About 350 lab technicians and technologists with Dynacare hit the picket lines in Winnipeg and other cities, while a labour board hearing is taking place to determine if the employees need to be deemed essential workers.

Manitoba's Premier says he is reluctantly open to returning U.S. booze to provincial shelves as part of a trade deal, but hopes Canadians won't buy it. Wab Kinew says he's still waiting for key details, including what the final tariff rates will be, before making any commitments.