Manitobans are invited to provide feedback on a functional design study to improve safety at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 5 near Carberry, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor announced today. “Following the tragic collision near Carberry on June 15, 2023, the Manitoba government has been focused on supporting victims and their families as well as identifying ways to enhance safety measures at this intersection,” said Naylor. “We want to hear from those who use this stretch of highway and know it the best to weigh in on what option they would like to see used at this intersection.” A public open house to begin design work at the intersection will take place at the Carberry Community Memorial Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 16. Manitobans are invited to attend the event to comment on the project and learn about the next steps in the design process. This fall, the intersection options, including the three options identified in the in-service road safety review, will be available for public feedback at engagemb.ca. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) anticipates a preferred intersection layout for the Trans-Canada Highway and PTH 5 will be identified in late 2024 and the functional design report will be completed in early 2025. Intersection improvements are scheduled for completion in fall of 2026, the minister noted. The province will also be holding public consultation for the intersection of PTH 12 and Provincial Road (PR) 210. An open house is scheduled at Club Jovial in Ste. Anne on July 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The open house will provide an overview of the project, present design alternatives under consideration, and advise of the next steps. Attendees will be provided an opportunity to share comments with the design team. This stage of the project will also be available for community participation and feedback on EngageMB in mid-July. Commentary and feedback will be used to guide development of intersection options. MTI anticipates a preferred intersection layout for PTH 12 and PR 210 will be identified in late 2024 and the functional design report will be completed in early 2025. These projects support Manitoba’s multi-year infrastructure investment strategy, a five-year plan for strategic investments in roads, highways, bridges, airports and flood protection in Manitoba. For more information on the strategy, visit www.gov.mb.ca/mti/myhis/index.html.

Break & Enter On July 7th at 9:40PM an off-duty police officer reported a break and enter in progress to a garage in the 500 block of 38th Street. A description was provided of the suspects which resulted in police locating and arresting a 39-year-old male as well as a 33-year-old male. The 39-year-old male had numerous tools on him including pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Damage to the garage door occurred. Both males are charged with Break and Enter with Intent and the 39-year-old is also charged with Possession of Break and Enter Tools. Court date set for September 9th, 2024.   Break & Enter On July 7th police received a report of a break and enter at 3:00AM in the 200 block of 15th Street. Video surveillance shows three females entering the building after throwing a rock at the main door of the building. At 12:20AM on July 8th the primary female was arrested at her residence and released on an undertaking. Court date set for September 10th, 2024, with charges of Break and Enter and Mischief Under $5000.

On July 6, 2024 shortly after 5:00 pm, police responded to a report of a group of male youth chasing another male youth while carrying bear mace and a machete near the 1400 block of Lorne Ave. Members located and arrested a 16-year-old male in the area. He was in possession of bear mace.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will be released to appear in court on charges of Possess Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Carry Concealed Weapon, Fail to Comply with Release Order and Resist arrest. After a brief foot pursuit a second 15-year-old male was located and arrested in the 1000 block of 10th street.  Police K-9 located a bag discarded in the area by the suspect which also contained a can of bear mace.  He was also lodged at Brandon Police Service and was remanded in custody on charges of Possess Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Carry Concealed Weapon, FTC with Release Order and Resist Arrest. Police located a third male whom they believe to be the victim, however he was not cooperative with the investigation.

On July 5, 2024, shortly after 10:00 pm, police responded to a report of the theft of a 2011 black Ford Raptor from the 1000 block of 10th street.  The female suspect took the keys from the owner and fled with the vehicle. Police stopped the vehicle near the 1400 block of Highland Ave, and arrested the 16-year-old female driver for Impaired Driving and Theft of Motor Vehicle.  The suspect provided samples of her breath more than twice the legal limit.  She will appear in court on July 9, 2024.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has filed its provisional General Rate Application with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) today, requesting approval of a three per cent increase to overall rates for the 2025/26 insurance year. “MPI’s focus remains on providing stable and affordable rates for Manitobans even as we face increasing financial pressures,” said Satvir Jatana, MPI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are taking necessary steps to manage these impacts, including seeking the lowest possible rate increase to ensure financial stability while continuing to deliver value for our customers.” The proposed rate increase is necessary to address a steady and prolonged rise in the cost of claims as well as the cost of labour, raw materials and technology. This trend is persisting across MPI’s Basic, Extension and Special Risk Extension lines of business. The Corporation’s total insurance expense for the year was $1.7 billion, an increase of $334 million or approximately 24 per cent compared to the previous year. In addition, the August 2023 hailstorm in the Winnipeg area was the largest natural catastrophic event in MPI’s history. Over 15,000 hail-related claims were filed last year, which resulted in a negative $50 million impact to net income, created significant backlogs and increased the amount the Corporation had to pay out in claims. In the last year, the average cost per claim has risen by over $1,100. “MPI’s mission is to provide Manitobans with affordable rates,” said Jatana. “Despite the rising cost of claims, MPI, by virtue of its commitment to fiscal prudence, has maintained healthy reserves to help keep rates stable and affordable, while strengthening Manitoba’s public insurance system.” The PUB normally issues its order in December. The proposed rates would be effective April 1, 2025, but because renewal dates are staggered, some vehicle owners won’t pay their new rates until March 31, 2026. “I am proud of the way MPI employees have come together to manage the challenges we have faced over the past year,” said Jatana. “We will continue our focus on fiscal prudence, stability and affordability while providing outstanding products and services for Manitobans.” MPI 2023/24 Financial Results The unique challenges MPI has faced over the past year are reflected in its annual financial results, also released today. The Corporation reported an overall net loss of $129.5 million in 2023/24, driven largely by the overall increase in incurred claims. Each of the Corporation’s individual lines of business experienced underlying performance impacts. More specifically: The Basic insurance line of business reported a Net loss of $80.2 million as compared to a Net income of $1.1 million in 2022/23. The total number of Autopac claims in 2023/24 rose by 40 per cent compared to the previous year. The Extension line of business reported Net income of $18.1 million as compared to a Net income of $33.3 million in 2022/23. Incurred claims in this line of business increased over 30 per cent last year, including a single loss event of $10 million. The Special Risk Extension (SRE) line of business reported a Net loss of $54.2 million as compared to a Net income of $16.6 million in 2022/23. Incurred claims rose nearly 54 per cent in this line of business. MPI has introduced changes to liability limits for SRE customers to reduce its exposure to large losses. The Drivers and Vehicles Act operations (DVA) line of business reported a Net loss of $13.2 million as compared to a Net loss of $10.4 million in 2022/23.   2023/24 Key MPI Numbers Average number of Autopac claims reported per working day – 1,184 Total Autopac claims reported – 274,585 Third party liability bodily injury and Personal Injury Protection Plan injury claims reported – 11,732 Property damage claims reported – 262,853 Average Number of Autopac policies in force – 1,278,461