Nearly all officers wearing body camera: RCMP

Nearly all of Manitoba’s front-line RCMP officers have been equipped with body cameras, the police service announced on Thursday.

The RCMP said 638 body cameras — accounting for 98 per cent of front-line officers across the province — have been outfitted, just over a year after the rollout was announced.

“Without a doubt, they have quickly become an incredible and beneficial and important tool for all of our officers,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy told reporters at a press conference in Winnipeg.

The body cameras, which are placed on an officer’s chest, allow for video to be taken during traffic stops, arrests and while officers work in the community.

Policy change stresses food banks

A food security volunteer expects some food banks will close in rural Westman and others will require extra support because of upcoming policy changes from Food Banks Canada.

An upcoming deadline to become accredited with Food Banks Canada is approaching for March 2026. The long process to become accredited, and the rules surrounding accreditation, are slated to hurt food banks in the region, said volunteer Ted Dzogan.

“We’ll see both of these things happen: Some rural food banks will close, and those communities will be worse off for it,” he said. “Others will require extra support that they’re not currently getting, and we will do everything we can to support them.”

Dzogan helps run Brandon’s Food Rescue Grocery Store. He partners in that role with food banks all over Westman to connect food banks with supplies when available through various supply chains.

Tree of Memories honours lost loved ones

A Brandon funeral home is hosting its 28th annual Tree of Memories candlelight service next week to support people grieving a loved one during the holiday season.

Brockie Donovan Funeral and Cremation Services is preparing special ornaments that include the name of a loved one in printed gold writing along with a poem.

Attendees can hang their ornament on a Christmas tree during the evening ceremony at McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church to honour the legacy of someone they lost.

“We come together in the spirit of comfort and companionship,” said Lisa Hammond, Brockie Donovan’s special events and after-care co-ordinator.

Man convicted in drug trafficking trial

A man convicted Thursday of charges related to his involvement with a Brandon-based drug ring faces the possibility of a dozen years in prison.

Jorg Rautenberg was scheduled to stand trial for two weeks on charges of conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, along with conspiracy to possess proceeds of crime, intentional discharge of a firearm reckless to the safety of a human life, assault and assault with a weapon.

Rautenberg was accused of taking part in a drug trafficking organization that was dismantled in April 2021 as a result of Project Debris — a joint seven-month long investigation by the Manitoba RCMP, Brandon Police Service and Rivers Police Service.

Police executed seven search warrants, which resulted in a seizure of $17,000 in cash as well as methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and 14 firearms, according to a Manitoba RCMP social media post. Mounties said several stolen motorcycles were also seized.

Canada’s economy rebounds in third quarter with 2.6% growth

OTTAWA - The Canadian economy topped expectations with a sharp rebound in the third quarter as a stronger trade balance helped fuel the recovery from a tariff-driven contraction.

Statistics Canada said Friday that real gross domestic product rose 2.6 per cent on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2025. That’s well above expectations from both the Bank of Canada and a poll of economists heading into the release for 0.5 per cent annualized growth.

The figures mark a rebound from a contraction at an annualized rate of 1.8 per cent in real GDP for the second quarter as U.S. tariffs took hold on the Canadian economy. Those results were revised two tenths of a point lower from earlier StatCan reports.

BMO chief economist Doug Porter said in a note to clients Friday that while the headline growth rate was a pleasant surprise, the details were more mixed, with a pullback in imports driving the gain.

Liberal MPs say party remains united after Guilbeault resigns from cabinet

OTTAWA - Several Liberal MPs say the party remains united after Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault resigned from cabinet in response to the federal government's new pact with Alberta on a proposed pipeline.

In a social media post Thursday, Guilbeault said he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Mark Carney that afternoon "with great sadness" — then spelled out his objections to the prime minister's reversal of many of the key environmental decisions made by the previous Liberal government.

"Despite this difficult economic context, I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and centre," he wrote. "That is why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and government of Alberta."

Guilbeault said he intends to remain on as a Liberal MP but will no longer serve as Carney's Quebec lieutenant. It's not clear when a cabinet shuffle will take place.

3 arrested following Ebb and Flow raid

Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP made three arrests on Wednesday after finding drugs, a firearm, cash and drug paraphernalia while executing a search warrant at a residence in Ebb and Flow First Nation.

As part of an ongoing drug investigation, Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence on Highway 278, the RCMP said in a news release on Thursday.

Manitoba RCMP police dog services assisted in the search.

When officers entered the residence, several people — including small children — were inside, Mounties said.

‘Frustrating’: Veterinarians urge regulatory changes as medicine shortages mount

REGINA - Canadian veterinarians no longer have to access to 40 per cent of medications they once were able to use, a figure the head of the national association says is worrying.

Tracy Fisher, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, says drugs for animals — from cats and dogs to sheep and cattle — are becoming increasingly unavailable.

She says Canadian regulations discourage drug manufacturers from going through the process to get their medications approved for distribution, even though the medicines are available in other countries.

Animal welfare issues arise when veterinarians have fewer drugs at their disposal, she adds.

Trees all dressed up

Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun

Pipeline agreement includes new target of 75 per cent cut in methane emissions

OTTAWA - An agreement between Ottawa and Alberta that could clear the path for a new oil pipeline to the Pacific will also require a 75 per cent cut in methane emissions over the next decade, a source tells The Canadian Press.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to unveil today a memorandum of understanding with Alberta on a possible new oil pipeline to the coast.

A source with knowledge of the agreement, who is not authorized to discuss details before they are made public, says the agreement will stipulate that no pipeline can go forward without the Pathways Alliance carbon-capture project.

The source also said the agreement will include a strengthened industrial carbon pricing system in Alberta.