Hey Winnipeggers!

As you know, we’re planning to put on five Summer of Locals Markets this summer, and this is the official call for vendors!

We’re creating Winnipeg’s biggest community-driven market series, bringing together local makers, small businesses, and artists in a way no other market can. And here’s the best part—vendors will get exposure to our audience of over 100,000 Winnipeggers!

Whether you sell handmade goods, ethnic food, vintage finds, or something totally unique, we want you to be part of it. This is your chance to showcase your work, connect with thousands of local shoppers, and be part of something special.

If you or someone you know wants in, be sure to click the button below! Let’s make this summer one to remember. ❤️

In today’s edition:

• 2,500 New Homes in Winnipeg

• Charity of the Week

• Downtown Winnipeg Gets a New Health Clinic

• Free Ice Fishing Weekend in Manitoba

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

Winnipeg’s Extreme Cold—Who’s at Risk & How to Help

Winnipeg, we all know the cold. But this? This is next level. Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning, with wind chills hitting a brutal -40°C or colder.

Who’s most at risk?

• People without proper shelter.

• Seniors and kids—More vulnerable to frostbite and hypothermia.

• Anyone working or exercising outside.

👉 What you can do:

• Layer up—Think wind-resistant outer layers, warm gloves, and something covering your face.

• Help others—Check in on neighbors, donate warm clothing to shelters.

• Keep pets inside—If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.

Stay warm, Winnipeg. We’re in this together.

2,500 New Homes in Winnipeg

Winnipeg’s about to get 2,487 new homes, and more than half of them will be affordable. The city and federal government are putting $58.5 million into this, which is kicking off $1.6 billion worth of construction. That’s a lot of hammers hitting nails.

This is huge because:

• Affordable housing is hard to find. Out of the 2,487 homes being built, 1,295 will be affordable. That means more options for families, seniors, and low-income renters who need them the most.

• Downtown is getting a boost. 12 projects are focused on the core, adding 1,418 new units, 633 of them affordable. More homes downtown means more people, which means more businesses, safer streets, and a stronger community.

• North End Women’s Centre is doubling its transitional housing. They’re adding 8 new units with support services like counseling, parenting programs, and life skills training.

• Jobs, jobs, jobs. With $1.6 billion in construction, that means work for local trades, suppliers, and businesses. More jobs keep the local economy moving.

Winnipeg’s grown by 71,000 people in three years, and housing hasn’t kept up. This helps make sure families and young people can stay and build their futures here!

A message from Lazer Grant!

Debt Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back

Debt can feel like a heavy weight on your shoulders—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right steps, you can take control and start moving forward, one decision at a time.

At Lazer Grant Insolvency, we’ve helped people just like you navigate their way out of debt. Whether you’re dealing with high-interest balances, missed payments, or just don’t know where to start, we’re here to make the process easier.

Here are a few practical steps to get on the right track:

• Make a budget that works for you. Knowing where your money is going helps you make better decisions.

• Tackle your debt strategically. Whether it’s paying off high-interest loans first or using the snowball method for quick wins, small steps lead to big progress.

• Get expert guidance. Debt solutions like consumer proposals or insolvency can be life-changing, but they require the right plan.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Let’s find a way forward—click below to learn more and book a free call today.

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

Charity of the Week:

S.A.M. (Management) Inc.

Having a safe and affordable place to call home isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And for over 50 years, S.A.M. (Management) Inc. has been making that a reality for countless Winnipeggers.

They provide and manage various housing options, including 55+ senior housing, housing cooperatives, and Nonprofit Life Leases. Whether it’s affordable rentals or community-driven property management, their mission is simple: to provide safe, welcoming, and built-to-last housing.

How You Can Help:

• Donate—Your support helps keep housing safe and accessible for those who need it most.

• Spread the word—S.A.M. relies on word-of-mouth to connect with property owners who share their vision.

• Get involved—Looking to partner or learn more? They’re always open to new opportunities.

A strong city starts with strong communities, and S.A.M. is making that happen—one home at a time. ❤️

City Updates

New School Coming to Northeast Winnipeg

For parents in Devonshire Park, this has been a long time coming. With more families moving in and classrooms filling up fast (student numbers in River East Transcona have jumped 11% since 2019), the need for a new school was clear. Now, after years of advocacy, the province is making it happen.

Here’s What’s Coming:

• More space for students—No more packed classrooms or long waitlists.

• 74 new child-care spaces—Helping working parents find spots for infants and preschoolers.

• Opening by September 2027—Construction starts in early 2026.

It’s part of a $67 million funding increase for Manitoba schools this year. That includes:

• $53.1 million for public school operations

• $6 million for capital projects—covering costs like building new schools.

• $36.7 million for nutrition programs—making sure kids have food to fuel their learning.

With thousands of new people moving to Winnipeg in the past few years, investments like this are key to making sure families have the schools, teachers, and resources they need to thrive.

Downtown Families Finally Have a New Health Clinic

If you’ve ever had a sick kid or a minor injury and dreaded the long wait at the ER, you’re not alone. For families in West Broadway, Wolseley, and downtown, options for care have been limited—until now.

The new Minor Injury & Illness Clinic at Misericordia is officially open, and it’s designed to take pressure off the ER while making life easier for families.

• Open 7 days a week—Weekdays 1 PM - 10 PM, Weekends 7:30 AM - 10 PM.

• Same-day appointments & some walk-ins available.

• X-rays & lab services on-site—so most people can get everything done in one visit.

The province has been adding more extended hours primary care clinics across Winnipeg, and this new location is a big win for downtown families.

Community Digest

Free Ice Fishing Weekend in Manitoba

If you’ve ever wanted to try ice fishing, this is your chance! Feb. 15-17 is Winter Family Fishing Weekend, which means you can drop a line—no license needed.

• Fish anywhere in Manitoba (except national parks).

• Catch species from walleye to northern pike.

• Make it a family trip—grab some warm gear and spend a day out on the ice.

Plus, provincial parks are free all February, so you can make a whole winter adventure out of it. Just remember: check the ice conditions before heading out, and dress warm!

Whether you’re a pro angler or just testing the waters (literally), it’s a great way to enjoy winter while it lasts.

New Bus Service Connecting Northern Manitoba to Winnipeg

For folks in Flin Flon, The Pas, Swan River, Dauphin, and Portage la Prairie, getting to Winnipeg hasn’t been easy. Ever since the last bus service shut down in 2024, people without cars have had to scramble for rides or rely on the train.

But now, as reported by CBC News, NCN Thompson Bus Lines is stepping up to fix that. Starting April 2025, a new daily bus route will reconnect these communities to Winnipeg.

• Overnight passenger runs and daytime freight service—seven days a week.

• More access to medical care—many northern residents rely on Winnipeg for important health services.

• 10 new jobs created, boosting the local economy.

For many, this is more than just a bus route—it’s a lifeline.

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!

• Culinary Night at the Museum | 5:45, 6:30 & 7:15PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canadian Museum for Human Rights

• Valentine's Day Jazz Night | 6:30PM, Feb 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Speakeasy The Basement Lounge

  • Description: Come watch an amazing jazz show featuring the city's most talented musicians!

• Festival du Voyageur | Feb 14-23 (Tickets)

  • Location: Whittier Park

  • Description: This festival showcases the arts of several disciplines, including music, dance, sculpture and visual arts, while prioritizing francophone and indigenous artists. (75,000 festival-goers per year)

• GameFest Winnipeg | Feb 15-17 (Tickets)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Play games, listen to live music, shop local and more all in one place.

• Guns N' Hoses Hockey | 4PM, Feb 15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

  • Description: LLVIPS and Centennial Youth Hockey Association proudly support The Front Line Foundation, which aids families of fallen first responders, funds training, and helps provide essential safety equipment for frontline personnel.

• Winnipeg Wellness Expo | Feb 15-16 ($10 per day)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Learn about many of the new and even some ancient products and services, try out all the sample therapies and don’t forget to taste all the different healthy options for nutrition.

• Tim Dillon Comedy Show | 7PM, Feb 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Known for his no-holds-barred humor and incisive social commentary, Dillon’s comedy has captured audiences around the globe.

• Learn to Winter | 1-4PM, Feb 16

  • Location: The Forks

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

Exciting Events: Feb 12th & 13th

Sports🏀

• Manitoba Moose vs Texas Stars | Feb 12 & 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Family Fun🎆

• Worlds Largest Snow Maze | Feb 12 - 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 12 - March 20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry

  • 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.

• Indecent Play | Feb 12 - March 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.

• Free Entry to Manitoba Parks | Feb 12-28

  • Location: Multiple Locations

• CIAO - Dine About Winnipeg | Feb 12-23 (More Info)

  • Location: Multiple Locations

  • Description: For two weeks, top restaurants heat up the season by offering signature three course, prix-fixe meals at a special price!

• Downtown Farmers' Market | 10AM - 2PM, Feb 13 (More Info)

  • Location: City Place (333 St. Mary Avenue)

Special Events 🎨

• Paint Your Partner | 6:15PM, Feb 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: WAG-Qaumajuq

  • Description: In this unique couples’ class, you’ll be taught step by step how to draw and paint a face and adjust facial features to look like your partner!

• Astronomy Night | 6PM, Feb 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Throughout the show, you will travel to different parts of the Earth and see the sky from the perspective of other cultures and ages.

• The Leaf Unplugged | 7PM, Feb 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf Assiniboine Park

• Four Season RV Show & Sale | Feb 12-17 (Free)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Place

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

• Raw Almond Restaurant | Feb 12-16 (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 12-15 (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.

• Derek Seguin Comedy | Feb 12-15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: He has performed at the prestigious invitation-only Just For Laughs festival an impressive 10 times as well as appearing numerous times at every other major festival in the country, making several television appearances along the way.

• Oyster Nights Under Patio Lights! | 5-8PM, Feb 13 (More Info)

  • Location: The Forks Market

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 Friday!

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