Winnipeg athlete files multi-million dollar lawsuit
Kevin Kwasny, a football player from Winnipeg, has permanent brain damage as a result of an injury on the field. An alumnus of St. Paul’s High School and the University of Manitoba, Kwasny was recruited to Bishop’s University in Quebec in 2008. He is suing the university for $7.5 million.
Kwasny sustained the injuries during a game in 2011. He suffered a hit to the head, but claims he was told to continue playing. He was then hit a second time, causing cerebral hemorrhaging and a loss of consciousness.
Health facilities in Winnipeg treated Kwasny for the injuries. He regained the ability to walk only a year ago.
Although Bishop’s University has stated that its staff performed to the best of their abilities when Kwasny was injured, the university has not filed a statement of defence.
Slow down for the kids
During a CAA campaign to raise awareness of driving safety in school zones, numerous Winnipeg drivers were found to violate traffic laws. One driver was speeding 27 km over the limit of 50 km/h.
In light of CAA’s observations, Manitoba Public Insurance has announced a $20,000 pledge to the Winnipeg Police Service. The Brandon Police Service and the Manitoba RCMP will receive a comparable amount of funding.
The funding is intended to increase law enforcement around school areas.
An unspecified amount, obtained from insurance premiums, will be used for the funding, although Winnipeggers are assured that the cost will be less than five cents per person.
“Drivers need to be smart and be safe in school zones and around school buses, to make sure our children get to school without any danger. Just slow down,” said Andrew Swan, the minister responsible for MPI.
Fighting hunger starts from the ground up
Vegetables planted at Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport as part of Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row program were harvested on Friday, Sept. 13. The community garden was planted to support Winnipeg Harvest, a charity that donates food to individuals in need.
The Grow-A-Row program began in 1986 when a local Winnipeg family donated their potato surplus to Winnipeg Harvest. The project has flourished ever since.
This is the 18th year the airport has been a part of the program. With the support of other community organizations, the garden has produced over 30,000 pounds of vegetables.
Bill 18 voted through
On Friday, Sept. 13, Manitoba legislature voted to pass Bill 18, an anti-bullying law that has received mixed responses from the community.
The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe and Inclusive Schools) states a legal definition of bullying, including the written, verbal, physical, or electronic forms it can take.
Subsection 41 (1.8) was debated at the legislature. It states: “A respect from human diversity policy must accommodate pupils who want to establish and lead activities and organizations that [ . . . ] use the name ‘gay-straight alliance.’”
Certain faith-based schools, such as Steinbach Christian High School, felt that this component of the bill disregarded their beliefs. However, numerous school boards and LGBTTQ* groups ultimately approved of the bill.
