News briefs for Thursday, September 14, 2023

Manitoba government websites down amid technical issues

10:51 AM

Manitoba government websites are down amid technical issues.

The government said on social media that manitoba.ca and all other online websites and systems were experiencing the problem.

“Work is underway to resolve the issue,” the government said Thursday morning.

A government spokesperson said support teams have not yet identified the cause of the “unplanned service interruption.”

The Manitoba spokesperson would not say if the government’s technical employees are investigating whether the service crash is due to a cyberattack or when service is expected to be restored.

The “unplanned service interruption” in Manitoba came the same day as Prince Edward Island’s main provincial government website crashed due to a cyberattack, that province announced.

Two Winnipeg eateries make best new restaurant list

10:52 AM

Winnipeg’s Bar Accanto and Petit Socco are among 30 nominees named to the annual Canada’s Best New Restaurants list.

Finalists for the national ranking guide, hosted by Air Canada, were unveiled Thursday. The pool of notable new restaurants will be further whittled down and a top 10 list released later this fall.

Bar Accanto is a natural wine bar and tapas lounge located in St. Boniface next to Nola. The intimate restaurant is a concept of Winnipeg’s Burnley Place Hospitality group and award-winning chef Emily Butcher.

Petit Socco is a miniature, family-style fine dining eatery on Stafford Street owned and operated by chef Adam Donnelly — formerly of Segovia — and partner Courtney Molaro.

First Nations safety officer’s truck torched

12:20 PM

A man is facing charges after a First Nations safety officer’s truck was destroyed by fire early Wednesday.

The fire spread to a truck, which also sustained major damage, in the parking lot of the safety officer’s building in St. Theresa Point First Nation. The blaze started at about 6:05 a.m.

Two snowmobiles, and the building, also sustained damage.

A 42-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of arson and three counts of mischief. He was remanded into custody.

PCs promise to boost film tax credit, fund soundstage facilities

1:54 PM

A re-elected Progressive Conservative government would top up the tax credit for film productions using Manitoba-made music, leader Heather Stefanson pledged Thursday.

Productions would be able to claim a 10 per cent bonus on existing film tax credits if the final product’s soundtrack is at least 50 per cent local, according to the Tories.

The PCs also committed to spending $4.5 million to ensure the province has a “world class soundstage.” The money would be distributed through a competitive process.

Stefanson made the commitment at Big Sky Studios in northwest Winnipeg.