Edmonton, AB, December 17, 2019 – Cando Rail Services has started construction of the Cando Sturgeon Terminal in Sturgeon County, Alberta. Phase 1 of the terminal will provide additional rail capacity to Alberta’s Industrial Heartland and utilize a loop-track system to enable storage of up to 1900 railcars. Early works and site mobilization have begun with completion expected in 2020. The new terminal will offer services seven days per week for railcar staging and storage, including unit-train storage capability, for short or long-term, loaded or empty rail cars. Additional value-added services include railcar switching, air testing, rail car repair and cleaning, transloading, material handling, inventory management, car stenciling, placard replacement, AEI tags, DG inspections and graffiti touch-ups. This investment marks a major milestone for Cando Rail Services, Sturgeon County and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. The majority of the value-added products produced in the Heartland, Canada’s largest hydrocarbon processing region, are shipped to national and global consumers by rail. Cando’s investment will increase market access and allow industrial facilities in the Heartland to concentrate on their core business, while partnering with Cando to access increased transportation and logistics solutions. World-class rail infrastructure will further enhance the competitiveness of Sturgeon County and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland for petrochemical, downstream energy and heavy industrial investment. The Cando Sturgeon Terminal is centrally located in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland directly West of the CN “Beamer Spur” and serviced by the CN mainline. The terminal is South of the $4.5 billion Canada Kuwait Petrochemical Corporation (CKPC) integrated propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene upgrading project (currently under construction), and southwest of Pembina Pipeline’s Redwater Fractionation Site (RFS). “The undertaking of our newest terminal in Sturgeon County is a defining moment for Cando Rail Services. This terminal will allow us to expand our nation-wide logistics planning network, thereby enabling greater movement of Canada’s resources in a key industrial hub of the country.”- Brian Cornick, President & CEO, Cando Rail Services “We are delighted to welcome Cando Rail Services into our community and pleased that they have recognized the strategic benefits of investing in Sturgeon County and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. Access to cost-advantaged feed-stock, world-class transportation and logistics infrastructure and readily available labour are allowing the Heartland to capitalize on the current petrochemical investment cycle.- Alanna Hnatiw, Mayor, Sturgeon County “Alberta Environment and Parks is pleased to have been able to create increased certainty for Cando Rail Services as the company has moved through the approvals process in anticipation of the construction of the Sturgeon Terminal. This project will drive job creation and get more of our best-in-class oil and gas products to market while further cementing the Industrial Heartland’s status as the country’s most significant hydrocarbon-producing region – exemplifying our government’s commitment to balancing protection of our shared environment while boosting economic activity.”- Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks “The investment by Cando Rail Services in a new rail terminal is further demonstration of the tremendous value proposition available to companies in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland. The increased railcar staging, storage and value-added services by Cando Rail will complement the world-class logistics infrastructure that already exists in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, further increasing the region’s competitive advantage for value-add energy processing.” - Mark Plamondon, Executive Director, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) (submitted)

Tim Hortons Westman continues to giveback in the communities they serve. For most people one of the highlights of the holiday season is often spending quality time with family and friends. Your local Tim Hortons (18th St) have created a unique way to help spread the holiday joy to those who, for one reason or another, are unable to spend time in person with their loved ones. They have recently installed a "Call Home for Christmas On Us" free phone booth into the location where they are encouraging people to stop in and call friends/family anywhere in the world. Franchise owner Rhonda Pardy tells bdnmb.ca that so far quite a few people have stopped by to place a call. Last evening the establishment was visited by a homeless person who was able to communicate with family for the first time in over three years. The concept for the phone booth came from fellow franchisee Greg Crisanti and this is the first year they have offered the service. Tim Hortons Westman also supports a number of organizations throughout the year including the Timbits hockey and soccer programs, Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation camps, Helping Hands Soup Kitchen, United Way, Brandon Christmas Cheer, and more.

Red Swan Pizza officially opened for business yesterday in Brandon. Brandon's newest entry into the pizza market is located at Unit D-1122-18th Street. Red Swan Pizza is a Canadian owned pizza restaurant with locations in Saskatchewan, Alberta & Ontario. In addition to traditional and gourmet pizza the menu also includes extras like nachos, oven roasted chicken wings, chicken fingers, potato wedges, bread sticks, and salads. Franchisee Meghan Patel relocated from Calgary to open the Brandon location as he appreciated the company's approach to quality ingredients, customer service, and value. Extended hours of operation (Sunday to Thursday 11am-midnight, Friday-Saturday 11am-2am) will be coming soon. Currently they are open from 2pm-10pm daily. Red Swan Pizza can be reached at 204-717-5555 if you would like to place an order for pick-up or delivery. To view the company's website, or for additional menu options, please click here.

Fired Pizzaria is now permanently closed. Shawarma Queen will be opening a second location in Brandon at the address (#4-2430 Victoria Ave). Kyle Koksal tells bdnmb.ca that he hopes to have the Shawarma Queen up and running in the next 2.5 months as the location undergoes some renovations and waits for the installation of a new ventilation system. The plan calls for the seating capacity to be increased to 30. Kyle said they will offer the same full menu at the 2nd location including the ever popular lunch and supper buffet.

Brandon’s cannabis dispensary market is about to increase by one as Garden Variety is targeting opening their doors just before the holiday. The 3471-square-foot store will be located at 1350-18th Street. The floor space will leave plenty of room for displays where customers will be free to browse at their leisure. Friendly, knowledgeable staff will be on-hand to answer questions and educate shoppers on the products they offer. You will also be able to signup for the store's loyalty program to receive rewards, exclusive updates, and invites to in-store events. "Garden Variety is an adult-use cannabis retailer with locations in Winnipeg and Brandon (opening soon) offering top quality flowers, oils, capsules, and pre-rolls. Building on ten years of regulated cannabis experience in Colorado, Garden Variety is a partnership of the Fisher River Cree Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Avana Canada Inc., MediPharm Labs, and Native Roots Cannabis Co." For more information, visit www.gardenvariety.com.