Good morning.
One day after we watched our neighbours to the south replace their head of state, the Canadian government began searching for a new governor general to represent its head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. The Winnipeg Jets led for the first time all season in a road win last night. And the forecast calls for a high temperature slightly warmer than the average for today’s date, while Saturday’s high will be nearly six degrees warmer than the average. Colder temperatures are set to return Sunday.
— Adam Treusch, assignment editor
What’s happening today
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waits for Gov. Gen. Julie Payette to deliver the throne speech in the Senate chamber in September 2020. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press files)
- Relaxed restrictions: The provincial government will post public health measures easing some pandemic restrictions online as soon as they are finalized and signed, Manitoba’s chief public health officer said Thursday. The new orders will take effect at midnight Saturday and expire Feb. 12. Carol Sanders reports.
- First phone call: U.S. President Joe Biden’s first call with a foreign leader will be with Trudeau today (not Thursday, as had been reported). Biden’s cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline project on his first day in office will be discussed.
- Impeachment trial ‘soon’: Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said Thursday the article of impeachment against former president Donald Trump will delivered to the Senate — triggering a trial — “soon.” A source told CNN that could happen Friday, although Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is proposing the Senate delay matters to give Trump's legal team time to prepare.
Weather
- Your forecast: Cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of flurries this morning and then a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of -11 C, wind chill as low as -17 this morning and peak winds from the northwest at 15 km/h.
More on COVID-19 crisis
- Doctors met with minister: A group of local doctors met with Health Minister Heather Stefanson this week to reiterate their concerns about easing pandemic restrictions. Katie May reports.
- Funeral sizes to double: Kevin Sweryd, president of the Manitoba Funeral Service Association, said increasing the number of people allowed to attend funerals from five to 10 is "a very big step in the right direction." Ryan Thorpe reports.
Weekend sports
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Andrew Copp, Neal Pionk and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck celebrate after the Winnipeg Jets beat the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)
- Super Bowl berths: The Green Bay Packers will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC championship game on Sunday afternoon, and the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game later that day. The winners will play in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7.
On this date
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