Brandon Minute: Issue 99

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 7:00 pm, there will be a City Council meeting. On the agenda are the servicing of green bin depot locations, a correction to a citizen appointment on the Environment and Climate Change Committee, a service-sharing request from the RM of Cornwallis, and an amendment to the Age Friendly resolution. Two rezoning bylaws will also receive first reading.
  
  
• Residents of Brandon raised a wide range of concerns at the provincial government’s 2026 pre-budget consultation, focusing on health care, affordability, and climate change. Finance Minister Adrien Sala highlighted recent government actions, including hiring 3,500 new health-care workers and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, while emphasizing Manitobans’ priorities of safer communities and lower living costs. Speakers stressed that addressing root issues, such as affordable housing, is crucial for improving health, justice, and social outcomes. Environmental advocates urged the government to fund sustainable agriculture, curb food waste, and expand composting programs, emphasizing that climate action underpins economic and social stability. Healthcare access was also raised, with calls for pharmacists to be allowed and compensated to assess and prescribe for more conditions, particularly in rural areas. Fiscal concerns were noted, with Progressive Conservative MLA Wayne Balcaen urging more attention to reducing the Province’s $1.661 billion deficit.
  
  
• Manitoba is facing a significant measles outbreak, worsened by exposure at Brandon’s Ag Days in late January, with over 30 new cases linked to the event and the total outbreak reaching 393 confirmed and 37 probable cases since February 2025. Despite the surge, the Province is not restricting large gatherings but is relying on public messaging to encourage vaccination. At the same time, flu rates are exceptionally high, with over 3,300 cases, 949 hospitalizations, 104 ICU admissions, and 132 deaths, surpassing similar points during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Province has expanded hospital capacity and added 3,500 health-care workers in recent years to manage respiratory illnesses.
  
  
• The City of Brandon is relocating its Transit Information Centre from 21 Eighth Street to 723 Rosser Avenue later this month. The Centre will operate at its current location until Thursday before temporarily closing for about a week to accommodate the move, with the new location expected to open in the final week of February. During the closure, residents can still purchase Transit Smart Cards at City Hall, Sobeys West End, Safeway (Corral Centre), and Sobeys South. A 2024 assessment found that the existing facility required substantial repairs, and relocation was determined to be the most cost-effective and practical solution. The Centre remains the main customer service hub for Brandon Transit, offering route information, schedules, fare details, and general transit support. Residents are encouraged to follow City social media channels for updates during the transition.
  
  
• The City of Brandon has reopened its 2026 Flood Protection Subsidy Program, offering financial assistance for installing sump pumps and pits or backwater valves in existing homes and businesses - new construction is not eligible. Eligible property owners can receive up to 75% of materials and installation costs, capped at $2,500 for a sump pump and pit and $1,500 for a backwater valve, with all work requiring a licensed plumber and City inspection. The program includes a retroactive option for installations completed on or after January 1st, 2020, if all conditions are met. Applications must be submitted by November 30th, 2026, and all work, inspections, and documentation must be completed by December 15th, 2026. Once final inspections are approved and payment proof is submitted, subsidy cheques are typically issued within about 30 days. Property owners can apply in person at the Development Services Division or online via the city portal. Full program details are available on the City of Brandon website.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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