Issuu

January 2026

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MANITOBA

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DENTURES

204-947-1807 The debate continues over potitical etiquette

Starting out the new year with a tasty treat!

THE PAS

Patterns and Parallels in The Pas Dr. Roberta Bondar visits Gabrielle Swan

Teaching kids HOW to think

Kevin Klein

I Dr. Bondar, Gabrielle Swan and Doug Lauvstad, President UCN.

Moving in the New Year? Remember, there are tax implications Evelyn Jacks

hen winter returns with a roar, some celebrate by embracing a frosty it with gusto! Others make the decision to escape, permanently. That requires some tax caution: plan your province of residence for tax purposes, carefully. This is where you live on December 31 of the calendar year. Further, a departure tax can occur before you

Radicals muzzle debate while one teacher champions open discussion

hen asked, “Is The Pas interested in hosting Canadian icon Dr. Roberta Bondar and displaying her art exhibition for a three-month gallery show?” the answer is, “yes!” That answer brought the first Canadian female astronaut and first neurologist in space to University College of the North’s (UCN) The Pas campus. Dr. Bondar’s exhibition, titled Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive, features 57 aluminum photographic prints. As of November 27th, 2025, until March 14th, 2026, the art can be seen in a selfguided format on the gallery walls of the main floor UCN campus (436 7th Street E, The Pas) daily from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. There is no cost to attend the gallery show thanks to the partnership between The Pas Guest List, a local social and artistic non-profit organization that I cofounded in 2022, and University College of the North. Two years ago, when former Senator, The Honorable Patricia Bovey, asked me if Dr. Bondar’s project would u 2 ‘The Pas'

Shelmerdine Garden Centre's long history

jump ship to a new land somewhere south. Inter-provincial moves. If you are leaving for a province with a lower tax regime, the news is

good at any time. For example, If you are moving from Manitoba to Alberta, do it before December 31. But if you move to a more expensive province – and that can depend on income source – do get some tax advice about the best tax timing – early or late in the calendar year. Receipts worth saving. A claim for moving expenses includes many common expenses most people forget to keep or lose in the move. Turns out that’s an exu 5 ‘Moving'

received an email this week that stopped me in my tracks. A mother wrote to tell me that her daughter’s Grade 11 history class had used one of my columns on land rights as the basis for a classroom debate. The teacher read my column aloud, then stepped back. No lecture, no guiding the students toward an “approved” opinion, no speech about what they were supposed to think. He simply opened the door and let young Canadians discuss an issue that many adults are afraid to touch. That is remarkable. It should not be rare, but in today’s climate, it is. A high school teacher created a space for honest dialogue on one of the most complicated and important questions in our country. He trusted his students enough to let them think for themselves. That is the kind of educator who strengthens Canada, and we should be celebrating him. The student passed along something else. Some classmates were nervous to voice their real opinions. They were worried about how others might react. Worried about being judged or labelled. Worried that, even if they spoke respectfully, saying the “wrong” thing could lead to social trouble. These are teenagers who care about their country and want to understand difficult issues, yet they hesitate to speak because they fear the cost of honesty. That should concern every adult in this country. Young people should not be afraid to think out loud. They should not feel pressure to bury their real views just to stay out of trouble. Canada u 8 ‘Teaching kids'

Patterns and Parallels in The Pas Continued from page 1

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Lifestyles55 MANITOBA

All about living at the

age of maturity

be a good fit, I knew instantly it would The Pas is the 7th community to host be well received. The people who live in the exhibition, and this is the second the Tri-Community, which is made up of time the art is on display outside OnThe Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and tario. The exhibit features the migraThe RM of Kelsey, came out in droves. tory patterns of three endangered bird Over 600 locals and a few out-of-town species; the whooping crane, the lesser guests took in all that the grand opening flamingo and the piping plover. The had to offer. images take you on a jourFor the opening night, ney that spans three levels Dr. Bondar and the exof space and all the way ecutive director of the Roaround the world. Some berta Bondar Foundation, images are taken from the Bonnie Patterson, came International Space Stato present the project and tion in collaboration with give a 90-minute presenNASA, while the rest are tation to the community, taken by Dr. Bondar from followed by a 90-minute helicopters and on the presentation to students ground in nesting areas. in their upper years the When Dr. Bondar following day. Dr. Bondar spoke about the darkGabrielle Swan dazzled the crowd. ness of outer space and View from The main event ended how looking back on the The Pas with a book signing that planet gave her a new had several special moperspective and warmth ments. A young woman towards humanity, many in middle school brought in her grade of us listening were touched. It’s this 3 project that she had written on Dr. perspective that drove her to create her Bondar, who autographed it and gave Space for Birds book, which eventually it an A+. Another community mem- was transformed into the Patterns & ber who had given the commencement Parallels exhibit. Her concern for what speech had been photographed at her is happening to our bird friends is conuniversity graduation with Dr. Bondar, tagious. and after decades was able to get the “Through these images, we enter photo signed. The more we shared and the world of bird migration, from the promoted this event in the community, Western to the Eastern Hemisphere. and beyond, the more joyful stories we Their flight corridors are so large that heard about different ways Dr. Bon- we cannot capture them in one image dar and her life’s works touched and in- from space, while the aerial photospired the lives of so many Canadians. graphs expose secret patterns of land For our communities, hosting this art and water, frequented by birds,” says exhibition is not just an opportunity to Dr. Roberta Bondar. “When we recconnect with the subject of conserva- ognize avian behaviours that resemble tion, something that is so close to the ours, we relate better to their lives and hearts of the people who choose to live fragility. This leads us to minimize our in rural communities, it’s about the op- impact on their needed habitats to alportunity for our youth to meet a Ca- low them to survive.” nadian Icon and interact with world If you’ve never been north of the class art. (Dr. Bondar is a person who, 53rd parallel, now’s the time to venture like them, came from a small commu- into “Adventure Territory” and take in nity, and took on big things.) It’s about this marvelous exhibit. For more inhow small moments interacting with formation on the exhibit, details about someone as accomplished as Dr. Bon- visiting, or how to support the work dar can leave a big impression on our of The Pas Guest List in the mission to young people. It’s about experiencing drive the creative economy of northern how art can move you, and why it’s es- Manitoba forward, email theguestlist. sential. thepas@gmail.com.

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January 2026

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

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EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Shauna Dobbie shauna@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Jeff Bereza, Lucille Bruce, Marianne Cerilli, Romel Dhalla, Dorothy Dobbie, Shauna Dobbie, Zofia Dove, Stefano Grande, Evelyn Jacks, Kevin Klein, Ian Leatt, David Leis, Myron Love, Fred Morris, Seneka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Sandra Sukham,Gabrielle Swan, Wayne Weedon. Canadian Publications mail product Sales agreement #40027604 There are better days ahead!

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ho would have thought at this time last year that cial cart is barely moving because the economic horse is weak. 2025 would be so fraught? The world changed in Wake up, you two! Look around you and see the chaos. so many ways over the past 12 months. Listen to good advice and act on it. Mark, Pierre has pointed Another Liberal government is in place in Ottawa, although out the high cost of overregulation and how it is affecting it is, mercifully so far, a minority. The Conservatives, once everything from investment to housing. Take a hard look at ready and eager to govern, lost the election it. Bill C69, which sees everything through a and the leader’s seat, although he has since reclimate change lens, is scaring investors away. covered. Mr. Trump has had a jolly year terrorYou wishy washy approach to fixing this by izing the world with his unilateral imposition funneling development through you own hot of tariffs. The war in Israel is winding down, little hands by way of Bill C5, does not send and it looks like Russian and the Ukraine have them any comfort. They had high hopes with just about worn each other out. the special projects office until you told us it Here at home, Wally Daudrich won the was toothless. You can do better. Do it! P.C. leadership vote but lost the election due Wab, you say you want to make Manitoba a to polls manipulation. Wab Kinew remains rihave province again. This can’t happen by dediculously high in the polls, despite our dismal livering decision-making to a reluctant bureaueconomic record. cracy and another crown corporation. Instead, Some things never change, though. Hosallow the First nations to explore their indipital emergency rooms are overflowing with vidual dreams. Get behind them. Give a kick patients waiting 20 hours or more. Crime rein the butt to those luddites in Environment mains at an all-time high. Grocery costs have and tell them to stop delaying worthy projects. Dorothy Dobbie doubled over the decade of Liberal rule. If they don’t do what you ask, replace them! Despite the fact that the average wage is Instruct your people to set the City of now over $30 per hour, young people can’t afWinnipeg on the right path by dismantling ford rent let alone the cost of buying a house. Unemployment overburdening and expensive development regulations to among the young is way up averaging around 7%. It would allow housing to be built at a more reasonable cost. be a lot worse if not for a bloated public service that now To Obby and my friends in the Opposition, use your feremploys an unbelievable 21.7% of the working public – that’s tile brains to put forward helpful ideas. Yes, the NDP might more than one in five workers! steal them, but right now we don’t care. We need change. Yet, we have seen the most strikes since the 1980s. The We need shovels in the ground for housing and mineral year saw all sorts of protests, church and synagogue burn- development, for new transportation corridors paid for by ings. People are dying of drug overdose, and homelessness investors, not taxpayers. numbers are in the tens of thousands any given night and To Pierre and his crew in Ottawa, keep the messages of hundreds of thousands over the year. People are angry. Hate hope and how-to coming. Carney needs your common seems to be the default emotion. It is not a pleasant time. sense to keep his feet on the ground. Meanwhile, talk to So, as we leave 2025, we need to be focusing on a rosier your provincial leaders and learn what they have to offer picture that will happen now, not some far away, “aspiration- Canada by coming together. Think about taking a quick al” day down the line. If we don’t change things right now, trip to Washington to introduce yourself and get the lay of they cannot get better. the land. You need to be ready to govern. We need to get people to go back to work, to re-engage and And all of us, stop being cowardly, word mincing idistop hiding their heads in the sand believing that everything ots. Speak up. Let our governing representatives know is okay and that some banker will take care of the whole thing what we need. Let’s dig in and do our part. Forget elbows for us. Wake up. Demand better. Get involved. up. You get more flies with honey than vinegar. Americans Mr. Carney is living in a fantasy world disguised as long- are our friends and allies and often relatives. They are goterm planning. Wab is far too reliant upon bad advice when, if ing through their own turmoil, and they don’t need to be he would use his quite intelligent brain, common logic would shunned by us. tell him that things are not going the way he planned. The soHappy New Year everyone!

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January 2026

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The notwithstanding clause

he controversy over the use of resented this provision which allows the Notwithstanding Clause in the provinces to dodge top-down legthe constitution is widely based islation that is counter to their interests. on a misunderstanding of Confedera- They have used various devices to limit tion. People today seem to think that the use of the clause, including taking Canada has a pecking order where the the issue of the carbon tax to court and Feds are paramount and the provinces getting a ruling that climate change is are subject to the national will. a matter of national conNot so. Remember, prior to 1867, cern. So, should provinces be there were several autonomous selfgoverning British territories on the land allowed to exercise their we now call Canada. When the British hard-won concession? I North America Act was enacted, four would say yes. It was a agreement of them agreed to come together but to fundamental keep their applicable local laws, while to reserve this right in orthe new Dominion took over monetary, der to accept the amendexternal and defense relationships, etc. ment that would allow All in all, there were 28 separate areas the constitutionality of of federal jurisdiction. The provinces the Charter of Rights and had 16 enumerated jurisdictions with Freedoms. Moreover, the clearly outlined exceptions where there interpretation of the Charwere cross-border issues and so on. ter Rights is very fluid as we have seen in recent years with deThree years later, Manitoba joined the union, bates over whether or and the year after that, not underage children British Columbia became should be allowed to the sixth province with get sex change therapy Prince Edward Island or whether it is okay to joining in 1873. Alberta sing God Save the King and Saskatchewan joined at School or to say the in 1905 and finally, NewLord’s prayer lest either foundland in 1949. The offend someone. These Yukon became a separate issues are currently Territory in 1898 and under examination in Nunavut in 1999. Manitoba which is has This worked fairly well legislation in progress until the federal governthat would require all ment started flexing its school boards to have Dorothy Dobbie muscle, using its supepolicies respecting land rior spending power to and treaty acknowledgimpose national programs in areas of ments. exclusive provincial jurisdiction. The Clearly, Rights and Freedoms are the first of these was the Unemployment currency of a snapshot in time as atInsurance Act of 1940. Emboldened titudes and ideas and political parties by this, the next incursion into provin- change. Mores can shift from province cial jurisdiction was in 1951 when the to province without any great disrupconcept of concurrent powers was in- tion of the general order. Indeed, that troduced along with Old Age pensions. is the beauty of British common law After that, the concurrent powers were which still governs most of how we extended to immigration, once a pro- manage our affairs. Precedent, practice vincial right, and then to agriculture and and practical application allow enough fluidity in the law to provide comfort the imposition of marketing boards. In 1984, the Canada Health Act was without any extremes being imposed. introduced extending federal control It is like the wonderful, earthquakeover previously enacted services such proof construction of the Taiwanese, as the federal Hospital Insurance and where they build amazing buildings Diagnostic Services Act (1957), a cost- with flexible, interlocking joints that sharing vehicle relating to hospital and leave just enough room between them diagnostic services, and the Medical to allow for the ground to rumble and Care Act (1966), which included physi- move without bringing down the whole cian services provided outside hospitals structure. The notwithstanding clause acts in health care. In 1984, the Canada Health Act came into effect further socializing the same way. It allows local attitudes health care by restricting the practice of and customs to flourish without causextra billing by physicians. All of this ing divisions to become festering resentwas underlined by the use of the federal ment that become explosive as is hapspending power. Originally, health ser- pening right now in Alberta and, we vices were a cost sharing program with hear, slowly building again in Quebec. the feds kicking in 50% of the total. In many ways this debate exempliThat has since eroded to just over 20%. fies an international trend to centralize When the constitution was “modern- power, concentrating more and more ized” with the addition of the Charter decision making in the hands of a few of Rights and Freedoms in 1980, the people who feel they have superior valpremiers were already feeling the heavy ues and better answers as to how we hand of the Feds. They started to push should exist. As any student of history back, concerned because the Charter will tell you, that is a dangerous trend, dictated the conduct of affairs in many leading to excesses of many kinds. areas of their exclusive jurisdiction. In Canada’s case, it is also hypocritiThe clause allows provinces to exempt cal when the country supposedly prides themselves from certain provisions in itself on its diversity. Quebec and Althe Charter for a period of five years. It berta are quite different in many of their has been used by Quebec to protect its day-to-day practices and attitudes, yet language laws, to deal with some areas each shares values about democracy and of religious practice and so on. In total, freedom to choose their own way. That five provinces have felt the need to tell should be good enough Canada is not a the feds to butt out: Quebec, Saskatche- monolithic state. There is a separation wan, Alberta, Ontario, and New Bruns- of powers. It is wrong of the federal wick. The Yukon also threatened to use government to try and override the deis although the never passed the bill. cisions of local legislators. The federal government has routinely Long live the Notwithstanding clause.

The notwithstanding clause should not be a political shortcut

anada’s notwithstanding far more willing to accept the eroclause was never meant to be sion of rights that protect everyone. convenient. It was meant to A decade or two ago, many people be uncomfortable. Section 33 of the believed marriage should be limCharter allows a federal or provincial ited to a man and a woman, but it legislature to temporari- rarely provoked the kind of personal ly override certain Char- outrage we now see attached to culter rights, but only for tural and social issues. If the battle five years at a time, and for same sex marriage were being only by saying so explic- fought today, it would likely be far itly. It was designed as uglier. an emergency valve, not The risk is not disagreement. The a tool of routine gover- risk is certainty. When political leadnance. ers sense that public anger is on If you believe there is their side, the temptation to overno real problem with us- ride rights becomes stronger. The ing the notwithstanding notwithstanding clause then shifts clause, you should be from a constitutional safeguard into prepared to say which human right a blunt instrument. you think is expendSaskatchewan’s use able. The clause can of the notwithstandoverride fundamening clause following a tal freedoms such as Court of King’s Bench expression, religion, injunction is a clear exassociation, peaceful ample. The so-called assembly, and conParents’ Bill of Rights science. It can overwas framed as parental ride legal rights that empowerment, but in protect you from arbipractice it imposed surtrary detention or unveillance and reporting reasonable search and obligations on teachseizure. It can override ers and constrained equality rights, includstudents’ autonomy. ing protections based When the court paused on race, ethnic origin, the law to examine its Shauna Dobbie sex, age and disability. Charter implications, Those are not abstract the province respondprinciples. They are ed by invoking the the practical guardrails that limit clause rather than defending the law state power over individuals. For the on its merits. purposes of this argument, I am setThat matters. An injunction is not ting Quebec aside, not because its a final ruling; it is a judicial pause. It use of the notwithstanding clause exists so that harm is not done beis insignificant, but because its long fore a case is fully heard. Using the standing, routine reliance on it rep- notwithstanding clause to bulldoze resents an extreme case that deserves past that pause signals impatience its own separate discussion. with the very idea of constitutional Supporters of frequent use often review. insist that legislatures, not courts, Historically, the notwithstanding should have the final word. That clause was used sparingly and often argument sounds democratic, but it in direct response to an adverse court misses the point of the Charter itself. ruling or a clear expectation that legThe Charter exists precisely because islation would not survive Charter majority rule can trample minor- scrutiny. While controversial, this ity rights. Courts are not meant to reactive use at least acknowledged govern, but they are meant to slow the courts as part of the constituthings down when governments tional process. Governments argued move too quickly or too bluntly. with judges, lost, and then chose to The law should move slowly and override specific rights for a limited deliberately. That is not a flaw. It is period, accepting the political cost of a feature. When governments chafe doing so. at judicial review, what they are ofWhat has changed is not only freten reacting to is inconvenience. quency, but intent. In recent years, Courts demand evidence. They de- provinces have increasingly built the mand proportionality. They demand notwithstanding clause directly into that governments explain why rights legislation from the outset, explicitly must be limited, and why less intru- to prevent courts from weighing the sive options will not work. evidence or applying the Charter at Invoking the notwithstanding all. Alberta’s recent willingness to inclause bypasses that process. It re- voke the clause in advance, including places legal reasoning with political in labour legislation ordering teachwill. In rare and extreme circum- ers back to work, reflects this shift. stances, that may be justified: A gen- The clause is no longer being treated uine national emergency, or a con- as an exceptional response to judicial stitutional crisis where democratic disagreement, but as a preemptive order itself is at risk. Those were the shield against judicial review itself. kinds of scenarios imagined during Back to work legislation is not the Charter negotiations. new. Governments across Canada What we are seeing today is some- have used it when strikes dragged thing very different. Provinces are on and essential services were affectusing the clause not because the ed. What is new is the pre-emptive courts have made the country un- declaration that Charter rights will governable, but because the courts not apply, before a court has even have asked uncomfortable questions. weighed the balance between labour Public attitudes matter here. When rights and the public interest. people become convinced that they That is not governance under law. are absolutely right, they become u 13 ‘Notwithstanding clause'

Dobbie vs Dobbie

lifestyles55.net

January 2026

Moving in the New Year? Remember, there are tax implications Continued from page 1

pensive miss, as claiming these costs can result a five- business at the old location and establish a new home figure deduction on your tax return. Spoiler alert: be where you and your family will live. If you are working sure the receipts are retrievable because this claim is remotely and it doesn’t matter where you live in order to work, moves to a more convenient location—the usually audited before tax refunds flow. Distance requirements. Your move must take you cottage, Mexico, a cheaper city—will not qualify unless at least 40 kilometres closer to a new work or post- your employer requires this and can provide a letter to secondary location (the shortest public route is con- say so. Eligible expenses. Most expenses for sidered) in Canada. Moves outside of moving to the new location in Canada Canada may qualify if you are a deemed are eligible: or factual resident here. • Expenses relating to home ownerEligible income sources. The move ship. You can deduct expenses associated must be made to earn income from eiwith selling the former residence, inther employment, self-employment or cluding real estate commissions, penalto attend post-secondary school. That ties for paying off a mortgage, legal fees calls for another spoiler alert: investand advertising costs. Also, the costs ment or retirement income, employof keeping a vacant old residence (to ment insurance and passive income a maximum of $5,000) are deductible don’t qualify. Moving expenses can’t be while actively trying to sell it, including claimed against those sources. mortgage interest, property taxes, insurThere are two categories of qualifyance premiums, heat and power. As long ing income sources at the new work loas you owned a home at the old locacation: Evelyn Jacks tion, costs of purchasing the new home, • Net salary or wages. To get to net including transfer taxes and legal fees, income, your gross income must be reduced by deductions like Registered Pension Plan con- can be claimed. • Expenses relating to the move. Eligible expenses tributions, union dues, employment-related expenses and the enhanced premiums paid under the Canada related to the move itself include transportation (by land, air, water). When claiming auto expenses, you Pension Plan. • Net self-employment income. This is what’s left can use either a simplified (auto logs and flat rates after reducing your gross income by your eligible de- for meals and gas charges) or detailed method (auto logs and receipts). And don’t forget receipts for meals ductions. • Student Awards. It’s possible to qualify if you enroute (100% claimable). Know that temporary livmove to accept a student award, like certain scholar- ing expenses (meals and lodging) for up to 15 days ships or bursaries that have a taxable component. But can be claimed, as can the removal, storage costs and even here there is a tax wrinkle: you must be in full- insurance for your household items. Ineligible expenses. While most people don’t undertime attendance at the new school location to qualify stand the breadth of the expenses that are claimable for for the moving expense claim. In each case, you must stop working or operating a an eligible move, even fewer would be able to list off

those expenses that are not deductible. They include things like the costs incurred to make the previous residence more saleable and losses on the sale of the former property or expenses incurred before the move (such as house hunting or job hunting). Most importantly, expenses that have been reimbursed by an employer cannot be claimed. But, if you incur a loss on an employer-required move, it is possible to receive a tax-free reimbursement of up to $15,000 from your employer. Be sure that’s in the contract before you move. The tax form. At tax filing time, claim moving expenses on Form T1-M Moving Expenses Deduction. Either spouse may do so, as long as each had qualifying income at the new location. If there is not enough qualifying income at the new location, for example, if you moved late in the year, moving expenses can be carried forward and used in the next year. Stay calm and seek advice. Moves are indeed disruptive, stressful and expensive. Once life has settled down, make retrieval of moving expense receipts a priority. It can lead to a big tax refund, higher refundable tax credits like the Canada Child Benefit in some cases, and even a reduction in Old Age Security or Employment Insurance clawbacks, given the right circumstances. But, if you fail to seek tax advice as part of your premove planning, tax pain can soon begin. For those who move out of the country entirely, there is no escaping this: a potential departure tax. That’s a real thing for those holding taxable assets. In either case, claim all the moving expenses you’re entitled to and be audit-proof when you do. It’s well worth the spend on professional advice, if you’re not sure. Evelyn Jacks is the best-selling tax author of 55 books, an award-winning business leader and the Founder and President of Knowledge Bureau, a national financial educational institute.

Floor crossing and democracy

loor crossing, when an elected member switches on Trudeau came to define him and his leadership. The parties and crosses from the opposition to the Trudeau agreement with the NDP largely froze out the government, usually, is big news as was the news Conservatives, turning Poilievre into a complainer. The that two Conservative MPs crossed to the Carney Lib- Liberal party under Carney is taking a very different erals. With these crossings, the Liberal minority gov- approach to minority government than Trudeau. The ernment moves to within one member Carney government is neutralizing the of a majority government. Conservative Opposition by governGovernment reps can also leave their ing so far to the right the Conservatives caucus, cabinet and party. Liberal MP have little to complain about. So much Steven Guilbeault stepped down from so it is reported up to five more Consercabinet on Nov. 27, after PM Mark Carvative MPs might feel comfortable joinney signed a pipeline-affirming MOU ing the Liberals. with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Remember Belinda Stronach, the Having a Liberal minister step down Conservative MP, who crossed in 2005 from cabinet may have made the Liberto become a cabinet minister in the als more aggressive in enticing ConserPaul Martin Liberal government, givvatives to abandon Mr. Poilievre and the ing them a majority? Soon after that in Opposition. 2006, Gary Doer brought in a Manitoba The number of MPs and MLAs who law that required MLAs who cross the crossed the floor has grown steadily, floor to sit as independents, not able to Marianne Cerilli with a noticeable increase in the 1990s, join another caucus and party. The Manwhen there were 23 floor crossings. In itoba law prohibiting floor crossing, the the 2000s there were 51 floor crossings in Canada, and only such law in Canada, faced a Charter challenge by in 2010s 57 floor crossings or party switches. So far in MLA Steven Fletcher who had been removed from the 2020s there have been 16 elected representatives who PC caucus and forced to sit as an independent MLA. have switched parties. This is from a Wikipedia site that Manitoba’s floor crossing legislation was repealed in also shows the various moves include members from all 2017. My experience with floor crossing included a parties moving between most other parties. rumour spread in the NDP caucus that if re-elected I Floor crossing is documented as far back as 1860s would leave the NDP and sit as a Green. This was not prior to Confederation. It seems to be a feature of our true, but I was never asked about, instead the rumour parliamentary democracy system, especially in minor- was used against me. ity parliaments where the governing party has the most These cases show floor crossing from a different perseats, but not more than all the other parties combined. spective where it may be protecting internal democracy Understandably Conservatives are upset in losing in the hidden realm of caucus life. A growing trend in MPs to a potential Liberal majority, but is it reasonable all parties is the centralization of power, making MPs to say that floor crossing is undemocratic? A question and MLAs more like cheerleaders rather than elected becomes how much we elect individuals and how much members with democratic rights to input on caucus are we elect party reps? It is true that people are elected decisions and plans. A dynamic develops where those based on a party resources and platform, but our sys- elected are seen to work for political staff, not the other tem has other dynamics at play. way around. The option to sit as part of another party Certainly, floor crossing is unethical when deals are might be one thing that ensures caucus members are brokered, and floor crossing is traded for positions or democratically included rather than treated like trained perks. When MPs are not crossing the floor based on seals; told when to clap, and what to say. principle but are promised jobs, other opportunities, This leads me to the conclusion that if we are goor certain policy trade offs. This transactional approach ing to limit floor crossing then MLAs and MPs must to politics easily slides into abuses of power and cor- have a caucus set of rights or term of reference that give ruption. them assurance of input into policy decisions, strategy In the current parliament Poilievre’s personal attacks or plans. Voters would be surprised how often their January 2026

elected member has no say in the decision governments or opposition parties are taking. A caucus terms of reference would help shore up internal democracy with clear rules on how items get on caucus agendas, how decisions are made, how bills and the budget is developed based on caucus input. Current MLAs describe how internal caucus processes are becoming more centrally controlled, with caucuses and parties being less democratic. Floor crossing can be banned but it would remove the freedom and power of individual elected reps to balance the tremendous coercive power of leader’s offices, governments and even opposition parties. We need more ways to ensure the confidential and hidden aspects in caucuses and parities does not mean power is exercise is undemocratic ways. In 2019 then law student Brenndan Rozier wrote a paper on the Manitoba situation that is worth a read. Marianne Cerilli is an educator and former MLA who works at the intersection of learning, community development and politics.

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“Sticky fig tart: glazed, gushing & ready to crumble” From the chapter: Lick the Spoon... “It came out hot, dripping, and begging for a scoop of cream.”

et’s set the scene: You start with a buttery short love a little ooze? crust—rich, flaky, something that melts on the tongue and cracks under pressure. You press it Here is what you will need: For the Tart Shell (Short crust Pastry): into the tart tin with your fingertips, 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour slow and firm, like you’re whispering ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into secrets to it through touch. cubes Next comes the filling – a blend of 2 tablespoons powdered sugar chopped figs soaked in dark rum or 1 egg yolk brandy (because we don’t do soft drinks 1–2 tablespoons cold water (just enough here). Brown sugar, cinnamon, a litto pull it together) tle nutmeg… it’s the kind of mix that smells like trouble and tastes like your For the Sticky Fig Filling: last good decision before everything got 1 ½ cups dried figs, chopped roughly sticky. (or fresh) You spoon it in, gently. Generously. ½ cup dark brown sugar The figs glisten. They gush. You’re not ¼ cup dark rum or brandy (go strong even pretending to behave anymore. Ian Leatt or go home) Bake until golden. Bubbly. The edges 2 tablespoons butter crisp up just enough to snap under a Foodies 1 teaspoon cinnamon fork but melt like honey once they hit ¼ teaspoon nutmeg your mouth. Now we finish her off… Pinch of salt A drizzle of honey. Maybe even hot honey, if you’re feeling bold. A scoop of vanilla bean 2 eggs ice cream. Cold. Creamy. Then, just a whisper of ½ cup heavy cream sea salt, because sweetness always tastes better when 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for that there’s a little edge. Wicked Twist: This tart may result in: Sticky fingers and crunchy kink zero regrets. Eating it directly from the tin, while the ice To Finish (The Drizzle, Baby): cream runs. Licking honey from places it was never meant Honey (hot honey if you’re nasty) Flaky sea salt to be. Flashbacks for days and cravings that do not quit. Chef ’s Tip: Use fresh figs if you can get ‘em—but dried Vanilla ice cream (because you deserve the cream) ones soaked in booze? Pure indulgence. Pre-bake that crust. You want it sturdy enough to take the load. Go heavy on the The all important how to: Making the Crust: filling. Don’t be shy—this tart wants it full. Add chopped In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and butter until it’s all walnuts or pecans for that dirty crunch factor. Warm it before serving. The heat makes it ooze. And who doesn’t sandy and begging to be touched. Add egg yolk and

just enough cold water to make it come together. Press that dough into a tart tin like you mean it— fingertips, slow, firm. Chill for 30 mins. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 mins, then set aside. In a saucepan, combine figs, brown sugar, rum, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Simmer until figs are drunk and gooey—about 10 minutes. Let it cool just enough so you don’t burn your tongue. Beat together eggs, cream, vanilla. Stir into the fig mix with optional nuts. Pour into the tart shell. Spread it thick and even. No holding back. Ian Leatt is a trained chef from across the pond.

Are you living your dream or...?! Part 2 of 2

others, I came to a spot where not only my outer world was falling apart but also something in me was dying. s with every adventure, the adventure of my Around that time, I was experiencing full blown anxiety. new Canadian life had many twists and turns. At Over years, my body was silently keeping the score of times I found myself in very challenging places the denial I was living in. The psychosomatic symptoms and situations, other times I experienced and discovered were “screaming” for my attention to face the truth. fascinating things about life. I observed that I was acting differently in different places as I was taking on different My initial inability to understand roles in my life. This led me to asking myself or speak English became not only big existential questions like “Who am I?” If I my greatest challenge but it also prewas not any of these ever-changing roles, then sented to me incredible opportuniwho was I? ties. I wouldn’t have had them if I Somewhat reluctantly but determined to had spoken the language. Unable to get to the bottom of it, I took on the most understand what people were saying, frightening journey. I journeyed within. What I learned to pay close attention to the I discovered there was life changing. intonation, speed and pitch of their In the process, I questioned my belief sysvoices. I observed micro signals, facial expressions, body language, energetic tems and realized that most of them were shifts in human group dynamics, etc. based on beliefs of others that I had adopted, While logical, spoken language was not my personal experiences of life. I graduZofia Dove not the primary source of informalearned how to pay attention to my inner Dove's Discoveries ally tion for me. Unaware of this at first, I knowing. I was slowly returning to my Self. turned to and focused on non-verbal The process was grueling and at times painways of communication. I learned ful. As I was discovering my truth, my health how non- verbal “language” accurately expresses our completely improved. The gradual collapse of my outer inner emotional states, thoughts, and even intentions. world directed me inwards. To follow such Life’s guidGiven that over 60% of our communication is non- ance required a lot of courage on my part. It was the verbal, I was learning a lot about people just by pay- ultimate step into the unknown. ing attention, listening to and observing them. During Interestingly enough as my personal, inner experience this time, I developed many new skills, amongst them was shifting, so was my professional one. strong emotional intelligence which became very helpSomehow new opportunities led me to end of life ful in working with patients. situations. It seemed I could not run away from it. It What followed was rather fascinating. The new ex- led to my work with gravely ill and dying patients. Even perience of paying attention to other people’s non-ver- outside of my professional life I found myself volunteerbal signals eventually shifted into observing myself. It ing at hospices and spending time with dying people. It shifted during the hardest chapter of my life, when the was there where the ever recurring and persisting in me ultimate storm was raging: my best friend was dying of questions “What’s out there, beyond the horizon?” and cancer, my marriage of 25 years was falling apart, and “Who am I?” were being answered in the most incredfinancial problems were piling up. Here I was living life ible ways. I was experiencing fascinating things by the in one of the richest countries of the World, and some- bedside of the gravely ill and dying people. I learned thing was terribly wrong in my life. It seemed every- many Life’s lessons from my patients, amongst others, thing was falling apart, and I couldn’t fix it or control it. how they regretted not following their dreams and not Have you ever had such an experience? taking chances in life. Inspired by my patients I wrote See, up to this point I was following the advice of and published my first book “Unexpected Gifts”, which well-intentioned friends, living by rules of the religion I became a local best seller. I used that book in assisting was born into, the cultural norms and teachings of the patients in their journeys. elders. All these rules promised me a happy life, but as The ultimate storm of my life took me precisely where I faithfully followed all these traditions and the ideas of I was meant to arrive!

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With the publication of the book, new opportunities started opening up. I spoke to groups of professionals in the US and Europe, I was invited to present to 2,000 businesspeople at SHE Day at Winnipeg’s Convention Centre, to 400 Muslim women at the Canadian Human Rights Museum, at the Palliative Care Conference. I spoke to physicians, top leaders and executives at the prestigious Asper School of Business, to name a few. Like years earlier, as a new immigrant to Canada, while waiting in the blizzard for a taxi which was to take me to the sewing factory for a night shift, now each time an opportunity for a presentation was opening up, I was asking myself again the same question, “How did I get here?” Life was opening new doors in the most mysterious of ways. Equipped with the new answers to the question “What’s beyond the horizon” and “Who am I?”, at this point a single mother of four, I was faithfully stepping through the opening doors. I took on new chances. It felt and still feels as if I am living the dream of my life. In my recent conversations with my 93 years old mother, I learned that one of my grandfather’s dreams was to immigrate to North America. The Second World War stopped him. My mother also told me that my two great granduncles immigrated to Canada and for a short time lived in Winnipeg, only to return to the old country at the beginning of the First World Word to join the army. They paid the ultimate price for my freedom, never fulfilling their dreams. And here I am, a few generations later, living my dream. What a privilege! What a blessing! Unlike my ancestors, in my lifetime I was given the chance to connect to my inner compass, my dream, an inner calling and take on opportunities which others never had. It required of me a total trust in Life's guidance. Would you follow your dreams? You don’t need to know the whole journey. It all starts with one step, one phone call, one move! I believe the best time to act on your dream was when you had the thoughts about it for the first time, the second best time is now. When we are true to our hearts’ callings and act, impossible becomes possible and Life assists us in the most incredible of ways. Zofia Dove is an international keynote speaker, author and producer, host and director of the series “Discovering Beauty Everywhere”. January 2026

Shelmerdine Garden Centre

Now the largest and most diversified greenhouse operation in Winnipeg

helmerdine Garden Centre on Roblin (just past at the University of Manitoba, she first worked as a 40 brought on for the peak summer and Christmas the Perimeter) is a truly magical place. Inside store designer for Winnipeg’s Palliser Furniture until seasons. Labbe reports that business continues to its doors, you will find a wide range of prod- 2005. grow at a steady rate – even through the Covid lockucts – clothing and giftware, specialty foods, greeting At that time, according to the Free Press report, downs. During that period, he notes, a lot of people cards, home and garden furniture and other accesso- Shelmerdine Garden Centre was beginning to ex- became more interested in gardening. ries (for kitchens and patios), tools and pand its scope and needed a designer. Post Covid, he adds, there has been an increased supplies for lawn care, and, of course, She later agreed to join her father as a interest in Shelmerdine’s educational workshops. Winnipeg’s largest stock of greenhouse partner, as she wanted to continue the “We have been offering the workshops mainly durgrown vegetables and flowers, annual ing the Christmas season,” Labbe points out. “We family legacy and her father’s vision. and perennials, tropicals, and ornaAfter Bent’s retirement last year, are getting 30 to 40 people at each of our gardenmentals. Labbe forged a new partnership – as related workshops. We are considering offering the “Shelmerdine is the largest and most of last February – with Matt Bell and workshops more frequently throughout the year. It diversified retail garden centre in Winhis Geller’s Design Build Landscape, will depend on demand.” nipeg,” boasts co-owner Chad Labbe. Coming in the spring, Labbe notes, will be another long-time family-owned busi“We constantly strive to be leaders in Shelmerdine’s new supply division catering largely ness. our industry.” “With Geller’s premier landscape to contractors and DIYers. “We are planning on Shelmerdine Garden Centre’s begincompany now part of the Shelmer- reconfiguring some of our existing display areas to ning goes back to 1937. According to dine property, the vision of offering house our new division’s range of products,” he says. the company history, Walter ShelmerHe points out that Shelmerdine doesn’t have to a complete, full-circle landscape soluMyron Love dine started his business in Charlestion has become a reality,” Labbe says. do much advertising outside of its social media preswood by growing fruit trees – mainly “Whether you’re looking to transform ence. “Shelmerdine over the years has become a desapple varieties – which were sold mostyour outdoor space, explore unique tination,” he says. “We get customers coming from ly to farmers in Charleswood in west Winnipeg. In locally grown plants, or find thoughtfully curated all over the province. 1944, he increased his market by knocking on doors products, we’re here to help bring your ideas to “As we look to the future, we are continuing to during the winter months offering to draw landscape life.” expand our offerings with new services and prodplans for homeowners, producing plant catalogues The now larger company, Labbe reports, has a ucts – while staying true to what makes Shelmerdine and undertaking landscaping contracts. work force of 40-60 year-round with another 30 to special and staying rooted in tradition.” In 1953, Shelmerdine Nursery produced its first plant catalog, advertising home landscape plans for $5, and trees and shrubs ranging from 50 cents to $2. Over the years, Shelmerdine continued to grow his business – expanding the retail store and landscaping division – and, along the way, adding several partners. Shelmerdine retired in 1967. The remaining partners sold the original site in Charleswood in 1974 and relocated to the present much larger garden center on an 80-acre lot in Headingley. According to the company webpage, “During the 1970s and 1980s, housing developments cropped up in Winnipeg, and the fleet of Shelmerdine landscaping trucks and crews could be seen landscaping entire streets at a time”. For years, noted Bo Wohlers, in an interview in the April 17, 2017, edition of the Winnipeg Free Press, the business operated in a renovated house on three acres, mainly selling trees and shrubs that were grown on 50 acres farther west in Headingley on what is now the business’ current site. Choosing funeral and cemetery plans can Wohlers, who is a trained landscape engineer originally from Germany, joined the four partners who be overwhelming to a grieving spouse. then owned the company in 1973. “We operated year-round,” he told the Free Press, “and were also in Plan the details now. Together. concrete production. We used moulds to create concrete fountains, bird baths and lawn ornaments. Order your FREE Estate Planning “Having realized that we outgrew our site in Kit by calling or visiting the locations Charleswood,” he continued, “we relocated to 7800 Roblin Blvd. in 1974, and in 1976 built our first listed below. greenhouse.” There are now 23 greenhouses covering about Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery three acres. 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB It was in the late ‘80s that I came into the picture. 204-819-4297 I began writing for a national greenhouse industry magazine and got to know Jan Pedersen – one of the Glen Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery partners at the time (he succeeded his father as a partner in the business). I interviewed him many times 455 Lagimodiere Blvd., Winnipeg, MB over the next 20 years or so – following up with 204-900-8547 stories about the garden centre’s ongoing growth or getting his perspective on my twice annual crossGlen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery country surveys of the state of the industry. In 2005, the company reorganized into two sepa4477 Main St., West St. Paul, MB rate, but closely operating companies - the retail store 204-817-8621 known as Shelmerdine Garden Center Ltd. and the commercial landscaping operation, Shelmerdine Ltd. Desjardins Funeral Home The commercial landscape operation was eventually 357 Des Meurons St., sold and relocated. In 2010, on Pedersen’s retirement, Wohlers – the Winnipeg, MB last remaining partner – took on two new partners 204-813-6063 – his daughter, Nicole Bent, and longtime employee Chad Labbe. The latter began working at Shelmer*Research conducted by Willful and Arbor Memorial Inc. in a 2020 survey. dine 35 years ago, just out of high school. “My mother had been urging me to find a parttime job,” he told the Free Press in 2017. “I was watering, sweeping and loading carts. I hated it.” But, after a short time, he developed a passion for nurturing plants. “I was very fortunate to find something that I loved doing at such an early age,” he said. He started working in the nursery – later moving into sales and growing before getting an opportunity to join the management team. Along the way, he earned his landscape technician certificate at Red River College, with Shelmerdine sponsoring him as Arbor Memorial Inc. a journeyman. Nicole Bent started working at Shelmerdine at a young age. After earning an interior design degree

66% of Canadian families haven’t discussed their final wishes*

January 2026

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Teaching kids HOW to think

Continued from page 1

only works when its citizens can debate serious issues leadership. That is social engineering, and it is shrinking without being cast as enemies of the state or enemies the space for democratic discussion. of each other. Meanwhile, in one high school classroom, a teacher I have written before about land rights and why we trusted his students more than our federal governmust address the topic directly. Avoiding ment seems to trust ordinary citizens. He it does not help reconciliation. Pretendshowed them what real democracy looks ing everyone agrees does not bring clarlike. He did not force them to adopt a ity or progress. We cannot build a stronparticular view. He gave them a chance to ger future when we refuse to discuss the think clearly, speak respectfully and listen present. In past columns I have raised to one another. That is how a healthy sostraightforward questions that many Caciety operates. It is how our country was nadians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, supposed to work. ask quietly. How do we balance historiThe ability to agree and disagree while cal grievances with present-day realities? still respecting each other is the foundaHow do we respect treaty obligations and tion of Canada’s identity. We have never property rights at the same time? What been a country of identical views. We should governments actually do, beyond have been a country of neighbours who symbolic gestures and carefully crafted can hear one another out, then go back Kevin Klein talking points? to living side by side. When I served on These are not hateful questions. They council and later in the Legislature, I met are necessary questions. Yet in the current people every day who disagreed with me. climate, even raising them draws attacks from a small Sometimes strongly. Yet we were still able to talk, and but vocal group of activists. Not debate, attacks. You we were still Canadians. Somehow that simple truth is can see it in the language used online toward anyone being pushed aside. who does not repeat the approved lines. Racist. Denier. We cannot allow a radical fringe to decide which Bigot. The intent is not to answer an argument; it is to opinions are safe and which people are allowed to speak. end the conversation. Nobody should be afraid to share how they feel or what This is the culture the Government of Canada has they think, on either side of this debate. That includes allowed to grow. Instead of encouraging open conver- Indigenous Canadians who may disagree with the loudsation, it rewards moral grandstanding and treats any est activists, and non-Indigenous Canadians who are dissent as suspect. When officials and their allies frame trying in good faith to understand what is fair. Silencing honest questions as dangerous, many Canadians quickly one group does not help another. It only breeds resentconclude that silence is safer than speaking. That is not ment and confusion.

This one teacher is a quiet hero. He is allowing young people to develop their own opinions, to experience real discussion that is not driven by hate, name-calling, blaming or abuse. He is teaching them that disagreement is not violence, and that questions are not crimes. He is giving them a skill that our national leaders seem to have forgotten: how to argue without destroying each other. Imagine if more classrooms looked like that. Imagine if our Parliament, our media panels and our boardrooms followed the same basic rule: everyone gets to speak, everyone must be respectful, and nobody gets shouted down for asking a hard question. We would have fewer slogans and more solutions. Fewer campaigns built on outrage and more decisions grounded in facts and consequences. As adults, we should be embarrassed that we have allowed fear to replace dialogue. We should also be motivated to fix it. That starts with refusing to hand control of the conversation to radical voices that demand silence instead of discussion. It means defending the right of Canadians to talk about land rights, crime, immigration, taxes and every other serious issue without being smeared for doing so. We can all agree to disagree and still be friends, still be neighbours, still be Canadians. That is how it should be. I do not think I have ever felt more honoured than when I learned that one of my columns helped a group of Grade 11 students have an open and respectful discussion about our country. If a single classroom can model that kind of courage and civility, then there is hope that Canada can do the same. Kevin Klein is the publisher of the Winnipeg Sun.

When do residents get a say on whether or not a “safe” injection site is safe for them?

ver the last week there have of the neighbourhood residents were been four meetings in the Point not aware of this meeting. It was left Douglas Logan area of Win- to community members to take it upon nipeg, where the NDP government has themselves to hand deliver over 600 flyproposed a drug injection site. I have ers across the neighbourhood. attended each of these meetings and During each of these meetings, the listened to the concerns vast majority of questions of the residents who live were not answered. This and work in the area. is not to say they were Only one thing is abunnot answered to attenddantly clear following ees’ satisfaction – they these four sessions: there were not answered at all, is no plan. or the response was “I The proposed site was don’t know”. The followannounced on Friday, ing are just a sampling of December 5th, less than the questions that were 24 hours after the close met with little more than of the fall sitting of the a shrug of the shoulders: Manitoba Legislature. On what date will the This is significant for two site be officially open? Jeff Bereza reasons. As the critic for How many people will Manitoba Housing, Adwork at the site? dictions and HomelessHow many people will ness, it is my job to ask questions and be allowed to use the site at one time? hold the government accountable for How many people will be allowed in its decisions, but the timing of the an- line outside the site? nouncement meant it could not be deHow long will a person be required bated in the chamber. to remain at the site after using drugs? Second, the first of the four commuThose questions that did get a renity meetings was already scheduled sponse did nothing to reassure those in for the following week, meaning most attendance. For example, residents were

repeatedly told there will be professionals – doctors, paramedics, nurses, and mental health workers staffing the site to provide information about treatment and rehabilitation options. Yet when asked how this would be possible with the current shortage in each of those categories, there was no response. Also unclear is the question of safety and security for the people working at the site. The WPS has pledged an “immediate response” to deal with any criminal activity. We already have a shortage of police officers throughout Manitoba. Surely an immediate response will require extra police staff – where will they come from? If the government is already unable to keep doctors and nurses in the province’s hospitals safe and protected, how can people be expected to believe an immediate response to crime at a drug injection site is even remotely possible? Again – no answer. Also worrying is the lack of any plan for data collection. We were told it’s important to “build up trust” before any sort of record-keeping is implemented. This means there is a real danger that minors will be accessing the site. In addition, with no information around where

site users are coming from, their ages, or any other statistics, the site’s success or lack thereof cannot be measured. One question that was answered were the proposed hours the site will be open – from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday. The notion of a drug injection site the government is stating will “save lives” not being open evenings and weekends is almost too absurd to comprehend. The accusation that push-back and questions from neighbours and businesses is nothing more than nimby-ism is unfair and insulting. It is difficult to imagine a neighbourhood that would want a drug injection site to set up shop. The citizens and business owners of Point Douglas, some of whom have been in the neighbourhood for decades, deserve a say in their community. So far, every proposed site has been met with the same concerns and questions, and the provincial response has also been the same: according to Minister Smith, “We are mandated to open a drug injection site.” The question remains: by whom? You can guess at the answer. Jeff Bereza is the MLA for Portage La Prairie

LETTERS

A gentle correction Dear Dorothy: As you know (I hope), I always look forward to your columns in Lifestyles and the Sun and generally agree with everything you write. So please forgive me, but I feel I have to point out some inaccuracies in your column on Israel in the current Lifestyles edition. First, Mahmoud Abbas is not the leader of Hamas. He is the sworn enemy of Hamas. Abbas' organization is Fatah. He is also the President of the Palestinian Authority, which administers the Palestinian areas, area A, of the West Bank according 8

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to the Oslo agreement, Israel remains in control of Area C - the area where all the new and now not so new Jewish communities are located - as also outlined in the accords pending a final settlement which Abbas has refused to negotiate. Abbas was elected president of the PA – which also included Gaza at that time – in 2005. He hasn't called an election since and is deeply unpopular among his people. A subsequent Palestinian election was held in 2006 for a prime minister and legislature. Hamas won. Abbas refused to recognize the results. Hamas in Gaza then murdered or expelled all people affiliated with the PA in Gaza. Also, the "two-state" solution is a fantasy. When Hamas talks about liberat-

ing Palestine, they are quite clear that they remain all of Israel. Although the PA is more circumspect about it, that is also their goal – as reflected in their encouragement of terrorism and financial support of their families. Abbas is not a "partner for Peace"and never has been. Polls consistently show that the great majority of Israeli and Palestinians reject any two-state solution. I know it doesn't fit with the mandate of Lifestyles but if you are interested in a series of columns explaining the IsraelPalestian dynamic, I would be happy to volunteer based on my own extensive knowledge of the history of the conflict, the real Israel and the longstanding Jewish ties to the land. Myron Love

Thanks, Myron. That will teach me a lesson not to believe everything AI generated answers provide. I am sure many folks would welcome clarification of some of the more complex issues surrounding the conflict. By the way, I don’t have an opinion on how things should be solved. I was there during the first Intafada, and was asked by the prime minister, at that time Yitzhak Shamir, how Canada could help. I said then and believe now that there is little any outside country can do, that this has to be sorted out by the people involved. But I have no advice for them either. Your understanding of the issues would shed more light on them for us. Dorothy Dobbie January 2026

Canada’s Indigenous future is now Wab makes a new conquest

ince the time Europeans first the schools I attended. The first Inset foot in North America, digenous people I actually spoke to there has been war, strife, con- were at the University of Manitoba. quest, genocide, and the subjugation However, I have more recently had of the Indigenous people who lived the privilege of experiencing Indighere. Their suffering under colonial- enous traditions, culture, and spiriism was horrific, and even today the tualism in ways most Canadians have living conditions and basic quality of not, and I am deeply grateful for that. life for many Indigenous people are I have shared stories and only marginally better listened to perspectives than those found in most that reshaped my views third-world countries. and understanding of What we are living Canada’s Indigenous through now is an inpeople. credible emergence. As mentioned, there More and more Indigeare still far too few Innous people are rising to digenous people in the positions of importance, private sector today. For influence, and leaderall their ridiculous DEI ship. The most promivirtue signaling, the big nent of these is the Honbanks still have no meanourable Premier Wab ingful Indigenous particRomel Dhalla Kinew, whose achieveipation. Banks and most On The ments and leadership I major corporate boardMoney will discuss later. rooms remain effectively First, however, I think off-limits to Indigenous it is important to note the success of people, unless they are being wooed Canada’s efforts around Truth and as chiefs for their assets or business Reconciliation. Prior to this major relationships. But thanks to the transpolicy shift, Indigenous people were formation of public institutions and nowhere to be seen in modern soci- the rise of leaders like the Honourety. The racism, cultural humiliation, able Premier Wab Kinew, we can look and segregation Indigenous people forward to more people from this suffered over the centuries had not beautiful culture joining the halls of meaningfully improved. They had the corporate Canada. lowest levels of education, employWab Kinew is an inspirational figment, and per-capita GDP. Many were ure, and I would also say he is a bit relegated to living on desolate and of a miracle. Think about what he has impoverished reserves. The country had to overcome to reach this point that many First Nations signed trea- in his life. One of the most importies with, one that had promised them tant things he has done, in my view, care, barely delivered it. is the creation of the Crown IndigIndigenous people were subject to enous Corporation. I will admit that a vicious loop of poverty, with limited my first reaction came from my old options to participate in the wealthy societal programming: That’s not fair. capitalist society they could see all They don’t deserve half ownership. around them. The barriers they faced Don’t we give them enough already? were not just geographic isolation or Thankfully, I can now catch that kind reserve-based segregation, but also the of negative thinking quickly. ugly, invisible barrier of racism. I recall This new Crown corporation does early in my career in banking how few exactly what it needs to do. It creates minorities were present in our major opportunity for Indigenous participafinancial institutions. I certainly recall tion, particularly in corporate leaderthat not a single person I knew at any ship. It is only a start, though. We bank was of Indigenous origin. Sadly, need many more initiatives like this if that has not changed much. we are truly serious about transformIndigenous participation in private ing outcomes for Indigenous people corporations remains extremely low. I over the long term. do not need statistics to tell you this, Hopefully, under Premier Kinew’s you see it every day. Many did not suc- leadership, we will see more doors ceed in a school system that, until re- open for Indigenous people, perhaps cently, was not at all accommodating even in banking and finance, and to them. Many moved into cities, had sooner rather than later. large families, and lived on the rent It will happen. It must. rolls of slumlords. Too many lived in As a Canadian, I bear shame for poverty, addiction, and violence. how poorly this country has treated So, it is at least a good thing that its Indigenous people. But I also have Indigenous people are entering public pride in seeing real changes being institutions. More and more are gain- made, real changes that, for once, are ing visibility every year, and that is a having a positive impact. very good thing for many reasons. What about poor White people, Finally, after years of land acknowl- Black people, or immigrants? Don’t edgements and Indigenous priori- they deserve help too? All people detization in our public affairs we are serve equal opportunity but based on starting to see real Indigenous partici- what I know and what I see the playpation in Canadian society. But, the ing field still skews heavily against Infact that there are still so few in the private sector is because, in my view, too many barriers to entry remain. There are still people with racist attitudes, no doubt, but these days I do not think that is the predominant reason. I believe most Canadians have developed a greater appreciation and respect for Indigenous culture, I know I have. I was once among the group of Canadians who held negative opinions of Indigenous people, opinions rooted in racism: that they were lazy, unintelligent, unwilling to work, and that they chose to live on reserves to preserve a backward way of life. There were no Indigenous people at any of January 2026

digenous people. More must be done. More control must be given. More wealth must be transferred. More opportunities must exist for education, training, and employment. Do I sound like a socialist? Perhaps. I would note that I am generally very conservative in my views. However, this is one area where I feel strongly that a societal approach is required to improve outcomes where the invisible hand clearly has not worked. Some argue that Indigenous people did not succeed because they became dependents of the state, and that may be partially true. Welfare dependency is real and it does damage individual motivation. But the centuries of brutality inflicted by British colonialism undoubtedly caused far deeper harm, shattering families, culture, and dignity. I cannot begin to imagine what daily life must have felt like when you were treated as less than human. The closest comparison I can draw is to the “untouchables” caste in India, where life itself was deemed as less valuable. Canada must do more to repair this multigenerational damage. Conservatives, in particular, need to open their minds to the injustice and inequality inflicted upon Indigenous people. I believe Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper was on the right track when he sought to improve Indigenous governance, especially by addressing the reality that many chiefs enriched themselves while their communities continued to suffer. Prime Minister Harper introduced accountability, and the Liberals were wrong to repeal those measures. However, the Liberals did what Conservatives did not: they placed Indigenous healing at the top of Canada’s agenda and began addressing historical injustices directly. Their approach was far from perfect or efficient, but I cannot deny that I am seeing change, and that I am glad to see it. What does this mean for Canada’s future? The Truth and Reconciliation process has brought Indigenous issues to the forefront like never before. Our country is slowly awakening to the idea that Indigenous leadership makes sense. More people I speak with now

see this as natural and something that should have happened long ago. This brings me back to Premier Kinew and his leadership. Do I agree with everything he and the NDP are doing in Manitoba? No. I have never agreed entirely with any political party, and I do not think anyone should. Democracy requires debate, disagreement, and no protection from discomfort. What I admire most about Premier Kinew is that he strikes me as an honest broker with genuinely good intentions. That also goes for some of his cabinet members whom I find exceedingly bright and hardworking. Premier Kinew brings a fresh and refreshing approach to governance. I see him working with labour and the business community in a plain, transparent way that appears to be benefiting both sides. Everyone seems to be winning under his government’s leadership. His leadership is also having a national impact. He is inspiring many people, not just Indigenous ones. I believe this will have a profound effect on Canada as hardened attitudes soften, racial barriers fall, and more Indigenous people assume leadership roles because they are deserving of them and not because they are Indigenous. This might mean Canada changes. It might even mean greater Indigenous ownership, leadership, and participation in governance. And I am all for that. Premier Wab Kinew is not just an example. He is the way forward. Romel Dhalla, is President of Dhalla Advisory Corp., provides strategic corporate finance advice to companies and high net worth individuals and was a portfolio manager and investment advisor with two major Canadian banks for 17 years. Contact him at romel@ dacorp. ca. Any views or opinions represented in this article are personal and belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.

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Reputation and the granting of recognition and awards

ver the years, I have had many nated for awards are astoundingly occasions on which I have brilliant, have great professional crebeen asked to write letters of dentials, and have become successful reference for people for educational in a variety of ways in their lifetime. opportunities, new jobs, There is a similarity in volunteer awards, the the individuals in that Order of Manitoba and none of the people I the Order of Canada. have nominated for recOn each of those occaognition have engaged sions, I have taken the in their community actime to consider the tivities because they are special mixture of perseeking awards. They sonal qualities, giftedhelp because they see ness, persistence, generneeds in the community osity, and overall impact or neighbourhood that the person has had on can be met through the an organization, comcollective effort of comTrudy Schroeder munity, or nation when munity members to adRandom preparing my letters of dress the problems and support or nomination. make our society better Notes I suppose that somefor all of us. They get times a person can be involved because they called upon to act heroically or self- are asked to participate, and they willlessly in one extraordinary moment of ingly give up their time, skills, and fibravery, and a reputation of a lifetime nancial resources to make great things is based on that one astounding act of happen. Some people feel called to courage. Those people who can sum- help address social causes, health and mon courage or bravery in the face of research causes, large special initiaextraordinary obstacles are certainly tives in the community, educational worthy of recognition and thanks from programs, poverty reduction, climate the community. However, most of the change, community wellness, literacy, time, the people who become stand international peace, cultural instituout community members do so over tions, sports initiatives, human rights, a long period of time. They contrib- international development or world ute to a variety of causes with stead- peace. fast and reliable effort. They can be One of my friends serves on the secounted on to support initiatives for lection panel for a prestigious award. the betterment of society through the He has mentioned that sometimes contribution of their professional skills people who have advanced degrees and expertise as well as the skills they feel that because they are very well edhave developed through a lifetime of ucated and distinguished in a difficult involvement in community enterprise. field, they should be awarded this type Many of the people I have nomi- of recognition. He said that it really

Trudy Schroeder and Daniel Raiskin with the Grey Cup. isn’t about how great you are, how rich you are, how beautiful you are, or how amazing you think you are. The selection panels look for community members who have worked persistently over time to improve the life of the community. This is not done for professional recognition or financial reward. The question that panel members are asked is “if this person had not done this, how likely is it that this initiative or project or achievement would have been accomplished?” A person’s reputation is generally not made quickly, it is developed from years of effort and training. The good thing is that a reputation that is built on years of contribution and positive effort is also more resilient to damage

as well. Your good reputation is not changed because one person has disliked something that you have done. The complexity of developing that profile in the community also makes the reputation difficult to destroy. It is also important to have people in the community who take the time and effort to nominate people for these recognition awards. Perhaps this is a year that you could take the time to nominate someone you know who has made a remarkable contribution to the life of the community in any field of endeavour. Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.

Why investors still don’t trust Canada’s pipeline promises

anadians have seen this movie before. A see risk layered upon risk. A MOU does not overfederal announcement is rolled out with ride legislation. It does not bind future governsolemn language, carefully staged opti- ments. It does not neutralize provincial opposimism and the promise of progress, only to dis- tion. It does not compensate for policies that solve under the weight of reality. The recent mem- make projects uneconomic before a shovel ever orandum of understanding between Ottawa and hits the ground. In that sense, the agreement may expose how Alberta on energy infrastructure fits that pattern far Canada has drifted from normal all too well. governance. In the past, governOn paper, the MOU signals coopments set the rules, regulators aseration. In practice, it exposes the sessed projects and industry built deeper problem facing the country: them. Today, even discussing a pipea federal government that appears line requires political side deals, new to substitute symbolism for leaderbureaucratic offices and symbolic ship and process for outcomes. That gestures designed to manage headis not leadership. It is choreography. lines rather than outcomes. At its core, the agreement is meant The creation of a National Projto revive confidence in Canada’s ect Office illustrates the problem. ability to move major energy projInstead of simplifying the process, ects forward, including pipelines it adds another layer, another gateand associated infrastructure. Yet keeper, on top of an already cumbernothing in the MOU alters the polisome system. However capable the cies that drove investors away in the David Leis individuals involved, the signal is first place. unmistakable: projects increasingly Carbon pricing continues to escalate. Net-zero commitments remain intact. Regu- no longer advance because they meet regulatory latory uncertainty persists. British Columbia re- standards, but because they survive political negomains openly hostile to new pipelines. And every tiation. That shift has consequences. Canada’s hydrocarbon energy sector remains project must still navigate a highly politicized apone of the country’s largest sources of employproval process that has repeatedly failed. The skepticism voiced by industry veterans is ment, investment and export revenue. Yet it is not ideological. It is rooted in experience. Cana- treated as a political liability rather than a strada has approved major pipeline projects through tegic asset. The result has been what many anaestablished regulatory channels only to see them lysts describe as a decade of stagnation, declining cancelled following political decisions. Northern competitiveness and a steady outflow of capital to Gateway was one such example. Keystone XL was jurisdictions where rules are clearer and commitanother. Investors were told approvals mattered ments are credible. The contrast with the U.S. is particularly stark. until they did not. That history matters. Capital has a memory. While Ottawa tightens carbon constraints and When private-sector proponents look at the raises costs on domestic producers, Washington is current landscape, they do not see clarity. They moving in the opposite direction, easing regula10

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tory burdens in the name of competitiveness and energy security. Canada is asking its industries to run uphill, against policy and geography, while its closest competitor makes it easier to invest and build. That is not environmental stewardship. It is economic self-sabotage. Leadership requires making choices and owning their consequences. If the federal government believes its net-zero targets justify constraining oil and gas development, it should say so plainly and accept the economic trade-offs. If it believes hydrocarbon energy exports are essential to national prosperity, then policy must align with that objective. What does not work is attempting to hold both positions simultaneously while expecting the private sector to absorb the contradictions. Ultimately, Canadians will judge this agreement not by its language but by its results. Will a new pipeline be built? Will private capital return? Will timelines shorten rather than stretch into decades? Or will this MOU join a growing list of announcements that promised momentum but delivered delay? Leadership is not about managing impressions. It is about setting a direction and creating the conditions for others to act. Until Ottawa resolves the conflict between its climate rhetoric and its economic responsibilities, no amount of symbolism will restore trust or growth. Canada does not lack resources. It lacks national leadership. And no memorandum of understanding can substitute for that. David Leis is the Frontier Centre for Public Policy’s President and CEO and host of the Leaders on the Frontier podcast. Summary: Frontier President David Leis says Canada’s pipeline MOU is déjà vu: grand announcements, zero results. Investors still see risk, not reform—and no memo can fix a system built on political theatre, not trust. January 2026

10 neat things about bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes 1. Roots or stems. When it comes to bulbs, why they have so many different names? It’s because they are not all the same. There are true bulbs, as in onions and tulips; there are corms, as in liatris and gladiolus; there are rhizomes, as in iris and ginger; and there are tubers, as in potatoes and dahlias. Actually, while we call them all roots, some are really part of the stem, gorged with food for the next generation. The real roots grow from this underground storage system. In tubers, it is the roots that swell with stored food. 2. Bulbs are a many layered thing. Bulbs are made up of fleshy layers covered, as in tulips and onions, by a thin papery layer called a tunic to protect the tender ‘leaves’ below. Little bulblets will grow from the base of the bulb to ensure propagation of the plant. Lilies and garlic are also bulbs and also produce bulblets, but lily bulbs are arranged differently, in side-by-side scales instead of in layers. New plants can be grown from the bulblets. Asiatic lilies and tiger lilies will also develop bulblets at the leaf axis on their stems that can be nurtured into new plants (takes 2 to 3 years). Oriental lilies do not produce theses stem bulbils but will produce seeds where the flower used to be. 3. The incredible corm. Corms appear as flattened bulbs and it is sometimes hard to distinguish top from bottom. Look for a tiny pointed tip on one side and the vestiges of hairy roots on the other. Corms generally last one year, being used up and replaced by a new corm that forms on top of the old one at the base of the growing tip. Corms also produce cormlets or cormels. These form from the basal plate by the roots. Corms planted nearer to the surface will produce more cormlets. Some corms such as those of cro-

cosmia send out stolons which will produce new corms at their tips. 4. The saviour corms. Some corms grow a special type of root called contractile roots which will pull the corm deeper into the soil if temperatures and light levels vary too much. When the corm is deep enough for protection, these roots stop growing. In areas where corms are hunted by rooting animals, they can be found buried at quite a depth. 5. Underground eyes. Some tubers, such as potatoes, oxalis, anemones and caladium, have buds all over their surface. We call these eyes in potatoes and it from here that new plant shoots emerge. In the case of dahlias, buds are produced from the top end of a cluster of finger-like roots. Keep these intact in storage then be sure that each fingerling has an eye (shoots) when separating them for planting in spring. 6. Giving rhize to new plants. Rhizomes can produce the most beautiful plants – but in numbers that may not please the tidy gardener. These plants send their roots in a horizontal direction, defying gravity and sending up new babies along

the way. If you leave a piece of rhizome in the soil, it will send up a shoot to develop into a whole new plant structure while sending down roots to nourish the new plant factory. Ginger, lotus, canna, bamboo and lily of the valley are all rhizomes. 7. So, what’s a stolon if not a rhizome? Stolons are similar to rhizomes except that they spring from the stem of a plant rather than being an actual stem. A stolon rises from a stem and sends out short internodes that generate new shoots at the end. The strawberry plant is an example. 8. The seedy story. Tulips have seeds. Lilies have seeds. Iris have seeds. Dahlias have seeds. Lily of the valley have seeds. Potatoes have seeds. But all these bulbous plants will grow much faster if planted from bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers. In most cases, it takes two or three years or even more to get a flowering plant from the seeds. 9. How deep should I plant my bulbs? Rule of thumb for most bulbs is to plant them three times as deep as the bulb is tall if the bulb is big. For smaller bulbs, put them down about four to five inches. In really cold climates, you may want to go down a little bit deeper for protection or add some mulch over the planting hole for bulbs such as hyacinths. 10. Food for the springtime. Plant the bulbs in groups – dig a hole several inches deep and poke the bulbs into the soil at the bottom with the growing tip facing up – if you’re not sure, put the bulb on its side – it will figure it out. Add a bit of bone meal and or compost to your planting hole. Bulbs generally like it somewhat dry so don’t plant in a bog unless it’s a pseudocorus iris or bamboo which like water. If squirrels dig up tulip bulbs, put a bit of chicken wire just under the soil above the planting hole for protection of your babies.

UNH Research finds friendship can be an important lifeline for older adults without Children

ew study shows social connection can significantly reduce loneliness later in life. (December 4, 2025) Friendship can be one of the keys to staying heathier later in life – that was one of the key findings from new research at the University of New Hampshire that took a closer look into the growing public health concern of loneliness. The study found that older adults without children are more vulnerable to loneliness, but good friends helped fill that void. “Social connection is incredibly important. It’s linked to both physical and mental health outcomes,” said Alison Rataj, research scientist at UNH’s Institute for Health Policy and Practice and Center on Aging and Community Living. “Loneliness is a kind of a silent killer, that’s why we need to recognize it, talk about it and find ways to remedy it.” In the study, recently published in the journal, Rataj and her co-authors analyzed national data from the Health and Retirement Study, a long-running survey that tracks thousands of Americans age 50 and older. They examined responses from more than 11,000

participants who answered questions about loneliness, friendship quality and family structure, including how often they felt lonely and how much support or strain they experienced in their friendships. Older adults without children were consistently lonelier, averaging 1.62 on a standardized loneliness scale compared with 1.52 for those with at least one child. Yet when childless adults had strong, supportive friendships, their loneliness dropped by roughly 20% more than it did for parents with similar friend support. Childless adults also reported slightly higher overall friend support — 3.16 versus 3.05 on a four-point scale — suggesting they may invest more in friendships. Rataj said that this is increasingly important as we head into the holidays when loneliness can increase due to many different factors including physical distance from loved ones, physical limitations or grief from lost loved ones. “The holidays tend to be a time when togetherness is emphasized, so feelings of loneliness can be intensified especially for those who don't have a strong social support system or are un-

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All about living at the

age of maturity

able to connect with their loved ones,” said Rataj. The study also found that marital status had a significant impact. Adults who were divorced, widowed, separated or never married reported higher loneliness than those who were married. “You might have children, but you also might have close friends, a spouse or other meaningful ties,” said Rataj. “It’s not one-size-fits-all; loneliness can be eased through many different connections.” The researchers said the study was partially motivated by current demographic shifts like declining fertility rates and the growing number of people without children living longer. “Many in the Silent Generation (born between 1928 and 1945) tended to have larger families and more traditional lifestyles — long marriages, children and clearly defined family roles,” said Rataj. “The Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and younger generations, though, are redefining what family looks like. We’re seeing more blended families, cohabitation without marriage and strong friendship networks or ‘chosen

families,’ especially within LGBTQ+ communities. It’ll be fascinating to see how these changing dynamics shape loneliness as these cohorts age.” Research into loneliness is important on multiple fronts, including informing social programming that could help older adults. The researchers said programs that bring people together, whether through volunteering or community events, can make a real difference. That is especially relevant in a state like New Hampshire, which has one of the oldest demographics. “In New Hampshire, we have some challenges with transportation for older adults,” said Rataj. “Not everyone can just hop in a car and go somewhere, so it’s important to create opportunities in places they already visit, like libraries, senior centers or even online. Many older adults are techsavvy and connected, so offering ways to build friendships through those channels can also have a big impact on their social health." Study co-authors include Andrew Alberth, Elisabeth J. Stam and Jeffrey E. Stokes all of the University of Massachusetts Boston and Yan-Jhu Su of Pennsylvania State University.

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Lipton Street

ipton Street is named after Sir Thomas Lip- in the Canadian Sports and Manitoba Sports Hall of ton (1848-1931). Sir Thomas founded Lipton Fame. She was named Manitoba's Female Athlete of Tea. Also, Sir Thomas, a yachtsman, made five the 20th Century. unsuccessful attempts to win the America's Cup. The I found several people with impressive longevity in residents of Lipton Street are first mentheir jobs. Kate Harding spent 26 years at tioned in the 1905 Henderson Directhe Winnipeg Tribune. James McCullock tory. was 42 years at Winnipeg Electric, Alvin On April 4, 2008, the Manitoba Campbell 36 years as a schoolteacher, DonMoose defeated the Toronto Marlies ald Alexander 47 years at Huxley Cartage, 2-1. The ceremonial puck drop was perand John A. MacDonald (not the politiformed by a 99-year-old hockey legend cian) spent 43 years at CPR. who had lived most of his adult life on Rev. Runolfur Marteinsson was an eduLipton Street. Bill Addison is a member cator and pastor. Between 1913-1940, of both the Manitoba Hockey and ManRunolfur served almost continuously as itoba Sports Hall of Fame. Bill was the the principal of the Jion Bjarnason Acadgeneral manager of the 1958-59 Winemy, a private Icelandic school. In 1939, nipeg Braves, the last Manitoba Team to Runolfur was awarded the Icelandic Order win the Memorial Cup. Bill was also the of the Falcon. The question has come up: Fred Morris Commissioner of the Manitoba Junior was Rev Marteinsson was ever the Pastor of From the desk Hockey League. Bill was also involved First Lutheran Church? The First Lutheran of a gadfly in Pony League Baseball. Bill died the history book, Rooted in Christ, states that following year (2009) at the age of 100. Runolfur was twice the pastor of First LuSlyvia Burka spent (2009) her adolescence residing theran. In 1899, Runolfur filled in for Pastor Jon Bjaron Lipton. Sylvia represented Canada in speed skating nason. In 1920, Runolfur filled in for an ailing Pastor at the 1972,1976 and 1980 Olympics. She also excelled BB Jonasson. as a track cyclist, winning 12 national titles. Sylvia is During her time as deaconess of First Lutheran

Church. Sister Laufey resided on Lipton. Laufey worked hard, annually making 500 church visits. She later became the President of Betelstadur at 1061 Sargent. During a long journalism career Frank Moriss worked for both the Winnipeg Free Press and the Winnipeg Tribune. Frank worked as a copy editor and a drama and movie writer. In 1938, Harold J. Farrow of Lipton Street and his twin brother Welton hosted a Waterville Maine party for 500 sets of twins. 1953, was the year of the picture for Lipton Street. Mark Robeson was one of the Dennis Menaces in an April 28 Free Press story. In early July Roy Knight's baby picture was a prize winner in the Winnipeg Free Press snapshot contest. Finally, Andre Martin was pictured coming home from the Korean War just as the Truce was signed. On August 11, 1938, my Uncle Jon Bjarnason and Herbert Samsom were working in the Crescent Creamery Lab when there was a Chlorine Leak. Uncle Jon rushed Herbert to the Lipton Street Fire Hall. The Fire Department conveyed Herbert to the Grace Hospital. Herbert was treated and released. Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.

Sri Lankan Seniors Bad weather in Sri Lanka Hon. Anita R. Neville, 26th Two-minute silence period: To honor Lieutenant Governor hosts dinner those who died due to bad weather conMohamed Ismath, Honorary Consul of ditions in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka in Manitoba, invited me to the Lileena Mendis, Acting President, dinner. Hosted by Her Honour, the Hon. Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba (SLSM) Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M., 26th Lieustressed the grave conditenant Governor (Repretion of the day, Nov. 28, sentative of His Majesty, 2025, in Mother Lanka. The King of Canada in the She declared that in Sri Province of Manitoba), Lanka, due to floods Consular Corps of Winand landslides across the nipeg on Dec. 4, 2025, at country, the death toll has 6.00 pm at the Governrisen to more than 60, ment House, Manitoba and above 40 people are Ceremonial Home. missing according to the Most of the attendees daily news. Further, she were aware of island-wide said that the deaths and floods and landslides in Sri missing persons are inLanka. Ismath and I excreasing daily. She further plained the existing short Senaka Samarasinghe indicated that people disand long-term resettleplaced due to bad weather ment and reconstruction conditions are forced to live in tempo- plans to be implemented with the help of rary shelters arranged by the State and national and international agencies. Non-Governmental Organizations. The sit-down dinner followed by a singBased on the above conditions, Li- ing session conducted by Jennifer Hanson leena requested a two-minute silence (Winnipeg Jazz Vocalist) and Murray Pulperiod from SLSM members to honor ver (Juno award winner & Jennifer’s muthose who have died specifically due to sical co-conspirator). bad weather conditions in Sri Lanka. Appreciation: Saratha Joseph Tai Chi Session Sep. 20, 1944 – Nov. 14, 2025 The scheduled Yang Style, Tai Chi sesSaratha Joseph (née Iyakutty) was born sion is conducted by Suni Matthews. I on September 20, 1944, in Batticaloa, came to know Suni in 2012 when I was Sri Lanka. There were ten siblings in the participating with the South Side Seniors Kutty family, and Saratha was the youngconducted at Trinity United Church in est of the three girls. When Saratha was Summerside Ave, Winnipeg. ten years old (in 1954), the Kutty family Achievement: Sri Lankan Seniors moved to Trincomalee. Indra Ariyaratne, Immediate Past Two elder sisters, Kamala and ThayPresident (from 2022 to 2024) of the Sri alam, were silently investigating CatholiLankan Seniors Manitoba (SLSM), was cism without involving Saratha. Subseidentified to offer the Older Adult of the quently, Saratha also followed the same Year Award. The Manitoba Healthy Ag- path as her teenage sisters. In this regard, ing Award ceremony was held on Nov. Saratha’s Amma (mother) did not show 24, 2025, at The Legislative Building in her willingness. Her main change was Winnipeg. that whenever anyone was hurt, Saratha These awards were presented to recipi- stepped forward. ents by Hon. Uzoma Asagwara, MinisShe became well known not only for ter of Health, Seniors and Long-Term her lively presence but also for her singCare and Deputy Premier, and Jennifer ing, stage acting, playwriting, and openChen, Member of the Legislative As- door policy while studying botany and sembly of Manitoba. She represents Fort zoology at the University of Peradeniya in Richmond. Sri Lanka. Saratha managed to continue Indra was the fourth president of her countless services in Sri Lanka as well SLSM to obtain an award from the pro- as in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, England, and vincial government. She is the first past Winnipeg. For education, she created and president who acquired such recogni- led the extensive Science Fair program at tion. St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg, shaping Two resource persons, namely Smita generations of young women. Gupta and Suni Matthews, also obtained Her service to the community and culawards based on the Health and Active ture was dedicated to the Tamil Cultural Living Ambassador program. Society of Manitoba (TCSM) and its The award ceremony was followed by Folklorama Pavilion for many years, and a reception to allow all participants to she took her responsibilities very serimix with all attendees ously. When I was the President (201512

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Hon. Anita Neville with Senaka.

Healthy Aging.

2017), Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba (SLAM), Saratha encouraged and educated me to obtain a grant from the provincial government. Nandi Shockalingam selected my daughter Rownathi to dance for Folklorama (2007), and Saratha helped her a lot. During Saratha’s stay in Winnipeg, her faith and service were centered around St. Ignatius Church, where she served in many ministries, most notably the Refugee Committee, through which she changed the life paths of countless newcomers of all faiths. Out of the above noted activities, we must admire Saratha’s personal acts of love. Besides her common day-to-day services to the community, such as serving food and providing clothes, Saratha helped for more than a decade those who were not even known to her. A few decades of service ended due to her illness, as she regrated losing ability of cooking for others around the year 2024. In 2018, Saratha was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), and she passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at 7:25 am. Saratha spent 52 years of married life with Elien Joseph. Elien was a classmate of Chandani’s (my wife) elder brother Nalin Wijetillake at St. Aloysius College, Galle. More of Senaka’s memories: Deer Lodge Centre invitations (The DLC is specializing in elderly care and treatment of Veterans in Canada) On 1-12-2016 from 2.30-3.30 pm Ven. Chandananda Thera, Resident Monk of Manitoba Buddhist Vihara conducted Mindfulness Practice session at the Learning Resource Centre organized by Jonathan Jandavs Hedlin, Spiritual Health Practitioner. The second session was conducted on 9-3-2016. Intermittently, this program was conducted for more than two years. On 24-12-2016, DLC invited SLAM to perform Sri Lankan traditional dance at their Christmas Eve Celebrations. SL School of Dancing of SLAM conducted three sessions.

Sinhala & Tamil NY Ceremony Main Features were total number of participants (Main Meal 367, Children’s Meal 56 & Veg Meal 27) 450. The Cultural Show with 14 events (dance, song & drum). One event offered by BRT Academy with Indian performers such as kids, youths and elders. Main theme was to respect seniors. Invited two most seniors (90+) and President, Sri Lankan Seniors to light traditional oil lamp. Invited other association: Mr. Prashant Tipnis, President, India Association of Manitoba. It is necessary to observe number of participants being reduced as noted below Table. There were different social issues for decreasing the number of attendees. Year

Christmas Ceremony

Paduru Ceremony

New Year Ceremony

2016

206

109

450

2017

106

Less

100

344

Youth Service: Paint Night Nilusha Wijewardena organized an event to obtain participation in teen community with 22 participants. Named as Paint Night at Sorrento Restaurant, 529 Ellice Ave., on May 21st, 2017, from 5.00 to 8.00 pm. Objectives were to relieve stress among youth, raise funds, improve art and enhance talents of youth. Participation: Tamil Cultural Society of Manitoba - Activities It was observed there are Sri Lankan Tamil members in Tamil Cultural Society of Manitoba (TCSM). But coordination with them was less with SLAM. Therefore, I thought of building up contacts with them and I attended following TCSM events: Notes: (1) Shylaja from BRT joined with her students for NY ceremonies in 2016/2017 organized by SLAM (2) India School of Dance offered an event for the NY ceremony 2017 (3) Bhava Raga Tala, Academy of Dance and Music on 7-11-2017 at 6.30-8.30 pm January 2026

A firsthand recounting of the chaos that is our emergency health system Janice

y journey into the Winnipeg emergency healthcare system began with horrific stomach pain. Of course, I Googled my symptoms which seemed to indicate it was possibly my appendix. Knowing what I had been hearing about emergency room wait times, I decided to go to the Corydon Minor Illness and Injury Clinic. I made an online appointment to avoid sitting in wait and saw a doctor there who confirmed it to possibly be appendicitis. He said I needed to get a scan at the hospital as the clinic’s Xray would not be able to make a diagnosis. I told him I was reluctant to sit in wait at the hospital so he assured me he would call ahead to the St. Boniface Hospital where he was an emergency room doctor and alert them to my needed CT scan to hopefully fast track me. I took a taxi to the St. Boniface E.R. and I was checked into triage, which took about 10 minutes. It was Friday morning and the wait time said 10.5 hours on the screen monitor. In my triage interview I gave them my "call ahead" doctor's name with his diagnosis, but they had no record of it...somebody dropped the ball there and then. My vitals were taken and I was given blood work. I then began my 14-hour wait, sitting on an office chair in Section 3 in triage. The whole time the wait time monitor fluctuated between 10.5 to 12.5 hour wait. I was in a lot of pain and extremely nauseous, so I asked for Tylenol and Gravol, which I was given but because I probably required surgery I was told to eat and drink NOTHING and to take just a tiny sip of water with the pills. There I sat dehydrating significantly and in dire pain. Every hour a nurse went through the crowd checking attendance and blood pressure. There were two security guards at the front entrance

check-in desk. Ambulances came and went with paramedics rolling in stretchers. Some had police escorts. I think there were four Code Blues (critical life-threatening emergency) and one Code White (aggressive patient) during my first 14 hours in the waiting room. These code calls would delay the time waiting. Most of the people who were called up before me had been waiting even longer – 20 hours – so obviously the wait time monitor was in no way accurate. Some people left after many hours’ wait and many others talked about leaving. There was a very drunk man "hitting" on me, offering me a $100 bill to go get a drink and some chicken as everyone watched, but the nurses were far too busy to get him away from me...so I sat and listened to his life story. Finally, my name was called, and I was taken to rapid assessment. I was in pain and severely dehydrated and, after sitting for 14 hours, my back ached and I could barely walk. Then it was another hour of waiting to get my CT scan and finally, I was sent to a cubicle to wait on a recliner for surgery. While there I heard two more Code Blues (one was two cubicles down from mine) and a Code White which was right outside my cubicle. I listened to a belligerent man verbally attacking nurses and orderlies for 20 minutes until an amazing head nurse came and read him the riot act and told him one more word and he was out! Yep, he had to go as he was getting dangerous. Then off I went to my appendectomy with my surgical team at 3 a.m. At this point I think all my nurses and surgeons had been on 12-hour shifts...and ALL in good spirits, considering the chaos they all had to endure. Everyone was kind and patient with me and with other patients...only one nurse was curt with me, but the rest were WONDERFUL!

I awoke around 4:30 a.m. and was taken to my double room where I would stay for a day and a half before being released. I was well taken care of there, given medications/meals/warm blankets. My roommate however gave me grief. Her husband, who was coughing in my direction without a mask, and then her family, also visiting without masks and severe coughing, all talked loudly on cell phones. They were demanding surgery for the woman, asap! And they stayed well past visiting hours. They were asked to leave multiple times but wouldn't. I got my walking papers at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. My surgery was a success. My appendix did not rupture and no organs were nicked. I was given T3s for the incredible pain and my daughter took me home by taxi. I want to thank the St. Boniface Hospital nurses, doctors, surgeons, orderlies and staff. What an incredible team! They put up with a ridiculous amount of chaos because they are short-staffed to the max! All are working overtime and are in the front line, so they are treated terribly by those having to wait hours/days to be seen. And they take it. I made sure to let each one know how much I appreciate them. Their job is horrendous! So, what IS the problem?! Having enough beds? Or is it not enough nurses and doctors? This is a System Fail in my opinion and a Government Fail! Lots of "talk" and no more hires it seems. We need more nurses NOW...not tomorrow! When the entire staff is working overtime it's obvious where the problem lays. And if more nurses aren't hired immediately, we will lose the ones we have...as many are leaving and those numbers are not being reported. Thank you, frontline healthcare workers. If it weren’t for you, things would be even worse.

Seniors assisted living housing plan Lucille Bruce and Sandra Sukhan

tatistics Canada reports that between 2021 and 2041 the number of adults over 55 years of age in Manitoba will grow from 400,000 to 520,000 persons*, an increase of 30%. Our provincial government needs to expand housing options for seniors in our province to address this aging demographic. The Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition, a newly formed policy and legal advocacy non-profit organization, along with other seniors’ groups and community organizations, have identified important actions that the provincial government can take to better address the assisted living housing needs of low- and fixed-income seniors. Presently, the provincial government’s policy for seniors assisted living housing, which includes a meal program along with cleaning and laundry services in addition to rent, is based on being solely provided by the private market. This current policy approach does not address the needs of low- and fixed-income seniors. Monthly private market rent for seniors assisted living housing ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 per month. The total income for an individual older adult receiving Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) pensions is less than $2,000 per month. More rent-geared-to-income non-profit assisted living housing units and rent/service package subsidy programs are required to prevent the premature entry of low- and fixed-income seniors into long-term care homes. Without this type of housing support to age-inplace, these seniors wind-up in the emergency wards with many finding themselves waiting in hospitals for long-term care beds. Some seniors living in long-term

care homes do not require this level of care but live in these facilities because of the shortage of assisted living housing options in the community. Expanding assisted living housing opportunities for low- and fixed-income seniors would not only improve the quality of their lives, but it would also address structural health care system issues involving hospital and long-term care bed shortages. Low- and fixed-income seniors are also experiencing a food affordability crisis which is negatively impacting their health and well-being. Assisted living housing could play a key role in addressing this growing problem because the congregate meal programs at these facilities not only provide nutritious food but also address social isolation. The World Health Organization identifies loneliness as a growing epidemic affecting the mental health of older adults. A seniors assisted living housing plan has been developed by a group of seniors and community organizations for the provincial government which includes the following recommendations: 1. Discontinue the present policy of seniors assisted living housing being solely provided by the private market and make a public commitment that acknowledges the critical role for the provincial government to address the assisted living housing needs of low- and fixed-income seniors. 2. Negotiate with the federal government to ensure that housing for seniors, including assisted living housing for low- and fixed-income seniors, be funded by the federal government’s Build Canada Homes program. 3. Provide enhanced project development funding for non-profit assisted living housing proponents, especially groups with a focus on older adults from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, persons with disabilities, and unhoused communities, to build rent-

geared-to-income/services-geared-to-income units to better address the needs of low- and fixed-income seniors. 4. Set annual and multi-year targets to expand the provincial government’s Social Housing Assisted Living (SHAL) program that provides a rent-geared-toincome subsidy and a $700/month service subsidy, which includes a food program, laundry and cleaning services, for low- and fixed-income seniors. Presently, there are only 65 SHAL units in the entire province, most are located in a building which the government has acknowledged is under-utilized because of safety concerns associated with the building. 5. Establish a new Assisted Living Assist program for seniors, similar to the Rent Assist program, that would provide an integrated subsidy program, including rent-geared-to-income (RGI) subsidies, and services-geared-to-income (SGI) – food program, laundry and cleaning services subsidies, to enable more low and fixed income seniors to live in existing assisted living housing facilities, especially in the interim period while non-profit assisted living housing units are being built. Given Manitoba’s aging demographics, the private housing sector fully understands that there are lucrative investment opportunities for building assisted living housing for middle- and upper-class seniors in our province. It is imperative that the provincial and federal governments ensure that low- and fixed-income older adults in Manitoba are also afforded this same type of care to meet their evolving housing needs that clearly are not being addressed by the private market. Lucille Bruce and Sandra Sukhan are co-chairs of the Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition. *There are currently 229,050 Manitobans aged 65 or older living in the province, representing 17.1 per cent of the total population. Of that group, 29,255 are aged 85 or older. – Province of Manitoba.

The notwithstanding clause should not be a political shortcut Continued from page 4

It is governance for expediency. The five-year sunset clause is often cited as a safeguard. In theory, voters can punish governments at the ballot box. In practice, elections are blunt tools. Charter rights exist because waiting four or five years for redress is often too late for those harmed in the meantime. January 2026

If the notwithstanding clause becomes normal, its moral force evaporates. Future governments will reach for it more easily. Every time it is used, the bar becomes lower for the next. The clause should remain politically radioactive. It should trigger national debate. It should carry reputational cost. That discomfort is essential.

This is not an argument against legislatures. It is an argument for restraint. Courts are imperfect, but they are slow, evidence-based and insulated from political tides. When governments override rights, they should do so only when there is no other path, and when the harm of not acting is demonstrably greater than the harm

of limiting rights. We should be deeply uneasy when governments use the notwithstanding clause to avoid judicial scrutiny, to move faster, or to silence challenges. Extreme powers demand extreme justification. Anything less is an abuse of a clause that was never meant to be easy. lifestyles55.net

Manitoba Association of Senior Communities Creative Retirement Manitoba Inc. 204-481-5030, hello@crcentre.ca www.crcentre.ca

WINNIPEG

20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200-20 Fort Street / FortStSeniors@Shaw.ca A&O Support Services for Older Adults Inc. 200 - 207 Donald Street 204-956-6440 / Toll Free: 1-888-333-3121 info@aosupportservices.ca www.aosupportservices.ca Archwood 55 Plus 565 Guilbault Avenue / 204-416-1067 archwood55@shaw.ca archwood55plus.wildapricot.org/ Bleak House Centre 1637 Main Street / 204-338-4723 bleakhousecentre@gmail.com www.bleakhousecentre.com Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Avenue W 204-632-8367 / bpscc@mymts.net Centro Caboto Centre 1055 Wilkes Avenue / 204-487-4597 ext. 1 executivedirector@cabotocentre.com www.cabotocentre.com Charleswood Active Living Centre A 357 Oakdale Drive / 204-897-5263 info@charleswoodseniorcentre.org www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org Dakota Community Centre 1188 Dakota Street / 204-254-1010 ext. 217 seniorresources@dakotacc.com www.dakotacc.com Delmar Seniors 110 Adamar Road / 204-421-2592 Dufferin Senior Citizens Inc. 377 Dufferin Avenue / 204-986-2608 Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Avenue / 204-669-0750 healthrelations@chalmersrenewal.org chalmersrenewal.org

Seniors’ Outreach Services of BrenWin Inc. 204-747-3283 / sosbrenwin@gmail.com sosbrenwin.com

Rainbow Resource Centre 514 St. Mary Avenue / 204-474-0212 ext 255 OTR@rainbowresourcecentre.org www.rainbowresourcecentre.org

Cartier Senior Citizens Support Committee Inc. 11 Magloire Street, Suite #1 / 204-353-2470 cartierseniors55@outlook.com

The Salvation Army Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre 51 Morrow Avenue / 204-946-9153 sheila.keys@salvationarmy.ca

South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 117-1 Morley Ave / 204-478-6169 resources@swsrc.ca / www.swsrc.ca

GILBERT PLAINS Gilbert Plains and District Community Resource Council Inc. 204-548-4131 / gpdcrc@mymts.net gpseniors.ca

Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Boulevard / 204-257-6171 gm@southdale.ca / www.southdale.ca Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba 113 Stan Bailie Drive 204-261-9647 / www.srilankanseniorsmb.ca St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3-203 Duffield Street 204-987-8850 / info@stjamescentre.com www.stjamescentre.com Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave / 204-222-9879 tcs@mymts.net / www.transconaseniors.ca Transcona Retired Citizens Org. 328 Whittier Ave. West 204-222-8473 / trco328@shaw.ca Vital Seniors 3 St Vital Road / 204-253-0555 stmary@mymts.net www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association 204-291-7798 / wcsa.wpg@hotmail.com www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca

BEYOND WINNIPEG

BEAUSEJOUR Beau-Head Senior Centre 645 Park Avenue 204-268-2444 / beauhead@mymts.net

Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy / 204-669-1710 admin@gnalc.ca / www.gnalc.ca

BINSCARTH / RUSSELL Senior Services of Banner County 204-532-2391 seniorservicesofbannercounty@gmail.com

La Fédération des aînés de la francophonie manitobaine inc. 123-400, rue Des Meurons 204-235-0670 / direction@fafm.mb.ca Manitoba Korean 55+ Centre 900-150 River Avenue 204-996-7003 / www.ksam.ca North Centennial Seniors Association of Winnipeg Inc. 86 Sinclair Street / 204-582-0066 ncsc@shaw.ca / www.ncseniors.ca North Point Douglas Senior Centre 117 Euclid Avenue / dzedzora107@gmail.com bkuluk751@gmail.com

ERICKSON Comfort Drop In Centre 31 Main Street / 204-636-2047 areas@mymts.net FLIN FLON Flin Flon Seniors 2 North Avenue / 204-687-7308

Golden Rule Seniors Resource Centre 625 Osborne Street / 204-306-1114 goldenrule@swsrc.ca facebook.com/goldenruleseniors

Indigenous Senior Resource Centre Inc. A1- 100 Robinson Avenue / 204-586-4595 executivedirector@isrcwpg.ca www.asrcwpg.ca

ELIE

Somali Help Age Association 519 Beverley Street / 204-881-6364 somalihelpage@gmail.com

Ashern Living Independence for Elders Inc. #4-61 Main Street / 204-768-2187 lifeashern@gmail.com

Headingley Seniors’ Services 5353 Portage Avenue / 204-889-3132 ext. 3 seniors@rmofheadingley.ca www.headingleyseniorsservices.ca

www.manitobaseniorcommunities.ca

Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster Street / 204-477-7539 lmarjovsky@radyjcc.com / www.radyjcc.com

Garden City Community Centre Seniors 55+ 725 Kingsbury Avenue / 204-940-6111 facilities@gardencitycc.com www.gardencitycc.com/seniors

Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main Street / 204-339-1701 becky@gwensecter.com / www.gwensecter.com

GET CONNECTED - JOIN A CENTRE! Stay Active - Stay Connected

BOISSEVAIN Seniors’ Services of the Turtle Mountain Area 204-534-6816 / seniorservicetm@gmail.com BRANDON Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. 311 Park Avenue E / 204-571-2050 reception@brandons4s.ca / www.brandons4s.ca Health Checks 204-728-1842 / brandonmbhealthchecks.ca healthchecksbrandon@gmail.com CARMAN Carman Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive / 204-745-2356 www.activelivingcentrecarman.ca CRANBERRY PORTAGE Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall 217 2nd Ave. SE / 204-271-3081 CRYSTAL CITY Crystal City & District Friendship Club Inc. 117 Broadway St. / 431-867-0122 crystalcityfriendship@gmail.com

Old Grace Housing Co-op 100-200 Arlington Street wellness.oghc@gmail.com

DAUPHIN Dauphin Active Living Centre Inc. 55 1st Avenue SE / 204-638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com

Pembina Active Living (55+) 933 Summerside Avenue / 204-946-0839 office@pal55plus.ca / www.pal55plus.ca

DELORAINE Deloraine Community Club Inc. 111 South Railway Ave E / 204-747-2846

Gilbert Plains Drop In Centre 22 Main Street North / 204-548-2210 GIMLI Gimli New Horizons 55+ Centre 17 Loni Beach Road / 204-642-7909 gimli55@mts.net / www.gimlinewhorizons.com GRAND MARAIS Grand Marais & District Seniors 36058 PTH 12 / gmdseniors@gmail.com www.gmdseniors.ca GRANDVIEW Grandview Seniors Drop In 432 Main Street / 204-546-2272 HAMIOTA Hamiota 55+ Centre & Restore Community Co-op Inc. 44 Maple Avenue / 204-764-2658 KILLARNEY Killarney New Horizons Centre 520 Mountain Avenue www.killarneymbseniors.ca Killarney Service for Seniors 415 Broadway / 204-523-7115 seniorservice@killarney.ca LA BROQUERIE and STE. ANNE Seine River Services for Seniors Inc./ Services Rivière Seine pour aînés Inc. 93 Principale Street / 204-424-5285 src@seineriverservicesforseniors.ca seineriverservicesforseniors.ca LUNDAR Lundar Community Resources 35 Main Street / 204-762-5378 lcrc@mymts.net MANITOU Pembina Community Resource Council 315 Main Street / 204-242-2241 pembinacrc@gmail.com MINNEDOSA Minnedosa Senior Citizens Assoc. 31 Main Street S / 204-867-1956 mdsasca@gmail.com MORDEN Morden Activity Centre 306 N Railway Street / 204-822-3555 mordenactivitycentre@gmail.com www.mordenseniors.ca NEEPAWA Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson Street / 204-476-5103 Neepawa-dropin@outlook.com www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center NOTRE DAME DE LOURDES Club D’age Dor Notre Dame 204-248-7291 / ndslchezsoi@gmail.com PILOT MOUND Pilot Mound Fellowship Centre 203 Broadway Avenue / 204-825-2873 PLUMAS Plumas Seniors Citizens Club Inc. 102 White Street / 204-386-2029 PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Road N. / 204-857-6951 hermanpriorcentre@gmail.com www.hermanprior.com

Learn French or Spanish!

Portage Service for Seniors 40A Royal Road N. / 204-239-6312 psfsmeals@shaw.ca portageservicefors.wixsite.com/psfs RIVERTON Riverton Seniors Activity Centre 12 Main Street / 204-378-5155 rdfc@mymts.net / www.rivertonfc.com ROSSBURN Rossburn Community Resource Council 71 Main Street / 204-859-3386 rosscomm@outlook.com SANDY LAKE Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St. / 204-585-2411 Municipality of Harrison Park - Age Friendly Initiative Committee 204-585-5310 SELKIRK Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline Street / 204-785-2092 executivedirector@gordonhoward.ca www.gordonhoward.ca SNOW LAKE Snow Lake Senior Centre 71 Balsam Street / 204-358-2151 snowsrs@mymts.net SOUTH JUNCTION Piney Regional Senior Services 204-437-2604 / lgdseniors@gmail.com ST. LAURENT Age Friendly Committee of St. Laurent 204-906-9607 STARBUCK MacDonald Services to Seniors 204-735-3052 / info@mcdonaldseniors.ca www.macdonaldseniors.ca STEINBACH Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate / 204-320-4600 ed@patporteralc.com www.patporteralc.com STONEWALL South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st Street West - Oddfellows Hall 204-467-2582 / si55plus@mymts.net www.si55plus.org SWAN RIVER Swan River & District Community Resource Council 126 6th Ave N / 204-734-5707 resourcecouncil@srseniorservices.com Swan River Senior Citizens Centre 702 1st Street North / 204-734-2212 THE PAS The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Avenue / 204-623-3663 seniorsthepas@gmail.com THOMPSON Thompson Seniors Community Resource Council Inc. 4 Nelson Rd. / 204-677-0987 thompsonseniors55@gmail.com thompsonseniors.ca TREHERNE Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway Street 204-723-2559 / jstate1066@gmail.com VICTORIA BEACH East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Road / 204-756-6468 ebssinc1@gmail.com www.ebseniorscene.ca East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road / 204-756-6471 ebresourcec@gmail.com ebresourcec.weebly.com VIRDEN Seniors Access to Independent Living 204-851-2761 / sail.cao.2023@gmail.com WINKLER Winkler & District MP Senior Centre 102-650 South Railway Avenue 204-325-8964 director@winklerseniorcentre.com www.winklerseniorcentre.com

ONLINE OR IN-PERSON CLASSES ustboniface.ca/educationplus 14

lifestyles55.net

January 2026

A Symphony of Community Volunteer Hedie L. Epp shares what the WSO means to her

or more than a decade, longtime volunteer Hedie L. Epp has been a welcoming presence at WSO concerts — a familiar face to patrons, fellow volunteers, and musicians. What began as a love of classical music has grown into a deeply rooted sense of belonging in the WSO community. Hedie began volunteering 11 years ago. “I realized that volunteering with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra would provide me with the immersive experience of live concerts as well as meeting other volunteers to enjoy the concerts with,” she shares. Before long, she was helping at nearly every performance — “about 22 a year, including Sunday matinées, movies, and some of the KIDS Concerts. It was a full season, and wonderful!” What has kept her returning is the sense of familiarity and friendship that

WSO volunteer Hedie L. Epp. developed over time. “It was a pleasure to work with the same volunteers for many concerts; it was nice to see their familiar faces,” Hedie says. “We formed ‘WSO’ friendships which contributed to the feeling of family.”

That sense of connection extends beyond the volunteer team and into the audience. “People come for the concerts and the music, but they love the WSO as a part of their community. It adds to the feeling of the symphony as family.” From helping patrons find their seats to chatting about favourite concerts, Hedie says every interaction reinforces how music brings people together. “I enjoy meeting the wide variety of people who come to WSO concerts, from different cultures, different age groups, and different ‘concert attires’ — from jeans to party dresses and costumes. The WSO truly reaches out and captures everyone!” One memory stands above the rest: the first time she saw WSO Music Director Daniel Raiskin conduct Mahler’s First Symphony. “I was mesmerized by his hands — he seemed to be playing

every instrument himself,” she recalls. “I became a Mahler and a Raiskin fan that night!” Her admiration extends to the musicians as well. “I have met some of the musicians and am always impressed with how intelligent, friendly and welcoming they are, and it shows in their performances.” For Hedie, volunteering is a source of joy and renewal. “There is nothing like attending a live concert of beautiful music to stir your soul and chase away the worries of the outside world. It truly is a place where magic happens.” And as she looks ahead, her commitment is unwavering. “I look forward to many more evenings of volunteering with the WSO and attending their always-inspiring concerts.” Check out wso.ca to find out more about the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

readers sharing their time during I Love to Read Month in February, to players from every CFL team stopping by with the Grey Cup in November, to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Winnipeg Jets making special visits during the holiday season! We even celebrated National Superhero Day with a visit from Captain America, Captain Marvel, Spiderman, Black Panther, and more. Thank you to Legends Character Rentals for bringing strength to our superheroes! Thank you to all our guests in 2025 for taking time out of their day to make meaningful memories for kids and their families. In June, we celebrated the success of the Better Futures campaign at our Annual General Meeting. Later in the year, the campaign cabinet received the Outstanding Philanthropic Group award from AFP Manitoba for their incredible work helping our Foundation staff raise an unprecedented $112 million for pediatric research, critical infrastructure, and innovative programs for kids who rely on Manitoba’s only children’s hospital. We’re thrilled and a deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment. We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of our donors during our end-of-year fundraising efforts, which continued to raise funds towards the childhood cancer, blood disorders and transplants campaign. I want to

give a special thank you to our anonymous donors and Qualico for matching donations on Giving Tuesday, and the Talbot Family Foundation and the K + P Talbot Community Fund for matching donations during Dr. Goodbear’s Holiday Give-a-thon and throughout the holiday season. Also big bear hugs to all our business and community partners who gave generously, sponsored events, or donated funds this year, such as DQ®’s Miracle Treat Day, Walmart, Costco, Great Canadian Oil Change, IHOP, Purdys Chocolatier, and so many more! To all the thoughtful kids who walked dogs, sold lemonade, or asked for donations instead of birthday presents, THANK YOU! Community-driven actions like these make a difference for kids needing life-saving care! All year, you made a difference for the kids who rely on Manitoba’s only children’s hospital and the research at CHRIM. All of us at the Children’s Hospital Foundation are incredibly grateful for your commitment and generosity. We are eager to #ContinueCaringForKids and we know that with your support in 2026, we can make anything possible! Stefano Grande is President and CEO, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

New year, new hope

new year brings in a fresh feel- and Winnipeg Hyundai! ing of excitement for the wonIn February, we were thrilled to derful opportunities coming welcome Jack as our 2025 Champion our way. It also gives us a chance to Child! Jack and his twin brother Jori were reflect on the meaningful moments born prematurely at 26 weeks. Jori that made 2025 so special. died at only six days old We launched new camand Jack needed seven paigns, celebrated inbrain surgeries before credible achievements, his second birthday. Jack and continued to raise was diagnosed with cerecritical funds for patient care, research, and bral palsy and thanks to hospital upgrades. The the ongoing care he resupport we received this ceives at HSC Children’s year from our donors, Hospital, Jack is an envolunteers and partners ergetic, 10-year-old who made all this possible. loves fishing, flying kites, Thank you to our generand flags. He even got to ous community! raise his own flag at city Stefano Grande The Better Futures hall with Mayor Scott Healthy Campaign is already deGillingham in NovemLiving livering a huge impact. ber! Jack is raising funds More on this later, but for research into childbecause of your generhood diseases, and you osity, over $4 million of surgical and can support him by donating today. medical equipment is arriving or alIt was an incredible year for the ready in HSC Children’s Hospital. Children’s Hospital Book Market, The Indigenous Community Healing which celebrated 65 years of support Space is under development and will for kids in hospital! Passionate volunbe in a Canadian children’s hospital. teers help make Book Market and othPlanning is also underway for the re- er events like our Golf Tournament, construction of the day surgery unit Ice Crystal Gala, and the Teddy Bears’ as well as the creation of a new ne- Picnic possible. Many volunteers are phrology clinic. also part of the Children’s Hospital To keep this momentum going Guild who hosted the Gilded Harvest and continue transforming health Fashion Show this year, raising funds care through the generosity of our to support the CHRIM’s leadingdonors, this year we also launched a edge research efforts. $2.5M childhood cancer, blood disWe’re deeply grateful to our inorders and transplants campaign at credible volunteers for their support the Ice Crystal Gala to help rebuild throughout 2025! and reimagine CK5. This ward hasn’t In October, the Suspended Superhad any upgrades since the 1980s so heroes raised $93,000 for patient care! this upgrade will bring comfort, co- Local celebrities, CHRIM researchers lour and care to kids when they need and every-day-people squeezed into it most. Thanks to this campaign, it tights and costumes and rappelled will also help fund breakthroughs in down HSC Children’s while kids and childhood cancer through research at their families waved from their hospithe Children’s Hospital Research In- tal rooms. We’re incredibly grateful to stitute of Manitoba (CHRIM). everyone for their bravery. Thank you The reimagination of the CK5 ward also to our partners Voyageur Techis already underway, thanks in part nical, Maple Leaf Ropes and Reliant to the Fund the Need donors of Ice Action for making this event possible. Crystal Gala and a $125,000 donaWe had so many wonderful guests tion from Hyundai Hope on Wheels visit Children’s in 2025! From guest January 2026

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January 2026