Church setting apt for Lear prequel

Thousands of patients, so few doses: doctors frustrated over AstraZeneca rollout

Doctors are incensed the province has expanded the eligibility criteria for people to get the AstraZeneca vaccine when they have so little supply with which to inoculate people who have high-risk illnesses.

They join the long list of Manitobans who have questioned the vaccine rollout.

"It is so frustrating to us," said one doctor, who asked that her name not be published because she worries the province might cut off her clinic from getting more vaccine.

"Two weeks ago, we were given 50 doses, so each doctor at this clinic picked 12 to 14 high-priority patients. That's not many because we see 7,500 patients.

Popular low-price grocery program celebrates first year

When Audrey Foley runs out of food for her four cats, or struggles to pay for groceries for her and her mother, she turns to a community-managed store in her neighbourhood.

Her list contains the staples: bread, pasta, juice — all sold through the the Jason Schreyer Memorial Grocery Affordable Access Program, at prices far below what you’d find at a supermarket.

Foley said the program has made a substantial difference in her family’s ability to get by as the cost of living continues to rise.

“I would do without things if I had to,” Foley, 52, said Friday. “It’s very beneficial, overall, because the prices are very reasonable.”

Legion celebrates 100 years with surge in memberships

The Royal Canadian Legion has experienced a surge in membership just in time for its centennial.

“It’s quite a feat — not many organizations last for 100 years, and the Legion seems to have still managed to hang in there for 100 years,” said John Edwards at Legion 119 on McDermot Avenue.

The Legion formed in Winnipeg in 1925 when a group of veterans met at the Marlborough Hotel to unify their advocacy organizations.

On July 17, 1926, the Free Press reported the group had been incorporated through an act of Parliament as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, giving legal effect to the work the veterans had started.

The rules are set and the candidates are ready: Your guide to the Conservative leadership race

Patrick Brown’s official entry into the Conservative leadership contest on Sunday will add another candidate for the party’s third race in five years as it struggles to find a boss — and a direction — that it will bring it back to government.

Blue Bombers’ Reese picks up the pieces

David Reese admits his new routine took some getting used to.

No, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie defensive end wasn’t talking about the transition to the CFL game.

That’s been relatively smooth, especially over the past two games as his playing time has increased and he worked his way into a starting role.

But after spending eight years in the NCAA due to a host of injuries and circumstances such as a global pandemic, Reese said there were times he wondered if he shouldn’t be walking into a classroom, burying his head in a textbook or preparing for the next exam.

Manitoba MP’s future in the House uncertain over vax status

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says unvaccinated MPs are leaving their constituents in the lurch by pushing back against a COVID-19 immunization mandate on Parliament Hill and virtual sittings.

Meanwhile, the only Manitoba MP to not disclose his vaccination status is headed to Ottawa, amid debates over whether to allow the unvaccinated to take their seats in the House of Commons.

“It is puzzling to me that there are people out there who think, just because they are members of Parliament, they do not need to keep themselves their loved ones, or their constituents safe, when the vast majority of Canadians have done the right thing,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday.

He noted that just outside the parliamentary precinct, people need to show proof of vaccination to enter a restaurant under Ontario rules. Trudeau argued it only makes sense to have the policy for the chamber.