Happy Monday, Winnipeggers!

Wow, what great weather this weekend with the sun out! ☀️ I hope everyone got a chance to try something from our Friday edition and step out to enjoy it. Whether you were out exploring or just soaking up some much-needed fresh air, it felt like a little preview of spring.

As we kick off a new week, there’s lots happening around the city—big updates, exciting events, and a few things that might shake up your routine.

But first, let’s start on a high note—some of your replies from last week! Your messages truly make our day, and we’re so grateful for this amazing community.

And as always, don’t forget to share your thoughts in the poll at the end of this email!

In today's edition:

• University of Manitoba Set for a Potential Strike

• Restaurant of the Week

• Winnipeg Police Crack Down on Fentanyl

• Winnipeg Volleyball is Taking Over!

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

U of M Faculty Sets Bargaining Deadline For a Potential Strike

Some teachers leave a lasting impact. They’re the ones who make tough subjects click, stay after class to help, and genuinely care about their students. As a U of M alum myself, I can say firsthand how much of a difference they’ve made in my life. And now, those same people who shaped so many of us are saying they’re struggling to keep up.

They’ve been negotiating with the university since August, but with no real end in sight, UMFA has now set a bargaining deadline of March 6 at 11:59 p.m. If a deal isn’t reached, a strike could start as early as March 10.

Here’s what’s happening:

• Faculty and staff have been working without a contract since March 2024.

• The big issues? Pay, workload, working conditions, and childcare support.

• Some professors are leaving or turning down job offers because salaries aren’t keeping up with other universities.

• The university says they’ve put forward a 4-year deal with an 11.25% salary increase and are hoping to avoid a strike.

If things don’t get figured out soon, this could disrupt classes, exams, and a whole lot more. Hopefully, both sides can find some common ground before it comes to that. We’ll keep you posted!

A message from Red River Exhibition Park!

A Hidden Gem in Winnipeg (Literally!)

If you’ve ever picked up a cool rock and thought, “I wonder where this came from?”—this is your kind of event. The Winnipeg Rock N’ Gem Show is back, bringing over 400 tables of crystals, fossils, jewelry, and minerals to Red River Exhibition Park from March 6 to 9.

With the biggest selection of gems, minerals, and fossils in Canada, this show is a dream for collectors, crystal lovers, and anyone who just appreciates cool, shiny things. Meet expert vendors from all over the country, explore rare and unique finds, and pick up a statement piece (or five) at unbeatable prices.

Tickets are just $3 per person or $7 for the whole family, and kids under 5 get in free!

📍 Where & When:

• Location: Exhibition Place at Red River Exhibition Park (3977 Portage Ave)

• Dates: March 6-9

• Parking: Free through Gate 2 off Racetrack Road.

Bring your curiosity (and maybe a tote bag). Whether you’re into geology, jewelry, or just love a good treasure hunt, this is where you want to be. Tell your rock-loving friends!

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

Restaurant of the Week: The Den

This isn’t just dinner. This is a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience inside a restaurant made entirely of snow.

Carved from 500,000+ pounds of snow, The Den is a frozen masterpiece, dreamed up by Clint Masse, the creator of the world’s largest snow maze. Inside, you’ll find ice sculptures, Manitoba art carved into the walls, and a 4-course meal by award-winning chef Luc Jean.

Here’s what to know:

• Open until March 15—after that, it melts away.

• It’s cold! Dress in full winter gear for the full experience.

• Tickets include snow maze access, so show up early to explore.

• It’s pricey—$244.53 per person—but there’s nothing else like it in Manitoba.

If you’re looking for a truly one-of-a-kind night out, this is it.

Community Digest

Winnipeg Police Crack Down on New Dangerous Fentanyl

We usually try to stay away from crime and bad news, but with something this serious, we wanted to provide an update, especially since our police have been doing great work to get this dangerous stuff off the streets.

As we mentioned last week, there’s a new form of fentanyl in the city, and it’s designed to look like harmless everyday items like cookies, soaps, and even candles. But behind the bright colors and familiar shapes is something incredibly dangerous.

As reported by CBC News, Winnipeg police have been investigating this since January, and their work just led to four arrests and the seizure of $225,000 worth of drugs.

Here’s what went down:

• A traffic stop on Feb. 20 led to the arrest of a 51-year-old man. He had $84,000 worth of fentanyl, a scale, and over $6,000 in cash.

• Police then searched an apartment on Winnipeg Avenue, arresting three women and seizing more fentanyl, cocaine, a shotgun, and cash.

• Another search on Aikins Street turned up $90,000 worth of meth, cash, and trafficking materials.

• Police are still looking for 44-year-old Dennis Lawrence Russell Spence in connection to the case.

If you see something suspicious, call the police non-emergency line at 204-986-6222. And as always, never touch anything that could contain fentanyl. We’ll keep you posted as this develops!

Big Changes Coming to Louis Riel Schools

The Louis Riel School Division’s 2025-26 proposed budget aims to tackle growing enrollment, aging schools, and rising costs while ensuring students and staff have the resources they need. To fund these improvements, they’re proposing a 6.43% property tax increase, which would mean an extra $193 per year for the average homeowner. A small part of this, 1.22%, is a one-time cost to furnish a new elementary school in Sage Creek and Bonavista.

What’s in the Plan?

• 44.55 new full-time teachers and 31.81 new support staff to maintain reasonable class sizes and student support.

• A water safety pilot program for Grade 3 and 4 students, with a $100,000 investment to see if it can expand in future years.

• A six-year plan to install air conditioning in 10 schools, starting with a $630,000 investment in 2025-26.

• $250,000 for cybersecurity upgrades to protect student and staff data.

• Keeping the current student fee system instead of eliminating them completely.

School divisions across the city are facing tough financial decisions, but without this tax increase, many of these improvements wouldn’t be possible. The board is still reviewing everything, so we’ll keep you posted as things unfold!

City Sports

Winnipeg Volleyball is Taking Over!

It’s a massive moment for university volleyball in Winnipeg, and local fans are in for a treat! Two of our teams are making waves, and this is the perfect chance to support some of the best talent in the country.

🏐 Wesmen Men’s Volleyball is Making History

• For the first time ever, the U of W Wesmen men’s volleyball team is hosting the Canada West Final Four.

• After sweeping the Manitoba Bisons, they’ll be competing for a conference title on March 7 and 8 at the Duckworth Centre.

• With a shot at the championship on the line, they’ll be looking for a packed house to cheer them on.

🏐 Bisons Women’s Volleyball is on a Mission

• The U of M Bisons women’s volleyball team is hosting the U SPORTS National Championship from March 14-16.

• This team has been dominant all season, ranking #1 in Canada West and #2 in the country.

• After winning Canada West last year and grabbing a bronze medal nationally, they’re aiming for an even bigger finish this time around.

Between both tournaments, this is a huge couple of weeks for volleyball fans. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just love supporting local teams, now’s the time to show up, get loud, and help bring home some banners!

Events 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 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.

• 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.

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

  • Location: West End Cultural Centre (WECC)

  • Description: The Women's Day Concert features the W2JO (WJO's all-female identifying version) featuring old standards and new works.

• 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

• 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.

• Winnipeg Women's Show | Mar 8-9 (More Info)

  • 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!

Exciting Events: Mar 3rd & 4th

Sports🏀

• Manitoba Moose vs Grand Rapids Griffins | March 4 & 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Music 🎵

• Sean Burns | 11:45-2:45PM, Mar 3

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

• Elation Pauls | 1:30PM, Mar 4 (Tickets)

  • Location: Berney Theatre

• Tuesday night Jazz Jam | 8PM, Mar 4

  • Location: Park Alleys

• Prairie Soul | 11:45-2:45PM, Mar 4

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

Family Fun🎆

• Mini Mondays at the Children's Museum | 10 AM - 2PM, Mar 3 (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 3-30 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze in Corn

  • Description: Enjoy warming areas with bonfires, slide down the giant snow mountain, relax in the warming barn or hop on a sleigh ride!

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | Mar 3-20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry (1824 Pembina Hwy)

  • Description: Saddle up for a wild ride as Destination Dinner Stage 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 3-9 (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 | March 3-8 (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.

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

  • 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 🥂

• The Living Well Program | 2:15-4PM, Mar 3 (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.

• Tyler Penner Comedy | Mar 4-5 (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.

CHEERS!

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! I’ll see you again on Wednesday!

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