Brandon Minute: University News, Taproom Coming, and Clinic Now Open

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

This Week In Brandon:

• There are no meetings at City Hall this week. The next meeting of Council will take place on October 7th.
  
  
• A new minor injury and illness clinic is now open in Brandon, marking the first of several such facilities in Manitoba. The clinic will be staffed by a diverse healthcare team, including a physician or nurse practitioner, a nurse, and support staff, to address various minor health issues. Services offered include treatment for suspected fractures, sprains, abdominal pain, coughs, colds, eye infections, rashes, fevers, and sore throats or ears. Located at 144 6th Street, future hours for October will be announced on the Prairie Mountain Health website.
  
  
• The Trans Canada Brewing Company is set to open a new taproom on the former Barney’s Motel site. The new location, situated at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 10, was acquired in December 2023 from the longtime owner of the motel. The taproom, expected to open in spring 2026, will feature an on-site production facility, exclusive locally brewed beers, and a menu that includes stone oven pizzas. The project is anticipated to create 20-25 jobs and will involve various tradespeople during construction.

Last Week In Brandon:

• The Mountain View School Division has announced candidates for four trustee positions in the upcoming byelection on October 30th. In Ward 1, Conrad Nabess, Floyd Martens, and Rebeca Gryba are running, while Scott Lynxleg, Carter Taylor-Luke, and Ashleigh Yaskowich are candidates for Ward 2. Jaime Paterson, Jarri Thompson, and Daniel McKay are competing for the trustee position in Ward 4. Among the three trustees who resigned in June, only Floyd Martens is seeking re-election. Voting will take place from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on October 30th, with advance voting available on October 24th. Residents unable to vote in person can apply for a sealed envelope ballot until October 25th.
  
  
• Assiniboine College received a bronze medal for Indigenous education at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics’ annual congress held in Jamaica. The College focuses on place-based learning and collaborates with Indigenous organizations to address educational disparities in Manitoba.
  
  
• Speaking of post-secondary education, Brandon University reported a 20.3% drop in international student enrollment for September 2024. In contrast, Indigenous student enrollment rose by 7.9%, and domestic, non-Indigenous student numbers showed a slight increase. Chancellor Mary McCallum raised concerns about international students' well-being, prompting discussions on food insecurity and housing issues. To support these students, the university has partnered with Sobeys West to provide discounted food coupons and is developing a mentorship program for better integration into the community.