Manitoba Games leave a lasting legacy

The 2026 Manitoba Winter Games powered by Manitoba Hydro wrapped up March 7 in Thompson, but the impact the multi-sport competition had on the northern community will continue to be felt for sometime to come.

This year’s Games brought together more than 1,100 athletes, coaches, managers and officials from across the province for seven days of competition and camaraderie in the so-called Hub of the North. Last time Thompson hosted the Games back in 2018, they helped generate more than $1.7 million in economic activity including a $591,696 boost to the provincial GDP.

As notable as those numbers are, the most enduring impact the event has on a host community is the lasting legacy it leaves behind, says Todd Hardwood, co-executive director of the 2026 Games. To put things in perspective, consider the facility improvements that were conducted in the lead-up to this year’s Games:

Sound system upgrades to C.A. Nesbitt ArenaNew benches in the dressing rooms at Thompson Regional Community CentreThe addition of public Wi-Fi at the community centreA new scoreboard and shot clocks at Bill Comaskey GymA new gymnasium curtain divider and railing at R.D. Parker CollegiateA new ice scraper, rings and measuring devices for Burntwood Curling ClubA new storage shed and snow machine for trail maintenance at the Thompson Community Ski Trails Cross-Country Ski TrailsUpgrades to the change rooms at Mystery Mountain Winter Park“In my opinion, I think the biggest benefit of hosting the Games was we were able to partner with our school division and the City of Thompson to do some really big, public-facing projects,” says Harwood, who shared co-executive director duties for the Games with Cristy Andres.

The workplace essential: Promoting financial well-being for employees

As Canadians continue to struggle with savings has become more challenging. As a result, in workplaces across the country, employees are looking to their employers to help them get better prepared for their financial future.

This is where a comprehensive group savings program can help employers provide that support, making it possible for employees to gain a better sense of control about both their financial present and future.

The emphasis is on “comprehensive.”

“What’s different today is the financial wellness focus that a good group savings program includes,” explains Rob Hotel, Vice President, RBC Group Advantage, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and Western Ontario (MSNWO). “Through our program, for example, our advisors provide personalized and holistic financial advice to employees around top-of-mind topics like budgeting, credit, debt management, home purchase, education, wills, estate planning and retirement planning. We want to help employees better understand how to manage their expenses today and be able to build savings to reach their financial goals.”

Stronger together: businesses for health care innovation

"Supporting the Operation Excellence campaign reflects CGl's commitment to strengthening the health and well-being of the communities where we live and work. We're proud to support initiatives that improve access to care for Manitobans."- Dean Bosch, Senior Vice-President, CG/ in Canada

Thanks to CGl's contribution, we're helping improve surgical wait times for Manitobans.

Learn more about our Corporate Challenge at OperationExcellence.caor call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493.

Walking for Murray

To Michelle Hlady, the annual IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is a chance to come together with family and friends to support families living with dementia.

Dementia has had a significant impact on Michelle’s life. Her husband Murray was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at only 60 years old – which was a shock to their family.

“Our entire journey with dementia happened in just seven years,” Michelle said. “We saw the first signs when he was 60 years old, and he passed away last August at age 67.”

The couple were both working full-time when Murray’s symptoms began and they had to adjust as he quickly progressed. “Murray was an accountant by trade, so numbers were his thing, but dementia changed that. He struggled to count and do other tasks that had once been so natural to him, Michelle says. “Murray had to retire early, and I switched to part-time work so I could care for him.”

Mythic Mosaic Entertainment forges forward with A World Unwritten

A local game-development company combines individualized storytelling with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable interactive experiences.

Mythic Mosaic Entertainment has become a driving force in the gaming industry by creating innovative and immersive experiences. The Winnipeg-based game-development studio focuses on storytelling that allows players to virtually hop right into an AI-driven game.

Kyle Gray is the founder, CEO and technical director of the company, which launched in 2023. The team’s inaugural project, called A World Unwritten, gives players the freedom to decide what direction they’d like the story to take them — and then artificial intelligence builds the story around that idea.

“You create a world and a character inside that world — and then you live in that world through the character’s eyes. You can make any choice and have any conversations you want as the story evolves naturally around you,” Gray said.

New Research Explores Genetic Factors Behind Adverse Reactions to Antidepressants in Young Canadians

Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are among the most prescribed mental health medications for Canadian youth. While SSRIs are generally considered safe and effective, some children experience adverse effects such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, or irritability.

Dr. Abdullah Al Maruf, Assistant Professor of clinical pharmacogenomics at the College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, in collaboration with Dr. Laurence Katz, Professor of psychiatry, are investigating the genetic variants that may predict the likelihood of these adverse effects. By comparing the genetic profiles of youth who tolerate SSRIs well with those who don't, the research aims to identify genetic markers linked to these side effects.

The study will also empower clinicians to provide more personalized and effective treatment for young patients at Health Sciences Centre, improving their mental health care. For more information, visit maruf-lab.org/pgx-simba.html.

Safe Sport Conference on Hazing in Sport

If you play hockey, ref basketball, coach lacrosse, or volunteer at your child’s rowing club, you have the right to a healthy, supportive, and respectful sport experience, free from all forms of maltreatment.

This is what we describe as safe sport.

Unfortunately, hazing is something that some athletes still face as they enter the world of sport. Hazing could be an initiation, or a series of initiations, involving ever-increasing activities that make the young athlete feel uncomfortable, or in some cases, harmed.

In an effort to create safer sport experiences for everyone, Sport Manitoba is hosting another Safe Sport Conference this spring.

Community theatre company wraps up first season

A local theatre company is enjoying a moment in the limelight after recently celebrating its first anniversary.

Hood and Dagger Productions launched in January 2024 and made its mark during its inaugural season.

Husband-and-wife duo Crystal and Brian Hood founded the volunteer-run theatre company following an unforgettable experience on stage together. After the pandemic, Crystal had found herself feeling a bit lost without a clear sense of purpose. When Brian noticed that Holy Hams community theatre in Selkirk was holding auditions for M.A.S.H. — one of Crystal’s favourite shows — they decided to try out. Crystal was elated when both got parts, and her mood suddenly lifted along with the curtain.

“It was just transformational. It was a like a second family. My faith in humanity was completely restored, as well as my self-confidence and sense of purpose,” Crystal said.

Builder’s mortgage provides added convenience during new home construction

  Are you planning to have a new house built?

If so, you should familiarize yourself with what a builder’s mortgage is, says a lending expert with Access Credit Union.

Retail lending manager Joel Billing says builder mortgages are designed specifically to assist homebuyers who are working with a contractor or builder to build a new home.

Unlike a regular mortgage that is paid out in a single lump sum when the purchase of an existing home is completed, a builder’s mortgage is disbursed in stages throughout the building stage of a new house. The first stage is the foundation or ‘floor on’ stage followed by the framing stage, then the roof or ‘lockup’ stage, and finally the finishing stage.

Operation Excellence: A community campaign for surgical innovation at HSC

With donors stepping forward to support Operation Excellence, HSC is purchasing and deploying new, state-of-the-art surgical and diagnostic equipment, and is developing new spaces for surgery and patient care. With the goal to reduce diagnostic and surgical wait lists, your continued support will make a difference for generations of Manitobans.

Learn more and donate at OperationExcellence.ca or call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493. Help us deliver tomorrow's health care, today.

Enjoy today and retire your way with an integrated financial plan

We are living in challenging times. Or to be more precise, financially challenging times.

Over the last few years in particular, Canadians have been grappling with debt, high mortgage rates, and rising prices on everything from groceries to gas.  While we’ve seen some relief recently, many of us are still struggling.

As a result, saving for retirement may have become more challenging.  In fact, according to a recent IG Wealth Management (IG) study, 80 per cent of respondents said that the rising cost of living is making it difficult for them to put money away for retirement.  More generally, more than half reported that they’ve put off saving for retirement due to “financial pressures”.

Despite this, 38 per cent said they hoped to prioritize travel in retirement, while 17 per cent envision working part-time or consulting. One-third plan to focus on hobbies and interests.

International trade training offers bounty of benefits

International trade is at the forefront of plans for many Canadian businesses as they look to expand.

And now more than ever, the expertise of international trade professionals is in demand.

Virginie De Visscher understands this need firsthand, since she pursued her Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation more than 10 years ago. To achieve this designation, she earned a Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) diploma by completing six FITTskills courses. These courses focus on the feasibility of international trade, international market entry strategies, global value chain, products and services for a global market, international trade finance, and international sales and marketing.

Other requirements for the designation include completing three years of full-time work in international trade, agreeing to abide by the CITP standards of ethical conduct and passing a professional exam.

Stronger together: businesses for health care innovation

| "We see remarkable alignment in our values and the values of HSC and the HSC Foundation. We all embrace innovation, we are all committed to a culture of continuous improvement, and we all seek ways to improve life in Manitoba. HSC is Manitoba's hospital, we are Manitoba's builder, and we are proud to invest in the Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge."

—Sarah Anderson, Director; Dan Bockstael, Co-President; and Nick Bockstael, Co-President, Bockstael Construction, Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge Donor

Learn more about our Corporate Challenge at Operation Excellence.ca or call 204-515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-679-8493.

Bockstael Construction Commits $100,000 to the HSC Foundation’s Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge

Bockstael Construction, a fourth-generation family-owned company, has joined the Health Sciences Centre Foundation's Operation Excellence Corporate Challenge. The Corporate Challenge rallies Manitoba businesses to support the Foundation's bold plan to revitalize and refocus HSC as a surgical centre of excellence and innovation, and to eliminate surgical wait lists by 2030.

Bockstael's $100,000 pledge will help HSC-Manitoba's hospital-continue to acquire minimally invasive surgical equipment and develop new surgical spaces and procedure rooms.

"We are proud to support Operation Excellence," says Sarah Anderson, Director at Bockstael Construction, and a member of the company's ownership group along with her brothers, Co-Presidents Dan Bockstael and Nick Bockstael. "The campaign is focused on innovation and the continuous improvement of surgical care in Manitoba. We are moved by the campaign's vision and its values-they reflect who we are as a local company."

Thank you for putting your heart into helping kids

February is #HeartMonth, and we at the Children’s Hospital Foundation are so deeply grateful for supporters who follow their hearts to help kids.

Over the last four years donors have helped transform the lives of kids who need cardiac care – kids like Max. When Max was born, he had eight holes in his heart as well as narrow airways. Before his first birthday, Max had more than 20 surgeries and spent a significant amount of time in hospital connected to remote monitored equipment.

You can imagine, remote monitored equipment allows health care teams to keep a close eye on kids’ vital signs while they’re in hospital without being right beside them. Children’s Hospital’s amazing staff can check in on any patient from any of the centralized monitoring locations.

We are pleased to share that thanks to $6.5 million of generous donor support we will be able to outfit all 100 inpatient beds at Children’s with this game-changing technology.