Source: Parks Canada Bulletin Starting June 1, 2020 Riding Mountain National Park will offer limited visitor access and basic services. Visitors will be able to access as the following services and facilities: day-use trails, including cycling and horse back riding access on designated trails and pathways; day-use areas, including green spaces, picnic areas, and beach areas; public toilets and other visitor facilities; the townsite of Wasagaming, and; the bison enclosure at Lake Audy Until June 1, these facilities remain closed and we ask that visitors respect these closures in order to allow park staff to do the necessary work to prepare for opening. The large parking lot in Wasagaming will be open as will the smaller parking lots along Wasagaming Drive. The parking lot beside the Visitor Centre as well as the parking lot on the corner of Columbine and Ta-Wa-Pit will be under construction throughout June. All boating, including motorboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, etc. is prohibited on all park waters until our aquatic invasive species prevention program is fully operational. We are aiming to resume this service by June 12, 2020. Visiting Riding Mountain National Park will be different than it has been in the past. Visitors are asked to plan ahead by checking the Riding Mountain National Park website before they travel to find out: what is open what they can expect how to prepare for their visit The health and safety of visitors and employees is of utmost importance to the Government of Canada. Parks Canada is following the advice of public health experts and continues to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Visitors should follow the advice of public health experts, including necessary hygiene practices and physical distancing of two metres from others. Parks Canada is asking Canadians to be cautious and conservative in their use of these places, to observe any regional or provincial travel restrictions and to respect any closures that are in place. Anyone participating in recreational activities should be extra cautious to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on search and rescue teams and on the health care system. All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020, while Parks Canada assesses whether and how these services might resume. Group activities and public events are suspended until further notice. Detailed information on Parks Canada places and the measures the Agency is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the Parks Canada website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/visit/covid-19-info. Please check regularly for updates.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At approx. 1:00 PM on Tuesday, officers were alerted to a female who appeared to be sleeping in a vehicle in the 600 block of Percy St. The information provided was that she had been there for approx. 2 hours with the vehicle running. Members attended and found her passed out inside. It appeared that the 34 year old female may be under the influence of a drug, therefore she was arrested for being in care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired. A search incident to arrest resulted in the discovery of approx. 38 grams of individually packaged meth as well as scales. The accused has been released with a court date of September 10, charged with Possession of Meth for the Purpose of Trafficking. The investigation to determine what if any drug she was under the influence of is continuing. She could still be charged for being in care and control while impaired at a later date.

The Manitoba government is moving forward on its plan for an open and competitive cannabis retail market, Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “We are pleased to open the market further by allowing more retailers to apply for retail licences,” said Wharton. “This move will enable local entrepreneurs to create jobs and support Manitoba’s economy, which is a critical step as we work toward rebuilding Manitoba in the wake of COVID-19.” Beginning June 1, the province is opening the cannabis retail application process to all prospective retailers. This includes the introduction of a new controlled-access licence for retailers. Manitoba will also continue to offer age-restricted licences for retailers wishing to open stand-alone stores. To become a retailer, applicants will be required to successfully complete the required application process, enter into a Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, and be issued an applicable licence from the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba. The minister noted that one location per applicant will be processed at a time and new entrants to the Manitoba market will be prioritized. There are currently 30 stores with age-restricted licences in Manitoba. Retailers in this next phase will be limited to owning no more than 15 per cent of stand-alone stores in Manitoba. This will be expanded as more stores enter the market. “COVID-19 has presented challenges for all Manitobans, including local businesses,” said Wharton. “In launching this third phase of our retail strategy, we are keeping our promise to build a competitive cannabis retail environment and supporting Manitoba’s economic recovery.” For more information or to apply, prospective retailers are encouraged to visit: www.mbllpartners.ca/cannabis-partners/become-cannabis-retailer. (Province of MB News Release-May 22)

Brandon's annual cancer fundraiser Relay for Life was to be held May 23rd, but given COVID-19 health crisis and remaining committed to physical distancing to protect the health of all Canadians, they are doing Relay at Home virtual this year. On June 13 (7-9 p.m. EST) participants can take part in Relay At Home – a nationwide online fundraising event with interactive activities, time to celebrate survivors and remember those they've loved. Funds raised through Relay At Home will help support essential programs that are even more in-demand during this stressful and uncertain time. Jeff Thompson is the Chair of the 2020 Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life! He is trying to “spread the word” on this year's Relay at Home to help support those that have been impacted by cancer. His favorite part about being involved with the organization is being able to work with great people striving towards a similar goal and having an impact on cancer.  He joined the Canadian Cancer Society to have an impact on people that are affected by cancer, including survivors, caregivers, and family members. Jeff’s brother Perry passed away in 2018 after 2 separate battles with cancer. Join Jeff and the rest of the Canadian Cancer society this year for Relay at Home to change lives, and to be bigger than cancer.  The Brandon-Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life's Facebook page can be found here. Sign up today at www.relayforlife.ca

Len Isleifson, MLA for Brandon East is welcoming the PC government’s announcement of increased grant support to community organizations and their community development projects as part of re-starting the provincial economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Once again, business leaders in Brandon have stepped up to the plate during a time of need and uncertainty,” said Isleifson. “While the current global pandemic has been the immediate concern of everyone, the actions of local governments, non-profit organizations and others show that we continue to move forward on building a better tomorrow.” Through the Building Sustainable Communities program, the Manitoba government is providing $10 million in grants to support 344 projects for community development projects province-wide. This includes a total of $257,235 for the following projects in the Brandon constituency: City of Brandon - $60,375 YMCA – $20,980 YWCA – $3,750 Brandon & Area Youth for Christ - $46,353 Royal Canadian Legion #3 - $74,758 Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation - $51,019 The Manitoba government is increasing this year’s investment in the Building Sustainable Communities program by 25 per cent. The program was developed to help provide a high quality of life for Manitobans by responding to neighbourhood, municipal and regional priorities. (submitted)