Hey Winnipeggers!

We’re already halfway through the week, and hopefully, February’s been off to a great start for you.

We’ve been busy planning the Summer of Locals Market happening this May, and once the posters are ready, you’ll be the first to see them. We want this to be a true community event, so we’ll be looking for ways to get everyone involved!

With all the tariff news going around, now’s an even better time to support local vendors and make sure our small businesses keep thriving. The markets we’ll be hosting this summer are just one way we can all do that.

In today’s edition:

• Tariff Update: A Temporary Pause, But Not a Full Win

• What Manitoba’s Doing About U.S. Tariffs

• Charity of the Week

• Winnipeg’s First New Public Indoor Pool in 40+ Years

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Tariff Update: A Temporary Pause, But Not a Full Win

In the last edition, we talked about how Canada and the U.S. were about to hit each other with 25% tariffs. It would have made life a whole lot more expensive, especially for businesses here in Winnipeg that rely on cross-border trade.

But after a call with Prime Minister Trudeau, President Trump has agreed to pause the tariffs for 30 days while they work things out. It’s a bit of a relief, but it came with a few promises on Canada’s end.

To make it happen, we’ve agreed to:

• Put $1.3B into border security, adding more officers, new tech, and better coordination with the U.S.

• Appoint a fentanyl “czar” to focus on tackling the crisis that’s impacting both countries.

• Launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force, putting $200M toward fighting organized crime.

• And increase border staffing, bringing in 10,000 front-line personnel.

So for now, businesses that rely on U.S. trade can breathe a little easier. But let’s be real—this doesn’t mean everything is solved.

While the politicians sort things out, let’s keep showing up for our local businesses. Every coffee, every meal, every small purchase helps keep our city moving!

What Manitoba’s Doing About U.S. Tariffs

Staying on the topic of tariffs, now that you know what’s happening between Canada and the U.S., here’s what’s going on right here in Manitoba.

As you know, we don’t usually dive into federal news unless it really affects our community, and this one does. With Trump threatening 25% tariffs, Manitoba wasn’t just going to sit back and hope for the best.

Over the weekend, Premier Wab Kinew announced that if the tariffs went through, the province would:

• Pull American alcohol from liquor stores

• While also, cutting off U.S. companies from bidding on provincial contracts (which adds up to about $80M a year)

But now that Trump has hit pause on tariffs for 30 days, Manitoba is doing the same.

As reported by Global News, Kinew says this shows that when Canadians stand up for themselves, it works. But he also made it clear that if those tariffs actually happen, Manitoba will be ready to respond.

And in the meantime, like we said above, keep supporting local. Whether it’s grabbing a Manitoba-made beer or shopping from a local vendor, it all makes a difference.

A message from Red River Exhibition Park!

Manitoba’s Biggest RV Show is Back!

We all dream of that perfect summer—cruising down the highway, windows down, music up, nowhere to be but where the road takes you. But how often do we actually make it happen?

Before you know it, another year flies by, and that big road trip? Still just an idea.

That’s where the Four Seasons RV Show & Sale comes in. If you’ve ever thought about getting an RV—whether it’s for summer weekends at the lake or cross-country road trips—this is the easiest way to make it real.

For 11 days only, Winnipeg’s biggest RV event is bringing everything you need under one roof.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

🚐 Fifth wheels, travel trailers, and top RV brands: walk through, sit inside, and find your perfect fit.
🛠️ Parts & accessories: whether you’re upgrading or starting fresh, they’ve got it.
🌨️ All indoors: because let’s be honest, Manitoba winters aren’t exactly RV shopping weather.
💰 Free admission & parking: no risk, just show up and explore.

Happening from Feb 7-17 at Red River Exhibition Park, be sure to stop by and see what’s possible.

So even if you’re just curious, come check it out. Because summer adventures don’t plan themselves—and the best memories start with a little “what if?”

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

Charity of the Week:

Children’s Hospital Book Market – pop-up sale

If you love books and want to make a difference, this one’s for you.

The Children’s Hospital Book Market is hosting a special one-day pop-up sale at St. Vital Centre on Saturday, February 8. It’s your chance to stock up on great reads at amazing prices, all while helping sick and injured kids get the care they need.

This book market has been running for years, completely powered by volunteers who spend all year collecting, sorting, and pricing books. Every single dollar raised goes straight to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, helping fund life-saving equipment, improved healthcare spaces, and programs that make hospital stays easier for families.

• Browse a huge selection of books—fiction, mystery, romance, comics, graphic novels, cookbooks, and more.

• Find extra treasures like sheet music, CDs, LPs, DVDs, and puzzles.

• And support Manitoba’s only children’s hospital, ensuring kids get the best care possible!

So stop by, grab a new book (or five), and know that every purchase helps a child in need. ❤️

City Updates

Winnipeg’s First New Public Indoor Pool in 40+ Years

Winter in Winnipeg means months without a good swim unless you’re lucky enough to have access to a gym with a pool. And for families? The options are slim.

That’s why this is exciting. The city is planning to build its first new public indoor pool in over 40 years as part of the East of the Red RecPlex. And it’s not just a pool.

Plans include:

• A lazy river, waterslides, and a leisure pool

• Gym space, a walking track, and a fitness center

• Outdoor play areas and a potential childcare center

Before anything gets built, the city wants to hear from us.

• Open houses are happening at Transcona Library on Feb 18 & 19

• While an online survey is also open until March 3

Winnipeg doesn’t get new rec centers often. So, this is our chance to help shape something that could be around for generations!

Manitoba Is Cracking Down on Money Laundering

With all the talk about border security and tariffs, there’s another issue getting attention. Money laundering through Manitoba casinos.

It’s no secret that organized crime groups use casinos to clean their cash, and with fentanyl hitting communities hard, that money isn’t just shady. It’s deadly.

To fight back, the province is making casinos report suspicious transactions directly to police instead of just sending reports to federal agencies. That means:

• Law enforcement will get real-time alerts when something sketchy happens

• More surveillance is being added to track money laundering operations

• Manitoba will work with national agencies to shut down illegal cash flow

It’s a step toward making our city safer and keeping criminal cash out of our economy.

Community Digest

A Huge New Summer Festival for Winnipeg

Everyone loves Winnipeg summers. The patios, the long days, the way the city actually comes alive. And now, we’re adding something new to the mix—a massive outdoor music festival.

As reported by CBC News, The Thunder Stadium Concert Series is bringing the first stadium show at Princess Auto Stadium in eight years with two nights of massive live music this July.

• Rock Night (July 9): Def Leppard, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Foreigner, and Toque

• Country Night (July 10): Jason Aldean, Tyler Hubbard, Nate Smith, and Madeline Merlo

It’s not just about the music either. Economic Development Winnipeg is backing the festival with $250,000, expecting it to bring in $1.8 million to the local economy.

Organizers want this to become an annual thing, but that only happens if people show up. If we want to see more huge concerts in the city, this is our chance to make sure it sticks around.

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!

• First Fridays Lights On The Exchange Art Walk | Feb 7 (Tickets)

  • Location: Exchange District BIZ

  • When: Tours will run at 5:30PM and 7PM

  • Where: Tours begin at 492 Main Street and conclude at 123 James Avenue

• The Trews | 7PM, Feb 7 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: One of Canada’s most successful rock bands of the past decade, earning 19 Top 10 Rock radio singles.

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

  • Location: WAG-Qaumajuq

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

• Winnipeg Jets vs. New York Islanders | 7PM, Feb 7 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

• Four Season RV Show & Sale | Feb 7-17 (Free)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Place

  • Description: Manitoba’s largest RV show and sale, presented by Four Seasons, is back!

• Faris Hytiaa Comedy | Feb 7-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: Faris Hytiaa is one of Canada's fastest rising comedians. Last year, he was a part of Just For Laughs New Faces of Comedy, appearing at festivals in Montreal and Toronto.

• Children’s Hospital Book Market – pop-up sale | 10AM, Feb 8 (More Info)

  • Location: St. Vital Centre

  • Description: Shop a wide selection of fiction, mystery, romance, comics, graphic novels, teen titles and cookbooks along with sheet music, CDs, LPs, DVDs and puzzles!

• Fantastical Emporium of Amorous Finds | 11AM - 4PM, Feb 8 (More Info)

  • Location: 448 Burnell St

  • Description: A Valentine's themed market in support of Our Own Health Centre. Meet over 25 of the most incredible artists, artisans and makers our city has to offer.

• Learn to Winter | 1-4PM, Feb 9

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: Skate and Snowshoe Lessons, DJs by The Canopy, Winter Wellness Classes, Storytelling and Drumming in the Teepee and more!

• Threads: A Fashion Demonstration | 2PM, Feb 9 (Free)

  • Location: WAG-Qaumajuq

  • Description: This event will include a fashion show, talks by designers, a family-friendly dance party, and more!

Exciting Events: Feb 5th & 6th

Music 🎵

• Ryan Bullock/Geoff Erikson/Orvis Thomas/Permission to Land

  | 12-11PM, Feb 5

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall

• Gary Gach | 8PM, Feb 5

  • Location: Royal George

• Blair Hordeski/Jeff Sahulka/Jessie Christian/Shake ‘n’ Bake

  | 12-11PM, Feb 6

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall

• Maxine Peters | 7-9PM, Feb 6

  • Location: Rae & Jerry's Steak House

• Catie St.Germain/Emma Worley/Tommyphyll/KWIAT | 7PM, Feb 6 (Tickets)

  • Location: Kilter Brewing Co.

• Scott Nolan | 8:30PM, Feb 6 (Tickets)

  • Location: Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club

• Cohen Sieg | 7:30PM, Feb 6

  • Location: Gordie's Coffee House

• Shandra Levreault & The Happy Endings | 9PM, Feb 6

  • Location: Royal George

Family Fun🎆

• Worlds Largest Snow Maze | Feb 5 - March 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! | Feb 5 - March 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.

• Free Entry to Manitoba Parks | Feb 5-28

  • Location: Multiple Locations

Special Events 🎨

• Winnipeg Career Fair & Training Expo | 10AM - 2PM, Feb 5 (More Info)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Get in front of hiring managers! Network and apply with Employer Exhibitors. Build the meaningful rapports you need to advance your career in the direction that you want.

• The Leaf After Dark: Adults Only Nights | Feb 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park

  • Description: Enjoy a relaxing adults-only atmosphere complete with live music, wine/beer and as well as charcuterie plates.

• Matt Nightingale Comedy | Feb 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Matt has performed in The San Francisco Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs NorthWest, Chicago Sketch Fest, Oddblock Comedy Festival, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

• Raw Almond Restaurant | Feb 5 - Feb 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: World class chefs gather to create a pop-up restaurant experience like no other.

• Mix Tapes From My Mom | Feb 5 - 15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre - Tom Hendry Warehouse

  • Description: Winnipeg theatre veteran Cory Wojcik, shares a deeply personal story of the day he travelled back and forth between two hospitals.

• Oyster Nights Under Patio Lights! | 5-8PM, Feb 6 (More Info)

  • Location: The Forks Market

• Luis J. Gomez Comedy | Feb 6-8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: His television credits include NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”, Comedy Central, TruTV and TV Land's "The Jim Gaffigan show," and more! (Along with his 4 appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience)

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].