Craig McCulloch

The declaration was made by Dr. Brent Rusin, the province's chief public health officer, who says in 2024, Manitoba saw an infection rate of 19.5 cases per 100,000 people.

This is around 3.5 times higher than Canada's HIV infection rate of 5.5 cases per 100,000.

In 2021, there were 142 reported new cases.

Last year, that number exploded to 328.

So far, this year's numbers are in line with 2025.

Rusin says 70% of the increase is due to injection drug use, but also homelessness, mental health issues, and an increase in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

The declaration is seen as a way to increase testing for HIV and also to bring attention to the issue.

For NPR News, I'm Craig McCulloch in Vancouver.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they found the first victims inside the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

One died en route to hospital and another two were found in a residence in the small town of 2,400 people in northeastern British Columbia.

The shooter was found dead inside the school.

RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd says it might be hard to find any motive.

Floyd says the original alert issued in the early afternoon of a female shooter are correct.

For NPR News, I'm Craig McCulloch in Vancouver.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say they found the first victims inside the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

One died en route to hospital and another two were found in a residence in the small town of 2,400 people in northeastern British Columbia.

The shooter was found dead inside the school.

RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd says it might be hard to find any motive.

Floyd says the original alert issued in the early afternoon of a female shooter are correct.

For NPR News, I'm Craig McCulloch in Vancouver.