Google strikes deal on Canadian news

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, Google struck a deal with the Canadian government after a months-long deadlock on Canadian news. In June, the federal government introduced Bill C-18, which would require tech companies like search engines (Google) or social media (Facebook, Instagram) to compensate Canadian news outlets for sharing their work. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is still banning Canadian users from accessing news.

Mass shooting in West Broadway

Four people were killed and a fifth critically injured in a shooting at a West Broadway boarding house in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 26. Two of the dead were sisters from Lake St. Martin First Nation: Crystal Shannon Beardy, 34, and Stephanie Amanda Beardy, 33. The other victims were Melelek Leseri Lesikel, 29, and Dylan Maxwell Lavallee, 41. The identity of the injured victim hasn’t been released. The shooter remains at large.

Globe and Mail names Winnipeg third most livable city

On Nov. 25, The Globe and Mail published its list of the 100 most livable Canadian cities. Winnipeg came in third place, just behind Victoria and North Vancouver and just ahead of Regina and Burlington. The newspaper evaluated cities within the categories of economy, housing, demographics, healthcare, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation and climate.

CN Rail files suit against protesters

One day after a Nov. 20 protest that blocked rail traffic for five hours, CN Rail filed a lawsuit against members of Queers for Palestine Winnipeg. The group blocked rail lines north of Union Station, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war and halting the movement of what they say are Israeli goods. CN claims the blockade caused “irreparable harm” to the corporation. As of press time, none of the protesters have yet been served with a lawsuit.

Embattled school trustee resigns

Francine Champagne, the thrice-suspended Louis Riel School Division schoolboard trustee, resigned from her position on Nov. 28. Champagne was previously suspended for making racist and anti-2SLBGTQIA+ online posts. The resignation comes amid a recent wave of far-right school-board candidates across Canada and the US, as well as attempts by racist and anti-queer groups to influence teaching materials.

True North requests extension on Portage Place redevelopment

The uncertain future of Portage Place mall is likely to remain in limbo for a while longer. True North Real Estate Development, part of the parent company that owns the Winnipeg Jets and the Burton Cummings Theatre, had previously signed an agreement to decide by Dec. 31 whether they will undertake a redevelopment of Portage Place that would cost upwards of half a billion dollars. True North is now asking the city to extend that deadline to June 30, 2024. The requested extension remains under review.

Published in Volume 78, Number 12 of The Uniter (November 30, 2023)