Labour Market News

Want to find out more about local or provincial labour market history? The labour market news archive may be a good place to start.

In this section, you can browse archived news titles, whose links are no longer functional, for up to one year from the current date. The archived news can help you understand the labour market trends in geographic areas and industries that are of interest to you.

• Week of 2026-07-06 to 2026-07-10

  • Remco Realty is planning a 35-unit apartment complex in Altona that will connect to the community’s shopping mall. The company has secured one of its necessary project permits and hopes to begin construction in summer 2026.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Waywayseecappo First Nation is partnering with Toronto-based Colterra Technology to explore the possibility of developing Manitoba’s first utility scale battery energy storage system. A feasbility study is planned for later this year, investigating potential locations in Brandon and on Waywayseecappo’s reserve lands in southwestern Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Toronto-based clothing retailer YM Inc. is closing its Forever 21 and Bluenotes stores in Winnipeg’s CF Polo Park shopping mall, affecting a total of 55 employees. Both stores will close in July 2026, with a Thrifty's clothing store slated to move into the Forever 21 space. All Bluenotes staff and most of Forever 21's have been hired to work at Thrifty's, while the remainder will move to other YM Inc. locations.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new grocery store has opened in Barren Lands First Nation, about 1,000 km north of Winnipeg. The store is owned by the First Nation, which spent $9M to develop it in hopes of offering more affordable grocery options to residents.

    cbc.ca

  • The Carberry Plains Health Centre has recruited a second physician after months of operating with just one doctor. The new doctor was recruited through a provincial international medical graduate program and will begin work this fall.

    brandonsun.com

  • Northland Properties Inc. has set a completion date of 2028 for the Sutton Place Hotel, a $140M luxury hotel currently under construction next to the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Work on the project began in 2018 and was expected to conclude in 2021, but was paused during the pandemic.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing $5.8M to a wastewater infrastructure project in the Rural Municipality of St. Clements. The project will expand the East Selkirk Wastewater Treatment Lagoon and build a new outfall to the Red River, increasing the system’s capacity.

    canada.ca

  • The Winnipeg Police Service has added an extra cruiser to its west district, the first patrol expansion since 1994. Population growth in the district and increased demand for services has prompted the addition.

    globalnews.ca

  • Victory Lane Speedway near St. Adolphe is opening a drive-in movie theatre this summer, using a Jumbotron screen purchased for live racing events. The opening has been delayed due to weather but is scheduled for late July, 2026.

    nivervilleonline.com
• Week of 2026-06-29 to 2026-07-03

  • The City of Winnipeg has purchased three new fire trucks at a cost of $1.3M each, part of an $18M plan to add 12 new vehicles over the next three years. The trucks were manufactured in Winnipeg by Fort Garry Fire Trucks.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg has introduced a reserve fund to address vacant and derelict buildings. The Vacancy to Vitality reserve is funded through vacant building fines, and offers grants of up to $35,000 per unit to applicants willing to renovate buildings and create affordable housing.

    winnipeg.ca

  • Siloam Mission is reversing the planned layoffs of 16 staff after receiving additional funding from the Government of Manitoba. The Winnipeg non-profit announced the layoffs in May, explaining that it was facing a $4.4M operating deficit amid rising demand for services.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Cargo Bar, a Winnipeg bar built from a converted shipping container, is opening a second location in the city’s Southwood Circle development. The new Cargo Bar space is scheduled to open in early July and will hold up to 500 people. It is the first business to open at Southwood Circle, Winnipeg’s largest infill project.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon-based agricultural technology company Bushel Plus is rebranding as it continues its international expansion. The firm, now called BranValt, just marked 10 years in business, during which it has grown to 30 employees.

    brandonsun.com

  • Leaders in Manitoba’s construction industry are concerned about staff shortages with the recent announcements of multiple defence-related projects. There are 33 projects at 17 Wing Winnipeg scheduled to begin in the next three years, along with 9 or 10 at the Southport aerospace hub. BuildForce Canada has already projected a staffing shortfall in Manitoba due to the retirement of about 21% of the labour force by 2034.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Tahini’s, a Mediterranean restaurant franchise, is opening its first location in Winnipeg in July, employing 15-20 people. The first Winnipeg Tahini’s will be in the St. James neighbourhood, with a second location planned for Henderson Hwy in three or four months.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Winnipeg Police Service is implementing a new bicycle patrol program, which will see officers patrolling trails, parks, and outdoor events across the city on e-bikes or mountain bikes. Twenty-five officers have been trained to work in the program.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba Public Insurance has opened a second temporary hail response centre in Winnipeg, and expects to offer 400 appointments per day between its two recently-opened centres. A severe storm in early June has resulted in over 25,000 claims so far, a record in the province for a single event.

    cbc.ca

  • Hallmark is seeking 200 paid background actors for a holiday movie filming in Morden this summer. Filming takes place July 13-17 and actors will be paid $16.25 per hour, with meals and snacks provided on set.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Manitoba Hydro is considering up to 11 proposals for new wind farms to be built over the next nine years, and will announce the successful proponents in spring of 2027. The Crown corporation is accepting proposals from partnerships between Indigenous nations and wind power developers.

    cbc.ca

  • The owner of Winnipeg’s Parlour Coffee is closing the Exchange District coffee shop in preparation for the launch of a larger project next door. The new coffee shop, Passage, will be twice the size of Parlour and include space for live music.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Long Plain First Nation has completed an expansion to its water treatment plant, part of a $122.2M federal investment in water quality on five Manitoba First Nations. The upgrades in Long Plain, located near Portage la Prairie, were estimated between $20M and $30M.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing $3.2M in funding for three organizations supporting Black entrepreneurs in Manitoba. Recipients are the Black-Manitobans Chamber of Commerce, the Rahma Community and Youth Centre Inc., and the Amicale de la Francophonie Multiculturelle du Manitoba.

    canada.ca

  • Churchill Park United Church, located in Winnipeg’s South Osborne neighbourhood, is spending $4.4M to redevelop its building as a community hub. The plan includes a 112-space child care centre, community kitchen, and multipurpose room. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and is expected to take about a year.

    cbc.ca

  • A Red River Co-op grocery store and pharmacy is set to open in the former Portage Place mall in 2029, creating 57 new jobs. True North Real Estate Development is in the process of converting the downtown Winnipeg mall into a mixed-use complex that includes health care and social services along with housing and commercial space.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba company MoveMobility Inc. has opened a new $19M headquarters at CentrePort Canada in the Municipality of Rosser. The company, which makes wheelchair accessible vehicles, currently employs 65 people. With the new space it plans to expand into ambulance production and add 44 new positions, including engineers and welders.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg Transit needs more staff and additional funding in order to comply with new provincial accessibility regulations that come into effect in 2027, according to a report by city staff. To meet the new standards and bring its para-transit service up to par, Winnipeg Transit would require 12.5 additional full-time staff and another $11.3M in operating funds.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba will spend more than $585M on 24 road construction projects in 2026, including reconstruction, grading, and the addition of new passing lanes. The largest project is a new interchange just outside Winnipeg at McGillvray Blvd, expected to cost $235M.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Eldorado Gold’s McIlvenna Bay mine in east-central Saskatchewan will be shipping nickel concentrate through Manitoba on the Hudson Bay railway. The mine began production this month and is sending weekly shipments to The Pas. Arctic Gateway Group, which owns the railway and the Port of Churchill, says it is in discussions with Eldorado about using the northern Manitoba port.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $6.8M to addressing the province’s toxic drug crisis. This includes extending drop-in hours at two Winnipeg social services agencies, increasing funding for harm reduction supplies and overdose reversal services, and dedicating $2.2M to front line supports at Siloam Mission, a Winnipeg non-profit and overnight shelter.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $88M on the reconstruction of nearly 40km of Provincial Road 283, from The Pas to the Saskatchewan border. The project is currently in the design phase.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2026-06-22 to 2026-06-06

  • A new Huddle youth hub has opened in Portage la Prairie, offering mental health and social supports for youth ages 12 to 29. The Government of Manitoba has contributed $400,000 to the project, which is a partnership between the Province and United Way.

    portageonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $4.8M on improvements to roads in and around The Pas. Construction is expected to begin this year on repairs to Provincial Trunk Highways 6 and 60.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing $21.6M to the Sayisi Dene First Nation for a number of electricity-generation projects, including the province’s first renewable energy microgrid. The goal is to reduce diesel reliance by 60% in the northern First Nation, which is located in Tadoule Lake.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg has set aside $300,000 for the demolition of the former Sutherland Hotel, and is currently seeking a contractor to complete the work. The building, most recently used as low-income housing, was destroyed by fire in January 2025.

    cbc.ca

  • Seventy health care aides at Winnipeg’s Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence have received termination notices just as they have become members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The Manitoba Labour Board certified CUPE as the bargaining agent for the facility’s 80 health care aides the same day the layoff notices were issued. The union has filed an unfair labour practices complaint.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A food truck specializing in handcrafted sandwiches has opened in Brandon. Sullivan’s Food Truck will be stationed at various locations throughout Brandon and elsewhere in Western Manitoba.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Assiniboine College is currently offering its practical nursing program in Steinbach, part of an effort to train more rural health care workers in Manitoba. Thirty-five students began the program in 2025, and most intend to work in rural communities after graduation.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing $1.2M to the Rural Municipality of St. Laurent for improvements to wastewater infrastructure. The community is expanding its lagoon system, increasing its capacity to reduce the risk of overflows.

    canada.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $1.7M to increase its hip and knee replacement surgery capacity by 200 operations across the province. Over 5,000 Manitobans are on the waitlist for these surgery types, but median wait times have declined over the past year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has confirmed it will provide funding to Winnipeg non-profit Siloam Mission to help it remain open despite a $4.4M deficit. The government has not specified the amount of support and has not clarified whether it will affect Siloam’s decision last month to reduce its programming and lay off 16 staff.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $216,000 to expanding community mental health supports in The Pas. This includes $86,000 to hire a community mobilization mental health worker.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Twelve new emergency medical responders have completed training and are ready to begin work in rural and northern Manitoba communities. Additionally, five new primary care paramedics will begin onboarding this month.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Montreal-based tire distributor Groupe Touchette recently completed a second distribution facility at CentrePort Canada, the trimodal port that spans from northwest Winnipeg to the Municipality of Rosser. The company now employs 30 people at its CentrePort location and an additional 10 during the winter months.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The southeastern Manitoba community of Vassar is unable to offer swimming lessons at its pool this summer due to a shortage of trained instructors. Its facility manager says many rural pools struggle with retaining instructors, as training programs are offered mainly in larger centres.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Manitoba Public Insurance has opened a temporary Hail Response Centre in Winnipeg in response to the damage caused by this month’s severe storms. About 30,000-40,000 claims are expected, and the new centre aims to assess 300 vehicles per day for up to three months.

    globalnews.ca

  • A new Wendy’s franchise recently opened in Portage la Prairie, the first in the city. A Smitty’s location also opened earlier this year, marking the return of a brand that had operated in Portage la Prairie previously but then closed.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Long Plain First Nation has acquired three passenger buses in preparation for launching its new regional transit service. The First Nation, located just southwest of Portage la Prairie, is currently building a facility to house its fleet.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $1.2M annually to add eight new social worker positions in four emergency departments and urgent care centres in Winnipeg. The Seven Oaks, Concordia, St. Boniface, and Victoria hospitals will each have two workers to connect patients with mental health and social supports.

    cbc.ca

  • Winnipeg’s air force base, 17 Wing Winnipeg, is planning an expansion that is expected to generate about 1,400 jobs. The project includes the construction of a new substation and the electrification of the base’s light-duty vehicle fleet.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Manitoba’s only potash mine is planning a 200-tonne test shipment through the Port of Churchill this fall, destined for France. The Potash Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba, located in Harrowby, has extracted 10,000 tonnes in its test production phase this year. Most of this potash will be moved by truck and sold to Prairie farmers.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has signed an agreement with Internet provider Valley Fiber that will deliver high-speed Internet to more than 3,500 Northern households. The deal allows Valley Fiber to access Manitoba Hydro’s fibre-optic network for up to 20 years.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The City of Selkirk is offering free public transit to students between the ages of 12 and 21, part of a broader plan by the Government of Manitoba to implement free transit across the province by September 2026. The most recent provincial budget set aside $10M for free youth transit, with Selkirk the first to try it and Winnipeg, Brandon, Winkler, and Flin Flon working on their own programs for this fall.

    cbc.ca

  • WeCook, a Montreal-based meal service, is expanding into Winnipeg along with several other Prairie and Western cities. Initially, pre-made meals will be shipped from Montreal, but the company says it may establish a new production centre if demand warrants it.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Two developers are planning nearly 3,000 new housing units on 4.5 hectares in Winnipeg’s Transcona neighbourhood. The Waters Urban Village, a project of Terracon and Landmark Planning & Design, will also include commercial space and parks and could create more than 1,100 jobs.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-06-08 to 2026-06-12

  • A new strip mall is under construction in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood and scheduled to be completed in July. More than 60% of the space is already leased, with tenants to include a grocery store, dental clinic, and pizza place.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • New Jersey sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening a location in Steinbach, its first in Manitoba. The company currently has 26 locations in Canada and is aiming for 300 by 2034.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new strip mall is under construction in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood and scheduled to be completed in July. More than 60% of the space is already leased, with tenants to include a grocery store, dental clinic, and pizza place.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • New Jersey sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening a location in Steinbach, its first in Manitoba. The company currently has 26 locations in Canada and is aiming for 300 by 2034.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total of $4.3M to rural water and wastewater infrastructure projects. These include watermain renewals, well supplies, sewer main upgrades, and water pipeline extensions.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total of $4.3M to rural water and wastewater infrastructure projects. These include watermain renewals, well supplies, sewer main upgrades, and water pipeline extensions.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Sunrise Credit Union is providing a total $53,500 in community grants to five projects across southwestern Manitoba. These include facility repairs, health care equipment purchases, and a new play structure for a day care that is expanding its capacity by 63 spaces.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Sunrise Credit Union is providing a total $53,500 in community grants to five projects across southwestern Manitoba. These include facility repairs, health care equipment purchases, and a new play structure for a day care that is expanding its capacity by 63 spaces.

    discoverwestman.com

  • The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in St. Adolphe will close at the end of summer after nearly two decades in operation, citing funding challenges and increasing costs. The closure is expected to increase demand on Manitoba’s other wildlife rescue, the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre.

    cbc.ca

  • The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in St. Adolphe will close at the end of summer after nearly two decades in operation, citing funding challenges and increasing costs. The closure is expected to increase demand on Manitoba’s other wildlife rescue, the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba will become the first province to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios after the passing of provincial legislation this week. A committee will set the ratios for health care units Manitoba, which could vary depending on need.

    cbc.ca

  • A new clinic providing rapid access to addictions medicine (RAAM) has opened in The Pas. The province now has seven such clinics, including one other northern location in Thompson. They offer a range of health services for people looking for help with substance use, and don't require a referral or appointment.

    cbc.ca

  • Steinbach-based pork producer HyLife has grown substantially in recent years and currently ships to more than 20 countries, including markets in Asia. Its president and CEO says future expansion at the company’s Neepawa processing facility is likely due to rising demand for pork in countries like Japan.

    manitobacooperator.ca

  • The provincial and federal governments are spending $18.2M over three years to support Manitoba workers impacted by tariffs. The new Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response program will facilitate retraining and skill-building for more than 2,100 workers.

    canada.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $200,000 to 19 recreational trails projects across the province. Projects include trail enhancement, general maintenance, and winter trail making.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba will become the first province to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios after the passing of provincial legislation this week. A committee will set the ratios for health care units Manitoba, which could vary depending on need.

    cbc.ca

  • A new clinic providing rapid access to addictions medicine (RAAM) has opened in The Pas. The province now has seven such clinics, including one other northern location in Thompson. They offer a range of health services for people looking for help with substance use, and don't require a referral or appointment.

    cbc.ca

  • Steinbach-based pork producer HyLife has grown substantially in recent years and currently ships to more than 20 countries, including markets in Asia. Its president and CEO says future expansion at the company’s Neepawa processing facility is likely due to rising demand for pork in countries like Japan.

    manitobacooperator.ca

  • The provincial and federal governments are spending $18.2M over three years to support Manitoba workers impacted by tariffs. The new Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response program will facilitate retraining and skill-building for more than 2,100 workers.

    canada.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $200,000 to 19 recreational trails projects across the province. Projects include trail enhancement, general maintenance, and winter trail making.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Canadian infrastructure development firm Aecon Group has signed a collaboration agreement with Arctic Gateway Group, the company that operates the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill. A memorandum of understanding outlines the two companies’ commitment to work together on the development of the railway and port.

    cbc.ca

  • Habibiz Café has opened a second location, in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. The Middle Eastern and halal restaurant first launched in St. James in 2020. Its new space will have six to 10 employees and seating for about 25 customers.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Steinbach Housing Inc. is proceeding with its seven-storey, 84-unit residential complex after receiving approval from Steinbach City Council. The organization already has enough seniors on its waitlist to fill the building, which is still in the design phase.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba’s first supervised consumption site is expected to open before the end of June 2026. The facility, which allows people to use drugs under the supervision of health care professionals, will be operated by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg. One nursing position is still advertised, with a start date of June 29.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A 500-megawatt data centre proposed south of Winnipeg will not receive provincial approval. Consensus Core and Jet.AI had planned to build the facility on 141 hectares of farmland near Ile des Chênes, but Premier Wab Kinew says there has been significant pushback from Manitobans due to potential environmental impacts.

    cbc.ca

  • Canadian infrastructure development firm Aecon Group has signed a collaboration agreement with Arctic Gateway Group, the company that operates the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill. A memorandum of understanding outlines the two companies’ commitment to work together on the development of the railway and port.

    cbc.ca

  • Habibiz Café has opened a second location, in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. The Middle Eastern and halal restaurant first launched in St. James in 2020. Its new space will have six to 10 employees and seating for about 25 customers.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Steinbach Housing Inc. is proceeding with its seven-storey, 84-unit residential complex after receiving approval from Steinbach City Council. The organization already has enough seniors on its waitlist to fill the building, which is still in the design phase.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba’s first supervised consumption site is expected to open before the end of June 2026. The facility, which allows people to use drugs under the supervision of health care professionals, will be operated by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg. One nursing position is still advertised, with a start date of June 29.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A 500-megawatt data centre proposed south of Winnipeg will not receive provincial approval. Consensus Core and Jet.AI had planned to build the facility on 141 hectares of farmland near Ile des Chênes, but Premier Wab Kinew says there has been significant pushback from Manitobans due to potential environmental impacts.

    cbc.ca

  • The Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre has reopened in a new temporary location and is providing workshops, events, and drop-in services. Its former site shut down in 2018, but work is ongoing toward a new, permanent building in about five years, which will include a seniors’ residence and community centre.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government is spending $802,000 to launch a three-month pilot project that will make a two-person paramedic team available 24/7 for overdose calls in downtown Winnipeg. The city’s mayor and the paramedics’ union are concerned about how to fill the positions given the ongoing shortage of paramedics in Manitoba.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $650,000 to the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. This grant will fund building repairs, safety upgrades, and the construction of two new enclosures.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre has reopened in a new temporary location and is providing workshops, events, and drop-in services. Its former site shut down in 2018, but work is ongoing toward a new, permanent building in about five years, which will include a seniors’ residence and community centre.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government is spending $802,000 to launch a three-month pilot project that will make a two-person paramedic team available 24/7 for overdose calls in downtown Winnipeg. The city’s mayor and the paramedics’ union are concerned about how to fill the positions given the ongoing shortage of paramedics in Manitoba.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $650,000 to the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. This grant will fund building repairs, safety upgrades, and the construction of two new enclosures.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Construction is underway on a new K-8 school in Winnipeg’s Devonshire Park neighbourhood. The school will have capacity for 800 students and will also include a 124-space child care centre. It is slated to open in September 2027.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is renewing its funding for organizations that provide business support to entrepreneurs with disabilities in the Prairie provinces. Eight organizations will receive a total of $5.5M over five years, including two Manitoba recipients: Equal Opportunities West Inc. and Community Futures Manitoba Inc.

    canada.ca

  • Canadian record store chain Sunrise Records is opening a location in the Brandon Shoppers Mall.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Little Sister Coffee Maker will open its third location in July, in Winnipeg’s East Exchange District. The local coffee roastery currently employs 20 people and is hiring another 10 for the new location, a 45-seat coffee shop.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction is underway on $7.5M in road, water, and sewer work on Winnipeg’s Corydon Avenue. The project is jointly funded by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments and is expected to be completed this fall.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction is underway on a new K-8 school in Winnipeg’s Devonshire Park neighbourhood. The school will have capacity for 800 students and will also include a 124-space child care centre. It is slated to open in September 2027.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is renewing its funding for organizations that provide business support to entrepreneurs with disabilities in the Prairie provinces. Eight organizations will receive a total of $5.5M over five years, including two Manitoba recipients: Equal Opportunities West Inc. and Community Futures Manitoba Inc.

    canada.ca

  • Canadian record store chain Sunrise Records is opening a location in the Brandon Shoppers Mall.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Little Sister Coffee Maker will open its third location in July, in Winnipeg’s East Exchange District. The local coffee roastery currently employs 20 people and is hiring another 10 for the new location, a 45-seat coffee shop.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction is underway on $7.5M in road, water, and sewer work on Winnipeg’s Corydon Avenue. The project is jointly funded by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments and is expected to be completed this fall.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-06-01 to 2026-06-05

  • The Louis Riel School Division has purchased a property south of Winnipeg that it plans to turn into a $10M learning and transportation hub. Half of the property will feature trails, greenhouses, and an outdoor classroom, while the other half will be a storage and maintenance space for school buses.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Innergex Renewable Energy and Swan Lake First Nation are planning a wind farm near St. Leon, 120km southwest of Winnipeg. The proposed project consists of 30-35 wind towers with a capacity of 200 megawatts.

    cbc.ca

  • Three Manitoba municipalities have recently completed water infrastructure projects with a combined $2.8M in provincial funding. These include watermain renewals in Beausejour and Wawanesa as well as a watermain extension in West St. Paul.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The federal government is providing $22.8M to Indigenous-led sports programs across Canada. Manitoba recipients include Long Plain First Nation, Waterways Recreation Inc., and the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association Inc.

    canada.ca

  • Construction of Alamos Gold’s new mine at Lynn Lake was delayed by wildfires last summer, with completion now scheduled for April 2029. Construction began in fall 2025 on the $1.2B project, which is expected to produce 186,000 ounces of gold per year when operational and include a workers’ camp capable of housing 600 people.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Dauphin is revitalizing its downtown through an initiative known as the Craft District. The project includes new pedestrian crossings, trees, landscaping, and public art installations along with improved lighting and widened sidewalks.

    730ckdm.com

  • The Town of Ste. Anne is constructing an active transportation pathway with $354,000 in provincial funding. The walking, cycling, and rollerblading trail is scheduled to be completed by mid-June.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The provincial government is increasing its annual funding for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba by $200,000, to a total of $525,000. This will allow the society to expand its programs and services for individuals and families affected by dementia.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Sand mining company Sio Silica has pledged to build a $125M shipping and export facility at the Port of Churchill if the province approves its application to extract sand in southeastern Manitoba. The facility would create 20 jobs and accommodate four shipments of sand per year.

    cbc.ca

  • Staffing has declined at the Manitoba Museum because provincial operating grants have not increased in nearly two decades, according to the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union. The number of staff at the Winnipeg museum has fallen by 27% over the last six years, leading to fewer programs, exhibits, and public events.

    mgeu.ca

  • Freedhome Developments is planning a six-storey, 120-unit apartment in Winnipeg’s St. Boniface neighbourhood. Some area residents oppose the project due to its size as well as the fact that it would be located on the site of a former residential school.

    cbc.ca

  • Workers at the Sand Hills Casino in Carberry have ratified their first collective agreement, a one-year deal that includes wage increases ranging from 2.5% to 8.5%. The workers are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers of Canada.

    ufcw832.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has signed offers with 24 doctors and 29 paramedics after a recruiting trip to the U.K. in April. The paramedics will be working across rural and northern Manitoba, while some of the physicians will be practising in the province’s emergency departments.

    cbc.ca

  • Winnipeg’s ambulance response times have been well above its target for years, owing in part to the city’s drug overdose crisis and its growing population. Mayor Scott Gillingham has asked Shared Health to fund at least eight more ambulances and 120 more paramedics over the next four years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg non-profit St. Boniface Street Links is working with the owner of a downtown apartment building to convert it into a combination of transitional and permanent housing. The 20-suite building has had issues in recent months with people camping in hallways and stairwells.

    cbc.ca

  • A new Dynacare location has opened in Selkirk, the first in the city. Dynacare is the company contracted by the provincial government to provide laboratory and diagnostic services such as blood testing.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba has set a new record for the total number of practising physicians, at 3,700. The province has grown its physician count every year for over two decades, with last year’s gain of 164 doctors the largest increase so far.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-05-25 to 2026-05-29

  • Terracon Development plans to proceed with the second phase of Oak River Meadow, a housing development in Ile des Chenes. The Rural Municipality of Ritchot is currently reviewing the application, which proposes 351 new lots in the south end of the community.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Winnipeg-based Staffmax Staffing & Recruiting Corp. is expanding its operations into the United States through a partnership with American firm Patrice & Associates. The company is also planning to open a second location in Winnipeg and is hiring 20 new staff: 10 in Winnipeg and 10 who will work remotely.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg-based Jessiman Family Investments is planning a 700-acre industrial complex in CentrePort South, an undeveloped area near Winnipeg’s airport. If approved, Catalyst Park could become the largest industrial development in the city’s history.

    cbc.ca

  • Jeepney, a Filipino restaurant, has opened a location in Portage la Prairie. The company has one other restaurant, in Winnipeg. Its new location is Portage’s first Filipino eatery.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Niverville Town Council has voted to approve a residential development that includes 90 rental units across 11 new townhouse buildings.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Mayberry Fine Art is moving from Winnipeg’s Exchange District to a much larger space in the West End. Its new building is a former Long & McQuade music store that will have more square footage for Mayberry’s art exhibitions as well as services like restoration, framing, and appraisals.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba are launching a new program that will provide small and medium-sized businesses with funds to train workers and develop human resource plans. The $3.5M program also offers upskilling for workers who have been laid off.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Two eateries will be opening in a space attached to Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall this fall. Hermanos Steakhouse is relocating from its longtime location on Bannatyne Avenue. The second restaurant, Nanny’s Howse Café, is a new business operated by the same family.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Tim Hortons has announced that its franchisees will be building 80 new locations and renovating 400 across the country in 2026. This includes three new and 10 renovated restaurants in Manitoba.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Two more 7-Eleven locations have closed in Winnipeg: one at Arlington St. and Notre Dame Ave., and one at Keewatin St. and Logan Ave. At least eight 7-Eleven convenience stores have closed in the city since 2024, largely due to crime and safety issues.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Winnipeg will begin demolition work this summer on the Arlington Bridge, which has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2023. While the full cost has not yet been determined, it is expected to exceed $22M. The City plans to design a replacement bridge; however, funding for the project has not yet been secured.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is renewing a short-term project that saw police officers stationed on Winnipeg Transit buses and around bus stops last fall. The City says violent crime related to public transit fell by 18% during the initiative when compared to the same period the previous year.

    cbc.ca

  • Four new businesses specializing in retro products opened last month in a shared building in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. Archival Studios, Eric’s Objects, Aged & Faded, and Rewind Vintage are open mainly on weekends, selling vintage clothing, housewares, and furniture.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Morden has planted 12,000 trees on approximately 25 acres of land as part of the federal government’s 2 Billion Trees program. The newly planted area, located near Lakeside Cemetery, is called the Lakeside Nature Area.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Pappas Greek Food and Steak, a Winnipeg restaurant, is closing after more than 30 years in business as its owners retire.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing $47M to build 133 secure rental units in Manitoba, largely intended for seniors, women, and tenants who require supportive housing. The units will be split between Selkirk, Winkler, Cross Lake, Flin Flon, and elsewhere in Northern Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The new hospital in Portage la Prairie will offer breast cancer screening services when it opens next spring. The provincial government has committed $1.3M for equipment and staffing, while the Portage District General Hospital Foundation is contributing $725,000.

    cbc.ca

  • Health benefits provider Manitoba Blue Cross has opened a service centre in Winkler. It is the company’s third centre in the province, after locations in Winnipeg and Thompson.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new medical clinic has opened in Glenboro, replacing an existing facility that is nearly 70 years old. The Spirit Sands Medical Clinic cost $2M to build and includes expanded office and exam room space for the two physicians and one nurse practitioner who will work there.

    cbc.ca

  • Spring seeding is behind schedule in Manitoba as farmers contend with rain, high winds, and unusually cold temperatures. As of May 19, just 37% of seeding was complete compared to 57% in 2025, and a five-year average of 43%.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $2.2M to five organizations with mandates to improve safety in downtown Winnipeg. These include the city’s four central business improvement zones as well as the Downtown Community Safety Partnership Inc.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba’s new supervised consumption site is expected to open in June 2026. Clients will be able to inject drugs under staff supervision at the facility, which will be located just west of Main Street in Winnipeg. The Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre will operate the site and is currently hiring and training staff.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-05-18 to 2026-05-22

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $150,000 to open a trade office in India, where one staff person will work to increase exports. The Province aims to hire its trade representative by this summer.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • There are nearly 500 new housing units currently under construction in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village and at least five new business have opened so far in 2026, according to the Osborne Village BIZ. A new café, restaurant and bar, called Sierra, is opening soon in an apartment complex.

    cbc.ca

  • A 7-Eleven store in Winnipeg’s St. Vital neighbourhood is closing its doors at the end of May. It is one of several 7-Eleven locations that have closed in Winnipeg in the last two years due to increasing theft and safety concerns.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating an additional $2.5M to adult learning and literacy programming, including $1M specifically set aside for recruitment of educators in First Nations and northern communities. Another $100,000 is earmarked for increasing student capacity at Urban Circle Training Centre in Winnipeg.

    cbc.ca

  • Carman’s Boyne Lodge Personal Care Home has reached full capacity, and the next phase of its expansion will begin construction this summer. The 50-unit assisted living facility is expected to open late in 2027 or early 2028.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Work continues on Manitoba Hydro’s Portage Area Capacity Enhancement project, which began construction in 2022. A new line will be installed this year, running along Highway 227 from Portage la Prairie to north of Winnipeg. The new Wash’ake Mayzoon power station near Portage will see increased use as the project continues.

    portageonline.com

  • Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks on a privately funded athletic facility in southwest Winnipeg. The 40,000-sq.-ft. complex will have spaces for baseball, softball, and cricket, and is slated to open in 2027.

    cbc.ca

  • Unusually cold spring weather is hampering business for some Winnipeg restaurants, as patio season would normally be well underway. Local garden centres are also feeling the effects, with one company saying they have been forced to cut hours for staff.

    cbc.ca

  • The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation is offering capital funding to organizations and developers with affordable housing proposals in Portage la Prairie that can be completed within 18 months. The funding covers new builds, conversions, rehabilitation, and modifications serving low-income residents.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The Villa Youville seniors’ residence in Ste. Anne is planning an expansion that would include an 85-suite apartment building along with four smaller homes housing 12 residents each. Construction on the larger building is expected to begin next year and take about 18 months to complete, at a cost of $26M to $30M.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing $61M to four projects that are expected to connect 2,309 households to high-speed Internet. The majority of the homes are in northern Manitoba First Nations, including Wasagamack Anisininew Nation and Garden Hill First Nation.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • One year after its creation, an organization that supports Manitoba entrepreneurs has 85 startups working out of its Winnipeg offices. Most of the businesses that Manitoba Innovates works with are small tech companies, but it hopes to expand into other sectors.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The University of St. Boniface is adding 30 seats to its French-language nursing program in response to increasing demand. The Province is providing $220,000 to expand the four-year program, which is based in Winnipeg but offers work placements in rural francophone communities.

    cbc.ca

  • Assiniboine College is launching a primary care paramedic training program in an effort to address ongoing labour shortages in rural Manitoba. The first cohort of 16 seats will be offered in Dauphin in January 2027, with 16 additional seats to be offered at another of the college's campuses later in the year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Salvation Army is expanding its services in Neepawa, adding a new Community Services Centre to its existing thrift store and food bank. The new space includes offices and a community kitchen and will accommodate new programming and increased food bank capacity.

    newswire.ca

  • Princess Auto will open a new retail location on Winnipeg’s Panet Road next month, while closing a smaller space on the same block. The flagship store is 105,000 sq. ft. and will include educational opportunities for schools as well as a workshop where customers can try out products.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Special Care Unit at the Thompson General Hospital was recently forced to close for a week due to a shortage of nurses. Patients were transferred to other facilities as needed.

    thompsononline.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing an additional $4M to the City of Winnipeg through its housing accelerator fund, which was established in 2023 to expedite the building of new homes. The funding is for 150 new residential units, while the Rural Municipality of Ritchot will also receive $357,000 for an affordable housing development.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-05-11 to 2026-05-15

  • Blackbird Housing Inc. is planning a seniors housing complex in the former McKenzie Seeds building in downtown Brandon. The $20M project will include 130 suites along with commercial space related to wellness and medical needs.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Portage la Prairie is spending $1.38M on road improvements this year. It has selected Meseyton Construction Inc. to complete the work, which is scheduled to begin in June.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The first phase of CentrePort’s Keystone Industrial Park has completed construction and now has 30 lots available in the Rural Municipality of Rosser. About half of these are already sold to various manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation companies. The second phase of construction focuses on transport access, and will begin this year.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Manitoba Government will soon begin construction on a new interchange near Oak Bluff, at the intersection of provincial trunk highways 100 and 3.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Flin Flon has completed construction on its new pool, the Hudbay Aquatic Centre, six years after the closure of the city’s previous facility. Finding lifeguards to staff the pool may take time, since Flin Flon has been without local training and recertification opportunities for several years.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is hiring a consultant to make energy efficiency recommendations for eight of its buildings, including the St. Boniface fire hall and the St. James-Assiniboia Library. It has budgeted $248,000 for the contract.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Rural Municipality of Hanover is preparing to begin $6M in upgrades to the Grunthal Arena, including a new lobby and concession area, dressing rooms, seating, and ice plant. The demolition phase of the work is expected to get underway shortly.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Calgary-based charity, Homes for Heroes, is moving ahead with a housing project for veterans first announced in 2022. The organization plans to build 25 tiny homes on a piece of land next to the Transcona Library in Winnipeg. Construction is scheduled to begin shortly and conclude this fall.

    cbc.ca

  • Dale’s Candy Co. is preparing to open a new location in the Shoppers Mall in Brandon. The sweets retailer currently has one other store in the Winnipeg Outlet Collection mall.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Winnipeg bus manufacturer NFI Group Inc. has posted a 40.8% year-over-year increase in earnings in the first quarter of 2026. It delivered 978 units in Q1, 20% of which were battery and fuel cell-electric buses. The company’s new manufacturing facility allows it to build buses entirely in Canada rather than shipping them to the U.S. for completion.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $500,000 to the Manitoba Children’s Museum, which has recently reduced hours and raised admission fees amid financial difficulties. The funds will help enhance programming and expand exhibits at the museum, located at the Forks in Winnipeg.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Winnipeg is spending $6M to renovate the Pan Am Pool, the city’s most-used aquatic facility. The pool will be closed to the public for 16 months to complete the repairs, beginning in January 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Siloam Mission is laying off 16 staff and reducing the hours in its drop-in space and clothing store. The Winnipeg non-profit, which provides services to the homeless community, says the cuts are the result of a drop in donation revenue. The layoffs will take effect June 1.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba is preparing to begin commercial production in June at its facility near Harrowby. The $30-million project, the province’s only potash mine, has been in development for nearly 20 years. The mine is aiming to produce 30,000 to 35,000 tonnes in its first year, and ramp up to 250,000 tonnes by 2028-2029.

    cbc.ca

  • Agape Table has opened a new location in central Winnipeg after years of working out of a nearby church. The non-profit, which provides meals and other services to vulnerable people, says the new space will allow it to expand its programming and operating hours.

    cbc.ca

  • Shindico Realty and Cadillac Fairview are changing course on their planned $1B, 84-acre development near Winnipeg's CF Polo Park mall. The developers say the project has been delayed and they are now selling off part of the site to other potential builders. They still plan to build apartments, retail, and green space on the remainder of the land, but construction costs and reduced housing demand have put their original plans on hold.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Canadian Mediterranean restaurant chain Osmow is planning to open a location in Brandon. The company has two other Manitoba locations, both in Winnipeg.

    bdnmb.ca

  • About 1,800 acres of serviced industrial land will soon be available in Winnipeg, with the CentrePort South project opening later in 2026. The site is currently being connected to sewer and water, and is expected to generate 16,000 jobs once developed. The Winnipeg Airports Authority is planning a $120M air cargo facility in the area.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A Winnipeg day care recently purchased the building it has rented from the city since 1985. The City of Winnipeg sold the property to Machray Day Nursery for significantly below market value under the condition that the organization continue to operate a day care in the space for 15 years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction has begun on a new personal care home in Lac du Bonnet, slated to open in fall 2027. The 95-bed facility will replace a small existing care home, more than tripling capacity.

    www.msn.com

  • Winnipeg-based Warehouse One Clothing Ltd. is preparing to close 128 stores across Canada due to financial insolvency, including 16 locations in Manitoba. The company has 232 employees in Manitoba, where its head office is located.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new restaurant, Hermanos South American Steakhouse, is opening in the former firehall building in downtown Brandon. An eatery and cigar lounge will open on the main floor in July, with a 50-seat comedy club planned for the basement in the fall.

    bdnmb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $15M to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Performing Arts Consortium, who are partnering to restore a historic downtown Winnipeg theatre. The Pantages Playhouse Theatre has been closed since 2018 but the two organizations are budgeting $62M to renovate it, with a reopening planned for 2029.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-05-04 to 2026-05-08

  • The provincial government is moving forward with Manitoba Hydro’s proposed dual-fuel combustion turbine facility in Brandon, referring the project to the Public Utilities Board for review. The $3B project would add 750 megawatts of energy to be accessed during peak usage times.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization, located near Melita, expects a busy crop research season this year. The research farm has more than 2,600 test plots planned for 2026, the most it has ever planted. It also has new research projects planned with the University of Manitoba.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Construction is underway on a rental housing project at Southport Aerospace Centre, near Portage la Prairie. Southport’s property management company is planning about 42 duplex-style units over the course of six to eight years.

    portageonline.com

  • Newcomers are at the forefront of revitalization efforts in downtown Brandon, with 70-75% of businesses in the city centre owned by immigrants. Examples include the Red Cat Dessert & Teahouse and Jaysh Barbershop, which opened in early 2026 and late 2025.

    cbc.ca

  • A group of organizations focused on housing are opening a 23-unit affordable apartment block after renovating a building in central Winnipeg. The project is a partnership between Main Street Project, Raising the Roof, and the Collaborative Housing Alliance. Tenant services will include onsite support workers when the building opens later this month.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is seeking a consultant to design separated bike lanes for Wellington Crescent, a popular cycling route. It has budgeted $300,000 for this work, with the goal of beginning construction in spring 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction on a 74-space day care facility in Minnedosa is scheduled to begin in fall 2026, with the goal of opening by the end of 2027.

    brandonsun.com

  • Winnipeg cold brew company Sheepdog Brew Co. is putting its national expansion on hold after a recent theft. While plans to distribute its products Canada-wide are paused for now, Sheepdog has doubled the number of retailers it stocks to a total of 400 over the past year.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Captain Kennedy House, a historic site north of Winnipeg, has reopened after $1.4M in renovations. The building, which had been closed since 2015, includes a museum and a privately run tea room.

    cbc.ca

  • Brandon is developing a new tourism strategy and city brand. Brandon Tourism has hired Winnipeg firm UpHouse to work on the strategic plan, along with a new logo and slogan for the city.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Trans Canada Brewing Co. has begun construction on a new location in Brandon, which will include a brewery, taproom, restaurant, and small retail store. The facility will create about 30 full and part-time jobs when it opens, possibly as early as December 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Red River College Polytechnic has announced the permanent closure of some programs and the temporary suspension of others in response to the federal government’s cap on international students. In total, 14 diploma and certificate programs are affected. Twenty-six staff, mainly instructors, have received layoff notices.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Selkirk is working on reopening the Garry Theatre, which has been closed since 2021. Renovations and business planning have now been completed and council has assembled a board of directors who will soon hire an executive director.

    myselkirk.ca

  • Siloam Mission may lay off up to 24 staff as it faces a decline in donation revenue. While no decisions have been finalized, employees have told media the non-profit is considering cuts to kitchen and drop-in services as well as at a supportive housing site.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • International bus company Flix North America has added a route from Winnipeg to Regina and Calgary, which runs four times per week. It is meant to fill a gap created by Greyhound, which ceased its bus service on the Prairies in 2018.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Winnipeg has begun construction on the Mike O’Shaughnessy Library, which will be located in a former Sears store in the Garden City Shopping Centre. The $4.7M project is expected to be complete early next year.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Grocery chain FreshCo is opening a location on Winnipeg’s Burrows Avenue, at the site of a former Sobeys that closed in 2016. FreshCo, which is owned by Sobeys, launched in Winnipeg in 2019. This latest location is scheduled to open this fall.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Bell Canada is converting a former pea and canola processing plant into a $31.5M artificial intelligence data centre. The building, formerly Merit Functional Foods, is located just outside Winnipeg in the CentrePort industrial development.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba’s Northern Health Region is experiencing critical staffing shortages, including in the emergency and special care units at hospitals in Thompson and The Pas. The health region recently declared an emergency, but retracted it soon after.

    cbc.ca

  • The Town of Niverville has completed a $250,000 expansion to its medical clinic, which includes additional exam rooms to accommodate the growing community. There are 14 doctors working part-time out of the clinic and the town hopes to recruit more.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-04-27 to 2026-05-01

  • Steinbach Community Outreach and Eden Health Care Services are planning a 30-unit apartment complex in Steinbach that would provide 24/7 mental health services for tenants. The organizations have applied for provincial funding and hope to begin construction in 2027.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-05-04 to 2026-05-08

  • The St. James Assiniboia Pioneers Association is trying to raise $1.1M to rebuild Grant’s Old Mill, a 1974 replica of a historic flour mill. The mill, located in west Winnipeg on Sturgeon Creek, was recently closed after being deemed unsafe by the City of Winnipeg.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-04-27 to 2026-05-01

  • Manitoba’s new wage grid for early childhood educators took effect April 1, increasing pay for workers by up to $7 per hour. The province has increased operating funding to licensed childcare facilities by $4.7M, and is planning to add 2,300 new childcare spaces this year.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The staffing shortage among Winnipeg paramedics and emergency communication operators has worsened significantly in the last year, according to the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union. In January 2026 there were 107 vacant positions, up from 47 in January 2025.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A 7-Eleven location in Winnipeg’s West Kildonan neighbourhood has permanently closed. The convenience chain has closed several stores in Winnipeg over the last two years, largely due to concerns about crime and safety.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Portage Commons, a mixed-use development, has completed construction in Portage la Prairie. The complex includes residential space along with a coffee shop and restaurant, and there is still room for new commercial tenants. Portage Commons is a project of the Dakota Tipi First Nation.

    portageonline.com

  • Faculties of education in Manitoba are seeing more applications following the Province’s 2024 decision to relax its admissions criteria. The University of Manitoba is adding 105 seats to its education after-degree program in 2026-2027, while the University of Winnipeg is adding 70.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-05-04 to 2026-05-08

  • The Community Foundation of Portage and District is distributing a total $180,000 in grants to 20 organizations in Portage la Prairie and area. Their projects include infrastructure upgrades, recreational programming, and new equipment or technology.

    thegraphicleader.com
• Week of 2026-04-27 to 2026-05-01

  • The Government of Canada is providing $95,000 to a crime prevention pilot project in Winnipeg. The Collaborative Street Safety Centre aims to improve communication between police, paramedics, and organizations working to address homelessness, creating more effective incident responses.

    canada.ca

  • Manitoba’s Budget 2026 allocates nearly $1M to various community development projects in Selkirk. These include $600,000 toward the expansion of the Gaynor Family Regional Library, $100,000 for upgrades to the Gordon Howard Seniors Centre, and $200,000 to enhance security at municipal buildings.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing a total $19.5M to defence projects in Manitoba that are expected to create 153 new jobs, mainly in Winnipeg. Three companies will use the funding to expand their manufacturing and repair capacity for military equipment or aircraft components. Recipients are StandardAero, Magellan Aerospace Limited, and Win-Shield Devices.

    cbc.ca

  • Winnipeg will host this year’s World Indigenous Forum, a three-day conference that brings together about 1,000 Indigenous leaders and entrepreneurs from all over the globe. This will be the third time the conference has been held in Canada since its inception in 2010.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The provincial government recently announced it would be spending $5.2M to reopen a menopause clinic in Winnipeg by 2027. In the meantime, many patients who need access to specialized care are visiting nurse practitioners at a private clinic where treatments are not covered by the province.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The provincial government and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities have released a guide for communities hoping to attract new health care workers. The document contains advice on recruitment strategies, such as offering short-term accommodations and helping spouses to find work.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is allocating $3M to the redevelopment of the duck pond in St. Vital Park. The new design for the pond will be complete this year, with construction to begin in 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The University of Manitoba and the Arctic Research Foundation are studying the possibility of extending the shipping season at the Port of Churchill. Currently the port on Hudson Bay ships only about three and a half months each year, but the research will explore what would be necessary for year-round services, as well as identifying potential shipping routes.

    globalnews.ca

  • Salisbury House, a local restaurant chain, will no longer provide food services at two Winnipeg golf courses after the city awarded a new contract to Aramark Canada, the Canadian branch of a U.S. firm. Salisbury House had held the contract since 2009.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba’s rural paramedic shortage is worsening, according to the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals. The union recently published data from Shared Health showing a 24.8% vacancy rate in December 2025, up from 14.5% two years earlier.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • John Taylor Collegiate, a Winnipeg high school, has launched its first vocational program. It allows students to obtain certification as level one licensed nail technicians, trained in manicures, pedicures, nail art, and nail enhancement.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $1.1M to six cities for safety upgrades in municipal buildings, including security cameras and alarm systems. Thompson, Dauphin, Steinbach, Selkirk, Morden, and Winkler are all receiving funding.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has made changes to its Disaster Financial Assistance program and is now offering funding for prevention rather than just response and recovery. The Town of Snow Lake and the RM of Lac du Bonnet have been approved for wildfire protection projects such as fire breaks and mitigation planning.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Southport Aerospace Centre in Portage la Prairie recently secured a contract with the Royal Canadian Air Force that will result in a major expansion of their facilities. Six new buildings are planned between now and 2031, and about 30 new jobs will be created in the project’s initial phase.

    portageonline.com
• Week of 2026-04-20 to 2026-04-24

  • Applications to the University of Manitoba’s respiratory therapy program have increased following a recent provincial government awareness campaign. A total of 86 applicants were recorded for the 2026–27 academic year, up from 50 in 2025–26, when nearly half of first‑year training seats went unfilled. Program capacity was doubled in 2024–25 in response to a significant shortage of respiratory therapists.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brokenhead Obijway Nation has purchased Freed & Freed International Ltd., a Winnipeg clothing manufacturing plant known for its production of military, RCMP, and postal worker uniforms. The First Nation expects the new venture to create jobs and training opportunities for its members.

    cbc.ca

  • The Minnewasta Golf and Country Club in Morden is rebuilding following a fire that damaged the facility last year and plans to fully resume operations in June or July 2026. Hiring is underway to staff the clubhouse restaurant, which will be run by Santa Lucia.

    pembinavalleyonline.com
• Week of 2026-04-27 to 2026-05-01

  • The City of Brandon is developing a new transit master plan, which could begin as early as this fall. The plan proposes seven new main routes and would increase the cost of the transit service by about $319,000 in 2027.

    brandonsun.com
• Week of 2026-04-20 to 2026-04-24

  • Travel Manitoba is launching a $1.35M marketing campaign, running print, radio, TV, and social media ads in other provinces as well as in some U.S. cities. One focus of the campaign is promoting parts of the tourism sector most affected by last year’s devastating wildfire season.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $5.2M to open a menopause clinic in south Winnipeg. The clinic will include obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, and pharmacists, and is meant to replace some of the services previously provided by the Mature Women’s Centre at the Victoria Hospital. It is slated to open in fall of 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Southport Aerospace Centre, an airport and training facility near Portage la Prairie, expects continued strong employment in the coming years due to the renewal of a federal air force contract. While the current Canadian Flight Training and Support contract ends in 2027, the 25-year Future Aircrew Training program will then begin, maintaining more than 200 aerospace jobs in the Portage la Prairie area.

    portageonline.com

  • Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. is expanding its onsite child care offerings in partnership with Portage Day Care. The two organizations have received $2M in federal and provincial funding to increase spaces from 28 to 52, with construction of a new facility to begin this spring.

    portageonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba and the Town of Niverville are spending a combined $17.7M on improvements to Provincial Road 311. Work is expected to begin later this year on the project, which includes the reconstruction and expansion of a section of road within the community of Niverville.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre has opened an office in Selkirk, which will provide counselling and resources to survivors of sexual violence. The organization has worked out of an office in Pinawa since 2003, travelling across the Interlake region to offer services.

    globalnews.ca

  • The University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences arranged 134 health care worker placements in Portage la Prairie last year, making the community one of its top five locations for rural placements. The Portage la Prairie General Hospital Foundation has recently made two furnished apartments available to students taking part in work placements.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Steinbach’s fire department is currently recruiting on-call firefighters and is holding an open house for potential applicants. The department provides training, which is done part-time over approximately a year.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Boeing is committing $36M to research and development projects at its Winnipeg aerospace manufacturing facility. The projects relate to composite manufacturing materials, which produce lighter and more fuel-efficient aircraft.

    cbc.ca

  • The CN rail company is providing $500,000 to support two organizations working to address homelessness in Winnipeg. Grants of $250,000 will help maintain and expand programming at the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and the West Central Women’s Resource Centre.

    globenewswire.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $300,000 to the City of Brandon and $200,000 to the City of Portage la Prairie, to assist with public safety initiatives. The funding will be used for security upgrades such as cameras and lighting, as well as fostering partnerships with local organizations.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Thunderbird Restaurant in Winnipeg is reopening under new ownership nearly a year after closing its doors. It is expected to begin serving customers again later this spring.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $7.6M to create about 1,900 summer jobs for young Manitobans through its Urban/Hometown Green Team program. The program provides grants to non-profits and municipalities for the hiring of seasonal workers, supporting 624 projects in 170 communities in 2026.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Winnipeg-based SkipTheDishes has closed its 15 remaining Skip Express Lane fulfilment centres, which opened in 2021 during the company’s expansion into grocery and retail delivery. The closures include two centres in Winnipeg, but it’s unclear how many staff are affected. The closures come one week after the company announced a new delivery partnership with Loblaw Inc.

    cbc.ca

  • A new butcher shop, Wheat City Meats, has opened in Brandon in the space formerly occupied by Tendercuts Meat & Deli.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo is opening its first two locations in Winnipeg this year. A store in the CF Polo Park shopping centre will open on May 15, while another in St. Vital Centre is scheduled to open later in 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • The Manitoba Métis Federation and renewable energy company RES are planning a 200-megawatt wind project near Neepawa. The $500M project, called Fleury Winds, is currently in the community consultation stage.

    www.mmf.mb.ca
• Week of 2026-04-13 to 2026-04-17

  • The Government of Manitoba will add $29.2M to child and family services funding in 2026–27 to address rising service needs, support agency wages and enhance caregiver rates, bringing total funding to $458M. The province states the investment supports ongoing system pressures and aligns with its commitments to improve outcomes for children and families, including work with Indigenous partners on jurisdictional transition.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2026-04-20 to 2026-04-24

  • The provincial government is moving ahead with plans to replace a bridge on Highway 75 at the north end of Morris. Preliminary design work is expected to be complete by spring of 2027, and construction may begin in 2028.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre recently installed a $165,000 solar panel array that will meet about 40% of the facility’s Hydro needs. The system is the largest in the city and will serve as a demonstrator project to educate visitors about solar energy.

    discoverwestman.com
• Week of 2026-04-13 to 2026-04-17

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $22.1M to re-establish a cardiac centre of excellence at St. Boniface Hospital, including a new rapid cardiac assessment unit and expanded inpatient cardiology capacity. The province states that the investment will improve access to specialized cardiac care, reduce delays and rebuild services that had been reduced in previous years.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is granting $400,000 to the Hindu Society of Manitoba to support roof replacement and safety upgrades at the Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Centre in Winnipeg. The province states that the investment will help maintain an important cultural and community space that hosts programs, events and services for Manitoba’s South Asian community.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing an additional $2.5M in the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund to support early-stage mineral exploration and advance critical minerals development. The province states that the funding will help drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen Indigenous participation in the sector, building on more than 130 projects supported since 2020.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Thompson City Council is moving forward with a new sobering centre, approving the release of $2.8M in provincial funding that has been held in trust for the project. The facility, which has been in the planning stages for several years, will be run by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.

    thompsononline.ca

  • The Rural Municipality of Rockwood has voted in favour of approving a quarry development application put forward by building solutions company Amrize. Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, which operates near Stonewall, says quarry activity would disrupt its operations and it is considering legal action to halt the development.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Carrington Real Estate has begun construction on a four-storey, 96-unit apartment complex in Winnipeg’s East Kildonan neighbourhood. The $25M project is expected to be completed in fall 2027, and will include a fitness room, underground parking, and 12 units set aside as affordable housing.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Portage la Prairie’s new hospital, originally scheduled to open this fall, now won’t begin accepting patients until spring 2027. Southern Health has explained that more time is needed for staff training and other transitional tasks. Construction on the project was completed in January 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • A Steinbach developer is planning a 48-unit residential development on McKenzie Avenue, along with 83 parking spaces. City council has approved a second reading of a rezoning application that would allow the project to proceed, citing Steinbach’s growing population and need for new housing.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The provincial government’s recent health care worker recruitment fair resulted in more than 60 signed job offers. The Make it in Manitoba hiring forum, held in Winnipeg, brought together nurses, health care aides, and employers from across the province.

    cbc.ca

  • Red River College Polytechnic will be taking over all 19 college programs currently offered by the Manitoba Institute for Trades and Technology, which announced in January that it will be closing due to financial challenges. The institute’s funding challenges relate to a nearly 60% decline in international student enrolment.

    cbc.ca

  • Harvest Manitoba, the province’s largest food bank, hopes to construct a new headquarters in Winnipeg by 2028-2029. The organization’s planned Manitoba Food Transformation Centre would cost $30M and include a commercial kitchen, expanded cold storage, and flash-freezing capacity for fresh produce.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing $5M for the construction of a water reservoir and pumping station in Headingley. The project will increase the rural municipality’s water storage and pumping capacity, accommodating 1,771 new housing units planned for the area.

    canada.ca

  • The City of Portage la Prairie and the Portage & District Chamber of Commerce are offering funding to local businesses looking to improve their storefronts. Grants of up to $3,000 are available for signage, façade enhancements, and other exterior improvements, as well as safety features like security cameras and lighting.

    thegraphicleader.com
• Week of 2026-04-06 to 2026-04-10

  • Shoal Lake 40 First Nation is planning its first housing development in Winnipeg, to be located in the St. James neighbourhood. The First Nation, along with the governments of Canada, Manitoba, and Winnipeg, are providing a combined $51M for the construction of 150 affordable apartment-style homes.

    cbc.ca

  • There are over 200 jobs listed in Steinbach and surrounding area, according to the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting a job fair on April 21. Opportunities include seasonal positions as well as those in manufacturing, retail, and the skilled trades.

    steinbachonline.com
• Week of 2026-04-13 to 2026-04-17

  • The University of Manitoba’s Office of Rural and Remote Learner Experiences facilitated 579 health care work placements within the Southern Health Santé Sud region last fiscal year. As of January 2026, the City of Morden has made two furnished apartments available to students taking part in placements.

    discoverwestman.com
• Week of 2026-04-06 to 2026-04-10

  • The Municipality of Hanover set a record for residential building permits in 2025 and is on track to have another strong year in 2026. Hanover issued 56 building permits in the first quarter of 2026, the same number as during the first quarter of 2025. Hanover includes the communities of Kleefeld, Mitchell, Grunthal, Blumenort, and New Bothwell.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Portage la Prairie’s shopping mall, vacant since 2024, has been purchased by a local ownership group. The group has not made its plans for the building public yet, but there are currently Rona and Tim Hortons locations open onsite, along with a Wendy’s under construction in the mall’s parking lot.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Shelmerdine Garden Centre is creating a supply division to better serve contractors, creating six to eight new jobs at the Headingley business. Shelmerdine has also launched its own women’s clothing brand, which will be sold at its in-store boutique.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Assiniboine College has launched a new licensed practical nursing program in Red Sucker Lake Anisininew Nation, a remote northern community facing a shortage of health care workers. Manitoba’s 2026 budget allocated $1.8M to the two-year program, which will begin in 2027 with space for 20 students. Some prerequisite courses are currently underway.

    cbc.ca

  • Steinbach charity foundation Bethesda Wellness has purchased seven acres of new land next to its Stonebridge Wellness Centre, which houses both public and private health-care providers. Bethesda says the expansion to its medical campus will likely include a hospice, along with other health care services.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction continues on a 25-unit transitional housing complex in Winkler for women and children leaving abusive situations. Genesis House will operate the facility, offering life skills and job readiness programming onsite. The organization hopes to begin accepting tenant applications next spring.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The Town of Carberry is opening a new campground in June of 2026. Located near the town’s community centre, the campground will have 36 sites.

    woodallscm.com

  • Manitoba hired hundreds of nurses between April 2024 and May 2025, but turnover of existing staff slowed progress, with 57 nurses leaving the public system for every 100 hired. This includes retirements, resignations, and nurses choosing to work for private agencies.

    cbc.ca

  • Steinbach-based non-profit Initiatives for Just Communities has opened a new office and drop-in centre in downtown Winnipeg. The space will offer counselling, health supports, a food bank, and cooking and arts classes, among other services for vulnerable clients.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction is underway on the Brandon Pickleball Club’s new indoor facility. A public walk-through is planned for May 2026.

    bdnmb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing $7.1M to six projects by Brandon-based businesses and institutions. These include Assiniboine College’s new Mechatronics Engineering Technology program and Behlen Industries LP’s automation of its steel welding line.

    canada.ca

  • TECHNATION, a national technology industry association, is launching a new training program for Indigenous and youth participants hoping to work in the sector. Red River College Polytechnic will deliver the free, virtual program, beginning this spring. It includes a work placement component with wage subsidies available to participating employers.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The City of Winnipeg is hiring a designer for a proposed aquatic facility in the Waverly West neighbourhood. The $40-$60M project would be part of the larger South Winnipeg Recreation Campus, which is expected to begin construction this year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Brandon Regional Health Centre’s new critical care unit will begin accepting patients in May 2026, allowing more people to be treated closer to home rather than being transferred to Winnipeg. Twelve of the 16 intensive care unit beds are opening this spring, with the remaining four to open once more staff are hired.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba’s minimum wage will be rising by 40 cents in October 2026, to $16.40 per hour. The minimum wage increases each year and is indexed to inflation.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-03-30 to 2026-04-03

  • The Government of Manitoba is hosting a hiring forum in Winnipeg in an effort to connect nurses directly with hiring managers from across the province. On-site interviews will expedite the hiring process, and information will be available on career development and re-entry programs.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • APEX Active Entertainment Group is opening an indoor adventure park in Winnipeg in April 2026. Its attractions include a 192-ft. trampoline, which the company is in the process of having reviewed by Guinness World Records.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has allocated $7M in its 2026 budget toward the construction of a new provincial jail in Dauphin, with work set to begin this year. The Dauphin Centre for Justice will include 100 beds for inmates and will employ 80 staff when it opens in approximately two years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Recreational property prices in Manitoba are expected to rise 5.5% this year, according to a recent report by Royal LePage. The company projects that single family homes in the province’s recreational regions will increase by 1.5% more than the national average.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Hudbay Minerals Inc. has released its annual reserve and resource update, which highlights an extension to the expected mine life of its Snow Lake operations in Northern Manitoba. Snow Lake’s expected mine life will be extended by four years, to 2041. Annual production of 190,000 ounces of gold and 11,500 tonnes of copper are expected over the next three years.

    globenewswire.com

  • The Government of Manitoba’s proposed 2026 Budget allocates $75M toward the province's wildfire response, which will include a new fire base in Thompson and additional staff.

    thompsononline.ca

  • Flin Flon’s new aquatic centre is hiring life guards, and is offering prerequisite training in April 2026.

    thompsononline.ca

  • Costco Wholesale has opened Manitoba’s first Costco Business Centre, which caters specifically to businesses and offers products in industrial-sized quantities. The 137,000-sq-ft. facility is located in Winnipeg on St. James Street and has created 190 local jobs.

    bnnbloomberg.ca

  • The Lakeshore General Hospital in Ashern has completed a major expansion, increasing the number of inpatient beds from 14 to 26 and emergency treatments spaces from five to 13. The project was completed in phases, allowing the hospital to remain open during construction.

    www.msn.com

  • Dawson Crossing, a 119-acre mixed-used development in southeast Winnipeg, is currently undergoing site work and servicing. The project will consist of up to 3,000 residential units along with commercial space and parkland. Commercial tenants could include grocery chains, gas stations, banks, and medical clinics.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Several new restaurants have opened in Winnipeg in the last few months. These include franchises such as Jimmy John’s and Chuck’s Roadhouse, as well as a variety of independent eateries.

    accesswinnipeg.com

  • Staff at Main Street Project have ratified a new four-year collective agreement that includes wage increases in each year of the contract, along with increased sick leave accrual rates. The contract covers workers who provide community outreach, emergency shelter, and housing supports to clients in Winnipeg.

    mgeu.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $5M to improve the quality of meals served in personal care homes. The funding will be distributed to service delivery organizations across the province with the goal of providing fresher and more nutritious food to residents.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The provincial government is providing $500,000 to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, to explore interprovincial trade opportunities with Alberta and Saskatchewan. The chambers will organize four delegations of business leaders to the other Prairie provinces, as well as hosting two in Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $24.4M to purchase a former dormitory building in downtown Winnipeg and convert it to transitional housing for about 118 people facing homelessness. Tenants are scheduled to move in this spring and summer.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Apollo Homes has received municipal approval to build a six-storey mixed-use development on a vacant lot in downtown Portage la Prairie. The project will include main-floor commercial space as well as 45 apartment units, some of which will be designated as affordable housing.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Providence University College and Theological Seminary is laying off approximately 10% of its staff due to funding shortfalls. The institute, located in Otterburne, employs about 115 people. It expects revenues to decline from $26M to $13M in 2026-2027, in large part due to the cap on international student enrolment.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-03-23 to 2026-03-27

  • The provincial government’s proposed 2026 budget outlines a plan to provide free public transit for students up to Grade 12. The Province also pledges to remove the $2 daily fee for those who receive the highest level of child care subsidy, making child care free for about 3,500 families.

    globalnews.ca

  • The City of Steinbach has awarded the construction contract for its $4.3M wastewater facilities improvement project. Penn-Co Construction Canada (2003) Ltd. will complete the upgrades to Lift Station No. 1, increasing the station’s pumping capacity to accommodate the city’s growing population.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Manitoba’s Budget 2026-2027 proposes to increase health care spending by almost $1B. One new initiative is the creation of zones adjacent to emergency rooms where patients can be diverted for treatment by specialists.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba’s 2026 provincial budget allocates $22.1M to improving cardiac care at Winnipeg’s St. Boniface Hospital. The funding will add 18 beds, create a new cardiac assessment unit, and place a cardiologist in the hospital’s emergency room.

    cbc.ca

  • XiteBio Technologies Inc., a Winnipeg-based agricultural biotechnology company, plans to bring its products to overseas markets after 15 years of operations. Currently the company employs 16 people, half of these in Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The union representing Manitoba’s corrections officers is concerned about understaffing in provincial jails. The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union says staff levels have not increased alongside a growing inmate population, leading to overcrowding and safety issues. The Province has promised a $14M increase to corrections in its 2026 budget.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada is spending $9M to build or renovate 86 housing units and shelter spaces across Northern Manitoba. This includes 67 units of low-income housing in Thompson, a 14-bed women’s shelter in Cross Lake First Nation, and a five-unit transitional housing space in Fisher River Cree Nation.

    cmhc-schl.gc.ca

  • N’Dinawemak, an Indigenous led overnight shelter in Winnipeg, will be permanently closing on April 1, 2026. The space, which opened in 2021, will become a navigation centre that provides supports to people experiencing homelessness. It will work in tandem with the Province’s new 72-hour sobering centre located in the same building.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg has renewed its funding for the 24/7 mobile outreach services offered by Main Street Project. Since 2021, the City has contracted the organization to provide various services to people experiencing homelessness.

    winnipeg.ca

  • The provincial government has granted the City of Winnipeg’s request to extend the deadline on its North End sewage treatment plant upgrade. The three-phase, $3B project was originally scheduled for completion in 2030, but that has now been pushed back to 2032. The first phase is underway and expected to be complete by August 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $95M to build a 140-bed personal care home in Winnipeg’s Bridgwater neighbourhood. Community consultations on the project are scheduled to begin in June.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government is providing $300,000 to Harvest Manitoba’s First Steps infant care program, which supplies families with diapers, formula, and baby food. The program supports up to 2,000 infants per month through 130 community agencies across the province.

    cbc.ca

  • Southwestern Manitoba is experiencing a shortage of primary care paramedics, leading to ambulance wait times of up to an hour. The vacancy rate for these positions has climbed from 19.1% in December 2023 to 28% in December 2025, according to data from Shared Health.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Thompson General Hospital’s first institutional safety officers began work this month. The Government of Manitoba has hired five full-time officers and is currently training six more, including part-time and casual workers.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is compiling an online registry of certified tradespeople that is expected to launch by the end of June. Individuals and employers will be able to use the Apprenticeship Manitoba website to verify that a tradesperson has a Red Seal or other certification.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Workers at New Directions have ratified a new three-year collective agreement that includes annual wage increases of 1.25%, lump sum payments, and improvements to vacation allowances. The bargaining unit includes community resource workers and direct support workers serving clients in Winnipeg and the RM of Springfield.

    ufcw832.com

  • Construction has begun on a $91M, 260-unit apartment building in Winnipeg’s Naawi-Oodena development. The complex, Endayaan Omaa, is the first residential project to be built at the former Kapyong Barracks, now an Indigenous economic development zone led by Treaty One Nations. The housing project is expected to be complete in 2028.

    cbc.ca

  • The Fort Garry Hotel, located in downtown Winnipeg, is opening a higher-end collection of guest rooms beginning in April. The hotel recently spent $1M renovating the Vice Regal Floor, which includes 12 guest rooms, three suites, and an executive lounge.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon City Council is planning a $6M outdoor aquatics facility that would include two pools and at least one waterslide. Council is considering taking out a loan for the project, which is targeted for completion in 2028.

    cbc.ca

  • Winnipeg’s Fairmont hotel will be closing to guests for extensive renovations this summer, reopening in the spring of 2027. Hotel owner James Richardson & Sons Ltd. is updating its pool, restaurant, event spaces, and all 340 of its guest rooms.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-03-16 to 2026-03-20

  • Activate, a Winnipeg-based live action gaming company, is continuing its global expansion with new locations opening in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The company currently operates more than 70 locations worldwide and says it plans to open 30 more in 2026.

    newswire.ca

  • Boundary Trails Health Centre, located in Winkler, is expanding its cardiac services. A private donation of $750,000 helped fund the facility’s new echocardiography suite, which will allow southern Manitoba residents to receive heart testing locally instead of travelling to Winnipeg.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Conservation organization Ducks Unlimited Canada is providing $1M in land to the Brookdale Research Farm near Brandon. The 467-acre expansion will nearly double the size of the research and demonstration centre, which is run by Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Winnipeg clothing and jewelry retailer, Anziety, has opened its first storefront on Academy Road. The business previously sold its products online, at markets, and at kiosks. Anziety staffs six part-time and three full-time employees.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A record number of 45 nurses will graduate from the Government of Manitoba’s ICU training program next month. The 15-week training sessions normally average 26 or 27 participants, but the Province says it has been prioritizing recruitment efforts, including making job offers before training is completed.

    cbc.ca

  • The Steinbach Fire Department is fielding more calls and posting longer average response times as the city’s population grows. It currently operates using a volunteer model, but its chief has suggested the city explore a combination model that employs both full-time and volunteer firefighters.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The Town of Niverville and the Government of Manitoba have allocated $16M for improvements to Provincial Road 311. The nearly $10M first phase, which begins this year, includes the widening of the highway and the construction of a roundabout.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has opened a $13M traffic inspection station near Headingley. The new facility, which includes a weigh scale, has the capacity inspect up to 250 commercial vehicles per day.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $2.7M to improve the spinal surgery program at Winnipeg’s Concordia Hospital. New spending on equipment and technology will allow the hospital to practice a high-tech, minimally invasive type of surgery, improving recovery times and reducing wait lists.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon-based Assiniboine College is partnering with the Shilo Military Family Resource Centre, which serves Canadian Forces Base Shilo. The college will offer post-secondary education and other training to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families. Program offerings could include business, culinary arts, and automotive technology.

    assiniboine.net

  • Ontario-based ATTA Elevators Corp has opened a new Manitoba headquarters in East St. Paul. The full-service elevator and escalator company employs 10 people in the province and hopes to grow its staff with a new and larger building.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • An independent feature film, Northern Lights, has been shooting at locations across Manitoba since January and is expected to continue until the end of March. Currently the team is in Portage la Prairie, with plans to head to Beausejour to film snowmobile racing scenes at the community’s racetrack.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Manitoba Hydro has issued a request for proposals, seeking applications from Indigenous majority-owned projects that can provide up to 200 megawatts of wind energy. The Crown corporation is looking to purchase up to 600 megawatts through this Call for Power, which closes this summer.

    hydro.mb.ca

  • A new surgery clinic has opened at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. There are seven surgeons now practising out of the clinic, which consolidates surgical consultations and procedures in one location.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • A number of new tenants are opening locations in Winnipeg’s CF Polo Park shopping mall this spring. These include Venetian Nail Spa, which has two other locations in the city, and Abercrombie & Fitch, which is opening its first Manitoba store and expected to employ about 100 staff. Asian grocery store T&T Supermarket is rumoured to be coming to Polo Park, while the mall is also seeking a tenant for the vacant space left by Hudson Bay Co.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Infinity Women’s Secretariat and the Manitoba Métis Federation are adding 10 additional studio apartments to their transitional housing project in the Interlake area, with $4M in funding from the provincial government. The project’s first phase is expected to open this spring, and includes 10 housing units, communal spaces, childcare services, and wraparound supports for Indigenous women leaving violent situations. The second phase will be completed in summer 2027.

    www.mmf.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is contributing $600,000 to the expansion of the Gaynor Family Regional Library, located in Selkirk. The library will nearly double in size, with a new children’s area, new meeting and study spaces, and increased space for collections.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2026-03-09 to 2026-03-13

  • An arbitrator has ordered CN to reopen its Transcona Wheel Shop in Winnipeg and hire at least 20 new unionized employees. The railway company closed the shop in May 2020 and began contracting out work normally done by union members, which the arbitrator found was in violation of the collective agreement.

    unifor.org

  • Construction has begun on Meadowlands School, a K-8 school just north of Winnipeg in the rural municipality of West St. Paul. The school has an enrolment capacity of 800 students as well as day care spaces for 134 kids, including 104 infants and preschoolers. It is slated to open in fall 2027.

    cbc.ca

  • Both Thompson and Flin Flon are in the midst of building new swimming pool complexes. Each city has a local pool that was built in the 1970s and closed several years ago due to safety and structural problems. Thompson is spending $42.6M on a replacement, and Flin Flon $18M.

    cbc.ca

  • The historic former King’s Hotel in South Point Douglas has been sold and is expected to reopen after renovations, according to the real estate agent who listed the property. In recent years, there has been a decline in the number of small older hotels operating in Winnipeg’s inner city.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A mobile MRI unit in northern Manitoba is having a difficult time retaining staff. The provincial government deployed the unit in June with plans to have it serve both Thompson and The Pas, but so far it remains parked in Thompson. The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals says several employees have resigned over the last nine months, and the mobile unit currently has just two staff members.

    cbc.ca

  • The Toys “R” Us location on Winnipeg’s St. Matthews Avenue remains open despite reports in January of an impending closure. While the company has not given any update on its plans, a sign at the store reading “Everything must go!” has been replaced with one reading “This store remains open for business.”

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Condo prices are rising in Winnipeg, according to the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board. The average condo price was $284,086 in February 2026, the highest ever price for that month. Condo sales were down 24% compared to the previous year, while sales across all housing types were down 11%.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Winnipeg was second in Western Canada in new office space construction in 2025, after Vancouver. The city recorded 35,560 sq. ft. of office construction last year, and its District at Bridgewater was the only major office project in Western Canada to begin in the latter half of 2025. Overall, office construction in Canada was at its lowest level in more than 20 years.

    westerninvestor.com

  • CentreVenture Development Corporation is planning a redevelopment of the Marlborough Hotel in Winnipeg, which has been closed to the public since January 2024. The $48M project will consist of 307 apartments, including at least 40 affordable units, and commercial space on the main floor.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba leads the country in access to family doctors, according to the 2025 OurCare National Survey. Nearly 89% of Manitobans reported that they have a regular primary care provider. The provincial government highlights a net increase of 285 new doctors since 2023, as well as improved retention of family medicine residents completing their training in Manitoba.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Winnipeg’s new 72-hour detox centre is now fully operational, having received approval to accept people intoxicated on drugs like methamphetamines. The 20-room facility opened late in 2025 to patients intoxicated by alcohol. Four of its beds are now reserved for people intoxicated on illicit drugs.

    cbc.ca

  • The operators of the Port of Churchill have signed an international trade agreement with a major European cargo-shipping hub. The deal, between Arctic Gateway Group and Belgium’s Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, aims to build a stronger trade corridor between Western Canada and Europe.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Canada is spending $84M to build about 180 homes at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, part of a broader project to construct 7,500 units at 25 military bases across the country.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg-based Perimeter Aviation will be hiring dozens of aircraft maintenance engineers and other staff in the next two or three years. The company has added a new department dedicated to maintenance checks.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Winnipeg Police Service’s new bail compliance unit is now fully staffed and operational, employing 12 officers. Its mandate is to locate and arrest individuals who violate their bail conditions.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is launching a new culinary festival, called Dine and Discover Downtown. Thirty-one downtown restaurants will serve special menu items at a discount during the festival, which runs from March 11 to 22.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The owners of Chaeban Ice Cream have purchased a creamery in Notre Dame de Lourdes and are planning to expand its butter-churning operations. The 105-year-old Notre Dame Creamery is one of the last of its kind in Manitoba. It currently employs 10 staff and Chaeban plans to hire more as they expand their product line.

    ctvnews.ca
• Week of 2026-03-02 to 2026-03-06

  • New Flyer Industries has completed an expansion to its Winnipeg bus manufacturing facility that will add 250 jobs and allow it to fully build its electric transit buses in Canada. Previously, the company built the shells of the vehicles in Winnipeg and then shipped them to the U.S. to be completed.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Union of Public Employees is calling on the provincial government to increase minimum staffing ratios at personal care homes. Manitoba currently requires a minimum of 3.8 hours of daily care for each resident, and the union is recommending it be increased to 4.1.

    cbc.ca

  • According to the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union, Manitoba’s civil service has declined by about 2,300 people since 2016 even as the province’s population has risen from 1.27M to 1.5M. Currently, provincial government data shows a vacancy rate of 15.9%, and the union has highlighted shortages in corrections, wildfire services, IT, and snow plow operations.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Kingdom Home Building Inc. is planning a 16-unit apartment on Steinbach’s First Street, which has seen increased multi-family residential development in recent years.

    steinbachonline.com

  • A new Filipino eatery, Palm City, is opening on Winnipeg’s McPhillips St. this year. The restaurant itself launches in July, but the owners are offering catering and event services in the meantime.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Red River College Polytech is waiving application fees for Indigenous students in an effort to boost enrollment. The college piloted the concept in 2024 and 2025 and received a positive response, so has decided to make the policy permanent.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The provincial government is providing $2M to Minago Minerals for the first phase of its magnesium processing facility, which is expected to create more than 20 jobs. Minago is a project of Norway House Cree Nation and is the first fully First Nation-owned critical minerals operation in Canada. The Province is also providing $1.4M to eight new mineral exploration projects.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Free Ride EV has completed its Northern Gateway Project, an electric vehicle charging network between Winnipeg and Thompson. There are now charging stations in Warren, Grand Rapids, Wabowden, Thompson, and Pinaymootang First Nation in Fairford.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A new French-language school will open in Winnipeg’s St. Boniface neighbourhood this fall, at the site of the former Springs Christian Academy. The middle years school can accommodate about 375 students.

    cbc.ca

  • Whiteland Real Estate and the Town of Stonewall are partnering on the Quarry District, a mixed use development that will include housing, commercial space, and a Red River Co-op grocery store. The $40M first phase is the project’s commercial component and is slated to begin construction in the coming months. Future phases will include up to 500 residential units.

    portageonline.com

  • Pembina Valley Child Care Centre has been expanding over the last two years and now operates 414 licensed space in Morden and Manitou. Its Westview site in Morden is planning to open another 16 spaces in summer 2026.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The City of Brandon is spending $529,000 to build 24/7 public washroom facilities in the downtown core. The City will demolish the current transit information centre building on Eighth Street in order to construct the new washrooms.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $950,000 on upgrades to the landfill serving Marcel Colomb First Nation and the town of Lynn Lake. This includes improvements to site infrastructure and expanding recycling and waste diversion capacity.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Foremost Clean Energy Ltd., a uranium and lithium exploration company, has signed an exploration agreement with the Kiciwapa Cree Nation. It outlines a framework for mineral exploration in the First Nation’s territory, located in northwestern Manitoba near Flin Flon.

    globenewswire.com

  • One of the owners of Winnipeg’s historic Fort Garry Hotel has opened a bakery in the downtown neighbourhood. The Bread Box employs two people and features some of the same items served at the hotel.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Winnipeg approved building permits for 1,040 new housing units in the downtown area in 2025, the most in 15 years. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ says there are currently about 3,000 units under construction or in the planning stages, which will mean an influx of new residents as those projects conclude around 2028 and 2029.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has begun hiring for the upcoming wildfire season, with postings in February for radio operators, crew leaders, and warehouse staff. The Province is planning to recruit at least as many seasonal staff as last year, but union and First Nations leaders are concerned about potential labour shortages.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments, along with the Winnipeg Airports Authority, are spending $32M to develop 127 acres of land near the city’s airport. The partners hope that this infrastructure work will attract aviation, logistics, and manufacturing companies to the space, and say discussions are already underway with one possible tenant.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $2.9M to infrastructure upgrades in Flin Flon. Most of the funding is for the construction of the city’s new pool, but $500,000 will go towards the planning and design of a new arts centre.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is increasing its Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit from $22M to $30M, hoping to encourage more investment by growing companies. Manitoba businesses are eligible for a 45% tax credit on investments up to $500,000.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba Hydro is reopening its downtown Winnipeg headquarters with new safety measures in place. The Crown corporation has hired seven new Institutional Safety Officers, which it says was planned even before a January 30 assault on an employee resulted in the temporary closure of the building to the public.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Steel Creek Developers are planning to begin construction this summer on a Blue Crescent hotel just outside the town of Stonewall. The building will include a gym, swimming pool, and more than 30 rooms. When complete, it will be the first full-size hotel in Stonewall.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Three new physicians have joined a medical clinic in Niverville, a rapidly growing community south of Winnipeg. Two of the new doctors at Open Health Niverville are offering same-day appointments, while the third is a family physician accepting new patients.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Winnipeg Transit is making changes in response to recent passenger feedback, adding more buses on busy routes beginning this spring. Some routes will also run later in the evening, and further changes are expected this summer.

    citynews.ca

  • Construction is underway on an Indigenous healing space at the Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg. The $2.2M project is the first of its kind in Canada, and will include library and ceremony spaces. It is expected to be complete within a year.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-02-23 to 2026-02-27

  • Construction begins this spring on a $21.7M recreation centre in Springfield. The Council for the Rural Municipality of Springfield has awarded the Phase One contract to Bird Construction.

    www.msn.com

  • The Rural Municipality of Hanover has approved a dairy farm expansion south of Steinbach. Greenkey Farms plans to expand its herd from 200 to 360 and to construct new animal housing and manure storage facilities.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Brandon-based rail infrastructure company Cando Rail & Terminals has acquired Savage Rail, a Utah firm with assets in the U.S. Midwest, Gulf Coast, and Southeast corridors. Cando has hired Savage Rail’s 736 employees and now has a workforce of about 2,000 people, including 150 in Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Rural Municipality of Ritchot has approved the construction of a wedding and special event venue at an equestrian facility near Grande Pointe. The new owners of Misty River Ranch are planning a barn-style building on two acres of property that will accommodate about 150 people.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Assiniboine College is spending $24M to build a medical lab at its Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon. Beginning in the fall of 2027 the space will host two new programs, in medical laboratory technology and combined laboratory and X-ray technology.

    brandonsun.com

  • The Koko Platz Recreation Club has fully reopened to the community after a recent rebuild. The facilities were damaged in a fire in 2021 and the community club has fundraised $800,000 to reconstruct the clubhouse.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Onalee Ames Film Studio is hiring 30 background actors for a snowmobile race scene filming in Beausejour at the end of February. The company is currently shooting a feature film called “Northern Lights.”

    ctvnews.ca

  • A new eatery, Heavenly Coco Café, has opened in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood. The café features Chilean and Portuguese cuisine and baked goods.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg will host the 2027 International Indigenous Tourism Conference next June. The three-day gathering of Indigenous leaders and industry representatives is expected to generate about $2.7M in economic impact.

    chrisd.ca

  • The City of Steinbach will soon begin work on a $7.4M wastewater project that will double the existing system’s capacity. The $1.5M first phase involves the twinning of the force main, which will be completed by Southwood Ventures Inc.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Workers at Red River Co-op locations across Manitoba have voted to ratify a new five-year collective agreement. The contract contains the highest wage increases in a decade, including additional increases for pharmacy assistants.

    ufcw832.com

  • The ownership group of the Port of Churchill has partnered with Fednav, a Montreal-based marine transport company, to explore the possibility of year-round shipping. The research focuses on what steps are needed to extend the shipping season, and is expected to conclude this summer.

    globenewswire.com

  • A driver shortage is causing school bus cancellations in the St. James Assiniboia School Division. The division has some of its own buses but also contracts from a private provider, which is having difficulty recruiting and retaining staff.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Initiatives for Just Communities has received approval from the Rural Municipality of Hanover to open a group home in the community of Mitchell. The facility will support up to six women living with intellectual disabilities and have two staff on site 24/7.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing $600,000 to the redevelopment of the Gas Station Arts Centre in Winnipeg. The project’s $3M first phase includes a redesigned lobby, courtyard, and entranceway along with a new café and wine bar.

    cbc.ca

  • ACCESS Credit Union is closing six branches across Manitoba, though layoffs are not expected as the affected locations are being consolidated with other branches. The closures, scheduled for June and October, include locations in Moosehorn, Sanford, Plum Coulee, and Emerson, along with two branches in Winnipeg. The credit union is also opening one new branch at Winnipeg’s Kenaston Crossing in summer 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Canada is allocating up to $248,600 to conduct a study on the potential expansion of the Port of Churchill. The market-sounding study will seek input from exporters, such as grain and mining companies, on whether improvements to the port will generate more business.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has created 128 positions for institutional safety officers at health care facilities across the province. This includes five new officers starting at Thompson General Hospital next month.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Grocery retailer FreshCo is opening another location in Winnipeg, on Burrows Avenue in the city's North End. The building is a former Sobeys that closed several years ago and has been vacant since then.

    accesswinnipeg.com

  • Flin Flon’s new swimming pool is expected to be complete by the end of March 2026. The total project cost is about $24M.

    flinflononline.com

  • A $280M investment in Thompson’s nickel mine could see production double in the next five years. Vale Base Metals, which owns the mine, is partnering with three other firms to form the Exiro Nickel Company, a consortium that aims to boost output and increase staffing. Currently, the operation employs 700 people.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $3.8M to the City of The Pas for upgrades to its arts and recreation facilities. About a third of the funding is earmarked for improvements to the community’s arena and recreation complex. The remainder will be used to build a new arts, cultural, and learning centre, replacing a building that was lost to a fire in 2024.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Oakwood Café, a restaurant in Winnipeg’s South Osborne neighbourhood, is permanently closing in March. The business has struggled financially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising costs and supply chain issues have contributed to the decision to close.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-02-16 to 2026-02-20

  • Aecon Group Inc. has been awarded the construction contract for a new wastewater treatment facility to be built in Niverville. The Red-Seine-Rat Cooperative Wastewater Treatment Facility will serve more than 30,000 people in the municipalities of Niverville, Taché, Hanover, Ritchot, La Broquerie, and De Salaberry.

    constructconnect.com

  • The Government of Manitoba and the Town of Virden are jointly contributing $3M to the expansion of Virden’s fire hall. A new building will house the department’s five fire trucks, while the current hall will be renovated to add training and meeting rooms, showers, and a new ventilation system.

    cbc.ca

  • The Selkirk Transit Authority is expanding its services, offering free fares for youth, longer operating hours, and new lower-emission vehicles. A seasonal route to Selkirk Park is also expected to launch this summer.

    www.msn.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $218,045 to five organizations for trail improvements across the province. These include walking, biking, skiing, and snowmobile trail projects.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The provincial government is providing more than $1.2M to Black-led community organizations across Manitoba as part of Black History Month. This includes $100,000 toward the National Black Canadians Summit, which is being held in Winnipeg in September 2026.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing nearly $800,000 to Eviance, formerly known as the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies. The Winnipeg-headquartered organization is using the funds for community engagement as it develops a strategy for women entrepreneurs with disabilities.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $325,000 to Festival du Voyageur as the annual event gets underway in Winnipeg. The festival celebrates the province’s francophone heritage with 10 days of music, food, and other cultural activities.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The National Research Council is cutting 12 positions at the Medical Devices Research Centre in Winnipeg. The layoffs are part of a broader move by the federal government to reduce the size of the public service. Ten of the affected positions are in scientific, research, or technical departments and the other two positions are building support staff.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Two new bookstores have opened in Winnipeg in the past few months. Dotted Lines, which specializes in Japanese manga, opened on Watt Street in November. Bound to Please, which sells romance novels with an emphasis on local authors, opened on McPhillips in January.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Alberta sand mining company Sio Silica is partnering with the University of Manitoba to study ways to monitor groundwater while minimizing drilling. The company plans to resubmit a mining proposal that was declined by the Province in 2024, but says the research will be useful more broadly as well.

    cbc.ca

  • The new Neepawa Health Centre is on schedule to open early in 2027, with construction about 75% complete. The new hospital is more than three times larger than the building it replaces and includes 60 acute care beds. The health region expects significant hiring as the opening date approaches.

    730ckdm.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $500,000 in additional funding to the United Way Winnipeg, enabling the creation of six new Child and Family Services liaison positions. There are already 5.5 liaison positions in the city, working out of various family resource centres to support caregivers at risk of having their children apprehended.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction has begun on a $30M renovation to the Kildonan Place shopping centre in Winnipeg. Upgrades include a new entryway and a redesign of the food court that will add two new vendor spots and 275 seats. The updated food court is scheduled to open early in 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $1.49M on upgrades at the Deloraine-Winchester Airport, repaving the runway and improving lighting systems. The work is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has launched a new online tool meant to help businesses implement artificial intelligence into their operations. The chambers recently surveyed its members and found that 72.8% hope to use AI to improve efficiency and reduce time spent on administrative tasks.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $767,000 to nine projects aimed at preventing and healing from gender-based violence. This includes $100,000 for renovations at Velma’s House, a safe space in Winnipeg operated by Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The first phase of Winnipeg’s $3.2B North End sewage treatment plant upgrade is expected to be complete by this summer. It is the costliest project in the city’s history and one of the most complex. The second phase will begin construction later this year.

    cbc.ca

  • Film Training Manitoba and the Canadian Society for Cinematographers are establishing a new training and mentorship hub for screen-industry workers in Winnipeg. It will be the fourth such centre in Canada after locations in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

    www.msn.com

  • The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is laying off seven people, part of a broader mandate by the federal government to reduce the size of its workforce. No information is available yet on which roles are affected at the Winnipeg-based national museum.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The City of Portage la Prairie is purchasing a new building for its Community Safety Officer program. The service had just three officers when it began but has since doubled in size, and is now acquiring the former Portage Mutual building to facilitate future growth.

    portageonline.com

  • The City of Winnipeg is spending $1.8M on renovations and upgrades at 24 of its community centres. This includes $100,000 for repairs to the Tyndall Park Community Centre’s outdoor ice rink.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-02-09 to 2026-02-13

  • The Minegoziibe Anishinabe Economic Development Corporation is planning a 200-megawatt wind energy project in southwestern Manitoba. The project is expected to cost more than $600M and is a response to Manitoba Hydro’s call for Indigenous-owned wind power projects last fall.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Winnipeg tech company Taiv Inc. has nearly tripled its staffing over the last year as the company expands. Taiv currently employs 85 people at its office in downtown Winnipeg, and is valued at just under US$100M.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The owners of Winnipeg’s Harlequin Costume are retiring, selling their downtown building and its inventory of more than 25,000 costumes. A scaled-down version of the business will continue at a new location, focusing exclusively on dancewear.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is increasing its funding to the province’s schools by 3.5% in 2026-2027. This includes funding to standardize teacher salaries. Some school divisions and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society have said the increase isn’t enough, given growing student populations, increasing class complexity, and years of underfunding.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction is complete on the Bethesda Regional Health Centre expansion in Steinbach. Additions include three operating rooms, 15 medicine and palliative beds, a new lab, and expanded staff and family spaces.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Westman Communications Group (WCG) is expanding Internet services in Gilbert Plains, upgrading customers in the municipality to 2.5 Gig. Advancements in fibre-powered connections have allowed WCG to improve networks and increase Internet speeds in rural areas.

    bdnmb.ca

  • WestJet is cutting some Canada-U.S. routes amid a decline in transborder travel. Sixteen routes to 10 major U.S. cities have been cancelled indefinitely, including routes from Winnipeg to Atlanta and Winnipeg to Nashville.

    vancouversun.com

  • The number of Indigenous tourism businesses in Manitoba more than doubled between 2019 and 2023, according to a recent report by Signal49 Research. The industry generates about $91M annually in the province and employs more than 1,600 people.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The University of Winnipeg will launch the second cohort of its Portage la Prairie teacher training program this fall. Its virtual education model allows students to enrol in the Winnipeg-based degree program without having to leave their community. There are 24 students in the first cohort, which began earlier this year.

    portageonline.com

  • A new veterinary clinic, Prairie Vet, has opened in Portage la Prairie. The city had been without veterinary services since its only clinic closed in June 2024. The new business has rehired that clinic’s entire staffing team.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Major renovations to the emergency department in Eriksdale are expected to begin early in 2027 and conclude later that year. The $8.6M project will include updated triage and waiting areas, upgraded inpatient rooms, and the relocation of the emergency department to the front of the facility.

    portageonline.com

  • Building permits for dwelling units in Brandon were up 75% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Developers have been trying to get projects finished before increases to municipal infrastructure take effect, likely before the end of 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has streamlined licensing for internationally trained pharmacists, reducing the application process to 75 days from about four and a half years. Three applicants have accessed the expedited pathway since it took effect in December 2025.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Attendance has not returned to pre-pandemic levels at the Manitoba Children’s Museum, and the Winnipeg organization has posted operating deficits for several years. The museum is now introducing some cost-saving measures, reducing open hours, raising admission, and ending a pilot program that offered free admission to Indigenous visitors.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Parks Canada is hiring students and seasonal staff for the summer 2026 season at Riding Mountain National Park. Positions are in a range of areas, including cleaning, general labour, event planning, marketing, research, campground services, and skilled trades.

    discoverwestman.com

  • The City of Brandon is spending $60,000 to develop its first comprehensive tourism strategy. Some event organizers say they hope increasing hotel capacity will be part of the plan, as the growth of larger-scale events is currently limited by a lack of accommodations in the city.

    cbc.ca

  • A newly established Hutterite colony near Gimli is planning a 140,000-bird chicken farm. The Harbour Colony is seeking provincial approval for the project, which it says is a long-term plan that could take 5-10 years to complete.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A $6M upgrade to the Grunthal Arena is scheduled to begin construction this year and wrap up in mid-2027. The project includes a new lobby, dressing rooms, seating, and concession area, as well as a new ice plant and resurfacer.

    steinbachonline.com

  • AgWest, a farm equipment dealer, has opened a new building just outside Brandon. The company is adding two account managers to its current staff of 21, and is hoping to grow its business in the new facility. Another new building in Russell is expected to open later this spring.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Six southeastern Manitoba municipalities have reached a deal on a $205M wastewater treatment plant. Construction will begin this year on the facility, with funding coming from federal, provincial, and local governments. The project will accommodate rapid population growth in the region and prevent farmland from being converted to lagoons.

    cbc.ca

  • Ashdown Market, a grocery store in Winnipeg’s East Exchange District, has permanently closed due to safety concerns and declining sales. The business opened in 2022 as a cannabis shop and added the grocery component a year later. A comedy club that also operated out of the space is now seeking a new location.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Costco Canada is opening its first Winnipeg Business Centre at 1315 St. James Street, a former Costco warehouse. A business centre emphasizes professional products over household supplies, and carries larger quantities. The new centre is scheduled to open March 27, 2026.

    accesswinnipeg.com

  • Manitoba Hydro has hired three institutional safety officers (ISOs) at its downtown Winnipeg headquarters. ISOs are security staff with specialized training who have the legal authority to detain and arrest suspects.

    cbc.ca

  • The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832 has ratified a new contract for its members who work for the Manitoba Nurses Union. The agreement includes a $2,000 signing bonus, improvements to health benefits and personal leave, and wage increases totalling 9.5% over four years.

    ufcw832.com

  • Shorty’s Pizza has opened its second Winnipeg location, in the Charleswood neighbourhood. Its original location in Wolseley employs 30 people. The business has hired an additional 10 staff, anticipating that some will choose to work at both restaurants.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-06

  • The provincial government is spending $250,000 to study the feasibility of a new national marine conservation area along the Hudson Bay coast. There are five such areas in Canada and the federal government hopes to create 10 more by 2030.

    cbc.ca

  • Eddie Bauer, an American outdoor apparel chain, will be closing all 200 of its North American stores as it seeks bankruptcy protection. The company has one Winnipeg location, in the CF Polo Park shopping centre.

    winnipegsun.com

  • Project planners and volunteers in Flin Flon have opened their new snow lodge attraction, an entertainment venue constructed from harvested snow and ice. Organizers hope to eventually scale up the project to create a seasonal ice hotel.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has launched a pilot program that bring 24/7 snow-clearing services to Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway. A memorandum of agreement with the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union will see two 12-hour shifts providing continuous coverage during severe weather conditions.

    globalnews.ca

  • TriCan Advisory Inc. has purchased the former Maryland Hotel in Winnipeg’s West End and is rebranding as the New Lodge Hotel. The company is spending up to $4M to renovate the building and make it more accessible to families and those visiting Winnipeg for treatment at the nearby Health Sciences Centre.

    cbc.ca

  • Travel Manitoba is launching a $1.35M wildfire assistance program that provides fire-prevention equipment and training to tourism operators. The Crown corporation will cover up to 90% of expenses for eligible operators.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction has begun on a new RCMP office in Flin Flon. The new building, scheduled to be completed in November 2027, will replace an existing facility that is partially unusable for health and safety reasons. The project is part of a broader effort to update rural RCMP detachments.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is launching a pilot program that will develop vacant properties into affordable homes. Manitoba Housing will work with social enterprises to build or renovate homes on city-owned lots, then sell them to people transitioning out of social housing.

    cbc.ca

  • The Canadian Red Cross is offering financial assistance to small businesses who were affected by Manitoba’s unusually severe 2025 wildfire season. Eligible businesses can receive $2,000 to put toward cleanup costs, deductibles, and other expenses.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $11.4M to 22 municipal fire service projects across the province. These include fire hall renovations and expansions, community preparedness initiatives, and the purchase of fire trucks and other equipment.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Toronto-based Porter Airlines is increasing its service out of Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport, beginning in May 2026. It has added four weekly flights to Hamilton to its summer schedule, along with five more weekly flights to Ottawa.

    chrisd.ca

  • Westman Communications Group (WCG) is expanding Internet services in Minnedosa and Oak River, upgrading the area to 2.5 Gig. Advancements in fibre-powered connections have allowed WCG to improve networks and increase Internet speeds in rural areas.

    bdnmb.ca

  • The federal government is reducing the operating budget of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights by $3.2M over the next three years, part of a nationwide mandate of public service cuts. The Winnipeg-based national museum says it hopes to reduce expenses without having to lay off staff but is still unsure what the impact of the cuts will be.

    cbc.ca

  • Winnipeg’s Victoria Hospital is spending $430,000 to renovate one of its surgical theatres this year, replacing equipment that is now over 10 years old. The hospital also hopes to upgrade two of its older operating rooms, which is expected to cost $800,000 per suite.

    cbc.ca

  • The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is closing, citing financial challenges caused by declining international student enrolment. Some programs will relocate to Red River College Polytech as operations wind down over the next year. There are 368 staff at the school and it is unclear how many positions will be eliminated and how many will be transferred to RRC Polytech.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction on the $650M redevelopment of Winnipeg’s downtown Portage Place Mall is scheduled to begin this spring, with completion scheduled for 2028. True North Real Estate Development is currently deconstructing the old mall in preparation for a mixed-use project that includes a health care centre, housing, and commercial and social services.

    cbc.ca

  • Bayer, a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, is spending more than $45M to build a canola research and development facility in Winnipeg. Design work will begin this year with the goal of having the site operational before the end of 2028.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-01-26 to 2026-01-30

  • CentreVenture, Winnipeg’s downtown development agency, is spending $4.6M to convert heritage buildings into 297 new housing units. Four vacant buildings will be redeveloped, including the St. Charles Hotel on Notre Dame Avenue and Maw’s Garage on Bannatyne Avenue. More than a third of the planned units will be affordable housing.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction is scheduled to begin this week on four new schools: three in Winnipeg and another in Brandon. The schools are scheduled to open in 2027 and are among the first projects to fall under the province’s Manitoba Jobs Agreement, which prioritizes Manitoba workers for major projects. Three of five contracts awarded for the school projects are with Manitoba companies.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • In Steinbach, the Initiative for Neighbourly Nights is working to establish a 30-bed transitional housing project. The group has submitted a proposal to City Council that includes security, nursing, and outreach staff to provide supports to tenants.

    cbc.ca

  • State & Main Kitchen + Bar has opened a second Winnipeg location, near the CF Polo Park shopping centre. The restaurant chain’s first location is in Kildonan Place Mall in the city’s northeast.

    winnipegsun.com

  • Red River College Polytech’s Portage campus is offering local entrepreneurs six months of rent-free access to office space in its innovation hub, the Prairie Project Studio. For a monthly fee its Fab Lab also includes manufacturing tools such as 3D printers, engravers, sewing machines, and a latex printer.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $350,000 to four community development projects in Dauphin. These include upgrades to the local arena and the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum, as well as support for youth programming offered by Career Trek and the Anishinaabe Agowidiiwinan Secretariat.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • New arts and cultural spaces have opened at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in Swan River. The Government of Manitoba provided $16.6M for the expansion, which includes a new multipurpose room, outdoor teaching area, and an arts and cultural centre with an auditorium and stage.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is eliminating 665 positions and closing seven of its research operations as part of a broader federal government effort to reduce the public service workforce by 15%. One of the satellite research farms closing is in Portage la Prairie.

    portageonline.com

  • The Picklr, a U.S.-based pickleball chain, has opened a location in Winnipeg’s Tuxedo Business Park. The facility is the company’s first in Canada, and includes 12 courts and a shop that sells equipment. The Picklr plans to make Winnipeg its national headquarters as it expands in Canada, opening two more locations in the city in the next few years.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $16.8M to the University of Manitoba for the construction of two new biological research facilities. One will focus on biomanufacturing and vaccine development, and the other on diagnostics research and vaccine testing.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $5M toward a multisport indoor fieldhouse to be built in Portage la Prairie. The project is a partnership between the city and rural municipality along with the Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Basic infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Churchill are 40-50% complete and expected to be finished within 1-2 years, according to the Arctic Gateway Group. The company has spent nearly $300M repairing the Hudson Bay Railway since taking ownership of the port and railway in 2018, and continues to work to increase useage of the northern transportation and shipping network.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Portage la Prairie is redeveloping the site of a former youth correctional facility, planning for new housing and a child care centre. Part of the land that once contained the Aggasiz Youth Centre has been used to build a new hospital. The provincial government is providing $1.2M to the city to assist with developing the remaining space.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has welcomed 13 U.S.-trained physicians since 2024, when it opened a special office dedicated to health care recruitment. Eleven of the new doctors are in Winnipeg and the other two are in the Prairie Mountain and Southern Health regions.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is hiring an executive director of AI and data, who will plan for the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools in the public sector. The Province stresses that the technology would not be used to replace workers but to help them work more efficiently.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba are making changes to AgriInsurance, reducing premiums for most crops and expanding the coverage for wildlife damage. A new pilot program also offers lower premiums for farmers who adopt more sustainable practices. AgriInsurance provides coverage for drought, extreme weather, pests, and disease.

    canada.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments are renewing funding for the Manitoba Farm Wellness Program, allocating $300,000 over two years to provide counselling services to farmers and their families.

    canada.ca

  • Fresh Forage, a vertical microgreens farm in Winnipeg, is closing at the end of January after nearly a decade in business. The operation is the largest microgreens grower in the province.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba Hydro is spending $193M to overhaul the IT network that supports its finance, human resources, and supply chain operations. The Crown corporation has posted a request for proposals and aims to have a new system in place by the end of 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Two Manitoba agricultural equipment companies, Enns Brothers Limited and Greenvalley Equipment, have announced they will be merging in a deal expected to close in April. Both companies have John Deere dealerships in rural communities across the province’s southern regions.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Manitoba is facing a shortage of respiratory therapists, with 50 unfilled positions in Winnipeg’s three acute care centres and more still at smaller hospitals. According to the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, staffing has been an issue since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and may worsen further as retirements increase in the coming years.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-23

  • The Winnipeg Airports Authority is seeking City of Winnipeg approval to build the water, sewer, and traffic infrastructure that would service a possible WestJet maintenance facility west of the airport. The airline has not made a final decision on the facility, but is considering Winnipeg as a site.

    cbc.ca

  • Three Manitoba transportation networks have signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal and provincial governments, creating a new trade alliance that will collaborate on the movement of goods. The signatories are the Winnipeg Airports Authority, CentrePort Canada, and the Arctic Gateway Group, which owns the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Rural Municipality of Hanover set new construction records in 2025, with the value of all building permits surpassing its previous record by $26M. Mitchell and Kleefeld were the communities with the most residential construction, while the $12M Green Valley School addition in Grunthal was the highest value project.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Winnipeg startup organizations ProductStak and Launch Coworking have announced a new venture studio. The new project, called Ignition, will provide new businesses with practical support in their early stages.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The City of Winnipeg is seeking an organization to provide 24/7 homeless outreach services, and has allocated $387,275 for the contract. Two non-profit agencies have said the funding offered is inadequate, including Main Street Project, the City’s current homeless outreach provider.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Steinbach Regional Secondary School is partnering with Red River College Polytech to offer a dual-credit health care aide program. The program allows Grade 12 students to earn both high school and college credits, and is meant to address a shortage of health care aides in the region.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Winnipeg reported a 12.3% increase in housing starts in 2025 compared to the previous year, the second highest annual total in the city’s history and more than twice the Canadian average. However, the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg says there needs to be more emphasis on affordable housing.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A six-bed hospice facility has opened in Winkler, offering end-of-life services as well as care for those awaiting placement in nursing homes. Pembina Valley Hospice House will employ 24 staff, including health care aides, housekeepers, kitchen workers, and administrative staff.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The vacancy rate for nurses at the Swan River emergency department is currently 50%, according to Prairie Mountain Health. The Manitoba Nurses Union says the problem has been worsened by the provincial government’s recent decision to end most of its contracts with private nursing agencies. The Province says it expects staffing to improve as nurses move to the four remaining agencies under contract.

    cbc.ca

  • The Brandon Police Service has hired three full-time mental health clinicians to help the force respond to incidents where someone is in crisis. The new crisis response unit was launched in the fall of 2025 and also includes two police officers. The Province is providing $290,000 annually to fund its work.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $235M to build an interchange at the Perimeter Highway and Provincial Trunk Highway #3. The project, which will include a four-lane divided highway and two-lane overpass, is expected to begin construction this spring and be completed by 2030.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The John Howard Society of Brandon’s $11M transitional housing complex will open to residents in February. The 24-unit residence will employ 20-25 staff and provide support to men re-entering the community after incarceration or transitioning out of homelessness.

    cbc.ca

  • Sergio’s Pasta recently opened in Winnipeg, employing four staff and offering customizable pasta meals for takeout or delivery. It currently operates out of a commercial kitchen but is seeking a space for a dine-in restaurant.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Stella’s, a Winnipeg restaurant chain, is opening a café inside the EQ3 store at CF Polo Park in February. Stella’s employs about 300 people and runs seven restaurants and a bistro in Winnipeg. A joint bistro and café is planned for the city's Corydon Avenue neighbourhood in March.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $33,000 in grants to law enforcement agencies in the Parkland Region, which will be used for equipment, uniforms, and training. The Province is also providing $35,000 to the Parkland Crisis Centre and Women’s Shelter.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Construction has begun on Railside at the Forks, the first residential development at the historic site in downtown Winnipeg. The two-year first phase includes nine apartment blocks and a condo building for a total of 350 units, including some affordable housing. The development will total 1,200 units when complete in 2040.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-01-26 to 2026-01-30

  • CBC News is increasing its rural staffing, creating 11 news bureaus across the country. These includes two Manitoba sites, in Flin Flon and Selkirk/Interlake Region. Additionally, CBC has added a second journalist to each of its one-person bureaus in Brandon and Steinbach.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-23

  • The City of Winnipeg is seeking a contractor to conduct a feasibility study on implementing a thermal energy system for Graham Avenue. The downtown street and former bus corridor has been closed to vehicle traffic and the City is exploring redevelopment options.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Diageo is spending $19M to upgrade the energy systems at its Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, replacing its natural gas boilers with renewable electricity. Manitoba Hydro will begin construction this month on a new 20km transmission line to service the plant, with completion expected for 2027.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Construction is complete on the new hospital in Portage la Prairie, which is scheduled to open to patients in fall 2026. The 275,000-sq-ft. facility includes 114 acute care beds and will offer surgical, rehabilitation, and birthing services.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The Toys “R” Us location on Winnipeg’s St. Matthews Avenue is permanently closing, though no information has yet been given on the closing date or number of employees affected. The toy retailer closed 38 stores in 2025 and has just one location remaining in Winnipeg, on Regent Ave W.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-01-12 to 2026-01-16

  • Minago Development GP Inc., a critical minerals project owned by Norway House Cree Nation, has purchased the rights to a low-carbon magnesium extraction process. Minago plans to begin work on a dolomite deposit north of Grand Rapids, and has trained about 50 people from Norway House and surrounding communities. The goal is to begin production in 2027.

    ctvnews.ca

  • American clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is opening its first Winnipeg location, at the CF Polo Park shopping centre. The store is currently accepting applications for a manager.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has cancelled plans to create a teacher exchange program that would help address staffing shortages in northern schools. The Province had hoped to work with the national non-profit Gakino’amaage to find temporary northern placements for Winnipeg teachers, but the pilot program was abandoned due to insufficient interest.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A film production crew will be working in the southern Manitoba community of St. Jean in February, shooting scenes for a movie called Northern Lights. Other scenes are scheduled to be filmed in Beausejour.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Developers are planning a 72-unit apartment complex at the site of a former heritage building in Osborne Village, with plans to begin construction this fall. However, project planners say the City of Winnipeg’s requirements concerning parking and affordable units may pose challenges.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo is opening its first two Winnipeg locations in 2026: the first at CF Polo Park shopping mall this spring and the second at St. Vital Centre later in the year. Opening dates have not been announced but the company says it is planning hiring fairs for the Polo Park location.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A Filipino restaurant, Island Pacific Kitchen, has opened in Steinbach. It is the first eatery in the city to specialize in Filipino cuisine.

    cbc.ca

  • Ollie’s Schnitzel House, a European-inspired restaurant in Brandon, will be permanently closing on January 17, 2026. The eatery opened just over a year ago, originally under the name Ollie’s European Market.

    brandonsun.com

  • The Winnipeg City Council public works committee has approved the purchase of 27 zero-emission buses from New Flyer Industries, part of a plan to replace about 90 diesel buses. To proceed, the $51M deal still needs to be approved by the executive policy committee and then by city council.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $230,400 to provide language and immersion programs with math education in French. The funding will continue access to Netmath, a Canadian-developed program designed for grades 1-9. The funding supports about 12,000 students.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • More Manitoba restaurants are struggling financially in recent years, owing in part to the rising cost of living and changing consumer habits post-pandemic. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, about 12% of restaurants in the province were losing money or breaking even, while in 2025 that figure was 41%.

    globalnews.ca

  • The City of Flin Flon has extended its Business Front Grant in 2026, matching up to $10,000 of funds business owners spend renovating their storefronts.

    flinflononline.com

  • Demand remained steady in Winnipeg’s housing market in 2025 even as it decreased in other large Canadian cities, according to the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate board. Sales increased 10% from 2024, and the average price for residential detached homes jumped 7%. In the rental market, supply increased in Manitoba, causing average rent to decline 1.7%.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • WestJet is considering Winnipeg as the site of a new aircraft maintenance facility, which could potentially bring hundreds of jobs and millions in economic activity to Manitoba. The Winnipeg Airports Authority has offered to cover the cost of roadways, water mains, and other infrastructure related to the project.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A 95-bed personal care home in Lac du Bonnet is under construction and scheduled to be complete in fall of 2027. The facility replaces an existing 30-bed personal care home.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Residents of Gimli are concerned about the possible economic impacts of Ontario’s recent decision to remove Crown Royal from sale by the provincial liquor agency. The Diageo production plant in Gimli employs dozens of people as well as creating spinoff business in the region.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Workers at the Maple Leaf Consumer Foods pork production and packaging plant in Winnipeg have ratified a new five-year collective agreement, which includes wage increases averaging 19.23%. A majority of the 1,800 workers had previously voted to authorize a strike mandate.

    ufcw832.com

  • The energy branch of the Manitoba Métis Federation has signed a partnership agreement with renewables company RES, agreeing to work together on energy expansion in the province. Their first initiative will be a 200-megawatt wind project, responding to a call for proposals issued by Manitoba Hydro in October 2025.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Local entrepreneurs have purchased the decommissioned RCMP detachment in the Rural Municipality of McCreary and converted the jail cell into a vacation rental. The property, now called The Jailhouse, is available for overnight stays as well as weddings and special events.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2026-01-05 to 2026-01-09

  • The City of Selkirk saw growth to its downtown in 2025, including a façade improvement incentive, a $7.2M street reconstruction, and a new mixed-use building operated by the Manitoba Métis Federation. The City also purchased the Garry Theatre and is currently renovating it in preparation for reopening.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is scaling down its contracts with private nursing agencies in an effort to reduce its reliance on for-profit firms and encourage more nurses to work in the public system. The Province is now working with just four agencies rather than the nearly 80 it previously contracted with.

    cbc.ca

  • The Youth Hub in Portage la Prairie will join the Huddle Manitoba network in 2026, allowing it to offer clinical services in addition to recreational and skill development programming. The new Huddle services will include access to a doctor, nurse practitioner, and therapist.

    portageonline.com

  • The City of Brandon is reopening its Civic Services Complex after a more than two-year closure. The facility houses several city departments, including transit, building maintenance, and underground utilities. Staff have been working in a temporary space since an explosion damaged the complex in September 2023.

    bdnmb.ca

  • The University of Winnipeg has launched its new Anishinaabemowin Language Program. It is the first of its kind in the province, offering a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Indigenous language immersion that includes both classroom and land-based learning.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The community of Elm Creek has completed a $700,000 upgrade to its skating rink, which includes a new concrete floor and artificial ice plant.

    portageonline.com

  • Langside Grocery, a bar and restaurant in Winnipeg’s West Broadway neighbourhood, is reopening under new ownership and with a new staff after a months-long closure. It is one of a few businesses in the area that have been revamped recently. The former Sherbrook Inn also has a new owner and is being rebranded as the East Gate Inn.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Steinbach had another strong year in construction activity, with permit values for the first 11 months of 2025 surpassing a record set the previous year. Much of this is due to residential construction; Steinbach approved 356 new units as of November 2025, compared to 344 in 2024.

    steinbachonline.com

  • A developer has requested a zoning variance in order to construct a four-storey mixed-use project on Winnipeg’s Corydon Avenue. The building would include a bakery on the main floor and 20 residential units on the upper three.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Prairie Mountain Health Region has now recruited a total of seven internationally trained physicians to practice in rural communities in southwestern Manitoba. The doctors have signed agreements committing them to four years in their chosen communities, which include Killarney, Minnedosa, Russell, Rossburn, Shoal Lake, and Ste. Rose.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction continues on a new community centre in Lorette, which is scheduled to be completed by February 2027. The facility will include an arena and skating rink, a library, seniors centre, multipurpose area, and canteen.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Flicks Cinema, a movie theatre in Stonewall, has reopened after being closed since 2024. New owners purchased the theatre in August 2025 and the building underwent renovations before reopening the following month.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Sharecuterie is opening a kiosk at The Forks Market in Winnipeg, which will employ five people. The charcuterie café business opened its first location on Stafford St. in 2023. Its second location will begin operation in February 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The union representing Winnipeg firefighters says staffing shortages are to blame for a recent house fire that resulted in an individual’s death. The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg says the response time was twice the city’s target, and that more staff are needed. The union has called for at least 40 new firefighters in 2026, while City Council has agreed to add 20.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A Winnipeg sauna and cold plunge business is planning a second Winnipeg location for April 2026. Saunic’s first location, a semi-outdoor space, opened on Daly St. N in 2025. Its planned second location will be an indoor facility on Stafford St., and will employ four people.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-12-15 to 2026-01-02

  • Construction is underway on Assiniboine College’s $5M sustainable greenhouse expansion project in Brandon. The new facility will host the sustainable foods and horticulture programs, and is expected to be complete in 2026.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Assiniboine College in Brandon is launching two new programs for health care professionals in 2027: Medical Laboratory Technology and Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologist. Both are 2.5-year diploma programs accepting 20 students every second year.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Construction is underway on an enclosed snow structure in Wasagaming, the townsite of Riding Mountain National Park. When complete, the Klar So Snow Pavilion will host winter event and programming, including the Fire + Frost arts festival in March.

    chrisd.ca

  • American fast food chain Wendy’s is opening a location in Portage la Prairie. The restaurant is currently hiring managers and supervisors.

    portageonline.com

  • The City of Selkirk is encouraging property upgrades in its downtown by offering a grant incentive for businesses in the area. Improvements of $10,000 or more are eligible for up to 25% of costs reimbursed in an effort to rejuvenate the downtown.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The Prairie Mountain Health region has recruited four internationally trained physicians for two rural communities in the province’s southwest. Two of the new doctors will begin practising in Killarney in August 2026, while two will join the Minnedosa health centre in February and September 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $3M toward the repair and revitalization of the historic rail bridge at The Forks, a cultural, retail, and green space near downtown Winnipeg. The bridge closed due to structural concerns in 2023, and will cost about $9.3M to reopen.

    cbc.ca

  • The Manitoba government has lowered the age for self-referred breast cancer screening from 50 to 45, which will increase demand for staff amid an ongoing shortage. The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals points to a 40% vacancy rate among mammographers. Cancer Care Manitoba says it has hired seven new staff to address increased demand, but the Province has estimated at least 13 are needed.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $644,000 from its Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to the Winnipeg Police Service. The funding will be used for staff training and new equipment.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Adult & Teen Challenge, a faith-based addictions and recovery organization, has moved its Steinbach operations into a new building. The new facility is three times larger than its previous one, allowing for an expanded thrift store and space to sell used vehicles onsite. If it can secure the necessary funding, the organization plans to open an auto shop.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Steinbach City Council has approved a subdivision that would add 41 residential lots to a development called Parkhill, located in the city’s southwest. Council has also voted to rezone the area, which will allow for a mixture of housing types.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Renovations at Winnipeg’s Kildonan Place shopping centre have forced the relocation of several tenants, including two shops that are closing permanently. Some tenants, such as Dollarama and Spencer’s, have moved elsewhere in the mall, but Barks N’ Purrs Pet Store and Primo Toys have not been offered alternate storefronts. The pet store has found a new and larger location near Kilcona Park, while the toy store won’t be reopening elsewhere.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Thompson is hiring for a variety of positions, with openings in public works, recreation programs, and skilled trades. The city is currently recruiting for a Fire Captain as well as firefighter/paramedics.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The City of Steinbach has nearly completed construction on its $11.2M renewal of Loewen Boulevard and Provincial Trunk Highway 12. The intersection has reopened to traffic and the final site work is expected to be complete by spring or summer 2026.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Deep Sky, a Montreal-based carbon removal firm, has selected the rural municipalities of Pipestone and Two Borders as potential sites for its planned carbon-capture facility. The company plans to begin construction in 2026, generating 700-1,000 temporary jobs. When operational, the facility would create between 50 and 100 permanent jobs. The first phase of the project is expected to cost about $200M.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg-based Agi3 Software has received $4.3M toward a project that seeks to increase the use of artificial intelligence in the agricultural insurance industry. The funding comes from SCALE AI, the federal government’s global innovation cluster for artificial intelligence.

    winnipegsun.com

  • Volunteers and organizers are building a seasonal event space in Flin Flon: a snow lodge constructed from blocks of ice. When complete in January, the lodge will host events and concerts. The project is a partnership between the City of Flin Flon, the community’s arts council, and a Winnipeg-based architect.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Brandon is planning to create a new green space that will include walking and cycling pathways as well as a stormwater pond to help prevent flooding. The City is contributing $5.28M to the project while the federal government is providing $1M.

    canada.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is investigating the possibility of creating a “managed encampment,” a dedicated space in the city where people who are living in tents outside can receive site services such as garbage pickup and social services such as mental health supports. City staff are researching the feasibility of a pilot project this spring or summer.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Minnedosa Vet Clinic is doubling the size of its office, expanding surgical and storage space and adding a dedicated break room. The expanded office will allow the clinic to hire an additional veterinarian and one or two more support staff.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $1.125M to the Manitoba Real Estate Association’s Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Housing Program, which supports First Nations women and their families in purchasing homes. The program offers training in financial literacy as well as assistance for down payments and closing costs.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is allocating $700,000 to hire more firefighters in 2026, adding 20 new positions. Council had originally budgeted for 10 new firefighters in each of the next four years, but the the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg union maintains at least 40 are needed in 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Spence Neighbourhood Association, a Winnipeg non-profit, is opening six new transitional housing units in the city’s West End. The organization has purchased modular homes from an Altona building company and plans to welcome tenants in January 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • Paragon Living, a 95-unit affordable housing complex, recently opened near the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. One quarter of the suites in the $38.5M project are specifically earmarked for First Nations tenants.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The federal and provincial governments are allocating a combined $6.6M to research related to heavy equipment and vehicle manufacturing, hoping to support a sector hard-hit by U.S. tariffs. The funds will be used to upgrade research and innovation facilities at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg.

    canada.ca

  • Manitoba Blue Cross is providing $3M to the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS), the largest donation in the air ambulance’s history. The contribution will partially fund a new staff training simulation lab in Winnipeg, which is expected to be complete by late 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing an additional $10.5M to the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange project led by Cereals Canada. The facility, to be located in downtown Winnipeg, aims to improve Canada’s ability to market grain globally through research and enhanced testing.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba’s wildfire service is at risk of worsening staff shortages, according to a recent report by the union representing its workers. The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union found that some fire rangers are considering leaving the province due to inadequate training, outdated equipment, and wages that are second lowest in the country when compared to other jurisdictions.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Town of Niverville has released a new child care strategy, aiming to add at least 300 new day care spaces by 2030. The strategy includes plans to expand training opportunities to ensure there will be enough staff for the new spaces.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $2.6M to five infrastructure projects in the Parkland and Southwest regions of the province. These includes road and bridge repairs, an expansion to the veterinary clinic in Minnedosa, and upgrates to recreation facilities in Grandview.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • A new medical clinic will be opening in Carberry in January 2026, located in the Super Thrifty Pharmacy. The clinic's practicing doctor is a urologist who specializes in the use of new technologies in prostate cancer screening.

    brandonsun.com

  • Consensus Core Technologies Inc., a Vancouver headquartered tech company, is planning to build a data centre in Manitoba in partnership with U.S.-based firm Jet.AI. Consensus is in the process of purchasing 350 acres in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot, but the project does not yet have a construction timeline.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A recent poll found that 82% of Winnipeggers want their city to hire more firefighters than proposed in its 2026 budget, while 14% felt the current plan was adequate. The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, which commissioned the survey, is asking for at least 40 new positions in 2026. The budget proposes 40 new positions spread over four years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The federal government is providing $7.5M to the expansion of the Dakota Community Centre in Winnipeg. The project will include expanded multipurpose and childcare facilities as well as the construction of a new rink and fitness area.

    newswire.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg has approved permits for 10 major projects funded through the first round of the federal housing accelerator fund. Construction will begin shortly on the projects, which are expected to create more than 1,000 new units, including 590 affordable and 274 rent-geared to income units.

    cbc.ca

  • Manitoba Hydro is preparing for an anticipated energy shortage through a combination of new projects and energy saving measures. The provincial Crown corporation’s new resource plan forecasts a shortage as soon as 2029, and relies upon new wind farms, natural gas turbines, and a battery storage pilot project to address it. Hydro also plans to offer lower rates to customers who agree to use less power during high-demand periods.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government is allocating $10M to a new rebate program that will help businesses with security upgrades and repairing damage related to vandalism and property crime. Eligible business can apply for up to $2,500 per location.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $450,000 to CentrePort Canada Inc., a trimodal inland port located in northwest Winnipeg and the Rural Municipality of Rosser. The project is one of the largest of its kind in North America, spanning more than 2,300 acres. The funding represents an increase of $200,000 from 2024’s operating grant.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2025-12-08 to 2025-12-12

  • Manitoba’s trucking industry is hiring and training fewer people due to the impact of U.S. and Chinese tariffs, according to the Manitoba Trucking Association. In the first half of 2025 the province’s exports to the U.S. and China dropped by 6.2% and 32% respectively, lessening the demand for truckers after years of labour shortages in the industry.

    cbc.ca

  • Winnipeg’s first indoor pickleball facility opened in October in a Headingley business park. The building includes eight indoor courts, with five outdoor courts planned for spring of 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The group that owns the Port of Churchill has signed a deal with an Inuit-led sealift carrier in Nunavut, hoping to reestablish shipping into the territory’s Kivalliq region. Arctic Gateway Group and Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. will work to launch a sealift from Churchill, potentially as early as 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The executive policy committee of Winnipeg City Council has voted to study the possibility of a new emergency service dedicated to mental health. Pensa Consulting has been selected to create a proposal for the prospective new service, which could lessen demand on police and paramedics by relying more on trained crisis workers.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba plans to introduce legislation this spring that would create a new Crown-Indigenous corporation. The office would be responsible for approving major economic development projects, with a board made up of equal numbers of government appointees and Indigenous representatives.

    cbc.ca

  • A new business launched in Winnipeg offers portable saunas made using insulated tents and stainless steel stoves. The founders of Saunder Sauna Tents believe their product is the first of its kind in Canada.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Home prices in Winnipeg are expected to rise slightly next year, according to a report by Royal LePage. The agency forecasts a 1.5% increase by the end of 2026 when compared with the final quarter of 2025, with the biggest increases in single detached homes. Bidding wars are likely to continue in the future, with inventory at its lowest level since 2021.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg Transit is seeking a contractor to design a new fare collection program that will allow passengers to pay with credit cards, debit cards, and mobile apps. The new system would replace the Peggo card program launched in 2016.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $100,000 to the Foxwarren District Recreation Centre for the reconstruction of the facility’s roof. The non-profit complex, which includes an ice rink and community centre, is hoping to fundraise an additional $200,000 to finance the project.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Construction on a new emergency department in Eriksdale is scheduled to begin early in 2026. The $8.6M project will increase treatment capacity and modernize inpatient rooms at the community’s E.M. Crowe Memorial Hospital.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The number of cattle being raised in the province has been falling over the last few years, according to the Manitoba Beef Producers. As more cattle farmers exit the industry and herds decline in Manitoba and across the country, beef prices are going up.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing retailer, is opening its first Manitoba location in Winnipeg’s St. Vital Mall. The company has been expanding across the U.S. and Canada with a goal of opening 200 stores in North America by 2027.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $2M to five infrastructure projects in the Interlake region. These include road repairs, park upgrades, and improvements to recreation facilities.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • A gluten-free bakery, Wheat City Wheatless Goods, is opening in Brandon.

    bdnmb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is doubling the allotment of training seats for laboratory and X-ray technologists amid a shortage of these workers in the province. Saskatchewan Polytechnic will increase its spaces reserved for Manitobans from five to 10 beginning in January, while Brandon-based Assiniboine Community College plans its own program for 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., an Indigenous-led non-profit, has completed a $14M expansion to its Winnipeg campus. The building offers cultural and educational programming, medical services, and a 48-space child care centre. A sweat lodge is currently under construction and will be completed in the spring of 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Brandon is partnering with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization to deliver a mobile harm reduction outreach program, offering food, supplies, and referrals to vulnerable residents. The initiative has received $340,740 in funding from Health Canada.

    scoinc.mb.ca
• Week of 2025-12-01 to 2025-12-05

  • A new bakery, Yuka’s Japanese Bakery, has opened in Winnipeg’s West End neighbourhood.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $500,000 to offer training sessions in all of the province’s school divisions, focusing on emergency response and safety protocols. School divisions will also have access to safety assessment services.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The federal government is providing $400,000 to St. John Ambulance Manitoba for the expansion of its Winnipeg facility. The addition of new classrooms, boardrooms, and workspaces will allow the organization to train more people in first aid and emergency preparedness.

    canada.ca

  • Assiniboine Community College is planning a training needs assessment in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot to determine what new educational programs could be offered in the region. An Early Childhood Education program is one possibility, as well as trades programs such as heavy equipment operator training.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Indigenous workers now account for more than 20% of employees at Manitoba Hydro, one of the province’s largest employers. Additionally, women make up more than 24% of staff and 32% of management roles, according to the Crown corporation’s recent Sustainability Report. Manitoba Hydro currently employs 5,300 full time staff.

    www.msn.com

  • Manitoba has signed on to an Ontario-led proposal to create a national energy grid, a project meant to strengthen Canada’s energy security amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The plan would connect provincial electrical utility systems to allow the trading and sharing of power.

    cbc.ca

  • Staff shortages have led to reduced hours at the Winnipeg provincial offences court office, where traffic tickets are paid and offence hearings are held. There are four staff positions currently vacant out of a total of 18 full-time positions.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing over $540,000 to three Indigenous-led community and economic development projects in Manitoba. These include mining and mineral exploration training programs offered by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Mosakahiken Cree Nation, as well as new equipment for the Thompson Regional Airport Authority’s winter testing program.

    canada.ca

  • Red River College Polytechnic is cutting 44 jobs at its Winnipeg Centre for Newcomer Integration this spring. Thirteen permanent staff will be laid off, while contracts will end for 31 term employees. RRC Polytech will no longer be offering stage two language training, and its newcomer integration seats will decrease from 6,700 to 1,360 annually.

    cbc.ca

  • The City of Winkler’s new wastewater treatment plant is now operational, months ahead of its projected completion date in April 2026. The cost of the $56.7M facility was shared between the municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The Rural Municipality of Ritchot has approved a new residential development in Ile des Chenes. The proposal includes 316 units of apartments and bungalow-style housing, as well as a recreation centre, pickleball court, and dog park. The developer hopes to have some tenants in place by next summer.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The union that represents firefighters in Winnipeg is calling on the city to add more staff, suggesting that 60 new firefighters are needed to reduce the department’s reliance on overtime. The city has planned for 40 new firefighter positions over the next four years in its preliminary 2026 budget.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The federal and provincial governments are providing a combined $12.5M to 32 projects focused on addressing gender-based violence. These initiatives are spread across the province and include crime prevention, Indigenous-led approaches, and support for victims and survivors of violence.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba has signed on to a preliminary agreement with the federal government that would accelerate the review process for major projects. The deal would allow projects to be approved following just one set of environmental assessments and consultations with Indigenous communities at the provincial level, rather than requiring both provincial and federal approvals.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2025-11-24 to 2025-11-28

  • The Government of Manitoba has reinstated funding for lactation consultant positions in the Winnipeg Health Authority. This funding was cut in 2017.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments are providing a combined $76.9M to five wastewater and drinking water projects in rural Manitoba communities. These include waste and water treatment upgrades in the Brandon, Steinbach, and Pembina Valley areas.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • McDonalds is seeking to build a drive-thru-only location in Winnipeg, which would be the company’s first restaurant of its kind outside of the United States. The location is proposed for the corner of Kenaston Boulevard and Grant Avenue in Winnipeg, and is currently pending City Council approval.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The federal and provincial governments have created 5,350 new child care spaces in the last two years, with some of these already open and others still under construction. Another 6,041 spaces have been committed under the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Red River College Polytechnic is spending $42,000 on commercial grade equipment for its newly renovated culinary classroom. This space will be available both to students and to local organizations for meal preparation. The Community Foundation of Portage and District has provided most of the project’s funding.

    portageonline.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing more than $2M over four years to the Government of Manitoba to improve access to health services in French. This includes health services in rural and remote parts of the province where bilingual access is currently limited.

    canada.ca

  • Silex Resource Corp. is planning a silica sand mine in the La Salle area. The company is holding an open house to consult with residents before applying for provincial approval. Last year, the province rejected a previous sand mine proposal from Sio Silica, which was intended for an area east of Winnipeg. Sio Silica is now reapplying and will also hold an open house this week.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Hope Centre Ministries has opened a new social franchise in Winnipeg. The Raw Carrot makes and sells homemade soups while offering part-time work to people who face barriers to employment, such as disabilities or mental health issues.

    citynews.ca

  • Construction has begun on Shanghai Residence, a $20M affordable housing development in Winnipeg’s Chinatown. The seven-storey, 54-unit building is expected to be completed within 18-20 months. It will seek primarily newcomer families as tenants.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing $2.9M in federal repayable investments to two health care companies, creating 35 jobs. MoveMobility, an accessible vehicle manufacturer, will receive $1.1M to increase the capacity of its medical vehicle manufacturing line. QDoc Inc., a virtual healthcare company, will receive $1.9M to expand its delivery platform and invest in new technologies.

    canada.ca

  • Prairie Mountain Health has begun hiring for the Brandon Regional Health Centre’s new critical care and internal medicine units, which are scheduled to open in 2026. The health region is seeking 14 new health care aides, 25 nurses, and two specialists.

    www.msn.com

  • A $14.6M school expansion project is underway in Grunthal, located in the Hanover School Division. The renovations include a new gymnasium and fitness facility, three classrooms, and improvements to the school's science labs.

    steinbachonline.com

  • A Winnipeg City Hall committee has approved a 55-plus housing project proposed by the Charleswood United Church. The 132-suite project is planned for Roblin Boulevard and has faced some opposition from area residents. Its application will now be heard by City Council.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is budgeting $100M for the construction of an overpass at the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway, near Carberry. The project is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be complete by 2030.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg’s Bonivital Pool has reopened after two years and about $10M in renovations. The facility, which serves the St. Boniface and St. Vital neighbourhoods, received upgrades to its HVAC and lighting systems along with the construction of a new sauna and multipurpose room.

    cbc.ca

  • The Circle of Life Thunderbird House, an Indigenous cultural space in Winnipeg, will soon undergo the necessary repairs and upgrades to allow it to reopen to the public. Arrow Commercial Exteriors has been hired for the work and expects it to be complete by next summer.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Red River College Polytech is celebrating its first full paramedicine class in years following recent changes to provincial enrollment requirements. The Government of Manitoba is no longer requiring students training to be paramedics to complete two high school prerequisites, as that course content will be included in the post-secondary programs themselves.

    cbc.ca

  • WestJet Airlines is adding a direct flight from Winnipeg to Keflavík, Iceland, beginning in June of 2026. This is the first transatlantic service from Winnipeg to be offered since 2019. WestJet is also expanding its routes between Winnipeg and Cancun and adding flights to London, Ontario.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-11-17 to 2025-11-21

  • Colliers is planning a redevelopment of the Portage la Prairie Shopping Centre, which has been closed since 2024. Construction is underway on an unnamed fast-food restaurant that will open in 2026. Leases have been signed with four new tenants to occupy 93,000 sq. ft. in the mall, and an additional 46,000 sq. ft. remains available. The existing RONA store will be the project’s anchor tenant.

    portageonline.com

  • Manitoba’s new supervised drug consumption facility will open in January 2026, the provincial government announced in this week’s speech from the throne. The specific location has not been released, but the Province has said it will likely be in Winnipeg’s Point Douglas neighbourhood. A previously proposed Point Douglas location was withdrawn because residents felt it was too close to schools and child care centres.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new museum focusing on retro computers and video games is aiming to open a permanent physical location in 2027. Meanwhile, the Manitoba Computer & Gaming Museum is hosting pop-up exhibits and accepting donations of older computers and gaming systems.

    ctvnews.ca

  • In its throne speech this week, the Government of Manitoba announced a $3B, 750-megawatt combustion turbine facility for Brandon. It plans to install three new turbines at the existing generating station by 2030 to address power shortages projected by Manitoba Hydro. The turbines will burn natural gas initially, with the goal of shifting to renewable methane or hydrogen.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Steinbach City Council has voted to extend a private security pilot project until the end of the year, paying Steinbach Security Services to patrol housing developments under construction. The project began in July 2025 in response to rising vandalism and theft at these sites. Council is considering renewing the contract in 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • Prairie Mountain Health has recruited four new nurse practitioners to work in southwestern Manitoba communities, including Shoal Lake, Melita, Dauphin, Brandon, and Canupawakpa First Nation. The health region has an agreement with six more nurse practitioners currently in training, who are expected to begin work in fall 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • Norway House Cree Nation is rebranding its mining operation north of Grand Rapids, aiming to eventually start a magnesium production facility that could create 500 jobs and cost up to $1.3B. The First Nation is looking for funding and has a three-year exploration plan waiting for provincial approval. It has changed the name of the operation from Minago Nickel Project to Minago Critical Minerals Project.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon-based Assiniboine College is adding a Food Services Management diploma to its program offerings, beginning in September 2026. The program is for those planning to work in management roles in institutional food services settings like schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Toronto-headquartered telecommunications provider Freedom Mobile will begin constructing a wireless network in Manitoba next year, beginning with Winnipeg and expanding across the province. The company launched its mobile virtual network in Manitoba in 2024, leasing network access from Bell, Rogers, and Telus.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is launching a midwifery program in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, hiring two full-time midwives to work out of an office in Selkirk. The health region has not had midwifery services in more than two decades.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is contributing $51M toward upgrades to the Hudson Bay Railway line, part of a broader plan to expand the Port of Churchill. The owner of the port and railway, Arctic Gateway Group, says the funds will be used for new storage and loading systems, additional ships and equipment, and work to increase the capacity of the railway to accommodate heavier loads.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $750,000 to organizations that support victims of crime. The money comes from the government’s Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Assiniboine College has opened a $750,000 community workspace at its Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon. The Creative Co-Lab includes 3D printers, laser engravers, and other modern tools. It is open to students, alumni, and community members.

    assiniboine.net

  • Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corp. is planning to build a care home and social services facility on an empty lot in Winnipeg’s West Broadway neighbourhood. Specific details are not yet available, but a permit granted by the city allows the construction of a care facility of more than six beds.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon’s Keystone Centre has launched a foundation to support its ongoing operations and improvements to the facility. The non-profit event venue has relied on provincial and municipal funds to address operating deficits in the past, and the new foundation is intended to stabilize its funding.

    brandonsun.com

  • The City of Winnipeg is allocating $2.5M to safety improvements at the downtown Millennium Library, which will include a redesign of the third and fourth floors. The railings on these upper floors are currently behind metal fencing following the death of a patron earlier this year.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has opened its first pop-up Liquor Mart, right beside a new Costco store that recently opened in west Winnipeg. The pop-up shop will be open throughout the holiday season and potentially longer while the Crown corporation seeks a location for a permanent store in the area.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Duha Color Services Ltd., a Winnipeg-based manufacturer of paint swatches and colour charts, is expanding its local workforce. The company recently acquired U.S.-based Colwell Color Ltd. and is moving its Indiana operations to Winnipeg, creating 94 new jobs. The federal and provincial governments are providing $160,000 to support the move as well as the training of 42 current employees.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-11-10 to 2025-11-14

  • The Morden Community Mobilization program has hired two part-time mental health workers to support individuals and families in crisis. The program coordinates services between local agencies that specialize in addictions, housing, and helping families who are involved in the child welfare system.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The federal government’s new Build Canada Homes agency has selected Naawi-Oodena in southwest Winnipeg as the site for the construction of 320 new units. When complete, Naawi-Oodena will be the largest urban Indigenous economic zone in Canada and will include a total of 2,100 homes.

    canada.ca

  • Manitoba Hydro has signed a five-year collaboration agreement with Fisher River Cree Nation. The Crown corporation and the First Nation will meet regularly to discuss potential energy projects, including wind and geothermal. One potential initiative is the expansion of Fisher River Cree Nation’s solar farm, which is the largest solar project in the province.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The City of Winnipeg is seeking a contractor to upgrade security features at City Hall, including the installation of new glass partitions and doors. The budget for the project is $261,000.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Agribusiness giant Bunge recently sold four Manitoba grain elevators as part of its merger with Viterra Ltd., another large agribusiness company. All four elevators were purchased by smaller local businesses. Operations in Beausejour, Tucker, and Coulter were purchased by Morden-based BP & Sons Grain, while the elevator in Fannystelle was bought by Linear Grain, based in Carman.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Love Local Manitoba will be closing its shop in St. Vital Centre at the end of December. The store, which sells locally-made products and employs 6-8 people, was unable to obtain a lease renewal. It is now looking for a space to reopen in another Winnipeg shopping centre.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Rural Municipality of Ritchot has established a new fund to incentivize the building of more affordable housing in Ste. Agathe. A total of $100,000 is available to builders to offset water, wastewater, and other infrastructure costs. The RM is also inviting proposals from developers who wish to build on a specific piece of land in the community’s south end.

    steinbachonline.com

  • Stride Credit Union is opening a location in Carberry, purchasing the former Bank of Montreal building on the community’s Main Street. The new branch will be Stride’s sixth; it currently has locations in Neepawa, Austin, MacGregor, Portage la Prairie, and Gladstone.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Sobr Market, a Winnipeg non-alcoholic beverage retailer, is opening bottle shops in Walmart stores across Canada in 2026. Five shops will open in the spring in Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon, Surrey, and London, Ont.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $100,000 toward the replacement of the observatory dome at Brandon University. The Gulliver Astronomical Observatory contains Manitoba’s largest public telescope, which is used by students, researchers, and community members.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $1M to the Park Community Centre in Brandon. The longtime event venue and community gathering place is undergoing a revitalization, including the addition of a 68-space childcare facility that will be operated by the YMCA.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba Hydro Place has opened a food court in its downtown Winnipeg office tower, filling a space left vacant by Marcello’s Market and Deli during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four local restaurants have set up in the new food hall, Café 360, which is open Monday to Friday during the workday.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $176.5M over five years to its new Rental Housing Construction Initiative. The new program offers refundable tax credits to developers: $8,500 for each new rental unit, and an additional $5,000 for units designated affordable.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba Hydro is planning to install six electric vehicle charging stations along Highway 6 between Winnipeg and Thompson. These are the utility’s first EV stations and are meant to fill a gap in Manitoba’s current network, which serves southern communities and major highways. The new stations will be operational in spring 2027.

    hydro.mb.ca

  • The ownership team of the Gates on Roblin, an event venue near Oakbank, has begun construction on an $8.4M boutique retail plaza in Headingley. The 15,200-sq.-ft retail centre is expected to open in July 2026 and could include eateries, health services, and a variety of other businesses. The site is expected to create about 50 permanent jobs and 100 short-term construction positions.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has passed the necessary legislation to open a detention facility where intoxicated people can be held for up to 72 hours. The facility, located on Winnipeg’s Disraeli Fwy., is expected to be fully operational in December. It will be staffed by paramedics and other health care staff as well as employees from the non-profit Main Street project.

    cbc.ca

  • A mobile MRI unit is now serving Thompson, The Pas, Flin Flon, and other northern communities, allowing patients to access diagnostic services closer to home. Previously, residents of the Northern Health Region needed to drive or fly hundreds of kilometers to southern cities for MRI scans.

    www.msn.com

  • The 2025 federal budget outlines funding cuts to the Winnipeg-based Canada Water Agency, which opened in 2023. The budget lays out $3.8M in cuts over four years, along with $1.2M in “ongoing” cuts. The agency had a budget of $52.1M in 2024-2025, and employs 200 people, about half of whom are in Winnipeg.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba set a record for tourism spending in 2024 at $1.89B, but the president of Travel Manitoba anticipates lower numbers in 2025 due to an unusually severe wildfire season. About two-thirds of the province’s lodges were affected in some way by evacuations and property damage this summer, but none were destroyed by the fires.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-11-03 to 2025-11-07

  • The City of Winnipeg is redeveloping the former Carnegie Library at 380 William Avenue, preparing to once again use it for the storage of the city’s archives. The collection was moved to a temporary location in 2013, but will be returned when construction is completed in 2027.

    constructconnect.com

  • The Manitoba Immigrant Employment Council is launching a new program to help small and medium-sized businesses make their workplaces more welcoming to newcomers. The program includes resources on fair hiring practices and responding to workplace incidents. It also offers up to 35 hours of free consultation for employers.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is proposing new legislation that would provide tax relief to manufacturers and reduce their upfront costs. The change would convert part of the Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit into a retail sales tax exemption on new machinery and equipment.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba completed 23 road infrastructure projects totalling $230M this summer. These include highway improvements and bridge replacements spanning more than 200km across the province.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • A new eatery, Snack Häus, opened last month inside the Winnipeg brewery Low Life Barrel House. The counter-service operation runs out of the brewery’s kitchen and employs its own small staff.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has added 10 new intensive care unit beds since April 2025: six at the Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital, two at St. Boniface Hospital, and two at Grace Hospital. In addition, the Province has added 313 medicine, surgical, and transitional care beds at hospitals across Manitoba since October 2023.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is funding a feasibility study on infrastructure requirements for critical mineral development in the North, including roads, rail, shipping, and utilities. The Province, together with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, is providing $1M for the study.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • A new RCMP detachment has opened in Niverville, staffed by four officers and one public service employee. The town of about 6,000 was previously served by the St-Pierre-Jolys detachment, but its fast-growing population has created the need for its own police force.

    cbc.ca

  • Unique Bunny, a Winnipeg-based retailer of Japanese and South Korean skincare products, opened a new store in Saskatoon last week and is planning another in Montreal later this month. Since launching in 2014, the company has expanded to 10 stores across Canada, including four in Winnipeg. More stores in Western Canada are planned for 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Liquor Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba has a “minors as agents” program, which hires workers under 18 to ensure retailers are checking IDs for certain products. The program was launched two years ago with a focus on lottery tickets, and expanded to include cannabis and liquor sales in 2024-2025.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg Transit is asking city council to approve $3M in spending for 33.5 new staff positions in 2026. This would allow 11 bus routes to run later into the night. The proposed staffing plan includes 27.5 bus drivers and 6 positions dedicated to operational, equipment, and administrative supports.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg’s City Council is allocating $5M in 2026 to begin acquiring more than 100 properties along Kenaston Boulevard, the first step in a planned expansion of the route. The $757M project is expected to begin construction in 2027 and last until 2032 or 2033.

    cbc.ca

  • Physician recruitment is improving in Manitoba with two years of record-breaking gains, but Doctors Manitoba is warning that retention could be a challenge. The physicians’ advocacy group says the number of doctors per 100,000 residents has climbed by 2.5% since 2024. However, a recent member survey found that 21% of doctors were considering retiring or leaving the province in the next three years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Boyd Group, a Winnipeg-based collision repair company, is expanding its U.S. presence with the purchase of the Joe Hudson’s Collision Centre chain. The US$1.3B deal is expected to close before the end of the year and include more than 123 locations across 18 states. Boyd has also opened 24 new repair shops of its own during the third quarter of 2025.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Avian influenza has been found on five Manitoba commercial poultry farms, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. These are the first cases since May 2025 and the highest number of cases since the virus was first detected in the province in 2022.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has increased school staffing across the province in the past two years. This includes 832 more teaching positions, 577 other educators, and 72 clinicians.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2025-10-27 to 2025-10-31

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $797,000 to expand dialysis care in Norway House Cree Nation, increasing capacity from eight patients to 12. It is also supporting a new birthing program in the community, funding two full-time midwife positions and administrative support staff.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Envol 91 FM, a francophone radio station in Winnipeg, is seeking a rent reduction for the broadcast tower it uses, which is owned by the CBC. The station has had to restructure and lay off staff amid ongoing financial difficulties and is looking for ways to cut costs in order to continue to operate.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Thompson is planning to build a new fire hall, and is estimating the cost of the design phase at just over $2M. The city’s original fire hall was built in 1971 when there were just 4 staff, and today there are 29.

    thompsononline.ca

  • According to the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, Winnipeg’s control tower is among the most understaffed in the country, short six of the 20 employees necessary. Air Canada recently issued a memo to its pilots, advising them to avoid airports in Winnipeg and Kelowna, B.C. whenever staff shortages cause temporary closures of their control towers.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-12-01 to 2025-12-05

  • Manitoba’s telephone health advice program, Health Links-Info Santé, has added two physicians to its existing complement of nurses. The Province is also planning to add nurse practitioners to the service.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2025-10-27 to 2025-10-31

  • Construction is progressing on a new community centre in Lorette. The $29.5M facility will include a new arena, skating rink, seniors centre, library, and multipurpose area. It is slated for completion in January 2027.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The owner of Brandon eatery Tastee’s Ice Cream and Grill is planning a new restaurant in the city’s downtown, in the space formerly occupied by Benny’s Restaurant. The new location is expected to be open by the end of November 2025.

    brandonsun.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has begun hiring staff for the search of a Winnipeg-area landfill, expected to begin in December 2025. The remains of an Indigenous woman are believed to be at the Brady Road Landfill.

    globalnews.ca

  • A new McDonald’s franchise has opened in downtown Portage la Prairie. It is the owner and operator’s second location in the city.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has begun construction on a new gaming centre, located at the corner of Highway 21 and the Trans-Canada Highway. The First Nation says it hopes to have the centre operational before next summer’s tourism season. The complex will replace an existing gaming centre located about 10km away from the highway.

    pentictonherald.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has reopened a community support space in Winnipeg’s Millennium Library. The community hub, now called the Downtown Resource Corner, will be staffed by provincial employees, including two mental health workers and a public health nurse. The Downtown Community Safety Partnership will also work out of this space, which will be open 20 hours per week.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing $5.4M to 28 forestry projects across the Prairies, with an emphasis on Indigenous-led initiatives. This includes $1M allocated to the Southern Chiefs Organization Inc., which is redeveloping Winnipeg’s former Hudson’s Bay building and constructing a six-storey atrium roof system using Canadian timber.

    canada.ca

  • Brokenhead Ojibway Nation has begun construction on a seven-storey residential complex in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village. The project, called The Elswood, is a partnership with Freedhome Developments and will include 147 rental homes, 60 of which will be affordable housing.

    globalnews.ca

  • Manitoba’s Wildfire Service began the 2025 wildfire season with a shortage of staff. As of May 2025, about 25% of full-time wildfire division positions were vacant and a further 64 seasonal fire ranger positions were unfilled. The Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union suggests low wages have contributed to the issue.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction will begin this spring on the Water Tower District, a $1B mixed-use development at the site of the former Union Stockyards in Winnipeg. The project will include 2,000 housing units as well as retail, restaurants, green spaces, recreation areas, and a large grocery store. It is a partnership between Shindico Realty and Olexa Developments.

    cbc.ca

  • Research Manitoba, a branch of the provincial government, has established a grant program focused on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Applicants can receive up to $100,000 for collaborative projects between researchers and user groups such as businesses or non-profits. A total of $1.4M is available over two years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • National home improvement chain Home Hardware is opening its first Winnipeg location in November, moving into the Pembina Highway building formerly occupied by Peavey Mart. The store is expected to hire at least 25 staff.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $900,000 in one-time grants to five community agencies supporting low-income Manitobans. These organizations offer housing assistance, eviction prevention, pre-employment services, and integration support for new Canadians.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2025-10-20 to 2025-10-24

  • Shindico Realty has purchased part of an ongoing development in Winnipeg’s St. Boniface neighbourhood and is planning a retail component with a large grocery store. The 165-acre Water Tower District is already set to include offices, residential units, and green space. Shindico says it is in talks with chains like Sobeys, Co-op, and Loblaws regarding the plans for its 14.34-acre share.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Work is underway on the redevelopment of the Gas Station Arts Theatre in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village, which is scheduled for completion next summer. The venue’s ownership hopes a rebuilt outdoor space and open-air courtyard will address concerns about crime and safety at the site. A new café is slated to open in an attached space formerly occupied by a Subway franchise.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Fort Garry Legion is shuttering its location on Winnipeg’s Pembina Highway and merging with another legion in the South Osborne neighbourhood. It is one of several branches that have closed in Winnipeg and across Canada in recent years as membership declines.

    cbc.ca

  • Photo retailer Don’s Photo has purchased the Photo Central shop in downtown Winnipeg. The store will become the third Don’s Photo location in the city, and its six staff will remain employed there.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Paris Baguette, a multinational bakery chain, is planning to open 10 locations in Winnipeg and Brandon between 2027 and 2030. Each shop normally employs 30-40 people. Meanwhile, a local bakery, The Forge Bagel Co., is opening on Winnipeg’s St. Anne’s Road in November 2025. The owner has hired four staff and plans to hire another four to six.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Two Manitoba post-secondary schools are now offering bachelor’s degrees in Indigenous languages. The University of Winnipeg program will focus on Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) language and the University College of the North, based in Thompson, will focus on Ininimowin (Cree). The provincial government provided a combined $4.5M toward the programs, which begin next year.

    cbc.ca

  • The Seven Oaks pool, located on Winnipeg’s Adsum Drive, is temporarily closing to conduct $3.5M in repairs. The closure is expected to last 12-14 months, though the facility’s kiddie pool and splash pad will remain open for most of this period. Two other city-owned aquatic centres, the St. James and Bonivital pools, are also currently closed.

    cbc.ca

  • Six physicians from the United States have accepted positions in Manitoba’s public health system, with 27 more in various stages of the recruitment process. About six months ago, the Government of Manitoba stepped up its efforts to recruit doctors from the U.S. and is now seeing positive results.

    cbc.ca

  • Farmers Business Network plans to open a distribution centre in Brandon by the end of November 2025. The new facility will create five full-time positions and offer a range of crop inputs such as fertilizers and seed treatments.

    brandonsun.com

  • The Canada Water Agency is providing a total $1.6M to 10 initiatives related to the protection of Lake Winnipeg. The Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium will receive $708,900 to continue to operate its two research vessels, while Ducks Unlimited Canada will receive $150,600 toward wetland restoration efforts that reduce the amount of phosphorus into the lake.

    canada.ca

  • The provincial and federal governments have launched a new $27.5M grant program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses and municipalities can receive funding for building retrofits, agricultural projects, and other emissions-reduction initiatives.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The developer of a proposed rail port in southern Manitoba has signed a partnership agreement with Chemawawin Cree Nation. JohnQ Public, a corporation owned by 12 municipalities in the area, will work with the First Nation to build the port in the rural municipality of Ritchot.

    cbc.ca

  • Brandon-based Assiniboine Community College is offering a six-week Ice Facility Operator course, beginning in November 2025. The program provides training in ice-making and maintenance and other tasks required to operate and maintain ice arenas and curling rinks.

    discoverwestman.com

  • The Government of Canada is providing a total $82.3M to 136 community infrastructure projects across Manitoba. Projects include road repairs, bridge construction, and improvements to water systems and public transit.

    canada.ca

  • Construction is progressing on the John Howard Society of Brandon’s transitional housing project, which is expected to be open in December 2025. The 24-unit facility will house mainly tenants who are transitioning into the community after incarceration. It will employ part-time and full-time support workers, a cook, and a facility director.

    brandonsun.com

  • According to the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, staffing levels are critically low at the Crisis Response Centre located in Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre. Shared Health's annual report indicated a 20% increase in walk-in visits in 2023-2024. A recent schedule showed about 20 unfilled shifts per week. The centre employs crisis clinicians, mental-health specialists, treatment counsellors, case managers, and case coordinators.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Home sales in Winnipeg increased by 9.8% in September compared to the same month the previous year. The president of the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board says housing affordability and migration have kept Winnipeg sales growing even amid a decline nationally.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Insurance company, Canada Life, is donating $1M toward improving surgical care at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. The funds will be earmarked to help purchase new technology and equipment.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is planning to open a new detox facility that can detain intoxicated individuals for up to 72 hours. If the required legislation to authorize the facility passes, it could open as early as November 2025 on Winnipeg’s Disraeli Fwy., near an existing 24-hour detox centre.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $2.3M to promote artificial intelligence in Manitoba’s digital media sector. The funds will be distributed through industry group New Media Manitoba to help businesses adopt AI technologies. The funds are expected to create 77 new jobs and train 100 people.

    canada.ca
• Week of 2025-10-13 to 2025-10-17

  • Tutoring company Sylvan Learning Centre has closed both of its Winnipeg locations. The Better Business Bureau has confirmed that both locations shut down in August 2025.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba have signed an agreement on French language education that includes $72M in federal funding over the next four years. The funding covers education in French from the preschool to post-secondary levels.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is inviting 328 temporary foreign workers currently employed in health care to remain in the province permanently through the provincial nominee program. The workers include 187 health care aides, 21 physicians, 11 registered nurses, as well as a number of other professionals.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada has increased the allotment of Manitoba’s provincial nominee program by more than 30%, allowing an additional 1,489 slots for immigrants seeking to come to the province. Earlier this year the federal government said it would be reducing the nationwide allotment by half, but Manitoba’s immigration minister argued the cuts would worsen labour shortages in the province.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments are allocating a combined $10M to repair and renovate 738 rental homes and housing units across Manitoba. Dial-a-Life Housing received funding to upgrade 36 suites in its Winnipeg facility, which provides affordable housing to Indigenous people receiving medical care in the city.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • According to the RCMP, Manitoba has the highest national police job vacancy rate outside of the territories, at just under 15%. To address it, the national policing service has been prioritizing applications from Manitoba for front-line officer positions. The goal is to add 100 new officers in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is laying off workers at its Canadian corporate office in Winnipeg for the second time in five months. Fifty-four staff received layoff notices this week in addition to nearly 80 who were let go in May 2025. No layoffs are expected at the Winnipeg retail store, which opened in 2013 as Cabela’s but adopted the Bass Pro Shops brand in 2024.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The provincial and federal governments have increased their funding commitments to the second phase of Winnipeg’s North End Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade. The City of Winnipeg will pay the remaining 32% of the $1B second phase, which includes a new biosolids facility. Phase One is currently under construction and nearing completion.

    cbc.ca

  • The provincial government is providing $1.2M to 24 community development projects in Manitoba’s Interlake region. These include enhancements to active living spaces for seniors, upgrades to legions and public parks, and expansions to programs supporting at-risk youth.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Winnipeg restaurants Stella’s Café and Kevin’s Bistro are planning to open a joint eatery on Corydon Avenue before the end of 2025, hiring 20-30 staff. The Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association expects more of these types of partnerships in the province, as they reduce overhead costs and offer more variety to customers.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Swan River RCMP detachment is experiencing a staffing shortage, with just 12 of 22 positions currently filled. A year ago, the RCMP and Government of Manitoba jointly announced a new specialized unit for the Swan Valley region, but so far none of the three positions have been filled.

    cbc.ca

  • Royal Bank of Canada is providing $5M over five years to initiatives aimed at growing Manitoba’s agriculture industry. Nature United will use some of the funding to start a model farm network in the province, while the University of Manitoba will receive support to offer micro-credential programs. Net-zero and Indigenous sustainable farming projects will also share in the funding.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Deep Sky, a Montreal-based carbon removal firm, is planning a $200M carbon-capture project in southwestern Manitoba. The company plans to begin construction in 2026, though a specific location has not yet been announced. The facility will initially remove 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air each year, increasing to 500,000 onnes when fully complete.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $1.2M to six mineral exploration projects throughout the province. The Province anticipates the funding will leverage $3.8M in private-sector capital and create 39 new jobs in the industry.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The City of Steinbach is on track to break its construction record in 2025, with over $95M in permits issued in the first three quarters of the year. The city set a record in 2024 with a permit value of nearly $105M, but it is expected to exceed it due to continued population growth in 2025.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The provincial government is providing $1.2M to 21 community development projects in Northern Manitoba. These include a new aquatic centre in Flin Flon, a community greenhouse in Nelson House, and upgrades to a youth centre in Thompson and a baseball facility in Norway House.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The City of Brandon is permanently closing all three of its community recycling depots and centralizing services at the Eastview Landfill, largely due to problems with illegal dumping. The City says it plans to enhance staffed recycling services at the landfill next year.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2025-10-06 to 2025-10-10

  • True North Sports & Entertainment and the Mahon Family Foundation are contributing a combined $7M to a Winnipeg housing initiative. The Collaborative Housing Alliance Real Estate Investment Trust is planning two projects that would create 48 transitional housing units by early next year. One of these is a new build and the other a redevelopment of an existing building.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Staff at Simaril, a non-profit supporting people with disabilities, have voted to unionize. The four hundred employees now belong to the Canadian Union of Public Employees and will soon begin negotiating their first collective agreement.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Swan Valley Medical Professional Recruitment and Retention Committee is seeking at least six new doctors for Swan River’s hospital and medical clinic. The committee recently hosted 26 medical students at a fishing lodge in the region, hoping to promote the community as a place to relocate.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has developed a long-term climate change plan that aims to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050. The plan includes collaboration with Indigenous nations on renewable energy initiatives as well as a goal to transition the province’s electricity grid to net zero by 2035.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • An Indigenous-led addictions treatment program recently opened in the Island Lakes region, a remote area of northern Manitoba. The Manitoba Anisininew Mobile Addiction Network has begun offering opioid dependency treatment to 15 patients in Garden Hill First Nation, but has a wait list of nearly 60 more.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $9.2M to build six electric vehicle charging stations between Thompson and Winnipeg, bringing the total number of stations in the province to 300. The chargers are expected to be operational by April 2027.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Janitors at the University of Winnipeg have ratified their first union contract, a one-year agreement that includes a 6% wage increase and extended health and dental benefits. It covers nearly 40 staff employed by the Dexterra Group and contracted by the university.

    globenewswire.com

  • Schnell Industries, an industrial and agricultural equipment supplier, has opened a new facility in Winkler. The project includes a larger office space and a new production facility, which will allow some tasks previously outsourced to be completed in-house.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The percentage of women working for the City of Winnipeg has been steadily declining for the past five years. In 2024, women made up 26.32% of the City's workforce, down from 30.00% in 2019. A recent diversity report outlines a goal of 47.77%, which is the proportion of women in the broader labour force.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Yellowquill University College is now offering a two-year First Nations Child and Family Services Worker Diploma Program, with $600,000 in funding from the provincial government. Its 50 students are case managers with Indigenous CFS agencies who attend classes while continuing to work.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Maxime’s Restaurant and Lounge will close in November 2025 after more than 40 years in business in Winnipeg's St. Vital neighbourhood. The owners of the Original George’s Burgers & Subs restaurant chain have purchased the property and plan to tear down the current building and construct a new flagship restaurant and mixed-use commerical and residential development.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba’s public health care system has added 3,397 net new health care workers over the past two years. According to the Government of Manitoba, there has been a gain of 285 doctors, 1,100 nurses, 1,476 health care aides, and 401 allied health professionals since October 2023.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Construction of the new Victoria Emergency Department will begin in January 2026. Winnipeg's Victoria Hospital will also be the site of the soon-to-be-built Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre, an addictions recovery centre for women.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2025-09-29 to 2025-10-03

  • Manitoba has increased its minimum wage, from $15.80 to $16.00 per hour. The change takes effect October 1, 2025.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2025-10-06 to 2025-10-10

  • The Flin Flon Friendship Centre has begun construction on an affordable housing complex. The project, called Keekih, will include 16 units as well as onsite supports such as education and employment programs. The building is expected to be ready for tenants in early 2027.

    www.msn.com

  • Red River College Polytech has launched a business accelerator for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Mittohnee Pogo’ohtah offers a four-month entrepreneurship program that includes mentorship, workshops, and networking events. There are 13 participants in the first cohort.

    www.rrc.ca

  • The first phase of the St. Boniface Hospital’s new emergency department is now open, with full scale operations expected to begin in 2026. The new space is triple the size of the previous emergency department, and the Winnipeg hospital has hired eight additional nurses to staff it.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $3.5M to Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag Lodge, an emergency shelter and safe space for Indigenous women. The facility, located in Winnipeg’s North End, is expected to open next summer.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-09-29 to 2025-10-03

  • A feature film, Violent Night 2, is currently filming in Winnipeg. Crews have been at locations around the city since late summer, including at Portage Place and CF Polo Park shopping centres.

    ctvnews.ca
• Week of 2025-10-06 to 2025-10-10

  • The Government of Manitoba is launching a financial assistance program for municipalities impacted by wildfires in 2025. This will include support for communities directly affected as well as those who hosted evacuees.

    globalnews.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is preparing to begin construction on the $757M Kenaston Boulevard expansion project by 2027. The work will include expanding part of Route 90 from four lanes to six and replacing the St. James Bridge. The City hopes to secure two-thirds of the necessary funds from the provincial and federal governments.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction is progressing on University College of the North’s new student residence in Flin Flon, with an opening date scheduled for November 2025. The $2M project includes 30 suites and is meant to address a longstanding student housing shortage in the region.

    www.msn.com

  • Farm Credit Canada is contributing $500,000 to Harvest Manitoba’s planned food rescue and distribution facility. The $20M project will allow the Winnipeg organization to salvage and distribute food that might otherwise be discarded.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A Manitoba potash company has signed an agreement with the operator of the Port of Churchill that could open up new markets in Europe, Africa, and South America. The Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba, located near Russell, hopes to send a test train load to the port in spring 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-10-01 to 2025-10-05

  • Providence University College is planning $20M in renovations at its Otterburne campus, allowing it to expand its program offerings. The private Christian post-secondary school is also seeking official university status from the Province, which would increase its access to grants and help it promote a new agriculture program under development.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2025-10-06 to 2025-10-10

  • The federal and provincial governments are providing a combined $25.9M to real estate developer Inuka Community Inc., for the construction of a new apartment building in Winnipeg. Thirty of the project’s 72 units will be designated affordable housing.

    cmhc-schl.gc.ca
• Week of 2025-09-29 to 2025-10-03

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing more than $4M to Indigenous-led addictions programs across the province, enabling organizations to create 1,200 treatment spaces. This includes 800 spaces that are already open and 400 that are planned for later this year.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The ice arena at the Brandon Community Sportsplex is reopening after a nearly two-year closure. The rink was shut down in March 2023 for repairs to its ice plant.

    bdnmb.ca

  • A new Filipino restaurant, JayTads Lechon and Food Hub, opened in Brandon on September 27, 2025.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Sport Manitoba is providing $100,000 to the City of Thompson in preparation for the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games. The City is making upgrades to the various atheletic facilities that will host the games in March 2026.

    thompsononline.ca

  • The University of Winnipeg is offering a new teacher education program in Portage la Prairie, which will allow students to complete their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees without leaving their community. The program is a partnership with the Portage la Prairie School Division and the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has released an economic development strategy that aims to increase GDP growth, improve productivity, and bring underrepresented groups into the workforce. The plan includes a $50M business loan program and a streamlined visa program for immigrants who want to start new businesses in Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The federal and provincial governments are allocating $1M per year over the next three years to expanding programs and services in French. This includes hiring more bilingual intake workers and social workers at Manitoba Justice, and increasing bilingual recruitment at Travel Manitoba.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Central Community Homes has opened a 28-unit affordable housing development in Winkler. The project, Central Commons Housing, offers mental health supports for tenants through a partnership with Eden Mental Health Services.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • IHOP, an American pancake house restaurant chain, has opened its second location in Winnipeg. The new restaurant is a dual-brand eatery, partnering with an existing Applebee's in the Transcona neighbourhood. About 40 employees have already been added to the existing staff of 55, and hiring continues.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Music Go Round has opened its first Canadian location, on Pembina Highway in Winnipeg. The shop, which specializes in buying and selling used musical instruments, has hired five staff.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is planning to twin a 14km stretch of Highway 59, north of Winnipeg. The project is currently in the design phase, which is expected to take one or two years.

    ctvnews.ca

  • Technical and clerical workers at Manitoba Hydro have ratified a new contract. The agreement covers about 1,000 members and includes wage increases of 9.5% over three years, with additional increases for the lowest-paid and long-service employees.

    cbc.ca
• Week of 2025-10-06 to 2025-10-10

  • The Sandman Hotel Group has opened a second location in Winnipeg, a short drive from the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. The Sandman Signature Winnipeg Airport Hotel & Suites has 215 rooms, a pool and hot tub, a fitness centre, and a restaurant.

    globenewswire.com
• Week of 2025-09-29 to 2025-10-03

  • The City of Winnipeg is considering a proposal for a new housing development in the West Broadway neighbourhood, behind the Sherbrook Inn. The project plan includes 86 units with commercial space on the building’s main floor.

    ctvnews.ca
• Week of 2025-09-22 to 2025-09-26

  • A new clothing boutique, Amorakin, has opened in Winkler. The store specializes in international fashion.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Manitoba is facing a shortage of family physicians, according to data from Doctors Manitoba. In 2024, the province had the second lowest supply of doctors in the country at 219 physicians per 100,000 residents. In primary care specifically, Manitoba ranked last among all provinces and territories.

    www.msn.com

  • At least four shops in St. Vital Centre are moving or closing as the Winnipeg mall brings in a new, large tenant that has yet to be named. Venetian Nail Spa is also expanding its space, doubling its square footage and hiring at least 15 new staff. Two new stores, Lululemon and JD Sports, are slated to open in St. Vital Centre in fall 2025.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Main Street Project, an organization that supports the homeless community in Winnipeg, has completed the first phase of an $18M renovation to its main building. Upgrades include a new kitchen and common area and improved suites. Phase 2 is expected to take about two years and will consist of new offices and program spaces.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $138,000 to three public safety projects across the province. These include a regional policing study in Winkler and risk assessment training for RCMP officers in Steinbach.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $345,000 to the Town of Ste. Anne for the construction of a walking and cycling path. Ste. Anne has developed a recreation plan that aims to expand active transportation routes throughout the community.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Wages for truck drivers in Manitoba have seen no improvement compared to 10 years ago, with freight companies looking to reduce costs in a slow market. Company truckers earned an average of 44 cents per mile in both 2014 and 2024, according to the Manitoba Trucking Association. A freight recession that began with a post-pandemic drop in demand has worsened during to the Canada-U.S. trade war.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The provincial government is spending $1.2M to upgrade its weather and fire-mapping information systems. The new digital platforms are expected to be operational by 2026.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba has introduced a new funding program for child care centres. Grants are available for repairs and maintenance, accessibility upgrades, wellness initiatives, and professional development. More than $500,000 is available for 2025-2026.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Niverville’s business park is nearing its capacity with the addition of two new businesses and an expansion. The new developments include manufacturer H2 Blinds and metal bending and storage company Jafri Canada. Fusion Industries, a metal fabricator, is building a new painting and blasting shop and adding up to 10 staff.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has reopened previously shuttered Manitoba Agricultural Service Corporation offices in Virden and Shoal Lake. The offices, which offer crop insurance and other business risk management programs, have each hired four full-time staff.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Western Manitoba Women’s Centre has moved to a larger space in Brandon, allowing it to increase its capacity and program offerings. The Government of Manitoba provided $100,000 toward renovating the new building.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Film Training Manitoba and DOC Manitoba are partnering on a free training program for filmmakers from underrepresented groups. They are offering a series of one-day master classes in communities across the province this fall, geared toward rural, Indigenous, Black, Ukrainian, and 2SLGBTQ+ participants.

    cbc.ca

  • A new gaming centre, the Smash n Axe Arcade, has opened in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood. The venture includes arcade and video games, pinball machines, and a bar. It also offers axe-throwing and “smash rooms,” a relatively new concept where participants pay to break a series of household objects.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba reported a net gain of 164 doctors between April 2024 and April 2025, the largest increase since the province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons began publishing this data in 2001. This improvement is largely due to international and out-of-province recruitment and an increase in medical school and residency seats.

    cbc.ca

  • The soccer club in Altona is planning a new $750,000 facility that it hopes will bring tournaments and other visitors to the southern Manitoba community. The organization is aiming for an opening date of spring 2027.

    globalnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $18.3M on improvements to Highway #8, between Winnipeg and Gimli. The project, which will add four sets of passing lanes, is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2026.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada’s new Build Canada Homes housing agency has selected Winnipeg as one of six cities that will receive a share of 4,000 affordable modular homes. The site chosen is Naawi-Oodena, a former Canadian Armed Forces barracks that is being redeveloped into Canada’s largest urban reserve by a group of seven Treaty 1 First Nations. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

    cbc.ca

  • Shared Health has added three new technologist positions at the St. Boniface Hospital’s new diagnostics lab. The Winnipeg hospital is about to open its redeveloped emergency room, which has tripled in size and now includes a CT scanner and X-ray machine. The median wait time for a CT scan at St. Boniface has increased to 18 weeks as of June 2025, from eight weeks in January.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-09-15 to 2025-09-19

  • The provincial government and Manitoba Building Trades have signed a new agreement prioritizing the hiring of Manitoba workers in the upcoming construction of four new schools. The policy sets standards for working conditions, wages, and use of local labour in new school builds planned for Winnipeg, Brandon, and West St. Paul. The goal is to create similar agreements for all major provincial infrastructure projects over $50M.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has opened a new primary care clinic at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, aiming to lessen demand on the facility’s emergency room. The clinic is open evenings and weekends and is staffed by doctors, registered nurses, and primary care assistants.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada’s new Build Canada Homes housing agency will receive $13B which will be used in part to help build 4,000 affordable modular homes in six cities across the country, including Winnipeg. Construction is expected to begin next year.

    cbc.ca

  • A digital agriculture research organization in Winnipeg has signed a collaboration agreement with the North American subsidiary of fertilizer company OCP Group. The partnership will result in new projects at Innovation Farms, two Manitoba research sites run by the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI).

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A recent poll by the Manitoba Child Care Association found that eight in ten early childhood educators report high levels of job satisfaction, and more than half said there had been a “noticeable increase” in their pay in recent years. Staffing shortages still persist in this sector, however, and the provincial government says it is developing a workforce strategy to address them.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Brandon Disc Golf Club recently opened the city’s first permanent disc golf course, at Brandon’s Canada Games Park.

    discoverwestman.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $200M to school capital projects in 2025-2026. These include new builds, additions and renovations, and upgrades and repairs. Eight new schools costing a total $79M are planned across the province this fiscal year.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The federal government is providing $29M to Efficiency Manitoba for a new energy retrofit program. The funds will allow the organization to cover the cost of geothermal heat-pump installation and other retrofits for up to 7,000 low and middle-income households.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $20M to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), for the construction of a new facility in Winnipeg. NCTR has had a temporary space in the University of Manitoba since 2015, but is fundraising for a permanent site nearby on the campus. The facility is expected to open in 2029 and will include exhibits, ceremonial spaces, and research and programming areas.

    cbc.ca

  • Construction is expected to begin soon on the Anne Oake Family Recovery Centre, an addictions treatment facility for women and their families that will also include child care spaces. The provincial government has signed a long-term lease at the building’s future site in south Winnipeg.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $592,000 on improvements to more than 30 recreational trails across the province. Projects include restoration and repairs as well as measures to prevent damage to trails.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Assiniboine College is adding three new rural rotating sites for its Practical Nursing program, each with space for 25 students. A site in Otterburne will offer the program beginning in September 2026, followed by sites in Morden and Beausejour in January 2027. The goal of the sites is to allow rural students to train as nurses without having to relocate.

    discoverwestman.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $3M over three years to ovarian cancer research. Ovarian Cancer Canada will manage the funds and ensure they are disbursed to Manitoba researchers.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Manitoba’s first Jimmy John’s sandwich shop opens this month on Winnipeg’s Pembina Highway. Additional locations on Ellice Avenue and in Winkler are slated to open later this fall. The co-franchisees of the Pembina location say they’ve signed a deal with the American sandwich chain to open several new Jimmy John's restaurants across the province over the next 10 years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon-based Assiniboine College is offering three new certificate programs, beginning in September 2026. The Medical Administration, Legal Administration, and Office Professional programs replace two former diploma programs and are designed to get students into the workforce more quickly.

    assiniboine.net

  • The City of Winnipeg plans to dedicate $250,000 annually, beginning in 2026, to supporting community centres that are struggling with volunteer shortages. The number of community centre volunteers in Winnipeg has declined post-pandemic, from 17,000 in 2018 to 8,210 in 2024. The money the City is setting aside would allow those centres to hire staff and offer wage subsidies.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg’s St. Boniface Hospital is scheduled to open its expanded emergency department in October 2025. The project will triple the size of the facility’s ER and add new exam rooms, treatment spaces, and equipment. However, questions remain about staffing amid ongoing health care labour shortages in the province.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-09-08 to 2025-09-12

  • Manitoba-based farm equipment manufacturer PhiBer Manufacturing is expecting to hire more than 80 new staff at its Crystal City facility over the next three years. This includes 20 highly skilled positions in operations, engineering, and robotics. The company began construction on a 60,000 sq.-ft. expansion in June 2025.

    discoverwestman.com

  • Elkwood Manor, a care home in Elkhorn, is planning a $200,000 green space project. The facility’s outdoor areas will be developed into a courtyard with walking paths, raised garden beds, and space for social and recreational activities.

    winnipegsun.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $946,000 annually to supports for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Its five-year FASD strategy includes the expansion of existing programs throughout the province and the addition of a new program site in Thompson. In total, the funding will support 138 additional individuals or families.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Mastercard Foundation is providing $5M to University College of the North, based in Thompson. This funding is part of $235M distributed to 30 post-secondary institutions across Canada, with the goal of supporting 100,000 Indigenous youth to graduate and secure employment by 2030.

    www.ucn.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $1.6M annually to place two police officers at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg’s largest hospital. The officers will be stationed in the emergency department around the clock in an effort to address concerns about violence at the hospital.

    cbc.ca

  • The number of nurses working for private agencies in Manitoba increased in 2024 compared to 2023, up 14% to 1,611. The provincial government has been trying to reduce its reliance on agency nurses, and has created a float pool as a public alternative for nurses seeking agency work. There are currently 400 nurses working in the float pool.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A U.K. private equity firm has purchased a stake in Payworks Inc., a Winnipeg-based workforce management company. Payworks says the investment by Hg Capital is a first for the company and will help it continue to grow. Hg Capital is supportive of keeping the Payworks headquarters in Winnipeg, where 400 of its 650 staff work.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • West Hawk Marine, a boat and water sports retailer, is opening a third location in Manitoba. The new store is on the southwest edge of Winnipeg and will be fully operational by October 2025, employing 10 to 15 people.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new wastewater treatment plant near Niverville will have a capacity of 70,000 people in a region that is currently home to just 35,000 residents. This means the 13 southeast Manitoba communities serviced will have room to grow. The $235M project is being funded by the municipalities as well as the federal and provincial governments.

    cbc.ca

  • Geoffrey’s Garden, a Winnipeg reunification program, is at risk of shutting down due to lack of funding. The program was previously funded through Jordan’s Principle, a federal fund that is facing a backlog since changing its criteria earlier this year. Geoffrey’s Garden works with parents whose children are in foster care, with the goal of reuniting families.

    globalnews.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments are allocating $3.5M this fiscal year to help Manitoba businesses train new and current workers. The Canada-Manitoba Job Grant provides up to $10,000 per employee or $100,000 per project for costs associated with workforce training.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • A wellness centre will open in the community of Ashern in late September 2025. The Lakeshore Regional Wellness Commission has converted a former curling rink into a facility that includes a walking track, fitness centre, and multipurpose studio.

    portageonline.com
• Week of 2025-09-01 to 2025-09-05

  • Construction has begun on the Stanley Community Pathway, a 10km active transportation corridor connecting Winkler and Morden. The project is expected to cost up to $4.5M and is expected to be completed by October or November 2025.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • Domestic new student enrolment is up by about 10% at Brandon-based Assiniboine Community College, which is offering new programs this year in Professional Cooking, Food Services Management, and Mechatronics Engineering Technology. International new student enrolment is expected to be down as much as 70% due to federal changes in international student policies.

    assiniboine.net

  • The average wait time for a child care space in Manitoba is 17 months, according to a recent survey by Probe Research. The delays are affecting employment prospects for parents and caregivers, with 37% declining a job and 52% delaying their return to work due to lack of child care.

    globalnews.ca

  • Travel Manitoba is spending $350,000 on its latest marketing campaign, which aims to help the tourism industry recover from this year's devastating wildfire season. Regions of the province that faced business closures due to wildfires are highlighted in the campaign, which features digital, print, and radio ads slated to run through November 2025.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-09-08 to 2025-09-12

  • A new Costco location in Headingley is scheduled to open in November 2025, after which the location on St. James Street will be converted into Winnipeg’s first Costco Business Centre. This store will focus on commercial grade products with businesses as the target market. Another new Costco is currently planned for West St. Paul, which will be the fifth for Winnipeg and area.

    accesswinnipeg.com
• Week of 2025-09-01 to 2025-09-05

  • Over the past two years, job vacancies on the Prairies have been higher than the national average. According to recent data from Statistics Canada, Manitoba’s job vacancy rate is at 3.1% compared to the national average of 2.8%. Saskatchewan and Alberta are at 3.2% and 2.9% respectively.

    westerninvestor.com

  • The Prairie Mountain Health Region, which includes the southwest part of the province, has recruited eight new family doctors. The doctors will practice in Swan River, Roblin, Neepawa, Souris, and Virden, as part of a program that recruits international physicians for four-year terms with the option of permanent placements.

    brandonsun.com

  • The federal and provincial governments and the Manitoba Métis Federation are providing a combined $8.5M to a new transitional housing project in St. Andrews. The Infinity Women Secretariat will consist of 10 furnished units for Métis women and children leaving violence or transitioning out of emergency shelter. Support services and onsite childcare are included in the project.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The provincial government has set aside $42M for its 2025-2026 Manitoba GRO program, which provides municipalities outside Winnipeg with grant funding for infrastructure projects. These include roads and bridges, recreational and community facilities, waste management, and multi-modal transportation initiatives.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing a total $21M to nine manufacturing companies across Manitoba, to support expansion, job creation, and the adaptation of new technologies. Recipients include manufacturers working in the areas of food processing, plastics, glass, cabinetry, and agricultural equipment.

    canada.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $150,000 to its sexual exploitation unit, Tracia’s Trust, which operates 12 teams in communities across the province. The funding will be used to host local public education events on trafficking and sexual exploitation.

    news.gov.mb.ca
• Week of 2025-08-25 to 2025-08-29

  • Some downtown Winnipeg businesses are seeing reduced customer traffic following a transit overhaul that eliminated a longtime bus corridor. One café in the area says sales have declined 50-60%. A Graham Avenue convenience store is reporting an 85% drop in customers and has laid off one employee and reduced the hours of another.

    cbc.ca

  • A Spirit Halloween pop-up shop has opened in Brandon in the space formerly occupied by Peavey Mart. The seasonal Halloween retailer is expected to remain open until the first week of November.

    bdnmb.ca

  • The provincial government is developing a strategy to recruit and retain teachers in the Manitoba First Nations School System, which struggles with turnover rates of 30-50% each year. One component of the plan could be expanding community-based teacher training programs.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing $3.65M to the City of Steinbach to cover half the cost of a major wastewater project. The construction of new force main and upgrades to a lift station will increase Steinbach’s sewer capacity to accommodate the city’s growth.

    steinbachonline.com

  • The owners of the Port of Churchill are exploring the possibility of expanding the shipping season through a partnership with a Montreal-based company. Arctic Gateway Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fednav, which operates a fleet of about 120 vessels. The Northern Manitoba port currently operates for just four months during the summer.

    cbc.ca

  • A new arena and performance venue, the Southeast Event Centre, has opened in Steinbach. The building includes a restaurant, gymnasium, walking track, and a hockey rink that doubles as a 4,000-person venue.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The federal government is contributing $800,000 toward design costs for Naawi-Oodena, Canada’s largest urban reserve. The project of Treaty One Development Corp. is in south Winnipeg, and will include the construction of $1B in housing, commercial, and health care spaces over 20 years. A gas bar and convenience store has already opened, with a strip mall expected to open in February or March 2026.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Thirty-nine students graduated from Red River College Polytech’s shelter support worker program this year, the largest class since the micro-credential was introduced in 2023. The six-month, tuition-free program is funded through the federal and provincial governments and accepts students from all over Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba is falling short of its goal to create 23,000 new affordable childcare spaces by the end of 2025-2026, according to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. This target was set in 2021 as part a five-year, $1.2B agreement with the federal government, but as of the first quarter of 2025 Manitoba had created just 3,408 spaces.

    cbc.ca

  • Red River College Polytech is offering five new programs at its Winnipeg campus in an effort to adapt to the evolving job market. One of these is a new entertainment production program for those who want to train as film producers.

    globalnews.ca

  • Manitoba clothing company Mondetta Clothing Inc. will open its first storefront this September in downtown Winnipeg. The company is spending $1M on the shop, Modern Ambition, which will sell clothing from its luxury brand and employ four people. Mondetta plans to open 24 more stores across and outside of Canada over the next five years.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Brandon City Council is considering a proposal to add up to four new outdoor pools, eventually replacing the aging Kinsmen Pool. Each of the facilities would cost between $4M and $6M.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-08-18 to 2025-08-22

  • The City of Winnipeg and Government of Manitoba are partnering to create new supportive housing projects for people at risk of homelessness. A third-party developer will design and build the homes on five City-owned properties, while the Province will select non-profit organizations to manage the projects and provide support services to tenants.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A shortage of emergency services staff in Winnipeg is putting a strain on the city’s firefighters, according to their union. On a recent Saturday, only nine of 19 ambulances were operating, requiring fire crews to cover more calls and compromising response times. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service plans to hire 50 new firefighters and 25 new paramedics by the end of 2025.

    cbc.ca

  • The Government of Canada is providing $204,800 to the Rural Municipality of Piney for the training of up to 60 wildland firefighters. Trainees will include residents of the RM of Piney as well as the Buffalo Point First Nation.

    canada.ca

  • Bank of Montreal is opening a new location in Brandon. The new branch is under construction and slated to open in 2026.

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  • Brandon is facing a shortage of emergency services personnel, according to the union representing its firefighter-paramedics. The Brandon Professional Firefighter Paramedic Association says call volumes have increased by 72% in the last 10 years as the city’s population has grown, while staffing numbers are nearly unchanged.

    brandonsun.com

  • York Factory First Nation has received an approval from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to proceed with its aerodrome project. The First Nation plans to construct a private airplane runway that would facilitate emergency services, tourism, and future development in the region.

    canada.ca

  • Pitikwé Skatepark, a non-profit recreational hub for youth in Downtown Winnipeg, is seeking a new location. The skatepark opened in Portage Place Mall in 2023 and now sees more than 100 visitors per day, but will lose this space in September when the building is redeveloped.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba has updated its requirements to make it easier for internationally educated nurses to become licensed in the province. The regulator says the changes could shorten the registration process for eligible nurses from months to weeks.

    ctvnews.ca

  • A Winnipeg-based program for survivors of intimate partner violence with traumatic brain injuries has ended due to a lack of space and resources. The pilot program was run by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Pan Am Clinic, supporting primarily First Nations clients in northern Manitoba and Nunavut. The health authority says it is looking for a long-term space in order to continue the program.

    cbc.ca

  • 7th Avenue Fashions, a bridal shop on Winnipeg’s Academy Road, is closing. Its owners are retiring after 33 years running the store.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Firehouse Subs, an American submarine sandwich chain, will open a location in Brandon in 2026. The new shop will be located in a strip mall that is being constructed at the site of the former Kam Lung restaurant on Park Avenue.

    bdnmb.ca

  • A $10.8M riverside park is planned for the Alexander Docks, an area on the west side of Winnipeg’s Red River that has been closed to the public since 2015. The Forks leases this land from the City and is spearheading the project, which will include access for canoes and kayaks and potentially a waterbus stop.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Langside Grocery, a cocktail bar in Winnipeg’s West Broadway neighbourhood, is closing for renovations but will reopen under new ownership later this year.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Three new businesses are coming to The Forks, a historic site, green space, and retail hub in Winnipeg. Biu Biu Zone, a gaming space specializing in claw machines, recently opened in the Johnston Terminal. Cartizan Studio, a children’s art space, and Milksmith, an ice cream shop, are also opening in the coming weeks.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Manitoba has seen an increase of 201 net new physicians since the fall of 2023, and an additional 12 have accepted offers to begin work. However, the provincial government has declined to extend a contract with recruiting firm Canadian Health Labs. The company was hired in 2023 to recruit 150 doctors to the province, but was only successful in recruiting two.

    cbc.ca

  • The Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce is launching a six-month entrepreneur support program this fall. EMERGE is a first-of-its-kind pilot program for 2SLGBTQ* entrepreneurs that will offer workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities both in person and online.

    winnipegsun.com
• Week of 2025-08-11 to 2025-08-15

  • The City of Portage la Prairie is planning a major expansion to its water treatment facilities with a targeted completion date of 2028. Council has approved up to $55.2M in borrowing to fund the project, which has already received $40M from the provincial and federal governments.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • Genesis House, a women’s shelter serving rural communities in southern Manitoba, is building a transitional housing complex in Winkler. The 25-unit project will begin construction later this summer and is expected to open in 2027. It will include on-site childcare as well as supports for survivors of gender-based violence.

    winnipegsun.com

  • Milieu Market, a refill station for health and wellness products, has opened its first Winnipeg location. The business has two other storefronts, in Steinbach and Altona, and had been planning to expand into the United States. The owner has elected to focus on local growth in light of ongoing tariffs and trade tensions.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A virtual reality gaming centre has opened in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood. The business is the first Manitoba location for the recreation chain Another World, which now has 10 gaming centres across Canada with plans to open 12 more.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The first of the City of Winnipeg’s 60-foot zero-emission buses (ZEBs) begins limited service next week, with a total of eight expected to be in full service by the end of the year. Winnipeg is the first Canadian city to introduce articulated battery-electric buses, which are built by local manufacturer New Flyer. Twenty-four more ZEBs are expected to arrive in 2026.

    winnipeg.ca

  • The City of Winnipeg is allocating up to $360,000 to repair the roof at the Winnipeg Police Service headquarters, and has issued a tender for a company to complete the work.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Prairie Hyperbarics, Manitoba’s first hyperbaric oxygen therapy business, is scheduled to open in September 2025. The private clinic is located in Winnipeg’s St. James neighbourhood and cost about $4.6M to open. It will be hiring two technicians to oversee treatments.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Raising the Roof, an Ontario-based charity, has begun work on a $5M housing project in Winnipeg. The organization is renovating a 23-unit apartment building in the West End neighbourhood, with the goal of housing up to 40 individuals and families at risk of homelessness by the end of 2025. Main Street Project, a local non-profit, will provide onsite supports to tenants.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Heartland Livestock Services has closed its location at the Brandon stockyards, which was Manitoba’s only urban cattle auction mart. The closure reflects a broader decline in the livestock industry. According to a 2024 report from Statistics Canada, the number of cattle in the country is at its lowest level since 1989.

    cbc.ca

  • Farm equipment retailer AgWest has begun construction on two Manitoba facilities, in Brandon and Russell. Both buildings are 20,000 sq. ft. and replace existing smaller, rented spaces. The Russell expansion will allow staffing to increase from 10 to 15 employees, while the Brandon site will add three service bays to the four it currently operates.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Wawanesa Insurance is offering $200,000 in grants through its Climate Champions program, which funds projects aimed at addressing the impact of climate change and extreme weather. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg but grants are open to projects anywhere in Canada.

    globenewswire.com
• Week of 2025-08-04 to 2025-08-08

  • The $4.5M Stanley Community Pathway is now under construction between Morden and Winkler and expected to be complete this fall. The 10km active transportation path is a project of the Stanley Trail Association, and has received funding from the municipal, provincial, and federal governments along with private donors.

    winnipegsun.com

  • Fashion retailer YM Inc. has been approved to buy five leases previously held by the Hudson’s Bay Company, including the now-vacant Saks Off 5th location in the Winnipeg Outlet Collection mall. YM Inc. owns Urban Planet, Bluenotes, West49, and Suzy Shier, but it is not yet known which tenant will occupy the space.

    cbc.ca

  • Valley Fiber, a Winkler-based telecom infrastructure company, has grown from 10 to 350 employees since its founding in 2016. It specializes in improving Internet connectivity in rural Manitoba.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Manitoba Cricket Association has opened a new high performance facility in Winnipeg’s La Barrière Park. The project has received $1.1M in municipal funding since it began in 2018 with the construction of a single cricket pitch. It now includes three pitches, a batting cage, and more than 100 trees.

    winnipeg.ca

  • Sunshine House, a Winnipeg non-profit agency, has been forced to pause its mobile drug testing and supervised consumption services. The organization’s mobile overdose van was damaged in an accident last month, and it is currently awaiting federal approval for its replacement vehicle.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Brandon is moving forward with a $139M upgrade to its water treatment plant, awarding the largest construction contract in its history to NAC Constructors Ltd. The cost of the project will be shared between the municipal, provincial, and federal governments.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A Jordan’s Principle office in Brandon has closed after less than a year in operation due to a funding shortfall. The Canupawakpa Dakota Nation and Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation opened the office in October 2024. Funding through the Jordan’s Principle program, which was formed by the federal government to provide supports to First Nations children, has been reduced this year.

    brandonsun.com

  • Brandon-based Assiniboine College is partnering with the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society to deliver online green construction training to 1,600 students across Canada. The college is currently recruiting remote instructors to help deliver the free program, which begins in September 2025.

    assiniboine.net

  • Taiv, a Winnipeg-based advertising technology startup, is expanding its services into Canada four years after launching in the United States. Last month, it announced $14.4M in Series A funding that will enable additional hiring and expansion. Taiv currently has 60 staff, including 48 in Winnipeg.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Development is picking up in the RPGA Planning District, a partnership between the Town of Altona and the Municipality of Rhineland. There were 95 new building permits issued in the first six months of 2025, compared to just 74 in the same period last year. Falling interest rates and lower lumber prices have contributed to the rising demand.

    pembinavalleyonline.com

  • The Government of Manitoba has added 732 new nurses over the past year, with more than half of those positions in Winnipeg. According to payroll information, there were 960 resignations between April 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, while 1,692 new positions were filled during that same period.

    winnipegfreepress.com
• Week of 2025-07-28 to 2025-08-01

  • A new entertainment facility, Replay Adventures, has opened in Winnipeg’s Bruce Park neighbourhood. The centre offers a replayable escape room, where participants solve puzzles and complete challenges in teams.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The City of Winnipeg has selected developers to build five new residential projects through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund. The projects will be built on city-owned land and are expected to create nearly 700 new housing units, including 272 affordable units. Construction is scheduled to begin within a year.

    winnipeg.ca

  • A proposed $1B development near Winnipeg’s Polo Park shopping centre is on hold due to economic uncertainty and reduced immigration levels. Cadillac Fairview and Shindico Realty Inc. originally announced the 84-acre project in 2023. It was to include apartment towers, retail space, and parks, with completion scheduled for 2033.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • A new veterinary practice, Prairie Vet, is scheduled to open in Portage la Prairie in the fall of 2025. The city has been without animal health services since the sudden closure of the Portage Veterinary Hospital last year.

    portageonline.com

  • A Petro-Canada service station has opened in Dauphin. The new gas station, Anishinabe Aki, is a partnership between the Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation and the Ebb & Flow First Nation.

    730ckdm.com

  • The 2025 Winnipeg Fringe Festival recorded its highest turnout since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to event organizers. This year’s festival featured 145 shows.

    citynews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is allocating $55.2M to infrastructure upgrades in Norway House Cree Nation. These include the construction of a new airport terminal, a feasibility study for a new bridge, and two significant highway improvement projects. The Norway House Airport Terminal is already under construction and slated for completion in 2027.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Zueike Inc., a Winnipeg athletic apparel company, has opened a new location in the city’s south end. It includes a retail space for product sales as well as a basketball court that will host leagues, camps, and community events.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $115M on repairs to Provincial Trunk Highway #2, in the southwestern region of the province. Improvements include two bridge replacements as well as upgrades that will increase allowable weights for commercial vehicles and farm equipment.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The Winnipeg Police Service is increasing coverage in the Osborne Village area, adding daily foot patrols. This is in response to a 44% increase in assaults in the area this year, along with growing safety concerns from residents and business owners.

    cbc.ca

  • The federal and provincial governments are introducing new drought support measures to help livestock producers with feed shortages. Changes to the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s AgriInsurance program will help producers receive claim payouts more quickly so they can pursue other options to access feed for their herds.

    canada.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba is providing a total $825,000 to 34 organizations for projects related to accessibility. These include training and education initiatives, improvements to websites and other media, and the creation of transportation programs to assist people with mobility issues.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Greenstone Building Products is spending $10M to expand its Brandon facility, nearly tripling its square footage. The manufacturer says it plans to scale up its production of insulated building components, and has already increased staffing from 11 to 50 employees over the last decade.

    brandonsun.com

  • Benny’s Restaurant & Catering Services, located in downtown Brandon, is permanently closing. Its final day of operation will be August 2, 2025.

    bdnmb.ca

  • Winnipeg’s RRC Polytech has formed an education agreement with St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, located in the Cayman Islands. Students who have completed RRC’s Veterinary Technology Diploma Program and wish to pursue their veterinary degree are eligible for a variety of scholarships and other supports.

    www.rrc.ca

  • The University of Manitoba has cancelled its applied business management program, laying off five part-time instructors. The cuts are related to the federal government’s cap on international student enrolment and a resulting loss in revenue, which the university estimates at $5M to $7M.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Assiniboine Community College will offer a new solar energy micro-credential program, beginning in September 2025. The 16-week accelerated program is meant for those already working in the skilled trades and looking to get hands on experience working with solar system installation and maintenance.

    assiniboine.net

  • The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing a total $6M to 19 food processing companies. The Maple Leaf Foods pork plant in Brandon will receive $1M for new equipment to improve speed and efficiency, while McCain Foods in Carberry will receive $2.5M for new refrigeration equipment, increasing potato processing capacity by 12%.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The governments of Manitoba and Saskatchewan have signed a five-year agreement aimed at increasing trade through the Port of Churchill. The memorandum of understanding also includes the port’s ownership group, Arctic Gateway Group, and outlines plans to expand freight capacity and lengthen the shipping season.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • The Government of Manitoba is spending $2M on upgrades to Spruce Woods Provincial Park. These include improvements to trails and the expansion of electrical services to campgrounds.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • The City of Steinbach hired a private security company to help with an increase in vandalism and property crime. Steinbach Security Services will deploy two units each night over the next five months, working in collaboration with the RCMP. City Council will decide this fall whether the pilot project will be made permanent.

    ctvnews.ca

  • The Government of Manitoba continues to expand its electronic monitoring program for offenders released on bail, which was reinstituted last summer in Winnipeg. In November 2024 the program added seven additional communities, and now the Province is spending $1.2M to double the number of monitoring devices from 100 to 200.

    news.gov.mb.ca

  • Alston Properties and Concord Projects recently completed a 10-storey apartment tower in Winnipeg’s Exchange District. The $30M complex includes 80 suites as well as two main-floor restaurants scheduled to open next spring. House of Ma’s will be an Asian eatery and Highwater will be a supper club or a bar and bistro.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Winnipeg’s Mount Royal Hotel, shuttered in 2022, is now up for sale at a price of $1.1M. The building is being advertised as a potential site for affordable housing development, given recent renovations and its location in a low income area of the city.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Avro XR Studio, a virtual production space, has opened in Winnipeg. The studio is a partnership between CoPilot Co., a film production and extended reality company, and AventPro, which specializes in event production and audio visual services. Both hope the venture will help to grow the film industry in Manitoba and attract more international productions.

    winnipegfreepress.com

  • Construction is nearly complete on the Portage District General Hospital. The new facility is 100,000 sq. ft. larger than the one it is replacing and has 114 beds, compared to just 88.

    thegraphicleader.com

  • The City of Winnipeg continues to move forward on a plan to convert methane produced at its landfill into renewable natural gas, creating a new revenue source. City Council is expected to vote on a contract with Integrated Gas Recovery Services later in 2025 or early 2026, with the facility potentially operating by late in 2028.

    winnipegfreepress.com