Happy Friday, Winnipeg!

It finally happened, the first snowfall of the season! Winnipeg is officially in winter mode now, with frosty mornings, heavier sweaters, and just a light dusting of snow reminding us of what’s on the way.

This weekend, the city’s full of things to do. From live musicals and stand-up shows to concerts happening every night, there’s no shortage of ways to stay warm and enjoy the weekend.

So layer up, make your plans, and enjoy the start of a brand-new season in true Winnipeg style.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

Wellington Crescent has always felt like one of the city’s shared backyards. On any given day, you’ll find cyclists coasting under the trees, families walking to the park, and drivers taking the scenic route home.

Now, the City is asking residents to help shape how this stretch can become safer and more welcoming for everyone.

The project comes after the tragic passing of a cyclist last year, which led to multiple calls to make this busy route safer for everyone.

It’s part of a “quick-build” plan: a temporary setup that lets the City test out changes before committing to a full redesign in 2026.

So if you want to have your say and learn more about what’s coming, you can share your feedback through the link below. It’s a small way to help shape one of Winnipeg’s most loved streets and make it safer for everyone who walks, rides, or drives through it.

Click Here: To fill out a quick survey and help shape the project!

If you spend any time downtown, you’ve probably noticed how quickly bins can overflow, especially on windy days or after a busy weekend.

To help keep our streets cleaner and more welcoming, the City has started installing new lockable garbage bins along Main Street and Portage Avenue. It’s a small change, but one that could make a big difference in how our city looks and feels.

The City hopes these new bins will not only help with litter but also bring a sense of care back to the core.

As Mayor Scott Gillingham shared, it’s a simple step toward building a Downtown that feels cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone who lives, works, and walks through it.

Click Here: To watch the Mayor’s short video about the new Downtown bins and how they look.

Reading is one of the first big steps in a child’s education, and spotting challenges early can make all the difference.

That’s why the Manitoba government now requires early reading screenings for all young students, ensuring every child gets the help they need right from the start.

This plan will roll out fully next school year, following successful pilots in select school divisions this fall.

It’s all part of Manitoba’s effort to strengthen classrooms — adding more teachers, smaller class sizes, and better tools to help every student thrive. By catching learning challenges early, schools can give kids the confidence and support they need before struggles begin.

For families across the province, it means every child has a better chance to feel seen, supported, and ready to succeed.

Click Here: To learn more about Manitoba’s new early reading plan.

Following the province’s new early reading plan, Manitoba is also expanding what students learn in the classroom. This time, focusing on one of the most important lessons of our time: climate change.

A new provincewide plan will bring climate change and sustainability education into schools, giving students the tools to learn, think, and take action in their own communities.

The plan is part of Manitoba’s Path to Net Zero, focused on building a greener, more sustainable province. It’s a way to help young Manitobans understand the impact of their choices, and empower them to take part in shaping the future they’ll grow up in.

Click Here: To learn more about the curriculum and Manitoba’s Path to Net Zero.

Addiction continues to weigh heavily on families and communities across Manitoba. For many, it’s a cycle that feels impossible to break, filled with worry, exhaustion, and uncertainty, both for those struggling and the loved ones trying to help.

But a new provincial law aims to change how those moments of crisis are handled, bringing more compassion and safety into the process.

A new protective care centre at 190 Disraeli Freeway, operated by Main Street Project, will help make this approach possible. The extended care period will also ease pressure on hospitals, paramedics, and police who respond to the same people again and again.

The hope is simple: to give people a safe place to come down, recover, and find the help they need, while easing the strain on hospitals and first responders.

It’s a step toward treating addiction not as a failure or a crime, but as a health issue, that deserves care, patience, and hope.

Click Here: To learn more about Manitoba’s new law!

A place to call home means everything, especially for families and seniors trying to find affordable rentals in a tough market.

To help ease that pressure, the province is investing $176.5 million over the next five years to encourage more rental housing construction across Manitoba.

The program will help create more housing options for people who need them most, while supporting builders who want to invest in their own communities.

So if you know someone building or planning new rental properties, share this with them. This new program could help bring more homes to life across our province.

Click Here: To share this update or apply for the Rental Housing Construction Incentive.

Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please search them up before going.

Events marked with ($) require prior ticket purchase. Other events may require the purchase of food.

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