Local News Briefs

Feds to appeal Kapyong decision

The federal government is again appealing a recent court decision that ruled it must consult with First Nations before selling the controversial Kapyong Barracks, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. The government believes a federal court judge erred in his “analysis of the Duty to Consult,” Treaty One First Nations on the sale of the land, Department of Defence spokeswoman Kathleen Guillot said. Last month, a federal court judge ordered the government to consult with Treaty One First Nations, who say a 1997 agreement should have given them the right of first refusal on the sale of surplus federal land. The government put the land up for sale in 2007, three years after the Princess Patricia Light Infantry Unit left the 160-acre barracks for Shilo. The government filed its appeal on Jan. 18 and no date has been set for the appeal.

Lake Winnipeg researchers receive $600K

The provincial government recently announced it will direct $600,000 in funding to researchers working to clean up Lake Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. Among the projects receiving funding: the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium ($150,000); Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation ($130,000); Red River Basin Commission ($100,000); Lake Friendly ($75,000); the University of Manitoba’s Watershed Systems Research Centre ($74,000); the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association ($15,000); and $35,000 to researchers at the universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba. Each group is working to reduce the amount of algae-producing nutrients in the lake, according to Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh. Algae blooms sucks oxygen out of the water and threaten fish populations.

Papa George’s talks break down

Negotiations over a deal to fill the old Papa George’s restaurant in Osborne Village have fallen through, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. According to the report, realtors were “close” to finalizing a deal with a large international restaurant chain. The chain is not named in the report. However, Tim Hortons and McDonald’s have been rumoured to be interested in the space, the report says. It’s unclear why the deal fell through. “Whoever is going to go in there is going to have to have some deep pockets,” Graeme Rowswell, head of G. T. Rowswell Realty Leasing Co., told the Free Press. Papa George’s closed last October after 35 years in business.

Manitoba dead last in after hours care

A new report released by the Health Council of Canada places Manitoba dead last in the country when it comes to access to after hours medical care, the Canadian Press reports. The national survey found only 25 per cent of doctors in the province reported their patients having access to care on evenings and on weekends, according to the report. In Ontario, 67 per cent of doctors said they arranged after-hour care for their patients. However, the problem isn’t isolated to Manitoba. Compared to other countries like Britain, Norway, New Zealand and the U.S., Canada ranked last when it comes to providing “rapid” access to doctors with same-day or next-day medical appointments, according to the report.

Published in Volume 67, Number 17 of The Uniter (January 23, 2013)

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