A packed room of business leaders, municipal officials, and community stakeholders gathered in Brandon for a State of the Province event that outlined major investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and energy, while also offering lighter moments that kept the audience engaged.
The address highlighted expanded healthcare training, including increased nursing education capacity, new and enhanced services at Brandon Regional Health Centre, and the rollout of a digital health card. Manitoba’s premier began his speech by acknowledging the transformational $4 million dollar gift for the newly named Edna Edwards School of Nursing at Assiniboine College. Kinew emphasized the importance of his party’s commitments for continued support of healthcare efforts throughout the province before pivoting to education commitments including plans for a new school in Brandon, framed as part of a broader effort to support population growth and workforce development across the region.
Economic themes resonated strongly with the audience, which included business leaders from Brandon and surrounding Westman communities. Affordability measures already delivered over the past two and a half years were pointed out, alongside infrastructure upgrades intended to support long‑term economic stability. Large‑scale energy initiatives — including new wind farms, expanded power generation, and a proposed $3 billion dollar hydro project east of Brandon — were presented as job‑creating projects designed to strengthen Manitoba’s economic resilience.
The revitalization of the Port of Churchill and its rail line was also highlighted as a national‑scale project aimed at improving access to global markets for Canadian energy and other exports. An electric‑vehicle charging corridor through Westman was cited as another step toward modernizing transportation infrastructure while supporting emerging industries.
Local infrastructure also received attention, with the recent paving of 18th Street highlighted as an example of accelerated project delivery. Kinew was quick to credit Brandon East MLA Glen Simard saying Brandon’s busiest street was now nice and smooth, almost as smooth as Glen’s efforts to help fast track the upgrades to what was once included on a recent CAA Worst Roads list. Kinew said his party playfully dubbed Simard “Mr. Smooth,” a nickname attendees were encouraged to remember the next time they travel the newly resurfaced roadway.
Despite the policy‑heavy agenda, the event had no shortage of memorable moments. Ongoing technical issues with the microphone became a running gag throughout the speech, with off‑the‑cuff remarks drawing laughter from the crowd whenever audio cut out. One quip during a brief microphone failure referencing U.S. President Trump to, “release the files,” drew one of the louder reactions of the afternoon.
A brief Q & A session followed the address lead by Brandon Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Ludwig who started by applauding Kinew’s accomplishments thus far and his plans to move the province forward. The session did reveal one fun fact about Kinew. His go to Karaoke song is YMCA by the Village People, mostly because the song allows everyone to sing along.
The full house included Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, several Brandon city councilors, Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak, regional business leaders, and provincial representatives. Opposition Leader Obby Khan and Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen were also in attendance, underscoring the broad interest in the province’s economic and infrastructure direction.
Premier Kinew poses for a group shot with members of Brandon city council.
Left to Right: Shaun Cameron (Ward 4 councilor), Jason Splett (Ward 8 councilor), Heather Karouze (Ward 1 councilor), Wab Kinew (Premier of Manitoba), Jeff Fawcett (Mayor of Brandon), Greg Hildebrand (Ward 5 councilor), Tyson Tame (Ward 10 councilor).
Photo credit: Frank McGwire – Pattison Media
