Latest news with #Manitoba-wide
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
City opens evacuee centre after thousands flee wildfires amid provincial state of emergency
The City of Winnipeg has opened its doors to wildfire evacuees after thousands were forced to flee northern Manitoba Wednesday evening as uncontrolled fires ravaged the region — prompting the province to declare a state of emergency. 'We know many families are arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs,' Mayor Scott Gillingham said in a news release Thursday morning 'Winnipeg will do what we've always done in times of crisis: open our doors and stand together.' The city established a reception centre at Billy Mosienko Arena, which opened at 9 p.m. Wednesday. People who do not have a place to stay are asked to head to the Keewatin Street facility, which is being staffed by provincial emergency social services and the Canadian Red Cross, the news release said. Evacuees travelling toward Winnipeg are encouraged to shelter with friends and family first, if possible, the city said. Colin Fast, director of communications for the mayor's office, confirmed Century and Eric Coy arenas have also been made available to support evacuees. He said the city is looking into other facilities as well. The city has activated an emergency operations centre to co-ordinate efforts across various departments, and to ensure the necessary facilities and services are available to evacuees, the news release said. 'City officials remain in close contact with provincial emergency management teams and the Canadian Red Cross to assess shelter requirements, co-ordinate logistics and deliver essential services,' it said. The mayor said it is now Winnipeg's job to ensure evacuees feel 'safe, supported and welcomed.' Premier Wab Kinew announced a Manitoba-wide state of emergency around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday due to severe fire conditions and out-of-control blazes in the north, east and western parts of the province. More than 17,000 residents of northern communities scrambled to escape advancing wildfires, as the City of Flin Flon, Pimicikamak Cree Nation and Mathias Colomb First Nation issued mandatory evacuation orders. All residents and visitors were told to get out before midnight. The majority of the evacuees are expected to head to Winnipeg. 'This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people's living memory,' the premier said. It is believed to be the largest mass evacuation since 1997, when about 25,000 people were forced to flee the Red River Valley during the Flood of the Century. The decision to make the declaration under the Emergency Measures Act was based on the recommendation of wildfire and emergency management officials. The state of emergency, which ensures federal, provincial and local resources can be delivered in a co-ordinated response, is in effect for 30 days and may be extended. Canadian Armed Forces staff will help with the evacuation of northerners, most of whom are expected to come to Winnipeg. Paige Bada, who fled from Flin Flon with her parents, described how throngs of traffic snaked along Highway 10 as they made their escape. '(I've) been trying to get ahold of friends along the drive to The Pas, see if they're OK. Some have made it on the road, some I haven't heard from and others I couldn't reach without having much service,' she said in a message to the Free Press. Bada and her family arrived in Minnedosa around 2 a.m. Thursday to stay with family. Manitoba has had the highest fire activity in Canada in 2025, said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the wildfire service. About 200,000 hectares of land has burned this year — nearly triple the five-year average for an entire year. More to come. fpcity@ Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
01-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Grey Cup tour to make 40 stops across Manitoba from May to October
The CFL's biggest prize — the one that has evaded the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for three consecutive years — is embarking on a Manitoba-wide tour beginning this weekend. The Grey Cup tour kicks off May 4 at the WPS Half Marathon in Winnipeg and will then go on to make 40 stops across the province through to the end of October. Winnipeg is hosting the 112th Grey Cup on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium. It will be the first time since 2015 the championship game has been held in the city, and fifth time overall (1991, 1998, 2006, 2015, 2025). The tour, sponsored by Access Credit Union and the Winnipeg Football Club, will feature games, interactive challenges and giveaways at each stop, a news release from the club said. "You're going to have the MacDon [Industries Ltd.] beer pong for the adults, and for the kids, we'll figure out a different name for that," said Wade Miller, Bombers president and CEO. There will be a football toss and cornhole games, a recycling challenge and chances to win tickets to the Grey Cup game, he said. "Our team is so excited to get out through the province and get the Grey Cup Festival kicked off," Miller said. The full schedule of tour stops will be available soon on the 2025 Grey Cup Festival website and updated throughout the season. The tour will visit towns, cities and rural communities, the release said. The Manitoba government announced on Thursday that it is providing $5.5 million to help the Bombers host the game and related events. "Events like the Grey Cup ignite excitement for sport and strengthen our community's pride in our team," said Nellie Kennedy, Manitoba minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism.
CBC
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Joke Around and Find Out contest aims to open doors for new Indigenous comedians
A Manitoba-wide Indigenous stand-up comedy contest will comes to its conclusion Thursday on a Winnipeg stage. Club Happenings will host the finals for "Joke Around and Find Out," a competition for new First Nations, Inuit and Métis comedians who are getting on stage for the first or second time. Eight are competing for the $2,000 grand prize, as well as paintings, trophies and gift cards for other finalists. "Our only one rule for the contest is let's keep it a little rez," said one of the organizers Jeff Gobeil. "People have been keeping it rez and by that we mean authentic, true to yourself, and don't try to be something you're not." The winner will be selected by crowd reaction. Gobeil, a member of Poplar River First Nation, has been a comedian for three years. He followed in the footsteps of his sister, who tried comedy first. Gobeil wrote material for his sister, but now he's the one that takes the stage on a regular basis on the Winnipeg comedy scene. Gobeil put together the contest with fellow comedian Lyle Wood from St. Theresa Point First Nation. Wood and Gobeil reached out to St. Theresa Point for financial backing for the contest. The band responded with a $2,000 grand prize for the contest's winner, on the condition that part of the contest would have to be held on reserve. The community's local radio station played host to the contest's first event. On the first round in St. Theresa Point, 12 comedians signed up and 9 made the stage. The organizers were impressed by the turnout. Two subsequent shows have taken place in Winnipeg, where Denny Frehley of Roseau River First Nation jumped on stage for the first time. "I feel like I did pretty good but for the first time, there were some nicks and cricks I got to work on in the act," said Frehley. "Figure it out. Memorize more. Deliver the punchline in a more quick way." Frehley is no stranger to performing, as he is an actor looking to develop his comedy chops. "I've always wanted to try stand-up, I just never gave it a shot," he said. Fellow actor and contestant Cilla Bean from Peguis First Nation also got on stage with hopes of finding new inspiration. "I've always been on stages and performing but I had no idea that stand-up comedy was next-level intimidating, it's total anxiety," Bean said. Bean added through a chuckle, "I did really well, but it might have been beginner's luck." It's often said that laughter is therapy. Gobeil agrees. "Comedy encourages you to write and share stories but maybe provides a little bit of healing as well," he said. Gobeil said the shows have been fun, and "truly driven by a spirit of community." A photographer and video crew will be on hand on Thursday to document the contest's final evening. There are plans to run the contest again next year.
