The Manitoba government is providing an update on ongoing enforcement efforts to protect Manitobans from the spread of COVID-19.   A total of 193 warnings and 58 tickets were issued for the week of Dec. 21 to 27 including three $5,000 tickets to businesses for various offences and 51 $1,296 tickets to individuals for various offences.  Officials advise that 44 of the 51 $1,296 tickets issued last week were in relation to gatherings in private residences. As New Year’s Eve approaches, Manitobans are reminded that public health orders remain in effect throughout the holidays and must be followed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For information about online events and activities designed to make staying home a little easier, visit Safe at Home Manitoba at www.safeathomemb.ca/.  Enforcement officials also issued four $298 tickets for failure to wear a mask in indoor public places. Manitobans are reminded that masks must cover a person’s mouth, nose and chin without gapping. Face shields are not an acceptable alternative.  Since enforcement efforts began in April, a total of 1,683 warnings and 617 tickets have been issued, resulting in more than $919,000 in fines to businesses and individuals.   Almost 3,300 personnel across various agencies are empowered to enforce public health orders to protect Manitobans. This includes RCMP, law enforcement agencies, provincial employees and municipal partners, such as the City of Winnipeg.    Updated enforcement statistics are now posted online weekly. For more information go to Cross-Departmental Reports at www.gov.mb.ca/openmb/infomb/departments.html.   In addition to a $298 fine for not wearing a mask in indoor public places, fine amounts for violating public health orders have been set at $1,296 for tickets issued to individuals, including sole proprietorships and partnerships, and $5,000 for tickets issued to corporations.   Manitobans can report compliance and enforcement issues by visiting www.manitoba.ca/COVID19 and completing the reporting form, or by calling 204-945-3744 or 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free) and pressing option three on the call menu.  The Manitoba government is taking strong action to protect Manitobans and ensure timely access to care. Current orders under the Public Health Act are available at:https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/proactive/2020_2021/orders-soe-11222020.pdf.     Manitobans are reminded to adhere to all current public health orders and stay home. For more information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.  (Media Bulletin - Manitoba)

It’s not too late to make a positive impact on your taxes with a charitable donation.  Canadians have until December 31st each year to make donations and receive a tax receipt for that current tax year.  Many charities give you the option to donate online, from the comfort of your home and websites like Canadahelps.org processes donations for local charities such as Samaritan House and the YMCA of Brandon. If you don’t already have a favourite charity, a list of registered charities in Canada can be found at the government website. The list is also searchable by keyword. For example, if you search ‘Brandon’ everything from the Brandon General Museum and Archives to the Brandon Literacy Council and more, will come up.  In Manitoba, donations fall under two different taxable scales. Gifts under $200 and gifts over $200.  For example, a donation of $100 would be eligible for a $25.80 tax deduction, whereas $1000 would be a $422.80 deduction. So, whenever possible, it’s most beneficial to donated at least $200 annually to receive the higher percentage benefit.  It’s a win-win situation for both the donor and the charity. While the charity receives the full benefit of your donation, you also receive a benefit of reduction in taxes. A donation of $1000 benefits the charity by $1000, but will only cost the donor $577.20, once tax benefits are considered.  Small, specialized charities are also a great way to make a difference in a cause you believe in, just double check that they are registered and offer tax receipts.  Local animal advocates, Pawsitive Communities, are indeed a registered charity and would love to be your charity of choice if you are making a last minute donation. 2020 was especially hard for organizations such as these, which rely on community events to generate awareness and critical funds. They had to cancel all in-person fundraisers this year, including a planned casino night. Unlike some of the larger charities, they do accept donations by e-transfer. To learn more about their work visit their website at Pawsitivecommunities.com or connect with them through Instagram.  Samaritan House is open and will gratefully accept cash or cheques at 820 Pacific Avenue, from 8:30am to 4:30pm both December 30 and 31st. If you would like to contribute to their capital expansion project, please note it specifically on the cheque. ‘Raising the Roof’ hopes to raise half a million dollars to expand the Safe and Warm Shelter and address homelessness in our community. 

While the COVID pandemic disrupted much of normal goings-on in our province, fraudsters didn’t miss a beat in their efforts to defraud Manitoba Public Insurance and its customers. This year’s Top 5 Fraud list highlights bogus claims, the effective use of forensic tools and astute MPI staff. “MPI releases its annual top five fraud list to raise awareness about the costs related to auto insurance fraud ─ about $50 per customer yearly,” said MPI’s Chief Operating Officer, Curtis Wennberg. “The list is compiled based on the unique circumstances of each fraud, financial savings to MPI ratepayer, and investigative excellence in unearthing the fraudsters.” Anyone with information about auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the Manitoba Public Insurance TIPS Line: 204-985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477. All calls are anonymous. Suspicious claims are handled by MPI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU). As of the end of this November, claims savings are more than $13 million with the SIU closing nearly 1,000 investigations. No. 1: “Burning Up Debt” The insured made a claim with MPI, reporting that his new travel trailer had been stolen out of a storage yard located within a community in rural Manitoba. That same morning, the travel trailer was found 10-kilometres outside of town ─ burned to the ground and still smoldering on a gravel road. MPI’s SIU investigator immediately went to the burn site where he took photos and began determining the likely route taken by the thief. While travelling back to his office, the investigator noticed a building which had a surveillance camera pointing towards the highway. The surveillance footage showed the trailer being towed around midnight by a pickup truck, which closely resembled the same year and model of the trailer’s owner. The investigation also revealed the trailer’s owner was experiencing financial issues. During the interview with the SIU investigator, the insured denied having any involvement with the theft. However, he was not willing to allow MPI access to his truck so the investigator could download data from it which would help to determine where the vehicle was on the night of the theft. A few days after that interview the insured contacted MPI and withdrew his claim, signing a waiver of release. Estimated claims savings to MPI was $37,000. No. 2: “Creative Accounting” After being injured in a crash, the woman eventually returned to her job on a part-time basis ─ unable to work fulltime due to lifting and other physical demands. However, she was entitled to receive MPI’s Income Replacement Indemnity (IRI) entitlement which was calculated specifically from submitted income tax documentation. As time passed, an MPI IRI calculator noticed an irregularity in a letter and email allegedly coming from an accounting firm, which the woman had submitted. After a conversation with the accounting firm it was confirmed both the email and letter were fabricated and false. Investigators then did an extensive review and discovered numerous anomalies relating to the woman’s income tax information. It was noted that many of the documents appeared to have been deliberately edited and included entries that were misaligned, entries in varying sized fonts, incomplete and incorrect field entries, wrong totals, and in two different years she reported the exact same income to the cent. With all this information, the woman’s benefits were terminated resulting in an estimated savings to MPI and its customers of nearly $800,000: a figure based on future payouts. MPI is also seeking to recover $100,000. No. 3: “Wascally Wabbit!” The driver claimed a rabbit suddenly popped out of the bushes and ran in front of his vehicle. Startled, the driver said he applied the brakes and while attempting to avoid the little animal crashed head-on into a light standard. The vehicle sustained extensive front-end damage. However, the driver’s story had a number of irregularities which caught the attention of a seasoned SIU investigator. The investigation revealed the man, 20, was experiencing significant financial issues, exasperated by a large vehicle payment. A download from the vehicle’s Crash Data Recorder showed the vehicle was accelerating at the time of the crash, contradicting the man’s story that he was braking before he hit the pole. With all the evidence in hand, the claim was denied. Claims savings to MPI and its customers was $31,000. No. 4: “Mr. Volunteer” The man claimed he was physically unable to do his demanding, physical labour job after getting into a collision. He soon began receiving Income Replacement payments from MPI. However, as the months moved on, an MPI case manager began to have suspicions about their claimant. The file was then forwarded to MPI’s SIU. The investigation revealed Mr. Volunteer, 33, regularly worked at a Winnipeg retail outlet ─ including assisting customers. Unbeknownst to Mr. Volunteer, he actually served an MPI investigator and several others who were doing surveillance. When confronted with all this information, Mr. Volunteer denied he was working, but explained he was “volunteering” his services. The man’s benefits were terminated resulting in an estimated savings to MPI and its customers of nearly $300,000. No. 5: “Never Know Who’s Watching” After being involved in a crash, the Winnipeg man claimed he was too traumatized to drive and even had trouble being a passenger. Combined with a number of physical injuries, the man could not resume his job as a real estate agent and began receiving Income Replacement benefits. As time moved on, several irregularities began to surface for the MPI case manager, who then moved the file to MPI’s SIU. The subsequent investigation, which involved surveillance, revealed that the man had returned to his job as a real estate agent ─ regularly showing houses to clients, dealing with contractors on various renovation sites and driving to all parts of the city; showing no signs of distress. On one occasion, the case manager called the man, who whispered over the phone he couldn’t speak because he was at the doctor’s office. During this conversation, the man was in fact showing a house with clients, while also being observed by investigators. With all this evidence in hand, the claim was denied. Total claims savings to MPI was nearly $110,000.(MPI News Release)

An update to an earlier published story. The East End Community Centre rink, under the iconic Brandon water tower, is now open for public skating. There are areas for pleasure skating and designated areas for hockey sticks and pucks.  East End Community Centre rink, Green Acres Community Centre is also now open for the season. Lights come on at dusk and the facility is open until 8:30pm daily. Covid-19 restrictions prevent the warm up areas, canteen and washrooms from opening at this time.  Green Acres Community Centre Skaters must wear masks, are not to gather in groups and are asked to maintain proper social distancing.  Dogs are not permitted on the ice or on Community Centre properties at any time.  Community Centre rinks are run by volunteers and to volunteer or learn more, contact the Community Centres. (edited) Green Acres Community Centre

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On December 26, 2020, police received a report of an assault which occurred in the 200 block of 8th street shortly after 4:00 pm. The male suspect was observed by witnesses punching, kicking and biting the victim. The male left the area but was later located and arrested shortly before 10:00 pm. The 34-year-old male was also found to be in breach of his release order. He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Assault and Fail to Comply with Release order. The victim of the assault did not sustain any injuries that required medical attention