Winnipeg Free Press Purpose of September trip remains a mystery, beyond vague reference to Ottawa meetings By: Larry Kusch | Posted: 7:00 PM CST Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 The release of Brian Pallister's official events calendar sheds no new light on why the premier took a weeklong trip to Ottawa in mid-September as the second wave of COVID-19 was ramping up in Manitoba. The release of Brian Pallister's official events calendar sheds no new light on why the premier took a weeklong trip to Ottawa in mid-September as the second wave of COVID-19 was ramping up in Manitoba. The Free Press obtained a copy of the calendar, through freedom of information legislation, after his office repeatedly refused to provide an itinerary for the trip. He left for the nation's capital on Sept. 15 and returned on the 23rd.