The case for a little flag waving

My newsroom attire can vary day to day, from a suit and tie to whatever I define as business casual to jeans and a polo shirt.

But to write the July 1 edition of this newsletter, I am proudly wearing a bright red shirt with CANADA emblazoned across the chest.

Wearing a little red for Canada Day. (Free Press)

Journalists don’t make for great flag-wavers. Blame it on the neutrality baked into our DNA.

It’s the reason our sports writers don’t wear Jets or Bombers jerseys in the press box. It’s why our reporters don’t have political campaign signs on their lawns. It’s why we cover protest marches but don’t join in the protest.

But I don’t need a $14.2-million renovated reflecting pool to recognize this is a time when our country can use a little flag-waving. And not just because Canada is still in the World Cup.

The cumulative impact of 18 months of headlines about tariffs, threats and trolling from the 47th president of our longtime neighbour cannot be ignored.

And the pressing need to ensure Canadians have access to news they can trust from newsrooms here in Canada is all the more apparent, given how U.S. digital platforms appear increasingly willing to accommodate the whims of the White House.

As a born-and-bred Winnipegger working for a truly independent Canadian newspaper, I’ve got lots of reasons to celebrate on July 1 — and even more to believe in the future of this country we’ve been building since 1867.

Happy Canada Day!

Paul Samyn, Editor

COMING UP

Steve Judge with some of his letter openers. (John Woods / Free Press)

He’s retired now, but former Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service captain Steve Judge found hunting for vintage letter openers helped take his mind off the high-stress job.

His collection is now approaching 1,000 openers. Feature writer David Sanderson has his story in this weekend’s 49.8 section.

As NHL free agency heats up on July 1, resident hockey experts Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe will have all the trades the Winnipeg Jets made (and analysis of the trades they didn’t make) as the club rebuilds this off-season.

And speaking of bouncing back, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be tested on the road this weekend in Steeltown as the gridiron club is hosted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Can the Blue and Gold get the W on Sunday? Resident gridiron reporter Taylor Allen will have his boots on the ground for all the hard-hitting action.

ONE GREAT PHOTO

Ade Adeagbo and his two-year-old daughter Elizabeth Adeagbo celebrate Canada Day at The Forks. (Brook Jones / Free Press)

Get ready to savour Manitoba's freshest summer flavours

BREAKING NEWS

Zoe Pierce:

Flooding forces Dauphin hospital, Swan River evacuations

Thirty states of emergency declared, dozens of roads damaged or flooded after heavy rainfall Read More

Zoe Pierce:

New tax cut offers little price relief, grocery shoppers say

As Winnipeg shoppers hit grocery stores today, many said they did not notice a change in prices following the removal of provincial sales tax on some grocery items. Read More

Melissa Martin:

Citizenship ceremony at The Forks welcomes 23 Canadians

The sun peeked out of the clouds just before noon, shining down on The Forks just as the site’s Canada Day festivities were getting underway. The timing could not have been better: the sunbeams arrive... Read More

WELL-READ STORIES THIS WEEK

Tessa Adamski, Nicole Buffie and Chris Kitching:

Tornado destroys couple’s home in Rossburn

Threw themselves to floor as twister had its way with 122-year-old brick farmhouse Read More

Maggie Macintosh:

Teen charged after Winnipeg teacher bombarded with disturbing images

Woman says she’s now anxious about teaching in the fall Read More

Aaron Epp:

Parlour Coffee closes, clearing way for Passage

Two-and-a-half years after purchasing Parlour Coffee, Connor Vogt is closing the Exchange District business to make way for a new venture next door. Read More

Carol Sanders:

‘Unjust and downright silly’

Bakery owner irked tax exemption won’t apply to his customers Read More

Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe:

Long to-do list for Jets

Club has plenty of holes to fill on roster as free agency day looms Read More

DEEP DIVES

Melissa Martin:

Recovering, together

Respect, unconditional care drive Bruce Oake Recovery Centre staff as they lead participants from the darkness, despair of addiction Read More

David Sanderson:

Fiddling with success

Versatile violinist goes with the bow, from Bach to the Beatles and beyond Read More

AV Kitching:

Keeping the green glorious

Golf course maintenance as much art as science for dedicated team Read More

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Gabrielle Piché:

Berry farms brave storms, eye opening days

‘We’ve all been very lucky that, for the most part, we’ve been able to have a crop of some sort’ after recent weather swings Read More

Gabrielle Piché:

Second Cargo Bar first to open in Southwood Circle

Beer, bands and a repurposed shipping container boasting taps will kick off business in a massive development near the University of Manitoba. Read More

Joel Schlesinger:

Summer school for RESPs

Accessing post-secondary savings account for youth involves know-how to ensure more money goes to education, less to CRA Read More

Adriana Morga, The Associated Press:

How to talk about money with your kids

Money can be a difficult conversation, especially if parents don’t feel totally comfortable with the topic themselves. Here are some expert recommendations if you want to start talking about money with your kids. Read More

Ben Waldman:

Tattoo artists beset by requests for unworkable AI pieces

As a professional tattooist with eight years of ink on her fingers, Justine Proulx is used to getting all sorts of requests from clients looking to decorate their bodies with memories, tributes and reminders. But over the past six months, the Winnipeg artist has noticed some troublesome trends. Read More

OPINIONS: COLUMNS AND ANALYSIS

Tom Brodbeck:

City report makes it easy to see why more riders getting off bus

If Winnipeggers had expected the city’s sweeping transit network overhaul to produce major improvements in service by now, the latest report offers a sobering reality check. Read More

Jen Zoratti:

This old house is perfect

Don’t be persuaded to renovate life by tastemakers Read More

Dan Lett:

Joyal would bring compassion, empathy to Canada’s high court

Over his time on the bench, Glenn Joyal has overseen cases involving the most contentious issues of our time, including assisted death, COVID-19 restrictions and a long list of constitutional dilemmas. Read More