UM Indigenous Birding Club
UM Indigenous birding club’s walks are happening throughout summer with dates including July 14, 21 and 28 for this month. This July, participants can enjoy observing young birds as it is nesting and fledging season. The club’s walks are an opportunity for anyone to connect with nature, build community and learn about birds. The walks close to the university usually start from the Bald Eagle lodge, Migizii Agamik to nearby leisurely locations, so participants are able to enjoy nature.
SOMI is recruiting for its executive team
The University of Manitoba’s Student Organized Market Initiative (SOMI) is looking for committee members. They are recruiting three creative associates, two events associates and one finance associate. Applications close Tuesday July 7 at 11:59 p.m. SOMI exists to support local and small businesses. Members of the team have an opportunity to execute SOMI’s vision for their markets and other events.
Zongiigabowin Indigenous Men’s Wellness Group
The Indigenous Student Centre is hosting a men’s wellness group event where men can come together. The event is expected to motivate participants to achieve their goals and traditional as well as western teachings and knowledge will be used. The event is open to those who are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), identify as male, including those who are Two-spirit, connected to the U of M as current students, alumni, prospective students, and intimate partners, children, or family members of current students.
Youth hub for mental health and wellness
The Manitoba government has opened a youth hub, Huddle Portage la Prairie. This hub will provide mental health and wellness services, for free, to young people aged between 12 and 29. Huddle youth hubs are an initiative to increase accessibility to health, wellness and social services for youth. This project is being led by United Way Winnipeg and the Manitoba government.
Manitoba changes immigration pathway for international graduates
The Manitoba government announced changes to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s International Education Stream on June 11, affecting candidates under the Career Employment Pathway (CEP).
The province said graduates with active CEP Expression of Interest profiles who have accumulated at least six months of work experience in Manitoba will be transitioned to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and considered in future draws alongside other skilled workers.
The change is intended to better align graduate selection with labour market needs while placing greater emphasis on Manitoba work experience, the province mentioned. Targeted Expression of Interest draws will continue to prioritize Manitoba-educated graduates.
Prior to the change, eligible graduates of Manitoba post-secondary institutions could apply through the CEP without a work experience requirement. Under the revised criteria, international graduates must complete at least six months of continuous full-time employment in Manitoba before becoming eligible for consideration through the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway.
The province said graduates who studied and are working in Manitoba “will continue to be strongly positioned for selection.” The Graduate Internship Pathway, serving “eligible master’s and doctoral graduates who complete a Mitacs internship,” remains unchanged as reported by the Manitoba government. Candidates are encouraged to update their profiles to remain eligible for future selection draws.
Manitoba removes PST on grocery food items
Manitobans will no longer pay Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on grocery food items beginning July 1, following a measure introduced in the provincial government’s 2026 budget.
The tax change expands PST exemptions to include self-serve and ready-to-eat food products sold in grocery stores. According to the province, affected items include sandwiches, beverages, baked goods and snack foods.
Premier Wab Kinew said the measure is intended to provide “real relief for Manitoba families on items you pick up when you are in a rush to feed the family.”
The province noted that the exemption does not apply to beverages containing more than one per cent alcohol, dietary supplements or taxable non-food items sold in grocery stores, including toilet paper, toothpaste and pet food.
Byelection set for The Pas-Kameesak constituency
A provincial byelection will be held in the The Pas-Kameesak constituency on July 21 following the death of longtime MLA Amanda Lathlin.
Lathlin made history as the first Indigenous woman elected to Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly. She first won a byelection in The Pas in 2015 and retained the seat in 2019 after the riding was renamed The Pas-Kameesak. She was re-elected in the 2023 provincial election.
The Manitoba government has also moved to honour Lathlin’s legacy. The province announced that a new healthcare facility in northern Manitoba will bear her name. The Amanda Lathlin Memorial Clinic is expected to serve residents in The Pas and surrounding communities.
The byelection will determine who will represent the constituency for the remainder of the legislative term.
