Happy Friday, Winnipeggers!

First off, a quick apology for a mix-up in our last edition. We mentioned St. Vital Mall would be open from 11AM – 6 PM, but it turned out to be closed. We called to confirm, but that’s on us for not double-checking online. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this caused and promise to be more careful moving forward.

Now, with that behind us—happy New Year! This weekend is the last before school kicks off, so take the chance to spend time with family and friends. Whether you’re easing back into routines or enjoying the final days of winter break, we hope today’s newsletter adds a little something special to your day.

As always, we’d love to hear your feedback! Let us know how we’re doing or how we can improve. Your replies will be featured in our Community Section on Monday.

Enjoy the read, and have a great weekend!

In today’s edition:

• What’s Changing for 2025: Taxes, Fees, and More

• Back to School Reminder!

• A Winnipeg Tradition That Brings Everyone Together

• 30+ Weekend Events & Live Music

— Jas Singh

News

What’s Changing for 2025: Taxes, Fees, and More

With the new year finally in swing, it feels like the government is throwing a lot of changes our way. Keeping up? Nearly impossible.

So, here’s a handy list of all the updates you’ll need to know, as reported by CBC News:

Federal Changes

• Personal income tax brackets: Adjusted slightly upward, so more income stays in the lower brackets.

• CPP contributions: 

  • Maximum earnings: Increased by $2,800 to $71,500.

  • Yearly maximum contribution: Up by $166.60, totaling $4,034.10.

• Employment Insurance: 

  • Tax rate: Dropped to 1.64% (a small win).

  • Maximum insurable earnings: Increased by $2,500, which could add up to $28 extra in taxes per worker and $40 for employers.

• Carbon tax: Goes up April 1, adding 3.3 cents per litre of gas.

Manitoba Changes

• Fuel tax: Back after a one-year holiday—12.5 cents per litre at the pump starting now.

• Renters’ credit: Increased by $50 to $575.

• Provincial income tax brackets: Slight adjustments to the ceilings.

• Property (education) taxes: A new $1,500 credit replaces the old 50% credit.

Winnipeg Changes

• Property taxes: Proposed to rise by 5.95%. For a home assessed at $371,000, that’s $121 more.

• Transit fares: Adult fares increase by 10 cents to $3.35.

• Waste-diversion fee: Up $13 per household to $93 annually.

• Water and sewer rates: Small increases—water up 5 cents and sewer up 26 cents per cubic metre.

Whether it’s a few extra dollars at the pump or higher property taxes, these changes will add up. So, take a moment to check your bills and budget accordingly this year.

If anything here feels like a punch to the wallet, you’re not alone. All the more reason to support local as that’s how we make sure we keep our dollars in our community. 💛

Back to School Reminder!

Quick reminder—school’s back on Monday, January 6th, so make the most of this last winter break weekend with your kids and grandkids! One more cozy movie night or snowball fight? Why not!

For all the university students (or those with one in the family), here are some key dates for U of M’s Winter Term 2025 to help you stay on top of things:

• Add/drop period: Until Jan. 20th—finalize your courses.

• Drop deadline: Jan. 17th—last chance to drop without it appearing on transcripts.

• Tuition deadline: Feb. 5th—avoid late fees by paying on time.

Need a student ID? Stop by UMSU University Centre Jan. 6–10 (9 AM – 4 PM).

For U of W and Red River students, no updates yet, but don’t worry—we’ll keep you in the loop in future editions!

So, whether it’s packing those lunch bags or double-checking class schedules, let’s all get ready to start the year strong. Here’s to a smooth transition back to school!

A message from us… Winnipeg Digest!

Get Your Business in Front of the Right People

As long as I’ve lived in Winnipeg (13+ years), one thing has always been clear: there’s no reliable way to advertise locally.

• Billboards and park benches? You can’t tell who’s actually seeing them.

• Print and magazines? A lot get printed, but how many turn into customers?

• Facebook ads? You’re competing with every other business for the same attention.

That’s why we created The Winnipeg Digest, to be a one-stop shop for everything in Winnipeg and change the game for our local businesses.

Here’s what makes us different:

• Exclusive access: We only partner with one business per industry.

• Trackable results: Know exactly how many locals see your ad and click through.

• Trusted community: Over 65,000 Winnipeggers rely on us to share the best Winnipeg has to offer.

We’re picky about who we work with because our readers (like yourself) trust us to recommend the best. But if you’re a local business (or know one) ready to connect with a loyal, local audience, reach out to us at [email protected].

Whether it’s your accountant, your HVAC tech, or your favorite local business, tell them to get in touch. Let’s help Winnipeg businesses grow together.

Community News

A Winnipeg Tradition That Brings Everyone Together

Every New Year’s Day, Claude Thériault turns a Glenwood Street into a winter wonderland of community fun. As reported by CBC News, for over 25 years, he’s hosted a game of “boot hockey”—no skates, no real puck, just boots, a toy ball, and pure joy.

This year, Claude sent out 300 invites, and 16 people bundled up to play despite the freezing cold. It’s not about the score; it’s about neighbors and friends coming together. One player even flew in from Ireland to experience it!

Claude started this tradition to relive his childhood, and it’s grown into something much bigger—a day where everyone feels like family.

Here’s to hoping more folks start something like this in their neighborhoods—because what’s better than bringing the whole community together? Claude, you’ve built something special. 🏒

$10-a-Day Childcare—A Win, But Can We Do More?

We talked about this a few weeks ago, but Manitoba’s $10-a-day childcare program now includes school-aged kids on non-school days. That means summer breaks, in-services, and holidays just got way more affordable.

For parents, this is a game-changer:

• Before: $20.80 a day.

• Now: Just $10.

But here’s the catch: the waitlists are growing fast. More families can afford care, but the number of spots hasn’t kept up. As reported by Discover Westman, the demand has created challenges for many families.

Let’s hope the city steps up and opens more facilities to make this program accessible to everyone who needs it. To all the parents navigating this—we see you. This is progress, but there’s more work to do.

We’ll keep you updated on any further spots that open up in future editions!

City Updates

Lemay Forest: Balancing Growth and Preservation

The future of Lemay Forest, near St. Norbert, is creating quite a conversation in our city. As reported by CTV News, on one side, the developer plans to build an assisted-living facility, providing much-needed housing for seniors and bringing economic growth. On the other, residents are passionate about preserving the beloved green space, a part of the community’s identity.

Both priorities matter—housing for those in need and the preservation of nature. It’s a tough balance, and it’s no surprise this issue has sparked strong feelings on both sides.

A recent court injunction cleared protesters from the site, but the discussion is far from over. Another hearing is scheduled for provincial court on January 6. We’ll keep you updated on what happens next.

This isn’t just about a forest; it’s about the kind of city we want to build together. 🌳

Keeping Our Community Safe

We usually keep things upbeat here, but safety matters. The city just released its most wanted list, and it’s worth checking out.

We won’t dive into the details, but knowing who’s out there can help keep our neighborhoods safe. It’s a quick way to stay informed and protect your loved ones.

Take a moment to click the button below. Let’s all do our part to keep Winnipeg safe and strong.

Exciting Events: Jan 3rd - 5th

This section only includes events until the next edition on Monday, so here’s what’s happening Friday till Sunday!

Sports🏀

• Winnipeg Run Club | 8AM, Jan 4th (FREE)

  • Location: The Forks (by the main elevator)

• Winnipeg Jets vs Detroit Red Wings | 6PM, Jan 4 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

• Harlem Globetrotters | 3PM, Jan 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: You’ll see all the amazing basketball spins, slams, and dunks that you’ve come to expect at every Globetrotters game, PLUS new trials as players face-off to see who can pull off astonishing trick shots and more!

Family Fun🎆

• First Friday in The Exchange | 5-9PM, Jan 3

  • Location: Across the Exchange District

  • Description: On the 1st Friday of each month, Galleries, Artist-Run Centres, Studios, Shops + Museums stay open late for free!

• DJ Skate Night | 5:30-7:30PM, Jan 3 (More Info)

  • Location: Glenwood Community Centre

  • Description: We will be offering two time slots (5:30pm - 6:30pm and 6:30pm to 7:30pm) - please sign up for only one time slot)

• Watt a Season | Jan 3-11 (More Info)

  • Location: Manitoba Electrical Museum (680 Harrow St)

• Zoo Lights | Jan 3-5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

• Canad Inns Winter Wonderland | Jan 3-4 (Tickets)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition- Exhibition Place

  • Description: Manitoba’s largest drive-thru light show and provides a brilliant presentation of over one million lights.

• St. Norbert Farmer’s Market | 10AM - 2PM, Jan 4 (More Info)

  • Location: 3514 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB

• Create and Connect Crafts | 1-2PM, Jan 5 (More Info)

  • Location: Tannis M. Richardson Classroom at The Leaf

  • Description: Hands-on crafting using natural or recycled products!

• 2025 Snowshoe Sundays | 10AM - 3PM, Jan 5 (More Info)

  • Location: Living Prarie Museum, 2795 Ness Ave

  • Description: Drop in on Sundays in January and February 10 AM - 3 PM for free 1-hour snowshoe rentals!

Comedy❗

• Jim Jefferies & Jimmy Carr Comedy | 7:30PM, Jan 3 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: The Charm Offensive Tour! Two headliners, one ticket & lots of laughs!

• Lev Fer Comedy | Jan 3-4 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Lev was featured in the New York Comedy Festival, where he was named a “Comic to Watch” and is now regular at the Skankfest Comedy Festival.

Special Events 🥂

• Zoo Lights, After Dark 18+ Night | 7-11PM, Jan 3 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Enjoy live music inside the Marquee tent, drink specials throughout the evening, and get your photos with winter characters throughout the Zoo. It's everything you enjoy about Zoo Lights and more - just without the kids!

• Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity | 7PM, Jan 3 (Tickets)

  • Location: WAG-Qaumajuq

  • Description: Catch the screenings of the best films from the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity!

• STEM-inspired holiday programming | Jan 3-5 (More Info)

  • Location: Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada

  • Description: Two STEM-inspired activities to engage young minds. The first is an airplane obstacle course that will wind its way throughout the museum. Kids will be challenged to navigate through the course and safely land their plane at the end. Complete the obstacle course and enter to win prizes!

• Manitoba Museum Bead-A-Thon | 10AM - 3PM, Jan 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Manitoba Museum

  • Description: Featuring Métis beadwork artist Jennine Krauchi and Indigenous Programming Head Tashina Houle-Schlup. This welcoming community event includes beading tutorials, pop-up historical beadwork displays, an “Artist Open Mic,” and delicious food from local vendors like Sharecuterie and Anishinaa-Bakes.

Music 🎵

Events marked with ($) require prior ticket purchase. Other events may require the purchase of food or tickets available at the door.

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

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