News briefs for Sunday, September 24, 2023

Crews respond to fire on Selkirk Avenue

9:32 AM

Firefighters were called to a vacant, two-storey commercial building in the 500 block of Selkirk Avenue after a fire broke out Saturday evening, according to a news release Sunday.

At 7:46 p.m., crews arrived at the scene, and declared the fire under control at 8:07 p.m.

The building was empty at the time of fire and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

NDP announces $2.4M sexual assault nurse examiner strategy 

11:43 AM

The NDP will launch a provincial strategy to ensure sexual assault care is available round the clock in urban, rural and northern Manitoba, according to a press release Sunday.

NDP candidates Uzoma Asagwara and Nahanni Fontaine made the announcement, which included $2.4 million to support seven new nursing positions.

“For those who are sexually assaulted, getting the physical and emotional care they need right away couldn’t be more important,” said Asagwara. “For years this program this essential program has been neglected and mismanaged. It’s time for a government that works with nurses to provide the best care for survivors.”

The NDP also said the party would bring comfort and care to the waiting room experience for sexual assault patients at HSC and pledged future capital improvements to support the sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) program.

Tories promise to expand liquor sales into grocery stores

2:42 PM

If re-elected, the Progressive Conservative (PC) party-led government will expand liquor sales into grocery stores and other vendors, PC candidate for Kirkfield Park Kevin Klein announced Sunday afternoon.

“Our PC team has fought to allow more consumer choice when it comes to liquor sales,” said Klein. “But Wab Kinew blocked the bill each step of the way. Worse, he influenced his union leader buddies to cause an unnecessary strike this year and blocked Manitobans from buying liquor products this summer.”

Klein added the bill will be based on consultations with the industry and with Manitobans.

The Manitoba government will remain the exclusive wholesaler of liquor in the province, Klein said.

Visiting Valour defeats Atletico Ottawa

5:24 PM

Walter Ponce worked overtime for Valour FC on Sunday in the nation’s capital.

With the match in extra time, Kian Williams passed to Ponce for the only goal as Winnipeg’s pro soccer team earned a 1-0 win over Atletico Ottawa at TD Place.

Valour registered just its sixth win of the Canadian Premier League season, to go with eight draws and 12 defeats. The squad shares the basement in the eight-team standings with Vancouver FC.

Valour goalkeeper Rayane Yesli posted his seventh clean sheet of the season.

Valour has just two matches left, the first coming Friday in Calgary against Cavalry FC and a home date with HFX Wanderers on Oct. 6.