Brandon Sun – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

Some referendum questions flip to ‘no’ as the count continues in Alberta

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 8:56 AM CDT

EDMONTON - More of the constitutional questions in Alberta's historic referendum have flipped to "no" with votes still being counted.

Alberta voters went to the polls on Monday and were asked 10 different questions.

The key question was on separation and roughly 75 per cent of votes backed staying in Canada, but it has taken longer to count votes on the nine other questions.

Early results showed Albertans were in favour of proposals such as choosing their own judges, abolishing the Senate and changing the Constitution to boost provincial rights.

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Officials to provide update on fatal fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Officials to provide update on fatal fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: 8:56 AM CDT

EDMONTON - Officials are set to provide an update today about a devastating fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta that left four soldiers dead and dozens more injured.

Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland of the 1st Canadian Division has said Saturday's blaze began as a grass fire, but a violent windstorm sent flames racing toward soldiers training at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.

The fire initially sent 39 wounded to various hospitals, and officials said Wednesday that number was down to 27, with 13 in critical condition.

Roughly 150 people attended a vigil late Wednesday at a church in the nearby town of Wainwright, Alta., southeast of Edmonton.

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Updated: 8:56 AM CDT

Local

Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney board a government plane in Ottawa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Carney arrives in Turkey for meetings with Turkish president, business leaders

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Carney arrives in Turkey for meetings with Turkish president, business leaders

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 8:57 AM CDT

ANKARA - Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Turkey on Thursday to kick off a three-day trip aimed at deepening political and economic ties with the NATO ally.

Carney is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, in what the Prime Minister's Office says will be the first bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey.

Shortly after landing on Thursday, Carney laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Turkish founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Joining Carney on the trip are Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.

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Updated: 8:57 AM CDT

Local

Trucks are seen in front of the Chateau Laurier hotel as a protest marked by gridlock and blaring horns reached its 14th day in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Supreme Court of Canada to hear federal appeal over use of Emergencies Act in 2022

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Supreme Court of Canada to hear federal appeal over use of Emergencies Act in 2022

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: 9:04 AM CDT

OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will hear federal arguments about the government's legal justification for using the Emergencies Act to quell protests in the national capital and at key border points four years ago.

For about three weeks in January and February 2022, downtown Ottawa was filled with protesters, including many in large trucks that blocked streets around Parliament Hill.

While many of the protesters were demonstrating against COVID-19 health restrictions, the protest attracted some with a variety of grievances against then-prime minister Justin Trudeau and his government.

On Feb. 14, 2022, the government invoked the Emergencies Act, which allowed for temporary measures, including regulation and prohibition of public assemblies, the designation of secure places, direction to banks to freeze assets and a ban on support for protest participants.

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Updated: 9:04 AM CDT

Local

James Cody Bryant, centre, is seen in a court sketch drawn during the accused's appearance in U.S. district court in Seattle on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lois Silver

Alleged Tumbler Ridge mass shooting conspirator set to enter plea in U.S. court

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Alleged Tumbler Ridge mass shooting conspirator set to enter plea in U.S. court

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: 8:57 AM CDT

SEATTLE - The alleged co-conspirator in the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., is expected to enter a plea at an arraignment in a Seattle courthouse today.

A grand jury in Washington state last week indicted 30-year-old James Bryant for conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country.

The criminal complaint against Bryant, who uses female pronouns and goes by the name Melody, alleges she colluded with shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar online, helping set up an attempted livestream of the murders.

The complaint says Bryant also advised 18-year-old Van Rootselaar on where to carry out the attack and sent the shooter money to buy a lighter for an explosive device.

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Updated: 8:57 AM CDT

Local

Corn yields look great despite tough farming year

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 6 minute read Preview

Corn yields look great despite tough farming year

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 6 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

MACGREGOR — Corn looks like it may have had a “fantastic” growing year, a farmer near MacGregor told the Sun at the start of harvest season.

Dean Toews, who farms corn, soybeans, canola and edible beans near MacGregor, said he has seen great initial impressions for corn since harvest started this month. The average yield per acre, combined with the weight of corn going into grain carts and the lack of flooded out regions of farmland, has painted a promising picture, he said.

“If we get it all in the bin, and everything is as we hope it to be, then yes, this is fantastic,” Toews said from his pickup truck on a corn field outside MacGregor. “It’s bright and sunny, it’s looking awesome, but there’s lots of work ahead.”

The goal for Toews, and his brothers Darren and Devin and father Bernie, is to get 5,500 acres of corn off the fields before the end of November. They personally own 3,500 acres, and have farmed the remaining acres for customers. The work is expected to keep them busy six days a week, from roughly 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., until the season changes.

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2:01 AM CDT

Local

Alice McLean is shown in 2022 at the 33rd The Big One Arts and Crafts Sale. The second weekend of the 37th edition will be held at the Keystone Centre on Saturday and Sunday. (File)

Let’s Do Something for Thursday, Oct. 22

24 minute read Preview

Let’s Do Something for Thursday, Oct. 22

24 minute read Updated: 8:58 AM CDT

For those wishing to have their item listed in upcoming editions, there is now an earlier deadline for publication, so items are needed at least two weeks in advance of the date of your event. Please email to carthur@brandonsun.com.

TODAY (Oct. 22)

• 11:30 a.m. — The United Way Community Fun Lunch (also known as Spaghetti lunch) takes place in the Imperial Ballroom at the Victorian Inn. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch served at noon. Heading back to the ‘80s this year, so dust off your denim, break out the neon and get ready to tease that hair sky high! Play some table activities, connect with friends and coworkers and enjoy an amazing lunch in support of United Way’s 2026 Campaign: Planting Possibilities. Bryan Podworny of Expressions Entertainment will be bringing the ‘80s energy. Rainbow and silent auction as well as 50/50 race. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance at support.brandonuw.ca/co.

• Noon — Westman 365 Cancer Care support group meets at noon at the Centre For Hope, located in Western Manitoba Cancer Care (300 McTavish Ave.) Providing information sessions to help cancer patients, caregivers and those who love them, navigate their cancer journey. For more information call Ron at 204-728-9728 or Darlene at 204-761-8570 or Anne, 204-728-9958.

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Updated: 8:58 AM CDT

Local

The Brandon Police Service crest. (File)

Parking dispute; armed visitor

2 minute read Preview

Parking dispute; armed visitor

2 minute read Updated: 12:20 AM CDT

DRIVER THREATED

A man brandishing a torque wrench allegedly threatened a driver who was parallel parking in Brandon on Tuesday.

Officers responded to the scene in the 2200 block of Brandon Avenue around 9 a.m. after receiving two separate calls reporting a verbal argument, police said in a news release on Wednesday.

A 60-year-old man was parking his vehicle when a stranger uttered threats toward him while holding the tool, police said.

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Updated: 12:20 AM CDT

Local

Brandon city councillor candidate Tyson Tame is running for his second term in office as the Ward 10 representative.

Tame takes on challenger in Ward 10 race

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Preview

Tame takes on challenger in Ward 10 race

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read 12:08 AM CDT

Incumbent Ward 10 Coun. Tyson Tame is facing a political newcomer in Mitesh Patel in the upcoming municipal election.

Tame, a 53-year-old realtor, said drainage and aging infrastructure in the Green Acres neighbourhood are his biggest concerns ahead of the Oct. 28 election.

Pedestrian safety is also a major concern, he said.

Tame said the outgoing edition of council was successful in improving pedestrian safety with flashing beacons at crosswalks and improving sidewalk connection, but that more work is still needed.

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12:08 AM CDT

Local

Ward 4 incumbent Shaun Cameron makes his opening statement during the debate. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)

Candidates share their visions for downtown

By Rylee Gerrard 4 minute read Preview

Candidates share their visions for downtown

By Rylee Gerrard 4 minute read 12:03 AM CDT

Candidates from three mainly residential wards discussed what downtown could be like if growth and development continued.

Sparked by Ward 4 incumbent Shaun Cameron’s recent call to add an additional 2,000 people to the city’s downtown, candidates from wards 1, 4 and 9 shared their visions for downtown to an audience of roughly 50 people during Wednesday night’s debate in Lorne Watson Recital Hall at Brandon University.

Cameron, who was first elected to the ward in 2018, said it’s “absolutely realistic” to grow the downtown area by 2,000 people.

“One of the things that I think that turns the corner comes from creating critical mass downtown,” Cameron said.

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12:03 AM CDT

Local

Man accused of attacking strangers deemed safety risk

By Tessa Adamski 6 minute read 12:03 AM CDT

A judge denied bail to a 51-year-old Brandon man on Wednesday, saying it was clear he posed a safety risk to the community following his alleged involvement in a string of serious assaults, including an incident that sent one man to hospital with glass embedded in his face.

Allegations of Abram Cook’s recent offending is “concerning” and involved acts of mischief and unprovoked attacks against strangers, which warrants he spend time in custody ahead of a possible trial to protect the public, said provincial court Judge Donovan Dvorak, who gave his decision via phone in Brandon.

“The question I would ask is, who’s next?” he said. “A senior walking down the street with groceries or, I don’t know, a kid on the way to school?”

Cook faces eight charges for incidents alleged to have happened between June and September. The charges include assault with a weapon, four counts of assault, two counts of mischief under $5,000 and breaching a court order to report to police.