Leons Headlines August 18: Travellers brace for another day of cancellations amid Air Canada flight attendants’ strike. Airline cancels plan to resume operations as staff defy back-to-work order & CUPE says it will challenge it as members stay on strike.
-Brandon’s firefighter-paramedics ask the City & Province for more funding & staff, saying calls have jumped 72% since 2015 but staffing hasn’t grown, leaving staff stretched thin.
-A new Equifax report shows 1.4M Canadians missed a credit payment in the second quarter, up from last year, as non-mortgage debt per Canadian hits $22K.
-Ford is recalling over 22,000 F-150 trucks in Canada from 2023–2025 with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package due to faulty rear axle hub bolts.
-Brandon Downtown BIZ opens applications for new Downtown Outdoor Art Grant, with a task force set to choose & fund projects as submissions come in.
-Manitoba’s worst wildfire season in 30 years has destroyed 1200 power poles & other Hydro infrastructure, leaving about 1,300 customers without power.
-European & NATO leaders will join Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy in Washington today for talks with US President Trump on ending the war with Russia, after his exclusion from Trump’s recent summit with Putin in Alaska Friday.
Air Canada Strike continues to cause head aches for travel. The federal government ordered Air Canada employees back to work, but the union refused to comply. Now, both sides face mounting pressure and potential legal consequences as the disruption continues.
Trump and Putin and the Poop Suitcase. At Friday’s Alaska summit, Putin’s bodyguards reportedly carried a “poop suitcase” to prevent foreign intelligence from analyzing his biological waste. The bizarre security measure left diplomats and media buzzing about extreme precautions. Will this be the start of peace talks or just hot air from a cold state?
Chappell Rowan / SK Tourism: Last week it was Bob Odenkirk talking up Winnipeg and Manitoba. This week Chappell Rowan’s efforts are credited with boosting Saskatchewan’s tourism, even thought she’s never visited.
Sears Wish Book: The iconic Sears Wish Book would have landed in mailboxes today, delighting families with its holiday toy and gift selections. Generations remember flipping through its pages as a signal that Christmas shopping season had un-officially begun.
“Superman” actor Terence Stamp has died at 87, leaving behind a legendary film career. Fans remember him for his iconic performances and unmistakable screen presence.
HR Wedding Report: One employee disliked small talk with coworkers, but when asked about her wedding plans, she reported the colleague to HR. The incident highlights how workplace dynamics and personal boundaries can collide in unexpected ways.
