News briefs for Friday, June 5, 2026

Mother sexually assaulted in Charleswood while out for walk with kids: police

2:40 PM

A mother in Charleswood flagged down a passing vehicle for help Wednesday afternoon, after she was sexually assaulted while walking with her two kids, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Friday.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m., when a man approached the family and blocked their passage, made sexually explicit comments and sexually assaulted the woman.

She yelled, flagged down a passing vehicle and police were contacted, police said.

Nobody was physically injured in the incident, the release said.

Investigators identified the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. Police located Brian Joel Levreault, 49, on the 3900 block of Grant Avenue the following day, and brought him into custody.

He is charged with sexual assault. A review of court records shows he has no previous convictions in Manitoba.

Jewelry stolen in gunpoint robbery on Corydon Avenue

1:39 PM

Winnipeg police are looking for two male suspects after jewelry was stolen during a robbery at gunpoint at a business in the 1700 block of Corydon Avenue. The incident took place on April 29.

Police said the masked pair — one armed with a gun and the other with a hammer — smashed a display case and stole a “significant amount” of jewelry shortly before 12:30 p.m.

One suspect was wearing a black freezer-style jacket with a “West Trans” logo, a black neck-warmer, a blue Adidas hat and white shoes and black pants, police said in a news release Friday.

The other had a black North Face jacket, a black neck-warmer, large leather gloves, blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219, or Crime Stoppers anonymously 204-786-8477.

Legislature to install Pride crossing: deputy premier

12:53 PM

A rainbow crosswalk is being installed near the front steps of the Manitoba Legislative Building for the first time in the province’s history, the deputy minister announced Friday.

“We are going to have a pride crossing here on the grounds, right outside the building,” said Uzoma Asagwara, who uses they/them pronouns, to a crowd gathered to celebrate Pride month inside the building.

“So that you will know during Pride and outside of Pride… as you enter this space, you will be able to walk through and pass through a reminder that this building is for you and that you belong here.”

Asagwara said they are hopeful the symbol will be ready ahead of Pride Winnipeg’s parade on Sunday. The event is scheduled to kick off with a rally on the legislature grounds at 10 a.m.

The provincial government’s second annual Pride event at 450 Broadway drew hundreds of people, some of whom dressed up in drag for the occasion, on Friday.

Manitoba announces new trails, camping sites

12:14 PM

Two new backcountry camping sites and 19 different projects to bolster and upkeep hiking infrastructure were announced on the eve on Manitoba Trails Day.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes hosted a news conference on Friday to tout $200,000 in new projects to create, improve and maintain recreational trails.

The recipients of the 2026 provincial trail grants program are undertaking various maintenance, trail study and construction initiatives.

New trails are slated to be built in Steep Rock, Falcon Lake, Landmark, Morris, Dauphin, Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Boissevain, Headingley, St. Adolphe, Treherne and Beausejour.

Also Friday, Moyes announced the opening of two new backcountry sites on the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park. Both sites are first-come, first-served.

“These campsites are going to turn a beautiful trail into another multi-day hiking opportunity. This is something that our government wants to see more of. We know Manitobans have been calling for this,” the minister said.

Pest caterpillar spraying program to launch Monday

11:34 AM

The City of Winnipeg’s annual battle against tree pest caterpillars is slated to begin Monday when, weather permitting, crews will begin spraying for the creepy crawlers.

Spraying crews will treat boulevards, city parks and cemeteries where tree pest caterpillars are plentiful and have begun to defoliate trees. Specific locations will be determined through daily inspections, the city said in a news release Thursday.

The chemical used by the city is sprayed directly onto tree leaves. When pest caterpillars ingest it, they stop feeding and die within three days.

The spraying program will begin in the Munroe West, Rossmere B, Jefferson, Kildonan Park and Seven Oaks insect management areas, the release said.

Residents can apply for a 30-metre buffer zone to prevent spraying of their property. Applications must include a letter and photo ID linked to the address in question. Applications can be submitted online, via email, in writing or in person at 1539 Waverley St.

The city also offers an automated daily telephone and email notification system for insect control activities. Residents can register online or by contacting 311.

More information is available online.

High school cancels classes after smoke detected

10:51 AM

Classes at École Secondaire Sisler High School were cancelled Friday after smoke was detected inside the building prior to students’ arrival.

A staff member pulled a fire alarm before 8 a.m., when the smoke was caused by a mechanical issue, a Winnipeg School Division spokesperson said.

Several fire trucks responded, while students then arrived and waited outside the school, at 1360 Redwood Ave. A fire did not occur, the WSD spokesperson said.

Firefighters used fans to clear smoke inside the building.

The WSD spokesperson said students were dismissed for the day “out of an abundance of caution” due to the air quality inside the building. Staff were later dismissed as well.

Drugs, cellphone seized by prison staff

10:23 AM

Packages containing drugs including THC as well as a cellphone were intercepted by staff at Stony Mountain Institution on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Correctional Service of Canada says.

The department said banned items with a prison value of more than $162,000 were seized. THC is a psychoactive compound in cannabis.

RCMP were notified.

Harry Lazarenko Bridge to close for maintenance and inspections

10:10 AM

The Harry Lazarenko Bridge will close this weekend for routine maintenance and inspections.

The closure will be in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday, June 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure with alternating sidewalk closure on either side of the bridge.

Transit will be rerouted during the closures. Riders are asked to follow @TransitAlerts on X for details and updates.

Firefighters douse Elgin Avenue blaze

8:43 AM

Winnipeg firefighters doused a blaze in an Elgin Avenue house early Friday morning.

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews, first alerted by Downtown Community Safety Partnership patrollers, were called to a fire that broke out just before 1 a.m. in a one-and-a-half-storey house on the 400 block of Elgin.

Firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the house when they arrived, but the crews managed to get the fire under control by about 1:40 a.m.

Firefighters searched the house and found no one inside. No one was reported hurt.