📈 Brandon Population Surges Past 59,000
Brandon’s population continues to grow, reaching an estimated 59,444 residents in 2025, an increase of 12.4 per cent since 2021. According to Brandon Economic Development, more than 6,500 new residents have moved to the Wheat City over the past four years, helping drive workforce expansion and economic growth.
🎓 Manitoba Tightens Teacher-Student Communication Rules
The Manitoba government is introducing stricter rules governing how teachers and school staff communicate with students online.
Under the new directive, one-to-one messaging on personal or unmonitored platforms will be prohibited, with the province saying the changes are designed to improve student safety and ensure parents and school administrators can oversee school-related communications.
🛠️ Makerspace Receives $100,000 Boost
The Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation is receiving $100,000 in provincial funding to expand programming at its Creation Nation Makerspace.
The investment will support additional skills-training opportunities and help launch a project focused on refurbishing and reselling mobility equipment, including wheelchairs and walkers, making essential equipment more affordable and accessible.
🚗 Operation Red Nose Seeks Volunteers
Operation Red Nose is gearing up for the holiday season and is now recruiting volunteers.
Applications are available at the Dome Building, and the City of Brandon will cover the cost of required criminal record checks. The safe-ride program will run throughout November and December, kicking off with a 70s and 80s fundraiser on November 28 featuring live music from Vintage Voltage.
🚨 Crime Stoppers Breach Impacts Manitoba
A massive Canada-wide data breach involving more than 1.5 million Crime Stoppers tips collected over the last 25 years has raised concerns about the security of anonymous reporting.
In response, Brandon Police have suspended their relationship with Crime Stoppers while reviewing alternative reporting methods and assessing security measures related to the breach.
❄️ Winter Storms Prompt Preparedness Reminder
A powerful weekend snowstorm that dumped significant snowfall across parts of northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan is serving as an early reminder that winter is just around the corner.
A new survey suggests seven in ten Prairie residents are concerned about severe winter weather, despite many feeling prepared for weather-related emergencies.
🗳️ Six Westman Municipalities Avoid Election Day
Residents in six Westman municipalities won’t be heading to the polls this fall after all municipal positions were filled by acclamation.
Cornwallis, Prairie View, Grassland, Cartwright-Roblin, Argyle and Dauphin have all elected councils without opposition. The acclaimed councils will serve from 2026 through 2030. Full candidate details are available on our website.
🤝 First Nations Leaders Meet With Carney
First Nations leaders from across Canada are meeting today in Ottawa with Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial premiers, including Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
The discussions come as concerns grow over major project approvals, with Indigenous leaders calling for stronger consultation and a greater role in decision-making processes.
🗳️ Alberta Referendum Draws Historic Turnout
Elections Alberta says an unofficial hand count from the province’s October 19 referendum has tallied more than 20 million votes across ten ballot questions.
Officials say the vote could represent the largest referendum event of its kind in Canadian history. Preliminary results indicate Albertans narrowly supported immigration-related measures while nearly 75 per cent voted to remain in Canada on the referendum’s headline question.
🌮 New Salvadoran Restaurant Coming to Downtown Brandon
A familiar local food vendor is preparing to make the jump to a permanent storefront.
A new Salvadoran restaurant is set to open in downtown Brandon this fall, with owners hoping to introduce residents to a wider range of authentic Salvadoran cuisine beyond the popular pupusas many are already familiar with.
