Competition bureau to publish a call for information on grocery pricing policies

Competition bureau to publish a call for information on grocery pricing policies

OTTAWA - Canada's competition bureau will move next week to begin gathering information on retail grocery pricing policies.

The agency is tasked with protecting and promoting competition for the benefit for Canadian consumers and businesses.

In June, the bureau launched an investigation of competition in the grocery sector, including potential problems in production, processing, transportation, distribution and pricing.

The bureau is also investigating how items are priced on store shelves and how consumers buy them using tools such as loyalty programs.

Province invests $3.8M in culinary arts training facility for francophone high school students

A new dedicated culinary arts training facility will give francophone high school students a place to learn the trade in French.

Legislation needed on vacant buildings

There is something deeply backwards about a system that lets a property owner keep a building boarded up indefinitely while neighbours are left to live with the consequences.

In Winnipeg, as long as the owner pays the taxes, follows the city’s vacant-building rules and pays the required fees, there is no hard deadline for the building to be dealt with.

The building can remain a neighbourhood eyesore. It can attract drug use and crime. It can become a fire hazard. And the people living nearby can be left wondering how long they are expected to put up with it.

Yet when Premier Wab Kinew was asked Friday whether his government would change provincial legislation to give Winnipeg the power to impose a time limit on such properties, he declined to answer.

Bathhouse owner upset after judge grants bail to man accused in foiled bombing

The owner of a Notre Dame Avenue bathhouse is troubled after a man accused of planting a pipe bomb outside his club was granted bail.

Erik Lymen Olson, 59, was granted release following a contested bail hearing last Monday.

“I don’t think he should have got out with something like this — at all,” said Christopher Gregoire, owner of AQ Sauna.

Olson was arrested Sept. 12, one day after allegedly planting a pipe bomb outside the sex and lifestyle club.

Horoscope

Moon alert: Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions until 1 p.m. After that, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Gemini.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

A busy, chatty day. Your communication skills are excellent. Wait until the moon alert is over to commit to any important decisions or ideas. Tap into your creative talents. It’s also a lovely day to schmooze and enjoy sports and kids’ activities.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Kinew adds cabinet portfolio to focus on first responders

Premier Wab Kinew shuffled his cabinet Monday and created a new ministerial position that will oversee first responders in the province.

Kinew appointed David Pankratz, the MLA for Waverley, as minister responsible for first responder initiatives.

Tuxedo MLA Carla Compton was appointed minister responsible for accessibility, taking over the role from Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine.

The new ministers were sworn in at a ceremony at the legislature Monday afternoon.