Happy Monday, Winnipeggers!

We’ve got a great mix of local events, important city updates, and a breakdown of what’s happening with the federal election.

But before we jump in, let’s take a quick look at some of the kind and thoughtful comments you left last week. And don’t forget to answer the quick poll at the bottom of this email. Let us know what you think of the newsletter, and you might be the one featured next Monday!

Now, In today’s edition:

• Canada Heads Into Federal Election on April 28

• Restaurant of the Week

• Winnipeg Gears Up for the 2025 Grey Cup Festival

• Unpaid Tickets Could Now Affect Your Credit Score

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Canada Heads Into Federal Election on April 28

As we mentioned last week, Mark Carney was expected to dissolve Parliament this weekend—and sure enough, that’s exactly what happened. Just nine days into the job, Canada’s new prime minister made it official, kicking off the 2025 federal election.

And if you’ve ever stood in line on election day, pencil in hand, wondering if your vote really matters—well, this might be the year to really pay attention. With big issues on the table and only 36 days to sort through it all, things are moving quickly.

Canada’s 45th federal election is now underway. Parliament’s been dissolved, campaign signs are going up, and party leaders are already out there making their pitches to voters.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Election Day is April 28, with advance voting happening over Easter weekend

• Trade tensions with the U.S. are expected to be a key issue, as new tariffs take effect on April 2nd.

• All parties have made early promises on taxes, housing, affordability, and healthcare.

Even though it’s still in the early days, one thing’s clear—this election could shape how Canada navigates some big changes ahead. So, If you want to learn more about the election, what you need, and how to prepare, click the button below to visit the Elections Canada website.

A message from us, Winnipeg Digest!

Helping You Find Services You Can Actually Trust

If you’ve ever had a leaking pipe, a broken furnace, or needed physio after an injury, you know how stressful it can be to find the right person to help.
Are they overcharging me?
Am I getting the right treatment?
Will they actually show up?

We’ve been there too—and we want to help take that stress off your plate.

That’s why we’re careful about the partners we bring on. We want you to trust them like you trust us. So when you see a service business in Winnipeg Digest, it means:

• We’d recommend them to a friend

• They’ve got a great local reputation

• They actually care about their work—and their customers

We’re building a small group of go-to local service providers that our 70,000+ readers can count on.

So if you run a business like:

• Plumbing or HVAC

• Landscaping or renovation

• Massage, physio, or other health services

• Cleaning, moving, pest control—you name it

We’d love to chat about partnering up.

📩 Reach out at [email protected]
Let’s help more Winnipeggers find the right help when they need it most.

Restaurant of the Week: Shirley's

Last week, we told you about Baby Baby—Osborne’s new late-night dinner spot. This week, we’re talking about its next-door neighbour, and just as exciting: Shirley’s.

Tucked into 135 Osborne, Shirley’s feels like the kind of place you want to stumble into and never leave. It's cozy, full of charm, and named after chef Renée Girard’s grandmother. From the warm yellow tables to the thoughtful little shelf behind each seat for your elbow (yes, really), every inch of this place feels intentional.

The menu leans Italian-ish and comforting—big on flavour, not on fuss. At lunch, you’ll find crispy fries with smoked mussel aioli, a stacked clubhouse, and pastas like Radiatori with ‘nduja ragu. Dinner steps it up with dishes like chicken Milanese, beef tartare on pizza fritta, and a hand-rolled carrot cavatelli that’s already becoming a favourite.

There’s also a shelf near the entrance with tinned fish and Girard’s own sauces, if you want to bring a little Shirley’s home with you.

📍 135 Osborne St.
🕔 Lunch: Wed–Sat, 11 AM – 2 PM
🕔 Dinner: Wed–Sun, 5 PM – 11 PM

A warm, joyful little spot that fits right into the Village.

Community Digest

Winnipeg Gears Up for the 2025 Grey Cup Festival

There’s something about Winnipeg and big games. We don’t just host them—we make them feel like home. Whether you’re freezing in the stands or watching from the couch in your dad’s old Bombers hoodie, football has a way of bringing out the best in this city.

This year, we’re doing it bigger than ever. The 112th Grey Cup is coming to Winnipeg on November 16, and the week leading up to it will be packed with music, food, football, and community spirit.

Here’s what we know so far:

• The festival runs November 10 to 16, with three days of free events in downtown Winnipeg

• There’ll be live music, food vendors, CFL legend meet-and-greets, and family activities

• Blue Bombers season ticket holders get first dibs on Grey Cup tickets and discounts

• The festival is being co-hosted by Treaty One Nations and the Manitoba Métis Federation, putting Indigenous culture front and centre

And when we add this to the already packed CEBL Championship Festival being hosted by the Sea Bears, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years this city has seen in a long time.

City Updates

City Opens Up Land to Help Tackle Housing Crisis

If you’ve been apartment hunting lately—or helping someone who is—you’ve probably noticed how tough it’s gotten out there. Rents are rising, vacancy rates are dropping, and it feels like there just isn’t enough to go around.

That’s why the City is taking real steps to fix it by opening up five of its own properties for affordable housing projects.

• These are underused or empty City-owned sites now being offered for sale or lease

• Open to non-profits, Indigenous organizations, or developers ready to build affordable homes

• It’s all part of the Housing Accelerator Fund’s Land Enhancement Office, created to turn public land into housing

• Locations include properties on Taché, William, Osborne, Pembina, and Watt

Winnipeg has grown by 71,000 people in just the past three years, and our rental vacancy rate has been cut in half. With more people calling this city home, the hope is that this move helps more folks in our community find the safe, stable housing they need.

Unpaid Tickets Could Now Affect Your Credit Score

We’ve all been there. A ticket ends up in the glove box, forgotten until it’s too late. But now, leaving it unpaid could affect more than just your wallet.

Now Winnipeg is trying to collect over $12 million in unpaid parking and non-parking fines. And starting this month, if you don’t pay, it could impact your credit score.

• Fines unpaid one month after CBV Collections contacts you will be reported to credit bureaus, which could make it harder to get a loan or credit cards.

• You might also get text reminders to pay. Some will have payment links, so if you’re unsure it’s real, call 311.

• Starting this summer, cars can also be towed and impounded after just two unpaid tickets instead of three.

• And lastly the City can also place a lien on your car and auction it if needed.

You can pay online, by phone, mail, or in person. So if you or someone you know has a ticket still hanging around, be sure to let them know. It’s better to deal with it now—before it becomes a bigger problem.

New AI Training Program for Manitoba Small Businesses

If you run a small business, you’ve probably heard the buzz about AI. But knowing how to actually use it? That part can feel a little overwhelming. That’s why this new support from the province is such a big win.

The Manitoba government is putting $2 million into a new AI training initiative to help small and medium-sized businesses get ahead of the curve. In partnership with the Manitoba and Winnipeg Chambers of Commerce, the program includes webinars, workshops, and one-on-one mentorship to make AI feel less intimidating and more practical.

There’s even an AI readiness self-assessment tool with personalized suggestions on where to begin.

The power of AI is still very much unknown—but there’s no doubt it’s going to shape the next few years in big ways. So learn to use it now, while the support is there.

If you know a business owner who could benefit from this, be sure to share it with them!

Coming up this week:

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

• Tommy Emmanuel Concert | 8PM, Mar 26 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Internationally renowned acoustic guitarist and 2024 Grammy Award winner.

• Career Fair Canada: Winnipeg Career Fair & Training Expo | Mar 26 (Tickets)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Get in front of hiring managers! Network and apply with Employer Exhibitors. Build the meaningful rapports you need to advance your career in the direction that you want.

• Kane Brown Concert | 7PM, Mar 27 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Blends country with pop and R&B, creating songs that feel both modern and deeply personal. Known for hits like Heaven and What Ifs, his live shows are all heart—high energy, sing-along moments, and a whole lot of soul.

• Winnipeg Jets vs New Jersey Devils | 7PM, Mar 28 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

• The Cold AF Comedy Tour! | 8:30PM, Mar 28 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: The COLD AF Comedy Tour brings you 4 of the best comics in all of Northwestern Ontario!

• 54-40 with guest The Pursuit of Happiness | 7PM, Mar 28 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: Over the course of 40+ years of performing and recording, 54•40 has not only made their mark on the Canadian music industry, but the entire cultural landscape.

• Frozen in Time Musical | 11AM & 2PM, Mar 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: This event will be filled with storytelling and singing along to all your favourite songs! To make the afternoon more special, everyone is encouraged to come dressed as their favourite prince, princess, character or even villain.

• Cat Kid Comic Club The Musical | 2PM, Mar 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog have started an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics!

• Latin Sundays at The Forks | 5:30-9:30PM, Mar 30

  • Location: Room 201, second floor of The Forks Market

  • Description: Experience Latin culture through music, dance, food and performances.

Exciting Events: March 24th & 25th

Sports🏀

• Winnipeg Jets vs. Washington Capital | 7PM, March 25 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Music 🎵

• Tannis Tyler | 12-2:45PM, March 24

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall (1212 Nairn Avenue)

• Killswitch Engage | 6:30PM, March 24 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: A musical outlier, the band pioneered a union of thrashed-out European guitar pyrotechnics, East Coast hardcore spirit, on-stage hijinks, and more!

• Heart Royal Flush Tour | 8PM, March 24 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Legendary rock band HEART have announced the extension of their highly anticipated return to the road after a five-year hiatus.

• Bob Log III | March 24-25 (Tickets)

  • Location: Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club

• Rob Klym | 12-2:45PM, March 25

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall (1212 Nairn Avenue)

Family Fun🎆

• Mini Mondays at the Children's Museum | 10AM - 2PM, Mar 24

  • Location: Manitoba Children's Museum

  • Description: A fun-filled day of stimulating play designed for our youngest visitors, children under 4 years old!

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | March 24 - April 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry (1824 Pembina Hwy)

  • Description: Saddle up for a wild ride as Destination Dinner Stage takes you on a hilarious journey through the wilderness of family drama, and a hearty dose of cowboy humor.

• $12 Tuesdays at the Zoo | 9AM - 4PM,, Mar 25

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: Enjoy all that the Zoo offers and discover the wild winter days! Plan your visit and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

• Casey and Diana Play | Mar 25 - April 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Inspired by Princess Diana’s historic visit to Toronto’s Casey House in 1991, Casey and Diana is a tremendously moving and surprisingly funny portrait of the men at the heart of the AIDS crisis, their devoted caregivers, and the ‘People’s Princess’.

• Prophecy Play | Mar 25-30 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rachel Browne Theatre

  • Description: Cassandra has been blessed with the ability to see the future, but her curse is that no one will ever believe her.

Special Events 🎨

• Feminist Figure Drawing | 7-9:30PM, Mar 25

  • Location: 329 Cumberland Ave

  • Description: All women and gender-diverse artists welcome! Free for MAWA members; $10 for non-members (pay at the door, cash, credit and debit accepted) This session will feature a nude male model.

• Kelly Taylor Comedy | Mar 25-29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Kelly has performed all over Canada, 46 states, Europe, and Asia. He has done every hockey function possible. From the Telus Cup, Memorial Cup, World Jrs. Stanley Cup Party, and even a NHL Dressing room.

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of local Winnipeggers? Email us at [email protected].