In this week’s headlines, cuts to rent-assist and healthcare have very real effects on WInnipeggers, businesses call for more recycling bins on Broadway, Pallister’s commemorative bike ride is questioned, and more.

Missing Persons Alert

Update: Walter Wayne Steeves has been found safe. 

Scott Hadath

Scott HadathThe family of a Winnipeg man who has been missing since Monday is desperate to find their loved one who disappeared after getting off work. “We’re very distraught right now,” Robert Hadath told CBC Thursday.His brother ScottHadath has been missing since Monday afternoon when he got off work around 3 p.m. from his job at Canadian Tire on Fermor Avenue. Winnipeg police and Manitoba RCMP are now searching for the missing 39-year-old.

“This is just not something that you’d expect from Scott,” his brother said. “It’s just out of character for him, so we have no idea what to think at this point.” He’s very reliable.” Hadath, who lives with his mother in the Windsor Park area of Winnipeg, said family started to get worried after his brother didn’t show up for work on Tuesday and they couldn’t get in touch with him on his cellphone.
“Generally if he would go out, he would go out maybe for a couple hours, right, and then he’d be back,” Hadath said. Hadath said friends and family have searched everywhere they can think Scott might be, including the Whiteshell area, where his family owns a cabin, and are desperate to find him. “It’s quite the emotional roller-coaster,” he said. Scott Hadath is described as 5-foot-10 with a heavy build, a beard and hazel eyes.

ScottHadath is believed to be driving a 2015 black Mini Cooper with Manitoba licence plate HJB 662. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Winnipeg missing persons unit at 204-986-6250.

 

Poverty & Community Outreach

  • ‘This could be the tipping point’: Rent Assist cut worries low-income Manitobans:CBC, Winnipeg Free Press
  • Anti-gang strategy launches despite limited government funding: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Volunteers search for homeless veterans in Winnipeg Saturday: CBC
  • Chipping In to fight Parkinson’s disease: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Free coffee, treats and tune-ups greet healthy commuters in Winnipeg: CBC
  • Troubled North End Friendship Centre in danger of losing funding: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Changing the guard: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Ready, set, go: 2017 Commuter Challenge passes starting line Sunday: CBC
  • ‘Addiction claimed his life’: Scott Oake opens up about son’s battle with drugs: CBC 
  • Winnipeg artist nominated for Sobey award: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Arts shindig shines light on volunteers: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Vigil to shine light on Afghanistan violence: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Ghanaian woman’s relatives plan Maryland funeral: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Tomson Highway, acclaimed Cree author and playwright, receives honorary degree: CBC

Gender & Sexuality

  • ‘There’s so many happy people’: 400 take part in Winnipeg’s first Trans March:CBC
  • 3 decades of pride: Winnipeggers take to streets for Pride Parade: CBC
  • 30 years of Pride in Winnipeg: Winnipeg Free Press

Refugees & Race

  • Asylum seeker walked into Canada across farmer’s field after entry denied at official crossing: CBC
  • From Somali refugee to college graduate, Marcus Askar achieves goal 20 years in the making: CBC
  • Ghanaian community fundraising for grandmother found dead in ditch: CBC
  • Winnipeg newcomer housing centre gets facelift: CBC

Environment

  • Businesses call for more blue bins near food truck alley: CBC
  • ‘We learn about life’: School courtyard ‘ecosystem’ offers window into world of nature: CBC
  • Protection of other lakes key as zebra mussels clog Lake Winnipeg: province:CBC
  • Manitoba family spots ‘dark clumps’ of zebra mussels at Grand Beach: CBC
  • Southern Manitoba residents asked to conserve water amid hot, dry conditions: CBC

Health

  • Whistleblower sues health authority and lawyers, alleging identity revealed: CBC
  • Manitoba eye care in ‘dire risk’ if urgent centre closes: doctors: CBC
  • Misericordia urgent care to close some nights because of staffing, leaked memo says: CBC
  • Key to her recovery: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Hours cut at Urgent Care: Winnipeg Free Press

Indigenous

  • ‘Why a bike trip?’ Peguis member questions Manitoba premier’s commemorative ride: CBC
  • Christine Wood’s life celebrated at Thunderbird house in Winnipeg: CBC
  • Family of slain woman Christine Wood holds prayer ceremony where her body was found: CBC, APTN News, Winnipeg Free Press
  • Winnipeg woman helping to Indigenize the Senate at youth forum: CBC
  • Circles for Reconciliation is reconciliation in action: CBC
  • ‘I Know You’re Sorry:’ one Anishinaabe MC and poet’s response to all of Canada’s apologies: CBC

Justice

  • Winnipeg Transit gave Peggo card travel history to police without warrants: CBC
  • Winnipeg apartment residents left sweltering in ‘unhealthy situation’ after air conditioning fails: CBC
  • RCMP and Winnipeg police suspend organized-crime and warrant task forces: CBC
  • Teen who instigated beatings at treatment centre gets more jail time: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Man accused of sexual assaults while wielding knife preyed on city’s sex workersCrown says: Winnipeg Free Press
In the Courts
  • ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’: Fewer than half of refugee claims being heard on time: CBC
  • ‘I lost everything’: Beating victim says government gave away his belongings while he was in coma: CBC
  • Judge denies bail for Winnipeg man accused of killing 21-year-old Christine Wood:APTN News, Winnipeg Free Press
  • Defence lawyers blast ‘cowardly’ anonymous grievance against Manitoba’s top judges: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Top judges ‘turning the page’ after lawyer complaint, will continue to push for reform: Winnipeg Free Press

Politics

Local
Provincial
  • Manitoba Tories file complaint against NDP in Point Douglas race: CBC, Winnipeg Free Press
  • Pallister budget delivers another costly punch to city services, councillors told:Winnipeg Free Press
  • Province’s funding freeze kills two city police-RCMP task forces: Winnipeg Free Press
  • At least 197 management positions cut at Manitoba health authorities, agencies:CBC
  • Health authority expects to dole out $5.3M in severance pay to laid off managers:CBC
  • Career torn away from Seven Oaks Hospital manager in government cuts: CBC
  • WRHA staff ‘grieving’ after layoffs, COO says: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Health authorities across province slash staff: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Closing Misericordia urgent care short-sighted, eye doctors tell province, WRHA: Winnipeg Free Press
  • Pallister hints Tories may continue city’s funding freeze into 2018: Winnipeg Free Press
Federal
  • Manitoba to receive $15M from feds for child care: CBC

Cultural

  • Ramadan in Winnipeg: Long days of fasting, but more time for reflection: CBC

Disability & Accessibility

  • Performers with disabilities bring provocative cabaret to Winnipeg stage: CBC
  • ‘Fixing society’ involves boosting accessibility laws: Winnipeg Free Press

Check out our human rights calendar for upcoming events!