WEATHER ALERT

True north, strong and free Thousands gather at the Manitoba legislature to show what it means to be Canadian By: Photos by John Woods, Free Press Posted: Last Modified:

Thousands gathered in front of the Manitoba legislature Sunday afternoon to celebrate what it means to be Canadian. Free Press staff photographer John Woods was at the Rally for Canada event to capture the spirit of the event.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2025 (461 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thousands gathered in front of the Manitoba legislature Sunday afternoon to celebrate what it means to be Canadian. Free Press staff photographer John Woods was at the Rally for Canada event to capture the spirit of the event.

Adam Hannah waved his flag at the legislative grounds for the Rally For Canada event, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (John Woods / Free Press)
Adam Hannah waved his flag at the legislative grounds for the Rally For Canada event, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (John Woods / Free Press)
Thousand of people gathered at the legislative grounds. (John Woods / Free Press)
Thousand of people gathered at the legislative grounds. (John Woods / Free Press)
Attendees were treated to performances by Indigenous community dancers, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Fred Penner. (John Woods / Free Press)
Attendees were treated to performances by Indigenous community dancers, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Fred Penner. (John Woods / Free Press)
Canadian patriotic pride was everywhere at the rally. (John Woods / Free Press)
Canadian patriotic pride was everywhere at the rally. (John Woods / Free Press)
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was present at the rally meeting and greeting the public. (John Woods / Free Press)
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was present at the rally meeting and greeting the public. (John Woods / Free Press)
Barbara, from left, Sylvia, Edward, Nicki, John showed off their pride for the event. (John Woods / Free Press)
Barbara, from left, Sylvia, Edward, Nicki, John showed off their pride for the event. (John Woods / Free Press)
Cheryl Wozniak displayed her flag during the rally. (John Woods / Free Press)
Cheryl Wozniak displayed her flag during the rally. (John Woods / Free Press)
Canadian sovereignty was never in question as protestors rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to have Canada become the 51st state. (John Woods / Free Press)
Canadian sovereignty was never in question as protestors rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to have Canada become the 51st state. (John Woods / Free Press)
Mr. Richard and Hudson came dressed for the occasion. (John Woods / Free Press)
Mr. Richard and Hudson came dressed for the occasion. (John Woods / Free Press)
Premier Wab Kinew spoke with protestors during the rally. (John Woods / Free Press)
Premier Wab Kinew spoke with protestors during the rally. (John Woods / Free Press)
Spirit Sands Dancers were one of the numerous performers who took to the stage. (John Woods / Free Press)
Spirit Sands Dancers were one of the numerous performers who took to the stage. (John Woods / Free Press)
Premier Wab Kinew spoke passionately about being Canadian.(John Woods / Free Press)
Premier Wab Kinew spoke passionately about being Canadian.(John Woods / Free Press)

John Woods
Photojournalist

   Read full biography

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Related Articles

Patriotic pride, anger on display
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Hundreds of Manitobans gathered on the legislature grounds in downtown Winnipeg to show their patriotic pride.
So many of They, The People, are lovely neighbours; why don’t they seem to care?
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Hundreds of people gather at the legislative grounds for the Rally For Canada, Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Manitoba government adopts, fixes torn Canadian flag from football team
Workers install a large Canadian flag on the front of the Manitoba legislative building in Winnipeg on Tuesday Mar. 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert
Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Local singer-songwriter Fontine opens the main stage at the Winnipeg Folk Festival on Thursday.

Colourful folk festival campground a hive of creative activity

Eva Wasney 5 minute read Preview

Colourful folk festival campground a hive of creative activity

Eva Wasney 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

The 51st annual Winnipeg Folk Festival had yet to commence, but festivities in the campground were already in full swing.

The festival campground opened early Wednesday morning and provides a temporary home to more than 6,000 residents during the four-day music festival at Birds Hill Provincial Park.

By Thursday afternoon, the area had been transformed into a sea of colourful tents and trailers. A steady stream of campers could be seen hauling wagons from the parking lot loaded with essentials: coolers and tarps, sleeping bags and sunscreen.

Others brought a little more than the basics.

Read
Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

‘Sorry’ just won’t atone for tactless ‘tank’ talk

Maureen Scurfield 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I didn’t know my wife was in the house when I was talking to my brother on the phone about her new bathing suit “which makes her look like a tank.”

She walked up behind me while I was on the phone and said loudly, “I guess you won’t want to be having sex with a tank at the lake then!” No amount of apologizing is getting me past this one, it seems.

The temperature is rather frosty in our bedroom, and we leave for the lake in two weeks. Should I invite her to criticize my imperfect body? I don’t want to do that, or I’ll never be able to sleep with her again. Please help!

— Big Mouth, East Kildonan

CHERYL HNATIUK / FREE PRESS Victoria Rose holding a ‘The Fat Boy’ at Dari Isle Drive-In in Minnedosa.

Burger-slinger brings Minnedosa its own version of a sloppy classic

David Sanderson 8 minute read Preview

Burger-slinger brings Minnedosa its own version of a sloppy classic

David Sanderson 8 minute read Yesterday at 2:23 PM CDT

MINNEDOSA — It could have been his chili-smothered secret.

One of the first things Zac Easton did four years ago after he and his wife Cass became the latest set of owners of the Dari Isle Drive-In, a seasonal, 70-seat restaurant that has operated in Minnedosa since 1965, was introduce a fatboy hamburger to the menu.

The 31-year-old grew up in Westwood. As an homage to the burger haunts of his youth — iconic spots such as the Burger Place, Nick’s Inn and the Dairi-Wip Drive-in — he was excited to show off his version of the Greek-style favourite at their new premises.

The interesting thing was, many of the people from the southwestern Manitoba town didn’t have a clue what a fatboy was, and those who ordered it that first summer assumed it was the Eastons’ own creation.

Read
Yesterday at 2:23 PM CDT
Supplied Somersall with Smitty, the cat who chose her at the PEI Humane Society.

Marla Somersall devoted her life to people in need

Zoe Pierce 6 minute read Preview

Marla Somersall devoted her life to people in need

Zoe Pierce 6 minute read 6:00 AM CDT

Whether it was helping women build businesses in rural Tunisia, leading homeless and addiction support organizations or delivering meals to vulnerable Manitobans, Marla Somersall spent her life dedicated to lessening other people’s suffering.

Over a career that took her from North Africa to Prince Edward Island and back to Manitoba, Somersall held leadership roles in a range of social service and non-profit organizations, always drawn to work that centred on supporting people in need.

Most recently, she served as executive director of Meals on Wheels Winnipeg — a non-profit organization that provides meals to people who are unable to prepare them for themselves.

Kelly Scrivener, client co-ordinator with Meals on Wheels, said Somersall was a very calm and respectful person who led with gentle direction and fostered a collaborative workplace.

Read
6:00 AM CDT
Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown’s (4) teammates say it feels like the pivot never left after calling plays in practice Thursday at Princess Auto Stadium.

Bombers backup Brown takes the reins in clash against Argos

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Bombers backup Brown takes the reins in clash against Argos

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026

Mike O’Shea isn’t a big fan of letting reporters under the hood when it comes to how certain decisions get made.

Yet, as the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was pressed for information on how he came to his final conclusion before naming Dru Brown his starting quarterback for Friday’s showdown with the Toronto Argonauts, O’Shea worked through a number of questions before revealing this decision eventually made itself.

“We brought Dru in for a reason. We brought Dru in for this reason,” said O’Shea, noting the final call wasn’t made until Thursday morning. “So, you execute the plan as it was laid out.”

Asked a follow-up question for clarification, O’Shea made it clear that he prefers not to deal with hypotheticals, even if precautions are made to cover all of the bases.

Read
Thursday, Jul. 9, 2026
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Desmond Young is the drummer for Leavesliketinyflames. When the band hits the road for a tour of the West Coast in August, it will struggle with high gas prices.

Canadian artists grapple with touring difficulties as gas prices rise

Conrad Sweatman 1 minute read Preview

Canadian artists grapple with touring difficulties as gas prices rise

Conrad Sweatman 1 minute read 9:00 AM CDT

It’s a story as old as rock and roll: some kids hop in a van, fill up on cigarettes and gas, and let ‘er rip on the Trans-Canada Highway in pursuit of fun, fame and fortune.

Or, failing fortune, a wad of 20s and loose change to cover gas on the way home two weeks later.

If they turn on the radio before reaching the Perimeter, hopefully the bad news and bad vibes they hear won’t persuade them into pulling a U-turn.

In June, it was reported that Manitoba’s annual inflation rate had jumped to 4.6 per cent in May, topping all provinces alongside Nova Scotia. Statistics Canada said drivers were paying the highest for gas since June 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threw global supply chains into chaos.

Read
9:00 AM CDT