Physical activity is essential to maintaining good health and overall well-being. Despite the many benefits of daily movement, including improved mental health, increased energy and reduced risk of chronic diseases, physical activity levels in Canada remain low. Why is this? And what can we do in our community to better support an active life?
Participaction Canada has put together a report that breaks down what is preventing people from living active lifestyles, across generations. In this report, you can identify strategies to break down barriers and support all generations to engage in daily movement!
Healthy Smile Happy Child is making a difference in reducing Early Childhood Tooth Decay
It’s oral health month, and Healthy Smile Happy Child is doing some very important research to help prevent early childhood tooth decay. Healthy Smile Happy Child is a partnership that works with communities to prevent early childhood tooth decay. Last year, we celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary. The partnership shares important oral health information with communities across Manitoba and works with those communities to study oral health in young children.
Oral Health Studies
Healthy Smile Happy Child is currently working on four very important studies with Métis and First Nations communities.
The studies are looking at:
Collecting plaque and saliva samples from children who do not have tooth decay, as well as those with early childhood tooth decay, to see if there are differences. This could help prevent tooth decay in the future.
Including traditional oral health teaching in Healthy Smile Happy Child’s oral health promotion activities.
Having non-dental health care providers use a tool to help children who are at risk for early childhood tooth decay connect to dental care.
Studying whether the Canadian Dental Care Plan helps people get dental care.
All of these research projects will help to reduce the risk of tooth decay in young children.
If you are interested in participating, please contact 204-480-1351
Tips for Taking Care of Children’s Teeth
Keeping your child’s mouth clean is one important step in preventing early childhood tooth decay.
The following tips can help:
Wipe baby’s gums. Wiping baby’s gums after each feeding, starting at birth with a clean and damp washcloth, is an important start to establishing an oral hygiene routine.
Start brushing baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) of toothpaste with fluoride. When your child is old enough to spit, use a pea-size amount of toothpaste with fluoride.
Brush baby teeth twice a day for two minutes.
Take your child to visit the dental team for a check-up by the 1st birthday. As soon as the first tooth appears make an appointment to visit a dentist. Many dentists have a free first visit until the age of 3 years old.
Help children brush their teeth until they are eight years old. Children need help getting all the surfaces of their teeth brushed until they have the coordination to do it themselves.
Did you know that you may be able to get dental insurance through the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
Individuals can apply if:
They do not have private dental insurance.
They have a family income of less than $90,000.
They have filed their 2025 tax return.
They are Canadian residents for tax purposes.
If you receive the Canada Child Benefit for your child, YOU Qualify!
For information on how to apply, visit Canada.ca/dental Remember to renew your coverage each year after filing your tax return!
For more information about taking care of young children’s teeth visit Healthy Smile Happy Child social media and website
Celebrate Francophonie Month in Manitoba
Francophonie month is a time to celebrate the language, culture, and contributions of Francophone communities across the province. It’s an opportunity to recognize Manitoba’s rich French heritage and the vibrant communities that continue to shape its identity.
Learn more about the history, events and programs throughout the month of March!
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
Tax season is almost here!
Need help with your taxes?
Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), community organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers complete tax returns for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation.
Local Free Tax clinics available across SH-SS regions:
Carman (By appointment only): 204-745-6611 or 431-344-0210
RM of Piney (In-person by appointment only): 204-425-5118
RM of De Salaberry (In-person only, available for seniors only): 204-347-5652
MacGregor (In-person, priority given to food bank clients and those who are receiving EIA): 204-685-2977
Portage la Prairie (In-person or drop offs available): 204-857-6304 (ext. 224)
Ste. Anne (In-person drop offs only): 204-422-7020
St. Pierre & RM of De Salaberry (In-person drop-offs only): 204-433-3340
St. Claude & Rathwell (In-person or drop offs available): 204-379-2883
Steinbach (In-person or drop offs only): 204-989-1918
Steinbach (In-person drop ins): 204-380-2692
Please note: The local free tax services are only available to the residents of the region unless mentioned otherwise.
Automatic Tax Filing (SimpleFile)
Automatic tax filing helps eligible individuals file their taxes without having to complete a full return themselves. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses the information it already has (such as income slips and benefit data) to assess eligibility for benefits and credits.
This option is designed to support people who:
Have low or modest incomes
Have simple tax situations
May face barriers to filing taxes on their own
The CRA is inviting individuals to use the SimpleFile by Phone service starting March 9, 2026. With SimpleFile, you only need to answer a series of quick questions, and then the service uses your answers, with the information we have on file, to auto-file and process a tax return on your behalf.
Off-road Vehicle (ORV) Land & Trail Rehabilitation
Applications for grant funding will be accepted until March 31, 2026.
Summary of the grant program:
Grants for up to $50,000 are available for projects that propose to repair public lands and trails that have been damaged by off-road vehicle activity (such as ATVs, snowmobiles or motorbikes).
Public lands and trails can include open areas, as well as trails open to motorized and / or non-motorized uses. The project area must have been damaged by ORV activity (tracks, ruts, erosion, etc).
Groups in MB that are eligible to apply for funding include:
Non-profit organizations
Municipalities and municipal entities
Indigenous communities and organizations
The project completion date is January 1, 2027.
Grant funding can be used to reimburse costs for contractors, heavy equipment rentals and operations, materials and supplies such as aggregate material and barriers to prevent further ORV damage.
When it comes to inclusion, neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognized and respected as all other human variations.
Depending on how our brains are wired we think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Many people use neurodiversity as an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles. But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognizing those who think differently. No matter whether you are a school, university or organization you can benefit from different thinkers! March 16th-20th is Neurodiversity Awareness Week. Lexxic has a wide variety of webinars to help you and your community members better understand neurodiversity including inclusive language, empowerment, youth perspectives, intersectionality, and so much more!
Designed specifically for the agriculture community and provides counselling services delivered by professionals with agricultural literacy
Its counsellors understand the unique stressors farmers, farm families and agricultural employees face, including extreme weather events, market volatility, rising input costs, labour challenges and the demands of running multi-generational family operations, while providing targeted supports to address those stressors.
Built on principles of accessibility, confidentiality and agricultural literacy, the program provides timely, no-cost counselling tailored to farmers, their families and farm employees. It reduces barriers to support by offering flexible, farmer-centred care, helping participants manage financial pressures, family conflicts, operational stress or personal well-being challenges.
Do you consider yourself an ‘indoorsy’ person during the winter months?
Winter can be challenging—it’s dark, cold, and snowy. However, breaking down these challenges can help us discover practical ways to shift our mindset.
We know we benefit when we get outside and connect with others, when winter makes us feel isolated. Park groups across Canada are helping to find the light in the dark, warmth in the cold and a ball in the snow.
Check out some ideas on how your community can animate your park in the winter!
