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Former finance minister loses federal nomination bid

Too much baggage and not enough of organization likely led to the political downfall of a Manitoba cabinet minister who quit his post to seek the federal Conservative nomination in Portage—Lisgar, experts say.

Cameron Friesen lost the nomination April 29 to Branden Leslie, who will now carry the federal party banner in the yet-to-be-called byelection.

Portage—Lisgar is a Tory stronghold. Its most recent MP, Candice Bergen, held the seat from 2008 until resigning in February. Bergen is now co-chair of the provincial Progressive Conservative party’s 2023 election campaign.

“Our campaign message was about experience, results and deep roots in the riding,” Friesen said in a social media post after losing the nomination Saturday.

Ethical questions put students to the test

Should all laws be obeyed? Should Canada cut ties with the British monarchy?

These are some of the ethical dilemmas explored in spirited discussion this weekend as teens from across the nation gathered in Winnipeg for the Canadian High School Ethics Bowl.

Similar to a debate, the event requires teams of students to present their views on a series of ethical questions. However, rather than asking competitors to defend their stance, the teens are encouraged to consider the opposition’s view and change their opinions when faced with convincing arguments.

“It teaches students, and anybody else really, how to have a discussion in a non-confrontational manner,” said Estelle Lamoureux, the competition’s regional director. “This approach allows students to bring in new information, to contemplate it, understand it and decide whether to accept it or not. It forces an individual to have an open mind.”

Talking trash about Omand’s Creek

Beavers have been busy building dams on Omand’s Creek, but Winnipeggers have been just as busy tossing garbage into it.

Ken Yendrys, who for decades has lived a short way from the creek that flows south through St. James to the Assiniboine River, said the destruction and trash by and in the creek is the worst he has seen.

“The creek system can’t support beavers and that’s where the problem starts,” Yendrys said.

“You start losing some trees and you de-stabilize the creek. It’s just a case of complete destruction.”

A seat at the Oak Table

Oak Table in Osborne Village has been making people feel welcome, accepted and loved for more than 40 years.

Joan Hibbert, Augustine United Church’s office resource person from 1979 to 1994, remembers when the ministers decided, in 1981, to open the doors on weekdays. Her life, and the lives of many others, were forever changed.

“We opened the door and in they came,” recalled Hibbert. “The coffee was hot and there were cookies on a good day. We became ‘a ministry of interruptions,’ as one minister would say, with a smile. People of all ages and circumstances became our guests around that old Oak Table. They had stories as well as tears to share. Musicians would sit and play for our visitors.”

Over time, Hibbert, an artist with a passion for community, was asked to offer art instruction.

Free Press garners four National Newspaper Award nominations

The Free Press has been nominated for four 2022 National Newspaper Awards, which honour some of the best journalistic work across the country.

Annual commuter challenge begins today

Though much of the weekday commute begins on Monday, Winnipeg’s Green Action Centre’s Commuter Challenge kicked off Sunday.

The annual event, which encourages Manitobans to use more sustainable modes of transportation on their commutes, including carpooling, busing, cycling, walking and tele-commuting, runs June 4-10 this year. Similar events are held in other Canadian cities as part of the National Commuter Challenge, which encourages people to leave their cars at home.

A launch party was held in Old Market Square on June 2, but Sunday is when participants begin logging kilometres. Those taking part are eligible for prizes, including passes to the Winnipeg Folk Festival, a two-night stay at Wild Skies Resort or a free bus pass for a year through Winnipeg Transit.

The Green Action Centre encourages employers to sign up and to support employees to take a sustainable mode of travel for one day during the challenge.

Pride parade organizers urge participants to stay hydrated

Thousands have flocked to the Manitoba Legislative Building grounds and Memorial Park in downtown Winnipeg, as this year’s LBGTTQ+ Pride parade begins.

About 10,000 have registered to walk in the parade, while many thousands more are celebrating.

The parade is the 36th since 1987.

Political and Indigenous dignitaries spoke to the crowds at a rally before the parade, along with Pride Winnipeg officials, who implored revelers to stay safe and hydrated, as the sun beats down and temperatures swelter.

Sunshine Fund lights up looming summer camp season

While robins may be viewed as the first sign of spring, camping is a sure sign of summer.

With your generosity, many children whose families can’t afford to send them to summer camp will to get out into the great outdoors with the birds and wildlife.

For the 43rd time, we’re kicking off the annual Free Press Sunshine Fund, hoping generous readers will help these deserving children.

Once they get your financial assistance, they will be able to choose from 31 overnight or day camps as far north as Simonhouse Bible Camp near Flin Flon, as far west as Turtle Mountain Bible Camp near Boissevain, and as far east as Luther Village near Kenora, Ont.

Manitobans offered prizes to take better care of their health

Manitoba physicians are encouraging people to take one simple step to improve their health this month, and offering prizes for people who pledge to catch up on routine screenings, eat healthier and get active.

Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Michael Boroditsky said many people put their health on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic as immunizations, disease screening and physical activity fell by the wayside over the past three years.

“This is a top concern for doctors,” Boroditsky said during an announcement at the Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre in downtown Winnipeg.

“With the worst of the pandemic behind us, hopefully, and summer just around the corner, now is a great time to focus on getting healthy, and it can start with one simple step.”

Mental-health crisis response pilot program proves effective, will become permanent

A pilot project that saw mental-health workers attending non-emergency crisis situations to free up police and health resources is becoming permanent.

The provincial government announced $414,000 in funding to expand the Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis initiative Friday afternoon, 18 months after the project first launched as a collaboration between the Winnipeg Police Service and Shared Health’s Crisis Response Centre.

“We recognize the importance of ensuring supports and services are available to Manitobans when and where they need them most,” Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Janice Morley-Lecomte said Friday.

ARCC pairs clinicians with plain-clothes officers in crisis situations, including suicidal ideation, post-partum depression, psychosocial crises and behavioural issues that don’t pose a threat to others. The program also supports “high-frequency users of emergency services,” Morley-Lecomte said.