News briefs for Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Bombers trade for familiar face

5:50 PM

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have acquired quarterback Dru Brown from the Ottawa Redblacks.

The Bombers announced Tuesday evening that they have sent their first-round pick in 2027 and their second-round pick in 2028 (conditional) to Ottawa for Brown and a second-round pick in 2027 (which was previously traded by Winnipeg to Ottawa).

Brown spent three seasons with the Bombers between 2021-23 before having his negotiating rights acquired by the Redblacks on Jan. 18, 2024. Brown was Ottawa’s starter these past two seasons before losing the job for 2026 in training camp to Jake Maier.

Prenatal vitamins PST-free July 1

4:52 PM

Starting July 1, the province is removing the seven per cent PST from prenatal vitamins as part of broader efforts to support healthy pregnancies and women’s reproductive health, the Manitoba government announced Tuesday.

A government press release said it is also investing in resources new and expectant parents can count on, like the Parenting in Manitoba website and the Healthy Baby Community Supports program. They help parents access expert advice when they need it most, strengthening family supports and ensuring the healthy development of children, it said.

Man accused in Salter Street slaying arrested

3:09 PM

A man accused of manslaughter in a fatal assault at a Salter Street convenience store earlier this month has been arrested.

On Monday afternoon, officers arrested Jordan Aberaham Tyo, 28, on McKenzie Street, the Winnipeg Police Service said.

Tyo has been charged with manslaughter in the death of 34-year-old Kyle Christopher Desjarlais, a Métis man who had been living in the city.

Officers responded to the store on the 200 block of Salter just after 8 p.m. on June 8 and learned the victim had been approached by several individuals.

An argument escalated and Desjarlais was assaulted with a weapon before the suspects fled.

He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.

Arrest made in unprovoked Henry Avenue slaying

3:02 PM

Winnipeg police arrested a man accused in an unprovoked and fatal stabbing on Henry Avenue last week.

David Bryan Siemens, 37, was arrested near Main Street and Logan Avenue at about 11:30 a.m. on Monday by Winnipeg Police Service investigators in the area for an unrelated matter.

Siemens is accused of manslaughter in the unprovoked slaying of Ronald Alexander Grego Findlay, 55, last Thursday. He was discovered seriously injured on Henry Avenue shortly before 1:30 p.m. that day.

Investigators believe he was approached by the suspect and an altercation followed. The suspect brandished a weapon and stabbed the man before fleeing. Findlay was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Siemens remains in custody.

Siemens has a lengthy criminal record in Manitoba dating back to 2008, court records show. He’s been convicted of several assaults, robberies, thefts, weapons and drugs offences, as well as court order breaches.

Thompson schools evacuated after bomb threats

1:36 PM

Six schools in Thompson have been evacuated after a series of bomb threats were called in, RCMP say.

The buildings were evacuated “out of an abundance of caution,” while officers check each building, a news release said.

Two had been deemed safe as of about 1:30 p.m. Thompson residents were told to expect a heavy police presence.

Federal AI minister coming to Winnipeg

12:23 PM

Ottawa’s artificial intelligence minister will address Winnipeg’s business crowd on the heels of unveiling Canada’s national AI strategy.

Minister Evan Solomon is slated for a Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce event Tuesday, July 7.

The minister is expected to speak about the strategy, which covers artificial intelligence adoption and sovereignty.

In the strategy, Ottawa promises free AI literacy training and legislation on concerns such as surveillance pricing.

The Winnipeg event is set to run from 10 a.m. to noon at Inn at The Forks.

NDP nominates Jennifer Flett as candidate for The Pas-Kameesak

9:03 AM

The Manitoba NDP has nominated Jennifer Flett as its candidate for The Pas-Kameesak.

Flett, a former vice chief and councillor for Opaskwayak Cree Nation, was nominated Monday night. The Pas-Kameesak has not had a representative since the death of Amanda Lathlin in March, who had been the constituency’s MLA since 2015.

“I’m honoured to be chosen as your candidate in The Pas-Kameesak,” Flett said in an NDP news release. “I started working for my community many years ago because I understand how important it is to ensure Northern families continue to have a voice at the table. I look forward to the opportunity to bring your voices to the legislature.”

Flett has previously worked as a technician with the Treaty Five Administration Office and with the Correctional Service of Canada.

She beat out fellow candidates Elyse Lathlin, Amanda’s daughter, and Lori Lathlin, Amanda’s aunt, for the nomination.

One dead, one arrested after SUV crash in Keeseekoowenin First Nation

8:54 AM

A man has died and another has been arrested after a crash on Highway 354 on Saturday afternoon.

Yellowhead RCMP were called to the scene in Keeseekoowenin First Nation at around 2:30 p.m., where they found an SUV turned on its side. A passerby had taken the occupants of the vehicle to a nearby business. One, a 56-year-old man from Keeseekoowenin, had been ejected from the front seat in the crash. He was hospitalized in Minnedosa and later died. The driver and other passenger, both men, were not seriously injured.

The driver, 33-year-old Vincent Bone of Keeseekoowenin First Nation, was arrested for driving a vehicle while prohibited and failing to comply with the conditions of a release order. He was also ticketed $298 for driving an unregistered vehicle.