Ottawa puts up more money to transform historic Bay building into Indigenous hub
The federal government is putting up another $31 million for the transformation of a former Hudson's Bay Company flagship store in Winnipeg.
The project, announced two years ago, is to see the six-storey, 60,000-square-metre downtown building turned into an Indigenous hub of housing, social services, government offices and cultural space.
Hudson's Bay Company transferred the historic building in 2022 to the Southern Chiefs' Organization, which represents 34 First Nation groups in southern Manitoba.
The interior of the former Bay building in Winnipeg on May 24, 2024 (Jeff Keele/CTV News Winnipeg)
Ottawa earlier put up $65 million in a combination of forgivable and low-interest loans, while the Manitoba government offered $35 million in support.
The project has been running over its original $130-million budget, and the new federal money is earmarked for repairs and upgrades.
The store opened in 1926 and closed in 2020, and a valuation at the time found the building was worth very little due to the amount of work needed to bring it up to code.
The project is named Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, which translates to "it is visible."
The interior of the former Bay building in Winnipeg on May 24, 2024 (Jeff Keele/CTV News Winnipeg)
Dan Vandal, the federal minister for regional economic development on the Prairies, said the transformation of the building is an example of reconciliation.
"The creation of Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn in Winnipeg will revitalize our downtown and move us from promises to action," Vandal said Friday in a statement.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2024.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We'll never be the 51st state,' Premier Ford says following Trump’s latest jab
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Canada will "never be the 51st state," rebuking U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s latest social media post.
'Why would I box myself in?': Singh on why he won't commit to helping bring Trudeau's gov't down, yet
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's looming tariff threat is part of the reason why he's not committing to voting non-confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government.
B.C. man drops camera into ocean, accidentally captures 'breathtaking' whale video
Before it turned into an extraordinary day, Peter Mieras says it began being quite ordinary.
Elon Musk comes out swinging against government spending package in early test of his political might
Elon Musk derided a Republican-backed government spending bill that if not passed by Friday night would lead to a government shut down.
Providing MAID to man on day pass from B.C. psychiatric ward was 'unlawful,' family alleges
A 52-year-old man who was provided with a medically assisted death while out on a day pass from a B.C. psychiatric hospital should never have been approved for the life-ending procedure, his family alleges in a recently filed wrongful death lawsuit.
Donald Trump says Canada becoming 51st U.S. state is 'a great idea.' Jean Charest calls the comment a 'wake-up call'
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is taking aim at Canada once more, saying it would be 'a great idea' to make it America's ‘51st state.'
Police suspect Utah father killed his wife and 3 kids, wounded son, then killed himself
Five people were found dead in a Utah home after a man apparently shot his wife and four children before killing himself, police said Wednesday. A 17-year-old boy survived but has a severe brain injury.
Invasive 'murder hornets' are wiped out in the U.S., officials say
The world's largest hornet, an invasive breed dubbed the “murder hornet” for its dangerous sting and ability to slaughter a honey bee hive in a matter of hours, has been declared eradicated in the U.S., five years after being spotted for the first time in Washington state near the Canadian border.
'An enormous problem': Court delays plague criminal cases across the country
Legal delays are making it increasingly difficult for people to have their day in court. One Saskatoon family says they missed out on justice after delays forced the judge to stay proceedings in an impaired driving case that killed their daughter.
Regina
-
'Create good Christmas memories for these kids': Regina schools experience Winter Wonderland
For the second year in a row, the Conexus Arts Centre was decorated as a Winter Wonderland and host to the Annual Community School Day.
-
Sask. Teachers' Federation and province await decision from binding arbitration hearing
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the province are now awaiting a decision from the Arbitration Board following a binding arbitration hearing.
-
Highway conditions deteriorate across southern Sask. with snowfall warning in effect
Much of southern Saskatchewan remains under a snowfall warning on Wednesday afternoon, with 10 to 20 centimetres of snow expected to fall in some areas over the next 24 hours.
Saskatoon
-
'Should move forward': Still no plea from Saskatchewan student who allegedly set teen on fire
More than three months have passed since a Saskatoon girl was set on fire, yet her classmate charged in connection with the incident has still not made a plea.
-
'Don't want to lose any more people': Saskatoon rally calls for solutions for growing homeless population
David Fineday doesn't want any more of his friends to die on Saskatoon streets this winter.
-
Sask. Teachers' Federation and province await decision from binding arbitration hearing
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the province are now awaiting a decision from the Arbitration Board following a binding arbitration hearing.
Edmonton
-
Massage therapist in central Edmonton charged with sexual assault
A massage therapist in central Edmonton has been charged with sexual assault and police say there could be more victims.
-
Edmonton pediatrician sentenced to 18 months on child pornography charges
An Edmonton pediatrician who was found guilty on child pornography charges last year will spend 18 months in jail.
-
Residency requirements under scrutiny after Edmonton Police Commission head quits
A day after the head of the Edmonton Police Commission quit his position after news of his plans to stay on after moving to Europe surfaced, another member of it is facing scrutiny for not living in the city.
Calgary
-
Province releases Green Line report amid growing pressure over cost estimate, design choices
After initially insisting its independent report on the new Green Line route needed to remain confidential, the province has made it public – with a lot of information missing.
-
Death of Calgary woman found badly injured on pathway ruled a homicide
Calgary police say the death of a woman found unconscious on a northeast pathway has been ruled a homicide.
-
Flames and Cowboys jerseys worn by Darrel Janz being auctioned to benefit Samaritan’s Purse
A couple of hockey jerseys that celebrate two of Calgary’s iconic hockey teams and CTV Calgary’s most iconic anchorman are being auctioned off.
Toronto
-
'We'll never be the 51st state,' Premier Ford says following Trump’s latest jab
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says Canada will "never be the 51st state," rebuking U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s latest social media post.
-
'I still haven't slept:' Oshawa mom finds bullet hole in daughter’s dresser after 14 shots fired at housing complex
An Oshawa mom discovered bullet holes in her daughter’s dresser and in the ceiling of her living room early Wednesday morning after police say more than a dozen shots were “indiscriminately” fired at a housing complex overnight.
-
Cyclist, 2 pedestrians in hospital following downtown Toronto collision
Two pedestrians and a cyclist are in hospital after being hit by a pickup truck in downtown Toronto Wednesday afternoon.
Ottawa
-
New visitor centre opens in downtown Ottawa
A new visitor centre has opened in downtown Ottawa to assist the millions of tourists who flock to Canada's capital every year.
-
Inside the Shepherds of Good Hope's supportive housing on Merivale Road
CTV News Ottawa was invited to tour the facility at 1095 Merivale Rd. and speak to staff and residents following issues raised by those living nearby.
-
Here were the top baby names in Ottawa last year
Ontario unveiled the top baby names for 2023, and Olivia and Adam occupy the top spots in Ottawa.
Montreal
-
Sentencing Friday for Quebecer convicted of killing spouse, two children
A Quebecer convicted this week in a triple domestic murder that left a woman and her two young children dead in a Montreal suburb will be sentenced at the end of this week, a Superior Court justice decided Wednesday.
-
Patrick Liard appointed interim CEO of Urgences-sante
Urgences-santé has confirmed that Patrick Liard will replace François Charpentier as the head of the public paramedic organization.
-
Chez Doris women's shelter celebrates Christmas
Chez Doris hosted its annual holiday luncheon for vulnerable women.
Atlantic
-
Mix of snow, rain Wednesday night and Thursday; nor'easter Friday night into Saturday
A strong coastal storm threatens to bring heavy snowfall to parts of the Maritimes this weekend.
-
'A gift this size is extraordinary': Family donates $1M to N.S. hospital
A hospital foundation in Dartmouth, N.S., received a significant donation on Wednesday to help advance innovative and exceptional care.
-
Three people face charges in murder of Saint John man
Three people are facing charges in connection with the murder of 52-year-old Allan Lee, whose remains were found in Saint John, N.B., in the summer.
Vancouver
-
B.C. mayor skeptical of feds' plan to bolster border security
On Tuesday, the Canadian government announced a $1.3-billion plan to bolster border security over the next six years.
-
Providing MAID to man on day pass from B.C. psychiatric ward was 'unlawful,' family alleges
A 52-year-old man who was provided with a medically assisted death while out on a day pass from a B.C. psychiatric hospital should never have been approved for the life-ending procedure, his family alleges in a recently filed wrongful death lawsuit.
-
B.C. housing minister singles out 2 municipalities for lack of new home construction
In September 2023, the province gave 10 municipalities new home construction targets to meet in the first year under B.C.'s Housing Supply Act. The housing minster says two – West Vancouver and Oak Bay – didn’t come close.
Vancouver Island
-
Providing MAID to man on day pass from B.C. psychiatric ward was 'unlawful,' family alleges
A 52-year-old man who was provided with a medically assisted death while out on a day pass from a B.C. psychiatric hospital should never have been approved for the life-ending procedure, his family alleges in a recently filed wrongful death lawsuit.
-
B.C. housing minister singles out 2 municipalities for lack of new home construction
In September 2023, the province gave 10 municipalities new home construction targets to meet in the first year under B.C.'s Housing Supply Act. The housing minster says two – West Vancouver and Oak Bay – didn’t come close.
-
B.C. police officer accused of sexual assault has died, sources say
One of the two B.C. police officers charged this week with sexually assaulting the same "vulnerable" woman has died, CTV News has learned.
Kelowna
-
Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP
Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature."
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict
A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying.
-
Paramedic threatened at knifepoint inside Kelowna ambulance station, union says
The union representing ambulance paramedics in B.C. is calling on the province to beef up security after they say a knife-wielding woman attacked a worker.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
-
After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons
Energy observers in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the provincial government to take a sober second look at a massive tentative deal announced last week with Quebec that promises to deliver hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the Atlantic province.
-
Backhoe used to tear the front off Newfoundland bank, four facing charges: RCMP
Four people in eastern Newfoundland are facing charges after a stolen backhoe was used to tear the front off the RBC bank in Holyrood.
Northern Ontario
-
Plans for wellness hub in Timmins moving forward
The Cochrane District Services Board has finalized the purchase of a former hotel in Timmins, where a proposed wellness hub would be located.
-
War of words escalates into lawsuits between Greater Sudbury, roads contractor
A bitter battle between Greater Sudbury and a southern Ontario roads contractor related to a troubled repair job on the Kingsway is now in the courts.
-
One child taken to hospital after Sudbury school bus rear ended
One child has been taken to hospital after a school bus was rear-ended on Municipal Road 35 east of Azilda in Greater Sudbury on Wednesday morning.
Barrie
-
Fatal multi-vehicle crash on Highway 93 under investigation
Provincial police are investigating a multi-vehicle collision that claimed the life of one person in Springwater Township Wednesday morning.
-
Ont. father says police failed his family after 911 calls went unanswered
An Orangeville man is calling for accountability from Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) after he says thieves armed with a gun broke into his home and left his family traumatized.
-
Barrie man dies days after charges against him are withdrawn in fatal stabbing case
A Barrie man who spent nearly two years in custody accused of murder has died less than a week after the charges against him were withdrawn.
Kitchener
-
One person arrested for jewelry store robbery at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo
Police have made an arrest in a jewelry store robbery at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo, Ont.
-
Victim in Cambridge apartment fire has died
A woman who was injured in a fire at a Cambridge apartment building on Tuesday has died from her injuries.
-
Multiple shots fired into Cambridge home
Police said multiple residences reported damages “consistent with shots fired.”
London
-
'It was quite spectacular': LHSC brass marvel at staff professionalism during weekend shooting, improved security on the way
The provincially appointed supervisor at London Health Sciences Centre said improved security measures will be installed in the coming months at both the Victoria and University hospital sites.
-
'Weighs 1.7 million pounds with 2,200 tonnes of force': Massive stamping press arrives in Port Stanley
A massive cargo shipment shut down the harbour in Port Stanley, Ont. for a planned 12 hours Wednesday.
-
One dead, one in custody in Hanover homicide investigation
One person is dead and another is in custody after a body was found inside a home on 5th Street in Hanover Tuesday morning.
