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WFP: Light rail rolls into city conversation (Aug9'22)
by Beth McKechnie 09 Aug '22

09 Aug '22

Councillor resurrects timeworn notion of bringing LRT system into Winnipeg Light rail rolls into city conversation https://ground.news/article/light-rail-transit-pushed-back-into-city-conver… THE decades-old debate on building light rail transit in Winnipeg may have some spark left in it. While noting city council may be seen as “going boldly into the past,” Coun. Brian Mayes wants his colleagues to “seriously consider” adding light rail construction in the future, following the lead of many other cities. “I feel like we may have missed the generation in which to do bus rapid transit. The city is growing… and I just feel like, why put in a network of BRT lines and then, the day you finish, start tearing them out because now you’re up to a million people and you want LRT?” said Mayes. Winnipeg city council has debated the best way to ramp up its public transportation for decades, debating a light rail rapid transit option off and on since at least the 1970s. Eventually, the city settled on a bus rapid transit system and completed one dedicated corridor in 2020. The southwest rapid transitway was a two-phase project with a combined cost of $556 million. Last year, council approved a 25-year Transit Master Plan that aims to create a network of six rapid transit corridors, which are again expected to rely on buses. Since the city has only completed one rapid transit line so far, Mayes said it makes sense to re-evaluate how best to move forward, noting Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton all have light rail transit. “(Light rail) would attract more people. I think some people who wouldn’t ride on a bus would ride on a train. You can use electric power and (Manitoba is) rich on electric power,” said Mayes. The councillor doesn’t have a current cost estimate for a light rail system, but said the city could seek provincial and federal funding to help cover it, while the construction could also eliminate the need to add another lane of traffic for the oft-congested St. Mary’s Road. While he’s not sure LRT would be feasible for all future rapid transit routes, Mayes suggests a St. Mary’s Road to Main Street line, as well as a Portage Avenue to Point Douglas or Portage Avenue to Provencher Boulevard line, may make sense. A Winnipeg Transit spokeswoman confirmed the city’s main reason to not pursue light rail transit was to save money. However, the BRT system also benefits from creating routes that can be shared with other buses, while the smaller vehicles may also allow more frequent pickups than some LRT systems, Alissa Clark said in an email. Clark said each kilometre of an LRT route would be expected to cost two to four times more to build than a BRT kilometre. While the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan calls for bus rapid transit infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, to be designed to fit trains in the future, “there would remain a significant cost to retrofitting the line,” wrote Clark. However, the potential cost shouldn’t stop Winnipeg from considering the idea, according to Jino Distasio, a professor of urban geography at the University of Winnipeg. “We have fallen decades and decades behind other cities… that aren’t necessarily that much bigger than what we’re going to be… The traffic is going to continue to get worse and worse and worse, unless we have a credible alternative to the automobile, paired with good planning,” said Distasio. While he acknowledged a complete light rail system would require a “generational capital investment,” the professor said it may be warranted. “If Winnipeg truly wants to be a competitive city, we at least have to have a very vigorous debate again about this… The fundamental difference from all the previous discussions, going back even into the 1970s, is the fact that the last 20 years have been like no other for this city (with substantive growth).” Coun. Matt Allard, chairman of council’s public works committee, said he’s open to the discussion — though he stressed the current blueprint must remain the top priority. “I’m certainly open minded to the idea, but also mindful that we need to charge ahead with the master plan,” said Allard. “If there was a light rail transit project to be considered, it’s got to make sense in terms of our tax dollars, in the staging and where we’re at (with) the plan, citywide.” Coun. Jeff Browaty, finance committee chairman, said he is convinced the current plan is the best option. “To build a (light rail) network that would actually be serviceable, that would actually go far enough out to be useful, it’s too expensive,” said Browaty. “I still think a better investment in time and resources is to provide more frequent service to more places throughout the city network.” joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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The Government of Canada launches consultations on establishing permanent public transit funding
by Beth McKechnie 02 Aug '22

02 Aug '22

OTTAWA, ON, July 29, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, announced the launch of public consultations on the design and implementation of Permanent Public Transit funding in Canada. Feedback will inform a long-term transit investment strategy that aims to build complete, sustainable and inclusive communities and unlock opportunities to address other challenges, including housing affordability. Investments in public transit will work toward reducing commute times and improving Canadians' quality of life, aid in providing access to meaningful employment, services and recreation and will help tackle traffic congestion and cut air pollution. *Interested stakeholders can share their feedback through Infrastructure Canada's web page <https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3607932-1&h=2725479515&u=https%3A%2F%2F…> until September 30, 2022*. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-government-of-canada-launches-con…

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WFP: Connecting bike lanes a priority for political newbie (Jul29'22)
by Beth McKechnie 29 Jul '22

29 Jul '22

*Connecting bike lanes a priority for political newbie * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2022/07/28/connecting-bike-l… A candidate for St. James in the civic election said he’ll work to connect Winnipeg’s disjointed bike lanes, if elected. Daevid Ramey, 53, was born and raised in Winnipeg. He returned 10 years ago, and settled in St. James with his family. He leads a weekly community bike ride from Bourkevale Community Centre, and said making it easier for people to use active transport and avoid potentially dangerous open traffic is a policy priority for him. “My goal is to take care of the things that impact all people, not just focus on roads,” said Ramey, who officially registered to run Thursday. “Roads are important, of course, they get us to where we’re going. But there is a lot more in our community that we also need to take care of, including pathways, bicycle paths, sidewalks, appropriate lighting so that people can walk safely down their streets, even simple little things like putting more benches in our public spaces.” He said the city’s pedestrian and cycling action plan, which includes funding to create and connect protected bike lanes, moves too slowly. If elected, he would seek outside funding to hasten the projects. “So I would take the plans that exist now, and ensure that the resources and the things that we need to get them done, would be done. It’s about funding the policy, funding the plan in a way that is sustainable so that it does get done.” Creating fluid bike lanes across Winnipeg isn’t a pipe dream, Bike Winnipeg executive director Mark Cohoe said, especially as rising gas costs and the effects of climate change influence Winnipeggers, and city leadership has begun to show more interest. “There is a willingness. Right now, the money hasn’t been there to come through with it, but I think it’s pretty close,” he said. “I think we can, with a slightly different council and slightly different mayor… really make that change and see it. I think it is politically possible.” A 10-year time frame to build and connect the infrastructure would be realistic, he said, as long as investments in road-building and rehabilitation give more of a priority to active transport. “Certainly, the federal government is there with money, the province is moving toward providing some more money as well, they could definitely do better, but you have willing partners to help invest in that as well,” he said. “So I think that’s part of the solution, to make sure you’ve got the three levels of government, not just the city working on your own.” Shawn Dobson and Kelly Ryback are also running in St. James. Election day is Oct. 26. malak.abas(a)freepress.mb.ca

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Fwd: Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan – July 2022 Project Update
by Terry Zdan 27 Jul '22

27 Jul '22

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: City of Winnipeg <notifications(a)engagementhq.com> Date: Wed., Jul. 27, 2022, 10:24 a.m. Subject: Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan – July 2022 Project Update To: <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> You are receiving this email because you requested updates on the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan. On July 21, 2022, Council approved the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan <https://emails.engagementhq.com/ls/click?upn=9vcdD193qA8wVAWAMcxkDRPI9yvzhY…>, which will serve as a roadmap for implementing both short-term solutions and long-term investments to ensure the City is doing its part in preventing serious injury and death on our roads. Thank you to the stakeholders, partners, and the general public for their input that helped shape the plan. The plan consists of 67 actions to help Winnipeg reach its goal of a 20 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury collisions over the next five years, with a long-term vision of a transportation system that allows people of all ages and abilities to safely move around without experiencing death or serious injury. We will update you with next steps for implementation in the coming months. For more information, visit winnipeg.ca/roadsafetyplan <https://emails.engagementhq.com/ls/click?upn=9vcdD193qA8wVAWAMcxkDRPI9yvzhY…> . Kind regards, The Project Team You're receiving this email because you are a registered participant on Engage Winnipeg. Powered by EngagementHQ <https://emails.engagementhq.com/ls/click?upn=Ly4LMpFOFkQHsPvHv6lGIGWetLV0tE…> Unsubscribe <https://emails.engagementhq.com/ls/click?upn=9vcdD193qA8wVAWAMcxkDRPI9yvzhY…>

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WFP: Thieves hit Orioles Bike Cage, dent confidence in cycling safety (Jul27'22)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Jul '22

27 Jul '22

Thieves hit Orioles Bike Cage, dent confidence in cycling safety https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2022/07/27/thieves-hit-oriol… THIEVES have put a wrench into a community bike hub in the West End. The Orioles Bike Cage has been forced to close its repair shop after dozens of bikes and tools were stolen on the weekend. “We suspect that it happened either very late Friday night or in the wee hours of Saturday morning,” said director Gregory Allan. “My heart sank a little bit. It’s not the first time we’ve been broken into.” The operation has run out of the Valour Community Centre by a team of volunteers that refurbishes donated bikes, and teaches people how to fix their own rides. Despite amping up security measures over the years, Allan said thefts happen at least once every two years. He said there have been six break-ins since the shop opened 13 years ago. “Every time it happens, it’s very frustrating and very disheartening,” Allan said. “It means a lot of work to re-establish everything that’s been taken, and it means a disruption to our service. People are going to come to our shop, realize we’re closed and not be able to fix their bikes.” After the last break-in, around Halloween 2020, a heavy-duty steel door was installed to amp up Orioles’ security — but it wasn’t enough. On the weekend, thieves made off with $3,000 in tools. Allan is convinced bike theft is getting worse. In 2020, 2,100 bikes were reported stolen to the Winnipeg Police Service. Some programs, such as Bike Winnipeg’s valet program, try to ward off theft by offering monitored bike parking at special events. When a community bike hub is targeted, many riders are affected. Orioles Bike Cage will have to spend money that could’ve paid for outreach and community initiatives on enhancing security and replacing stolen equipment. Allan believes theft has a wider impact on cycling advocacy in the city; dedicating a small amount of public money to installing security infrastructure for community bike hubs could be a solution, he said. “There are a lot of groups trying to get more people on bikes more often in an attempt to curb greenhouse gas emissions,” Allan said. “The more bikes get stolen, the more places like this to get broken into, the harder it is for people to make that switch and to trust that cycling is, in fact, a good decision to make.” Allan said the Orioles Bike Cage will remain closed for weeks. cierra.bettens(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP: Construction begins at north Winnipeg multi-use trail (Jul23'22)
by Beth McKechnie 23 Jul '22

23 Jul '22

*Construction begins at north Winnipeg multi-use trail * https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/construction-begins-at-north-winnip… CONSTRUCTION is officially underway on a multi-use path in north Winnipeg. The ground was broken Friday morning, at the site of the Northwest Hydro Corridor Multi-use Path Project, within the hydro corridor between Leila and Church avenues. Representatives from the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba government, Manitoba Hydro, Trails Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg were on site as construction began on the 2.4-kilometre route. “It’s a very exciting day, and I know the residents of northwest Winnipeg and residents from across the city are going to benefit from this project. We’re ecstatic, and have been waiting for this for a long time,” said Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan). “The City of Winnipeg is proud to play a leading role in improving pedestrian and cycling facilities, which are a priority for all members of our community.” The project is one Sharma and her colleagues have been trying to get in motion for years. “Projects like this, near hydro transmission lines, are complicated. There are many steps to working on a project like this,” she said. “This is something that was absolutely needed. It connects to the network in a very important way and it’s going to provide so many benefits for residents in north Winnipeg and across the city.” The multi-use path will be 4.5 metres wide and feature lighting, benches, connections to surrounding neighbourhoods and new controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at Leila and Jefferson avenues, and Inkster Boulevard. “When we embrace the opportunity to invest in our transportation network, we are striving to provide everyone with healthy transportation options that are more important than ever in the climate crisis,” said Coun. Matt Allard (St. Boniface). The overall cost of the project is $2.5 million, which includes a grant of $450,000 from Trails Manitoba and the Manitoba government. The grant is part of an overall $10-million investment by the Manitoba government designed to create social and economic benefits to trail users. “The Manitoba government is pleased to provide funding to Trails Manitoba to launch this important project that will benefit so many cyclists, pedestrians, and active transportation users of all kinds for generations to come,” said Sarah Guillemard, community wellness minister. The second project for the grant is a parkway that will connect The Forks and Chief Peguis Trail through a multi-use path. It will receive $150,000. The first phase of construction on the northwest path will take place this year. The second phase is slated for 2024. “Both these projects will help us make progress toward our climate change goals, close critical connectivity gaps, and address the long-standing imbalance between north and south Winnipeg in active transportation infrastructure,” Allard said. bryce.hunt(a)freepress.mb.ca

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WFP Around City Hall: Sustainable Procurement, Road Safety Plan and Sidewalk Snow Clearing (Jul22'22)
by Beth McKechnie 22 Jul '22

22 Jul '22

CITY TO PURSUE SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT THE City of Winnipeg will aim to use its buying power to better the community. On Thursday, council cast a final vote to implement a sustainable procurement action blueprint. The city will implement changes over three years that can help Winnipeggers overcome employment barriers and get hired, and/or achieve other key social and environmental goals. SIGHTS SET ON STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ROAD SAFETY THE City of Winnipeg will spend $22 million over five years on a road safety strategic action plan, which aims to reduce serious injuries and deaths caused by traffic collisions. The new plan sets a target to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions by 20 per cent over five years. It suggests the city add more 30 km/h speed limits at neighbourhood greenways, review overall speed limits, add more traffic calming measures (such as speed bumps or roundabouts) and create public education on road safety, among several other steps. SIDEWALK SNOW CLEARING TO BE DONE QUICKER A plan to clear sidewalks of ice and snow quicker in future winters has been approved by council, minus an original recommendation to have private contractors do more of the work. On Thursday, council approved a call to spend $3 million on 15 more sidewalk-clearing machines but rejected a recommendation to also contract out an additional 500 kilometres of sidewalk plowing. More info here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/snow-ice-clearing-options-winnipeg-…

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Big Vehicles impact on safety of road users
by Charles Feaver 17 Jul '22

17 Jul '22

The Globe's lead editorial Saturday: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-reducing-the-dang erous-impact-of-cars-that-just-keep-getting-bigger/ Reducing the dangerous impact of cars that just keep getting bigger and meaner In many respects, vehicles today are safer than they have ever been. Mandatory seatbelt laws, airbags, headlights that turn on automatically and modern crumple zones make the inside of a vehicle an increasingly secure spot. In Canada, the fatality rate per 100,000 vehicles in 2020 was the <https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/statistics-data/canadian-motor- vehicle-traffic-collision-statistics-2020> lowest in at least two decades. However, safety overseers - at least in North America - have been much slower to address the risk vehicles pose to everyone around them. Hundreds of Canadian pedestrians and cyclists are fatally struck every year. While European regulators insist on design changes that can protect people outside the vehicle, North American auto safety standards have traditionally not taken them into account. This is particularly relevant today, because vehicles on this continent have gone on steroids. The supersizing of cars and trucks is everywhere. The new Volkswagen Beetle is 73 per cent heavier than the model that starred as Herbie the Love Bug. The changes are even more striking among larger vehicles. The Cadillac Escalade is an SUV so big that up to <https://www.wthr.com/article/news/investigations/13-investigates/13-investi gates-millions-vehicles-have-unexpected-dangerous-front-blind-zone/531-9521c 471-3bc1-4b55-b860-3363f0954b3b> 13 children can sit in a line in front of it without the driver being able to see them. Sedans have increasingly been discontinued and marketing muscle poured into bigger, and higher-profit, vehicles that make a sales pitch of their aggressive shape. The man behind the looks of the 2020 GMC Sierra HD aimed to evoke "a massive fist moving through the air." Karan Moorjani told Muscle Cars & Trucks he wanted the pickup <https://www.musclecarsandtrucks.com/2020-gmc-sierra-hd-design-the-origin-st ory/> to look imposing. "We spent a lot of time making sure that when you stand in front of this thing it looks like it's going to come get you. It's got that pissed-off feel." People who do find themselves in front of such a truck are at much higher risk than if hit by a smaller vehicle. A high and squared-off front end strikes a pedestrian directly in the chest, unlike a sedan that hits lower and can cause the victim to roll onto the hood. In Europe, regulators have recognized the problem, and rate vehicles' ability to protect not just the driver and passengers. Vehicles in Europe must meet standards for <https://www.euroncap.com/en/vehicle-safety/the-ratings-explained/vulnerable -road-user-vru-protection/> human impact on the bumper and hood, as well as for sightlines from the driver's seat. The practical result of these rules is that hoods tend to be shorter and slope down more. Windows are larger. This helps explain why the Ford Transit, which comes in cargo van or open-bed options, and features a large windshield and stubby raked hood, is the <https://www.statista.com/statistics/260025/market-share-of-best-selling-lig ht-commercial-vehicle-models-in-eu-27/#:~:text=The%20Ford%20Transit%20accoun ted%20for,best%2Dselling%20LCV%20by%20far> most popular light commercial vehicle in Europe. Last year in the United States it was outsold more than seven to one by the blunt-nosed F-150 pickup truck. The design of vehicles is just one of the reasons Europeans <https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2016/11/30/13784520/roads-deaths-increase- safety-traffic-us> enjoy safer roads. The EU took another big step this month toward controlling speeds. As of July, new vehicle models released in Europe must be fitted with intelligent speed assistance (ISA). This uses cameras or GPS to determine the speed limit, and then employs escalating audio and physical cues to discourage drivers from exceeding it. ISA will be <https://road-safety-charter.ec.europa.eu/resources-knowledge/media-and-pres s/intelligent-speed-assistance-isa-set-become-mandatory-across_en> mandatory by 2024 on all new vehicles sold in the EU. Not all such changes could realistically be brought in by Canada alone. The country exists as a bit player in an integrated continental auto market. But officials here can support and participate in nascent efforts south of the border to make vehicles safer for those outside them. Earlier this year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration <https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2022-03/NCAP-ADAS-RFC-03-03-202 2-web.pdf> floated the idea of including pedestrian protection in its vehicle safety ratings. And there are things Canada can do unilaterally. A commercial licence could be required for the biggest private vehicles, which have surpassed <https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2022-gmc-hummer-ev-range-battery-pack-and- weight-revealed.html#:~:text=The%20Hummer%20EV%20tips%20the%20scales%20at%20 9%2C063%20pounds%2C%20according,lightest%20car%2C%20the%20Chevrolet%20Spark> four tonnes in weight. A limit could be put on how high after-market modifications can raise a vehicle. The use of "bull bars" installed in front of the grill could be regulated, as could those <https://images.customwheeloffset.com/buy2-compressed/web/18095-2-metal-lugs -spiked-lug-nuts-chrome-8-lug.jpg> spiked lug-nut covers whose only apparent purpose is to intimidate people riding bicycles. When seatbelt laws were introduced, many people howled. Now the majority of Canadian motorists buckle up without a second thought - and are safer as a result. Some of that same safety ethos should be extended to protect the people these drivers might encounter. Charles Feaver 11 Harvard Ave Winnipeg R3M 0J6 204.293.6332

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HealthyPlan.City is Here!
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

*Start Using HealthyPlan.City* The first of the HealthyDesign.City <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> project tools, HealthyPlan.City, has been released! This version of HealthyPlan.City focuses on identifying urban heat islands in Canadian cities. The tool, developed by leading environmental health researchers and epidemiologists, uses environmental exposure data and Canadian Census data to identify areas of equity priority in over 150 Canadian cities. The tool draws attention to neighbourhoods with both a greater proportion of vulnerable populations and higher land surface temperatures and fewer trees and green spaces that help cool temperatures. “This free tool is really a watershed moment for environmental health, healthy city planning and open science in Canada,” Jeff Brook, a Co-Director of the HealthyDesign.city project and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, said. “Every city in Canada now has access to data showing where they need to focus their energies to support residents at risk for heat-related health risks.” The fact that cities are hotter than rural areas is well-known. The tool provides a block-by-block snapshot of disparities in temperature and population vulnerabilities of urban areas. Proactively identifying areas with hotter temperatures where more older adults or low-income residents live and implementing cooling interventions in the area could save lives during a heat wave. The power and potential of this data visualization tool was showcased in a recent CBC series. You can read the CBC articles here: 1. Sweltering cities <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> 2. Here's who lives in your city's worst heat islands <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> 3. Cooling canopy <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> You can read the Radio-Canada articles here 1. Étouffer en ville <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> 2. Voici qui vit dans les pires îlots de chaleur de votre ville <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> 3. Au frais sous les arbres <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> Please feel free to share the tool with your colleagues and networks! Explore the Tool in English <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> Explore the Tool in French <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id…> *Copyright © 2022 HealthyDesign.City, All rights reserved.* You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. *Our mailing address is:* HealthyDesign.City 155 College St Room 500 Toronto, ON M5T 3M7 Canada Add us to your address book <https://city.us1.list-manage.com/vcard?u=1a3fced43d8438d6c8b88536f&id=87bb0…> [image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp] <http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm…>

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Imprinting car culture on young kids
by Beth McKechnie 13 Jul '22

13 Jul '22

Another example of programs inculcating car culture on young kids from today's Free Press: HE’S only six and has just arrived in Winnipeg from Ukraine, but Sviatoslav Nakonechna proudly made his first Canadian vehicle using a cardboard packing box and construction paper wheels. “I’m making a car, a huge car,” he proclaimed in Ukrainian to a group of visitors touring the nursery room at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church Monday, where 20 five- and six-year olds were building their own cardboard vehicles as part of an English language and life skills summer program. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/everyone-wins-at-summer-camp-for-uk…

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