The future is not the status quo for Manitoba Credit Unions, say the Boards of Directors and leaders of Assiniboine Credit Union, Caisse Financial Group, and Westoba Credit Union. Today, they recommend their members and employees vote “Yes and Oui” this June to a merger that could take effect January 1, 2025. “To continue meeting the needs and wants of our members, we should merge now. If we wait, mergers will continue to happen all around us. With the landscape changing so quickly and dramatically, we believe it’s imperative to merge now as strong partners,” says Crystal Laborero, Board Chair of Assiniboine Credit Union. Some of the key pressures on financial institutions like credit unions include significant investments necessary for digital banking advancements, growing regulatory requirements, increased competitive pressures from outside the market, and the need to spend more on increasingly complex cybersecurity measures to protect members. All require investments that are hard to sustain for one credit union on its own. “A merger of Assiniboine Credit Union, Caisse Financial Group, and Westoba Credit Union would create a uniquely Manitoban financial co-operative. It will be the first time a credit union will have such a wide geographic reach throughout Manitoba, offer French language services, and serve both urban and rural members through a values-based approach to banking,” Laborero adds. In communications to the combined financial co-operatives’ 970 employees and 216,000 members, the three partners shared that in the last five months they have been completing their due diligence. They are now confident the merger is in the best interests of their members, employees, the communities they serve, and the greater credit union system. In doing so, they will create a credit union that reflects Manitoba’s diverse communities. Caisse’s Board Chair Réal Déquier says that in the last few months it has become clear that their future partners value each other’s strengths and uniqueness, including the role the Francophone community plays in the vibrant tapestry of Manitoba. “This merger is a unique opportunity to serve both English and French-speaking communities across Manitoba like never before. Our partners recognize the deep connection our Francophone community and French language services will have in shaping our new corporate identity. That is recognized in the bylaws and the governance model we have developed together for how we will operate going forward,” says Déquier. Both Caisse Financial Group and Westoba Credit Union have decades of experience working in and for rural and agriculture communities while Assiniboine Credit Union has decades of experience serving urban and northern communities. Together, the three organizations will have the widest distribution of branches of any financial co-operative in Manitoba and $10 billion in assets to leverage for all its members’ financial needs. “This merger would give us the capacity and scale to create a unique credit union that has a larger network of employees who are excited to make a difference in the rural and urban communities we serve as active volunteers. It will create more diverse career opportunities for our employees, who are our greatest strength. We are doing what we always do best, working cooperatively for what’s best for our members, employees, and communities. It’s who we are,” says Garnet McBurney, Board Chair of Westoba Credit Union. If approved by members in a June vote, the merged organization would be the only purpose-driven financial co-operative in the province to carry a French and English name. Assiniboine Credit Union / Caisse Assiniboine allows either the English version or the French version to be used in serving the broad base of urban, rural, and agricultural communities in Manitoba. Following a thorough selection process, all three boards have unanimously recommended current Assiniboine President & CEO Kevin Sitka as President & CEO of the new organization. Caisse CEO Joël Rondeau and Westoba President & CEO Jim Rediger will continue in leadership roles to support the post-merger entity.

From April 29 – May 5, 100% of the proceeds from every Smile Cookie sold in Brandon will support the Brandon Area Community Foundation and Westman Dreams for Kids. Celebrating its 28th anniversary, the Smile Cookie campaign has raised more than $120 million for charities, hospitals, and community programs across the country - with a record-breaking $19.7 million in 2023. Back again for its 28th year, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week will support charities in communities across the country - hundreds of Canadian charities, hospitals and community programs are supported through the annual campaign. “Our annual Smile Cookie campaign launches April 29th and together with the outstanding support of some of Brandon’s best businesses, we hope to make it our most successful year yet.  Along with our guests, we embrace the opportunity to support great causes and truly make a difference in our community one cookie at a time!” Rhonda Pardy, Tim Hortons Westman & Area For one week, from April 29 – May 5, Tim Hortons restaurant owners will donate the full $1.50 from every freshly baked chocolate chunk Smile Cookie purchased to support charities in their community. Guests can complete a form to place pre-orders for Smile Cookies through their restaurant in Brandon or visit http://timhortonswestman.ca/brandon-smile-cookie#brandon-smile-cookie.0 to order online. In addition to the funds received from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, several local sponsors will be generously matching all funds received throughout the week. April 29th: Guild Insurance Group, Memories Chapel & Treo Law LLP April 30th: Compass Credit Union, Fusion Credit Union, Sunrise Credit Union & Westoba Credit Union May 1st: Brandon Heating & Plumbing & Grand Valley Mechanical May 2nd: Brightside Dental May 3rd: J&G Group (J&G Homes, Jacobson Commercial, VBJ Developments, C&C Rentals & Recreation, Powell Construction, Rona Brandon, Western Concrete Products, Allen & Bolack Excavating) May 4th: Murray Auto Group Centre Brandon To pre-order Smile Cookies, complete the order form here! Smile Cookie Campaign Facts In 2023, the Smile Cookie Campaign raised a record $19.7 million across Canada For over 27 years, Tim Hortons restaurant owners and guests have been spreading smiles. The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario Nationally, Tim Hortons restaurant owners support over 550 local charities, hospitals, and community programs through the Smile Cookie campaign This year, our goal is to be ranked first in the province In 2023, $70,727 was raised in Brandon

The first week of the annual Source for Sports AAA Hockey Challenge is the books. The weekend saw over 30 teams compete for titles in three different age divisions. Weeks 2 and three in the tournament take place: April 25th - 28th & May 2nd - 5th. All games are held in Brandon and free to attend. Notable alumni of the tournament include Zach Hyman, Ryan Pulock, Mark Stone, Seth Jarvis, Derek Sobkow, and Logan Couture. 2016 Age Division Jayden Boschman scored a goal and added an assist and also scored the winner in round three of the shootout as the Central Plains Chiefs conquered over the Wheatland 5-4 at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. The Central Plains Chiefs, coming off a setback to the Wheatland on Saturday, clawed back from a three-goal deficit to force extra time. Capping off the scoring for the Central Plains Chiefs was Cam Klassen, Levi Hay, Deandre Edwards chipping in with a goal each. Goaltender Elliot Marcoux turned aside 20 shots for the Central Plains Chiefs in the victory. Finding the twine for the Wheatland was Connor Hanska with two goals and Patrick Catellier and Boston Fehr each tallying single markers. Kiptyn Wionzek added three assists. Goaltender Jackson Hilts made 14 saves in the loss for the Wheatland. The setback halted the Wheatland's four-game winning streak. The Wheatland jumped out to a 3-0 lead when Hanska scored his 11th of the tournament with 7:30 left in the second period but Hay responded for the Central Plains Chiefs with his fourth of the tournament to start the rally. 2015 Age Group  Parker Marquis scored two goals and added an assist to guide the River City Rebels to a 7-5 conquest over the Brandon Ice Kings at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. Rounding out the scoring for the River City Rebels was Evan Okapiec with two goals and Hayden Beech, Eric Weber and Maddison Unrau chipping in with a goal each. Connor Billingham added three assists. Goaltender Camden Sowa turned aside 22 shots for the River City Rebels in the win. The scoring contribution for the Brandon Ice Kings was Marx Boguski with five goals . Jory Warrener added two assists. Goaltender Brooks Hackywicz made 23 saves in the loss for the Brandon Ice Kings. The setback halted the Brandon Ice Kings' five-game winning streak. 2014 Age Division  Isaac Emard scored a hat-trick and added two assists as the Dakota Warriors Blue extended its winning streak to five games with a 10-5 defeat over the Interlake Lightning at J and G Homes Arena on Sunday. Rounding out the scoring for the Dakota Warriors Blue was Tyson Strom with a hat-trick, Emmett Suchy with two goals, Beckham Goetz and Cruz Samuelson each adding single tallies. Emard, Goetz and Dmitri Meyer each added two assists. Goaltender Kaiden Miller turned aside 13 shots for the Dakota Warriors Blue in the win. Cashing in for the Interlake Lightning was Eli Tully, Jackson Desjarlais, Dane Fortin, Tucker Wutzke and Brody Tully chipping in with a goal each. Tully, Desjarlais and John Frost each added two assists. Goaltender Nathan Grenkow made 21 saves in the loss for the Interlake Lightning.

The renowned East Indian restaurant, "Chilli Chutney," has emerged from its cocoon of renovations with a fresh ambiance and a renewed culinary fervor. The restaurant closed in the middle of February to under a series of renovations in order to provide a better overall customer experience. Owner Laxman Negi informed bdnmb.ca that the restaurant will return to full service on Monday, April 8, 2024. After weeks of anticipation, the reopening promises a blend of traditional flavors and modern aesthetics, beckoning food enthusiasts to embark on a food journey like never before. With its rich tapestry of culture and culinary heritage, Chilli Chutney has always been a beacon of authenticity in the bustling culinary landscape. As patrons step into the revamped Chilli Chutney, they will be greeted by an array of tantalizing aromas and flavors. The menu showcases a melange of signature dishes, including the velvety Butter Chicken simmered to perfection and the fiery lamb Vindaloo that ignites the palate with its spice-laden allure. Vegetarian delights such as the veggie samosas and the fragrant Vegetable Biryani cater to diverse tastes, ensuring there's something for everyone at the table. Chilli Chutney is located at 555-34th St. They have been serving fresh Authentic East Indian food in Brandon since 2005.

Brandon has a new business in town to help people look their best. Elevate Barbershop recently opened it's doors at 755-17th Street. The shop presently has three barbers and offers a variety of services including hair cuts, kid's cuts, beard trims, face shaves and more. Online booking is available here. Walk-ins are also welcome. Shop Hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday: 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Wednesday: 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday: 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday: 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed