Construction was well underway this week to convert a former parking lot at 6th Street and Princess Avenue into a multipurpose green space for downtown. The space is located on the east side of the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, just outside the City of Brandon’s Youth Centre. The completed project will have a community garden, an area to socialize and a recreational area including an outdoor basketball court.

MGEU Release Yesterday, members of Westman Lab - Local 351, who provide vital diagnostic work in the Brandon region, voted to ratify the employer’s final offer — but only because the government’s Bill 28 left them with little choice. The final offer includes wage increases of 0%, 0%, .75% and 1%, and no other monetary increases. “After more than three years without a new contract, these members feel betrayed by their employer and by their government,” said MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky. “They were offered about five percent less than all other diagnostic employees in the province due to the government’s recent wage restraint legislation. They call it the Public Services Sustainability Act, but this move will do nothing but harm diagnostic services in the region.” Unlike other Diagnostic Services of Manitoba employees in the last few years, members of Local 351 will also see no increase in their shift premiums. Local 351 members are deeply concerned that such disparities in compensation will make it more difficult than ever to find qualified staff willing to work at Westman Lab. “The reality is, recruiting and retaining skilled and experienced lab technologists in Brandon just got infinitely harder,” Gawronsky said. “For more than twenty years, our Regional Health Authorities have been working to standardize compensation in our labs to prevent this very problem. People should be paid the same wage for the same work. This is a big step backwards.” Along with other Manitoba unions, the MGEU will be launching a constitutional challenge of Bill 28. Overturning this heavy-handed legislation would be a critical step in our ongoing fight for wage parity at Westman Lab. “This government ran on a commitment to protect and invest in public services and the workers who provide them,” Gawronsky said. “By not treating these 120 members with respect and fairness, they are putting a vital service at risk in Westman.”

 Brandon School Division is excited to announce that two of our K-8 schools have been selected as regional finalists in our Province for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge! As our students work on real-world projects to help us better our schools and communities, this initiative is inspiring them and getting them closer than ever to STEM subjects. STEM is a term that refers to curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines:  Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. During the months of March through April, Teachers from across the country entered the contest by answering questions related to showing how STEM can be applied to help improve their school and local community. George Fitton School and Meadows School submitted entries during Phase 1 and are moving on to the next round, in hopes of winning up to $50,000 in Samsung Tech for their classrooms! Phase 2 of the challenge will have the 150 Regional Finalists produce and submit a video, based on their application, demonstrating how STEM can be applied to help improve their school and local community. Our students were eager to take on this challenge, as they understand the global applications of solving problems within their schools and communities using STEM. Regional Winners will be announced on Monday, June 19, 2017. Click here to view the official media release from Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

OTTAWA, June 4, 2017 The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement after last night's terrorist attack in the United Kingdom: "Canada strongly condemns the senseless attack that took place last night in London, United Kingdom, which killed and injured many innocent people. I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed. "We grieve with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, and wish all those injured a speedy and full recovery. "Londoners and people across the United Kingdom have always displayed strength and resilience in the face of adversity. We recently witnessed this after the attacks in Manchester and in the Westminster area of London. This time will be no different. "These hateful acts do not deter us; they only strengthen our resolve. Canadians stand united with the British people. We will continue to work together with the United Kingdom and all our allies to fight terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice. "The Government of Canada will not comment further at this time out of respect for the family." This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

  Brandon University Media Release BRANDON, Man. – Gervan Fearon will move on from Brandon this summer to become Brock University’s next President and Vice-Chancellor. Brandon University wishes President Fearon all the best and thanks him for his years of collaborative and innovative leadership as President and Vice-Chancellor at Brandon. He leaves behind a legacy of community-building, insight and collective vision, embodied in a new Brandon University Academic Plan and a forthcoming Brandon University Campus Master Plan, and new positions devoted to Sexualized Violence Prevention and to Diversity and Human Rights. Fearon, who has spent numerous years in senior leadership roles at Canadian universities, commences his new duties at Brock on August 1. In the meantime, Fearon will continue to serve as President at Brandon University. “I will be currently focusing on assisting in the transition over the next two months,” he said. “For Brandon University, this means ensuring there is a minimal disruption to ongoing initiatives and a continuation of the gains made over the past few years, including the downtown initiative.” The appointment, announced today by John Suk, the Chair of Brock University’s Board of Trustees, caps an intense eight-month recruitment process that involved several leading candidates from across Canada.