Coronavirus crisis
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau attends a rally for her husband Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau in Burnaby, B.C. on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. The Prime Minister’s Office says Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
PM’s wife tests positive: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will remain in isolation, his office announced last night. ”Although I’m experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will be back on my feet soon,” she said in a statement. Trudeau is staying in isolation for 14 days and won’t be tested because he has no symptoms, a statement said. READ MORE
Pausing Parliament: The House of Commons had been scheduled to begin a one-week break but will sit today to decide whether to extend the break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the federal budget will be introduced March 30, as scheduled. READ MORE
Ill Australian met with Blair: An Australian cabinet minister who met with Canadian Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair, Ivanka Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Barr in Washington, D.C., last week said today he has tested positive for the virus. READ MORE
Talking to Trudeau: National Indigenous leaders, including Métis National Council vice-president and Manitoba Metis Federation leader David Chartrand, will speak with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the effect of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities. They had been scheduled to meet with Trudeau personally to discuss various issues Thursday before he placed himself in isolation. READ MORE
Virus aid agreement: Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, said Congress is close to reaching a deal with the White House on a coronavirus aid deal that includes sick pay and free testing. An announcement is expected today. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
In other news
Peter Ramdath will be sentenced in June.
Financial assets frozen: A judge has barred former crane company CEO Peter Ramdath, who pleaded guilty in January to fraud over $5,000, from accessing two of his financial assets. Ramdath argued the Crown had not proven money in the accounts were proceeds of crime. Dean Pritchard reports. READ MORE
Highway closed at Headingley: The westbound lane of the Trans-Canada Highway remains closed between Headingley and Portage la Prairie because of strong winds and poor winter driving conditions. The highway was shut down early this morning, but the eastbound lane has re-opened.
On this date
On March 13, 1996, the Winnipeg Free Press reported the provincial government was taking drivers’ licences of deadbeat dads. The Winnipeg School Division eliminated 24 teachers’ assistant positions to save $549,000. The provincial Progressive Conservative government announced a plan to cut monthly welfare rates by 10 per cent to $411 for a single person and $691 for a couple with no children. READ MORE
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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