Proactive anti-gang strategy announced
On Aug. 3 federal Public Safety Minister, Vic Towes, announced $928,000 in federal funds, which will go toward helping keep at-risk youth in Winnipeg from joining gangs.
According to the press release, Towes says that this is part of the federal government’s “promise to support families and communities by helping youth stay away from crime and gangs, and out of the justice system.”
The funds will be spread out among five separate projects, with Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc’s Turning the Tides project getting the lion’s share: $229,961.89 over one year.
Manitoba’s Justice Minister, Andrew Swan, says that these projects will provide “youth with structured programming, connections to caring and trained staff and guidance and support to help them choose to avoid a life of crime.”
University of Winnipeg opens AnX bookstore
After some delays, the University of Winnipeg has announced that its AnX bookstore — the largest bookstore in downtown Winnipeg — has opened its doors.
According to Mike Clark, the manager of the University of Winnipeg Bookstore, AnX will offer more space for students to find their course materials and supplies, and will also “have regional literature including Manitoba publishers as well as new and noteworthy best sellers, newspapers, magazines and academic periodicals.”
The new store will also sell University of Winnipeg branded clothing and accessories.
In addition to its retail operations, AnX will have a walk-in clinic, computer store, MTS Connect store, pub and coffee shop.
Stadium naming rights for sale
According to a Winnipeg Free Press article, the Blue Bombers are looking to sell the right to name their new stadium, which is set to open in 2012.
Canad Inns has held the naming rights for the Bomber’s current home since 2005, which the hotel chain pays $120,000 for annually, says the Free Press.
Jeff Thompson, the Bombers’ chief transition officer, has said that the team is still studying what the value of the naming rights for the new stadium is, but has stated that “regardless of whom [the contract is] with, [it] will be richer than the one signed six years ago.”
Canad Inns has not indicated whether it plans to bid on the rights to name the new stadium.
Prairie farmers protest EC cuts
According to a CTV.ca article, farmers across the prairies are expressing concern over Environment Canada’s (EC) announcement that 776 positions are to be cut.
Greg Marshal, the president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan said, “I think it’s a sad day for Prairie farmers if we do see cutbacks and reduction in service.”
He expressed a concern that farmers, who depend on reliable and accurate weather predictions for their livelihood, could be disproportionally impacted if these cuts mean a reduction in the quality of EC’s services.
EC spokesperson, Mark Johnson, tried to abate farmers concerns, saying that despite the cuts EC is still “committed to providing Canadians with an environment that’s clean, safe and sustainable,” and that their core services should not be affected.
U of M professor trumps Air Canada
Gabor Lukacs, the mathematics professor who was suspended without pay last year after taking the university to court concerning the waiving of a student’s exam requirement, has won a battle against Air Canada.
According to CTV.ca the Canadian Transportation Agency released a decision on Aug.2, declaring that Air Canada’s international baggage liability rules were un reasonable, and demanded the carrier change them with in 10 days.
The policy stated that Air Canada could not be held responsible for the loss of money and other valuables stored within one’s checked luggage under certain circumstances.
This is not the first time Lukacs has taken on the airlines and won. The 29 year-old professor also challenged WestJet’s policy on compensation regarding lost or damaged luggage, forcing the airline to raise its compensation cap from $250 to $1,800.
Aqua books to shutter its doors
Kelly Hughes, owner of Aqua Books and Eat! Bistro announced that the used-bookstore would be closing its doors for good in the coming months.
In a Winnipeg Free Press article Hughes sighted a lack of reading in the general population as the reason for his store’s hardship, resulting from the rise of social media and the amount of time people spend on smartphones.
Rob Warren, a U of M professor from the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship refuted this claim, telling the Free Press that people still read, but have changed how they read, favouring e-books over the paper kind.
Warren also cited Aqua Books’ Garry street location as a contributing factor, calling that part of downtown Winnipeg a retail “dead zone.”
