

Free Press staff recommend things to do this week Read More

 
 

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Venerable Winnipeg retailer Warehouse One seeks to liquidate chain

Winnipeg-based Warehouse One Clothing Ltd. is insolvent and is seeking court protection to restructure its business as it prepares to close more than 120 stores across Canada. Read More

 

Malak Abas:

Prepping for hands-on future

Manitoba Construction Career Expo draws students from across province with goal of ‘AI-resilient’ career options Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Dan Lett:

City missing opportunity to help the homeless, save significant amount of money

By all accounts, Winnipeg could face a tsunami of homelessness this summer. And, by many of those same accounts, Winnipeg is woefully unprepared. Last month, End Homelessness Winnipeg released a ne... Read More

 

Editorial:

Banning five words won’t clean up the legislature

Back in the 1960s, legendary counterculture comedian George Carlin gained notoriety — and sparked no small measure of controversy — with a standup bit in which he described the seven words that can never be said on television. Read More

 

Allan Levine:

Trump’s DOJ targets Comey again

When I first read about the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuting James Comey, the former director of the FBI, for allegedly threating U.S. President Donald Trump in a May 2025 Instagram post in which Comey, while walking on a beach, came across seashells arranged to spell out “86 47,” I thought it was a joke. Read More

 
 

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