Free Press Head Start for July 8

Good morning.

A day of youth programming marked the grand opening of the outdoor courts at the Mayfair Recreation Centre, where a slate of Winnipeg Sea Bears basketball players helped Conan and dozens of other kids practise their jump shots, footwork and dribbling skills. Tyler Searle reports.

Ace Burpee had two favourite places when he was a child: Cooks Creek, the hamlet northeast of Winnipeg where he grew up, and the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, where his father was the CEO. The Y announced last month that Burpee is co-chairing a cabinet team that will spearhead the organization’s $15-million Heart of the City Capital Campaign to redevelop the downtown facility. Aaron Epp has the story.

— David Fuller

Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud, with 30 per cent chance of showers late this afternoon and arisk of a thunderstorm. Hazy. High 27 C, Humidex 30, UV index 7 or high.

What’s happening today

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., today to mark the 75th anniversary of the NATO military alliance. The Canadian Press reports.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

Calling all aviation buffs: an iconic wartime bomber will touch down in Winnipeg once again.

The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber airplane will be at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada from July 16 to July 17. It’s one of only two Lancaster bombers left in the world that can still take to the skies.

Peter Rokeby is brought to tears every time he sees the bomber.

Rokeby’s father, Allan Conrad Collinson Rokeby, signed up at age 18 and piloted a Lancaster for the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. Matthew Frank has the story.

Peter Rokeby’s father piloted a Lancaster for the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. (Supplied)

On the bright side

It wasn’t going to be just any old school project — it had to have an impact.

So, best friends James Lesyk and Ndidi Wamy, who’ve just graduated from Vincent Massey Collegiate, organized a food drive and food insecurity education program for schools in the Pembina Trails School Division.

For their efforts, Lesyk and Wamy received the Outstanding Take Action Project Award from the Manitoba Council for International Co-operation on June 7. Matthew Frank has more here.

Longtime volunteers and best friends James Lesyk (left) and Ndidi Wamy stand beside the food they helped collect for charity from nine different schools. (Supplied)

On this date

On July 8, 1920: The Manitoba Free Press reported Robert Borden had stepped down as prime minister, and would be succeeded by Arthur Meighen. In Washington, D.C., restrictions on trade shipments to the Soviet Russia were lifted, with conditions attached to materials that could immediately be used for war purposes. A touring group of Free Press carriers, heading for the West Coast, arrived in Regina. Read the rest of this day’s paper here. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

Top news

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press:

Poll suggests Manitobans worried about costs, less confident in institutions

Manitobans are increasingly worried about the cost of living and crime, and are becoming less confident in the justice system and public service, a poll commissioned by the provincial government suggests. Read More

Sylvie Corbet, The Associated Press:

France’s election ends up with no clear majority. This is what could happen next

PARIS (AP) — French voters have given a broad leftist coalition the most parliamentary seats in a pivotal legislative election that has kept the far right from power but has put France ... Read More

Sarah Ritchie and Laura Osman, The Canadian Press:

Snap election unlikely in Canada as European campaigns send incumbents packing

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau turned heads internationally in 2021 when he called a snap election during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a gamble to try and secure a Liberal majority at a time when much seemed uncertain, and though the gamble failed, Canadians handed Trudeau a second and slightly stronger minority mandate. Read More

John Longhurst:

Hope on display during interfaith trip to Israel

For Lisa Lewis, going to Israel in May to show solidarity and do volunteer work “was the right thing to do.” Lewis, a Winnipegger who is a member of the Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation in northw... Read More

New in Sports

Jeff Hamilton:

Big smiles for Big Blue after first win

Streveler, Oliveira lead Bombers with Bully Ball back on track Read More

Mike McIntyre:

Jets positive on prospects, but ‘there’s still work to do’ on roster

Kevin Cheveldayoff was feeling a bit nostalgic as he met the media on Sunday following the completion of the latest Winnipeg Jets development camp. “We didn’t have these back in our day,” the club’... Read More

Hanna Arhirova And John Leicester, The Associated Press:

At the Paris Olympics, it will no longer be personal for Ukraine’s athletes. This time, it’s war

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — For Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova, each stride on the Paris Olympic track will have meaning far beyond the time she clocks. Her competitions are no... Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

The Canadian Press:

Alice Munro’s daughter says mom kept silent when stepfather sexually abused her

The youngest daughter of celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro has opened up about sexual abuse by her stepfather and the deep hurt she felt when her mother chose to support her husband instead of her child. Read More

Jen Zoratti:

Sometimes so-called filler is killer

Remember when television seasons were, well, a season? Actually, they took us through three seasons. They took us from fall to spring before leaving us hanging on a cliff for the summer. As it shou... Read More

Jura McIlraith:

Winnipeg stars in newest Beverly Hills Cop movie

Winnipeg got not one — but two — shout-outs in a new Netflix movie released in Canada on Wednesday. One mention of the city in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is during an exchange between character Axel... Read More

New in Business

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press:

‘Meltdown’: A week later, WestJet continues to feel the fallout from mechanics strike

WestJet continues to feel the effects of a two-day plane mechanics strike that nearly shut down the airline's network for 29 hours over the Canada Day long weekend and cost it millions of dollars. ... Read More

Joel Schlesinger:

Too much interest in rates?

Investors should look beyond short-term impacts of expected cuts, focus on long term Read More

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Council should heed financial wake-up call

The City of Winnipeg’s finances are in such dire straits, city hall can barely maintain the fiscal cushion it has traditionally relied on to balance the books during lean years. Read More

Peter McKenna:

The holes in the blockade on Cuba

I’ve been thinking, and reading, a great deal about the U.S. embargo of Cuba. It was a major point of conversation during my May trip to the island. Read More

Niigaan Sinclair:

Cities starting to realize results of true reconciliation

Portage la Prairie city council recently apologized to Dakota Plains First Nation for their government’s role in the removal of community members from land they purchased during the early 19th century. Read More

Head Start