School board’s plan violates rights of young people: children’s advocate

Backlash is mounting over the Steinbach school board’s plans to disregard “mature minor” status and recognize parents as primary decision makers in all student health matters.

‘Electrical non-compliances’ found at B.C. waterpark where kids were burned

CULTUS LAKE - The agency that oversees safety at B.C. amusement parks says investigators have found "electrical non compliances" at Cultus Lake Waterpark where a group of 12 schoolchildren suffered electrical burns on Monday.

Technical Safety BC, which is leading the investigation into what went wrong at the park, said in a statement on Wednesday that the finding means the park in the Fraser Valley will be shut until the problems are fixed and there is no timeline for reopening.

The regulator said its safety officers are “conducting a thorough assessment” at the park where the group suffered electrical burns requiring hospitalization.

The waterpark posted a statement on its website on Tuesday that said it was "fully co-operating with all authorities as they complete" their investigation.

Federal Trade Commission sues leading transgender health group

The Federal Trade Commission and four states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health on Wednesday, in the latest push by President Donald Trump’s administration and others to limit gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPATH, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and its members profited off the claims. Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas filed along with the FTC.

“Parents have a right to make informed decisions about their children’s health,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said on X. “The FTC will not allow parents and children to be deceived by medical organizations and providers who are prioritizing profit over children’s health and safety.”

The suit also alleges the group didn't disclose the side effects of certain pediatric medical transition services, including those related to hormone treatments, and doctors then repeated to consumers "false, misleading or unsubstantiated statements about safety and efficacy found in WPATH guidelines.”

CDC issues travel advisory for Manitoba

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising travellers to Manitoba about a hepatitis A virus outbreak in the province that’s killed at least four people.

On June 4, America’s leading public health agency issued a Level 1 notice warning travellers that the virus that infects the liver is contagious and spread though close person-to-person contact and by eating contaminated food or drink.

To prevent catching hepatitis A, the CDC advises travellers to Manitoba to “ensure that you are vaccinated,” practise good hand hygiene, avoid sharing syringes and practise safe sex.

As of June 4, there have been 784 reported cases of hepatitis A in Manitoba — up from 658 cases reported May 6 — with 186 in Winnipeg, up from 143 a month earlier, a provincial government spokesperson said Tuesday. There have been 165 hospitalizations, eight intensive care unit admissions and four deaths since the outbreak was first reported in April 2025.

AI threatens relationship between writers, readers

If an author is not who they say they are, if their work does not spring from human experience and creativity, then how can there be any authentic relationship between the writer and reader?

WeCook meals service expands to Winnipeg

The company sells ready-to-eat meals, from small to family portions.

Directors Desk enters child care HR spotlight

A Manitoba company has released what is believed to be the first sector-specific human resources software for early learning centres and child care operations in Canada.

Mayor’s cabinet signs off on proposed 110-acre neighbourhood on Dugald Road

A major development proposes to create nearly 3,000 homes, ample commercial space and a possible school at a mostly vacant industrial park.

The Waters Urban Village project would transform 110 acres (44.5 hectares) of employment and industrial land at 1390 and 1470 Dugald Road in the St. Boniface Industrial Park by creating 2,946 residential units, a commercial town centre, a central park and six business park buildings, pending final city council approval.

The largest high-rise residential buildings would be close to key Winnipeg Transit routes.

The substantial addition of infill homes and businesses fits well with the city’s goals to make use of existing infrastructure, said a proponent of the project.

‘Fundamentally broken’ support system failing Manitobans with disabilities, scathing report concludes

Manitoba’s disability support system is “fundamentally broken” and routinely fails people as they transition into adulthood, according to a damning new report that calls for a sweeping overhaul of provincial services.

Justice minister says he will review MAID committee testimony before making decision

OTTAWA - Justice Minister Sean Fraser says he will take time over the summer to review the work of a committee tasked with determining whether Canada is ready to allow people with mental illness access to medically assisted dying.

Committee co-chair Marcus Powlowski said last week the report would be presented to Parliament on Wednesday to ensure it's in the government's hands before the House of Commons takes its summer break.

Fraser said Tuesday he will consider more than the committee's conclusions and recommendations.

"Importantly to me, I'm also going to be reviewing the witness testimony upon which those recommendations were based," he said.

Ebola stretches weakened global aid system

The WHO has declared the current outbreak an international public health emergency.

Division undertakes close to $1M in security upgrades after sex offender gets into two schools

Selfies are now standard protocol for all visitors to public schools in St. Vital.

CRTC gives Bell and Telus until Wednesday to drop fees or risk compliance actions

The CRTC has again issued warnings to Bell Canada and Telus Corp. over recently introduced fees the regulator says could be in violation of its new policy prohibiting telecoms from charging customers when they activate, change or cancel plans.

Downtown vintage shop offers up sweet fashions piping hot, fresh from the dryer

In a sartorial era defined by the destructive environmental impacts of cheaply made, microplastic-laden garments, two Winnipeg clothing entrepreneurs are taking fast-fashion competition to the cleaners one cycle at a time.

Every week, Cholo Barachina and Carj Delera pack several trash bags full of hand-picked, second-hand garments to wash, dry and fold before rebagging and tagging each piece to retail at Clothing Bakery, their Exchange District storefront at 70 Arthur St.

For the two Filipino businessmen, most Monday mornings — the shop’s one-day weekend — are spent at Blondies in the Maples: crisp clothing doesn’t happen without frequent visits to their old neighbourhood laundromat.

“It’s insane how interesting a Tide pod is to us,” jokes Barachina, whose family ran an industrial laundry in Cabuyao Laguna before moving to Winnipeg. “We just switched over to the XL and all we do is smell the clothes once they’re out of the laundry. That’s no lie.”

Ottawa introduces privacy bill covering children’s data, right to request deletion

Proposed federal legislation would recognize privacy as a fundamental right of all Canadians and set higher standards for organizations when they manage children's data.

Manitoba’s role in a distant Ebola outbreak

Across parts of Central and East Africa, a familiar threat has returned. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, one of the rarer and generally less fatal variants of the virus, has emerged again in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Weighing profits against transforming ‘beautiful country’ of wind-turbine proposal south of Brandon

A major wind-turbine project has been proposed for the Carroll area south of Brandon. Innergex Renewable Energy has made preliminary agreements with landowners on roughly 12,000 acres and is looking to install 30 to 35 turbines.

Mondetta unveils expansion amid ScaleUP week

Scratch the kitchenette — Mondetta’s new RV is stocked with suits and gas for cross-country sales.

The Winnipeg-based clothier has spent $500,000 renovating an RV to take its menswear brand, Modern Ambition, to cities throughout Canada.

It’s also slated new stores for Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

“We are very proud that a Canadian brand is … expanding and getting that recognition,” said Georgi Gvakharia, Mondetta Clothing’s senior vice-president and global head of retail.

Pickles take centre stage among concession vendors at Red River Ex

The thought of biting into a deep-fried Oreo with a pickle inside may sound repulsive, but the unusual sweet treat and other pickled foods have been growing in popularity at fairs across North America.

Deep Fried Pickle Oreos, Blue Taki Pickle Pizza and Pickled Fries are just a few of the 60 or so food vendors set up at the Red River Exhibition, which started Friday and runs to June 21.

The fried sweet and tangy Oreos have become a bestseller, says Harrison Swift, co-owner of Concessions Inc., which specializes in creating unique foods that appear at exhibitions across the country.

“We’ve done it in Toronto at the CNE, we’ve done it at the Calgary Stampede and now it’s making its debut here so we’re super excited about it,” says Swift.

‘Exceeded expectations’: Holy Shakes opens first Manitoba shop in St. Vital Centre

Since opening on April 11, the eatery’s 20 employees have sold more than 10,000 milkshakes, said franchisee Kiran Pandher.