The Manitoba government launched a new plan to end the crisis in the child welfare system and create better outcomes for children, Premier Brian Pallister and Families Minister Scott Fielding announced today. “We know we can do better for our children,” said Pallister during a community event at Andrews Street Family Centre in the north end of Winnipeg.  “The number of children in care has nearly doubled in the past decade and Manitoba has among the highest rates in the country.  We made a promise in the 2016 Throne Speech and 2017 Budget to reform the system with a goal of fewer children in care, stronger partnerships with families and communities, better service co-ordination, and greater transparency and accountability across the system.” The Manitoba government committed to develop a comprehensive plan that acts on the many outstanding reports and recommendations from sources such as the Office of the Children’s Advocate, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Indigenous organizations, the premier noted. “Child and Family Services can’t change alone; we must work in collaboration with government, Indigenous and community partners as we all share the same goal for our children’s futures,” said Fielding.  “We want to keep children and youth safely within their family networks and home communities.  We must reduce the number of children coming into care by supporting families, communities and neighbourhoods and inviting them to be part of the solution.” Fielding noted there are four essential areas of reform, which will guide the province to: develop a community-based prevention model that involves demonstration sites, co-ordination of cross-departmental services and increased alignment of federally funded services on reserve; create lifelong connections for children through reunification and permanence, which includes improved emergency placement resources to shorten duration in care through early case planning and family reunification through a multi-disciplinary assessment team and availability of family group conferencing, as well as evidence-based permanency initiatives such as subsidized guardianship and modernized adoption; fund for results through initiatives such as block funding pilots to Child and Family Services agencies that fund based on outcomes, rather than provide incentives for larger caseloads and longer stays in care; and reform legislation, which includes the creation of a legislative review committee to modernize The Child and Family Services Act and support a shift in practice. “Sandy Bay Child and Family Services is excited about the block funding pilot project and the unprecedented flexibility to support families in a way that was not possible before,” said Richard De La Ronde, executive director, Sandy Bay Child and Family Services.  “This government’s child welfare reform takes into consideration the innovation happening within communities providing those services.” The minister said the province plans to complete a legislative review by the spring of 2018.  It would look at amendments to support various permanency options, such as customary care for Indigenous children based on the unique customs and traditions of each community, review The Authorities Act to determine options for improvement, and explore options to increase openness and transparency.  Fielding noted government departments must come together to provide more seamless access to supports for families to prevent the need for apprehension. Information on Child and Family Services reform will be available at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/index.html.

BRANDON – Brandon University is celebrating a golden anniversary all this year, marking 50 years since the transition from Brandon College to Brandon University. “When we were chartered as Brandon University, we took a significant and ambitious step in our continuing growth. It was a period of progress, with new buildings and new programs laying the foundations for today’s success,” said BU Interim President Dr. Steve Robinson. “This anniversary is an opportune moment for us to reflect on the accomplishments of the past 50 years, on the traditions of Brandon College, and on our opportunities and ambition as we embark on a new period of growth.” The celebrations kick off at this weekend’s expanded Homecoming, which will welcome back alumni from many years, particularly 1967’s final graduating class from Brandon College. In honour of the 50th anniversary, a permanent exhibit to celebrate important individuals and artifacts from the history of Brandon College will be officially opened on Saturday afternoon at Homecoming. The exhibit will feature portraits of 11 people who helped shape the development of Brandon College, as well as the Senior and Lady sticks and the World War I Nominal Roll. Over the next 12 months, the 50th anniversary will be commemorated at other events along the academic calendar, culminating at next year’s Homecoming and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first class to convocate from the newly-chartered Brandon University. Next year’s Homecoming will also include a reunion of Brandon University Bobcats basketball teams. To mark the anniversary, Brandon University has also unveiled a blue-and-gold logo that will be emblazoned across campus, will be celebrating connections that exist between today and the 1967–68 campus year, and will highlight 50 years of faculty, student, athletic and alumni accomplishment in a series of publications. “Brandon University makes a tremendous impact every single day. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni make essential contributions here on campus and to the vibrancy of our communities,” Robinson said. “This goes far beyond the hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact produced by BU every year. Research here advances and create new knowledge, creative and scholarly works both delight and inform us all, and our graduates enrich our culture and our communities as engaged citizens with meaningful careers.” The Brandon University Foundation has also launched 50th-anniversary fundraising drives for each of Brandon University’s five faculties and schools, as well as a Brandon College Heritage Fund, raise funds to celebrate and preserve the history of Brandon College. To find out more, visit BrandonU.ca/Give. “Just as we take the opportunity to look back this year, many of our alumni and donors also tell us that reflecting on the past inspires them for the future,” said Shawna English, Development Officer in BU’s Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations. “We are humbled when alumni share with us that their time at Brandon College or Brandon University prepared them for future success, and honoured to help them contribute to the success that awaits our current students.” Prior to its being chartered as Brandon University, students upon completion at Brandon College were awarded their degrees from other institutions, including McMaster University and the University of Manitoba. While Brandon College was founded in 1899, the history of higher education in the Brandon area can be traced back years earlier. In 1871, the signing of Treaty 2 permitted the settling of lands that were traditionally home to the Dakota, Anishanabek, Oji-Cree, Cree and Métis peoples. Baptist missionaries made education a priority, and a small college was founded in Rapid City. In 1890, the McKee Academy followed the railroad to Brandon. Brandon College absorbed McKee Academy in 1899 and began instruction that year. In 1900, the original Brandon College building was constructed, followed by Clark Hall as a women’s residence in 1906 and then a next-door Science Building. The institution weathered economic downturns and two world wars to thrive and prosper. Brandon University received its charter on June 5, 1967, on the occasion of the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra and the Honourable Angus Ogilvie. The charter itself was dated to July 1, 1967, to mark the centennial. Brandon University shares this anniversary with a number of other Canadian universities. Significant new buildings were constructed at about the same time as the chartering, including the Education Building, the John R. Brodie Science Centre, McMaster Hall, the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, and the Jeff Umphrey Centre. “Becoming a chartered university brought with it the benefits of autonomy, allowing us to govern and award our own degrees and to nimbly respond to community needs through research and new programming,” Robinson said. “It was a time of tremendous change and growth for post-secondary education in Canada, and Brandon University is embracing similar change right now.” With significant new property acquired prominently downtown, and an ambitious new Campus Master Plan to guide development over the decades to come, Brandon University is poised to enter a new and exciting era of development and growth. Brandon University’s 50th anniversary will run from Homecoming 2017 through Homecoming 2018.

October 11, 2017 Brandon, MB – On behalf of the City of Brandon, Mayor Rick Chrest has declared October 23 – October 29, “Beef Week” in Brandon to coincide with Manitoba AG EX, Manitoba’s largest all breed cattle show. “Agriculture is the bedrock of Brandon and area, and livestock production is an ever important sector to our economy,” Said Mayor Rick Chrest. “We are pleased to help showcase all of those who continue to make beef production such a growing and progressive industry. “ Manitoba AG EX highlights the cattle breeders’ contribution to Canada’s agricultural economy. There are over 10,000 beef producers in Manitoba totaling 1.3 million head of cattle. Manitoba's livestock industry injects more than $500 million dollars annually to the provincial economy and creates thousands of jobs. “This event brings in some of Manitoba’s best purebred and commercial cattle,“ Said Ron Kristjansson, General Manager at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “We have over 800 entries this year, another increase from last year. We are proud to host the Canadian National Charolais show and sale and expect that with all of the cattle and equine shows going on, you will see a lot of people in the city throughout the 4 days.“ Said Kristjansson. Manitoba AG EX kicks off with the much anticipated, Taste of Beef ‘Meat & Greet’ happening Wednesday, October 25 at the Canad Inns Great Western Roadhouse at 11:30 AM. Tickets are $25, available at the Provincial Exhibition office by calling 204-726-3590 or email info@provincialexhibition.com

Brandon Police Service Media Release Early Wednesday morning at approximately 00:50am a male, accompanied by two other males, attended to Brandon Police Service to report he had been driving northbound on 65th Street East and he drove off the road into the Assiniboine River. The male displayed signs of impairment and was arrested for impaired driving. The 21yr old Brandon man provided samples of his breath, which exceeded the legal limit. The male was released to appear in Court on October 16th.

Manitoba Education and Training advises it has appointed five and reappointed two members to the Brandon University Board of Governors. Kerry Auriat is vice-president and an investment advisor with National Bank Financial in Brandon.  He also serves as a weekly columnist for the Brandon Sun.  He holds a bachelor of arts from Brandon University and previously served as a student representative on the Brandon University board of governors and Brandon University senate.  Auriat has also served on the boards of the Brandon General Hospital Foundation and Murray House Cancer Residence and as co-chair (fundraising) of the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre. Brad Zander is a lawyer at MLT Aikins LLP specializing in corporate and commercial law.  He received his Juris doctor (dean’s list) from the Schulich school of law at Dalhousie University in 2010 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2011 and the Manitoba Bar in 2014.  He volunteers as a member of the fundraising committee for the Delta Waterfowl Foundation, a pro bono legal advisor for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, a member of the Professional Liability Claims Fund Committee for the Law Society of Manitoba, and a business advisor and coach for the Fast Pitch Program with The Winnipeg Foundation. Jason Gobeil works as an Aboriginal community co-ordinator for the City of Brandon/Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council.  He has over 10 years of experience working directly in the areas of employment counselling, project management and community program development.  He has volunteered his time serving on boards of the Brandon School Division’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and the Interprovincial Association on Native Employment (Westman Chapter).  Gobeil is also a member of the Brandon Bear Clan Patrol and is bilingual (French). Robyn Sneath is the president/owner of three companies:  Fraser Sneath Coffee, Brandon’s first high-end coffee shop featuring Manitoban products and located in a renovated historic building; Sneath Projects, a boutique construction company; and Bowerbird Holdings Ltd., a real estate development company that specializes in the restoration of heritage buildings in Winnipeg and Brandon.  She holds a master of theological studies from Harvard and a PhD in education from Oxford.  She has experience serving on numerous boards including the board of directors of CanU Canada, an intensive mentorship program at the University of Manitoba that helps at-risk kids, and Servants of Service, a not-for-profit organization developing affordable housing for seniors in downtown Brandon. Grant Jackson is a third-year history major at Brandon University. The two reappointed members include Shawn Chambers, vice-president with RBC Phillips Hager & North, and Caroline Stitt, a second-year student at Brandon University. The Brandon University board of governors consists of 17 members, 10 of whom are appointed by the lieutenant-governor in council.  Of the 10 members appointed by the lieutenant-governor, two must be students of Brandon University.  The powers of the board are set forth in The Brandon University Act and include the appointment of the president, vice-president, deans and the other staff. Appointments are for up to three-year terms except for students who have a one-year term of office.