The Manitoba government is making post-secondary education more affordable by ensuring student aid shelter allowances more accurately reflect actual housing and rental costs, Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable announced today. “Our government is lowering costs for students, so there are fewer barriers for Manitobans pursuing post-secondary education and training,” said Cable. “We’re making sure that allowances for housing through student aid are calculated based on what housing actually costs, instead of using outdated data that shortchanged students who need it most.” Beginning Aug. 1, Manitoba Student Aid (MSA) shelter allowances will reflect 2022 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) rental data. To date, shelter allowances for student aid have been aligned with 1998 CMHC rental rates and updated annually based on the Consumer Price Index inflation rate. In recent years, this has not reflected true cost, as rental costs increased above the rate of general inflation. Shelter allowances are used to calculate Manitoba Student Aid applicants’ expenses, based on their living situation and location of studies. This information is used to determine financial needs and the amount of funding awarded to applicants. “With the rising cost of everything, additional funds towards accommodation costs will be a great help to students,” said Carla Loewen, director of the Indigenous Student Centre, University of Manitoba. “For Indigenous students who have never lived in the city before, navigating the cost of living can be challenging and daunting at first. Additional student aid will help with managing financial needs. This is a much-needed and timely change and great news for students.” Updating the rate used to determine shelter costs brings the province in line with recent changes announced to the federal student aid program, Canada Student Financial Assistance. The federal government also plans to use 2022 CMHC data to calculate loan amounts for the 2024-25 school year. Aligning the way shelter allowances are calculated means MSA can continue to use one needs assessment to administer both provincial and federal student financial assistance. Manitoba Student Aid delivers federal and provincial financial assistance to supplement post-secondary education costs. It is available to Manitoba residents studying in and outside the province. Learn more about MSA at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/msa/index.html.

On July 25, 2024, at approximately 10:30 pm, Blue Hills RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle fatal collision on Highway 1, just west of Brandon in the westbound lane. When officers arrived at the scene, an SUV was on its roof with one person remaining in the vehicle and one person having exited. Investigation has determined that a Manitoba Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer was stopped at 18th Street and Highway 1 when the officer saw the SUV speed westbound on Highway 1 through the red light at 18th Street. The officer turned westbound and activated the emergency equipment on the vehicle to make a traffic stop. The SUV sped up and then struck the rear of a westbound semi-trailer, causing the SUV to roll onto its roof. The 37-year-old male driver from Thunder Bay, Ontario was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 55-year-old male passenger from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation was pronounced deceased on scene. The investigation continues with the assistance of the RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstruction team and the Criminal Collision Investigative Team. (RCMP in Manitoba News Release)

Assault/Attempt Robbery On July 28th at 5:34 pm Police received a call that three individuals were assaulting a taxicab driver in the 1600 block of McTavish Avenue. The driver advised two females’ and one male had attempted to rob him and punched him numerous times in the face causing his nose to bleed. A 14-year-old female and 17-year-old female were arrested in the area. They were later released for court on Oct 15th, 2024. Police are continuing to look for a 23-year-old male who was also involved. Impaired Driver On July 28th at 8:25 pm Police observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign in the 100 block of 26th street. The vehicle was stopped, and the female driver presented signs of impairment and blew a fail on the roadside screening device. A 35-year-old female was arrested and transported back to the Brandon Police Service and provided samples of her breath which were over twice the legal limit. She will be released when sober for court on August 8th, 2024.

The City of Brandon is excited to announce the launch of a community survey aimed at understanding residents' perceptions of safety and well-being. This survey is a key part of developing Brandon's Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan, funded from the Province of Manitoba’s Department of Justice and in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities. As part of this initiative, multiple public consultation measures will be undertaken, starting with the current survey, and then expanding to focus groups and other forms of engagement. To enhance community safety and well-being for Brandon’s residents, we need a comprehensive strategy that addresses issues such as poverty, inequality, mental health, substance use, and homelessness. This initiative seeks to identify safety concerns within the community and develop a systematic plan to implement long-term, preventative solutions that address the underlying causes of these safety and well-being challenges. It also seeks to understand current views on community safety and well-being in Brandon, while also drawing insights from residents’ lived experiences. Our approach involves evaluating existing successful measures in Brandon, identifying obstacles, and recognizing unmet community needs. Conducting community surveys, engaging with the public, and gathering and analyzing data are all crucial elements of this rigorous process. We are committed to crafting a plan that is developed by our community for the benefit of our community. To participate in the survey, please visit surveymonkey.com/r/BMVJYYZ or request a paper copy by contacting cswbplan@brandon.ca. Survey responses are accepted until October 31, 2024. “Creating a plan together, with community involvement, significantly increases our likelihood of effectively tackling the unique challenges we face,” said Shannon Saltarelli, the Community Housing & Wellness Coordinator for the City of Brandon. “In addition to this survey, we are actively seeking ways to engage with every member of the community. Our aim is that everyone will feel encouraged to convey their stories to us, allowing us to develop a comprehensive plan.” For more information about this project, visit brandon.ca/community-safety-and-well-being-plan.

The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is wanted by police for robbery: Carmelita COOK On May 23, 2024, Carmelita COOK was involved in Robbery that occurred in the 100 block of Pacific Avenue East. The two victims were sleeping in their tent when COOK and two other suspects cut open their tent with a machete and sprayed the victims with bear mace, demanding their belongings. COOK’s whereabouts are unknown at this time, please contact Brandon crime stoppers with any information. CRIME OF THE WEEK for July 26, 2024 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a theft under $5000. On July 23, 2024, a male suspect who was riding a bicycle broke into several vehicles on Regent Crescent, stealing the contents from inside. The male suspect was captured on video surveillance that is attached to this incident. ****** If you have information about this or any other crime you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime.