Brandon | |
|---|---|
| City of Brandon | |
 Skyline of Brandon  Dominion Exhibition Display Building II  Brandon Court House  Brandon Central Fire Station building  Downtown Brandon | |
 Flag  Coat of arms  Logo | |
| Nicknames: | |
| Motto: | |
  Brandon Location of Brandon Show map of Canada Brandon Brandon (Manitoba) Show map of Manitoba | |
| Coordinates:49°50′49″N099°57′08″W / 49.84694°N 99.95222°W /49.84694; -99.95222[2] | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Manitoba |
| Region | Westman |
| Incorporated | 30 May 1882 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jeff Fawcett |
| • Governing Body | Brandon City Council |
| • MLAs | Glen Simard (NDP) Wayne Balcaen (PC) Colleen Robbins (PC) |
| • MP | Grant Jackson(CPC) |
| Area | |
• City | 79.04 km2 (30.52 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 76.89 km2 (29.69 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 2,289.33 km2 (883.92 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 409.40 m (1,343.2 ft) |
| Population | |
• City | 51,313 |
| • Rank | 2nd in Manitoba |
| • Density | 649.2/km2 (1,681/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 54,268 (58th) |
| • Metro density | 25.3/km2 (66/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC– 06:00 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC– 05:00 (CDT) |
| Forward sortation area | |
| Area codes | 204,431 |
| Demonym | Brandonite, Brandonian |
| Website | brandon |
Brandon (/ˈbrændən/) is the second-largest city in the province ofManitoba, Canada. It is located in the southwestern corner of the province on the banks of theAssiniboine River (near theTrans-Canada Highway), approximately 214 kilometres (133 mi) west of the provincial capital,Winnipeg, and 120 kilometres (75 mi) east of theSaskatchewan border. Brandon covers an area of 77.41 km2 (29.89 sq mi) with a population of 51,313,[3] and acensus metropolitan area population of 54,268.[4] It is the primary hub of trade and commerce for theWestman Region and parts of southeastern Saskatchewan, an area with a population of more than 190,000 people.[5]
The City of Brandon was incorporated in 1882,[6] having a history rooted in theAssiniboine River fur trade as well as its role as a major junction on theCanadian Pacific Railway.[7] Known asThe Wheat City, Brandon's economy is predominantly associated withagriculture,[8] as well as health care, manufacturing, food processing, education, business services, and transportation.[9][10]
Brandon's post-secondary institutions includeBrandon University,Assiniboine College,Robertson College, and theManitoba Emergency Services College.[11]Canadian Forces Base Shilo is located 30 km (19 mi) east of Brandon and maintains close ties with the city.[12] Brandon'sKeystone Centre, is one of the largest consolidated entertainment, recreation, convention, and agriculture complexes in Canada and is the home of theBrandon Wheat Kings and theRoyal Manitoba Winter Fair.[13][14]
Prior to the influx of people from Eastern Canada, the area around Brandon was primarily used by theSioux people, the Bungays, theYellow Quills, and theBird Tails.[15] In the 1870s and early 1880s, thePlains Bison were nearly wiped out by over-hunting. With the destruction of their staff of life, the buffalo, the nomadic Sioux people began to agree to settle in reservations such as theSioux Valley Dakota Nation, or left the area entirely.
French Canadians also passed through the area on river boats on their way to theHudson Bay Post,Fort Ellice located near present-daySt. Lazare, Manitoba. The city of Brandon gets its name from the Blue Hills south of the city, which got their name from a Hudson's Bay trading post known asBrandon House, which got its name from a hill on an island in James Bay whereCaptain James had anchored his ship in 1631.[15]
During the 1870s it was believed by most that thetranscontinental railway would take a northwesterly direction fromPortage la Prairie. Many thought that the route would most likely go through eitherMinnedosa orRapid City, Manitoba because they were both located at natural river crossings. Rapid City was the front runner for the site of the new railway and had prepared for the impending building boom accordingly. But suddenly, in 1881, the builders of the railway decided to take a more westerly route from Winnipeg, towards Grand Valley.[15] Grand Valley was located on the northern side of the Assiniboine, opposite the side of the river where present-day Brandon sits.
Grand Valley was originally settled by two brothers John and Dougal McVicar, and their families. With the expectation of the new railroad, settlers and prospectors now rushed to an area they had previously avoided.[15] Around 1879 a few settlers led by Reverend George Roddick had begun to build their new homes about 10 miles (16 km) south of Grand Valley, at the foot of the Brandon Hills.[15]
Meanwhile, in Grand Valley with the promise of the railway, the town began to boom. Regular voyages were made by steamsternwheelers to the city, each bringing more and more settlers.[15] In the spring of 1881, GeneralThomas L. Rosser, Chief Engineer of theCanadian Pacific Railway arrived in Grand Valley. It was Rosser's job to choose the townsites for the railway. Rosser approached Dougald McVicar of Grand Valley and offered him $25,000 (equivalent to $750,000 in 2023) for the railway in Grand Valley. McVicar countered with $50,000 to which Rosser replied that "I'll be damned if a town of any kind is ever built here".[15] So instead Rosser crossed the Assiniboine river and built the site of the railway on the high sandy south of the River, 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Grand Valley. So the site was then moved to a site just west of today's current First Street bridge in Brandon. A shanty had been built there by a man named J.D. Adamson, and it was on this quarter section Adamson claimed that Rosser chose as the townsite for the CPR Railway and named Brandon.[15]
After the location of the railway was once again changed, there was still hope that Grand Valley could become a rival neighbour to Brandon. But late in June 1881 it became clear that Grand Valley would not have lasted as a city long term. A flood hit in late June, and as the city was built on a low-lying part of the river, flooded quickly and dramatically.[15] Because Grand Valley was built on a low flood plain, and Brandon was built on the heights on the other side, it became apparent that Brandon was the best place for a city in the area.
Rosser had chosen Brandon as the townsite in May 1881, within a year settlers had flocked to Brandon in such numbers that it was incorporated as a city. Brandon never spent any time as a town or village but has only existed as a city.[15]
Aninternment camp was set up at the Exhibition Building in Brandon from September 1914 to July 1916.[16] PostWorld War II, Brandon experienced a minor disaster when an explosion at the Manitoba Power Commission's steam plant caused the 40 metre (130 ft) brick chimney to collapse, killing two workers in the process.[17]
In contemporary times,Shari Decter Hirst defeated incumbentDave Burgess in the2010 municipal election to become the first female mayor of the city.[18]
Brandon is located in south-western Manitoba, on the banks of the Assiniboine river. It is located in theCanadian Prairies and resides in theaspen parkland ecoregion of the prairies.[19] The terrain is generally flat and rolling surrounding Brandon, and there is a large valley located within the city. The Brandon hills are located to the southeast, from which Brandon got its name. Brandon is 214 km (133 mi) west of the provincial capital, Winnipeg; and 120 km (75 mi) east of theSaskatchewan border.
Brandon has a drycontinental climate (KöppenDfb,[20] USDAPlant Hardiness Zone 2b[21]) with warm, sometimes hot summers and cold, dry winters. Daytime temperatures range from 26.0 °C (78.8 °F) in July to −10.5 °C (13.1 °F) in January. Brandon has a fairly dry climate, with 462 mm (18.2 in) of precipitation annually, and as such is located in thePalliser's Triangle region of the Prairies. There is measurable rainfall on 56.0 days throughout the year, and 38.8 days with snowfall. Snow falls from October to April; however, snow has fallen as late as May and as early as September. The highest temperature ever recorded in Brandon was 43.3 °C (110 °F) on 11 July 1936, during the1936 North American heat wave. The lowest temperature ever recorded was −46.7 °C (−52 °F) on 1 February 1893.[22]
General seasons
| Climate data for Brandon, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1890–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) | 15.0 (59.0) | 25.6 (78.1) | 36.0 (96.8) | 38.5 (101.3) | 42.2 (108.0) | 43.3 (109.9) | 41.1 (106.0) | 37.8 (100.0) | 32.5 (90.5) | 22.2 (72.0) | 14.4 (57.9) | 43.3 (109.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −10.5 (13.1) | −7.1 (19.2) | −0.3 (31.5) | 11.2 (52.2) | 18.7 (65.7) | 23.3 (73.9) | 26.0 (78.8) | 25.6 (78.1) | 19.3 (66.7) | 10.9 (51.6) | −0.3 (31.5) | −8.1 (17.4) | 9.1 (48.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −16.5 (2.3) | −13.2 (8.2) | −5.9 (21.4) | 4.5 (40.1) | 11.4 (52.5) | 16.6 (61.9) | 19.2 (66.6) | 18.2 (64.8) | 12.2 (54.0) | 4.6 (40.3) | −5.4 (22.3) | −13.6 (7.5) | 2.7 (36.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −22.4 (−8.3) | −19.2 (−2.6) | −11.4 (11.5) | −2.3 (27.9) | 4.0 (39.2) | 9.9 (49.8) | 12.3 (54.1) | 10.8 (51.4) | 5.0 (41.0) | −1.8 (28.8) | −10.5 (13.1) | −19.1 (−2.4) | −3.7 (25.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −46.1 (−51.0) | −46.7 (−52.1) | −43.9 (−47.0) | −27.8 (−18.0) | −13.9 (7.0) | −3.9 (25.0) | 0.0 (32.0) | −3.3 (26.1) | −11.7 (10.9) | −26.5 (−15.7) | −40.6 (−41.1) | −43.0 (−45.4) | −46.7 (−52.1) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 17.9 (0.70) | 13.1 (0.52) | 24.7 (0.97) | 24.9 (0.98) | 56.5 (2.22) | 79.6 (3.13) | 68.2 (2.69) | 65.5 (2.58) | 41.9 (1.65) | 29.3 (1.15) | 18.9 (0.74) | 21.3 (0.84) | 461.7 (18.18) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.1 (0.00) | 1.2 (0.05) | 8.0 (0.31) | 16.3 (0.64) | 52.1 (2.05) | 79.6 (3.13) | 68.2 (2.69) | 65.5 (2.58) | 41.6 (1.64) | 23.6 (0.93) | 3.8 (0.15) | 1.0 (0.04) | 360.8 (14.20) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 17.6 (6.9) | 11.9 (4.7) | 16.9 (6.7) | 8.4 (3.3) | 4.5 (1.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.1) | 5.7 (2.2) | 15.1 (5.9) | 20.4 (8.0) | 100.8 (39.7) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 8.5 | 11.4 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.6 | 8.3 | 93.7 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.04 | 0.48 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 7.9 | 11.4 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 6.9 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 0.35 | 56.0 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 8.5 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 0.67 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.11 | 1.8 | 5.7 | 8.0 | 38.8 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 99.3 | 131.3 | 180.2 | 234.6 | 272.7 | 271.9 | 306.6 | 300.0 | 210.6 | 163.5 | 96.3 | 91.6 | 2,358.5 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 37.2 | 46.2 | 49.0 | 56.9 | 57.2 | 55.7 | 62.3 | 66.9 | 55.5 | 48.9 | 35.3 | 36.1 | 50.6 |
| Source:Environment Canada (bright sunshine recorded at airport)[22][23] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | 3,778 | — |
| 1901 | 5,620 | +48.8% |
| 1911 | 13,839 | +146.2% |
| 1921 | 15,397 | +11.3% |
| 1931 | 17,082 | +10.9% |
| 1941 | 17,172 | +0.5% |
| 1951 | 20,598 | +20.0% |
| 1961 | 28,166 | +36.7% |
| 1971 | 31,150 | +10.6% |
| 1981 | 36,242 | +16.3% |
| 1991 | 38,567 | +6.4% |
| 1996 | 39,175 | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 39,716 | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 41,511 | +4.5% |
| 2011 | 46,061 | +11.0% |
| 2016 | 48,859 | +6.1% |
| 2021 | 51,313 | +5.0% |
| Source:[citation needed][24] | ||
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 39,897 | — |
| 1996 | 40,581 | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 46,273 | +14.0% |
| 2006 | 48,256 | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 54,847 | +13.7% |
| 2016 | 51,807 | −5.5% |
| 2021 | 54,268 | +4.8% |
| The negative population trend in 2016 is a result of a change in the census assessment area. Sources:[4][25][26] | ||
| Ethnic origins 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Population | Percentage | |
| English | 13,585 | 28.6 |
| Scottish | 11,720 | 24.6 |
| Canadian | 10,650 | 22.4 |
| Irish | 8,210 | 17.3 |
| Ukrainian | 6,755 | 14.2 |
| German | 6,360 | 13.4 |
| French | 4,670 | 9.8 |
| First Nations | 4,025 | 8.5 |
| Polish | 3,110 | 6.5 |
| Métis | 2,795 | 5.9 |
In the2021 Census of Population conducted byStatistics Canada, Brandon had a population of 51,313 living in 21,203 of its 22,526 total private dwellings, a change of5% from its 2016 population of 48,883. With a land area of 79.04 km2 (30.52 sq mi), it had a population density of649.2/km2 (1,681.4/sq mi) in 2021.[24]
The median age is 36.3 years old which is almost 5 years younger than the national average at 41.2 years old. There are 22,526 dwellings in Brandon with an occupancy rate of 94.1%, and the median cost of a dwelling at $264,781, much lower than the national average at $341,556.
As far as education goes, for those between 25 and 64 years old, 57.0% have a post-secondary schooling degree, 29.8% have a high school degree (or equivalent) and 13.2% have no certificates, diplomas or degrees. The unemployment rate is 7.3% in Brandon, lower than the national average at 7.7%. The median household income before taxes is $65,960, and after taxes at $57,008.
As of 2016, 88.8% of Brandon's residents are Canadian citizens. About 5.5% of residents are recent immigrants (from 2011 to 2016).
Brandon is 70.1% white, 16.3% visible minorities and 13.6% aboriginal. The largest visible minority groups in Brandon areLatin American (5.0%),Chinese (3.8%),South Asian (3.0%),Black (2.1%) andFilipino (1.1%).
| Panethnic group | 2021[27] | 2016[28] | 2011[29] | 2006[30] | 2001[31] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| European[a] | 32,115 | 64.44% | 33,295 | 70.01% | 34,685 | 77.28% | 35,105 | 86.24% | 34,260 | 87.98% |
| Indigenous | 7,075 | 14.2% | 6,500 | 13.67% | 5,040 | 11.23% | 3,995 | 9.81% | 3,725 | 9.57% |
| African | 2,855 | 5.73% | 1,000 | 2.1% | 540 | 1.2% | 270 | 0.66% | 260 | 0.67% |
| South Asian | 2,570 | 5.16% | 1,430 | 3.01% | 430 | 0.96% | 360 | 0.88% | 130 | 0.33% |
| Latin American | 2,095 | 4.2% | 2,370 | 4.98% | 1,965 | 4.38% | 425 | 1.04% | 60 | 0.15% |
| East Asian[b] | 1,635 | 3.28% | 1,965 | 4.13% | 1,585 | 3.53% | 270 | 0.66% | 300 | 0.77% |
| Southeast Asian[c] | 980 | 1.97% | 620 | 1.3% | 430 | 0.96% | 210 | 0.52% | 150 | 0.39% |
| Middle Eastern[d] | 135 | 0.27% | 150 | 0.32% | 110 | 0.25% | 20 | 0.05% | 15 | 0.04% |
| Other/multiracial[e] | 275 | 0.55% | 245 | 0.52% | 100 | 0.22% | 50 | 0.12% | 55 | 0.14% |
| Total responses | 49,840 | 97.13% | 47,560 | 97.29% | 44,885 | 97.45% | 40,705 | 98.06% | 38,940 | 98.05% |
| Total population | 51,313 | 100% | 48,883 | 100% | 46,061 | 100% | 41,511 | 100% | 39,716 | 100% |
| Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses | ||||||||||
The 2021 census found that English was the mother tongue of 80.6% of the population. The next most common mother tongues were Spanish (4.2%), Gujarati (2.8%), Mandarin (2.0%), French (1.4%), Tagalog (1.2%), Ukrainian (1.1%), Punjabi (0.9%), German (0.7%), Cantonese (0.7%), Amharic (0.7%), Yoruba (0.4%), Russian (0.4%), Tigrigna (0.4%), Arabic (0.3%), Cree (0.2%), Hindi (0.2%), Korean (0.2%), and Urdu (0.2%).[32]
Public schools in Brandon are governed by theBrandon School Division. There are approximately 7,200 students, 900 staff, 22 schools and a budget exceeding $50 million.[33] There are four high schools:Vincent Massey High School,Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, andNeelin High School, andPrairie Hope High School (formerly BSD Off-Campus).[34] Brandon is also home to four post-secondary institutions:Brandon University,Assiniboine College,Robertson College, as well as theManitoba Emergency Services College.
Downtown Brandon is full of 20th century architecture with a skyline of brick buildings. The most notable are the oldMcKenzie Seeds building, Brandon Central Fire Station building and the Brandon Court House.
The city is served byBrandon Regional Health Centre. The 300 bed hospital is the largest in theWestman Region.
Water and sewage services are provided by the City of Brandon.[37] The city draws water from theAssiniboine River where it is then treated andfluoridated at the community's water treatment plant on McDonald Avenue.[37] The Assiniboine River's flow is regulated by theShellmouth Dam in order to ensure that communities on the river have adequate water supply. Brandon has two emergency groundwater wells to supply water in the event of an emergency situation with water supply or if there are issues with waterturbidity or elevated organic water hardness.[37] Like nearly every community in Manitoba, electricity is 98% hydro generated and supplied byManitoba Hydro.[38] TheBrandon Generating Station was a coal powered plant that operated until about 2018. It is now natural gas fueled and runs only as asynchronous condenser to regulate grid voltage in southwest Manitoba.
TheBrandon Sun publishes daily newspapers.
Brandon hosts many art festivals every year, including the Brandon Festival of the Arts, Brandon Jazz Festival, and the Brandon Folk Music Festival. In addition to the music festivals, the Brandon University School of Music hosts the annual 'Pro Series' which has included guests like Bob Brookmeyer, George Crumb, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. In 2009, Brandon hosted theWestern Canadian Music Awards.
The "Words Alive" was a yearly literary festival held in downtown Brandon, from 2007–2010. Authors that participated in this festival includedRobert J. Sawyer,Maggie Siggins,Fred Stenson and Corey Redekop.
Some of the local arts venues include the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Evans Theatre, and theArt Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba.
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