Bias in media

Telus drops the gloves with Rogers over alleged ad blocking on its media platforms

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Telus drops the gloves with Rogers over alleged ad blocking on its media platforms

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

TORONTO - A Canadian telecom giant is asking the national regulator to call one of its competitors offside, saying it has been unfairly blocked from advertising on the other company's media platforms.

It's a battle between Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. that also extends to the ice, with the former alleging that Rogers has used its position as Canada's dominant TV rightsholder for NHL games to interfere with Telus' long-standing sponsorship of the Calgary Flames.

The issue was outlined in a complaint filed by Telus in June and posted to the CRTC's website Tuesday. It alleges Rogers has been engaging in "anticompetitive behaviour" that violates regulatory rules.

Rogers disputes that characterization, however, saying Telus' advertisements aim to harm its reputation and therefore don't comply with its content standards.

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Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

Telus offices are seen in Ottawa on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. The telecom giant is asking the CRTC to rule Rogers offside for unfairly blocking it from advertising on Rogers-owned media platforms. Telus says Rogers is also interfering with its long-standing sponsorship of the Calgary Flames. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Trump celebrates West Point alumni group canceling award ceremony to honor Tom Hanks

Michelle L. Price, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Trump celebrates West Point alumni group canceling award ceremony to honor Tom Hanks

Michelle L. Price, The Associated Press 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 15, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated news on Monday that an alumni group from West Point canceled an award ceremony set to honor Tom Hanks, with the president calling the famous actor “destructive” and “WOKE.”

Hanks was scheduled to receive the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award on Sept. 25, but the U.S. Military Academy's alumni association canceled the ceremony last week, according to news reports.

“Important move!” Trump said in a post on his social media network Monday. “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!! Hopefully the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice.”

West Point, its alumni association and a representative for Hanks did not immediately respond to messages and calls seeking comment Monday.

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Monday, Sep. 15, 2025

FILE - Tom Hanks arrives at the 15th Governors Awards Nov. 17, 2024, at The Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Number of private agency nurses rises

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Preview

Number of private agency nurses rises

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 8, 2025

As the province tries to move away from its reliance on private agency nurses, data show the practice continues to increase in Manitoba.

A report Thursday from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba shows there were 1,611 nurses working for private agencies in 2024, up from 1,418 in 2023.

“Our fundamental mandate as the professional regulator is to ensure public protection and provide the conditions that work towards supporting and ensuring patient safety,” said college spokesman Martin Lussier.

“When there is a significant shift in the practice of (nurses) that we regulate, part of our work is to assess: does that create new challenges or risks.”

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Monday, Sep. 8, 2025

Nurses clocked about 36,547 overtime hours per month in 2022, an increase of about 50 per cent compared to 2020. (Winnipeg Free Press files)

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Onslaught of sports betting ads make gambling seem enticing to youth, doctors say

Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

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Onslaught of sports betting ads make gambling seem enticing to youth, doctors say

Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

TORONTO - Doctors are calling for restrictions on sports betting ads, saying they are setting youth up for a future of problem gambling.

An editorial published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday says the ads are everywhere during sports broadcasts and that the legalization of online gambling has made every smartphone a potential betting platform.

Editor Dr. Shannon Charlebois says even though betting sites say they're only for people 19 years of age and older, youth are being inundated with advertising that equates enjoying sports with betting.

She says child and teen brains are still developing and the constant exposure to gambling messages normalizes harmful behaviour that they can carry into adulthood

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) in the second half of an NFL football game Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

‘We’re here for you’, agriculture minister tells farmers

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

‘We’re here for you’, agriculture minister tells farmers

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Sunday, Sep. 7, 2025

The federal agriculture minister and his Manitoba counterpart tried to offer comfort Sunday to canola producers and other farmers roiled by massive tariffs from China and other economic uncertainty.

Liberal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said in Winnipeg on Sunday a new $370-million in support meant to ease the pain in the canola industry, which was announced Friday by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is “just a start.”

“I know you’re stressed, you need to make business decisions, this is your livelihood and what you’re hoping to pass on to the next generation… when the time comes,” said MacDonald. “We’re here for you.”

MacDonald made the comments ahead of an annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers, which runs through Tuesday in Winnipeg, where trade uncertainty is expected to largely top the agenda.

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Sunday, Sep. 7, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald (right) makes an agriculture announcement in the Tache Room at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Man., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. MacDonald was joined by Provincial Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn for the announcement.

Former Blue Bomber Reaves launches Liberal leadership bid

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Former Blue Bomber Reaves launches Liberal leadership bid

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Sunday, Sep. 7, 2025

Willard Reaves aims to become the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party.

Reaves, a star Winnipeg Blue Bomber in the 1980s who also played a stint in the National Football League, announced his intention to run for leader of the longtime third-place party outside the Manitoba Legislature on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s time to get to work,” said Reaves, 66.

“I will be the best leader that this province can ever have, because my passion is about the people, not the parties.”

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Sunday, Sep. 7, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS
Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Willard Reaves, 66, (left) announces his intention to become the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party while former party leader and former Legislative Assembly Member for River Heights Jon Gerrard joins him on the steps of the main entrance to Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, Man., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

Health officials declare ‘Queen of Canada’s’ compound a threat to public safety

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Health officials declare ‘Queen of Canada’s’ compound a threat to public safety

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

RICHMOUND - Provincial officials in Saskatchewan say parts of a former school that was serving as a compound for the self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada" and her followers have been declared unfit for human habitation, and the residents have been ordered out.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says in an email that occupancy of the building in Richmound is prohibited under Section 22 of the Public Health Act, on the basis that the premises is a multi-person residence and is not connected to the municipal sewer system.

The email says an order was issued for anyone who was currently occupying the building to vacate, although it notes the order covers the building only, and not trailers on the site.

Police arrested the group's leader, Romana Didulo, property owner Ricky Manz and 14 others on Wednesday in the village west of Regina, after obtaining a search warrant to enter the site.

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Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

Senior Investigative Officer with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crimes Branch Ashley St. Germaine speaks during a press conference regarding an ongoing investigation in Richmound, Sask., in Regina, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

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Clean air as privilege

Marwa Suraj 4 minute read Saturday, Sep. 6, 2025

For elders with dementia, youth with anxiety, or evacuees coping with displacement, smoke is not just a public health irritant. It’s an accelerant for mental health issues.

You can’t put an N95 on your brain. You can’t tell your nervous system to calm down when the air outside looks like dusk at noon.

For older adults, people with asthma, families on fixed incomes, or those living in crowded apartments or trailers, wildfire season in Manitoba is more than just a nuisance. It’s a trigger. Of breathlessness. Of panic. Of helplessness.

And every year, the advice is the same:

Carney calls for ‘maximum pressure’ on Russia as Putin issues threat to allies

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Carney calls for ‘maximum pressure’ on Russia as Putin issues threat to allies

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

OTTAWA - Canada and other allies need to maintain "maximum pressure" on Moscow, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to target foreign troops if they are deployed to Ukraine.

Putin "has not yet come to terms with the need for peace," the prime minister said in response to a question from a reporter at a news conference in Mississauga, Ont.

"Mr. Putin is the cause of this war, he's the reason for the killing," he said. "He is not going to dictate the terms of the peace."

Carney said allied pressure on Russia would include imposing new sanctions, ensuring Ukrainian forces are armed and that Ukraine is supported "when there is a cessation of hostility." He said the next round of sanctions is now being prepared by Ukraine's allies.

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Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, and his wife Olena attend a flower laying ceremony at the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

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Alberta government postpones release of revised school library book ban

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

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Alberta government postpones release of revised school library book ban

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

EDMONTON - The Alberta government has postponed the release of its revised school library book ban to Monday.

The government had promised the new ministerial order for Friday afternoon, with a technical briefing for reporters set earlier in the day.

After the briefing was supposed to start, media were informed by email that it had been rescheduled.

“We are taking the time needed to ensure that the revised ministerial order is clear for all school boards," Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides later said in an email in response to questions about the postponement.

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Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025

November 18, 2025