Several programs at Brandon’s Assiniboine College have been cancelled due a drop in the number of applications from international students. A CBC report today says applications have fallen off by 78% because of Ottawa’s cap on undergraduate permits. The five programs that were cancelled are office skills, baking foundations, culinary arts, business administration – and accounting and finance.
———-
The fall-out from a fire at Brandon Shoppers Mall on Monday continues. 10 businesses have reportedly closed until further notice – Spencer’s, Telus, Scotiabank, The Children’s Place, Claire’s, Virgin Mobile, Hair Today, Bootlegger, Prairie Mountain Health Vaccine Clinic and Western Manitoba Regional Library, and two seasonal outlets, Country Barnboard and PJ’s & More, will not re-open – their contracts were to end on December 31st. Also, photos with Santa have been cancelled. The fire was quickly extinguished, but caused smoke and water damage.
———-
According to a new Ipsos poll, many of us are being cautious about our spending this holiday season despite a GST break on a number of items. Nearly 40% of Canadians say they’re pulling back on gift buying – up 10 points from last year. 4 in 10 say they plan to spend about the same as last Christmas.
———-
Brandon police plan to begin using body cameras by next fall. The Brandon Sun reports the police service has $400,000 for an initial investment, and hopes to secure additional funding from the province. 44 Manitoba RCMP detachments will have the cameras by April – and the rest within 18 months.
———-
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly taking some time to reflect after Chrystia Freeland’s bombshell resignation as finance minister. This comes as the number of Liberals calling for him to step aside has grown.
Trudeau has a couple of weeks to decide his next move as the House is now on its holiday break.
———-
The Canadian government is proposing a joint strike force, round the clock aerial surveillance, and dedicated synthetic drug units to tackle issues at the Canada-US border. The plans come amid growing pressure from President-elect Donald Trump to crack down on illegal migrants and drugs crossing the border. The new measures would cost about $1.3-billion.
———-
The latest from Donald Trump is that he thinks it’d be a great idea for Canada to become America’s 51st state. He said on Truth Social many Canadians want that, and Canada would save massively on taxes and military protection.
