Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is returning up to $110 million to provide financial relief to its policyholders, Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “Many Manitobans have been financially impacted by this crisis,” said Wharton. “MPI is proactively providing relief when it is needed most by issuing rebates to its customers as an alternative to future reduced premiums.” Rebates will be based on what policyholders paid last year and expected to be around 11 per cent, or between $140 to $160, per average policyholder, the minister noted, adding policyholders can expect a rebate cheque at the end of May to early June. This surplus is the result of fewer claims during this COVID period, coupled with strong year-end financial results. As a public insurance model, MPI operates on a break-even basis and is required to maintain its reserves at a level set by legislation. Today’s rebate is possible because MPI’s reserves are exceptionally strong, allowing excess capital to be returned to ratepayers while ensuring its reserves are fully funded. “This money is expected to provide financial assistance to Manitobans during this unprecedented crisis,” said Ben Graham, president and CEO, MPI. “We have made significant improvements in our operations to deliver value to Manitobans resulting in stronger financial results. “With a healthy reserve fund, MPI is in a strong financial situation to move forward with these rebate cheques to support our customers. This rebate to our customers will not adversely impact the corporation’s financial outcomes moving forward. It feels right to give back to our customers when they need it the most.” Details of the rebates will be made in the coming weeks and further details will be available at mpi.mb.ca. In addition to rebating excess capital from the last financial year, MPI notes that as of mid-April, collision claims are down 48 per cent compared to the same month a year ago. MPI estimates that public health orders directing the public to stay at home and for non-essential businesses to cease direct interaction with the public have resulted in approximately $29 million in fewer basic claims being incurred between March 15 and April 15, 2020. Under existing legislation, MPI is able to return approximately $50 million to its ratepayers and will require the approval of the Public Utilities Board (PUB) for the additional $60 million. MPI will apply to the PUB in the coming days in respect of the incremental $60 million in order to be able to return these amounts to Manitoba ratepayers. If PUB approval is obtained in the next few weeks, the entire $110 million will be returned as part of the rebate cheques mailed to Manitobans. Based on current projections, MPI is confident that due to the extension of public health orders and the provincial state of emergency extending until May 18, related savings to the corporation will continue into the foreseeable future. (Manitoba Public Insurance News Release)  

The City of Brandon’s Engineering Department wishes to advise the public that in the coming days, contractors are set to resume roadwork on several projects halted due to seasonal restrictions in the fall of 2019. The schedule for this work will vary based on worksite, but is anticipated to start as early as Monday, April 27th. Residents and businesses impacted by this scheduled work will be contacted directly with additional information on scheduling and property access. Notices will be issued on the City of Brandon website and its Facebook and Twitter pages for any significant road closures associated with these projects. At this time, the City of Brandon would like to stress that all City of Brandon employees and all contracted personnel are taking the proper precautions to ensure safe work can continue amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including: Daily review of Public Health Orders and other information issued by the Province of Manitoba; Review and implementation of industry-recommended COVID-19 Safety and Prevention Measures; and Implementation of organization-specific safe work procedures and coordination between organizations to ensure consistency. The City of Brandon asks that the public respect all City of Brandon and contractor efforts to maintain physical distancing during this time by avoiding these worksites at all times. Should you have any questions or concerns related to the work, please contact the City of Brandon Engineering Department at 204-729-2214. (CITY OF BRANDON PUBLIC NOTICE)

Shortly before 8:00 on Wednesday night, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services along with Brandon Police Services responded to Westaway Bay for a structure fire. Crews responded to Westaway Bay to find a duplex-style house with smoke coming from one of the side doors. Firefighter/paramedics stretched a hoseline to do the door and made entry into the home. Fire was extinguished within an hour.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On January 14, 2020, Brandon Police received a complaint from a business in Virden, indicating an ex-employee had used a company credit card for unauthorized fuel purchases in Brandon between October 2019 and January 2020.  On April 21, 2020, the suspect, a 40 year old male was located and arrested.  He was released for court on July 20th, 2020.

Brandon, MB – Recognizing the financial hardships that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response in Manitoba may be placing on property owners, Brandon City Council has approved extending the 2020 property tax payment deadline by one month and has also approved flexible options for payment for 2020 property taxes by year’s end. With the 2020 Tax Levy By-law receiving third reading at a special meeting of Brandon City Council last night, the deadline for payment of 2020 property taxes is now July 31st, 2020 – one month later than normal. Earlier this month, Council agreed that penalties of 1.25% per month on unpaid 2020 taxes will be deferred until October 1st, 2020, and that the $20 “Payments not honoured by a Financial Institution” fee will be waived for the remainder of 2020. The City of Brandon Tax Installment Plan (TIP) has also been modified to allow for variable or flexible property tax payment options through to the end of the year. In leading City Council to make these changes, Brandon Mayor Rick Chrest noted the extraordinary circumstances the community finds itself in have resulted in significant financial impacts for many households and businesses. “Council recognizes that the current global pandemic and the resulting response from all levels of government have set into motion situations where ratepayers have been laid off, have had their work hours reduced, or have had to temporarily close their businesses,” Mayor Chrest said. “The payment deferral options that Council has put in place have been done so recognizing that, for some in our community, balancing their finances has now become significantly more complicated than normal.” As payment of 2020 property taxes in full as a lump sum may prove difficult for some property owners, variable or flexible payment options through the City of Brandon Tax Installment Plan (TIP) are available by contacting the City of Brandon Finance Department at 204-729-2228 or by emailing taxes@brandon.ca. Property owners can work with Finance staff to personalize a payment schedule that will work for them, as long as all 2020 taxes owing are paid in full by the end of the year. These payment options will be available to property owners already enrolled in TIPS and those who enrol in the program by July 15th, 2020. To apply for TIP, complete and submit the online application which can be found on the City of Brandon website at https://onlineservices.brandon.ca/updateinfo.aspx. Tax bills will be mailed to Brandon property owners by the end of June; however, property owners who are able to may pre-pay their property taxes at any time. A discount of 0.5% will be applied to all 2020 property tax payments received by April 30th, 2020 and 0.25% on payments received by May 29th, 2020. “If your financial circumstances haven’t changed amidst this pandemic and you are able to still pay your property taxes in full before or by the payment deadline, we would certainly encourage you to do so,” added Acting City Manager Dean Hammond. “While these are certainly unprecedented times, the City of Brandon has an obligation to keep our cash flow intact so that we can continue to keep your City running and continue to provide you the essential services that you expect from your local government.” A detailed list of the various ways that property tax payment can be made can be found on the City of Brandon website at https://www.brandon.ca/payment-options. (City of Brandon Media Release)