(stock photo used) The Manitoba government is opening a new critical care centre at Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) this spring, expanding access to intensive care and inpatient medicine services for patients in western Manitoba, increasing critical care capacity and improving patient flow so more Manitobans can receive timely, high-quality care closer to home, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced here today. “This expansion means people in western Manitoba can get the care they need closer to home, at some of the most critical moments in their lives,” said Asagwara. “It reduces the need for transfers to Winnipeg, eases pressure on families and helps improve patient flow across the system, so care is available sooner for everyone who needs it.” The Brandon hospital redevelopment project represents an investment of approximately $120 million and includes a major expansion of critical care and inpatient medicine services, along with upgrades to supporting infrastructure to meet growing demand. Once open, the centre will increase adult intensive care unit (ICU) capacity from 10 to 16 beds, with 12 beds coming online in this phase and the remaining four to follow as staffing and system capacity continue to grow. The project also includes a new 30-bed internal medicine unit, with 15 beds opening now and the remaining 15 to follow as additional staffing is in place. “The Brandon Regional Health Centre has the only ICU between Winnipeg and Regina along the Trans-Canada Highway and one of four in Manitoba,” said Treena Slate, CEO, Prairie Mountain Health. “The new critical care centre includes a state-of-the-art intensive care unit which is equipped with 16 single rooms and 30 single medical rooms, ensuring patients can receive advanced, life-saving care closer to home. Projects of this scale do not happen without strong partnerships. We sincerely thank the BRHC Foundation for leading their A Foundation for Care fundraising campaign, which greatly contributed toward bringing this vision to life.” In addition to the expanded clinical space, the redevelopment includes upgrades to core infrastructure, including increased energy capacity to support current operations and future growth at the hospital campus. “This new critical care unit will make a meaningful difference for patients and families,” said Sheillagh Remillard, manager (former ICU nurse), BRHC ICU. “With private rooms, more space to care for and mobilize patients and a bright environment with natural light, it has been designed with both comfort and care in mind. It will support our team in continuing to provide high-quality care in a space that better meets the needs of those we serve.” The centre is expected to begin accepting patients in May 2026, the minister noted.

Manitoba Labour and Immigration is notifying Manitobans the provincial minimum wage will increase by 40 cents to $16.40, effective Oct. 1. Updated annually, Manitoba’s minimum wage is regulated through the Employment Standards Code. This year’s increase of 40 cents per hour will raise the minimum wage to $16.40 from $16. The adjustment reflects Manitoba’s 2025 inflation rate, rounded up to the nearest five cents. For more information on the minimum wage and other employment standards, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.

Arrest Warrants In the past 24 hours 5 individuals were arrested on the strength of their Warrants for Arrest. One was released, four were held for court. Assaults On March 31st, Patrol Section responded to a report of an assault at a residence.  An adult female was arrested for assaulting a relative.  She was lodged in cells until sober and released with conditions and a court date. On March 31st, Police responded to a report of a disturbance and assault in the 000 block of princess avenue east.  An adult male was arrested and charged for Assault, Uttering Threats, and for failing to pay for his cab fare. (Fraudulently Obtain Transportation).  The male was held at BPS cells for court. Stolen Vehicle Recovered  On March 31st, Patrol Section recovered a stolen vehicle. This investigation is ongoing.

On March 30th at 4:38 a.m. an employee from a business located in the 1700 block of 18th Street North reported that there was a male actively trying to gain entry to the business by using tools to force the locked door at the back of the business. Police attended and located a 40-year-old-male on scene. Further investigation revealed that the male had also attempted to break into two other locked businesses in the area. The male was arrested and transported to Brandon Police Service detention cells, where he will be released via an Undertaking once sober. A court date has been set for June 15th, 2026.

On March 27, 2026, at 10:15 AM, a BPS member attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a truck in the 1000 block of 26th Street and the vehicle fled from the officer westbound on Willowdale Crescent, and eventually on to 34th Street. Due to the amount of vehicle traffic at the time, the officer discontinued the traffic stop and officers searched the area for the truck. The initial investigation revealed that the truck had previously been stolen from a residence in the 400 block of 22nd Street and that the residence itself had been broken into. Numerous firearms and other property were found to have been stolen from within the home. At 11:33AM, officers located the stolen truck, unoccupied in the 2900 block of Rosser Avenue with numerous firearms and other stolen property in the vehicle. The Major Crime Section took carriage of the investigation with assistance from the Patrol Section, Forensic Identification Section, Organized Crime Section, Community Policing Section, and Police Dog Services Unit. Further investigation led to the identification of four suspects from the vehicle, three of whom were responsible for the Break and Enter the residence in the 400 block of 22nd Street. All four suspects were located and arrested at various addresses in the City of Brandon. On March 27th and 28th, the Major Crime Section executed search warrants at an address on Elvis Crescent and an address in the 1900 block of Queens Avenue, resulting in the recovery of large amounts of stolen property from the Break and Enter.   Kole Walker Blackbird, 28, of Keeseekoowenin was charged with numerous offences under the Criminal Code, including: Break and Enter to Steal Firearm Break and Enter and Commit Theft of Motor Vehicle Break and Enter and Commit Theft Over $5000 Weapons Trafficking x 3 Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 8 Careless Storage of a Firearm x 5 Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order x 8 Fail to Comply with Undertaking x 8 Flight from Peace Officer Blackbird was remanded into custody. Shyla Jayne McKay, 21, of Brandon was charged with numerous offences under the Criminal Code, including: Break and Enter to Steal Firearm Break and Enter and Commit Theft of Motor Vehicle Break and Enter and Commit Theft Over $5000 Weapons Trafficking x 3 Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x 8 Careless Storage of a Firearm x 5 Fail to Comply with Release Order McKay was remanded into custody. Cashes Jay Alex Ducharme, 22, of Waywayseecappo was charged with numerous offences under the Criminal Code, including: Break and Enter to Steal Firearm Break and Enter and Commit Theft Over $5000 Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm x 5 Ducharme was remanded into custody. Xavierra Star Sunrise Cook, 23, of Brandon was charged with numerous offences under the Criminal Code, including: Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized x 5 Possession of a Firearm Contrary to a Prohibition Order x 5 Fail to Comply with a Probation Order x 5 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Cook was remanded into custody. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Brandon Police Service Major Crime Section at 204-729-2345 or Brandon Crimestoppers at 204-727-TIPS (8477).