The Wrap: Rebate runs dry, no phone service, city hall clock, and the ‘Peg at the Oscars?

Manitobans snapped up an extra $1.5 million in provincial funding for home and small-business security rebates in days, bringing at least a temporary close to the program.

Nearly 9,000 applications were submitted to the program, which offers a maximum $300 rebate for qualifying security-related equipment such as doorbell cameras and alarms.

The justice minister deems the program a success, but others are disappointed they won’t be able to access the $2 million in funding.

A residential seniors complex in Osborne Village has been without phone lines for eight days, leaving its elderly residents disconnected and the building in disarray.

Villa Cabrini, a 123-unit independent living complex on River Ave. lost access to its Bell MTS-operated phone lines last Monday, but staff didn’t notice until the front desk phone went out and triggered an internal alarm.

Also out of service are pull cords in each suite (which are used to signal medical emergencies), panic buttons and security alarms.

Reporter Nicole Buffie investigates.

The large clock perched atop city hall’s administration building has served as a notable landmark in Winnipeg for 50 years — but it’s been much less reliable as a timepiece over recent months.

Some city councillors and Exchange District residents say at least one side of the two-sided analog display has not matched the actual time for a few months.

Joyanne Pursaga looks into what’s needed to get the city clocks running on time.

Universal Language, directed and co-written by Winnipeg-born filmmaker Matthew Rankin, has been selected to represent Canada in the nomination process for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, to be held on March 2, 2025.

Winnipeg features prominently in the film, which portrays an alternate universe in which a growing Persian community is starting to make an indelible imprint on the city’s culture.

Eva Wasney talks to Rankin about the honour.