Brandon Minute: Issue 71

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• The City has approved its largest-ever construction contract, awarding $127.9 million to NAC Constructors Ltd. for a major upgrade to its water treatment facility on 26th Street North. The $139-million project, funded by the City, Province, and federal government, aims to improve drinking water quality and ensure the City meets provincial standards. Construction will begin this year and is expected to finish by June 2029. Rather than fully replacing the existing system from the 1940s, the upgrade will add a new dual membrane system that works alongside current infrastructure to enhance filtration. Though costly, Council members recognized the upgrade as essential infrastructure investment. Mayor Jeff Fawcett highlighted that the improved water will meet and exceed Canadian standards, securing long-term water safety for the community.
  
  
• Council has restored funding to its playground replacement program, allowing two playgrounds to be replaced each year again. Councillor Greg Hildebrand successfully moved to redirect up to $325,000 from the fiscal contingency fund back into the program, with $200,000 allocated for this year and $125,000 for 2026. Earlier, funds had been diverted to complete the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex clubhouse, reducing playground replacements to one per year. Although it’s late in the season for playground replacements, the City issued a tender with an option to add a second playground, hoping to complete both projects by winter. The two playgrounds set for replacement are Wilnor Playground and Keystone Lions Humanity Park. Mayor Jeff Fawcett noted that if the second playground can’t be finished this year, it will be replaced in the spring.
  
  
• The City has launched the BDN Transit app to make getting around the city easier and more convenient. The app allows users to track buses in real time with updates every 20 seconds and plan trips using current route information. Available in multiple languages, the app aims to help all riders navigate the city confidently. Riders can also receive bus departure times via text and save favourite routes for quick access. The app is available for download on Apple and Android devices or can be accessed online. For more details, riders can visit the Brandon Transit website.
  
  
• The Jordan’s Principle office in Brandon, operated by Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation and Birdtail Sioux First Nation, closed this spring due to significant federal funding cuts. Opened in October 2024, the office provided health and social services to urban Indigenous children and families but was forced to lay off five employees after losing millions in funding. The closure has left about 100 families without access to supports such as school lunches, teaching assistants, and transportation. First Nation leaders criticized recent changes to Jordan’s Principle funding, citing a lack of consultation and growing barriers for families in need. Leaders are calling for a new, community-controlled funding model that better suits their needs and emphasizes self-governance. 
  
  
• Heartland Livestock Services announced the closure of its Brandon auction mart, ending a long-standing venue for Manitoba beef producers. Once the largest cattle market in Manitoba, Brandon’s auction volume has significantly declined from 100,000 cattle a year to just over 25,000 in 2024. The closure reflects broader challenges facing the cattle industry, including a shrinking beef herd and shifting sales preferences toward digital and direct marketing. The Brandon site’s urban location and aging infrastructure also contributed to the decision. Producers will now rely more on other auction marts in Manitoba and neighbouring provinces, which may increase transportation costs and require more advance planning. The closure is seen as a loss not only for producers but also for the local economy, as cattle sales traditionally supported nearby businesses. 

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