In celebration of National Community Safety and Crime Prevention Month, the Manitoba government is investing in crime prevention and community outreach programs by providing $51,000 in funds to support the ongoing work of Crime Stoppers in Manitoba, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced today. “We are proud to partner with police agencies, Crime Stoppers, and the community to enhance public safety,” said Friesen. “$11,000 are being directed to conduct presentations on crime prevention to local schools in Brandon and Westman Immigrant Services.” The minister noted that a vehicle has been donated to Brandon Crime Stoppers and is the second vehicle donated through the program; the first was provided to Winnipeg Crime Stoppers in 2018. The Brandon Crime Stoppers co-ordinator uses the vehicle to travel to community organizations to promote programming. “Brandon Crime Stoppers board members were extremely excited to receive the donated vehicle from Manitoba Justice Criminal Property Forfeiture Branch which will be an asset to the Crime Stoppers Program,” said Rick Thomson, chair, Brandon Crime Stoppers. “Brandon Crime Stoppers board would like to thank the Criminal Property Forfeiture Unit of Manitoba Justice for all their assistance in making this vehicle donation happen.” Brandon Crime Stoppers will receive $11,000 to help fund community outreach materials and equipment. A vehicle valued at approximately $32,500 forfeited to the province this year as proceeds of crime was donated to Brandon Crime Stoppers. It will be part of the organization’s community outreach activities. Winnipeg Crime Stoppers and Manitoba Crime Stoppers will also receive $28,000 and $12,000 respectively to fund community outreach materials, equipment and to support the awards program for callers who provide information. Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than $19.9 million back to communities throughout the province. The criminal property forfeiture program seizes and liquidates criminal assets and redirects funding to projects and initiatives designed to protect Manitobans and enhance public safety. The funds are provided to organizations across Manitoba whose important initiatives continue to build community, invest in youth and support victims of crime. For more information about the Crime Stoppers organizations serving Manitobans, visit: www.winnipegcrimestoppers.org, www.brandoncrimestoppers.comor www.manitobacrimestoppers.com. (Province of MB News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On November 7, 2021, police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision at approximately 6:00 pm in the 1800 block of 18th street N.  The two vehicles involved were travelling in the same direction when the car struck the SUV from behind sending it into the ditch.  The three passengers of the SUV were treated for minor injuries.  The passenger of the car was injured and was transported to hospital with serious injuries.  The driver of the car fled the scene.  Police were unable to locate him at the time. On November 16, 2021, the 46-year-old male driver of the car turned himself into police and was arrested.  He was later released to appear in court on January 13, 2022 on a charge of Fail to Remain at the Scene of Accident Causing Bodily Harm.  He also faces numerous fines under the Highway Traffic Act.

Manitoba Hydro filed its 2021–22 Interim Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) yesterday requesting an overall average five per cent electricity rate increase, effective Jan. 1, 2022. The Corporation was directed to file an application with the PUB following cancellation of Bill 35 and the associated electricity rate increase. The higher rate ask is a direct result of the impact of the ongoing drought on the Corporation’s finances. If approved by the PUB, a five per cent increase for a residential customer who does not heat with electricity, using about 1,000 kilowatts per month, would result in an approximate $5 increase on their monthly energy bill. For a customer who heats with electricity, using about 2,000 kilowatts a month, the increase on their monthly bill would be approximately $10. Despite the proposed increase, Manitoba Hydro will continue to have some of the lowest electricity rates in North America, according to a comparison of rates prepared annually by Hydro-Québec. A Statistics Canada report on household spending, released earlier this year, shows the average Manitoba family pays more for cellular, internet and TV services annually than on their energy bill. “We know no one wants to see a higher electric bill,” said Jay Grewal, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro. “Unfortunately, we’re in a situation where the drought is having a major impact on our finances and we don’t know when precipitation levels will return to normal. Without a rate increase, our ability to continue to reinvest in our system so that we can continue to serve Manitobans with reliable, clean energy will be hampered.” Manitoba Hydro is forecasting a potential loss in its consolidated operation of between $190 million and $200 million for the current fiscal year. Manitoba Hydro had budgeted a positive net income of $190 million for the 2021–22 fiscal year in its 2020–21 Annual Report. Grewal said the lack of significant precipitation across much of Manitoba Hydro’s watershed over the past year and lower water flows — water inflows to the southern portion of the system are the lowest in 40 years — has weakened the utility’s ability to generate and sell surplus energy on spot markets in the United States and Canada. “The money we make from opportunity sales of renewable energy is vital to our financial health,” Grewal said. “That additional revenue is money we use to help keep rates for our customers here in Manitoba lower than they would be otherwise.” Grewal added any rate increase will be reviewed and approved by the PUB, following their public processes. The last electricity rate increase was 2.9 per cent which went into effect on Dec. 1, 2020. “The loss of net income because of the drought and risk to the self-sustaining nature of Manitoba Hydro’s debt obligations and financing is indisputable,” she said. “Having a financially healthy utility will help protect Manitoba energy consumers over the long term. “That’s why this increase is needed to help ensure we have the revenue we need to operate, rebuild and expand the electricity system so we continue to serve our customers with reliable renewable electricity as we have for the last 60 years.” (MB Hydro News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service News Release On November 13, 2021, police responded to a report of extensive damage caused inside Brandon Correctional Centre.  Investigation revealed that three inmates used broken pieces of furniture in an attempt to breach an exterior wall after 7:45 pm.  The inmates were unsuccessful in breaching the wall, but they were successful in causing damage believed to exceed $20,000. On November 14, 2021, police arrested a 23-year-old male, and two 37-year-old males.  They all remain in custody at BCC and will appear in court today on charges of Mischief Over $5000.

Source: Brandon Police service Media Release\ Just before 6:00 AM Friday morning a business located in the 1500 block Richmond Avenue East reported that their mechanical shop had been broken into sometime since 5:00 PM Thursday.  The suspects then made off with a 2010 grey GMC Sierra with AB license plate BTL9422, and approximately $20,000 in mechanical tools, including rolling tool cabinets.  The incident is still under investigation.