News briefs for Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Librarian to run in North Kildonan ward

5:11 PM

Labour leader Orvie Dingwall is throwing her hat in the ring to unseat Coun. Jeff Browaty in North Kildonan.

Dingwall, a librarian, was previously the president of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association and has served as vice president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

She said she was inspired to run “after 20 years of paying more for declining services” in a news release Wednesday afternoon.

“I want to join city council so I can bring a fresh new perspective to North Kildonan,” Dingwall said. “Residents deserve a councillor who listens, stands up for the community, and protects the public spaces that make our neighbourhood such a great place to live.”

Her priorities include revitalizing aging infrastructure and improving environmental sustainability in the city.

Browaty, the longstanding incumbent, has served nearly 20 years on council, having first been elected in October 2006. One other candidate, Tyler Andersen, is registered as a candidate in the ward.

Election Day is Oct. 28.

Lane closed on Pembina

4:01 PM

Northbound Pembina Highway has been reduced to one lane between Chancellor Drive and University Crescent, the city said in a news release Wednesday.

Motorists should expect delays during the evening rush hour and use alternate routes, the city said.

Man charged with drugging, sexually assaulting teen girl

2:49 PM

A man is facing several charges after police say he drugged and sexually assaulted a teen girl in June.

Last month the Winnipeg Police Service’s child abuse unit received a report about a teen who had been sexually assaulted.

Investigators learned the girl was walking in the North End at the beginning of June when she was approached by a man who offered her alcohol.

She went with him to a home on the 300 block of Selkirk Avenue, where over the course of the next two days she was drugged and sexually assaulted.

When she managed to flee, she went to a nearby location for help and police were called.

Derek Rielly Houle, 55, was charged sexual assault, sexual interference and administering a noxious substance with the intent to aggrieve or annoy. He remains in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to call officers at 204-986-3296, Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS or provide a tip online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

WFPS worker charged with protection order breach

2:04 PM

A Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service worker has been charged with violating a protection order while on the job.

A 59-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after the Winnipeg Police Service domestic violence unit learned he allegedly violated a protection order on July 15, WPS said in a news release.

The man was working “modified duties” in uniform and operating a city fleet vehicle when he drove in an area he was required by law to avoid under an order to stay away from a “protected person,” police said.

The man was charged with disobeying an order of the court. He remains in custody.

911 outage in parts of Manitoba

1:54 PM

An outage in parts of Manitoba is preventing some Bell customers from making calls to 911, the telecom said Wednesday.

“We are investigating a suspected third-party fibre cut and are working to restore service as quickly as possible,” Bell said in an email, noting the outage affects communities “particularly outside of Winnipeg.”

Bell said residents should call local police/fire/ambulance services in the event of an emergency or go directly to the nearest fire station, police station or hospital.

More information will be provided once available, Bell said.

Southern Health said in an email 911 was temporarily unavailable outside of Winnipeg. The health authority instructed anyone experiencing an emergency to try 911 as a first option. If callers aren’t able to get through, dial the Manitoba Transportation Coordination Centre at 204-625-2111.

PCs congratulate NDP winner

11:35 AM

Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan congratulated NDP candidate Jennifer Flett on winning Tuesday’s byelection in The Pas–Kameesak and thanked PC candidate Edna Nabess and volunteers who worked on her campaign.

The unofficial results show Flett received 2,635 of 3,547 votes cast, while second-place Nabess received 616. Liberal Dan Quesnel received 165 votes and the Keystone Party’s Wally Daudrich received 105. Voter turnout was 36 per cent. Khan said in a news release that Nabess inspired people across the riding with her commitment to the community.

“Elections are about people, and our campaign was powered by people who believe northern Manitoba deserves every opportunity to succeed. Their hard work has laid the foundation for the future, and I know we will continue building on it together.”

A provincial election is due by Oct. 5, 2027.

MPI to close hail centre as claims top 34,000

11:01 AM

Manitoba Public Insurance is winding down one of two hail response centres in Winnipeg that were set up after a June 9 storm led to a record 34,000-plus claims.

The Crown corporation used its Gateway and Main Street service centres to conduct quick initial assessments of damaged vehicles.

The last day for appointments at the Main Street site will be July 31, MPI said Wednesday. Initial hail assessments will continue at the Gateway facility, which was the first to open after the storm.

Vehicle owners who’ve not yet opened a claim can do so online or by calling MPI at 204-985-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-665-2410.

Woman, 36, killed in Interlake crash

10:49 AM

A 36-year-old Peguis First Nation woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in the Interlake Tuesday morning.

RCMP said the vehicle was travelling north on Highway 17, about five kilometres north of Narcisse, when it went into the west ditch, crossed over to the east ditch, hit an approach and rolled. Officers were notified shortly after 6 a.m.

The woman, who was in the front passenger seat, was thrown from the vehicle, RCMP said. She died at the scene.

The driver, a 23-year-old man from Peguis, and two passengers, a 33-year-old woman from Winnipeg and a 17-year-old boy from Hodgson, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

RCMP continue to investigate.