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
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)
Tough questions for Trudeau: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will face questions about his decision to choose Julie Payette as Canada's 29th governor general in 2017 after disbanding a non-partisan committee created to recommend worthy nominees for vice-regal posts. Payette resigned Thursday ahead of the release of results of an investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace at Rideau Hall. The Canadian Press reports.
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
Andrew Copp, Neal Pionk and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck celebrate after the Winnipeg Jets beat the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)
Jets back in hangar: The Winnipeg Jets will host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. Saturday’s game is the third consecutive matchup between the Jets and Senators, with the Jets winning in Ottawa on Tuesday and Thursday. Mike McIntyre reports.
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
On Jan. 22. 2009: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that a drunk driver found guilty in the death of Amanda Frizzley was sentenced to 30 months in prison. In Ottawa, federal deficits were expected to reach $100 billion and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff warned the coming week's federal budget could bring down the House. In the United States, new president Barack Obama tackled looming problems of the country's ongoing military operations, an economic recession and foreign policy in the Middle East.
Today's front page
Get the full story: Read today's e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press
The Free Press Head Start is published weekdays by 7 a.m.
The Winnipeg Free Press invites you to share your opinion on this story in a letter to the editor. A selection of letters to the editor are published daily.
To submit a letter:
• fill out the form on this page, or
• email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or
• mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6.
Letters must include the writer’s full name, address, and a daytime phone number. Letters are edited for length and clarity.
