Security expected to be increased for Canada Day festivities
Security measures are expected to be beefed up at two Winnipeg locations Friday when Canada Day events get underway.
Those who attend The Forks and the Manitoba Legislature will notice an increased security presence after violent incidents at The Forks recently and the toppling of a statue of Queen Victoria on the legislative grounds last year.
“There will be an increased security presence on site and we have connected with the Downtown Community Safety Partnership as well as the Winnipeg Police Service,” said Clare McKay, the vice president of strategic initiatives at The Forks.
Events at The Forks are expected to look different from years past. There will be no fireworks or evening events. This year, programming will run during the day with spaces to celebrate and contemplate in an effort towards reconciliation.
“We had to look at our programming – especially at a site with 6,000 years of history, most of which is Indigenous.”
Justice officials said security will be ramped up at the Manitoba Legislature.
“We can confirm that enhanced security plans for the Manitoba Legislative Building and grounds will be in place for the Canada Day long weekend,” officials said in a statement to CTV News.
A march last year honouring children lost at residential schools ended with the statue of Queen Victoria being torn down.
This year, organizers of the Every Child Matters walk say, while they don’t condemn what happened, they want the march to be peaceful.
“We are in close contact with WPS and I think the security will be tighter this year,” said Diandra Powderhorn, the organizer of the walk.
The Winnipeg Police Service said it has resources and plans in place to manage Canada Day events.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.