Leons Headlines Jan 9: NEW-StatsCan says more people were looking for work in December, driving Canada’s unemployment rate higher, to 6.8%, up from 6.5 per cent in November.
-Brandon’s ER operated with just one doctor for 185 hours over the holidays, during which a 75yr old woman says she waited 7 hours to be assessed after unsuccessfully trying to access care through QDoc.
-RCMP say $150K worth of stolen property, including construction equipment, a snowmobile, boat & golf cart was recovered from a rural property near Brandon leading to the arrest of a man & a woman.
-A nearly six-metre-tall snow pavilion built from Clear Lake ice has opened in RMNP to boost winter tourism, support year-round businesses & serve as both an event space & large-scale public art.
-A Parks Canada briefing obtained through access-to-information shows officials weighed legal threats from First Nations & and potential backlash from community before the acting superintendent approved the Clear Lake motorboat ban in May.
-Canada’s restaurant industry is facing mounting pressure with 4K restaurants projected to close in 2026 as inflation & struggling economy hit Canadians budgets.
-The Winnipeg Jets’ slump worsened to 11 straight losses after falling to the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 Thursday.
First weekend of the Winter Pavilion at Clear Lake. The Klar So Snow Pavilion is officially open and drawing crowds to Clear Lake for its first winter weekend. Bonus: the weather is absolutely perfect for getting outside and checking it out.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/klar-so-snow-pavilion-riding-mountain-clear-lake-9.7038927
Dry January is hot stuff. Going alcohol-free has never been more popular, with mocktails taking over menus and home kitchens alike. Turns out you don’t need booze to have a great drink — or a great night.
Think society is in decline? New research suggests there are actually reasons to feel optimistic about where things are heading. Progress may be slower and quieter than outrage, but it’s still happening.
https://studyfinds.org/society-in-decline-some-reasons-to-be-cheerful
Restaurant owner goes viral for roasting bad reviews. A fed-up restaurant owner is getting major attention for hilariously clapping back at unfair customer complaints. The internet is split between “unprofessional” and “finally, someone said it.”
Man sues restaurant after TikTok exposes secret affair. A promotional TikTok allegedly revealed a man’s affair — and now he’s taking the restaurant to court. Proof once again that the internet remembers everything.
Most stressful countries right now. Gallup’s Global Emotions Report reveals where stress levels are the highest around the world. Spoiler: economic pressure and uncertainty are driving a lot of anxiety.
https://www.boredpanda.com/most-stressful-countries-msn
More shoppers turning to recycled toilet paper. Canadians are increasingly choosing recycled toilet paper to save money and reduce waste. It’s cheaper, greener, and apparently no longer a hard sell.
Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista in The Wrecking Crew. The trailer dropped yesterday, and it’s pure action-packed chaos.
