News briefs for Monday, August 28, 2023

MPI workers walk off the job

9:18 AM

Around 1,700 unionized MPI employees went on strike at 7:30 a.m. Monday.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union notified MPI Friday that its members would take strike action should a deal not be reached over the weekend.

A news release from MPI Sunday said its contact centre for reporting claims will remain open for anyone reporting personal injuries, non-drivable collisions and stolen vehicles.

All other damage claims, including hail damage, can be made through any repair shop accredited by MPI.

MPI has offered union members an annual wage increase of two per cent per year for four years. The deal includes additional wage incentives and adjustments for specific employees, and a one time signing bonus. The Crown corporation has totalled its offer to equal 17 per cent in increases, while MGEU has decried that framing as disingenuous and misleading.

The union said it will establish picket lines outside MPI locations in Winnipeg, The Pas, Thompson, Dauphin, Brandon, Portage La Prairie, Winkler, Arborg, Beausejour, Selkirk and Steinbach.

WPS seeks help in Sturgeon Creek stabbing

9:19 AM

Police are asking for the public’s help in their investigation of a stabbing near Grace General Hospital just before 11:20 p.m. on June 20.

The attack left a 26-year-old man in critical condition with severe injuries. He required emergency surgery.

The Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit is asking anyone with information on the stabbing or the events leading up to it, or video footage, to contact them at 204-986-6219 or 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Rifles fall to Thunder on the road

9:35 AM

The Winnipeg Rifles were washed away by the Regina Thunder 45-21 on Sunday, dropping the club to 1-2 on the young Canadian Junior Football League season.

The Rifles have dropped two games in a row since opening the regular season with a convincing victory over the Edmonton Wildcats and have allowed 94 points over the last two weeks.

The club will lick its wounds during a bye this week before travelling to Calgary to face the Colts on Sept. 10.

NDP commits to reopening Winnipeg ERs

11:32 AM

Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew promised to reopen three Winnipeg emergency departments closed under the Progressive Conservative government if his party wins the Oct. 3 election.

Kinew made the commitment outside the St. Boniface Hospital on Monday morning.

He said the NDP would reopen emergency departments at Victoria, Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals.

The multi-year reopening plan would be contingent on hiring additional medical staff to work in the new departments and reopening would only proceed once staff are in place, Kinew said.

“The biggest mistake (Premier) Heather Stefanson made in health care was to close three ERs in Winnipeg,” Kinew said in a release. 

Park entry to be free on September long weekend

11:54 AM

The Manitoba government will provide free entry at provincial parks throughout the September long weekend.

While vehicle permits are usually required to visit those areas, that rule will be waived from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4.

Overnight camping fees and entrance fees to national parks still apply.

Those who want to make a camping reservation can visit www.manitobaparks.com or call 1-888-482-2267.

Woman killed in pickup truck rollover

1:00 PM

A 50-year-old Thompson woman was killed Saturday afternoon on Matheson Island when the pickup truck she was a passenger inside collided with a fence, drove into the ditch and rolled.

The 41-year-old Winnipeg driver, who was not injured and managed to get out of the vehicle, was arrested by RCMP at the scene for impaired driving. He faces charges of impaired driving causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The man, whose name was not released, is scheduled to appear in court in Arborg on Nov. 6.
Matheson Island is located about 150 kilometres north of Gimli.