Brandon Sun – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

Mountie appears for first day of disciplinary hearing

By Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:43 PM CST

WINNIPEG — A Manitoba RCMP officer previously in trouble for discreditable conduct is facing another disciplinary hearing by his employer.

Const. Stephan Shewchuk from the Portage la Prairie traffic division appeared Monday for the first day of a five-day hearing into two allegations in contravention of the RCMP’s code of conduct.

Shewchuk sat in a dark suit with one leg shaking during the disciplinary hearing, which was held at the Holiday Inn in Winnipeg. When asked if he admitted or denied the two allegations he was accused of, he replied “deny” to both.

The exact nature of the allegations against Shewchuk remains unclear. The RCMP’s schedule of conduct hearings states Shewchuk is alleged to be in contravention of sections 3.3 and 8.1 of the code of conduct.

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Expect to see tax changes when filing return

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Preview

Expect to see tax changes when filing return

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Yesterday at 9:42 PM CST

Canadians heading into the 2025 tax filing season will see a range of federal tax changes and updated benefits as the Canada Revenue Agency opens its online services on Feb. 23.

One of the most significant federal changes is the reduction in the lowest personal income tax rate. The tax rate on income up to $57,375 has been reduced from 15 per cent to 14.5 per cent for 2025 and is scheduled to drop further to 14 per cent for 2026.

The change could represent tax savings of up to $286 for the year, though many Canadians may not notice a major difference at filing time because the reduction was already reflected in payroll deductions starting last summer.

While many of the changes are modest, understanding them ahead of time can help filers avoid surprises and ensure they receive the benefits they qualify for, UFile national tax specialist Gerry Vittoratos told the Sun.

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Yesterday at 9:42 PM CST

UFile national tax specialist Gerry Vittoratos says while many of Canada Revenue Agency’s tax changes are modest, understanding them ahead of time can help filers avoid surprises and ensure they receive the benefits they qualify for. (Supplied)

Two accused in flooding of Winnipeg police HQ

By Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Preview

Two accused in flooding of Winnipeg police HQ

By Nicole Buffie 4 minute read Yesterday at 9:47 PM CST

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg police headquarters and a section of the adjoining skywalk were flooded Saturday night after vandals opened an emergency water valve in a stairwell of the downtown office tower.

Multiple areas within Winnipeg police HQ and the downtown office tower at 266 Graham Ave. suffered extensive damage after the flooding was discovered shortly after 6 p.m.

“Water was pouring down the stairs. Water was pouring through ceilings. It happened very quickly. The amount of pressure that was building up was significant … (The) floodgates basically opened up,” spokesperson Const. Dani McKinnon said at a rare Sunday morning press conference.

Police say two people, a 51-year-old man and 36-year-old woman, opened the emergency water valves in a stairwell. Pressure built up in the pipes and flooded the stairwell and multiple tenants located in the adjoining skywalk.

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Yesterday at 9:47 PM CST

Winnipeg Police Service headquarters were temporarily closed to the public due to flooding after vandals opened an emergency water valve in a stairwell of the downtown office tower on Saturday evening. (John Woods/Winnipeg Free Press)

Man with knife allegedly threatens youths at hotel

By Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Preview

Man with knife allegedly threatens youths at hotel

By Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:40 PM CST

A man accused of threatening a group of youths with a knife at a Brandon hotel on Saturday evening was later arrested on unrelated warrants, Brandon Police Service told the Sun.

The police received a complaint Saturday night alleging that someone was harassing a group of young people at the hotel, Staff Sgt. Russ Paterson said in an interview on Sunday.

“We did have a complaint alleging someone with a knife,” Paterson said. “Members were able to identify that person, and that subject was taken into custody (Sunday) on unrelated warrants.”

Police were called to the Days Inn at 2130 Currie Blvd. at 10:21 p.m. and officers began searching the area, including nearby businesses, Paterson said.

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Yesterday at 9:40 PM CST

The Days Inn on Currie Boulevard, where Brandon police responded Saturday night to a complaint that a man with a knife was harassing a group of youths. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)

Black History Month event stresses leadership, community connections

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Preview

Black History Month event stresses leadership, community connections

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Yesterday at 9:39 PM CST

Students, faculty and community members gathered at Brandon University on Saturday afternoon as the Loy Excellentia Initiative hosted its annual Black History Month celebration.

The event, in its third year, focused on reflection, mentorship and building stronger community connections. It brought together speakers, students and local leaders to celebrate Black history while emphasizing collaboration and leadership among students and the wider community.

Keynote speaker Balfour Spence, a professor of applied disaster and emergency studies in the faculty of science, delivered a presentation titled, “Unravelling Canadian Black History: Acknowledging the Past and Mentoring the Future.”

Spence said the goal of his talk was to examine the evolution of Black history in Canada while encouraging people to learn from past experiences to shape a more inclusive future.

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Yesterday at 9:39 PM CST

Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen (from left) joins Brandon University professor Balfour Spence, Loy Excellentia founder Aloy Anyichie, BU vice-president (academic) Greg Gatien, BU associate professor Burcu Ntelioglou, faculty of education dean Alysha Farrell and Westman Immigrant Services chief executive officer Enver Naidoo at Brandon University on Saturday afternoon as the Loy Excellentia Initiative hosted its annual Black History Month celebration.

Shooting threat; woman stabbed in chest; assault with glass object

3 minute read Preview

Shooting threat; woman stabbed in chest; assault with glass object

3 minute read Yesterday at 9:41 PM CST

Shooting threat

Spruce Plains RCMP arrested a Minnedosa man over the weekend after he allegedly pointed a gun and threatened to shoot two people.

RCMP were called to a Rapid City home early Sunday morning after receiving a report that two males went there and an argument ensued between one of the men and a couple, the RCMP said in a news release.

The two males then left the home.

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Yesterday at 9:41 PM CST

The Brandon Police Service station at 10th Street and Victoria Avenue. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Louis Riel Day pitched as federal holiday

By Alex Lambert 5 minute read Preview

Louis Riel Day pitched as federal holiday

By Alex Lambert 5 minute read Yesterday at 9:37 PM CST

A Brandon city councillor made a pitch Monday for Ottawa to recognize Louis Riel Day as a federal holiday.

Coun. Chris Desjarlais floated the idea during his address at the Keystone Centre, as more than 350 people packed the MNP Hall to honour Manitoba’s founder, listening to folk music, eating bannock and with many wearing bright red sashes.

“I think that in the spirit of reconciliation, I feel compelled to suggest to our federal government to recognize this day nationally as Louis Riel Day,” Desjarlais (Ward 2) said in his address.

“If there is anyone who is a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people — if there’s anybody who showed us what reconciliation could be — it was Louis Riel.”

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Yesterday at 9:37 PM CST

During the ceremonial opening faceoff, Brandon Wheat Kings owner Jared Jacobson, youngster Braxton Usunier and the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Will Goodon drop pucks for Saskatoon Blades forward Tyler Parr and Wheat Kings defenceman Cameron Allard, who is Métis, prior to Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Monday afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Brandonites air pre-budget concerns

By Skye Anderson 6 minute read Preview

Brandonites air pre-budget concerns

By Skye Anderson 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Climate change, health care and affordability were hot topics at the provincial government’s 2026 budget consultation in Brandon.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala opened the presentation at The Backyard on Aberdeen by acknowledging Manitobans’ priorities have been clear — fixing the health-care system, lowering the cost of living and making communities safer.

He went on to highlight announcements the NDP government has made, including the hiring of 3,500 net new health-care workers since October 2023.

Sala also highlighted announcements regarding protecting the environment, like the province installing 51 new electric vehicle charging stations and issuing more than 4,000 EV rebates.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala speaks during a pre-budget consultation at The Backyard on Aberdeen in Brandon on Friday evening. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Province flags 20 more exposure sites in city

By Tessa Adamski 6 minute read Preview

Province flags 20 more exposure sites in city

By Tessa Adamski 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

The province has identified 20 new measles exposure sites in Brandon as public health officials investigate “dozens” of cases linked to last month’s Manitoba Ag Days.

The new exposure sites are mostly businesses, but high traffic areas like Brandon’s Shoppers Mall, the pool at the Brandon Community Sportsplex and a couple of medical clinics were also listed in Thursday’s media bulletin.

Public health officials have also identified exposure sites in other parts of Westman, with one in the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis, two in Dauphin, two in Neepawa, one in Virden and three in the Municipality of Brenda-Waskada, the bulletin said.

Despite the large number of sites, a spokesperson for Prairie Mountain Health said it has seen “very few” hospital admissions or patients presenting at the ER for treatment for active measles-related symptoms.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

In November and December, 90 per cent of patients at the Brandon ER were assessed by a physician within seven to seven and a half hours from registration to the initial physician assessment, Prairie Mountain Health figures show. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

An opportunity to honour Manitoba’s founder

By Tessa Adamski 4 minute read Preview

An opportunity to honour Manitoba’s founder

By Tessa Adamski 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Louis Riel Day is an occasion for western Manitobans to honour the province’s founder, says the Manitoba Métis Federation’s minister of housing.

“It gives us another opportunity to, you know, as the Red River Métis, celebrate our culture, to talk about who Riel was and why he stood up for the right thing, to protect the land,” said Will Goodon, who’s also the elected regional executive for the southwest region.

A variety of celebrations will be held across Westman for Louis Riel Day on Monday.

The Grand Valley and Westman locals of the MMF Southwest Region Inc. are hosting an event in the MNP Hall at the Keystone Centre from noon until 4 p.m.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with Manitoba Métis Federation Housing Minister Will Goodon during an event last November marking the 145th anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution at the St. Boniface Cathedral cemetery in Winnipeg. (Mike Sudoma/Winnipeg Free Press files)

Black entrepreneurs welcome $1.2M from province

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Preview

Black entrepreneurs welcome $1.2M from province

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

Brandon business owners say more than $1.2 million in provincial funding over the last year aimed at Manitoba’s Black community is creating opportunities that extend beyond individual companies.

Emelio Brown, vice-president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of IntriTech, said his company was among those selected for support under the Manitoba Black Entrepreneurs and Small Business Program announced in June by Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses.

“IntriTech applied for the fund, and we were selected,” Brown said in an interview. “From what I gather, there were a lot of applicants who applied for it, but we were selected as one of the few, and we actually got that funding to put on the programming that we’re doing right now.”

Brown said the funding was not designed to generate profit for his marketing agency, but to create community impact.

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Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026