Tasty tidbits

Letters, Aug. 11

I believe most of us would agree that “you should be prepared to accept full responsibility” when choosing to own a pet. I also understand that pet ownership comes with costs, environmental concerns and risks, particularly when animals are neglected or poorly managed. However, the reality is that pets are deeply embedded in our homes and communities, providing benefits that are difficult to measure in dollars.

Hydro’s planned $3B gas turbines purchase misguided, bad for environment, critics say

Despite defending a $3-billion gas turbine purchase as the most reliable power source in freezing temperatures, Manitoba Hydro’s gas turbines in Brandon have had outages during three of the 10 highest usage times over the past five winters — a sign that the Crown corporation’s long-term power plan needs re-evaluation, environmental groups say.

Transcona councillor faces new sex assault charge

A Winnipeg city councillor accused of sex assault earlier this year has been charged with sexually abusing another victim.

Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt, 56, was charged Monday with sexual assault and administering a noxious thing over a 2023 incident.

The alleged 2023 assault was reported to Winnipeg Police Service sex crimes investigators in April, after Wyatt’s arrest in March on the previous sex crime charges.

In the 2023 incident, a man told police he became acquainted with Wyatt on a website in July of that year and said they met in person on more than one occasion.

Poilievre’s simplistic bluster a desperate bid for attention in a serious moment for nation

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s suggestion that Mark Carney needs more “backbone” to negotiate with Donald Trump would be easier to take seriously if anyone had actually figured out how to negotiate with the U.S. president.

They haven’t.

Not Canada. Not Mexico. Not the European Union. Not Japan. Not South Korea. And, at times, not even the senior officials working inside Trump’s own administration.

There is, however, an obvious political reason for Poilievre to be making the argument now, which he did in a recent letter to the prime minister.

Ex-Winnipegger taking second shot at Grand Beach-to-Gimli fundraising swim

Jonathon Fenton has some unfinished business in Lake Winnipeg.

Last summer, the 62-year-old attempted to swim from Grand Beach to Gimli, making it 16 kilometres before shoulder problems forced him to stop.

Now, the two-time cancer survivor, who lives in Alberta but grew up in Winnipeg, is returning for a second try — hoping to complete the crossing while raising money for cancer care and research through the second year of his Jonny’s Big Swim fundraiser.

Fenton will get at it Saturday morning, weather and water conditions permitting. The full route from Grand Beach to Gimli is about 26 kilometres, though Fenton said he may stop at Willow Point, just south of Gimli, which would shorten the swim to roughly 22 kilometres.

Former Selkirk teacher convicted of sexual assault denies latest abuse claim

A former private school teacher convicted of sexual assault against several students has denied he abused the Manitoba man who’s now suing him over different claims of sexual violence.