There was a time when a federal Cabinet minister felt compelled to resign because of a food inspector failing to detect and prevent tainted tuna from entering the marketplace. You could easily argue that it is unrealistic for the senior elected official responsible for running a very large department from personally inspecting every tin of tuna to ensure it was free of contaminants. You could easily argue the inspector should have been held responsible, and maybe a supervisor in cases of gross negligence, and that the firings stop there. But no. John Fraser felt honour bound to fall in his sword and left the Cabinet table. Say what you will about politics, and politicians, but there was a time when ethics and reputation mattered. Fast forward 40 years, and you’d be forgiven for asking of you lived in the same democratic society. Now, at least in recent times, at least five government MPs have been caught in ethics violations, including the Prime Minister and his own Parliamentary Secretary. But they are sorry. Really double-dog sorry. They won’t ever do it again. Honest. They probably even took the time to have their communications teams draft those apologies for them, and practiced in front of a mirror. That’s how much they care. But resign? Laughable. There are differing schools of thought on how to deal with these situations. When Brian Mulroney was Prime Minister, several of his Cabinet ministers did resign when they were in the wrong, or took responsibility for faults in their department. While that was an honourable course of action, and in several cases, warranted, Mulroney later believed the resignations did more harm than good. So, in 1989, when Finance Minister Michael Wilson’s budget was leaked in advance of it being presented, Mulroney refused to accept Wilson’s resignation. Wilson was right to offer that resignation, as was the tradition when budgets were leaked to the press in advance of the Budget Speech. But Mulroney chose to stand by his minister and carry on. From that point on, slowly but surely, potholes which once proved fatal to politicians became survivable through excessive apologies and statements of regret. We have reached the point where the response isn’t, “I’m sorry”, but “So what?”. They get away with it because people aren’t paying attention, see it as a joke, and move on to what’s happened last night on Big Brother. So instead of Bev Oda having to resign her Cabinet post because she had the audacity to order a glass of $16 orange juice at the Ritz in London, we now have someone from the federal government booking a $6,000 per night hotel suite which came with a butler — without any consequences at all. I mean, there’s inflation and all. But there’s something fishy about all of that. Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/government-spent-nearly-400k-on-hotels-for-queen-s-funeral-including-6k-night-suite-1.6286113  

The Manitoba government is increasing municipal operating basket funding by 28 per cent providing an additional $47 million in the 2023 municipal fiscal year, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith announced today. “Our government is listening. We are taking action and getting things done for the benefit of all Manitobans,” said Stefanson. “We recognize municipalities and communities across our province are facing significant pressures that impact the ability to deliver important projects and services Manitobans rely and depend on. This additional $47 million in unconditional funding will support municipal budgets for the 2023 fiscal year and beyond, and we are pleased to provide this much-needed certainty, now.” All municipalities will receive a minimum 24 per cent increase in 2023 to address inflationary impacts. With this increase of up to $47 million, the 2023 municipal operating grant will grow to $217 million from $170 million. “Our government recognizes that building stronger communities requires working collaboratively with municipal partners,” said Smith. “The significant funding announced today will become a permanent part of the unconditional operating funding base in future years and we are committed to taking steps to modernize the funding formula to support the unique needs of municipalities now and well into the future.” The City of Winnipeg will receive an additional $16.7 million in unconditional operating funding and an additional $13 million in transit operational funding. “A strong Manitoba depends on a strong Winnipeg, so I’m grateful the Manitoba government has recognized the need for more funding to support transit and other essential city services,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, City of Winnipeg. “I look forward to further conversations with the Manitoba government about how we can work together to make strategic improvements to the funding framework.” The City of Brandon will receive over $2.3 million in new unconditional funding. “The City of Brandon is thrilled with today’s announcement from the Manitoba government,” said Mayor Jeff Fawcett, City of Brandon. “We commend the Manitoba government for taking this important step to support municipalities. As the second-largest city in the province, this new funding support will help the City of Brandon with long-term planning while helping us deliver the best services to our residents.” Smaller rural and northern municipalities will receive a range of increases as well as a guaranteed new base grant of $25,000 to reflect higher proportional financial challenges, Smith noted. “The Association of Manitoba Municipalities applauds the Manitoba government for ending the seven-year freeze on municipal operating basket funding by providing an additional $47 million in unconditional funding to municipalities,” said Kam Blight, president, Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM). “As inflation has significantly impacted municipal budgets and municipalities are not permitted to run deficits, this historic municipal funding announcement will help local councils respond to current financial pressures, build stronger communities and finalize local budgets with certainty.” “We applaud the new municipal operating funding model announced for Manitoba municipalities,” said Justin Johnson, CEO, Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM). “Their capacity will be strengthened in many ways and they will have greater latitude to implement their priorities. More than ever, the AMBM and its members are ready to continue the partnership with the Manitoba government to improve municipal services in both official languages.” The newly modernized grant formula is more transparent and streamlined, and includes a revised per capita calculation aligned with 2021 census data and a needs-based calculation that will be reviewed regularly, the premier noted. The Department of Municipal Relations will work with municipal stakeholders including AMM, AMBM, the City of Winnipeg and the City of Brandon to enhance the needs-based framework to inform future changes and improvements to municipal operating funding framework, noted Smith. The development of this framework will balance existing municipal financial need with municipal capacity to generate revenue, said Smith, adding the framework will also explore the basis for a funding escalator to assist municipalities in long-term fiscal planning.

As a result of community feedback, the age of our existing outdoor pool, and facility recommendations in the Recreation and Community Facilities Master Plan, the City of Brandon is exploring preliminary options for the development of a new outdoor aquatic centre in Brandon. In the fall of 2022, a survey was prepared in collaboration with MNP, which focused on identifying several design features. Over 2,700 survey responses were received. To make this outdoor aquatic centre possible, the City continues to need the public’s participation. A come-and-go open house will take place on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Cultural Resource Centre (638 Princess Avenue, Entrance B). MNP, who is hosting the open house, will be sharing feedback received on the survey results and asking for further input on the proposed design and location. Following the open house, information and an opportunity to provide feedback will be available on brandon.ca. Questions on the project can be directed to Heather Reimer, Manager of Recreation at h.reimer@brandon.ca.

Brandon Police Service has received numerous calls today regarding a phone scam.  This is the second time this type of phone scam has occurred in Brandon in the last month.  The scammers are calling random people in Brandon and claiming to be a relative (usually a grandchild or son) and stating that they have been involved in an accident with a pregnant woman.  They then convince the victims to pay large sums of money in order to have the relative released from jail or to cover the damages from the accident.  The scammers are then sending someone to the victims’ residences in Brandon to collect the money.  This same type of scam happened at the end of January and a media alert was posted on BPS Facebook and Twitter.  However, the scammers are back in Brandon and defrauding more innocent victims.

The Manitoba government is providing $220,000 to two organizations for green transportation projects, including the installation of new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced today. “Transitioning to electric vehicles and increasing access to transit will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support a low-carbon economy and ensure affordability for Manitobans,” said Klein. “Green transportation projects play a key role in protecting our environment and water, which is a top priority for our government.” The minister noted the projects will support technology and infrastructure needed to expand the province’s EV charging network and support collaborative planning for regional green transportation initiatives. The Manitoba government’s contribution will help secure matching funding from other project partners, the minister added. Eco-West Canada is receiving $150,000 to expand the EV charging network across Manitoba. The project will partner with six municipalities to support the procurement and installation of seven new Level 3 chargers. “We are happy to partner with the Manitoba government to help our communities adopt greener modes of transportation," said Dany Robidoux, executive director, Eco-West Canada. “There are many benefits to the electrification of transportation. Eco-West Canada is leading the way in Manitoba on the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which benefits our communities and our environment.” The Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities is receiving $70,000 in support of its Southeast Manitoba Regional Transit Initiative. The project is working collaboratively with businesses and stakeholders to assess regional transit needs and will work to develop solutions to the needs identified, the minister said. “Residents in rural areas have long voiced concerns about transportation challenges and a lack of options makes it difficult for some people to take advantage of employment and educational opportunities, attend health-care appointments or participate in community activities,” said Justin Johnson, executive director, Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities. “This funding allows us to proceed with a wide-ranging regional transit feasibility study in southeast Manitoba.” For more information on the Made-In-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, visit: https://www.gov.mb.ca/climateandgreenplan/index.html.