News briefs for Friday, January 30, 2026

Plows to clear Perimeter 24-7 during bad weather

2:44 PM

Snow plows will now operate 24-7 on Winnipeg’s Perimeter Highway during periods of severe weather.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor made the announcement in a news release Friday, saying the province has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union.

“This agreement is about keeping Manitobans safe and moving when winter weather hits,” said Naylor. “Bringing back 24-7 snow clearing on the Perimeter Highway means crews can respond faster during major storms and provide a higher level of service when our communities need it most.”

The agreement took effect on Jan. 22 and allows the province to deploy snowplows around the clock when severe weather is on the forecast or underway. Plow operators will work in two, 12-hour shifts, the release said.

Naylor said the move will help improve safe travel conditions and reduce disruptions on the highway, which is one of Manitoba’s busiest transportation routes.

A provincial spokesperson said Manitoba previously utilized 24-7 plow operations on select highways between 2007 and 2012.

City highlighted for red-tape reduction

2:27 PM

The City of Winnipeg’s work to tackle permit delays has caught the attention of a business association.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business gave Winnipeg an honourable mention in its 2026 Golden Scissors Awards, which recognizes governments for “meaningful action” to reduce red tape.

CFIB notes the city gave 35 common residential and commercial projects permit exemptions, digitized permit applications and expanded virtual inspections, among other steps to reduce delays.

The organization says making this process easier helps small businesses get projects completed sooner.

Winnipeg Airports Authority cleared to develop land

1:46 PM

City council has cleared the way for the Winnipeg Airports Authority to develop its land for future development.

Sources have told the Free Press the authority hopes to attract a potential WestJet aircraft maintenance facility to the site. However, the use of the land has not been officially confirmed and other cities are also seeking the same development.

On Thursday, city council approved a servicing agreement that will see the Winnipeg Airports Authority cover the cost of water mains, sewers and other utilities to extend water, wastewater and other city services to land just west of the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

Winnipeg man to face charges after drug bust at Thompson airport

12:30 PM

Mounties seized 350 baggies of suspected cocaine at the Thompson airport on Thursday, resulting in criminal charges for an 18-year-old man.

Officers were conducting an investigation at the airport when they encountered the suspect as he waited to catch a flight to Shamattawa, Manitoba RCMP said in a news release Friday.

Police arrested the man, who is from Winnipeg, and seized 143 grams of what is believed to be illicit drugs. The suspect was released from custody with a future court appearance in Thompson, where he will face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, RCMP said.

Crews battle three fires Friday morning

11:19 AM

Firefighters were kept busy Friday morning as three buildings caught fire within hours of each other.

At 7:05 a.m. crews responded to a blaze in an apartment building on the 400 block of Balmoral Street.

Firefighters attacked the fire and declared it under control at 7:48 a.m. Winnipeg Transit provided a bus as temporary shelter for displaced residents.

Paramedics assessed two patients, but no one was sent to hospital.

Thirty minutes earlier, crews were sent to a commercial building on the 0-100 block of Stevenson Road. Crews found smoke in the building and it was declared it under control at 7:40 a.m.

At 4:19 a.m. crews responded to reports of a fire in a commercial building on the 500 block of London Street. The fire was declared under control at 5:05 a.m.

All three fires are under investigation.