Happy Friday, Winnipeg!

Black Friday is here, and that usually marks the moment when the holiday season truly begins. The gift lists come out, the sales roll in, and everyone starts thinking about what to pick up for family, friends, and all the people who make life a little brighter.

In today’s edition, we’re covering a wide range of changes happening across our city, along with several local markets and pop-ups you can check out this weekend. If you’re planning on picking up gifts, it’s a great chance to support local makers and keep your holiday spending right here in Manitoba.

However you choose to do it, let’s try to keep our dollars local this season and give back to the community in any way we can.

And we’re not all talk. We’ve got a huge announcement coming your way in Monday’s edition about how we’re giving back this holiday season, and it’s something Winnipeg has never seen before.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

When you hear about another fire in the city, it’s hard not to think about the people nearby and how quickly things can change for an entire neighbourhood.

Winnipeg Crime Stoppers is hoping to ease those worries with a new citywide campaign asking neighbours to help spot early signs of arson.

The focus is simple: make it easier for residents to report anything unusual and support investigators quietly and safely.

Crime Stoppers is offering extended rewards for arson-related tips until December 31, 2025 to encourage more people to come forward. You can report everything fully anonymously, with no names, no recorded calls, and no requirement to testify.

This campaign is a reminder that looking out for one another still matters. Even the smallest detail you notice on your street could help prevent the next fire.

So if you spot something that doesn’t look right, click the link below to learn how you can report it safely.

Click Here: To read more about the campaign and how to send in a tip safely.

Every year around this time, life starts to feel a little busier. Holidays coming up, family plans, year-end work, all piling together. And it’s usually when many of us start thinking about taking a real break — something to look forward to, something you can enjoy for yourself or even share with your parents or family.

That’s where Bonaventure Travel comes in. This Black Friday, they’re offering one of the best travel perks we’ve seen in a long time.

When you book a 2026 or 2027 Europe or Colombia river cruise, you’ll receive a Complimentary FREE Land Package worth up to 4 extra nights in cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, or Medellín.

It’s an easy way to stretch your trip and enjoy a little more time together.

On top of that, you’ll also receive $300 in cruise fare savings per person.

If you’ve been thinking about treating yourself or planning something meaningful with family, this offer gives you more time, more memories, and a smoother travel experience from the moment you land. The Black Friday deal ends December 2.

If you’re interested, click the button below to learn more about the Black Friday deal, see the trips available, and find out exactly how to get your complimentary land package and savings.

Advertise with us by emailing: [email protected]

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

Click here: To view the full house & plan your showing!

When someone in the family isn’t feeling well, calling Health Links is usually the first thing we do. But it can be stressful when the call ends with being told to head to the ER, especially when you’re not sure if it’s truly needed.

The province is trying to ease that worry by adding doctors directly to Health Links so people can get clearer advice before choosing where to go.

Early numbers show the change is already helping! In the first 10 days, 160 callers were transferred to speak with a doctor, and only 10 were told they needed to head to the ER.

That means more people get the right advice at home, and less pressure lands on emergency rooms across the province.

Click Here: To learn more about Health Links and how you can access this service

Winnipeg Police have started introducing a new electronic ticketing system this week, replacing the old handwritten tickets many drivers are used to. It’s part of a plan to streamline how offence notices are issued on the road.

The system has already been tested internally, and officers in select traffic vehicles will be the first to use it.

A full rollout across the entire service is planned for 2026.

It’s meant to make the whole process smoother: faster for officers, clearer for motorists, and more reliable for record-keeping.

As more vehicles adopt the new system, the hope is that roadside interactions become quicker and easier for everyone.

Click Here: To read more about the new e-ticketing system and when it will expand citywide.

A new proposal is on the table for Winnipeg, and it’s something we haven’t seen before. McDonald’s is hoping to build Canada’s first drive-thru only restaurant right here in the city, designed for people who just want to grab something quickly and keep moving.

They’re looking at the corner of the Superstore parking lot at Kenaston and Grant, a spot plenty of us already pass through on busy days.

The proposal heads to a city council committee on Tuesday, where members will review and vote on whether the project can move forward.

If it moves ahead, Winnipeg would be the testing ground for a new kind of McDonald’s: one built entirely around convenience, especially in a neighbourhood where people are often on the go.

Click Here: To see more details about the proposal and what council will be voting on.

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!