News in brief: Fair Vote Manitoba holding forum at Park Theatre

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This article was published 19/08/2019 (2255 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Fair Vote Manitoba holding forum at Park Theatre

Organizers of the grassroots campaign Fair Vote Manitoba are inviting candidates in the provincial general election to talk proportional representation and inclusive democracy at The Park Theatre (698 Osborne St.).

According to organizers, representatives from every party fielding candidates are invited to the question-and-answer forum moderated by Shannon Sampert, a retired political science professor.

The event will start with panellist introductions, followed up by their comments on the topic of “Inclusive Democracy and Proportional Representation,” and then candidates will answer moderator questions from Sampert. Debate and questions from the floor are being encouraged. The event will also be broadcast on Facebook Live.

The forum happens Aug. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Park Theatre. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

Getting the word out

Members of the Rubin Block Advocates group demonstrated outside of the boarded-up, vacant apartment block in South Osborne with chalk and pamphlets on Aug. 14.

The group of community members set up an information table and brought buckets of chalk to encourage passersby to share their thoughts on the building at 270 Morley Ave. by writing their ideas on the sidewalk.
The former residential and commercial building on the corner of Osborne Street and Morley Avenue has been boarded up since 2015.

It was the site of a suspicious death and two fires before being boarded up by the City of Winnipeg. The property is currently owned by Composite Holdings Ltd.

The Rubin Block Advocates are calling on the City of Winnipeg to make changes to the Vacant Buildings Bylaw to include a clause that requires boarded-up properties to be renovated within a three-year time frame or the City will invoke the process of taking title without compensation, and to assess fees against vacant and boarded-up properties as if it were occupied.

The Rubin Block was built in 1914 and designed by architect Max Blankstein. 

Teepee vandalized at National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

A teepee on the grounds of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus was vandalized last week.

On Aug. 14, the NCTR released a statement saying it discovered the vandalism to the structure, including slashes to the canvas, earlier in the week.

“In conversations with Elders and members of our Governing Circle, we reflect on the fact that such acts are not new — desecration of Indigenous spaces, places, ideas, histories, lives and communities is constant in Canada. It is something we deal with on a daily basis, both inside and outside of our professional lives,” NCTR director Ry Moran said in a statement.

“We will take the teepee down, have it repaired and put it back up. Our plans to paint this teepee with the NCTR logo will continue.

“Only now, much like the entire collection of materials we hold here at the NCTR, it will bear the scars of yet another attack on our cultural symbols, spaces and homes.”

Officials with the University of Manitoba say the Winnipeg Police Service has been notified about the vandalism and campus security are also investigating. Moran said campus security has worked with the NCTR to enhance security of the site.

“I am deeply troubled to learn that on Monday, staff at the NCTR discovered evidence of intentional vandalism to their teepee,” University of Manitoba president David Barnard said. “I acknowledge the difficulties of the lived reality of Indigenous peoples and condemn the acts of oppression and racism that continue to occur. Ry shared the resilience of NCTR staff and of the Survivors Circle in facing this.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the U of M’s security services at  204-474-9312.

Winnipeg police arrest man alleged to have raided construction site 

A 43-year-old man is facing charges of breaking and entering after allegedly stealing copper wire and piping from a construction site on Pembina Highway.

Winnipeg police say on Aug. 14, at around 4 a.m., West District general patrol units and the canine unit responded to a break and enter at a locked compound on a construction site in the 1800 block of Pembina.

Shortly after, police located a male suspect in the construction area and took him into custody. Police say they found break-in tools and 0.3 grams of methamphetamine on the suspect.

olice believe the suspect took wiring and piping from the site before being observed by a security guard. Police say the stolen material was recovered.  

Jeffrey Alexander Sholdra, 43, has been charged with break and enter with intent (place), possession of break in instruments, and possession of scheduled substance — methamphetamine.

He was detained in custody.