Program Contacts

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Important Information

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.  The Department of Family Medicine additionally participates in clinical programs in Inuit communities.  We respect the Treaties and Agreements that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

 

The CASPer Test - Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics 

All applicants to the Family Medicine Residency Program, at the University of Manitoba are required to complete an online assessment (CASPer), to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility.

CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program, and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. 

In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements. No exceptions will be provided for applicants unable to take CASPer online due to being located at sites where internet is not dependable due to technical or political factors.

Please go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign up and reserve a test using your student identifier and a piece of government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule.

Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@takecasper.com. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the takecasper.com website.

The CASPer test is comprised of 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for CASPer, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at takeCASPer.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test.

CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.

 

ZOOM INFORMATION SESSIONS:

CaRMS General Overview session:  Monday, January 9 from 7:00-8:30pm CST via Zoom.

Registration link:  https://umanitoba.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Utf-mtqDgoEtFKqCjVlvg3-i-fpnX3FNzd

 

CaRMS Information Deeper Dive – Bilingual & Rural Programs: Tuesday, January 10 from 7:00-8:00pm CST via Zoom

Registration link:  https://umanitoba.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Isf-ChqTkjGtQuL1Q5QlldECaH0qZL-AUy

 

CaRMS Information - Resident Sessions (hosted by our Lead Residents): 7:00-8:00pm CST via Zoom

• Monday, January 16
• Wednesday, January 25

Registration link:  https://umanitoba.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Avc-mrqTIsGNGkmMG7a78zS8-LudkUBFNI

 

MANDATORY ORIENTATION SESSIONS:

The mandatory full day Postgraduate Medical Education Orientation for all residents will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023

The mandatory full day Family Medicine Residency Orientation will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023

 

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Prior to the commencement of training, matched applicants must provide proof of ACLS certification that is current as of July 1, 2023. The ACLS Provider course must be certified by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the American Heart Association. ACLS training that is not certified by one of these two organizations and/or is completed entirely through an online course will not be accepted. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining ACLS certification. We provide a re-certification course in your second year of residency prior to graduation.

Resident Home Location and Travel Requirements

As a resident in the Brandon stream, you will be expected to maintain a residence in Brandon or surrounding area.

Vacation Allowance

Vacation in PGY1 can be taken in the following ways:

• Two weeks in each of two blocks in conjunction with an approved elective or Family Medicine Block Time in the remaining two weeks of the same blocks
• Vacation in 1 week blocks can be taken during Family Medicine Block Time
• One 4 week vacation block

*Vacation is not allowed in Block 1 in PGY1. 

Though the program tries to accommodate residents’ specific vacation period requests, constraints of scheduling often requires flexibility and not all requests will be approved.

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General Instructions

Program application language: English

You are required to fulfill ALL of the most current Provincial Criteria for Canadian Medical Graduates for Manitoba.

The criteria can be found at:  https://www.carms.ca/match/r-1-main-residency-match/eligibility-criteria/manitoba/

 

 

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Supporting Documentation / Information

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Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on January 10, 2023

Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened  on  January 10, 2023

Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on January 10, 2023

Applicants must apply to, and rank each of the University of Manitoba Family Medicine programs individually. There is one central review process.

The same personal letter should be used for all University of Manitoba Family Medicine applications as only one letter will be reviewed per applicant.

There will be only one interview irrespective of the number of programs to which you apply; there may be specific additional questions based on your program interests.

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Interviews

Dates:

• February 13, 2023
• February 14, 2023
• February 16, 2023

Selection Criteria

The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Manitoba is committed to a fair, equitable, and transparent selection process. 

To address the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion we take proactive measures including implicit bias training for all selection committees. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). We encourage you to self-identify any aspect of diversity in your personal statement.

All CMG applicants will have a comprehensive and structured review of their CaRMS file including the personal letter, MSPR, CV and letters of reference.  The review will be conducted by faculty, clinic staff and current residents from any site, regardless of the sites to which you have applied.  Selection for interview will be determined by the outcome of the file review in conjunction with your CASPer™ score.

Applicants who are invited for interview will participate in one structured interview, regardless of the number of sites to which you have applied.  The structured interview may have questions specific to the sites to which you have applied. 

The rank order list is generated specific to each site based upon your file review, your interview, and your CASPer™ score.

Program goals

Selection process goals

We are looking for applicants with a broad range of life experiences, interpersonal skills and a firm foundation of academic achievement that will collectively contribute to the capacity to practise the breadth of Family Medicine.  We are seeking individuals with an appropriate balance between personal and family life, engagement with community, and commitment to our profession.

On completion of their program, family physicians trained by our residency program will demonstrate the abilities to: 

• Respond to the needs of their communities by providing comprehensive, high quality, continuous health care to their patients and families across the life cycle (including prevention, acute and chronic illness management), in a variety of care settings, and to a broad base of patients, including those from underserved and marginalized populations.
• Recognize that the patient-physician relationship is central to their practice and strive to communicate effectively with patients.  
• Collaborate with other physicians, health professionals, patients, and their families to optimize patient care.  
• Mobilize the resources of the community to improve the health care delivery system.  
• Take an active role in improving the safety and quality of health care.
• Engage in lifelong learning.  
• Demonstrate professional behaviours in all aspects of practice.

File review process

Evaluation criteria :

Elective criteria

Interview process

Interview evaluation criteria :

Information gathered outside of CaRMS application

Specifically, we may consider:
Social interaction during program related events
Communication with program administration
Social media
Unsolicited reference letters
Unsolicited email references
Unsolicited verbal information on a candidate's prior performance
Unsolicited feedback from colleagues and co-workers

Ranking process

The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :
Unprofessional or inappropriate behavior   
Did not attend interview   
Interview performance was not competitive   

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Program Highlights

Overview of Department

https://umanitoba.ca/medicine/department-family-medicine

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

For more than 40 years, the University of Manitoba’s Department of Family Medicine has been positively influencing the health of individuals, families and communities across Manitoba. Through clinical work, teaching and innovative research, family medicine is making a difference.

We offer residents the chance to learn with interprofessional faculty, such as dietitians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals. This collaborative learning model teaches our students and residents the basic principles of health care professions, when to use them in their care of patients and how to make appropriate referrals.

Courses Offered for Residents in Family Medicine*

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Prior to the commencement of training, matched applicants must provide proof of ACLS certification that is current as of July 1, 2023. The ACLS Provider course must be certified by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the American Heart Association. ACLS training that is not certified by one of these two organizations and/or is completed entirely through an online course will not be accepted. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining ACLS certification. We provide a re-certification course in your second year of residency prior to graduation.

Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM)

We mandate ALARM training during the residency and provide reimbursement upon successful completion.

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

We mandate ATLS training during the residency and provide reimbursement upon successful completion for all non-urban residents.

Indigenous Cultures Awareness Workshop (ICAW) or Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (MICST)

We mandate ICAW or MICST training during residency.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

We mandate NRP during residency and provide reimbursement upon successful completion.

Ultrasound Curriculum

The curriculum will be delivered via an ultrasound educational platform known as SonoSim.

*subject to change

 

Scholarly Curriculum*

Scholarly activities in our program include:

- participation in monthly Journal Clubs

- presentations at patient case rounds and regular guideline appraisals 

- didactic teaching  

- formal Quality Improvement curriculum

- Critical Appraisal assignments

- PEARLS exercises as offered through the College of Family Physicians of Canada

- Academic Days throughout the year

- additional core curriculum as mandated by PGME for all postgraduate program residents

* subject to change

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Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 2 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

You will live in Brandon and complete the majority of your residency in this small urban city and surrounding rural communities. Brandon is a small city where generalists, both family physicians and specialists, provide care in the community and at the very well-resourced medical centre. You will become immersed in the community and will practice full-spectrum Family Medicine with lots of hands on experience where you, the Family Medicine resident, are central to the structure.

Your hospital experiences during Family Medicine, Emergency, Psychiatry and Specialty rotations will take place at the Brandon Regional Health Center (BRHC) which is the regional referral center for Western Manitoba. 

• This facility services a referral population of approximately 180,000 and has 313 beds. Inpatient care units include:  Acute Medicine, Surgery, ICU (medical/surgical), NICU, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Palliative Care, Waiting Placement/Supportive Care, Adult Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry and the off-campus Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
• Family physicians, obstetricians and midwives provide care in the new single room maternity care unit and there are about 1520 births per year.
• There are six surgical suites, a minor procedure theatre and a theatre dedicated to obstetrics.
• BRHC features a full range of diagnostic services including MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Neurophysiology and extensive lab services at the Westman Regional Laboratory.
• BRHC outpatient care includes the emergency department that is staffed by in-house emergency physicians (CCFP and CCFP-EM physicians mainly) and is very busy with over 27,000 visits a year, the Cancer program, Day Surgery, GI Unit, Manitoba Breast Screening program, Renal/Dialysis Unit, Outpatient Care Unit and multiple outpatient care clinics such as Fracture Clinic, Ostomy Care and Stroke Prevention to name a just a few.

There are 6 Family Medicine Blocks (FMBT) in each year which includes 4-5 blocks based in Brandon and 1-2 blocks based in a smaller rural community in the region. During Family Medicine Block Time (FMBT), you are based at a private clinic. You will be paired with a primary preceptor and their busy fee-for-service practice. The clinics have a mix of family physicians and specialists. The clinics are part of MyHealth Team including mental health workers, a dietitian, a pharmacist and psychiatrist. Both clinics are fully computerized and utilize electronic medical records. Family Medicine Block Time will provide residents with a wide variety of Family Medicine experiences including office practice, walk-in/urgent care, inpatient care, low risk obstetrics, newborn care, palliative care, cancer care, long-term care, minor surgical procedures and emergency room care. Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry training occurs longitudinally during Family Medicine Block Time over the two years of residency. Your blocks in rural communities will provide acquisition of knowledge, skills, and confidence in practicing in a rural community where the nearest specialty services are 30-60 minutes away in Brandon.

Focused clinical experiences are available in physiotherapy, addiction medicine, IV starts, airway management, gynecology and community medicine. We pride ourselves in our delivery of evidence-based medicine and our ability to allow you to develop your clinical and procedures skills essential to functioning as a rural family physician.

Multiple learners will be together at the same time (typically 2 medical students and 1 or 2 Family Medicine residents). This will enhance the learning environment and is sure to be a lot of fun! 

INTERNAL MEDICINE/HOSPITAL MEDICINE

Your Internal Medicine/Hospital Medicine training occurs in 2 blocks in your first year. These 2 blocks will provide a broad range of clinical exposures with a group of Internal Medicine specialists who practice General Internal Medicine and who each have their own area of special interest and experience. This will mainly include office, hospital and emergency consultations. Some time will be spent with the hospitalist service.  In addition, Hospital Medicine training is provided throughout Family Medicine Block Time. This provides experience looking after both acutely and chronically ill inpatients often with multiple co-morbidities. Rotations include exposure to Cardiology, Nephrology, Neurology, Respirology, Hospitalist, with elective options in Medical and Radiation Oncology.

OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY

These 2 blocks of training will provide experience in both low risk and high-risk obstetrics (prenatal, antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum care) at the busy Brandon Single Room Maternal Child Unit (average birth rate of 1600-1700 per year) as well as additional experience in gynecology and gynecologic procedures such as endometrial biopsy and IUCD insertion.  Family Practice obstetrics and gynecology exposure will also occur longitudinally during Family Medicine Block Time. 

PEDIATRICS

One block of pediatrics has residents involved in the care of children in the office setting, emergency department, delivery room, NICU and pediatric ward. Residents participate in a range of clinical problems from well child care and common childhood illness to consultative pediatrics and the care of critically ill infants. Pediatric training will also be provided horizontally during Family Medicine Block Time and Emergency Medicine. A horizontal experience within Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is also provided during Family Medicine Block Time.

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY

The busy ER department at Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg is the site for one block of Pediatric Emergency training. Longitudinal pediatric emergency is also provided during FMBT in both the Brandon and rural FMBT sites. 

EMERGENCY

Exposure to the busy Emergency Room department of a Regional Referral Center will occur horizontally throughout Family Medicine Block Time. This Emergency Department sees in excess of 27,000 visits per year with greater than 60% being CTAS 1 - 3. The Emergency Department provides acute care to Brandon and surrounding area. It is also a regional referral center to patients that require consultation with Specialist physicians in the areas of General Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Cardiology, General Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Intensive Care Unit and Psychiatry. Preceptors are CCFP-EM qualified Family Physicians that work primarily in the Emergency Room. This is an excellent exposure to a wide variety of critical conditions in patients of all ages.  The rural FMBT rotations also provide excellent emergency training in a smaller center with specialist support 45-60 minutes away.

SURGERY

A blend of general surgery and subspecialty surgery exposure will ensure your Surgery block in Brandon is comprehensive. This involves participating in surgical care in the operating room, emergency department, surgical ward and office. From initial assessment and being first assistant to inpatient care and discharge planning, this rotation provides an excellent experience with lots of one on one bedside teaching. In addition, horizontal surgical experience over the 2-year residency will occur throughout Family Medicine Block Time and Emergency Medicine.    

ICU / CCU

This intensive care rotation is based in a nine-bed unit which includes coronary care, intensive care medicine, and intensive care surgery. Residents encounter a wide range of clinical experiences within the unit, through consultations in the emergency department, and time spent in the intensive care unit. The volume and variety of patients is excellent, including plenty of procedural practice. Airway management skills will be taught during this time by the Department of Anesthesia or with focused clinical days with a rural GP anesthetist.

PALLIATIVE MEDICINE

The Palliative Care rotation has been evaluated by residents as one of the most rewarding and unique to their Family Medicine training. Skills taught by palliative care family physicians enable residents to gain skills essential to providing symptom-based care to both patients struggling with chronic illness and during end-of-life care. This rotation is provided in Winnipeg and training will also occur longitudinally during Family Medicine Block Time.

PSYCHIATRY

This experience will be provided longitudinally during Family Medicine Block Time. Residents will be trained by Specialty Psychiatrists in their community practices, at the Child and Adolescent Treatment Center, Center for Adult Psychiatry and Center for Geriatric Psychiatry. In addition, Emergency Consultations will be seen while on call with Specialty Psychiatrists.

BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE

An integrated approach to behavioral medicine is utilized during your Family Medicine experiences. Key areas include: Mental health concerns (curriculum in consultation with Department of Psychiatry), helping patients develop coping skills, knowledge of community resources and communication skills.

RHA social workers, psychologists and spiritual care professionals provide assistance with patient centered counselling skills as well as knowledge on and appropriate use of community resources. These professionals, and the psychiatrists, are also involved in teaching during Academic Days. Consultations with the Brandon Regional Health Centre Psychiatric Unit provide additional experiences. 

NUTRITION EDUCATION & CARE

RHA dietitians provide experience in office management of nutritional concerns that are common to family practice including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight management and other diseases. The program dietitian is involved in evaluation & teaching.

HEALTH PROMOTION

There are many opportunities for enhancing health promotion skills through education to community groups.

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

There is protected time for provision of the department-wide academic curriculum and also for self-directed learning. The curriculum is delivered by Family Medicine and Specialist faculty members, fellow residents and interprofessional colleagues. Use of simulation equipment is used extensively. Examination preparation is provided in both years. 

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Training Sites

Brandon Training Site Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1mrAJln46Y&list=PLCNj2OCRLILF6vOq6gtxYSY3_M-wuE57r&index=3

The Brandon Family Medicine Stream is a two-year residency where residents live and train in Brandon.

Brandon is a small city with family medicine preceptors providing the full scope practice, generalist specialist preceptors and a very well-equipped regional referral health center. Much of the training is provided longitudinally over the two years. Emphasis is placed on skill and knowledge development, generalist education and continuity of care. 

• An active teaching unit, with low preceptor to trainee ratios.
• Large clinical volumes with excellent variety of patients.
• Frequent opportunities to perfect your procedural skills through clinical encounters and procedural labs.
• Continuity of care within your preceptor’s practice is an educational priority and is provided during the two years during Family Medicine block time and continuity clinics while on specialty rotations.
• There is an integrated curriculum that provides training in emergency, psychiatry, obstetrics and geriatrics embedded within Family Medicine Block Time.
• Monthly academic days in small group learning environments with in-unit teaching.
• Very well-equipped 308 bed regional referral health center that services a population of about 180,000
• Western Manitoba Cancer Centre & Renal Unit provide regional services

• BRHC is a proactive and continuously improving medical community. The physicians and nurses work together to find innovative ways to improve our processes to be able to provide clinical-based care in a timely manner. Brandon Emergency was the first department within the province to develop and provide a hyperacute stroke program.

• Rural rotations in Family Medicine in both years
• Pediatric Emergency at the busy Winnipeg’s Children’s Hospital and Palliative Medicine rotation at specialized Winnipeg unit
• Point of Care ultrasound SonoSim modules incorporated into annual curriculum

Brandon is a welcoming community nestled along the Assiniboine River, rich in diverse culture and offering a metropolitan lifestyle with the charm of small-town living. Located in the heart of Southwestern Manitoba, 200 km west of Winnipeg

• Population over 50,000, average age of 36
• Affordable housing
• Extensive retail and service sector, >2000 businesses
• Lots of recreation facilities and events with over 90 parks, playgrounds and green spaces
• In-city commute of 12 minutes.
• Multicultural

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Additional Information

TRANSPORTATION

As you will need to move frequently about the city and province between training sites, you will need to secure a means of transportation.  You may find it easiest to maintain a personal vehicle.

Additional Points to Consider:

• Cost of living, especially rent and automobile insurance, is one of the most affordable in Canada.
• Full access to University of Manitoba library and its electronic resources, including UpToDate.
• Competitive resident salaries with a solid resident contract including a well-supported maternity/paternity leave policy.  http://www.parim.org
• Membership and registration fees are covered for University of Manitoba, College of Family Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Canadian Medical Protective Association, and the initial membership in the College of Family Physicians of Canada for PGY1 year.
• Annual two day resident retreat held in a community outside of Winnipeg.
• All mandatory course fees are reimbursed upon successful completion.  Examples of mandatory courses include:  NRP, ALARM, ATLS, PALS, BLS and ACLS recertification. Mandatory courses vary between programs.
• Travel costs and accommodation are provided for mandatory offsite rotations.

Brandon, Manitoba is approximately 2.5 hours west of Winnipeg by car. It is the regional trade, education and medical service centre for some 180,000 residents of southwest Manitoba. This is why over 100 doctors and medical specialists call Brandon home. Brandon has a stable, strong and diverse economy with approximately 2000 businesses that are local, national and international in scope and range from a couple of employees to several thousand. The agriculture sector, oil industry, retail & service companies along with a solid manufacturing sector keep our economy healthy. There are 8 Medical Clinics with walk-in service, 12 Dental offices and 8 Optometrist offices within the city. Daily flights from Brandon’s modern and spacious airport to Calgary, Alberta via WestJet Encore allows direct access to an international airport; Brandon airport is a 15-minute drive from the centre of the City and offers free parking. Brandon also offers an air shuttle service to Winnipeg International Airport.

Housing:

The housing market has always remained very stable in Brandon; the average price of a house in 2021 was $303,431 (Housing Resources). All the housing neighbourhoods include green space, trees and parks. Brandon Area Realtors website includes listings for all the real estate agents within the city: brandonarearealtors.ca

The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Brandon in 2021 was $971 plus utilities based on data from Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation.

There are many options for apartments; fueled by new construction throughout the city including the conversion of downtown historic buildings into unique living space such as the Prairie Lofts project. Resources for finding rental properties in Brandon are available at Rental Property.

Recreation & Leisure:

Food

• Breakfast = Mum’s, Komfort Kitchen (Amazing Sunday Buffet), Lady of the Lake, The Eagles Nest Bar & Grill
• Lunch = Lady of the Lake
• Dinner = Brown’s Social House, The Keg
• Baked Goods = Chez Angela Bakery, Blue Hills Bakery & Deli, Kuiper’s Family Bakery
• Pub = The Dock on Princess, Little Bones Wings, Double Decker, Joe Beeverz, Tavern United, The Eagles Nest Bar & Grill
• Craft Beer: Black Wheat Brewing, Section 6 Brewing Co.
• Indian = Chili Chutney
• Pakistan = Khan Foods
• Mexican = Los Brothers Tacos Food Truck, Mariachi Mexican Tacos & Cantina
• South American = Sabor Latino, Pupuseria La Bendición de Dios
• Ethiopian = Tana Ethiopian Cuisine
• Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai = Kim’s Asian Restaurant
• Japanese = Kim’s Asian Restaurant, Sushi Hut
• Filipino = Robyn’s Lechon
• Middle Eastern = Shawarma Queen, Khan Foods, BabaKadir Shawarma Restaurant
• Pizza = Pizza Express, Marino’s Pizza, Little Italy
• Ice Cream = Velvet Dip, Tastees Ice Cream & Grill
• Great local coffee shops: H Coffee for amazing 3^rd wave coffee and espresso, Forbidden Flavours & Coffee Culture
• Annual Burger Week competition between local restaurants
• Annual Food Truck Warz
• Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts
• Annual Grey Owl Restaurant  https://assiniboine.net/community/news-events/events-mica/great-grey-owl-restaurant
• International Wine & Food Festival  https://assiniboine.net/community/news-events/events-mica/international-wine-food-festival

 Fitness

• Brandon University’s Healthy Living Centre offers UofM residents special membership rates
• Goodlife, YMCA, Anytime fitness offer opportunities for membership in Brandon and Winnipeg
• Local facilities include Frederickson Performance Centre, Outperform, Peak Performance & Athletics Centre
• Yoga = Brandon City Yoga, The Zen Zone, Open Hearts Wellness
• Crossfit = Rocked Community Fitness, Power Play CrossFit
• Indoor Cycling = Tour Fit Club
• Hiking at the Brandon Hills just south of the city or at The Discovery Centre
• Mountain biking at the Brandon Hills just south of the city
• Skiing and snowboarding = Travel 2 hours north to Aessessipi Ski Resort to ski or snowboard on the best mountains in the province
• Canoeing and Kayaking = Travel 1 hour north to Riding Mountain National Park
• Two indoor public swimming pools
• Outdoor rubber running track at the Sportsplex
• Walking/biking path that encompasses the entire city
• Outdoor fitness equipment along the walking/biking paths within the city and at Riverbank Discovery Centre

 Entertainment

• WHL Hockey team – Brandon Wheat Kings
• The Keystone Centre – over 10 acres of convention, entertainment, agricultural and recreation complex & home ice to the Wheat Kings, all found under one roof
• Westman Centennial Auditorium– including performances such as Winnipeg Ballet, concerts, plays, etc
• Checkout the latest movies at Landmark Cinemas 9 Brandon
• 5 golf courses in Brandon and 16 more within a 1 hour drive of Brandon
• Riverbank Discovery Centre / Brandon Tourism located beside the Assiniboine river which runs 17 km throughout the City and home to Festival Park and natural walking trails.
• Brandon University Bobcats– Basketball and Volleyball
• Public Library & Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba- presents national and international exhibitions and works by regional artists
• Community theatre groups, recreational sports leagues, hobby groups, supports groups and not for profit’s can be found in the Community Contact List. Recreational sports groups include baseball, volleyball, basketball, racquetball, golf, tennis, martial arts, boxing, running, biking, extreme frisbee, etc.
• Bowling, billiards, darts, and arcade games at T-Birds
• Brandon University School of Music

 Nearby Provincial Parks

• Travel 1 hour north to Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park

• Visit the Whitehouse Bakery for the world’s best cinnamon buns
• Amazing Italian food at TR McKoy’s Italian Restaurant
• Rent a kayak or canoe for the day
• Go to the spa at Elkhorn Resort Spa & Conference Centre
• Get ice cream at The Boardwalk on Clear Lake
• Enjoy a drink with pizza at the Canoe Taphouse or The Foxtail
• Stop by Beaver Tails and grab a bite
• Travel 1 hour south to Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
• Enjoy fishing, boating and water sports at Rivers Provincial Park, 30 minutes northwest of Brandon
• 30 minutes east of Brandon will find you at Spruce Woods Provincial Park, featuring Spirit Sands and the Devil’s Punch Bowl – Manitoba’s desert
• Spend some time at the International Peace Gardens at the Canada/US border
• Brandon’s online photo/video library
• Fishing, boating and water sports
• Community Gardens - there are 17 Community Gardens throughout the city

 

For Kids

• Brandon has over 30 registered Child Care Facilities as well as licensed & unlicensed private in-home child care, over 90 parks, playgrounds and green spaces, 3 leash free dog parks, 1 outdoor pool, 2 indoor pools, 5 outdoor water/spray parks, outdoor & indoor public skating, tobogganing hills and 44 km’s of walking, biking & hiking trails with outdoor fitness equipment located throughout the city.  Provincial Online Child Care Information

Education, Training & Faith:

• Brandon School Division encompasses 22 schools including elementary, middle years and high schools with a 23^rd elementary school currently under construction. The school division offers an Advanced Placement Program as well as French Immersion and a faith-based school.
• Christian Heritage School is an independent Christian school offering classes from Kindergarten to grade eight. The curriculum is consistent with the Department of Education standards.
• Brandon University - significant reputation in music, general arts and science programs. Undergraduate degrees in Arts, Science, Music, Education, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, and First Nations and Aboriginal Counseling. The University also features graduate degrees in Psychiatric Nursing, Music, Rural Development and Education, as well as pre-professional programs in 19 areas ranging from agriculture to veterinary medicine. Brandon University is also home to the innovative Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies program – the first program of its kind in the country. Average annual enrollment of over 3500 students.
• Assiniboine Community College - has two locations in Brandon and additional campuses in Dauphin and Winnipeg, and offers over 40 unique programs in the fields of agriculture, environment, business, health and human services, food and hospitality, trades and technology with over 500 full-time and part-time employees and an average annual full-time enrollment over 3,600 including apprenticeships at the two Brandon campuses.
• The Manitoba Emergency Services College – 37-40 full time enrollment and over 2200 continuing education enrollment each year.
• There are over 40 Places of Worship in many different denominations

Annual Events include:

• Burger Brawl – Local restaurants compete for the best burger over 1 month
• Food Truck Warz
• The Pavilions – Annual multicultural festival of food and entertainment
• Assiniboine Community College Annual Food Events - Harvest on the Hill, Holiday Buffet, Great Grey Owl Restaurant, International Wine & Food Festival
• Westman Wine Festival
• Manitoba Summer Fair
• Fall Fair
• Royal Manitoba Winter Fair
• Ag Days
• Westman Multicultural Festival
• Canadian National Arabian and Half Arabian Horse Show
• Cruisin’ the Dub (downtown car show)
• Brandon Folk Music Festival
• Brandon Jazz Festival
• Dakota Nation Winterfest.

For more information on Brandon, visit the following websites.

Economic Development Brandon

City of Brandon   

Prairie Mountain Health

Brandon Tourism               

Brandon Arts/Culture & Recreation

Tourism Westman