🚨 Scams to Watch For
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The “Bank Courier” Fraud: This is the most urgent warning for January. Scammers call impersonating your bank, claiming your account is compromised. They then send a fake “courier” directly to your home to pick up your physical bank cards or PIN information. The Fix: A bank will never send a courier to your house; hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
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Fake “Package Pending” Texts: You may receive a text from an unknown number regarding a “missed delivery” with a link to “reschedule”. These links lead to sites designed to steal your credit card info for a small “redelivery fee.
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CRA “Carbon Rebate” Interac Scams: Scammers are sending emails and texts using the official CRA logo, claiming you are owed a refund. They offer an Interac e-Transfer link for “faster processing”. Remember: The CRA never sends links via text or first-contact email; real refunds are only sent by cheque or direct deposit.
🇨🇦 Upcoming Events Province by Province
British Columbia
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Sidney: The 20th Annual LEGO Brick Exhibit continues at the Sidney Museum—a perfect spot to take the grandkids to see the community creations.
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Vancouver: The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival kicks off on Jan 22, featuring experimental theatre and dance across various city venues.
Alberta
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Edmonton: The Deep Freeze Byzantine Winter Festival (Jan 17–18) celebrates Ukrainian, French-Canadian, and Indigenous cultures with ice sculptures and freezer races on Alberta Avenue.
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Calgary: Jubilations Dinner Theatre starts their new musical tribute, Let It Be Beatles, on Jan 17.
Saskatchewan
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Saskatoon: Winterruption SK (Jan 21–25) offers free outdoor festivities at W.E. Graham Park alongside ticketed music and comedy shows.
Manitoba
- Winnipeg: The Winnipeg New Music Festival begins on January 24th. This world-class event at the Centennial Concert Hall features contemporary orchestral works and is a highlight for the city’s arts community.
- Winnipeg: Throughout this week, you can also visit the “Zoo Lights Festival” at Assiniboine Park Zoo, which typically runs through late January, offering a stunning light display and winter activities for all ages.
- Brandon: Check the local community calendars for the “Winter Wellness” skating and snowshoeing events often hosted at Riverbank Discovery Centre during the mid-January weekends.
Ontario
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Niagara-on-the-Lake: The Icewine Village (Jan 17–25) transforms Queen Street into a winter wonderland with local tastings and sculptures.
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Toronto: The Toronto International Boat Show (Jan 17–25) at the Enercare Centre is the “biggest boat sale of the year” for those already dreaming of summer.
New Brunswick
- Fredericton, NB: Local community centres are hosting “Winter Warm-up” skating sessions and library workshops throughout the week.
Nova Scotia
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Sydney, NS: Cheer on the final rounds of the 2026 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship at Centre 200 through Jan 18.
Newfoundland & Labrador
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Grand Falls-Windsor: The Winter Heritage Series often has small, local exhibits or “coffee and memory” sessions at the local museum.
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Corner Brook: Check out the Civic Centre for local “Seniors’ Skate” or curling club socials, which are the social lifeline of the town during January.
Prince Edward Island
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Summerside: The College of Piping often hosts smaller ceilidhs or “kitchen parties” that are much more intimate than the big Charlottetown shows.
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Montague: Look for local Church Hall Suppers. January is prime time for community fundraisers that offer a great meal and a chance to catch up with neighbours.
✈️ Senior Travel Deals
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Air Canada Senior Fares: Air Canada offers reduced pricing on select domestic and international routes for travellers 65+. These aren’t always visible online, so it’s best to call directly to confirm “senior-specific” rates for your route.
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Marriott & Best Western Discounts: Seniors (62+) can save up to 15% at Marriott properties, while Best Western offers 10% off for those 55+.
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Amtrak/VIA Rail Cross-Border: For those heading south, travellers 60+ are eligible for a 10% discount on cross-border rail services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail.
We hope this list gives you plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the winter air—or at least a good excuse to start planning your next escape! We’ll keep working on those site improvements so you can focus on the fun stuff.
Warmly,
Bill & Marilyn
Founders of 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.