Former volleyball star recalls struggles for gay rights during 1980s

In 1981, tennis star Martina Navratilova made international headlines off the court for coming out as a lesbian. Around the same time, a less prominent Canadian athlete named Betty Baxter was beginning a public battle for equality.

Baxter was well-known in the queer community, having played on the national Canadian women’s volleyball team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She caused a media frenzy a few years later when she became the first female and youngest ever coach of the same team.

Less well-known was that after only 18 months as coach she was fired, behind closed doors, as rumours swirled that she was a lesbian. Baxter had not come out publicly; she lost her job for not denying she was a lesbian.

She was told by a human rights lawyer that she had no recourse. This was common practice before sexual orientation was enshrined in the Human Rights Act in 1996; contemporary readers may have a difficult time imagining how brave it was to come out publicly in the ‘80s.

Proposed quarry threatens Manitoba’s bear cub rescue, operator says

Manitoba’s only black bear rescue says a proposed limestone quarry less than a kilometre away from their sanctuary would have devastating effects on the cubs in their care.

Judy Stearns says the sound of constant rock blasting and gravel trucks driving in and out of the site near Stonewall would stress out the orphan cubs, who tend to be anxious anyway.

“There’s not a tree or hill between us,” said Stearns, who runs the rescue with her husband, Roger. “The project is just not conducive to being beside a wildlife sanctuary with noise-sensitive, timid animals.”

The rescue and rehabilitation centre has been in the RM of Rockwood, located northwest of Winnipeg, since 2018, but the Stearns family has lived in the municipality for more than 20 years.

Spaniards in town for curling documentary, brush up on the game

Joan Baucells looks out onto the ice at the Fort Rouge Curling Club and pauses for a moment, searching for the right words to describe it.

“This is like a cathedral,” he says.

His home country of Spain is world-renowned for its stunning architecture, but none of those buildings have what this one has to offer: pebbled ice, granite rocks and carbon-fiber brooms.

Oh, and don’t forget an in-house restaurant serving fat boy burgers and poutine.

Senior squeeze: Many older Manitobans are in an increasingly precarious financial situation

Terisa Taylor is deemed a low-income senior, based on the federal tax bracket classification, but the numbers don’t take a full measure of the person.

At age 73, the St. Boniface resident relies on the three acronyms synonymous with aging — CPP, GIS and OAS — to make ends meet.

Manitoba Rental Assistance helps cover about half her apartment costs, but she gave up her car when it became clear it was no longer affordable.

Despite that, Taylor considers herself one of Manitoba’s more fortunate seniors since she’s able to continue to pursue a meaningful life.

‘We’re ready to defend the Arctic,’ Carney says alongside German, Norwegian leaders

BARDUFOSS - Canada and its allies are prepared to defend the Arctic, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday in Bardufoss, Norway, after observing NATO’s Cold Response exercises.

He held a news conference alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Asked by a German reporter whether the "conflict" over the Trump administration's demands for Greenland is settled, the leaders emphasized Greenland's independence.

"It's up to the people in Greenland and the King of Denmark to trace the future for the people in Greenland," Store said.

Tired of theft, local businesses consider IDing customers, making diners pre-pay

Fed up with shoplifting or dine and dashes, the owners of two Winnipeg businesses are considering asking customers to show identification when they enter, among other extra security measures.

Province takes aim at Sobeys over competition-killing property controls

The Manitoba government has Sobeys in its crosshairs as it looks to end anti-competitive zones around grocery stores and offer consumers more choice.

Public Service Delivery Minister Mintu Sandhu has flagged 43 property controls — restrictive legal covenants and exclusivity clauses that prevent competitors from locating nearby — registered by Sobeys Capital Inc., in a letter to the supermarket giant.

Sobeys is, Sandhu said, the last supermarket chain operating in the province holding property controls.

Legislation enacted last June voids any new restrictions. Existing, registered controls can be removed after a review by the Municipal Board if deemed to be against the public interest.

Manitoba government proposes new grocery rules, rent control, some hydro hikes

WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government announced plans Thursday to expand rent control, raise electricity rates for some large users and keep grocery prices from fluctuating for different consumers.

The proposals were among more than 15 bills and potential regulations introduced at the legislature before politicians broke for the weekend.

The NDP government launched public feedback on a plan that would apply rent controls to more-expensive units. The province currently sets a limit on annual rent increases for units that rent for up to $1,670 a month, and is proposing to raise that ceiling to $2,000.

Landlords can apply to raise rents higher than normally allowed for a variety of reasons, including repairs and upgrades, and the government is planning to reduce the percentage of upgrade costs that can be passed on to renters. Administrative penalties for landlords who violate the act could be increased.

Traffic reporter Dev Oza steers into slapstick of our daily commute

Did you hear the one about the traffic reporter who moonlights as a standup comic?

New government bill would help police, spy service probe online activities

OTTAWA - Proposed legislation would give police and Canada's spy service new powers to investigate online activities — powers they say they need to keep pace with criminals in the digital age.

The bill tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday would require internet and phone companies to tell authorities whether they provide service to a particular person or account number.

The legislation would allow police to then seek a production order from a court to obtain subscriber information from a company, such as the name, address, phone number and services provided.

The bill also updates warrant powers for computer searches and proposes a new authority to allow Canadian police to make requests of foreign electronic service providers, including social media and AI chatbot companies.

Union coalition demanding government action on downtown safety

Eight unions have joined forces to create urgency around worker concerns about safety — on the job and on their commutes — in downtown Winnipeg.

Canadian companies should create strategies for possible CUSMA outcomes now: report

TORONTO - As Canadian companies prepare for the coming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, a new report from Boston Consulting Group says the talks could change the rules for a range of industries, including automobiles and digital services.

The report says that despite moves by the U.S. to impose higher duties on some Canadian and Mexican products, North American trade has remained relatively strong, with about 60 per cent of goods imported from those countries into the U.S. remaining duty-free. The formal review of the trade agreement, known as CUSMA, is set to begin in July.

"The U.S. is for almost every Canadian company, the largest export market if they export, and even if they don't export, the U.S. is such a huge source of imports to Canada, including for further value added, that the trade relationship between the two countries is critical for Canadian companies," said Michael McAdoo, a Montreal-based partner at BCG who specializes in international trade.

Companies can prepare for the outcome of the negotiations, the report says, by taking steps like establishing a tariff command centre to monitor the situation, along with working through potential scenarios that could impact their business.

How the Iran war and surging oil prices are affecting consumers at the gas pump and beyond

NEW YORK (AP) — As the war in Iran ratchets up, the price of crude oil has been swinging sharply. Consumers are already feeling the effects of the war and its destabilizing effect on worldwide energy production.

Gasoline prices are climbing, and many people will find some of the most immediate economic pain at the pump.

But you don't have to drive a car to be affected. Nearly all goods — including food — that are bought and sold must travel from where they’re produced. Those costs will climb with higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices.

And the spike in oil prices — surpassing $110 a barrel, then retreating — will likely be a big factor for U.S. inflation. As the war continues, some experts say the price of, well, everything could be affected.

Muslim community breaks fast at Grand Iftar to raise funds for people in Sudan, Gaza

Almost 300 people from the Winnipeg Muslim community assembled Sunday evening for a Grand Iftar to break their fast and to donate to those who are suffering in Sudan and Gaza.

The iftar — the evening meal served at sunset to break the daily fast during the month of Ramadan, which began Feb. 17 and continues until March 19 — was sponsored by the Manitoba office of Islamic Relief Canada, an international organization that provides humanitarian aid around the world.

A total of $71,000 was raised at the iftar, which will be used to provide food, vouchers, medicine, water and hygiene kits for people in Sudan, which is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises due to conflict. Food and water will also be supplied to people in Gaza.

This is the fifth time Islamic Relief Canada has held a Grand Iftar during Ramadan in Winnipeg. About $100,000 was raised last year.

Australia grants asylum to 5 members of the Iranian women’s soccer team

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting the country for a tournament when the Iran war began, a government minister said Tuesday.

The announcement followed days of urging by Iranian groups in Australia and by U.S. President Donald Trump for the Australian government to help the women, who had not spoken publicly about a wish to claim asylum. The team drew speculation and news coverage in Australia when players didn't sing the Iranian anthem before their first match.

Early Tuesday, police officers transported five of the women from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia, “to a safe location” after they made asylum requests. There, they met with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas was finalized.

“I don't want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” said Burke, who posted photos to social media of the women smiling and clapping as he signed documents. “People were very excited about embarking on a life in Australia.”

Manitoba employers to provide free menstrual products

WINNIPEG - Many Manitoba employers will soon be required to provide their workers with free menstrual products.

Starting in August, provincially regulated workplaces will have to provide the products, such as pads and tampons, in washrooms or another accessible location, the government announced Monday.

The federal government implemented the requirement for workplaces it regulates in 2023.

Manitoba is the first province to make the move, which will make for healthier and more inclusive workplaces, the government said in a news release.

Newcomer school to close amid immigration clampdown

English-language teachers are warning the consequences will be far-reaching when a school for newcomers — called “a beacon of hope”— closes its doors.

Winnipeg’s Enhanced English Skills for Employment is shutting down March 31.

“It’s sad for the students. It’s sad for the teachers, but it’s also sad for the community, Manitoba at large,” said Allyn Franc, a longtime teacher at the school that rents space on the Canadian Mennonite University campus at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.

For more than 20 years, the school has been running free intermediate-level language classes on literacy and workplace etiquette.

‘Free advertising for Winnipeg:’ stars put spotlight on city

Movie stars' unsolicited endorsements are among the most effective ways to build the reputation of Manitoba, which is increasingly becoming a destination for the film and travel industries.

Farmers again caught in geopolitical crossfire

A week ago, things were looking up for Prairie farmers.

Canola prices were rising on news China would follow through on its promise to reduce its 75.9 per cent anti-dumping tariff on canola seed after Canada eased steep tariffs on imported EVs.

Those canola tariffs have now dropped to 5.9 per cent, plus the nine per cent standard import tariff already in place. While not zero, tariffs of just under 15 per cent make it possible to restore trade flows and maintain China as Canada’s second-largest canola customer.

As well, Canada’s prime minister was in India on another diplomatic defrosting mission with positive implications for agricultural exports. Any time the world’s largest exporter of pulse crops such as peas, lentils and chickpeas can make inroads into the world’s biggest market for those commodities, the sun shines a little brighter.

Show her the money

Slogans and even legislation only go so far in a world in which cash rules everything around us.

That remains true today, especially for women on the eve of International Women’s Day, commemorating the long fight for equality, rights and liberation.

Society has made strides, including legislation ensuring women receive equal pay for equal work.

It must also be recognized — especially on the financial ledger — more work needs to be done. Financial inequality remains a glaring sore spot.

Sacred red thread around devotee’s wrist a source of protection for Hindus

In the Hindu faith, when the sacred red thread is tied around a devotee’s wrist, it is a symbol of divine protection and blessings.

Made from cotton yarn, with predominantly red and some yellow threads, the protective amulet is typically wrapped around the wrist either five or seven times with three knots. Its red colour signifies good fortune, vitality and positive energy, while its yellow hue signifies wisdom, purity and spiritual energy. The thread is approximately six to 10 inches in length. Varying traditions will determine which wrist, right or left, the thread is tied on for males and females.

Tied by a Hindu priest, while a mantra, or sacred hymn for protection is recited, the thread is referred to as raksha sutra, a Sanskrit word that means a thread of protection. Devotees also refer to it as mauli translated from Sanskrit to mean being “above all”, referring to the sanctity of the thread. With the purpose to ward off negative energy, whether bad habits, sickness or evil eyes, “the thread is used for protection from all dangers … people use it as a protection from regular problems of life”, says Pandit Venkat Machiraju, one of the Hindu Society of Manitoba’s priests. He further shares the red thread negates negative forces occupying space in your mind and thoughts as well as it removes any negative aura around you.

At the start of religious ceremonies, the thread is tied before rituals begin. Devotees wear the thread for the duration of all rituals, which for different ceremonies can be performed over many days. Machiraju says the thread reminds devotees of the auspiciousness of their duties, adding “it is a protection for the entire ritual process and ensures the rituals are completed successfully.” The raksha sutra is tied and worn during Hindu rituals for poojas/yajnas (holy offerings), festivals, weddings and temple visits.

Students build confidence, businesses at JA Manitoba trade fair

Tasvee Jain has an entrepreneurial spirit and a sustainable product to sell — all before graduating high school.

The Grade 12 student at Morden Collegiate Institute is the president of Luxe Prep, a student-led business that has tapped a local cabinet company to turn its offcuts into kitchen staples.

She and her fellow students built the business from the ground up through the Junior Achievement Manitoba Company Program, which brings its annual Student Trade Fair to St. Vital Shopping Centre today in Winnipeg.

The after-school program, which teaches financial literacy education to youth, asks students to build a business from a concept, to selling shares to gather capital, to making and marketing their product. Pitching their product is also key: Tasvee’s team will be offering free recipes at their booth.