Brandon, MB – Due to the potential Canada Post work stoppage, the City of Brandon advises residents and businesses of alternative service delivery options to minimize the impact of mail delivery delays. Alternative Payment Options Customers who normally submit payment by mail are encouraged to utilize alternative payment methods accepted by the City: In-person at City Hall during normal business hours 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Drop-off box at the east door on the southeast side of City Hall at 410 – 9th Street In-person at your financial institution Online banking, e-transfer, or through Virtual City Hall (VCH) For more information on these payment options, please visit brandon.ca/payment-options. Virtual City Hall To view balances or make payments on water, taxes or receivable accounts customers may apply for a Virtual City Hall (VCH) account at brandon.ca/vch-application. For customers with an existing VCH account, please visit vch.brandon.ca for more information. VCH can also be utilized to pay parking and compliance tickets or apply for and pay for animal licenses. Water and Wastewater Utility Invoices Water and wastewater utility customers who receive their quarterly invoice by mail are encouraged to enroll in electronic invoicing. To enroll, complete an account change form online at  onlineservices.brandon.ca/updateinfo. For quarterly customers who normally receive an invoice in November, those invoices will go to Canada Post on November 15th but may be delayed by the potential work stoppage. Customers can view their utility account balance on VCH. If customers do not receive their invoice by the end of November, they may email water@brandon.ca with their service address or account number to obtain an electronic copy of their invoice. As a reminder, November utility invoices will be due December 6, 2024. Customers are advised to utilize alternative invoice delivery and payment methods to avoid late payment charges.  Other Invoices Invoices for ambulance, solid waste, or other municipal services may be paid using any of the alternatives listed above. Customers of these services can also enroll in electronic invoicing by emailing receivables@brandon.ca with their name and customer ID. Vendor Payments Businesses who currently receive payment via cheque are encouraged to enroll in electronic funds payment (EFT). EFT payments will continue to be generated weekly. Contact payables@brandon.ca for information on enrolling for EFT. Cheques issued the week of November 12th will be delivered by mail. Delivery of future cheques will be subject to the status of the work stoppage. Invoices to the City of Brandon can be emailed to payables@brandon.ca.

Canada Post has received strike notices from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), for both Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units. The notices indicate that CUPW will be in a legal position to begin strike activity on November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET. In the event CUPW initiates rotating strike activity, Canada Post intends to continue delivering for Canadians and Canadian businesses while working to reach negotiated agreements. However, the ongoing possibility of a labour disruption has been significantly eroding Canada Post’s volumes and escalating the negative financial impact on the company. Canada Post has notified the union that unless new agreements are reached, the current collective agreements will no longer apply as of Friday. The Corporation will then be in a position, using the means provided in the Canada Labour Code, to adjust operations based on its operational realities and business needs. Parcel volumes decline 28 per cent and continue to slide at a usually busy time Retailers require certainty for their shipments at this time of year and continue to move more and more of their parcels to other delivery companies. This is typically Canada Post’s busiest time of the year, bringing much needed revenue to the organization. Delivered parcel volumes have been in an accelerating decline since CUPW announced its strike mandate on October 25. Last week, Canada Post’s parcel volumes declined by 28 per cent compared to the same week of the previous year. That represents 1.3 million parcels – or more than a day’s worth of delivered parcels at this time of year – that went to competitors instead of Canada Post. With CUPW’s strike notice, the company expects this trend to accelerate. Labour disruption would have lasting impact A labour disruption would affect the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on the postal service, and deepen the company’s already serious financial situation. It is critical that both parties focus their energies on resolving issues to reach negotiated agreements. In the event of a labour disruption, the Corporation will work to minimize service disruptions, but customers may experience delays. Mail and parcels flow through Canada Post’s highly integrated national network each day to get from sender to receiver. Shutting down facilities or regions with rotating strikes can cause immediate and prolonged ripple effects throughout the network. Postal system must change to compete in today’s delivery market Canada Post is rapidly falling behind in today’s highly competitive, customer-focused parcel delivery market. In the first half of 2024, the company recorded a loss from operations of $490 million. Since 2018, the Corporation has lost more than $3 billion. To secure the future of the business, the Corporation needs a more flexible and affordable delivery model that allows it to deliver seven days a week and quickly respond to the needs of customers. Without these changes, the significant challenges facing Canada Post will intensify. Canada Post is committed to protecting what’s most important to employees. The company’s recent global offers ensure current employees don’t lose ground by protecting the defined benefit pension, job security provisions, leave entitlements and health benefits, while proposing competitive wage increases. Delivery of socio-economic cheques will continue during a disruption Canada Post and CUPW have agreed to continue the delivery of socio-economic cheques during any upcoming labour disruption, for eligible and participating government organizations. The agreement ensures government financial assistance delivered by mail will reach seniors and other Canadians who rely on it. Socio-economic cheques for the month of November will be delivered on November 20. Canadians will receive their cheques the same way they normally receive their mail. Stay up to date Visit canadapost.ca/negotiations for the latest information on negotiations and a list of affected locations in the event of labour disruptions.

On November 11th at 4:12PM a business in the 700 block of 10th street reported a female with a knife who threatened staff, stole merchandise as well as the cash register. She fled out the rear door towards one of the buildings directly behind the business. The 20-year-old female was arrested with the cash register in her hands. The knife was seized. (Cash register contained $73.64 and stolen merchandise was worth $250.85). She had also unsuccessfully attempted to rob a victim at the store of his smart watch before fleeing. No victims sustained injuries. The female was on conditions to abstain from drugs and alcohol, and not to possess knives or weapons. The 20-year-old female was held in detention cells overnight and will attend court in the morning on November 12th, 2024.

On 2024-11-07, police received a report from a female youth, that she had been assaulted by her partner on two occasions.  No injuries were sustained by the victim and on 2024-11-09, the 18 year-old-male accused was arrested and held at BPS to appear in court for 2 counts of assault.

The City of Brandon and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce that Living Simply Kitchen has been named the 2024 winner of Brandon's Green Business Award. This award honours a local business that demonstrates outstanding efforts in sustainability, water conservation, green infrastructure or transportation, waste reduction and beyond. It recognizes businesses that go beyond their regular operations and implement a new innovative sustainable practice or initiative that emphasizes environmental impact. Living Simply Kitchen is a weekly meal prep business dedicated to creating thoughtfully designed meal plans that provide wholesome and sustainable meals for families. Their innovative initiative features a reusable glassware exchange program aimed at eliminating single-use packaging, while also focusing on creating less food waste and reducing emissions by sourcing from local producers. Since launching in 2022, they have successfully expanded their customer base while keeping single-use plastics and packaging out of the landfill. “I was really motivated by the award opportunity from the city because I want to be a part of highlighting all the green efforts by local businesses,” says Holistic Chef and Living Simply Kitchen’s businessowner Elizabeth Cancade. “I hope that showcasing our Reusable Glassware Program inspires other businesses to take a leap in their own environmental efforts.” The City of Brandon’s Environmental Initiatives Programmer Ingrid Gatin is enthusiastic about the role that sustainable initiatives can play to gain support from citizens and customers. “Approaching business with a sustainability mindset can have a positive impact environmentally and lower costs long-term, but it can also give consumers a chance to show authentic support for a company and its products. The Green Business Awards shine a light on businesses like Living Simply Kitchen that are stepping up and guiding the way toward sustainability.” To celebrate the win, Brandon City Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Brandon Chamber of Commerce Membership Coordinator Godspower Utawure presented Living Simply Kitchen with an award certificate and the business received a fabulous Fair Trade coffee break for their workplace. Brandon Chamber of Commerce President Lois Ruston agrees that “green business practices are essential for sustainability, innovation, and long-term economic growth. The businesses selected for the Green Business Awards have integrated sustainable principles into their operations and we are excited to showcase their efforts to the Brandon community as they lead the way in responsible environmental stewardship.” Join us in congratulating Living Simply Kitchen for leading the way in sustainable practices and making a positive impact on our community!