U of M researchers studying ‘digital legacy planning’ before death

A team of researchers at the University of Manitoba wants adults to take the cloud they leave behind into special consideration when they envision heaven and their afterlife.

Advocates say rehab benefits animals with behavioural issues, but more resources are needed

After two years at the Winnipeg Humane Society’s shelter, it seemed iffy that Benny would ever find a forever home.

The German shepherd had behavioural issues and was not great at socializing with other dogs, but after one month of rehabilitation with Back to Pack Rescue Shelter, he was able to be adopted.

Benny was fortunate enough to be given another chance, but the lack of resources for rehabilitating dogs means some aren’t as lucky, said Andrew Din, co-founder of Back to Pack.

Din and other animal advocates say more resources and education are needed to retrain dogs and give them a fair shot before they are euthanized or designated as dangerous.

Woodstock pledges radical change at city hall

A mayoral candidate has vowed to abolish several city committees, eliminate pay bumps for executive policy committee members, and keep monthly office hours to meet Winnipeggers, if elected.

Don Woodstock said city council holds too many private meetings before public sessions of EPC, whose members are appointed by the mayor. He also alleged members of EPC, also known as the “mayor’s inner circle” get more information and special treatment for their wards.

“If the mayor cannot govern and treat every single councillor and every single ward with absolute equality, they are not a leader,” said Woodstock, who is seeking the job for the third consecutive time. Four years ago, he placed ninth out of 11 candidates. In 2018, he was fourth in a slate of eight contenders.

Provincial legislation requires the city to have an executive policy committee. When asked about that law, Woodstock said he’s confident he could successfully lobby the province to change it.

Endoscopy backlog, wait times greatly reduced

The Manitoba government says it has put a dent in the backlog of patients waiting for an endoscopy, a procedure used to diagnose intestinal diseases.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced Wednesday a record number of the procedures have been completed in the last three years — approximately 50,000 annually.

“When we took office, thousands of Manitobans were waiting far too long for procedures that can detect cancer and other serious illnesses because of the previous government’s cuts and mismanagement,” the minister said in the release.

“Thanks to the hard work of health-care workers across Manitoba and targeted investments to expand capacity, more Manitobans are getting the care they need sooner.”

Accused extortionist denies working for terrorist gang in India, claims to be victim

A 36-year-old accused of extorting a Winnipeg man on behalf of a criminal organization operated from a prison cell in India has denied he’s a member of the gang, instead arguing he is one of its victims.

A civil forfeiture lawsuit filed by the province in Manitoba Court of King’s Bench last month alleges Arshdeep Singh Brar, who was arrested earlier this year, claimed to be a member of the Bishnoi Gang when he tried to extort cash from the victim, who’s identified in court papers as a man of South Asian descent.

The gang, headed by convicted gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from behind bars in India, has an “established and growing presence in Canada,” says the claim.

It has been blamed in extortion cases across the country, largely in British Columbia, southern Ontario and Alberta. Gang members seek to obtain money from Indian-Canadian community members and business owners by intimidating them. At times, the incidents have escalated to shootings and arsons.

Once hailed as sign of strong bond, U.S. consulate in Winnipeg to close

There was much fanfare when the U.S. government re-established a permanent presence in Winnipeg in April 2001 as it unveiled its consulate and hailed it as a major achievement between two friendly nations.

“It is testimony not only to the importance the U.S. government attaches to our bilateral relationship with Canada but also to the increasing prominence of Winnipeg, Manitoba and the western region of the country in bilateral and multilateral affairs,” said U.S. Ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin at a ceremony with then-premier Gary Doer.

Fast-forward to this week when it was learned the office at Portage and Main is set to close, meaning the U.S. will lose its primary advocate for American business and trade interests in Manitoba.

Dwight MacAulay was chief of protocol for the Manitoba government in 2001, calling it a time of celebration and strength between the countries.

Steinbach ER nurses ask for triage help as wait-averse Winnipeg patients strain hospital capacity

Forty nurses from the hospital’s emergency department signed an open letter stating because of the current staffing ratio, nurses are witnessing “excessive and unacceptable safety risks on a daily basis.”