Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from the RCMP, has seized 300,000 contraband cigarettes brought into the province by a local transport company. The seizure, which happened just outside Winnipeg June 8, resulted in the arrest of two men from Winnipeg and East St. Paul, aged 36 and 54. Had these cigarettes been sold, the Manitoba government stood to lose $90,000 in tax revenue. The two men will face charges under The Tobacco Tax Act and The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. For a first-time offence under the provincial tax acts, the individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment if convicted. In addition, they may face a triple tax penalty of $270,000. The accused will also face charges under the Criminal Code of Canada. The province urges anyone who has information on contraband tobacco to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137, email smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). (Province of MB News Feed)

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.