Indigenous theatre founder gets nod for prestigious prize

Each of city's historic bridges has unique story

They span the muddy waters from which Winnipeg derives its name. They connect neighbourhood to neighbourhood. They’re a fundamental feature of our city.

Winnipeg has a reputation as a “River City,” but many don’t know the stories behind the bridges they use every day.

While a bridge may seem to be a boring piece of basic infrastructure, many of Winnipeg’s have fascinating histories that go back more than 100 years.

Six inquests called, including into death of homeless woman run over by cruiser

Manitoba’s chief medical examiner has called inquests into the deaths of six people, including a woman who was run over and killed at a homeless encampment at a Winnipeg park two years ago.

Dr. John Younes announced the inquests Thursday, noting such reviews are mandatory under the Fatal Inquiries Act. They will probe the deaths of four people following interactions with police, and two others who died while in custody.

Tammy Bateman, 39, died Sept. 2, 2024, when she was “run over by a police vehicle moving at a low speed” while “reportedly lying down on a gravel road” in Fort Rouge Park, Younes said.

“The medical examiner’s office was notified, and an autopsy was authorized. The immediate cause of death was determined to be multiple traumatic injuries due (to) pedestrian vs motor vehicle collision. The manner of death was accidental,” he said.

Documents lay out RCMP’s ongoing case against former Winnipeg CAO Phil Sheegl

Former City of Winnipeg chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl has been accused of accepting a private $200,000 payment from a company bidding on a major city project – then sharing half the money with former Mayor Sam Katz under the guise of a business loan.

RCMP lay out a series of allegations against Sheegl and others in affidavits filed in order to obtain search warrants linked to Project Dalton, the ongoing probe looking into the construction of both the Winnipeg Police headquarters and Canada Post’s Winnipeg mail-processing plant.

The Free Press obtained a copy of the unsealed court materials on Thursday. They refer to business files, emails and other documents seized during a December 2014 raid of Caspian Construction’s offices, as well as bank records linked to Sheegl and Katz. None of the allegations have been proven in court and no criminal charges have been laid at this time.

However, RCMP write that Sheegl is under investigation for committing “a breach of trust in connection with the duties of his office by accepting $200,000 for showing favour to Armik Babakhanians with relation to the Winnipeg Police Service Headquarters.” The alleged offence occurred between May 1, 2011 and Dec. 11, 2013.

Hydro’s $5-billion deals with Saskatchewan ‘deliberately covered up’

A scathing review of Manitoba Hydro failed to disclose the details of two multibillion-dollar power sales to Saskatchewan that are fundamental to the Crown utility's financial future, the Free Press has learned.

The report, by former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall, into the Keeyask generating station and Bipole III transmission line concluded the former NDP government rushed to build both projects before getting proper regulatory approval, and failed to provide adequate financial oversight once construction started.

Premier Brian Pallister has used the report to buttress his assertion that Keeyask and Bipole III were the worst examples of NDP mismanagement and incompetence.

However, Hydro sources said it was suspicious the Wall report ignored the effect of two recent power sales to Saskatchewan that were completed last year — well before Wall's report was finished.

IG Wealth Management to sell longtime Portage Avenue HQ

The downtown IG Wealth Management building will soon be up for sale.

The Winnipeg-based financial services company is moving its headquarters after nearly 40 years at 447 Portage Ave., across from the former Hudson’s Bay flagship store.

By current timelines, staff will move into a newer downtown tower — 360 Main St. — in 2028.

Roughly 1,100 employees will make the transition, according to Nancy McCuaig, executive vice-president of IGM Financial, IG Wealth Management’s parent company.