Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - October 29, 2025, Winnipeg, Manitoba DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT, OCTOBER 30, 2025 32 WINNERS OR $1.25 MILLION CASH! Millionaire HomeWIN A hscmillionaire.com In the event of an advertising discrepancy, the official 2025 HSC Millionaire Lottery Rules & Regulations will apply without exception. 50/50 PLUS® tickets and EXTRA CASH PLUS™ tickets can only be ordered with your 2025 HSC Millionaire Lottery main ticket on the same transaction. Must be 18+ to play. Complete rules and regulations go to: hscmillionaire.com. License Numbers: LGCA 1822-RF-48322, LGCA 1822-RF-48503, LGCA 1822-RF-48504 2 0 4 - 2 5 3 - 5 6 8 8 1-855-999-5688 MAIN LOTTERY TICKETS 1 FOR $100 | 3 FOR $200 | 6 FOR $325 | 12 FOR $525 50/50 PLUS® — ALL-NEW UNLIMITED JACKPOT 10 FOR $25 | 30 FOR $50 | 60 FOR $75 | 100 FOR $100 EXTRA CASH PLUS™ — $170,000 IN ALL-CASH PRIZES! 10 FOR $25 | 30 FOR $50 | 60 FOR $75 | 100 FOR $100 ST. VITAL CENTRE WINNIPEG & SELKIRK FOOD STORES & MAIN ST. 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Howarth said NAV Canada has told Air Canada it is “experiencing staffing shortages across Canada.” “(Air Traffic Control) may intermit- tently reduce staffing to one control- ler at specified airports,” she said. “In this circumstance, the controller is re- quired to take mandatory breaks of 30 minutes or more at a time. “For this reason, Air Canada, along with other Canadian operators, have decided not to operate into these air- ports during short-term ATC staffing shortage closures. Flight crew should not depart and arrive at these airports until the tower reopens. For arrival, be prepared to hold or divert as required.” The Free Press reported in August that the control tower at Winnipeg’s air- port was closed for half an hour on Aug. 10 for “fatigue management purposes.” During that time, pilots were advised to contact the flight information centre in Edmonton. The Winnipeg Airports Authority reported that the closure caused minor delays of less than 25 minutes for two departing flights. Tim Perry, a WestJet pilot who is president of the Air Line Pilots Associ- ation Canada, said “air traffic-control shortages continue leading to delays at various airports across Canada. “This lack of stability in Canada’s aviation sector must be addressed.” Perry said his association has been working with the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association on ways to “secure Canada’s aviation future by prioritizing safety, reliability and affordability that travellers and workers deserve.” That includes investing in training, as well as recruitment and retention initiatives. The Canadian Air Traffic Control As- sociation has said NAV Canada has few- er than 1,500 fully qualified air traffic controllers, which is about 250 control- lers short of a full complement. Nick Von Schoenberg, the president of CATCA, said Winnipeg’s tower, con- sidered one of the most understaffed in the country, requires 20 controllers and is short six. “CATCA and air traffic controllers do not want to see unit closures occur, however, these decisions reflect a re- sponsible approach to ensuring safety, made by NAV Canada and supported by the union,” Von Schoenberg said. “While we regret any disruption to travellers, safety is always the first priority in air traffic control and these closures reflect that commitment.” Von Schoenberg said CATCA is push- ing for Canada to follow the lead of New Zealand by creating a permanent aviation council, with a cross-section of members, to “address current and future challenges in an informed and coordinated manner.” NAV Canada issued a statement that said its top priority is the safety of Can- adian airspace. “The recent closure in Winnipeg were precautionary measures taken under our fatigue-risk management system to ensure safe operations as well as the well-being of our dedicated employees,” the statement said. “Winnipeg experienced only one such temporary closure. These decisions, while never taken lightly, demonstrate a responsible approach that puts safety first.” NAV Canada said it communicates with the airport and airlines before it closes a control tower. As well, the agency says it has hired 240 controllers and close to another 500 are in training. “We are finding new ways to build long-term capacity and prepare the next generation of air traffic control- lers nationwide.” The shortage of controllers has af- fected airports across North America. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca KEVIN ROLLASON PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES NAV Canada has less than 1,500 qualified air traffic controllers, says Canadian Air Traffic Control Association. Tories demand changes to detox centre bill P ROPOSED legislation to open a detox centre to hold people in the throes of a meth psychosis for up to 72 hours has little chance of passing by the NDP government’s Nov. 1 target date. The opposition Tories have a list of amendments they want debated before passing Bill 48, the Protective Deten- tion and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act that the government says is meant to keep people safe. Bernadette Smith, the minister for housing, addictions and homelessness told reporters earlier this month that a planned “protective care centre” at 190 Disraeli Fwy. could open as early as Nov. 1 if the bill is passed. With the legislation still before the house, the Progressive Conservatives calling for changes and just two sit- ting days before Saturday’s target, the chance of the bill passing before the weekend is slim to none. “I can’t comment on the hypothetical, on the future,” PC Leader Obby Khan said Tuesday about whether the Tories will allow the bill to pass this week — or by the Nov. 6 end of the session. “I can comment that we are bringing (forward) real, tangible concerns that Manitobans had.” The proposed legislation would re- place the Intoxicated Persons Deten- tion Act, which allows for the 24-hour involuntary detention of people intoxi- cated by alcohol. The protective care centre proposes 20 spaces for people to detox from the effects of drugs under medical super- vision. It would also provide of health resources, including prenatal testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and other conditions. The amendments the Tories plan to debate today include prohibiting a pro- tective care centre from being located within 500 metres of a school, child- care centre, personal-care home, play- ground, park or community centre. “Some of those people may be in a state — both a physical state, a mental state,” said PC critic Jeff Bereza. “They could be harmful to them- selves, but they could also be harmful to kids going to school, to daycares and that,” the member for Portage la Prai- rie said late Tuesday. “We want to make sure that there is enough space there so that they can’t be harmful to somebody else in the area. If my grandma is living that close, you know, do we really want it that close?” The Tories don’t want a mobile over- dose prevention component — such as the mobile supervised consumption vehicle operated by Sunshine House — within 500 metres of the protective care centre. The PCs want the act to require that Smith publish a plan for address- ing potential impacts of the protective care centre on the community. Their proposed amendments include a 45- day community consultation about any regulations made or changed under the act, and at least one community meet- ing with Smith. “It’s important that we listen to the neighbourhoods,” Bereza said. “At least with a consultative process, they’ll have their opportunity to be heard. Right now, there’s no way they can be heard.” The PCs also want the law to include data collection and reporting. The gov- ernment would have to publish reports within 60 days of the start of the calen- dar year saying how many people were detained the previous year, how many were detained more than once, the sex, age and gender of those detained, the type of programs and services offered to them upon release and how many were allowed to stay longer in protect- ive care to receive additional care or services. Khan said the PC amendments to the bill follow input from community mem- bers at a legislative committee meeting. “We brought those all forward in a way for this premier and minister to listen to Manitobans like they say they are. They’re supposed to be listening and make those changes,” he said. “I would say the ball is in their courts. We’ve been very clear, and I’ve been very clear as leader that we support increased times for holding people who are experiencing or are going through a meth psychosis. But it has to be done the right way. It has to be done proper- ly… with the utmost care and due dili- gence, not ramming the bill through like the NDP is doing.” On Tuesday evening a ministerial spokesperson released a statement: “The PCs are trying to obstruct legis- lation that will help save lives.” carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca CAROL SANDERS ;