Your forecast
Cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of light snow this morning. Clearing this morning. Blowing snow in outlying areas. Wind from the northwest at 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature falling to -21 C this afternoon, wind chill near -34. Risk of frostbite.
What’s happening today
❄️ A number of local holiday markets take place this weekend, and kicking things off today is Pitaw Mino Muskiki — Indigenous Handmade Market (5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) at Via Rail Union Station, 123 Main St. The three-day market features more than 100 Indigenous makers showcasing their handmade wares, food vendors and family-friendly activities. Entry is free and organizers are accepting accepting monetary and toy donations for the Niji Mahkwa school toy drive. For additional holiday markets, check out What’s Up.
Today’s must-read
The Manitoba homecoming for the royal charter that created the Hudson Bay Co. cleared its final hurdle Thursday after a court approved the $18-million sale of the 355-year-old document.
With the blessing of two of the country’s richest families who made the purchase, the historic parchment will soon find a semi-permanent home at the Manitoba Museum.
“This is the best possible outcome. It’s really exciting for all the possibilities,” said Amelia Fay, director of research, collections and exhibitions at the Manitoba Museum and the curator of its HBC collection.
King Charles II issued the five-page vellum document on May 2, 1670, allowing for the creation of the fur trading business. It granted the company control over one-third of modern-day Canada, centuries before Confederation. Tyler Searle has the story.
A replica of the original HBC charter that is on display at the HBC exhibit at the Manitoba Museum. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)
On the bright side
Manitobans aren’t just friendly, they have a big heart.
The “keystone province” has maintained its reputation as having the highest rate of charitable donors across the country.
That’s the finding of Generosity in Canada: The 2025 Generosity Index, complied by the Fraser Institute and released on Thursday. Kevin Rollason has more here.
Manitoba has maintained its reputation as having the highest rate of charitable donors across the country. (John Woods / Free Press files)
On this date
On Dec. 12, 1960: The Winnipeg Free Press reported Canada was acting to halt the shipment of U.S. goods through Canada that were destined for Cuba, in light of the American ban on trade with that country; however, Canada was keen to increase its own trade with Cuba. Weekend rioting in Algeria by Europeans and Muslims made French president Charles de Gaulle more determined to push ahead with plans to introduce greater home rule in Algeria; in Algiers, French troops and Muslims fought for a second day as the casualty toll climbed to 79 dead and hundreds wounded. Search our archives for more here.
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.
|
