Latest news with #MPI
Winnipeg Free Press
11 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
MPI sues accused killer over torched vehicle
MANITOBA Public Insurance is suing a man awaiting trial in the slayings of five people — including his three young children — accusing him of torching a vehicle on the side of the highway on the day their bodies were found. MPI is seeking $43,000 in damages for the Feb. 11, 2024 incident in which it claims Ryan Howard Manoakeesick, 31, 'purposely and intentionally' set fire to a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 'The plaintiff states that the damages to (the) Jeep were caused solely by the fault and wilful misconduct of the defendant,' reads the lawsuit, filed July 16 in the Court of King's Bench. 'The defendant has refused or neglected to pay the amount owing to date, or any portion thereof, despite the plaintiff's demands.' Manoakeesick has remained in custody since the day of the fire on Provincial Road 248, near St. Eustache, at about 10 a.m. Police who attended the scene found Manoakeesick's three children — two-month old Isabella, four-year-old Jayven and six-year-old Bethany — dead outside the burning vehicle. Police arrested him without incident nearby. Earlier in the day, RCMP officers found Manoakeesick's common-law partner and the mother to his children, Amanda Clearwater, 30, dead in a ditch on Highway 3 near Carman. Investigators later found Clearwater's 17-year-old niece, Myah-Lee Gratton, dead inside a Carman home where all of the victims lived with Manoakeesick. He has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, meaning the Crown believes the killings were planned and deliberate. It is one of the biggest homicide cases in Manitoba in more than a decade. Manoakeesick has a history of drug and mental-health struggles, court records show. In March 2024, a judge ruled Manoakeesick was fit to stand trial after his lawyers requested he undergo an psychiatric assessment. His next court appearances are scheduled to take place between Sept. 8 and 12 in the Court of King's Bench. Several other hearings are scheduled in February, March and April of next year, court records show. Manoakeesick has not entered a statement of defence in the MPI case. MPI estimated the cost of the Jeep at around $40,200 and the cost of fire crews to respond to the scene at around $2,000. An additional $800 was spent to cover the cost of a rental vehicle for the Jeep's registered owner, who is not named in the lawsuit. 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.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Ministry of Health reviewing campylobacter data after scaremongering accusations
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the research included studies dating back to 1988 that may not reflect the current situation. Photo: 123RF The Ministry of Health is reviewing campylobacter hospitalisation data, after new research found the rate of hospitalisation had jumped nearly 70 percent in 17 years. Analysis released by the Public Health Communication Centre found contaminated chicken was mostly to blame, causing nearly 80 percent of infections, but the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) disputed the figures and accused the researchers of scaremongering. Deputy director-general of Food Safety - which sits within MPI - Vincent Arbuckle admitted hospitalisations had increased, but told Morning Report infection rates were dropping. Food Safety was working with the Ministry of Health to understand what was causing more hospitalisations, he said. A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the research relied on a range of assumptions to determine "the overall burden of disease attributed to campylobacter", which included studies using data back to 1988. That may not reflect the current situation, they said, but the ministry and the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF) were "undertaking a review of the data that our agencies hold relating to campylobacter and hospitalisation", the spokesperson said. The review sought to determine whether the assumptions the PHCC research relied on were valid. It would be completed within the next few months, subject to resource, prioritisation and availability of information, the ministry spokesperson said. Several factors could cause a rise in hospitalisations, they added. "Early access to healthcare, when required, plays a key role in managing the effects of campylobacter - such as dehydration - and preventing the more severe symptoms, which lead to hospitalisations. "There is work underway to increase access to primary care." PHF has been approached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
MPI increasing capacity for Driver Z program
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is increasing the number of spots available for its popular high school education program. On Wednesday, the Crown corporation announced it increased capacity for the fall session of Driver Z to nearly 4,700 seats, including 2,126 outside of Winnipeg. This is an increase of 500 spots since the fall 2024 session when it offered 4,200 seats available. MPI noted that this puts it on track for 10,000 seats this year, which will bring it back to pre-pandemic registration levels. MPI added that registration for the Driver Z fall session will begin on July 23 at 8 a.m. The program, which is offered in communities around the province, uses a mix of e-lessons, virtual and in-person classes, and in-car sessions to help students learn to drive safely. MPI will post the Driver Z course finder on July 18 so customers can pre-plan which course works best for them. Parents are also encouraged to complete the first few steps of registration, including setting up the new driver as an MPI customer and purchasing the Driver Z program, before registration day. On the day of registration, parents and guardians can sign up their child for the program at an Autopac broker or MPI service centre, through the MPI Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or by calling the MPI driver education phone line at 204-985-7199.
Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Montréal Attracts Top Meetings With Worldly Charm and Local Warmth
Montréal is poised to maintain its position as a top destination for international conferences as the city leverages its support services to ease travel concerns, while welcoming visitors to enjoy its unique French culture like a local. Meeting planners have long been known for their can-do spirit — a resilience that the industry needs now more than ever. According to MPI's latest Meetings Outlook, the percentage of event professionals expecting negative business conditions surged from 10 percent to 57 percent in just one quarter. Respondents cited mounting pressure from rising costs, shrinking budgets, and growing concerns about international travel. In this climate of uncertainty, it's not just about offering exciting travel experiences — it's also about reassuring attendees that their journey will be smooth and stress-free. For planners seeking to balance the excitement of travel with convenience and affordability, nearby destinations with a proven ability to deliver fresh, memorable experiences are key. Montréal — ranked the number one international association meetings destination in North America by both ICCA and the UIA for nearly a decade — is stepping up to help planners navigate today's challenges and exceed attendee expectations. Above all, the city wants to reaffirm one simple message: visitors are always welcome. 'Montréal has always been known for opening its arms to the world, and I can say with confidence that this will never change,' said Mylène Gagnon, Vice-President of Sales and Convention Services at Tourisme Montréal. 'For American meeting planners especially, we want to emphasize that Montréal remains one of the safest, most accessible, and most welcoming destinations you're ever likely to experience.' photo caption: Mural Sans titre by - Produced by Festival MURAL 2023. Photo credit: EN Credit © Mural Sans titre by - Photo by Sylvie Li - Tourisme Montréal Ensuring Seamless Travel for International Events Planning the logistics of an international event is never simple — but choosing the right destination can make it significantly easier. In Montréal, Business Events Montréal offers a range of support services, including access to a certified convention services manager specializing in streamlining cross-border events. 'Our team also collaborates closely with turnkey partners like ConsultExpo, a trusted and experienced customs broker that guides planners and exhibitors through a clear, step-by-step process to ensure smooth entry of goods into Montréal,' said Gagnon. The recent ISPOR conference — the leading global event for health economics and outcomes research — held in Montréal highlighted just how smoothly the city handles international events. When asked about customs challenges, the event organizer reported no issues at all. In fact, what stood out most was how easy the travel experience was. 'Although we're a truly global association, many of our staff and members are based on the U.S. East Coast. The ability to arrive in a city that feels distinctly international, yet is just a one or two-hour flight away, is fantastic,' said Paul Wong, Director of Global Events at ISPOR, the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research. With Montréal's award-winning international airport providing year-round direct flights to nearly 150 locations worldwide, the city is a convenient destination for many international attendees. After landing, it's only a 12-mile (20 km) drive to downtown. Delivering French Flair Within North America Even when a smooth travel experience is assured, attendees should be rewarded for their efforts with a destination that offers unique cultural and experiential value. With its French culture and rich heritage, Montréal allows visitors to feel all the thrills of distant travel without leaving North America. Old Montréal, the city's historic district in the heart of downtown, features centuries-old architecture and cobblestone streets leading to the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Highlights include the Neo-Gothic Notre-Dame Basilica and its immersive AURA Experience and the expansive Marché Bonsecours, a Renaissance Revival stone building that was the city's main agricultural marketplace for over a century. It now features sidewalk cafés, artisanal shops, art exhibitions, and numerous reception halls, including an impressive ballroom. photo caption: Place d'Armes. photo credit: Credit FR © Daph & Nico - Tourisme Montréal A UNESCO City of Design, Montréal offers a wide selection of exceptional event spaces spanning multiple eras of architecture. Standout options include Le 9e, restored in 2024 and modeled after the glamorous dining room on the Île-de-France transatlantic ocean liner. '[Le 9e] is one of the crown jewels of Montréal's art deco architectural legacy,' said Gagnon. In addition to boasting enviable architecture, Montréal embraces the French spirit of joie de vivre. Its wealth of cultural festivals ranges from the world-famous Montréal Jazz Festival to L'International des Feux Loto-Québec, the world's largest international fireworks competition. Fine Dining and Montréal's Distinct Terroir Another key way to attract attendees is through fine dining. According to Hilton's 2025 Trends Report, nearly one in five travelers treats food as a deciding factor when choosing destinations. From poutine to haute cuisine, Montréal offers a selection of culinary experiences to tempt even the most discerning gourmand. In addition to the city's 55 Bib Gourmand nods, three Montréal restaurants were awarded stars in the inaugural Québec MICHELIN Guide. They include Europea, along with local favorites Mastard and Sabayon. All three establishments reflect a deep appreciation for the unique terroir of la Belle Province, with ingredients sourced from Québec's rich agricultural offerings and artisanal food products ''from the field to the fork.' Originating in French wine cultivation, the concept of terroir stems from the belief that all foods and beverages develop a distinct character derived from the territory in which they are grown and produced, with everything from soil composition to surrounding flora and fauna influencing flavor. Beyond its French roots, Montréal is also a multicultural city representing over 120 ethnocultural groups. This diversity has given rise to a plethora of restaurants specializing in a variety of international cuisines. Perhaps most famously, the city is home to some of the world's best bagels, with two of the most popular shops being St. Viateur and Fairmount Bagel in the heart of Montréal's Orthodox Jewish community. Innovation, Affordability, and Carbon-Neutral Convening photo caption: Palais des congrès de Montréal - Taxi Bonjour. photo credit: EN Credit © Daph & Nico - Tourisme Montréal. Of course, business events are ultimately about business, and in today's economic climate, the ideal destination needs to combine state-of-the-art amenities with affordability. Montréal delivers on both fronts. It is one of Canada's most affordable cities, and with the favorable exchange rate, U.S. organizers can look forward to cost savings of almost 40 percent. Montréal is also well-known as a hub of creativity and commercial ingenuity, and its many cutting-edge venues help to sustain this innovative entrepreneurial spirit. The Palais des Congrès de Montréal, for example, was one of the first North American convention centers to become carbon neutral. Business Event Montréal is doing its own part to push the needle forward with its participation in Impact AIQ, an AI-powered project designed to measure the social impact of business events. 'Impact AIQ is embedded directly into event design and will help us with the analysis and strategic planning of business events,' said Mylène Gagnon. 'It's a Montréal-led project with the ambition of inspiring transformation across the events industry.' For more information about Business Events Montréal, visit This content was created collaboratively by Business Events Montréal (Tourisme Montréal) and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Health researchers, MPI clash as study finds campylobacter cases have surged
Lead author, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, says the number of hospitalisations caused by contaminated chicken meat is a very consequential health problem. Photo: Supplied Too many people are still ending up sick and in hospital from contaminated fresh chicken meat, public health professionals say. New analysis released by the Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) on Thursday shows hospitalisation rates for campylobacter infection have increased by almost 70 percent in 17 years. The study found contaminated fresh chicken meat remained the dominant source, causing an estimated 77 percent of infections. But the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has disputed the figures and is accusing the researchers of scaremongering. The PHCC study noted that, in 2007, regulatory measures were introduced to reduce contamination levels in fresh chicken meat tested in processing plants. Rates of both hospitalisation and notification halved in just a few months as a result. But since 2008, contaminated chicken in New Zealand caused more than 600,000 symptomatic illnesses, over 9000 hospitalisations, at least 60 deaths and around $1.4 billion in economic costs. Lead author, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, said that in 2023, the year with the most recent data, there were nearly a thousand hospitalisations. "By any means this is a very consequential health problem and we feel it needs a much more vigorous response." Government agencies were "too complacent" about the increasing rates of campylobacter infection caused by contaminated chicken, he added. "If you saw a 70 percent rise in our most common foodborne disease surely you'd be putting a lot of effort into investigating that to figure out what's going on, and I'm not aware of any effort going into that. One of the major problems that we're seeing is our agencies have become very complacent about this infection." The government should consider a formal inquiry into this serious, long-term regulatory failure, Baker said. "The large Havelock North waterborne outbreak of campylobacter infection [in 2016] resulted in an exhaustive inquiry and a complete reorganisation of the drinking water supply sector. That common source outbreak caused about 7570 cases. By comparison, the 'common source' epidemic caused by contaminated chicken meat results in the equivalent of a Havelock North-sized outbreak every three months in NZ, or 80 such outbreaks since 2008." But Food Safety's deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle disagreed with the PHCC's analysis, arguing that between 2006 and 2020 reported rates of foodborne campylobacter infections had halved. These figures were based on public notifications of infections provided by the health system, he said. "In 2020 New Zealand Food Safety set the target of reducing the rate by a further 20 percent. This milestone was reached at the end of 2024, when rates of foodborne campylobacter infections acquired in New Zealand fell to 70 cases per 100,000. The drop in infection was thanks to a "concerted effort over many years" from government, scientists and industry throughout the supply chain, he said. "New Zealand has made considerable reductions in campylobacter infections. We keep an open mind about changes that can further reduce campylobacteria infection, which is a serious foodborne illness, but will not consider changes that are not founded on good evidence." Arbuckle accepted more people were ending up in hospital with campylobacter but says that was partly because they had put off going to the GP and got sicker, he said. He also agreed that campylobacteriosis was "the most common, significant foodborne illness in New Zealand". But he said data suggested "a continued downward reduction due to the sustained efforts between industry, health authorities, the regulator and other parts of the sector such as retail". "The prevalence [of campylobacteriosis] is reducing, it's not where people would like it to be, but some of the content in this report is simply erroneous and alarmist, particularly the comments about deaths attributed - the simple fact is that ... since 2007 we've had three recorded cases of death where campylobacteriosis was the principle single contributing factor, not 60 as he [Baker] suggests. "If New Zealand was experiencing the level of deaths directly attributable to campylobacteriosis at the numbers that the authors suggest, there would be an outcry." But Baker said that deaths from campylobacter infection were generally poorly diagnosed and recorded. By looking at hospital discharge data, however, the researchers were able to get an indication of deaths in hospital with 60 reported deaths for patients with a discharge diagnosis of campylobacter infection as the principal or additional diagnosis over the 14-year period from 2008 to 2021, an average of 4.3 per year. An additional estimated 12 deaths from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) from this source took the total to 68 in the 17-year period, or four per year. In a statement, Poultry Industry Association executive director Michael Brooks said he agreed the paper was "unnecessarily alarmist". "The poultry industry works closely with NZ Food Safety and met their set targets to further reduce campylobacter by 20% by 2024," he said. "We have also met the standards of the National Microbial Database. NZ Food Safety assesses that Michael Baker's paper has significant limitations and relies on several incorrect assumptions and unsupported estimates to reach its conclusions." The study's co-author, University of Otago Professor Nick Wilson defended their research on Morning Report , saying hospitalisation data is the most reliable source to understand what's happening with this "epidemic". "They're [MPI] focusing on the wrong data. You need to take a broad comprehensive picture that includes looking at the hospitalisations and deaths. Hospitalisations are far more reliable then the data sources that they're focusing on," he said. "They're just not taking a proper health perspective. You'd expect that a watchdog that's meant to be protecting public health and protecting food safety, it [MPI] just doesn't have a health focus." MPI looks like they are protecting their own reputation, Prof Wilson said. "This is a health problem... You need health experts. It's out of their ballpark." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
