A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

StandardAero has officially completed a 70,000-square-foot expansion of its Winnipeg maintenance facility, supported by $3 million from the Manitoba government.

The expansion increases the site’s total footprint by nearly 40 percent, allowing the company to handle higher volumes of engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work. The added capacity specifically targets GE Aerospace CF34-3/8 and CFM International CFM56-7B engines, which power widely used commercial and military aircraft globally.

“Our new, larger facility is central to how we support the CF34 and CFM56 programs that power some of the world’s most widely flown aircraft,” said StandardAero vice-president Peter Wheatley, in a release.

“The space gives our team more capacity to deliver world-class MRO work for our customers here in Canada and throughout the globe. We’re proud to keep growing StandardAero’s presence right here where our company was founded.”

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

A 42-year-old Grandview woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly forging a doctor’s note to skip a court sentencing hearing.

Dauphin RCMP were alerted on August 31 after the suspect submitted a medical note through her lawyer claiming she could not attend her scheduled September 2 sentencing for a theft charge. The note claimed she had been seriously injured in a car crash on July 22.

The court initially accepted the note and adjourned the hearing. However, after a court official followed up with police, investigators determined the doctor’s note was fake. RCMP checked police databases across Canada and found no record of the woman being involved in a collision.

Amber Fisher was arrested on September 1 and remains in custody. She has been charged with obstructing justice, forgery, and uttering a forged document.

(Beach sunset image via Shutterstock)

Here’s what’s open, closed or operating on a reduced schedule in Winnipeg for Labour Day, Monday, September 7.

Shopping Centres

Kildonan Place — Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Grant Park — Open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Vital Centre — Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Polo Park — Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Outlet Collection Winnipeg — Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Manitoba Liquor Marts

All Winnipeg Liquor Mart locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, September 7, except for True North Square, which will be closed. For specific hours this weekend, visit LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Assiniboine Park Zoo

Open on Monday, September 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Forks

Open on Labour Day at 7 a.m., but hours vary by tenant.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Closed on Monday, September 7.

Manitoba Museum

Open on Monday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City of Winnipeg Offices

All civic offices are closed on Labour Day, Monday, September 7.

Recycling/Garbage Collection

Recycling, garbage and yard waste will be collected as normally scheduled on the Labour Day holiday for those with Monday as their collection day.

Brady Road Landfill (commercial customers only)

Monday, September 7 — 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brady 4R Winnipeg Depot (residential customers only)

Monday, September 7 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depot (residential customers only)

Monday, September 7 — Closed

Panet 4R Winnipeg Depot (residential customers only)

Monday, September 7 — Closed

Winnipeg Transit

On Monday, September 7, Winnipeg Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Fitness & Leisure Centres

All city fitness and leisure centres will be closed on Monday, September 7.

Outdoor Pools, Wading Pools, and Spray Pads

City of Winnipeg outdoor aquatic services will be open, weather permitting, on Monday, September 7.

Spray pads will be open.

The following outdoor pools will be open Monday, September 7:

• Freight House
• Kildonan Park
• St. Vital
• Transcona Aquatic Park
• Westdale

The following wading pools will be open Monday, September 7:

• Central Park
• Dakota Park
• Machray Park
• McKittrick Park

Indoors Pools

All indoor pools will be closed on Monday, September 7.

Libraries

All Winnipeg Public Libraries will be closed on Sunday, September 6 and Monday, September 7. All libraries will switch to winter hours on Tuesday, September 8.

Animal Services Agency

The Animal Services Agency will be closed on Monday, September 7.

Cemeteries

Brookside, Transcona, and St. Vital cemeteries will remain open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; however, the administration office at Brookside Cemetery will be closed on Monday, September 7.

Golf Courses

Canoe Club, Crescent Drive, Kildonan Park, and Windsor Park golf courses will remain open throughout the long weekend, weather permitting.

By David Baxter, The Canadian Press

A person pumps gas in Montreal on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

The federal government is extending the suspension of federal fuel excise taxes until the new year to help Canadians feeling the pressure from higher energy costs caused by instability in the Middle East.

“For Canada, it means practical relief at a time when Canadians need it most,” Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Wednesday in Ottawa.

The fuel excise tax will remain suspended in full until January 2027. It will be phased back in over three months, Champagne said, beginning at 50 per cent of the regular rate in February and March, and returning to normal in April 2027.

The Liberals temporarily suspended the federal 10-cent-per-litre excise tax on April 14 after the U.S. war on Iran caused global fuel prices to spike. The pause was initially set to last until Labour Day.

Gas prices are rising again as the conflict intensifies and as the Strait of Hormuz remains a supply line choke point.

Champagne said Wednesday that volatility in the oil market is expected to continue “for the foreseeable future” and the fuel excise tax relief is a direct response.

Statistics Canada reported the national average price of a litre of gas in April was about $1.79.

The Canadian Automobile Association, better known as CAA, reports the national average gas price was $1.729 per litre on Sept. 2.

Reinstating the fuel excise tax would increase that price to $1.829 per litre, or add $5 to the cost of filling a 50 litre tank.

Carney told reporters in April the government expected the four-month gas tax holiday to cost about $2.4 billion in lost government revenue. On Wednesday, he said the entire tax holiday will cost $5.3 billion in lost government revenue.

The Conservatives had been calling for an extension of the gas tax pause to the end of the year, as well additional GST relief, which they say would reduce fuel prices by 25 cents per litre.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre issued a statement Wednesday saying his party “won another battle for Canadian families.”

He said Conservatives now want the government to drop all federal fuel taxes, including clean fuel regulations, until Canada Day 2027 and to permanently cancel the industrial carbon price.

“Canadians need real relief that brings lower prices, not another Liberal half measure. Conservatives are proud of our role in securing today’s win, but we will never stop fighting for a more affordable Canada,” Poilievre said in a media statement.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford welcomed the extended pause in a statement on social media and called for it to be made “permanent.”

NDP Leader Avi Lewis on Wednesday called on the government to instead impose a “windfall tax” on energy companies.

“People are getting gouged at the pumps, but another costly handout of public money to oil and gas companies is no solution,” Lewis said in a media release.

“Even after the Carney government’s $2.4 billion giveaway, gas prices continue to soar. Instead of more corporate welfare, it’s time for a windfall tax on the big oil giants that are set to make $100 billion in profits this year because of (U.S. President Donald) Trump’s illegal war in Iran.

“Doing so will generate billions in new revenue that we can use to give Canadians real relief at gas stations and grocery checkouts.”

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

A body discovered in a wooded area in Pimicikamak Cree Nation has been identified as a 17-year-old girl who had been reported missing.

Manitoba RCMP say Mounties with the Cross Lake detachment were called August 23 after a body was found in a wooded area. Officers located the remains of an unknown person at the scene.

An autopsy confirmed the body to be that of the teen, who had been reported missing a day earlier. She was last seen by family on August 17.

Her death has been deemed suspicious and is being investigated by Manitoba RCMP.

The Red River as seen from St. John’s Park (GOOGLE STREET VIEW)

Winnipeg police are crediting a bystander with saving the lives of a child and parent after the child fell into the Red River near St. John’s Park.

Police say they responded the evening of August 24 and located the unconscious child receiving emergency first aid from a bystander. Officers took over life-saving efforts until the child was transported to hospital in critical condition, later stabilizing. The child is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said the Child Abuse Unit’s investigation determined a witness saw the child enter the water, followed by a parent attempting to save them from drowning. The witness immediately jumped in to help both.

Police said the witness pulled the father from the water first, then swam out to reach the child, swimming backwards to shore with the unconscious child on her chest while performing life-saving measures, which she continued upon reaching shore.

“The Winnipeg Police Service commends the bystander’s courageous and selfless actions in coming to the aid of complete strangers,” WPS said in a statement. “She is being credited for saving both the lives of the child and the parent during this incident.”

Police are reminding the public to exercise appropriate supervision and safety precautions when visiting parks, waterways and other bodies of water.

An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of an assistant commissioner, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

A woman has died after being struck by an ATV on Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation on Monday.

Swan River RCMP responded to the scene just before 10 p.m. for a report of an ATV striking two pedestrians. Police said a 39-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man were walking in the community on Porcupine Bay when they were hit from behind by a man driving an ATV.

The woman sustained the majority of the impact and suffered severe injuries. Despite a quick response by emergency personnel and community members, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The man was taken to hospital with multiple non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the ATV was uninjured and was arrested outside his house nearby while standing near the vehicle. The ATV was seized and impounded.

A 21-year-old Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation man faces numerous charges and was released from custody on conditions.

RCMP continue to investigate.

The RCMP logo is seen on a podium ahead of a news conference, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

Human remains discovered by a road maintenance crew in the RM of Wallace-Woodworth are believed to be of a historical or archaeological nature.

Virden RCMP received the report at approximately 2:15 p.m. on August 26, after a crew cleaning ditches following recent flooding located two pieces of a human skull and a bone while working on Road 57 North, just east of Road 148 West.

Work stopped, RCMP were called, and a perimeter was established around the area.

A forensic anthropologist and her team were called to the scene the following morning and located a partial skull, a right shin bone and a lower left femur. The Manitoba Historic Resources Branch also searched the scene.

Carbon dating and further testing on some of the remains is being arranged, say RCMP.

By Brett Bundale, The Canadian Press

Boxes of parchment paper sit in a machine at aVenco’s packaging facility in Bowmanville, Ont, on Monday, August 31, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey)

Food and household goods companies in Canada say they’re seeing a surge in demand as Canadians prioritize shopping local amid the ongoing trade war, but they say some retailers are slow to give more shelf space to products from this country.

Despite the strain of higher prices at the grocery store, many shoppers are going out of their way to buy Canadian-made products, food and household goods, companies told The Canadian Press.

However, they say some retailers are slow to react to the shift in demand, leading to a rise in selling directly to consumers.

“We aren’t really built for direct-to-customer sales but we’re doing it because of the demand we’re seeing,” said Kathleen Chapman, president of aVenco Ltd., a Bowmanville, Ont.-based parchment paper company.

“The consumer response has been phenomenal,” she said. “It seems that the consumer is moving faster than retail. Canadians are looking for products and asking for products so we’ve pivoted and we’re supplying them as quickly as we can.”

The company’s direct-to-consumer orders have jumped from about 20 in the last two years to hundreds in the week since the new U.S. tariffs came into effect, Chapman said.

Meanwhile, aVenco’s U.S. business, which previously made up roughly 30 to 40 per cent of sales, has stalled due to tariffs, she said.

“It has essentially shut down any talks with U.S. customers at this point,” Chapman said.

The company was initially affected by U.S. tariffs on European goods as it sources raw parchment paper in France, and now it faces a 50 per cent tariff because the baking paper is prepared and converted in Canada.

G.E. Barbour Inc., a Sussex, N.B.-based manufacturer of tea, peanut butter, spices and other food products, currently generates about half its sales in the U.S. market.

While its products, which include King Cole Tea and Nuts About Peanut Butter, are currently exempt from tariffs, the company is increasingly focused on markets outside the U.S., president Jeff Rose said.

“Our products are not subject to any tariffs either from the U.S. or from Canada today,” he said. “But the point is that I cannot say that with confidence tomorrow and that’s why it’s so important for us to focus on the domestic market, to grow our business in Canada, but also to grow it elsewhere in the world.”

The New Brunswick company’s Canadian sales were largely limited to Atlantic Canada and Quebec when the tariff dispute first erupted about a year-and-a-half ago, Rose said.

“Canada is a big country so we decided to start focusing on the domestic market,” he said.

The company grew its sales team in Quebec and Ontario and began selling more into those provinces, increasing its social media presence and promoting its Canadian roots both within Canada and around the world, Rose said.

“We made the decision that we needed to diversify,” he said.

While some retailers see the buy Canadian movement as a “passing fad,” Rose said others have shown a willingness to promote Canadian brands.

“Some have embraced it and it’s really win-win,” he said. “It shows their customers they are supporting Canadian and promotes a Canadian brand.”

The company is also going directly to consumers with the upcoming launch of Barbours Market, an online store for domestic brands.

“The idea is that we’re creating this Canadian exclusive marketplace for wonderful brands that are in Canada that you may not be able to find on the store shelves,” Rose said.

Peter Chapman, founder of retail consultancy SKUFood, said the retail industry is very consumer-driven and the more customers demand Canadian products the more stores will open shelf space to local producers.

“If consumers say, ‘Hey, we want more Canadian products on the shelf,’ then the retailers are going to respond,” said Chapman, of no relation to Kathleen Chapman. “Some are just better at it than others.”

Although Costco Wholesale Corp. is a U.S.-based retailer, Chapman said it listens to members and if they want more Canadian products it responds quickly.

Canadian brands also have to give retailers “a compelling reason to put them on the shelf,” he said.

“Maybe they’ve got something to bring to the table that’s a little bit unique or different,” Chapman said. “Canadian (consumer packaged goods) companies have to be doing a fantastic job telling their story.”

The Forks Market (HANDOUT / FILE)

A man in his 40s is recovering in hospital after being stabbed by a group of youths at The Forks, Winnipeg police say.

Officers responded to the stabbing at approximately 10:55 p.m. on Monday.

Police said the victim reported walking through a park on The Forks grounds when he was confronted by a group of unknown youths and stabbed. The suspects fled the area.

The man was taken to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable.

Anyone with information, including surveillance footage of any kind, is asked to call police at (204) 986-6219, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (204) 786-TIPS.

The vacant Portage la Prairie Mall was broken into sometime last weekend, where vandals caused more than $100,000 in damage, according to police. (RCMP / HANDOUT)

RCMP are investigating a break-in at the vacant Portage la Prairie Mall that caused more than $100,000 in damage.

Police responded to the property in the 2400 block of Saskatchewan Avenue West at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Monday, after the mall was broken into sometime over the weekend.

Police said a suspect or suspects caused extensive damage inside the building, breaking most glass pane windows, cutting down a large tree, ransacking the general office and various unoccupied storefronts, and spray-painting graffiti on the walls.

It doesn’t appear that anything was taken from the building, according to Mounties.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portage la Prairie RCMP at (204) 857-4445 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The 187,000-square-foot mall officially closed at the end of 2024. A local ownership group purchased the property in April 2026, but hasn’t yet announced development plans.

Manitoba RCMP say this gun was pointed at residents of a home in Souris on August 27, 2026. (RCMP / HANDOUT)

A Souris man is facing a lengthy list of charges after allegedly entering a residence armed with a rifle and assaulting a woman.

Police responded to the home on the afternoon of August 27 following a report of an armed man who had assaulted someone.

Police said the suspect knocked on the door, and when a female resident answered, he asked to speak to her partner before allegedly assaulting her and pointing a high-powered rifle at her. The woman ran as her husband arrived and tackled the suspect, wrestling away the firearm and holding him until police arrived. The victims were not seriously hurt.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to hospital for monitoring, then arrested the next morning upon his release. Officers retrieved and seized the firearm.

Kenneth Kettles, 66, of Souris, has been charged with multiple offences. He was released to appear in court at a later date.

(CITY OF WINNIPEG / FILE)

A 22-year-old man has been charged after a fire on St. John’s Avenue left one victim dead and two others injured last week.

Emergency crews responded to a residence in the 300 block of St. John’s Avenue just before 10:30 p.m. on August 27 for a report of a fire. Officers located a 35-year-old man, a 53-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman suffering from life-altering burns.

All three victims were taken to hospital, one in critical condition and two in unstable condition. The 31-year-old woman was treated and released, while the 53-year-old man remains in hospital.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene and initially charged with three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of arson causing bodily harm, arson causing damage to property, possession of incendiary material, and break, enter and commit arson of a dwelling house.

On August 29, the 35-year-old man died of his injuries. He has been identified as 35-year-old Mark Bosadas Marmeto.

Ismail Abdihakim Ali, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He remains in custody.

A worker, as shown in this undated handout photo, helps to repair the damage done from flooding at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre in Dauphin, Man. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout-Prairie Mountain Health)

The emergency department at Dauphin Regional Health Centre will reopen Monday, September 7, following extensive flood damage earlier this year.

The temporary emergency department will operate on the main floor of the health centre using temporary power, water and other infrastructure while restoration continues elsewhere in the building. It will provide emergency services 24-7, with a mobile CT unit expected to be running within several weeks, the province said on Monday.

Other services will continue at nearby sites while restoration progresses. Dialysis patients are currently receiving care in Brandon, Russell, Swan River and Ashern, chemotherapy is being provided in Brandon, and labour and delivery services are available in Neepawa and Brandon. Transportation supports remain available for patients travelling for dialysis and chemotherapy.

“The reopening of our emergency department is an important milestone for Dauphin and the surrounding region,” said Treena Slate, CEO, Prairie Mountain Health.

“While work to fully restore the hospital continues, reopening emergency services in their original space means people can once again access urgent care closer to home.”

(RCMP.GC.CA)

Two people are in critical but stable condition following a two-vehicle collision in the RM of Roland Friday evening.

Manitoba RCMP responded to the crash at the intersection of Highway 23 and Highway 3 at approximately 5:40 p.m.

Police say an eastbound SUV crossing Highway 3 was struck by a southbound SUV, with the force of the collision sending the eastbound vehicle into the southeast ditch.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle, a 51-year-old woman from Morden, was transported via STARS air ambulance to hospital in Winnipeg. A 44-year-old Winkler man, a passenger in her vehicle, was taken to hospital in Winnipeg by ground ambulance. Both are in critical but stable condition.

The driver of the other SUV, a 55-year-old man from Texas, was uninjured.

RCMP continue to investigate.