Stories of the year 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/12/2023 (857 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon and Westman were noticed on the national stage in 2023, but not always for the most positive of reasons.

In May, the Brandon School Division was the focal point of a debate over 2SLGBTQIA+ rights after a group flying the banner of “parental rights” tried to get a committee formed to review and potentially ban books discussing sexuality and gender identity from school library shelves.

Though the initial effort was rejected by a majority of school trustees, the debate persisted for months as efforts were made to reverse the decision. Then after a pair of trustees resigned, book bans became the centre of the byelection campaign to replace them.

June saw tragedy strike Westman when a bus carrying seniors from Dauphin collided with a semi-truck at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5 near Carberry. The initial death toll was 15, though two more people later died of their injuries in hospital.

The aftermath of the event saw the communities affected come together to support each other and remember those who were lost.

It wasn’t all misery for the region, though. Multiple former Brandon Wheat Kings were part of the Vegas Golden Knights team that took home the Stanley Cup, with the trophy making its way to the Wheat City for a celebration.

The bigger celebration, though, was in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, where Zach Whitecloud shared his victory with his community in a joyful event at the local powwow arbour.

Workers walking the picket line were a common occurrence in 2023, as both federal and provincial employees from several unions went on strike to fight for new contracts as part of a North American surge in labour activism.

With 2023 containing everything from big electoral changes to big business deals to large investments at local post-secondary institutions, here’s a roundup of the Brandon’s Sun biggest news stories of 2023.

Jan. 5: Brandon shatters its immigration record

By Michele McDougall

The number of immigrants moving to Brandon hit an all-time high in 2022.

Over the last eight years, the population of new residents has steadily increased, according to Westman Immigrant Services, an organization that walks newcomers through their settlement journey. Community outreach manager Hannah Holt said the city last year doubled the number of admissions from 2021.

“We’ve never had over a thousand [in a year],” said Holt. “We’ve noticed a huge spike in our client numbers as well; we’ve seen over 2,000 new clients come in during the last calendar year.”

There were 1,644 newcomers who moved to Brandon in the first 10 months of 2022, eclipsing the recorded 945 in 2021, 535 in 2020 and 880 in 2019.

The majority of immigrants are from Nigeria, India, Ukraine and the Philippines, Holt said, adding most are in search of employment and a better life.

“We see nurses, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, trained professionals — highly educated people — and they’re working survival jobs to make sure ends meet.”

Jan. 13: Neepawa hospital plans revealed

By Miranda Leybourne

NEEPAWA — Area residents got a glimpse at detailed architectural plans on Thursday evening for the community’s new hospital, which is set to be completed in 2025.

The Royal Canadian Legion hall in Neepawa was packed with curious residents who showed up to learn about the next phase of the new hospital, which will be located on recently rezoned land, east of the Lions Riverbend Campground, near Provincial Trunk Highway 16.

Matthew Bowering, an architect from the Winnipeg-based LM Architectural Group, the firm responsible for building the new facility, was on hand to explain everything from the layout of the new building, including planned green space and landscaping, to the inner workings of the hospital itself.

Jan. 31: Outage puts care home in the cold

By Michele McDougall

Residents of the personal care home in Carberry had to be moved to a central location in the facility when the power and heat went out for four hours on Monday morning, one of the coldest mornings that Manitoba has endured this year.

When the power went out at the Carberry Plains Health Centre — which is attached to the personal care home — the temperature was -29 C, with the wind chill making it feel like -42 C. The generator kicked in, but it didn’t trigger the heat, said a staff member who answered the phone when the Sun called to ask about the power outage.

“We do have a generator, but apparently we can’t make the heat work for the care home residents, so we have them all in the dining room together,” said the staff member, who didn’t identify herself over the phone.

Feb. 1: Killarney-Turtle Mountain takes lead on doctor recruitment

By Michele McDougall

After losing two full-time doctors in the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain, Mayor Janice Smith has taken recruitment into her own hands.

Smith and her council are looking for companies willing to attract family physicians to the community.

The municipality has been short on doctors since last spring, when the two full-time physicians’ contracts expired, leaving 3,500 residents with a rotation of medical staff who work at the clinic, personal care home and hospital.

“Our clinic has a budget for five full-time doctors, and we only have two doctors right now,” said Smith.

Feb. 4: Crocus library honours Tommy Prince

By Kyle Darbyson

Brandon School Division is the latest Manitoba institution to honour the memory of Sgt. Tommy Prince, officially naming a local high school library after the decorated Indigenous war veteran Friday.

A dedication ceremony took place at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, where the institution’s library now prominently features Prince’s name and a three-panel display that highlights his various military accomplishments.

Friday’s event attracted dignitaries from different segments of the Westman community, including BSD board trustees, CFB Shilo members and City of Brandon officials such as Mayor Jeff Fawcett.

Feb. 15: Woman seeks damages in son’s death

By Dean Pritchard Winnipeg Free Press

A Brandon woman is suing the province and Prairie Mountain Health alleging her son died one day after medical staff at Brandon Regional Health Centre denied him treatment for his alcohol addiction.

Ryan Eamer, 46, died on Feb. 19, 2021, after his mother Brenda Eamer found him unconscious in his Brandon home.

“The defendant and their employees knew or ought to have known of the deceased’s fragile mental and physical condition requiring hospitalization and full medical care,” lawyers for Brenda Eamer allege in a statement of claim filed in Brandon Court of King’s Bench last week. Eamer is seeking nearly $70,000 in damages.

Feb. 23: Council approves lift station borrowing

By Colin Slark

Brandon City Council voted 10-1 to approve the borrowing bylaw for the southwest lift station project during what became a heated regular meeting on Tuesday evening.

However, councillors voted to put a restriction on how much money can be borrowed in the short term.

The debate over the bylaw was the most fraught since last year’s municipal election, with some members of council becoming visibly frustrated with each other and others decrying what they believed was misinformation being spread about the project.

The bylaw, which has been approved by Manitoba’s Municipal Board, allows the city to borrow up to $30 million in total for the project, which will build two new lift stations and associated watermains in southwest Brandon.

Feb. 25: Provincial funding freeze thaws

By Ian Hitchen

The thaw of a provincial government funding freeze on the municipalities operating grant will see an extra $2.3 million flow into City of Brandon coffers this budget year, although it remains to be seen where that money will be spent.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett — who was at Friday’s press conference in Winnipeg, where Premier Heather Stefanson announced the new, permanent unconditional funding — said the boost in the base for the municipal grant was good news.

It’s not yet known how the city will spend the extra money, Fawcett later told the Sun in a phone interview, although he suggested replenishing reserves drawn down during the funding freeze will be something he, council and city administration will consider.

Feb. 28: BSD cuts health-care aide program

By Kyle Darbyson

After dodging dissolution last year, a popular program offered to students interested in health-care education will be cut from the Brandon School Division’s upcoming budget.

Ahead of Monday’s school board meeting, chairperson Linda Ross confirmed that the Comprehensive Health-care Aide program is staying on ice, despite its overall popularity among students and staff.

“It would have been nice to offer this program, but it’s the only program where we pay the fees for post-secondary education, which is not our mandate,” Ross said over the phone Monday afternoon.

March 7: Park Community Centre safe for now, project to be redesigned

By Ian Hitchen

The Park Community Centre saga is literally heading back to the drawing board.

Brandon City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to reject existing bids for the demolition of the current Park Community Centre building and construction of a new one so the city can explore the possibility of a new design for a replacement.

That design and an estimated cost would then be sent out as a second request for proposals for contractors to bid on. In the meantime, those who support having a centre at the site can rest assured the current building won’t be demolished, one councillor said.

“We’re not killing this thing, but as mentioned by several councillors, there’s still some work to be done,” Coun. Shawn Berry (Ward 7) said to the applause of more than 40 Park Community Centre supporters gathered in council chambers.

March 15: ‘I just had the feeling that nobody cared’

By Michele McDougall

Fearing for her life is how 79-year-old Eleanor Buechler describes an air ambulance trip from Brandon to Winnipeg because of the way she says she was mistreated in freezing conditions.

Buechler suffered a heart attack in early February and was rushed by ambulance to Brandon Regional Health Centre, where she spent two nights before it was decided she required further testing. She would need to be flown to the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg for an angiogram.

“I thought I was going to die on this trip. I didn’t expect to make it to Winnipeg,” Buechler said.

March 22: City approves Keystone funding deal

By Ian Hitchen

A fresh funding arrangement is expected to secure the Keystone Centre’s financial future while allowing staff to better plan for projects and growth.

According to the city, the new multi-year deal in which both the province and Brandon contribute funds, is expected to put the centre on the path to financial stability while ensuring critical improvements can be made when needed.

“As far as a long-term funding agreement is concerned, I would say this is big news,” Coun. Bruce Luebke (Ward 6) told the Sun on Tuesday. “I think it really recognizes, both by the province and the city, the importance of the Keystone Centre for our community. And, not only as an economic driver but also an event centre for our community to use for various sports and activities.”

March 27: Boy dies in house fire in Sioux Valley

By Geena Mortfield

A child is dead, and a woman is in hospital with severe injuries after she attempted to save him from a house fire in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation over the weekend.

On Saturday evening, community members worked with the Sioux Valley fire department and local safety officers to extinguish the blaze.

The boy was pulled from the burning home and rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A 65-year-old woman who participated in the rescue efforts sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital, where she continues to be treated.

March 28: Tension builds after nurses leave Glenboro

By Michele McDougall

Frustration with last-minute shift changes and friction with management are to blame for a recent exodus of nurses in Glenboro, says the deputy mayor.

In the last two and a half weeks, five nurses have quit the Glenboro Health Centre and transferred to other hospitals and health-care centres, said Ed Bedford. A total of seven have left in the last few months.

A contributing factor to the departures is confusion about the status of the hospital, Bedford added. One of its two doctors leaves this week, and Bedford was told the facility would become a transitional care unit, which means a short-term care facility.

March 29: City’s open house takes ‘racist’ turn

By Matt Goerzen

The City of Brandon has “paused” future public engagement sessions for its new city plan following a confrontation on Friday described by city manager Ron Bowles as “highly charged and racist.”

Friday’s open house at the West End Community Centre was one of several scheduled events across Brandon the public was invited to attend to learn more about the city’s plan to develop and grow over the next 30 years.

But the normally civil open house format took a turn for the worse when several people showed up at the community centre accusing the city of wasting tax dollars on “unnecessary” bike lanes and walking paths, and of attempting to implement a “15-minute city” plan on the population, among other concerns.

April 5: Ghost gun, cyberattacks land man in prison

By Geena Mortfield

A Brandon man who used his tech savvy to manufacture a 3D-printed gun and operate a business that launched thousands of cyberattacks against companies across North America will spend the next three years in a federal penitentiary.

In addition to his prison sentence, the 19-year-old man will be under a three-year probation term upon release after pleading guilty last year to various charges, including identity fraud and theft, unauthorized use of a computer, manufacturing a firearm, mischief to data and possession of cocaine.

While the man is now an adult, most of his charges fall under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, so the Sun can’t publish his name.

April 20: Federal workers hit picket line

By Colin Slark

Dozens of striking federal government employees braved a snowstorm Wednesday morning to form a picket line outside of Brandon’s Service Canada office, demanding contract changes including increased wages.

As they marched along Richmond Avenue, flags in hand, members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada called for a fair deal after talks between their union and the federal government broke down earlier this month.

PSAC and the government first started negotiating a new contract in June 2021.

May 19: City breaks ground on recreation site

By Kyle Darbyson

Cold, rainy weather on Thursday couldn’t dampen the spirits of attendees at a ground-breaking ceremony for Brandon’s new outdoor field sports complex, a project that is more than a decade in the making.

While construction began in March, delegates representing the City of Brandon and the Manitoba government gathered at the corner of First Street and Veterans Way yesterday afternoon to celebrate the hard work that has gone into the recreation site, which will consist of nine individual sports fields, a FIFA-sized soccer field, cricket pitches, a clubhouse and space for ultimate Frisbee when completed.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett told the crowd the new complex will do wonders to enhance the athletic talent that exists at institutions like Brandon University, Assiniboine Community College and the community’s various high schools.

“We’re going to start creating as many soccer players as we do our young hockey players,” Fawcett said.

May 24: School board rejects book review committee

By Colin Slark

Most Brandon school board trustees rejected a request to review and ban books with LGBTQ+ content from school shelves at Tuesday evening’s marathon school board meeting.

At the end of the over-six-hour affair, which took place at Vincent Massey High School on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning, Brandon School Division board trustees voted 6-1 against a proposal to establish a committee to review and possibly ban books with subject matter surrounding gender identity and sexual health.

The proposition was first brought forward during the last school board meeting on May 8, when former trustee Lorraine Hackenschmidt called for the creation of a committee to review such books and potentially remove them from school shelves if they were deemed harmful to children.

May 29: Local teen a national chess champion

By Kyle Darbyson

Martin Riquelme’s mastery of chess has now been recognized at a national level, after he beat the top Grade 10 players in the country during the Chess’n Math Association’s recent tournament in Montreal.

After claiming victory over the May long weekend, the 15-year-old got to celebrate with his fellow Brandon Knights Chess Club members on Saturday, meeting up at their usual downtown library hangout spot with his first-place trophy in hand.

“I just about fell off my chair. It’s just a staggering achievement,” Brandon Knights mentor Gwynfor Richards told the Sun afterwards. “I mean, he’s the top Grade 10 player in Canada, which technically makes him the under-16 champion.”

June 8: Pregnant woman survives violent attack

By Geena Mortfield

A pregnant woman is in stable condition at a Winnipeg hospital after being violently attacked during a home invasion in Erickson Tuesday morning.

Candace Richardson’s sister-in-law, Michelle Dominey, told the Sun that the last update she heard about Richardson was that she was heading into surgery to remove the tip of a blade in her skull.

“She is talking and she’s stable and she’s going to be OK — she’s going to survive,” Dominey told the Sun in an interview Wednesday afternoon. “But in saying that, she has a lot of trauma to get through and her injuries were really terrible.”

June 10: Province’s first potash mine up and running

By Kyle Darbyson

HARROWBY — Manitoba is now in the potash mining business, with preliminary production of this precious resource officially taking place in rural Westman as of Friday.

To celebrate the grand opening of the province’s very first potash mine, the Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) invited members of the public and government officials to tour this new facility located in the hamlet of Harrowby, about 15 kilometres west of Russell.

During the tour, PADCOM representatives showcased the unique way they extract potash, which involves injecting a brine solution into the ground and extracting the liquified substance, where it is then chilled and turned into crystal.

June 16: Crash kills 15 seniors and June 23: ‘Immeasurable loss’ — Names and faces of crash victims released

By Geena Mortfield

NEAR CARBERRY — A collision with a semi-trailer on the Trans-Canada Highway at the intersection of Highway 5 has killed 15 seniors from Dauphin who were on a bus to the Sand Hills Casino near Carberry late Thursday morning.

Another 10 were taken to hospital with various injuries, RCMP said.

Mounties said a semi-trailer was eastbound when a bus heading south on Highway 5 crossed the westbound lanes and was crossing the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada when it was struck by the semi-trailer.

—

DAUPHIN — One at a time, family members of seniors who died as a result of a crash between a bus and semi-truck near Carberry last week sombrely walked into a room at Credit Union Place to place a large photo of their lost loved one on a stand.

Several of them paused to reflect in front of the images before taking their seat at the front of the room.

The scene unfolded at a press conference in Dauphin on Thursday, the photos finally putting faces to a tragedy that has deeply affected two Manitoba communities.

During the press conference at Credit Union Place, Manitoba RCMP also released the names of the 16 people who died. Their photos inscribed with their name and date of birth lined the front of the room.

“Hearts are broken, families are grieving, a community is feeling immeasurable loss,” RCMP Supt. Jeff Asmundson said during the press conference, his voice wavering with emotion. “The communities of Carberry and Dauphin will be forever connected.”

June 22: Meredith Place to be razed, replaced

By Colin Slark

More than a year after Meredith Place permanently shut its doors, YWCA Brandon is getting ready to demolish the historic building as the first step in replacing it with a new facility.

The organization sent out a media release Wednesday stating it is working with the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba to get the process started this summer.

Meredith Place served as transitional housing for women and gender-diverse people in Brandon for more than a century before hefty repairs needed to keep it running became more expensive than the YWCA could manage.

June 24: Brandon Clinic ending walk-in services

By Michele McDougall

The Brandon Clinic will no longer offer walk-in services as of July 4 because of a severe shortage of family physicians, according to the clinic’s chief operating officer.

Walk-in services have been offered at the Brandon Clinic since March 2022, providing patients with a doctor appointment, diagnostic services like X-ray and lab tests, and additional nursing support.

A shortage of physicians and burnout because of heavy workloads are to blame for the walk-in clinic closure, said Darcy Bell, chief executive officer of the Brandon Clinic.

July 4: Dogs kill 14 birds, rabbit at sanctuary

By Miranda Leybourne

NEEPAWA — Volunteers and board members of the Neepawa Bird Sanctuary are devastated and heartbroken after two large free-roaming dogs tunnelled under the sanctuary’s fencing and went on a killing spree on Wednesday morning, fatally attacking 14 birds and one rabbit.

Every bird that was not in its own enclosure within the larger fenced area of the sanctuary except for a rooster and a Muscovy duck named Cola, which were both able to fly to higher ground on the roofs of buildings, were killed.

The animals the sanctuary lost to the attack include a family of Silkies — a breed of chicken known for its silken plumage — and their babies, six young adult chickens, a bantam hen with a baby chick, another hen that just hatched out a peahen and a fluffy lop rabbit. Sanctuary volunteers are still looking for two young cats that may have been killed or harmed in the attack.

July 19: Community standards bylaw passes

By Colin Slark

A new bylaw that increases property upkeep standards and adds new definitions for ticketable offences including loitering, panhandling and graffiti is set to take effect after being passed by city council.

Concerns expressed by residents at Monday’s council meeting weren’t enough to scuttle the bylaw, though several amendments were made before the final vote was held.

All members of council voted in favour of the bylaw except Coun. Heather Karrouze (Ward 1). Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Ward 2) was not present at the meeting.

July 27: Town Centre sells for nearly $4 million

By Colin Slark

The sale of The Town Centre mall was completed earlier this month for nearly $4 million, according to documents obtained by the Sun.

The land title for the property the mall sits on, 800 Rosser Ave., was transferred from the previous owners to 10163858 Manitoba Ltd. on July 6, 2023 for a consideration worth $3,963,750.

A search of Manitoba’s Companies Online registry shows that company was created in early May of this year. Its president is listed as Parbjot Brar of Winnipeg, who is also known by the nickname J.B.

Aug. 7: Police pursuit leads to Neepawa

By Kyle Darbyson

The RCMP made one arrest Sunday following a high-speed chase that led to a manhunt in downtown Neepawa.

A 48-year-old woman was detained at the getaway vehicle while the 45-year-old driver, who is wanted on assault charges, was not located at the scene.

As of Monday afternoon, an RCMP spokesperson couldn’t confirm if the 45-year-old man was in custody or not.

Officers originally encountered the driver on Highway 16 about 10 kilometres east of Neepawa, having previously been advised that his assault victim could be in the vehicle with him.

When police attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the suspect kept driving and triggered a high-speed chase with officers.

After driving over a police spike strip, the suspect continued into the municipality where he ditched the vehicle and fled on foot.

Aug. 11: Derailment briefly closes Daly Overpass

By Abiola Odutola

A peaceful Thursday morning was disrupted by a train derailment that led to the brief closure of the Daly Overpass after at least one rail car struck a support pillar.

“Four cars carrying intermodal containers derailed early Thursday while moving at low speed in the Brandon rail yard,” Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern communications director Rebecca Stephen told the Brandon Sun in an email on Thursday. “There were no injuries and no dangerous goods involved. All the cars remained upright and were re-railed Thursday morning and moved.”

The incident, which, according to the Brandon Police Service, occurred at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, shut down traffic for most of the morning. However, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the roadway was reopened by 11 a.m. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed to the Sun that it had inspected the bridge — “and there were no structural concerns, so the road was reopened. There were no concerns about hazardous materials.”

Aug. 14: Kinew makes Park Community Centre pledge

By Michele McDougall

There’s a ray of hope for supporters of the Park Community Centre in Brandon, says a longtime board member, who wants to see it rebuilt and rented out for local concerts and events, with additional space for a childcare centre.

That ray came in the form of an election promise made by Manitoba’s leader of the NDP, Wab Kinew, while visiting the community centre on Sunday.

Flanked by several centre board members and people who live in the neighbourhood, Kinew said, if elected, the NDP would invest up to $1 million to rebuild the community centre, including space for a day care.

Aug. 23: Whitecloud brings Stanley Cup home

By Lucas Punkari

SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION — An announcement that the “Stanley Cup is in the Valley” was all that was needed to get the crowd buzzing at the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation powwow grounds on Wednesday afternoon.

The anticipation reached a fever pitch a few minutes later as Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Zach Whitecloud arrived on a horse-pulled carriage and received a hero’s welcome.

The 26-year-old took several laps around the arbour with hockey’s biggest prize and allowed fans to get an up-close look at the trophy he got to hoist on June 13.

Aug. 28: Liquor strike ends

By Kyle Darbyson

Wine and spirits are back on the menu for Westman residents now that an ongoing labour dispute between provincial liquor workers and their employer has officially come to a close.

This means that most Liquor Mart locations will reopen to consumers today, although the store at 1015 Victoria Avenue in Brandon will continue to be exclusive to commercial customers until later this week.

Deliveries to commercial partners and private retailers will resume next week.

Sept. 7: Sobering centre site selected

By Colin Slark

The location for the Wheat City’s future sobering centre was finally decided on Tuesday when city council voted unanimously to allow the John Howard Society of Brandon to include the facility as part of its transitional housing project on the North Hill.

Back in March, Brandon City Council approved the sale of a parcel of land on the 300 block of 16th Street North to the society and Westman Youth for Christ for $1 to establish a transitional housing facility at the site.

When the federal government announced $5 million in funding toward the housing project in late May, John Howard Society executive director Ross Robinson said consideration had been given to including a sobering centre in the build, but approval for that aspect was moving more slowly.

Tuesday’s motion passed by council amends the resolution from March to include a sobering centre in the scope of the work and requests that Manitoba Justice approve the John Howard Society receiving the $2 million promised by the provincial government to establish a facility in Brandon subject to land-use applications and community consultations being carried out.

Sept. 9: Structural damage a concern — Civic Services Complex explosion

By Kyle Darbyson

A natural gas line explosion that rocked the city’s Civic Services Complex Thursday evening may have resulted in some structural instability, although the full extent of the damage still isn’t known at this time.

Patrick Pulak, Brandon’s general manager of operations, provided the Sun with this update Friday afternoon, revealing that a structural engineer began assessing the complex earlier that morning.

“Initial reports are that the damage is more extensive than what we initially thought and that there was some damage to the structural elements of the building,” Pulak stated.

“That said, the investigation is extending into this afternoon. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether or not we can occupy or partially occupy the building come next week.”

Brandon police and firefighters responded to calls of an explosion at the Civic Services Complex around 6 p.m. Thursday.

When the Sun arrived at the scene around 7 p.m., one city employee had already been transported to the hospital to treat their injuries from the explosion.

Sept. 7: Sioux Valley breaks ground on treatment plant

By Miranda Leybourne

SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION — A blessing and ground-breaking ceremony for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s new water treatment plant, which will ensure clean drinking water for its growing population, was held on the First Nation Wednesday.

In May, then-federal Crown-Indigenous Relations minister Marc Miller visited Sioux Valley and announced the new water treatment project, for which Ottawa is providing the full $12 million through the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund.

Nathan Wittmeier, Prairie Water Consultant’s project manager for the new water treatment plant build, said Wednesday that along the valley, two new wells have been installed, and some berms — flat strips of raised land — will be installed around those to protect them and to allow access during times of floods.

Oct. 4: NDP recaptures Brandon East

By Kyle Darbyson

The Manitoba NDP gained some major ground in the Wheat City Tuesday night, with Glen Simard reclaiming Brandon East for his party for the first time since 2016.

Simard, a teacher from École Harrison and local minor hockey coach, managed to knock Progressive Conservative incumbent Len Isleifson out of his seat by capturing more than 55 per cent of the vote.

This NDP victory in Brandon East was part of a broader orange surge that spread across Manitoba on Tuesday, as the party managed to form a majority government by winning 33 seats to the PCs’ 23.

The Manitoba Liberals only held onto a single seat in the legislature, with party leader Dougald Lamont not even managing to win his seat in St. Boniface. Brandon East Liberal candidate Trenton Zazalak only captured around 4.4 per cent of the vote in his district.

Oct. 4: Jackson wins Spruce Woods for Tories

By Miranda Leybourne

Grant Jackson is stepping into the role of MLA for Spruce Woods, beating out Liberal Michelle Budiwski and New Democrat Melissa Ghidoni on Tuesday night.

As of 10 p.m., with 18 of 37 polls reporting, Jackson was declared winner of the riding, which includes the northern tip of Brandon as well as a dozen Westman communities. Last December, then-Progressive Conservative representative Cliff Cullen announced that he would not be seeking re-election. Cullen had served as the MLA for Spruce Woods since its creation in 2008 through the redistribution of the Turtle Mountain and Minnedosa electoral districts.

“I’m really humbled to have gained this level of support from my hometown of Souris and all these other communities in Spruce Woods, which I grew up in,” Jackson told the Sun following his win.

Oct. 6: Balcaen prevails in tight Brandon race

By Ian Hitchen

Two days after the provincial election took place, the hotly contested constituency of Brandon West finally found a winner — by a razor-thin margin, electorally speaking, the city’s west end will remain Tory blue.

Brandon West was among a number of electoral districts to experience slow vote counting — which Elections Manitoba blamed on storms that knocked out power and caused problems with vote-counting machines, new election procedures and technical issues with its website.

Mid-Thursday afternoon, however, Elections Manitoba’s website finally showed that all Brandon West polls had reported and all advance votes were counted, with former Brandon police chief and Progressive Conservative candidate Wayne Balcaen emerging as the winner.

Brandon West was up for grabs after former PC MLA Reg Helwer announced he wouldn’t run for re-election. Helwer held the seat for 12 years, and Balcaen’s win means the constituency will remain in Tory hands.

Oct. 6: Council approves next step for Redwood

By Miranda Leybourne

While most of Manitoba tuned in to see whether the New Democratic Party or the Progressive Conservatives would form the next provincial government on Tuesday, those with a vested interest in something closer to home packed Brandon’s city council chambers.

The City of Brandon held a public hearing for a variance application to transform the Redwood Motor Inn, located at 345 18th St. North, into a family reunification facility for people who have gone through addictions treatment. The city’s planning commission had previously rejected the zoning application on July 7.

The application had been brought by Aurora Recovery Centre, a private addiction treatment centre in Gimli, which now owns the Redwood in Brandon. Aurora is converting the motel into a long-term recovery facility that helps parents recovering from addiction reunite with their children and learn basic life skills to help them work toward independent living

The motion passed 5-3, allowing Aurora to proceed with the family reunification project and giving it one year to make required renovations.

Oct. 7: Cyclist killed in collision

By Michele McDougall

A Vincent Massey High School student was hit and killed Thursday afternoon while on his bicycle, in the intersection of Victoria Avenue and McDiarmid Drive.

The collision happened shortly before 5 p.m. as the cyclist was heading north on McDiarmid Drive when he was struck by a westbound vehicle.

Kathleen Barteaux works in the Bell MTS Store, which is on the same corner, and said while she didn’t see the collision, their security camera did. It was the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles that caught her attention.

Oct. 25: City’s handling of water rates called unacceptable

By Colin Slark

Manitoba’s Public Utilities Board came down hard against the City of Brandon’s handling of water rate increases, approving the city’s request but criticizing its lack of process and handling of deficits in a report issued on Oct. 20.

Earlier this year, the city asked for permission to raise rates for the first time in seven years to help pay for deficits incurred in previous fiscal years, increasing service costs and future infrastructure improvements.

The city initially hoped the first round of increases would go into effect on July 1 of this year, but some corrections needed for its application meant that a decision was not rendered until last week.

Oct. 27: Brandon welcomes 46 new citizens

By Abiola Odutola

In a heartwarming and celebratory ceremony held at Brandon’s iconic Dome Building on Thursday, 46 people hailing from 11 different countries officially became citizens of Canada.

The ceremony was a testament to the diversity and unity that defines the Canadian identity, as new citizens from various corners of the world came together.

It was the first in-person citizenship ceremony in Brandon since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. The return to in-person ceremonies signified a step toward normalcy and a joyful reunion with the community for Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carriere and all in attendance.

Carriere, who presided over the event, made it an unforgettable experience by sharing a brief history of her own heritage and engaging with each new citizen. She took the time to ask how long they had been in Canada, making the ceremony a more personal and meaningful moment for the participants.

Oct. 27: Parental rights candidates lose BSD byelection

by Colin Slark

Brandon School Division voters rejected “parental rights” candidates on Wednesday, electing instead Kirk Carr in Ward 1 and Lorraine McConnell in Ward 2 in a byelection for two vacancies on the board of trustees.

Both candidates who supported the movement to institute a committee to review and potentially ban books dealing with sexuality or gender issues, Henry Sieklicki and Kara Morrice, failed to win in their respective wards.

Both Carr and McConnell told the Sun after their wins that with the parental rights-supporting candidates being rejected by residents, it’s time for the division and the board of trustees to move on to other matters.

“My first priority is to stop the bigotry that’s been going on, stop this hate,” Carr said. “There’s a lot more things that need to be addressed within the division. We need to get started on doing the hard work.”

McConnell said the discussion of book bans went against Brandon School Division policies.

Oct. 31: New Sioux Valley chief, Brandon mayor want to work with campground owner on residential-school site access

By Miranda Leybourne

The new chief of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation wants to work with the City of Brandon and the owner of Turtle Crossing Campground to search for the remains of children on the grounds of the former Brandon Indian Residential School, located along the Assiniboine River on Grand Valley Road.

Vince Tacan, who ousted incumbent chief Jennifer Bone in an Oct. 19 election, served as chief of the community six times in the past. One of the priorities he wants to focus on is searching the land where the former Brandon Indian Residential School operated — now Turtle Crossing Campground — for unmarked children’s burial sites.

Tacan met with Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett last Thursday to discuss this and other points of interest for both the City of Brandon and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, located about 50 kilometres west of the city.

Nov. 15: Homeless shelter turned down amid strong pushback

By Abiola Odutola

The Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation’s 24-7 shelter planned for 817 Rosser Ave. was turned down Nov. 1 by the city’s planning commission after facing strong pushback from six business owners in the downtown area.

The decision has forced the BNRC to make alternative shelter arrangements, with two churches having agreed to handle overnight clients while the Blue Door continues to provide daytime services.

The shelter initiative, which aimed at providing essential refuge and support between November and March 31, 2024, was opposed by New System Store owner Neil Cristall, Sneath Group chief executive officer Robyn Sneath, Brandon Downtown Biz representative Mike Maendel, and downtown business owners Daniel Burns, Miles Crossman and Steve Baker.

Nov. 16: BFF acquires McKenzie Seeds building

By Abiola Odutola

The sale of Brandon’s iconic McKenzie Seeds building to Brandon Fresh Farms has been finalized, clearing the way for the site to be redeveloped as a state-of-the-art controlled-environment agricultural operation.

BFF bought the property from a numbered company, 5883882 Manitoba Limited, for more than $3 million, BFF president Adam Morand told the Sun.

“We have done the paperwork on the building, and the historic McKenzie Seeds building now belongs to Brandon Fresh Farms,” Morand said. “This purchase is just the beginning, as we chart a course for a substantial financial commitment of $30 million.”

Morand said the company plans a multi-faceted approach to funding the project, tapping various capital sources, grants, low-interest loans from government agencies like Farm Credit Canada and Business Development Bank of Canada, and private investments. The cornerstone of their financial strategy, he said, is an $18-million convertible debenture, drawing investors with a 15 per cent annual return.

Nov. 21: Arson blamed after fire guts building

By Geena Mortfield

A 33-year-old man has been charged with arson after an early-morning fire completely destroyed a building at 144 12th St. that was home to two Brandon businesses — a taxi company and a non-profit agency — and more than 10 apartment tenants.

Police assisted all of the tenants out of the burning building safely, while Brandon Fire and Emergency Services fought to contain the blaze for much of the day. The man accused of setting the fire faces charges of break and enter and arson with disregard for human life.

The fire began around 3 a.m. after an employee at one of the businesses called police to say that someone had broken into the building. The employee was hiding in the office and reported smelling smoke.

When they arrived on scene, police arrested the suspect, who had apparently smashed the glass on one of the building’s front doors and started a fire inside. Police alerted and helped evacuate the tenants who lived in apartments on the second floor of the building. Soon after, flames quickly engulfed the structure. No injuries were reported.

Nov. 29: Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will enforce banishment law — but only as last resort

By Colin Slark

SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION —Residents of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation came together on Monday night to discuss a new law that allows for the banishment of people deemed dangerous to the community by acting violently or trafficking illegal drugs.

Those judged by a new community safety board to be a serious threat to the nation will be prohibited from entering the nation’s lands under penalty of a two-year jail term or a $5,000 fine for each day they defy the order.

That includes residents and non-residents, members and non-members of Sioux Valley found to be violent or trafficking illegal drugs.

Nov. 29: LGBT supporters pack Dauphin school board meeting

By Kyla Henderson

More than 25 people were out in the cold in Dauphin Monday night in support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community after being denied entry to the Mountain View School Division board meeting. The MVSD board also heard two impassioned presentations in response to a Nov. 13 delegation that pushed for book bans, a pronoun policy, and more parental rights.

“I couldn’t get in by the time I called — the gallery was already full,” said Cheryl Dando, who joined fellow community members, teachers, students and parents in support of 2SLGBTQIA+ students outside the MVSD building.

“I asked that they move it to a bigger venue. I even emailed the minister of education to see if we could get it moved to a bigger venue. But we couldn’t do that,” Dando said.

Dec. 13: Peters donate $10 million to ACC

By Kyla Henderson

Assiniboine Community College is flying high after a “transformative” donation to its School of Business.

Local philanthropists Gord and Diane Peters donated $10 million to the ACC School of Business, which will now be called the Peters School of Business.

The donation is the single biggest gift from an individual, family or business to the college and in the Westman region.

For the Peters, Gord said it was an easy decision.

“Well, we’ve been active in philanthropy for a long time. We need a certain amount of money to live on and at the end of the day, we have more capital than we need, so we have to put it to use,” Gord said.

Dec. 15: Report warns city needs steep tax hikes

by Colin Slark

The City of Brandon will need to impose “extraordinarily” larger property tax increases over the next decade than it has in recent years to remain sustainable, according to a new report prepared by accounting firm MNP.

The report — which was presented to city administration earlier this week — suggests two scenarios for taxation over the next 10 years, blaming the situation largely on the city keeping property taxes too low to account for rising costs.

The city is set to release the information to the public and hold a media briefing this morning at Brandon City Hall but provided an early copy to the Sun as well as an exclusive interview with city manager Ron Bowles, who said the report outlines a worst-case scenario.

“While low taxes and efficient municipal operations were identified as strengths, there is clear indication that tax increases have not been sufficient to reflect inflation and have resulted in diminished reserves at a time when Brandon requires significant investment in infrastructure,” the report’s executive summary reads.

The first scenario would see property taxes rises about 13 per cent a year between 2024 and 2027 and about three per cent from 2028 through 2033, while the second would see increases worth nine per cent a year over the same time frame. That second scenario would require delaying several capital projects.

Dec. 23: BU grocery voucher program overwhelmed by demand

By Kyla Henderson

The students’ union at Brandon University has scrapped its grocery voucher program because it couldn’t meet the skyrocketing demand amid inflation.

Ashley Taron, executive director of the union, said the food voucher program, which provided students who signed up $15 grocery vouchers every two weeks, had to be canned after only a year.

“We very quickly found that we did not have the resources to meet the (need). We were on a steep upward trajectory for use of the program. At one point, we were giving out between 200 and 250 gift cards,” Taron said.

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