As part of the Manitoba government’s commitment to public safety, mandatory entry-level training for commercial truck drivers will be implemented Sept. 1, Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced today.  Requirements will include 121.5 hours of training, which is consistent with other provinces including Alberta and Saskatchewan. “Our government is focused on public safety on our roads and highways in this province, and mandatory training for new truck drivers will make Manitoba safer,” Schuler said.  “Commercial truck drivers play an important role in moving our economy forward, and we are focused on ensuring they have the necessary skills and qualifications to do their job in a way that ensures everyone is safe on the road.” In addition, there will be a one-year deferral of new training requirements for the agriculture sector to allow for additional consultations with the industry, in order to determine an appropriate phase-in strategy that mitigates impacts on the start of the 2019 farming season. Currently, a person can obtain a Class 1 truck driving license by successfully completing a knowledge-based written test and a practical road test.  There is no mandatory training required prior to testing taking place. Earlier this year, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) began work on an implementation plan, focused on addressing all policy and operational requirements including addressing licensing policy issues and Class 1 driver testing considerations.  MPI will continue to work on this plan and more details will be announced in the coming weeks. “With these new requirements coming into effect, we are working with Manitoba Public Insurance to ensure that Class 1 testing is implemented in a timely manner and that disruptions are managed for the industry,” Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer said.  “MPI is an important partner in ensuring public safety on Manitoba’s roads and highways.” Manitoba Infrastructure, Manitoba Public Insurance, and Manitoba Education and Training consulted with over 100 stakeholders including industry associations, agricultural sector agencies, Indigenous organizations, established sector councils, educational providers, municipal stakeholders and small-scale commercial carriers.

Brandon & Area Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN) is excited to bring Dr. Nicholas Carleton, Professor of Clinical Psychology, from University of Regina to Brandon for our annual conference on May 1, 2019 at the Clarion Hotel & Suites.  The focus of this year’s conference is Public Safety Personnel: Best Practices Regarding Trauma and PTSD.  Dr. Carleton is also the Scientific Director for the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment.  This conference will bring together First Responders or Public Safety Personnel such as police, fire, EMS, military, correctional officers, 911 and crisis line operators, STARS, disaster relief, search and rescue, emergency departments child welfare, critical incident responders and clinicians who support those in the field.  The objectives of the conference are to highlight unique challenges and opportunities faced by public safety personnel; provide contemporary research on the prevalence of mental disorders, suicide, and chronic pain across public safety personnel groups; understand recent research results regarding public safety personnel health; and become familiar with the pending research needs and projects focused on supporting improvements for public safety personnel health. Registration information can be found on www.spinbrandon.ca.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release As a result of a police investigation, a 20-year-old Brandon male was identified from video surveillance footage breaking in to multiple storage lockers in the west end of Brandon and stealing a large number of items including tires, bicycles and other household items.  The male was arrested and released to appear in court in May.  None of the stolen items have been recovered.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release As part of the ongoing police investigation, another search warrant was executed in the RM of Oakland resulting in the recovery of 11 firearms, ammunition and a stolen motorcycle.  The previously charged 31-year-old Brandon male was charged with further offences related to the unauthorized possession of firearms and possession property obtained by crime.  He remains in custody and will appear in court in the morning.

To meet its goal of having a non-medical cannabis retail store available within a 30-minute drive for 90 per cent of Manitobans within two years of legalization, the Manitoba government is finalizing a selection process for the second phase of its retail rollout, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today. “Following the federal government’s decision to legalize non-medical cannabis, we have implemented a system that allows private retailers to do what they do best while balancing public health and safety priorities,” said Pedersen. “We are reaffirming our commitment to a competitive retail system and look forward to advancing new commercial opportunities as the industry matures.” In July 2018, the province released a Request for Pre-Qualification seeking potential retailers interested in a future opportunity to operate cannabis retail stores in Manitoba.  Nearly 100 applicants pre-qualified as part of this process. A selection process is the next step. Pre-qualified applicants will participate in a randomized draw for each location based on the geographic preferences they indicate. Selected applicants can then proceed through the agreement and licensing process to operate in one of the following seven Manitoba communities: Altona; Flin Flon; Lac du Bonnet; Niverville; Rural Municipality of Russell-Binscarth; Swan River; and Virden. Pedersen noted the Manitoba government has been working with local governments to ensure they have ‘fair say’ and are onboard with the proposed retail locations.  While municipalities control where cannabis stores are located in their communities, the province plays a supportive role to answer questions and outline options available, including reviewing how close the stores may be to schools, houses of worship and community centres, at the municipality’s request. For more information on cannabis in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/cannabis/.