Why Handel’s Messiah still matters

On a cold evening earlier this month, with winter firmly holding Winnipeg in its grip, 2,300 people gathered inside the Centennial Concert Hall for a sold-out performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. As the final notes faded and the audience rose — many smiling, some visibly moved — it was hard not to feel that something more than a concert had taken place.

Political harmony against the odds

Kudos to the former Manitoba MLAs who are working to bring decorum and a sense of shared responsibility back to the province’s legislature at a time of virulent divisiveness, the unconstrained will to “one-up” others and the desire to “get even.”

Groceries, prices and efforts to gouge consumers

Premier Wab Kinew seems to want to prove himself to be among the most ambitious premiers Manitoba has ever had. There seems to be no limit to the size and scope of problem he will not at least attempt to solve.

Time to plan for the next forest fire season

The end of every year brings ample opportunity to reflect on the events of the previous 12 months and usually inspires one to look — and, hopefully, plan — ahead for the new year that awaits.

Preparation is essential to capitalize on opportunities and, more importantly, to minimize the negative impact of events that threaten our lives and livelihoods. Forewarned is forearmed, as the old saying goes.

All of which is to say, it is vitally important for Manitoba’s government to heed the dire warning issued earlier this month by the head of the union representing the personnel responsible for fighting the wildfires that have become a lamentably regular occurrence in this and other provinces.

On Dec. 16, the president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) released a report titled “Burnt Out: A Workers’ Perspective from Manitoba’s 2025 Wildfire Season,” the conclusions of which should be of great concern to anyone who remembers 2025’s intensely destructive summer of flames, wind and omnipresent thick, choking smoke.

Bubbles to toast the twinkling promise of 2026

Love it or hate it, New Year’s Eve is, at the very least, a good excuse to raise a glass of something sparkling. Whether it’s been a good or bad year, here are 10 sparkling wines that run the gamut from pleasant to profound to pop and pour on Dec. 31 — with the hopes that 2026 brings you plenty of comfort and joy.

Pale straw in appearance, the Villa Conchi NV Cava Brut Selección (Cava, Spain — $16.19, Liquor Marts and beyond) is a blend of equal parts Macabeo, Xarel-Lo and Parellada, with some Chardonnay in there too; it brings green apple, lime, flint and subtle herbal notes aromatically.

Those notes persist on the light-bodied, mainly dry palate, with bright, lively bubbles that keep things fun and fresh.

It’s on sale right now (regular $17.99) and also comes in a smaller format (the 375ml bottle is $9.89 right now, regular $10.99). 3/5

Preparing Canada for the threat of foreign imperialism

In this season of peace and goodwill, let’s wish for “peace, order and good government.”

This historical phrase is found in the British North American Act that created Canada in 1867. It is a very Canadian term bequeathed by Great Britain to its emerging self-governing dominions. Meant simply to delineate the residual powers of the federal government not assigned to provinces, it captures the true centre in our political life.

Neither right nor left, it demands governments enact policies and programs that preserve and advance the notion of a society that is at peace with itself, has order in its dealings with citizens, and provides good government to taxpayers.

It’s time to embrace “peace, order and good government” as the governing leitmotif for the turbulent year ahead.

Letters, Dec. 27

Following recent snowfalls, many Winnipeg streets remain uneven and difficult to navigate, with ice buildup and deep ruts caused by vehicles parked during snow-clearing operations.