Good morning, friends!
As we close out the first month of 2026, the winter rhythm has truly set in. Whether you are watching the snow fly in the Maritimes or seeing the first hints of early spring rain in BC, this is the time of year when staying connected—to our news and each other—keeps us warm.
Marilyn and I have officially opened the doors on our Private Community Chat. If you’ve ever wanted to send us a quick note or share a story without waiting for the next newsletter, you can now message us directly! I’ve included a quick “How-To” in our feature section below.
We’ve also got your coast-to-coast event directory—properly mapped out from West to East—and some excellent winter travel deals.
Let’s dive in!
Chuckles Corner
“My wife told me to stop impersonating a flamingo. I had to put my foot down.”
Scam Alert: Access Nova Scotia Registration Vehicle Refund
We have received reports of a sophisticated smishing (SMS phishing) scam currently targeting Nova Scotians. Many residents are receiving text messages claiming they are owed an “overpayment credit” for their 2025 vehicle registration fees.
The message looks like this:
“Following a review of vehicle registration fees charged for the 2025 year, an overpayment credit is available on your Access Nova Scotia file. Claim: novascotia-rfnd2026.info. Ref: NS23658”
Why This is a Fraud
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Official Method: Service Nova Scotia and the Registry of Motor Vehicles never send refunds via text message or e-transfer. Legitimate refunds are only issued by the Department of Finance via a paper cheque sent through the mail.
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Fake Website: The link provided in the text ends in
.info. Official provincial government websites will always end in .ca (e.g.,novascotia.ca). -
The Trap: Clicking the link will take you to a professional-looking website designed to steal your banking credentials or personal identity information.
What You Should Do
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Do Not Click: If you receive this message, do not click the link or reply.
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Delete and Block: Delete the message immediately. If you are on a PC and see a message that isn’t in your phone’s main inbox, your phone has likely already filtered it into your “Spam & Blocked” folder.
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Verify Safely: If you are genuinely concerned about your registration status, call Access Nova Scotia directly at 1-800-898-7668.
Stay vigilant! Scammers often use the start of the year to “clean up” records as a believable excuse to reach out.
Senior News Spotlight
A reminder that CPP and Old Age Security payments are scheduled to land on Wednesday, January 28.
With the new 2026 rates now in effect, it’s the perfect time to log into your “My Service Canada” account. You can now download your official T4A(OAS) and T4A(P) tax slips for 2025. Filing your return early is the best way to ensure there is no interruption to your Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or GST/HST credits when the new benefit year begins in July.
Happening Coast to Coast: Jan 24 – Feb 1
British Columbia
- Abbotsford Senior Expo (Jan 24, 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM) Head down to the Legacy Sports Building for a day of expert speakers. There will be sessions on senior scams, mobility devices, and even travel tips specifically for the 55+ crowd. Plus, the Vancouver Public Library is hosting an online Frauds and Scams workshop on Jan 29 at 10:30 AM.
- PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (Starts Jan 22): Dozens of venues across Vancouver are hosting unique theatre and dance through next week.
Alberta
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Jasper in January (Now through Feb 1): The town is a “snowy playground” this week with poutine showdowns and pond hockey.
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Banff SnowDays: Look for the massive snow and ice sculptures lining the streets through next Sunday.
Saskatchewan
- CPP & Disability Benefits Seminar (Jan 26, 10:00 AM) The Saskatoon Council on Aging is hosting a virtual session with Service Canada. It’s a great chance to ask questions about benefit eligibility from the comfort of your own warm living room.
- Saskatchewan RV Show (Saskatoon, Jan 29 – Feb 1): For those already dreaming of summer road trips, the big show at Prairieland Park starts Thursday.
Manitoba
- Seniors Cluster Services Info Session (Jan 16-Feb, Winnipeg) The Dakota Community Centre is highlighting their unique program designed to pool resources (like transportation and planning) to make local services more affordable for those 55+.
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Fleurs de Villes WONDER (Ends Jan 25): Last chance to see the incredible floral mannequins at The Leaf in Winnipeg.
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Manitoba Ag Days (Brandon): While the main expo just wrapped up, keep an eye on local community follow-up events in the smaller towns.
Ontario
- Fireside Festival (Jan 24-25, Collingwood) A cozy indoor weekend of music and storytelling. Also, keep an eye out for the Moonlight Snowshoe & Bonfire in the Blue Mountains on the evening of Jan 31—a magical way to spend a winter Saturday.
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Niagara Icewine Festival (Ends Jan 25): This is the final weekend for the Icewine Village in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
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Toronto Winterlicious (Starts Jan 29): Fixed-price dining deals across 240+ restaurants begin next Thursday.
Quebec
- Money Matters for Seniors (Jan 28, 1:30 PM, Beaconsfield) The local library is hosting a focused talk on financial security and “your money” specifically tailored for the senior community. And don’t forget, the Quebec Winter Carnival officially opens Jan 30!
- New Brunswick
- Seniors’ Skate & Tech Connect (Jan 28-29, Moncton) The Moncton Public Library is hosting a Seniors Social and a Tech & Connect session on Thursday afternoon to help you get the most out of your tablet or phone.
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Fredericton Frostival (Jan 22 – Feb 8): Atlantic Canada’s largest winter celebration. Check out the “Shivering Songs” shows this weekend.
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Saint John Chop Chop Resto Week (Jan 26 – Feb 1): Great deals at uptown restaurants starting Monday.
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Moncton Hubcap Comedy Festival: Bringing much-needed laughs to the city all through next week.
- Prince Edward Island
- Active Living for Seniors (Daily, Charlottetown) Prince Edward Community Care is running fitness and social programs five days a week throughout the end of the month. It’s a great way to stay limber while the sidewalks are icy.
- WinterDine (Now through Feb 8): Over 20 Charlottetown restaurants are offering fixed-price menus. A great excuse for a “Sunday Drive” lunch.
- Nova Scotia
- Winter Frolic Weekend (Jan 24-25, New Ross) Join the fun at Ross Farm for hot chocolate and traditional winter activities. For those in the Valley, there is also a Seniors Social at the Halifax Public Libraries on Tuesday, Jan 27.
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Dartmouth Ice Festival (Jan 30 – Feb 1): Head to Portland Street for live ice carving demonstrations and local entertainment.
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Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl (Starts Feb 1): The month-long shell-fest kicks off next Sunday! Perfect for a scenic drive along the South Shore.
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Truro: Keep an eye on Civic Square—the winter lights and skating rink are in full swing.
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- The Rooms (St. John’s): Today (Jan 24) features a guided tour of the “Beaumont-Hamel” exhibit. Next Wednesday (Jan 28), join the “Seniors Stroll”—a great way to get some indoor steps and socialize.
- The Territories
- ElderActive Snowshoeing (Weekly, Whitehorse) The Yukon “ElderActive” group is keeping the weekly walks and snowshoeing going for all abilities. It’s a testament to the North—no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear!
- Travel Deals of the Week
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Senior Discovery Tours: CARP members can receive $100 off any 2026 tour booking made this month. These are all-inclusive (flights, hotels, and insurance), which takes the stress out of planning.
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Fairmont Hotels (Banff/Jasper/Lake Louise): AMA/CAA members can save 15% on two-night stays plus a $50 dining credit through the end of January.
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VIA Rail: Use the discount code 15966 for 10% off your next trip.
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Air Canada: Use code V4W6HB61 for bookings through Jan 31 (5-10% off North American fares).
- The Gathering Place: Our New Chat Feature
- How to reach us:
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Log into the Gathering Place.
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Click the Message icon (speech bubble) in the top right.
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Search for Bill Gould or Marilyn Gould and send us a message!
- In Case You Missed It: This Week’s Stories
- Stay warm, stay safe, and don’t forget to send me a message in the new Chat.
- Warmly,
- Bill and Marilyn
So glad I saw this article with the SCAM warning. How do people get away with this stuff? I guess they’re just too trusting. We need to become much more aware. Especially here in Vancouver.