U Radio

Canadian health advocates are calling for transparency, accountability, and an end to for‑profit plasma collection after paid donor deaths in Winnipeg raised concerns about safety, regulation, and profit‑driven incentives 🩸⚖️. They argue that public control, stronger enforcement, and full disclosure are essential to restore trust and prevent further harm. 🏥🔍

Technology is advancing faster than we ever imagined, and 🤖 AI is right at the centre of it. But what exactly is artificial intelligence? And as chatbots become capable of full, human‑like conversations , what impact is this having on our mental health? 🧠

Joelle Foster, President and CEO of North Forge, and Rita Chahal from MDAM, unpack what AI really means for our daily lives, and our well‑being.

Take a Mental Health Break with U Radio and the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. ⁠https://u-channel.ca/mental-health-break/⁠

Listen on U Radio 88.7 FM weekdays at 8 PM CT.🎙️<

Environmental, health, and community groups say Manitoba’s 2026 budget misses the urgency of the climate crisis 🌍⚠️, even as it pours billions into health care and economic growth.
A coalition argues that neglecting preventive, environmental action will drive higher future costs, while the government's focus is on rebuilding health care and clean energy alongside industrial development. 🔌🚧

Manitoba’s latest budget pledges new social housing, rent relief, and supports to tackle homelessness 🏠💰, framing housing as essential to affordability, health, and economic stability. Advocates welcome the intent but warn the funding and pace fall far short of the crisis, saying delays and limited unit counts will worsen rising affordability pressures.

Manitoba’s 2026 budget pitches affordability and health‑care rebuilding, cutting costs on essentials, expanding tax credits, and boosting staffing, hospital beds, and access to doctors, while maintaining one of the country’s lowest deficit‑to‑GDP ratios. 🏥💰 Critics say housing supply and climate action lag behind the scale of need, raising questions about whether the plan is bold enough for Manitoba’s biggest long‑term challenges. 🌱🏠

https://u-channel.ca/what-manitobas-2026-budget-means-for-your-health-home-and-cost-of-living/

Drag has surged in popularity thanks to global platforms like RuPaul’s Drag Race, while Winnipeg’s intimate yet incredibly diverse drag scene proves that connection and community, are what truly define the art form. 🌈✨ Anishinaabe performer Waaseyaa Haze was named Rainbow Resource Centre’s Drag Artist in Residence, highlighting the power of inclusive support, Indigenous representation, and investing in artists so they can truly thrive. 🪶🔥

- Photo by: Angelle Holmes​.

https://u-channel.ca/why-winnipegs-drag-artist-in-residence-is-about-more-than-drag/

🩺 Manitoba is marking a major health-care milestone as a record 45 nurses complete specialized ICU training this spring, strengthening critical care teams and helping stabilize services across the province. 🌱💙 Provincial Leaders say rebuilding health care is about investing in people, highly skilled nurses who provide lifesaving, one‑to‑one care and keep ICUs fully staffed.

https://u-channel.ca/manitoba-graduates-record-45-icu-nurses-to-strengthen-critical-care-capacity/

Dr. Kirsten Reynolds, a clinical psychologist at the University of Manitoba, is partnering with Rita Chahal and the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba to co-develop an evidence‑based, peer‑support initiative for pregnant and postpartum people experiencing depression. This collaborative project will centre inclusivity, lived experience, and research to improve perinatal mental health outcomes across Manitoba. 💙📚

🧠Take a Mental Health Break with U Radio and the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. https://u-channel.ca/mental-health-break/

Listen on U Radio 88.7 FM weekdays at 8 PM CT.🎙️

Winnipeg’s Repair Café brings neighbours together to fix everyday items, reduce waste, and share hands‑on skills, turning broken toasters, bikes, and jackets into moments of learning and connection. 🛠️🧵

Hosted monthly by the Spence Neighbourhood Association, the café is “mutual aid in action” that saves money, keeps items out of landfills, and strengthens community ties ♻️❤️

https://u-channel.ca/at-a-winnipeg-repair-cafe-fixing-things-becomes-a-way-to-build-community/

High school students transformed St. Vital Shopping Centre into a buzzing marketplace, pitching student‑run businesses through a JA Manitoba trade fair that built real‑world skills like sales, teamwork, and confidence. 🛍️✨ From motivational calendars to café‑scented candles, students learned resilience, creativity, and how to turn ideas into action.

In the Shadow Beyond the Pines follows three friends in Northern Manitoba whose grief awakens something ancient, blending Cree legend with a modern “safe scary” horror rooted in culture, memory, and resilience.
Created by Cree playwright Rhonda Apetagon and brought to life with sacred fire and ceremony at Royal MTC, the play is a haunting celebration of Indigenous stories that refuse to be forgotten.

https://u-channel.ca/royal-mtcs-new-production-breathes-life-into-northern-legends/

Students from across Winnipeg gathered at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to tackle issues like misinformation, division, and global conflict while building stronger, more compassionate communities through dialogue and creativity.

Through workshops, art, and discussions on peace and the SDGs, youth emphasized the power of having their voices heard and working together for a more hopeful future.

https://u-channel.ca/students-urge-greater-youth-involvement-in-global-issues/

OFE has launched a new Youth Employment Services Program to help newcomer youth gain job skills and navigate Canada’s evolving labour market, offering tailored support for both younger teens and older youth with international experience.

The pilot program, funded by IRCC, aims to build long‑term career readiness and empower youth to succeed in a competitive job market.

Australian musician Rob Edwards is touring Treaty One Territory, reconnecting with Indigenous artists and exploring his own cultural roots through music and community. His Manitoba journey blends collaboration, identity, and joy as he learns from Elders, shares stories, and creates new music inspired by resilience.

https://u-channel.ca/australian-musician-rob-edwards-embarks-on-journey-of-connection-and-self-discovery-in-treaty-one-territory/

Manitoba is investing in perinatal mental health through PRIME X Community grants, supporting programs like MDAM and Dr. Kristin Reynolds’ new peer‑coaching initiative to help pregnant and postpartum people facing depression. With a focus on equity, accessibility, and evidence‑based support, the project aims to reduce stigma, strengthen families, and build sustainable mental‑health care for all parents across the province.

https://u-channel.ca/new-initiative-aims-to-transform-perinatal-mental-health/

Front‑line health‑care workers in Manitoba are facing rising safety concerns, prompting the province to roll out the new SAFE app across major hospitals to deliver real‑time alerts and direct access to security. With more than 2,000 violent incidents in 2024 and over 1,500 potential weapons detected at HSC last year, officials say these upgrades are essential to protecting staff and patients across the province.

https://u-channel.ca/safe-app-expands-to-strengthen-staff-safety-at-major-manitoba-hospitals/

Hundreds rallied outside Winnipeg City Hall to push back against the shelved Safe Access By-law, warning it could still return and threaten core rights to protest and dissent ❄️📣. Community members, from activists to academics, say the by-law’s vague language and steep fines highlight why defending civil liberties requires ongoing vigilance and collective action. ✊🏽⚖️

https://u-channel.ca/controversial-by-law-shelved-after-public-outcry/

Manitoba is moving forward with major dialysis reforms after an Auditor General report revealed gaps in planning, accountability, and coordination across the province’s kidney‑care system. ⚕️📊 New provincial initiatives aim to strengthen oversight, expand access, and ensure safer, more efficient treatment for patients who rely on life‑sustaining dialysis .💙

Girls from across Manitoba united at the Women in STEM, AI & Innovation Conference, diving into hands‑on labs, powerful mentorship, and conversations about belonging, curiosity, and the future of AI 🚀💡. The event inspired students to explore bold career paths, embrace change, and see themselves as the next generation of innovators 👩‍🔬✨

Safe, affordable housing is the difference between crisis and stability for women, gender-diverse people, and families in Manitoba. Safety is the bare minimum needed to move from surviving to thriving. 🏠✨ The Right to Housing Coalition’s Safe Homes for Women and Gender-Diverse People campaign is calling on the province to invest in social housing that builds community, dignity, and belonging for all.

The Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters (MAWS) launches the "Your Voice, Your Vision" campaign, engaging youth aged 15-24 to challenge dating violence through workshops and multimedia projects. 🌟💻 This initiative aims to empower young people with knowledge and support to foster healthy relationships and create safer communities. 💖

https://u-channel.ca/empowering-youth-voices-to-break-the-cycle-of-violence/ 

Three Manitoba teens used powerful spoken-word poetry to confront global conflict, justice, and hope during the kickoff of International Development Week at the Manitoba Legislature, sharing lived experiences shaped by war, displacement, and resilience 🎤🌍. Hosted by the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, the event highlighted youth voices, global cooperation, and real-world action toward peace and sustainable change .✨

https://u-channel.ca/how-youth-voices-and-education-are-shaping-the-future-of-global-cooperation/

The Manitoba Museum is expanding accessibility by launching Aira, a free app that connects blind and low-vision visitors with live interpreters so they can independently navigate and enjoy exhibits. ♿📱 With ongoing upgrades like sensory-friendly programs, language inclusion, and barrier-free access, the Museum is committed to making culture welcoming for everyone. 🏛️✨

https://u-channel.ca/manitoba-museum-expands-accessibility-through-technology/

- Photo provided by the Manitoba Museum.

A coalition of 26 Manitoba organizations rallied at the Legislature, urging the province to boost climate investments in Budget 2026 to better align with its net-zero goals and protect communities from escalating climate impacts. They’re calling for action on energy-efficient homes, expanded public transit, and nature protection, arguing the cost of delay is far higher than the cost of action.

The University of Manitoba unveiled its long-term Building Bold capital plan, laying out a proactive, campus-wide vision to tackle aging infrastructure, growing enrollment, and future needs through major new projects. Rooted in sustainability, reconciliation, and student-focused spaces, the plan charts a clear path toward a more inclusive and resilient university for decades to come.

As hate crimes rise across Manitoba, the provincial government has announced a $1-million security enhancement fund to help protect community organizations, cultural groups, and places of worship from hate-motivated incidents 🛡️. Leaders say the funding, alongside education📚 and unity, is a key step toward ensuring everyone can feel safe and supported in their communities.

https://u-channel.ca/manitoba-launches-security-enhancement-fund-to-address-rising-hate-crimes/

New Year fitness motivation often fades, but lasting health is built through small, consistent habits and realistic expectations, not quick fixes. 💪🕰️ Clinical exercise physiologist Allister McNabb says movement, mental health benefits, and community connection are key to building habits that truly last. 🧠

Manitoba’s job market proved more resilient than expected in 2025 💼📊, with manufacturing holding steady and health care surging, but rising competition, skills gaps, and immigration delays made finding work harder for many job seekers. As expectations climb on both sides, adaptability, upskilling, and rethinking hiring practices will be key heading into 2026 🤖📈.

Manitoba is taking health care into the digital age 📱🏥 with new mobile health cards now available through the MB Wallet app, giving residents faster, safer, and more convenient access to care. The move builds on broader health reforms and aims to improve patient safety, emergency response, and support for health-care workers across the province.

Mental wellness is a journey, and programs like Tea and Tales show how storytelling, peer support, and connection help seniors feel seen, supported, and less alone, especially during the holidays ☕💬💙. By sharing stories, building friendships, and filling our own cups first, we strengthen community and move toward balance and resilience together 🌱🤝✨.

🧠Take a Mental Health Break with U Radio and the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba.⁠ https://u-channel.ca/mental-health-break/

Winnipeg Transit is adjusting its new Primary Transit Network and winter schedule as snow, delays, and transfers expose reliability issues, with riders and advocates stressing that dependable service is essential for daily life 🚌❄️. While officials say the redesign is a needed foundation, critics warn underfunding, lost one-seat rides, and winter conditions could push frustrated riders away without stronger support and investment 🥶📉.

https://u-channel.ca/winnipeg-transit-responds-to-rider-concerns-as-winter-schedule-brings-adjustments/

Celebrating 20 years of impact, CMWI launched the Winter Warmth Care Package Campaign, 🧣❄️handmade winter essentials created by newcomer women to support Winnipeggers facing homelessness while building skills, confidence, and community. This initiative turns lived experience into empowerment, proving that giving back can also open doors to brighter futures ❤️

https://u-channel.ca/cmwi-marks-20-years-by-empowering-newcomer-women-and-warming-the-community-through-winter-care-package-campaign/

The West End Cultural Centre smashed its fundraising goal in just one week, pulling in over $70K.✨ The venue now looks to the future, developing programming to bring audiences back in full force, and become more financially sustainable. 🎤

https://u-channel.ca/west-end-cultural-centre-surpasses-fundraising-goal/

E-cigarette use is rising among young Canadians, prompting UM researchers to investigate how vaping may affect developing lungs and long-term respiratory health. 🔬💨 Their work highlights early warning signs, challenges common misconceptions, and stresses the need for inclusive research, especially for women. 🫁

Buying soup is changing lives in Winnipeg, thanks to The Raw Carrot, a social enterprise creating meaningful jobs for people with disabilities through handcrafted gourmet soups 🥣💛. Every purchase helps restore dignity, purpose, and opportunity for those facing barriers to traditional work. 🌟

https://open.spotify.com/episode/074KDPwOGgRhMrZt598SSA?si=7814fa5e11644aec 

History helps us understand how far we've come, and the restoration of Winnipeg’s 115-year-old Louise Bridge highlights the powerful stories embedded in our shared past 🏞️🕰️. This rare relic of Canada’s railway expansion reminds us of both progress and the complex legacies that shaped Manitoba 🚂🌾.

https://u-channel.ca/preserving-the-louise-bridge-a-window-into-winnipegs-early-history/

The Winnipeg Humane Society is facing record demand for its pet food bank as inflation forces more families to choose between feeding themselves or their pets 😔🐾. To help, the organization is creating 100 holiday pet hampers and urging the community to donate, volunteer, or adopt to keep pets and families together 🎁❤️.

https://u-channel.ca/rising-costs-drive-record-need-for-winnipeg-humane-society-pet-food-bank/

Winnipeg’s Christmas Cheer Board is gearing up for what could be a record year, juggling rising demand, higher food costs, and the challenge of operating from two separate locations. 🎁❤️ Despite the pressures, the team remains determined to bring holiday warmth to families across the city and is calling on Winnipeggers to donate, volunteer, and spread cheer. 🎄✨

The Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy conducted a study and recently released a report titled ⁠“Tackling Islamophobia Through Sport and Physical Activity in Winnipeg.”⁠

The study explores how community-level sports programs can be powerful tools in countering Islamophobia and fostering understanding between diverse groups.

https://u-channel.ca/new-study-looks-at-sports-as-a-tool-against-islamophobia/

A hush settles over the crowd as a woman steps up to the podium. She is now the centre of attention. Carmen Puente, General Director of Training & Empowerment Women Congress MB, pauses, looking over the 15 women who have come forward to share their stories. Stories of overcoming barriers, embracing leadership, and inspiring community.

In an exclamation of joy, she says, “Ladies, we did it.”

https://u-channel.ca/women-without-limits-launch-marks-a-milestone-for-manitobas-multicultural-landscape/