Supervised consumption sites

In a written statement to Bernadette Smith, the housing, addictions and homelessness minister, Premier Wab Kinew pledged to establish a supervised consumption site in downtown Winnipeg. Manitoba is the only province in Western Canada without such a site. From January to May of 2023, there have been 175 drug-related deaths, with 418 total reports for drug-related deaths in 2022. There were no set details on how the Province plans to establish a site included in the letter.

Gallery 1C03 hiring three

The University of Winnipeg’s Gallery 1C03 is hiring three work-study students for Indigenous art workshop assistant, communications assistant and collections assistant positions. These roles have varying responsibilities and background requirements. Students must be available to work for two to five hours per week and apply before Friday, Nov. 10. These part-time positions will be offered to full-time students who demonstrate financial need.

Manipulating the Message launch

Cecil Rosner is releasing his third book, Manipulating the Message: How Powerful Forces Shape the News, this Thursday, Nov. 2 in the Atrium of McNally Robinson Booksellers at 7 p.m. Rosner is an award-winning journalist and adjunct professor who teaches investigative journalism at the University of Winnipeg. His book examines the ways journalists and readers can report the truth and avoid being deceived by misleading data, misinformation and the “spin doctors” in public relations and communications.

Provincial family-doctor shortage

Manitoba had 111 family doctors per 100,000 people in 2022, which is lower than the national average of 124 per 100,000 residents, according to a report the Canadian Institute for Health Information released on Oct. 26. Prince Edward Island and Ontario have the next lowest numbers at 114 and 115 family doctors per 100,000 people. Doctors Manitoba said the province would need to hire 175 more family doctors to reach the Canadian average. In 2022, a total of 3,201 doctors practised in the province.

New bike-registry proposal

The City of Winnipeg is considering adopting a new bike registry to improve tracking and returning lost bikes to their owners, according to the latest public-service report. Cyclists could register their bikes with 529 Garage, a free, cloud-based system that would replace the existing city-run bike registry that charges a $7.35 fee. This data would be shared with police agencies and Winnipeg city officials. Approximately 2,000 bikes are reported stolen each year, but less than 10 per cent are returned to their owners.

A short-term solution

End Homelessness Winnipeg’s 2023/24 Winter Weather Response Plan includes a funding stream, providing organizations with financial support; winter pop-up shelters; increased van outreach; and community care camps. EHW says providing hotel rooms during extreme cold weather could serve as a last resort for unhoused people when shelters are at capacity. This option would be used in emergency situations, and EHW would reimburse organizations for the cost through its grant from the Reaching Home Initiative.

Published in Volume 78, Number 08 of The Uniter (November 2, 2023)