The gift that brings hope for Manitobans

Thanks to a transformative gift fromThe Jessiman Foundation, Manitobans willhave faster access to dementia supportsthrough the Alzheimer Society

A new $625,000 commitment over four years will strengthen dementia services across the province, marking The Jessiman Foundation’s second major gift and deepening a valued partnership.

“We are proud to continue our relationship with the Alzheimer Society so families affected by dementia always have a place to turn,” says Peter Jessiman. “The number of people living with dementia is staggering, and knowing there is an organization dedicated to surrounding them with community and support is deeply meaningful to us.”

Dementia can leave families feeling uncertain and isolated, and for many, the Alzheimer Society is a lifeline — providing timely guidance, ongoing check-ins and connection to a community of others who understand.

Honouring Indigenous ways of healing for children

In June, we honour National Indigenous History Month by celebrating the history, heritage, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. At Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, we’re seeing that heritage show up to help kids and families heal in a very special way.

Thanks to donor generosity, construction is well underway on an innovative Indigenous-led initiative at HSC Children’s Hospital — Canada’s first Indigenous healing space designed specifically for kids and their families in a children’s hospital.

The vision for this landmark project began in 2015 with project lead Dr. Melanie Morris — Canada’s first Indigenous pediatric surgeon and Physician Lead, Indigenous Health at HSC Children’s — and has been guided and supported by Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and health care experts as well as children and families from Métis, Inuit, and First Nations Communities.

At any given time an upwards of 60 per cent of the children in our hospital are Indigenous, many from remote and northern communities, but there are few visible signs of Indigenous lands, cultural beliefs, or worldviews inside the buildings. Many Indigenous kids at HSC Children’s have also travelled hundreds of kilometers from their homes, their families, and their cultural supports, as it’s the only children’s hospital serving Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, and Nunavut.

HyLife donates $100,000 to the HSC Foundation for minimally invasive technologies

Every donation has the power to make a difference. For HyLife, that difference is life-changing. The Health Sciences Centre Foundation is proud to celebrate a remarkable first gift from HyLife, whose generosity will help shape the future of health care in our province.

Hylife’s $100,000 donation to HSC Foundation’s Operation Ex-cellence is an investment in expanded operating room capacity, leading-edge surgical technologies, and modernized patient-flow systems to improve timely access to care and patient outcomes.

“What makes this gift especially meaningful is that it marks the beginning of a philanthropic partnership. Every donor’s journey starts with a first gift, and this gift demonstrates how businesses can play a key role in shaping the future of health care,” says Jonathon Lyon, President and CEO, HSC Foundation. “Even more, I have come to appreciate the integral role HyLife plays in our province, and I am deeply grateful for their support in advancing care.”

While HyLife’s premium farm-to-fork pork business operates worldwide, they are proudly based in Manitoba.

Winnipeg tailgate event marks Blue Bombers opener with $25K donation for Kids Health

A tailgate-style event on Kenaston Boulevard brought together football fans, local leaders, and community partners on June 11, as Western Financial Group, a proud partner of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, marked the team’s home opener with a $25,000 donation in support of children’s health care across Canada.

The event combined game-day energy with a local community celebration while marking the transition of former Wyatt Dowling branded locations across Manitoba to the Western Financial Group name, a change that has expanded the company’s presence across the province. The celebration included tailgate activities, prize giveaways, and appearances by Winnipeg Blue Bombers mascots Buzz and Boomer.

“This was about bringing people together,” said Grant Ostir, CEO of Western Financial Group. “The home opener is always an exciting moment in Winnipeg, and it gave us a meaningful way to connect with the community while recognizing this important step for our team in Manitoba.”

A ribbon cutting also took place onsite, with Ostir joined by Wade Miller, president and CEO of the Blue Bombers, and Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala.

Hail Damage in Manitoba: What Drivers Need to Know After the Storm

Recent hail storms have left thousands of Manitoba drivers assessing damage to their vehicles, from small dents and chipped windshields to more significant body and glass repairs. According to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), approximately 20,000 claims have been received since last week’s severe weather event, putting 2026 on pace to exceed the highest number of claims received from a single weather event in Manitoba.

While some damage is easy to spot, many drivers may be unsure whether a few dents or a small windshield chip are worth addressing. The reality is that hail damage can affect more than just a vehicle’s appearance, potentially impacting its condition, value, and future repair costs.

Why Even Small Hail Damage MattersAfter a storm, many drivers assume that small dents are simply cosmetic. While some hail damage may be minor, dents, chipped paint, and damaged glass can impact your vehicle’s condition over time. Small windshield chips can spread into larger cracks, and paint damage can leave metal exposed to the elements resulting in early development of rust.

Having the damage assessed early can help identify issues before they become more significant concerns.

Manitoba Possible’s new home will be a model of accessibility

It’s ten-to-six on Tuesday evening. Supper Club hasn’t officially started, but the kitchen at Manitoba Possible’s 825 Sherbrook Street location is already alive.

Recreation Facilitator, McKenna, is on a mission searching for the hand mixer. She finds the whisk attachments first. But not the handle.

She pauses the search to greet every person with excitement and details about tonight’s meal they’ll be cooking together.

By 6:00 the room is packed. And everyone is helping search for the missing hand mixer.

Digital grocery: A modern household essential

Whether it’s a leisurely Saturday morning spent browsing the aisles for inspiration or a frantic Tuesday evening when the fridge is unexpectedly empty, Canadian shopping habits are no longer one-size-fits-all.

Recognizing that today’s consumers need their grocery experience to be more flexible than their schedules, Skip and Loblaw Companies Ltd. (“Loblaw”) have joined forces to ensure that convenience is always just a tap away.

The partnership means that Canadians can now use the Skip app on their phone or mobile device to order anything from milk and eggs to bread or meat from any Loblaw-owned grocery store in virtually any market without having to leave the comfort of home.

Paul Sudarsan, senior vice-president of marketplace and partnerships for Skip, says adding Loblaw to its growing list of corporate partners is part of an ongoing evolution aimed at better connecting the company with busy Canadians and their evolving needs.

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.