Midweek check-in, Winnipeg!

October has officially arrived. The mornings feel cooler, the evenings darker, and those first real hints of frost are sneaking in. Coffee shops smell a little sweeter, and pumpkins are starting to pop up on porches.

So let’s lean into it, grab a warm drink, take the long way through the crunchy leaves, and get ready for all the good stuff this month has lined up.

In today’s edition:

• New Digital Signs and Cameras to Improve Highway Safety

• $4M to Open 1200 New Addiction Treatment Spaces

• 72 New Affordable Homes on Main Street

• Jets Kick Off the Season with a Celebrity Sighting

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Manitoba Installs New Digital Signs and Cameras to Improve Highway Safety

You might have noticed some big new boards flashing traffic updates while driving the Perimeter or heading out toward Falcon Lake. They’re part of a new upgrade rolling out across Manitoba’s highways to help drivers get real-time information when conditions change.

To go with the signs, 19 new cameras are also being added. They’ll capture images every 15 minutes, giving drivers a clearer picture of road conditions before and during their trip.

Here’s what’s new on the roads:

• 20 new digital signs are now live on highways like 1, 6, 75, 100, and 101

• 19 new highway cameras are taking road photos every 15 minutes

• Instant updates on road closures, traffic delays, detours, and weather

• And a fully remote system that keeps info current in real time

In a province where road conditions can flip fast (snow, detours, surprise construction), this kind of real-time info is a game changer. Whether you're driving into Winnipeg or heading out for a weekend trip, this helps you get there safer, with fewer surprises.

And the best part? You can check the road before you even leave the driveway through the Manitoba 511 app.

Click here: To check out the Manitoba 511 app and see which highways now have signs and cameras!

Together with Eleven Hundred Dance!

Winnipeg’s Most Affordable Date Night Idea

If you’re looking for a date night that feels a little more special than the usual, this might be it. There’s something about stepping onto a dance floor together, with no phones and no distractions, that makes the night feel like it’s just yours.

At 1100 Dance Studio, classes are only $15 each, so you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a memory that lasts.

What you can try together:

• Salsa. Lively, fun, and perfect for beginners

• Lindy Hop and Swing. Playful classics that always get people smiling

• Ballroom. Timeless steps you can take with you to weddings and beyond

• Hip Hop starts on October 6. High energy, modern, and a great way to surprise yourself

Every class is built for all skill levels. You don’t need experience and you don’t even need a partner. If you do bring someone special, it is a chance to laugh, learn, and connect in a way that feels refreshing after long weeks of work and routine.

For the cost of a movie ticket, you can spend an evening moving, laughing, and maybe even discovering a new passion.

Check their monthly calendar and book your first class today. Bring a friend, bring your partner, or just bring yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

Community Spotlight

Manitoba Invests Over $4M to Open 1200 New Addiction Treatment Spaces

When someone’s ready to take a step toward healing, the right kind of support can make all the difference. That’s why the province is investing in more spaces, more help, and more paths forward for Manitobans dealing with addiction.

More than $4 million is going toward Indigenous-led treatment programs that centre care, culture, and connection. And over 1,200 new treatment spaces are opening because of it.

Here’s what’s included:

• 800 new spaces now open across day and evening treatment programs

• 5 Indigenous-led groups in Winnipeg and surrounding communities delivering support

• Programs include traditional healing, addiction education, and daily peer meetings

• 400 more spaces are coming later this year, including virtual services and withdrawal management

Programs support youth, women, families, and neurodiverse individuals with care grounded in culture.

For many families, this means something they’ve been waiting on for a long time: accessible care close to home, built on understanding and respect.

Click Here: To find out where programs are running and how to access support.

City Updates

$25.9M Going Toward 72 New Affordable Homes on Main Street

A new 72-unit apartment building is going up on Main Street, and it’s bringing more than just new housing to the neighbourhood. Backed by $25.9 million in government support, the project is focused on helping Winnipeggers who’ve been struggling to find a place that feels steady and affordable.

The building is being led by Inuka Community Inc., a Black, women-led group that’s been quietly working for years to create housing that offers stability, respect, and a real sense of community.

Here’s what’s coming:

• 72 new rental units, with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom layouts

• 40% of homes at reduced rent, prioritizing families and individuals with lower incomes

• Support for tenants, including help building credit and saving toward homeownership

• All designed with care, including accessibility features and environmentally friendly materials

Inuka has already started working with future tenants, helping them build savings, improve their finances, and imagine what stability could actually look like.

It’s a quiet kind of progress, but one that will mean everything to the people moving in.

Click Here: To learn more about the project and Winnipeg’s affordable housing efforts.

Manitoba Improves Home Care by Adding New Staff

For many older adults and families in Winnipeg, home care is what makes staying independent possible. But over the past year, missed visits and confusing schedules left both clients and home-care aides frustrated.

After months of feedback from workers and clients, the province is now making some important changes to get things back on track.

Here’s what’s new:

• More than 250 new home-care aides and 32 scheduling clerks have been hired since last fall

• Over 16,500 home visits are now happening every day across Winnipeg

• Clerks assigned to specific neighbourhoods, so schedules are more stable and efficient

All to go along with upgraded call systems and scheduling tools to improve communication and reduce mix-ups.

For home-care aides, the changes make their days a little more manageable: fewer last-minute scrambles and more time focused on the people they’re there to help.

And for families, it means being able to breathe a little easier. Knowing someone will knock on the door when they’re supposed to. Knowing a parent, grandparent, or loved one is being looked after, not just with care, but with consistency.

Click Here: To learn more about Manitoba’s home-care improvements.

Community Digest

Jets Kick Off the Season with a Celebrity Sighting

Winnipeg hockey fans got a little surprise this weekend when a familiar face from TV showed up at Canada Life Centre.

David Harbour at the Jets game:

• Stranger Things star David Harbour was spotted at Saturday’s preseason game

• The jumbotron caught him during a look-alike segment, where he was crowned as himself

• Harbour laughed it off while rocking a Jets hat with the crowd cheering along

• He’s here filming Violent Night 2 with Kristen Bell, set to release in 2026

And as if that wasn’t enough excitement, Jets fans had something else to buzz about. This time, in the merch aisle.

Jets limited edition sneakers:

• 600 pairs of TN1 high-tops created in collaboration with Mondetta

• Each pair is numbered and only available at Jets Gear or online

• Designed with Winnipeg pride in mind, mixing team spirit with everyday wear

• Dropped Monday and already drawing attention from sneakerheads and fans across the city

From a Hollywood star in the stands to a rare sneaker drop in the city, it’s been a good week to be a Jets fan!

Click Here: To see the limited edition sneakers!

$859K in Upgrades Bring New Trails, Classroom, and Fitness Equipment to John Forsyth Park

John Forsyth Park has always been a gathering spot in River Park South, and now it has a few more reasons for neighbours to stop by.

A recent $859,000 upgrade has added features that are meant to be used by everyone, from students at École Christine-Lespérance to families out for an evening walk.

• Outdoor fitness equipment with activities for kids, adults, and older residents

• Freshly paved paths that make it easier to get around with bikes, strollers, or wheelchairs

• An outdoor classroom for school lessons and community programs

• Inclusive design choices so no one feels left out of the fun

Funding came from the City, the Province, and several community grants, all pooling together to make the project possible. What it leaves behind is more than new equipment. It’s a place where everyday life feels a little easier, whether that’s a parent finding time to exercise, kids learning outside, or neighbours connecting while out on the trail.

And for anyone who grew up in this part of the city, it’s nice to see the park continue to grow with the community. Still familiar, but offering something new for the next generation.

Click Here: To learn more about the upgrades at John Forsyth Park.

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!

• First Friday in The Exchange | 9AM-5PM, Oct 3 (FREE)

  • Location: The Exchange

  • Description: FIRST FRIDAYS offers a perfect opportunity to explore all the Exchange neighbourhood has to offer.

• Ultimate Escape - The Music of Journey | 8PM, Oct 3 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Entertainment Centre

  • Description: Ultimate Escape: The Music of Journey is a stellar evening of all the best music from one of the world's top bands performed by some of Canada's leading musicians.

• Six Pines Haunted Attractions | Oct 3-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Six Pines

  • Description: Six Pines Haunted Attractions has continuously strived to offer Manitoba’s haunt enthusiasts an ever-changing range of haunted houses since inception.

• Boo at the Zoo | Oct 3-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: All aboard, the train’s ready to go to a town where Halloween spirits roam! Welcome to a mysterious land where fall festivities are in full swing.

• Gather | 7PM, Oct 3-26 (Tickets)

  • Location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People

  • Description: When their town goes into a deep freeze and everyone is stuck inside, people start to lose their connection to the world and to each other. Two friends go on a mission to find one another and to rediscover their town, hoping that everyone will be able to gather again.

• Brent Butt | 8PM, Oct 4 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Award-winning Canadian comedian, author and creator/star of the hit TV show, Corner Gas, will bring laughs to the Burton Cummings Theatre!

• Halestorm & Lindsey Stirling | 6:30PM, Oct 4 ($)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Halestorm, the GRAMMY-winning band initially formed by siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale with guitarist Joe Hottinger and bassist Josh Smith

• Fear: Blacksite Halloween Experience | Oct 4 - Nov 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: Secret Location

  • Description: Taking over 500,000 sq ft of indoor space. 8 different horror experiences: zombies, clowns, purgers, witches, aliens, asylum patients, blindfolds, and ghosts!

• Tyndall Community Market ft The Great Fall Feast | 2PM-8PM, Oct 4-5 (FREE/More Info)

  • Location: Tyndall Park Community Centre

  • Description: THE GREAT FALL FEAST will feature food trucks, local food and non-food vendors, a vibrant pop-up market, a fall photoshoot, family-friendly activities, plus more!

• Sam Morril The Errors Tour | 7PM, Oct 5 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: Morril is one of the fastest-rising stand-up comics in New York City and one of the best joke writers in the scene today.

Current Events: October 1st & 2nd

Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

Sports🏒

• Live Horse Racing | 7:30PM, Oct 1 (FREE)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

Community Fun🎆

• Corn Maze | October 1 - November 2 (More Info)

  • Location: A Maze In Corn

  • Description: Enjoy the country views while wandering through the corn maze, climb the giant bale pyramid, and visit the petting zoo.

• Sunset Goose Flights | 5:30PM-8PM, Oct 1-5 ($)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Take in the sounds of the season and watch the sky come to life as thousands of geese land after sunset in this breathtaking autumn ritual.

• Storytime with a Pilot | 7PM, Oct 2 (Tickets)

  • Location: Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada

  • Description: Come enjoy a reading of Freddie the Flyer by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and Fred Carmichael, and discover the inspiring story of flying in the North.

• Downtown Farmers' Market | 10AM-2:30PM, Oct 2 (FREE)

  • Location: Manitoba Hydro Place

  • Description: The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s popular Outdoor Farmers’ Market has been bringing local food and goods downtown for more than 12 years.

Performances🎭

• Flo Rida | 7:30PM, Oct 1 ($)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: Flo Rida is an American rapper and singer, known for his upbeat, party-themed dance anthems.

• MAMMA MIA: An Abba Love Story | Oct 2-11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry

  • Description: Get ready for a summer of love, laughter and ABBA hits, in this light-hearted musical comedy that centers around a mother and daughter opening a boutique hotel on a tiny tropical island. The show explores the complications of love, friendship and second chances, as old passions are awakened and new love is born.

• Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass | 7:30PM, Oct 2 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: This show will be an evening with, Herb Alpert and his brand new Tijuana Brass. Herb along with his 6 great musicians will be playing all of your favorite TJB hit songs just as you remember hearing them while growing up.

• The HERO SHOW - Live in Winnipeg | 7:30PM, Oct 2 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Planetarium at the Manitoba Museum

  • Description: Vancouver's longest-running alt-comedy sketch show comes to Winnipeg for one night only.

Special Events/Comedy🥂

• Canada's Great Kitchen Party | 5:30PM-9PM, Oct 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Join us for an evening of elevation and celebration of Canadian culture. Savour the dishes of the city’s best chefs as they compete to be on the podium.

• 10th Annual South Osborne Farmers’ Market | 4PM-8PM, Oct 1 (FREE)

  • Location: Lord Roberts Community Centre

  • Description: The 2025 season will include many of the local vendors you know and love alongside some fantastic new faces, prepared food, live entertainment, and beer gardens featuring local beer and cider.

• Pete Zedlacher | October 1-4 ($)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: Versatile comedian, actor and writer Pete Zedlacher is a 20+ year veteran of the comedy scene and one of the premiere headliners in the country.

• 2025 Haunted Forest | October 2 - November 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze In Corn

  • Description: Join them for an interactive, outdoor experience that you won't soon forget. Enter at your own risk as their resident creatures of the forest come alive and lure you in with their haunting humour.

• HEEBIE JEEBIES | Oct 2-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Heebie Jeebies, 53071 La Salle Road

  • Description: One of the most terrifying Halloween experiences and haunted houses near Winnipeg, Heebie Jeebies is back for its annual scare-fest.

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Live Concert
  | 7:30PM, Oct 2-4 (Tickets)

  • Location: Centennial Concert Hall

  • Description: After seven films, it all comes down to this: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will grace the screen once more, but this time in concert!

Music 🎵

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].