BRANDON—As part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $300,000 in Assiniboine Community College to support a new Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins (FPC), Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced here today. “The growing world demand for protein provides our industry here in Manitoba with tremendous opportunities in new production and processing jobs,” said Eichler. “The new Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins will ensure that there is a robust stream of qualified individuals to advance our processing industry for years to come, and will keep our province at the leading edge of the protein sector.” The new training facility, located at the college’s Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon, will have a specialized focus on animal proteins. The first program scheduled to be delivered in the space is an 11-month Food Processing (Animal Proteins) certificate program. That program, which commences next month, will have students learning protein processing and other necessary skills to gain employment within the industry. Future use of the centre lends itself to customized industry training and applied research. “The Food Processing Centre will allow Assiniboine to be responsive to the workforce development needs of employers, helping us to educate students and prepare them for in-demand jobs within this industry,” said Mark Frison, president of Assiniboine Community College. “We are extremely appreciative of the contributions from industry and government to make this space possible.” Other funding partners include Maple Leaf Foods, HyLife, Manitoba Pork, UFCW Local 832, as well as the Brandon Hog and Livestock Show. Combined, $640,000 in funding will contribute to the construction and completion of the facility. “Maple Leaf is very excited to be part of this opportunity with ACC and to stand with our industry partners to see it come to fruition,” said Morgan Curran-Blaney, vice-president manufacturing – pork, Maple Leaf Foods. “Not only will this program provide a stream of skilled talent into our plant, but more importantly, it highlights meat processing as a viable and sustainable career option for students.” The new FPC at Assiniboine will address workforce supply shortages in Manitoba’s meat processing industry. In January 2017, the Canadian Agriculture Human Research Council found that rural meat-processing facilities have an employment vacancy rate of over 9.5 per cent. These vacancies restrict processing capacity and affect future growth. “Unions exist to create opportunities for our members, through bargaining fair deals of course, but also through education and training,” said Bea Bruske, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 832. “Investing in the Food Processing Centre makes total sense for us; this new facility will create pathways for current and future UFCW members to acquire skills that will enhance their job and wage opportunities.” More information about Ag Action Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture under Canadian Agricultural Partnership, by calling 1-844-769-6224 (toll-free) or emailing agaction@gov.mb.ca. Manitobans can also sign up for a digital newsletter at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/online-resources/signup-for-growing-manitoba-ag.html or follow Manitoba Agriculture’s Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MBGovAg for more information about Ag Action Manitoba. The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/Agri-Partnership. (Province of MB Media Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On April 25th, 2019, at 10:30pm, police were called to a residence in the 100 blk of 24th Street on a complaint of damage to property. Two youths, a 14 year old male and a 12 year old female, both from Brandon, were charged with Mischief to Property Under $5000 X 3 as a result of damaging three vehicles. Both accused will appear in Brandon Court on May 28th, 2019.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On April 24th, 2019 at 9:21 pm Brandon Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. As a result of the investigation that ensued, a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two large bags containing illicit drugs. The first of the two bags tested positive for Crystal Meth and has a potential maximum street value of $ 100,000. The contents of the second bag is believed to be Heroin mixed with Fentanyl with a maximum potential street value $ 150,000. At the time of his arrest, the accused was also found in possession of a $ 2610 dollars in cash which was also seized by police. The 37 year old man from Alberta was lodged at BCC and will appear in Brandon Court on April 25th, 2019.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s Finance Department wishes to remind all residents that, as per City bylaw, dogs and cats kept as pets within the City of Brandon must be accompanied by a valid licence. City of Brandon Animal Control By-Law No. 5900 states that all such animals – whether they are considered to be indoor pets or not – must be accompanied by a valid licence authorized by the City of Brandon, which must be renewed on an annual basis. The Brandon Police Service’s Animal Control officers patrol the City and local dog parks and can request to see a pet’s licence at any time. As per the City of Brandon Compliance By-law No. 7198, the fine for an unlicensed cat or dog is $100. Cat and dog owners are also cautioned that if their unlicensed cat or dog is ever apprehended by Brandon Police Service Animal Control officers, they will be subject to impound fines. In addition, a licence must be purchased for an apprehended animal prior to it being returned to the owner’s possession, along with additional impound fees. Pet licences can be easily obtained through the Finance Department at Brandon City Hall. As per the 2019 Fee Schedule, the cost to register a spayed/neutered cat or dog is $20, while the cost to register an unspayed/unneutered cat or dog is $56. Proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination and spay/neuter must be presented prior to the issuance of a licence. General information about annual cat or dog licensing within the City of Brandon can be obtained by contacting the City of Brandon Finance Department’s By-law Compliance Clerk at 204-729-2230 or by visiting the Finance Customer Service Counter on the main floor of Brandon City Hall, 410-9th Street. (City of Brandon Public Notice)

BRANDON—Construction has started on a new kindergarten to Grade 8 school in southeast Brandon, Premier Brian Pallister announced here today. “We are delivering on our promise to build a new school in Brandon to accommodate the tremendous growth that has happened here over the past 20 years,” said Pallister during a groundbreaking ceremony at the school site.  “Today, as we break ground for Maryland Park School, we are taking another important step to address that need.” Total provincial funding for the new school is $24.1 million.  The 65,700-sq.-ft. facility at Maryland Avenue and Ninth Street has capacity for 450 students from kindergarten to Grade 8, and is designed to accommodate an additional 200 students if needed. The school will also feature a child-care centre with 74 spaces.  The centre will accommodate 54 preschool children and 20 infants and will provide flexible care to 40 nursery, preschool, and before-and after-school students. The new school will feature a multi-purpose space, band room, library, gymnasium, classrooms, home economics and industrial arts labs, a grooming room and life-skills suite.  It will also include resource teaching and support spaces and a science, technology, electronics and mathematics (STEM) lab. The facility is being designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification and Manitoba Hydro energy targets. “The people of Brandon applaud the province for making the right decision in investing in a new school for Brandon,” said Dr. Linda Ross, chairperson, board of trustees, Brandon School Division.  “I would like to further acknowledge the efforts of Brandon’s MLAs as well as those of city council and the Brandon community at large in advocating for this much needed new educational facility.  Students living in this newly developed area of Brandon South will have the community school they deserve, and current pressures on capacity in kindergarten to Grade 8 schools across Brandon will be alleviated.” The premier thanked the Brandon School Division board of trustees and administration and the City of Brandon for their years of hard work to make the project a reality. Maryland Park School is scheduled to open in fall 2020 and is one of seven new schools the provincial government is currently building across Manitoba.