Brandon Sun – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

RCMP constables wait to form up for a parade before a Remembrance Day ceremony in Vancouver on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

RCMP’s much-needed reserve program grappling with numerous challenges: report

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:55 AM CST

OTTAWA - Challenges with recruitment, training, resources and overall management are hindering the RCMP's reserve program, even as reservists are being called on more than ever, says an internal evaluation report.

The newly released report says while the program helps fill RCMP staffing gaps across Canada, the lack of a clear mandate "results in inconsistencies and an inability of the program to meet current organizational needs."

The program is intended to hire RCMP members and former members of other Canadian police services for three-year terms to fill temporary vacancies.

Based on total hours, reservists filled the equivalent of about 173 full-time positions in 2024, up from about 155 positions in 2020, the November 2025 report says.

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In first interview, Canada’s envoy to Greenland says new post seeks ‘concrete’ gains

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

In first interview, Canada’s envoy to Greenland says new post seeks ‘concrete’ gains

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:56 AM CST

NUUK - The diplomat Canada has posted to Greenland says the new consulate should lead to "concrete" gains for Canadians, while locals urge Ottawa to expand existing trade and cultural ties with the Danish territory.

"This just kicks things into a new phase, a more intensive phase, being on the ground and having presence," said Julie Crôteau, Canada's acting consul in Greenland's capital Nuuk.

She gave The Canadian Press her first media interview since taking on the job last November.

"Working together to find common solutions to a lot of the challenges, and building jointly on opportunities that are available in the northern, Arctic context — especially in the world as it is these days — I think that will be a very, very big success," she said.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:56 AM CST

Former Greenland politician Tillie Martinussen is interviewed in Nuuk, Greenland, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Reimer named Canada’s top doc

By Gabrielle Piché 4 minute read Preview

Reimer named Canada’s top doc

By Gabrielle Piché 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:57 AM CST

WINNIPEG — The physician who became a face of Manitoba’s COVID-19 response has a new title — Canada’s top doc.

Joss Reimer has been named Canada’s next chief public health officer. It’s a role once filled by Theresa Tam, who wore the shoes while Reimer was medical lead of Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force.

Reimer will start on April 1, federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced Friday. Her term lasts three years.

“I couldn’t be more grateful,” Reimer said, adding she’ll be working to fight medical misinformation and disinformation during her tenure. Her appointment comes as measles cases in Canada are spiking; Manitoba leads the pack with at least 157 cases so far this year.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:57 AM CST

Dr. Joss Reimer answers media questions during a press conference at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg in March 2020. Reimer has been named Canada’s next chief public health officer, and begins her three-year term on April 1. (The Canadian Press files)

Karrina Taylor performs in the lyrical dance solo, own choice, 12 years and under category, as seen in a double-exposure photograph, during Day 5 of the dance portion of the Brandon Festival of the Arts at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium on Thursday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

For love of dance

Dancers get chance to show their moves during the Brandon Festival of the Arts

By Tessa Adamski 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:13 AM CST

Volunteer tax-filing program returns for another year

2 minute read Preview

Volunteer tax-filing program returns for another year

2 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is gearing up to help low-income people file their taxes within the Prairie Mountain Health region.

The program is a collaboration between the Canada Revenue Agency and community organizations like the regional health authority, which bring volunteers together to prepare income tax returns for free.

The program ensures seniors, newcomers, students and all low-income residents maintain access to all the benefits they’re entitled to, Prairie Mountain Health said in a news release on Tuesday.

This includes GST refunds, the Canada child benefit, Manitoba Rent Assist, disability tax credits, Manitoba Pharmacare deductibles and more.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Feb. 23 marks the first day that Canadians can begin filing their income tax and benefit returns online. A Canada Revenue Agency sign in Ottawa is shown in a 2021 photo. (The Canadian Press files)

Fundraiser for teen killed in skiing accident nears $110K goal

By Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Preview

Fundraiser for teen killed in skiing accident nears $110K goal

By Kevin Rollason 2 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

WINNIPEG — A fundraiser for a sports scholarship set up to honour the memory of a Winnipeg teenager who died after a skiing accident at Asessippi ski area last weekend raised more than $100,000 on its first day.

Cam Orloff died after being airlifted to Winnipeg from Russell last Saturday. He was 19.

The Cameron Orloff Memorial Sports Fund was set up on GoFundMe on Thursday in the wake of Orloff’s death. It has a goal of $110,000 and by Friday at 5:30 p.m., it was just over $1,000 from reaching that amount.

“Cameron Jack Orloff was a light in all of our lives and gone much too soon,” the fundraiser says.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Cameron Jack Orloff, 19, died after a skiing accident last weekend. (GoFundMe)

Crossing lights installed after years of angst

By Skye Anderson 4 minute read Preview

Crossing lights installed after years of angst

By Skye Anderson 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Years of residents raising concerns over the safety of a crosswalk on one of Brandon’s busiest streets finally paid off this winter.

Crosswalk lights were installed in January at the intersection of 18th Street and Lorne Avenue in front of Brandon University.

“We’ve been asking for it for years. We’ve wanted it for years,” Lynn MacKay, a professor in BU’s history department, told the Sun.

“Before these lights, it was just a death trap after dark.”

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The crosswalk on 18th Street at Lorne Avenue in front of Brandon University. Crossing lights were installed in January after years of pressure from the concerned public. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

First Nations people urged to carry passports to U.S.

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Preview

First Nations people urged to carry passports to U.S.

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The federal government is advising First Nations people to carry a passport in addition to a secure status card when crossing the border to the United States.

The updated advisory comes as one First Nation chief in Westman says his members are already hesitant about travelling south.

The update on Thursday replaced the government’s previous advisory that stated First Nations “may freely” enter the U.S. for the purposes of employment, study, retirement, investing or immigration.

The advisory is now cautioning travellers to be prepared at the border.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The United States port of entry at Warroad, Minn. Ottawa is advising First Nations people that status cards may not be enough identification to enter the United States, since “the acceptance of all status cards is entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials.” (Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press files)

Liquor allowed where gold-medal game shown

1 minute read Preview

Liquor allowed where gold-medal game shown

1 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The province announced Friday it will allow bars and restaurants to open early Sunday morning to allow patrons to cheer on Team Canada in its gold-medal men’s hockey game against the United States at the Winter Olympics.

“From Elkhorn to Winnipeg, Manitobans will be waking up early to cheer together,” Premier Wab Kinew said in a news release. “That’s why we’re allowing bars and restaurants to open early, so friends, families and neighbours can gather, share that energy and celebrate what unites us.”

Manitoba’s liquor laws allow bars and licensed restaurant hours to be extended for liquor service during “events of community, provincial or national significance.”

Licensed establishments applying to open early must televise the Olympic event and serve liquor no earlier than one hour before the game begins.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Alberta has ditched a new fee schedule for beer makers citing U.S. tariffs and a need to support business growth. A bartender pours a craft beer in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Nam Y. Huh

Municipalities onside with turbine project

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Preview

Municipalities onside with turbine project

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

On the eve of a series of public engagement sessions, officials with the City of Brandon and two nearby municipalities in the path of a major Manitoba Hydro turbine project say they’re in favour of the current plan.

The project, announced by Premier Wab Kinew in November and expected to cost up to $3 billion, would see three combustion turbine units built at the Brandon Generating Station to help power the province during peak usage times.

Natural gas pipelines would need to be installed in the rural municipalities of Elton and Cornwallis to connect to a main line.

Now in the engagement phase, Hydro is planning to host two open houses in Westman — on Feb. 28 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Riverdale Community Centre in Rivers and on March 3 at the Brandon Legion. As well, virtual information sessions are scheduled for Feb. 24 at noon, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. and March 4 at noon.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Brandon city manager Dave Wardrop stands in front of the Manitoba Hydro Brandon Generating Station on Friday. Wardrop says the city is “very excited” about Hydro’s major turbine project. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

City hosts first Afro-Caribbean business summit

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Preview

City hosts first Afro-Caribbean business summit

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

The first Westman Afro-Caribbean Entrepreneur Summit brought together immigrant founders, business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs at the Firehall Event Venue on Friday afternoon.

The event was convened by Emelio Brown, co-owner of IntriTech, who opened the summit with a workshop on marketing a business in Canada while maintaining its cultural identity.

Many newcomers arrive with strong entrepreneurial skills but often market themselves based on practices from their countries of origin, Brown told the Sun.

“We’re from different locations. We market ourselves differently, we do business differently,” he said in an interview.

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Friday, Feb. 20, 2026