Manitoba’s minimum wage will increase by 30 cents on Oct. 1, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today. “We are providing predictable and sustainable increases to Manitoba’s minimum wage, which achieves the right balance benefitting both employees and employers,” said Pedersen.  “Based on Manitoba’s Consumer Price Index for 2018, the minimum wage increase will help our economy continue to attract new investment and participation in the workforce.” Pedersen noted the increase of 30 cents per hour will raise the current minimum wage to $11.65 from $11.35 and ensure that Manitoba remains competitive with other provinces.  This adjustment is based on Manitoba’s 2018 inflation rate of 2.5 per cent and rounding up to the nearest five cents. Information on the minimum wage and other employment standards is available at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 27th, 2019 at 1:38 pm police responded to a complaint of a stolen vehicle parked in the Corral Centre area. Upon arrival on scene two woman were observed entering the vehicle and attempting to drive away. Both woman, a 32 year old from Brandon and a 26 year old from Carberry were arrested without incident. Both women were released on a PTA to appear in Brandon Court on May 23rd, 2019.

The Brandon University Board of Governors has established an advisory group that will help it consider three detailed proposals for a possible BU development in downtown Brandon. After receiving a pre-development report on the 70,000 square foot parcel last year, the Board of Governors began exploring options with private developers, and invited submissions this winter. Three proposals have now been received. Proposals have been received from Sneath Group, from VBJ Developments, and from Wheat City Revitalization Partners. Due to a conflict of interest with his employer, BU Board of Governors member Derrick Stewart has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his position as Board Chair. In the meantime, Board Vice Chair Shawn Chambers will assume the duties of chair, including the role of chair of the Downtown Development Advisory Group (DDAG). The DDAG, which includes other members of the BU Board of Governors as well as community members, will fully consider all three proposals. The DDAG is currently being oriented to the process and is expected to make a recommendation to the Board in the coming months.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s Streets & Roads Section would like to remind the motoring public that they play an important role in helping crews stay on top of patching potholes popping up on City roadways during the spring freeze-thaw cycle. Presently, one Streets and Roads crew is focusing on patching early-season potholes with a temporary winter asphalt and tar mixture, with additional staff to be added to the City’s “pothole patrol” in the coming weeks. Motorists are urged to drive with care and caution around crews as they conduct this work on City streets through the season. Once more consistently warm temperatures arrive, crews can begin using the City’s in-house asphalt reclaimer and asphalt pre-mix heater to patch potholes more permanently with hot mix. Later in the spring, the Public Works Department will be able to secure a commercial supply of hot mix asphalt. Motorists are encouraged to help crews out where possible and report problem potholes by calling the City of Brandon’s 24-hour Pothole Hotline at 204-729-2200. While the phone line is monitored for issues to be addressed, calls are not returned. Residents can also alert Street & Roads staff to problem potholes by submitting an online report on the City’s website by following this link: http://www.brandon.ca/report-an-issue. The City of Brandon reminds its residents that a number of roads within City limits, including Victoria Avenue, Richmond Avenue, First Street, and 18th Street (including the bridges), are under the jurisdiction of the Province of Manitoba and, therefore, do not fall within the City of Brandon’s pothole patching program. Residents wishing to report a pothole or unsafe driving condition on a Provincial roadway can call 1-866-MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862). Residents should also note that the City of Brandon’s pothole patching program does not apply to the aprons (sloped approaches) leading into private driveways, nor does it apply to the accesses/approaches or parking lots of private businesses. Finally, the City of Brandon cautions all motorists that you should never swerve to avoid a pothole in your path! Drivers are advised to reduce their speed when approaching a pothole, but don’t brake when driving over the pothole as this can cause more damage. More pothole navigation pointers can be found by visiting the Manitoba Public Insurance website’s pothole page here: http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Tips/60-Sec-Driver/Pages/Potholes.aspx.

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.