BRANDON – Strong international enrolment has driven Brandon University’s student population to new heights with a sixth straight year of growth. Brandon University is home to 3,662 students this year, an increase of 3.0 per cent from 3,554 last year, and an overall rise of more than 25 per cent since 2012. Total credit hours, based on the number and length of courses that students are taking, stand at nearly 70,000 across the five faculties at BU, also up slightly from last year. International headcount rose by 82 students, but other enrolment figures and first-time registrations have remained relatively steady this year in a sign that BU’s strong string of recent growth may be tapering off. “Our substantial growth in international enrolment is evidence that word is getting out around the world about the quality of education that we offer at Brandon University, and these international students in turn bring tremendous diversity and vibrancy to our community,” said Dr. Steve Robinson, BU’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “We must continue to work to demonstrate to all students the value of a BU education, and to provide the supports and services that will attract students and allow them to be successful in their educational pursuits.” Official statistics at BU are recorded based on November numbers, to best account for late registrations and most of the course changes that naturally happen in the early parts of the academic year.

As the Manitoba government works toward fixing the provinces finances, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation and Manitoba Public Insurance have reduced overall management positions and management salaries by more than 15 per cent, Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer announced today. “Our government continues to make progress toward balancing the budget and the management and salary reductions are strong steps forward,” said Mayer.  “All three Crown corporations met or exceeded the 15 per cent reduction requirement and are helping us move the province in the right direction.” The three Crown corporations were directed to examine and reduce management staff starting May 1, 2016, concluding March 31, 2018.  MNP LLP conducted an audit of each Crown’s compliance.  The audit included an examination of processes to ensure that reductions were permanent and that eliminated positions were not filled by contractors or held as vacant positions.  MNP confirmed no eliminated positions were filled via secondment or an arm’s length agency.   Staffing and Salary Reductions Totals Total number of management positions as of May 1, 2016 553 Total number of management positions eliminated (149) Total number of management positions added that did not exist prior to May 1, 2016 19 Total number of management positions as of March 31, 2018 423 Average percentage reduction May 1, 2016, to March 31, 2018 -23.4 per cent Total salary cost savings from eliminated positions $3.8 million   Total salaries eliminated amounted to $3.8 million and 149 management positions were eliminated.  Of those positions, 138 were filled at the time.

Coppers Shoppers is a new program that pairs local police officers with community Youth for a fun day of holiday shopping. The program is being introduced in Brandon through the partnership of Brandon Crime Stoppers, Brandon Police Association, Brandon Police Service, Shoppers Mall and many other Community Sponsors. During Coppers Shoppers, 20 Youth from the Brandon Community between the ages of 12 to 15 will receive a $200 Shoppers Mall Gift Card to purchase Christmas gifts for their family and friends. A member of the Brandon Police Service will accompany the Youth on their shopping trip to assist with selecting the perfect items, carrying the parcels and providing enjoyable company. When the shopping is complete, a Gift Wrap and Christmas Card station will be available to wrap up and address all the purchases made. This year’s Coppers Shoppers event will take place on December 1, 2018 at Shoppers Mall from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. “Coppers Shoppers is a brilliant program that will allow our officers to provide leadership to Youth at an influential time during their journey of life,” says Brandon Police Constable Grant McKay. “Our officers look forward to fun and festive elements of the event.” “Brandon Crime Stoppers is excited to be involved with Coppers Shoppers, as it is such a feel good initiative that will have a life-long impact on the Youth in our Community, plus bring smiles to many faces on Christmas morning,” adds Rick Thomson, Brandon Crime Stoppers Board Chair. The program is intended to capture the essence of the Christmas season and provide Youth in our community with a time of mentorship. Youth participants were selected based on their academic achievements, community service and school recommendation. In addition to the $200 Shoppers Mall Gift Card sponsored by Brandon Crime Stoppers, Brandon Police Association and Brandon Police Service, the Youth will receive a swag bag filled with the following items from gracious local businesses and organizations: Pocket bac & holder – Bath & Body Works Pair of jeans – Bootlegger 2 Brandon Wheat Kings tickets – Brandon Wheat Kings Santa photo package – Cherry Hill Photo Christmas cards & assorted stocking stuffers – Coles Tea sachet & store coupon – DAVIDsTEA $10 East Side Mario’s gift certificate – East Side Mario’s Hair cut & style – Hair Today Mall Barbers Movie admission – Landmark Cinemas Toque – Manitoba Public Insurance Winter jacket – Sport Chek Soup & sandwich lunch – Tim Horton’s “The more organizations that come together, the more expansive that Coppers Shoppers can be and the more benefits that our youth can receive” says Darren Creighton, Brandon Police Association President. “Brandon is such an amazing Community and this program demonstrates how easily local businesses or organizations are willing to come together for the greater good of others.” “We’re delighted to support this great new community event with our partners at Brandon Crime Stoppers and the Brandon Police,” said Candace McKenzie, Shoppers Mall Marketing Director “We’re really looking forward to hosting the Coppers Shoppers event this weekend.”

A new drug protocol will allow paramedics to administer Olanzapine to agitated people who have used methamphetamine and are at risk of suffering psychosis, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen announced today. “Paramedics have seen first-hand how a person’s behaviour can quickly change when they’re using meth,” said Friesen.  “By granting paramedics the ability to administer Olanzapine, we are giving them another tool to protect their patients, themselves and others.” The new drug protocol, approved by the provincial Emergency Medical Services and Patient Transport Medical Advisory Committee, will come into effect in early December. Olanzapine, an antipsychotic medication, is already used in a variety of clinical settings. The drug helps lessen or prevent the severity of symptoms, such as agitation, for meth users. “Paramedics are often first on scene,” said Helen Clark, chief operating officer of emergency response services and chief allied health for Shared Health. “Giving them the option to use Olanzapine allows paramedics to help reduce the patient’s agitation, their risk of psychosis, and the risk of harming themselves or others.” Manitoba is the first jurisdiction in Canada to sanction the use of Olanzapine by paramedics, who provide oral disintegrating tablets to consenting patients following consultation with a supervisor.  This practice is currently used in Australia. "With rising concern around methamphetamine use and its associated psychosis and aggression, we are facing a time where critical action is required,” said Dr. Ginette Poulin, medical director of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM). “This enhanced protocol will be an important contribution to responding to the devastating effects of methamphetamine use and empower first responders safely support patients in distress." The decision to expand the use of Olanzapine was welcomed by the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, which represents all licensed pre-hospital practitioners in the province. “We are pleased to see that paramedics across the province will be able to administer Olanzapine in cases of known or suspected methamphetamine use,” said Brent Bekiaris, chair of the Paramedic Association of Manitoba. “These patients can quickly develop paranoia and exhibit violent behaviour even while being assessed, so additional treatment options are needed.” The use of Olanzapine is the latest in a growing number of initiatives announced by the Manitoba government to help combat rising levels of drug use. This includes the opening of five Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics throughout the province, which have seen nearly 400 people since the first location opened at the end of August. Additional mental health beds and women’s treatment beds have been opened at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and the AFM centre in downtown Winnipeg, respectively. The government has also issued a request for proposals (RFP) from Manitoba-based residential treatment centres to treat people with co-existing mental health and addictions problems who would otherwise be sent out of province for care.

Brandon, MB – As it works to update and develop a 20-year vision for recreation and community facilities, the City of Brandon has launched an online survey in order to better understand how its residents use recreation facilities and what is important to them, now and into the future. The City of Brandon is currently updating its 2007 Brandon Recreation Facilities Master Plan in order to guide the provision of recreation facilities such as community centres, arenas, pools, sports fields, trails and courts, through the next 20 years and beyond. This Master Plan Update Project has been spurred by a number of factors, including Brandon’s steady and healthy population growth, which includes new residents from diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as the reality that some of Brandon’s recreation infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life-cycle and must be updated to support changes in demographics, accessibility requirements, and newer recreation use trends. Working with HTFC Planning & Design and other professionals, City of Brandon administration are engaging with recreation facilities user groups and numerous other stakeholders to determine what is working well and what may require change. An online survey has also been launched seeking feedback on how recreation facilities are used and viewed in the community, and if these facilities need to change or be updated for future needs. All members of the community, whether they actively engage in recreational programming or not, are encouraged to take a few moments to complete the survey, which will remain available on the City of Brandon website until late-January. Paper copies of the survey are also available for community members via the City of Brandon’s Community Services Department, contact information for which can be found on the Recreation and Community Facilities Master Plan Project webpage. “Undeniably, Brandon’s recreation and community facilities contribute to the enjoyment and quality-of-life for residents and visitors alike, and the City of Brandon wants to ensure that future investments will serve the best interests of the community as a whole for years to come,” says City of Brandon Director of Community Services Perry Roque. “Once updated, our Recreation and Community Facilities Master Plan will be an important tool in forwarding the community’s vision for recreation, with policies that align with the vision, the City’s growth and provision of recreation facilities, and for guiding future investment for recreation. Specifically, we will use the plan to prioritize capital projects and, ultimately, create a municipal recreation philosophy for the City and the whole community to embrace and follow.” Roque notes that, in addition to the survey, the City of Brandon will be hosting a pair of community workshops early in 2019, at which all members of the public will be encouraged to attend and share their recreation and community facilities experiences. Following review of all input, it is anticipated the proposed Recreation and Community Facilities Master Plan Update will be presented to Brandon City Council for consideration next spring.