What’s happening today
A registered pharmacist technician carefully fills the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine at a vaccine clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations is set to release new guidance this morning on the use of COVID-19 vaccine boosters as public health faces down the threat of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
New advice on booster shots: The National Advisory Committee on Immunization will announce new guidance on COVID-19 vaccine boosters this morning. Ottawa made an urgent request to the committee for new directives on eligibility criteria amid the threat of the Omicron variant. READ MORE
Stefanson in Selkirk: Premier Heather Stefanson and Health Minister Audrey Gordon will make an announcement about a “clinical and preventive services plan investment” at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre later this morning. The hospital currently has a COVID-19 outbreak on a medicine unit.
Set to release stats: Statistics Canada will reveal how the labour market fared in November. The unemployment rate fell for the fifth consecutive month to a pandemic-era low in October. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Mob lynches man in Pakistan: A Muslim mob in Pakistan murdered a Sri Lankan man over allegations of blasphemy and then burned his body in the street as hundreds of people cheered on the killers. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: A few flurries ending before 8 a.m., then clearing and mainly sunny for much of the afternoon, with a high of -2 C, wind chill as low as -13 and peak winds from the west at 30 km/h gusting to 50.
What’s happening this weekend
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Banjo Bowl, playoff edition: The Bombers host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL’s West Division final at 3 p.m. on Sunday. This will be the first playoff game as a professional for Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo. “I’m excited and anxious, in a good way,” the seven-year veteran said. Taylor Allen reports. READ MORE
Chinese democracy: China’s Communist Party plans, without irony, to release a report Saturday titled China: Democracy that Works. The party sees U.S. President Joe Biden’s upcoming democracy summit as a challenge to its authoritarian rule, The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Date with the Devils: The Winnipeg Jets host the New Jersey Devils at 7 p.m. tonight and the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Jason Bell reports on something the Jets and their head coach regularly say is lacking after a loss. READ MORE
In case you missed it
DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILESPolice have issued 80 tickets this year for not stopping for a school bus with its sign activated.
Not braking for buses: Winnipeg police are reminding drivers not to pass school buses that have their flashing stop lights on, after receiving numerous complaints. Police handed out 80 tickets for passing a stopped school bus between January and November. Joyanne Pursaga reports. READ MORE
COVID-19 travel restrictions: World Health Organization officials acknowledged travel restrictions imposed by some countries in the face of the omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 might slow the spread. “Border control can delay the virus coming in and buy time. But every country and every community must prepare for new surges in cases,” Dr. Takeshi Kasai, a WHO regional director, said. READ MORE
‘Truly unfortunate’: Manitoba RCMP issued a statement last night after the Free Press published an article about a lawsuit against them. A Pine Falls woman is suing the police force after officers investigating a domestic disturbance complaint allegedly arrived at the wrong house and then shocked her mentally disabled son with a Taser. Dean Pritchard reports. READ MORE
Government shutdown averted: The U.S. Senate passed a stopgap spending bill on Thursday that avoids a federal government shutdown. READ MORE
On this date
On Dec. 3, 1968: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that federal minister without portfolio James Richardson said the government would strive to have a new company take over the Air Canada overhaul base in Winnipeg and have a new air parts manufacture industry established in the city. Prime minister Pierre Trudeau offered the provinces a share of undersea mineral resources off Canadian coasts, but Quebec’s premier said the deal was unacceptable. A twin-engine turbo-jet airliner crashed into a frozen lake in Alaska, killing all 39 people on board.
Today’s front page
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