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Politics, misinformation, complacency dragging public health backwards

Tom Brodbeck 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

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Canada’s loss of its measles elimination status this week is more than just an international embarrassment. It’s a sign of how badly our public health infrastructure has eroded and how far we’ve slipped in protecting one of the most basic tools of modern medicine: vaccination.

For the first time since 1998, the Pan American Health Organization no longer considers Canada measles-free. The reason? Outbreaks across several provinces have lasted more than a year, and public health officials haven’t been able to stop the virus’s spread.

That’s not because measles suddenly became more infectious. It’s because our systems — from vaccination tracking to public education — have broken down.

Experts say Canada’s fall from grace was preventable. The science hasn’t changed. What’s changed is our politics, our public health funding and the spread of misinformation that’s convinced far too many people that vaccines are something to fear.

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Care home, social services facility going up on vacant Spence Street lot

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Preview

Care home, social services facility going up on vacant Spence Street lot

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

A care home and social services facility will soon fill an empty lot in West Broadway where fire destroyed a vacant house last year.

Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corp. is behind the project on Spence Street just south of Broadway.

The project was approved at a civic appeal committee hearing in June. The conditional-use permit allows construction of a care facility that exceeds six beds.

The province had “nothing further to add to any information that may have already been made publicly available about these properties,” a spokesman said.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

The two buildings in the 100 block of Spence Street after a fire in February 2024. Both buildings were later demolished. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

Architectural renderings made available to the City of Winnipeg Appeals Committee show the proposed development for the West Broadway lot. (City of Winnipeg)
The two buildings in the 100 block of Spence Street after a fire in February 2024. Both buildings were later demolished. (Mike Deal / Free Press files) Architectural renderings made available to the City of Winnipeg Appeals Committee show the proposed development for the West Broadway lot. (City of Winnipeg)

Economic growth would go down tubes if sewage-plant project left unfinished: city report

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Preview

Economic growth would go down tubes if sewage-plant project left unfinished: city report

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

The City of Winnipeg is warning it could run out of sewage capacity for new development by 2032, while urging senior governments to fund the final phase of a mega project that would alleviate the risk.

The city has called on the provincial and federal governments to each cover a third of the cost for the third and final phase of the $3-billion Main Street sewage treatment plant upgrade, which would boost sewage capacity.

The city previously warned it would run out of capacity to process sewage sludge within four to six years, if the project’s second phase to create new biosolids facilities isn’t completed first.

On Thursday, a new city report predicted the construction of new homes and businesses will not be possible by the year 2032, if the sewage upgrade isn’t completed first.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Construction workers at the north end sewage plant in March. The city says completing Phase 3 of the project would result in Winnipeg’s economy growing faster.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Construction workers at the north end sewage plant in March. The city says completing Phase 3 of the project would result in Winnipeg’s economy growing faster.

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Vacant home demolished after burning fourth time since August

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Preview

Vacant home demolished after burning fourth time since August

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Relief washed over Danielle Pahpasay after a vacant rooming house, which had been struck by arsonists three times, was razed Thursday.

“Finally. Wow. That’s good news,” said Danielle Pahpasay, who lives next door to 539 William Ave., which was ablaze again on Thursday. “The kids were pretty confused. They didn’t know what was going on — then they saw all the fire trucks.”

Pahpasay said firefighters knocked on her door around 12:30 a.m. and instructed her to gather her children and a few essentials and evacuate — the first time her family has had to leave despite the string of recent fires.

The two-and-a-half-storey house, vacant before the first fire on Aug. 18, also burned on Sept. 26 and Oct. 31.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

SCOTT BILLECK / FREE PRESS

A vacant house on the 500 block of William Avenue is demolished Thursday after a fire that started late Wednesday.
SCOTT BILLECK / FREE PRESS A vacant house on the 500 block of William Avenue is demolished Thursday after a fire that started late Wednesday.

Province launches first Liquor Mart pop-up store next to new Costco

Gabrielle Piché 3 minute read Preview

Province launches first Liquor Mart pop-up store next to new Costco

Gabrielle Piché 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Manitoba has launched its first pop-up Liquor Mart — right next to Winnipeg’s newest Costco.

Shoppers drove by the converted construction trailer Thursday on their way to the opening of the new Costco, located on Portage Avenue West, just north of Highway 1.

The pop-up, covered in purple Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries signage, sits off Festival Drive in west Winnipeg.

“It is unique,” said Premier Wab Kinew, who paid a visit Thursday morning. “This is a really exciting opportunity for us to see if this kind of thing makes sense.”

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Manitoba’s first pop-up Liquor Mart — right next to Winnipeg’s newest Costco at 4077 Portage Avenue.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Manitoba’s first pop-up Liquor Mart — right next to Winnipeg’s newest Costco at 4077 Portage Avenue.

Thirteen teacher complaints made in three months, misconduct report shows

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Preview

Thirteen teacher complaints made in three months, misconduct report shows

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

THERE were 13 disclosures about teacher-related misconduct — with an “almost even” split between employer and public tipsters — during the first quarter of the year.

Four of the 13 initial cases flagged to Bobbi Taillefer, Manitoba’s commissioner of teacher professional conduct, were dismissed, according to a new 16-page report.

“Remember, it’s only certified teachers that are covered,” said Taillefer, whose office fields and investigates complaints.

“This is hypothetical — if a person made a complaint about a teacher that was uncertified and not covered by the legislation, then I would be required to let them know that this process does not cover that (teacher) and why.”

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Files

Manitoba’s commissioner of teacher professional conduct, Bobbi Taillefer.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Files Manitoba’s commissioner of teacher professional conduct, Bobbi Taillefer.

Quebec MDs angry about upcoming legislation kicking tires on Manitoba opportunities: Doctors Manitoba

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Preview

Quebec MDs angry about upcoming legislation kicking tires on Manitoba opportunities: Doctors Manitoba

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Manitoba and its strong francophone community may benefit from legislation in Quebec that’s driving doctors there to consider practising in other provinces.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from Quebec physicians about opportunities in Manitoba,” Doctors Manitoba spokesman Keir Johnson said Wednesday.

Doctors there have expressed outrage over provincial legislation that introduces a new compensation system tied to performance metrics and imposes penalties for collective actions.

Some are investigating a move to Manitoba, which has struggled with a shortage of doctors and has stepped up recruitment and retention efforts in recent years.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Free Press Files

Doctors in Quebec have expressed outrage over provincial legislation that introduces a new compensation system tied to performance metrics and imposes penalties for collective actions.
Free Press Files Doctors in Quebec have expressed outrage over provincial legislation that introduces a new compensation system tied to performance metrics and imposes penalties for collective actions.

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Merry and bright: more than 40,000 expected for annual Santa Claus Parade

Toni De Guzman 3 minute read Preview

Merry and bright: more than 40,000 expected for annual Santa Claus Parade

Toni De Guzman 3 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Linda Hamilton often had to tiptoe to catch a good view of the jolly old elf at Winnipeg’s Santa Claus Parade, so when she she saw volunteers in the middle of the action, she knew she had to sign up.

“It’s a front row seat to the parade, and you get to help keep everybody safe… It’s a perk of the job,” said Hamilton, whose volunteer duties include keeping the streets clear and safe for floats and spectators.

“Just being surrounded by kids and kids at heart — it’s addictive.”

Saturday’s annual Santa Claus Parade is expected to draw more than 40,000 people downtown, organizers say. It will feature Santa and the Grey Cup, which will be contested Sunday between the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Portage Avenue and Main Street,
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The parade will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at Portage Avenue and Main Street,

Former Tory cabinet minister says he won’t seek re-election

2 minute read Preview

Former Tory cabinet minister says he won’t seek re-election

2 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

A rural Progressive Conservative MLA has decided not to seek re-election in 2027.

Doyle Piwniuk, the member for Turtle Mountain, announced his decision on social media Wednesday.

“This was not an easy decision, but one guided by my desire to spend more time with my family and focus on the next chapter of our lives together,” Piwniuk wrote.

He was first elected to the legislative assembly in a 2014 byelection in Arthur-Virden and won re-election in 2016 before the constituency was dissolved. In 2019, he successfully ran for re-election in Turtle Mountain.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk has decided not to seek re-election. (Alex Lambert/The Brandon Sun files)
Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk has decided not to seek re-election. (Alex Lambert/The Brandon Sun files)

City needs to fast-track Route 90 expansion, one of Naawi-Oodena project’s chiefs says

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Preview

City needs to fast-track Route 90 expansion, one of Naawi-Oodena project’s chiefs says

Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

One of the Manitoba First Nations chiefs directing the transformation of the former Kapyong Barracks is concerned that the city’s expansion of Kenaston Boulevard is not moving quickly enough.

Brokenhead Chief Gordon Bluesky said Wednesday that both residential and commercial development of Naawi-Oodena is well underway — including construction of a 260-unit apartment complex — and the city needs to hold up its end of the deal and move forward with the widening of Route 90.

“We’ve already done our part. We set aside those lands for the expansion. So we’re waiting for the rest of the governments to come together and fast-track that because at the end of the day, if we start building … and then we got a major construction happening at Route 90, it’s going to impact our businesses, it’s going to impact our homes,” Bluesky said.

Brokenhead is one of seven Treaty 1 First Nations which formed the Treaty One Development Corporation and oversees the Naawi-Oodena site.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS

Chief Gordon Bluesky and city, provincial and federal representatives were at the Naawi-Oodena site Wednesday morning to announce the next step in the development of a 320-unit housing complex on the land.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Chief Gordon Bluesky and city, provincial and federal representatives were at the Naawi-Oodena site Wednesday morning to announce the next step in the development of a 320-unit housing complex on the land.

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