The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Winnipeg - A First Nations community is planning to take advantage of its exemption from Manitoba's looming ban on smoking in public places by promoting their reserve as a safe haven for people who want to light up. New provincial regulations, set to come into effect on Friday, ban smoking in enclosed places accessible to the public and indoor workplaces. It includes, among others, bars, restaurants, stores, bowling alleys and bingo halls. The Roseau River First Nation, about 90 kilometres south of Winnipeg, is building a new $1 million gaming hall expected to open in January 2005, and it plans to bus people in from Winnipeg for bingo and cheap cigarettes. Ottawa - Most of Canada's key homicide statistics continued to fall in 2003, but a reverse came in the youth homicide rate, which rose above the previous 10-year average. According to Statistics Canada, 57 youths aged 12 to 17 years were accused of homicide in 2003. That's eight more than the 10-year average. Winnipeg - An anti-racism group in Winnipeg is arming volunteers with video cameras to search out instances of police brutality and harassment. Members of United Against Racism say they constantly hear stories about aboriginal people being beaten by police or stopped by officers for no good reason. Volunteers with video cameras will patrol certain parts of the city.1/10/04
