OPP testimony on 'dysfunction' in Ottawa police during 'Freedom Convoy' continues

A senior Ontario Provincial Police officer is expected to be cross-examined this morning at the federal government's inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act.

Supt. Craig Abrams told the commission yesterday that his officers saw dysfunction in the ranks of the Ottawa Police Service even from the early days of the protest. 

He said Ottawa police failed to come up with an operational plan and were not properly deploying OPP officers sent to Ottawa to help patrol the "Freedom Convoy" protests in February.

Fatal shooting by Winnipeg police was in response to armed threat: inquest report

A judge says a fatal shooting by Winnipeg police in 2019 was in response to a very real threat posed by a man armed with a hatchet.

An inquest report from Manitoba provincial court Judge Julie Frederickson says officers tried to use less lethal methods first, and fired shots only when Chad Williams moved to throw the hatchet at the officers.

Williams, who was 26, was shot in a vacant lot in Winnipeg on Jan. 11, 2019, after a short pursuit by police.

The inquest was told Williams stopped near a tall fence and was surrounded by officers in a half-circle.

Slain B.C. Mountie was telling park camper to leave; first-degree murder charge laid

An RCMP officer who was fatally stabbed Tuesday in a park in Burnaby, B.C., was there to notify the occupant of a lone tent that he wasn't allowed to live there, police said Wednesday. 

Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team told a press conference that Const. Shaelyn Yang, 31, volunteered to work on a mental health and homeless outreach team and she was helping a city worker deliver the news to the man, he said. 

Police mourn death of RCMP constable fatally stabbed in Burnaby, B.C.

Mounties are mourning one of their own after an RCMP officer was fatally stabbed at a homeless campsite in Burnaby, British Columbia. 

Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald says the death Tuesday of Const. Shaelyn Yang, 31, will be felt by her colleagues who say goodbye to their loved ones each day when they go to work to serve their communities. 

Police say Yang was partnered with a city employee when an altercation broke out at a campsite and she was fatally stabbed. 

A suspect, who was shot and seriously injured, was being treated in hospital.

Seven vying to lead First Nations advocacy group; vote takes place at end of month

Seven candidates are running to take over leadership of an advocacy group representing First Nations in Manitoba after it removed its previous leader over sexual harassment allegations. 

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says the general election to replace Arlen Dumas will take place during its general assembly at the end of the month. 

An all-candidates forum is set for Oct. 25 and voting will take place the following day. 

Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign QB Zach Collaros to three-year contract extension

Zach Collaros is staying put.

The veteran quarterback signed a three-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday.

Collaros, the league's outstanding player last season, was scheduled to become a CFL free agent in February.

Collaros has thrown a career-high 4,115 yards this season and league-high 35 touchdown passes as Winnipeg (14-3) has clinched top spot in the West Division.

Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards crown Lecavalier, Mr. Saturday top brands

The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards has named Lecavalier the year’s top womenswear brand and Mr. Saturday the top menswear brand.

A weekend gala in Toronto reunited the industry's artists, influencers and business leaders following last year’s virtual edition, which celebrated winners from both 2020 and 2021.

Montreal-born Marie-Ève Lecavalier accepted the womenswear honour on behalf of her eponymous label, which earned a coveted slot at Paris Fashion Week last year. 

B.C.'s Sunshine Coast declares state of emergency over drought

A British Columbia community has declared a state of local emergency as a drought drags on and the area risks running out of drinking water. 

The Sunshine Coast Regional District, the District of Sechelt and the shíshálh Nation issued the declaration Monday, saying the first order affects non-essential commercial uses of water, including for swimming pools, breweries and concrete, asphalt and gravel businesses. 

Millions announced for construction of a Métis National Heritage Centre in Winnipeg

The federal and Manitoba governments will contribute more than $33 million for the construction of a Métis National Heritage Centre in Winnipeg.

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, who is a Winnipeg MP, announced $23.1 million in federal funding Saturday during the Annual General Meeting of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

The money is on top of $5.1 million that Ottawa has already contributed to the project, and Premier Heather Stefanson told the Federation's AGM in a video statement that her government will be contributing $10 million.

One person suffers 'significant injuries' in Winnipeg house explosion

One person has suffered "significant injuries" after a house exploded in Winnipeg late Friday.

A statement from the city says fire crews found the bungalow on Selkirk Ave. was heavily damaged when they arrived, with a strong smell of gas coming from it.

The statement says one person was inside the house at the time of the explosion and was transported to hospital in unstable condition. 

No other injuries were reported.

Five neighbouring houses were temporarily evacuated as a precaution, but the residents were later allowed back.