Happy Monday, Winnipeggers!

We’re skipping the usual community section this week because we’ve got a big update on something exciting—our summer markets!

As we mentioned before, we’ve locked in five dates for this year’s markets, and the first one in May is officially in the works. Right now, we’re busy locking in vendors, and we’re expecting 60+ amazing local makers, businesses, and food spots to be there!

We’re also working hard to make this a perfect weekend outing for families, with activities like bouncy castles, face painting, and more.

Now, here’s where we could use your help!

• We need volunteers. We always get asked about ways to folks can give back to the community, and this is a great one! We’re looking for folks to help with setup, vendor support, customer service, and cleanup. If you’re interested, click here to learn more. (LINK)

• Follow our new Instagram page! We’ve created a page just for Digest events so you can keep up with our journey, see behind-the-scenes updates, and check out the first video of our market prep. (LINK)

This summer is going to be packed, and we’re so excited to bring these markets to life with all of you. More updates coming soon!

P.S. We might have some exclusive Winnipeg Digest goodies for the volunteers!

Now, In today’s edition:

• New Prime Minister Removes Consumer Carbon Tax

• Restaurant of the Week

• Winnipeg to Host Canada’s Biggest Basketball Festival

• Doctors Want to Get Rid of Sick Notes

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

New Prime Minister Removes Consumer Carbon Tax

We try not to focus too much on federal politics since our goal is to keep things local. But with all the tariff news, Prime Minister Trudeau stepping down, and now a new leader stepping in, it’s been hard to ignore.

And when it comes to things that might impact your wallets or affect your day-to-day life, we want to keep you informed. That’s why this latest change from Ottawa is worth paying attention to.

On Friday, Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister, and his first move was to scrap the consumer carbon tax. The fuel charge will officially end on April 1, but don’t worry, the April carbon tax rebate is still happening.

Here’s what that means for you:

• Gas should cost less since the federal carbon tax added extra cents per liter. This could bring some relief at the pumps.

• April 15 is the last rebate. The government says you’ll still get one final carbon rebate, but after that, it’s gone.

There’s still a lot up in the air. With a federal election potentially around the corner, more tariff changes, and new policies that could shake things up even more. Things are moving fast, but we’ll keep an eye on what’s next and keep you in the loop as it all unfolds.

A message from Canlan Sports!

Last Chance to Play Hockey With Your Friends & Family!

If you’re looking for the perfect excuse to stay active, see your friends, and have some competitive fun every week—this is it.

There’s nothing like the rush of stepping onto the ice, the high-fives after a big goal, and the stories that somehow get better every time you tell them. Whether you’re out there for the love of the game or just looking to keep the tradition alive, hockey is one of the best ways to stay connected, stay active, and have a blast while doing it.

If this sounds like your kind of fun—or you know someone who would love it, like your husband, son, brother, or best friend—now’s the time to get them on board.

The ASHL League at Canlan Sports is back for spring and summer, but time is running out to sign up.

• Get your team together – Play with friends, co-workers, or family, or sign up solo and we’ll match you with a team.

• Games start May 5 – Keep your skates sharp, stay in the game, and make every week something to look forward to.

• Final deadline: March 31 – Spots are almost full, so don’t wait too long.

So if you’ve been thinking about playing, now’s the time to lock it in. Click below to sign up or share this with someone who’d love to hit the ice!

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

Restaurant of the Week: Baby Baby

Osborne just got a whole lot cooler. Baby Baby, the city’s newest spot for dinner and drinks, is officially open, and it’s the perfect excuse to plan your next date night.

Brought to you by Raya Konrad, co-owner of Clementine Cafe, this new spot at 137 Osborne St. brings the same attention to detail and flavor that made Clementine a Winnipeg staple. Except this time, it’s all about stylish late-night eats and creative cocktails.

The menu? A mix of shareable plates and larger mains packed with bold flavors. Think grilled lobster rolls, beef tartare, and BBQ striploin alongside fun twists like fried broccoli with kumquat aioli and chili potato manti. And if you’ve got room for dessert, the creamsicle parfait with blood orange curd is calling your name.

Pair your meal with a brown butter old fashioned or a glass of natural wine, and you’ve got yourself a night.

📍 137 Osborne St.
🕔 Thursday, Sunday & Monday: 5 PM - 10 PM (drinks until 11 PM)
🕔 Friday & Saturday: 5 PM - 11 PM (drinks until midnight)

Super aesthetic. Super cozy. Baby Baby is a must-visit.

Community Digest

Winnipeg to Host Canada’s Biggest Basketball Festival

Winnipeg has always been a hockey city, but lately, basketball has been stealing the spotlight. With the Sea Bears quickly becoming a huge part of our summers, packing Canada Life Centre game after game, the city’s love for the sport is undeniable. And now, something even bigger is coming.

For the first time ever, Winnipeg will host the CEBL Championship Weekend from August 22-24, 2025. Not only will the Sea Bears compete in the Western Conference Final, but the city will also be the stage for Canada’s biggest basketball festival.

• Expect more than just games. The weekend will feature concerts, community events, and celebrations for all ages.

• The Sea Bears made history last season by breaking attendance records. This event proves Winnipeg is now a basketball destination.

• Tickets are on sale now at the lowest price, so if you want in, now’s the time to grab your seats.

With the Grey Cup also happening this year, Winnipeg is shaping up to be the place for sports fans this year.

City Updates

Manitoba Doctors Want to Get Rid of Sick Notes

We’ve all been there. You wake up feeling terrible, but instead of resting, you have to scramble for a doctor’s appointment just to get a note for work. It’s frustrating, it clogs up clinics, and let’s be honest—most of the time, it just doesn’t feel necessary. Doctors Manitoba agrees.

A new report shows that most people—workers and business owners alike—want to eliminate sick notes for short-term absences.

• Getting rid of sick notes would free up over 300,000 doctor visits a year, which is like adding 50 more doctors overnight.

• Over 70 percent of workers say they’d rather go to work sick than go through the hassle of getting a note.

• Most business owners support the change, saying it would improve productivity and reduce workplace illness.

A joint task force has now recommended ending sick notes to the Manitoba health minister. Doctors Manitoba has also launched a website to share research and gather input from employers, unions, and policymakers.

A final recommendation and transition plan are expected soon, along with a toolkit to help businesses and organizations adapt.

A Winnipeg Music Lover is Selling His Massive Record Collection

For some people, collecting music is a hobby. But as reporested by CBC News, for Doug Kretchmer, it’s been a way of life. Over the years, he’s built a massive collection of records, CDs, and cassettes—more than 10,000 pieces of music. But now, after two life-changing car accidents, he’s made the tough decision to start letting it go.

Every weekend, you’ll find Doug at Mulvey Market, selling off his collection, piece by piece.

• His home is packed floor to ceiling with records, making it one of the largest private collections in the city.

• He’s not just looking to sell—he wants to find the right homes for his music, with people who will truly appreciate it.

• If you love vinyl, this is your chance to dig through a lifetime’s worth of music history.

If you’re a music fan, stop by Mulvey Market. You never know what hidden gem you might find—and you’ll be helping a local collector pass his love of music to the next generation.

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!

• The Leaf After Dark: Adults Only Nights | 7PM, Mar 19 (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.

• David Cross Comedy | 8PM, Mar 19 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Emmy Award winner and two-time Grammy Award nominee David Cross is an inventive performer, writer, and producer on stage and screen.

• Casey and Diana Play | Mar 19 - 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 19-30 (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.

• The Ode'imin Collective Spring Market | Mar 20-23 (More Info)

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: The Ode'imin Collective Spring Market will celebrate the season with an Indigenous market featuring handmade products by Indigenous artisans.

• 48th Annual Piston Ring World of Wheels | Mar 21-23 (Tickets)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Car show for those who own competition cars, specialty and concept vehicles and those who dream about owning them.

• Ice Fishing Festival | 10AM - 4:30PM, Mar 22 (More Info)

  • Location: Fort Whyte Alive

  • Description: Hit the ice with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation for an annual celebration of all things ice fishing!

• Latin Sundays at The Forks | 5:30-9:30PM, Mar 23

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

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

Exciting Events: March 17th & 18th

Music 🎵

• The Bold Match/Grant Leutschaft/The Sean Taylor Band | 11:45AM - 11PM, March 17

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

• Stephanie Westdal | 7:30PM, March 17

  • Location: Shannon's Irish Pub

• Jelly Roll: Beautifully Broken Tour | 7PM, March 17 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: “Beautifully Broken” released October 11 debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 All Genre Chart, as well as #3 on the Billboard Canadian Album Chart.

• Derek Robertson | 11:45AM - 2:45PM, March 18

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

• Manitoba Music Open Mic (Cohen Sieg) | 6:30PM, March 18 (Free)

  • Location: The Handsome Daughter

Family Fun🎆

• Winnipeg $10 Shoe & Clothing Warehouse Sale | 10AM - 9PM, March 17

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre (Hall A & B)

  • Description: FREE ENTRY - Enjoy a stunning selection of footwear and apparel items all for only $10 or less.

• Mini Mondays at the Children's Museum | 10AM - 2PM, Mar 17 (More Info)

  • Location: Manitoba Children's Museum

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

• Worlds Largest Snow Maze | Mar 17-30 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze in Corn

• King James Play | Mar 17-22 (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 17-20 (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.

• Toddler Tuesdays at The Leaf | 9:30-10AM, Mar 18 (More Info)

  • Location: Mediterranean Biome at The Leaf

  • Description: Your little one will enjoy music and games while discovering the joy of movement in the beautiful Mediterranean Biome.

• $12 Tuesdays at the Zoo | 9AM - 4PM,, Mar 18

  • 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.

Special Events 🎨

• St. Patrick's Fest 2025 | 6PM, Mar 17 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain

  • Description: Irish music, and Dance with continuous entertainment from McConnell Irish Dancers, Barefoot Ceili Band, Enaid, and more!

• The Living Well Program | 2:15-4PM, Mar 17 (Tickets)

  • Location: Tannis Richardson Indoor Classroom, 145 The Leaf Way

  • Description: Enables people living with mild to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners to reap the social and well-being benefits of engaging with plants with the guidance of a practitioner of horticulture therapy.

• Stone Soup 2025 | Mar 17-23 (More Info)

  • Location: Across the Province

  • Description: Restaurants across the province are stepping up for the 13th annual Stone Soup fundraiser, donating $1 from every bowl of soup sold to support school meal programs.

• Shane Torres Comedy | Mar 18-21 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Shane Torres is a stand up comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster. He has performed on festivals all over the globe including Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Comedy Central’s Clusterfest, San Francisco Sketchfest, Laughfest, and many more.

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].