Source:  Bandon Police Service Media Release On March 7, 2019, at 11:21pm police attended to the 3700’ block of Willowdale Cres as a taxi operator reported being robbed by a passenger. The suspect caused damage to the taxi and stole several items. Police located the suspect, a 33 year old Brandon man, nearby in possession of the stolen property. The male was lodged at BCC for court on March 8, 2019.

Budget 2019 gets the job done for Manitobans by focusing on investments that fix the finances, repair services and rebuild the economy, Finance Minister Scott Fielding announced today as he introduced the budget in the legislature. “Three years ago, Manitobans chose a new direction for their province and elected us to bring greater stability, security and opportunity to people right across the province,” said Fielding.  “Budget 2019 reduces the retail sales tax, continues to reduce the summary deficit, invests in addictions services and focuses on the needs of Manitoba families.” Budget 2019 cuts the retail sales tax to seven per cent from eight per cent on July 1, six years from the day the previous government broke its promise, and achieving the government’s commitment to reduce the PST during its first term. “While others are taking more money off kitchen tables all over the province – with higher municipal property taxes, higher Hydro rates and higher federal deficits – our government is lowering the PST, leaving that money where it belongs,” said Fielding.  “By the end of our second term, this rate reduction will save an average family of four around $3,000. “It will increase economic output and generate approximately 900 person-years of employment.  Labour income, including wages and salaries, will grow by nearly $50 million per year, and Manitoba’s nominal GDP will increase by approximately $90 million,” said the minister. Fielding noted Budget 2019 forecasts a summary deficit of $360 million for the 2019-20 fiscal year, showing accountability to the taxpayer.  That is $161 million less than the deficit projected in Budget 2018 for the 2018-19 fiscal year, he added. “We’ve increased funding for health care, for education and for families to record levels in each of our budgets, to the highest levels in Manitoba history,” said Fielding.  “And yet, we’ve still been able to reduce our deficit and stay on track to deliver a balanced budget in the next six years. This accomplishment shows our plan is working.” The minister confirmed the budget also includes investments to respond to the challenges of addictions, with $1 million in new funding to expand the number of withdrawal management beds in Winnipeg and Brandon.  In addition, the province will invest an additional $2.3 million to target drug-related criminal activity including methamphetamine and gang-related crime prevention initiatives. Other highlights in Budget 2019 include: investing historic levels of funding in health care to lower ambulance fees to a maximum of $250, to open five new or enhanced health facilities with operating funding of $6.4 million, to hire 35 additional primary care paramedics with $3.8 million in devoted funding and to increase renal replacement therapy funding by $2.4 million; reserving $20 million to allow the province to sign the upcoming addictions and mental health bilateral agreement with the federal government; increasing primary and secondary school funding by $6.6 million, and increasing kindergarten to Grade 12 capital funding by more than $56 million to support structural repairs, roof replacements, new mechanical systems and accessibility projects, facilities for special needs students and major additions at École Noël-Ritchot in the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine and Mitchell Elementary in the Hanover School Division, as well as funding for existing new school projects in Brandon, Niverville, Winkler and Winnipeg; increasing funding for Community Living and disABILITY Services by $13.6 million to $439.5 million; increasing operating funding for existing and new community-based day care projects by $759,000; allocating an additional $325,000 to provide direct services for victims of domestic violence and continuing to support organizations like the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Brandon Victim Services and Candace House; increasing Manitoba’s RCMP staffing complement by 29 positions, including funding for 27 additional officers; providing a total of $313.5 million in basket funding for local governments that continues to provide municipalities with the flexibility they need to meet local needs including enhanced support for roads and bridges for municipalities outside of Winnipeg; providing over $350 million in dedicated funding for highway infrastructure and projects such as the Daly Bridge in Brandon, the replacement of the existing overpass near Portage la Prairie and improvements to PTH 21 near Shoal Lake; allocating $45 million toward capital projects in recognition of Manitoba’s 150th anniversary including funding for additional highways and other infrastructure projects; spending more than $1 billion on strategic infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure projects, flood protection, hospitals, schools, universities and colleges; increasing funding for the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit to $31.5 million from $16 million; funding major improvements to airports at St. Theresa Point, Norway House and Shamattawa; increasing funding for the Young Farmer Rebate Enhancement program by 32 per cent to $2 million; and supporting 15 new projects and over 50 drain rehabilitation projects under the Water Related Capital program, for a total estimated investment of $46 million. “We are getting value for taxpayers, and the proof is found in the progress we are making in reducing the deficit each year,” said Fielding.  “And, it’s found in the fact the world is showing their confidence in Manitoba as a place to invest and a place to grow.” The minister noted Manitoba has led the nation in private capital investment over the past year and is on pace to be among the leading provinces again this year. “We are getting the job done.  We are giving Manitobans the government they want, at a price they can afford,” said Fielding.  “With the opportunities in Budget 2019, we will continue to move our province forward, fueled by the knowledge that Manitoba’s best days are ahead of us.” Information on department-specific investments can be found at: www.manitoba.ca/budget2019/highlights/index.html. To review the budget documents, visit www.manitoba.ca/budget2019/.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 6, 2019, at 1:20am police conducted a traffic stop in the 000’ block of 10th Street. Located inside the vehicle was a canister of bear mace and a quantity of meth. As a result the following charges have been laid on the 3 occupants: -25 year old Bird Tail man charged with breach of recognizance, possess weapon for dangerous purpose, possess weapon contrary to prohibition order x2. -38 year old Brandon man charged with possess weapon dangerous, possess for the purpose of trafficking meth, breach of recognizance x2, possess weapon contrary to prohibition order x2. -38 year old Brandon man charged with breach of undertaking, possess weapon dangerous. All three men were lodged at BCC for court on March 6, 2019.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 5, 2019, at 11:23pm police received a call from a group home in Brandon indicating a resident had just assaulted a staff member and stole a vehicle belonging to the group home. The resident, a 15 year old male, then committed a Break and Enter to the group home office at a separate location. On March 6, 2019, at 2:00am the youth was located by staff operating the stolen vehicle near the 300’ block of Lorne Ave. The youth fled on foot and was apprehended by the police canine unit. He was arrested and lodged at BCC for court on March 6, 2019.

The province is taking action to shield Manitobans from an increase in the cost to their home-heating bills.  It will not apply the provincial sales tax (PST) to the federal government’s carbon tax, Premier Brian Pallister announced today. The federal government has made clear its intention to charge the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on top of the carbon tax, which would in effect tax Manitobans twice.  When combined with the impact of the federal carbon tax on home heating, this decision will cost the average Manitoba household $92 more in 2019, topping out at approximately $230 by the year 2022. “Ottawa is charging federal sales tax on top of its carbon tax, meaning Manitobans will be hit twice on their natural gas bills,” said Pallister.  “The added cost of charging GST on top of the federal carbon tax means Manitobans will have less disposable income at the end of the month.  Affordability matters and we are ensuring Manitobans will not be triple charged.” The premier confirmed Manitoba will implement an exemption to ensure the PST will not apply on the federal carbon tax.  The measure will save Manitoba families and businesses $3.6 million in 2019. “We are putting money back on the kitchen table for families, seniors and households across the province,” said Pallister. He noted Manitoba does not accept the federal government’s imposition of a higher, rising carbon tax, and will continue to move forward with implementing the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan without a carbon tax.