The Wrap: Portage Place deal, grand chief lying in state, housing benefit paused, and Laurie Lewis

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

'One of the biggest downtown developments in generations'

A proposed sale agreement released Wednesday details a long-awaited step toward True North Real Estate Development buying the beleaguered Portage Place mall to create a 1.2-million-square-foot mixed-used space in its place.

The deal calls for the real estate arm of True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd., which owns the Winnipeg Jets, to pay $34.5 million to buy the property. The city would provide $39.7-million worth of grants to support the $650 million development.

The massive project would include a residential tower, grocery store, community centres and office space for social agencies, as well as a 12-storey health-care centre. The atrium at Edmonton Street would be removed and replaced with an outdoor pedestrian greenway connected to Central Park.

Joyanne Pursaga:

$40M in grants necessary to revamp Portage Place mall: mayor

The City of Winnipeg could provide nearly $40 million in grants over the next 25 years to support a long-awaited $650-million proposed redevelopment of Portage Place. A proposed sale agreement rele... Read More

'She cared for everyone'

Hundreds of people went to the Manitoba legislature today where Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, the first woman to head the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, was given the honour of lying in state.

Merrick collapsed Friday outside the Winnipeg courthouse while talking to reporters. Since then, there have been vigils and ceremonies, with more planned in Pimicikamak in the coming days.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press:

Manitoba grand chief’s death marked with ceremonies, mourners attend legislature

WINNIPEG — Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was remembered Wednesday as a leader who combined strength with compassion and who never stopped fighting to better people's lives. Hundreds of people went to t... Read More

'Without the rent top-up, it is impossible to house people'

Housing Minister Bernadette Smith apologized today for the sudden pause in a rent top-up program that helped people living in shelters and encampments to afford an apartment.

The minister reassured current recipients that they will continue to receive support while the government reviews the situation, but people working in the field say the impact of the pause will be “catastrophic.”

Carol Sanders reports on reaction to the pause, while Dan Lett ponders what it means for the NDP government’s budget and priorities.

Carol Sanders:

‘Super-hard decision’ to limit program for homeless: NDP

August applications to be reviewed to ensure no one ends up homeless, minister says Read More

Dan Lett:

NDP’s bungling of housing benefit a turning point

Any time a government fails to deliver on a hallmark program or policy, red flags go up. When that government deliberately refuses to release basic information about its failure, the red flag quickly becomes an air raid siren. Read More

'Who is visible and who has the power to look?'

Winnipeg artist Laura Lewis challenges the male gaze and heteronormative artistic traditions with her new solo exhibition at Gallery 1C03 at the University of Winnipeg.

The In-Between features six larger-than-life oil paintings of queer Winnipeg artists. The paintings are big and bold — and the size is the point, writes Jen Zoratti.

Jen Zoratti:

Larger than life

Portraits of queer artists command attention Read More