The Manitoba government is investing in the health-care workforce in the Westman region with new paramedic training seats and new child-care spaces for health-care workers, Premier Kinew announced here today at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Province address. “Paramedics are the first to arrive when your family needs emergency care and their work is valued by our government,” said Kinew. “We’ve made progress training and hiring more paramedics in Westman, but we know there is more to do. That’s why we are creating a new Primary Care Paramedic Program at Assiniboine College. Because child care is essential to growing the health workforce, we are also creating a new child-care centre at the Brandon hospital built to care for your children while you are caring for others. Together, these investments will help us recruit and retain more health-care workers in Westman.” An investment of $115,000 to Assiniboine College will create a new rotating rural training model, with the first cohort starting in Dauphin. Assiniboine College will offer this new Primary Care Paramedic Program designed to increase access for rural and western Manitoba students, helping build a stronger pipeline of paramedics for communities across the region, the premier noted. The initiative will support more students moving through the emergency medical responder to primary care paramedic pathway while allowing them to train closer to where they live. As part of the largest capital child-care project the province has started to date, the Manitoba government is also creating 148 new child-care spaces at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, which will open in summer 2027. The centre is built to operate during extended hours to provide care during health-care workers’ shifts. “We know Brandon and Westman play a major role in Manitoba’s growth and success,” said Jennifer Ludwig, president, Brandon Chamber of Commerce. “We welcome investments that strengthen health care, support local communities, create opportunities for businesses and workers, and help build a strong economy across western Manitoba.” The premier also highlighted several recent and ongoing Manitoba government investments benefiting Brandon and the Westman region including: providing $9.7 million to rebuild and repave 18th Street, which was voted CAA Manitoba’s worst road in 2024; investing in the Park Community Centre, with construction expected to begin this year; opening the Brandon Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, which saw more than 10,000 patient visits in 2025; undertaking action to challenge restrictive property controls held by Sobeys, including controls connected to an empty grocery store property in Brandon, to help increase competition and improve affordability; advancing nearly $3 billion in energy projects in western Manitoba including a new 750-megawatt dual-fuel turbine project to support growing energy needs and economic development opportunities; and creating a new critical care unit at the Brandon Regional Health Centre as part of a $120-million expansion project, allowing more patients to receive advanced care closer to home, which will include new, modern private intensive care unit rooms.

Assault / Fraud A 31-year-old female has been charged following an investigation into a historical intimate partner violence complaint reported by a male complainant. The incidents under investigation are alleged to have occurred during the summer of 2025 and were reported to police in February 2026. Following consultation with Crown counsel, the accused was charged with Assault (IPV), Assault with a Weapon, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Mischief Under $5,000. The accused was subsequently released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on July 23rd, 2026. Break and Enter At approximately 2:25 a.m. on May 13th, police received a report from homeowners on Queens Crescent advising that a female had just broken into their residence, and she was still on location. Officers attended and arrested the 19-year-old intoxicated female. The accused was held in BPS detention cells and will be released on an Undertaking once sober, with a scheduled future court appearance on July 16th, 2026.

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: May 11th, 2026 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE”: Christopher PURDY FOR Uttering Threats and Failure to Comply with Release Order.  Due to these incidents, a warrant has been issued for his arrest. CRIME OF THE WEEK for May 11th, 2026 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a Theft Under $5000.  The Brandon Police Service is currently investigating several unrelated thefts from local businesses. In an effort to identify the suspects and raise awareness to help prevent further offences involving the same individuals, BPS has released numbered surveillance videos from each of the incidents.  If you recognize these individuals or have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers. All tips remain anonymous.   ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.

BPS has arrested three suspects in connection with a break and enter reported at a multi-unit property on McDiarmid Drive. On May 8th, 2026, police received a report from a property manager regarding a break and enter that occurred on May 7th at approximately 10:10 p.m. During the incident, a secure interior door was damaged, a surveillance device was stolen, and attempts were made to gain access to the change slots of laundry machines within the building. Police reviewed video surveillance footage and identified the three individuals involved, some of whom were bound by conditions prohibiting communication with one another. On May 10th, while on patrol, a BPS officer observed one of the suspects outside a hotel in the 3500 block of Victoria Avenue. Upon noticing the officer, the female suspect quickly entered the building. Police utilized drone footage to assist in locating the suspect, along with a second suspect who was found hiding in a nearby yard. The two women, aged 26 and 29, were arrested without further incident. At approximately 11:45 p.m., officers attended a residence in the 1200 block of 1st Street where they located and arrested the third suspect, a 36-year-old male. The 29-year-old female has been charged with Break, Enter and Commit – Theft Under, Disguise with Intent, Breach of Release Order, Breach of Undertaking, and Possession of Break-In Instruments. The 36-year-old male has been charged with Failure to Comply with an Undertaking x2 and Break and Enter with Intent. The 26-year-old female has been charged with Break and Enter with Intent. She was released on an undertaking with numerous conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on July 13th, 2026. The 36-year-old male and the 29-year-old female were held in BPS custody for court on the morning of May 11th, 2026.

On May 7th, a 48-year-old male was arrested and charged with Fraud Under $5,000 after posting an online advertisement offering sea can containers for sale. Earlier that morning, the suspect met with a buyer in the 800 block of Victoria Avenue and accepted $1,500 in cash for the two containers that were to be picked up at 5:00 p.m. that day. It was later determined that the sea cans belonged to a business located in the 300 block of Pacific Avenue and were not for sale. Investigators were able to positively identify the suspect after the buyers provided a photograph showing the male holding the cash. Police subsequently located the suspect at a hotel in the 100 block of 5th Street at approximately 4:22 p.m., where he was arrested. The accused was later released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on July 2nd, 2026.