Source: Brandon Policed Service Media Release Break and Enter to Business On October 12, 2021, police responded to a report of a Break and Enter to a business in the 1500 block of 18th street N.  Suspects cut a hole in the business compound fencing overnight.  It is unknown if anything was stolen.  Anyone with information regarding this B&E is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact. Break and Enter to Business On October 12, 2021, police responded to a report of a Break and Enter to a shed at a business in the 2000 block of 26th street over the weekend.  Suspects cut the lock on the shed to gain access and stole two Makita Batteries, a Makita charger, an air compressor, a power adapter, and socket and wrench sets.  Anyone with information regarding this B&E is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact. Break and Enter to Business On October 12, 2021, police responded to a report of a Break and Enter to a business in the 1600 block of Byng Ave between October 9 at 7:00 pm and October 12.  Suspects entered several sea cans and trailers within the business compound and stole an assortment of tools and power tools that has not yet been itemized, but is believed to be worth over $5000.  Anyone with information regarding this B&E is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact.

As the hearing of its General Rate Application (GRA) before the Public Utilities Board (PUB) opens today, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) will be presenting updates to its provisional filing made earlier this year based on continued strong financial performance. This will include requesting a rate decrease for a third year in a row and updating its separate application for a third customer rebate in a little more than a year. MPI originally filed its preliminary 2022/23 GRA with the PUB in June and has since updated its application, which now requests a 1.2 per cent rate decrease. MPI routinely adjusts its overall rate indication after the initial filing as it refines its forecast closer to the start of the hearing. Also in this application, MPI removed the Capital Release provision, which previously had translated into a five per cent discount as part of the overall rate. To replace the removal of this discount and return surplus capital to Manitobans sooner, MPI separately applied to the PUB to return excess capital to ratepayers by way of a rebate. MPI has also updated its rebate application, formalizing its rebate request to $335 million from the original forecasted amount of $202 million. If approved, this will be the second largest rebate in corporate history. In 2011, MPI rebated ratepayers $336 million. “MPI continues to demonstrate strong financial performance, which has resulted in its applying for a third consecutive rate decrease, and in time, applying for a third consecutive customer rebate,” Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for all Manitobans. I am pleased that Manitoba Public Insurance will once again be in a position to provide its policyholders with much needed financial relief early in the New Year.” Rebate cheques will be mailed out in the winter of 2022. The average cheque amount and how many cheques will be mailed will be announced in coming months. To date, customers have received a total of $179 million in COVID-19 driven rebates. MPI is ultimately responsible for delivering the services and overall financial health of its various lines of business, including Basic, Extension and its administration of The Drivers and Vehicles Act (DVA), which involves the licencing of drivers and vehicles. The 2022/23 GRA addresses the transfer of capital from the Extension to the DVA line of business to ensure MPI can cover its administration costs. MPI transferred this capital in full compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations. The transfer of capital from Extension to the DVA line of business is separate and distinct from the Basic Autopac line of business. “We acknowledge that surplus funds from our Basic Autopac program should be returned to our customers and we have done just that. We are pleased to provide another rate decrease, in addition to making a request of the PUB, to return surplus to our customers in the form of a rebate,” said Eric Herbelin, President & CEO of MPI. “Our financial and business operations are fully transparent and presented to the PUB. Surplus from our Basic Autopac program is a direct result of fewer collision claims combined with having the public auto insurance model which allows for the return of excess capital back to our customers,” said Herbelin. “This rate application truly demonstrates the effectiveness of the public insurance model and our commitment to delivering value to Manitobans.” Combining the requested 1.2 per cent decrease with the surplus rebate, customers can expect an average decrease in their 2022/23 insurance year Autopac premiums of approximately 26.1 percent. The proposed rates would be effective April 1, 2022, but because renewal dates are staggered, some vehicle owners will not pay their new rates until March 31, 2023. The PUB hearing is scheduled for three weeks and MPI expects the Board to announce its ruling in December.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release A 26-year-old male from Brandon was released from custody yesterday following an investigation into an escalating neighbor dispute. Between September 28 and October 02, the suspect used a baseball bat to cause damage to his neighbour’s vehicles, which included knocking off side mirrors and smashing a windshield. The suspect will appear in court in December, and faces a single charge of mischief to property under $5,000.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 12:55 a.m. today, police attended a licensed premise in the 3100 block of Victoria Avenue in regards to a disturbance.  A 19-year-old Brandon male was intoxicated and fighting with staff and patrons. The male will be released from police custody later today once sober, and will be issued a fine under the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act for being disorderly in a licensed premise.

The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would designate the polar bear as an official provincial emblem, Premier Kelvin Goertzen announced today. “Northern Manitoba is known internationally for its polar bears, tourists come from around the globe to see and learn about these majestic animals in their natural habitat in Churchill,” said Goertzen. “Recognizing the polar bear as an official symbol of Manitoba would help build on our province’s brand as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’ and a must-see, one-of-a-kind tourism attraction for visitors of all ages.” Manitoba’s tourism industry is a key contributor to the provincial economy and polar bears represent a significant draw to tourists from across the country and around the world, the premier noted. Manitoba has already made significant investments to protect polar bears and their natural habitat with the creation of the Polar Bear Protection Act as well as providing significant financial support for the creation of the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre at Assiniboine Park Zoo. Bill 76, the Coat of Arms, Emblems and the Manitoba Tartan Amendment Act would designate the polar bear as an official provincial emblem to recognize the important role the polar bear currently plays as an internationally recognized symbol of Manitoba. The polar bear would become the second official mammalian emblem of Manitoba. In 2014, the North American plains bison was officially recognized as a mammal emblem. In addition to the polar bear and plains bison, Manitoba currently recognizes the great grey owl, pickerel, white spruce, prairie crocus, big bluestem grass, Newdale soil and the mosasaur as official natural emblems. (Province of MB News Release)