Register now!

May 8, 2025 – 9 am to 12 pm

Free Virtual Conference

AGENDA

• Greetings from Southern Health-Santé Sud
• Opening prayer from Elder Linda St. Cyr-Saric
• Keynote: Yas Hassen from the Tamarack Institute
• Five community stories:
  • Human Library – Pilot Mound
  • Community Youth Festival and Events group – Ste. Anne
  • Families and Nature Adventure Nights: Together We Grow – Sprague
  • Art in the Woods with Friends: An Inter-Generational Experience of Nature, Art and Community – Grunthal
  • Story Telling and Traditional Foods – St. Eustache
• Closing Prayer from Elder Linda St. Cyr-Saric

Learn more here.

For the next year, the Manitoba government is encouraging Manitobans to head out into the great outdoors and visit Provincial parks for free. “Whether you love to hike, canoe or just want to relax surrounded by nature, we encourage all Manitobans to visit our provincial parks, as no vehicle permit is required.” (Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes).

Research shows that people who are more connected with nature are happier in life and experience better mental health outcomes. This may be because nature generates positive emotions such as joy, calmness and creativity. Nature is vital in keeping us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy. While park vehicle passes will not be required for the 2025 season, Provincial camping reservation fees continue to apply. For more information, visit www.manitobaparks.com.

May 5^th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples, also known as Red Dress Day.

It is a day to remember and honour the many lives that have been lost, the Survivors, and the Families who have been impacted. We are all part of the path forward to ensure Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples have the same rights for safety and security.

Take time to read the Calls for Justice and see how you can make a difference. Listen to the Survivors and Family members to learn more, visit the National Family and Survivors Circle.

Poster

Offered by Victoria Lifeline and its partner, Victoria Hospital Foundation was established to support the creation or enhancement of opportunities for health promotion among older adults.

Grant funds are awarded to non-profit organizations serving primarily older adults to purchase equipment and/or to support activities or programs that promote health and independence.

Grant details for the 2025 intake:

Applications accepted beginning: February 28, 2025

Deadline to submit application: May 31, 2025

Applicants informed by: July 15, 2025

A total of $10,000 is available and funds will be dispersed and awarded based on the evaluation criteria established for this grant.

More information on the grant, the application link and the guidelines can be found on the Victoria Lifeline website.

April is Oral Health Month in Canada.

Oral health affects your overall health and wellness. The Government of Canada has been working to reduce the costs of dental care for Canadian residents through the Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP).

To be eligible for the CDCP, individuals need to:

• Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes.
• Have filed their taxes for the previous year;
• Have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 per year; and,
• Not have access to private or employer/pension sponsored dental coverage.

The government has been rolling out which groups are eligible. This currently includes those over 65, under 18 or with a valid Disability Tax Credit (DTC). This program will open to all ages later in 2025. For those currently enrolled in CDCP, they are required to renew their application annually.

Renewals for Existing CDCP Clients

Starting in March 2025, the Government of Canada will begin its annual reassessment of the eligibility of individuals currently covered under the plan to confirm that they continue to meet all eligibility requirements. Canadians already covered under the CDCP will be required to renew their application for the next benefit year by submitting a renewal application.

Current clients who have filed their 2024 tax return and received their Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency will be able to renew their CDCP dental coverage through one of the following channels:

• My Service Canada Account (MSCA) Interactive Response System (not available for applications with dependent(s))
• By phone, with a call centre officer In Person

Applications for renewals must be submitted by June 1, 2025.

If a client fails to submit their application to renew or no longer meets the eligibility requirements, their coverage will end on June 30, 2025.

The Pan-Canadian Tobacco Proceedings are a legal process where tobacco companies are being held accountable for the harm caused by their products. As part of this, there will be a claims process for people with certain smoking-related illnesses, but it has not been approved by the Court yet.

As of today, no one can submit a claim.

Some websites are popping up that look like official sources but are not. The only approved websites for claim information are:

https://www.tobaccoclaimscanada.ca/en (outside Quebec)

https://www.recourstabac.com/ (Quebec)

If you think you or a family member may be eligible, wait until the Court formally approves the plan before beginning the claims process. You can visit either of the above sites for information and updates, and sign up to receive email notifications so you’re the first to know when claims can officially be submitted.

No other websites, legal services, or law firms have been approved for claim information or support. The claims process:

• does not require legal guidance
• does not require paying a fee
• does not allow applications before the Court’s approval

Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance is tracking the proceedings and sharing updates on their website here.

It’s a fact: Better income Can Lead to Better Health: Get Your Benefits!

It’s that time of year – time to file your taxes and be sure to unlock all of your credits and benefits! Did you know that even if you did not make any money the previous year, it is still important to file your income tax to access certain benefits.

To learn more about various benefits and credits please visit: Get Your Benefits

For more information on accessing free tax filing support visit: Community Financial Counselling Services. There may be free tax services in your community – visit the Community Volunteer Income Tax program to learn more or visit Manitoba 211 for clinic locations.