-A proposed clean-energy project has the city of Brandon’s attention. Teralta and Tokyo Gas confirmed the city is planning a new electric natural gas facility, which would produce 30 thousand tones of natural gas each year to be exported to Japan. City officials say it could be transformative for Brandon, with more details for the plan coming in the first quarter of 2026.
———-
-The Brandon Police Service are seeing an increase in the amount of encampments. On Friday, Chief Tyler Bates said encampments have rose from 70 to 120 since last year. Brandon’s mayor, Jeff Fawcett said this reflects the lack of shelter beds, and affordable housing in the area.
———-
-For today and today only, get your picture taken with Mrs. Claus at Brandon’s Shoppers Mall, and all the proceeds will be donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westman Christmas Wish Tree. Mrs. Claus Monday is happening today from 4 to 7pm, with money going to buy gifts for children in our community.
———-
-The Christmas Cheer Breakfast Committee has made a record breaking donation to the Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer program, of over $2,300 dollars. The funds were raised at the committee’s annual Christmas Cheer Breakfast on November 29th, and will go towards hampers, toys and family support during the holiday season.
———-
-Sioux Valley Dakota Nation announced Thursday that the 2026 Winterfest, usually held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, will be cancelled. Chief Jennifer Bone made the call after finding out the event had no sponsors and nothing had been planned. Dakota Nation says it intends to bring the festival back in 2027.
———-
-The Manitoba government wants your opinion on priorities for next years budget. A survey can be filled out now until February 21st on the EngageMB website, as well as in town halls across the province. The NDP is working to keep costs low while improve services and balancing the budget.
———-
-Premier Wab Kinew is targeting agreements that prevent new grocery stores from opening up near existing ones, throughout the province. After the law was passed last year and the registration period for existing agreements ended this week, the government hopes to encourage competition in an effort to lower food costs. Experts say the big stores already try to avoid each other, and that food prices aren’t likely to be affected.
———-
-Brandon Soup kitchens, food banks and women’s centers are all concerned about worsening food insecurity, following the Thursday’s release of Canada’s 2026 Food price report. It predicts a 4-6 per cent increase to our food costs, with meat going up 7.2 per cent right here in Brandon.
———-
-Hundreds of people lined up in the cold on Saturday, to meet many Manitoban Politicians at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg. The holiday open house was a chance for us to meet with our representatives, take pictures and ask questions face to face. Some questioned the timing of the event, as its date was shared with the anniversary of Montreal’s Polytech massacre.
———-
-On Friday, A federal judge ruled in favour of three first-stage rulings for First Nations class-action lawsuits against the Canadian Government; two in Manitoba, and one in Ontario. The rulings at Ottawa’s Federal court, found that the government failed to provide safe drinking water and adequate housing.
