As part of the 2023 Multi-Year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, the Manitoba government is investing more than $50 million over the next five years to build on its multimodal transportation hub and trade gateways to create economic opportunities for all Manitobans, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced here today. “We are undertaking a range of strategic initiatives to support our government’s vision of growing Manitoba as a transportation hub that better enable trade access to markets and support investment in trade-based industries,” said Piwniuk. “These investments will ensure the enhanced safety and sustainability of infrastructure for the safe movement of people and goods across the province.” The Manitoba government’s 2023 Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy provides a five-year plan that details the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s plans to invest in new and existing highway, water, airport and general assets. This is the first time a five-year capital strategy has been shared, offering a preview of planned capital projects to the public and industry. Capital project highlights in the plan include: $10.3 million for 1.6 km of surface rehabilitation of the Trans-Canada Highway from Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10 to PTH 1A (rear south service road); $7.1 million for surface rehabilitation of the Trans-Canada Highway from 0.3 km west of the west junction of PTH 10 to 0.3 km east of the east junction of PTH 10; $6.5 million for surface rehabilitation of Provincial Road (PR) 270 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PTH 25; $6.5 million for structure replacement on the Trans-Canada Highway westbound lanes at Willow Creek East Branch; $6.4 million for structure replacement on Trans-Canada Highway westbound lanes at Willow Creek West Branch; $5.3 million for surface rehabilitation PTH 10 from the Trans-Canada Highway to PTH 25; $3.6 million for structure replacement Trans-Canada Highway westbound lanes at South Boggy Creek from 1.1 km east of PR 340; and $1.36 million works on PR 457 from 0.5 km east of PR 110 to 0.5 km east of PR 468; “Today’s announcement is great news for Brandon and the Westman region,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett, City of Brandon. “These multi-year improvements, continued repairs to 18th Street, and the ongoing project to replace Daly Overpass Bridge ensure that Brandon is set up for a prosperous future.” In addition to these investments, the department has increased its maintenance and operations budget this upcoming fiscal year by $11 million—the first time there has been such an increase in the last decade. Significant repairs have been undertaken in the last few weeks in the Brandon area including regular maintenance to be undertaken on 18th Street in Brandon, with staff being mobilized for work on spring break-up repairs and patching potholes as the temperatures rise, noted the minister. “These investments also build on the previously announced $88-million Daly Bridge project to reflect our government’s continued commitment to improving Brandon’s transportation infrastructure and enhancing pedestrian and road safety,” said Piwniuk. “It is encouraging to see the progress made on this project and especially for residents and visitors to witness some of the largest cranes ever in the Brandon and Westman region as a visible reminder of the important work underway.” To read the 2023 Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy, visit https://gov.mb.ca/mit/myhis/index.html.

March 23, 2023 Members from the Brandon Police Service's Tactical Response Unit, along with other police sections, were seen in the 300 block of 11th St. on Thursday morning conducting a police operation. Details of the operation are unknown, but BPS's Armoured Rescue Vehicle was on scene with a large battering-ram-style attachment on the front of the vehicle. Tactical officers were seen with rifles and ballistic shields, among other weaponry. Just after 12:00pm police notified the public via Twitter and Facebook that the road was no longer blocked by police vehicles, but that the investigation was still ongoing. UPDATE: BPS News Release March 24, 2023 On March 23, 2023, members of BPS Major Crime Unit obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 300 block of 11th street following an investigation into illicit firearms. Members of BPS ERT and general patrol assisted with executing the search warrant at approximately 10:00 am, and traffic in the area was closed as a precaution.  Three individuals inside the residence were arrested and held at Brandon Police Service. Following the search, police seized a modified COOEY model 82 .22cal firearm, bear mace, a small amount of meth and a variety of other weapons. A 38-year-old male and a 25-year-old female will appear in court today on charges of CDSA Possess Meth, Careless Storage of a Firearm and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. A 30-year-old female will appear in court today on charges of Fail to Comply with Release Order X2, Possess Firearm contrary to Prohibition Order, CDSA Possess Meth, Possession of Firearm knowing its possession is Unauthorized, and Careless Storage of a Firearm.

This October, Manitoba minimum wage earners will be making $3.35 per hour more than they were in September 2022 following iterative increases that position Manitoba as one of the top minimum wage provinces in Canada, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes announced today. “Recognizing the exceptional financial challenges facing Manitobans, our government passed legislative amendments to the Employment Standards Code that, in prescribed circumstances, allow minimum wage to be increased by an additional amount above the legislated inflation-tied formula,” said Reyes. “To balance the financial realities of Manitoba workers and the economic challenges for small businesses, we implemented a phased-in approach that will help more Manitobans get ahead.” The increases started with a $1.55 increase to $13.50 on Oct. 1, 2022, to be followed by a 65 cent increase to $14.15 on April 1 and now a further $1.15 annual increase on Oct. 1 to $15.30. These increases project Manitoba to be top three in provincial minimum wages. The minister noted the legislated inflation-tied formula ensures minimum wage is tied to economic indicators to maintain purchasing power, stability and predictability for businesses. Following the Oct. 1, 2022, minimum wage increase, the Manitoba government implemented the Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program to support small businesses. The program’s eligibility has recently expanded to include seasonal (summer) employees, and the application and submission process has been streamlined to allow eligible small businesses to make a single online application to receive a one-time lump sum payment. The program is available until March 31, noted Reyes. For more information on the Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program, visit https://gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/sbwa/index.html. For more information on Manitoba’s minimum wage and other employment standards, visit www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/.

The Brandon General Museum and Archives recently started hosting a speaker series at the museum. It’s called Show & Tell. They invite a presenter to speak on a subject they’re familiar with and to display some materials related to the subject. After their presentation there is a Q&A with the audience. The first one was in January and went very well – it was titled The Ukrainian Experience in Brandon and Manitoba by Stella Fedeniuk. Their second one at the end of February reached capacity days before the date of the event. That one was The Chinese Experience in Brandon by Sue-On & Bill Hillman and Kenny Choy. The next one, Traditions and Legends of the Dakota with Eugene Ross, is Saturday March 25 at 2pm. They’re expecting a large audience for this one as well. This will be an ongoing series with a new topic and presenter at the end of each month. The event is by donation but space is limited and it is suggested that people RSVP in advance.

Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is excited to announce that fire pit permit applications can now be submitted online via permits.brandon.ca. The new process allows residents to select the type of outdoor burning appliance that they would like to see installed in their backyard, including: Fire Pit Outdoor Fireplace Portable Fire Pit Stationary Built-In BBQ* Stove Once the appropriate outdoor burning appliance is selected, residents are asked to select their address from a drop-down list, upload a sketch of their yard, and complete the application. Effective January 1, 2023, all new fire pit permit applications require a one-time $20 application fee, as set out in the City of Brandon Fee Schedule. Those with an approved permit do not need to re-apply for an existing fire pit or pay the one-time application fee. A new application is only required if there has been a change in information from the original application or in property ownership. Once an applicant has successfully completed their application online, a notification email will be sent with payment instructions. Once payment is completed, a member from Brandon Fire & Emergency Services will arrange an on-site visit with the applicant, where final approval is given. More information on the City of Brandon Online Permits Information is available on brandon.ca. Alternative arrangements for online fire pit permit applications can be made by contacting Brandon Fire & Emergency Services at fire@brandon.ca or 204-729-2400. *Portable BBQ’s do not require a fire pit permit application.