Brandon Minute: Issue 90

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• Parents and students in the Brandon School Division have raised safety concerns through newly formed advisory committees across all 24 schools. Early feedback points to issues such as unsafe washrooms and hallways, bullying, racism, aggressive behaviour, and gaps in emergency communication. Students requested more behavioural supports, improved supervision in less visible areas, additional cameras, classroom blinds, and clearer protocol signage. Families also want more consistent communication about drills and safety procedures, including translated materials for newcomers. Despite the concerns, parents generally reported trust in the system and noted that annual risk-response reviews are working. The Division says it is taking steps to address both school-specific and system-wide issues through climate surveys, counselling supports, and potential physical-space changes. The advisory committees were launched following a racially motivated attack earlier this year.
  
  
• The Manitoba government has enacted the Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act, aimed at boosting competition and lowering grocery prices, after a Brandon Sobeys renewed its lease on a vacant property to prevent a competitor from opening. The legislation removes property restrictions that limit the use of land for grocery stores, allowing stores to apply for exemptions. Brandon East MLA Glen Simard proposed the law after seeing the vacant 18th Street Sobeys, arguing that discount grocers should be able to occupy the space and provide more choice for residents. Currently, 23 stores have opted to remove property controls, while 44 others have requested ministerial review. Premier Wab Kinew emphasized that large chains often prioritize profit over community needs, and more competition could lead to better grocery prices. Simard added that the empty building represents wasted commercial space, and government officials plan to challenge Sobeys on its decision to keep the property vacant until 2028.
  
  
• The Brandon City and provincial governments are planning to construct a roundabout at the intersection of 18th Street North and Braecrest Drive, with costs shared equally between both levels of government. The project aims to address safety and congestion concerns, particularly traffic turning south onto 18th Street North from the east side of Braecrest, and is expected to be completed before December 2026. The City has been pursuing a roundabout at this location since 2019, following functional design studies of the Braecrest corridor. Increased development in the area has added to congestion, making the upgrade more urgent. WSP Canada Inc. is the only company to submit a bid for the project design, though cost estimates have not been disclosed. City officials emphasized that detailed design will address challenges posed by the intersection’s location at the top of North Hill. Ward 1 Councillor Heather Karrouze noted that the roundabout will enhance safety for both vehicles and pedestrians. Construction is expected to start in summer 2026, with the intersection remaining open during the work.
  
  
• Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett participated in the Strong Cities Network Sixth Global Summit in Toronto, joining over 200 local leaders from around the world to discuss strategies for preventing and responding to online hate, extremism, and polarization. Speaking on a panel about online harms, Fawcett highlighted incidents in Brandon, including the June 10th sword attack at École secondaire Neelin High School. The summit allowed participants to share experiences, learn best practices, and discuss solutions to issues such as community engagement and loneliness, which Fawcett noted as a worldwide concern. Researchers, including Stephanie Spence from Brandon University, also attended, gaining insights into combating misinformation and anti-racism strategies. Fawcett said the event reinforced that Brandon is not alone in facing online harms and provided valuable networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities for improving local community safety and cohesion. 
  
  
• Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates supports the idea of a future 72-hour sobering centre in the city following the recent opening of a similar facility in Winnipeg under Manitoba’s Bill 48. The law allows highly intoxicated individuals to be held for up to 72 hours in protective care, extending the previous 24-hour limit. Bates highlighted concerns about releasing intoxicated people too early, noting the risks of injury, exploitation, and inability to access supports, particularly for those under the influence of meth or experiencing psychosis. Brandon has seen a sharp rise in detainees under the former Intoxicated Persons Detention Act, with 529 people held between July and November 2025, compared to 255 during the same period last year. The City had received $2 million in 2021 to build a sobering centre in partnership with the John Howard Society, but construction has been delayed due to high costs and funding limitations. Once built, the centre would provide a safe space for individuals to sober up and potentially connect them with addiction or mental health supports, complementing existing services such as the Joshua Jacks Centre. 

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