Latest news with #Winnipeg
CBC
2 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
West End residents worry neighbourhood becoming 'financial desert' as RBC branch set to close
People in Winnipeg's West End fear their neighbourhood is becoming a financial desert, as one of the last banks in the area is set to close in the coming weeks. The Royal Bank branch at Sargent Avenue and Sherbrook Street will close July 10, and merge with the one on Ellice Avenue near Polo Park. Ella Hudson has lived in the West End for about 30 years, and does all of her banking in-person at the RBC branch at the corner of Sargent and Sherbrook. Without a car, she faces a long walk to get to the next nearest bank. "I know a lot of people that are elders … like myself," she said. "I could get around on bike, but that's besides the point." Cheryl Martens has also lived in the West End for decades. She says many people in the area don't have vehicles or Internet, and rely on in-person banking services to meet their financial needs. "Once you start losing your services, it's sort of like a death knell to a community, I think," she said. The only other full-service bank in the West End is the TD branch on Notre Dame Avenue. The closest RBC branch is in the Manitoba Hydro building downtown — about a 20-minute walk away. A spokesperson for RBC told CBC News in an email statement the decision was made after considering how best to serve their clients, as more people use other banking methods like telephone, online and mobile. "Our branch network continually evolves and changes as we seek to serve our clients where and how they wish to conduct their banking," wrote Robb Ritchie, regional director of communications for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and western Ontario. "In some circumstances, this may involve combining branches, relocating certain branches, or opening new ones." Difficult for people with disabilities Lynne Somerville found out about the bank closing from a neighbour who has a physical disability. "She has great difficulty even walking from Toronto Street, down Sargent to this bank, and she's looking after an elderly father, so she has to have somebody in her house to look after her dad while she walks down here," Somerville said. Somerville, Martens and Hudson, along with a few other community members, met with the branch manager on Wednesday to share their concerns, but "it's hard to know if you can stop something once it's in motion," Martens said. The group also asked for support from the area's municipal, provincial and federal representatives. Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy, Union Station MLA Uzoma Asagwara, and Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan all wrote letters urging RBC to reverse course. "Banks provide very important aspects of community living, and especially in inner-city communities," said Gilroy, noting that they help promote financial literacy, which is important for people seeking to get a mortgage. There are a number of reasons why people in the neighbourhood choose to bank in person, said Asagwara. "We already know that that particular area, that community, some folks identify as a food desert. We don't want to see it become also a financial desert." RBC experts including financial planners, investment and retirement planners, mortgage specialists, commercial bankers and small business advisors will still meet with people wherever it's convenient for them, including in their homes, office or other nearby branches, Ritchie wrote in the statement. "With our other nearby branch and ATM locations, additional options for clients to be served by RBC, and our ongoing commitment to supporting community organizations through sponsorship, donation, and volunteerism, we will continue to be fully present in this community." Ralph Bryant, another West End resident, attended the same meeting with the RBC branch manager on Wednesday. He says someone referred to the added costs West End residents face to access financial services as a "tax on poverty." "You think about the fact that … it's going to cost you a bus ride to get to [the Ellice Avenue location] … That is absolutely a tax on poverty." Martens says there are more community meetings planned to let people know what is happening with the bank and to organize a response. They will meet at X-Cues at 551 Sargent on June 26 at 12 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.
CBC
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Here's where Manitobans can celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day
Social Sharing There are a range of events happening on and ahead of this weekend welcoming Manitobans to celebrate the cultural traditions, heritage and stories of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, as part of National Indigenous Peoples Day, observed every June 21. Most programming happens on Saturday — from a rooftop musical exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in Winnipeg to a slate of activities at Brandon's Riverbank Discovery Centre, a street festival in The Pas and much more. Several events in Winnipeg kick things off a day early on Friday, including a sacred fire and pipe ceremony at the University of Manitoba's Mashkiki Gitigaan Medicine Garden at 9 a.m. (or Joe Doupe Concourse in the event of rain). That's followed by a feast at the Brodie Atrium at 11 a.m. on campus, where visitors can take in a variety of vendors, as well as a ceremony recognizing the Indigenous campus community in the afternoon. Also on Friday is a National Indigenous Peoples Day market put on by Shared Health, which co-ordinates health-care delivery in the province. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the William Avenue Mall at the Health Sciences Centre. Circles for Reconciliation is hosting a free barbecue, children's games, a market, a talking circle and entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place (90 Sinclair St.). On Saturday, The Forks launches " Many Nations, One Heartbeat," which includes 11 days of free, family-friendly cultural and community programming that wraps on Canada Day, July 1. The WAG-Qaumajuq rooftop event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes artists from the Prairies showcasing collaborative hip hop and R&B music. It marks the end of the gallery's Threads of Kin and Belonging: A Trinnipeg Live Mixtape Project, an exhibit celebrating Indigenous and Black voices that kicked off during Black History Month. The Saint-Joseph Métis National Union of Manitoba and Festival du Voyageur host the annual Métis picnic at Fort Gibraltar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Winnipeg Goldeyes fans will be treated to live entertainment celebrating Indigenous culture before and during the game Saturday at Blue Cross Park. About 400 people displaced from ongoing wildfires will get free admission and food vouchers, thanks to a Manitoba Blue Cross donation, the team says. Waterways, an Indigenous-led non-profit, is taking members of the public out on the water for a free paddle from the St. Vital boat launch to the Manitoba Canoe and Kayak Club. It ends with a barbecue at the club, a plant walk and music. Spots are limited and registration is required. WATCH | National Indigenous Peoples Day in Manitoba (2023): National Indigenous Peoples Day in Manitoba 2 years ago Duration 1:59 Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day and Manitobans are encouraged to celebrate, learn more about Indigenous culture and reflect on history. Manitoba is home to the Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene, Métis and Inuit. Lots of public events are going on today across Manitoba, including a powwow and musical performances at The Forks. Beyond Winnipeg, people in southwestern Manitoba can catch a full day of events at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon on Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m., including a powwow demo, a puppet show, a talent show, live musical performances and a range of other activities for all ages. Waywayseecappo First Nation, northwest of Brandon, is hosting a powwow at 1 p.m. In the Interlake region, the Manitoba Métis Federation's Selkirk chapter is hosting events in Selkirk Park, also starting with a pancake breakfast. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be food, a Red River Métis market, a family tent and live entertainment. Gimli is hosting an afternoon of programming from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gimli Park Pavilion, with free bannock and refreshments. In northern Manitoba, Thompson has an early morning (4:45 a.m.) pipe ceremony Saturday followed by a pancake breakfast, hot dog lunch, teepee teachings, karaoke — and an air band competition with cash prices for the top three finishers. The Pas Friendship Centre is holding a street festival starting at noon with traditional dancing and drumming, Métis fiddlers, local performers and youth activities.
CTV News
10 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Higher water bills sinking in for Winnipeg homeowners
The City of Winnipeg has upped its rates for water and sewer services and people are seeing the jump in their bills. CTV's Jeff Keele reports. Bernie Lemanski rarely waters his grass, and when he does, there's not much of a yard anyway. He lives with his brother and their water usage is low. 'The only thing you do is the dishwasher, washer and dryer and a shower,' said Lemanski. So it was sticker shock when he opened his quarterly water bill from the City of Winnipeg. 'I was just flabbergasted, in shock, like I couldn't believe it,' he said. Last quarter he paid $157 dollars and this quarter the bill is $269 dollars. 'Give me a break,' said Lemanski. 'What are they thinking?' Other homeowners are flooding Facebook with comments too, many asking the same question as Lemanski. 'I'd like to know why, why they increased it that high,' he said. Winnipeg's water and waste committee chair Ross Eadie says some people missed the discussion and debate around this issue at City Hall this year. 'It is catching people off guard,' said Eadie. In March, city council approved new sewer and water rate hikes to help fund the $3 billion north sewage treatment plant. There is also a new levy. A $23 per quarter fee was eliminated, but replaced with a higher $63 per quarter waste management fee, to pay for services like garbage, recycling, green carts, yard waste and damaged carts. It's a new utility model to take the heat off property tax bills. 'For the waste management we looked at here's what the cost is, we have contractors who pick up and collect your garbage and there's all kinds of costs related to it,' said Eadie. Things could have been worse. The mayor and council rejected a proposal to jack water and sewer rates by a $1,000 a year for a family of four. Still, Lemanski says the approved rates and fees are tough to swallow. 'A lot of single parents and they're on their own and they're living on a fixed income and they can't afford this kind of increase.'
CTV News
10 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Winnipeg shelter calling for help to grow pet-friendly sensory garden
Winnipeg's Animal Services is asking for help making life a little easier for dogs in its care. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual When four-legged guests at a city-owned animal shelter step outside for some fresh air, conditions are not exactly lush. 'The facilities are quite bland,' said Jennifer Medlicott, the community relations coordinator with Winnipeg's Animal Services Agency. She's not wrong. The play area is filled with gravel, surrounded by a brick wall and partitioned off with chain-link fence. Winnipeg Animal Services Agency The outdoor play area at the Winnipeg Animal Services Agency facility on Logan Avenue is captured on camera on June 19, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg) There are a few flourishes, be it a refreshing wading pool or a climbable bridge. Still, Medlicott and the rest of the staff have a greener, more stimulating vision for the space - one she hopes generous Winnipeggers will help them bring to life. 'We just want to make the animals' time here as easy as possible, as enjoyable as possible, and one way of doing that is to enrich them in the yards when they're out here,' Medlicott explained. Winnipeg Animal Services Agency Tangela the pup climbs in the play area at the Winnipeg Animal Services Agency facility on Logan Avenue on June 19, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg) The plan is to make over the space into a pet-friendly sensory garden. For those unfamiliar, Medlicott said it's exactly what it sounds like – an Eden of sorts filled with wonderful smells, colours, and textures designed for furry, four-legged friends to enjoy. To start, staff plan to add potted plants to the otherwise drab chain-link fence. They're hoping the public will help keep the garden growing, be it by donating soil, dog-friendly plants, extra pots or a monetary donation. Animal Services Agency Tangela the pup plays outside at the Winnipeg Animal Services Agency facility on Logan Avenue on June 19, 2025. (Daniel Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg) Medlicott believes such a soothing environment will make a big difference for dogs and cats as they await their forever homes. 'In a kennel environment, the pets are quite stressed out,' she explained. 'When they're less stressed, they can meet their potential adopters and be in a lot better of a space.' Donations can be dropped off at the Animal Services Agency facility at 1057 Logan Avenue during adoption hours. Monetary donations can be made on the organization's website. - With files from CTV's Daniel Timmerman
CTV News
10 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Renters struggling to stay above water
Winnipeg Watch Maralee talks with Michael Froese about why renters are still struggling even as the cost of rent drops.
