Manitoba Ag Days was a hub of activity! Visitors, exhibitors and speakers had a fantastic week learning, doing business and supporting Farmer Health, Safety and Wellness. The Keystone Centre was full of energy as we shook hands, kicked tires, tried out virtual reality experiences, and bought Ag Days t-shirts to show our pride in this amazing industry. This year’s show had so much positive energy over all three days! “Manitoba Ag Days takes great pride in bringing the ag community together. Agriculture is a business of handshakes and we try to create a welcoming environment where farmers can come together to do business, face-to-face, with ag manufacturers, companies and retailers. They can find the latest in technology and services to build their businesses. We are thrilled with the success of the 2023 show!” exclaimed Manitoba Ag Days General Manager, Kristen Phillips. The Innovation Showcase participants were so appreciative of the showcase; it celebrated the newest and most forward-thinking products and services in agriculture and provided great visibility for the companies who participated. “It is so important for their products! Many exhibitors have already approached us about entering the showcase next year with products that are currently in the pipeline”, stated Brad Crammond, Manitoba Ag Days Innovation Showcase Committee Chair. Our diverse speaking line up was well attended and had something for everyone. World class speakers, topic experts and farmer panels gave us just the right mix of reflection on the 2022 growing season and planning for this coming season and beyond. We have a record breaking 50/50 total – and sales run until 11:59 tonight. You can get your ticket online at agdays.com/buy5050 or by calling 204-866-4400 (LGCA 4206-RF-38531). The winner will be drawn on January 20th at 1:00 pm on Facebook Live. We are a not for profit show and any profits made on the show are paid forward to community projects and services through our Ag Days Gives Back Fund. On behalf of the board of directors and management team we want to sincerely thank our loyal exhibitors, generous sponsors, wonderful volunteers, Keystone Centre staff and the city of Brandon for making this show such a huge success. It was great to be able to gather together to celebrate all things agriculture! Planning is already underway for the 47th Manitoba Ag Days! Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 16 through Thursday, January 18, 2024. Until then, you can also find us anytime on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @mbagdays. (Ag Days Release)

On January 12, 2023, police received a report of a break and enter to a garage in the area of Valcourt Way. The suspect(s) gained entry and stole two firearms from a storage room in the garage. On January 18, 2023, members of the Brandon Police Service Major Crime Section executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1600 block of Sycamore Drive. During the search warrant, police recovered one of the firearms that had been stolen from the Break and Enter on Valcourt Way. A 29-year-old male has been arrested/charged with the following offences: Breaking and Entering to Steal a Firearm Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm Possession of a Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm while Prohibited Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime Unsafe Storage of a Firearm A 30-year-old female has been arrested/charged with the following offences: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm Possession of a Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm while Prohibited Possession of a Firearm Obtained by Crime Unsafe Storage of a Firearm The male and female were both lodged at Brandon Police Service and are scheduled to appear in court today. Police continue to investigate the Break, Enter and Theft.  Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact.

Christopher Sarkonak, a Math & Physics Teacher from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, has been awarded the 2022 CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics (Prairies & NWT) from the Canadian Association of Physicists Foundation (CAPF)! The CAP Award for Excellence in Teaching High School/CEGEP Physics was introduced in 2010 and is intended to recognize excellence in teaching physics in Canadian high schools or CEGEPs, and to encourage and promote physics at the high school level. The award is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Physics, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, TRIUMF, and the Institute of Particle Physics. This award is presented to Mr. Sarkonak: “In recognition of his passion and dedication in teaching physics, particularly his ungrading policies, inclusive classroom, and commitment to sharing strategies to assist other physics teachers. Christopher’s student-centered, equity-based approaches in the classroom have led naturally into his support and celebration of women through an annual STEM for Girls event. Notably, he has also twice received the Ceremonial Star Blanket.” Click here to read the full news release from CAPF! Mr. Sarkonak has been teaching at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School since 2011. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Brandon University, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Physics and Math, as well as a Master of Mathematics for Teachers from University of Waterloo. “I am very fortunate to be able to teach a subject that I love and knowing that it’s impacted my students and colleagues across Canada to the point of nominating me for this award is incredibly humbling! It is a tremendous honour to be recognized by the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) for the work that I have done in physics teaching these last few years. I’ve made it my goals to make physics education accessible to everyone, to create strong connections with members of Canada’s physics community, and to inspire more students to pursue physics.”  Christopher Sarkonak

Congratulations to Ron Hedley, former CEO of Fusion Credit Union, on receiving the order of Merit from Manitoba Credit Unions.  The Manitoba Credit Union Order of Merit recognizes individuals who demonstrate a significant commitment to the credit union system at the local, provincial, national and international levels.  “I’ve had the privilege of working with Ron for eight years at the board level, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to receive the Order of Merit,” says Richard Dereniwski, Board Chair of Fusion Credit Union.  “Ron’s energy and innovative ideas were a catalyst for so many initiatives within Fusion and our communities.  He truly embodies the spirit of this award.”  Those selected to the Order of Merit have made tangible contributions to the development and operations of credit unions and have demonstrated leadership in the philosophy of people helping people.  During Ron’s tenure at Fusion, he was instrumental in promoting environmental sustainability initiatives including loans for solar panel projects and promoting Dauphin’s first ‘net zero’ home.  He carried the same philosophy to the wider credit union system by volunteering on several boards and committees at the provincial level.  “It was such an honour to receive this award,” says Hedley.  I accepted it on behalf of all the terrific people I had the good fortune to work with.  All of the staff, management teams, and Boards were such a large part of the successes and the happiness of my career.  It was because of all of them that I enjoyed the first day and the last day of my 40 years.”  After a memorable 40-year career, Fusion Credit Union said good-bye to Ron when he retired on June 1, 2020.  “Ron’s tenure at Fusion resulted in impressive accolades for the credit union, including being recognized as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and introducing the Full Circle Fund to support community groups and projects,” comments Dereniwski.  “Ron leaves behind a legacy of innovation, creativity and collaboration.  He lived by the philosophy of “people helping people” and our communities have thrived under his leadership.”  Darwin Johns, CEO of Fusion Credit Union, explains how Ron’s leadership and vision paved the way for Fusion to successfully move into the future.  “Fusion has a strong history of engaging in public service and contributing to the credit union system, a foundation built by Ron,” comments Johns.  “He demonstrated the benefits of working together to make a difference, not only in our local communities, but also at a provincial level.  At Fusion we are building on this foundation and continuing to embed the philosophy into our culture.  As a result, our employees see considerable opportunities and benefits to supporting important projects in our communities.” 

As part of the Manitoba government’s ongoing commitment to provide affordable and accessible child-care services for Manitoba families, the province is investing an additional $600,000 in the expansion of the child-care centre at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Brandon’s Y Downtown Early Learning Centre, Premier Heather Stefanson and Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced here today. “Our government continues to be a national leader in providing affordable child-care services, which is critical to ensuring Manitobans can participate in the workforce, support their family and play an active role in the growth of our communities and economy,” said Stefanson. “This expansion project will double the number of spaces at the Y Downtown and ensure families in the Brandon area have access to high-quality child care in their community.” In July 2022, the Manitoba government announced $600,000 for the project through the Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund, which provides recipients with capital grant funding for child-care centre development projects, the premier noted, adding this investment doubles that commitment and brings total government investment in the project to $1.2 million. Recently, the Manitoba government increased the contribution under the building fund to 60 per cent from 40 per cent of total eligible project construction costs supporting its commitment to create 23,000 child-care spaces by 2025-26. Under annual provincial funding, eligible capital projects will receive capital funding up to a maximum of $1.2 million. “This change will enable more spaces to be developed and improve access to licensed early learning and child-care programs for all children, regardless of where they live,” said Ewasko. “Working with our federal and sector partners, we remain committed to strengthening the system and ensuring affordable, accessible child care is available for Manitoba families.” The Y Downtown’s child-care capacity will double to 96 from 48 spaces once the project is complete, creating 12 new infant spaces and 36 preschool spaces, helping more families in need of child-care services. The expansion of the Y Downtown’s child-care facility is part of a larger project underway at the YMCA of Brandon. In addition to increasing accessibility to child-care spaces, the project features initiatives that will enhance community services, especially for youth, seniors and families. These initiatives include increasing space for supportive programming and creating two outdoor play areas. The centre expansion is expected to open in November 2023, the premier noted. “The YMCA of Brandon appreciates the continued investment by the Manitoba government to address the significant need for child-care spaces in Brandon and throughout Manitoba,” said Lon Cullen, chief executive officer, YMCA of Brandon. “Every additional space means that more families will have access to quality care. With the opening of Y Downtown in the fall, parents from over 40 families will be able to work, contributing to the economy of our region, knowing their children will be well cared for.” While the Y Brandon project is funded by the province, the Manitoba government has partnered with the federal government to invest in a number of significant investments in child care as part of the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the extended Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, both launched in 2022. Child-care investments under this partnership include: almost $37 million to support wage equity for early learning and child-care staff; $6.6 million to help recruit and retain staff by providing a one-time retroactive wage supplement for the lowest-paid child-care assistants and early childhood educators; more than $1 million for a child-care pilot project in Winnipeg that will help newcomers find reliable child care and maintain employment; more than $4 million to reimburse tuition of early childhood educator students by up to $5,000 per school year; more than $1 million to support a community-based capital project to create 40 new child-care spaces at a new centre in Oakville; and up to $70 million in capital funding for new child-care facilities, creating more than 1,200 new, regulated non-profit child-care spaces with a focus on rural and First Nations communities. To learn more about the Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund at: https://gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/resources/building_fund.html. For more information on early learning and child care in Manitoba, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/.