The Wrap: Nygard testifies, home care confusion, Nate Schmidt on 600 games and giving up the ghost

Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard took the stand in his own defence on Wednesday at his sexual assault trial in Toronto, telling court that there’s no way people could have been locked inside his private suite at his company’s Toronto HQ, and he had no secret spot for sexual conduct at his Bahamas estate.

Nygard — who founded the business that became known as Nygard International in Winnipeg in 1967 — is accused of using his position in the fashion industry to lure women and girls.

Some of the testimony court previously heard from complainants included allegations that they were trapped inside a private suite with Nygard.

An occupational therapist approved the purchase of an electric lift for Jean Marcoux, 76, allowing him to move more freely around his home, rather than spending 12 or more hours a day in his wheelchair or bed.

The assistive device was installed in his home — but he was only able to use it for 10 days before it was taken away over unexplained safety issues.

Then, after he contacted the Free Press about his case and a reporter made inquiries, Marcoux received a phone call advising him the lift will be returned to his home. Now he’s raising concerns about the bureaucratic process.

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nate Schmidt’s somewhat circuitous route to playing 600 NHL games has allowed many twists and turns that ended up being valuable lessons.

One day you’re taking a moment to soak in the fact that an undrafted college free agent had done enough to celebrate hitting a memorable milestone and several days later, you’re out of the lineup and left to try and pick up the pieces.

Jas Flamand and Sherrie Sigurdson are using a (relatively) new medium to keep the oral tradition of ghost stories alive.

The Winnipeg friends are co-hosts of Giving Up the Ghost, a podcast dedicated to sharing Manitoba’s haunted history. Since 2019, they’ve amassed a collection of supernatural stories that run the gamut from well-known local lore to obscure personal encounters.