Regional – Brandon Sun

Cross Lake evacuees waiting for the ferry to get to Norway House on Wednesday evening. (Jeff Mckay)

Residents rushed to safety as fires rage

By Chris Kitching 8 minute read Friday, May. 30, 2025

WINNIPEG — Out-of-control wildfires raged on the doorsteps of northern Manitoba communities Thursday while officials tried to usher hundreds of remaining residents to safety, and military planes began airlifting out some of the 17,000-plus evacuees.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation was trying to get more than 750 residents out of the community after flames blocked some escape routes amid what was believed to be Manitoba’s largest mass evacuation since some 25,000 people fled 1997’s Flood of the Century in the Red River Valley.

“We’re trying to get them out as soon as we can,” said Chief David Monias, noting roads that were previously considered safe were fraught with uncertainty. “It is very smoky, so we (can’t tell) where the fire is.”

Evacuation planes were unable to land at a local airport due to the fire. Monias said residents would likely try to drive to a ferry crossing to reach Norway House Cree Nation, as long as the route wasn’t blocked by flames or smoke.

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Dakota Nations accuse feds of failing reconciliation goals

Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Dakota Nations accuse feds of failing reconciliation goals

Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

Two Dakota First Nations have accused the Government of Canada of walking back apologies and failing on reconciliation goals as they continue to battle in a Winnipeg court because of disputed land claims.

The ongoing dispute relates to an injunction filed by the Dakota Tipi First Nation and the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation last year that sought to have a recently signed treaty between the Government of Canada and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) declared invalid.

The two Dakota First Nations filed a legal response on Jan. 30 saying Canada contradicted itself and violated its commitment to reconciliation. The assertion, filed through the Winnipeg Court of King’s Bench, highlighted that Canada was attempting in court to discredit the nations as land title holders, even as months ago it issued a public apology through Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree, who declared the Dakota as undeniable, historical ancestors of the land.

“Canada has walked back its statements made in the apology, and specifically has breached the promises made,” wrote the two Dakota nations in the legal submission. “Canada has once again treated the Dakotas as refugees, suggesting they are American rather than Canadian in direct breach of and contrary to the statements and promises within the apology.”

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Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan shows Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree around the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential School just west of Brandon along Grand Valley Road in August, 2024. Anandasangaree was visiting the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation as a follow-up to the federal government’s July, 2024 apology to nine Dakota and Lakota First Nations in Canada and their members. In an ongoing legal dispute, two Dakota First Nations — the Dakota Tipi First Nation and the Canupawakpa Dakota Nation — have accused the Government of Canada of failing on reconciliation goals and relates to an injunction filed last year that sought to have the treaty between the Government of Canada and the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) declared invalid. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)

Tories try to spotlight overdose deaths — using Brandon

Matt Goerzen 7 minute read Preview

Tories try to spotlight overdose deaths — using Brandon

Matt Goerzen 7 minute read Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

A new political ad created by the Conservative Party of Canada released this week that claims that Canada has become a “drug manufacturing hot spot” is an attempt by the Tories to change the channel on recent losses in political fortunes, according to a local political scientist.

Released on X — the social media site now owned by Elon Musk — on Wednesday, the nearly six-minute video uses 30 seconds of visuals from the city of Brandon to drive home a point about the number of people who have died from fentanyl overdoses since 2016, the year that the Trudeau Liberals came to power.

“Recognize this place? This is Brandon, Manitoba. Population, just over 50,000. A small, beautiful city like many others that dot the Canadian landscape,” says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in an audio voiceover at the start of the video, while images of Brandon streets and the McKenzie Seeds building are shown. The visuals then move on to a crowd picture from inside the Keystone Arena during a Brandon Wheat Kings game.

“Now imagine if every person in Brandon vanished. Well, since 2016, we’ve lost a city the size of Brandon to drugs. That’s 49,000 Canadian lives lost — more than died fighting for Canada in the Second World War.

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Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

A screen grab from a new video by the Conservative Party of Canada which, posted to X on Feb. 5, 2025. (The Brandon Sun)

Program to support Black entrepreneurs announced

2 minute read Preview

Program to support Black entrepreneurs announced

2 minute read Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

The Manitoba government is set to invest up to $110,000, in addition to $90,000 through the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, to develop a new pilot program to support Black entrepreneurs and business owners in the province.

The program, in partnership with a steering committee made up of representatives from the Black and business communities, seeks to better understand and address the realities, barriers and opportunities specific to business owners in Manitoba, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced Thursday.

“As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize that we still have work to do to ensure everyone has a seat at the table and an opportunity to succeed,” said Moses. “This funding will help to address the under-representation of Black entrepreneurs and business owners in our economy, as well as deliver on our mandate to support and help grow small businesses in our province.”

African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI) takes great pride in fostering unity and economic empowerment within Manitoba’s diverse African, Black and Caribbean communities, executive director Maggie Yeboah said.

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Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses. (The Brandon Sun files)

YWCA opens nominations for Women of Distinction awards

Michele McDougall 5 minute read Preview

YWCA opens nominations for Women of Distinction awards

Michele McDougall 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

YWCA Westman is now accepting nominations for this year’s Women of Distinction awards that recognize the contributions women make to their communities. The ceremony is scheduled for April 24 at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

A new category has been added for nominations and tickets are now on sale for the event, so all that is needed is the list of names that will be engraved on the glass trophies, says Lois Ruston, the YWCA’s executive director.

“Our categories are very diverse,” said Ruston, adding: “We have everything from agriculture to the arts to healthy living and wellness education. We’re also looking for teachers who support our young people, women in business of course, and entrepreneurs.

“Overall, it’s women who are leaders in our community. So, any time you see a woman who is standing out in the crowd, that’s a perfect opportunity to nominate that individual for a woman of distinction,” said Ruston, who received a Woman of Distinction award in 2014.

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Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

Lois Ruston, executive director of YWCA Westman, at her office on 11th Street in Brandon. Nominations are now open for YWCA Westman’s annual Women of Distinction Awards. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Measles cases linked to Ont. outbreak

2 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

WINNIPEG — Public health officials said Tuesday that five confirmed cases of measles in southern Manitoba are connected to an outbreak in Ontario.

All five people live in the same home, and all were in contact with people confirmed to have measles while travelling in Ontario recently.

The five have been asked to isolate at home, a provincial news release said.

As of Jan. 29, 81 cases of measles — 54 confirmed and 27 probable — have been reported in Ontario since 2024.

Governments flex border muscle in Emerson

By Scott Billeck 5 minute read Preview

Governments flex border muscle in Emerson

By Scott Billeck 5 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

EMERSON — Federal Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Premier Wab Kinew used the Canada-U.S. border as a backdrop Tuesday to tout the creation of a “fentanyl czar,” who will work with the U.S. to curb drug trafficking.

The two leaders were in Emerson to sell the new position as a way to boost border safety, one day after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, for at least a month.

“The interpretation of today is Canadians should know we have a very strong border, and we’re making it stronger,” McGuinty said.

“Canadians should know we’re co-operating between different orders of government. Canadians should know that their efforts to stand up for Canada are not in vain.”

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Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

Premier Wab Kinew speaks to the media in Emerson on Tuesday while federal Public Safety Minister David McGuinty listens. McGuinty, Kinew, federal Sport Minister Terry Duguid, minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Winnipeg South Centre Liberal MP Ben Carr met with law enforcement officers from the Canadian Border Services Agency, RCMP, Manitoba Conservation and Manitoba First Nations Police Service to talk about border security measures. (Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press)

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Manitoba mulls ‘terrible’ contract with U.S. firm

By Maggie Macintosh Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

WINNIPEG — The threat of a trade war with Canada’s closest ally has the Manitoba government eyeing procurement processes and U.S. contracts — one of which runs online park pass purchases and is set to expire this spring.

“We have a terrible contract signed by the PCs with a Texas-based company,” Premier Wab Kinew told reporters on Monday, minutes before it was announced that United States President Donald Trump was delaying the introduction of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods by 30 days.

“It doesn’t make any sense, whatsoever. Shouldn’t we be paying a Manitoba company to enjoy Manitoba?”

The provincial government awarded three contracts to U.S. companies that do not operate Winnipeg offices in December, per a Winnipeg Free Press analysis of the latest available monthly disclosure report.

Kinew looks to ensure economy ‘Trump-proof’

By Maggie Macintosh Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Kinew looks to ensure economy ‘Trump-proof’

By Maggie Macintosh Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

WINNIPEG — The Kinew government is postponing retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 30-day delay in slapping extra fees on made-in-Canada products.

Premier Wab Kinew has temporarily retracted plans to pull American products from Manitoba Liquor Mart shelves and stop allowing firms located south of the border to bid on government contracts.

The former — a tactic also announced in Ontario, B.C. and Nova Scotia — was set to take effect today, the day Trump originally said 25 per cent tariffs on goods would be implemented.

Following two phone calls with the president on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Canada is being given at least one buffer month, owing to promises to improve security along the shared border. Mexico has received the same extension.

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Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

Premier Wab Kinew meets with members of the Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Council on Monday morning. Newly elected Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson (left) is among the council members. (Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press)

U.S. tariffs paused for 30 days

By Sarah Ritchie 5 minute read Preview

U.S. tariffs paused for 30 days

By Sarah Ritchie 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

OTTAWA — U.S. President Donald Trump agreed Monday not to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico for another month, pulling back from a plan that would have tipped North America into a trade war today.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Trump twice on Monday, their first discussions since the president took over the White House on Jan. 20. After what Trudeau described on social media as a “good call” in the afternoon, the two leaders agreed to pause tariffs for at least 30 days.

Trudeau released a statement on X that outlined the broad strokes of the $1.3-billion border plan his government had announced in December, adding that “nearly 10,000 front-line personnel are and will be working to protect the border.”

That mirrors the number of troops Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged to send to the U.S. border on Monday morning when she announced that she had secured a deal with Trump to delay the tariffs on her country by one month.

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Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses media in Ottawa on Saturday following the imposition of a raft of tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canada, Mexico and China. Trump agreed Monday not to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico for another month, pulling back from a plan that would have tipped North America into a trade war today. (The Canadian Press files)

Threat of ban on U.S. booze called ‘eye-opener’

By Chris Kitching 5 minute read Preview

Threat of ban on U.S. booze called ‘eye-opener’

By Chris Kitching 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

WINNIPEG — Henry Schroeder occasionally grabs a case of American beer or a bottle of wine or bourbon from south of the border when he makes a trip to his local Liquor Mart.

He’d have no problem foregoing those brands for Canadian options if a potential trade war between the U.S. and Canada leads to American-made liquor being pulled from shelves in Manitoba.

“I don’t think we should be bullied, and I think we should stand up to being bullied,” Schroeder said outside a Liquor Mart at Portage Avenue and Ainslie Street on Monday, when the Manitoba government was on the verge of halting its sales and imports of U.S. booze.

Following the lead of other provinces, Premier Wab Kinew on Sunday directed Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, a Crown corporation, to pull U.S.-made alcohol from Liquor Marts, starting today, and halt new orders in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on many Canadian goods.

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Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

On Monday, Liquor Marts were displaying signs on front doors and shelves stating: “We are no longer selling liquor from the USA. Ask us about some great local and Canadian alternatives. (Ruth Bonneville/Winnipeg Free Press)

‘Shop local’ rallying cry gains momentum

By Gabrielle Piché 6 minute read Preview

‘Shop local’ rallying cry gains momentum

By Gabrielle Piché 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

Bonnie Palmer has started to check labels.

Cheese, chips, side dishes — is there a maple leaf somewhere? A line saying “Made in Canada” or, more locally, Manitoba?

Canadian-made goods, to Palmer, are now a better purchase than any American alternative.

“Sometimes it’s a little bit more expensive, but I think (we) need to do things like that in order to protest,” Palmer said during a recent Real Canadian Superstore run in Winnipeg.

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Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

Manitoba Made tags placed throughout the Food Fare store on Maryland Avenue in Winnipeg encourage people to shop locally. (Mikaela MacKenzie/Winnipeg Free Press)

Manitoba businesses expedite freight movement

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Preview

Manitoba businesses expedite freight movement

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

With the United States implementing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods today, some companies in Manitoba have expedited their freight movements in anticipation of the disruption, Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) executive director Aaron Dolyniuk told the Sun.

“The companies have freight movements in anticipation of the tariff to mitigate immediate challenges,” Dolyniuk said.

The tariff implementation, part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s America First Trade Policy (AFTP), follows a White House announcement on Friday reaffirming that the Feb. 1 deadline remains in effect. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump is moving forward with imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China due to concerns about illicit fentanyl entering the United States.

“The president will be implementing tomorrow a 25 per cent tariff on Mexico, 25 per cent tariff on Canada and a 10 per cent tariff on China,” Leavitt said.

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Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

A freight truck from Saskatchewan climbs the slope along Highway 10 near the Brandon Hills, south of Brandon on Friday afternoon. Some companies in Manitoba have expedited their freight movements, ahead of today’s tariff implementation by the U.S. and to ward off any immediate trade disruptions. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)

Tariff tremors ripple across the family farm

By Julia-Simone Rutgers 10 minute read Preview

Tariff tremors ripple across the family farm

By Julia-Simone Rutgers 10 minute read Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

The crops have been harvested, the soil tilled. The fields are blanketed in snow. Normally, this is a farmer’s quiet season. But this year, on either side of the Canada-U.S. border, there’s a chill of unpredictability hanging in the winter air.

“My stomach starts to turn just a little bit,” Minnesota farmer Harmon Wilts said in a late January interview. “As a farmer, we can control the things we can control … but when it comes to something like tariffs — that is totally out of our control and very frustrating.”

Since November, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose broad 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods. He has repeatedly claimed the country has no need for Canada’s exports — cars, lumber, oil and food products in particular — because America makes “the same products on the other side of the border.”

Canadian leaders have promised retaliatory measures ranging from export taxes on major commodities like energy to dollar-for-dollar tariffs meant to squeeze vulnerable sectors of the American economy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau maintains “nothing is off the table.”

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Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

Colin Penner, a grain farmer southwest of Winnipeg, has had to think about the impact of possible tariffs and work on the diversity of his crops. (Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press)

Farmer aims for lifelong dream as calving season begins

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Preview

Farmer aims for lifelong dream as calving season begins

By Connor McDowell Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

SOURIS — Matt Fehr enters a farm pen while carrying a measuring tape. He corners a newborn calf, wraps the calf with tape around its belly, and takes a look at the measurement.

“He’s about 80 pounds,” says Fehr.

The farmer stands and watches his calf walk away, as it slips and staggers and pushes on, learning to walk on the go. The calf reunites with its mother, and eventually plops down in a corner of the pen, facing the sunrise.

Calving season has begun, so it’s off to work for Fehr, who is trying to achieve a lifelong dream.

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Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

Matt Fehr wraps a calf with measuring tape to estimate its weight a few days after it was born on his cattle farm outside Souris. (Connor McDowell/Brandon Sun)

Immigration program allocates Brandon 180 skilled workers

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Preview

Immigration program allocates Brandon 180 skilled workers

By Abiola Odutola 4 minute read Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

Brandon has been allocated up to 180 skilled workers under the Government of Canada’s newly launched Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) — a program designed to address labour shortages and support economic growth in rural communities.

The initiative is employer-driven, with designated businesses in sectors, such as manufacturing, trades, and health care playing a key role in hiring newcomers, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett told the Sun on Thursday.

“If we could get up to 180, that would be ideal. The program is designed to work with designated employers hiring skilled workers,” Fawcett said.

The RCIP is part of a broader federal strategy that also includes the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). Both pilot programs were introduced to help rural and Francophone minority communities attract and retain skilled workers.

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Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

September 12, 2025

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