Anti-masker loses bid to have pandemic ticket turfed

Anti-masker crusader Todd Dube has been ordered to pay a $1,300 fine after a judicial justice of the peace Wednesday rejected his claim he was “arbitrarily” ticketed for attending a pandemic protest rally at The Forks in June 2021.

Court was told Dube was among an estimated 150 people at a June 21 rally that was to feature People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier and several other speakers at a time when public health orders prohibited outdoor gatherings of five people or more.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what kind of event it was or who was attending, or why,” said Justice of the Peace Weldon Klassen. “There were certain rules in place that had to be followed under the Public Health Act.”

Court heard from two investigators with the public safety investigation unit. They testified they watched the afternoon gathering from a nearby parking lot and took photos of attendees, including Dube, whom they recognized from previous dealings, and his involvement with traffic safety group Wise Up Winnipeg.

‘Little Forks’ worth big investment: Doer

There’s a tough road ahead, but proponents of an urban national park in Point Douglas, dubbed “Little Forks,” say it can be done.

“This is not going to be a slam dunk,” said former premier Gary Doer at an event to launch the proposal Wednesday.

The plan would preserve 430 hectares of land and water in the centre of the city and connect the Red, Seine and Assiniboine river corridors.

It includes a nature preserve, interpretive centre, various boat launches and trails.

Historic Polson House to be knocked down

One of Winnipeg’s oldest homes will be demolished to make room for two new ones, after a city committee found it’s in no state to be salvaged.

On Wednesday, city council’s appeal committee cast a final vote to allow the Polson House at 94 Cathedral Ave., to be demolished for the new development, quashing an appeal that aimed to stop the project and save the home.

Coun. Jeff Browaty, the committee’s chairman, said it is sad to lose the structure.

“It’s been falling into disrepair over time. This one does seem to have quite the story and it is disappointing (to lose it),” said Browaty (North Kildonan).

Province orders stop to long-delayed demolition of fire-ravaged Point Douglas industrial site

Demolition of the former Vulcan Iron Works site began last week, but work was temporarily halted Tuesday following a visit from a workplace safety and health officer.

Sheldon Blank, who owns the property in North Point Douglas, said he hoped the demolition would resume Wednesday after providing the provincial department with more information about the project.

“It’s been a long road to deal with this thing,” the owner of Gateway Industries said.

A stop work order was issued when a workplace safety and health officer visited the industrial site Tuesday, a provincial spokesperson said.

On-demand accessible taxi service likely to be permanent after successful trial

Kevin Carrol began to tear up as he described how meaningful a city pilot project to allow wheelchair users on-demand access to taxis has been for him.

The 60-year-old, who had a foot amputated just over a year ago, began using a wheelchair shortly after leaving the hospital.

“When the winter hit, it’s very hard for a young man like me to get around in the snow and the sidewalks, so the service has been a game-changer to me, which is to say a life-changer, because I like to be out, I’m a big extrovert, I love to be outside,” Carrol said Wednesday, following a news conference outside the Notre Dame Avenue offices of Duffy’s Taxi.

“Staying in depresses me, and the only way I could get out day to day to day in the winter was because of this great service.”

WestJet Encore pilots file 72-hour strike notice

CALGARY - Pilots at WestJet's regional carrier could be going on strike at the beginning of June.

The Air Line Pilots Association said Wednesday afternoon that WestJet Encore pilots have issued a 72-hour strike notice to management and the government.

The union said some progress has been made after two weeks of bargaining following the pilots' rejection of a tentative agreement, but the sides remain apart on key issues.

"After eight months of negotiating, and a failed (tentative agreement), unfortunately management has not recognized the pilots’ needs," Carin Kenny, who heads the union's WestJet Encore contingent, said in a statement.

Piano deal music to your ears? It’s probably a scam

The director of a Winnipeg music venue is warning the public against possible scammers playing a tricky tune, after he received an offer for a “free” piano that seemed too good to be true. “I’m offering my late husband’s Yamaha piano to any music enthusiast who may appreciate it,” read an email that landed in the inbox of West End Cultural Centre executive director Jason Hooper this week. “If you or someone you know might be interested in receiving this instrument for free, please feel free to reach out to me.” The non-profit has accepted several pianos from legitimate donors […]