Opinion – Brandon Sun

U.S. President Donald Trump (right) greets Prime Minister Mark Carney during a summit on ending the Israel-Hamas war in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in October 2025. (The Associated Press files)

How did Carney become the darling of the global anti‑Trump movement?

By Stewart Prest 5 minute read Yesterday at 10:22 PM CST

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is having a moment.

While every leader in the world has to grapple with the abrupt and arbitrary decision-making of United States President Donald Trump, few have had to do so with such high stakes as America’s neighbour and ostensible ally to the north.

With more than two-thirds of Canadian exports bound for the U.S., bilateral trade is a matter of economic life and death for Canada. Since his return to office in January 2025, Trump has made repeated references to Canada becoming America’s “51st state” in an effort to put economic and political pressure on its northern neighbour.

Despite this, Carney has met the challenge with rare candour.

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An opportunity for Canadian energy

4 minute read Preview

An opportunity for Canadian energy

4 minute read Yesterday at 9:16 PM CST

It is often said that, in business, timing is everything. That may be the case for Canada, which appears poised to profit from the turmoil occurring elsewhere on the globe.

As the CBC reported yesterday, Canada is starting to receive inquiries from nations regarding Canadian energy companies’ ability to offset the looming oil and gas shortages caused by the conflict unfolding in the Middle East.

Canada’s energy minister, Tim Hodgson, told the CBC that “The world right now is feeling incredibly insecure as a result of this weekend … So we’ve already seen an uptick in inquiries about how quickly Canada can expand its clean and conventional energy exports.”

It’s easy to understand why those nations are calling. More than 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply moves via oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, but that route has been effectively closed as a consequence of last weekend’s attack of Iran by Israeli and U.S. forces, and by Iran’s retaliatory attacks upon several nations in the region.

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Yesterday at 9:16 PM CST

Plumes of smoke rise following reported explosions in Tehran, Iran, on Monday during strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel. Canada has a chance to capitalize on the turmoil in the Middle East by becoming a relatively drama-free supplier of oil and gas. (Tribune News Service)

Taking a closer look at the Artemis shakeup

Gordon Osinski 5 minute read Preview

Taking a closer look at the Artemis shakeup

Gordon Osinski 5 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 AM CST

As we wait for the historic Artemis II mission — with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen on board — NASA has announced major changes to the Artemis program.

The next mission, Artemis III, will now no longer land humans on the surface of the moon, but will instead feature a series of technology tests in Low Earth orbit. Artemis IV will then be the first human landing on the moon, sometime in 2028.

I am a professor, an explorer and a planetary geologist. I am a member of the Artemis III Science Team and have been supporting NASA in developing geology training for Artemis astronauts.

My research involves investigating Apollo samples and lunar meteorites to better understand the geology of the moon.

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Yesterday at 12:00 AM CST

NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) moon rocket with the Orion spacecraft ends a 10-hour journey from the launch pad as it enters the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Wednesday. The earliest launch date for the Artemis II mission is now April 1. (The Associated Press)

Canada trading with the world as it is

4 minute read Preview

Canada trading with the world as it is

4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:54 AM CST

In what many will regard as the triumph of economic necessity over principle, Canada and India have agreed to a major reset of the two nations’ relations.

Following meetings over the weekend between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two have announced the formation of a “new partnership,” along with a series of commercial and diplomatic agreements.

That includes a $2.6-billion agreement between the Government of India and Saskatchewan-based Cameco to supply uranium for nuclear energy generation, as well as billions more in deals involving defence, energy and critical minerals, technology and artificial intelligence, food production, education, pharmaceuticals, skilled labour and culture.

The deals are proof that Canada is serious about diversifying its international trading relationships and, in particular, reducing its reliance on trade with the United States. On that point, Carney told reporters yesterday that his government is focused on doubling Canada’s trade with India to $70 billion annually by 2030.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:54 AM CST

Prime Minister Mark Carney looks on as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a statement during a presentation of agreements and joint statements in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 2, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada, India hit reset button on their relationship

By Saira Bano 5 minute read Preview

Canada, India hit reset button on their relationship

By Saira Bano 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 2, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India marks the most consequential step in years to rebuild Canada–India relations after the diplomatic rupture in 2023 over allegations linking Indian agents to the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist.

The visit signals a deliberate shift from crisis management to economic statecraft.

In Mumbai, Carney announced that Canada aims to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India by the end of this year, with the goal of doubling two-way trade by 2030. The message was pragmatic: the two countries may not always agree, but engagement must continue.

FROM RUPTURE TO RESET

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Monday, Mar. 2, 2026

Dancers perform as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in New Delhi, India on Sunday, a visit that marks a significant step in the reltionship between the two countries. (The Canadian Press)

Why don’t we legalize, regulate and stigmatize drug use?

By David McConkey 4 minute read Preview

Why don’t we legalize, regulate and stigmatize drug use?

By David McConkey 4 minute read Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026

The violence in Mexico following the killing of the head of a drug cartel illustrates again the failure of the War on Drugs. Drugs are more plentiful and deadly than ever. Drug dealers are more powerful and violent than ever. And harm reduction measures like more needle disposal containers in our community signal the acceptance of widespread drug use. But we can delve into our history to discover better models. These involve legalization, regulation and stigmatization.

So first, we citizens must call out our political leaders for pretending that the War on Drugs can succeed. Last week, the provincial NDP government and the federal Liberal government announced a new drug trade task force. The provincial Conservatives said that this was just a recycling of their ideas. But the justice minister proclaimed that this task force would finally “really go after those organized crime groups.”

Yet the NDP, in a policy statement a few years ago, said the opposite. The party interviewed “experts across both health care and the justice system.” Assured anonymity, these individuals spoke freely. The conclusion: the “War on Drugs has been shown to be counterproductive and has actually coincided with an increase in drug use.”

We can acknowledge the complexity of the problem of drug addiction. There will be no ideal solution. And let’s acknowledge the stated good intentions. Many proposals have been advocated. These include ramping up the War on Drugs, decriminalization, legalization, harm reduction and compulsory and voluntary treatment. All these ideas have been advanced with the aim of helping those addicted and increasing the well-being of the general society.

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Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026

Bear Clan members gather needles and drug paraphernalia during a patrol of Winnipeg’s North End in March 2023. (File)

A plan for war, but none for peace

4 minute read Preview

A plan for war, but none for peace

4 minute read Monday, Mar. 2, 2026

“Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.” – Niccolò Machiavelli

Those words were written more than five centuries ago and yet, as we will likely see in the coming days and weeks, they are just as relevant today.

Friday night’s attack on Iran by American and Israeli military forces has killed several senior leaders of the nation that is regarded by many as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism — politicians and clerics responsible for the deaths of thousands of people within Iran and around the world.

Few will be saddened by their deaths, but we should mourn the many civilians, including children, whose lives have reportedly been lost, both during and after the weekend’s attacks. And we should be gravely concerned that the conflict will continue, and perhaps even escalate, at the cost of even more lives.

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Monday, Mar. 2, 2026

A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday. Donald Trump and his administration should consider that it is generally a bad idea to start a war unless you have a plan.(The Associated Press)

Total lunar eclipse of the heart

By Abby Wronowski 4 minute read Preview

Total lunar eclipse of the heart

By Abby Wronowski 4 minute read Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026

Tomorrow is a day to mark in your calendars and spend some extra time admiring the sky because it is the designated date for the total lunar eclipse of 2026.

A lunar eclipse is an infrequent occurrence that happens when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a special shadow onto the lunar surface and causing the moon to emit a reddish orange glow. Lunar eclipses occur under very specific factors, such as only happening when the moon is in its full phase, combined with the correct alignment of the orbital planes between the sun, Earth, and moon.

Solar and lunar eclipses are often mistaken for each other, and many people do not know the difference between the two. Solar eclipses happen when the moon is between the sun and Earth and casts a dark shadow on Earth. Solar eclipses happen typically every year and a half. Solar eclipses are the eclipses that are damaging to the naked eye, and when trying to watch them, eye protection is strongly advised. The biggest difference between lunar and solar eclipses is in a solar eclipse the sun appears darker, and in a lunar eclipse, the moon appears darker. Solar eclipses are also rarer than lunar eclipses.

Lunar eclipses have a scale used to classify lunar luminosity during an eclipse. The scale has five different categories and was created by Andre Danjon, a French astronomer. The scale is referred to as the Danjon Scale. L=0 is the first class to the Danjon Scale, where the eclipse is dark and it is tricky to identify the moon. L=1 happens when the eclipse is still dark, but the Moon will have a dark brown or grey hue to it. In L=2, the Moon will be a shade of rusty or deep red. For L=3, the moon is a brick-red colour. L=4 is the last class in the Danjon scale, wherein the Moon appears as a bright copper-red or orange colour. Eclipses that appear in this class are a result of the low atmospheric density.

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Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026

A Lunar eclipse is shown behind the Golden Boy at the Manitoba Legislature in September 2015. A lunar eclipse will happen early Tuesday morning, and Abby Wronowski recommends getting up to witness the spectacle. (John Woods/Winnipeg Free Press files)

Brandon gas turbine project the wrong choice

By Scott Blyth 4 minute read Preview

Brandon gas turbine project the wrong choice

By Scott Blyth 4 minute read Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026

In these times of misinformation, disinformation and, let’s face it, not providing enough information, I pose the question, “Why would our government want to increase the supply of a substance that will kill us?”

No, I’m not talking about fentanyl. I’m talking about natural gas. Let me explain.

Manitoba Hydro, which also controls Centra Gas, is proposing the building of three gas turbines in Brandon. The cost: $3 billion.

Now, natural gas is 95 per cent methane. Methane is a fossil fuel, which poses a threat to the health of our planet, to human health and to our financial health as well.

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Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026

The Manitoba Hydro Brandon Generating Station off Victoria Avenue East. Three combustion turbine units will be built at the station to help power the province, but Scott Blyth says leaders need to reconsider the project. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)

A timely push for more women on city council

5 minute read Preview

A timely push for more women on city council

5 minute read Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

Many Brandon residents may not be aware of this fact, but this past January marked a very special anniversary when it comes to the city’s election history.

Rhoda E. Power had been a teacher in Brandon at Assiniboine School on 13th Street North between 1917 and 1919 before moving to Minnedosa around 1921. As outlined by Manitoba writer Christian Cassidy in his history blog West End Dumplings, Rhoda met and married George A. Tennant, a CPR brakeman, before moving back to Brandon in 1935.

This was around the peak of the Great Depression, and the city itself was suffering from lack of cash and services.

“The city cut many services to the bone, or did away with them altogether, and was living on lines of credit just to pay the bills for their massive Depression relief costs,” Cassidy wrote.

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Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

March 4, 2026

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