Brandon Minute: Issue 97

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• Council approved Brandon’s 2026 budget with a 6.7% property tax increase after two days of debate and multiple failed attempts to reduce it further. The increase is slightly higher than Administration’s recommendation due mainly to the addition of weekly recycling and organics pickup and the seasonal rental of recycling trucks, costing about $168,000. The final increase is significantly lower than the 11.3% initially proposed earlier in the month, largely due to the use of surplus funds and additional provincial funding. Several cost-cutting motions, including reductions to staff salaries, policing positions, and reserve contributions, were defeated, with most Councillors arguing the budget had already been heavily trimmed.
  
  
• ​​The City of Brandon has clarified that the estimated cost of a proposed giant “Brandon” sign is $600,000, after an earlier statement mistakenly put the price at $6 million. City officials say the error stemmed from miscommunication, as no cost estimate was included in materials provided to Council or shared publicly during initial budget discussions. The project was introduced as part of budget deliberations, with staff recommending Council delay approval and instead develop a broader tourism and event attraction strategy. According to the City, Council is considering allocating $350,000 from the capital plan toward the sign and site preparation, with the remaining costs expected to come from accommodation tax reserves, grants, or private funding. The Mayor acknowledged the mistake and said the situation highlights the need for improved internal communication.
  
  
• Council was presented with plans to renovate the Brandon Library/Arts Building and City Hall at a total cost exceeding $32 million. The building renovations are estimated at $18.27 million, with critical upgrades adding another $6.6 million, while City Hall renovations would cost $7.255 million. Work on City Hall could start this year, but the library/arts building project is recommended to be deferred until 2027, with completion expected in 2032. Renovations will address roofs, electrical and fire-suppression systems, and other structural issues, with further investigation needed for the library’s foundation and weeping tiles. Administration noted that a federal grant application to offset costs was unsuccessful, and the City may explore leasing options or external funding to reduce borrowing. 
  
  
• Mayor Jeff Fawcett and Brandon–Souris MP Grant Jackson are advocating to protect and potentially expand jobs at the Brandon Research and Development Centre as federal agricultural cutbacks create uncertainty nationwide. Fawcett says the Centre’s modern facilities and available land make it a strong candidate to centralize federal agricultural research staff if departments are reorganized. Agriculture Union president Milton Dyck has indicated that about 10 positions may be cut at the centre, which currently employs 87 staff. The federal reductions are part of a plan to cut $60 billion in spending and significantly shrink the public service. Fawcett has raised concerns with the federal agriculture department and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, while also exploring stronger ties between the research centre and local post-secondary institutions. Jackson says he has raised the issue with federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, arguing that agricultural research and food security are critical to Canada’s sovereignty and should not be targeted for cuts.
  
  
• Ward 9 Councillor Glen Parker formally apologized on Friday for a Facebook post he made earlier in the week referencing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The post, which showed a photo of three people with partially covered faces and the caption “ICE Agents spotted at East End CC today,” was intended to highlight positive work by the East End Community Centre but was widely criticized. Parker removed the post within 30 minutes and issued an online apology, then offered a public apology in Council Chambers at the start of budget deliberations. He specifically apologized to the immigrant community, newer Canadians, fellow Councillors, and his family, acknowledging the post caused distraction during a critical time. Parker said he had learned from the incident and expressed a desire to move forward. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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