Happy Weekend, Friends!
Love is in the air this week… but unfortunately, so are the scammers. With Valentine’s Day coming up next Saturday, we want to start this roundup with a very timely warning.
🚨 Scam Alert: The “Sweetheart Swindle”
The week leading up to Valentine’s Day is the busiest time of year for Romance Scams.
Be very careful if you receive “friend requests” from strangers on Facebook or Instagram this week—especially if they are charming, good-looking, and claim to be working overseas (oil rig workers and military doctors are the most common fake profiles).
The New Twist for 2026: Watch out for “AI Voice” messages. Scammers are now using Artificial Intelligence to send voice notes that sound like real people. If someone you’ve never met in person asks for money, gift cards, or crypto—block them immediately.
😂 Chuckles Corner
I asked my wife what she wanted for Valentine’s Day. She said, “I want you to take me somewhere I’ve never been before.”
So I took her to the kitchen and showed her where the dishwasher was.
(Editor’s Note: I am currently writing this from the doghouse.)
📅 Events Across Canada (Feb 7 – Feb 15)
Here is what is happening in your neck of the woods this week.
British Columbia
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Vernon: The Vernon Winter Carnival is in full swing (runs until Feb 15). Don’t miss the parade this Saturday at noon!
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Vancouver: Sweet tooth? The Hot Chocolate Festival continues all week at various cafes across the city.
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Vancouver: Hockey fans, catch the Canucks vs. Jets this Saturday night (Feb 7).
Alberta
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Calgary: Chinook Blast is lighting up the city with art and music all week (runs until Feb 16) at Eau Claire Plaza.
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Edmonton: The Silver Skate Festival returns to Laurier Park. It’s the longest-running winter festival in the city—perfect for a walk to see the fire sculptures.
Saskatchewan
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Moose Mountain Park: Enjoy the Candlelight Ski this Friday evening—a 3.2 km trail lit entirely by candles.
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Buffalo Pound: There is a Fishing Tournament happening this Saturday (Feb 7) for the anglers among us.
Manitoba
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St. Norbert: The Heritage Days celebration wraps up this Saturday (Feb 7) with a bonfire and bannock.
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Winnipeg: Get ready—Festival du Voyageur kicks off at the end of next week! (Feb 13-22).
Ontario
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Ottawa: It is the big one! Winterlude is happening all week. Check out the ice carvings on Sparks Street or skate the Canal (weather permitting!).
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Toronto: Winterlicious is on until Feb 12. Great chance to try fancy restaurants for a fixed lunch or dinner price.
Quebec
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Quebec City: The world-famous Carnaval de Québec is on now through Feb 15. Say “Bonjour” to Bonhomme and check out the night parades.
New Brunswick
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Fredericton: FROSTival continues! The “Art Battle” is this Saturday night.
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Moncton: PolarFest begins next Friday (Feb 13) at Centennial Park—mark your calendars.
Nova Scotia
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Halifax: The Nuovo Concert Series is at the Music Room this Saturday (Feb 7) for classical music lovers.
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South Shore: The Lobster Crawl is still happening all along the South Shore. Great chowder deals to be found!
Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown: It is the final weekend for WinterDine! The festival wraps up this Sunday (Feb 8), so this is your last chance to grab those 3-course specials at downtown restaurants.
- Charlottetown: Hockey night on the Island! TheCharlottetown Islanders host the Moncton Wildcats this Saturday (Feb 7) at the Eastlink Centre.
- Coming Up: Get the grandkids ready—Jack Frost Winterfest officially kicks off next Friday (Feb 13) with the new “Snowtopia” at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park.
Newfoundland & Labrador
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Conception Bay South: CBS Winterfest is happening this weekend with the “Home Sweet Home-I-Cide” dinner theatre.
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St. John’s: Various Valentine’s dinners and dances are booking up fast for next Saturday (Feb 14).
The North (YT, NT, NU)
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Whitehorse, YT: The Yukon Ski Championships are taking place this weekend (Feb 7) at the cross-country trails.
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Whitehorse, YT: Watch for the Sourdough Rendezvous events starting later in the month!
✈️ Travel Deals for Seniors
1. Sunwing “Last Minute” Sunshine If you can pack a bag quickly, Sunwing has dropped prices for departures between Feb 9 and Feb 12.
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Deal: 7-day all-inclusive packages to Cuba (Varadero) and the Dominican Republic are showing significant price drops to fill empty seats before the Valentine’s rush.
2. VIA Rail “Love the Way You Travel”
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Deal: VIA is offering a Valentine’s promotion. Buy one ticket, get a companion fare at 50% off for travel in Economy class in the Quebec-Windsor corridor.
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Dates: Valid for travel between Feb 10 and Feb 17 (Book by Feb 9).
3. Intrepid Travel (For the Adventurous Senior)
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Deal: If you are planning ahead for late winter/spring, Intrepid Travel has a “Senior Sailors” sale on their small-ship cruises (Croatia, Vietnam). Up to 20% off if booked by Feb 15.
Have a safe and warm week, everyone. And remember—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Warmly,
Bill & Marilyn
Founders, Canadian Senior Moment
**Bill Gould** spent 43 years as a long-haul truck driver before trading the steering wheel for a keyboard to help fellow Canadians navigate the road of retirement. A freelance writer, published author, and editor of over 50 books, Bill co-founded *Canadian Senior Moment* with his wife, Marilyn, to provide a trusted space for seniors to find clarity, safety, and connection in the digital age. When he isn’t troubleshooting “tech gremlins” or sharing childhood memories of the Prairies, he can be found in his woodshop or working on his latest novel.