This October, Manitoba minimum wage earners will be making $3.35 per hour more than they were in September 2022 following iterative increases that position Manitoba as one of the top minimum wage provinces in Canada, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes announced today. “Recognizing the exceptional financial challenges facing Manitobans, our government passed legislative amendments to the Employment Standards Code that, in prescribed circumstances, allow minimum wage to be increased by an additional amount above the legislated inflation-tied formula,” said Reyes. “To balance the financial realities of Manitoba workers and the economic challenges for small businesses, we implemented a phased-in approach that will help more Manitobans get ahead.” The increases started with a $1.55 increase to $13.50 on Oct. 1, 2022, to be followed by a 65 cent increase to $14.15 on April 1 and now a further $1.15 annual increase on Oct. 1 to $15.30. These increases project Manitoba to be top three in provincial minimum wages. The minister noted the legislated inflation-tied formula ensures minimum wage is tied to economic indicators to maintain purchasing power, stability and predictability for businesses. Following the Oct. 1, 2022, minimum wage increase, the Manitoba government implemented the Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program to support small businesses. The program’s eligibility has recently expanded to include seasonal (summer) employees, and the application and submission process has been streamlined to allow eligible small businesses to make a single online application to receive a one-time lump sum payment. The program is available until March 31, noted Reyes. For more information on the Small Business Minimum Wage Adjustment Program, visit https://gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/sbwa/index.html. For more information on Manitoba’s minimum wage and other employment standards, visit www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/.

The Brandon General Museum and Archives recently started hosting a speaker series at the museum. It’s called Show & Tell. They invite a presenter to speak on a subject they’re familiar with and to display some materials related to the subject. After their presentation there is a Q&A with the audience. The first one was in January and went very well – it was titled The Ukrainian Experience in Brandon and Manitoba by Stella Fedeniuk. Their second one at the end of February reached capacity days before the date of the event. That one was The Chinese Experience in Brandon by Sue-On & Bill Hillman and Kenny Choy. The next one, Traditions and Legends of the Dakota with Eugene Ross, is Saturday March 25 at 2pm. They’re expecting a large audience for this one as well. This will be an ongoing series with a new topic and presenter at the end of each month. The event is by donation but space is limited and it is suggested that people RSVP in advance.

Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is excited to announce that fire pit permit applications can now be submitted online via permits.brandon.ca. The new process allows residents to select the type of outdoor burning appliance that they would like to see installed in their backyard, including: Fire Pit Outdoor Fireplace Portable Fire Pit Stationary Built-In BBQ* Stove Once the appropriate outdoor burning appliance is selected, residents are asked to select their address from a drop-down list, upload a sketch of their yard, and complete the application. Effective January 1, 2023, all new fire pit permit applications require a one-time $20 application fee, as set out in the City of Brandon Fee Schedule. Those with an approved permit do not need to re-apply for an existing fire pit or pay the one-time application fee. A new application is only required if there has been a change in information from the original application or in property ownership. Once an applicant has successfully completed their application online, a notification email will be sent with payment instructions. Once payment is completed, a member from Brandon Fire & Emergency Services will arrange an on-site visit with the applicant, where final approval is given. More information on the City of Brandon Online Permits Information is available on brandon.ca. Alternative arrangements for online fire pit permit applications can be made by contacting Brandon Fire & Emergency Services at fire@brandon.ca or 204-729-2400. *Portable BBQ’s do not require a fire pit permit application. 

Source: Brandon Police Service release On Saturday March 18, 2023 at approximately 10:19 am, police responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence in the 1500 block of Stickney Ave. Investigation revealed that a female suspect stabbed an adult male with a kitchen knife.  She was cooperative with police and arrested at the scene. The victim was transported to BRHC to the hospital via ambulance with serious upper body injuries.  He is recovering from his injuries and has since been released from medical care. There were no other suspects or victims involved in this incident.  The suspect and the victim knew each other. The was remanded into custody and will appear in court today on a charge of Attempt to commit Murder.

At 9:32 pm, Police attended to a disturbance complaint in the 300 block of 11th St. Upon arriving at the scene members dealt with a 26 year old male who resisted arrest, spit at members and threatened to harm them. The accused was charged with assaulting a police officer, uttering threats, and resisting arrest and was lodged for court in the morning. Members also dealt with a 32 year old male and a 29 year old female at this same call. The male was on conditions not to contact the female and was charged with breaching his release order and was released on an appearance notice. The female was on conditions not to contact the male and not to consume alcohol and was arrested for breaching those conditions. She later kicked and officer in the upper body (no injury). She was charged with breach of release order, failing to comply with her undertaking and assaulting a Police Officer. She was lodged for court.