Wildfire threats snuff out Canada Day fireworks displays in some parts of the province
The province still has fire restrictions in effect in the eastern and northern regions. And many municipalities have imposed bans, as well.
Lac du Bonnet-area residents will go without this year.
JOE BRYKSA/FREE PRESS FILES
Onlookers watch fireworks on Canada Day. Current wildfire concerns and restrictions will prevent some Manitobans from enjoying traditional Canada Day fireworks this year.
'We've had fireworks for 30 years; we've got a lot of disappointed people,' Roland Simard, an executive member of the Lion's Club in the town, said Wednesday.
Some parts of the community were hard hit by the fires; a couple who got trapped by flames were killed.
Simard said the fireworks will be rescheduled sometime later this summer.
'We're looking at cooling weather now, and we've had a lot of rain but it is better to be safe than sorry. The Lions respect the fire ban. There has been loss in the community — both property and even life,' he said.
'It is unfortunate we have to cancel… but it is also respectful for us to do it.'
But Canada Day will be celebrated; the community will hold a parade, a pancake breakfast and other events.
The Municipality of Alexander, which takes in several cottage communities, including Hillside Beach, Traverse Bay, Belair and Gull Lake, has posted a reminder on its website that the fire ban continues, including a prohibition on fireworks 'even for Canada Day celebrations.'
'We understand this is disappointing, but the risk of wildfire is too high and safety must come first,' it says.
At least one community along the west side of Lake Winnipeg will have fireworks.
Jodi Mitchell, the CAO of the Town of Winnipeg Beach, said the display will go ahead Monday night at 10:45.
Mitchell said there had been an overall fire ban in place but it has been lifted.
Mitchell said residents can't legally have their own fireworks displays unless a licensed technician is conducting the show and they have a permit signed by the local fire chief.
The town has also restricted open-air fires to non-combustible pits enclosed on all sides and covered with grates or mesh.
Mike Chudd, the volunteer fire chief for the RM of Gimli, said as of Wednesday, a public display of fireworks was approved but that still could change before the weekend.
'I signed off on it with a caveat two weeks ago that if we are still in a fire ban, they would automatically be cancelled,' Chudd said.
Winnipeg will have public fireworks displays at Buhler Recreation Park, presented by the Transcona BIZ, as well as at the free Canada Day Celebration event at Princess Auto Stadium.
The bans have, as would be expected, put a damper on business for people who sell the colourful explosives.
Sundays
Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba.
'Our sales have been really down for the walk-in trade,' said Kelly Guile, owner of Archangel Fireworks.
'I would call that responsible. But I'm hoping, now that they are beginning to lift the bans, they will come back. July 1st is our biggest day. It is necessary and we have built our business around it for 30 years.
'I'm praying for rain every day.'
Archangel's retail manager Taylor Jackson said one disappointed couple had to cancel a fireworks display planned for their wedding.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin RollasonReporter
Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.
Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg students hope to develop Canada-EU AI literacy
A duo of local students has won a trip abroad to pitch diplomats on their made-in-Manitoba plan to bolster artificial intelligence literacy in Canada and the European Union. The University of Manitoba's Divya Sharma and Emily Katsman were named winners of the 2025 Schuman Challenge last week. 'It's a little bit surreal. I'm still taking it in,' said Katsman, noting the 20-somethings are the first Manitobans to enter the foreign policy competition put on by the EU Delegation to Canada. 'We are a province that has a lot of talent, but we sometimes get overlooked — especially when it comes to these high-level government and political competitions and policy settings.' The national contest calls on undergraduate students to brainstorm ways to strengthen the relationship between their home country and the EU. AI was the theme of this year's event, the third of its kind, which drew a total of 19 submissions from across the country. Sharma, 20, and Katsman, 21, were recognized for their proposal to create a Canada-EU roadmap for AI literacy in post-secondary education. 'By working together, Canada and the EU can create the shared infrastructure, standards, and trust needed to shape an AI-literate generation. One that will fuel future breakthroughs in health, climate, defence, and the digital economy,' they argued in a nine-page essay. 'From classrooms to NATO command centres, students in Canada and the EU must speak the same digital language.' Their recommendations to make that happen? Launch a joint AI literacy taskforce, standardized educator certification initiative and a research and student exchange program. 'AI is the future. There's no turning back,' Sharma said. Katsman echoed those comments. However, despite Canada's reputation as a world leader in AI research excellence, local universities have shied away from embracing the technology in classrooms due to plagiarism concerns, she noted. Their essay deemed this situation 'Canada's AI paradox,' and argued the lack of AI integration on post-secondary campuses is a major issue for the workforce and innovation at large. Canadian students are not being prepared to use AI tools effectively or responsibly — a stark contrast to what's happening in Estonia, they argued. Estonia's 'AI Leap' pilot aims to equip 20,000 high school students in northern Europe with lessons on how to use AI tools. A total of 3,000 teachers in that country are receiving training to leverage the technology for educational purposes this fall. Policymakers are working with Anthropic and OpenAI, alongside other partners, to create a related curriculum and workshops. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Sharma and Katsman suggested Canada and the EU learn from Estonia and develop a roadmap accordingly. The U of M students are slated to visit Brussels in the fall to share their ideas with European leaders. Katsman said they are hopeful they will meet Kaja Kallas, who resigned as Estonia's prime minister last year to join the EU government. EU representatives visited Winnipeg in April on a 'Team Europe mission' to the Prairies. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Disappointment mixed with cautious optimism, resolve in Manitoba as Trump makes good on tariff threat
Manitoba business and labour leaders expressed disappointment Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump hiked his tariff on many Canadian goods to 35 per cent, bringing further economic uncertainty. They remained hopeful ongoing trade talks between the two countries will strike the right deal for Canada's economy. 'We were hoping to avoid this escalation in our current trade tensions with the U.S.,' said Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Loren Remillard. 'We remain confident, in time, we will find common ground with the U.S. administration. The most important thing is getting the right deal for Canada, not necessarily getting it done right now.' MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES The steel-producing city of Selkirk, just north of Winnipeg, is bracing for potential impacts. Trump increased the tariff (on imports not compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA) after a deal wasn't struck before a deadline he imposed. Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck agreed no deal is better than a bad one for Canada. 'I think there are a lot more businesses that are watching this with great uncertainty and unease, and that's not good for anyone, but we can't let the U.S. just dictate a deal that's only good for them and hurts our economy,' he said. 'I'm glad our prime minister (Mark Carney) is working towards a deal that puts Canadians first.' Rebeck said tariffs are hurting both countries' economies, with about 200 Manitobans — largely in the steel sector and some in food production — on work-sharing measures or laid off. Alan Arcand, the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' chief economist, said the U.S. is Manitoba's No. 1 trading partner, with 80 per cent of the province's exports going to its southern neighbour. Manitoba's exports to the U.S. were down by 30 per cent between January and May, he said. 'That's definitely a huge problem for the Manitoba economy,' Arcand said. 'It's been a challenge the entire year, and increasing the tariff rate from 25 per cent to 35 per cent adds on to those difficulties.' Arcand said CME supports the federal government's decision to 'remain firm' and pursue a better deal. Canada's automotive, steel, aluminum, copper and softwood lumber industries have been most affected by the trade war, he said. In Manitoba, the advanced manufacturing sector could be among the most affected by the increased tariff, Remillard said. He said a vast majority of Manitoba's exporters is compliant with CUSMA and therefore will not be subject to the increased tariff, but a significant percentage will be impacted. Remillard said he expects eligible companies that haven't filled out the necessary paperwork will make a 'significant move' to become compliant in the coming days. He said Trump's changing trade policy has had a chilling effect on business. Arcand said it has been nearly impossible for businesses to plan. While some groups or politicians encouraged Ottawa to retaliate, Remillard said the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is hoping 'calmer approaches' by the federal government continue, and it doesn't take any action that will hurt Canadians. All levels of government should provide supports or resources to affected sectors to help them weather the storm, he said. Trump already applied 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The move left the steel-producing city of Selkirk, just north of Winnipeg, bracing for potential impacts. 'You just can't do business at a 50 per cent tariff. It's just out of the question,' said Mayor Larry , who's been monitoring Brazil-based Gerdau SA's steel mill in Selkirk. 'Every time I go by there, I'm looking at the yard to see how many employees' cars are parked there, and how many trailers are there loaded with steel and ready to go. 'Of course, it's been very, very busy before this latest increase to the tariffs. We were seeing a lot of double trailers loaded with steel coming out of the mill.' Johannson said he saw some trailers — destination unknown — ready to go when he drove by Friday morning. 'We're seeing back and forth in there, and that's a good thing. Honestly, as mayor, I just can't see doing business with a 50 per cent tariff,' he said. 'Fifty per cent tariffs is not a fair rate. It's a ludicrous rate.' When Premier Wab Kinew visited the mill in March, he said the Manitoba government will source Canadian steel for all its infrastructure projects and relevant equipment purchases. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. Johannson, whose father and grandfather worked at the mill, is hoping that approach is mirrored across Canada. 'We want Manitoba steel to have equal opportunity in any projects in Canada,' he said. 'We can supply the steel.' In the meantime, Johannson wants negotiations between Canada and the U.S. to be 'ramped up.' 'We have to get (the tariffs) down,' he said. 'I wish I could lock the door until they come out of there with a good deal that is beneficial to both.' Chris KitchingReporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Big campaign health-care promises, not much post-election progress
Opinion When the Manitoba NDP won a majority government in October 2023 on a campaign built almost entirely around fixing health care, they didn't promise miracles. The party and its leader, Wab Kinew, were careful not to claim the crumbling health system they inherited could be transformed overnight. But at the same time, nobody expected things to get worse. According to a new survey by the Manitoba Nurses Union, more than three-quarters of nurses say conditions on the front lines of health care have either deteriorated or stayed the same since the NDP took office. It's a stark reminder that political promises, while good for winning elections, don't necessarily translate into change for burned-out nurses or patients waiting hours in emergency rooms. This is not an opposition talking point. It's what nurses themselves are saying. The union survey paints a bleak picture: a health-care workforce that remains deeply demoralized, exhausted and unconvinced that real change is around the corner. More than half of nurses surveyed report that safety in the workplace has worsened in the past year. Many say they're still working short-staffed more often than not. And few believe the culture inside the system is improving. It's fair to ask: how long should the public — and those working in the trenches of the system — wait before judging the government's progress? No government can undo seven years of deep cuts, closures and centralization in less than two years. The previous PC government decimated parts of the health system, including ERs and surgical capacity. The Tories drove experienced staff out and failed to replenish the pipeline. Their reforms were poorly planned and unevenly executed, causing chaos that still hasn't fully settled. But Wab Kinew and the NDP knew all that when they took over. They knew they were walking into a mess. In fact, they campaigned on it and vowed to clean it up. Now that they're in charge, the responsibility is theirs. So far, though, the improvements have been hard to spot. Wait times in emergency departments are largely unchanged and, in some places, worse than they were a year ago. Primary-care access remains scarce. And while there has been a net increase in nurses working in the system since the NDP took over, it hasn't translated into lower wait times, better access to care or reduced burnout for front-line workers. Manitobans are still waiting — literally — for the core promises of the 2023 election to materialize: shorter waits, more staff and better care. And make no mistake, public patience has limits. The political honeymoon the NDP has enjoyed since taking office is already starting to fray. The MNU survey is just one piece of evidence. Anecdotally, stories continue to pour in of long waits for surgeries, patients being treated in hallways and family doctors in short supply. One problem is that the government hasn't clearly communicated timelines or benchmarks for improvement. What does 'fixing health care' look like? When can patients expect shorter ER waits? How many nurses need to be hired before shifts are fully staffed? The lack of specifics makes it hard to measure progress and easier for the public to lose confidence. The NDP needs to start setting clear, measurable goals. Not vague commitments or long-term visions, but short- and medium-term targets that give patients and front-line workers hope that things are moving in the right direction. That should include timelines for staff recruitment, reductions in wait times and improved working conditions. Let people track the results. It also means the government must move beyond platitudes and planning to actual implementation. If wage issues are still discouraging nurses from picking up extra shifts, fix them. If violence in hospitals is rising, then get serious about security and staff safety. Stop studying the problem and start acting on what front-line workers already know. It's also time to stop blaming the past. Yes, the PCs left a disaster behind. But the NDP ran on the idea that they were the ones to clean it up. If they didn't anticipate how deep the damage went, that's on them. Health care is a long game. But it's not an infinite one. Voters are willing to wait for real improvements, but only if they believe progress is being made. Right now, that belief is fading. The government has time. But not forever. By this time next year, if wait times haven't dropped and nurses still say the workplace is as toxic as it is today, the Kinew government will have a real problem on its hands — and no one left to blame. Because when you promise to fix health care, people expect you to fix it. Not just say you're trying. Tom BrodbeckColumnist Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the Free Press and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the Free Press in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. Read more about Tom. Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The Free Press's editing team reviews Tom's columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
