Southern Health-Santé Sud logo

Construction of New Portage Regional Health Centre is Complete!

Construction of the new Portage Regional Health Centre is now complete, marking a major milestone in the delivery of modern health care services for Portage la Prairie and the surrounding region.

With the building phase finished, work is now focused on the installation of medical equipment, digital systems and comprehensive training for clinical and operational staff to ensure a smooth transition into the new facility. These final preparations will support safe, efficient, and patient-centred care leading to the official opening in the fall of 2026.

The new two-story Portage Regional Health Centre spans approximately 275,0002 feet and has been designed to meet the evolving health care needs of the community. The facility includes 114 acute care patient beds and will provide a full range of services, including medical care, palliative care, rehabilitation, family birthing, surgical services and special care.

Over the past two and a half years, the project has represented a significant investment of time, skill and collaboration.

More than 1.49 million worker hours were dedicated to construction – the equivalent to over 170 years of combined effort.

Crews poured 10,500 cubic metres of concrete, enough to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools and installed 1,700 tons of structural steel, roughly the weight of 1,200 cars.

The scale of the build is reflected in the finer details as well.

The health centre’s exterior features 238 punch windows, while inside, 951 doors were installed using more than 10,000 pieces of hardware.

Construction included 35,000 lineal feet of interior walls and 1.4 million square feet of drywall – enough to cover 32 acres or stretch 66 miles if standard 4×8 sheets were laid end-to-end. In addition, 190,0002 feet of ceiling grid was installed throughout the facility.

Once fully operational, the new Portage Regional Health Centre will provide a modern, welcoming environment for patients, families and staff, and will play a critical role in strengthening health care services for the region for decades to come.

Portage Regional Health Centre

Winter Storm Update

Southern Health–Santé Sud is continuing to assess impacts across the region as a result of the snowstorm.

Home care services have been disrupted due to road conditions. Impacted clients have been asked to activate their back-up plans. Some elective surgeries at sites across the region have been postponed, along with some non-essential day programming. Patients will be contacted if any appointments are cancelled.

Please continue to check the Emergency Department schedule and call ahead to confirm operation hours and scheduled appointments with care providers.

For all emergencies call 911.

Trails Manitoba | Grant

Trails Manitoba logo

Specific objectives for this grant include:

  1. Provide new recreational trail opportunities which includes extending or improving existing trails, developing new trails, and addressing trail gaps and barriers.
  2. Improve the quality of the existing recreational trail network or the user’s experience including safety improvements, signage, wayfinding, and barriers to access.
  3. Maintenance of the recreational trail network, including pruning, repairing holes, trail beautification, normal erosion/drainage repairs, clean-up, usual repairs (signage, barriers, fencing, surfacing) and other maintenance tasks that are undertaken for upkeep of a trail

To learn more and/or apply: Grants | Trails Manitoba

Imagine a Canada

imagine canada

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, asks students across the country to envision a reconciled Canada and make something that reflects their vision.

To enter, students may create artwork, write an essay, or plan a community project to promote reconciliation.  More information and links to apply to both the art and essay, and the project streams.

Application deadline: January 23, 2026

Manitoba Seniors Guide

A powerful resource providing descriptions and lists for community, health and government programs.

image of seniors

In addition to a general guide for Manitoba, there are five versions of the guide based on regions within the province. When you select the guide for your region, you’ll find specific information on programs and services available where you live.

Province of Manitoba | Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care

Ribbon Skirt Day in MB | Jan 4th

ribbon skirts

National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada is a day dedicated to understanding, respecting and supporting Indigenous cultures and histories.
January 4, 2026

The day was inspired by Isabella Kulak, a fifth grader from Cote First Nation, who in 2020 was told her ribbon skirt wasn’t formal enough for the school’s Formal Day. Ribbon skirts hold cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous Peoples, symbolizing identity, resilience and connection to heritage. Isabella’s story sparked a movement that led to the successful passage of Bill S-219 in 2022 by Senator Mary Jane McCallum, to formally recognize this important day on January 4, 2023.

To learn more about the importance of Ribbon Skirt Day!

Indigenous Service Canada Benefits

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

The program provides registered First Nations and recognized Inuit with coverage for a specified, nationally consistent range of health benefits not otherwise covered through:

  • provincial or territorial health insurance
  • private insurance plans
  • other publicly-funded plans or programs
four images of indigenous people

The NIHB program is part of a broader system of federal, provincial and territorial health programs and services contributing to the health of Indigenous people in Canada.

For more information on the health system, see Indigenous Health Care in Canada. To register for the program visit: NIHB

Winter Road Safety

winter driving safety

Winter can make driving challenging and stressful, especially for newcomers. It is important to change our driving habits to suit the conditions of snow and sleet.


Here are some winter driving tips from Manitoba Public Insurance:

  • Slow down when appropriate
  • Give yourself some extra travel time
  • Brake sooner
  • Leave longer distance between vehicles

Visit Manitoba Public Insurance to learn more!

From the Ground Up

Safe Healthy Communities for All

Traffic lights-MB Go

Provincial Grant Opportunity provides project funding to support a broad range of community renewal efforts, community capital projects and children and youth initiatives. It focuses on community led response and revitalization efforts including capacity building, wellness and safety, community economic development, social inclusion, housing coordination and children and youth initiatives.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Non-profit organizations
  • Municipal governments (other than the City of Winnipeg)
  • Northern Affairs Community Councils

When is the application deadline?

The application intake for the program is now open and the application deadline is January 26, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

What do they fund?

1. Community Renewal Initiatives Stream
Supports community development projects including:

  • Community and organizational capacity building and planning;
  • Community economic development initiatives;
  • Well-being and recreation activities to promote neighbourhood safety and cohesion;
  • Anti-racism, bridge building and inclusion initiatives; and
  • Housing and safety coordination supports.

2. Community Spaces Stream
Supports capital projects that extend, improve or enhance interior and exterior public use community facilities and spaces.

3. Healthy, Safe, Connected Children and Youth Stream
Supports targeted children and youth projects including outreach, wellness, recreation, youth internships, training and leadership development.

For more information on program guidelines, eligible funds and the application.

Urban/Hometown Green Team

Provincial Grant Opportunity

youth working to beautify their community

Green Team grants create summer employment opportunities for youth aged
15 to 29 years.

Approved Applicants provide a variety of community development projects that improve neighbourhoods, promote community involvement, and help develop young leaders. The employment period is between May 1 and September 30.

Who can apply?

Eligible Applicants throughout Manitoba include:

  • Municipal governments (other than the City of Winnipeg)
  • Northern Affairs Community Councils
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Education authorities

When is the application deadline?

January 26, 2026, by 11:59pm.

For more information on program guidelines, eligible funds, and the application.