The Manitoba government is launching a new Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program to provide direct financial assistance to help fill gaps between federal programming and current provincial employment standards for paid sick leave, Premier Brian Pallister announced today. “We are at a critical point in our fight against COVID-19 and the variants of concern, and it is crucial to stay home when sick to help limit the spread of this deadly virus,” said Pallister. “Many Manitobans are living paycheque to paycheque, and they need to feel confident that if they are sick, they can stay home without any financial repercussions or fear of lost wages.” The new Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program will provide employers with up to $600 per employee for up to five full days of COVID-19 related sick leave, which do not have to be taken consecutively. Eligible sick leave related to COVID-19 includes testing, vaccinations and side effects, self-isolation due to COVID-19 symptoms, or care for a loved one in any of the previously mentioned circumstances. Private-sector, non-profit and charitable employers with eligible employees are able to qualify to receive the assistance. Employers who currently provide paid sick leave to their employees would not be eligible including federal, provincial and local governments. Eligible employees are those who reside in Manitoba and work and receive wages in Manitoba on a full or part-time basis. The premier noted the eligibility period begins today, May 7 and runs until at least Sept. 25, to coincide with the federal and other provincial programs. More details, including an application will be available shortly at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/. (Province of MB News Release)

Due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19 around the globe,Brandon Riverbank Inc. has made the difficult decision to not have an in-person Canada Day event on July 1. “The situation with COVID-19 and the associated restrictions currently make it impossible to plan any sort of large-scale event,” said James Montgomery, GM of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “We look forward to providing virtual celebrations once again, so please stay tuned to our social media channels and websites for up-to-date information. Canada Day is not cancelled, but we need to continue following public health advice until it is safe to have an event of this magnitude. Brandon Riverbank Inc. looks forward to once again being a gathering place for celebrations such as these when it’s safe to do so.”(Brandon Riverbank Inc News Release)

On Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 5:00 PM, the AGSM will host a panel discussion with professionals who work directly with people of Brandon who experience homelessness and the consequences of tenuous housing. Artist and sober living supervisor Chris Reid will be joined by Clearing the Path supervisor and counsellor Heather Bolech, Ask Auntie founder Florence Halcrow, and Sandy Trudel, the Director of Economic Development for the city of Brandon. With their decades of combined experience, the panelists will approach the idea of “home” from many angles: as residence, structure, emotional security, and freedom. This event supplements Nothing Smells in Absolute Zero, an exhibition of new artwork by Chris Reid that was inspired byher search for an answer to the question, “How do you know when you’re home?” Every work on display in the Main Gallery depicts a specific Brandon location and story, and are the culmination of years of working with individuals experiencing homelessness in the city. Persistentlyunanswered questions drove Reid to create this body of work, informed by interviews and observations. Reid and the AGSM invite you to take advantage of the experience and insight of four professionals in conversation, leading perhaps to a greater understanding of the issuesthrough personal testimonies. The panel will be held virtually on the AGSM’s Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter channels. The audience will be able to direct questions to the panelists via the comment section. The research, exhibition, and associated events are possible because of the support of the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, The City of Brandon, New Systems Store, Sutton-Harrison Realty, and Dr. Derry Dector. Nothing Smells in Absolute Zero is open for visits in the Main Gallery until May 29, 2021. For more information, visit agsm.ca.

– As we are looking forward to enjoying warmer weather in our own backyards, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services Prevention Division is reminding residents that if your activity includes sitting around a fire pit, you should ensure your fire pit is in compliance with the following regulations:   To have an open-air fire in your yard, you must first have an approved permit. Before a permit is approved, an inspection of the proposed site/appliance by Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is required. This can be requested at no cost. The permit does not have to be renewed annually. A new application is required if property ownership has changed or if the original application has changed. If you are renting the property, you need a letter of permission from the property owner. Before submitting your application, be sure your fire pit appliance is within the height and width restrictions and has enclosed sides made of approved material. A spark arrestor mesh screen, made of metal, with openings no larger than half an inch is to be used. The brick, stone, concrete, or heavy gauge metal must be separated from grass and any other vegetation by at least six (6) inches by means of clean earth, sand, gravel or non-combustible medium. At least five (5) feet of clearance must be maintained from the fire pit edge and buildings, property lines or other combustibles. Grass, rubbish, and leaves cannot be burned within City limits.  If fire pits are used without the necessary permit, offenders may be ticketed without warning. The fee for failing to comply with the policy is $400.00, as per the Open Air Fire Policy 30.  Fire permits and forms can be found at City of Brandon - Fire Permits & Forms. (City of Brandon PSA)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On May 3, 2021, shortly after 1:00 pm, police responded to a report of an individual using a hammer on various property such as buildings and signs in the area of the 400 block of 9th street.  The suspect damaged a window on a vehicle before throwing the hammer at a victim.  Nobody was injured because of these actions.  The 30-year-old female suspect was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service overnight.  She will appear in court today on charges of Assault with a Weapon, Possess Weapon, Utter Threats, and Mischief to Property.