Brandon Sun – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

The Brandon High School Indoor Rodeo, held at the Keystone Centre, ended Friday. But rodeo action continues as the Wheat City Cowtown Eastern Circuit Finals rodeo, which also kicked off Thursday evening, runs again tonight.

» Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun

Tamarack Golf Tournament

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Oct. 17, 6 PM: 16°c Windy Oct. 18, 12 AM: 15°c Cloudy with wind

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Local

Brandon mayoral candidate Jeff Fawcett speaks while taking part in a debate with fellow candidate Len Isleifson at Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall on Friday evening. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Fawcett criticized for blaming staff

By Rylee Gerrard 4 minute read Preview

Fawcett criticized for blaming staff

By Rylee Gerrard 4 minute read Yesterday at 11:56 PM CDT

Incumbent Jeff Fawcett repeatedly shifted the responsibility onto city staff for controversial decisions raised during Friday night’s mayoral debate.

The debate between Fawcett and challenger Len Isleifson — held at Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall with about 80 people in attendance — covered a range of topics including growth, taxes and transparency.

When asked about 78 committee of the whole meetings since October 2022, most of which were closed to the public, Fawcett responded by clarifying that he “once again, (is) not a city clerk.”

“The city clerks set all those up using the Municipal Act,” he said.

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Yesterday at 11:56 PM CDT

Local

Dozens of drivers ticketed in RCMP traffic blitz

2 minute read Preview

Dozens of drivers ticketed in RCMP traffic blitz

2 minute read Yesterday at 11:55 PM CDT

A police traffic blitz this week in Westman took four commercial vehicles out of service and left dozens of drivers with tickets.

The RCMP conducted an operation along the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 10 in response to concerns by residents about speeding, commercial vehicle traffic and highway safety in the area.

“Motorists are being reminded to slow down, particularly when approaching or passing emergency vehicles,” RCMP said in a news release on Friday. “Our priority is to encourage safe driving, respond to community concerns and make sure everyone gets home safely.”

The efforts took place Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Yesterday at 11:55 PM CDT

Local

A rendering showing the structural design for the Carberry overpass. (Government of Manitoba)

Carberry overpass expected to use roundabouts

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Preview

Carberry overpass expected to use roundabouts

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Yesterday at 11:54 PM CDT

The Carberry overpass is expected to use two roundabouts that can accommodate farm equipment, according to structural design plans that the municipality posted online this week.

The Town of Carberry on Thursday released information from the provincial government’s overpass design, showing a roundabout on both the north and south exits of the overpass, connecting it to Highway 5 and ramps to exit and enter the Trans-Canada Highway.

Mayor Ray Muirhead told the Sun on Friday that he is happy with the design.

“I like it, I think it’s what we want,” Muirhead said. “The only thing I can see anybody saying anything about is the roundabouts. But I don’t think they’re that bad. I think it’s going to accommodate what we want.”

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Yesterday at 11:54 PM CDT

Local

City receives $67K to plant trees at sports complex

1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:54 PM CDT

Residents will soon see more than 400 trees planted around the Canada Packers Sports Complex.

The City of Brandon announced it received $67,470 that will be used to plant around 470 trees throughout the complex on Veterans Way, the city said in a news release on Friday.

The trees will “enhance the site’s natural beauty (and) increase shade and comfort for users,” the city said in the release.

The funding was granted through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies initiative, which was announced by the federal government in 2024.

Local

Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree watches Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe as he speaks during a press conference at the Waywayseecappo Convention Centre north of Brandon on Friday morning. (Photos by Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)

Ministers tout Indigenous policing investment

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Preview

Ministers tout Indigenous policing investment

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Yesterday at 11:53 PM CDT

While no new money was announced for Indigenous policing on Friday, federal and provincial public safety ministers held a press conference in Brandon to announce $163.5 million in past funding commitments.

Speaking at the Waywayseecappo Conference Centre, federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the combined funding from the two governments is aiding the expansion and effectiveness of Indigenous-led policing efforts.

“I’m happy to announce that our governments today, Canada and Manitoba, are jointly supporting two major investments in First Nations policing and community safety here in the province under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program,” Anandasangaree said. “This money will strengthen its capacity to deliver First Nations-led, culturally informed policing to the 12 First Nations communities that it currently serves.”

The funding includes $121 million for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service from 2023-27 and $42.5 million to expand the Manitoba First Nation Safety Officer Program from 2025-28.

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Yesterday at 11:53 PM CDT

Local

Mayor Jeff Fawcett (left) responds to a question while fellow candidate Len Isleifson looks on during the mayoral candidate forum organized by École secondaire Neelin High School students on Friday morning. (Photos by Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)

Neelin students quiz mayoral candidates

By Abiola Odutola 5 minute read Preview

Neelin students quiz mayoral candidates

By Abiola Odutola 5 minute read Yesterday at 11:52 PM CDT

Public safety became a central concern Friday morning as École secondaire Neelin High School students hosted Brandon’s two mayoral candidates for an election forum in the school’s theatre.

The Grade 11 students, who organized the forum as part of their Canadian history studies, also questioned candidates Jeff Fawcett, the incumbent mayor, and Len Isleifson on topics ranging from transportation to the city’s future.

Asked how streets could be made safer for everyone, particularly women, Isleifson said safety has to be considered from the perspective of everyone who uses the city’s streets.

“We need to continually keep in mind that we need to build a community that is safe for everybody, and everybody should feel safe walking around,” Isleifson said, calling for continuous investment “in public safety, police and cleaning up our community.”

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Yesterday at 11:52 PM CDT

Local

The Brandon Police Service crest. (File)

Noxious substance; assault with frying pan

2 minute read Preview

Noxious substance; assault with frying pan

2 minute read Yesterday at 11:51 PM CDT

BEAR-SPRAY ATTACK

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after a can of bear spray was discharged at several people in a residence on Cornell Bay on Thursday night.

Brandon police responded to the disturbance at 8 p.m.

Police charged the boy with possession of a weapon, assault with a weapon, administering a noxious substance, two counts of breaching a release order, and possession and consumption of cannabis by a minor.

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Yesterday at 11:51 PM CDT

Local

A map showing the boundaries of Ward 4. (City of Brandon)

Council watcher takes on Cameron in Ward 4

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Preview

Council watcher takes on Cameron in Ward 4

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:48 PM CDT

Brandon Ward 4 incumbent Coun. Shaun Cameron is facing a longtime council observer in the Oct. 28 election.

James Epp, who regularly attends council meetings and occasionally speaks during the community feedback portion, is challenging Cameron’s bid for a third term in office.

Cameron, 47, said the most important issue facing Ward 4 is congestion on McDonald and Pacific avenues, and he wants the city to expand Pacific all the way to the street’s underpass loop near 18th Street as a solution.

“I think that would alleviate a lot of the traffic concerns on McDonald Avenue,” he said, adding that McDonald has been a busy street since it was connected to 34th Street.

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Yesterday at 11:48 PM CDT

Business

MP Patty Hajdu speaks ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, during a visit to the Alstom Plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Jackson

Liberals announce $258.6M fund for skilled worker training in critical sectors

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Liberals announce $258.6M fund for skilled worker training in critical sectors

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:05 AM CDT

For the second day in a row, the federal government is announcing plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to train more skilled workers in Canada.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu is in her home riding of Thunder Bay today rolling out a plan to spend up to $258.6 million over the next five years to train workers in critical sectors, with annual funding of $50 million in the years to follow.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of a Sectoral Workforce Innovation Fund a little over a year ago and the government opened applications for the program in August.

The fund aims to fill the gaps between workers' skills and industry requirements in sectors like energy or critical minerals by funding projects that could speed up training or certification.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:05 AM CDT

Local

Prime Minister Mark Carney attends a Forever Canadian rally in Calgary, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Carney wraps up pro-Canada barnstorming tour in hometown of Edmonton

Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Carney wraps up pro-Canada barnstorming tour in hometown of Edmonton

Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:12 PM CDT

EDMONTON - Prime Minister Mark Carney wrapped up his two-day, pro-Canada barnstorming tour of Alberta by rallying with thousands of supporters in his hometown on Friday night.

“Alberta’s my home,” Carney said as thousands erupted in cheers in a party-like atmosphere at Edmonton’s Expo Centre.

“I grew up here,” said Carney.

"This city, this province, this country, have given me everything -- my family, my education and my values."

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:12 PM CDT