The Wrap: Mining in parks, drop-in centre closes, campaign news, Ichiban turns 50 and Niigaan and the Lone Ranger returns

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

'The bottom line is many of these things are incompatible'

Provincial parks may bring to mind swaths of protected wilderness, hiking trails, fishing holes and campsites nestled into the trees, but Manitoba’s parks system has always made room for industrial operations — like mining and logging — to co-exist with recreation and conservation.

But now the race for critical minerals — considered the building blocks of a green economy — has seen Manitoba ramp up investment in its mining industry, some say at the expense of conservation.

Julia-Simone Rutgers takes a deep dive into resource management inside Manitoba’s parks.

Julia-Simone Rutgers:

Boreal bonanza or boondoggle?

As the market for lithium ore booms, the province’s policy of opening public parklands to the mining industry and other commercial interests has wilderness advocates concerned about serious ecological impacts Read More

Get ready to savour Manitoba's freshest summer flavours

'We’re going to go away with tears'

The Our Place/Chez Nous Drop-In Centre at 676 Main St., near Higgins Avenue, has gone in just days from shutting its doors for the summer to closing for good.

Kevin Rollason:

‘They were in the cage with the lion’: Main Street drop-in centre Our Place/Chez Nous shuttered

After more than three decades of “providing a safe place for people of all backgrounds,” Our Place/Chez Nous Drop-In Centre has closed its doors for good. The social services organization at 676 Ma... Read More

Election round-up

Danielle Da Silva:

Parties’ tax cuts threaten services, think tank says

Manitoba’s two leading political parties are accused of proposing massive tax breaks and changes that could spur cuts to services while lining the pockets of the wealthiest taxpayers. Read More

Carol Sanders:

Tories would boost charitable tax credit

STEINBACH — Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives have promised to nearly double the charitable donation tax credit if voters put them back in office. Read More

Danielle Da Silva:

NDP pledges new family medical centres; Liberals to cover psychotherapy costs

Manitoba’s New Democratic and Liberal party leaders kept their election campaign focused on health care Friday, each making promises to expand access to primary care and cover psychotherapy costs. ... Read More

Maggie Macintosh:

Minister accused of breaking election blackout rules

The Tories are dismissing accusations the health minister broke election blackout rules over her comments at a contentious meeting about a proposed high school expansion in Southdale —where her re-ele... Read More

Katie May:

Nurses union decries Extendicare ‘reset’ of staffing levels

'It’s still about the performance'

Not much has changed in Ichiban since it first opened its doors.

The teppanyaki-style dining spot is still in its original location, still accessed via a wooden bridge over a Japanese garden, and of course it still features the pageantry of metre-tall flames and utensils flying this way and that.

David Sanderson talks to Keith Levit, current co-owner whose father established Ichiban in 1973, about the restaurant’s enduring popularity.

David Sanderson:

Creating a spark for 50 years

Ichiban combines steakhouse and spectacle Read More

The man who would be kingmaker? A chat with Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont

Niigaan and Dan return from summer hiatus by putting Grit leader Dougald Lamont on the hot seat. The fellas talk to Dougald about his party’s chances in the 2023 election and whether the Liberals could hold the balance of power in a minority legislature. And a tribute to Bob Barker.

Niigaan and the Lone Ranger:

Making sense of a nonsensical election with Eric Grenier

Listen to the latest episode of Niigaan and the Lone Ranger.... Read More