Happy Monday, Winnipeg!
It was definitely on the chilly side this weekend, but nothing we couldn’t handle. And the good news is, it’s finally warming up a bit this week. Let’s hope this time it sticks.
With milder temperatures ahead, it’s the perfect excuse to step out and enjoy what the city has going on. From expos and local plays to festivals and community events, there’s truly something for everyone over the next few days.
If you’ve been waiting for a small sign to make plans, this is it.
Let’s get you caught up on what happened over the weekend and get you ready for the week ahead.
Now, in today’s edition:
Winnipeg Airport Secures $32M Investment for Expansion
Restaurant of the Week: A New Bakery is Here!
Manitoba Funds 1,640 Housing Units
RRC Polytech Waives Application Fees For Indigenous Students
Multiple events this week & more
— Jas Singh
News
Winnipeg Airport Secures $32M Investment for Expansion
Source: Winnipeg Airports Authority
This is the kind of news that quietly shapes the city’s future.
Winnipeg is getting a $32 million investment to develop 127 acres of runway-ready land at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.
The federal government is contributing $10 million, Manitoba is adding $5 million, and the Winnipeg Airports Authority is investing $17 million to get the first phase moving.
Here’s what that could mean:
An estimated 1,300 direct jobs tied to the project
Up to $940 million in economic impact during construction
Around $270 million in annual economic activity once complete
New space for aerospace, defence, aviation and advanced manufacturing businesses
The land will be fully serviced and ready to build, which is exactly what large employers look for. City leaders say this helps Winnipeg compete for the next wave of investment as Canada strengthens its defence and trade capacity.
For everyday Winnipeggers, that means more steady jobs, growing industries, and keeping opportunities close to home.
Together with Eleven Hundred Dance!
Discover Argentine Tango This Spring
If you’ve been wanting to try something new this season, Argentine Tango is having a bit of a moment in Winnipeg.
It’s more approachable than most people expect, and it doesn’t require memorizing complicated routines to get started.
Eleven Hundred Dance is now offering Spring beginner Argentine Tango group classes, designed to make tango feel simple and welcoming from the very first class. You can come with a partner, bring a friend, or show up on your own. No experience needed, just a willingness to try.
Group classes start at $15 per person, which makes it easy to add into your weekly routine.
Here’s what you can expect:
Beginner-friendly group classes happening now
A focus on walking, connection, and musicality rather than fixed patterns
Music that feels nostalgic, relaxed, and easy to move to
A welcoming studio environment that makes learning feel comfortable
Once you understand the basics of Argentine Tango, you can dance it to almost any music, which makes it easy to enjoy even when you travel.
So if you’re looking for something new to try this spring that’s social, affordable, and a little outside your usual routine, 1100 Dance Studio is a great place to start.
Restaurant of the Week: The Bread Box
Source: The Bread Box
A New Downtown Bakery With Familiar Roots
Downtown has a new bakery, and it comes from a kitchen many Winnipeggers already know. The Bread Box has officially opened at street level, building on more than 30 years of bread baking at The Fort Garry Hotel.
Long before Winnipeg’s bakery scene took off, the Fort Garry Hotel was baking its bread from scratch.
Those loaves have been served morning to night inside the hotel for decades, from breakfast toast and Eggs Benedict to brioche for French toast and sourdough for sandwiches.
And now, that same bread has its own dedicated storefront on Fort Street.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Country loaves and sourdough made daily
Baguettes and bagels baked fresh
Classic breads designed for everyday meals
And a small, welcoming shop right in the heart of downtown
After decades of being served inside the hotel’s restaurants and banquet rooms, it’s now something you can walk in and bring home for your own table.
📍 280 Fort Street
🕓 Tuesday–Saturday: 10:30 AM–6:30 PM
❌ Closed Sunday & Monday
Click Here: To take a look inside The Bread Box!
City Updates
Manitoba Funds 1,640 Housing Units And Moves 186 People Into Homes
The Manitoba government shared an update this week on progress around housing and homelessness, and the numbers show real movement.
Here’s what’s happened so far:
Funding committed for 1,640 social and affordable housing units
252 units already completed and 718 currently under construction
2,183 Manitoba Housing units repaired and brought back online
186 people moved from encampments into housing through the Your Way Home plan
The province has also supported market rent units and approved dozens of projects that will add thousands more homes, with a large portion set aside as affordable housing.
Community groups say partnerships and around the clock supports are key to helping people not just move inside, but stay housed long term.
There’s still work ahead, but for many families and individuals, this means real help at the right time.
Manitoba Boosts Venture Capital Tax Credit To $30M
If we want more local companies to grow here instead of leaving for bigger cities, they need access to money at the right time.
With that in mind, the province is increasing its Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit to $30 million, up from $22 million, with changes beginning in April 2026.
The aim is to bring more private investment into early-stage and growing companies across Manitoba.
Here’s what this supports:
A larger $30 million tax credit pool to attract new investment
A lower $5,000 minimum investment, making it easier for more people to take part
Eligibility for limited partnerships, which helps draw in bigger venture funds
Recognition of SAFEs, a flexible and common way startups raise early funding
Venture capital investment in Manitoba reached $127 million in 2025, a sharp rise from the year before.
For Winnipeg, this means more local ideas can turn into real businesses, more talent can stay in the province, and more long term economic strength built right here at home.
Community Digest
RRC Polytech Waives Application Fees For Indigenous Students
Source: RRC Polytech
RRC Polytech is removing one more barrier for Indigenous learners across Manitoba.
The college has made applications free year round for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who self declare as Indigenous.
The decision follows two pilot campaigns that brought in over 400 applications in 2024 and more than 700 in 2025, showing strong interest when fees were lifted.
Here’s what this means:
No application fee for Indigenous learners applying to any RRC program
Access to Indigenous Academic Advisors for help navigating the process
Ongoing support through Indigenous Student Support Centres
It’s a small change on paper, but for many families, it can make starting post secondary feel more possible.
So if you or someone you know might be interested, click the link below to learn how to apply!
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!
Brews & Shoes | 7PM-10PM, Mar 5 (Tickets)
Location: FortWhyte Alive
Description: Pair a moonlit guided snowshoe with a selection of creative beer and food pairings – a truly Canadian experience! Throughout the evening you will enjoy a curated selection of local craft beers and savoury snacks (such as soft pretzels) from Spruce Catering at the Buffalo Stone Cafe.
Little Sprouts Stroller Club | 9AM-10AM, Mar 5 (Tickets)
Location: Assiniboine Park The Leaf
Description: Relax, reflect, and connect with your little one and the beauty of nature. Little Sprouts is a gentle, stroller-friendly biome tour designed for new parents and pre-mobile babies.
Game Nights at The Leaf: Trivia Night | 7PM, Mar 5 & April 2 (Tickets)
Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park
Description: Gather your team and test your wits with questions inspired by The Leaf, animals, current events, and more. Perfect for trivia buffs, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a fun night out with friends. Expect brain-bending questions, plenty of laughs, and a few surprises along the way.
Winnipeg Whiskey Festival | Mar 6-7 (Tickets)
Location: RBC Convention Centre
Description: Whether you're a whisky connoisseur or eager to sample other exquisite spirits, there’s something for every palate. Explore a vast selection of premium whiskies, along with an array of fine spirits such as tequila and gin.
Capital K Distillery Craft Cocktail Class | 6PM-8PM, Mar 7 (Tickets)
Location: Capital K Distillery
Description: Join Capital K Distillery in our state of the art facility for a crash course on making exceptional cocktails! You'll learn how to create four drinks per class, guaranteeing your home as party central (start thinking of yourself as Tom Cruise in Cocktail).
PegSpo Winnipeg Sports Collectibles Expo | 9PM-4PM, Mar 7 (Tickets)
Location: RBC Convention Centre
Description: Welcome to PegSpo, Winnipeg's largest not-for-profit sports collectibles expo. This will be the fifth year for the Expo.
Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! | 7PM, Mar 7 (Tickets)
Location: Burton Cummings Theatre
Description: Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! Presented by Walmart will tour North America from September 2025 – a fun new sprinkle-filled adventure, live on stage. An original story featuring incredible puppets, dynamic staging, and songs that will have audiences singing and dancing along, from beginning to end.
Winnipeg Circus Club 11th Annual Showcase Fundraiser!
| 2PM, Mar 8 (Tickets)Location: Jubilee Place
Description: This unique show features juggling, poi, hula hoops, acrobatics, cuteness, clowning, and more. This annual event is a chance for all our members, professional and amateur, to be on stage and show what they do in the club!
Winnipeg Women's Show | Mar 7-8 (Tickets)
Location: RBC Convention Centre
Description: Bring your friends and enjoy the ultimate ladies' day out! Ladies, it's time to treat yourself! Head over to the Winnipeg Women's Show for two days of shopping, entertainment, door prizes, samples, fashion, food, beauty, home, gifts, health and wellness and more - all just for you!
Exciting Events: March 2nd - 3rd
Sports 🏀
Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks | 7PM, Mar 3 (Tickets)
Location: Canada Life Centre
Music 🎵
Jocelyne Baribeau Album Release | 7PM, Mar 2 (Tickets)
Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall
Description: Award-winning singer-songwriter, and well known bilingual Children's performer under the alter-ego Madame Diva, Jocelyne passionately shares her French-Canadian roots with all her music projects including her solo albums as well as her project Beauséjour.
Lil Ed and The Blues Imperials/Big Dave McLean | 7PM, Mar 1-2 (Tickets)
Location: Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club
Description: Lil Ed and The Blues Imperials are the #1 house-rockin’ Chicago blues band in the world today! Plus Big Dave McLean and Brendan Nagle.
Community Fun🎆
The Snow Maze | Mar 2 - End of Winter (Tickets)
Location: A Maze in Corn
Description: Home of the Guinness Book of World Record's Largest Snow Maze! Enjoy warming areas with bonfires, slide down the giant snow mountain, relax in the warming barn or hop on a sleigh ride!
Lights on the Exchange | March 2-21 (More Info)
Location: Various Venues in the Exchange District
Description: From brick and terracotta building facades, to storefronts and alleyways, Lights On the Exchange – Allumez le quartier invites you to explore our iconic neighbourhood and engage with a collection of artwork by over 30 contemporary Canadian and Manitoban artists.
Toddler Tuesdays at The Leaf | 9:30AM, Mar 3 (More Info)
Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park
Description: Your little one will enjoy music and games while discovering the joy of movement in the beautiful Mediterranean Biome. There will be a mix of different activities throughout the weeks, including music, dance, yoga, and drama.
Performances🎭
Rogers v. Rogers | March 3-14 (Tickets)
Location: John Hirsch Mainstage
Description: A David vs. Goliath story for a new age, Rogers v. Rogers examines the merits of fighting back, the cost of ambition, and the complicated legacy of love and defiance in the shadow of power.
The Undeniable Accusations of Red Cadmium Light | March 3-14 (Tickets)
Location: Prairie Theatre Exchange
Description: Nazhi runs an art gallery on the Otter Lake First Nation, specializing in the work of Norval Morrisseau and other renowned Indigenous artists. Her daughter Beverly is a successful Indigenous educator, up for a big promotion. When a reporter begins to dig into the world of counterfeit Indigenous art, a discovery is made that risks jeopardizing both women’s careers, and their relationship, forever.
Special Events🥂
+LIVE+: Like A Rollin' Thunder Tour | 7PM, Mar 2 (Tickets)
Location: Canada Life Centre
Description: +LIVE+ have sold over 23 million albums worldwide and earned two number one albums: Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi. Their catalog is filled with such gems as “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” “All Over You” and “Lakini’s Juice,” which live on today as classics on rock radio.
WINNIPEG $10 Shoe & Clothing Warehouse Sale | 10AM-9PM, Mar 2 (Tickets)
Location: RBC Convention Centre
Description: Get ready to stock up on shoes and apparel at the $10 Pop-Up Sale. Find truckloads of NEW clothing for all seasons, including trendy pieces and everyday essentials for Men and Women at $10 or less and Kids clothing at $4 and Footwear $5-$10.
Derek Seguin | Mar 3-7 (Tickets)
Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club
Description: Montreal-based Derek Seguin is one of the most sought after stand up comedians on the international circuit.
Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Wednesday!
