📰 Westman Morning News Roundup
Lower Gas Prices, Federal Budget Day and a Push to Shop Local
From relief at the pumps to a major federal budget announcement and a growing need for Christmas Cheer volunteers, here’s what’s making news across Brandon, Westman and beyond.
⛽ Drivers Catch a Break at the Pumps
Brandon motorists are seeing a little extra money stay in their wallets as fuel prices continue to decline.
Most gas stations across the city are now selling regular gasoline for 149.9 cents per litre. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan says additional relief could be on the way in the coming weeks, though he cautions that prices can change quickly depending on market conditions.
De Haan encourages drivers to keep an eye on local fuel prices and take advantage of lower rates when they’re available.
💰 Federal Budget Takes Centre Stage
Ottawa’s fiscal roadmap comes into focus today as the Liberal government prepares to unveil its second federal budget under Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is scheduled to table the budget at 3 p.m. Manitoba time. The spending plan is expected to focus on economic sovereignty, infrastructure investments, and support for industries facing U.S. tariff pressures.
Analysts are also watching closely for new deficit projections and updated forecasts on Canada’s growing debt-servicing costs.
🛍️ Chamber Urges Residents to Shop Local
The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is renewing its call for residents to support local businesses as holiday shopping season ramps up.
Chamber president Emilio Brown says Brandon and Westman are home to countless unique businesses and “hidden gems” that deserve local support. Brown notes that every dollar spent locally helps sustain jobs, community services, and economic growth throughout the region.
The Chamber’s website features a directory of local businesses for shoppers looking to keep their spending close to home.
🏥 Prairie Mountain Health Adds New Practitioners
Healthcare access in Westman is receiving a boost with the addition of seven new nurse practitioners across the Prairie Mountain Health region.
Three of the new practitioners have been assigned to Brandon. Prairie Mountain Health says it now employs 37 nurse practitioners throughout the region.
Meanwhile, PMH’s annual general meeting takes place today from noon to 1 p.m. The virtual meeting is open to the public and can be accessed online or by phone.
🎄 Christmas Cheer Seeking More Volunteers
Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer is asking the community to lend a helping hand ahead of the holiday season.
The organization expects demand for food hampers to exceed last year’s total of roughly 1,700 applications. However, limited volunteer capacity and storage space have forced the organization to cap hamper production at 1,200 this year.
Officials say additional volunteers will be critical in helping support families during the holiday season.
❤️ New Guidance Highlights Teen Dating Abuse
The Canadian Paediatric Society is encouraging healthcare providers to talk with young people about healthy relationships.
New guidance suggests one in three teens experiences some form of dating abuse. The organization says social media platforms and text messaging are increasingly being used to monitor, control, or harass partners.
The group hopes earlier conversations can help young people recognize unhealthy behaviours before they escalate.
🚔 Naked Woman Charged After Rosser Avenue Disturbance
Brandon police say passersby received more than they expected Tuesday afternoon following a disturbance near a group home on the 2200 block of Rosser Avenue.
Officers report an intoxicated 53-year-old woman allegedly attempted to fight with staff and residents before running naked into the street. She was later arrested and charged with breaching the peace before being released once sober.
🐕 Assault Charge After Downtown Dog-Walking Incident
A 32-year-old woman is facing an assault charge following an incident in downtown Brandon Tuesday evening.
Police say a woman walking her dog was randomly punched. The accused allegedly claimed she acted in self-defence because she felt threatened by the dog. Officers say alcohol is believed to have been a factor.
🗳️ One-Vote Election Result Headed for Recount
A razor-thin municipal election result in Yellowhead Municipality is headed to court.
Candidate Jim Garlick has applied for a judicial recount after losing the mayoral race by a single vote. The application questions whether 13 spoiled ballots may have affected the final outcome.
🌱 Final Week for Green Cart Pickup
The growing season may be winding down, and so is Brandon’s green cart program.
This marks the final week of curbside green cart collection for the season. While registrations have closed, residents can continue bringing yard and food waste to the Eastview Residential Diversion Depot.
🏒 Hockey Brandon Mourns Volunteer Legend
The Brandon hockey community is remembering one of its most dedicated supporters.
Ken Coleman, affectionately known as “Stats,” has died at the age of 78. Coleman was a longtime volunteer with Hockey Brandon, a former Brandon Sun writer, and a member of the Brandon University Sports Wall of Fame.
Friends and colleagues remember him as a passionate advocate for local sports whose statistical expertise earned him his memorable nickname.
🏒 WHL Awards Franchise to Chilliwack
The Western Hockey League is expanding once again.
League officials have approved a new franchise for Chilliwack beginning next season. Former NHL player Jeremy Colliton will serve as governor, general manager and head coach.
The team, which has yet to be named, will compete in the B.C. Division and Western Conference while playing at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
🇨🇦 Canadians Still Wary of the United States
New polling suggests Canada’s relationship with its southern neighbour remains strained in the eyes of many Canadians.
According to the survey, 81 per cent of respondents describe the current relationship with the United States as negative, while 77 per cent view the U.S. as an economic threat.
Even with hopes for less trade tension under a Democrat-controlled Congress, skepticism remains widespread.
🚑 Recovery Continues After Deadly Wainwright Fire
The recovery process continues for soldiers injured in the devastating military base grass fire near Wainwright, Alberta.
Officials say two more patients have now been discharged from hospital, though 25 troops remain under medical care. The fire claimed four lives and injured 39 soldiers during training exercises earlier this year.
Military officials say support services remain in place as recovery efforts continue.
