Calling all readers from ages 7-15

Book gives patients tools for navigating the Canadian health-care system and getting treatment they need

More than a few of us have been known to complain about the Canadian health-care system: the lack of staffing, the long ER waits, the challenge of finding a family physician, the lengthy waiting lists for specialized tests and surgeries. There’s been an outcry for answers for a long time.

The publication of The Canadian Health Care Guerrilla Handbook: How to Fight for What You Need is welcome news for anyone seeking those answers.

Written by Michael Decter, who served as cabinet secretary in Manitoba before his move to Ontario — and Mike McCarthy, patient advocate and consultant who brings a personal story of living with hemophilia, the book is a must-have, packed with answers to commonly asked questions that will help the reader navigate a complex and fractured system.

The book, written in plain language, talks about how to get what you want and need: a family doctor, diagnostic tests, appropriate medications, a second opinion, long-term care, home care, mental-health care — all of that and more is easily accessible in its 217 pages.

Building bridges for the next generation

Change has been the motivation behind Clayton Sandy’s work for decades.

A member of Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, Sandy is an Indigenous knowledge keeper, cultural advisor and community advocate. His work has taken him into newcomer organizations, schools, hospitals and workplaces across Manitoba, where he teaches Indigenous history, mentors youth and helps build relationships between communities.

Sitting down for an interview with the Free Press, Sandy arrived with a busy calendar in hand, a reflection of the many projects and initiatives that continue to fill his days as he works to create change for future generations.

“I have two boys and I have five grandchildren. The racism I put up with was really bad,” Sandy said. “And I don’t want my grandchildren to put up with that garbage.”

What’s open, what’s closed, what’s up in Winnipeg on Terry Fox Day

The first Monday in August marks Terry Fox Day in Manitoba, honouring the legendary Canadian who was born in Winnipeg in 1958. 

Today’s horoscope

MOON ALERT: Caution. Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions from 1:15 p.m. until 10 p.m. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You have lots of mental energy because the moon is in your sign dancing with your ruler fiery Mars, which pushes you into a leadership role. It makes you feel independent and ready to challenge anyone who challenges you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Travellers in Winnipeg scramble to rebook flights as WestJet attendants reach tentative deal

WestJet flights were back in the skies Monday after a brief flight-attendant strike grounded planes across the country. But even as their cancelled flights were rebooked, many travellers spent the holiday scrambling to adapt to new, altered plans.

By 11:30 a.m. about 200 people were queued up in front of WestJet’s check-in booths at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. Many were there to check in for an afternoon flight to Toronto, which, along with most other WestJet flights for the day, was now listed on the departure board as proceeding as planned.

Others, unable to reach someone on WestJet’s apparently overburdened customer service hotline, were hoping to find a solution to altered travel plans that had delayed their travel by days, or in some cases rerouted them through other cities.

Dan Schenkeveld was among them. The Kamloops resident spent most of the past month on a deep wilderness canoe trip in Nunavut. When he got back in cellular service range, he learned that a WestJet flight attendant strike was looming: “We’re aware of the issues around unpaid work, and we’re compassionate to that,” he said.

Kevin Gausman traded by Toronto Blue Jays to Chicago Cubs

TORONTO - Kevin Gausman's time with the Toronto Blue Jays has come to an end.

The veteran right-hander was traded by the Blue Jays to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in return for outfielder Brett Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene.

Bateman, a 24-year-old outfielder, hit .312 with three homers, 20 steals and 33 RBIs in 82 games for triple-A Iowa this season. Southisene, a 21-year-old shortstop, hit .326 in 44 games for High-A South Bend.

Gausman signed a five-year, US$110-million deal with the Blue Jays on Dec. 21, 2021 and has been one of Toronto's most reliable starters for five seasons.