From Vimy to Juno Commemorates Canada’s Role in First and Second World Wars A special commemorative exhibition entitled From Vimy to Juno: Canada in France 1914-45 opens on Saturday at The RCA Museum just in time for Brandon Doors Open. This national travelling exhibition explores the connections between defining moments in Canadian history and the experiences of Canadians who fought in both world wars. From Vimy to Juno was developed by the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s only museum on the D-Day Landing beaches in Normandy, France. “We’re delighted to host this exhibition,” says Kathleen Christensen, Senior Curator. “It provides a great opportunity for our visitors to learn about Canada’s role in the First and Second World Wars and understand the local connections to these defining moments in our history.” “In two world wars, hundreds of thousands of Canadians fought in France, where their achievements helped shape our national identity,” said Jenna Zuschlag Misener, Executive Director of the Juno Beach Centre. “The Juno Beach Centre is proud to bring this legacy from the sacred ground of Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach to all Canadians coast to coast through this special program, especially in CFB Shilo whose own history connects the two wars.” This initiative was launched to commemorate a number of important Canadian anniversaries and milestones, including the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2017 and the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy Landings in 2019. From Vimy to Juno will be on display at The RCA Museum from 12 July to 25 August. This exhibit enhances the RCA Museum’s current temporary exhibit, In the Footsteps of Vimy as well as a photographic display called Fathers and Sons Marching to War.  These original Regimental photographs were taken at training camps throughout Canada during the two wars and are from the museum’s archives.  Fathers and Sons will be on display for the duration of the Vimy to Juno exhibit.  In the Footsteps of Vimy will be on display until24 November. ABOUT THE RCA MUSEUM, CFB SHILO: The RCA Museum was established in 1962 at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba in order to preserve and interpret this proud heritage for future generations. With 5 galleries in 24,000 square ft, it is one of the largest military museums in Canada and tells the story of the more than 200,000 Canadian Gunners who have served Canada in war and peace since 1855. Its collection and archives includes over 65,000 artifacts and archival records, including more than 150 artillery pieces and vehicles. www.themilitarymuseums.ca ABOUT THE JUNO BEACH CENTRE: The Juno Beach Centre was established in 2003 by veterans with a vision to create a permanent memorial to all Canadians who served Canada during the Second World War, and to preserve this legacy for future generations through education. The Centre in Normandy pays homage to the nearly 45,000 Canadians who died during the War, of which 5,500 during the Battle of Normandy and 359 on D-Day. A decade and over 750,000 visitors later, the Centre has been designated a site of national historic significance to Canada. The Association in Canada is a charitable organization which owns and operates the Centre. www.junobeach.org

BRANDON, Man. — Early application and registration numbers for the 2017–18 academic year show strong continued growth in enrolment is expected at Brandon University (BU). “The numbers are excellent, with healthy increases in applications, admissions and new-student registrations at Brandon University,” said University Registrar Andrea McDaniel. “It is still fairly early in our registration cycle, but the trend is clear and it is looking like another year of very strong growth of the student population at BU.” Compared to this same point last year, she said that applications to the university have increased by 11 per cent, admission offers are up by 20 per cent, and registrations by first-time students are up by eight per cent. The increases in application and registration numbers among new students have BU administration optimistic that the University will continue to build on significant increases in enrolment shown over the past several years. Brandon University experienced seven per cent growth in student enrolment in 2016 and 3.5 per cent the year before. The numbers are positive in just about every category, including very strong growth in full-time enrolment by first-time students as well as international applications. “At this time there is a greater proportion of new students who are registering as full-time students than at the same point last year,” McDaniel said.“International student interest has also increased significantly, with applications up 15 per cent and registration of new students up 23 per cent over this time last year.” Brandon University continues to be a top choice for local high school students, with Vincent Massey, Crocus Plains and Neelin the top three schools sending graduates to BU. High schools in Portage la Prairie and Virden round out the top five, with significant numbers of students also coming from high schools in Dauphin, Russell, Thompson, Neepawa and Swan River. “Brandon University brings thousands of young people to the city from near and far away, and many of them choose to stay here to live, work and invest,” said Steve Robinson, Vice President (Academic & Provost). “As we look at the demographic trends in Brandon and in the province, it is clear that Brandon is a destination for post-secondary education and we are working hard to serve that diverse student body by growing the number and type of programs that we offer.” The soon-to-be released Campus Master Plan and Campus Space Plan both point to strategies for the university to accommodate the burgeoning number of students. “A growing BU student population means that classroom, labs and schedules will all be fuller, as will student residences,” Robinson said. “Our downtown campus expansion, which will include a significant new-style residential component as well as innovative academic spaces, will help us welcome new students and new faculty to a new level of community engagement in the coming years.” Last year, BU welcomed nearly 3,300 students. Final numbers for each year are tallied and reported on Nov. 1.

To celebrate Canada 150, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $1.2 million to help more Manitobans become homeowners through Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project. Manitoba Families Minister Scott Fielding and Doug Eyolfson, member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headlingley, announced funding today through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) extension agreement. “Habitat provides such an effective model in home ownership and creates pride and confidence by giving people the opportunity to build their own home,” said Fielding at the Winnipeg build site in St. James. “Safe housing lifts people up, helps families succeed and builds healthy communities. Manitobans are excited to volunteer with this valuable project to address poverty and homelessness as part of Canada’s 150th birthday.” The 34th Carter Work Project will build 150 homes for Canada’s 150th anniversary July 9 to 14. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will participate in Winnipeg and Edmonton. This announcement is truly unprecedented and demonstrates the government of Canada’s firm commitment to helping Canadians in need meet their housing needs.” said Eyolfson, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Our government is proud to contribute to the largest build in Habitat Canada history and we look forward to continuing our strong relationships with our valued partners.” The joint funding is part of a 2016 agreement of $90 million over two years between the Manitoba government and Government of Canada through CMHC. “Habitat Manitoba’s commitment to the Carter Work Project is to construct 25 new homes and we could not possibly meet that objective without this financial support from the federal and provincial governments,” said Sandy Hopkins, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. “Our total investment to build the 25 homes is about $6.5 million but that investment will generate over $40 million in value to society over the next 50 years, in today’s dollars.” Habitat for Humanity Manitoba will build 21 new homes in Winnipeg, two in Portage la Prairie and two in Brandon. It selects qualifying families willing to contribute up to 500 volunteer hours of sweat equity in the construction of their home and sells them homes at fair market value. It holds the mortgage at zero interest, requires no down payment and bases repayment on a percentage of annual income. Since 1984, the Carter Work Project has drawn nearly 100,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair more than 4,000 homes. The Carters held the first Canadian build in Winnipeg in 1993. Details of the 2017 project are available at www.habitat.mb.ca. Manitoba Housing provides a range of subsidized housing and other programs and services across the province.  For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

The City of Brandon and all management and staff of the Brandon Municipal Airport warmly invite all members of the public to attend the Brandon Municipal Airport Expansion/Redevelopment Project Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, July 14th, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Construction on the expanded terminal building began in the fall of 2015, and the fully-expanded facility threw open its doors for the first time for daily flights in mid-May of this year. Funded by contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Brandon, the expanded facility is now three times its former size and features dedicated arrivals, security screening, and departures areas, as well as an expanded parking lot. To celebrate the project’s completion, all members of the public are invited to attend our grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony and take in a complimentary tour of the facility!