Manitoba Public Insurance filed its General Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) today, requesting an overall rate decrease of 10.5 per cent. If approved, this will be the largest rate decrease in three decades. The average passenger vehicle owner will pay about $130 less in premiums per year. This will be the second year in a row Manitobans have received a rate decrease from its public auto insurer. “This historic rate decrease reflects the strong recent performance and financial position of our Corporation,” said Ben Graham, President and CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance. “While many private auto insurers across Canada are asking for double-digit rate increases, Manitobans are receiving the benefits of a well-executed public auto insurance model. “This decrease was made possible with our multi-pronged strategy focusing on insurance fundamentals such as fiscal prudence of managing claims and MPI expenses, changes made to our product suite, implementation of a better reinsurance strategy aimed at reducing volatility, enhanced investment management strategy and building an industry acceptable level of reserves to absorb rate shocks.” In May 2020, MPI customers benefited from a $110 million rebate: $58 million of which is directly attributed to fewer claims during this COVID period and $52 million was through prudent company management from year-end financial results. This year, MPI is modernizing its products to provide greater customer choice and protection through new coverage levels for Third Party Liability, Maximum Insured Value, and changes to the Basic Autopac deductible. Customers will have the option of reducing their premium by increasing their deductible. “Our customers will have greater choice in selecting the coverage that best suits their needs,” said Graham. “These are all things that really demonstrate the strength, adaptability and customer-centric nature of public auto insurance in Manitoba. “MPI will continue to execute its strategy aimed at maintaining stable and predictable rates which remain among the most affordable in Canada while providing exceptional coverage to Manitobans.” The PUB hearings typically begin in October, concluding later in the month. The board typically issues its order in December. The proposed rates would be effective April 1, 2021, but because renewal dates are staggered, some vehicle owners won’t pay their new rates until March 31, 2022. Requested Rate Changes by Class Major Use Applied for Rate Changes Private passenger -11.0% Commercial -4.8% Public -6.1% Motorcycles 1.8% Trailers -11.4% Off-road vehicles 0% Overall (applied for) -10.5% (Manitoba Public Insurance News Release)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, police conducted a vehicle stop on the #1 Highway. The operator, a 23-year-old from rural Manitoba was found to be the subject of several arrest warrants held by the Manitoba First Nations Police Service. The backpack in possession of the male was searched incidental to arrest and was found to contain a quantity of prescription medication, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. The male is in custody at the police service charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. He will appear before a Justice this morning.

The Glenboro/South Cypress Library was the recipient of a generous grant from Westoba Inspire on April 21, 2020. The money received has been used to purchase 6 Asus Chromebooks for the Library that will be used primarily to support the CoderDojo program. Westoba Inspire is a community investment program run by Westoba Credit Union. CoderDojo is an international foundation that offers kids ages 7-16 the opportunity to learn computer coding through independent, volunteer led coding clubs. Currently there are 1800 clubs (Dojos) operating in 92 different countries. Each dojo focuses on increasing skills in technology, including web development, games and other programs, while offering a social environment for youth to learn and support each other. The local CoderDojo program was started in April 2019 by a Brandon University Ph. D candidate (Wayne Kelly) and offered as a pilot program to the Brandon, Neepawa, and Glenboro Public Libraries. Each group is still operating, although currently on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Glenboro group has split into two separate dojos, with 12 students in total. The original coders are being mentored by Rimmer Technology Partners. The new coders are being mentored by students from the original group and were meeting bi-weekly at the Library. The program usually begins in the fall and runs until late spring. In order to run the group, The Glenboro Library was previously relying on the generosity of the Glenboro School to borrow the School’s Chromebooks each session so the students could participate. However, while completely appreciated, this was not a long term solution. Westoba Inspire made it possible for the Glenboro Library to purchase the 6 new Chromebooks that were needed to continue to offer the CoderDojo program at the Library. Along with the coding, the Library is excited to partner with Westoba Credit Union to offer some financial literacy courses that will be available for seniors, adults, and youth in the future. Westoba Credit Union will supply their knowledgeable staff to facilitate these courses. The planning is just starting at this time and once ready, the courses will be made available to the Glenboro South Cypress area for free! When you consider how many people and organizations are involved in order to offer the coding program, it makes us extremely grateful to be part of such a supportive and collaborative community. Special thanks go to Glenboro School for the generous sharing of their resources. Thank you to Westoba Credit Union and the Westoba Inspire program for making it possible to continue to provide the CoderDojo course to the youth. The Library is looking forward to the future courses that will be created and offered through this continuing partnership with Westoba. (submitted)

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Around 2:40 am on Tuesday morning, officers responded to a 911 caller reporting a man had been stabbed on Pacific Ave in front of a bar. The male victim was transported to Brandon Regional Health Center for treatment of a non-life threatening stab would to his abdomen. The Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

Brandon, MB – City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is very pleased to be able to announce initial details of a modified outdoor water recreation program at the community’s spray parks/paddling pools and outdoor pool this summer. Parks & Recreation Services management and staff have been working diligently over the past number of weeks to create a program delivery model for its five spray parks and one outdoor pool that responsibly adheres to the Manitoba Government’s Restoring Safe Services Together plan for COVID-19 recovery. Pending final approval by Manitoba Health officials, all five of Brandon’s spray parks locations will open for summer operation on Monday, June 29th, while an opening date for Kinsmen Pool in Rideau Park is anticipated for early July. Spray parks will operate daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. through June and July, and then daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. through to the end of August. Kinsmen Pool will operate daily through July and August from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A full list of spray park locations and 2020 Kinsmen Pool rates can be found at https://www.brandon.ca/summer-recreation/spray-parks-paddle-pools. Spray parks will be accessible to the public during operating hours at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Families will want to take note that a number of COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place at all spray park locations, including reduced capacity within the spray park pad itself and identified queueing/entry/exit points. City of Brandon staff will be providing active supervision on-site to ensure adherence to these safety protocols, and signage will be installed at all sites and at washroom buildings to inform the public about these COVID-19-related guidelines and restrictions. Parents and guardians should also note that Brandon’s spray park equipment and pool facility will not receive any extra sanitizing attention during the season’s operations. City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services thanks all spray park and pool users in advance for their cooperation as staff work to balance the community’s desire for summer outdoor recreation with the municipality’s ongoing pandemic response. More information about the City of Brandon’s COVID-19 pandemic response can be found at https://www.brandon.ca/covid-19-updates. (City of Brandon PSA)