Three spring traditions — The Masters golf tournament, World Men’s Curling Championship, and government budget season — have one thing in common. The playing conditions are of critical importance and are based on the surfaces where each take place. Augusta National’s beauty shines every year. Every blade of grass, seemingly cut by hand for The Masters week, allows for great players to showcase their skills to the utmost. Even the famed azaleas seem to bloom on the command of a television director’s cue. With last weekend’s curling championship in Las Vegas? When TSN’s Russ Howard is noting scraping lines, dished ice and it’s blatantly obvious the world’s best players were performing in spite of the ice conditions, one hopes the event’s icemaker is in witness protection. Manitoba’s governing Progressive Conservatives presented a budget on Tuesday, less than 550 days before a mandatory election date, and with recent reports of dismal public support. How bad? When the New Democrats have support levels inside Winnipeg of over 50 percent, and the Tories hover around 25 percent, that usually means the governing PCs will lose almost all of its seats inside the Perimeter. If any clearer proof was needed, the Fort Whyte by-election result should have offered a spotlight. There, Liberal Willard Reaves narrowly missed a win over Tory Obby Khan in the battle of the Bombers. Normally, Tory wins are all but guaranteed there.  Province-wide data indicates several PC seats outside of the capital are at risk as well. People who supported the PC Party in the past are clearly angry. According to the engagement data provided in the province’s 2022 budget documents, voters are most concerned about health care and education matters. Both are major factors in the government losing support. Premier Heather Stefanson has no room for error in the days leading up to Election Day. For that, she too can look at the playing surface her predecessor left behind. While Brian Pallister did succeed in balancing the books pre-COVID, few were pleased with his handling on health care files, and his education reforms had the same reception a family of skunks might get at an outdoor wedding venue. Pallister justly deserves scorn for those matters, but Stefanson will receive the wrath of voters unless her team can right the ship of state. There are some signs in the 2022 Budget showing Stefanson has heard the concerns. Those awaiting surgeries and medical tests should benefit from the extra $110 million allocated to solve those issues. Newer hospital buildings and clinics will come on line with $812 million set aside for those upgrades. Parents will have more access to affordable $10 per-day childcare with a $326 million investment. Those are good starts to change hearts and minds of voters. However, that exposes a couple long-standing problems within the government team as a whole. Since its election in 2016, party strategists have frequently failed to effectively navigate the waters of media relations and communications. There have been changes made to government policy which make Manitoba a better province, but as Bruce Cockburn sang a few times, “If a tree falls in a forest, does anybody hear?” They certainly don’t, if there are troubles sharing that good news. Pallister’s often prickly manner with the media was no help, especially once in power. Failing to communicate successes and build relationships is bad enough. Those in the business world know it’s easier to earn a new customer and keep them happy than it is to regain lost business. It will be very difficult for the governing party to turn its fortunes around in time for the next election, based on public support levels today. Incumbent governments can succeed as advocates for change, if they are seen as credible advocates for that change. Stefanson and company will need to listen, show the public they’ve been heard, then act swiftly to prove to the voters they are serious about the public’s concerns. It took about 2.5 years for the Pallister-led Progressive Conservatives to turn the tides on Greg Selinger’s NDP and secure a path to victory in 2016. Stefanson and her team don’t have that kind of time, and may well have a more difficult challenge ahead of them in 2024. It may be as difficult as reading the ice in Las Vegas or playing Amen Corner on Sunday at The Masters. "Good is not good when better is expected." — Vin Scully

Source: BPS News Release On April 13, 2022, police responded to a report of a theft of a portable debit machine from a taxi at approximately 7:30 pm.  Investigation revealed that the taxi was stopped in the 000 block of 10th street when one of the passengers took the machine, some money and fled.  Police located and arrested the 21-year-old male nearby.  The debit machine was recovered, but the stolen cash was not.  The suspect was later released and will appear in court on May 26, 2022 on a charge of Theft Under $5000. A second individual who had gotten into a verbal altercation with the driver prior to the theft was also arrested due to her intoxication.  The 18-year-old female was lodged at Brandon Police Service until sober.

Assiniboine’s Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture is welcoming a $125,000 donation from Crane Steel Structures, a well-known Brandon and Westman business leader. “We couldn’t be prouder and more excited to play a role in bringing the Prairie Innovation Centre to life in Brandon,” said PJ Crane of Crane Steel Structures. “Agriculture is such a huge part of Westman and it’s where Crane Steel Structures got its start as a company more than 40 years ago. Some of our best people have come through Assiniboine Community College’s programs and knowing that this Centre will provide opportunities for generations to come is very rewarding.” The Prairie Innovation Centre is Assiniboine’s vision for the future of agriculture in Manitoba, and will address industry and economic needs in this important sector. The Centre, which aims to expand seats in agriculture-related programming from 300 to more than 800, will be located at Assiniboine’s North Hill campus in Brandon. “The Prairie Innovation Centre is Assiniboine’s response to a growing labour market need in agriculture. It’s necessary to ensure this important sector achieves its full economic potential, and we know that Brandon and Westman is the right home for the Centre,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. “It’s good for the agriculture sector and it’s good for the community. We’re thrilled that Crane Steel Structures sees that and has come aboard with their support. Community and business leaders are crucial in bringing this project to life.” The Westman landscape is dotted with Crane Steel buildings—the company has played a role in some of the largest commercial buildings in Westman. Crane Steel Structures founder, Paul Crane, was a recent recipient of an Assiniboine Honorary Diploma in 2020. He served as a member and then chair of the Assiniboine Board of Governors in the 1990s, and later as the president for the Assiniboine Foundation (’99 – ’02). (ACC News)

Source: BPS News Release On April 12, 2022, shortly after 11:00 am, police received a report of a home invasion, which occurred at a residence in the 000 block of Willowdale Cres at approximately 5:00 am that morning. Investigation revealed that a female and two males forced their way into the home and demanded drugs and money from the two occupants.  The occupants were threatened with a knife and struck several times with a shovel, before the suspects stole a watch, cell phones, a smart TV and a Bluetooth speaker.  The suspects then fled the residence. Shortly before 5:00 pm, police stopped a vehicle at 5th street and Princess Ave.  The 19-year-old female occupant was as identified as a suspect from the home invasion and she was arrested.  In her possession was the stolen TV and the Bluetooth Speaker.  The female suspect was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Break, Enter and Commit Robbery, Assault X2 and Utter Threats. The driver of the vehicle stop initially provided police with a false name.  Investigation revealed his identity, and the fact that he was wanted on outstanding charges.  The 30-year-old male was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court today on a new charge of Public Mischief, and warrant charges of Reckless Discharge Firearm, Unauthorized Possession Firearm. Police continue to investigate the home invasion.  The victims did not require medical attention following the assaults.

We have been following the weather models for the forecasted major blizzard over the next three days.  While this weather system has been characterized as potentially the worst in decades, we have been monitoring weather information sources to gain a greater understanding of the impact on the Brandon area. When faced with significant weather-related challenges, the Division has the following four potential responses: Rural bus routes cancelled (based on the condition of rural roads) Closure of rural schools (based on the condition of highways) Early dismissal (based on changing weather conditions during the day) School closures While we anticipate that road conditions will still allow for schools to be open early Wednesday morning, all forecasts are pointing to the deterioration of conditions during the morning and throughout the day.  We anticipate that, at best, we would need to have an early dismissal during the school day tomorrow.  This would create safety concerns for students who walk home as well as concerns for students who depend on alternate transportation to get home.  Additionally, an early dismissal does not provide families sufficient time for their planning. Based on the uniqueness of this weather system and safety concerns associated with a likely early dismissal, Brandon School Division Schools will be closed on Wednesday April 13th. It is our hope that the timing of this announcement provides parents the necessary time to prepare.  We have not had a closure of all schools in Brandon for a very long time and this decision is not made lightly. Thursday is a Professional Development Day (K-8) and Parent Teacher Interview Day (9-12).  Plans concerning Parent Teacher Interviews will be communicated to parents from their respective schools.