Leons Headlines Feb 23: Violent clashes erupt in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, after Mexican special forces kill cartel leader, prompting a Canadian shelter-in-place advisory affecting nearly 5K Canadians, suspending transport & flights, leaving MB travelers stranded amid fires, roadblocks & reported gunfire.
-Early reports Monday say public transportation in Jalisco is gradually resuming; 25 cartel members killed, in-person classes remain suspended & airports returning to normal operations; most flights remain suspended.
-The Brandon Curling Club must relocate 2 provincial championships & end its season at the Keystone Centre after a refrigeration failure caused by a leaking brine system beneath the ice.
-MB Hydro is holding open houses on a proposed $2.5–$3 billion plan to add three combustion turbines in Brandon by 2030 to meet peak power demand; Feb. 28 in Rivers and March 3 in Brandon
-Canada’s 2025 tax-filing season starts today, runs until April 30.
-Manitobans visiting or with flight connections in the Northeastern US, may be disrupted as a major snowstorm prompts travel bans & over 3K flight cancellations; NS & Newfoundland also digging out.
-Canada’s 21-medal Winter Olympic performance, including just 5 golds & 8th place finish, its lowest totals since 2002 & worst ranking since ‘92, spark concern about future competitiveness.
-6 wins in a row for the Wheat Kings after beating Penticton 4-0 Friday and Edmonton 8-4 Saturday. Wheaties host Prince George Tuesday.
-Jets return after the NHL break Wednesday when they visit Vancouver.
Foreign Affairs has Updated it’s Travel Advice for Canadians concerning violence incidents in various parts of Mexico. If you’re there, avoid affected areas, keep a low profile and limit your movements. Canadians who are in Mexico should register with the Government of Canada at the following link:
https://share.google/xVtonGpoQHfajxF53
The Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC) in Ottawa is available 24/7 and can be contacted:
• by calling: 1 613-996-8885
• by text message: 1 613-686-3658
• via WhatsApp: 1 613-909-8881
• by e-mail: sos@international.gc.ca
Consult travel advice often: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico
So if NO USA, No Cuba and no Mexico… where do we go? If the usual southern hotspots are off the table, what tropical destinations are Canadians choosing instead? Let’s look at some affordable and sunny alternatives you might not have considered. We have the TOP 5 ALTERNATIVES to USA/Cuba/Mexico. Here are five other tropical destinations besides the USA, Cuba, and Mexico that Canadians often choose — with a rough affordability score (higher = cheaper overall based on flight costs, daily costs, and value for money):
-Dominican Republic – 8/10 – Well‑known for affordable all‑inclusive resorts, beaches like Punta Cana, and good value overall.
-Costa Rica – 7/10 – Offers beaches and rainforest adventure with reasonable accommodation and food costs.
-Philippines (e.g., Boracay) – 7/10 – Beautiful beaches and low local prices once you arrive, though flights are longer.
-Vietnam (e.g., beach cities like Da Nang/Hội An) – 8/10 – Excellent value for meals, lodging, and travel experiences in tropical settings.
-Aruba – 6/10 – More expensive flights but good value locally with year‑round weather and lots of free beaches.
These scores are approximate and based on typical prices Canadians pay for flights, hotels, food, and activities (higher score = generally more affordable for many travellers).
Church and Gold Medal hockey game. At the same time!?! How cool is this. Although we should have prayed harder. What would you choose if church and the gold medal hockey game happened at the exact same time? It’s the ultimate Canadian scheduling conflict — faith or faceoff?
Reese’s candy bar recipe changed? Some fans think Reese’s has quietly changed its recipe, and not everyone is happy about it. The speculation is stirring up online debate and causing a bit of a PR headache for the brand.
This website tells you whether your food is still safe to eat. High cost of food has us being thrifty with leftovers, and now there’s a website that helps you figure out whether that item in your fridge is still safe to eat. It could save you money — and prevent some risky leftover decisions.
These 9 Grocery Items Might Be More Difficult To Find In 2026. Supply chain pressures and shifting demand could make certain grocery staples harder to find next year. Here are nine items experts say may see shortages or higher prices.
https://www.tastingtable.com/2106366/grocery-items-harder-find-2026
Kenosee waterslides to be demolished. The iconic waterslides at Kenosee are set to be demolished, marking the end of an era for many families. For longtime visitors, it’s the closing chapter of a classic summer memory spot.
