Manitoba Monitor: Weekly news roundup for September 25
- Gillingham seeks power to put councillors facing charges on leave
Mayor Scott Gillingham and Coun. Cindy Gilroy introduced a motion Thursday asking the province to let Winnipeg council place members facing criminal charges on leave. The proposal comes as Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt seeks re-election while facing charges involving two alleged sexual assaults. Wyatt maintains his innocence, and the allegations have not been tested in court. Council is expected to vote on the motion at its first meeting after the Oct. 28 election.
- Manitoba reports $832-million deficit
Manitoba recorded an $832-million deficit for 2025-26, according to audited public accounts released Monday. The shortfall was about half the $1.666 billion projected in the third-quarter update, but $38 million higher than the estimate in Budget 2026. The province also announced a $600-million contribution to its fiscal stabilization fund. Premier Wab Kinew says the government remains on track to balance the budget next year.
- Man charged after alleged threats outside Winnipeg mosque
Winnipeg police announced Tuesday that a 48-year-old man had been charged with uttering threats following a Sept. 19 incident outside the Winnipeg Islamic Centre Masjid Bilal. Police allege he made threatening gestures toward youths and continued the behaviour when a staff member intervened. The centre’s president told CityNews the incident had frightened young people and that the mosque would strengthen security while remaining welcoming to families and the wider community.
- French-language culinary training centre planned for St. Boniface
The Manitoba government announced Wednesday that it has committed $3.8 million to purchase property and begin design work for a French-language culinary arts facility at 170 Marion St. The centre will be the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine’s first dedicated vocational programming facility, providing training for francophone high school students. The space will also allow the division to relocate its adult education centre from Collège Louis-Riel and expand programming.
- New funding expands ASL training in Indigenous communities
Manitoba announced $146,000 Tuesday for American Sign Language training through a partnership with RRC Polytech. The funding includes $18,000 for three introductory microcredentials delivered on reserve and $128,000 over three years for four seats reserved for Indigenous women in the college’s ASL-English Interpretation program. The introductory training will accommodate up to 15 learners per cohort and incorporate Indigenous perspectives, with the aim of improving access to services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing Manitobans.
- Province maps more than 50 Orange Shirt Day events
An interactive provincial map launched this week lists more than 50 events commemorating Orange Shirt Day, observed Sept. 30 alongside the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Activities include walks, seminars, dedication ceremonies and feasts honouring residential school survivors and children who never returned home. Manitoba says its Orange Shirt Day Fund provided $1 million this year to support commemorative events. Event details are available through the province’s Orange Shirt Day webpage.
- Governments announce $500,000 for aerospace and manufacturing training
Ottawa and Manitoba announced Thursday that $500,000 will support the AeroTrace Workforce Pilot, training aerospace and manufacturing workers to use production data, digital tracking tools and artificial intelligence. Manitoba Aerospace and Defence will deliver the program with technology company mode40. The federally funded initiative is intended to help suppliers document where parts come from, how they are made and whether they meet customer requirements, as businesses respond to tariffs and changing supply chains.
- Sally Ito named Winnipeg library’s writer-in-residence
Japanese Canadian writer and translator Sally Ito will become Winnipeg Public Library’s writer-in-residence Oct. 1, the city announced Tuesday. During her term, which runs until April 30, 2027, Ito will offer individual consultations, writing workshops and a writers’ circle. The free service is open to emerging and established Manitoba writers working in any genre. Writers can submit manuscripts by email or mail, with submission guidelines available on the library’s website.
Graham McDonald, U Multicultural Journalism and Media Arts Centr