By Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks about funding for homelessness and health care during an announcement in Winnipeg, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government has learned from past mistakes as it sets out its ambitious aim of eliminating homelessness within 10 years.

“For decades, governments and communities have tried to address this crisis. Too often, these efforts have been inadequately resourced, poorly co-ordinated and not sustained,” he said at a press conference Friday in Winnipeg.

Carney said he chose to make Manitoba his first stop after releasing the budget Thursday, because there’s already a plan in place.

“The government of Canada, the province of Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg and private philanthropy in recent months have all been coming together to develop a comprehensive plan that works.”

The budget estimated about 65,000 Canadians are homeless but critics say the figure could be much higher.

The federal government said its approach includes not only building enough affordable housing but also helping the vulnerable and providing health supports to help people escape homelessness long-term.

To fund the efforts countrywide, the federal budget offers $11.2 billion to tackle homelessness over four years, starting next year, and $17.8 billion over 10 years.

The partnerships with other levels of government would see the federal government fund construction costs, while provinces and other partners cover operations.

Winnipeg gets some of that money first, with at least $1 billion in new money going toward 2,000 new housing units and construction of a Centre for Mental Health and Addictions.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the federal money is a “huge, humungous deal” for the province.

“Some people were saying this is a generational investment. I don’t know if every generation gets an investment like this.”

As part of the deal, Manitoba is committing $84 million a year to support what Ottawa has committed to build.

Kinew said while the province hasn’t chosen a location yet for the health-care campus, he’ll be pushing to have it done within the three years Carney has set as a goal.

“We’re going to get it done right, we’re going to get it done quick,” said Kinew.

The aim to move quickly comes as the provincial NDP works toward its shorter-term timeline of ending chronic homelessness by 2031.

Faster progress is possible because of unprecedented co-ordination among all levels of government, including Indigenous leaders along with other partners, he said.

“It’s the first time in our country’s history where every level of government has come together to tackle homelessness, including First Nations and Métis governments,” said Kinew.

“This is a fundamental step to succeed.”

The event Friday was held under the latticework of rafters at Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, the former Hudson Bay store in the city being transformed into an Indigenous hub of housing and other services by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.

Premier Wab Kinew speaks about funding for homelessness and health care as Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, looks on during an announcement in Winnipeg, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

Jerry Daniels, the organization’s grand chief, said he’s not sure what new housing funding will come their way, but that the announcement was welcome.

“I think it’s good for the people of Winnipeg,” Daniels said.

“We’re very hopeful for the people who are living on the street, and who are experiencing homelessness, going through addictions and experiencing mental health challenges.”

Jennifer Moore Rattray, CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg, said she was excited by the investments.

“We have a real opportunity in Winnipeg, in Manitoba and in Canada to actually end homelessness.”

She said there’s already tremendous co-ordination between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the city and the province to reduce homelessness. What they haven’t had before was enough funding.

“We know what works in community. We have been doing it for years,” said Rattray.

“Now we actually have the investment.”

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1505 is holding its third annual Fill-A-Bus event on Saturday in support of the Christmas Cheer Board.

The community is being asked to help fill a bus, provided by the Manitoba Transit Heritage Association, with donations, non-perishable food items or new, unwrapped toys. Everything collected will go to the Cheer Board.

“This is more than just an event, it’s an opportunity to give back to our community in a meaningful way,” said James Van Gerwen, president of ATU Local 1505.

The event will run November 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Four Crowns Restaurant and Bar, 1030 McPhillips Street.

Phone lines at the Christmas Cheer Board opened for the season earlier this week. Income assistance applicants can call (204) 948-2022 to sign up for a hamper until December 22. Applicants are asked to have their income assistance case numbers available.

By The Canadian Press

University of Manitoba photographed Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

A court in France has ruled in favour of extraditing a former law dean of the University of Manitoba, who was arrested in the country on allegations he mismanaged hundreds of thousands of dollars in Canada.

A document from the Versailles Court of Appeal says the Indictment Division has granted Canada’s request to extradite Jonathan Black-Branch.

No date was given for when he is to be transferred back to Canada.

Black-Branch was arrested in April in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris, after a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued for fraud over $5,000.

He was in court last month opposing his extradition.

An internal investigation by the University of Manitoba says Black-Branch misused and mismanaged more than $600,000 of the school’s funds for personal bills, pricey meals at a members-only club and personal education at Ivy League schools.

Black-Branch was disbarred by the Law Society of Manitoba in 2024 following the investigation.

The university asked police in Winnipeg to investigate after the law society’s decision. It also sued Black-Branch for breaching terms of his employment agreement.

In May 2025, Manitoba Court of King’s Bench ordered Black-Branch to repay the school more than $682,000 plus interest. The university has said it’s pursuing all available collection options to recoup the money.

Black-Branch was hired as the Winnipeg university’s law dean in 2016 but suddenly left the post in 2020 and moved to Europe. Court documents relating to the lawsuit said he was believed to be living in Switzerland.

Jazz Winnipeg’s Bridging the Gap campaign runs until the end of the year. (JAZZWINNIPEG.COM)

Jazz Winnipeg has launched Bridging the Gap, a $200,000 community fundraising campaign, following the end of TD’s longstanding title sponsorship of the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival.

The campaign runs through December 31 and aims to raise one-time community support to give the organization time to diversify its funding, secure new partnerships and build a more sustainable future as costs rise.

TD ended its title sponsorship as part of a broader shift affecting several jazz festivals across Canada. Jazz Winnipeg says the support helped the festival grow and paid for free programming, and that the transition follows a challenging festival year.

“We’re asking our community to help us through an important transition so we can keep creating those experiences for years to come,” said Angela Heck, executive director of Jazz Winnipeg.

The 2026 festival drew more than 24,000 attendees across 55 shows, including 31 free performances at Old Market Square. It featured 57 artists from eight countries, 41 of them from Manitoba, and relied on 268 volunteers. Across the festival and year-round programming, Jazz Winnipeg welcomed more than 30,000 attendees.

Donations to the campaign can be made online: jazzwinnipeg.com/bridging-the-gap

A Winnipeg police vehicle is photographed at a scene in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)

A 24-year-old Selkirk man is facing drug trafficking charges after Winnipeg police seized about $50,000 worth of heroin during a traffic stop.

On Tuesday, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service asked the Winnipeg Police Service for help with a suspicious vehicle travelling westbound on the Trans-Canada Highway. Officers watched the vehicle enter Winnipeg and pulled it over. Police say indicators of interprovincial drug trafficking were present, and a drug investigation began.

A search of the vehicle turned up 535 grams of heroin hidden inside, valued at about $50,000, and 17.5 grams of opium, valued at $700.

The driver, the lone occupant, was arrested and charged with possession of a scheduled substance for the purpose of trafficking, once for heroin and once for opium. The charges haven’t been tested in court.

He remains in custody.

A Cessna 150 sits overturned in a field in the RM of Mossey River on November 3, 2026. (RCMP HANDOUT)

A pilot was treated at the scene after a small plane crashed while trying to land on a private airstrip in the RM of Mossey River.

Winnipegosis RCMP responded at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday to a report of the crash, just west of Highway 20 on Highway 269.

Officers learned a Cessna 150 clipped a small tree while attempting to land and fell short of the runway, breaking its front landing gear. The plane then flipped.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been contacted.

Winnipeg Goldeyes field manager Logan Watkins (LUKE PERRETT PHOTO)

The Winnipeg Goldeyes have agreed to contract extensions with field manager Logan Watkins, pitching coach Mark Brewer and hitting coach Adam Donachie.

Watkins, 37, has led the Goldeyes to the playoffs in two of his three seasons, including a trip to the Miles Wolff Cup Finals in 2024. He has a 151-147 regular-season record since being named the fifth field manager in franchise history on November 1, 2023. In his first season, he guided Winnipeg to first place in the American Association’s West Division and was named the league’s manager of the year.

After missing the post-season in 2025, the Goldeyes rebounded in 2026, finishing 54-46 and making the playoffs for the 22nd time in franchise history. They also tied a club record with 34 home wins and set a franchise mark with 13 straight victories from July 25 to Aug. 7.

“Logan has demonstrated the leadership, determination, and baseball knowledge we were looking for when we brought him to Winnipeg,” said Goldeyes president and CEO Sam Katz.

“I’m excited to be returning to Winnipeg for 2027. It’s become a second home to me,” said Watkins.

Brewer and Donachie joined Watkins’ staff before the 2024 season.

The Goldeyes open their 2027 home schedule Friday, May 14 against the Sioux City Explorers at Blue Cross Park.

Winnipeg’s Northern Super League (NSL) club has officially revealed its name, crest and colours. Winnipeg Ember FC is the first professional women’s soccer team in Manitoba and will begin play in the 2027 season.

The identity, unveiled Wednesday at The Forks, is inspired by the glow of the prairie sky at first and last light. The club says it represents the strength, warmth and determination of a city that shows up early, stays late and never lets the light dim.

The reveal follows the NSL’s July announcement naming Winnipeg its seventh club and first expansion team, along with plans for a new purpose-built modular stadium at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex.

“An ember is the light at the edge of the day, the first glow over the horizon and the last one to leave,” said Dayna Spiring, president of Winnipeg Ember FC. “Next season, there will be a team on the pitch and a stadium full of fans, and I can’t wait to hear this city howl.”

The club’s tagline is Let Them Howl, further leaning into the visual of sun dogs that appear on either side of the sun.

Winnipeg Ember FC is also led by co-founders Desiree Scott, vice-president of community and player experience, and Rob Gale, chief sporting officer.

The team is holding two days of tryouts this weekend at WSF Soccer South.

 

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A rendering of the future WestJet aircraft maintenance hangar at AirLink Business Park near Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. (WAA)

WestJet will be the first anchor tenant of a new commercial development on the west lands of Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

The Calgary-based airline announced Wednesday that it will build a 73,000-square-foot aircraft maintenance hangar on more than nine acres at AirLink Business Park.

The hangar is being designed with space for two aircraft, including the Boeing 737 MAX-10, and is targeted for completion in late 2028. Once operational, it’s expected to support the basing of up to 42 narrow-body aircraft at YWG and hundreds of new jobs.

“Welcoming WestJet as our first intended anchor tenant is an important step towards creating jobs, strengthening Manitoba’s economy and diversifying Canada’s supply chains,” said Nick Hays, WAA president and CEO.

At full build-out, the park is expected to support up to 2.5 million square feet of development, create 2,770 jobs and generate $24.4 million in annual property taxes for Winnipeg.

The hangar itself is expected to result in the hiring of 50 aircraft maintenance engineers, adding to the existing 500 employees that WestJet has in Winnipeg.

In February, WAA received $10 million from the federal government and $5 million from the province to support its $17-million investment in the first phase.

By The Canadian Press

New Jersey Devils goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) reacts during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck says “very challenging circumstances” involving his family were among the reasons he requested a trade out of Winnipeg.

In a letter to Jets fans posted Wednesday on Instagram, Hellebuyck acknowledged his trade request disappointed those who had supported him throughout his career in Winnipeg.

“I understand those feelings, and I want everyone to know it was an extremely difficult decision,” he said. “After a lot of thought and discussion, we ultimately felt that making a change was the best thing for our family.

“We’ve chosen to keep those personal circumstances private, and I hope people can respect that.”

Hellebuyck was traded Oct. 23 to the New Jersey Devils for forwards Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command and Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.

The trade came a month after Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goaltender and the 2024-25 MVP, publicly demanded a move. The Jets later suspended him for failing to report to training camp.

While the relationship between the Jets and the one-time face of their franchise ended on a sour note, Hellebuyck stuck a conciliatory tone in his letter.

“I’m sincerely grateful to (co-owner) Mark Chipman, (GM) Kevin Cheveldayoff and the entire Jets organization for the opportunity they gave me and the trust they showed in me over the years,” he said.

“To my teammates, coaches, trainers, equipment staff and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for your friendships, support and memories that I will always carry with me.”

He saved some of his kindest words for Winnipeg’s fans, noting how he felt a connection to the city through his love of the outdoors.

“To the great Jets fans who supported me and my family, thank you,” he said. “I’ll never forget the pride I felt representing Winnipeg, and I wish the Jets and the entire community nothing but the best.”

It remains to be seen if Jets fans will reciprocate his feelings when the Devils visit Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Hellebuyck is among several prominent American NHL players who have pushed for moves from Canadian teams to clubs south of the border.

Two of Hellebuyck’s U.S. Olympic gold-medal teammates have faced hostile receptions in their former NHL cities. Brady Tkachuk, the longtime Senators captain, was heavily jeered when his Florida Panthers recently visited Ottawa. Former Canucks captain and current Minnesota Wild defenceman Quinn Hughes also heard boos upon his return to Vancouver.

 

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Winnipeg police have arrested three people after a six-month investigation into an organized network that stole, trafficked and resold tools across the city.

Police began investigating after noticing an increase in power tool thefts from home renovation stores. Officers learned the stolen tools were being sold to buyers who then resold them on online buy-and-sell platforms.

On October 27, police arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the theft of $4,100 worth of tools and other merchandise from home renovation stores between September 4 and October 25. He is charged with six counts of theft under $5,000 and was released on an undertaking.

Two other suspects, identified as the buyers who “fenced” the goods online, were arrested on October 28 while carrying out a transaction involving stolen property advertised on an online platform.

A search warrant at a St. Vital residence led police to seize $140,000 worth of stolen items and about $3,200 in cash.

Ruslan Mykula, 34, and Liubov Mykula, 61, are each charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000. The charges haven’t been tested in court.

Ruslan Mykula was detained in custody. Liubov Mykula was released on an undertaking.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information can call Winnipeg police at (204) 986-2426.

A CAA School Safety Patroller keeps watch outside a Winnipeg school in this file photo. (CAA MAGAZINE)

Winnipeg police have ticketed a driver after a school patroller was injured, and are asking for the public’s help in a separate pedestrian hit-and-run.

On the afternoon of October 26, a vehicle collided with a light standard at Sargent Avenue and Dominion Street and, in a chain of events, struck a child performing school patrol duties at the intersection. The child was taken to hospital in stable condition. The driver stayed at the scene.

Police concluded their investigation on Tuesday and ticketed the driver under the Highway Traffic Act for driving imprudently, disobeying a traffic control device, failing to give required information to an injured person and failing to make a police report.

In the second incident, police responded at around 7:20 a.m. on Monday to a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian at Provencher Boulevard and Des Meurons Street.

A 27-year-old man was crossing eastbound Provencher when a westbound vehicle turned south onto Des Meurons and struck him. The driver left the scene. Another driver stopped to help, and the man was taken to hospital in stable condition.

Police describe the suspect vehicle as a dark sports car, but the exact make and model are unknown.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage is asked to contact police at (204) 986-7085.

City Hall, 510 Main Street (CITY OF WINNIPEG / FILE)

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham has announced his appointments to the executive policy committee (EPC), naming five city councillors to his inner circle.

Following re-election last week, Gillingham and all 15 councillors were sworn in Tuesday night during a ceremony at City Hall.

On Wednesday, Gillingham revealed who will sit with him on EPC as he begins his second four-year term.

The new EPC includes:

• Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), chair of Finance and Economic Development
• Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), chair of Public Works
• Sara MacArthur (River Heights-Fort Garry), chair of Water, Waste and Environment
• Lora Meseman (Transcona), chair of Community Services
• Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), chair of Property and Development

Browaty will serve as deputy mayor, while Santos will be acting deputy mayor. Meseman and MacArthur are joining EPC for the first time.

“I’m really excited about the new city council and what we can accomplish together over the next four years,” Gillingham said in a statement.

Additional appointments to council boards, commissions and other positions will be addressed at a council meeting on November 10.

By Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

Winnipeg Jets’ Morgan Barron (36) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (32) during third-period NHL action in Montreal on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

The Winnipeg Jets had every reason to stop believing.

They were down four goals in the third period, less than three minutes from a 10th straight defeat, in their fifth game in eight nights. Their coach was on the hot seat. Their season had been rocked from the start when former MVP goalie Connor Hellebuyck asked for a trade.

The Bell Centre was roaring and a Montreal Canadiens win looked certain, but Kyle Connor still had faith.

“Always,” the Jets winger said.

Connor scored twice, and Dylan Samberg won it in overtime as Winnipeg rallied for the latest four-goal comeback in NHL history Tuesday night, stunning the Canadiens 5-4 to end a nine-game skid.

Winnipeg (5-8-3) scored four goals in two minutes six seconds to tie the game with 33 seconds remaining in regulation, before Samberg beat Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler with a wrist shot at 3:30 in three-on-three overtime.

“What a way to end the streak we were on,” Connor said outside a jubilant Jets dressing room.

The Jets had controlled most of the play before the rally but Fowler, the NHL’s rookie of the month for October, looked unbeatable. He had made 33 saves in Montreal’s win over Winnipeg at the Heritage Classic outdoor game on Oct. 25, and he stopped 42 on Tuesday, many of them spectacular.

The 21-year-old American reached back for a glove save to rob Cole Perfetti’s backhand on the doorstep with 4:34 left in regulation, at the time preserving his shutout. He made 19 saves in the second period alone, including several incredible stops on Mark Scheifele.

“That young Fowler kid, wow,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said. “That’s twice now I’ve seen him. I don’t want to see him anymore. Wow, he’s something. The stops he was making, especially in that second period.

“But really, that was the message after the first and after the second: don’t stop.”

Lesser-known Jets defenceman Tyrel Bauer played his part in turning things around.

A sixth-round draft pick playing in his 10th NHL game, Bauer dropped the gloves with Canadiens heavyweight Arber Xhekaj with 9:20 left in regulation. Xhekaj fired up the crowd and was soon joined in the penalty box by his younger brother, Florian, the two grinning together on the arena’s big screen.

But the six-foot-three, 207-pound Bauer had the last laugh, scoring his first career goal with 2:39 left in regulation to ignite the comeback.

“That’s a long, hard stretch, but this group believed in each other,” said Bauer, his fists still dripping blood after his tilt with the older Xhekaj. “We had each other’s backs in that room, the guys had my back on the ice tonight. I blacked out for the rest of it.

“I don’t know if I wanted to win a hockey game more in my life.”

Morgan Barron made it 4-2 at 18:03, with Bauer earning an assist that completed his Gordie Howe hat trick. Connor then tied it with two one-timers 27 seconds apart with the goalie pulled — the second coming on the power play — before Samberg finished the job.

Over in the Canadiens’ locker room, players had trouble explaining how they fell apart.

“I guess (we) thought the game was over,” said Canadiens winger Cole Caufield, who scored his second of the game early in the third period to make it 4-0. “We had a four-goal lead. There’s no excuse for this. It’s terrible.”

Head coach Martin St. Louis said the Canadiens “got what we deserved.”

“We were winning, but we weren’t outplaying them,” the Hall of Fame winger said. “If you look at the game as a whole, forget the score, Winnipeg was the better team tonight.

“How the whole thing happened, that’s hard to explain. I’ve never been part of anything like that.”

The Jets entered desperate for their first win since Oct. 13, and their first since Hellebuyck’s trade to the New Jersey Devils ended a tumultuous finish to his Jets tenure.

They were coming off a 7-0 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday that Connor, an 11-year veteran, called a “low point” with the franchise. That loss raised questions about Arniel’s future behind the bench heading into Tuesday night’s game.

It’s now a night the Jets hope they can look back on as the turning point in their season.

“I’m so happy that we won tonight,” Arniel said. “This is November 3rd, this isn’t February and March. To me, we’re still in the hunt. Going into this game, we were four points out of a playoff spot in the West.

“You just gotta stay in the pack. I know it’s been a grind for us, but we just gotta stay in it. And hopefully this is the jump-start that we needed.”

Edward Hogue of Winnipeg won $1 million on the October 6 Lotto Max draw. (WCLC)

A Winnipeg man had to get a second opinion after finding out one of his tickets won $1 million in the October 6 Lotto Max draw.

Edward Hogue says he usually saves up a stack of tickets and checks them all at once at Garden City, starting with the self-checker. When the result came up, he couldn’t believe it, so he had his wife come over, and she asked someone else to look.

“I almost couldn’t believe it,” Hogue said. “I had my wife come over to check, and she asked someone else to look at it. He said, ‘I think you won a million dollars.’”

Hogue plans to do renovations on the house, help his son-in-law pay for medication and buy a new set of golf clubs.

He bought the winning ticket at Shefield Express, at 2305 McPhillips St. in Winnipeg, and won by matching one of the 12 MaxMillions numbers drawn October 6.