Winnipeg Free Press – Page 23 – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

Passengers who were on ship at centre of hantavirus outbreak en route to Canada

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 1:31 PM CDT

Four Canadians who were stuck on the cruise ship at the centre of a hantavirus outbreak are en route to Quebec, where they're expected to land before moving on to British Columbia for quarantine.

The Public Health Agency of Canada and Global Affairs Canada chartered the flight for the Canadians and are co-ordinating their return to Canada, with support from the armed forces.

A PHAC officer is on board the flight overseeing public health measures, including masking and physical distancing.

Federal officials say the travellers were assessed as asymptomatic before they took off from Tenerife, Spain.

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Activists, union, call on province to match Transit funding

Morgan Modjeski 3 minute read Preview

Activists, union, call on province to match Transit funding

Morgan Modjeski 3 minute read Yesterday at 7:17 PM CDT

Demonstrators brought a city bus Saturday to the stairs of the Manitoba Legislature, where more than 100 people called on the province to better support transit through dedicated funding.

“My parents actually met in 1966 on the Ellice bus, so transit has a long history in my family,” said musician John Samson Fellows, who wrote a new song specifically for the event.

“The overarching theme is contained in the [song’s] phrase: ‘More buses. More routes. More accessible to everyone.’”

Organized by Climate Action Team Manitoba and the local Amalgamated Transit Union, the rally called for a 50/50 transit-funding agreement that would see increases in city transit spending split dollar-for-dollar with the province moving forward.

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Yesterday at 7:17 PM CDT

Local

SUPPLIED
A still image from security footage showing a fire on May 3 at the entrance of Just Like New to You.

Open drug use, crime, other anti-social behaviours require immediate and long-term solutions from gov'ts, Winnipeg businesses say

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Open drug use, crime, other anti-social behaviours require immediate and long-term solutions from gov'ts, Winnipeg businesses say

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Businesses on a stretch of Portage Avenue where crime, open drug use and overdoses have “escalated” recently, are calling for additional government action or supports for their community and people in crisis.

Several told the Free Press that more people are congregating and using drugs in business doorways, on sidewalks or in bus shelters along Portage near its intersections with Sherbrook and Maryland streets.

“This year, something has happened,” said Mikkey Baire, who opened Mikkey Barber Shop on Portage, just east of Sherbrook, nine years ago. “I’m very sad. I don’t want to see anything (like this). This is a big community, and we need to help.”

Baire, who lives in the area, said Portage and Sherbrook, near the boundaries of downtown Winnipeg, the West End and West Broadway, is a good location for his business and is surrounded by a good community.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

World

Russian servicemen march as they attend the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Saturday, May 9, 2026, during celebrations of the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov, Pool)

Russia accuses Ukraine of violating US-brokered 3-day truce

The Associated Press, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Russia accuses Ukraine of violating US-brokered 3-day truce

The Associated Press, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 12:07 PM CDT

Russia and Ukraine swapped accusations of breaking a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on Sunday, with both sides claiming to have suffered casualties in drone and artillery strikes over the past 24 hours.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia was neither observing the truce nor “even particularly trying to,” adding there had been no calm in front line areas despite a lull in large-scale attacks and pledged that Ukraine would retaliate to any aggression shown by Moscow.

“Yesterday and today, Ukraine refrained from long-range retaliatory actions in response to the absence of large-scale Russian attacks,” Zelenskyy said in evening statement, stressing Ukraine's increasing ability to hit targets far inside Russia.

“We will continue to respond in the same mirrorlike manner, and if the Russians decide to return to full-scale warfare, our response will be immediate and significant.”

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Updated: 12:07 PM CDT

Environment

An Estonian naval ship sails in the Baltic Sea on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, as part of stepped-up NATO patrols in the region following suspected sabotage of undersea cables. (AP Photo/Hendrik Osula)

Baltic, Nordic officials urge Canadians to learn from the Russian threats they face

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Baltic, Nordic officials urge Canadians to learn from the Russian threats they face

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 9:13 AM CDT

OTTAWA - European officials are warning that Russia's meddling in the Baltic Sea is likely a preview of tactics Moscow could someday deploy in Canada's High North.

A recent panel discussion in Ottawa hosted by the Polish embassy touched on how Estonia, Poland and Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark are responding to Russian threats that emerge from the sky, sea and online.

Polish Ambassador Witold Dzielski gave the example of an explosion last November on a rail line used to transport military goods to Ukraine, which his government suspects was orchestrated by Russia.

"Saboteurs are hired in order to conduct kinetic attacks," he said.

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Updated: 9:13 AM CDT

Arts & Entertainment

Governor General Mary Simon poses for a portrait at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Thursday, May 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon reflects on five years of reconciliation, Indigenous diplomacy

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press 8 minute read Preview

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon reflects on five years of reconciliation, Indigenous diplomacy

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press 8 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:28 AM CDT

OTTAWA -

Nunavik, where Gov. Gen. Mary Simon grew up, is a long way from Ottawa and farther still from Buckingham Palace.

That never stopped her mother Nancy May, a unilingual Inuk, from keeping a photo of Queen Elizabeth on prominent display in their family home, or from filling young Mary Simon's mind with stories about the Queen's activities and travels.

In 2021, at the age of 73, Simon's relationship with the Queen became something more personal when she was named her official representative in Canada — making her the first Indigenous person to be appointed to the role.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:28 AM CDT

Opinion

Someone call the PM: next governor general doesn’t speak a single Indigenous language Niigaan Sinclair Updated: Yesterday at 1:52 PM CDT
Real Madrid president Pérez’s apathy like a wound in salt Jerrad Peters Friday, May. 8, 2026
Farm giant’s debt woes everyone’s problem Laura Rance-Unger Friday, May. 8, 2026

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MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Mwaniki Mbogo (right), Connect Supervisor with Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) conducts a wellness check while on patrol with team members, Will Dubery (left) and Nancy Gimin (centre), Thursday morning. Reporter: Nicole Buffie 260409 - Thursday, April 09, 2026.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Mwaniki Mbogo (right), Connect Supervisor with Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) conducts a wellness check while on patrol with team members, Will Dubery (left) and Nancy Gimin (centre), Thursday morning. Reporter: Nicole Buffie 260409 - Thursday, April 09, 2026.

Downtown’s heart and soul

Community safety partnership’s green-clad foot soldiers hit the street to help — not to harass — whenever, however they can

Nicole Buffie 10 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Local

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Siloam Mission is laying off 16 people and reducing hours for other workers.

Siloam Mission lays off staff, pivots amid donation drop

Scott Billeck 3 minute read Preview

Siloam Mission lays off staff, pivots amid donation drop

Scott Billeck 3 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

Siloam Mission is laying off 16 people and reducing hours for other workers as part of a “stabilization plan” to address a significant drop in donations.

Staffers were informed on Friday, a news release said, adding it’s hoped the layoffs, which take effect June 1, will be temporary and that employees will be redeployed where possible.

Its drop-in space and clothing store will operate at “slightly” reduced hours, while it will continue to provide three meals a day to the downtown homeless population.

Its other programs are unaffected, the release said.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

Basketball

CEBL PHOTO
Winnipeg Sea Bears guard Mason Kraus looks for a pass against the Edmonton Stingers at Expo Centre in Edmonton on Saturday.

Homegrown guard gives Sea Bears spark in season opening win

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Homegrown guard gives Sea Bears spark in season opening win

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:57 PM CDT

All you had to do was listen to what Mason Kraus was saying.

The 24-year-old homegrown guard, who was preparing for his second season in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, knew that he didn’t showcase everything he was capable of in 2025.

But as he got ready to take the court for his first season as a full-time pro, Kraus professed to be much more certain of his game and the impact he could have for the Winnipeg Sea Bears, this time around.

Kraus put those words into action as he delivered a few timely buckets and capped an efficient performance with two clutch free throws that secured a hard-fought 77-75 season-opening road victory for the Sea Bears over the Edmonton Stingers at the EXPO Centre on Saturday.

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Yesterday at 6:57 PM CDT

Local

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
The Pan Am Pool will close on Jan. 18, 2027 for substantial repairs including to the main tank, diving towers and deck area.

Pan Am Pool closing in January, major repairs expected to take 16 months

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Preview

Pan Am Pool closing in January, major repairs expected to take 16 months

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

The Pan Am Pool will close to the public for more than a year to allow for major repairs, beginning next January, which could force some athletes to travel for training.

A city document seeks a contractor to renew the two-storey, 163,000-square-foot structure at 25 Poseidon Bay, repairing the pool’s main tank, diving towers and deck area, as well as a waterproof membrane and tiles.

“The Pan Am Pool area will be closed to the general public for the duration of the project,” the document states.

The city plans to close the pool on Jan. 18 and reopen it about 16 months later.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

Local

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
Mildred Giesbrecht, with daughter, Enid Botchett, and son, Greg, celebrates her 110th birthday at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg on Friday.

A bright, sunny, happy 110th birthday party for Manitoba’s most senior citizen

Melissa Martin 4 minute read Preview

A bright, sunny, happy 110th birthday party for Manitoba’s most senior citizen

Melissa Martin 4 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

She was born the year women won the right to vote in Manitoba. She was married just days before the beginning of the Second World War. For 77 years, she built a life on her own as a widow, scraping together every penny she could to raise her two young children, somehow still finding time to fill the house with fresh cookies and love.

And on Friday, surrounded by her family and other well-wishers, Mildred Giesbrecht turned 110 years old.

That continues her journey as the oldest living person in Manitoba and, according to one recently updated list, the sixth-oldest in Canada. She’s a grandmother of two, and a great-grandmother of two more; thanks to a community built over a lifetime of hard work, she opened this new year surrounded by love.

“She’s having a really good day,” her 81-year-old daughter Enid Botchett said, chatting Friday morning as birthday guests mingled. “You celebrate when you can. You take these moments.”

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

Local

ALEX LUPUL / FREE PRESS FILES
Albert McLeod, a two-spirit elder from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, called the situation a failure of public health systems to stay ahead of the curve.

Governments blasted for inaction as HIV rates rise

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Preview

Governments blasted for inaction as HIV rates rise

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

An HIV/AIDS advocate who has spent the past 35 years raising awareness about the disease is calling for a national inquiry into what he calls a lack of proactive action by provincial and federal governments to prevent infections.

Albert McLeod, a two-spirit elder from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, says HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis — commonly known as PrEP — has been approved by Health Canada since 2016. Despite that, infection rates have continued to climb.

“It’s just this sort of very conservative attitude to our health,” McLeod said Friday, challenging anyone to find a poster in Winnipeg promoting HIV awareness or PrEP on street corners or at bus stops.

“And now it’s suddenly an emergency in 2026, when we’ve had 10 years to be proactive and let people know about the availability of this medication? Instead, we have people who are HIV positive who could be negative.”

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Friday, May. 8, 2026

Local

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly in Winnipeg, Wednesday, September 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Manitoba renters to start getting quarterly cheques from the government

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Manitoba renters to start getting quarterly cheques from the government

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, May. 8, 2026

WINNIPEG - Manitobans who rent their homes may soon get government cheques in the mail instead of a credit on their annual income tax returns.

The government is planning to change its Renters Affordability Tax Credit and pay it out in cheques every three months.

"So rather than waiting for tax time to get a refund ... we're just going to send it out to you so you have cash in hand a few times throughout the year, closer to when the actual rent bill is due," Premier Wab Kinew said Friday.

The tax credit is currently worth up to $625 a year and a bill now before the legislature would boost it to $675. There is an additional top-up for seniors based on income.

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Friday, May. 8, 2026