Latest news with #CBCManitoba
CBC
05-08-2025
- CBC
Meet our new Steinbach reporter, Christopher Gareau
Meet Steinbach reporter, Christopher Gareau As a part of CBC's ongoing goal of better serving more Manitobans, we are excited to be opening a news bureau in Steinbach. This will be one of the over twenty new bureaus opening in markets across the country. Stationed in Steinbach and serving southeastern Manitoba, we are excited to welcome Christopher Gareau to the CBC Manitoba team. We chatted with Christopher about riding his bike in AD Penner Park, growing up in small town Manitoba, and what he loves about living in Steinbach. Tell us about yourself, where are you from, what's your background in journalism? I grew up a farm boy in Manitoba's Interlake before moving to a small town. I made the move to the big city to attend the University of Winnipeg and Red River College's Creative Communications to learn the craft of journalism. I got my first full-time reporter job in Steinbach before working as a reporter and editor in print and radio in northern B.C. and southwestern Ontario. I came back to Steinbach to work at the newspaper before becoming CBC Manitoba's first full-time reporter based in Steinbach! What are you excited to explore in southern Manitoba, from a storytelling perspective? I'm excited to share all the stories from people I've met and will meet living and working in Steinbach. There are so many cultures, perspectives, growth, and just plain news in the Southeast! This is a chance to share such an interesting and newsworthy part of the province with a wider audience. What about life in southern Manitoba appeals to you? I love that I can explore the continuing history of the Mennonite, French, Ukrainian and Indigenous cultures while learning more about the newer arrivals from around the world! There are also so many cultural and recreation opportunities, from cross-country skiing and berry picking in the Sandilands Forest, to checking out a play or concert put on by the Steinbach Arts Council. What is the most quintessentially Steinbach thing you do in your off hours? Riding my bike down the paths through AD Penner Park in the very bike-friendly 'automobile city' to the Mennonite Heritage Village's Livery Barn Restaurant for some locally made Foarma Worscht and Vereniki smothered in Schmauntfatt. When people have a story to tell, what's the best way to reach out to you? Email me at with what you'd like to share and leave your phone number so I can get back to you as quick as I can. We really wanted to get to know Christopher, so we asked him some tough questions (like whether he prefers cookies or cake), check that out here:
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Violence 'becoming the norm' for Winnipeg firefighters on the job, legislative change needed: union
Firefighters being hit in the face with a metal pole, punched in the stomach and threatened with death by a person who woke up from a possible overdose and pulled a knife on them are among the latest violent incidents the head of the union for firefighters in Winnipeg says highlight the need for legislative change to protect first responders. "Unfortunately, this is just becoming a norm for us," said Nick Kasper, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg. "You have enough of these near misses and eventually we're going to get to a situation where we have a serious but preventable outcome." The latest incident came early Friday morning, when police say a man armed with a metal pole began hitting a fire engine responding to a call on Princess Street. After a crew member got out, he was confronted by the man, who struck the crew member with the pole. The first responder suffered minor injuries. The union is now calling for action from all three levels of government, including amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada to make assaulting a firefighter a distinct offence — like what already exists for peace officers — and making those types of offences aggravating factors at sentencing. Kasper said while he's not certain what impact those changes would have, what he does know is "the status quo isn't working." "We're not looking to take a step into fulfilling the role of peace officers or police officers," he told host Faith Fundal in an interview with CBC Manitoba's Information Radio Tuesday morning. "We're looking to strengthen legislative protections, for criminal charges — distinct criminal charges — and sentencing for anybody who would commit an act of violence against people who help others." Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, said paramedics in Winnipeg are facing some of the same issues being raised by firefighters. He calls the proposed legislative changes a good first step, but says more is needed. "When someone's coming at you and going to hit you in the face with a pipe, that legislation's not going to stop that person from doing that, unfortunately," Ross said. "I think it's a challenging fix, with the way our streets are right now, with all the mental health issues and the addiction issues…. But it's something we have to invest our time in, because these workers provide a valued service for the city of Winnipeg — and it's not fair to them that they're expected to be injured on the job." Changes 'a straightforward ask': justice minister Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said he's drafting a motion expected to go to council Thursday that will call on the federal government to re-establish bills previously introduced but never passed into law that would introduce more serious consequences for people who assault first responders. "We cannot have our firefighters and paramedics who are responding to emergency situations and providing medical care … endure what they're enduring when it comes to the number of assaults and violent incidents," Gillingham told reporters Tuesday. The mayor said he believes the motion he plans to introduce is a rare one where he's "pretty confident I'll get unanimous support" from council. Gillingham said he's also open to discussing the other requests from the firefighters' union, which include calling on the city to adopt a first responder violence prevention policy that includes dispatch flagging and alert systems for addresses deemed high-risk or people with a known history of violence. Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the union's request for Criminal Code changes seems like "a straightforward ask." "That's something that we think the federal government should step up on," he said. "We stand with our first responders in this province, and we want to make sure it's clear that we're going to take action," Wiebe said, adding the province plans to work side-by-side with the union on considering other provincial changes being proposed. Those include a proposal to create a provincial offence for obstructing, harassing or threatening public safety personnel and expanding presumptive psychological injury coverage beyond post-traumatic stress disorder to also include chronic mental health injuries from repeated exposure to threats or violence. CBC News requested comment from the federal government Tuesday. Union president Kasper said he was glad to hear from city and provincial officials who expressed concern about the violence first responders are facing on the job in Manitoba — but now, he wants to see action. "I don't think anybody feels this is tolerable. You know, I've heard the language, 'We're like sitting ducks out there.' This seems to have become the norm in Winnipeg," he said. "If it's needed anywhere, it's needed here. And I think that we should be working together with all levels of government to champion this cause and make some change."
CBC
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Fire in east Winnipeg exposed area that is 'ticking time bomb': city councillor
Social Sharing An area of east Winnipeg that was swept up in a grassfire on Monday is a ticking time bomb, according to Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona). Dozens of vehicles in an auto storage yard off Gunn Road, which divides Winnipeg and the rural municipality of Springfield, were destroyed by flames fuelled by high winds and dry conditions. The fire, which started around 2 p.m., was contained around 5 p.m. but not before propane tanks in the Oluspe Autos and Parts yard exploded, nearby hydro transformers melted, and other businesses were damaged and evacuated. The path of the blaze was marked Tuesday morning by blackened fields and a post-apocalyptic-looking mass of burned-out cars. Wyatt did not yet have complete information on the losses but said it was fortunate no one was hurt. The area has several industries and manufacturing plants, some using highly flammable materials, that might not be adequately protected. "We have a lot of, I guess you would almost call them ticking time bombs," he told CBC Manitoba Information Radio host Marcy Markusa. "[In] the RM of Springfield … they do not have fire hydrants, they do not have a full-time paid fire services, it's volunteer." Directly across Gunn from the auto yard — within the boundary of the RM — is a plant that produces a variety of chemicals and fertilizers. "It was crucial that the fire be knocked down ASAP, and it was," Wyatt said. "It was quite a day." He did not yet have complete information on the losses. The owner of Oluspe Autos and Parts did not want to comment. Brian Seaton, fire chief in the RM of Springfield, took exception with Wyatt's suggestion that the municipality might not have proper protection for the industrial park. He wanted it made clear the Springfield fire department was called to assist city crews, and water supplies that had been strategically set up by Seaton were used to fight the fire. When he became chief three years ago, Seaton said, he approached several businesses and established water supplies at the businesses "because I know that's our biggest problem." "I won't give you companies names, but [there are] … a lot of companies within the industrial area that can supply me water." The city's closest hydrants are on Redonda and Day streets, which bookend the block of Gunn that was burning. Those were too far away to hook up to, Seaton said. Thanks to the his prior arrangements "we had more water than we can actually shake a stick at," he said. The closest source of water couldn't be accessed because of the thick toxic smoke blanketing the business where it was located, so crews used the next nearest one, Seaton said. "That's why I always have a backup to a backup plan. That's how we … controlled that situation." The department recently added a new tanker for one its three fire stations "so that adds even more water supply," Seaton noted. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but Wyatt says much of the area is threaded by rail tracks and it's not uncommon for passing train wheels to send sparks into nearby dry grasses. "In the past we've had issues. About 15 years ago we had a massive fire in the RM of Springfield that affected a plastics plant that was caused by sparks from a train," Wyatt said. Fire near Balaban Place Around 4:30 p.m. Monday a fire also erupted near Balaban Place, a residential area also in Wyatt's ward. Those flames spread across several acres and threatened homes before firefighters brought them under control. The cause of that is also under investigation but "there is a very active rail line behind Balaban Place," Wyatt noted. As for the Gunn Road area, the fact it is overseen by two municipal governments is an issue within itself when it comes to regulating development, Wyatt said. He's hoping Monday's incident can lead to improvements in the area, or at least some conversations about it.
CBC
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Celebrate Earth Day with CBC Manitoba at FortWhyte Alive
Celebrate Earth Day with CBC at FortWhyte Alive What better way to celebrate Earth Day, than to learn more about our planet and how to protect it? CBC is proud to support FortWhyte Alive's 2025 Earth Day event, being held April 27. Activities will include guided hikes, outdoor activities, nature talks with different experts, eco-crafts, dipnetting, bonfire and marshmallow roast and other educational outdoor activities and games. CBC Manitoba will be on site from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Check out our bird-themed videos, take a photo at our photobooth and pick up an eco-friendly giveaway. FortWhyte Alive is opening its new visitor centre, Buffalo Crossing, at 2505 McGillivray, the most environmentally friendly commercial building in the province on April 23. Check it out during your Earth Day visit, and learn more here. Entrance fees to FortWhyte Alive from April 23-27 are waived to celebrate the opening of Buffalo Crossing. Earth Day at FortWhyte is also presented by Access Credit Union.
CBC
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Propagandhi remains calm inside the storm
Exclusive CBC Manitoba interview shows a band finding peace in today's world They've been heralded as one of Canada's most prolific and outspoken punk bands. After 30 years and on the eve of their first album in eight years, 'At Peace' -- Winnipeg's Propagandhi have decided to slow down these days. Albeit, just sonically. Actively involved from the start At the forefront of the 90s punk explosion, Propagandhi stood out. Sure, the band had the aggression and angst commonly associated with the genre but at the time there was no other band as socially conscious and politically charged as these three young musicians from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Today, their 1993 debut album How to Clean Everything has been heralded as, not only, the sound that defined the label that released it, Fat Wreck Chords but a wake up call in the minds of many middle-aged adults who first discovered them as teens. With handouts, speeches and information behind important local causes their live shows were as equally as educational as they were entertaining. This approach however wouldn't appeal to all of their new found fans. Those who had heard them and fell in love with their fast, melodic punk rock would soon realize that they stood for much more and became vocally uncomfortable with their approach. This would lead the band to releasing a sophomore album aptly titled, Less Talk, More Rock. A response to anyone in the audience who had demanded they worry less about social and political issues of the time and just focus on the music. The band would further display their stance by putting the words, Pro-feminist, animal-friendly, animal-friendly, gay-positive on the album's artwork. As time went on the band continued to champion causes important to them but through each album would start to delve more into the thrash metal style that they adored. Opening the door even further to a larger and more dedicated fan base. Fans so dedicated that a podcast would eventually be created for analyzing their songs and lyrics as they became recognized for decades around the world not just as one of punk rocks strongest advocates for change but a band that could shred too. At peace, these days On March 10, after eight years of silence, the band woke their fans up from their slumber with the surprise release of At Peace. The lead single of off the album with the same name out on Epitaph Records on May 2, At Peace didn't just include their signature riffs and insightful and poignant lyrics. It also seemed to convey a sense of being in the right place at the right time as the news becomes increasingly more anxiety inducing day after day. Surprisingly, however, on this song lead singer Chris Hannah proclaims,"I am at peace, though presently convulsed with grief, I am at peace". Words seldom spoken by a band who had always been vocal on what mattered to them while championing to change things for the better. Understanding the importance of these words, CBC's Jim Agapito sat down with Propagandhi for their first-ever band interview with CBC (less guitarist Sulynn Hago) to discuss the new single, new album, today's political climate and why they've decided to slow down through it all.
