Brandon Minute: Development Charges, Downtown Policing, and Bee City Volunteers

Brandon Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Brandon politics

This Week In Brandon:

• There are no meetings of City Council this week. The next meeting will take place on April 22nd.
  
  
• Brandon police are focusing on increasing their presence in the downtown area this summer, as part of a new safety strategy being developed. With public safety a priority, Chief Tyler Bates shared that the Brandon Police Service (BPS) is onboarding new cadets and has added six recruits, helping reduce staffing vacancies. Downtown patrols have significantly increased, with a focus on addressing high call volumes from the area, which made up 30% of the city's service calls in 2024. BPS is also working with stakeholders to refine its downtown safety strategy and plans to extend the cadet program to the transit system.
  
  
• Manitoba’s wildflowers, from prairie crocuses to tiger lilies, play a vital role in supporting the province’s diverse pollinator population. Bee City Brandon, a local volunteer group, is working to enhance this natural beauty by planting native wildflowers at Eleanor Kidd Park. With over 390 species of bees in Manitoba, including 24 types of bumblebees, the group emphasizes the importance of preserving pollinator-friendly habitats. Last summer, volunteers logged more than 400 hours planting over 1,000 native plugs, and more will be added this June.

Last Week In Brandon:

• Council has approved the first bylaw to increase development cost charges (DCCs), with new fees for transportation and land drainage infrastructure taking effect on June 6th. A second bylaw, which includes even steeper increases for water, wastewater, and various types of developments, is set for a vote on April 22nd. If passed, fees in some areas could more than double, with low-density residential charges rising from $8,184 to $21,193 per unit. Non-residential rates would also see sharp hikes. To ease the impact, Council plans to phase in high-density project increases over three years, though developers argue even a phased approach is financially burdensome. Concerns remain that the proposed rates could halt planned housing projects due to significantly higher costs.
  
  
• A Brandon police officer attempted to stop a vehicle with non-matching license plates, but the driver fled into the Corral Centre parking lot. Following the City's non-pursuit policy, the officer did not chase the vehicle for safety reasons, instead tracking the suspect from a distance. The policy, which aims to reduce risks to public safety, has gained traction across Canada, though it sometimes allows suspects to escape. Police now rely on technology and follow-up investigations, such as tracking license plates, to identify suspects later. This strategy contrasts with past high-speed pursuits, where officers would risk public safety to catch criminals, but modern technology has provided alternative ways to track suspects.
  
  
• Brandon residents recently attended an open house to learn about a proposed childcare centre planned for the WestVic Common strip mall. Hosted by the Alberta-based Connecting Dots Foundation, the event aimed to address the city’s growing need for affordable child care. The new centre would follow the $10-a-day model and offer 128 spaces for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, with an emphasis on best practices for space and nutrition. Staffing remains a challenge, but the foundation is working on solutions, including international recruitment and partnerships with local institutions. The facility is expected to open by late 2025, pending approvals and licensing. Community input gathered at the event will help shape the final plans.