News briefs for Monday, July 20, 2026

Province announces model to determine flood assistance

7:12 PM

The provincial government has introduced a model to calculate disaster financial assistance for Manitobans affected by severe flooding.

The province said Monday it would use a rapid residential assessment model in order to speed up payments to those who suffered basement flooding between June 6 and July 1, a news release stated.

The model calculates initial assistance payments based on factors like water depth, basement size, room type, restoration need, alongside the level of finishing.

It also includes emergency work, like water extraction costs and costs associated with removing damaged material, with the aim to help homeowners make their basements livable again quickly.

The assistance will reflect the average replacement cost of basic essential items, rather than original purchase cost or the price of premium replacements.

The program does not cover luxury or non-essential items like decorative landscaping, outdoor furniture, decks, antiques or collectors items.

Assistance may also be available for eligible building necessities, like furnaces, hot water tanks and water treatment systems, as well as structural repairs caused by the flooding.

Assistance is capped at $3 million for eligible claims, less the deductible, up to the cost of repairs or the assessed value of the property, whichever is lower. A deductible of $2,500 or 20 per cent of the eligible assistance amount, whichever is greater, applies to all claims.

People in eligible municipalities will be assessed under the Manitoba Flood Recovery Program, while local authorities and organizations will be assessed under the Disaster Financial Assistance program. Those who do not qualify for municipal flood recovery may still apply for disaster financial assistance.

Premier Wab Kinew said earlier this month about 1,800 people have applied for disaster financial assistance.

Most eligible Manitobans have already received an initial $500 payment, said the release, and additional applicants are encouraged to submit photos, receipts, invoices and estimates as soon as possible.

RCMP recover drowning victim’s remains from gravel pit near Grunthal

4:30 PM

RCMP have recovered the body of an 18-year-old man who drowned while swimming in a gravel pit near Grunthal on Sunday.

St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP were sent to Road 25 East in the Rural Municipality of Hanover at about 9:30 p.m., an RCMP news release said Monday.

Police said a group of friends were at the pit when one person tried to swim across it but disappeared halfway and never resurfaced. 

RCMP and local fire crews tried to find the man, with STARS air ambulance also shining a spotlight on the body of water while flying overhead, but search efforts were unsuccessful.

On Monday afternoon, the RCMP underwater recovery team located the man’s body. 

Andrew Fehr, who owns nearby Green Valley RV and Cabins, witnessed police searching the pit.

“It’s a little bit shocking and it’s just really sad,” said Fehr. “It brings it close to home.”

He said despite ‘no trespassing’ signs and physical barriers in place to keep people out, people have been swimming there for years.

He said the pit has steep dropoffs and is about 20 feet deep.

“You can really easily drown in there if you don’t know how to swim or you’re not a strong swimmer,” Fehr said. “There’s no swimming to the side of the pool, it’s a gravel pit, the edges drop off very fast and it’s deep water.”

RCMP continue to investigate.

RCMP calling for caution after weekend of fatalities

2:42 PM

The RCMP is reminding people to stay safe and encouraging vigilance after Mounties responded to four fatalities and numerous close calls this past weekend.

Many of the incidents involved youth and happened in a period of less than 40 hours, said RCMP in a news release Monday, including two presumed drownings and two motor-vehicle deaths. 

“The death of any young person is a tragedy that devastates their families, friends and entire communities. We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by these tragedies,” said RCMP spokesperson Melanie Roussel in a news release.

“We know summers in Manitoba have so much to offer, but we are urging everyone to take precautions and make safe choices — whether you are on the water, on the road or riding off-road.”

At approximately 3:40 a.m. Saturday, an 18-year-old Dauphin man was killed after RCMP said it appears his vehicle lost control and hit the ditch while rounding a corner on Highway 20 near Road 156 North in the Rural Municipality of Dauphin.

Later Saturday at around 12:40 p.m. RCMP responded to a presumed drowning of two boys, ages 10 and 13, after they fell into fast-moving rapids at Nutimik Lake In Whiteshell Provincial Park. Search efforts for the two boys continue.

Approximately two hours later, RCMP were called to a collision in Oak Lake in the RM of Sifton where a 16-year-old Virden boy was killed after RCMP said he hit an unmarked guy-wire while dirt biking with friends.

On Sunday night, at around 9:30 p.m. RCMP said an 18-year-old never resurfaced while swimming at a gravel pit in the RM of Hanover. His body was recovered by the RCMP underwater recovery team Monday afternoon.

Other close calls include an off-road vehicle rollover in the RM of De Salaberry which injured three kids; two teenage girls and nine year old boy, sending them to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

A 47-year-old man was also taken to hospital with what appeared to be serious injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle on the off-ramp into Portage la Prairie, but he was later upgraded to stable condition. 

RCMP investigating homicide after stabbing in God’s Lake Narrows

11:01 AM

A 38-year-old man has died after a stabbing in God’s Lake Narrows First Nation, and RCMP are investigating the death as a homicide.

God’s Lake Narrows RCMP were called to a reported stabbing at a residence at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Officers learned the victim had already been taken to the community nursing station with significant stab wounds before being airlifted to hospital in Thompson, where he later died.

Police said there is no ongoing risk to the community.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the God’s Lake Narrows RCMP detachment at 204-335-2260. The investigation remains ongoing.

Impaired driver charged after downtown crash damages bus shelter, hydro pole

8:49 AM

A 49-year-old Winnipeg man is facing an impaired driving charge after a crash that caused extensive property damage in downtown Winnipeg on Sunday morning.

Winnipeg police said officers responded around 9:30 a.m. to the intersection of Balmoral Street and Sargent Avenue, where a 2005 Ford Mustang had struck a bus shelter, a Manitoba Hydro pole and a City of Winnipeg traffic signal box, bringing down a hydro line.

Police believe the vehicle was travelling eastbound on Sargent at a high rate of speed before attempting to turn onto Balmoral, losing control and coming to rest with its front wheels suspended off the ground.

No injuries were reported.

Police said the driver showed signs of alcohol impairment and was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with operation of a conveyance while impaired and was released on an appearance notice.