(file photo) The Manitoba government is directing casinos to report suspicious transactions to local and federal law enforcement to crack down on money laundering, Premier Wab Kinew and Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today. “Drug dealers often use casinos to launder their cash and we are making it easier for law enforcement to track down people bringing toxic drugs into our communities,” said Kinew. “Fentanyl has had a devastating impact on Manitobans and people attempting to profit off it need to be held accountable.” Casinos operated by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) will now report suspicious transaction records directly to the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP as well as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), a practice similar to what is being done in Ontario and British Columbia, noted the premier. “Our government has been cracking down on drug traffickers since day one,” said Wiebe. “Today’s announcement adds another layer of protection for Manitobans against money laundering.” MBLL will also enhance its anti-money laundering team with staff and equipment and work with FINTRAC to improve information sharing to provincial agencies, noted the minister. The Manitoba government will also invest $325,000 in surveillance equipment for MBLL.

In response to United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the Manitoba government is issuing a directive to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) to stop the sale of American products in the province, Premier Wab Kinew announced today. “Trump’s tariff tax is an attack on Canadians,” said Kinew. “We support the federal response to these tariffs and here in Manitoba, we’re stopping the sale of American products at Manitoba liquor marts. How you choose to spend your money is one of the most important decisions you as a consumer can make. There are plenty of great Manitoba breweries and distilleries to support instead.” Effective Tuesday, Feb. 4, MBLL will be directed to pull American products off the shelves of liquor marts and will stop ordering American alcohol, the premier noted. The premier added the province will roll out more supports for Manitoba businesses and workers throughout the week in response to the U.S. tariffs. Manitoba’s U.S. Trade Council will meet on Monday to discuss the impacts of the tariffs and the province’s response. For more information, Manitoba businesses or workers impacted by tariffs can contact the Manitoba government tariff hotline at 1-877-827-4330 (toll-free) or 204-945-8011, Manitoba Government Inquiry at 204-945-3744 or visit https://manitoba.ca/tariffresponse/.

On January 30th members of Brandon Police Service’s Organized Crime Section conducted a CDSA (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) investigation into Cocaine trafficking in Brandon by a 21-year-old male and a 19-year-old female. CDSA search was granted, and a traffic stop was conducted east of Brandon on Highway #1. The 21-year-old male was placed under arrest for Possession for Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine and Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime with $840 located on his person. A search warrant was executed in the 1400 block of Pacific Avenue and the 19-year-old female was inside the residence. During the search of the apartment members located approximately 128 grams of cocaine, packaging materials, and a digital scale. Both individuals were charged accordingly, arrested, held in detention cells and will attend court in the morning on January 31st, 2025.

Some interesting things from the last 7 - 10 days Pizza Express has had a major change to their menu. Includes the following Italian Hero Pizza; house dressing base, ham, salami, mozzarella, onions, banana peppers, tomato, pepperoni and the Carnivore Pizza: meat sauce, ground beef, pepperoni, mozzarella, Italian sausage, bacon Keystone Centre has announced PBR is back on May 23rd and 24th. In the past this has been sold out. For many people sad news as Peavey Mart will close. Following the recently announced closures of 22 stores in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Peavey Mart released a statement on Facebook on January 28 that they will now begin store closing sales at all remaining locations across Canada. Former WWE Superstar Tatanka will be holding a meet and greet at this year's Dakota Nation Winterfest on Saturday, February 1 from 11am-4pm. darryl@bdnmb.ca

The Manitoba government has directed Prairie Mountain Health leadership to reduce for-profit nursing agency costs by 15 per cent by March 2026 as part of a systemwide effort to refocus funding on nurses in the public system, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today. “Prairie Mountain Health has consistently been dealt a bad hand,” said Asagwara. “Alongside the challenges in the area, the previous government gave the region little to no support by cutting services, closing ERs and firing nurses resulting in millions overspent on private nursing agencies. Enough is enough. It’s time to put a hard stop on private for-profit nursing agency over-spending and re-invest in the public system. Our government is committed to working with all health regions to bring nurses back into the public system.” This direction comes alongside the Manitoba government’s efforts to invest in publicly funded health care and encourage nurses to join the public system, the minister added. The Manitoba government recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) to reduce the number of contracted agencies at prices that ensure the majority of health-care funding is directed to public front-line workers and their patients, noted the minister. The RFP is now closed, and the government will begin reviewing and evaluating proposals this week. In the past, Manitoba has held hundreds of distinct contracts with more than 70 private for-profit agencies, with little to no policies on how to limit those agencies’ impact on the nurses working in the public system or the rates they charge to publicly funded service delivery organizations, noted the minister.