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Deveryn Ross says a recent report from Brandon's downtown safety and wellness task force demonstrates just how tricky improvement in the city's core will be. (File)

No quick fixes to downtown woes

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023

I know. You’ve read the headline and have probably said something like this to yourself: “Good grief, not another column about downtown safety and revitalization. Really, who cares? I don’t live down there, don’t shop down there, and I avoid the area as much as I can. It doesn’t matter to me.”

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A stronger community starts with us

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

A stronger community starts with us

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022

In last week’s column, I wrote about the impact prolonged isolation can have on our health. I listed many harmful side-effects, which include depression, heart disease, cancer and suicide. I also offered a few suggestions of things we can do to cut back on the isolation and build (or rebuild) relationships.

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Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022

Deveryn Ross says lack of social interaction may be harming the health of communities, including Brandon. (File)
Deveryn Ross says lack of social interaction may be harming the health of communities, including Brandon. (File)

Use Christmas to cure the isolation

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

Use Christmas to cure the isolation

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

My wife is worried about me. She is concerned that I spend too much time by myself, and that I haven’t stayed in contact with many people I had good relationships with prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022

A man reads a newspaper on a sunny morning at Ogden Point in Victoria, B.C. A report on the Canadian Association for Mental Health website says "Humans are social creatures and need connection to others to thrive." (File)
A man reads a newspaper on a sunny morning at Ogden Point in Victoria, B.C. A report on the Canadian Association for Mental Health website says

A civic lesson: Citizenship means co-operation

David Docherty 9 minute read Preview

A civic lesson: Citizenship means co-operation

David Docherty 9 minute read Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

The No. 1 reason — by far — that people come to Brandon University is to gain the skills they need for a career. While here, they also gain a sense of community and the importance of citizenship.

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Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

Brandon University president David Docherty (right) raises the Canadian flag in front of BU along 18th Street. Docherty says being a citizen means "paying attention to and being involved in the democratic process. Voting, yes, but also showing up at council meetings and consultations. It means sitting on boards and volunteering for events. It means being a good neighbour." (File)
Brandon University president David Docherty (right) raises the Canadian flag in front of BU along 18th Street. Docherty says being a citizen means

The state of the province, or the state of the government?

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

The state of the province, or the state of the government?

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

It’s called a “state of the province” speech for a reason. It’s what the audience expects to hear. So, why not give them what they expect?

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Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson delivers her annual state of the province speech to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in Winnipeg on Thursday. Deveryn Ross says this year's speech had more partisan tones compared to previous state of the province speeches. (The Canadian Press)
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson delivers her annual state of the province speech to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in Winnipeg on Thursday. Deveryn Ross says this year's speech had more partisan tones compared to previous state of the province speeches. (The Canadian Press)

Don’t believe the spin, greatness can’t be broken

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

Don’t believe the spin, greatness can’t be broken

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

Earlier this week, I wrote a column that discussed the five-minute video recently released by Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre. The video begins with him asking this question: “Do you ever feel like everything’s broken in Canada?,” but is devoted mostly to his perception of the addictions crisis that many Canadian cities are experiencing.

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Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

Deveryn Ross says, contrary to what federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre claims, Canada doesn't need fixing. (File)
Deveryn Ross says, contrary to what federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre claims, Canada doesn't need fixing. (File)

Urban sprawl comes with costs

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

Urban sprawl comes with costs

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022

You have probably heard this argument before: owners of newer homes on the edges of Brandon pay much higher property taxes than the rest of us. They are subsidizing the rest of the city, and deserve to have greater influence at city hall.

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Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022

The Brandon skyline. Deveryn Ross says urban sprawl threatens the city's sustainability. "The more we grow outward, the more money the city will lose." (File)
The Brandon skyline. Deveryn Ross says urban sprawl threatens the city's sustainability.

Throne speech offers election hints

Deveryn Ross 4 minute read Preview

Throne speech offers election hints

Deveryn Ross 4 minute read Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022

On Tuesday, the Manitoba government’s final legislative session before the next provincial election began with a speech from the throne in which the lieutenant-governor outlined many of the policies that the government plans to implement during the session.

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Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022

Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville leaves the Legislative Chamber following Tuesday's throne speech at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg. The Tories outlined a number of issues in the speech that will likely become election issues, Deveryn Ross writes. (Winnipeg Free Press)
Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville leaves the Legislative Chamber following Tuesday's throne speech at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg. The Tories outlined a number of issues in the speech that will likely become election issues, Deveryn Ross writes. (Winnipeg Free Press)

Turning our ear to community

David Docherty 5 minute read Preview

Turning our ear to community

David Docherty 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022

There’s nothing more music to my ears than actual music.

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Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022

The Brandon University Bobcats protect the net from the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in a Canada West women's volleyball game at the Healthy Living Centre in January. David Docherty writes: "Hosting gatherings and convening events, bringing together interesting people for interesting experiences is embedded in our culture." (File)
The Brandon University Bobcats protect the net from the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in a Canada West women's volleyball game at the Healthy Living Centre in January. David Docherty writes:

Last chance to get aquatic facility we want

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

Last chance to get aquatic facility we want

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022

As you may have read earlier this week in the Sun, the City of Brandon has issued a public notice that says it “is exploring preliminary options for the development of a new outdoor aquatic centre in Brandon.”

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Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022

Deveryn Ross urges Brandon residents to complete the city's survey on a potential aquatic facility in the Wheat City. (File)
Deveryn Ross urges Brandon residents to complete the city's survey on a potential aquatic facility in the Wheat City. (File)

Great ideas starting to flow

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

Great ideas starting to flow

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

Last week, I wrote about the widespread perception that our city’s political leaders lack the vision to guide Brandon into the future. I also reminded readers that we all have the opportunity — the responsibility even — to participate in that process.

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Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

The emergency department entrance at Brandon Regional Health Centre. "Brandon needs a 24-hour alternative to the ER at the hospital. Brandonites suffering from a non-emergent health issue need a place to go to other than the ER," Deveryn Ross writes. (File)
The emergency department entrance at Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Does Manitoba need a provincial police service?

Mark Frison 4 minute read Preview

Does Manitoba need a provincial police service?

Mark Frison 4 minute read Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

Has the time come for the establishment of a Manitoba provincial police service? I expect this question to get an increasing amount of attention in the next 12 months.

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Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

"Assiniboine Community College has built a solid track record of providing professional police training and I believe it could be helpful," Mark Frison writes. (Submitted)

Inflation eating away at Thanksgiving dinner

By Sylvain Charlebois 4 minute read Preview

Inflation eating away at Thanksgiving dinner

By Sylvain Charlebois 4 minute read Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022

Thanksgiving is this weekend. With the price of food these days, we’re all wondering how most of us will cope.

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Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022

“Our estimates suggest that turkey, a traditional dish for Thanksgiving dinners in Canada, has increased in per-kilogram price by an average of 15 to 16 per cent compared to last year,” Sylvain Charlebois writes. (File)
“Our estimates suggest that turkey, a traditional dish for Thanksgiving dinners in Canada, has increased in per-kilogram price by an average of 15 to 16 per cent compared to last year,” Sylvain Charlebois writes. (File)

For stronger economy, leaders must lead

Deveryn Ross 6 minute read Preview

For stronger economy, leaders must lead

Deveryn Ross 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022

This is what it feels like to be treated like second-class Manitobans in Manitoba’s second-largest city. This is what it feels like to be left behind.

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Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022

Marshall Ring, CEO of Manitoba Technology Accelerator, is photographed at the former restaurant on the Esplanade Riel in Winnipeg Tuesday. Ring is renovating the building before his organization moves in. The MTA's plan is to make Winnipeg the startup capital of Western Canada. (Winnipeg Free Press)
Marshall Ring, CEO of Manitoba Technology Accelerator, is photographed at the former restaurant on the Esplanade Riel in Winnipeg Tuesday. Ring is renovating the building before his organization moves in. The MTA's plan is to make Winnipeg the startup capital of Western Canada. (Winnipeg Free Press)

It begins with a question

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

It begins with a question

Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022

When I went to law school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, I would regularly read the Halifax Chronicle-Herald. It’s one of the oldest newspapers in North America, and I remember that the bottom of the editorial page of each day’s edition asked this question in large, bold print: “What have you done today for Nova Scotia?”

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Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022

An angler fishes at Dinsdale Park backdropped by the city's downtown skyline. Deveryn Ross writes that Brandon faces a deficit of community groups that are traditionally responsible for organizing local projects. "With most service clubs gone or in decline, how do we unite a community as diverse as ours toward the cause of building a modern, progressive and innovative city, where people want to stay and raise their children and grandchildren?" he writes. (File)
An angler fishes at Dinsdale Park backdropped by the city's downtown skyline. Deveryn Ross writes that Brandon faces a deficit of community groups that are traditionally responsible for organizing local projects.

Splett brings ideas to Richmond Ward campaign

By Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Preview

Splett brings ideas to Richmond Ward campaign

By Deveryn Ross 5 minute read Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022

If this is the beginning of a serious, thoughtful conversation about the future of our city, then it’s a good start.

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Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022

Jason Splett is running for city council in Ward 8. Deveryn Ross says Splett brings worthwhile ideas to the table. (Colin Slark/The Brandon Sun)
Jason Splett is running for city council in Ward 8. Deveryn Ross says Splett brings worthwhile ideas to the table. (Colin Slark/The Brandon Sun)

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