This is Manitoba

Heckling, name calling and even hateful comments are being hurled across the aisle at the Manitoba Legislature, according to Speaker Tom Lindsey. He’s cracking down, but Premier Wab Kinew is not happy with how he’s going about it. He and a former House Speaker from Saskatchewan weigh in on the issue.

Manitoba's Your Way Home strategy aims to help find housing for people living in homeless encampments. But seniors in some Winnipeg apartment blocks say they've seen a concerning escalation in violence and other incidents after camp residents moved in. CBC's Josh Crabb tells us about the tenants' concerns, and housing advocate Marion Willis explains why she doesn't think putting the two populations together will work.

The days of doomscrolling may be numbered for Manitoba teens. As Manitoba looks to become the first Canadian province to implement a social media and AI chatbot ban, we look at the example of Australia, which has had a ban in place since December, and hear from a Canadian legal expert about the privacy issues Manitoba lawmakers will have to navigate.

Spring flooding has once again forced evacuations in Peguis First Nation, as rising waters along the Fisher River threaten homes and safety. Chief Stan Bird warns the situation could echo the devastating 2022 flood that displaced roughly 2,000 residents, many of whom have yet to return.For decades, annual flooding has disrupted life in the community, bringing repeated promises from federal leaders to find a permanent solution. On this week's episode, we hear why those commitments have yet to materialize.

Following the federal byelections in Ontario and Quebec, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals have secured a majority government. What does this mean for Canadians moving forward?Guest host Cory Funk is joined by former Liberal MP Dan Vandal and former Progressive Conservative MP Dorothy Dobbie for a partisan panel discussion. They break down the political implications of the results, what a majority means for Carney’s agenda, and how the opposition might respond.

Tokyo is rolling out a four-day work week for some government employees, in hopes better work-life balance will help address a declining birth rate. With Canada facing record-low fertility rates, could a similar approach work here? 

Despite a flourishing French community and vibrant cultural celebrations, Manitoba is not officially a bilingual province. Today, we hear from the minister responsible for francophone affairs, and Manitobans share their take on whether bilingualism is a worthy goal.

After dangerous holes created by ground squirrels have forced the closure of athletic fields at some Winnipeg parks, the city has received the greenlight to use rodenticide and an asphyxiant foam at nine parks. But that's spurred concerns from animal rights advocates, who say the proposal is inhumane and could have consequences for other animals.

Health Canada says three people in Canada have died after giving plasma in the last decade –– and all of them were in Manitoba.A CBC News investigation found two of those people died after giving plasma at Winnipeg collection centres that pay people for donations. One was a 22-year-old international student at the University of Winnipeg who had dreams of becoming a social worker.The two cases are under review by Health Canada, which says it has not made a link between plasma collection and the deaths. Grifols, the company that runs the centres, says it has "no reason to believe" they are connected.But the news has caused concern. Today, we’re digging into the fallout: a shaken student community and the province considering banning paid plasma donation. Others, like Georgetown University ethics Prof. Peter Jaworksi, say banning paid donations could have negative consequences.  

Last week, Mélanie Joly, the federal industry minister, made a trip to Winnipeg after the prime minister announced Canada’s next defence industrial strategy. The $6.6 billion plan sets several targets for the country to achieve over the next decade, including buying and maintaining most of the military's equipment here in Canada. While she was here, Joly spoke about opportunities the new defence industrial strategy holds for the province to shift its economic fortunes and stand at the forefront of Canadian trade talks. Today we unpack her vision for Manitoba’s role in national industry, and Premier Wab Kinew provides an update on how the relationship with Ottawa is developing.

In February, Vale Base Metals announced the partial sale of a nickel mine in Thompson, Man., to three new partners.The new ownership group says it will invest up to $280 million in operations and keep the mine running long-term. The new owners say they plan to double production in the next five years.It's the latest development after years of uncertainty for the mine.This week, we look back at Vale's history in Thompson, why the news has residents feeling hopeful and why Premier Wab Kinew says this is the latest chapter in the growing good news story of northern Manitoba's role in securing a brighter economic future for Manitoba. 

Over the last few years, Manitoba's hospitals have seen increased violence against doctors, nurses and other staff.It's a growing trend across the country, but in this province, it has triggered strong reaction from the Manitoba Nurses Union. Last week, union members voted to grey-list St. Boniface Hospital. It’s the third hospital to receive the undesirable classification after Thompson General Hospital in December and Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre in August.With mounting pressure and after a slew of violent incidents, the province introduced several measures to address health-care workers' concerns. One of those measures is a fleet of AI-powered weapon-detection scanners installed at public entrances at HSC.Within an eight-month period in 2025, the technology detected more than 1,500 potential weapons. This week, we look back at the violence and hear from the head of the nurses' union, who says the weapons detectors aren’t enough. 

Winnipeg’s housing market broke records last summer, with the average price of a detached home passing $443,000.But as houses across Manitoba became more expensive, the national story was different. In January, the average home price in Toronto and Vancouver hit five-year lows.Today, we’re taking a look at why the local real estate market's been hot, how it compares to other Canadian cities, and whether it signals the end of an era for the concept of a starter home.

Cheaper milk, Crown Royal repartee with Doug Ford and strong words for U.S. President Donald Trump: There was no shortage of hot takes and social media moments from Premier Wab Kinew to kick off the new year.Today, we catch up with the premier on some of the big issues and challenges impacting life in Manitoba:Will interest from a potential investor in the Port of Churchill expansion project help take Kinew’s vision across the finish line?With hundreds of Steinbach residents denied relief funds after flooding last fall, what’s the bar for accessing disaster financial assistance?And could income tax offer a better way for cities to raise money?

Do you know how much your house is worth?Over the last few weeks, the City of Winnipeg mailed out 200,000 proposed property assessment letters for the 2027 tax year.Some residents say they’ve been caught off guard by big increases to the assessed value of their homes, saying they're concerned about potentially higher property taxes.Today, we unpack the high valuations, how the calculation is made and the process for contesting a city assessment, and hear what Winnipeggers think.

Earlier this month, the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives distanced themselves from board member Patrick Allard over social media comments he made after a woman was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.PC Leader Obby Khan denounced Allard's post and said his statements don't reflect the values of the PC Party. He also said Allard will not be a PC candidate in the upcoming election, and the party's board decided to suspend Allard's party membership and his position on the board.Allard condemned the move, saying the party is turning its back on its conservative base.Today, we hear from three different PC voters across the province. They share their thoughts on whether the move to suspend Allard was reasonable, and whether the party reflects their values anymore.

Flooded streets, stranded motorists, boil water advisories and directions to conserve water — Calgarians saw another catastrophic water main break late last month, the second in less than two years.Restrictions have now been lifted, but Calgary’s mayor says it’s a wake-up call, alerting the city that repairs to the aging infrastructure aren't adequate, and it’s time for a long-term solution.But underneath the streets of Winnipeg, there are many pipes of the same age and material as the one that broke in Calgary. So should we be worried? CBC’s Cameron MacLean explains how vulnerable our water system really is.

A proposal to impose a time limit for school drop-off and pickup zones has crossed its first hurdle.The plan came from Winnipeg city Coun. Markus Chambers, who says the "stop, drop and go" program will improve safety around elementary schools. The citywide standards would mean clearer signage, a one-minute time limit for parents and enforcement by the Winnipeg Police Service and Winnipeg Parking Authority.The public reaction to the proposal has been divided, but Chambers' motion has moved on from the Riel community committee to the Winnipeg public works committee for consideration.Today, we hear from parents, Chambers, the public and the principal of École Sage Creek Bonavista, which implemented its own pickup and drop-off plan to reduce traffic chaos before and after school.

In this special co-production episode, we're diving into life on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. While the two Prairie provinces have many things in common, there are differences. We speak with residents of Flin Flon about how living on the divide complicates everything from buying a vehicle to emergency response efforts. Then we hear from a woman in Creighton, Sask., who says inter-provincial gaps in health care failed her mother.

Manitoba’s health-care system has been strained for years. The median wait times at Winnipeg hospitals now regularly exceed 3.5 hours, according to data from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Waits for diagnostic testing and several key surgeries, including hip and knee operations, also rose this year, provincial data shows.But Premier Wab Kinew says he's confident a fix is just around the corner. In a year-end interview with CBC, Kinew was asked when his government will fix those long waits. He said that will happen in 2026.Provincial affairs reporter Ian Froese joins the show to tell us more about the interview, unpack whether this latest timeline is feasible and explain why health-care professionals say they have their doubts.

It’s been nearly a decade since Sio Silica staked its first claims in southern Manitoba.Initially, the Alberta-based company was searching for sand deposits as a source for the material used to facilitate oil extraction, which could then be sold to the oil and gas industry for fracking.What’s followed has been a long and winding saga for residents of southeastern Manitoba, Sio Silica executives and stakeholders –– and a battleground of political intrigue.CBC’s Bartley Kives joins the pod to take us through the evolution of Sio Silica’s plans, why residents are concerned, and the latest political turmoil that’s unfolded around the proposed resource-extraction project.

Food insecurity is growing in Manitoba. About 60,000 people across the province access food banks every month, according to new data from Manitoba Harvest.That represents a 150 per cent increase since 2020, and there are other notable trends. The latest numbers show that a third of people accessing food banks are employed, and more clients are families with children under the age of 18.This week, we put faces to the numbers in the 2025 Harvest Voices report, speaking to Manitobans about their experiences using the province’s food banks. We hear from Harvest president and CEO Vince Barletta about the latest data, and small business owner Miranda Mirlycourtois explains how she’s using social media to fight the stigma of being a food bank user.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority pitched a plan to city hall that would make it possible for the public to report illegally parked vehicles by submitting photos.It didn’t take long for city council to park the plan. The public works committee voted in favour of temporarily stopping the plan from being pursued further.Both councillors and the public expressed concern, saying it sounded like people were being encouraged to "snitch" on their neighbours, and they worried it would pit Winnipeggers against each other.It isn't the first time the city, or the province, has explored the option of asking Manitobans to report their neighbours for bad behaviour. We chart some of the more notable snitching schemes over the years, we hear from Len Eastoe, a former police officer and founder of Traffic Ticket Experts, about the flaws in this latest plan, and Arthur Schaefer, a University of Manitoba ethics expert, shares his take on why this pitch got people talking for all the wrong reasons. 

Violence on public transit is on the rise across the country, a new investigation from CBC News and the Investigative Journalism Foundation found. In Winnipeg, the trend is stark: violent incidents on buses have increased over 280 per cent since 2018.  The Amalgamated Transit Union has been sounding the alarm for months now. Despite new measures like protective shields for drivers and safety patrols, union president Chris Scott says much more needs to be done.

This month, the province laid out its plan for Manitoba in the speech from the throne.An end to mandatory overtime for nurses, a new fuel-generating system in Westman, Winnipeg’s first supervised consumption site and cheaper groceries –– we get more details from Premier Wab Kinew on some of the major promises he's made.

In October, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra announced it had reached an operating surplus for the first time in five years.It’s been a struggle for Manitoba arts organizations in the five years since the pandemic, many of whom have seen years of deficits, made programming changes, petitioned governments for more funding and appealed to audiences to come back.And finally, they’re starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. WSO executive director Angela Birdsell talks about navigating post-pandemic challenges, while Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre artistic director Kelly Thornton explains how the organization is catering to audiences' changing needs.

Next week, a new bylaw goes into effect in Winnipeg that restricts where people can set up encampments. The tent cities have become more common in recent years as the number of people experiencing homelessness has surged.  We hear from CBC’s Cameron MacLean, who spoke to people living in the camps, nearby neighbours and city officials to find out what these new rules could mean. Community reporter Jim Agapito checks in with Osborne Village residents about what they think of the new plan. Shauna MacKinnon, professor and chair in the department of urban and inner-city studies at the University of Winnipeg and a member of Manitoba's Right to Housing coalition, weighs in on why the plan is flawed and reflects the growing pressure on governments to deliver on promises that are difficult to keep. 

Manitoba’s premier says the province is working on three megaprojects that will bring in a combined $30 billion of economic activity. Wab Kinew says that’s enough to transform the "have-not" province into a wealthy one.While one of those projects, Port of Churchill Plus, has already captured Prime Minister Mark Carney's attention, CBC’s Bartley Kives takes us through what the other two might be.Plus, the prime minister has highlighted the Port of Churchill as a potential nation-building project, but what will it take to make the vision a reality –– and what challenges lie ahead? Feiyue Wang, the director of the University of Manitoba's Churchill Marine Observatory and the Canada Research chair in arctic environmental chemistry, explains.

Advocates say early universal screening for learning disabilities could change lives — but teachers worry it may not be the best use of limited classroom resources. Host Marcy Markusa speaks with Karen Velthuys from the Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba, Lillian Klausen, president of the Manitoba Teachers Society, and Melanie Rosenfelt, who talks about being diagnosed with two learning disabilities at age 43.

From better work-life balance to Canada’s universal health care, more U.S. doctors are finding reasons to move to Manitoba. Dr. Arleigh Trainor shares her reasons for leaving the States, and Dr. Alison Carleton talks about what's attracting physicians to rural Manitoba.And more U.S. doctors are on their way, Manitoba’s health minister says. What does that say about the province’s doctor recruitment push? CBC’s Faith Fundal speaks with Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba, about what this means for the province’s health-care system.CBC's Cory Funk is guest host

Homeowner Carol Styles speaks with host Marcy Markusa about living on Carpathia Road, facing possible expropriation as part of the Kenaston Boulevard widening project, and the uncertainty that's shaped her family's life for more than two decades.Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham speaks with Marcy about the $757-million plan to widen Kenaston and replace aging bridges, and addresses residents’ concerns about communication, expropriation and city growth

How can Winnipeg ramp up its nightlife? Host Marcy Markusa explores the city’s after-dark scene with Nuit Blanche Winnipeg general manager Kurt Tittlemier, who discusses how the city can keep its creative spark alive beyond one big night. CBC’s Djeneba Dosso hits the streets to hear what University of Manitoba students think would make Winnipeg’s nights more exciting. And Ottawa’s nightlife commissioner, Mathieu Grondin, joins the conversation to share lessons from his city's nightlife revival.

Premier Wab Kinew speaks about the fires and vandalism at the constituency offices of cabinet ministers Nahanni Fontaine and Bernadette Smith. We also talk about Manitoba healthcare. It's been two years since Premier Kinew's NDP won their election. And we ask him to respond to some Manitoban's concerns that healthcare is still broken.

Half of Canadian girls drop out of organized sports by the time they're 17, according to the organization Canadian Women and Sport. Host Marcy Markusa speaks with Marijke Vandergrift, the director of brand and partnerships at the organization, about its new campaign to combat the problem.The International Olympic Committee billed the 2024 Paris Olympics as the  first Games with "full gender parity on the field of play." Gold medal curling champ Jill Officer and Janine Stephens, who won a silver medal for rowing, talk about how they felt as they watched the 2024 Paris Olympics, and why it took so long to reach gender parity.And Marissa Naylor talks about representing Canada at the International Bowling Federation World Championships in Hong Kong, her journey to Team Canada, training highlights and her career achievements, including six consecutive awards as Manitoba's female bowler of the year.

As people around the world react to the killing of Charlie Kirk, a vigil was held in Winnipeg this week for the American conservative activist. The CBC's Rosanna Hempel talked to people at the vigil, held at the Manitoba Legislature ground.Meanwhile, Winnipeg criminal defence lawyer and author Zilla Jones says that vigil left her concerned for the community. She also explains why she’s demanding an apology from the prime minister and Manitoba's premier, after some Canadian politicians stood to honour Kirk.Also on the podcast: videos of Kirk's shooting on Sept. 10 quickly circulated online. Laura Cavanagh, a registered psychotherapist and professor of behavioural sciences at Seneca Polytechnic, joins us to talk about the effect viewing graphic violence has on people, especially youth.

When you can't afford or access a therapist, is it a good idea to get mental-health advice from a chatbot? Information Radio host Marcy Markusa speaks with Mark Dale about the potential risks and rewards.Despite popular belief, location-sharing services on your phone don't magically turn off once you stop using GPS. Your location is tracked even when your phone is in your pocket, and that information is being collected and sold by app developers. We'll ask cybersecurity expert Marc Perreault how we can protect ourselves and our data. 

Winnipeg police Insp. Max Waddell spoke with Faith Fundal about retail crime, after an incident that involved youth with a firearm at a local business.Also on the podcast: Michael Weinrath, criminology professor at the University of Winnipeg, speaks with host Marcy Markusa about the armed robbery of the Unicity Walmart by four teens. He talks about what it reveals about youth crime in Winnipeg and how society can prevent similar incidents.

Kash Heed, former West Vancouver police chief, speaks with host Marcy Markusa about the ruling on the 2023 fatal shooting of Afolabi Stephen Opaso, police behaviour and use-of-force changes.Also on the podcast today: Marcy speaks with Rune Glomseth, an associate professor emeritus at the Norwegian Police University College who specializes in police leadership.

First on the podcast today: Ashley McKague, a mom to a Type 1 diabetic child, speaks with host Marcy Markusa about the challenges of monitoring insulin pumps in a school setting.Also on the podcast: Why ask Google when you can just ask ChatGPT? It seems more and more young Manitobans are turning to artificial intelligence to solve their problems. But is that a good thing or bad thing? A group of Gen Zers are in the studio and they'll weigh in.Marcy chats with Rylee Gerrad, Bridget Clemente and Kyler Zaenali.

Michael Holden, an assistant professor in the faculty of education at the University of Winnipeg, speaks to host Marcy Markusa about the pros and cons of AI in schools.And Aaron Benarroch, the director of recruitment and International Education with the Winnipeg School Division, talks with guest host Marjorie Dowhos about a surge in international K-12 students this year, including the impact of shifting political relations with the U.S., the challenges of finding homestay families, and how the program benefits both local students and the community.

As activism drops off, a panel of three university students weigh in. Finance student River Inan, political science student Victoria Romero and business student Kyler Zaenali share their thoughts on the future, politics and what needs to change.From cries of "Get off your phone!" to "Why are you making offensive comments?" multi-generational conversations can stall pretty quickly ... how to keep talking with your family and friends this summer. Writer and professor Randy Boyagoda speaks with host Marcy Markusa.

Anna Moar and Kadin McCron speak with host Marcy Markusa about their move into drug-free transitional housing in St. Boniface after living on a Winnipeg riverbank. They share how they connected with St. Boniface Street Links, their struggles with addiction and homelessness, and their hopes for a new start.Also on the podcast today: Avrom Charach, spokesperson for the Manitoba Professional Property Managers Association, talks about how landlords could help ease Winnipeg’s homelessness crisis. He talks about why wraparound supports are essential, what landlords need before opening up units, and how Housing First programs can succeed — with the right help.

A synthetic opioid more than 40 times stronger than fentanyl — ordered online and delivered in days. CBC’s visual investigations unit uncovered how nitazenes, a new and deadly class of opioids, are flooding Canadian streets through online ads, social media and the mail system.Senior reporter Eric Szeto explains how traffickers exploit gaps in the system — and how this invisible trade is costing lives.Host Marcy Markusa speaks with Angela Lavallee, whose 27-year-old son Kyrel — known as Blue Thunderbird Man — died of an accidental overdose just days after being released from detox. Angela shares her son's story and why she's now fighting for change.

Tokyo's government will begin rolling out a four-day work week for some of its employees, as part of an effort to combat the country’s declining birth rate by improving work-life balance. With Canada facing its own record-low fertility rates, could a similar policy make a difference here? Marcy Markusa speaks with Shelley Clark, a demographer and sociology professor at McGill University.Also on the podcast: Melanie Zebrynski tried for years to get a tubal ligation, only to eventually give up after facing pushback from her doctor. Meanwhile, her fiancé was easily able to get a vasectomy. She talks about the challenges of advocating for herself.

A recent report found Black Manitobans face the longest ER wait times, even when arriving with more serious conditions. Sume Ndumbe Eyoh, director of the Black Health Education Collaborative, speaks with host Marcy Markusa about the study's findings and what needs to happen next. And Dr. Barry Lavallee, chief executive officer of Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc, explains why he feels the report falls short on reflecting lived Indigenous experience.

Travel Manitoba's Allison Dalke talks with host Marcy Markusa about how families can make the most of their summer vacation. From affordable getaways and hidden gems to festivals, camping and glamping, she offers tips for exploring the province — and explains why more people are choosing to stay close to home this summer.

CBC's Darren Bernhardt speaks with host Marcy Markusa about the long, controversial history behind Winnipeg's iconic intersection. From its 19th-century roots to decades of pedestrian restrictions and shifting public opinion, Darren walks through the politics, pushback and infrastructure decisions that led to today's historic reopening of Portage and Main.Mayor Scott Gillingham speaks with Marcy Markusa about the long-awaited reopening of Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic for the first time since 1979. He talks about the financial reasoning behind the decision, the future of Winnipeg's downtown, and what this moment means for the city's identity. The conversation also touches on accessibility concerns, transit changes and the legacy of a landmark intersection.

On today's episode:Three Indigenous youth leaders speak with host Marcy Markusa about the importance of National Indigenous Peoples Day and the powerful role young people play in advocating for their communities. Hevyn-Lee Martens, a youth changemaker at RRC Polytech and Treaty One, Southern Chiefs Organization Youth Chief Billy Bird and Salena Starling, a youth leader and CEO of Community of Big Hearts, talk about reconnecting with culture, overcoming adversity and why recognizing Indigenous youth matters.Also on this episode:Students at Niji Mahkwa School in Winnipeg spent time on the land at Naawi-Oodena to mark Indigenous Peoples Day with cake, a handmade tipi and teachings that connect them to their culture. Staff and kids speak with CBC's Sid Sundance Horschig about what it means to celebrate Indigenous heritage every day.

Are you scared yet? In this episode, strange things are happening at a historical museum — books are flying, mysterious handprints appear and there's an investigation into possible paranormal activity. Ashley Barnes, lead investigator with the Winnipeg Paranormal Group, tells us about it.Actor Ayo Solanke speaks with host Marcy Markusa about his lead role in Bet, a new Netflix teen drama set in a high-stakes prep school. He talks about bringing his character, Ryan, to life, how Winnipeg helped him fall in love with acting, and what it means to be part of a predominantly Canadian cast.

A lot of couples have been split up by the wildfires burning in Manitoba, because one partner is needed in the community and the other has left due to the threat.That's the case for Melanie Spence. She is a teacher who found herself stranded in Thompson, unable to return home to Tataskweyak Cree Nation.Meanwhile, her husband, Robert Spence, is a former Tataskweyak councillor who has been helping with firefighting efforts in that community.Also on the podcast today: Jaimie Fleuty, a Snow Lake evacuee, speaks with host Marcy Markusa about her journey since evacuating, how her home is doing, and the challenges facing her family and other communities, including Denare Beach and Creighton. She shares what she’s hearing from her community and how she’s adjusting to being away from home.