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Housing the homeless safely, for all

It’s clear that finding homes for the homeless is not as simple as saying, “Here’s a homeless person, here’s a vacant apartment, match the two of them up and voila! One less person who is homeless.”

Why?

Because the reasons a person finds themselves on the streets can be the result of long-lasting trauma or mental health issues, and even the effects of homelessness on individuals can build its own issues.

That means the process of getting someone off the streets can be extremely involved — simply finding a home is not a magic solution all on its own.

Former Bison rules CFL roost New CFL commissioner hands off credit to family, football

There are few things Randy Ambrosie wants people to know about him more than his love for football and family. In a 20-minute interview with reporters Wednesday, Ambrosie, following his official announcement as the 14th commissioner of the Canadian Football League, made clear his devotion to the game through anecdotes featuring his loved ones.

“You’ll get used to the fact that I talk about my family a lot,” said Ambrosie.

“And you’ll find with the Ambrosie family we cry a lot, quite easily.”

The 54-year-old appeared to get misty-eyed when sharing a number of stories from his past, a humbling beginning that first began in Winnipeg before expanding into careers as a football player and business leader in Toronto. During a separate interview with the Free Press, which was the first news outlet to report Ambrosie’s hiring last week, he dove further into his connection to Winnipeg.

Canadian figure skating coaching couple boasts astonishing 11 Olympic ice dance teams

The post-career success of Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon has been nothing short of dazzling and surely immensely lucrative.

No timeline to reopen city-owned fitness facility in North Kildonan after mould discovery

A city-run fitness centre that suddenly closed for repairs last October lacks a set date to reopen, while an investigation on how best to fix it is underway.

Peguis Trail Health and Fitness Centre in North Kildonan was first expected to welcome visitors back within a few weeks when it shut down due to plumbing problems on Oct. 28.

But in February, the city’s website noted a much later reopening date of Oct. 2 after mould was discovered when crews attempted to upgrade the floors.

The city has since hired a consultant to assess the site’s condition, determine what repairs must be done and estimate how much the work would cost, including mould abatement.

Steinbach homeowners sue city over flooding

Several Steinbach residents have filed a lawsuit against the southeastern Manitoba city over flooding in their homes they argue was the result of the government’s poor design and maintenance of the sewage system.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the homeowners — nine couples and four individuals — in the Court of King’s Bench last week.

The court papers claim the amount of rainfall that entered Steinbach’s sewers in the northeast part of the city, where the homeowners reside, was “significantly increased” during two heavy rainfalls in 2024 and 2025 as a result of the city’s alleged negligence or nuisance.

The lawsuit alleges a slew of issues with the city’s sewer system contributed to sewage backups and flooding of the plaintiffs’ homes during the heavy rains.

RRC shelter support worker program grads seek to make difference in lives of province’s most vulnerable

Pauline Pollard didn’t hesitate when asked what advice she would give her teenage self, a pregnant young mother of one in an abusive relationship.

“Leave sooner,” she said, citing everything she’s learned over the last 25 years, including at Red River College Polytechnic’s shelter support worker program.

The 43-year-old said she has “a lot of compassion” for women of all ages who find themselves stuck in unsafe situations.

It’s far easier in retrospect to see the warning signs, noting that in her case, an ex-boyfriend started confiscating her clothes and makeup before his controlling behaviour escalated to physical violence.