The Wrap: An investigation into inquests, MLL profits, MPI strike, an overdose-prevention ridealong and the RWB’s new crew

Good evening. Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'Intentionally broken'

The number of fatal shootings involving law enforcement, both in Manitoba and across Canada, has increased in recent years.

The trend has intensified public scrutiny of police conduct. It is also raising questions about whether provincial inquests, which are mandatory following lethal shootings, are achieving their goal of exploring ways to prevent future deaths.

To find out, the Free Press put two decades of inquests into deadly encounters with a police bullet under the microscope. This is Part 1 in a four-part series.

Marsha McLeod:

Oversight misfiring

Inquests into fatal shootings by police are marred by lengthy delays, leaving victims’ families clamouring for justice while providing little insight or closure Read More

Get ready to savour Manitoba's freshest summer flavours

'A very profitable corporation'

Leaked figures from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries’ upcoming annual report show the Crown corporation raked in record profits last year soaring from just over $600 million before the pandemic to almost $741 million in 2022/23.

The union representing 1,400 workers at liquor stores and the MLL’s distribution centre are voting on a new contract over the weekend. If they accept the deal, it will put an end to a strike that has limited Manitobans’ access to booze for more than two weeks.

Kevin Rollason:

Liquor and Lotteries pulls in record $741 million profit

Fourteen-hundred workers at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries staged job action, including a full-scale strike for more than two weeks, to back their demand for higher wages, as their union argued the Cro... Read More

'If we can avert this, that’s our goal'

A day after a significant hailstorm battered parts of Manitoba, smashing windows and damaging vehicles, the union representing workers at Manitoba Public Insurance announced official strike action will begin Monday morning, if no settlement is reached on the weekend.

The strike will affect the Crown corporation’s services, including the call centres, claim processing centres and damage estimators that would handle claims from the storm.

Tyler Searle:

MPI buried under hail-damage claims as Crown corporation’s workers set to walk

About 1,700 unionized employees at Manitoba Public Insurance are preparing to walk off the job next week, leaving the Crown corporation scrambling to address a tsunami of vehicle claims after wild wea... Read More

'Basically, it’s somewhere to feel safe'

Staff from Sunshine House operate a retrofitted RV — formally called the Mobile Overdose Prevention Site, or MOPS — that provides a place for Winnipeggers to use drugs in a safe environment, pick up supplies like clean needles, test their substances or chat with staff.

Earlier this month, the Free Press spent a day riding along with MOPS, meeting those who rely on the service and seeing how things work in action.

Malak Abas and Katrina Clarke:

On the road, saving lives

Ridealong with mobile overdose prevention crew highlights range of harm reduction services available Read More

'It feels like all that sacrifice was worth it'

New dancers are joining the ranks of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, while several others are climbing up the ranks as the company heads into its 84th season. Jen Zoratti talks the dancers about their new roles.

Jen Zoratti:

Onward and upward

As two principals take their leave, the RWB raises up and gathers in new crop of dancers Read More