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RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSManitoba Premier Brian Pallister still intends to balance the budget within eight years and hopes Bill 21 could be revised to reflect that goal.
Pallister defiant: Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he won’t be swayed by Ottawa’s threat to axe $60 million in funding for a Winnipeg research facility as he presses for a health-care deal with the federal government. Mia Rabson reports. READ MORE
In case you missed it
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILESOf the 10 per cent who tested positive for drug use, slightly more than half tested positive for marijuana use, 31 per cent for cocaine, and 12 per cent showed opioid use. In total, 124 people tested positive for drug use.
Under the influence?: A controversial Manitoba Public Insurance survey released on Wednesday showed that one in 10 drivers had drugs in their system. Of the 10 per cent who tested positive, slightly more than half showed marijuana use, 31 per cent tested positive for cocaine, and 12 per cent showed opioid use. In total, 124 people tested positive for drug use. But while the MPI report offers the province a statistical starting point, it doesn’t actually clarify how many Manitobans are too drugged to drive and getting behind the wheel anyway. Jane Gerster has the story. READ MORE
Tories mull True North support: The Pallister government said it’s considering a request to help pay for the construction of a plaza that will be at the heart of the $400-million True North Square. True North wants city hall and the provincial government to pay for the construction of a $9-million plaza, and Mayor Brian Bowman’s EPC endorsed an administrative proposal to pay up to $3.15 million as its share of the plaza cost. The remaining $6 million would come from the province. Aldo Santin and Nick Martin report. READ MORE
Around the water cooler
John Woods / The Canadian PressWinnipeg Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba has six goals and 26 points in 49 games this season.
Good news for Jets fans: It’s not all doom and gloom in Jetsville, writes Paul Wiecek, with a look at what has been going right for the struggling team this season, and who is making it happen on the ice. READ MORE
Trending now
#BeforeTheInternetExisted: All right, all right, if you’re of a certain age, you remember a more analog world, but there’s no need to lord it over those who don’t. Many on Twitter are recalling a time when we used card catalogues to find information, we couldn’t share cat GIFs and no one took pictures of their lunch.
On this date
On March 16, 1955: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that then prime minister Louis St. Laurent faced pressure to step down over rising unemployment rates. In Manitoba, a Progressive Conservative MLA’s call that mineral rights, including oil rights, under municipalities should belong to those municipalities was rejected. In London, England, Labour members of parliament expelled left-winger Aneurin Bevan from their ranks over charges of disloyalty. READ MORE
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