The Wrap: Bail reform, Brian Mulroney dead at 84, MTS workplace, and Jets fans weigh in on attendance

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

'We're going to take action'

Manitoba Crown attorneys will get new marching orders on bail as part of the NDP government’s plan to reform the provincial system.

Premier Wab Kinew announced a plan Thursday to get “tough on crime and the causes of crime” backed by more cash for police and strengthened provincial bail policies.

Carol Sanders:

Province announces bail-reform plan

Manitoba Crown attorneys are being directed to take a tougher approach to bail, while more officers will track those who have been released, as the NDP government announced its plan to address justice... Read More

Danielle Da Silva:

‘No big reinvention of the wheel’: impact of NDP bail plan debated

Manitoba Crown attorneys received a new policy directive on bail from the NDP government Thursday, billed by Premier Wab Kinew as a “common sense” approach to crack down on repeat offenders. The ma... Read More

'Time is an ally to leaders who place the pursuit of principle ahead of popularity'

Brian Mulroney’s family announced today the former prime minister had died at the age of 84.

Canadians loved him: In 1984, they handed the youthful charmer a blank cheque and the largest majority mandate in history so he could change the country.

Canadians hated him: When he announced his departure from politics in 1993, his charm was dismissed as blarney, his youth faded into a lugubrious middle-age.

A look back at the life of Canada’s 18th prime minister, who entered the job with massive support and left with the lowest approval rating in the history of polling.

The Canadian Press:

Brian Mulroney, 18th prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan, dead at 84

'He was always the one that was optimistic, even through all of the scandals and resignations' Read More

The Canadian Press:

What Canadians are saying about the death of former prime minister Brian Mulroney

OTTAWA - Brian Mulroney is dead at 84. His family announced late Thursday that Canada's 18th prime minister died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Here's a sampling of how Canadians... Read More

'Giving workers a voice... is a really underappreciated aspect of a safe workplace'

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health has confirmed receiving multiple reports this winter regarding working conditions inside the Manitoba Teachers Society, whose operations staff are hired to support a membership of roughly 16,600 teachers, principals and education specialists.

“Improvement orders were issued for the development and implementation of a harassment prevention policy and for the policy to be posted. The orders have since been complied with,” a government spokesperson said in an email.

Education reporter Maggie Macintosh reports.

Maggie Macintosh:

Province issued improvement order to Manitoba Teachers’ Society

Provincial investigators recently issued a workplace improvement order to the Manitoba Teachers’ Society and began probing the status of the public sector union’s internal safety and health committee.... Read More

'I just don’t feel like they love me back'

A formerly robust raft of Winnipeg Jets season-ticket holders, once numbering more than 13,000, has dropped to roughly 9,500 in recent years.

NHL commissioner Garry Bettman and team co-owner Mark Chipman each held media appearances in Winnipeg this week, reassuring fans the team is under no threat of relocation while simultaneously pleading for businesses and fans to consider purchasing season tickets.

The Free Press spoke with an assortment of current, former and prospective season ticket holders to hear their say on where the organization has fallen short, and what the future potentially holds.

Tyler Searle:

Don’t take us for granted

Jets’ devotees say team brass badly fanned with its clumsy messaging, and should remember stalwart support isn’t a one-way street Read More

Rebecca Chambers:

Winnipeggers’ support not solely built on ‘buy-in’

True North needs to offer us more than something we can simply buy. In a place where nice things don’t seem to last, Winnipeg needs something we feel we truly own. Read More