Hey Winnipeggers!

Hope you're having a great week. Today’s newsletter is all about the U.S. tariffs and everything our province and city are doing to prepare and respond.

As much as we don’t like tariffs, we have to stand up for ourselves—and that means doubling down on supporting local wherever we can. From changes at the Liquor Mart to the city making sure major projects don’t get derailed, there’s a lot happening.

So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and dive into everything you need to know!

In today’s edition:

• Winnipeg’s Plan to Tackle Housing Shortage

• Charity of the Week

• Manitoba Responds to U.S. Tariffs

• How Winnipeg is Preparing for U.S. Tariffs

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Winnipeg’s Plan to Tackle Housing Shortage

If you've tried looking for a home in Winnipeg lately, you know how tough it is. Prices are up, rentals are scarce, and more people are struggling to find a place that fits their budget. The City is working on a plan to help, and they want your input.

They're proposing changes to zoning laws that would allow more types of housing in existing neighborhoods—think duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes where single-family homes currently stand. The plan also includes allowing taller four-unit buildings near major bus routes to make better use of space.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The City is hosting four open houses (both virtual and in-person) for residents to learn more and ask questions.

• The in-person session is on March 19 from 4-7 p.m. at the RBC Convention Centre.

• Virtual sessions run from March 17-18

This is our chance to help shape Winnipeg’s housing future. Click below to learn more about the open houses, and be sure to attend!

Sponsored by Great Escapes By Christine!

The Trip You’ll Never Regret Taking

We all have that one trip we keep putting off. The one we say we’ll do one day. But life moves fast, and before we know it, years pass, and we’re left wishing we had just gone.

That’s why this Iceland trip is different. It’s your chance to stop waiting and start experiencing. Carefully planned by Christine, a Winnipeg travel expert who’s organized hundreds of trips and visited 115 countries herself, this adventure takes care of every detail so you can focus on making memories that last.

No matter your age—whether you’re in your 20s, have kids, or want to send your parents—this is as stress-free as it gets.

Here’s what’s included:

• Flights, transfers, and hotels—all handled for you

• A guided tour to bucket list spots like the Golden Circle, Reykjavik, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, and more

• 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 5 dinners—so you can focus on enjoying every moment

But here’s the catch—you have to book before March 23rd. After that, the price goes up.

This is Iceland like you’ve always dreamed of. Come see it for yourself from September 8 to 18, 2025. Stop waiting for someday—Click below to learn more and book your spot before prices go up!

P.S. Looking to advertise in the Winnipeg Digest? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Charity of the Week:

Lighthouse Mission

For some, a hot meal is just lunch. For others, it’s the first warm thing they’ve had all day. Since the 1930s, Lighthouse Mission (669 Main St.) has been serving two hot meals daily, Monday to Friday, for Winnipeg’s most vulnerable. But it’s not just about food—it’s about kindness, conversation, and a place where everyone is welcome.

Beyond meals, they provide:

• Clothing & hygiene essentials for those in need.

• A safe space to sit, have coffee, and connect.

• Spiritual support for those looking for comfort and much more!

You can help keep this going by:

• Sponsoring a meal to help feed more people.

• Making a donation—one-time or recurring.

• Or volunteering your time and being a part of something much bigger.

A warm meal can change a day. But, a warm community can change a life. So, click below to see how you can be part of it!

City Updates

Manitoba Responds to U.S. Tariffs

If you’ve walked past the Manitoba Legislative Building since yesterday, you probably saw it. A massive Canadian flag hanging across the front. It wasn’t just for decoration. With Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs now in effect, Manitoba is making it clear: we’re standing up for ourselves.

These tariffs could drive up costs on everything from building materials to food exports, but instead of sitting back, Manitoba is taking action.

Here’s what’s happening:

In response to the U.S. tariffs, the Manitoba government is:

• Removing all U.S. alcohol from Liquor Marts across the province — which means more than 400 spirits and 300 wines are coming off the shelves.

• While also, letting businesses affected by tariffs defer payroll and retail sales taxes for three months, giving them some breathing room to keep cash on hand and protect jobs.

The impact of these tariffs still isn’t fully clear yet, but one thing is—Manitoba isn’t waiting to find out. Now tell us—are you changing anything in your daily life in response to these tariffs? Reply to this email and let us know!

How Winnipeg is Preparing for U.S. Tariffs

In coordination with the province, the City of Winnipeg is also taking steps to make sure these tariffs don’t cause major disruptions—especially when it comes to city projects that rely on materials from the U.S.

Here’s what the city is doing to stay ahead:

• Tracking U.S. purchases more closely—something that wasn’t always done before—to understand where costs might rise.

• Updating contracts to encourage suppliers to source materials from outside the U.S. whenever possible.

• Working with the province and federal government to adjust procurement strategies and find alternatives.

• Providing regular reports so residents know exactly how tariffs are affecting city spending.

The goal? Keep projects moving, protect taxpayer dollars, and avoid unnecessary price hikes. Winnipeg is taking a proactive approach to make sure these tariffs don’t slow the city down.

Community Digest

A Better Plan to Keep Water Bills Low

Feels like everything’s getting more expensive these days. Groceries, gas, rent—And now with those new U.S. tariffs coming into play, things aren’t exactly looking any cheaper. So when the city floated a plan to increase the water bill by $1,000 a year by 2027, it felt like one hit too many.

But Mayor Gillingham isn’t having it. He just rejected the idea, calling it “a hard no” and pushing for a better way to fund the upgrades at Winnipeg’s North End Sewage Treatment Plant.

Here’s the deal:

• The problem: The city needs $1.5 billion for the next phase of the plant upgrades.

• The original plan: Make residents pay cash upfront, which would skyrocket water bills.

• Gillingham’s plan:

  • A smaller increase in 2025 ($18.67/month) to keep the project moving.

  • Looking for federal and provincial support instead of putting it all on Winnipeggers.

  • Reviewing the project’s costs to find savings.

The city council will vote on this on March 10.

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!

• First Friday in The Exchange | 5-9PM, Mar 7 (More Info)

  • Location: Exchange District

  • Description: Dedicated to bringing together artists, artist-run centres, galleries, businesses and the public for a greater understanding, appreciation and promotion of the arts in the Exchange.

• Sound Like Light - A Lights on the Exchange Event | 8PM - 12AM, Mar 7 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Millennium Centre

  • Description: Step into Sound Like Light, an immersive night where frequencies blur, shadows shift, and the room moves around you. Experience an electrifying lineup of DJs and captivating audiovisual performances.

• Around the Fire | Mar 7-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Gas Station Arts Centre

  • Description: A very interactive performance that brings people together as though they they were gathering around the fire. You will see amazing dancers, hear stories, and listen to live music.

• Chris Quiqley Comedy | Mar 7-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club

  • Description: Chris Quiqley has been wowing audiences and mastering his craft from the young age of 19, making him one of Canada 's top Comedians, and earning him an hour Special on CTV's well known “Comedy Now”.

• Redefine: International Women’s Day Workout | 3-4:30PM, Mar 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Event Space (2nd floor, The Forks Market)

  • Description: Join Community Gym's female-led coaching team for an empowering afternoon of movement, connection, and conversation.

• Winnipeg Women's Show | Mar 8-9

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Two days of shopping, entertainment, door prizes, samples, fashion, food, beauty, home, gifts, health and wellness and more - all just for you!

• WAG-Qaumajuq Free Entry | Mar 9 (Free)

  • Location: WAG-Qaumajuq

  • Description: Second Sunday of every month for free admission to WAG-Qaumajuq and more family fun, thanks to Canada Life!

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

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

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

Exciting Events: March 5th & 6th

Sports🏀

• Manitoba Moose vs Grand Rapids Griffins | March 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Music 🎵

• Jeff Adams/Jessie Christian/Derek Robertson Duo/Travis & Nazeem |

  12-11PM, March 5

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

• Philippe Meunier (Music ‘N’ Mavens) | 1PM, March 5

  • Location: Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre

• Mikayla Zacharias/Orvis/Whiskeyjack/Hammer & Nail | 12-11PM, March 6

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

• Mal Magorel (Music ‘N’ Mavens) | 1:30PM, Mar 6

  • Location: Berney Theatre

• Zachary Lucky | 8:30PM, March 6

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

• Sierra Noble/Jana Jacobs/Doug McArthur/Dominique Adams |

  7PM, March 6 (Tickets)

  • Location: Kilter Brewing Co.

• Women's Day Concert 3.0 | 7:30PM, Mar 6 (Tickets)

  • Location: West End Cultural Centre (WECC)

Family Fun🎆

• Zoo Tots | 10-11:30AM, Mar 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: We'll explore nature, art, plants and animals with wildly interactive classes to help encourage your child's curiosity about the natural world. (Geared for children 3-5)

• Worlds Largest Snow Maze | Mar 5-30 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze in Corn

• King James Play | Mar 5-22 (Tickets)

  • Location: Tom Hendry Warehouse (140 Rupert Avenue)

  • Description: Forced to sell his beloved Cavaliers season tickets, Matt unexpectedly finds a new friend in Shawn, bonding over basketball and the rise of LeBron ‘King’ James. Told in four quarters over 12 years, King James is a heartfelt story of friendship and loyalty.

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | Mar 5-20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry

  • Description: This takes you on a hilarious journey through the untamed wilderness of family drama, ranching antics, and a hearty dose of cowboy humor.

• A Killing at La Cucina Play (A Lucia Dante Mystery) | Mar 5-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange

  • Description: A food critic is poisoned at the exclusive five-star restaurant Fate, known by staff as La Cucina. Who could have done such a heinous thing?

• Indecent Play | Mar 5-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Told through music, song, dance and comedy, Indecent is an arresting play about forbidden love, artistic censorship and the enduring power of theatre.

Special Events 🎨

• The Leaf After Dark: Adults Only Nights | 7PM, Mar 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Enjoy a relaxing adults-only atmosphere complete with live musical entertainment. Wine and beer, as well as charcuterie plates.

• Tyler Penner Comedy | Mar 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Tyler Penner is a comedian born and raised in Manitoba, who has been making waves in the comedy scene since winning Rumor's Funniest Person With a Day Job in 2014.

• A Conversation for Artist Mothers | 7-8:30PM, Mar 6 (Tickets)

  • Location: Winnipeg Art Gallery

  • Description: Calling all artist mothers! Join us for an engaging conversation with local artist Dominique Rey, held in her current exhibition MOTHERGROUND.

• Kevin Farley Comedy | Mar 6-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Kevin Farley is regular Stand-Up comedian at notable venues such as The Laugh Factory in LA and Chicago, The Improv in LA and Palm Beach, Florida and The Comedy Store. Farley's current TV series presently airing. "F is for Family" hit Netflix series.

• Winnipeg Rock N' Gem Show | Mar 6-9 (More Info)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition- Exhibition Place

  • Description: Explore over 400 tables filled with crystals, minerals, jewelry, fossils, and more.

• The Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Jekyll and Hyde | March 6-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: Lose yourself in the Canadian premiere of a menacing new story ballet from Val Caniparoli based on the novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

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].