Brandon Minute: Issue 81

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• As we gather with family, friends, and neighbours this Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our readers. From all of us at Common Sense Brandon, we wish you a warm, joyful, and safe Thanksgiving filled with laughter, good food, and time spent with those you care about.
  
  
• The City of Brandon will permanently close all community recycling depots and centralize recycling services at the Eastview Landfill to address ongoing issues with illegal dumping, contamination, and maintenance. Starting October 15th, residents can drop off excess recyclable materials at the landfill, with bins available outside the gate 24/7 and inside during open hours, free of charge. The Keystone Centre depot will close on October 14th, followed by the Community Sportsplex and 34th St. and Victoria Avenue depots on November 14th, when seasonal organic bins will also be removed. The City plans to enhance recycling services at Eastview Landfill in 2026 with a staffed depot aimed at minimizing contamination and improving diversion rates. Officials stressed that the consolidation is intended to maintain recycling support while addressing the safety and cleanliness challenges posed by scattered depots. Further program details are expected in spring 2026.
  
  
• The City of Brandon and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce have launched the 2025 Brandon Green Business Award, recognizing local businesses that demonstrate innovative sustainability, water conservation, or waste reduction efforts beyond legal requirements. Eligible businesses of any size within Brandon City limits can apply by October 30th, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by a joint committee, and the winning business will receive a certificate, a fair-trade coffee break hosted at their workplace, and recognition on the City’s social media with a feature story. Past winners include businesses that implemented reusable glassware programs, extensive recycling and composting, and sustainable operational practices. 
  
  
• The Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Garden officially opened at the Brandon Riverbank, celebrating the work of the Glenboro artist and marking a major milestone in his career. The event drew community leaders, residents, and supporters who gathered to witness Sawatzky cut the ribbon and showcase six of his bronze pieces, with plans to expand the collection to at least ten. The project, nearly a decade in the making, was supported by the City of Brandon, the province of Manitoba, grants, and private donations. The Riverbank itself has undergone major transformations following historic floods in 2011 and 2014, with a redesigned master plan emphasizing resilience and public enjoyment. Speakers highlighted Sawatzky’s dedication and the importance of supporting artists, noting the challenges many face in sustaining their work. Local leaders emphasized the garden’s significance, calling it a cultural asset for Brandon, Manitoba, and the wider art community. Travel Manitoba projected the site will boost tourism, attracting visitors from across Canada and beyond. 
  
  
• Council has approved the installation of four electric vehicle (EV) chargers at the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, with the total cost reaching about $120,000, which is $75,000 higher than initially expected. The Level 2 chargers, funded in part by a $20,000 provincial contribution, will serve the City’s light-duty inspection vehicles and are designed to allow future expansion for additional vehicles. The price increase was due to higher bids from contractors and the City choosing a more powerful circuit to accommodate future growth. Some residents questioned the timing and cost, suggesting the decision should have been deferred until budget deliberations. City staff emphasized the long-term benefits of the project, highlighting potential fuel savings, the need to replace the aging fleet, and alignment with Brandon’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The project is expected to be 30-40% complete by the end of 2025, with the remainder finished next year. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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