Alex Karpa

3 weeks ago | ctvnews.ca | Alex Karpa

Food banks were first implemented to address dire needs in some communities across Canada. They were originally thought to serve the most vulnerable on a temporary basis, but to this day, there are more than 5,000 food banks across the country, all seeing usage continuing to rise. At Winnipeg’s Agape Table, general manager Dave Feniuk says it’s getting harder to feed the growing demand. “We’re still helping the marginalized,” he says.

4 weeks ago | ctvnews.ca | Alex Karpa

As part of CTV News’ coverage of the 37-day federal election, journalists will be telling stories from communities across the country to showcase issues that matter to Canadians in this election. Our next dispatch is from CTV News reporter Alex Karpa in Peguis First Nation, Man. Peguis First Nation is Manitoba’s largest First Nations community and is located approximately 150 kilometres north of Winnipeg. It’s a place of healing and culture.

1 month ago | ctvnews.ca | Alex Karpa

It’s been a long and emotional journey for Manitoba residential school survivor Susan Caribou. Her niece, Tanya Nepinak, has been missing since September 2011 and has never been found. “Tanya was a beautiful person. She loved to sing. The family was her pride and joy,” she said. In October 2012, Winnipeg police started searching the Brady Road Landfill. Investigators believe Nepinak’s body was put in a West End dumpster a year after she vanished, but a search was unsuccessful.

1 month ago | ctvnews.ca | Alex Karpa

Tony Rinella has good memories of his past trips south of the border. For the past 40 years, his tour company has taken busloads of Canadian baseball fans to see the Toronto Blue Jays play in the United States. This annual pilgrimage started back in 1989 and Rinella has taken baseball fans from Manitoba to Minnesota, Chicago and Kansas City. He was planning a U.S. trip for the beginning of June. Those heading on his baseball bus tour would see the Jays take on the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis.

1 month ago | ctvnews.ca | Alex Karpa

A First Nation in southwestern Manitoba has tried for years to recruit a doctor for the community. Gambler First Nation, which is about 350 kilometres northwest from Winnipeg, has fewer than 100 residents. The First Nation has gone six years without a doctor. “Right now, we can’t even get a family doctor,” said Chief David LeDoux of Gambler First Nation. His community relies on clinics nearly 30 minutes away in Russell. Chief LeDoux says it’s been a challenge. “They just don’t have room for anybody.