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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)

Duha Colour Services to move U.S. firm’s operations to Winnipeg, add 94 new jobs

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Duha Colour Services to move U.S. firm’s operations to Winnipeg, add 94 new jobs

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Fresh off its acquisition of one of its leading U.S. competitors, Winnipeg-based Duha Colour Services Ltd. has announced it will use government grant money to expand its operations.

The federal and Manitoba governments said on Wednesday they have tabbed $160,000 for the Duha Group subsidiary — the world’s largest manufacturer of paint swatches and colour charts — to upgrade its local plant and train 136 employees.

Duha Group first announced bringing the U.S.-based Colwell Color Ltd. brand under its banner in October 2024.

It said this week it is transporting equipment and operations to Winnipeg from Colwell’s facility in Indiana. The move — and government grant — will create 94 new positions and allow the firm to train 42 current employees.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Rick Duha, Chief Business Officer, Duha Colour Services Ltd. – the Winnipeg-based company announced it will use government grant money to expand its operations.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Rick Duha, Chief Business Officer, Duha Colour Services Ltd. – the Winnipeg-based company announced it will use government grant money to expand its operations.

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City asking for input on Garden City library

Free Press staff 4 minute read Preview

City asking for input on Garden City library

Free Press staff 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Police seek public’s help to ID suspect

City police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect connected with an assault outside of a downtown nightclub in June.

Police released surveillance images of the individual they believe is involved with a serious assault involving an 18-year-old man in a parking lot near the nightclub in the 400 block of Main Street as it was closing around 2:30 a.m. on June 28.

Anyone who knows the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
City asking for input on Garden City library

Forget defection, Poilievre should fear resignations

Dan Lett 5 minute read Preview

Forget defection, Poilievre should fear resignations

Dan Lett 5 minute read Monday, Nov. 10, 2025

Although a dramatic defection of a Conservative MP captured Parliament Hill’s imagination last week, a much less dramatic resignation may turn out to be Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre’s undoing.

Nova Scotia Tory Chris d’Entremont’s decision to join Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government has set the hill to buzzing. And for good reason.

This unexpected move brings the Liberals one vote closer to a majority standing in the House of Commons, an accomplishment that would protect the minority government from losing a confidence vote and triggering an election.

At first blush, the floor crossing would seem to weaken Poilievre’s case to remain at the helm of the Tories beyond a January 2026 leadership review. It does not help Poilievre’s case that d’Entremont accused senior Conservatives of threatening and bullying him when word first leaked that he was thinking about crossing the floor.

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Monday, Nov. 10, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney walks with MP Chris d’Entremont, who crossed the floor from Conservative caucus to join the Liberals last week. It’s possible we’ll see resignations from Conservatives who want to abandon ship, Dan Lett writes.

(The Canadian Press files)
Prime Minister Mark Carney walks with MP Chris d’Entremont, who crossed the floor from Conservative caucus to join the Liberals last week. It’s possible we’ll see resignations from Conservatives who want to abandon ship, Dan Lett writes. (The Canadian Press files)

Beloved family physician with a passion for learning made sure to be there for family, friends, community

Janine LeGal 6 minute read Preview

Beloved family physician with a passion for learning made sure to be there for family, friends, community

Janine LeGal 6 minute read Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025

Former patients and medical school classmates and colleagues noted his genuine and personalized care for people, his kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness. He took the time to listen. For every joyful moment, every milestone and celebration, for all things meaningful and important, Dr. David Crawford was there, for his community, his patients and his family.

Not one for fanfare, he preferred to be called Dave, sometimes Dr. Dave. The husband, father, grandfather and physician was down to earth and fully present for everyone he interacted with.

Crawford died on Sept. 20, 2024, at age 69 from complications related to prostate cancer.

Born in Winnipeg, Crawford had a passion for learning, and led an active lifestyle from a young age. He was involved in Boy Scouts and recreational sports. While attending St. John’s High School in Winnipeg’s North End, his interest in math and the sciences took hold, laying the foundation for his career.

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Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025

Supplied

Crawford adored his cat Oz.
Supplied Crawford adored his cat Oz.

Downtown groups plead for parking reprieve

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Preview

Downtown groups plead for parking reprieve

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

The city is being urged to explore expanding paid parking beyond downtown before making any changes to the fees charged for city centre spaces.

“It is critical for the economic health of our city that we don’t discourage people from coming downtown (through parking fees),” said Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, during Thursday’s public works committee meeting.

The city is considering a five-year parking strategy that could eventually overhaul parking practices and prices.

Paid parking times could be extended into evening and/or weekend hours, prices could increase to ensure turnover in high-demand areas and new fees could be charged where parking is currently free, the strategy notes.

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Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, argued against changes to paid parking in downtown Winnipeg at Thursday’s public works committee meeting.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, argued against changes to paid parking in downtown Winnipeg at Thursday’s public works committee meeting.

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Fitness program geared to firefighters, paramedics in works

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Preview

Fitness program geared to firefighters, paramedics in works

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will provide a new exercise program tailored to the unique physical strains endured by its staff on the job, with the goal of preventing workplace injuries.

The service is seeking a contractor to design and deliver fitness and wellness programming.

“Right now, we’ve found there’s a bit of a gap in providing information, support and resources to our staff, specifically related to functional fitness or aspects of fitness that relate to the work they do,” said WFPS deputy chief Scott Wilkinson. “(This is) just trying to look at the work that people are doing and then help them with the required fitness.”

The contractor would analyze the physical job requirements of WFPS staff, provide exercise programs to suit them, administer physical evaluations, and provide education on sleep, nutrition and flexibility.

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Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is seeking a contractor to design and deliver a fitness and wellness program tailored to the unique physical requirements of the work done by its staff, to help prevent workplace injuries.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is seeking a contractor to design and deliver a fitness and wellness program tailored to the unique physical requirements of the work done by its staff, to help prevent workplace injuries.

Manitoba MLAs pass 72-hour detention bill after weeks of sparring

Tyler Searle 5 minute read Preview

Manitoba MLAs pass 72-hour detention bill after weeks of sparring

Tyler Searle 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

The acrimony and finger-pointing that gripped the Manitoba legislature over a proposed law to allow for the 72-hour detention of people intoxicated by meth ended with a whimper Wednesday, as the bill passed with near unanimous support.

Bill 48 passed third reading Wednesday afternoon following a hastily called news conference in which Premier Wab Kinew accused the Progressive Conservatives of playing politics with legislation that he said is critical to addressing Manitoba’s meth crisis.

“We’ve been calling this bill over and over and they keep wasting time. I’m not playing games,” Kinew said, standing in front of more than a dozen law enforcement officials, first-responders and other backers of the bill who gathered at the legislature.

“I think everybody in Manitoba knows that meth is causing a ton of damage out there and we need to do something about it.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

The province is prepared to open a 20-bed facility, dubbed the “protective care centre,” at 190 Disraeli Fwy., the premier said.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES The province is prepared to open a 20-bed facility, dubbed the “protective care centre,” at 190 Disraeli Fwy., the premier said.

Cookies honour veterans, support seniors at Deer Lodge Centre

Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Preview

Cookies honour veterans, support seniors at Deer Lodge Centre

Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

You can help veterans and other seniors just by eating a cookie.

For a limited time, the High Tea Bakery, at 2103 Portage Ave., is baking Remembrance Day-themed sugar cookies as a fundraiser.

Owner Belinda Bigold, who opened the bakery with her mother in 2003, said they came up with the sweet honour for Canadian veterans of past wars and conflicts a decade ago.

“It has been at least 10 years we’ve been doing this,” Bigold said Wednesday.

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Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025

High Tea Bakery owner Belinda Bigold decorates Remembrance Day cookies. A portion of the sales will be given to the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation.
High Tea Bakery owner Belinda Bigold decorates Remembrance Day cookies. A portion of the sales will be given to the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation.

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