On December 13, the Minister of Labour established a process with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to assess the likelihood of Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) reaching agreements by the end of 2024. Employees to return to work on December 17 and the resumption of service to begin After two days of hearings, the CIRB has issued its ruling confirming the parties are at an impasse. As a result, the CIRB has ordered employees to return to work and postal operations to begin to resume at 8 am local time on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. We will share further details shortly, but want to remind employees and customers that our operations will remain closed on Monday, December 16. What this means for customers Given the timing and duration of the strike, when our operations resume we will need to begin processing the mail and parcels trapped in our network. It will take time to clear our network, so customers should expect delays in processing and delivery. Some limitations will apply for the first 48 hours after our operations resume – including for pickups and drop-offs. Because of this, we will not receive or pick up new product until Thursday, December 19. We’re committed to giving customers as much information as possible regarding specific timelines and capacity. This includes providing details on what to expect during the first few days and as we continue to stabilize operations. Look for more information later today and in the coming days. Retroactive pay increase to employees as process unfolds We look forward to welcoming our employees back to work and serving the millions of Canadians and businesses who rely on our services. While the terms of the existing collective agreements will be extended until May 22, 2025, we also put forward an offer to implement a wage increase of five per cent for employees, which was proposed in the company’s last global offer. With both parties in agreement, the wage increase will be retroactive to the day after each collective agreement expired. The increase will remain in effect going forward, and the retroactive portion will be paid out to current employees in two portions: An upfront payment before Christmas of $1,000 for all CUPW-represented regular employees (full-time and part-time) and $500 for temporary employees based on a minimum number of hours. The wage increase and retroactive payment will be made no later than January 31, 2025. Collective agreements between Canada Post and CUPW expired on December 31, 2023, for the RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) unit and on January 31, 2024, for the urban unit. Commitment to the negotiations process Our commitment has always been to reach negotiated agreements with CUPW that would help us better serve the changing needs of Canadians and provide good jobs to those who provide the service. We remain committed to doing so within this new process while also meeting the postal needs of Canadians. More details on our start-up plans will be made available at canadapost.ca when finalized. Source: Canada Post

During a walk-through of a licensed establishment in the downtown area officers observed a male known to have a curfew he was breaching. Once arrested and searched the 35 year old male was also found to be in possession of an extendable baton, a knife, an imitation firearm, and live rifle ammunition. This male was arrested along with another 38 year old male patron of the establishment that was wanted for breaching a court order and was also in breach of the same order for breaching his curfew and being at the establishment. Both were arrested and held for court in the morning when sober.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” April MILNE FOR Fail to Comply with Probation Order April MILNE was sentenced to a supervised Probation Order with several mandated conditions. On September 4th, 2024, MILNE was mandated to report to her Probation officer, however failed and therefore breached her Probation Order. Police have been unable to locate and arrest MILNE, therefore a warrant of arrest has been issued for April MILNE. CRIME OF THE WEEK for DECEMBER 13th, 2024 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Break & Enter  On November 5th, 2024, Brandon Police Service became aware of a Break and Enter that occurred at a property located on Deer Ridge Road. Stolen from the property were several handguns, long guns and an assortment of ammunition. ************** If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637).  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display.  Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous.  Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.

On July 5th, 2024, Brandon Correctional Centre advised the BPS that a 37-year-old male and a 21-year-old male were seriously assaulted by a group of five Brandon Correctional Centre inmates. At the time, the pair were transported to Brandon hospital for treatment of serious injuries. They remained in hospital for a few days and were later released back to Brandon Correctional Centre. A lengthy investigation was conducted by BPS members.  On December 10th, 2024, a 24-year-old male was arrested at Brandon Correctional Centre and will have a bail hearing December 11th, 2024, for the Aggravated Assault of the 37-year-old victim and the Assault Causing Bodily Harm of the 21-year-old victim. Police currently have Arrest Warrants for the four other males who are involved and are actively seeking their apprehension. Two of the males (30, 25) are currently incarcerated in two other institutions within the province and the other two (44, 23) are not currently residing in the city of Brandon. All four are charged with Aggravated Assault and Assault Causing Bodily Harm.

Long term Wendy's Winter Hockey League team captain Travis Young attempted history but was one game short. The WWHL or Wendy's Winter Hockey League has been in Brandon for over 33 years and Travis played 99 games in a row attempting to hit he 100 game mark however the Iron Man Streak was  stopped. Photo credit - Scramble Studio Young informed BDNMB.CA today that it was highly unfortunate that I couldn't make the game but I was too sick and just couldn't make it to the rink. The streak resets tonight as the Eagles Nest Bullies host Source for Sports and Young is back on the ice to start a new record. Young owns The Eagles Nest Bar and Grill at the Brandon Rec Centre Golf Course.