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Active Transportation-Canada
by Beth McKechnie 21 Feb '14

21 Feb '14

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Terry Zdan <tjzdan50(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 3:18 PM Subject: Active Transportation-Canada Active Transportation Listserv Members: It is past due for a reminder of the new articles that have been posted on Active Transportation-Canada. Since the last notice, on February 1, links to more than 65 new items have been added. We all have our favourites, but here are a few that I found worthwhile reading: 1. Brisk Walking Delays Cognitive Decline in Older Adults <http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/brisk-walking-delays…> 2. Calgary - 1st Street cycle track to be debated by city committee<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/calgary-1st-street-c…> 3. Montreal winter Tour de l'Île kicks off inaugural edition<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/montreal-winter-tour…> 4. Bike share program coming to Hamilton this summer<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/bike-share-program-c…> 5. Edmonton's bike-lane plan unproven and costly<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/edmontons-bike-lane-…> 6. Call for Proposals: Present at the 2014 Ontario Bike Summit<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/call-for-proposals-p…> 7. Cycling infrastructure more economic than for other transport<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/cycling-infrastructu…> 8. Bike lane removal and relocation peddled by Edmonton councillor<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/bike-lane-removal-an…> 9. Build it and they will come: Peak car culture<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/build-it-and-they-wi…> 10. Canada - The Federal Election and Cycling<http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/2014/02/canada-federal-elect…> Or, just visit the home page and explore for yourself: http://activetransportation-canada.blogspot.ca/. If you are interested in Active Transportation isssues, I suspect you will find something worthwhile among the more than 2,800 items that have been posted. Michael Haynes Director TransActive Solutions -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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WFP: Leadership makes wheels turn - Political will a must to spur year-round cycling (Feb.18'14)
by Beth McKechnie 19 Feb '14

19 Feb '14

Leadership makes wheels turn Political will a must to spur year-round cycling in city ON ARCHITECTUREBy: Brent Bellamy http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/leadership-makes-wheels-turn-2459… Winnipeg played host last week to the second International Winter Cycling Congress. Nearly 200 delegates from across North America gathered to discuss the challenges of urban winter cycling and celebrate the benefits it can have for northern cities. The health and quality-of-life-benefits cycling as urban transportation can bring to the citizens of a city are obvious. Numerous studies show commuters who cycle are generally healthier; they feel less stress, sleep better and have more energy. Physically active employees often show improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and turnover. Beyond improving the well-being of its citizens, many cities that struggle to keep up with infrastructure deficits are beginning to understand the positive role investment in active transportation can have in building a sustainable city. As we construct sprawling suburbs, greater commuting distances increase vehicle time on the road, which, in turn, increases congestion levels. The response is often to build new roads or expand existing ones to accommodate higher traffic volumes at peak times. This increased capacity then drives new development even further out and the cycle begins again. By investing in initiatives such as public transit and cycling infrastructure, cities can begin to affect the urban-sprawl spiral, while incrementally reducing road construction and maintenance costs. At less than a tenth of the cost of a new road, construction of fully segregated bike lanes is an attractive option for cities interested in sustainable growth. For the first time, vehicle-ownership levels are declining in Canada and young people in particular are looking for alternative transportation options. Enticing even a small percentage of commuters to choose cycling can significantly affect overall traffic congestion. A study by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration indicated reducing the number of cars by only three per cent can lower peak rush-hour traffic by nearly 30 per cent. Realizing the benefits of reduced infrastructure spending through the provision of alternate transportation options is only effective if the strategy is successful year-round. A harsh winter climate is an obvious barrier to achieving these results. Delegates at the Winter Cycling Congress were inspired by the successful growth of four-season cycling in Minneapolis, a sprawling suburban metropolis that has been named the best cycling city in America, despite winter conditions similar to those in Winnipeg. Political leadership in Minneapolis has been dedicated to transforming the city's urban-cycling culture, making it a central component of overall transportation planning and a primary tool in its urban-design strategy. Widespread construction of dedicated bike lanes, urban zoning requirements for bike parking, rapid transit with bicycle-carrying capability and the implementation of a successful 170 station bike-share program has led to a 78 per cent increase in commuter cyclists since 2007. Despite being America's coldest major metropolitan area, winter cycling rates are growing three times faster than those in summer. Today, five per cent of Minneapolis residents bike to work (twice that of Winnipeg) and nearly 40 per cent of those cycle through the winter months. The most significant barrier to winter cycling participation is not temperature, but the perception of safety. Riders generally feel cold can be accommodated with proper clothing, but unsafe road conditions pose a deterrent that is difficult to overcome. The Twin Cities has addressed this issue by developing a system of paths that physically separate cars and bikes. Smaller street-side bike lanes connect to an innovative system of 'bicycle freeways' linking downtown and the suburbs along former rail lines. The eight-kilometre Midtown Greenway carries as many as 4,000 cyclists per day. The city has committed to clearing these paths within 24 hours of a snowfall, providing winter cyclists with a safe and efficient commuter path in all seasons. With winter participation rates growing, Minneapolis cyclists are experiencing safety in numbers as greater presence in the streets has heightened overall awareness and lowered accident rates. Similarly, in Montreal, a city that keeps 60 km of bike lanes clear from snow all winter, participation has grown by 70 per cent since 2009 with the number of accidents remaining constant. Winnipeggers often hide behind the excuse of cold winters to resist new ideas for improving our city's urban quality. Minneapolis should inspire us to embrace northern-city living and reap the benefits of becoming a year-round cycling community. The conditions for developing a four-season cycling culture in Winnipeg are more favourable than they were in Minneapolis. Our city is denser, it's smaller with far shorter commuting distances, a more highly concentrated downtown workforce and stronger initial participation levels. Both cities have ample sunshine and flat topography, each with rail lines and hydro corridors that could serve as 'bicycle freeways.' Climate and urban form are not the most important factors in developing an urban cycling culture. The common characteristic shared by all bike cities is political leadership that makes active-transportation policy a priority. These cities achieved high numbers of commuter cyclists through deliberate municipal-development decisions. They serve as a model for winter cities such as Winnipeg, demonstrating what is possible with strong political leadership committed to sustainable urban growth and healthy cities. Brent Bellamy is senior design architect for Number Ten Architectural Group. bbellamy(a)numberten.com Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 18, 2014 B5

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AT Webinar: Design for Cyclist and Pedestrian Comfort, Wed, Feb 19, 2-3pm, Ecocentre
by Beth McKechnie 19 Feb '14

19 Feb '14

*Apologies for the late notice regarding tomorrow's webinar due to being away at the excellent Winter Cycling Congress last week followed by the holiday Monday.* <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar at the EcoCentre (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave). This will be followed by group discussion of local applications. Description provided below. RSVPs are appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth / Jessie (204) 925-3772 ** * * * ** Design for Cyclist and Pedestrian Comfort Wednesday, February 19 | 2:00-3:00 pm CT Learn what tools some communities are using to make qualitative assessments of cycling and walking facilities. Case studies include San Francisco's Bicycle and Pedestrian Environmental Quality Indices and the Traffic Stress model developed at the Mineta Transportation Institute. *Presenters:* - Conor Semler, Kittelson and Associates - Megan Wier, San Francisco Department of Public Health - Peter Furth, Professor of Civil Engineering, Northeastern University

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New report: Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013
by Beth McKechnie 19 Feb '14

19 Feb '14

*The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013,* released today by Smart Growth America's National Complete Streets Coalition, highlights *15 communities that led the nation *in creating comprehensive Complete Streets policies last year. See the winning communities and download the full report: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/complete-streets-2013-analysis

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Now here is a bike trailer!
by Dave Elmore 16 Feb '14

16 Feb '14

http://cdn2.tinyhouseliving.com/wp-content/uploads/bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon -8-700x611.jpg bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon-3 bicycle-micro-gypsy-wagon-4

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Car Free Hamburg
by Dave Elmore 16 Feb '14

16 Feb '14

http://www.02b.com/en/notices/2014/01/hamburg_sets_out_to_become_a_car-free_ city_in_20_years_6403.php Hamburg sets out to become a car-free city in 20 years Hamburg is virtually to become a car-free city in 20 years Hamburg City Council has disclosed ambitious plans to divert most cars away from its main thoroughfares in twenty years. In order to do so, local authorities are to connect pedestrian and cycle lanes in what is expected to become a large green network. In all, the Grünes Netz <http://www.hamburg.de/gruenes-netz/> (Green Web) plan envisages eliminating the need for automoviles within two decades. By connecting the entire urban centre with its outskirts Hamburg is expecting to smooth inner traffic flow. In all, the northernmost city is to lay out new green areas and connect them with the existing parks, community gardens and cementeries. Upon completion of the plan Hamburg will pride itself on having over 17,000 acres of green spaces, making up 40% of the citys area. According to an official, the ambitious plan will reduce the need to take the car for weekend outings outside the city. The entire city centre is to be linked with its outskirts by an extensive network of pedestrian and cycle lanes Although vehicles are not to be banned from the main thoroughfares, the council expects residents and tourists alike to be able to explore the city exclusively on bike and foot. At the same time, the green ring will play a crutial role to help the metropolis fight against rising temperatures and urban flooding. The average temperature in Germanys second-largest city has risen by 9 degrees Celsius in scarcely half a century, experts warn. As regards to leisure, the interspersed patches of green areas will let residents "hike, swim, do water sports, enjoy picnics and restaurants, experience calm and watch nature and wildlife right in the city.

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Calgary Herald: Who rides a bike in winter? Study sheds light (Feb.11'14)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

Who rides a bike in winter? Study sheds light on thousands of urban winter cyclists in Calgary<http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2014/02/11/who-rides-a-bike-in-winter-study-…> February 11, 2014. 6:24 am * Section: Pedal<http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/category/calgary/pedal/> http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2014/02/11/who-rides-a-bike-in-winter-study-… The average winter cyclist in Calgary is a middle-aged man who rides almost every day, usually to work, and will brave temperatures down to -20 C and colder to do so. That's some of the initial findings of a project from the University of Calgary <http://www.ucalgary.ca/> that is shedding light on heretofore enigmatic winter cyclists in Calgary, those sometimes misunderstood and maligned people who ride their bikes through Calgary's long and ever-fluctuating dark season and have become a major part of the debate over cycling in Calgary. The project is being spearheaded by Dr. Farnaz Sadeghpour in the Schulich School of Engineering <http://www.schulich.ucalgary.ca/> and is designed to teach engineering students the importance of engaging with the community and users before designing solutions to real-life civic problems. The nice side-benefit to the project is that it gathers data on winter cycling in Calgary. Sadeghpour, a passionate professor, recently agreed to show me the data that has been collected so far, and work with me to present it here. It's still early in the process and she has yet to do much serious analysis, but after attending the world'sfirst winter bicycle conference in Finland <http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2013/02/13/never-mind-the-plows-five-things-…>last year and seeing how little information has been collected about winter cyclists anywhere in the world, I don't think it's a stretch to say this may be the most advanced project of its kind in the world. This is the third year in which Sadeghpour will ask her students to stand at strategic places around the city and stop cyclists during the evening commuting hours with a survey that asks questions about themselves and their cycling habits. In the first year, the project was limited to about 100 cyclists on the then-newly painted bike lanes on 10th St. N.W. Last year, it was expanded throughout downtown and captured more than 2,000 different cyclists in all kinds of winter weather. This winter, the project will focus even more on downtown. Sadeghpour loves to speak about how the project gives her students a chance to tackle a pressing issue in the city -- she has even involved planners at City Hall to help judge students' final designs- but what grabbed me most was what the data revealed about winter cyclists in the city. These highlights were pulled from the 2013 data: * Most of the winter cyclists were male (more than 70 per cent). Most were over 35 years old, and the biggest segment was those older than 44. * More than 30 per cent said they ride when the temperature dips as low as -20 C, and nearly 25 per cent will ride no matter how cold it gets. That means about 55 per cent of them say they ride to -20 C or colder. * The most common distance travelled was 10 kilometres, but many cyclists travelled much farther distances. Nearly 30 per cent said their ride was longer than 10 kilometres, a distance Sadeghpour notes is farther than has been recorded in academic literature from any other city. * Fifty six per cent of survey respondents said they were on their bikes as part of their commute. The second most common reason for riding in winter was recreation and exercise. * The biggest safety concern of the 2,100 cyclists surveyed was ice and snow, which was cited by 30 per cent of respondents. Lane width (which also includes proximity to moving vehicles), poor pavement, and gravel were also areas of concern. * When asked where bike routes should be expanded, 38 per cent said downtown, 36 per cent said routes into downtown, and 25 per cent said communities. * A quarter of respondents said their bike trip was supplemented by another form of transportation. Among those, 44 per cent said their multimodal trip included a car, while 35 per cent said transit. * More than 75 per cent of winter cyclists said they own a car. What does all this mean? Sadeghpour is reluctant to read too much into the early data. It did, however, point out some intriguing things to me. The data contradicts some common perceptions of winter cyclists in many ways. The vision of cyclists being aggressive young men is only partly true. Yes, most are men, but they aren't necessarily young. The single biggest segment, 33 per cent of respondents, were 44-years-old or older. The data also suggests they are committed commuters who let little stop them from riding, including cold weather. In fact, I was surprised to see more than half will ride when the temperature reaches -20 C or colder. Assumptions are often made about northern cities being unsuitable for cycling because of the cold. Considering the temperature last winter reached -20 C or colder only four times, according to Environment Canada<http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climateData/dailydata_e.html?timeframe=2&Prov=…>, that means there aren't many days that would be considered too cold to ride for most winter cyclists. (So far this winter, 13 days have been colder than -20 C). A bigger challenge to those surveyed, however, is snow and ice, which was cited as the biggest concern. Cracks in the pavement, gravel and proximity to vehicles were also big concerns, which underscores the importance of road and pathway maintenance, snow clearing, and good-quality infrastructure. All of this is important information because Sadeghpour says it offers insight into one of the bigger questions facing civic leaders as they consider ways of making the city more bicycle friendly: In a city as cold as Calgary, is it worth investing in bicycle infrastructure? It's proving to be a contentious question these days, so this data may prove to be crucial. Sadeghpour says a great addition to the data would be querying people who don't ride in winter to find out what is stopping them. For now, however, she plans to repeat this project every year, building up our understanding of what motivates people to ride bikes in winter and how city leaders can accommodate them, if they choose to. This student assignment could wind up to be an essential resource as Calgary evolves.

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Calgary Herald: Cycle track deserves to get some traction (Feb.7'14)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

Graham: Cycle track deserves to get some traction BY BRUCE GRAHAM, CALGARY HERALD FEBRUARY 7, 2014 http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/op-ed/Graham+Cycle+track+deserves+some… Calgary's proposed cycle track network has been creating quite a buzz around town lately and we wanted to weigh in on this issue. You may wonder why we, as Calgary's leading economic development organization, care about a cycle track network for Calgary. Well, as the promotional agency tasked with attracting and retaining the best talent, as well as promoting our business and lifestyle advantages around the world, a cycle track network will help us do just that. It may be less obvious than an increase in healthy lifestyle or taking tailpipes off the roads, but an inner city cycle track network can boost business. In Colorado, cycling brought more than $1 billion to the state's local economy, and in New York, after the installation of a protected bike lane, retail sales increased by as much as 49 per cent compared to a three per cent increase in sales citywide during the same period. When San Francisco optimized Valencia Street for cyclists and pedestrians, nearly 40 per cent of merchants reported increased sales and 60 per cent reported more area residents shopping locally due to reduced travel time and convenience. Travelling by bike encourages more frequent stops than travelling by car; a study of Toronto merchants revealed that patrons arriving by foot and bicycle visited the most often and spent the most money per month. It goes without saying that parking the car and jumping on your Trek is good for your health, but it's also good for the health of the community. Business owners would be interested in a study done by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, which found that cycling reduced employee absenteeism -- specifically, the employees who cycled to work regularly missed less work, on average more than one day per year less than colleagues who didn't. And a Minnesota company that encouraged its employees to bike to work saved $170,000 in health care over three years and $301,000 through increased employee productivity every year. And then there's the social reputation factor: The "I didn't know the city built on energy invested in commuter bike lanes." And make no mistake, it is an investment. This is a prime example of the kind of selling feature we use when telling Calgary's story around the world. People want to live in a city that invests in making the lives of its citizens better. Sixty-two per cent of recent transplants to Portland, Ore., said that the city's bike friendliness was a factor in their decision to move there. By 2018, Calgary's population is expected to grow by more than 150,000 people. We'd love to add the cycle track network to our people-attraction tool kit before we see tens of thousands of new cars added to our morning commute. The major benefit of dedicated bike lanes is they help pedestrians, motorists, transit users and cyclists coexist safely. Even in Calgary's harshest weather, you'll see many diehard cyclists making their way to work, and these numbers would increase if we made their commute safer. After New York City installed their first protected bike lane (the first in the U.S.), they saw a reduction in injuries to all street users by 58 per cent. Calgary drivers will be the first to say that the unpredictability of cyclists sharing the narrow downtown roadways makes them nervous for the safety of the cyclists and themselves. A cycle track network in Calgary gives commuters a reliable alternative to driving, while ensuring the well-being of both cyclists and motorists. Calgary is already well suited to adopting a cycle track network and here's why. With the most expensive parking in Canada, our citizens have already shown us they would happily utilize this healthy and fun mode of transportation. The first leg of the cycle track network runs on 7th Street S.W., and over the course of a year (2012-2013), the number of bikes quadrupled per day. Pedestrians were happier too, as the number of cyclists riding on the sidewalk went down by 25 per cent. At 700 kilometres, Calgary has the longest paved urban pathway system on the continent. With the addition of a downtown cycle track (and Calgary Transit's recent announcement that all new buses will have bike racks), commuters can safely and efficiently travel from their homes in any quadrant of the city into the core. Calgarians may be surprised (and hopefully delighted) to learn that over the past five years, a multitude of downtown building owners have added up to 2,000 bike parking stalls in their buildings, telling their tenants and their employees they support their desire to embrace diverse transportation options. We realize adoption will take time and people want to be involved in the process to understand where the proposed network will go and how it impacts them. We encourage Calgarians looking for more information on the cycle track network, to stop by the CORE Shopping Centre, Plus-15 level, by Holt Renfrew, this Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to talk to the cycle track network team. Bruce Graham is president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. (c) Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

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Bicycle Safety Education for Children From a Developmental And Learning Perspective
by Terry Zdan 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

*Subject:* Children & Bicycling Research For your reference, NHTSA has just produced a new publication entitled Bicycle Safety Education for Children From a Developmental And Learning Perspective: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/bicycles/pdf/Bicycle_Safety_Education_… -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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WFP: Winter cycling focus of congress (Feb.10'14)
by Beth McKechnie 11 Feb '14

11 Feb '14

Winter cycling focus of congressWinnipeg welcomes experts, advocates By: Bartley Kives http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winter-cycling-focus-of-congress-244… The coldest winter in decades has proven challenging to year-round cyclists in Winnipeg, but not because of the temperatures alone. In late December and early January, people who use bikes to get around uttered many of the same complaints motorists made about the condition of the city's streets. The heavy ruts that made driving difficult a month ago also made cycling frustrating and dangerous, especially on routes where cars and bikes are expected to share the road. Although road conditions have improved, Winnipeg's recent transportation headaches will provide a timely backdrop for a gathering of international winter-cycling advocates and experts known as the Winter Cycling Congress. Beginning this Wednesday, approximately 170 delegates and speakers will spend three days in the Manitoba capital, sharing ideas about making winter cycling easier, safer and more accessible. Conference director Anders Swanson said slightly less than half the participants are coming from outside the province, including delegates from European and North American cities and towns where the winter climate is similar to that of subarctic Winnipeg. "What we're trying to do is change the conversation in terms of what is possible for year-round transportation," said Swanson, who travelled to Oulu, Finland, for the 2013 conference before lobbying to bring the event here this year. "We're trying to connect places that know what they're doing with places that are learning to fully embrace the bicycle year-round." As recently as the 1990s, the only people who rode bikes year-round in Winnipeg were couriers and a handful of die-hard commuters. Now, both recreational cyclists and commuter cyclists are a common winter sight, albeit in modest numbers. The main obstacle is not cold, but road conditions. "On some of the colder days, you have to bundle up a bit more," Swanson said. "In my experience, in cities that take care of winter cycling infrastructure properly, the cold really doesn't matter." Swanson said several Scandinavian cities are among the world leaders in this capacity, but that's hardly surprising considering the immense popularity of warm-weather commuter cycling in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The challenge in North America -- and in Winnipeg in particular -- is to convince cash-strapped municipal authorities to devote more resources to clearing bike paths and bike lanes. Swanson said he believes the City of Winnipeg is doing the best it can. "I have no interest in suggesting there's any problem this winter, when we've had a lot of cold and a lot of snow," he said. Still, delegates to the Winter Cycling Congress will hear from a range of Scandinavian and Canadian panellists about ways to improve winter street and bikeway maintenance. Other conference topics include sessions on the design of the perfect winter bike, winter cycling fashion and the creation of other modes of alternative winter transportation, from Winnipeg's river trail to a curb-side commuter-skating trail in Vancouver. The conference was timed to take place the same week as this Friday's Winter Bike To Work Day, the 130-kilometre Actif Epica winter race on Saturday and Sunday's Icebike race. The Forks also hoped to extend its river skating and walking trail to the University of Manitoba by this weekend, but the weather would not co-operate. "We came up against the worst conditions on the Red River we've ever encountered," said Paul Jordan, chief operating officer at The Forks. The presence of almost more than two metres of snow on the Red insulated the surface, creating dangerous slush that made the southern extension of the trail impossible, he said. Jordan nonetheless expects existing river trail sections to be visited by the roughly 75 out-of-province Winter Cycling Congress delegates as they explore downtown Winnipeg by bike. "This conference has really exploded," Jordan said. "There are a lot of cities looking at doing more (with active transportation) during the winter." bartley.kives(a)freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 10, 2014 A6

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