‘Unique’ crackdown leads to dozens of arrests, hundreds of referrals to outreach groups
Free Press staff 3 minute read Preview
‘Unique’ crackdown leads to dozens of arrests, hundreds of referrals to outreach groups
Free Press staff 3 minute read Updated: 12:44 PM CDT
More than 200 people were referred to support organizations and police made 55 arrests during a two-month crackdown on drug use and disorder on city streets.
The Winnipeg Police Service and community group leaders released the latest details Tuesday of a sweep focused on open drug use and trafficking that began in August. An earlier blitz, in June, drew rebuke from some community groups that led police to take an outreach-first approach when it was relaunched.
“I feel it’s something that’s very unique, we’ve looked across the country and from what I’m hearing, what we’re hearing, I think we’re definitely going in the right direction, if not leading the way in some of our initiatives,” said police Chief Gene Bowers of the service’s partnered approach to cracking down on open air drug use.
Between Aug. 7 and Oct. 6, community organizations participated in 14 joint outreach and enforcement efforts, police said on Tuesday. Ten people were helped into Main Street Project detox programs, 48 people were given access to support services and 553 naloxone opioid antidote kits were handed out. Outreach organizations engaged with a total of 3,758 people.
Hydro’s unpredictable fortunes
Editorial 4 minute read Preview
Hydro’s unpredictable fortunes
Editorial 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT
Hope for rain. Or snow. Or both. There’s a truism buried deep in a financial outlook in Manitoba Hydro’s 2025-26 annual report, released in late September: “Manitoba Hydro’s net income is highly dependent on several uncontrollable factors.”
The editorial page of the Free Press often provides perspectives that are thought-provoking and sometimes contradictory. Keeping the lights on, (Oct. 5) by Hal Turner and Wasteful operations should be held accountable, (Oct. 6) by Barry Prentice are both thought-provoking. They are not contradictory because they cover two quite different topics. Where they differ is in their delivery and the quality of the underlying facts.
Mr. Turner provides what is, in my view, the most cogent rationale for gas-fuelled generation that I have read. He highlights the essential aspect of power supply to Manitobans. He supports the argument for natural gas generation with succinct, relatable facts and anecdotes relating to what other comparable utilities have done. He states that, “Manitoba Hydro’s experts are neither anti-wind nor pro-fossil fuel.” They are simply seeking the best possible solution for Manitobans — a fact many special-interest groups either ignore or sadly, impugn.
Although some would argue the contrary, I believe that Mr. Turner’s position and longevity in the Manitoba Hydro organization lend gravitas to his column. Mr. Turner understands that “keeping the lights on” is a non-negotiable requirement and a public trust.
Before I turn to Mr. Prentice’s column, I should disclose that before I retired (it’s been a while), I was responsible at different times for Winnipeg’s regional water system and subsequently water supply from source to tap. In that context I was also responsible for the operation of the Greater Winnipeg Water District (GWWD) railway. Like Mr. Turner’s perspective on the supply of electricity to Manitobans, I regard the supply of safe drinking water to Winnipeggers as a public trust.
Ontario’s medical regulator approves changes to prescribing safer supply drugs
Liam Casey, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview
Ontario’s medical regulator approves changes to prescribing safer supply drugs
Liam Casey, The Canadian Press 2 minute read 1:24 PM CDT
TORONTO - Ontario's medical regulator has approved significant changes to the way doctors prescribe safer supply drugs, in an effort to reduce the amount of opioids making their way to the streets.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's board of directors will soon implement several changes to the practice of prescribing safer supply, which are medications given to people at high risk of overdose as an alternative to illicit opioids.
The college will make it mandatory for physicians to prescribe safer supply medications only in conjunction with opioid agonist therapy. The therapy uses medications such as Suboxone and methadone to treat opioid addiction.
The most common form of safer supply is hydromorphone, a powerful opioid often prescribed for pain but significantly less potent than fentanyl and its derivatives that dominate the illicit drug supply chain.
Here is how the high command of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) laid down the rules for “remotely” killing suspected Palestinian activists in the densely populated Gaza Strip after the surprise Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
A 45-year-old woman accused of pulling a handgun on a Winnipeg taxi driver is facing multiple firearms-related charges.
It happened Sunday afternoon, at about 2:30 p.m., near the intersection of Concordia Avenue and Louelda Street. Officers learned a woman got into a cab in the Munroe East neighbourhood and pulled out a handgun, asking the driver to take her to a specific location, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release.
The taxi driver activated the taxi's emergency beacon, exited the vehicle, and contacted police.
The woman got into the driver's seat of the taxi, but the keys had been removed, and she fled on foot. A suspect was arrested shortly afterward in the 1000 block of Concordia Avenue. Police seized a .22-calibre handgun during the arrest.