Grieving competition anything but healthy

Kinew attends throne speech read by King Charles

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew witnessed first-hand the pomp and ceremony of the opening of Parliament Tuesday, an occasion made historic by the presence of King Charles, who read the speech from the throne.

Canadian sovereignty, economic prosperity, military strength and Indigenous reconciliation were themes of the 27-minute speech, delivered to a gallery of politicians and dignitaries gathered in a chamber at the Senate of Canada Building.

“Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and from there, straight to my heart,” the King said, beginning his speech shortly after 10 a.m. (Winnipeg time).

“I’ve always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of Canadians.”

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Canada players say team belief is strong ahead of World Cup opener against Belgium

UMM ŞALĀL ‘ALĪ, Qatar - While Canada may be diving into the deep end against No. 2 Belgium on Wednesday at the World Cup, the team belief appears strong on the eve of its plunge.

"We don't hope no more, we believe," veteran midfielder Jonathan Osorio told reporters after training Sunday. 'And we're very confident in ourselves."

"We want to show that we are a football nation, that we can compete with the best in the world," he added. "We want to surprise people because I think people still see us as underdogs and things like this, and Canada and the World Cup, they should just be happy to be here. But that's not our mentality. We're here to compete — to compete at a high level.

"We believe within our group. With the quality that we have and our brotherhood we can go as far as we want to go."

Schuler issues mea culpa on untendered contracts

Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says it's his fault two untendered contracts worth millions of dollars were awarded last year for roadwork without proper government oversight.

The Free Press has learned two road-repair contracts totalling $11.2 million were awarded to two Indigenous entities, with private partners, without approval of Treasury Board, a cabinet committee that reviews government expenditures.

A March 15, 2018, "advisory note" prepared by Manitoba Infrastructure for Premier Brian Pallister said the department acknowledged its error and "has put in place measures to ensure future compliance" of proper protocols.

"Those responsible have been advised of the error and received remedial training," says the note by a senior departmental official, which was obtained by the Free Press.

Film soundtracks provide the score of business analyst and part-time radio host's life

Last month, 20th Century Studios released the first trailer for West Side Story, director Steven Spielberg’s much-anticipated remake of the 1961 musical, winner of 10 Oscars including Best Picture.

The new version, scheduled to hit theatres in December, will again tell the story of Tony and Maria, young sweethearts with ties to rival New York City street gangs. That the 2021 rendition will retain its predecessor’s much-loved score comes as music to the ears of Amanda Stefaniuk, a vinyl-record aficionado whose area of expertise is particularly unique. 

The 41-year-old business analyst collects motion picture soundtracks, everything from Breakfast at Tiffany’s to The Breakfast Club, and from A Star is Born to Star Wars.

“West Side Story was actually the first soundtrack I ever bought with my own money,” says Stefaniuk, guessing she has in the neighbourhood of 1,000 soundtrack albums, give or take a copy of Flashdance, populating her shelves. “My father Mel, who passed away three years ago, took me to a used record sale at Minto Armoury when I was 12 or 13 and I remember fibbing to him, saying I’d paid a buck for (West Side Story) when I actually paid $3, only because I wanted him to think I’d gotten some great deal.”