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Ruth Bonneville / Free Press BIZ - West End Radiators Photo of welder, Ron Caron, repairing a radiator in one of their 2 shops. Story is about Wayne Feelus and his nephew Justin Feelus, owners of West End Radiators and how they grew the business to be the biggest of its kind in Canada. Justin’s dad - Pete Feelus, is Wayne’s brother, one of the original owners of West End Radiators. This is for the Feb. 17 ‘Made in Manitoba’ article. Story by Aaron Feb 10th, 2026

Winnipeg-based West End Radiators drives toward 7th decade in business with 5 locations in 2 provinces

Aaron Epp 6 minute read Updated: 8:37 AM CST

If the staff at West End Radiators have a strong suit, it’s moving forward.

“Just keep going. We don’t really look back,” says Justin Feeleus, who owns the Winnipeg-based business with his uncle, Wayne Feeleus. “It’s just kind of (about asking ourselves): how can we get better?”

While looking in the rear-view mirror doesn’t generally interest the owners of Manitoba’s only remaining heavy-duty radiator shop, a recent milestone gave them and their approximately 60 staff an opportunity to stop and reflect on everything the company has accomplished.

West End Radiators reached its 65th anniversary in 2025, and the company marked the occasion last month with a celebration at the Sandman Hotel.

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Manitobans continue to draw line in sand, choose not to cross once-neighbourly line on land

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Manitobans continue to draw line in sand, choose not to cross once-neighbourly line on land

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Updated: 9:01 AM CST

Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park, which has drawn skiers and snowboarders across the border for decades.

While there hasn’t been an official tally of visitors this season, the park’s general manager doesn’t think she’s seeing as many Manitobans amid the steep decline in Canadians venturing south.

“I would say it’s maybe decreased some from last year. They’re definitely still coming down to ski,” Regner said from the park, which is close to Walhalla, just 10 kilometres south of the border.

“We just love having them come down. They’re super nice people.”

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Updated: 9:01 AM CST

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Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park.
SUPPLIED Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park.

Canada deploys staff to help 26,000 Canadians in Mexico as violence continues

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada deploys staff to help 26,000 Canadians in Mexico as violence continues

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 4:16 PM CST

OTTAWA - As officials in some parts of Mexico continue to urge tourists and locals to shelter in place to escape widespread violence, more than 26,000 Canadians in the country have registered with Ottawa.

Global Affairs Canada says it has resolved technical issues that initially prevented Canadians from signing up with the department for safety advice. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is urging all Canadians in Mexico to register with her department to receive the latest information available.

"We have multiple consular officials at the major centres. They are all standing by ready to assist Canadians," Anand told reporters Monday.

"I ask that all Canadians follow local guidelines, including sheltering in place, if that is what local guidelines are dictating."

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Updated: 4:16 PM CST

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho." (AP Photo/Armando Solis)
A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as

Tax-filing season begins today. Here’s all you need to know

Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Tax-filing season begins today. Here’s all you need to know

Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 12:59 PM CST

Gather your tax slips and receipts because it's that time of the year. 

The 2025 tax-filing season officially kicks off on Monday. It will last a little over nine weeks, ending with the April 30 deadline for most taxpayers. 

Most employers send T4 slips by the end of February via mail, email or employee portals. Financial institutions will also send investment slips, while more sophisticated investment firms send their clients an annual summary of all investments and gains around the same time, said Ryan Minor, director of tax at CPA Canada.

If you're anticipating owing money to the government, Minor said you may want to do some scenario planning. Additional contributions to your registered retirement savings plan could help lower that amount, as long as you have contribution room remaining.

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Updated: 12:59 PM CST

The deadline to file your taxes may feel like it’s far away, but experts say that not getting started early is one of the biggest mistakes Canadians make at tax season. Tax forms are shown in Toronto on Thursday, April 5, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives
The deadline to file your taxes may feel like it’s far away, but experts say that not getting started early is one of the biggest mistakes Canadians make at tax season. Tax forms are shown in Toronto on Thursday, April 5, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

Price of typical Winnipeg home expected to blast past $400K

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Price of typical Winnipeg home expected to blast past $400K

Malak Abas 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

The price of a typical house in Winnipeg is expected to surpass $400,000 this spring and the city will likely remain a seller’s market in 2026, real estate professionals heard at a market insight event Thursday.

The Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board predicts strong housing demand and rising prices, but a low number of active listings compared to much of Canada.

In 2025, $6 billion worth of housing sold in Winnipeg — second only to 2021, but the current five-year average number of listings is the lowest it has been in 13 years.

“We can see very clearly that our market region is in need of more supply,” said Jeremy Davis, the board’s director of external relations and market intelligence.

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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Richard Buchan / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Real estate market insiders believe Winnipeg will likely remain a seller’s market in 2026 with the price of a typical house in the city expected to surpass $400,000 this spring.
Richard Buchan / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Real estate market insiders believe Winnipeg will likely remain a seller’s market in 2026 with the price of a typical house in the city expected to surpass $400,000 this spring.

Powerful winter storm roils travel across the US, wreaking havoc for flights and public transit

Wyatte Grantham-philips, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Powerful winter storm roils travel across the US, wreaking havoc for flights and public transit

Wyatte Grantham-philips, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 12:20 PM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — A powerful winter storm is roiling travel across the northeastern U.S.

Heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard warnings have prompted transportation shutdowns, forcing millions of people to stay home. Air traffic is also coming to a standstill in much of the much of the region, with thousands of flight cancellations piling up across major hubs like New York and Boston. And trains have suspended some of their service.

The National Weather Service on Monday called travel conditions “extremely treacherous” and “nearly impossible” in areas hit hardest by the storm.

Here's what we know.

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Updated: 12:20 PM CST

Pedestrians cross 42nd Street near Bryant Park during a snow storm, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Pedestrians cross 42nd Street near Bryant Park during a snow storm, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Entrepreneurs lauded as Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce’s biz awards return

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Preview

Entrepreneurs lauded as Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce’s biz awards return

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

When Alana Fiks and Angela Farkas opened Black Market Provisions, they hired one employee and almost couldn’t imagine bringing on more.

“We tend to be sort of scared and risk averse, so even the thought of having employees at the time seemed like a dream to us,” said Fiks, who started the shop with Farkas in Winnipeg’s South Osborne neighbourhood almost seven years ago.

The entrepreneurs have built a workplace culture rooted in respect, transparency and well-being. Today, Black Market Provisions has four full-time and six part-time employees.

The Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce recognized Fiks and Farkas earlier this week when the organization named the duo as finalists for the Employer of the Year Award as part of its 10th annual MQCC Business Awards.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS

Black Market Provisions co-owners Angela Farkas (left) and Alana Fiks have been named as finalists for the Employer of the Year Award as part of the 10th annual MQCC Business Awards.
BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Black Market Provisions co-owners Angela Farkas (left) and Alana Fiks have been named as finalists for the Employer of the Year Award as part of the 10th annual MQCC Business Awards.

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U.S. supreme court tariff ruling brings more uncertainty for Manitoba businesses

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Preview

U.S. supreme court tariff ruling brings more uncertainty for Manitoba businesses

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

There’s uncertainty ahead for Manitoba businesses following the latest developments of United States President Donald Trump’s tariff regime.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a set of Trump’s tariffs in a landmark ruling Friday, but that decision didn’t affect all duties on Canadian goods entering the U.S.

Trump on Friday signed an executive order imposing a 10 per cent global tariff, effective Tuesday. On Saturday, he threatened on social media that he would increase it to 15 per cent.

Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said he was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision but troubled by Trump’s reaction.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

President and CEO of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Chuck Davidson
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES President and CEO of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Chuck Davidson

Fact File: Viral video of Ghislaine Maxwell in Quebec City made with AI, creator says

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Fact File: Viral video of Ghislaine Maxwell in Quebec City made with AI, creator says

Marissa Birnie, The Canadian Press 3 minute read 3:34 PM CST

A video of someone approaching a woman on a Quebec City street and asking if she is "Ghislaine" went viral after viewers noticed the woman's resemblance to Ghislaine Maxwell. The Instagram account that posted the video last week says it used artificial intelligence to place Maxwell's face on the woman. The account is known for posting prank videos that use AI-generated faces, including the late Jeffrey Epstein.

THE CLAIM

A video posted to Instagram Wednesday sparked conspiracy theories about a convicted sex trafficker supposedly surfacing in Canada.

In the video, someone walks up to a man and woman standing in front of a Snack Québ store. The Canadian Press geolocated the store to 1045 St-Jean St. in Quebec City, based on the storefront and facade of the building seen in the reflection of the store's window. 

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3:34 PM CST

A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Ghislaine Maxwell in 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jon Elswick
A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Ghislaine Maxwell in 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jon Elswick

B.C. approves expansion of open-pit Copper Mountain mine in southern Interior

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

B.C. approves expansion of open-pit Copper Mountain mine in southern Interior

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 2:41 PM CST

VICTORIA - The British Columbia government has approved the expansion of an open-pit copper and gold mine in the province's southern Interior.

A statement from Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals says B.C. has issued permits under mines and environmental management legislation for the New Ingerbelle expansion at the Copper Mountain mine near Princeton.

The province says the work will extend the mine's operation by 12 years, supporting about 800 jobs, with most workers living in the area.

It says the review included engagement with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, local governments and technical regulators.

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2:41 PM CST

British Columbia's provincial flag flies in Ottawa, July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
British Columbia's provincial flag flies in Ottawa, July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

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