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RCMP constables wait to form up for a parade before a Remembrance Day ceremony in Vancouver on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

RCMP’s much-needed reserve program grappling with numerous challenges: report

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:55 AM CST

OTTAWA - Challenges with recruitment, training, resources and overall management are hindering the RCMP's reserve program, even as reservists are being called on more than ever, says an internal evaluation report.

The newly released report says while the program helps fill RCMP staffing gaps across Canada, the lack of a clear mandate "results in inconsistencies and an inability of the program to meet current organizational needs."

The program is intended to hire RCMP members and former members of other Canadian police services for three-year terms to fill temporary vacancies.

Based on total hours, reservists filled the equivalent of about 173 full-time positions in 2024, up from about 155 positions in 2020, the November 2025 report says.

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In first interview, Canada’s envoy to Greenland says new post seeks ‘concrete’ gains

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

In first interview, Canada’s envoy to Greenland says new post seeks ‘concrete’ gains

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:56 AM CST

NUUK - The diplomat Canada has posted to Greenland says the new consulate should lead to "concrete" gains for Canadians, while locals urge Ottawa to expand existing trade and cultural ties with the Danish territory.

"This just kicks things into a new phase, a more intensive phase, being on the ground and having presence," said Julie Crôteau, Canada's acting consul in Greenland's capital Nuuk.

She gave The Canadian Press her first media interview since taking on the job last November.

"Working together to find common solutions to a lot of the challenges, and building jointly on opportunities that are available in the northern, Arctic context — especially in the world as it is these days — I think that will be a very, very big success," she said.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:56 AM CST

Former Greenland politician Tillie Martinussen is interviewed in Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Former Greenland politician Tillie Martinussen is interviewed in Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Reimer named Canada’s top doc

By Gabrielle Piché 4 minute read Preview

Reimer named Canada’s top doc

By Gabrielle Piché 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:57 AM CST

WINNIPEG — The physician who became a face of Manitoba’s COVID-19 response has a new title — Canada’s top doc.

Joss Reimer has been named Canada’s next chief public health officer. It’s a role once filled by Theresa Tam, who wore the shoes while Reimer was medical lead of Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force.

Reimer will start on April 1, federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced Friday. Her term lasts three years.

“I couldn’t be more grateful,” Reimer said, adding she’ll be working to fight medical misinformation and disinformation during her tenure. Her appointment comes as measles cases in Canada are spiking; Manitoba leads the pack with at least 157 cases so far this year.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:57 AM CST

Dr. Joss Reimer answers media questions during a press conference at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg in March 2020. Reimer has been named Canada’s next chief public health officer, and begins her three-year term on April 1. (The Canadian Press files)
Dr. Joss Reimer answers media questions during a press conference at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg in March 2020. Reimer has been named Canada’s next chief public health officer, and begins her three-year term on April 1. (The Canadian Press files)
Karrina Taylor performs in the lyrical dance solo, own choice, 12 years and under category, as seen in a double-exposure photograph, during Day 5 of the dance portion of the Brandon Festival of the Arts at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Thursday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

For love of dance

Dancers get chance to show their moves during the Brandon Festival of the Arts

By Tessa Adamski 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:13 AM CST

Volunteer tax-filing program returns for another year

2 minute read Preview

Volunteer tax-filing program returns for another year

2 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is gearing up to help low-income people file their taxes within the Prairie Mountain Health region.

The program is a collaboration between the Canada Revenue Agency and community organizations like the regional health authority, which bring volunteers together to prepare income tax returns for free.

The program ensures seniors, newcomers, students and all low-income residents maintain access to all the benefits they’re entitled to, Prairie Mountain Health said in a news release on Tuesday.

This includes GST refunds, the Canada child benefit, Manitoba Rent Assist, disability tax credits, Manitoba Pharmacare deductibles and more.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Feb. 23 marks the first day that Canadians can begin filing their income tax and benefit returns online. A Canada Revenue Agency sign in Ottawa is shown in a 2021 photo. (The Canadian Press files)
Feb. 23 marks the first day that Canadians can begin filing their income tax and benefit returns online. A Canada Revenue Agency sign in Ottawa is shown in a 2021 photo. (The Canadian Press files)

Fundraiser for teen killed in skiing accident nears $110K goal

By Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Preview

Fundraiser for teen killed in skiing accident nears $110K goal

By Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

WINNIPEG — A fundraiser for a sports scholarship set up to honour the memory of a Winnipeg teenager who died after a skiing accident at Asessippi ski area last weekend raised more than $100,000 on its first day.

Cam Orloff died after being airlifted to Winnipeg from Russell last Saturday. He was 19.

The Cameron Orloff Memorial Sports Fund was set up on GoFundMe on Thursday in the wake of Orloff’s death. It has a goal of $110,000 and by Friday at 5:30 p.m., it was just over $1,000 from reaching that amount.

“Cameron Jack Orloff was a light in all of our lives and gone much too soon,” the fundraiser says.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Cameron Jack Orloff, 19, died after a skiing accident last weekend. (GoFundMe)
Cameron Jack Orloff, 19, died after a skiing accident last weekend. (GoFundMe)

Crossing lights installed after years of angst

By Skye Anderson 4 minute read Preview

Crossing lights installed after years of angst

By Skye Anderson 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Years of residents raising concerns over the safety of a crosswalk on one of Brandon’s busiest streets finally paid off this winter.

Crosswalk lights were installed in January at the intersection of 18th Street and Lorne Avenue in front of Brandon University.

“We’ve been asking for it for years. We’ve wanted it for years,” Lynn MacKay, a professor in BU’s history department, told the Sun.

“Before these lights, it was just a death trap after dark.”

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The crosswalk on 18th Street at Lorne Avenue in front of Brandon University. Crossing lights were installed in January after years of pressure from the concerned public. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
The crosswalk on 18th Street at Lorne Avenue in front of Brandon University. Crossing lights were installed in January after years of pressure from the concerned public. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

First Nations people urged to carry passports to U.S.

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Preview

First Nations people urged to carry passports to U.S.

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The federal government is advising First Nations people to carry a passport in addition to a secure status card when crossing the border to the United States.

The updated advisory comes as one First Nation chief in Westman says his members are already hesitant about travelling south.

The update on Thursday replaced the government’s previous advisory that stated First Nations “may freely” enter the U.S. for the purposes of employment, study, retirement, investing or immigration.

The advisory is now cautioning travellers to be prepared at the border.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The United States port of entry at Warroad, Minn. Ottawa is advising First Nations people that status cards may not be enough identification to enter the United States, since “the acceptance of all status cards is entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials.” (Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press files)
The United States port of entry at Warroad, Minn. Ottawa is advising First Nations people that status cards may not be enough identification to enter the United States, since “the acceptance of all status cards is entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials.” (Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press files)

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OpenAI contacted RCMP about Tumbler Ridge shooter’s ChatGPT account after attack

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

OpenAI contacted RCMP about Tumbler Ridge shooter’s ChatGPT account after attack

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:55 AM CST

RCMP has confirmed artificial intelligence company OpenAI contacted its investigators after last week's mass shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., as a report says employees considered alerting authorities about the shooter's worrisome interactions with its chatbot months before.

The Wall Street Journal report says that despite the employees' concerns, the company didn't inform Canadian law enforcement before last week's attacks in which 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot dead eight people and then herself.

The report says Van Rootselaar made posts with ChatGPT about scenarios of gun violence that were flagged by OpenAI's automatic review system last June.

On Feb. 10, Van Rootselaar shot dead her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their home, before killing five students, a teacher's aide and then herself at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:55 AM CST

Abel Mwansa, 12, is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Christopher Bwalya (Mandatory Credit)
Abel Mwansa, 12, is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Christopher Bwalya (Mandatory Credit)

Police search former Prince Andrew’s home a day after his arrest

Pan Pylas, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Police search former Prince Andrew’s home a day after his arrest

Pan Pylas, The Associated Press 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

LONDON (AP) — Police searched the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor again on Friday, a day after he was arrested and held in custody for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in having shared confidential trade information with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In another blow for the former Prince Andrew, the British government is considering formally removing him from the line of succession to the crown. Despite losing his status as prince and facing a police investigation, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne. That can only be changed with new legislation.

When the king stripped his brother of his titles in the fall, the government said passing a new law would not be a good use of Parliament’s time.

But that view has changed and the government is now considering legislation once the police investigation is finished. James Murray, the government’s chief secretary to the treasury, said “the government is considering any further steps that might be required, and we’re not ruling anything out.”

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Journsalists wait at the entrance gate of the Sandringham Royal Estate in Sandringham, England, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and held for hours by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Journsalists wait at the entrance gate of the Sandringham Royal Estate in Sandringham, England, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and held for hours by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Guns in photo posted by Tumbler Ridge shooter’s mother were legal, expert says

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Guns in photo posted by Tumbler Ridge shooter’s mother were legal, expert says

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

A former RCMP weapons officer says guns in a photo posted by the Tumbler Ridge shooter's mother all appear to have been legal to own in Canada at the time, although they include a semi-automatic rifle that was later prohibited.

Jennifer Jacobs posted the photo of guns in a cabinet to Facebook in August 2024 with the caption, "Think it's time to take them out for some target practice."

Jacobs and her 11-year-old son were among eight people killed in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Feb. 10 by Jacobs's daughter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, before she killed herself.

Frank Grosspietsch, a retired RCMP officer with the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and a technical adviser to the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners, said the photo posted by Jacobs includes five rifles — three of which appear to be semi-automatic — two shotguns and a handgun.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Jennifer Jacobs, also known as Jennifer Strang, mother of the shooter in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., killings, posted a photo on Facebook in August 2024 of several long guns in a cabinet, seen in this handout image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Facebook, Jennifer Strang (Mandatory Credit)
Jennifer Jacobs, also known as Jennifer Strang, mother of the shooter in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., killings, posted a photo on Facebook in August 2024 of several long guns in a cabinet, seen in this handout image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Facebook, Jennifer Strang (Mandatory Credit)

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