Municipal Election:
Candidate registration for the 2026 municipal election opens Friday for anyone running for mayor. The City of Brandon has launched brandon.ca/votes, offering details for voters and prospective candidates.
Economy:
Statistics Canada releases February GDP today, with early estimates pointing to a strong start to 2026. But global uncertainty — from rising oil prices to upcoming trade‑agreement reviews — continues to weigh on the outlook.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf are adding pressure: Iran’s supreme leader issued a new warning toward the U.S. as the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, and Washington faces questions over its handling of the conflict.
Energy Costs:
Natural gas bills for Centra Gas customers will rise slightly starting in May. The new rate adds about $18 a year to a typical residential bill.
Community & Weather:
After reopening briefly before cold weather and dike repairs forced another shutdown, Wheat City Golf Course is set to open again today. Staff are optimistic this time the course stays open, with warmer weather on the way.
Fire Risk:
Brandon Fire and Emergency Services says this could be a challenging grass‑fire season. Chief Terry Parlow warns that the current dry, pre‑greenup period is one of the most dangerous times of year and urges extreme caution with controlled burns, campfires, and pit fires.
Wildfire Awareness:
Friday marks ten years since the Fort McMurray wildfire. New national data shows wildfire concern has spread far beyond traditional danger zones — yet fewer than four in ten Canadians know their evacuation routes, a gap seen repeatedly in major fires from Fort McMurray to Jasper.
Health:
The province has updated measles exposure notices, adding new dates at Canadian Tire in Winkler. Brandon’s last listed exposure was in early April, and the symptom window for those events has now closed.
Community Recognition:
It’s Week of the Early Childhood Educator, celebrating the work ECEs do in shaping early learning across Brandon.
Local Institutions:
The Brandon YMCA — a community fixture since 1886 — has surpassed 5,500 members, crediting strong local support for its continued growth.
Technology & Youth:
A new youth‑driven report calls on governments to require AI companies to curb addictive chatbot design. Participants say users should have more control, including the ability to limit responsiveness and delete cached data.
New Bus Service For Brandon:
If you’re looking for a new way to get to Winnipeg or Regina, FlixBus will soon be an option.
Starting May 7th – their newly added prairie route will include a Regina–Brandon–Winnipeg corridor – offering direct east–west service with modern amenities and easy connections across Western Canada.
