WINNIPEG – A judge will hold a special weekend hearing tomorrow to consider allowing Springs Church to hold drive-in services on Sunday. The church says it’s taken precautions to keep its members safe from COVID-19 and a provincial public health order only allowing virtual worship is unconstitutional. Springs and two of its pastors have been…
Union: Teachers Need More Time
WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s public teachers’ union says, with a holiday break approaching, students and teachers aren’t getting enough time to prepare for changes to the province’s learning environment. Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS) President James Bedford says January’s two-week remote learning period for students announced by the province doesn’t go far enough, and wouldn’t enhance student…
Docs With COVID Get Paid
WINNIPEG – The province says doctors who contract COVID-19 or have to take time off work to isolate will be paid. Physicians can now apply for compensation for up to 10 days at a time, retroactive to September 28th. Almost 30 doctors have tested positive for coronavirus so far and others have had to isolate…
Remote Learning After Xmas
WINNIPEG – The province has announced a two week remote learning period for students in grades seven to 12 after the Christmas break. Education minister Kelvin Goertzen says it’s also available to families with children from kindergarten to grade six if they want it. “Current data indicates the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our schools…
Nurses Sign COVID Deal
WINNIPEG – The government of Manitoba says it has signed an agreement that allows Manitoba’s 12,000 nurses to be redeployed to priority regions across the healthcare system in the province’s fight against COVID-19. Health Minister Cameron Friesen and Manitoba Nurses Union Darlene Jackson announced the agreement that would permit nurses to be shifted to long…
Service Animal Ruling
WINNIPEG – The Manitoba Human Rights Commission has ruled in support of those who rely on service animals after a complaint against a resort in the province. The panel responded to a filing against LHS Holdings, the former operators of Manigaming Resort in Riding Mountain National Park, by William Webb, who says he was denied…
Springs Church Out $20K
WINNIPEG – Springs Church has been given four tickets for holding drive-in services, totaling $20,000 in fines. The Brandon Superstore was also issued multiple COVID-19 tickets, two of them totaling $10,000. In all, 18 businesses including 11 in Winnipeg were ticketed and fined $110,000 last week. There were also $61,000 in tickets handed out to…
Bootleggers Busted
WINNIPEG – Four people have been arrested in Thompson for running a bootlegging operation. RCMP seized 55 bottles of hard liquor and 10 cases of beer. The investigation continues.
Will Code Red Continue?
WINNIPEG – Premier Brian Pallister says he has a “gut feeling” that code red restrictions might be extended. When chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin brought the measures in, he said they would be in place until at least December 11th. However, Pallister thinks these latest COVID-19 rules restricting retail and gathering sizes could…
Pallister’s Low Popularity
WINNIPEG – According to a new Angus Reid poll, Manitoba’s Brian Pallister is the least popular premier in the country. His approval rating has dropped to 32 per cent, half the support of provincial leaders at the top of the list. Even Alberta’s Jason Kenney in second last place at 40 per cent is several…