Automotive and Aerospace

Please review each article prior to use: grade-level applicability and curricular alignment might not be obvious from the headline alone.

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U of M over the moon about satellite’s lunar launch

Malak Abas 3 minute read Preview
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U of M over the moon about satellite’s lunar launch

Malak Abas 3 minute read Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

A milk-carton sized satellite built by Manitoba researchers will go where no Canadian spacecraft has gone before — the moon’s orbit.

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Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

STARLab director Philip Ferguson says this is the first time Canada has sent a small satellite to lunar orbit. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)

STARLab director Philip Ferguson says this is the first time Canada has sent a small satellite to lunar orbit. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)
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Ottawa invests in Manitoba firm’s ambulance van

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Preview
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Ottawa invests in Manitoba firm’s ambulance van

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

A made-in-Manitoba ambulance van is nearly ready for market, but Manitobans are unlikely to be the first patients to use them.

That’s owing to provincial regulations that MoveMobility founder Richard Jones hopes will be lifted.

“Not to say that we won’t build one for Manitoba, we just have a few challenges,” he said Friday after a news conference in which the federal government announced a $1.1-million investment in his company.

“My message is, please, come on the ride with us in Manitoba. Come on the journey with us and support this type of product. It will save more lives, it’s easier to run, it’s cheaper for the taxpayer.”

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

MoveMobility founder Richard Jones (left) chats with Winnipeg West MP Dr. Doug Eyolfson inside one of the company’s custom ambulance vans on Friday following a $1.1 million federal investment. (Tyler Searle / Free Press)

MoveMobility founder Richard Jones (left) chats with Winnipeg West MP Dr. Doug Eyolfson inside one of the company’s custom ambulance vans on Friday following a $1.1 million federal investment. (Tyler Searle / Free Press)
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Employees aim for the stars at Magellan Aerospace

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Employees aim for the stars at Magellan Aerospace

3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

When making a major career course correction, Julie Robichaud did the math. She calculated that a job at Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg would give her wings to soar to new and higher professional goals.

“I had just come out of 10 years in hospitality and decided to switch gears, so I started at Magellan at three days a week and they quickly moved me to five days,” says Robichaud.

“It’s been great. The company is very good about giving me the educational and other supports I need to succeed and to grow.”

Magellan Aerospace is a global company that designs, engineers and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure components for the aerospace and space markets. Located in Winnipeg, the company’s employees build everything from complex aircraft assemblies to satellite buses.

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen visits Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, to discuss the upcoming Artemis launch with the team.

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen visits Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg, to discuss the upcoming Artemis launch with the team.
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Province invests $17M in Magellan Aerospace to create additional jobs, training

Martin Cash 5 minute read Preview
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Province invests $17M in Magellan Aerospace to create additional jobs, training

Martin Cash 5 minute read Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025

The NDP government is continuing its aggressive support of Manitoba’s aerospace industry, announcing Thursday a significant investment in Magellan Aerospace.

The province is providing Magellan with an $8 million grant and a $9 million loan (to be repaid over 12 years). The investment expects to lead to the creation of more than 60 positions at Magellan. (Its current workforce is about 650.)

The financial assistance will leverage additional capital investment from the company. It is a global player in the aerospace industry, with head offices in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition to its Winnipeg plant, Magellan has three manufacturing operations in Ontario, six in the U.S, six in Europe and two in India.

The Winnipeg plant has been around for close to 100 years. In addition to being a centre of excellence for the company when it comes to machining aero-engine parts, it is also Magellan’s space centre, having manufactured five satellites currently orbiting the Earth.

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Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

The Magellan Aerospace building in Winnipeg.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
                                The Magellan Aerospace building in Winnipeg.
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Leaving auto repair life in the rear-view

Gabrielle Piché 5 minute read Preview
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Leaving auto repair life in the rear-view

Gabrielle Piché 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 7, 2022

For decades, Cadillacs, Mustangs and Audis have overnighted in the Exchange District for repairs and transformations.

Now, a Winnipeg mechanic envisions a new use for his shop — one that sees it filled with milk and produce instead of wrenches and tires.

“There’s no groceries down here,” said Andy Baranowski, owner of J.W. McDonald Auto Service. “Where are you going to get your milk?”

The 189 Bannatyne Ave. building has been an auto repair garage for almost a century — since 1923, according to the Manitoba Historical Society.

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Thursday, Jul. 7, 2022

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Andy Baranowski, owner of J.W. McDonald Auto Service, by one of his cars, a 66 Thunderbird Landau.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Andy Baranowski, owner of J.W. McDonald Auto Service, by one of his cars, a 66 Thunderbird Landau.

Manitoba auto repair shops in high gear amid lengthy MPI strike

Tyler Searle 4 minute read Preview

Manitoba auto repair shops in high gear amid lengthy MPI strike

Tyler Searle 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

Despite bumps in the road, Manitoba auto repair shops are chugging along as strike action at Manitoba Public Insurance drags into its seventh week.

“There are some delays, but we are hoping the (MPI) people can get back to work. We miss them. We miss the adjusters, but there is not much we can do about it,” said John Vernaus, owner of Vernaus Autobody in Winnipeg.

“Can you ask for more when (MPI is) operating with maybe one-10th of the staff?”

Around 1,700 walked off the job Aug. 28, after the Manitoba Government General Employees’ Union and the Crown auto insurer failed to reach a contract agreement. Many services have been halted, delayed or limited in the weeks since, as MPI works to maintain operations with reduced staff.

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Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Johnny Vernaus, president of Vernaus Auto Body, with technician Roy Samlal, says minor claims are processing quickly, but vehicles with extensive damage are taking longer to be assessed.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
                                Johnny Vernaus, president of Vernaus Auto Body, with technician Roy Samlal, says minor claims are processing quickly, but vehicles with extensive damage are taking longer to be assessed.

Auto detail shop poised to fight pandemic

Willy Williamson 4 minute read Preview

Auto detail shop poised to fight pandemic

Willy Williamson 4 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2020

Since COVID-19 has taught us to continually wash our hands, and many of us have already cleaned every corner of our homes, it's a sure bet a few of us have also turned our efforts to sanitizing our vehicles.

Your usual Saturday morning ritual of washing your car on the driveway with the garden hose and vacuuming the interior and wiping down hard surfaces with car cleaning products is likely all you'll need to keep your vehicle shiny and safe — but if you know or suspect your vehicle has come into contact with coronavirus, or just want to increase your peace of mind, it may be time to call in a professional.

The majority of auto detail shops, which fall under the same essential services category as automobile repair shops, have remained open during the pandemic.

Tom Segal, 45, the owner of Blue Ocean Auto Detailing in Headingley, has seen it all in the more than 25 years he's been cleaning cars, including dirty diapers, rotten food crammed between seats and rodent infestations, but this is his first pandemic.

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Saturday, Apr. 18, 2020

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
"It has been challenging," says Tom Segal, "about 40 per cent of our business is customers who get their personal vehicles detailed and almost all of that business has dried up."

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS