Local

Dylan Granger #10 of the Wawanesa Warriors leaps to put the ball over the net during the Warriors match against the Hamiota Huskies in the A Varsity Boy’s Volleyball Provincials at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre on Thursday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Dylan Granger #10 of the Wawanesa Warriors leaps to put the ball over the net during the Warriors match against the Hamiota Huskies in the A Varsity Boy’s Volleyball Provincials at the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre on Thursday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Jump to it

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

Nov. 28, 12 PM: -7°c Cloudy Nov. 28, 6 PM: -7°c Cloudy

Brandon MB

-10°C, Cloudy

Full Forecast

Nearly all officers wearing body camera: RCMP

By Alex Lambert 5 minute read Preview

Nearly all officers wearing body camera: RCMP

By Alex Lambert 5 minute read Updated: 9:40 AM CST

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.

Read
Updated: 9:40 AM CST

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Sgt. Mark Hume, RCMP Manitoba North West Traffic Services, speaks during the media briefing.
Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, Commanding Officer, RCMP Manitoba, during a media briefing at ‘D’ Division Headquarters, regarding the roll-out of body-worn cameras to officers across the province.
Reporter: Erik Pindera
251127 - Thursday, November 27, 2025.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Sgt. Mark Hume, RCMP Manitoba North West Traffic Services, speaks during the media briefing.
Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, Commanding Officer, RCMP Manitoba, during a media briefing at ‘D’ Division Headquarters, regarding the roll-out of body-worn cameras to officers across the province.
Reporter: Erik Pindera
251127 - Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Policy change stresses food banks

By Connor McDowellLocal Journalism Initiative 7 minute read Preview

Policy change stresses food banks

By Connor McDowellLocal Journalism Initiative 7 minute read Yesterday at 10:06 PM CST

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.

Read
Yesterday at 10:06 PM CST

Heather Symbalisty, executive director of Samaritan House. Symbalisty said the food bank is pushing to become accredited with Food Banks Canada to ensure high-quality delivery, access to grants and support from Harvest Food Manitoba. (Submitted by Heather Symbalisty)

Heather Symbalisty, executive director of Samaritan House. Symbalisty said the food bank is pushing to become accredited with Food Banks Canada to ensure high-quality delivery, access to grants and support from Harvest Food Manitoba. (Submitted by Heather Symbalisty)

Tree of Memories honours lost loved ones

3 minute read Preview

Tree of Memories honours lost loved ones

3 minute read Yesterday at 10:04 PM CST

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.

Read
Yesterday at 10:04 PM CST

Brandonites holds candles in memory of loved ones during the 2024 Brockie Donovan Tree of Memories Community Candlelight Memorial Service. The 28th service will be held next week. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)

Brandonites holds candles in memory of loved ones during the 2024 Brockie Donovan Tree of Memories Community Candlelight Memorial Service. The 28th service will be held next week. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)

Man convicted in drug trafficking trial

By Skye Anderson 3 minute read Preview

Man convicted in drug trafficking trial

By Skye Anderson 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:55 PM CST

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.

Read
Yesterday at 9:55 PM CST

Brandon Court of King's Bench. (Files)

Brandon Court of King's Bench. (Files)

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

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

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

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 9:33 AM CST

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.

Read
Updated: 9:33 AM CST

Statistics Canada's Main Building at Tunny's Pasture in Ottawa is shown on Friday, March 8, 2019. Statistics Canada will release the country's job report for December this morning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Statistics Canada's Main Building at Tunny's Pasture in Ottawa is shown on Friday, March 8, 2019. Statistics Canada will release the country's job report for December this morning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Liberal MPs say party remains united after Guilbeault resigns from cabinet

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Liberal MPs say party remains united after Guilbeault resigns from cabinet

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 9:33 AM CST

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.

Read
Updated: 9:33 AM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault as he arrives to deliver remarks at the Liberal caucus meeting in Edmonton on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault as he arrives to deliver remarks at the Liberal caucus meeting in Edmonton on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Amber Bracken

3 arrested following Ebb and Flow raid

1 minute read Preview

3 arrested following Ebb and Flow raid

1 minute read Yesterday at 9:55 PM CST

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.

Read
Yesterday at 9:55 PM CST

Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP seized illicit drugs, Canadian cash, a shotgun, cellphones and drug paraphernalia while executing a search warrant in Ebb and Flow First Nation on Wednesday. (Supplied)

Ste. Rose du Lac RCMP seized illicit drugs, Canadian cash, a shotgun, cellphones and drug paraphernalia while executing a search warrant in Ebb and Flow First Nation on Wednesday. (Supplied)

More Local

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

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

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

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

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 9:36 AM CST

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.

Read
Updated: 9:36 AM CST

Cows are seen at a dairy farm on in Danville, Que., on Aug. 11, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Cows are seen at a dairy farm on in Danville, Que., on Aug. 11, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Trees all dressed up

Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun 1 minute read Preview

Trees all dressed up

Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun 1 minute read Yesterday at 9:53 PM CST

Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun

Read
Yesterday at 9:53 PM CST

Decorated Christmas trees light up the Victoria Inn during the United Way West Central Manitoba 30th Annual Holiday Tree Auction on Thursday evening. Twelve teams raced to decorate their trees during the event, and then the trees were auctioned off. Proceeds from the event and the auction go towards the United Way’s youth programs including Tools for School, Coats for Kids, FEYA (Financially Empowering Young Adults) and the Summer of Service program. The decorated trees and gifts will all be donated to area families in need.

Decorated Christmas trees light up the Victoria Inn during the United Way West Central Manitoba 30th Annual Holiday Tree Auction on Thursday evening. Twelve teams raced to decorate their trees during the event, and then the trees were auctioned off. Proceeds from the event and the auction go towards the United Way’s youth programs including Tools for School, Coats for Kids, FEYA (Financially Empowering Young Adults) and the Summer of Service program. The decorated trees and gifts will all be donated to area families in need.

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

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

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

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:35 AM CST

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.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 10:35 AM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, greets Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during the 2025 summer meetings of Canada's premiers at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, greets Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during the 2025 summer meetings of Canada's premiers at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ont., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

LOAD MORE