Manitobans will see cost savings with the introduction of no-cost coverage of prescription birth control, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today. “Prescription birth control is a right, not a luxury,” said Asagwara. “Money should never be a barrier to accessing reproductive health care. Starting Oct. 1, Manitobans will be able to get some of the most common and effective birth control without having to worry about the cost. This will save people hundreds of dollars and it will ensure you are fully in control of your body and your choices.” In Budget 2024, the Manitoba government announced a plan to make prescription birth control free for all Manitobans. The Manitoba Pharmacare Program will cover the full cost of about 60 commonly used birth-control methods including the pill, intrauterine devices, hormone injections and others. People can get a prescription from their doctor or a nurse practitioner at their regular appointment, walk-in clinics or in a hospital. “Today’s announcement will ensure that all Manitobans in need will have access to reliable contraception and secures their ability to make a reproductive life plan,” said Dr Jacqueline Gougeon, family physician. “It further empowers women to make decisions around their education and careers that are based solely on their own hopes and dreams and not around unintended pregnancies. This decision represents renewed choice and opportunity for so many of my patients, and removes a tremendous barrier to adequate health care and gender equity.” The program will save Manitobans hundreds of dollars a year on birth control costs, the minister noted, adding that someone who pays $25 a month for oral hormonal pills, the new free plan could save them as much as $10,000 over their lifetime. To obtain free coverage, eligible Manitobans who do not already have coverage from another federal or provincial program can present their prescription and their Manitoba Health Card at a pharmacy for a birth control product. Province of MB News Release

Theft Under $5000 X2 On August 20th at 3:00PM the Loss Prevention Officer from a store on the 900 block of Victoria Avenue reported that a male suspect stole approximately $100 in meat and fled. The male however returned additional times thereafter and was caught and arrested in the evening. He had a charge from a theft on August 6th as well. The 45-year-old male has a court date set for October 24th, 2024.   Failure to Attend Ident On August 20th at 8:00PM police located a 14-year-old male was located by police at an address in the 1000 block of McTavish Avenue. He had a warrant for Failure to Attend Ident. He was arrested, ident completed and has a court date of September 17th, 2024.   Assault / Failure to Comply with Undertaking On August 20th at 7:27PM security at the Clarion Hotel reported a couple fighting. Police attended and a highly intoxicated 27-year-old male was arrested on assault allegations and for Failure to Comply with Undertaking. (No contact). He was lodged for court in the morning on August 21st, 2024.   IPDA (Intoxicated Persons Detention Act) On August 20th at 11:33PM police were called to the Victoria Inn for an intoxicated female causing a disturbance. While there, police ended up dealing with multiple subjects and a 24-year-old female couldn’t find alternative arrangements for care so was lodged at BPS. Will be released once sober.   On August 20th at 5:30PM police were called to a disturbance at the Clarion Hotel. Parents attempted to speak to and control the 15-year-old male without luck. He was arrested and lodged. Parents will pick up in the morning.   Possession or Consumption of Liquor by a Minor On August 21st at 2:00AM security from the Clarion Hotel reported 3-4 people fighting in the front parking lot. Two male subjects, 17 and 15, were involved, highly intoxicated and still on scene upon police arrival. Both were charged, lodged and will be released in the morning.   Breach of Peace On August 21st at 1:48AM security from the Victoria Inn reported a disturbance from occupants in a room. An assault was alleged then taken back. They admitted to an argument and the highly intoxicated 34-year-old male was arrested to prevent any further issues. Will be released once sober.   On August 21st at 4:43AM security from the Clarion Hotel reported an ongoing disturbance in a room. A highly intoxicated 33-year-old female fled out the back door but was located quickly. She was lodged at BPS and will be released once sober.   On August 20th at 3:22PM members were called to a disturbance in the 500 block of 11th Street. A 33-year-old high female was found to be the problem. Arrested and lodged until sober. Will be released once sober.   Sexual Assault On August 20th at 10:46PM security at Clarion Hotel reported a highly intoxicated and underage female crying at the front desk stating she had been sexually assaulted. She admitted to being intoxicated by liquor as well as taking all her prescription meds. EMS was called. Steps taken by police to investigate situation. 14-year-old female was uncooperative with police and medical staff at the hospital refusing protocol and care. She was left in the care of ER staff to monitor her because of liquor and pills. Follow-up with female will occur.   Breach of Conditional Sentence Order X3 On August 20th at 10:00AM members were called to the 1500 block of Stickney Avenue for a male passed out in the back of a taxi. The 44-year-old male was found to be bound by a conditional sentence order – 3 conditions of which he was breaching. He was arrested and lodged for court in the morning.   Breach of Release Order X2 On August 20th at 2:19AM police were made aware of a 26-year-old male at the hospital with his partner of which he has a no contact with her. Male arrested and lodged for court in the morning.

Assault Causing Bodily Harm On August 19th at 8:30AM police were called to the Clarion Hotel at the request of security due to a male causing a disturbance. Upon attending officers found and arrested a sober 19-year-old male who had an endorsed Warrant of Arrest for Assault Causing Bodily Harm. He was released on an Undertaking with a court date of October 17th, 2024, in Oxford House. Impaired Operation / Operation with Equal to or Exceeding 80mgs% On August 19th at 11:41PM a two-vehicle motor collision at the intersection of 18th Street North and Hilton Avenue was reported. No parties were seriously injured, no smoke, no fire, and the accident did not block flow of traffic. A 24-year-old male was the operator of one of the vehicles involved and he showed signs of impairment at the scene. He was taken to Brandon Police station where samples read 120 and 110mgs%. He was released to his girlfriend on an Appearance Notice with a court date set for August 29th, 2024. Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release August 20, 2024  

Assault, Failure to Comply with Undertaking, Resisting Police Officer, Mischief Under $5000 On August 18th at 10:15AM police noticed a 34-year-old male at the Safe & Warm. Reports confirmed a Warrant for Arrest. The male was arrested and later released via Undertaking and Appearance Notice with court dates on October 1st and October 16th, 2024, in Thompson.   Structure Fire On August 18th at 1:52PM 911 reported a structure fire in the 200 block of 1st Street in a multi-unit dwelling. Upon police arrival, flames were visible on the north side of the premise. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services on scene. The NW corner of the premise was severely damaged. The incident in still under investigation. If anyone has information, please contact Brandon Police Service.   Failure to Attend Court On August 18th at 3:00PM while police members were at the fire call, the accused was located. A Warrant for Arrest was confirmed for the 31-year-old female on charges of Failure to Attend Court. She was arrested and lodged for court in the morning.   Breach of Peace On August 18th at 1:55PM security from Clarion Hotel called to report that a male was highly intoxicated and harassing people. He was also punching the glass doors (no damage) – and threatening staff. The 45-year-old male was arrested and lodged until sober.   IPDA (Intoxicated Persons Detention Act) On August 18th at 4:39PM security from Victoria Inn reported a disturbance with a highly intoxicated male. The 38-year-old male was not able to care for himself or others. Lodged until sober.   Breach of Peace On August 18th at 8:21PM staff at Clarion Hotel called to report a disturbance of an intoxicated woman. Police confirmed she was causing issues and spoke with sober father – children left in his care. The 39 year old female was lodged until sober to prevent further issues.   Theft Under $5000 On August 18th at 9:00PM police were called to a business in the 3400 block of Victoria Avenue where a female was putting merchandise in her bags and pockets. The 38-year-old female was arrested, charged and later released on an Appearance Notice with a court date of October 24th, 2024.   Break and Enter with Intent On August 18th BPS executed a warrant at Brandon Correctional Centre as per request from Carmen RCMP. Police arrested the 29-year-old male, and he will appear in court this morning, August 19th, 2024.   IPDA (Intoxicated Persons Detention Act) On August 18th at 9:53PM police received a call from staff at Canad Inn indicating an intoxicated male was causing a disturbance. Two further calls came in on the male. Police located, arrested and lodged the 19-year-old male until sober.   IPDA (Intoxicated Persons Detention Act) On August 18th at 10:21PM security at Clarion Hotel called to report an intoxicated male causing a disturbance. Police located the highly intoxicated 17-year-old male who was not cooperative. He was arrested and lodged to prevent further issues. He will be held until sober.   Impaired Driving On August 19th at 1:11AM police conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of McDiarmid Drive. The driver, a 42-year-old male, was visibly impaired and later confirmed with samples. Arrested for Impaired Driving. Court date set for August 26th, 2024.   Structure Fire On August 19th at 2:30AM 911 advised of a structure fire in White Swan Trailer Court. Upon police arrival everyone had been evacuated from the house. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services on scene. The fire does not appear suspicious - possibly started from a space heater.   Breach of Peace On August 19th at 2:00AM while members were dealing with an unrelated matter at Victoria Inn, security directed police to a highly intoxicated young female. Failed attempts to turn the 13-year-old over to her mother resulted in the female being lodged until sober.

At about 2:30 PM Saturday afternoon, an employee from Super Store reported that two females had just stole approx. $300 in food and cosmetics from the store and had left on foot.  Patrolling members located the suspects in the 200 block 9th Street and they were arrested for the theft.  The 31 year-old and 28 year-old accused were later released on appropriate police imposed conditions, and are scheduled to appear in court on October 28th. The merchandise was recovered and returned to the store.