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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
A half-century of helping people leave their addictions behind
For 50 years, Tamarack Recovery Centre, a community-based addictions treatment service in Winnipeg, has been quietly and steadfastly offering life-changing wraparound treatment and recovery support. Its mission is to provide a safe, welcoming environment where individuals are supported in recovery to realize their full potential. The vision at the heart of it all: healthy people, free from addiction. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Tamarack operations manager Sherry Gable, executive director Lisa Cowan and clinical supervisor Jo Riedle (from left) at the community-based addictions treatment centre on Balmoral Street. 'I no longer wake up feeling empty and dreading the day ahead. Instead, I'm motivated and optimistic,' wrote one former resident. 'I'm more at peace with myself and the world around me. There are certainly some days where old thought patterns and habits creep up, but I'm better equipped to handle those. I'm not having to turn to external things to change the way I feel. I'm able to fall back on the inner strength and supports I've built up along the way.' Recognizing that financial need is often a major barrier to accessing addictions treatment in Manitoba, Tamarack Recovery Centre is hoping a campaign to raise $50,000 for its '50 for the Future' will encourage donors large and small. Earlier this month, the centre received a $30,000 donation from Manitoba's Credit Unions as the first major contribution to Tamarack's new endowment fund. 'This is a proactive investment in our future,' Tamarack executive director Lisa Cowan said, adding the fund will help ensure no one is turned away from the facility's services because they lack the funds. 'Our current data show that more and more people are seeking addictions treatment services. However, we know that not everyone can afford to access the help they need. The agency fund means we can build on and sustain our innovative and responsive participant subsidy program, reducing financial barriers to accessing treatment for future participants. We don't ever want finances to be a barrier.' Over the past five decades of supporting thousands of people in recovery, the program has been meeting participants where they are, providing continuous community-based care. Tamarack's residential treatment program is 60 days in duration. Extended programs are available for people seeking additional time in treatment, and ongoing after-care support is offered to all graduate clients. Cowan, who was formally trained in England as a drama therapist, was always drawn to a helping profession. She set herself up in private practice, worked with women whose lives were impacted by sexual abuse, and later as a counsellor at Tamarack, before ultimately taking on the role of director. 'I very quickly just knew this place was different — so friendly and low-key — a place to be yourself and be real. Instantly I saw that in the staff, many of them in recovery themselves; a healthy perspective, a different degree of honesty. I felt welcome and open to using my skills,' she said. 'I care about this place. I feel really proud of the work we are doing.' The fully accredited Balmoral Street centre has expanded over the years. 'We have a second facility two doors down. I'm truly fortunate with the team I have — that I got to choose — surrounded by people who have been here for 10 to 14 years. Between all of us, and the participants, we adapt the program, and there's not a high level of bureaucracy here. We have a fabulous board of directors, and a completion rate that's really excellent. Every day there is an opportunity to celebrate success in some way. You feel like you're able to be part of something bigger than yourself.' In a profession with a notoriously high burnout rate, Cowan points to a site survey showing the team's surprising longevity. 'It does feel like such a supportive team. Participants help create and open doors; they're supportive of each other, telling me about their day. That's the stuff that fills my bucket.' Between the centre's two homes, the non-profit organization has an average of 23 staff and some student placements throughout the year. 'We really expanded and deepened our after-care program. There's after-care support for life at no charge, with groups twice per week. The majority of our team (staff, graduates and participants) has lived experience with addiction or mental illness. There's support from peers, case management — they can pop in any time. It's a super chill setup family atmosphere. 'We are small, about 12 people in our treatment Centre. In the branch we can have up to 10 of our graduates for up to two years, with supports and engagement but building in more independence, and a return to education.' Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. Since 2013, Tamarack has an average completion rate of 83 per cent, notably exceeding the industry average of 44 per cent for long-term residential addictions treatment, and graduates report post-treatment sobriety rates well above national norms. 'We've just been operating so quietly — we are a big group of introverts,' Cowan said with a chuckle. 'My way is to work and improve from the inside, not blow my own horn. We stay focused on just doing the work. There's no communications or media relations person. We are not the latest thing in the community. We are quietly going about it. 'I really think sometimes what's missing in the conversation — yes, we have to deal with the crisis, of course there are people hurting — we need to have longevity in mind when we are supporting people, to prevent people from going back. I think it's that connection piece, we have no limit on after-care. We've always managed it. I believe we always will.' To learn more and to support Tamarack, visit or call 204-772-9836. fpcity@
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
The community is not just the majority
Opinion Know your audience — every member of it. The City of Winnipeg is planning to remove its parking purchase stations, making those who want to park in the downtown use a smartphone app instead. But what if you don't have a smartphone? You can buy vouchers for parking in a limited number of locations — hardly an ideal solution. What's also important to think about in that equation is not who, like you, has a smartphone and the ability to use a parking app, but those who don't — and what it would mean to them. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS The City of Winnipeg will remove its parking pay stations between July 2 and Aug. 31. That's worth thinking about, not only for parking, but even as people think about the future of the public service of Canada Post. Our national mail carrier is once again in labour trouble — and critical financial trouble as well — and is shedding users as a result of the variety of hurdles it's facing. As customers leave, the financial picture grows even more dire. An industrial inquiry into the service has come up with a variety of potential solutions to the fiscal problems, among them, ending daily delivery to residential customers (but keeping it for commercial customers). The belt-tightening would mean more community mailboxes, different delivery schedules and a resumption of small postal office closures, among other things. On the face of it, it probably looks attractive. After all, much more written communication is dealt with now over email than with paper, envelopes and stamps, and the vast majority of Canadians would probably respond to the loss of door to door delivery with little more than a shrug: flyers and direct advertising mail probably outnumbers arriving first-class mail by a handy margin. But that's not the case for everyone. There is still a significant minority that depends on paper mail as a public service — and just like removing credit card access to parking stations — see a critical loss in losing regular mail service. The national mail carrier for Denmark and Sweden, PostNord, plans to stop all lettermail in Denmark by the end of 2025, because users are dwindling and most services — including government services — are primarily available digitally. But that leaves a remarkable number of Danes — 270,000 people, or 4.5 per cent of the population — who still depend on lettermail out in the cold. As The Parliament Magazine points out, 'this includes the chronically ill, the elderly and people with disabilities. These groups are already at risk of social isolation, and cutting mail service could add one more factor.' Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. The effect is much the same as the fallout from Winnipeg's parking app decision — yes, you can go to one of three locations and buy paper parking vouchers, so there is at least lip service to a workaround. But that hardly provides an equal opportunity of access to everyone who may need to park at places like the downtown Manitoba Clinic for a diagnostic medical procedure. Instead, the marginalized, quite simply, grow even more marginalized. And feel even more like they are not considered as a part of decisions that are meant to reflect the needs of the entire community, not simply what is the majority of a community at any given time. There's a clear message in that about lettermail, and about parking apps, and about any number of other decisions that may be made with the majority in mind, and the minority ignored. When you make changes to a public service, you have to consider not only the people that are happy to be under the new umbrella, but also the number that you're leaving out in the rain. Access means that you don't build more hurdles for those who already have them. The community is everybody.
Winnipeg Free Press
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
GALLERY: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Winnipeg Free Press photographer Brook Jones captured the action on and off the field at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday in Winnipeg. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Bombers wide receiver Keric Wheatfall (No. 88) goes up for the football while Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles (No. 8) covers him during second quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers quarterback Terry Wilson (No. 3) prepares to throw a pass during fourth quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers mascots Buzz (No. 01) and Boomer (No. 00) show their enthusiasm for the team's win. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (No. 8) prepares to throw the football during first quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers fans cheers on their home team during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers fans Ray Cool rings his Bombers cowbell while his friend Shaun Duguay whistles with his fingers during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheer and dance team member Emma Barr (middle) during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers fans ring their Bombers cowbell during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers quarterback (No. 3) prepares to throw a pass during fourth quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers wide receiver Kevens Clercius (No. 86) is tackled by Riders linebacker Antonie Brooks Jr. during first quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (No. 17) is thrown into the air with a hit by Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles (No. 8) during second quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: A Bombers fan rings her Bombers cowbell during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Matthew Peterson (No. 22) runs with the football while Riders defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore (No. 49) prepares to tackle him during second quarter action Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Captain Blue (right) and Blue Bombers fan Everley Barr, 5, give each other fist bumps after the game. It was Barr's first Bomber game she has attended. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler (No. 17) runs with the football while Riders defensive back Marcus Sayles (No. 8) stops his progression during second quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers drumline member Kaitlyn Childs plays a snare drum during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers punter James Evans (left) holds the football for Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo (middle). Castillo hit his fifth field goal of the game late in the fourth quarter. Also pictured is Riders defensive back Tyrique McGhee (right) on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers drumline during first half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers quarterback Terry Wilson (No. 3) receives the snap during fourth quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Bombers defensive back Evan Holm (No. 31) tackles Riders running back A.J. Ouellette (No. 45) during second quarter action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers mascots Buzz (No. 01) and Boomer (No. 00) show their enthusiasm for the team's win. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Captain Blue takes a lap around the end zone after the Bombers kicked a field goal during second half action. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Nine-year-old Kiera Wetton gives 2025 Grey Cup mascot Justin Beaver a hug after the game. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (No. 20) is tackled by Riders linebacker Aubrey Miller (No. 47) and defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (No. 0) during first quarter action on Saturday. BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canadian Football league preseason action at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Man., Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Bombers earned a 15-9 victory over the Riders. Pictured: Winnipeg Blue Bombers cheer and dance team member Laura Tymchyshyn (middle) during first half action. ROOK JONES/FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers Cam Allen (No. 35) tries to escape the grip from Riders running back Mario Anderson (No. 29) during second quarter action on Saturday.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Office vacancy rate decreases, foot traffic up as businesses stabilize needs post-pandemic: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ
Despite being a Wednesday, the line-up at Mondays Cafe was growing. Derick De Leon had already grabbed his cup. It's a twice-weekly treat for him — find a downtown coffee shop, buy a drink and do some computer work. He was ahead of the 10 a.m. rush. Near him, a cohort of women gathered for their regular chat; office workers sporting lanyards trotted by with coffees. De Leon has watched downtown get busier in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pedestrian traffic is up nearly 30 per cent year over year, according to a Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone report highlighting 2025's first quarter. Office vacancy has dropped slightly, and though there was a net loss of businesses, it's largely due to eateries leaving Portage Place mall pre-redevelopment. The restaurant loss is temporary because a new food hall is set for the site, the BIZ underscored. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Mondays Cafe co-owner Morgan McCurdy BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Mondays Cafe co-owner Morgan McCurdy Mondays Cafe is one of six new companies to open in the city's core between January and March. 'I like the vibe,' De Leon said, considering downtown as a whole. Mondays Cafe has become his go-to. Tara Meneer, the hub's co-owner, sat at a table steps away. She and daughter Morgan McCurdy launched their coffee shop at the end of February. 'It's a great business model, to take over a closed Starbucks,' Meneer said with a laugh. 'So many people just expect it to be a coffee shop.' Starbucks exited 305 Broadway two years ago. The ground-floor space sat empty, at the base of an office tower, until Mondays Cafe arrived. By Meneer's retelling, McCurdy wanted to start a coffee shop. The 27-year-old had worked in hospitality but had never been an entrepreneur; her mother, 54, owns a couple of gas stations. The two paired up. Meneer wanted to ensure there was foot traffic, so she looked downtown near office buildings. In recent years, the Winnipeg core has lost street-level businesses. Entrepreneurs would often cite a lack of foot traffic as a challenge; office staff stayed home during the pandemic. But Mondays Cafe has been busy. White collar workers account for most of the customer base, Meneer said. There's a morning coffee rush, then a lunch rush, then a post-lunch coffee rush. Her business is nestled among office towers. Weather and days of the week influence foot traffic. 'This Friday will probably be slow,' Meneer forecast. 'People will take that as a work from home day and extend their (Victoria Day) long weekend.' Vacancy rate decreases Downtown Winnipeg and Vancouver logged the largest decreases in office vacancy rates of major cities nationally, per the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ first-quarter report. (It uses CBRE data.) The local vacancy rate was 18.2 per cent at the beginning of the year, down from 18.7 per cent at the end of 2024 and 18.6 per cent one year ago. Across Canada, downtown office markets seem to be stabilizing, said CBRE Winnipeg's managing director. It's been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Paul Kornelsen said: 'Organizations just have a bit of a better handle on what they need in terms of office space.' Companies have figured out their workflows. As a result, the CBRE has noticed more activity — firms looking to trade spaces, upsize or downscale. The numbers won't reflect this for another year, given transaction time, Kornelsen noted. Buildings connected via tunnel or skywalk and higher-quality structures tend to be more popular in downtown Winnipeg, Kornelsen said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The core's ground-floor vacancy rate has stagnated around 32 per cent. Eleven businesses closed in the area between January and March; seven of those were in Portage Place. True North Real Estate Development acquired Portage Place mall last year and has publicized its intent. A planned food hall is expected to have a 'net positive' on business creation, the Downtown BIZ report reads. Whether former eateries will return to the Portage Place locale is still being determined, said Kate Fenske, BIZ chief executive. Mondays Cafe and a new Empty Cup at Hargrave St. Market both replaced previously vacant coffee shops, Fenske noted. 'When you do have coffee shops setting up, it shows that there are people in the neighbourhood,' she said. 'The daily activity is there to support coffee shops.' Clothing stores Aym Fashion and Weekend Vintage Winnipeg, Fête Jockey (an event company) and Abel Grocery Store and Bakery also opened over the last quarter, the BIZ reported. Entertainment such as Winnipeg Jets NHL playoff games and whiteout street parties has drawn thousands in the past weeks. Fenske is preparing for thousands more: the Canadian Elite Basketball League championship, among other events, is being hosted in the city this year. Safety, however, remains a concern, Fenske said. She's in talks with the provincial and city governments about reimplementing the Downtown Safety Action Plan this summer to boost security — and its visibility — on the street. She's also heard from businesses beginning to see U.S trade war-induced price increases on their imports. Melanie Bernadsky, owner of Freshcut Downtown, still welcomes more residential customers than office workers. Pre-pandemic, white collar staff consumed most of her clientele. '(It's) never really come back,' Bernadsky said, adding she's excited for the completion of a nearby apartment block at 185 Donald St. Paula Baert has worked downtown every weekday for years. Vehicle traffic can feel like 2019, she said. In the summer, though, there hasn't been the same street food presence, she added. 'It would be nice to see the people and all the vendors out.' Meneer recalled questioning herself days before opening Mondays Cafe. Now, amid the busy operation, she considers the gig 'pretty amazing.' 'You know, sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone is good.' Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
