What a difference a year makes

A year ago, during the Christmas holidays, my office received numerous calls from local residents who had awakened to the sound of chainsaws in the beloved Lemay Forest. What ensued was nothing less than an all-out effort to protect the 22-acre area of St. Norbert. In the end, it stood as a powerful symbol of community resolve against the cold calculus of residential development.

The fight began with a local alarm. Residents, naturalists, and the Save Lemay Forest group mobilized and shared the news that this lush, river-bottom woodland was to be clear cut to make way for up to 5,000 units built a private developer. Their campaign was built on a powerful trifecta of arguments.

First was the land’s deep historical significance. These very woods were part of the historic Métis river-lot system, a living artifact of the Red River Settlement’s cultural and agricultural footprint.

Second was the profound cultural and ecological role the Lemay Forest plays in the area. As a riparian forest lining the Red River, it acted as a vital natural flood mitigator, water purifier, and a critical wildlife corridor in an increasingly fragmented urban landscape.

New year, new chapters

As we turn the page into 2026, I’ve been thinking about my resolutions for the year ahead. While some folks pledge to eat more greens or learn a new skill, my goal is for students across Manitoba to read more books.

Reading is essential for our young Manitobans. That’s why, as minister of education and early childhood learning, I’m thrilled to share how we’re making reading a priority for every child in our province.

In April 2025, we announced that school divisions would begin to implement universal early reading screening, beginning with a pilot in the 2025-26 school year. Building off this directive, we passed Bill 225, the Public Schools Amendment Act (Universal Screening for Learning Disabilities). This legislation ensures that every student from kindergarten to Grade 4 receives early reading screening.

Reading is the key that unlocks all future learning and by identifying challenges early, we can give kids the support they need. Two screenings a year, clear communication with parents, and ongoing help for students are how we set our youngest learners up for success in the classroom.

calendrier communautaire 233-ALLÔ

14 janvier • Atelier

Le diabète • Centre de santé Saint-Boniface

14 au 24 janvier • Théâtre

Cet été qui chantait • Théâtre Cercle Molière

15 janvier • Vernissage de l’exposition Sans FLASH • CCFM

15 janvier • Vernissage double • Maison des artistes

Keeping it all in perspective

I know I am not alone in feeling this, but it feels like the world was turned upside down in 2025 and, sadly, it looks like this will continue into 2026. I have no desire to rehash all that has happened, to ignore its seriousness nor to refuse to worry about what the future may bring — however it needs to be put it into perspective and not allowed to take over our lives.

Personally, I have always been something of a news junkie, with politics being at the lower-end of the scale. By that I mean that I rarely did any deep dives – until this past year, when politics and world affairs bumped right up to the top. In many ways, it feels as if they took over our lives.

It was only over the holidays that I realized how the constant bombardment of stories and rhetoric can take its toll. This happened as a result of a series of personal misadventures.

And when I say misadventures, I mean:

Community tackles traffic safety

Residents are taking road safety into their own hands after a string of incidents involving vehicles hitting pedestrians or cyclists along Osborne Street.

In early November, a 10-year-old boy was struck and injured at Osborne and Brandon Ave while riding his bike to school. Later that month, a 67-year-old woman was hit while walking across Osborne at Roslyn Road and died in hospital.

These incidents were preceded by at least two similar events in 2025 along Osborne, including a truck hitting a 14-year-old cyclist near Morley Avenue in June and a van hitting a 25-year-old pedestrian near Mulvey Avenue in March. In both of the latter cases, the impacted individuals sustained injuries and the drivers fled or attempted to flea the scenes.

A rally and a vigil were held in November in response to these incidents, with demonstrators calling on the city to make swift changes to improve traffic safety, particularly for young and vulnerable road users. Community organizers then brought residents together to discuss their road safety concerns in South Osborne.

How to set – and stick with – your fitness goals

As the calendar turns over, many of us pledge to make health and fitness a priority. By February, however, resolutions often fade. According to local expert Alistair Hopper, of Flex Fitness, the most common mistake people make is setting goals that are unrealistic for the time-frame they expect. Real change takes time.

“We always encourage people to use the SMART method — goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and tied to a clear time0frame,” Hopper said.

A second pitfall is lack of accountability.

“Whether it’s a workout partner, a trainer, or even a supportive friend, having someone who checks in on your progress builds motivation and consistency,” Hopper added.

New year, new you?

The new year is often a time to contemplate the year that has passed, and to consider what changes may be made and goals set for the coming year.

For many, changes are not welcome, especially if they are unexpected disruptions. Change is not easy for many people, while others tend to thrive on it. I am of the belief that change does make a person stronger and more tolerant of different situations.

For example, many people are completely dissatisfied with their jobs but are very afraid to make a change. If you have several years left in your working, this is worth reviewing – if you are doing something you really hate, you will be stuck on a long, miserable road. Even if you only have a few years left before retiring, changing things up by working in a different department, on a different unit, or working less and taking a small part-time job elsewhere to change things up may be worth it.

Sometimes all it takes is engaging with different staff and taking a different approach to how you complete your job. A change of attitude is always key. For most jobs, looking at how to accomplish your daily goals by mixing things up is welcome. Perhaps sitting at a desk has become rather mundane, so adding an exercise routine on your breaks will get you out of your routine.

Oh, the stories we could tell

I have had some interesting occupations… government inspector… my life in baseball, operating Home Run Sports and being general manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes… and then becoming a professional speaker and writer. I have enjoyed every one of those challenges.

When I first graduated from Ryerson University in Toronto a long time ago, I was stationed in Russell, Man., as a health inspector. I enjoyed the work and the town, but life led me back to Winnipeg after a couple of years. I was a health inspector in Winnipeg for another eight years before the City of Winnipeg offered me a job as a safety officer, which paid more. The knowledge I gained as a health inspector has been helpful throughout my life.

In December, I was invited to a luncheon for retired health inspectors. I was unsure whether to go and whether I would know anyone. Even though it had been decades, I recognized several people and had a marvellous time listening to and telling old stories and re-connecting with very positive people.

A health inspector has a challenging and important job. Without them, I would not be comfortable eating out. Knowing an inspector could appear at any time is strong motivation for restaurateurs to follow regulations. And I feel confident restaurant owners do not want people getting sick after eating at their restaurants – it is definitely not good for future business.

Putting safety first for Winnipeg

At city council, our responsibility is clear – ensuring Winnipeg has the services it needs to keep residents safe; today and into the future.

That is why I introduced a motion to add firefighters to our ranks. The data is compelling, the need is urgent, and the cost of inaction is growing.

The City of Winnipeg has extensive operational data that shows its current firefighter complement does not match the size, complexity, and call volume of the city it serves. As Winnipeg has grown, demand for emergency response has increased. However, staffing has not kept pace. The result is longer response times and an unsustainable workload for the firefighters who show up for our community every single day.

We are already seeing the consequences. Response times are trending upward, and firefighters are experiencing high levels of medical leave due to overwork. These are not abstract statistics; they affect real people and the residents waiting for help in emergencies and firefighters pushed beyond reasonable limits. When response times increase, outcomes worsen. In emergency services, seconds matter.

Investing in stronger neighbourhoods

As we step into a new year, I want to begin with a simple message to the people of Fort Richmond – thank you. Over the holidays, I had the privilege of celebrating with so many of you at community gatherings and holiday events, and I left each one feeling hopeful about what we can build together. Further, as a mom raising two young children here, I’m always thinking about what it takes for families to feel secure – at school, on our streets, and in the local businesses we rely on every day.

Just before the holidays, I stood with business owners at Coffee Culture on Pembina Highway – alongside the minister of justice, the minister of public service delivery, and partners such as the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business – to announce Manitoba’s new business security rebate program. Fort Richmond is home to a wide variety of family-run restaurants, essential neighbourhood services, and newcomer-owned shops, and I know too many have dealt with break-ins and costly damage. For those who’ve been impacted, please know you are not alone.

If you operate a business with 75 or fewer employees per location, you may be eligible for up to $2,500 per location for security upgrades or eligible repairs linked to crime-related damage. That can include cameras, alarm systems, lighting, and window protection. It can also include repairs for things such as broken windows, doors and locks, graffiti removal, and insurance deductibles related to those repairs. Expenses going back to Aug. 23, 2024, can qualify, using the following link: securityrebate.manitoba.ca

As we carry the hope of a new year forward, we’re taking practical steps to protect that hope by helping businesses stay open, staff feel safe, and our neighbourhoods feel secure.

Looking ahead to support St. James

Looking ahead at the new year, I’m feeling energized and grateful for the conversations I’ve shared with so many neighbours across St. James. Spending time in our community, whether at summer barbecues, seniors’ gatherings, or door‑to‑door visits, remains one of the best parts of this job.

These conversations continue to guide my work at the legislature, ensuring that the priorities of St. James families are front and center. In the months ahead, I’m committed to deepening those connections.

Discussions about safety in our neighbourhood, improving affordability, or building a stronger health care system help shape decisions that have a real impact.

To facilitate more of these conversations, I’m looking forward to hosting an open house at my constituency office, located at E-1885 Portage Ave., on Saturday, Feb. 7. We’ll have fruit and light refreshments on hand to welcome community members from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in addition to our regular office hours during the week.

Bringing STEM to students of all types

Artificial intelligence (AI) is now unavoidable at home, work and school. Its development, use and governance intersect in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — the disciplines often collectively referred to as STEM in educational settings.

Dr. Anju Bajaj, a resident of South St. Vital and award-winning educator, STEM adviser and research scientist recognizes the challenges AI presents for the next generation.

The Women in STEM, AI & Innovation Conference was established by Dr. Bajaj to help young people face this new reality. Dr. Bajaj chairs and is lead organizer of the event, which was virtual for years before becoming an in-person conference last year.

Aimed at students in grades 7-12, the conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Holy Cross School, one day ahead of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

An intimate, and local, musical environment

The audience hushes in curiosity. A single note blossoms into the air. Music performances may end, but the memory remains.

Glenn Buhr, renowned Canadian composer, conductor and pianist, has spent much of his life studying, writing and performing music of all kinds. For decades, his work, mostly rooted in classical and jazz traditions, has been consistently unique and he has created pieces for orchestras and chamber ensembles, as well as scores for film and ballet companies.

Buhr co-founded the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s New Music Festival with Bramwell Tovey, and was artistic director from 1992 to ’96. He taught at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and was director of new music at the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra from 2002 to 2005.

More recently, he has performed with The Broken Songs Band, which features his wife, writer and spoken-word artist, Margaret Sweatman, and The Buhr Quartet, a roots-jazz amalgam which recently entertained at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club.

50 years without Eaton’s catalogue

The Timothy Eaton Company pioneered mail-order shopping in Canada, but 50 years ago this month, it announced its iconic catalogue would disappear forever.

The introduction of Eaton’s first catalogue in 1884 coincided with the construction of a rail network in Western Canada that created hundreds of towns and villages which welcomed hundreds of thousands of newcomers to the region. Settlers could order everything from clothing to furniture to farm implements and, at one time, entire houses and barns from the pages of the catalogue.

Winnipeg was one of three mail-order hubs for Eaton’s, the others being Toronto and Moncton. A current monument to the city’s status in the catalogue empire are the two nine-storey towers built on Graham Avenue in 1916 and 1920, which together contained over 700,000 square feet of warehouse space.

The city benefited from the thousands of jobs within the buildings and at least that many who worked for the many independent companies that supplied retail goods, transportation services, printing, and packaging for the company.

Looking back and moving forward together

As 2025 drew to a close, I reflected with immense gratitude on the year that was. Never a dull moment, as they say. From wildfires to tariff threats, plus some personal health challenges, last year was a challenge. But it also came with great rewards. We made incredible progress together to help make life safer, healthier, and more affordable for all Manitoba families.

A major milestone was passing a bill that modernizes our response to addictions and public safety. This led to Manitoba’s first protective care centre in Winnipeg, operated by Main Street Project and staffed by paramedics and health-care professionals. Now, first responders can bring someone struggling with meth or severe intoxication to a safe place for up to 72 hours – enough time to detox, receive medical care, and connect with housing and treatment support. This compassionate, practical approach will save lives and strengthen our communities.

We also relaunched the successful security rebate program, helping families and businesses protect themselves. Homeowners can access a $300 rebate, and small businesses can receive up to $2,500 for security upgrades. With a 9.2 per cent increase in justice funding and more officers hired, we’re beginning to see crime rates decline.

Health care remains central to our work. Since 2023, over 3,500 new health-care workers have joined the frontlines, six new primary care clinics have opened, and three new personal care homes are under construction. We introduced MediNav.ca, an online tool connecting Manitobans to same-day and next-day appointments. Extended-hours clinics at Grace, Concordia, Victoria, and St. Boniface hospitals now offer care evenings, weekends, and holidays. We’re training more health-care professionals across the province – from Churchill to Altona and many places in between.