-Tax payers in Brandon will be paying 6.7 per cent more in property taxes this year. Brandon City Council approved the rate hike in it’s budget deliberations, this weekend. It includes major investments in water and wastewater infrastructure, transportation, facilities, and community services.
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-The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has announced daily theme days for the 2026 Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in March. Next month’s event features 6 themed days. Heroes Day, 4-H Day, Multicultural Day and Indigenous Celebrations. It runs March 30th to April 4th at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. Manitoba Winter Fair is a cornerstone event that brings together agriculture, entertainment, and education.
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-Pierre Poilievre will continue to lead the federal Conservative party. He won with 87 per cent of delegates voted during the Conservative Party’s national convention in Calgary, keeping him as leader.
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-The former home of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party is up for sale. The $800 thousand dollar property in Winnipeg on Kennedy Street, is owned by a corporation. The NDP is arguing that the sale of the proceeds to the party; would be an illegal corporate donation. PC’s say they have received the complaint January 30th, and will respond to Elections Manitoba.
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-Canadian consumers can say goodbye to frozen juice from concentrate, as soon as April. Minute Maid and Lassonde’s are stopping production of its frozen juices across North America in 2 months time. Analysts say Canadians are drinking less juice overall, in favor of water and functional beverages.
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-The Canadian Armed Forces is signing a key component of Canada’s first F-35 fighter jet, today in Fort Worth, Texas. This, as Ottawa revives a $27 billion dollar fighter replacement program, during Canada-US trade tensions. Canada is committing to buy 16 US made F-35’s so far, with delivery expected later this year, leaving the fate of 72 other jets unknown.
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-Construction of a new school in the south-end, is set to start in April, with permit applications now underway. This, from the Brandon School Division. This new school will help with overcrowding at current schools like Meadows and Linden Lanes. Final classroom numbers and contractor details will be confirmed once project drawings are complete.
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-Mayor Jeff Fawcett is advocating for Brandon to become a central hub for federal agricultural research staff, as cutbacks affect the workforce. The Brandon Research and Development Centre currently employs 87 staff, with 10 positions expected to be cut. Officials stress the importance of maintaining research capacity for food security and long-term regional development.
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-Oops! Clarification Regarding the $6-million-dollar Brandon Sign. The City of Brandon says that due to miscommunication, that number was incorrect. It’s actually $600,000. Partial funding will come from the Tax Reserve with a grant and/or private funding for the remaining portion.
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-Wiarton Willie, says an early spring is on its way. Willie took center stage in Wiarton this Groundhogs’ day morning, emerging from his burrow, and forecasting an early spring after failing to see its shadow. While we would all like 6 weeks less of winter, The Weather Network says Willie’s predictions have been 29 per cent accurate since 2000. Fingers crossed that Willie is right this year!
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-Jesse Campbell of Fraser Auction has won both the Canadian All-Round Champion Auctioneer and Champion Ring-man titles. This years national competition took place in Red Deer, Alberta this Saturday. He travelled from Manitoba to compete against top auctioneers from across Canada, and won both events, marking a major achievement in his auctioning career.
