Military mission complete in Manitoba First Nation dealing with frozen water damage
The federal government says a military mission to help a northern Manitoba First Nation in the aftermath of a water crisis brought on by a power outage is complete. A joint statement from the defence minister, the minister of Indigenous Services Canada and the minister of emergency management says all Armed Forces members deployed to Pimicikamak Cree Nation are to leave by the end of Friday. More than 1,300 homes in Pimicikamak, about 520 kilometres north of Winnipeg, were damaged after a days-long power outage last month led to the failure of critical infrastructure. Pipes burst, crawl spaces were filled with icy water and sewage was backed up, forcing at least 4,000 people out of the community. After repeated calls from the chief, the military deployed on Jan. 9 a...
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‘Dark day’: Former cop gets 7 years for selling drugs, photographing dead woman
By Brittany Hobson A former Winnipeg police officer who sold drugs to colleagues and took a photo of a dead woman has been handed a seven-year prison sentence in a case that rocked the force and had a judge questioning the extent of police corruption. “Today is a dark day for public confidence in the administration of justice,” Justice Kenneth Champagne told Court of King’s Bench Friday while sentencing Elston Bostock. “For eight years, Bostock committed criminal offences, operating with impunity under the cover of his uniform and badge. “The breach of trust is staggering.” Bostock, 49, previously pleaded guilty to an extensive list of criminal charges, including breach of trust, attempting to obstruct justice, drug trafficking and offering an indignity to human remains. The Crown had argued that a...
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Carney announces GST rebate boost to counter high cost of groceries
By Kyle Duggan and Craig Lord Prime Minister Mark Carney is announcing a 25 per cent hike to the GST credit to help lower-income consumers deal with the high cost of groceries across the country. Branded as the “Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit,” the boost will be temporary, starting this year and lasting for five years. The federal government will also issue a one-time payment this year worth 50 per cent of the credit. Carney is making the announcement at an Ottawa grocery store as MPs returned to the House of Commons after a winter break. The prime minister says the cost of essentials has been “too high for too long” and many Canadians are feeling daily financial pressure. Carney attributes the high prices to the after-effects of the pandemic...
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Renowned Ojibway artist John Williams unveils Indigenous mural at Ridgetown Adult Activity Centre
By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News A beautiful mural by John Williams was unveiled at the Ridgetown Area Adult Activity Centre during its monthly luncheon on Friday, Jan. 16. Williams, a renowned Ojibway artist from Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia, was commissioned by the Adult Centre to create a mural. “We’re thrilled to have John here as our artist; he did a beautiful job,” said Brian Doidge, president of the Adult Centre, during the unveiling. Williams’ mural symbolizes the region’s agricultural history. His creation highlighted the area’s current agriculture while incorporating the past, including the ‘Three Sisters’ – corn, beans and squash – crops the First Nations people grew. Williams also incorporated strawberries, which grow naturally in the area and are also important to First...
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Membertou acquires ship expert Genoa Design International
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post Membertou First Nation and Horizon Naval Engineering are about to acquire one of the Canadian shipbuilding industry’s leading design firms. The deal to buy Genoa Design International, the Digital Ship Experts, a 30-year-old leading detail design and 3D modelling firm, is scheduled to be completed by Jan. 31. The acquisition is subject to the completion of purchase agreements and satisfaction of closing conditions. Chief Terry Paul of Membertou, whose community is focused on investment in the marine sector, says this investment represents a partnership that brings Indigenous leadership together with technical excellence to build long-term economic strength. “By acquiring Genoa Design, we are not only growing a strategic business but also creating opportunities for innovation and Indigenous participation in a...
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Brantford Police seize over $22,000 in Illegal Drugs After Traffic Stop
BRANTFORD, ONT-Brantford Police Service (BPS) has arrested two men after cannabis and cocaine were seen during a traffic stop. BPS said it seized a large quanitity of illegal drugs during a traffic stop at about 11:15 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026, on House Avenue. Police said after speaking with the driver of the car they saw “cannabis in clear view, a violation of the Cannabis Control Act.” The men were arrested and the vehicle searched. Police seized: 232 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $18,576 70 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $2,800 14 grams of crack cocaine, with an estimated value of $1,120 Large quantity of Canadian currency Cell phones A 19-year-old man from North Dumfries and a 20-year-old man from Flamborough each...
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Brantford Police will not be involved in Federal Assault-Style Firearm Compensation Program
BRANTFORD, ONT-The Brantford Police Service (BPS) says it will not be participating in the federal governments national declaraion period for Assault-Style Firearm Compensation Program (ASFCP) . The program launched Jan 19, 2026 with the intention of supporting the removal of certain firearms from circulation through a federally administered compensation process. BPS says it is not participating and avises the public they will not be offering firearm collection or storage appointments as part of the federal initiative. Instead BPS explains participation by local police services is not mandated in the program that is being administered at the federal level. Instead the Brantford Police Service will prioritize its “operational resources toward frontline policing responsibilities, including emergency response, criminal investigations, crime prevention, and victim support services. These priorities remain central to ensuring community...
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Carney announces GST rebate boost to counter high cost of groceries
By Kyle Duggan and Craig Lord Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday announced a 25 per cent hike to the GST credit to help lower-income consumers deal with the high cost of groceries. Branded as the “Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit,” the temporary boost takes effect this July and lasts for five years. The federal government will also issue a one-time payment this year worth 50 per cent of the credit. The government said a qualifying family of four will receive up to $1,890 this year and roughly $1,400 annually for the next four years. A single person would get up to $950 this year and about $700 for the next four years. The existing GST credit is paid out quarterly and is targeted at families with low and modest...
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Provincial police investigate after man, woman found dead in Manawan, Que.
Quebec provincial police are investigating an apparent case of domestic violence after discovering two bodies in an apartment in Manawan, a First Nations community northeast of Montreal. Police say the deceased are a 44-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman. Manawan police had responded to a call late Sunday afternoon in the Atikamekw community and the case has since been handed over to the provincial police major-crimes unit. Sgt. Marc Tessier of the provincial police says investigators and a forensic identification technician were on the scene. The Atikamekw Council of Manawan said in a statement that a “major incident” had occurred in a residence resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The council expressed its solidarity with those affected by this situation. “In these difficult times, it is important to remember...
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Provincial police investigate after man, woman found dead in Manawan, Que.
Quebec provincial police are investigating an apparent case of domestic violence after discovering two bodies in an apartment in Manawan, a First Nations community northeast of Montreal. Police say the deceased are a 44-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman. Manawan police had responded to a call late Sunday afternoon in the Atikamekw community and the case has since been handed over to the provincial police major-crimes unit. Sgt. Marc Tessier of the provincial police says investigators and a forensic identification technician were on the scene. The Atikamekw Council of Manawan said in a statement that a “major incident” had occurred in a residence resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The council expressed its solidarity with those affected by this situation. “In these difficult times, it is important to remember...
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RCMP officially launches National High Risk Child Sex Offender Database, public gains access
By Joshua Drakes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Orangeville Citizen The public now has access to a central-ized, accessible database on child sex offenders nationwide for the first time, as part of a bill passed through parliament. This bill, the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act, was brought into force on Dec. 31, 2024. This bill outlined a requirement to establish a publicly accessible database of people convicted of sexual offenses against children and who pose a high risk of committing similar crimes again. The online database officially launched on Thursday, Jan. 15. The database was described by Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, as an important move to protect children across Canada. “Children are amongst the most vulnerable members in our society, and our government is committed to keeping them safe,” he said. “The High Risk Child Sex Offender Database will...
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Game on: $5M provincial boost scores indoor field house for Southport
By Renee Lilley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Portage Graphic Leader The Manitoba government is committing $5 million toward a new multisport indoor field house in Southport, a move officials say will transform the region into a premiere hub for year-round athletics and wellness. The investment, announced by Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard, is part of the Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) program. The facility is designed to address the challenges of the prairie climate by providing a flexible, indoor space for sports that would otherwise be sidelined during the winter months. “In Manitoba, where our climate limits the amount of meaningful exercise you can do outdoors for a large portion of the year, having an amazing indoor field house will have beneficial health impacts...
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North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain Resort celebrates 100 years on top
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News Kirsten Heal has been going up Grouse Mountain for as long as she can remember. She began skiing with her family on the mountain at age seven. Grouse Mountain was her favourite place to go to ski with her brother. In 1988, she started as a ski instructor at the resort. Over the next 38 years, she held various positions, from serving food and beverages to sales, before becoming director of guest services. And the rest is history, as Heal met her husband, who worked on the snow-making crew, and today both her children work there as an instructor and an adventure guide. “That’s one of the magical things about the mountain is that for a lot of Vancouverites, it’s...
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Heavy snowstorm and frigid temperatures prompt flight cancellations and delays
By Sharif Hassan and Fakiha Baig Hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed Sunday as Toronto was hit with a blizzard and temperatures so bone-chilling that the city urged residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. “We are a caring city, a city that supports each other and cares for each other. So if you see someone being stuck … if you notice that people are having difficulty, give them a hand,” Mayor Olivia Chow told a news conference Sunday afternoon. Environment Canada predicted Toronto could get over 50 centimetres of snowfall Sunday. Eastern Canada was bracing for a similar snowfall, as the storm moved through Ontario. The snowfall paired with powerful winds continued throughout afternoon in Durham Region east of Toronto. Oshawa, Ont., resident Sai Lin, who was...
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Former Winnipeg officer gets 7 years for selling drugs, taking photo of dead woman
By Brittany Hobson A judge has sentenced a former Winnipeg police officer to seven years in prison for selling drugs to colleagues and distributing a photo of a partially clothed dead woman. Court of King’s Bench Justice Kenneth Champagne had initially told lawyers Friday he was “inclined” to go higher in sentencing Elston Bostock. But the judge decided on seven years, after the defence and Crown agreed to the term. “Today is a dark day for public confidence in the administration of justice,” Champagne said. “For the last eight years of his employment, Bostock was involved in serious, sustained and intentional criminal activity.” Bostock, 49, pleaded guilty last week to charges including breach of trust, attempting to obstruct justice, drug trafficking and offering an indignity to human remains. The Crown...
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Deninu K’ue chief miffed by business going to southern companies
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Deninu K’ue Chief Louis Balsillie is seeking backing from the GNWT as he tries to ensure that locally-owned First Nation businesses don’t lose out to companies from outside the NWT. He recently wrote to Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Caitlin Cleveland to convey concern that the practice of materials procurement by non-government entities could harm the economy in Fort Resolution. Specifically, he cited the lower cost bid of a non-NWT contractor as his motivation for speaking up. “Our local core box business creates employment for local workers and supports our local economy. The DKDC [Deninu K’ue Development Corporation] has operated this business for many years to not only provide jobs for our residents, but to promote economic opportunity and foster relationship...
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Trump’s comments ‘false,’ Canadians made ‘great sacrifices’ in Afghanistan: Miller
By Craig Lord A Liberal cabinet minister and former member of the armed forces is dismissing U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about NATO allies staying off the front lines in Afghanistan. Trump downplayed the contributions of the United States’ NATO partners in a media interview Thursday when he claimed that troops from allied nations “stayed a little back” from the front lines in Afghanistan. Culture Minister Marc Miller, who served as a reservist, told reporters Friday that Canadians made “great sacrifices” during the 13-year deployment in Afghanistan and everyone knows Trump’s comments are “false.” Some 158 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were killed in Afghanistan as part of the multilateral operation launched when the United States invoked NATO articles in response to the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. Trump has...
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Inuvik town councillor awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
By Kody Ferron, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Kurt Wainman, a longtime member of Inuvik Town Council, is one of 30,000 Canadians to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Awarded on Jan. 14, the ceremony was held in Inuvik’s municipal council chambers. The medal was created to mark the King’s May 2023 Coronation, with the purpose of recognizing Canadians who have made significant contributions to Canada or achieved outstanding success across the nation. When asked what inspired him to join the town council, Wainman replied, “A few of my friends were on there, a few of my family, and they told me about what it means to serve as a councilor and how you can help out with the community…” Wainman cited his desire “to be a part...
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Cold weather alert issued: where you can find help at Six Nations and Brant
By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-Six Nations community members needing help during the cold weather alert can access a number of warming centres in the community during the alert. The Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) cold weather warming centre notifications came Friday Jan., 23 after the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Grand Erie Public Health had issued a cold weather alert Jan 22. The SNEC alert warned temperatures are expected to drop below -15C or reach wind chill values of -20C. With temperatures of -15C or colder the MOH warns unprotected skin can freeze in less than 30 minutes and there is a high risk of developing hypothermia Six Nations of the Grand River has opened warming centres at: – The Family Gathering Place,18 Stoneridge...
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Assembly of First Nations warns members to be cautious in U.S. following ICE actions
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations is warning First Nations individuals to be wary of crossing the border into the United States in response to immigration enforcement raids and the detention of some Indigenous people. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak confirmed that at least one First Nations person had a negative encounter recently with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, and that person has since returned to Canada. Woodhouse Nepinak told The Canadian Press the AFN will not be releasing the person’s name. The case prompted the advocacy body to issue a statement warning First Nations members to make sure they have the right documentation and identification when crossing the border. “These actions are a violation of our inherent rights and a breach of...
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