Source: Brandon Police Service Media ReleaseBreak and Enter to Residence On March 18, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a residence in the 1500 block of 2nd street.  Suspects entered overnight by removing a screen and forcing a window.  Stolen was a RCA TV.  Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact . Break and Enter to Garage On March 18, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a garage in the 000 block of 24th street.  Suspects entered the garage overnight and stole 2 power drills and an antique flashlight.  Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact . Break and Enter to Shed On March 18, 2021, police responded to a report of a break and enter to a shed in the 1300 block of 4th street.  Suspects cut the lock to the shed overnight.  It is unknown if anything was taken.  Anyone with information regarding this Break and Enter is encouraged to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or https://www.brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact .

City of Brandon has ranked first in under-50,000 population and 12th overall in North America according to a study released by Public Sector Digest (PSD), a research consulting software company. The City ranked 13th in PSD’s 2019 study.  PSD launched the Open Cities Index (OCI) - Canada’s first benchmarking study for municipal open data programs in 2015 and has expanded to invite organizations from all over North America. This tool provides a way for local governments to measure the maturity and performance of their open data initiatives while providing insight on how they can improve. More info on their report can be found at psdrcs.com/open-cities-index-oci2020.  OpenGov.brandon.ca was first launched in 2012 and provides a centralized online home for the City’s open data catalogue, existing web and mobile applications, with an emphasis on presenting information in a user-friendly, easy to navigate way. Users can directly access various ESRI-based maps, Brandon’s property assessment search, information on river levels, road closures, transit routes, and sanitation collection, and dozens of datasets relating to City governance, finance, infrastructure, and greenspace management.  “It is great to see us move up a position in our ranking in the Open Cities Index for Open Data,” says Todd Burton, Director of Innovation, Technology & Communications for the City of Brandon. “Being ranked 12th place for a city of our size is gratifying. Our team is always looking at what we can do to further enhance our focus on our Open Data Catalog and enabling citizen access to useful information.”  (City of Brandon PSA)

The Manitoba government is investing $8 million for the creation of a new Hospitality Relief Sector Program to provide financial relief to Manitoba’s accommodation and tourism sector, Premier Brian Pallister announced today. “Manitoba’s tourism sector – a key contributor to the province’s economy – has been significantly impacted by a reduction in domestic and international travel and other restrictions that were necessary to protect Manitobans and all Canadians from the spread of COVID-19,” said Pallister. “We recognize that these businesses have made significant sacrifices in order to protect their community. We are committed to helping them through this challenging and unpredictable time and to help position them for recovery.” The new Hospitality Relief Sector Program, to be administered by the Manitoba Hotel Association and the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association, will provide funding to hotels and full-time licenced resource tourism operators for fixed costs that have not been covered by other relief programs such as:• property insurance,• mortgage interest,• property taxes,• land leases,• service fees,• maintenance of camps, and• resource retention costs. Grants will be provided as a reimbursement for a percentage of eligible expenses incurred. “This funding will provide a much-needed lifeline for the Lodges and Outfitters of Manitoba,” said DJ Seales, president, Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA). “With the nature of this industry, many are facing a second year of no business due to the border being closed. MLOA would like to thank the province for partnering with and supporting these businesses and this industry during these uncertain times.” More information on the Hospitality Relief Sector Program and how to apply will be available for eligible applicants shortly. “We thank the government for recognizing that hotels have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and that we need help,” said Scott Jocelyn, president and CEO, Manitoba Hotel Association. “This program will be provide much-needed assistance for the hotel industry, which has been one of the most impacted industries, and will be one of the last to recover.” To date, the province has committed $490 million in support programs to businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the recently expanded Manitoba Bridge Grant program, which provides up to $15,000 in direct financial support to businesses, non-profits and charities impacted by code level red restrictions. To date, approximately $205 million has been paid out to over 14,000 eligible applicants. Approximately $178 million has been provided to more than 11,700 storefront businesses and organizations, and $26 million to more than 2,500 home-based businesses. “Our government will continue to work side-by-side with all Manitoba businesses to help them do what they do best – employ Manitobans and offer services Manitobans rely on,” Pallister added. ”But we know many businesses have not been able to do that as result of public health restrictions, which is why we are proud to offer some of the most generous support programs in the country.” Manitobans can learn more about COVID-19 supports for businesses at:https://manitoba.ca/supportsforbusiness. (Province of MB News Release)

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the intersection of Princess Avenue and 6th Street on Monday afternoon for a crash. The crash involved a small white car and a quarter-ton pickup. The white car received significant damage to the front, while the truck had some damage to the side. Firefighter/Paramedics deployed sand to help soak up some leaking fluids from the white car. It didn't appear that anyone was injured.  Photo by Liam Pattison Photography Photo by Liam Pattison Photography Photo by Liam Pattison Photography

The Manitoba government released its kindergarten to Grade 12 strategy with a focus on putting students first, Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today, saying the Better Education Starts Today (BEST) strategy that will shift resources to the classroom while giving parents and guardians much more input, as it rebuilds Manitoba’s kindergarten to Grade 12 education system through the proposed putting students first bill. “The strategy introduces much-needed change to create a unified provincial education system that is accountable for results, classroom focused, student centred and parent friendly, leading to the most improved education system in Canada,” said Cullen. “We want students to graduate high school with the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to move into post-secondary education, the labour market, or whatever path they choose, and have the best opportunity to succeed.” Manitoba is one of the highest spending provinces on education and getting among the country's lowest student achievement results. Per capita, Manitoba has the highest number of school divisions and elected trustees across all provinces. The government’s plan streamlines administration by unifying 37 school divisions into one Provincial Education Authority (authority) while maintaining the French school division, Division Scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM). The authority will deliver kindergarten to Grade 12 education, manage shared administrative services such as collective bargaining, procurement, IT and workforce planning – money that will be reinvested directly into classrooms. Within the authority, 15 regions will provide a focus on local needs. Parents will have involvement that is more meaningful in local decision-making through new School Community Councils. “Our government believes in a robust education system that addresses the inequalities of the current system,” Cullen said. “We have committed to building 20 new schools and followed that up with our $1.6 billion education funding guarantee. However, we want to ensure we have a system focused on students, teachers and, ultimately, results.” Within the next five years, Manitoba’s government is committed to becoming the most improved education system in Canada by:• shifting resources to the classroom to ensure that student learning and achievement come first;• ensuring that teachers, school staff and leaders have the capacity, knowledge and tools they need to support student performance;• unifying the education system with a focus on accountability for results, outcomes and addressing the vast disparities in the system;• giving parents and caregivers more opportunity to participate and play a meaningful role in the design and oversight of the system; and• considering the provincial needs and ensuring that all students are ready for life-long success regardless of where in the province they live. “Maintaining the status quo puts our students further behind, and that is why our government is making the necessary reforms and investing in our children’s futures,” said Cullen. “By unifying our system and focusing educators on what matters most – student outcomes – the government expects up to $40 million will be shifted to the classrooms to support educational results.” Manitoba Education will be undertaking public consultations on a variety of areas as it builds a roadmap for the future on topics such as curriculum development, teacher training and learning, and ways to support the most vulnerable students. This includes further conversation with education partners, parents, and the wider Manitoba community, and a survey that will be available on http://engagemb.ca. The BEST strategy was informed by the Manitoba’s Commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education report, Our Children’s Success: Manitoba’s Future, received in March 2020. The 75 recommendations of the commission represent the most extensive reformation of Manitoba’s kindergarten to Grade 12 education system in decades and presents a clear plan of action for becoming the most improved education system in Canada. The BEST strategy also drew on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic from across Manitoba’s education system. For more information, visit www.bettereducationmb.ca. (Province of MB News Release)