Manitoba is expanding eligibility to its Child Care Subsidy Program on Feb. 6, 2022, resulting in nearly half of regulated spaces being subsidized. This will reduce out-of-pocket parent fees for families with children in regulated child care by 30 per cent on average. This change ensures Manitoba is on track to achieve a key joint commitment in the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) agreement to reduce out-of-pocket parent fees by 50 per cent by Dec. 31, 2022. The Child Care Subsidy Program provides assistance to eligible families by reducing child-care fees for children 12 weeks to 12 years of age. Of the 38,000 spaces available in the regulated child-care system, 6,000 children, or 16 per cent, currently receive a full or partial child-care subsidy. With the increases in eligibility, it is estimated that 12,000 additional children will receive support to access regulated child care, particularly in low and middle-income families. Triple the number of children that are currently supported in regulated child care and their families will now be eligible for a child-care subsidy. Manitoba is increasing the net household income thresholds and allowable deductions for the Child Care Subsidy program by 45 per cent, which will range from an average net household income from $23,883 to $37,116 for a full subsidy and partial subsidy will range from $37,542 to $82,877. Child-care subsidies are based on net household income and family composition including the ages and number of children. This moves Manitoba towards its commitment of reaching an average $10 out-of-pocket fee per day by March 2023, allowing more Manitoba families to participate in the labour market and maintain employment while knowing their children are receiving safe and nurturing care. To implement the new subsidy eligibility threshold, Manitoba will increase annual funding to $82.7 million, with $64.5 million in federal funding coming through the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide ELCC agreement for children ages six and under. Enhancements to the current Child Care Online system and subsidy application process will be introduced in the coming weeks. Further to this support for families, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are also working together to conclude negotiations for the 2021-22 to 2024-25 Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Care Agreement, which extends existing funding beyond March 31, 2021. This includes one-time 2021-22 Early Childhood Workforce funding to support the retention and recruitment of the early learning and child-care workforce. Once signed, this agreement will be complementary to the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. For more information on the Child Care Subsidy Program and to submit an application, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare/families/childcare_subsidies.html. (Province of MB News Release)

Three members of the Emergency Communications Team were nominated for a Teamwork award with the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (APCO) Canada for an event that occurred in 2019. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 awards were delayed until the Fall of 2021. On May 29, 2019 at 2242hrs, aka 10:42 p.m., a “run of the mill” phone call came into the Emergency Communications Centre, but quickly turned into a major emergent situation with a rural police officer having been stabbed multiple times. With potential mayhem in the communication center, Chrystal managed the radio traffic, Vanessa called EMS and other officers out to the scene (while staying on the phone with the injured officer), and Megan answered the 911/Fire calls as well as other rural police phone calls. Chrystal, Vanessa, and Megan all conveyed good judgement, self-control, and effective multitasking in a high-pressured situation. There was excellent communication within the team, they remained calm in the time of chaos, and they showed resilience. APCO Canada is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. It recognizes leaders in the public safety communication industry and highlights the teams and individuals who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and passion. The team award recognizes an emergency communication team that handled an unforeseen or unusually challenging situation causing each nominee to handle additional responsibilities in addition to their regularly assigned duties. Nominees may have used uncommon methods to problem solve, teamwork to create a solution, and together were instrumental in making a difference in the outcome of the event. Congratulations to Christal, Vanessa, and Megan on receiving this teamwork award! (City of Brandon PSA)

Based on current COVID-19 projections, the Manitoba government is taking a cautious path towards reducing public health restrictions over the next several weeks, Premier Heather Stefanson announced today, noting the province will also make $16.3 million available to businesses and the arts and culture sector that have been affected by public health orders. “Last week, we chose to extend public health orders to ensure the COVID-19 situation in Manitoba was stabilizing or improving, and we can see that continues to be the case,” said Stefanson. “This means we can be confident in moving forward with the next phase in our pandemic response, which is a gradual and cautious reopening. New public health orders will reduce restrictions over the next two weeks for private gatherings and begin a shift in how we address capacity limits and how and when we gather in public spaces.” Private gatherings where everyone is fully vaccinated will be expanded to allow the household plus 25 others in indoor spaces and 50 people in outdoor spaces. More stringent restrictions are in place for private gatherings with individuals who are not vaccinated. However, these are also expanded from previous public health orders. The changes to public health orders will also allow sports and recreation tournaments to resume, extend liquor sales to 12 a.m. at licensed premises and adjust capacity restrictions in many public spaces. “To be effective, public health orders should only be as restrictive as we need at the time,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “Manitobans have largely stepped up and followed these rules when it was critical in our pandemic response and also chose to get vaccinated, which has helped us to protect ourselves, each other and the capacity of our health-care system. The data and modelling show that we are stabilizing and may have in fact passed the peak we expected from omicron. The next few weeks will be critical as we monitor these trends and determine if it is appropriate to reduce additional restrictions over the longer term.” The premier noted the province will continue to consult with public health to determine the timing and extent of the next phase of relaxing public health orders based on health-care system capacity, modelling and other data. The intent is to implement a gradual loosening of capacity restrictions and other measures by spring, while learning to live with COVID-19. The new public health orders will come into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and will remain in place until Tuesday, Feb. 22. Manitoba remains at the Orange (Restricted) level under the Pandemic Response System. The Manitoba government is also providing further support to business by expanding program eligibility under the Sector Support Program and providing second payments to those affected by the COVID-19 public health orders that were in place before Jan. 31. “Many businesses and organizations across the province have faced significant financial losses under the latest public health orders,” said Stefanson. “We are following through on the commitment we made when we established the Sector Support Program. This will help sustain businesses in the coming weeks as we begin to reopen our economy. The arts and cultural sector will also be eligible for another $6 million to help address the challenges they have faced over the last several months. Together, this will help rebuild a vibrant economy and cultural scene in our province as we look forward with our reopening path.” The expansion to the Sector Support Program is expected to flow up to $10.3 million of the $22 million allocated under this program and includes: extending the program intake period until Feb. 28, 2022; expanding eligibility under the program to include event rentals, catering and photographers; and providing a second payment to businesses that have been previously approved and are affected by public health orders in place into February. Businesses can apply for grants based on the number of employees. With the addition of a second payment, the maximum support available increases to: $6,000 for one to nine employees; $12,000 for 10 to 19 employees; $18,000 for 20 to 49 employees; and $24,000 for 50 or more employees. The Sector Support Program is available to businesses such as restaurants, hotels and bars that provide dine-in food services, fitness and recreation facilities, movie theatres, performance venues and museums. The premier noted that all these applicants will receive two payments if they apply before the Feb. 28 deadline. Event rentals, catering and photographers who apply will be recognized as being impacted by the December public health order and qualify for the new maximum supports.  Other eligible businesses who apply for the first time in February will be eligible for the original amounts in recognition of the impact of the current public health orders. More information on the Sector Support Program is available at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/programs/issp.html. The premier noted $6 million in new funding has been allocated to the Arts and Culture Sustainability Program to support organizations in this sector negatively affected by COVID-19 and public health order restrictions. For more information, visit https://artscouncil.mb.ca/grants/support-arts-and-culture-sustainability-fund/. For more information about COVID-19 and the pandemic response in Manitoba, visit: manitoba.ca/covid19.

The Brandon & District Chapter Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba Inc. (BDNLDAM) is pleased to announce the launch of an ‘Adult Coaching Program’ thanks to support from Westoba Credit Union and Brandon Area Community Foundation. “The Adult Coaching Program’ is designed for adults 18-59 that have been diagnosed with a learning disability or suspect they may have a learning disability,” said Executive Director, Jacqueline Goods. “Healthy habits are a learned behavior, having a learning disability can impact those habits and how we react to our daily lives; we are very thankful to Westoba for supporting this initiative and the opportunity it provides to our community.” This newly developed personalized coaching program will cover topics such as money management, confidence building strategies, understanding learning style and overall health and wellness. The program is tailored specific to the participant including weekly one-hour meetings with a program coach. The goal of the program is to give participants an overall confidence to manage everyday challenges that may be accentuated by a learning disability.  Branch Manager, Ksenia Zatvarskyi at the 34th & Victoria Westoba branch, said this program is a perfect fit for Westoba’s aim of improving financial literacy. “Learning to budget, saving, investing, as well as navigating the ever-changing landscape of banking technology takes the right skill and knowledge,” said Zatvarskyi. “Your financial health is connected to so many other areas of your personal well-being; Westoba is proud to support this program and the practical skills and tools it provides.” Other program topics include building a support network, discovering employable skills and mental health basics. Registration for this program is on-going.  If you know of someone who can use some coaching, please ask them to contact the BDNLDAM office at 204-727-4669.

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: January 28, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Larkin Kenneth PETERS (28 yrs) FOR Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference In December, 2021, police received a complaint of a historical sexual assault that occurred several years prior involving Larkin Peters.  Police have not been able to locate Larkin Peters and a warrant for his arrest has been issued. CRIME OF THE WEEK for January 28, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Business Break & Enter On January 21st, 2022, at 10:50pm a lone suspect entered a business compound in the 600’ block of 8th Street.  The suspect entered through a hole cut in the fence.  Once inside, the suspect stole a length of wire from a roll located inside the compound and fled the scene. 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.