Your forecast
Sunny. A mix of sun and cloud late this afternoon with a 30 per cent chance of light snow. Wind becoming south at 20 km/h this morning. High -4 C, wind chill -26 this morning and -10 this afternoon. UV index 2 or low.
What’s happening today
🏒 The Winnipeg Jets host the Anaheim Ducks at Canada Life Centre, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Today’s must-read
An estimated $45 million to $50 million of “excess claims” were filed for the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters project, a forensic accounting specialist testified Monday.
During a public inquiry into the HQ project, Victor Neufeld said he found “multiple material financial misrepresentations” in claims filed by Caspian Projects, the main contractor.
Forensic accountant Victor Neufeld (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)
“(It appears) Caspian’s project costs were reported to the city at amounts that were higher than they actually were, resulting in excess claims,” said Neufeld.
Problems with the headquarters project at 245 Smith St. have plagued city council for years. An external audit found it had been severely mismanaged. Initially expected to cost $135 million, its price soared to $214 million, when flood damage and some late security upgrades are included.
The inquiry, which excludes some of those costs, pegs the price at $209 million. Joyanne Pursaga has the story.
On the bright side
Almost 300 people from the Winnipeg Muslim community assembled Sunday evening for a Grand Iftar to break their fast and to donate to those who are suffering in Sudan and Gaza.
The iftar — the evening meal served at sunset to break the daily fast during the month of Ramadan, which began Feb. 17 and continues until March 19 — was sponsored by the Manitoba office of Islamic Relief Canada, an international organization that provides humanitarian aid around the world.
A total of $71,000 was raised at the iftar, which will be used to provide food, vouchers, medicine, water and hygiene kits for people in Sudan, which is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises due to conflict. Food and water will also be supplied to people in Gaza. John Longhurst has more here.
Azeem Bamiygose volunteers at the grand iftar. (John Longhurst / Free Press)
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