Brandon Minute: Issue 107

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• At its April 7th meeting, Brandon City Council advanced several initiatives, including support for the 4th annual Salamander Summer Music Festival, which was officially designated as a community event for July 17th to 19th, 2026. Council directed remaining Housing Accelerator Fund dollars toward affordable housing and downtown market housing projects as outlined in the City’s approved action plan. Council also appointed two members to the Planning Commission for three-year terms ending in 2029, as well as adopted the 2026 Financial Plan and incorporated it into the 2026 Tax Levy By-law following public hearings on the budget and reserve usage. Several bylaws also advanced through first reading, including the 2026 tax levy bylaw and a rezoning amendment for a property on Van Horne Avenue.
  
  
• Council has decided to cancel plans for a standalone 24/7 downtown public washroom and instead pursue a longer-term “hygiene hub” model that would provide expanded services. The new proposed facility would include multiple washrooms, showers, laundry services, and potentially overnight warming supports, reflecting what City staff described as a broader community need than originally anticipated. While the hub could cost an estimated $1.5 million to establish with annual operating costs around $2 million, officials said the City would seek funding partnerships with senior levels of government. In the interim, Council has approved extending hours at the Princess Park washrooms to 24/7, supported by increased security presence and more frequent cleaning. The original standalone washroom project, previously estimated at $445,000 to build and $76,000 annually to operate, was deemed less effective and ultimately shelved in favour of the larger concept. City officials noted the shift is intended to provide more comprehensive support for unhoused residents while addressing ongoing safety and maintenance challenges downtown.
  
  
• The City of Brandon is applying to the Public Utilities Board to significantly increase development charges tied to water and wastewater infrastructure, with some fees rising by nearly 800%. Under the proposal, charges for high-density units would increase from $1,614 to $12,863, while low-density units would rise from $2,496 to $17,407. City officials say the increases are needed to fund aging infrastructure and support continued growth, and argue that without them, the City would struggle to finance necessary upgrades. Developers, however, warn the changes could sharply reduce housing construction, make Brandon less attractive for investment, and push development to nearby municipalities with lower costs. The City acknowledges there may be a short-term slowdown and a surge in permit applications before the new rates take effect, but expects the market to adjust over time. The proposal remains subject to regulatory approval and further review.
  
  
• A major new critical care centre at the Brandon Regional Health Centre is set to open this spring, marking a $120 million expansion aimed at improving access to advanced medical services in western Manitoba. The project will increase ICU capacity and also includes a new 30-bed internal medicine unit, designed with private patient rooms to improve comfort, privacy, and infection control. Health officials say the expansion will reduce the need for patient transfers to Winnipeg and help ease pressure on families in the region. The hospital, which serves as a key referral and critical care hub between Winnipeg and Regina, is being upgraded to address longstanding infrastructure limitations and rising demand. Leaders with Prairie Mountain Health say the redevelopment will significantly improve care delivery across the broader region once fully operational.
  
  
• Brandon University has signed its first-ever Memorandum of Understanding in Japan, establishing a new partnership with Juntendo University in Tokyo. The agreement creates a framework for collaboration that includes student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, and shared academic resources between the two institutions. University officials described the partnership as an important milestone that could expand Brandon University’s international presence and encourage further global collaborations. A key focus of the agreement is applied disaster and emergency studies, an area where Japan is considered a global leader and aligns closely with Brandon University’s academic strengths. The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for students and researchers, particularly in emergency management, public safety, and community resilience. Initial initiatives are expected to include student exchange programs, supported in part through Canadian diplomatic and trade channels in Japan.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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