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Rushana Davy, executive director of Career Connections Inc., celebrates with Elder Frank Tacan of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and other dignitaries during the launch of CCI’s MentorAbility Manitoba program on Thursday. As the provincial lead, the Brandon-based organization will co-ordinate a provincial mentorship initiative aimed at improving employment opportunities for people experiencing disabilities. MentorAbility encourages employers to connect with individuals experiencing disabilities through short, flexible mentorships that range from one hour to a full day. The launch included speeches from a variety of dignitaries, CCI staff and people involved in the program. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Rushana Davy, executive director of Career Connections Inc., celebrates with Elder Frank Tacan of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and other dignitaries during the launch of CCI’s MentorAbility Manitoba program on Thursday. As the provincial lead, the Brandon-based organization will co-ordinate a provincial mentorship initiative aimed at improving employment opportunities for people experiencing disabilities. MentorAbility encourages employers to connect with individuals experiencing disabilities through short, flexible mentorships that range from one hour to a full day. The launch included speeches from a variety of dignitaries, CCI staff and people involved in the program. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

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Women in politics urging others to run

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Preview

Women in politics urging others to run

By Alex Lambert 6 minute read Yesterday at 10:34 PM CST

A group of women with backgrounds in municipal politics is encouraging other women to run for council.

Brandon-based Her Seat at the Table (HSATT) is hosting a panel discussion next Tuesday evening with the goal of inspiring more women to run for city council in the October municipal election.

The five panellists are Boissevain-Morton Head of Council Judy Swanson, former Brandon councillor Jan Chaboyer, Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox, Two Borders Reeve Sandra Clark and Wallace-Woodworth Coun. Val Caldwell.

“I’ve been in municipal politics for quite a few years, and I know how rewarding it is,” Swanson said on Thursday.

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Yesterday at 10:34 PM CST

Val Caldwell, deputy mayor and councillor in the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth, said the more perspectives around the council table, the better. (Submitted)
Val Caldwell, deputy mayor and councillor in the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth, said the more perspectives around the council table, the better. (Submitted)

Ottawa announces $1.55B for Jordan’s Principle

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Ottawa announces $1.55B for Jordan’s Principle

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Updated: 10:09 AM CST

The federal government said it will continue to reform Jordan’s Principle as it announced $1.55 billion in funding on Thursday.

Two western Manitoba First Nation chiefs welcomed the funding announcement, but are opposed to the changes introduced in 2025.

The new funding is meant to provide immediate stability for the Jordan’s Principle program, which underwent reform last year after the federal government complained of misuse.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty acknowledged that there has been confusion about what a course-correction will look like.

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Updated: 10:09 AM CST

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty speaks at a news conference on Jordan’s Principle in Ottawa on Thursday. (The Canadian Press)
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty speaks at a news conference on Jordan’s Principle in Ottawa on Thursday. (The Canadian Press)

Bates calls task force ‘a big step forward’ for police

By Skye Anderson 3 minute read Preview

Bates calls task force ‘a big step forward’ for police

By Skye Anderson 3 minute read Yesterday at 10:32 PM CST

A new joint task force aimed at clamping down on drug trafficking across the province will help ensure police departments don’t “operate in silos,” Brandon’s police chief says.

“It denotes the expectation that we’re working on common priorities, that we’re sharing resources and sharing technologies, and that we’re not impeded by jurisdictional boundaries that perhaps sometimes we get trapped in,” Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates told the Sun on Thursday.

Manitoba’s Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced the formation of the task force at a news conference on Wednesday.

The Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Task Force is made up of senior officials from Manitoba Justice, RCMP, Canadian Border Services Agency, Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, Brandon Police Service, Manitoba First Nations Police Service and Altona, Winkler and Morden police services.

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Yesterday at 10:32 PM CST

Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates speaks during a press conference in the foyer of Brandon City Hall earlier this year. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files)
Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates speaks during a press conference in the foyer of Brandon City Hall earlier this year. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files)

Canadian ends volatile 2025 with a contraction in Q4: StatCan

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canadian ends volatile 2025 with a contraction in Q4: StatCan

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 12:07 PM CST

OTTAWA - Statistics Canada reported a fourth-quarter contraction in real gross domestic product Friday that economists argue conceals some promising details in underlying economic data.

StatiCan said Friday that real GDP declined 0.6 per cent on an annualized basis in the fourth quarter, falling short of expectations for flat growth from the Bank of Canada and most economists.

StatCan said the main culprit was businesses drawing down their inventories — in other words, selling off goods or materials that weren’t reproduced in the quarter.

Nathan Janzen, RBC's assistant chief economist, said declining inventories were not necessarily a cause for alarm. Spending was meanwhile rising across the economy last quarter, he explained, a sign that production will ramp up to meet the demand.

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Updated: 12:07 PM CST

Softwood lumber is seen stacked in a lumber yard in the Monteregie region, southwest of Montreal on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Softwood lumber is seen stacked in a lumber yard in the Monteregie region, southwest of Montreal on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Doctor ‘stunned’ by humanitarian award

By Tessa Adamski 5 minute read Preview

Doctor ‘stunned’ by humanitarian award

By Tessa Adamski 5 minute read Updated: 9:51 AM CST

A family physician in Westman has received a Doctors Manitoba award, recognizing her clinical expertise and humanitarian work with a non-profit helping adults with disabilities.

Dr. Holly Hamilton, who practises rural medicine in Notre Dame de Lourdes, is the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award, Doctors Manitoba announced Thursday.

Hamilton said she felt “overwhelmed” and “stunned” when she found out she was the award recipient.

For about 15 years, Hamilton has been a supporter of Aspen Winds/Vents de Tremble — an organization that operates a day program and a home for adults living with physical and intellectual disabilities.

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Updated: 9:51 AM CST

Dr. Holly Hamilton, who practises family medicine in Notre Dame de Lourdes, is the recipient of Doctors Manitoba’s Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award for her work helping adults with disabilities. (Supplied)
Dr. Holly Hamilton, who practises family medicine in Notre Dame de Lourdes, is the recipient of Doctors Manitoba’s Dr. Jack Armstrong Humanitarian Award for her work helping adults with disabilities. (Supplied)

Carney looks to strengthen economic ties with India on trip to Mumbai, New Delhi

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Preview

Carney looks to strengthen economic ties with India on trip to Mumbai, New Delhi

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Updated: 10:36 AM CST

MUMBAI - Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in India on Friday to start a four-day visit hoping to continue the reset of the trade and diplomatic relationship he started last spring with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

But the issue of whether India is still engaged in the kind of foreign interference that led to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries in the past two years is threatening to overshadow the economic goals of the trip.

Upon arriving at the Mumbai airport, Carney and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, were given a red-carpet welcome by a delegations of government officials and the high commissioners for both countries.

His first meeting was with Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of the Tata Group, the largest multinational conglomerate in India.

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Updated: 10:36 AM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

From energy to AI: Five big themes behind Carney’s mission to India

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

From energy to AI: Five big themes behind Carney’s mission to India

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 8:53 AM CST

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to India meant to reset bilateral relations after two years of extreme tensions.

Canada and India halted trade talks and pulled their diplomats after Canada alleged in both 2023 and 2024 that agents of the government of India were behind acts of violence and extortion targeting Canadian Sikhs, mainly those who support the creation of an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan.

But U.S. President Donald Trump's erratic approach to trade and threats of annexation have led Carney to attempt to rebuild the relationship with India. His government set up security talks with New Delhi in the hopes of addressing flashpoints — like transnational repression — without allowing them to dominate the relationship.

While the prospect of a trade deal likely will dominate media coverage of his visit, Carney is also expected to touch on multiple other topics when he sits down with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Updated: 8:53 AM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney takes part in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Mark Carney takes part in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

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Canadian father enduring cold, poor food and water in Texas ICE detention centre

Rob Drinkwater, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canadian father enduring cold, poor food and water in Texas ICE detention centre

Rob Drinkwater, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: 8:59 AM CST

A Canadian arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Texas has been stuck in a detention facility since November, enduring cold and crowded conditions, poor food and water, and long delays to plead his case to a judge, says his fiancée.

Kayla Thomsen says Curtis Wright, who was born in Edmonton, has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years.

He is currently listed by ICE as being detained at its South Texas Detention Facility in Pearsall, southwest of San Antonio.

"The water is contaminated at the facility he's at. He got extremely sick," she said Thursday in a phone interview from Houston, where she and Wright live with their 18-month-old daughter and Wright's two young sons from a previous marriage.

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Updated: 8:59 AM CST

Curtis Wright with his daughter pictured in this undated photo. Curtis a Canadian spent months in ICE detention after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Texas, even though he's lived in the United States for nearly 30 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Kayla Thomsen (Mandatory Credit)
Curtis Wright with his daughter pictured in this undated photo. Curtis a Canadian spent months in ICE detention after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Texas, even though he's lived in the United States for nearly 30 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Kayla Thomsen (Mandatory Credit)

Rubio plans to visit Israel next week as US-Iran tensions remain high after latest talks

Sam Mednick, Sam Metz And Matthew Lee, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Rubio plans to visit Israel next week as US-Iran tensions remain high after latest talks

Sam Mednick, Sam Metz And Matthew Lee, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 12:23 PM CST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make a quick trip to Israel early next week, the State Department said, as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after their latest nuclear talks and American forces gather in the region.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel had earlier urged staff who want to leave to depart, joining other nations in encouraging people to leave the region and signaling that U.S. military action might be imminent. The announcement of Rubio's visit could indicate a longer timeline for any potential strike.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters earlier as he left the White House that he was “not happy” with the way talks are going.

“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. I’m not thrilled with that. We’ll see what happens. We’re talking later,” Trump said. He said it would be “wonderful” if Iran negotiated “in good faith and conscience,” but said, “they are not getting there.”

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Updated: 12:23 PM CST

FILE - U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee poses for a photo during an interview in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
FILE - U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee poses for a photo during an interview in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)

UN nuclear watchdog says it’s unable to verify whether Iran has suspended all uranium enrichment

Stephanie Liechtenstein, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

UN nuclear watchdog says it’s unable to verify whether Iran has suspended all uranium enrichment

Stephanie Liechtenstein, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 10:03 AM CST

VIENNA (AP) — Iran has not allowed the United Nations nuclear agency access to its nuclear facilities bombed by Iran and the United States during a 12-day war in June, according to a confidential report by the watchdog circulated to member states and seen Friday by The Associated Press.

The report from the International Atomic Energy Agency stressed that it “cannot verify whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities,” or the “size of Iran’s uranium stockpile at the affected nuclear facilities.”

Iran has four declared enrichment facilities, but the report warned that because of the lack of access, the IAEA “cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran.”

The report stressed that the “loss of continuity of knowledge ... needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency.”

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Updated: 10:03 AM CST

FILE - The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency flies in front of its headquarters during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader, File)
FILE - The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency flies in front of its headquarters during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Heinz-Peter Bader, File)

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