Paramedic petition fails to change folk fest first aid procedures

School division’s mental-health liaison helps students in crisis access help faster

A youth experiencing a mental-health crisis at a River East Transcona school was connected with specialized care within hours this fall, offering an early example of how a new partnership is helping students in distress.

After the teen made statements that raised safety concerns, school administrators contacted a newly appointed mental-health crisis liaison, who arrived within 30 minutes, assessed the situation and met with the student, their family and school staff.

By the end of the morning, the student was admitted to a crisis stabilization unit for several days, and arrangements were made for followup therapy.

The intervention was possible because of a pilot partnership between RETSD and The Link: Youth and Family Supports, which began at the start of the school year.

Prime Minister Carney says it’s time to move ‘beyond’ the Indian Act

OTTAWA - A historic meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney, premiers and First Nations was meant to build bridges between communities and work out issues related to major projects development, the respecting of rights, health and public safety amid rising tensions.

But it ended with calls from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to abolish the controversial Indian Act, and agreement from Carney something must be done about the legislation from 1876 that governs First Nations -- something protestors outside the Ottawa venue were warning about before the announcement was even made, and something likely to generate heated debate.

Carney said he will instruct his ministers to work with First Nations to move Canada beyond the Indian Act, which he said could mean reforming it or abolishing it altogether. He said changes would only be made in partnership with First Nations leadership.

The Indian Act gives Ottawa sweeping powers over First Nations communities and people, including by defining who qualifies for recognition, what reserves can and can't do, dismantles traditional forms of governance and, at one point, outlawed ceremonial practices. 

Top of the tube: Free Press writers add their favourite TV shows to the NYT’s best-of-the-century list

Earlier this month, the New York Times released a list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century. Based on a survey of 500 showrunners, stars, writers, executives and other notable television figures, the list is a great resource to discover some of the truly stellar series of the past quarter-century.

The top 10 are probably not surprising if you’re an aficionado of the small screen:

10. Atlanta9. Curb Your Enthusiasm8. 30 Rock7. Veep6. Game of Thrones5. Fleabag4. Succession3. Mad Men2. The Wire1. Breaking Bad

But the Free Press arts department is filled with ardent TV fans who, if not begging to differ, wanted to see a few of their favourite shows added to the list.

Echoes of Idle No More as Carney set to meet with First Nations

The prime minister, premiers and First Nations leaders will meet in Ottawa Monday to discuss a host of issues, including Indigenous involvement in energy and resource development projects.

‘Exciting’ turn for mayoral candidate Noah Redden as election race enters final stretch

A small but steady stream of voters arrived at a Portage Avenue diner Sunday to meet Noah Redden, just two days after a new poll suggested the 27-year-old has emerged as a player in Winnipeg’s race for mayor.

Once a low-polling candidate, the software developer is now in third place with 14 per cent support, tied with candidate Mike Vogiatzakis, an Abacus Data survey released Friday shows.

Incumbent Scott Gillingham remains in the lead with the support of 36 per cent of decided voters — 19 percentage points lower than a September survey conducted by Abacus for the Free Press.

The new data placed former city councillor and Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Kevin Klein in second place with 19 per cent support — a drop of four percentage points since September.

Western inland ports form alliance

CentrePort Canada Inc. has formed an alliance with three other inland ports.

President and CEO Carly Edmundson signed a memorandum of understanding in Ottawa on Monday with Global Transportation Hub Authority, located in Regina; Port Alberta, located in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region; and Prairie Economic Gateway, a shovel-ready collaboration between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County.

The newly formed Canadian Inland Ports Alliance will align on major inland port initiatives, strengthening seaport-to-hinterland connectivity and supporting a more resilient, diversified and competitive Canadian trade network, the alliance announced in a news release.

The four ports have been in conversation since the summer, Edmundson told the Free Press on Monday. The alliance responds to growing pressures facing Canada’s trade and transportation network, including congestion, shifting trade partners, supply chain disruptions, marine gateway constraints and the need for stronger inland capacity.