The Wrap: Provincial spending cuts, Nutty Club, Jets pull together, and a Red Riding Hood panto

Good evening. Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'Whenever you find yourself in this deep of a financial hole, the first thing you have to do is stop digging'

The gas tax holiday and other spending programs will be implemented this fiscal year without any anticipated change to the forecast $1.6 billion deficit, according to provincial finance officials.

However, $123 million in spending in other areas will be cut to divert cash to pay for programs promised by the NDP.

Legislative reporter Danielle Da Silva looks at where cuts will be made.

Danielle Da Silva:

Province diverting $123M from programs, departments to pay for election promises

Manitoba’s NDP government has ordered $123 million worth of cuts and reallocated spending to pay for its gas tax holiday, health and homelessness initiatives, with former Tory plans for health-care be... Read More

Danielle Da Silva:

Ditch tax cuts, labour groups urge

Labour groups have called on the Manitoba government to abandon the fiscal plan set out by the Tories in the spring budget and extend the timeline to eliminate the deficit. Read More

Dan Lett:

Grey areas blur snapshot of fiscal picture

Fiscal blueprint or fiscal card trick? On Wednesday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Finance Minister Adrien Sala provided a plan on how to they would pay for a handful of priority campaign promises without adding to what the NDP claims is a $1.6-billion deficit left by the former Progressive Conservative government. Read More

Three Savour Manitoba magazine covers promoting a food, drink, and lifestyle publication.

'One of those iconic Winnipeg brands'

Get your pink popcorn and candy-coated peanuts while you can – the Nutty Club will soon be no more.

Scott-Bathgate, owner of the Exchange District confectionery manufacturer, announced Wednesday it will wind down its operations by the end of January.

Business reporter Gabrielle Piché spoke to retailers from across the country that were disappointed but not surprised by the closure of the 120-year-old company.

Gabrielle Piché and Malak Abas:

Sour economics ends Nutty Club’s sweet Winnipeg history

No ifs and buts… it’s the end for Winnipeg’s famous brand of candies and nuts, and it won’t be a very merry Christmas for the people working at Nutty Club. Scott-Bathgate, the 120-year-old east Exc... Read More

'At the end of the day it’s still about people'

Just weeks into the shiny new season, the Winnipeg Jets had to pull together to face a significant challenge.

Judy Bowness suffered a major, life-threatening seizure. Her husband, Jets head coach Rick Bowness, stepped away from his duties to be by her side.

The keys were turned over indefinitely to associate coach Scott Arniel and assistants Brad Lauer and Marty Johnston.

Hockey writer Mike McIntyre spent time this week with Arniel, Lauer and Johnston while on the road covering the Jets. He reports on what they did to get the reeling hockey club back on track.

Mike McIntyre:

Through thick and thin

Jets family of coaches rallied around each other during Bowness’s absence Read More

'The audience is encouraged to boo'

Sick + Twisted Theatre is putting on a holiday panto this week at Prairie Theatre Exchange, taking the story of Little Red Riding Hood and turning the zaniness and sass up to 100.

In Little Red and Big Bad, the familiar Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale is given the signature Sick + Twisted touch.

The granny character falls in love with the arborist, but can’t marry him for risk of losing her disability assistance and her independence.

Meanwhile, an evil stepmother character is in cahoots with a property developer trying to knock down granny’s shack and build condos.

Ben Waldman:

‘Like Rocky Horror for kids’

Production takes Red Riding Hood tale and turns it on its ear Read More