Brandon Minute: Issue 58

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• On Monday, at 7:00 pm, there will be a City Council meeting. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of details about some of the listed items - which include a presentation from the Our Journey Steering Committee, a delegation from the Salamander Summer Music Festival, and an update on economic development.
  
  
• Len Isleifson has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Brandon in the 2026 municipal election. He has over 40 years of experience in public service, including roles in security management and as an MLA for Brandon East. He has also served as a City Councillor, Deputy Mayor, and Vice-Chair of the Brandon Police Board. Isleifson’s campaign will focus on enhancing public safety, fostering sustainable economic growth, and improving community services. He is emphasizing transparency, accountability, and collaboration with residents to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
  
  
• The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) is set to relocate to its new headquarters in Brandon by October 1, 2025. The new facility, located north of Brandon near the Waywayseecappo Convention Centre, will provide more space for the growing team, as MFNPS prepares to expand its coverage to two additional communities later this year. The move from Portage la Prairie will also mean updated technology, better internet connectivity, and more room for operations, including holding cells and a large gym. The service has also filled several civilian support positions to help officers focus on community duties. Additionally, MFNPS is in the process of hiring a new police chief after the passing of Chief Doug Palson earlier this year.
  
  
• The City has opened bids for the naming rights of its Community Sportsplex, offering sponsorship opportunities for the revamped facility and its amenities. The tender, which runs until June 12th, 2025, is part of the city’s initiative to secure alternate funding for local improvements. The Sportsplex is undergoing significant upgrades, including the completion of a new ice plant this fall, which will enhance safety by housing the ammonia ice system outside the main building. Additionally, a new hypochlorite disinfectant system has been installed in the pool, replacing the old chlorine gas system. The City is also seeking proposals for the renovation and management of the Sportsplex canteen.
  
  
• The City will soon issue a tender for the full reconstruction of 26th Street between Park Avenue and Victoria Avenue. The project will overhaul underground utilities, rebuild the street, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, and improve safety features such as the pedestrian crossing at J.R. Reid School. Traffic signal upgrades and intersection modifications are also planned. Construction will begin this year, with road closures and detours announced as needed. City officials say the work is essential to meet current and future infrastructure demands.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The federal election may be over, but there’s still important work to do here in Brandon.

At Common Sense Brandon, we’re focused on holding City Hall accountable and pushing for real change in our city. If you care about priorities like increasing transparency, protecting the freedom of residents and businesses, and bringing common sense back to local government, now is the time to get involved.

Volunteer with us today and help build a better future for Brandon:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!