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Canada's annual inflation rate ticked lower in December, thanks in part to Ottawa's temporary GST tax break, but economists still see interest rate cuts on the horizon as potential tariffs loom.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday the annual inflation reading for December came in at 1.8 per cent, down from 1.9 per cent in November. 

The report noted restaurant food purchases and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration — items which were subject to the tax reprieve, along with children's clothes and toys, among others.

After several days of extreme cold in Southern Manitoba, the extreme cold warning has ended for the region. 

Just before 12 p.m., the warning was lifted as temperatures are expected to rise to minus 14 degrees Tuesday afternoon and feel closer to minus 26.

Extreme cold warnings are issued with wind chills at minus 40. 

A Winnipeg male is facing a charge of Indecent Act after an incident on a transit bus Monday afternoon. 

On January 20, at approximately 3 p.m., West District General Patrol Officers responded to a transit bus in the River Heights area for the report of an adult male performing an indecent act while travelling on the bus.

The bus was at the corner of Osborne Street and Broadway when officers attended. The male suspect was located on the bus and taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported. 

While an extreme cold warning is in effect for most of Southern Manitoba, part of the region is also under a blowing snow advisory. 

Environment Canada issued the advisory shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The advisory covers the following regions:

Matthew West is preparing for the performance of a lifetime. 

The popular Christian artist has been asked to perform at Carnegie Hall but doesn't plan to do it alone.

West has invited a 200-person choir to join him on stage in New York City.

"This is going to be a special concert that will include me and the band, a full-string orchestra and, hopefully, you," said West in a post on Instagram. "I want you to come sing with me. Spend three days in New York City. It's going to be epic."

Just weeks after being released from hospital due to a mystery illness, Lauren Chandler is now asking for prayer for her husband Matt as he battles the same symptoms.

Matt Chandler, pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, was hospitalized over the weekend.   

"My turn to ask you guys for prayer. Matt was admitted to the hospital in the middle of the night. Same symptoms that I had and still no answers," said Lauren in a post on Instagram. "Thankfully, I am well on the mend and know Matt will be too."

Funeral For:  Norma May Harder 
Funeral Date: At a later date 
Norma May Harder, 77, of Morris formerly of Rosenfeld, passed away Monday, January 20th at Boundary Trails Health Centre. She is survived by 1 sister, and 3 brothers. She was predeceased by her parents Erdman and Nelly Harder. 
A memorial service for Norma May Harder will be held at a later date, with ash interment at Rosenfeld Cemetery. 
Arrangements by Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler. 

Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says Donald Trump's suggestion that he will impose sweeping tariffs on Canada on Feb. 1 is "nothing new," and insists Canada has plans ready for several possible scenarios.

LeBlanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stepped out of a cabinet meeting in Montebello, Que. to deliver a statement to reassure Canadians after the newly installed U.S. president signed a stack of unrelated executive orders Monday evening.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested his administration could move ahead with with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports on Feb. 1. 

He delivered the deadline on Monday evening at the White House as he signed a stack of unrelated executive orders. 

"We are thinking in terms of 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada because they are allowing vast number of people, Canada is a very bad abuser also, vast numbers of people to come in and fentanyl to come in," he told reporters Monday night.