Brandon Minute: Issue 80

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• Brandon’s Vincent Massey High School canceled afternoon classes on Friday, October 3rd, after police began investigating an unverified threat. Parents were asked to pick up students from the west-side student parking lot as a precaution. Brandon police emphasized that there is no immediate risk but increased their presence around the school until all students and staff had safely left. The Brandon School Division informed parents shortly after noon but could not provide further details while the investigation continues.
  
  
• Progressive Conservative Health Critic Kathleen Cook says a “Westman-specific health-care strategy” is needed to prevent future surgeon shortages at Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC), which was without a surgeon for 24 hours ending Friday, October 3rd. During that period, patients had to wait, travel to Dauphin, or go to Winnipeg for care. Cook, along with Brandon West PC MLA Wayne Balcaen, raised concerns in question period, citing risks for patients needing urgent surgery and added strain on ER staff relying on air ambulance transfers. Cook proposed solutions including a Brandon residency rotation and targeted incentives to attract doctors to the region. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara responded by pointing to recruitment efforts, including 10 new medical training seats in Brandon and updated regulations for internationally trained doctors, while noting that no patient transfers were needed during the shortage. Cook criticized the Province for worsening outcomes, including longer wait times, vacancies, and a strained home care system, and said the Minister should have anticipated the lack of general surgery coverage.
  
  
• Brandon University students are facing challenges finding housing due to rising rents and limited availability, with some paying as much as $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, according to reports. Third-year student Rachel Bergen described the process as “baffling,” saying her income made it difficult to secure an apartment and that she will go into debt to afford rent while continuing classes. Fourth-year student Kirill Sloane also reported difficulties, noting low availability, high prices, and rental scams. Brandon’s vacancy rate was 1.5% as of last October, the lowest since 2018, while average rents reached $1,055 per month. Michael Barrett of Brandon Area Realtors said tight housing is linked to high home prices, making it harder for first-time buyers to enter the market and adding pressure to rentals. Some students argue the City should advocate more strongly for housing solutions, as high costs force students into debt despite the convenience of living in dorms.
  
  
• Warplane enthusiasts gathered in Brandon on Friday, October 3rd, 2025, for the Warbirds Canada Conference & Annual General Meeting at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, bringing together about 25 participants from across Canada to preserve and maintain wartime-era aircraft. Association President Dave Hewitt emphasized that keeping these planes operational allows people to fully experience the history through sight, sound, and motion, while also fostering a collaborative community dedicated to sharing knowledge on finding rare parts and navigating aviation regulations. Participants, including pilots and restorers, discussed their lifelong dedication to restoring planes such as the Cornell PT-26 and the Fleet Finch 1, with some trading parts internationally. Museum Executive Director Stephen Hayter highlighted that Brandon’s collection is one of the largest in the world and noted the rarity of still operating historic aircraft.
  
  
• Brandon postal workers continued their strike, taking their picket line to Purolator as part of ongoing action by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). About 30 members of CUPW Local 708 gathered outside the Canada Post depot, while a smaller group protested at the Purolator site on 939 Douglas Street to highlight concerns over parcel deliveries and what they see as a strategy to undermine union bargaining power. Local president Tyler Stephens noted that Canada Post, which owns 91% of Purolator, has shifted parcel volumes to the courier, pointing to a 45 million increase in parcels delivered in 2024 compared to the previous year. The union emphasized that while they allowed Purolator trucks to operate respectfully, they remain united in their fight for fair contracts after nearly two years without one. CUPW argues that government-backed changes, including potential closures of rural post offices and expansion of community mailboxes, are creating conditions that weaken postal services, while Canada Post cites over $5 billion in operating losses since 2018 and contends that CUPW’s proposals would add $2.8 billion in costs.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

What do you think should be done with Canada Post?

Should services be modernized, privatized, or kept public? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.  

🪙 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!