The Brandon United Way’s first fundraiser night is this Thursday (Nov 14) and features around 30 local crafters and home-based businesses. The event, at the Victoria Inn, will have everything from handmade jewelry and cosmetics – to doll furniture and Christmas decorations. The $5.00 entry fee goes to support programs like Samaritan House Ministries and the John Howard Society.
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Brandon Fire and Emergency Services is operating under budget this year. Fire Chief Terry Parlow told the Sun that manageable call volumes and stable staffing levels have helped. In the last 3 years, they’ve added some 20 new firefighter-paramedics. Parlow says both overtime and sick leave hours are down from last year.
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The snakes, alligators and other critters at the Westman Reptile Gardens will be relocated this winter so their enclosures can be renovated. Co-owner Candi Shelvey told the Sun they’ve also added some new animals – two zombie crabs and three smaller Halloween crabs. The zoo is located east of Brandon.
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The Manitoba government will unveil its plans for the year ahead in a Throne Speech on November 19th. Premier Wab Kinew says the government’s priorities will include a continued focus on improving health-care, growing the province’s economy, improving public safety and making life more affordable for Manitobans.
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Manitoba and Ottawa are investing more than $500,000 in Winnipeg’s StandardAero which provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to the aviation industry. The money will help train 100 new employees, and its current staff of 1,200. StandardAero says its needs new workers as its facility continues to expand.
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A Manitoba-shot Christmas movie did extremely well at the box office last weekend – ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ finished in second place just behind ‘Venom – The Last Dance.’ ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ starring Judy Greer, Lauren Graham, and Pete Holmes raked in $11.1-million. It’s about six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks only to walk away with the lead roles in the town’s pageant. The movie was shot in Manitoba last December.
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The Canada carbon rebate for small businesses will be tax-free – this from the Finance Minister. Chrystia Freeland made the clarification yesterday after the Canadian Federation of Independent Business raised concerns the rebate would be a taxable benefit.
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Air Canada has announced it’ll be increasing flights to a number of destinations this summer. Starting in May, the airline promises to offer more than 100,000 weekly seats to 30 destinations across Europe and North Africa – and will also add flights to the U-S.
