-Yesterday, Brandon City Council reviewed four designs for a new outdoor pool that could open in 2028. Pool locations could be at Rideau Park, Kin Park, or the Keystone Centre, ranging in price from 4.3 to 6.1 million dollars. Final decision will be made at the end of January to replace older pools and meet community needs.
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-The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba announced that the 2026 Royall Manitoba Winter Fair will take place March 30th to April 4th at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. The event aims to celebrate agriculture and community with competitions, livestock displays, entertainment and a large trade show. Tickets are now on sale and kids 6-12 are free.
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-Harvest Manitoba brought in a record amount of donations this year, with the help of generous donors. Over the weekend, the Make the Season Kind campaign brought in over $258 thousand dollars which was then matched by Dave and Elena Forgan, bringing the total to nearly $517 thousand dollars. The funds will go towards providing food and support for families in need across the province.
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-Parks Canada says zebra mussels have been found reproducing in Clear Lake after yearly monitoring. They plan to decide by February if motorized boats should remain banned in the lake, while lake property owners say there is no link between motorboats and the spread of the invasive species.
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-With 556 flu cases across the province this season, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer is urging people to get their flu shot, despite the shot not exactly matching a new H3N2 mutation. He says its still our best protection, as it can help stop severe illness and hospitalizations.
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-Manitoba’s NDP government has recently been found to have cancelled external reviews of the 2023 wildfire season. They instead went with internal assesments by the provincial Wildfire Service, which didn’t write any reports. Officials say the internal expertise was sufficient, while critics argued it left the province less prepared for wildfires in the future.
-Manitoba’s Housing, Adictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith proposed a new drug consumption site at 366 Henry avenue in Winnipeg. The site aims to reduce overdoses, prove health support and help people with addictions. No date has been set for its opening date, as the government talks with the community.
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-Canada Post says it is staying committed to offering free postage services for the blind, even against a Federal budget bill that looks to cut it. The government says the repeal is needed to give Canada Post more control over stamp costs, but advocacy groups say it would cut access to essential braille and audio materials. Federal officials and Canada Post insist Canada will continue to provide free accessible mail.
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-During Monday’s G7 meeting in Montreal, Canada’s AI minister Evan Soloman announced new digital trade and AI agreements with Germany and the EU. The agreements aim to enhance international cooperation on AI, quantum technology and digital trade, while coordinating global AI standards, and supporting businesses that adopt AI safely.
