- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP OpEd: Funding transit is Manitoba’s future (May27'26)
by Beth McKechnie 27 May '26

27 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Funding transit is Manitoba’s future MEL MARGINET https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/2026/05/27/funding-trans… WHEN it comes to making decisions about how to spend our tax dollars, Manitobans want governments to spend on programs and services that tackle as many priorities as possible. Few funding decisions will be as high-impact and multi-purpose as the restoration of 50-50 transit funding with municipalities. Under the 50-50 agreement, the province covers half of the operational spending budget for conventional and accessible transit. Manitobans are under increasing pressure financially. To date, the current Manitoba government’s strategy has been to reduce or eliminate taxes on gasoline and groceries. The results of this approach will see those with the highest amount to spend receive the greatest benefit. Those who drive rarely or never, or have the most efficient vehicles, get little to no savings. The provincial government did introduce a free youth transit pass in the 2026 budget, and that is a positive gesture indeed. However, the underfunding of transit in Winnipeg and Brandon means youth might have a free pass for a bus which rarely comes, and when it does it might be so full it simply passes them by. Sadly, the youth pass may also lead to even more overcrowding on buses struggling to keep up with demand. To accompany the youth pass, we need increased investment in operations. Manitoba municipalities are under stress to keep up with rising infrastructure costs and service demands. The federal government’s latest budget — promising a generational amount of spending for Canadian cities — has served as a sobering reality check. The $51 billion over a decade will cover between five and 18 per cent of the maintenance Canadian cities need now, just to cover what’s already built. We’re reminded of this in Winnipeg each year when we spend a “record amount” of money on roads, only to find ourselves with rising infrastructure debt. How does provincial funding for transit help? It supports municipalities, improves service and generates local economic benefits. The majority of money spent on personal vehicles in Manitoba leaves the local economy. Money spent on transit, however, is incredibly local, since a majority of the cost to run the service is labour. Manitoba also has an added economic driver: we are home to New Flyer, meaning even the capital costs for new buses are dollars that stay here in Manitoba. Improved transit systems, leading to more riders, reduce the wear-and-tear on our roads and associated costs of maintenance. Some may point to Winnipeg’s move to a spine-and-feeder system, and the challenges it has faced, as a reason to not restore the 50-50 funding. Yet Edmonton, which also revamped its transit network to a spine-and-feeder system, has seen a resulting 23 per cent rider increase. I’m going to guess that the 52 per cent more per capita that Edmonton spends on transit has something to do with that success. In April 2026, the Climate Action Team Manitoba published an article, What is 50-50 Transit Funding — and How Much Might It Cost the Province?, in which it ran several scenarios, from keeping spending at the status quo, all the way to increasing operating spending by 50 per cent. The result? To restore 50-50 transit funding provincewide, the provincial government would need to spend between $5 million and $90 million per year, depending on how much municipalities decide to increase their spending by. In 2024, the gas tax holiday cost the province $340 million. On that note, we also need to think about the future of the province we live in. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars to save the biggest spenders in the province money at the pump (which, again, is money that is leaving our local economy), we could invest in improving the transit systems in our cities for generations to come. Young people in Canada are driving substantially less than previous generations, and the cities to which we are losing those young people (Edmonton, Calgary, Minneapolis, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) are investing heavily in their public transit systems. Cities that are friendly to those who cannot drive, or want to drive less, are also nicer places for seniors to age. If you are someone who cares about affordability, air quality and road safety, you will want to see a financial investment in transit. Restoring 50-50 transit funding will make a positive and tangible impact on day-to-day life for the majority of Manitobans. Mel Marginet is part of the sustainable transportation team at Green Action Centre and the publisher at Great Plains Press, which publishes The City Project.

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FW: Manitoba News Release: Manitoba Government Invests $100,000 to Expand Affordable Year-Round Recreation in Winnipeg
by Kevin Miller 26 May '26

26 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. [Manitoba News Release] May 26, 2026 Manitoba Government Invests $100,000 to Expand Affordable Year-Round Recreation in Winnipeg The Manitoba government is investing $100,000 through the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program to support the Winnipeg Trails Association’s GearBox project, a community-based initiative that expands access to year-round cycling and skiing opportunities, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced today. “Every community deserves affordable ways to stay active and enjoy the outdoors year-round,” said Simard. “By supporting the great work of the Winnipeg Trails Association, we’re helping more people in Winnipeg access the incredible cycling and skiing opportunities our city has to offer. This investment ensures that families, youth, newcomers and people of all abilities can experience the joy of movement, build confidence and connect with their neighbourhoods in meaningful ways.” With this investment, the organization will expand its reach, strengthen community partnerships and continue creating spaces where people can learn, play and thrive, the minister noted, adding that the GearBox project is an innovative, community‑driven initiative that expands access to independent recreation, active transportation and outdoor learning opportunities for people across Winnipeg. “This investment supports a project that removes barriers, builds confidence and creates opportunities for all kinds of people, including those who may not otherwise have easy access to a few different important kinds of outdoor recreation or transportation,” said Anders Swanson, executive director, Winnipeg Trails Association. “The GearBox project brings pop-up storage to public spaces like schools and community centres, fills them with skis, bikes, trail building tools or gardening gear and opens it up to community programming. The idea is to make it easier for groups of people to get together, to plan outings, to plant new trees along trails, to ski, to explore their communities and to make the city more fun and sustainable.” The investment will help the Winnipeg Trails Association continue its work improving the quality of Winnipeg’s infrastructure by sharing best practices, offering access to equipment and delivering programs that strengthen neighbourhoods. The organization’s projects range from bike repair and ski lending to tree planting, trail building, traffic calming initiatives and Indigenous language revitalization activities designed to make Winnipeg healthier, more connected and more inclusive. The From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program supports community renewal efforts, community capital projects and youth initiatives. Non-profit organizations, Northern Affairs community councils and municipalities can apply for funding. The program received a $1-million increase in Budget 2025. In 2025-26, the Manitoba government committed over $12.29 million to support 208 community development projects across Manitoba. For more information on Winnipeg Trails Association, visit https://winnipegtrails.ca/. To learn more about the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/grants/. - 30 - ________________________________ For more information: * Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:mgi@gov.mb.ca> or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744. * Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom(a)gov.mb.ca<mailto:newsroom@gov.mb.ca>. * Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom(a)manitoba.ca<mailto:cabcom@manitoba.ca>. Please be advised that this email account is not monitored for inquiries or followup questions. You can also follow us x.com/mbgovnews<http://x.com/mbgovnews>. Ce compte de courriel n’est pas surveillé et vous ne recevrez pas de réponse à vos demandes d’information ou questions. Vous pouvez aussi nous suivre au x.com/mbgovnews<http://x.com/mbgovnews>.

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WFP: Everybody on the bike bus! (May25'26)
by Beth McKechnie 25 May '26

25 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Winnipeg schools inspired to join viral phenomenon Everybody on the bike bus! https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/05/25/everybody-on-the-… BOBBY Beattie leads Winnipeg’s newest biker gang by blasting a bubble machine and Pancake Robot, among other kid-friendly song requests, from a boombox attached to his cargo ebike. Beattie’s squad of schoolchildren and parent volunteers on wheels stop dog walkers and drivers in their tracks when they travel around Corydon. That’s one of the many goals of the “bike bus” — to remind drivers they’re sharing city streets with children. “On one hand, it’s about kids getting to school safely and participating in this active transit,” Beattie said after dropping his eight-year-old twins and their peers off at Earl Grey School last week. “On the other hand, it’s an educational moment because through showing them proper riding etiquette, we can teach them the skills they need to stay safe, even when they’re not biking in a group, and I think that’s equally important.” Inspired by the growing bike bus movement, both locally and internationally, Beattie successfully pitched the idea to the principal and parent council at Earl Grey in the fall. The concept blew up in 2022 when Sam Balto, a phys-ed teacher in Portland, Ore., went viral for his bike bus videos. Balto (@coachbalto) has since launched the non-profit Bike Bus World and hosted Justin Timberlake, Zara Larsson and other celebrities on rides. Inspired by Balto, École Provencher boasts what is believed to be the first and longest-running bike bus in Manitoba. It was founded in 2023 by teacher- librarian Suzanne Simpson and Ian Walker, a father at the St. Boniface elementary school who is currently the chair of Safe Speeds Winnipeg. “The kids at school call it the ‘party bus’ and I agree — it is like attending a party on your way to work,” Simpson said, adding it’s been heartening to see students get exercise, enjoy the outdoors and socialize during commutes. The St. Boniface-area bike bus has grown to include students from Provencher and nearby École Henri-Bergeron, a three-minute bike ride away. A recent run drew about 70 participants. Sage Creek School’s bike bus, which is coordinated by teacher Amanda Lake, attracted nearly 50 students on a recent spring day. Lake credited the program’s success to a new policy she helped create: students in the Louis Riel School Division can now join bike buses without a parent present, as long as their family signs a waiver. Prior to her first group ride of the year, she helped put on a bike repair night for families across the division on May 7 at École Howden. Howden, as well as Winnipeg’s École St. Germain and Robert H. Smith School, are also organizing bike buses this year. One Grade 3 member of Earl Grey’s squad said being a part of the new cycling group makes him feel like a celebrity in the neighbourhood. Pete, an eight-year-old rider who describes himself as “really fast,” said he was excited to learn about the initiative this year. “It sounded really fun and I love biking,” Pete said, adding one of his favourite parts of the morning commute is dodging potholes. Beattie rounded up volunteers to organize an assembly, surveyed interested families on intersections near their houses to create a route and secured high-vis equipment so they could host the first ride in early May. It’s critical that adults are trained to monitor intersections and keep all riders safe, he said. The “sweep” of the group carries a first aid kit. Nearly 30 people, including 10 students, joined the morning bike bus — also known as a “bicibús” at the Spanish bilingual school — on Friday. “Childhood should include a little independence and a little adventure,” Beattie said. “It should mean riding to school with your friends instead of sitting in a line of cars. It should mean parents getting to know their neighbours instead of waving through windshields.” Long before bike buses were a viral phenomenon, Beattie purchased a cargo ebike in a shade branded as “school bus yellow.” As is, it’s an appropriate vehicle to lead the pack to and from Earl Grey on Fridays throughout the spring, but he’s taken his decor one step further by equipping it with a school bus-themed children’s tent. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca>

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CBC: Woman in unstable condition after being struck by vehicle near St. John's Park in Winnipeg: police (May23'26)
by Beth McKechnie 23 May '26

23 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Woman in unstable condition after being struck by vehicle near St. John's Park in Winnipeg: police Pedestrian seriously injured in collision near intersection of Main Street and Mountain Avenue on Thursday https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-st-john-s-pedestrian-colli… A woman is in unstable condition after she was struck by a vehicle near St. John's Park in Winnipeg late Thursday afternoon. Officers responded to a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian near the intersection of Main Street and Mountain Avenue just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Winnipeg police said in a news release on Saturday morning. The pedestrian — a woman in her 50s — was seriously injured and was taken to hospital in unstable condition, police said. Police told CBC News that officials haven't received an update on the woman's condition as of Saturday morning. The driver, who was operating a 2024 Mazda CX-50 sports utility vehicle, wasn't hurt. Police say she remained on scene and spoke with officers. Northbound Main Street was closed to traffic for a period of time while police investigated the collision.

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WFP Editorial: Province must resume role in transit funding (May12'26)
by Beth McKechnie 12 May '26

12 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. EDITORIAL Province must resume role in transit funding https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/2026/05/12/province-mu… FOR a province that claims to be serious about fighting climate change, reducing traffic congestion and building more livable communities, Manitoba’s approach to public transit makes very little sense. The provincial government has found room in its budgets for broad-based tax cuts on gasoline and groceries — measures that disproportionately benefit higher-income households — yet it continues to leave Winnipeg Transit largely on its own financially. That needs to change. The Kinew government should restore the 50/50 transit funding agreement with the City of Winnipeg, a long-standing arrangement scrapped by the former Progressive Conservative government in 2016. Under that model, transit operating costs were shared equally between the province and the city. Its cancellation was penny-wise and pound-foolish. A decade later, the consequences are showing up every day at bus stops across Winnipeg. Transit service has deteriorated. Riders routinely deal with buses that don’t show up, overcrowded buses that pass them by and unreliable schedules that make getting to work, school or appointments unnecessarily stressful. Even the city’s much-publicized new transit network, implemented last year, failed to solve the core problem because it reshuffled routes and eliminated hundreds of bus stops without adding the resources needed to improve service. You can redesign routes all you want, but if there aren’t enough buses, drivers and operating dollars behind the system, riders will still be stranded. That frustration was on full display Saturday at the Manitoba legislature, where more than 100 demonstrators gathered to call for better transit funding. Organized by Climate Action Team Manitoba and the Amalgamated Transit Union, the rally featured a simple but powerful message: more buses, more routes and more reliable service. Public transit is not a luxury service, it is essential infrastructure. For many Winnipeggers — particularly students, seniors, low-income residents and people with disabilities — public transit is their primary connection to jobs, education, health care and daily life. When buses are unreliable, those residents pay the highest price. The province often talks about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation is one of the largest contributors to emissions in Manitoba. If government genuinely wants fewer cars on the road, it must provide people with a realistic alternative. Reliable public transit reduces congestion, lowers emissions and cuts wear and tear on roads and infrastructure. But the City of Winnipeg cannot shoulder the burden alone. Winnipeg will spend roughly $128.6 million on transit operations in 2026, increasing to $133.8 million in 2027, excluding fare revenue. Provincial operating support, meanwhile, has remained flat at about $42 million since 2017. Adjusted for inflation, that’s a funding cut. The province deserves some credit for dedicating about $10 million in its 2026 budget to provide free transit for kindergarten to Grade 12 students in several Manitoba communities, including Winnipeg. That policy may help families with costs and encourage younger people to use transit. But free fares are of limited value if buses are late, overcrowded or absent altogether. Governments reveal their priorities through spending decisions, and right now Manitoba is prioritizing politically popular tax cuts over longterm investments in public infrastructure. Broad-based tax reductions on gasoline and groceries may generate headlines, but they are poorly targeted tools for affordability. Higher-income households benefit the most because they spend more on fuel and consumer goods. Meanwhile, those tax cuts drain public revenues that could be used for more pressing needs. Restoring 50/50 transit funding would not solve every challenge facing Winnipeg Transit overnight, but it would represent a serious commitment to building a transportation system that is reliable, accessible and capable of meeting the needs of a growing city.

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WFP: Ready, set… MERGE: it’s construction time again (May9'26)
by Beth McKechnie 11 May '26

11 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Ready, set… MERGE: it’s construction time again City has $158M in budget for roads https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/05/08/ready-set-merge-c… THE orange traffic cones, road signs and work crews appearing all over the city mean the annual race has begun to complete all of the street construction projects planned before the end of the year. There is an estimated $156.8 million in the civic budget for local and regional road improvement this year. “The season is intense, because we have a short window of time,” Coun. Janice Lukes, the public works committee chair said Friday, kicking off the city’s construction season alongside Mayor Scott Gillingham. This year’s major projects include the rehabilitation of the Lagimodiere twin overpass, a new bike lane on Edmonton Street and the renewal of St. Mary’s Road from the south Perimeter to the Floodway. “Every spring, of course, one of the big questions that Winnipeggers ask us is: ‘What roads are getting fixed this year and when will it begin?’ The answer, of course… is a lot of them,” Gillingham said. Work to demolish the Arlington Bridge is also set to start this season. The city said in total, crews will be constructing or improving 175-lane kilometres of roads, improving 50 sidewalk locations and working on 15 kilometres of bike lanes and active transportation pathways. The corridor pathway from Church Avenue to Selkirk Avenue and from Leila Avenue to Daylan Marshall Gate Park, was highlighted Friday alongside the introduction of a protected bike lane on Sherbrook Street from Broadway to Cumberland Avenue. Budget allocations for road improvements dropped slightly this year. Last year, the city dedicated $165 million for street improvements. Both figures are part of a larger, $1.1-billion capital plan to fix roads over six years, which Gillingham said is the largest such investment in Winnipeg’s history. “We know that construction season can be frustrating,” he said. “Nobody likes detours, lane reductions or orange cones but, of course, every one of these projects is about improving how people move around our city — whether they drive, bike, walk or take transit.” Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association CEO Shaun Jeffrey said businesses need early and accurate information from the city on how construction projects are going to affect their customers’ access. “It’s huge. It’s massive,” he said, noting the restaurant industry is already struggling because of inflation. Jeffrey said he would like the city to proactively reach out to industry groups such as his to ensure they know what they’re up against as a result of planned street work. “Nobody… wants to sit on a patio with construction sitting in front of it,” he said. Gillingham said city staff will ensure there is proper communication, both printed and online. Businesses will benefit in the long run from better infrastructure for decades to come, he said. “Our staff will be — and should be — doing all they can to mitigate the timeline of the work that’s being done, to get the projects up, staged (and) completed as soon as possible.” morgan.modjeski(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Activists, union call on province to match Transit funding (May9'26)
by Beth McKechnie 11 May '26

11 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Activists, union call on province to match Transit funding https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/05/09/activists-union-c… DEMONSTRATORS brought a city bus Saturday to the stairs of the Manitoba legislature, where more than 100 people called on the province to better support transit through dedicated funding. “My parents actually met in 1966 on the Ellice bus, so transit has a long history in my family,” said musician John Samson Fellows, who wrote a new song specifically for the event. “The overarching theme is contained in the [song’s] phrase: ‘More buses. More routes. More accessible to everyone.’” Organized by Climate Action Team Manitoba and the local Amalgamated Transit Union, the rally called for a 50/50 transit-funding agreement that would see increases in city transit spending split dollar-for-dollar with the province moving forward. Kakeká Thundersky, the action team’s northern and rural engagement coordinator, said the restoration of 50/50 funding by the province — cancelled in 2016 by the former Conservative government — would make transit better and life easier for her and her two daughters. “Right now, riding the bus is kind of hit-or-miss,” she said. “I wouldn’t have to leave an hour before something just to get there. “There’s been so many times we’ve been turned around because there’s not enough room for us. Then there’s been times where there is space for us, but (it’s) overcrowded, so there’s nowhere to sit.” She hopes more resources for transit would also lead to fewer cars on the road, less pollution and a healthier environment for her kids. The union representing transit drivers also called for more investment in transit. “With proper funding, it makes the routes more reliable and it makes drivers a lot less stressed,” said James Van Gerwan, president of ATU 1505, which represents 1,400 drivers in Winnipeg and Brandon. As Winnipeg’s population grows, the transit system needs to keep up, he said. “We need to build a city that’s built around transit, not build transit around the city.” Excluding service revenue, Winnipeg will spend about $128.6 million in 2026 and increase that to $133.8 million in 2027, according to the city’s budget. Provincial funding spent on Winnipeg Transit has stayed flat since 2017 at roughly $42 million, according to budget documents. In its 2026 budget, the province dedicated about $10 million to provide free transit to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk and Flin Flon. Glen Simard, Manitoba’s minister of municipal relations, was not made available for an interview, but said in a statement that the province is investing in transit. “We’ve increased support for municipalities year after year because we know strong communities depend on reliable, stable and predictable funding increases,” he said. The statement did not address calls for 50/50 funding, but said the introduction of free transit for students will help families with the cost of living while encouraging more people to use public transit. In an emailed statement Saturday, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham’s office said the city would welcome any additional funding support for transit from other levels of government. morgan.modjeski(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Suspended drive struck cyclist (May8'26)
by Beth McKechnie 08 May '26

08 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. SUSPENDED DRIVER STRUCK CYCLIST: POLICE WINNIPEG police say a pickup truck driver who struck a cyclist near Dugald and Murdock roads in Transcona on Wednesday had a suspended licence. Winnipeg Police Service officers were called at about 5:30 a.m.; they found an injured 23-year-old man in the ditch off Dugald Road, just east of Murdock Road, and gave him first aid until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to hospital, where he remains in critical, but stable, condition, police said on Thursday. The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup, a 27-year-old woman, remained at the scene and co-operated with officers, police said. Traffic investigators have confirmed she was driving with a suspended licence. They’re still investigating the case and have asked anyone with potentially relevant video footage, including from dashcams, security cameras or cell phones, to call their office at 204-986-7085<tel:204-986-7085>. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477<tel:204-786-8477>.

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WFP: Feedback wanted on final design for Omand’s Creek bridge (May7'26)
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '26

07 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Feedback wanted on final design for Omand’s Creek bridge https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/this-just-in/feedback-wanted-on-final-des… The public is being asked for input on the final design of the new Omand’s Creek pedestrian bridge. The City of Winnipeg has now examined several designs for the bridge and want the public to say which is their favourite, said a city release Thursday. The current bridge needs to be replaced, as it’s poorly designed and prone to flooding. Residents are being asked about how the proposed designs support people in the park and how well it balances accessibility with nature. An online survey is open until June 14. Residents can also attend two drop-in events on June 2 at the park and June 9 at the Wolseley Farmers Market. More information about the designs and the survey can be found at winnipeg.ca/omandscreekbridge.<http://winnipeg.ca/omandscreekbridge> * * * * * [Survey link: https://winnipeg.surveymonkey.com/r/2QJXSPW]

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WFP: Cyclist struck in south Transcona (May7'26)
by Beth McKechnie 07 May '26

07 May '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. CYCLIST STRUCK IN SOUTH TRANSCONA A CYCLIST is recovering in hospital after a crash with a pickup truck in South Transcona early Wednesday morning. First responders were called to the area of Dugald Road, near Murdock Road, around 5:30 a.m., a Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson said. One person, a cyclist, was transported to hospital in critical condition, but later upgraded to stable, WPS said. Investigators were spotted taking photos of the scene, while other police deployed a drone to capture an aerial view. A black pickup truck was parked on the shoulder of the road, near what appeared to be a bent bicycle laying in the ditch. More info: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/crash-cyclist-dugald-winnipeg-9.718…

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