Bank of Canada’s Macklem warns global resilience ‘under strain’

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem is warning that persistently high global energy prices will drive up the outlook for inflation at home.

While Macklem said global resilience is being tested after a series of shocks, he also expressed some confidence in Canada's ability to weather the storm.

The head of the Bank of Canada spoke to reporters on Saturday in a press conference from the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund meetings in Bangkok.

He said the prevailing message from his peers at the summit is that the global economy has been performing better than expected in the face of ongoing wars in Iran and Ukraine, sweeping trade disruptions and higher borrowing costs from rising bond yields.

Province declares measles outbreak over

WINNIPEG — After once leading the country in reported cases, the province has declared the measles outbreak in Manitoba to be over.

Public health officials announced Friday the last laboratory-confirmed case was identified in August.

Since the outbreak was first reported in February 2025, a total of 1,038 measles cases have been reported in Manitoba, including 931 confirmed cases and 107 probable cases. Of all reported cases, 87 per cent were either not immunized or had an unknown immunization status, the province said in a news release.

In May, Manitoba was leading the country in cases for 2026. At the time, the province had more than 600 confirmed and probable cases, making up nearly two-thirds of all reported Canadian cases, Doctors Manitoba had said.

High school riders

The Brandon High School Indoor Rodeo, held at the Keystone Centre, ended Friday. But rodeo action continues as the Wheat City Cowtown Eastern Circuit Finals rodeo, which also kicked off Thursday evening, runs again tonight.

» Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun

Fawcett criticized for blaming staff

Incumbent Jeff Fawcett repeatedly shifted the responsibility onto city staff for controversial decisions raised during Friday night’s mayoral debate.

The debate between Fawcett and challenger Len Isleifson — held at Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall with about 80 people in attendance — covered a range of topics including growth, taxes and transparency.

When asked about 78 committee of the whole meetings since October 2022, most of which were closed to the public, Fawcett responded by clarifying that he “once again, (is) not a city clerk.”

“The city clerks set all those up using the Municipal Act,” he said.

Dozens of drivers ticketed in RCMP traffic blitz

A police traffic blitz this week in Westman took four commercial vehicles out of service and left dozens of drivers with tickets.

The RCMP conducted an operation along the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 10 in response to concerns by residents about speeding, commercial vehicle traffic and highway safety in the area.

“Motorists are being reminded to slow down, particularly when approaching or passing emergency vehicles,” RCMP said in a news release on Friday. “Our priority is to encourage safe driving, respond to community concerns and make sure everyone gets home safely.”

The efforts took place Tuesday and Wednesday.

Carberry overpass expected to use roundabouts

The Carberry overpass is expected to use two roundabouts that can accommodate farm equipment, according to structural design plans that the municipality posted online this week.

The Town of Carberry on Thursday released information from the provincial government’s overpass design, showing a roundabout on both the north and south exits of the overpass, connecting it to Highway 5 and ramps to exit and enter the Trans-Canada Highway.

Mayor Ray Muirhead told the Sun on Friday that he is happy with the design.

“I like it, I think it’s what we want,” Muirhead said. “The only thing I can see anybody saying anything about is the roundabouts. But I don’t think they’re that bad. I think it’s going to accommodate what we want.”

Ministers tout Indigenous policing investment

While no new money was announced for Indigenous policing on Friday, federal and provincial public safety ministers held a press conference in Brandon to announce $163.5 million in past funding commitments.

Speaking at the Waywayseecappo Conference Centre, federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the combined funding from the two governments is aiding the expansion and effectiveness of Indigenous-led policing efforts.

“I’m happy to announce that our governments today, Canada and Manitoba, are jointly supporting two major investments in First Nations policing and community safety here in the province under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program,” Anandasangaree said. “This money will strengthen its capacity to deliver First Nations-led, culturally informed policing to the 12 First Nations communities that it currently serves.”

The funding includes $121 million for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service from 2023-27 and $42.5 million to expand the Manitoba First Nation Safety Officer Program from 2025-28.

Neelin students quiz mayoral candidates

Public safety became a central concern Friday morning as École secondaire Neelin High School students hosted Brandon’s two mayoral candidates for an election forum in the school’s theatre.

The Grade 11 students, who organized the forum as part of their Canadian history studies, also questioned candidates Jeff Fawcett, the incumbent mayor, and Len Isleifson on topics ranging from transportation to the city’s future.

Asked how streets could be made safer for everyone, particularly women, Isleifson said safety has to be considered from the perspective of everyone who uses the city’s streets.

“We need to continually keep in mind that we need to build a community that is safe for everybody, and everybody should feel safe walking around,” Isleifson said, calling for continuous investment “in public safety, police and cleaning up our community.”