Whose story is being told? How perspectives shape our understanding

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A moose grazes in a field of canola bordering the Trans-Canada Highway west of Brandon in this file photo. In a recently filed statement of defence, the province argues a First Nation’s moose-hunting lawsuit should be tossed out. (File)

Manitoba urges court to throw out First Nation’s moose-hunt lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Manitoba urges court to throw out First Nation’s moose-hunt lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

The Manitoba government is arguing a northern First Nation’s lawsuit over moose hunting on its traditional territory should be tossed out of court.

Misipawistik Cree Nation filed its statement of claim in the Court of King’s Bench in September, arguing licensed moose hunting on its traditional lands northwest of Lake Winnipeg infringes on the community’s treaty rights to hunt moose for food amid dwindling populations of the big game animal.

But in a recently filed statement of defence, the province argues it has upheld its duties.

“Manitoba denies that there have been any unjustified infringements of Treaty No. 5, that it has failed to act honourably toward the plaintiff, or that any court intervention or other remedy is required,” reads the government court filing.

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Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
Lisa Budney holds a protest sign as people take part in a pro-Canada anti-separatist rally in Edmonton on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Jackson

Albertans react to looming referendum during weekend rally, call-in radio show

Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Albertans react to looming referendum during weekend rally, call-in radio show

Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

EDMONTON - Some callers to Danielle Smith's provincewide radio show expressed support for a referendum the Alberta premier announced this week, while others at a rally outside the legislature said they're disheartened with the direction Smith is taking.

One caller congratulated Smith on her morning radio show for her speech on Thursday announcing the Oct. 19 referendum, which is to include questions about whether social services should be restricted for newcomers.

"It reflected what many Albertans wanted to hear," the caller told Smith.

"You're on the right track and I'm so thankful you're the premier at such a time as this," another caller told her.

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Monday, Feb. 23, 2026
People with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in the workforce. (Freepik)

Untapped workforce

Tory McNally 6 minute read Preview

Untapped workforce

Tory McNally 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

When we think about hiring people with disabilities, the images that often come to mind are limited and old-fashioned. Some people still assume disability means only certain basic roles or supports.

That narrow view misses a more important truth: people with disabilities and neurodivergent professionals bring distinct strengths and capabilities that can enrich workplaces and contribute to innovation, performance and long-term success.

People with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented in the workforce.

According to Statistics Canada, the employment rate for Canadians with a disability was about 46 per cent in 2024, compared with 66 per cent for those without a disability — a gap that has stubbornly persisted over time. That means a large share of Canadians who could work do not have paid employment opportunities at the same rate as others.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS ‘I am bound and determined to get what is rightfully ours, and this has nothing to do with money,’ said Norway House Chief Larson Anderson.

Norway House files suit against Hydro, governments over Lake Winnipeg

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Preview

Norway House files suit against Hydro, governments over Lake Winnipeg

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

Norway House Cree Nation is suing Manitoba Hydro and the provincial and federal governments over how the public utility manipulates the level of Lake Winnipeg.

It’s the latest litigation launched by a First Nation in relation to Hydro’s regulation of the outflow of the lake into the Nelson River, which it has done since the mid-1970s.

Norway House filed its claim in the Court of King’s Bench on Thursday. It alleges Hydro and the Manitoba government have misrepresented the severity and scope of the adverse effects to the community caused by the regulation operation and the construction of a channel from Lake Winnipeg to Playgreen Lake.

The community, which is about 460 kilometres north of Winnipeg, near the northern shore of Lake Winnipeg, hired engineering firm DHI Water and Environments Inc. to conduct a scientific assessment of the effects of the regulation project.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Black Market Provisions co-owners Angela Farkas (left) and Alana Fiks have been named as finalists for the Employer of the Year Award as part of the 10th annual MQCC Business Awards.

Entrepreneurs lauded as Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce’s biz awards return

Aaron Epp 5 minute read Preview

Entrepreneurs lauded as Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce’s biz awards return

Aaron Epp 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

When Alana Fiks and Angela Farkas opened Black Market Provisions, they hired one employee and almost couldn’t imagine bringing on more.

“We tend to be sort of scared and risk averse, so even the thought of having employees at the time seemed like a dream to us,” said Fiks, who started the shop with Farkas in Winnipeg’s South Osborne neighbourhood almost seven years ago.

The entrepreneurs have built a workplace culture rooted in respect, transparency and well-being. Today, Black Market Provisions has four full-time and six part-time employees.

The Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce recognized Fiks and Farkas earlier this week when the organization named the duo as finalists for the Employer of the Year Award as part of its 10th annual MQCC Business Awards.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a tour of the Ford River Rogue complex on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. International Trade Commission launches CUSMA rules-of-origin auto investigation

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

U.S. International Trade Commission launches CUSMA rules-of-origin auto investigation

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

WASHINGTON - The U.S. International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into rules-of-origin regulations for automobiles under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico agreement on trade.

A news release on the commission's website says the investigation will analyze the regulations' "impact on the U.S. economy, effect on U.S. competitiveness, and relevancy considering recent technology changes."

It's the third investigation of the rules since the trilateral trade pact, widely known as CUSMA, was adopted during the first administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The commission is required to conduct an investigation every two years until 2031.

The report on automobiles must be delivered to Trump and the U.S. Senate by July of next year.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
Workers protest after tire maker Fate announced it would shut down operations at its factory in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Milei’s overhaul of Argentina labor law advances in Congress as unions strike in protest

Isabel Debre, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Milei’s overhaul of Argentina labor law advances in Congress as unions strike in protest

Isabel Debre, The Associated Press 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A general strike protesting Argentine President Javier Milei’s flagship overhaul of the country's labor law disrupted public transport, hospitals, ports and schools across Argentina on Thursday and intensified a standoff between the libertarian leader and long-powerful workers’ unions.

The lower house of Congress approved the bill, which grants employers greater flexibility in matters of hiring, firing, severance and collective bargaining, in a 135-115 vote early Friday.

The legislation won initial support from the Senate last week but must be sent back to senators for a final vote before becoming law. That's because the government was forced to scrap a clause that halves salaries for workers on leave due to injury or illness unrelated to work after an outcry from opposition lawmakers.

As lawmakers debated the reform, bus lines and subways ground to a halt. Factories paused production, banks closed, airlines canceled hundreds of flights and public hospitals postponed all but emergency surgeries. Uncollected garbage lined streets and shopping areas. A march to Congress by radical left-wing unions briefly turned violent as police fired water canons at protesters throwing stones and bottles.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
DAVID LIPNOWSKI / FREE PRESS Some residents, business owners and local councillors expressed hope and optimism Wednesday after the city published details of a proposed plan to revitalize Point Douglas with the aim of creating a safe, inclusive and complete neighbourhood.

New homes, businesses and parks anchor plan for revitalized Point Douglas

Chris Kitching 5 minute read Preview

New homes, businesses and parks anchor plan for revitalized Point Douglas

Chris Kitching 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

An ambitious, decades-long plan to revitalize Point Douglas proposes a balanced mix of new homes, businesses and light industrial sites with the aim of creating a safe, inclusive and complete neighbourhood.

Some residents, business owners and local councillors expressed hope and optimism Wednesday after the city published details of the proposed secondary plan for one of Winnipeg’s oldest areas.

“Unfortunately, Point Douglas has been known as an area that just gets dumped on, and it’s really disheartening to hear that from the community in that they’re so desperate for some revitalization and some TLC,” said Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos, whose ward includes South Point Douglas, which borders downtown Winnipeg.

“I really hope that in the next decade or so we’re going to see some really good plans and revitalization, and people really wanting to invest and work, live and play here.”

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Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026
A package of Reese’s Hearts is shown on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 in New Jersey. (AP Photo/Pablo Salinas)
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Grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups accuses Hershey of cutting corners

Dee-ann Durbin, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview
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Grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups accuses Hershey of cutting corners

Dee-ann Durbin, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026

The grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has lashed out at The Hershey Co., accusing the candy company of hurting the Reese's brand by shifting to cheaper ingredients in many products.

Hershey acknowledges some recipe changes but said Wednesday that it was trying to meet consumer demand for innovation. High cocoa prices also have led Hershey and other manufacturers to experiment with using less chocolate in recent years.

Brad Reese, 70, said in a Feb. 14 letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager that for multiple Reese's products, the company replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème.

“How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Reese wrote in the letter, which he posted on his LinkedIn profile.

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Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026
A person uses a computer keyboard in Toronto on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 in this photo illustration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
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New report says youth should help guide Ottawa’s campaign against online exploitation

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview
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New report says youth should help guide Ottawa’s campaign against online exploitation

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026

OTTAWA - The federal government should listen to young people as it takes on the problem of online harms, a group of youth advocates told reporters on Parliament Hill Wednesday.

The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights held a joint press conference with the youth advocates in Ottawa to present a new report. It says current systems aren’t protecting young people in digital spaces.

"Youth are calling for clear federal action," including a national youth advisory council on digital safety, said Blue Vetsch.

The report outlines harms young people are experiencing online, including sexual exploitation and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

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Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026