In 2017, Brittany Roque (Roque) brought a concern forward regarding the sharing of her intimate images while she was an applicant for a position with the Brandon Police Service (BPS). The Chief of Police was made aware. Since the concern involved a member of the BPS, and as mandated by legislation, the Chief contacted the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU). The IIU investigated, conducted a full and complete analysis of this matter, and concluded that there was no attempt to obstruct justice by the BPS officer. The finding was that the officer’s receipt, viewing and maintenance of the images fell within the exceptions outlined in both the Criminal Code (Canada) and the Intimate Images Protection Act (Manitoba). Roque also filed a Statement of Claim with the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench against Terry Lynn Peters (Peters), alleging that she distributed the images. Peters named the City of Brandon, as the entity responsible for acts or omissions by officers of BPS as a third party in the action. On April 12, 2022, the Court of Queen’s Bench in Manitoba found Peters and the City of Brandon jointly liable for general damages. Criminal investigations, when brought to the courts, must meet a standard of “beyond reasonable doubt”. While the City and BPS respect the court’s decision, we remain satisfied that Deputy Chief Randy Lewis acted in good faith and in belief as to best interests of BPS and the residents of Brandon. Deputy Chief Lewis is a highly respected, ethical, and virtuous leader of BPS and a valued member of the community. The City of Brandon and BPS did not pursue an appeal on the matter. At the time of these events, the Intimate Images Protection Act was an emerging piece of legislation that was being newly navigated by many employers and organizations. In the years since this matter transpired, we have learned a great deal and made modifications to our hiring processes and policies to bring them in line with the noted legislation. This will be the final statement from the City of Brandon and BPS regarding this matter. (City of Brandon Release)

The Manitoba government is investing $600,000 in capital funding for the child-care expansion project at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Brandon’s Y Downtown Early Learning Centre, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced here today. “Our government is committed to ensuring Manitoba families have access to quality, affordable and inclusive child care that is conveniently located,” said Ewasko. “We are proud to invest in this significant expansion project that will double the number of spaces at the Y Downtown to increase accessibility to needed child-care services in the city of Brandon and the Westman region.” The expansion was made possible through a capital grant under the Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund, which dedicates $1.9 million annually for child-care centre development projects. This fund supports increases in community-based child-care spaces across the province through new construction or the expansion of existing centres to increase their capacity. The Y Downtown child-care centre project was awarded the maximum grant available under the fund. The minister noted 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 pre-school spaces helping more families in need of child-care services. “The Y is thrilled to be increasing the number of child-care spaces in our community, particularly infant and toddler spaces,” said Lon Cullen, president and CEO, YMCA of Brandon. “This is particularly important given the dire shortage of infant spaces in our community. We are thankful to the province to be able to enhance our child-care spaces in the Dood Cristall Family YMCA located in the heart of downtown.” 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 the services offered to the community, 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 minister noted. The project’s funding also builds on other recent investments in child-care projects including Dugald Daycare Inc., a new stand-alone child-care facility providing 74 child-care spaces adjacent to Dugald School. In addition to these provincially funded projects, the provincial and federal governments have made investments in child care as part of the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement launched last summer, and the extended Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement launched earlier this year. For more information about early learning and child-care development supports and child-care services in Manitoba, visit https://gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/. For more information about the Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund, visit https://gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/resources/building_fund.html. (Province of MB News Releasse)

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba  On July 24th, 2022, Minnedosa RCMP received a report of a missing 16-year-old female. Ryleigh TIMMINS was last seen on July 23rd at approximately 9:00 pm, walking on Road 72N heading east towards Highway 10. It’s possible Ryleigh left her residence to meet an unknown person. Police and family are concerned for her safety. Ryleigh was wearing a red and black long sleeve plaid shirt, blue jeans, black mask, black toque and a small pink backpack. Ryleigh is described as 5'11, 140lbs with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. If you have any information, please call Minnedosa RCMP at204-867-2751 , Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

Source: BPS News Release On July 22, 2022, at 9:35 pm, police were dispatched to a fight within a hotel located in the 1000 block of 18th Street.  The victim reported being punched and struck with a bottle by two females within the establishment.  The female suspects, both 32 years of age, were arrested at the scene for assault with a weapon.  The females were later released on conditions with a future court dates.

Over the past 20-30 years, we have seen a number of popular businesses in Brandon close for one reason or another. Below is a list, in no particular order, of ten businesses we would like to see return to the city. Waterslides: ideal for those hot summer days, fun for the whole family Spatz: live music, some decent bar bands passed thru this venue Mort's Drive In: classic drive-in food served on a tray Lucky Star Drive Inn: pack the car to see a show or two, occasional triple feature Unwinder: mug night, nothing else needs to be added Joe's Sports Cards: many a $ spent there trying to land that Lindros rookie card The Venice House: eating pizza while sitting in a barrel, a unique dining experience Barnacles: pub food, pool & darts, a great place to socialize with the team after the game Velvet Rail: snooker tables, pinball & old arcade games, unmistakable smell of cigar as you enter. Alessio's Pasta: enormous portions, very distinct pasta sauce Honorable Mentions: Burger Ranch Wheelies The Soup Kettle Tequila Willies Golden Perogy