💰 Ottawa Prepares to Table 2026 Budget
A clearer picture of the federal government’s finances arrives tomorrow when Ottawa unveils its 2026 budget.
The spending plan is expected to emphasize infrastructure investment while maintaining focus on deficit management. Immigration targets are also expected to play a role, with current plans calling for 380,000 permanent residents annually, alongside additional pathways for some temporary residents. Strong energy revenues could provide a short-term boost to federal coffers.
🏛️ Democrats Regain Control of Congress
A political earthquake is shaking Washington after Democrats swept their way back into control of Congress.
Rising living costs and voter frustration with the White House helped fuel the dramatic turnaround, shifting the balance of power and setting the stage for new legislative battles in the months ahead.
🏫 Brandon School Division Begins Budget Planning
Student enrolment, staffing pressures and aging facilities remain top priorities as Brandon School Division begins work on its next budget.
CEO Jon Zilkey says several key priorities are already emerging as planning gets underway. The division is expected to approve its 2027-28 operating budget in March.
🌅 School Safety Review Triggered by Darker Mornings
Brandon School Division is also working with the City of Brandon to improve safety around schools as students head to class before sunrise.
The review follows Manitoba’s move to permanent Central Daylight Time, resulting in later winter sunrises and raising concerns about visibility for students walking or cycling to school.
🤖 New Mechatronics Centre Opens at Assiniboine
Students in Assiniboine College’s Mechatronics Engineering Technology program now have a new home for hands-on learning.
The Price Mechatronics Centre was made possible through a combined $2.75 million investment from Price Industries and the federal government and is designed to strengthen training opportunities in advanced manufacturing and automation technologies.
🔄 Roundabout Chosen for Busy North Hill Intersection
A roundabout is coming to the intersection of 18th Street North and Braecrest Drive.
Engineers determined traditional traffic signals were not the best solution for the hilltop location. The intersection has been the site of dozens of collisions over the years, and officials hope the redesign will improve both traffic flow and safety.
❄️ MPI Tightens Winter Tire Financing Rules
Manitobans shopping for winter tires should take a closer look at the sidewall before applying for financing.
MPI says only tires displaying the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, indicating they meet severe winter performance standards, now qualify for its winter tire financing program.
👮 Officer Assault Alleged Outside Brandon Hotel
It’s not the sort of hotel checkout anyone hopes for.
A woman is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest Monday afternoon outside a hotel on 18th Street in Brandon.
Police say the incident occurred during an interaction that led to the woman’s arrest.
📞 RCMP Warn of Phone Scam
Portage la Prairie RCMP is warning residents about a sophisticated phone scam making the rounds.
Investigators say dozens of reports have been received in the past 24 hours involving scammers spoofing the detachment’s phone number. Victims are allegedly told suspicious activity has occurred in their name before being asked to provide personal or banking information.
🔥 Centra Gas Customers to Receive Savings and Refunds
Centra Gas Manitoba customers can expect lower costs following approval of revised delivery charges.
The Public Utilities Board says the changes will result in more than $42 million in refunds. Depending on usage, customers could save an average of 2.7 per cent annually, or roughly $16 per year. Another rate review is scheduled for February 1.
🏥 Dialysis Services Returning to Dauphin
Dialysis services are returning to Dauphin Regional Health Centre after flooding earlier this summer forced operations to relocate.
Prairie Mountain Health says patients will be contacted directly by their dialysis care teams as services are restored in phases following the late-June and early-July floods.
🤝 Discussion Continues on Future of Indian Act
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew say reforming or abolishing the Indian Act was discussed during last week’s First Nations summit in Ottawa.
However, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says chiefs spent much of their time focused on major projects legislation and economic development priorities.
👶 Child Care Gap Remains Significant
Despite recent expansion efforts, many Manitoba families continue to face challenges finding child care.
The Child Care Coalition says the province would need approximately 77,000 additional spaces to reach a benchmark where 59 per cent of children have access to licensed care.
⏰ Twilight Zone: B.C. and Florida Share the Same Clock
From our Time or Twilight Zone file…
One of the stranger side effects of year-round daylight time is that parts of British Columbia now share the same clock as parts of Florida.
Cranbrook, B.C., and Pensacola, Florida are separated by thousands of kilometres, beaches, mountains and vastly different lifestyles, but for now they’re operating on exactly the same time.
“It may be one of the few things those two communities have in common.”
