The Wrap: Outreach workers warned, doctor recruitment, Portage la Prairie fallout, fish processing
Plus: Ballet in the Park and a history-making golf championship

Outreach workers who deal with the homeless population have been warned by Winnipeg’s mayor to stand back and let police, firefighters and paramedics do their jobs when there is criminal activity or a medical emergency at an encampment.

The Free Press obtained a copy of the June 26 letter, which was sent to several service providers and copied to Premier Wab Kinew, several cabinet ministers and the chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara confirmed today that a recruitment agency hired by the previous Manitoba government has not only not recruited a single doctor to come to Manitoba in its first year, it hasn’t even found anyone interested in coming.

However, the health minister said the failure of the PC plan doesn’t mean the NDP’s effort to attract 100 doctors by next spring will also fall flat.

RCMP have warned people not to take matters into their own hands after an alleged child sex trafficking ring in Portage la Prairie sparked shock, anger and vigilantism.

Six suspects from or near Portage are facing child sexual abuse-related charges, while a seventh person, whose charges were stayed after he was wrongly accused, says he was beaten up in the street and forced into hiding.

RCMP said Wednesday they have received reports of vandalism, mischief and threats, resulting in increased patrols. No one has been arrested for vigilante acts.

The majority of fish caught commercially in the Great Lakes are sent to landfills or processed into animal feed. However, over the past several months, fishing companies have been pledging to find different uses for their catches and remains — and a Winnipeg-based Crown corporation is the latest signee.

Freshwater Fish Marketing Corp., which markets and trades freshwater catch, has pledged to productively use 100 per cent of product caught in the Great Lakes — that it purchases — by 2025.

First conceived in 1972, Ballet in the Park showcases dancers from both the Royal Winnipeg Ballet company and its school professional and recreational divisions.

It has weathered the storms — literally — throughout its 52 years, as well as a global pandemic that completely shuttered the al fresco production between 2019 and 2022.

This year’s program offers seven works, ranging from funky jazz to ethereal classical ballet.

Holly Harris gives the performance four stars.

Braxton Kuntz captured his fourth consecutive Manitoba Amateur championship in dramatic fashion Wednesday, becoming the first men’s golfer to accomplish such a feat.

This win proved to be the toughest of them all, writes Mike McIntyre.