February 11 (2/11) is 211 day and this is the first year it will be marked across the entire country. Funding from the federal government’s COVID-19 response allowed United Way Centraide Canada to increase capacity among existing 211s and expand the service to ensure every part of the country is covered. It’s now reached Westman. What is 211? Most people know when to call 911 but many are still learning about the 211 helpline. If someone is struggling to pay rent, or needs help finding food, 211 can help. If someone is struggling with their mental health, dial 2-1-1! What is 211 DAY? It’s a day to remind people of the helpline that connects people with information on government and community-based programs and services. United Way Brandon & District is asking for the community to show us your glow in order to spread the word, and make it red! Some ideas include lighting in offices and at home, wearing red to work and around the house and changing profile pictures to red. Take pictures, post them in social media, and show off your support. In planning for the day, and with help from the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, the Dome building at the Keystone Centre Grounds was washed in red. It turned out great, and it was fun to work with a classic, heritage filled building in Brandon. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of the service as a large number of people try to sort through changing government programs and find access to supports such as food banks, utility relief, programs for seniors, and employment assistance. 211 is available in every community for every community. For more information, head to mb.211.ca. For more information on National 211 Day, and other United Way Brandon & District news, please contact their office at 204-571-8929. Emails can be sent to office@brandonuw.ca.

As of this afternoon, the city of Brandon remains under an extreme cold warning. From Environment Canada, "An Arctic ridge of high pressure has allowed for a very cold air mass to settle over southern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba". Wind chill values in some regions of southern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba could eclipse the -50 mark tonight into Monday morning. The cold air is expected to remain for much of the week and it is advised you dress warmly in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. 

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On February 5, 2021, police responded to a report of a vehicle alarm sounding from a compound in the 400 block of Rosser Ave.  The locked gate to the compound had been cut.  An unknown suspect forcibly entered two sheds within the compound prior to police arrival.  Taken from one of the sheds was a metal bed frame.  Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter and Theft is encouraged to contact Brandon Police service. 

Manitoba’s public schools system will see another increase in the Funding of Schools Program for the 2021-22 school year of $20.8 million, or 1.56 per cent, for a total $1.35 billion, the highest total investment in Manitoba’s history, Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today. The increase includes $6.7 million, or a 0.5 per cent increase to base funding for public schools, and this year’s commitment includes an additional $5.5 million for special needs funding for school divisions, along with other grants. This special needs funding supports students with disabilities and with exceptional needs, providing student specific supports determined by school teams such as educational assistants or assistive technology. “This announcement continues our commitment to the success of students by making record levels of annual investment in our student’s education while also keeping our students, teachers and staff safe,” said Cullen. “Our education system is one of the best funded in Canada, and parents need to know that our government will continue to support their children’s futures.” Manitoba has the third-highest spending per student in Canada at $14,815, after Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. The province committed that school divisions would not see their funding reduced due to enrolment variations because of COVID-19. The province will also continue to ensure all school divisions receive no less than 98 per cent of the operating funding they received a year earlier. School divisions also raise revenue through local education property taxes. The Manitoba government will continue to support Manitobans by reducing the local property tax burden for ratepayers. School divisions will freeze their education property taxes and the province will provide a Property Tax Offset Grant equivalent to a two per cent property tax increase or $22.8 million. This is over and above the $20.8 million commitment for the Funding of Schools Program. “The province remains committed to modernizing Manitoba’s education system to ensure our students are well prepared for whatever path they choose, whether it is post-secondary education, joining the workforce or staring their own business,” said Cullen. “Our students, parents and education staff need to know that regardless of the challenges we are facing, we will be there to support their educational needs and to ensure their children have the best opportunity for success.” This annual funding commitment builds upon the previous announcement to support schools with the $185-million Safe Schools Funding for COVID-related expenses. (Province of MB News Release)

The Manitoba government has appointed Patrick Sullivan as a provincial court judge to serve in Brandon, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced today. “I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Sullivan as a provincial court judge to serve in Brandon,” said Friesen. “Patrick has demonstrated exemplary service to the Westman community over the last 10 years as an attorney in a variety of capacities, and he is certainly well-suited to sit on the provincial court of Manitoba.” Born and raised in Brandon, Sullivan graduated from Brandon University before studying law at the University of Victoria. He was called to the bar in 2010. Since 2015, Sullivan has been a partner in Brandon's largest law firm, Meighen Haddad LLP. He maintains an active general practice and has had diverse experience in the areas of criminal, civil and family litigation, wills and estates and corporate commercial transactions. Sullivan has also volunteered in the Westman Immigrant Services legal clinic and served on the boards of the Brandon and Area Community Foundation, Marquis Project, YMCA and the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation. Sullivan was selected from a list of candidates recommended by the judicial appointment committee, chaired by Chief Judge Margaret Wiebe. This committee also included three community representatives, from the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba branch of the Canadian Bar Association and a provincial court judge. The appointment is effective immediately. An official swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled for Sullivan in the near future. (Province of MB News Release)