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JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS People attend Pride parade in Winnipeg Sunday.

Thousands ‘transcend together’ in Winnipeg pride parade

Tyler Searle 5 minute read Updated: 4:47 PM CDT

Downtown Winnipeg was flooded with colour Sunday as thousands took to the streets in celebration of the city’s annual LGBTTQ+ pride parade.

“I’m elated, honestly, it’s the greatest joy of my life to see everyone just doing their thing, being themselves and getting along together,” said Dante Greenslade, who attended the event with her wife, Clover.

“The biggest thing for me is seeing just how many young people there are and how they feel comfortable. Just seeing that they get to be themselves and figure this stuff out in a safe space.”

The couple were among hundreds who lined Memorial Boulevard and Portage Avenue, cheering on the Pride procession as it made its way through downtown Winnipeg.

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Forfeiture suit details RCMP cocaine probe

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Forfeiture suit details RCMP cocaine probe

Erik Pindera 3 minute read 8:00 AM CDT

Selkirk RCMP figure the two alleged cocaine dealers from southern Ontario drove to Manitoba to try to make money, but instead, it was the Mounties that made off with more than a quarter million dollars of cash.

Now, the province’s director of criminal forfeiture has filed a lawsuit asking the Court of King’s Bench to allow the Manitoba government to keep the $250,000 seized as part of the RCMP investigation.

The people named in the May 17 lawsuit, Jonathan Lawrence Yuzwak, 41, and Samantha Boone, 33, have been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime for money laundering.

An affidavit in support of the lawsuit provides new details of the Mountie’s probe, dubbed “Project Distance,” first announced in April.

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8:00 AM CDT

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
A lawsuit has been filed asking the Court of King’s Bench to allow the Manitoba government to keep the $250,000 seized in a RCMP probe.

Infant congenital infection screening gets funding boost

Tyler Searle 3 minute read 4:52 PM CDT

Every infant born in Manitoba will soon receive screening for a congenital infection that can cause hearing and vision loss, and developmental delays.

“Today was the most successful day I think I could have ever imagined because today the premier of our province decided this was an important enough cause to announce… that we would have universal screening for all newborn babies for (cytomegalovirus),” said Rob Tétrault’s, president of CMV Canada.

“This is something I’ve been working on for 16 years.”

Tétrault started the national charity, which works to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV), after his son was infected with the virus more than a decade ago.

Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Sea Bears past BlackJacks

Staff 4 minute read Preview

Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Sea Bears past BlackJacks

Staff 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:40 PM CDT

Guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson calmly drilled three game-clinching free throws to give the Winnipeg Sea Bears a 93-80 triumph over the Ottawa BlackJacks in Canadian Elite Basketball League action before 8,514 fans at Canada Life Centre Saturday night.

The 32-year-old Winnipegger, who finished with 20 points and six assists, was fouled on a three-point attempt in Target Score time to set the stage for the winning points. Playing in his hometown has been a thrill for Ogungbemi-Jackson, who had spent the first decade of his professional career in Europe.

“Seeing the professionals, it’s big for the kids,” said Ogungbemi-Jackson told reporters. “I want to win a championship, that’s my priority but part of me wants to be one of the older guys that came out of the city and really had to grind his way to make it from (U Sports).

“I didn’t really have any (NCAA) D1 looks… and kind of (had to) make my way in my career. It’s important for me to be out here. My family is obviously so happy for me to be playing.”

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Yesterday at 10:40 PM CDT

WINNIPEG SEA BEARS
Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (3) eludes Ottawa defender Brandon Sampson during Saturday’s action.

Oilers expect Stars to push back in Game 6 of Western Conference final

Steven Sandor, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Oilers expect Stars to push back in Game 6 of Western Conference final

Steven Sandor, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 4:53 PM CDT

EDMONTON - In Friday’s Western Conference final Game 5 win in Dallas, the Edmonton Oilers played probably their most complete game of the entire season.

They held the Stars to just 10 shots through the first two periods and won 3-1. It never looked like the game was in jeopardy.

With the chance to close to set a date with the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch believes his team will have to step up their efforts even more. What was good enough Friday in Dallas won’t be good enough in Game 6.

“I expect their best,” said Knoblauch of the Stars ahead of Sunday’s Game 6 at Rogers Place. “We’ve seen it at times during the series. I think we got a lot of praises from the last game, how well we played. But, I watched that again, and I feel it could have went either way.

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Updated: 4:53 PM CDT

In Friday’s Western Conference final Game 5 win in Dallas, the Edmonton Oilers played probably their most complete game of the entire season. Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) and defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) celebrate the team's win against the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs in Dallas, Friday, May 31, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Julio Cortez

Eishia Hudson inquest to examine systemic racism: judge

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Preview

Eishia Hudson inquest to examine systemic racism: judge

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:18 PM CDT

A provincial court inquest into the fatal Winnipeg police shooting of an Indigenous teen in 2020 will examine whether systemic racism played a role in her death.

A Winnipeg Police Service officer shot Eishia Hudson, 16, twice after a high-speed chase, which followed a robbery at the Sage Creek liquor store on April 8, 2020. One of the bullets struck her in the shoulder and lodged in her spinal column.

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) cleared the officer of criminal culpability in the shooting in January 2021. The officer, whose name hasn’t been released, said in a prepared statement to the police oversight agency during its probe that he feared the girl was driving at police to try to strike them. Five other officers were near the vehicle at the time.

Provincial court Judge Margaret Wiebe issued her written decision on the scope of the inquest on May 21 but it was released online Friday.

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Yesterday at 12:18 PM CDT

SUPPLIED
Eishia Hudson, 16, was shot and killed by a Winnipeg police officer in 2020.

Opinion

Why dogs and dog parks are a toxic mix Jen Zoratti 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT
Buffer-zone bill about censorship, not safety Daniel Zekveld 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT
Time for constraints on omnibus bills Paul G. Thomas 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

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A CBSA strike could soon snarl border traffic. Here’s what you need to know

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

A CBSA strike could soon snarl border traffic. Here’s what you need to know

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 4:49 PM CDT

OTTAWA - Just as the summer travel season gets into gear, Canadians and visitors could find themselves waiting in long lines at the border — delays that could also deal a blow to the economy.

It all depends on what happens with a potential strike by workers at the Canada Border Services Agency, which could start as soon as Thursday.

What’s going on?More than 9,000 Public Service Alliance of Canada members who work for the CBSA, including border guards, have secured a strike mandate. The two sides go into mediation on June 3, and the union will be in a position to strike as of June 6.

The union says similar action three years ago "nearly brought commercial cross-border traffic to a standstill, causing major delays at airports and borders across the country."

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Updated: 4:49 PM CDT

A Canada Border Services Agency officer is silhouetted as motorists enter Canada at the Douglas-Peace Arch border crossing, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, August 9, 2021. Just as the summer travel season gets into gear, Canadians and visitors could find themselves waiting in long lines at the border, delays that could also deal a blow to the economy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Festival du Voyageur denies responsibility in teacher’s platform collapse lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Festival du Voyageur denies responsibility in teacher’s platform collapse lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:37 PM CDT

Festival du Voyageur has again denied responsibility in court filings in the latest lawsuit over the collapse of a platform at Fort Gibraltar last spring that sent 28 people, including schoolchildren and a teacher, tumbling to the ground.

The lawsuit was filed in the Court of King’s Bench on March 28 by lawyers Alyssa Mariani and Sacha Paul of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP on behalf of Angelina Constantine, the teacher who was injured in the collapse.

Festival filed a statement of defence May 17, in which it denied it should be held legally liable for Constantine’s injuries and asked for the suit to be turfed with costs.

Constantine’s court filings name the City of Winnipeg, which owns the land the fort stands on, and Festival, which leases and operates the site, as defendants. The city has yet to file a response.

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Updated: Yesterday at 2:37 PM CDT

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / FREE PRESS FILES
An elevated walkway at Fort Gibraltar collapsed during a school field trip, causing 17 children, and an adult to be taken to hospital.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS ILLUSTRATION
An Impact Security guard walks down a grocery isle.
240531 - Friday, May 31, 2024.

Stealing and dealing

Lack of consequences for shoplifting hammers fed-up retailers, feeds $5-billion ‘industry’ in Canada

Mike McIntyre 13 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

School trustee candidates ‘parental rights’ campaign literature raises concerns

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

School trustee candidates ‘parental rights’ campaign literature raises concerns

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

The so-called “parental rights” movement — associated with far-right conservatism and anti-LGBTTQ+ sentiment — has crept into a Winnipeg school trustee byelection campaign, mirroring a trend across Canada.

Two candidates in the Louis Riel School Division Ward 1 vote — Marcel Boille and Sandra Saint-Cyr — are campaigning on the movement’s rhetoric, drawing concerns from board members and challengers on Thursday’s ballot.

“The rhetoric that has been coming from these two candidates is belligerent, confrontational and anti-inclusion,” said Ward 3 trustee Ryan Palmquist, who stressed that he was speaking for himself and not on behalf of the board. “I would like to see that ideology rejected at the ballot box.”

Five candidates are vying to replace Francine Champagne, who quit in November after being suspended for racist and anti-LGBTTQ+ social media posts. The board was pursuing a court application to seek permission to oust her.

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Friday, May. 31, 2024

Israel seeks a ‘governing alternative’ to Hamas in Gaza. It’s been tried and failed before

Melanie Lidman, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Israel seeks a ‘governing alternative’ to Hamas in Gaza. It’s been tried and failed before

Melanie Lidman, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 3:09 PM CDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is looking into an alternative local governing body for Gaza, the defense minister said Sunday, proposing a future beyond Hamas but giving no idea who those challengers might be.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s comments came at a time of new uncertainty in the eight-month war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure from many Israelis to accept a new cease-fire deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, while far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does.

Gallant, part of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet who recently urged the government to have a detailed postwar plan for Gaza, said in a briefing that “we seek a governing alternative to Hamas. The framework for this includes isolating areas, removing Hamas operatives in these areas and bringing in other forces that will enable the formation of a governing alternative.”

That will achieve Israel’s goals of removing Hamas’ military and governing authority in Gaza and returning home the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war, Gallant said. He stressed that “we will not accept the rule of Hamas at any stage in any process aimed at ending the war.”

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Updated: 3:09 PM CDT

Amira Al-Jojo holds her son Yousef Al-Jojo, 10 months old, who suffers from malnutrition, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment, in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/ Jehad Alshrafi)

Live Nation probing Ticketmaster data breach

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Live Nation probing Ticketmaster data breach

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:11 PM CDT

Live Nation is investigating a data breach at its Ticketmaster subsidiary, which dominates ticketing for live events in the United States.

Live Nation, based in Beverly Hills, California, said in a regulatory filing Friday that on May 27 "a criminal threat actor'' offered to sell Ticketmaster data on the dark web.

Other media reports say a hacking group named ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach in an online forum and was seeking $500,000 for the data, which reportedly includes names, addresses, phone numbers and some credit card details of millions of Ticketmaster customers.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:11 PM CDT