Indigenous woman’s daughter sues WRHA, Grace Hospital and staff, claims racial bias contributed to death

A 68-year-old Indigenous woman with a history of respiratory conditions died in Grace Hospital after receiving negligent medical care at least partially due to her race, her daughter claims in a lawsuit.

Jean Kemash, who had been experiencing shortness of breath and chills over several days, died after she went to the hospital’s emergency department on April 15, 2022.

Winnipeg lawyer Phillip Cramer filed a lawsuit on behalf of Kemash’s daughter, Kelly Jean Medwick, in Court of King’s Bench Monday, naming the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Grace Hospital, two doctors and two nurses as defendants.

None of the defendants have filed statements of defence in response. A spokesperson for the WRHA, which oversees the hospital, said the authority would not comment on a matter before the courts.

Canada urges halt to escalating violence as Israel suspected of airstrike on Iran

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau again called for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East Friday, following an airstrike in Iran widely suspected of being a retaliatory attack by Israel.

"Everything needs to be done to prevent further escalation in the region, to get back on a track toward supporting people in the region," Trudeau told reporters in Victoria.

Canada condemns Iran's "absolutely irresponsible" missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend, Trudeau said.

The two countries have been in a proxy war for decades, but Iran struck Israel directly for the first time Saturday in retaliation for what it believed was an Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria.

Chief facing child-sex charges removed from boards

A Manitoba First Nation chief accused of sexually assaulting a young child has been removed from the boards of a child and family services agency and a regional tribal council.

Christopher Traverse, chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation, has refused calls to resign as leader of the community, following his arrest by Winnipeg police Feb. 1.

The 40-year-old is facing charges of sexual assault, possessing and creating child pornography, and sexual interference.

The offences allegedly occurred in late December 2023.

Creditors have chased owner of condemned rowhouses for years, court records show

The man at the centre of an appeal to save a crumbling row of townhouses in the Lord Roberts neighbourhood has faced legal troubles in recent years, with allegations of unpaid vendors, mounting utility bills and deceptive realty dealings.

Alen Planincic owns property on the 300 block of Arnold Avenue currently subject to a city-imposed vacancy order citing unsafe and unsanitary living conditions. He is scheduled to appear at an appeal hearing before the property and planning committee Monday.

The building has drawn the ire of nearby residents, who describe it as a magnet for crime, drug use and filth with little to no oversight from Planincic or Rahim Mirza, the realtor he formerly referred to as his property manager.

Mirza has denied he was ever tasked with managing the townhouses and was simply a listing agent. He has cut all ties with the Arnold property, he said.

Longtime St. B eatery Mrs. Mikes reopens after 2023 closure

No rain, sleet or snow would keep diehard fans from witnessing a St. Boniface institution’s resurgence — or from grabbing a burger.

“Nothing stops me. Not from Mrs. Mikes,” Patricia Manaigre said, as she waited outside the Tache Avenue burger joint.

Manaigre joined a handful of people gathered around the red-and-white shack, prepared to order lunch during the eatery’s first minutes open in 2024.

Last year, a co-owner of Mrs. Mikes announced the 54-year-old business would close; he planned to retire.

‘Heavy heart’: Tiber River to cease operations

Winnipeg wellness product company Tiber River will officially end its operations.

Road transfer shortens drive between Thompson, Gillam

The drive between Thompson and Gillam is significantly shorter after two Manitoba Hydro access roads were transferred to the provincial government and upgraded.

The Keeyask generating station’s north and south access roads are now part of Provincial Road 280.

“We understand the importance of safe and reliable highway infrastructure for rural communities who may otherwise have limited travel options,” Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said in a news release Friday, adding the road “is a major link for many northern communities to reach larger city centres.”

Gillam Mayor Dwayne Forman said “saving 30 minutes is a huge improvement.”