News briefs for Thursday, May 21, 2026

RCMP catch Winnipeg speeder twice in an hour

4:33 PM

A Winnipeg motorist is facing a large fine after RCMP said he was caught speeding twice in less than an hour. 

On Wednesday at 1 a.m. officers with Lundar RCMP pulled over a car for travelling 41 km/h over the posted 100 km/h speed limit on Highway 6 in the Rural Municipality of Coldwell, said an RCMP release Thursday. 

Thirty-seven minutes later, Lundar RCMP pulled over the same driver a second time for travelling 58 km/h over the posted 100 km/h limit. 

The 29-year-old man has since been fined $1,395 and was issued a serious offence notice. 

Resource centre worker charged with sexual assault of teen client

3:40 PM

A 38-year-old man accused of luring a teenager he met at a resource centre he worked at and assaulting the victim at his home has been arrested.

Winnipeg Police Service sex crimes investigators began investigating sexual assault allegations involving the resource centre worker in February, said a Thursday news release.

They learned the man had “befriended” a teen client and “forged a relationship,” before luring the victim to his home through social media, where the teenager was sexually assaulted.

On Wednesday, investigators arrested the suspect at his home on the 300 block of Boyd Avenue. The 38-year-old, whose name has not been released, is facing charges of sexual assault, sexual exploitation and luring. He was released on an undertaking.

Police would not elaborate on what kind of resource centre the accused worked at and did not release the victim’s gender.

‘Serious’ collision closes stretch of westbound Portage Avenue

3:08 PM

Winnipeg police are investigating a serious collision involving three vehicles on Portage Avenue that has closed a stretch of the road’s westbound lanes to traffic.

The collision on the 2200 block of Portage, just east of Mount Royal road, occurred at about 12:30 p.m., said Winnipeg Police Service Const. Pat Saydak.

Traffic on westbound Portage Avenue is being diverted at Conway Street. Police are asking motorists to avoid the area. Saydak said at about 3 p.m. that he did not yet know how long the closure may last.

He could not immediately provide details on any injuries.

Organizations get $2M to improve downtown safety

2:32 PM

The provincial government is giving more than $2 million to improve safety in Winnipeg’s downtown this summer.

Five business organizations are receiving the funds “to build and enhance community partnerships that protect public safety with a focus on de-escalation and wellness,” a provincial news release Thursday stated.

The Downtown Community Safety Partnership and Downtown Winnipeg BIZ will each receive $750,000. The West End BIZ will get $300,000, the Exchange District BIZ $250,000 and the West Broadway BIZ $150,000.

“These investments are about bringing people, fun and life back to our downtown for another incredible summer,” Premier Wab Kinew said in the release.

They organizations may use funding for security upgrades, including cameras, alarm systems, anti-graffiti coatings, fencing or vandalism repairs.

Ottawa tabs $900K for major project consultations in Manitoba

1:25 PM

Ottawa has slated $900,000 to consult with Manitoba First Nations ahead of launching major infrastructure projects.

The money — spread over three years — comes from a $10.1 million pool for consultations in the federal government’s 2025 budget.

Funding will allow for travel and information sharing between governments and Indigenous communities, many of which are remote, Bunibonibee Cree Nation Chief Sheila North said Thursday.

It’s a continuation of conversations between First Nations and the federal government regarding the Port of Churchill.

Manitoba has been pushing for the federal government to make the Port of Churchill a priority project, saying it could be the newest trade gateway to markets such as Europe.

The feds must commit to implementing past promises, including treaty land entitlements, alongside involving First Nations in major projects, North said.

Province gives $500K for Ukrainian newcomer training

12:41 PM

The Manitoba government marked Vyshyvanka Day by giving $500,000 toward language training for Ukrainian newcomers.

The funds, provided to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Manitoba Provincial Council, will help expand English training programs and support the long-term integration of newcomers, the province announced in a news release Thursday.

The Manitoba chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has delivered English language programming to about 900 adults across Manitoba from July 2025 to February of this year.

Manitoba has become home to many Ukrainians since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The funding will allow the hiring of program staff and the expansion of course offerings, the release said.

Vyshyvanka Day, which is marked on the third Thursday in May, celebrates Ukrainian culture and highlights traditional embroidered clothing known as vyshyvankas.

Man accused of attempting to recruit gang prospects in northern First Nation sought by police

10:55 AM

RCMP are searching for a second suspect after arresting one man accused of attempting to recruit prospects to a street gang in a northern Manitoba First Nation.

RCMP in Chemawawin Cree Nation were advised on May 9 that two men, believed to be affiliated with an unspecified street gang, were in the community trying to recruit gang prospects.

The two men, who were believed to be armed, were already wanted by police, say RCMP.

Local officers, along with officers from Grand Rapids, the police dog unit and tactical officers, got warrants to search homes in the community to look for the men and located one of the suspects.

Arnold Edward Bourassa, 42, of Chemawawin was charged on an outstanding warrant, but Mounties are still searching for Douglas Johnsen, 45.

RCMP ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Chemawawin detachment at 204-329-2000 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.