Welcome to Brandon!
A great place to live, work, and raise a family.
The decision to relocate is often a difficult one. Rest assured, if you choose or have recently chosen Brandon as your new home, we are confident that you will grow to love Brandon as others have. Ask any new resident of our city to describe why they chose Brandon. You will find the most frequently used terms are opportunity, quality of life, friendly and diverse. Nicknamed “The Wheat City” in honour of its rich agricultural heritage, Brandon offers a quality of life that must be experienced to be appreciated.
Brandon is a progressive community nestled along the Assiniboine River in the heart of Southwestern Manitoba. The City continues to prosper without forsaking the high “Quality of Life” residents work diligently to maintain. Brandon is in an enviable position to offer the best of both worlds, the opportunity and sophistication of metropolitan life within a stone’s throw of quiet country living.
Brandon is the regional center of Western Manitoba with a population of approximately 46,000 and a trading area population of 180,000. Situated in the southwest corner of the province of Manitoba, Brandon covers approximately 74 sq. km and is located 197 km west of Winnipeg, 365 km east of Regina and 100 km north of the United States border. Brandon’s economy is stable and poised for growth.
Brandon boasts amenities, services, and educational and employment opportunities generally found in much larger centres, including daily passenger flights to and from Calgary, Alberta via WestJet. Brandon is the only Canadian City with a population of our size that offers a University, a regional Community College and an Emergency Services College.
Money Sense magazine has ranked Brandon consistently in the top 10 best places to live in Canada for good reason. Five minutes away, the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis provides a tranquil setting for those who desire a rural lifestyle but want quick and easy access to city amenities and opportunities.
A sports-oriented city full of top-notch recreation facilities, Brandon has everything from skiing to soccer to equestrian sports. Additionally, the city is home to a multitude of arts and cultural offerings, featuring visual exhibits as well as musical performances in a variety of genres. A diverse offering of concerts is available at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium and the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba features national and international exhibitions, and works by regional artists. Brandon’s growing newcomer population is adding an exciting cultural dimension to the community.
Brandon boasts an excellent array of shopping facilities with two major shopping centers, including big establishments such as Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire, SportChek, Staples, Home Depot, Best Buy, Michaels, Winners, Carters, Ashley Furniture, Leon’s, Pennington’s, The Body Shop, Michael Hill, Ben Moss, Giant Tiger, Superstore, Safeway, Sobeys, Good Life Gym, The Keg, Browns Social House, Montana’s, Applebee’s, Shoppers Drug Mart, Landmark Cinemas and an extensive mix of smaller unique shops & other big chains. With over 25 bars and lounges and over 100 restaurants, some of the finest in Manitoba, there is something for all tastes and budgets. There are over 2000 businesses operating within the city!
With the Assiniboine River winding 17 km through the heart of Brandon, over 40 km of paved walking, biking & hiking trails, and countless parks, forests, rivers, and lakes within a short drive of Brandon, the area is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts. The Red Willow Trail pedestrian bridge links together a mixture of attractive walkways, cycling routes, nature reserves and picnic spots.
More Information
Below is everything you need to know about getting settled in our beautiful city!
Educational Institutions
As the second largest city in Manitoba, Brandon is fortunate to have excellent educational facilities that include a public school system, a university, several colleges and private vocational schools to meet the learning needs and career aspirations of all students.
If you are a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, you do not have to pay to send your children to public school. Parents can also choose to place their children in private schools. Public schools are paid by taxes while private schools are supported partly by government grants and partly by tuition fees paid by parents.
Parents in Manitoba are encouraged to become involved in their children’s education. Most schools invite parents to join parent councils. The councils organize special programs and events, fundraise for the school, and give advice on school needs and priorities. Parents are also invited to discuss any concerns with the teachers and principals.
Most children in Manitoba start school when they are five years old. They go to kindergarten for half a day during the first year then full days from Grade one to twelve. The school year runs from September to June each year. English is the main language of instruction with some schools also offering instruction in French. If you would like more information about the school system in Manitoba, please visit edu.gov.mb.ca
The Brandon School Division has approximately 8,400 students and 1,141 staff members. It encompasses 22 schools, 19 of which are located within the City of Brandon. There are three (3) high schools and 19 early and middle-year schools in the Brandon School Division. French Immersion programming is offered from K-12 at four (4) division schools, École O’Kelly School at CFB Shilo, École New Era School, École Harrison and École Secondaire Neelin High School. The division also offers Vocational Training at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School.
The School Division is governed by a board of locally elected trustees, therefore there is a great deal of accountability to the people they serve. Board meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month with exceptions being made in July, August and December. All meetings are open and the public is always welcome. Please visit the Brandon School Division webpage at bsd.ca to find out more.
Extra-curricular sports and school activities such as choir, band, drama, academic skill contests, clubs and volunteer groups are an important part of the social portion of the school system. Brandon schools offer organized sports teams as a means of building school pride and student engagement. Sports offered include badminton, basketball, baseball, curling, fastball, football, golf, hockey, rugby, soccer, track & field, volleyball and many others.
Contact the Brandon School Division
1031 – 6th Street Brandon, MB R7A 4K5
Phone: 204-729-3100
Fax: 204-727-2217
bsd.ca
Information for New Residents
To Register During the School Year: Students are requested to appear at their catchment area school. Assistance with catchment school identification is available from the School Division Transportation Office, telephone 204- 729-3975.
To identify your catchment area, you may stop by your nearest elementary school during regular business hours, or phone the school division office at 204-729-3105. You will need to have your street or section, township and range address for this process.
Utilities
Hydro
Manitoba Hydro & Gas Division
235 – 10th Street Brandon, MB R7A 7J8
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Phone: 204-727-9233 (customer service)
204-727-9300 (switchboard)
1-888-474-0707 (After-hours emergency number only)
Water
City of Brandon – Treasury Department
Main floor, 410 – 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A2
Phone: 204-729-2262
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
water@brandon.ca
www.brandon.ca/utilities/overview
New residents are asked to call 204-729-2262 to provide the account holder’s name and the date of possession. There is no hook-up fee.
Cable, Phone & Internet Services
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.
517 – 18th Street Brandon, MB R7A 5Y9
Phone: 204-225-5687 (no charge dial)
MTS Allstream provides a broad range of solutions including high-speed Internet, wireless, TV, wireline voice services and security and alarm monitoring services through its subsidiary, AAA Alarm Systems Ltd.
Westman Communications Group
1906 Park Avenue Brandon, MB R7B 0R9
Phone: 204-725-4300
Toll Free: 800-665-3337
With Home Phone service, High Speed Internet, and Digital TV, Westman Communications Group plays a crucial role in keeping the community connected, informed and entertained. In addition, Westman Communication’s advertising and broadcasting capabilities, extensive local programming, and generous corporate support contribute substantially to community life – in Brandon and surrounding area.
Property Insurance
Guild Insurance
Address: 2830 2830 Victoria Av, Brandon, MB R7B 3X1
Phone: (204) 729-4949
www.guildhmsinsurance.ca
Driver & Vehicle Licensing Information
Manitoba Public Insurance
Phone: 1-800-665-2410
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (cut off to start a written test is 4:00 p.m.)
731 – 1st Street Brandon, MB R7A 6C3
www.mpi.mb.ca
For detailed information about licensing a vehicle in Manitoba or obtaining a Manitoba driver’s license, please contact the Customer Service line at 1-800-665-2410.