Good morning!
The danger of asylum seekers: Reports that half of the asylum seekers crossing into Canada have criminal records are wildly exaggerated, according to the Canada Border Services Agency. Of the 135 refugee claimants who arrived from March 20 to April 16, just three — less than two per cent — were found to have criminal records and detained because they were determined to be a danger to the public. Kevin Rollason and Carol Sanders reports. READ MORE
Your forecast: We should have known better when we pushed our snowboots to the back of the closet a few weeks ago and donned summer sandals to wiggle our bare toe in warm sunshine. A storm system from the U.S. is expected to move into southern Manitoba early this morning, dropping about five centimetres of snow, and possible rain or sleet. The high in Winnipeg today will be 1 C, with wind from the northeast at 30 km/h.
In case you missed it
FRED CHARTRAND / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILESVic Toews, the Court of Queen’s Bench judge and former federal and provincial politician, contravened the federal Conflict of Interest Act.
Lett judges judge: Court of Queen’s Bench judge Vic Toews, now a Court of Queen’s Bench judge, has been accused of twice breaking conflict of interest laws in 2013 when he provided lobbying and consulting services to two Manitoba First Nations within a few months of his retirement from politics. Columnist Dan Lett notes Toews “has assembled a rather impressive list of moral, ethical and legal transgressions. When you add it altogether, it’s difficult to see how this man deserves to be sitting in judgment of others.” READ MORE
Getting down to earth: Earth Day was marked globally this weekend, combining in many places, including Winnipeg, with a rally by scientists who reminded us to heed peer-reviewed findings on global warming, as opposed to “alternative facts” (we’re talking about you, Donald Trump). At Fort Whyte Alive on Sunday, thousands of people visited for events such as hiking with instruction on edible wild plants, a teepee encampment, guided bison hikes, birding hikes, a bannock roast and dip-netting. Bill Redekop reports. READ MORE
Up next
Dylan HewlettJohn Bluethner (from left), Sera-Lys McArthur and Kevin Klassen in Sarah Ballenden.
About Sarah Ballenden: An entertainment double-header combines Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Museum. The joint project centres on a historical drama titled Sarah Ballenden, the story of the Métis wife of a high-ranking Hudson’s Bay Company officer in the developing Red River Settlement. The museum’s contribution is to offer a special pre-theatre tour exploring key artifacts from the early days of the settlement and the Métis community. The museum tours are not offered before all performances. Details at https://www.manitobamuseum.ca/ READ MORE
Yuk it up: Q: Did you hear about the hungry clock? A: It went back four seconds. Groan if you must, but if you think you have funnier jokes, there’s a microphone awaiting your wit. Open Mic Comedy Night begins at 8 p.m. today at the Park Theatre.
Around the water cooler
Manitoba’s best book: The Break, a novel by Katherina Vermette, was honoured on Saturday as Book of the Year at the Manitoba Book Awards. Free Press assignment editor Carl DeGurse writes: “Katherina Vermette brings readers to the North End, where kitchen tables are crowded with pots of tea, pans of bannock and indigenous women whom we come to regard with tender fondness.” READ MORE
Fashion in the Doug House: No one asked him, but Free Press funnyman Doug Speirs feels compelled to offer wardrobe advice: “You gullible fashion victims have been sitting on your couch in your underpants for the past month waiting to hear advice from Mr. Doug, a leading-edge fashion guru whose clothing is primarily made from dryer lint.” READ MORE
Trending now
BOB EDME / THE ASSOCIATED PRESSChristophe Sanz, a supporter of French centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, glues a campaign poster next to one of far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.
#Presidentielle2017: As the first round of voting took place in France’s presidential election on Sunday, En Marche party leader Emmanuel Macron and Front National party leader Marine Le Pen garnered enough votes to proceed to the runoff vote on May 7 to determine who will be the next president of France. READ MORE
On this date
On April 24, 1925: The Manitoba Free Press reported that the entire United States east of the Rocky Mountains was in the grip of a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 93 F in Washington, D.C. The CNR train from Swan River to Winnipeg was derailed at the Novre Siding between Swan River and Hudson Bay junction; no passengers were injured “beyond a shaking-up.” In Paris, three people were killed in a street clash between Republicans and Communists. READ MORE
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