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.

About 200,000 COVID-19 rebate cheques are being sent to Canada Post this week, Manitoba Public Insurance announced today. In total, 680,000 cheques will be issued in coming weeks, for a total rebate amount of $312 million. It’s expected all cheques will be mailed by mid-February. “The pandemic has negatively impacted many Manitobans personal finances, but it has also reduced the collision claims to MPI allowing for a rebate,” Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Justice and Attorney General & Minister Responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) said today. “Returning these funds to its customers benefits Manitobans and is in keeping with the mandate of Manitoba Public Insurance. “The last two years have been a challenging time in our province. This current rebate is both positive and welcomed. Together, we’ll work our way through this challenging time in our province.” This is the third MPI COVID-19 rebate in less than two years. In total, MPI will have provided rebates of nearly $500 million to its policy holders ─ $110 million in May 2020 and $69 million in December 2020. This latest will result in about $328 rebated to an average private passenger policy. “The financial strength of MPI has allowed us to once again provide a COVID-related rebate cheque,” said Eric Herbelin, President & CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Once again the public auto insurance model demonstrates its strength and financial benefits to our customers.” The rebate is calculated on the Basic Autopac premiums paid between November 22, 2020, and December 9, 2021, and is expected to be about 27 per cent of the customer’s annual Basic Autopac premium. Rebate amounts of $10 or less will be credited to the customer’s account. (Manitoba Public Insurance News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release From September of 2021 until January 2022, members of the Brandon Police Service Major Crime Section, Crime Suppression Unit and General Patrol have been investigating those responsible for a large portion of the commercial and residential property offences (break and enters / thefts) in Brandon and the surrounding communities.  Many of the businesses targeted by thieves were construction related.  A lot of the stolen property consisted of power tools and equipment. Throughout this time, multiple investigations and eight search warrants to residential properties were executed in which investigators recovered an extensive amount of stolen property, the replacement value is now estimated to exceed $100,000.  In addition to this property, two stolen vehicles were recovered, which led police to recover even more stolen property and illicit drugs.  Going through all of the recovered stolen property has proven to be very labor-intensive for investigators.  Some of the property will never be returned or connected with the rightful owners, as the serial numbers were not recorded prior to the thefts.  Investigators suspect that further charges would have been possible had the recovered stolen property been connected to specific incident reports. Sixteen individuals have been arrested in connection with these investigations and eleven of them have been charged with trafficking stolen property. Investigators have found connections between the individuals involved in these crimes.  Trafficking in stolen property is directly tied to and influenced by the meth drug trade. Seven of the residential search warrants were executed on October 13, 2021, November 11, 2021 and November 25, 2021, and were previously reported on our webpage.  The two recovered stolen vehicles were also reported on our webpage. https://www.brandon.ca/news/media-releases/26-november-2021  (four residential search warrants) https://www.brandon.ca/news/media-releases/12-november-2021-media-release (one residential search warrant) https://www.brandon.ca/news/media-releases/14-october-2021  (two residential search warrants) https://www.brandon.ca/news/media-releases/20-december-2021 (stolen vehicle and stolen property recovered) https://www.brandon.ca/news/media-releases/29-october-2021 (stolen vehicle and 8.8 grams of meth recovered) On December 21, 2021, at 11:00 am, members of the Major Crime Section with the assistance of the Crime Suppression Unit executed the eighth search warrant at a residential property on Wankling Blvd.  The search of the residence led to the recovery of stolen goods consisting of numerous power tools, a drone, and clothing all believed to be stolen.  Arrested from the residence was a 48-year-old male, Robby BALLINGGALL.  He was later released and will appear in court on March 3, 2022, on a charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking. Due to the volume of property recovered from the eighth search, the investigation continued.  Police also recovered a long gun, a small amount of meth and a ballistic helmet.  As of January 26, 2022, BALLINGALL now faces additional charges of CDSA Possession of Methamphetamine, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possess Firearm Contrary to a Prohibition Order, Fail to Comply with Release Order X2, and under the Body Armour & Fortified Vehicle Control Act – Possession of Body Armour without a Permit. The following individuals have each appeared in court on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking: Robert CRIGGIE (male age 34) Trevor LINKLATOR (male age 37) Cody CARDINAL (male age 39) Nelson LECKIE (male 47) Christopher LALIBERTY (male age 38) Catherine SHINGOOSE aka ANGUS (female age 44) Terence KIMBALL (male age 44) Dillon DOWSWELL (male age 30)  The following males have appeared in court on charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking and under the CDSA - Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Meth: Anthony Campbell (male age 35) Richard BEAM (male age 49) The following individual has appeared in court on a charge of Possession For the Purpose of Trafficking Meth: Craig FINLEY (male age 51) The following individual has appeared in court on a charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime: Cameron YUEN (male age 21) The following Individual has appeared in court on a charge of Take Motor Vehicle without Owner’s Consent: Brianna BALLANTYNE (female age 28) Two other individuals, a 39-year-old male and a 35-year-old female have also been arrested on December 19, 2021 and will each appear in court on March 3, 2022 on Charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime X2.