News briefs for Friday, October 9, 2026

Province recognizes all Yellowquill degrees and certificates

3:44 PM

The province will now officially recognize degrees from Yellowquill University College.

Students who obtain their education from the First Nations-owned and operated post-secondary institution will be recognized the same as students who attend other universities and colleges, the province said in a news release Friday.

The Yellowquill University College Act was proclaimed Oct. 1 and formally recognizes the school’s authority to offer university degrees to students.

“This is an important step forward for Indigenous self-determination and for post-secondary education in Manitoba,” advanced education minister Renée Cable said in the release. “This legislation recognizes that leadership and affirms the inherent right of Indigenous Peoples to shape and govern their own education.”

Yellowquill was established by the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council in 1984. The student population is made up mostly of Indigenous students, although non-Indigenous students can enroll.

The university offers bachelor diplomas in education, relational studies, First Nations studies, as well as various diplomas.

Winnipeg man arrested in international child exploitation case

2:55 PM

A Winnipeg man has been accused of paying caregivers in the Philippines to make images of children being sexually abused over the course of several years.

United States law enforcement officials informed RCMP about an international investigation into a Canadian suspect using an online alias in January 2025. The Winnipeg Police Service was called in to investigate once officials determined the suspect was living in Winnipeg.

Investigators believe the crimes took place between December 2017 and July 2023 and involved the suspect communicating online with two people in the Philippines who had several children, ranging from pre-school to school age, in their care.

Police believe they discussed the two people making child abuse images in exchange for money and that the Winnipeg suspect transmitted abuse images to the people in the Philippines.

Then, between March and July 2023, the suspect demanded additional images and threatened to distribute what he had already been sent to the Filipinos’ family and friends if they did not comply, police believe.

Investigators say the suspect also distributed the material on social media platforms based in the United States.

Police believe Christopher Steven Hoskins, 50, was behind the account. Investigators executed a warrant at his Winnipeg home earlier this month, seized several electronic devices and arrested him.

Hoskins has been charged with a slew of child pornography offences, as well as extortion. He’s been released on an order barring contact with anyone under 18 ahead of court proceedings.

Police charge 39-year-old woman in June homicide

2:02 PM

A 39-year-old woman is charged with second-degree murder in connection to the June 8 homicide of Lexie Diane Smart, 73.

Carmen Jade Smart, who an obituary indicates is Smart’s daughter, was charged and arrested on Wednesday without incident, said a Friday news release from the Winnipeg Police Service.

Police said she’s been detained in custody.

Police found Smart’s remains when they went to her home on Primrose Crescent on June 8 in response to a missing person report. Neighbours on the street described the deceased as a friendly neighbour and committed educator.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s homicide unit continues to investigate.

Manitoba border crossings to adjust hours following time change

11:46 AM

The Canada Border Services Agency is adjusting operating hours at 13 Manitoba border crossings beginning Nov. 1 to account for the province’s move to permanent daylight time.

The changes are intended to keep Canadian border crossings aligned with their U.S. counterparts, where clocks will continue to change twice a year, the agency said in a release Friday.

The new hours will take effect at 2 a.m. Nov. 1 and remain in place until March 14, 2027, when the U.S. returns to daylight saving time. The CBSA said the adjustments will improve coordination between border officials on both sides, including situations where travellers are denied entry and must immediately return to their country of departure.

The affected crossings include Cartwright, Coulter, Crystal City, Goodlands, Gretna, Lena, Lyleton, Piney, Snowflake, South Junction, Tolstoi, Windygates and Winkler.

Operating hours will vary by location, with most crossings opening between 9 and 10 a.m. and closing between 5 and 9 p.m. Lyleton will remain open until 11 p.m. All 13 crossings will operate seven days a week.

Travellers arriving outside operating hours are advised to use an alternate crossing. The CBSA said arrangements remain in place with emergency services on both sides of the border to accommodate emergency crossings.

Jets’ Morrissey listed as day-to-day

11:44 AM

The Winnipeg Jets will be without star defenceman Josh Morrissey for Friday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, but he isn’t expected to be out longer-term, according to Jets head coach Scott Arniel.

“Day-to-day. Just day-to-day. I’m sure you guys saw (what happened) on TV. He got banged up,” said Arniel. “He felt a little better today. We’ve got three days coming here (before the next game). We’re making sure (he’s healthy).”

With Morrissey unavailable, Haydn Fleury is set to make his season debut. Fleury will be used on the third pairing with Tyrel Bauer, who is back in the lineup after sitting out the past two games.

Clay Stevenson will make his second start of the season in goal for the Jets.

Jets defenceman Elias Salomonsson shed his non-contact jersey on Friday for the morning skate, but he’s still at least a week away before returning to game action.