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Winnipeg Free Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kinew hires dual citizen who spent decade as reporter in Washington as province's U.S. trade representative
Premier Wab Kinew has hired a former Washington, D.C. news correspondent as Manitoba's trade representative to the United States. Richard Madan is taking on a new role in the U.S. capital after reporting on Washington politics for nearly a decade, first for CTV and then CBC. The American-born, Alberta-raised journalist arrived in Winnipeg Monday and officially begins his job Tuesday with the title of Manitoba senior representative to the U.S. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Richard Madan, a long-time news correspondent in Washington, will be Manitoba's trade representative to the United States. 'This is the most exciting opportunity I've ever had,' Madan said in an interview late Monday. 'This is an opportunity of a lifetime just to represent a province that I love and where my career started and really try to advocate for it in the United States.' Madan said he's here this week to meet with the provincial government and business, labour and Indigenous leaders. Although he was happy with his reporting job, the trade rep position felt like a chance to use his skills, background and experience to do 'the right thing.' 'I'm an American. I'm also Canadian, and this sounds corny, but you just kind of want to help,' he said. Kinew — who was a TV journalist before he was a politician — announced in December that the province would hire a U.S. trade envoy early in the new year to represent Manitoba's interests. Madan was covering the premiers' visit to Washington during the winter and heard that Manitoba was looking to hire a trade representative to work in the U.S. capital alongside other provinces, including Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. 'I'm an American. I'm also Canadian, and this sounds corny, but you just kind of want to help.'–Richard Madan 'I said, 'I'm glad you guys are doing it because this should have been done decades ago. Let me know how I can help',' he said. 'I just left it at that. Then, a few months later, I received a call asking if I would be interested.' He said he thought long and hard about it. 'I feel I'm made for this,' said Madan, who is married, in his early 50s and holds dual citizenship. 'I was born in Athens, Georgia, lived a lot of my life in Canada, and I thought, you know, we're at this very critical, important time…. I understand this country. I know how to talk to these guys. I know how to connect with them. I think that that's really needed right now.' Madan said he contacted Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman earlier in the day to let her know he was taking the position. He didn't know Monday if he was going to have an office in the Canadian Embassy. Some business leaders said they were surprised that a former journalist got the job. 'I think it's an interesting choice,' said Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO Chuck Davidson. 'It's typically been someone that may have been a former MP or an elected official or someone from the business community.' 'I understand this country. I know how to talk to these guys. I know how to connect with them. I think that that's really needed right now.'–Richard Madan Davidson said Madan's connection to Winnipeg and Manitoba, combined with his journalism background, should serve him well in the position. Madan worked as a CBC TV reporter in Winnipeg from 2000 to 2004, reported on politics for CityTV in Toronto from 2004 to 2010, worked for CTV as a parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa from 2010 until 2016, when he moved to its bureau in Washington D.C. In 2023, Madan was let go by CTV as part of major layoffs at the network. Later that year, CBC hired him as one of its Washington correspondents. Madan was in Washington when U.S. President Donald Trump was elected to his first term in 2016. Kinew announced the plan to hire a Manitoba trade rep under the looming threat of U.S. tariffs last December, several weeks before Trump's second inauguration. 'It's obviously going to be a new role for him, someone coming from the media going into a role like this — sort of an advocacy position. It'll be interesting. I'm sure that Richard will get the support of the business community and government to move forward and be successful in this role, hopefully,' Davidson said. Bram Strain, president and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba, said he was surprised initially by Madan's selection, but it made sense when he thought about it. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. 'Obviously, being a reporter, he knows lots of people. He knows how (Washington) works, he knows how that government works,' Strain said. 'What you're accessing is the network — as opposed to someone who knows business first, but doesn't know the way the town works. That's very important.' Strain heads the business council made up of more than 100 leading business presidents and CEOs who've committed to Manitoba's economic growth and community development. He said the trade envoy needs to listen to businesses to learn what the province needs and then represent it. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol 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
10-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kinew's centrist political balancing act a long way from Pallister's scorched-earth production
Opinion Former NDP executive Chris Wiebe accused Premier Wab Kinew this week of governing more like a conservative than a New Democrat. It's a bit of a stretch. Wiebe, who ran unsuccessfully for the party in Dawson Trail during the 2023 provincial election, is so upset with Kinew, he quit the party in March. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Wab Kinew has taken a page from former NDP premier Gary Doer's political playbook by trying to strike a balance between keeping his partisan base happy and appeasing the business community and centrist voters. The University of Winnipeg professor says the NDP premier's recent comments about wanting to build an oil or gas pipeline in the North is so off-base with the party's progressive principles that he felt he had to speak out. But is Wiebe correct in his assertions, including his claim that Kinew is governing like former Tory premier Brian Pallister, who chopped hospital funding, slashed the public service and froze City of Winnipeg grants for multiple years? The evidence would suggest otherwise. There's no doubt Kinew has taken a page from former NDP premier Gary Doer's political playbook by trying to strike a balance between keeping his partisan base happy and appeasing the business community and centrist voters. It worked well for Doer and it seems to be doing the trick for Kinew. It's true, Kinew did keep most of the former Tory government's income tax cuts. He also temporarily eliminated the fuel tax last year (he brought in a permanent, but much smaller fuel tax cut in the 2025 budget). Kinew also threw business a bone by raising the threshold for the Health and Post Secondary Education Tax Levy (the so-called payroll tax). And he maintained some semblance of the former government's education property tax rebate, although he made it less generous. Also, after criticizing the Tories for maintaining a fully-private lab service for medical tests while in opposition, the NDP under Kinew just signed a new five-year contract with Dynacare — a private, for-profit company. But to say the NDP is governing like conservatives and abandoning its party roots is a reach. Let's start with taxes. While Kinew maintained the Tories' income tax cuts, he also quietly de-indexed income tax brackets this year. That means Manitobans who receive cost-of-living wage increases will see a larger chunk of their income taxed at higher rates. That's a tax hike, just a less-visible one. According to the 2025 budget, the move will generate $82 million a year in additional government revenue. Meanwhile, the province under Kinew has been spending liberally, as NDP governments often do. The NDP is spending billions more than the former Tory administration ever did. Overall spending is up nearly 14 per cent compared to the last PC budget in 2023. That's not a tweak — it's a spending spree. Wiebe described the NDP's fiscal policies as austere. Either he's spent little time going through the last two provincial budgets, or he doesn't know how to read them. Some of the NDP's heavy spending is needed, especially after years of cuts under the former PC government. Health care, education and infrastructure are in desperate need of additional resources. Whether it's too much or too little, it's definitely not austere. The party's appetite for public-sector expansion and left-leaning policies has been in full swing since Kinew was sworn into office in October 2023. Nowhere is that more obvious than the pro-union labour legislation the NDP brought in last year, including the elimination of secret-ballot voting during certification drives — making it easier to unionize workplaces — and a ban on replacement workers during strikes or lockouts. The NDP changes to the Labour Relations Act also prevent workers from crossing a picket line if they choose to work during a strike, a significant departure from what many considered to be balanced labour laws in Manitoba pre-Kinew. It's definitely not how conservatives would govern. Even Doer didn't dare enact anti-scab legislation, despite fierce lobbying from organized labour at the time. Kinew also announced plans to open Manitoba's first supervised consumption site, vowed to end chronic homelessness and has budgeted $30 million for new social housing projects — hardly the kind of policies one would expect from a Tory government. Just this week the NDP announced plans to build a $1-billion centre for CancerCare Manitoba, something the former PC government cancelled. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Even Kinew's musings about supporting a northern oil or gas pipeline shouldn't distract from the bigger picture. The pipeline talk is just that: talk. There's no plan, no clear investor interest, and no timeline. It's more likely a strategic communications move than a genuine pivot to energy development. If anything, the pipeline talk is symbolic of the political balancing act Kinew is trying to pull off: keeping progressives happy while reassuring rural and suburban voters he won't scare off investment or business. But governing more like a conservative than a New Democrat? I think not. 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘All about Desi'
The final whistle blew on Desiree Scott's international career in the 55th minute on Saturday. The Winnipeg-born midfielder, who was representing her country for 188th time in Team Canada's friendly against Haiti on home turf, hugged every player and staff member as she exited the pitch, then blew a kiss to the crowd inside Princess Auto Stadium and held her hands over her heart as the 9,211 strong sent her off with a standing ovation. It was the last time that the 37-year-old would don the Red and White in her illustrious career. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Desiree Scott (11) takes a selfie with fans following her final international match with the Canadian women's national soccer team. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'For me, it's just you kind of take a minute to soak it in. In my hometown, Canadian jerseys, Scott Jerseys — just a feeling of true gratefulness and pride for having just repped this jersey for so long, and just so thankful for everyone who supported me,' said Scott, who had 200 family and friends in attendance. 'It was a wonderful moment.' Affectionately known as 'The Destroyer' during her 14-year career, Scott leaves the international stage as one of the most decorated Canadian women's soccer players. She helped Canada win bronze at the London 2012 and Rio 2016, respectively, then reached the top of the mountain at Tokyo 2020. She is one of three players to win three consecutive Olympic medals. 'End of an era, as they say,' said Scott, who was the last player remaining from the 2012 squad. 'Again, not too many players get to write their own script. So, for me to be able to be here, allow myself a game with the team, allowing me to enjoy this moment with the squad one more time, it's things you will never forget. This team's in great hands. You saw some wonderful play out there today — build-up play, combo play, confidence on the ball — and they're going to be doing great in the build-up to the next World Cup.' 'Not too many players get to write their own script. So, for me to be able to be here, allow myself a game with the team, allowing me to enjoy this moment with the squad one more time, it's things you will never forget.'–Desiree Scott The No. 7-ranked Canadians put together a convincing 4-1 victory over the No. 51-ranked Haitians. It brings Team Canada's record to 4-0 all-time against Haiti. Janine Sonis assisted on all four of Canada's goals. Sonis fed Adriana Leon twice in the opening 10 minutes, then found Shelina Zadorsky on a corner kick in the 50th minute. Olivia Smith put a bow on the match in the 90th minute, finishing a Sonis pass with a sweet header. Batcheba Louis registered the lone reply for the Haitians in the 52nd minute. While a victory was important, teammates and coaches made it clear that the day belonged to Scott. 'It was perfect,' said assistant coach Natalie Henderson, who filled in as head coach for Casey Stoney. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Desiree Scott (11) signs jerseys for fans following her final international match with the Canadian women's national soccer team. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'We were super clear as a team that today was all about Desi and what she's done for the game and what she's done for this team. We wanted to give her the best send-off possible, so it was a very good way to start the game and get that send-off going.' Henderson, who only recently joined the national program, had never coached Scott prior to this week. Still, it didn't surprise her when the veteran embraced her upon being subbed off. 'That epitomizes her as a human being, to be honest. We haven't known each other very long, just a few days, but the fact that we have that connection already and to be able to celebrate her is super important,' Henderson said. 'The way she is with people, whether you've known her a long time or whether you've known her a short time, she has a presence when she enters a room, and she's very well loved, and you can sense that right away. I'm really grateful I got an opportunity to spend a few days with her and got to know her as a person, and she deserved everything that she got today.' Scott's international career, which began in 2010, ends with the fourth-most caps by a Canadian and tied with Hege Riise (Denmark) and Laura Georges (France) for the 40th most all time. 'It's been a lot of emotions,' said Leon, who joined the program in 2012. 'A few of us were in tears before the game, and last night, just hearing the speeches and everyone speak about her. She's left such a great mark on so many people.' DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Team Canada's Desiree Scott (11) carries the ball up the pitch in her final international match with the Canadian women's national soccer team. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'She's been such a force for this team for so long, and it feels like the end of an era almost. We're going to miss her deeply.' The significance of the occasion was felt on the Haitian bench. Head coach Malou Quignette said the crowd made it difficult for his team to settle into the match. 'We knew before the game that today will be a special day for (Canadian fans). We tried to not focus too much on it and analyze your opponent exactly like it was a normal game. We saw the atmosphere just in the warmup… she's a legend. She deserves this type of event,' Quignette said. Scott announced her retirement from the club and national level last October after 10 seasons in the National Women's Soccer League. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. In January, however, she came out of retirement to sign with the Ottawa Rapid FC of the Northern Super League. Scott will continue to play in the NSL for the remainder of its inaugural season. She has business that needs to be handled. DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Canada's Janine Sonis (16) and Haiti's Kethna Louis (20) fight for the ball. Canada beat Haiti 4-1 on Saturday. 'One thing I don't have on my list is a championship with my club, so we're going to try to work hard and get that box ticked,' she said. X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh 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
27-05-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Turn on that barbecue and get grilling
It's a subtle shift. As warm weather settles in for good, the sweet, smoky smell of outdoor cooking becomes an evening staple of neighbourhoods across the city. Make the most of grilling season with reader recipes for Barbecue Lean Pork from Anita Lee, Gale's Barbecue Trout from Gale Petreny and Auntie Shirley Potatoes from Patti Mersereau-LeBlanc. Want to share a recipe? Visit to fill out the submission form. Barbecue Lean Pork JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Anita Lee's barbecued pork dish is easy and flavourful. JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Anita Lee's barbecued pork dish is easy and flavourful. Ingredients Directions Note: The pork can be basted with the remaining marinade half-way through cooking. If cooking on the barbecue, place the meat on the grill over medium heat and keep a close eye to ensure the sugary marinade doesn't burn. JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Anita Lee's pork dish can be done on the barbecue or in the oven. JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Anita Lee's pork dish can be done on the barbecue or in the oven. — Anita Lee Gale's Barbecue Trout Ingredients Directions Freepik Adding lemon to barbecued trout is never a bad idea. Freepik Adding lemon to barbecued trout is never a bad idea. 'Many years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Cranberry Portage to officiate at a local wrestling tournament. While I was up there, I was invited to go ice fishing. We caught a number of lake trout and my host taught me how to cook up our catch. Maybe it was the fresh-caught trout or the pride in catching the fish, but this was the best fish I had ever tasted. This is the only recipe I use now to barbecue fish and is a gold standard in our family. Even the kids that don't like fish love this recipe!' — Gale Petreny Auntie Shirley Potatoes Ingredients Directions 'When I was a child my family would go out on my Auntie Shirley and Uncle Dalton's house boat on the weekends. There was camping, fishing, and swimming all weekend. Endless fun! And of course my aunt would make these potatoes. I loved them. Throughout the winter I would ask my mom to make them but didn't know what to call them, so they became Auntie Shirley Potatoes.' — Patti Mersereau-LeBlanc Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva 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
24-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Few details in redacted 911 report
Details are scant in a publicly released Telus report explaining a recent 911 outage, during which a Manitoba man died of a heart attack while family and friends tried to call first responders. Dean Switzer, 55, died March 23. His loved ones spent 90 minutes near Fisher Branch attempting to call 911. The incident happened during a days-long network outage affecting cellphone users contacting the Brandon public safety communications centre. The outage spanned March 22 to March 24. WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz described the cybersecurity event as ���a continent-wide breach of a private company,��� and that it ���certainly��� affected more than just Manitoba. Telus sent a final investigative report, dated May 16, to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, which regulates Canada's telecommunications sector. The public copy redacts the cause of the outage. It does not state how many people were affected or what was done to solve the issue. Telus didn't answer a Free Press question about what it was doing to avoid repeat occurrences. 'The technical details could, if made public, provide a roadmap for bad actors to attack Canadian 911 networks, and as such is treated consistently by Telus in a confidential manner,' the company's report states. Key findings have been discussed with the Switzer family, Telus spokeswoman Liz Sauvé wrote in a statement. The Switzer family could not be reached for comment this weekend. Telus cast blame on Bell: 'The facilities in question are leased from Bell,' its report reads. That led to an investigation between the two service providers, which ended with the identification of a failure on Bell's side, causing Telus' 911 'trunks' to fail, the document states. 'Since the outage, TELUS has made numerous enhancements to its 911 call-routing protocols,' the memo continues. Bell didn't respond to questions by print deadline. Telus has extended its 'heartfelt condolences' to the Switzer family, Sauvé wrote. '911 is the most important service we provide as a telecommunications company, and we design our networks to ensure disruptions are exceedingly rare and resolved as quickly as possible,' she said. 'Our customers' inability to access 911 the evening of Mr. Switzer's passing is something we are taking extremely seriously.' The March outage led to debate in Manitoba's legislature earlier this month. Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz said he met with Telus officials on the matter. 'We are deeply concerned about the situation,' Moroz said May 15. '911 should be there when you need it, particularly in a medical emergency.' He asked Telus to notify the province during future outages. He wasn't available to speak on the new report by print deadline. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. The Progressive Conservatives are calling for a public inquiry and the release of 'all pertinent documents' from Telus, said MLA Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli). 'They're alluding to, if they made too much public, that it would give people that are up to no good (the ability) to mess with the system,' Johnson said. 'If it's that vulnerable, the government should make an inquiry.' The provincial government should ensure all phone service providers are able to provide reliable 911 access, he continued. He's planning to circulate a petition for a public inquiry this week. Telus is based in British Columbia. It saw an 8.2 per cent increase in its net income last year, reaching a total $938 million. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle 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.
