The Manitoba government has launched Women’s Equality Week 2019 with a boost to women in the trades, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today. “Women in Manitoba continue to be under-represented in many areas of training including the trades,” Squires said during today’s announcement at Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT).  “We know that when people are empowered with skills and training, all kinds of doors open to good jobs, financial stability and better opportunities.  This project will help teach prospective students about non-traditional career options and create support networks to enable careers in the trades.” Squires announced a $25,000 grant to MITT for a new initiative to advance women in the trades that will increase the number of women enrolled in the school’s programs.  The Empower Project will engage part-time student recruiters to share information with other women across the province about the value of training in the trades and the rewarding career opportunities are available to graduates. “In my 26 years at MITT, I have seen the numbers of women entering skilled trades – specifically heavy or applied trades – increase,” said Grace Leduc, dean of MITT.  “However, I believe we have only just scratched the surface, and there is still a prevailing tradition, built on a myth, that professions somehow fall into gender-based categories.  I look forward to seeing the trend of women in trades become the norm and with the support of the Province of Manitoba, MITT will help make this happen.” The provincial funding will also enable MITT to develop promotional materials to build excitement and interest in the trades and other careers in which women are under-represented. “Choosing a career in trades was not about proving a point for me; it was about pursuing my dream,” said student Holly Shimaro, who is a few weeks away from completing the CAD Technician program at MITT.  “I want more young women in Manitoba to feel the freedom and support they need to pursue their dreams and today’s announcement is an important step in that direction.  I’m grateful to the province for its support of MITT’s effort to recruit more women into trades training.  The more women we see in the field and in the classroom as students or teachers, the sooner the notion that trades are ‘non-traditional’ careers for women will be eliminated.” MITT specializes in providing innovative post-secondary and apprenticeship training programs in partnership with industry and communities.  In 2017, men made up 94.54 per cent of the student population in the heavy trades. In 2017, Manitoba proclaimed Women’s Equality Week as the third week of January to promote gender equality.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release Shortly after 11:00 pm on Saturday evening, officers responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 200 block of Princess Ave East.  An intoxicated male started an argument in the residence and was kicked out.  He slashed the tires on the residents vehicle and kicked the front door in to re-gain entry to the home.  He left before police arrived by was located by an officer patrolling in the area.   He was advised he was under arrest and resisted arrest, becoming involved in a scuffle with the officer during which he assaulted the officer.  The man was subdued and found to be in possession of a small hatchet and a knife.  The suspect, a 20 year old from Alexander, was arrested and lodged at BCC. He will appear in court on Sunday morning

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release At 9:20 pm on Friday evening, officers stopped a vehicle in the 200 block of 17th St North.  As the officers were speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, a can of pepper spray was observed on the floor of the back seat hidden under the feet of one of the passengers.  The occupants were arrested and removed from the vehicle.  A passenger in the front seat was searched and had several .22 calibre rounds in his pocket and a loaded sawed off .22 calibre rifle in his backpack.  As a result three men have been charged…. A 22 year old Brandon man is charged with Possession of a Weapon Contrary to a Prohibition Order x 2 and Breach of Probation. He was released to appear in court in March. A 25 year old Brandon man is charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon x 2 and will appear in court in March. A 24 year old man from Sioux Valley is charged with Careless Storage of a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Vehicle, Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm and Possess of Break In Instruments.  He was lodged to appear in court on Saturday Morning

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release At 1130 pm on Friday night, a vehicle that had inactive registration was stopped in the 200 block of 27thSt.  The male driver was on a recognizance order with a condition to not communicate with a female passenger.  He was arrested for that breach and the vehicle was searched incident to arrest.  A syringe full of methamphetamine was found in bag held by the female, but was determined to belong to the male driver.  Further search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded .45 calibre handgun and a small case containing other ammunition.  The firearm was stolen from a home in Dauphin in 2016. A 35 year old man from Hartney was arrested and lodged at Brandon Correctional Center. He will appear in court on Saturday morning charged with Breach of Recognizance x 2, Careless Transportation of a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Possess Firearm knowing it is Unauthorized, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Vehicle, Possess a Loaded Restricted Firearm, Possess Weapon obtained by Crime, Possession of Methamphetaming (CDSA).

Late afternoon on Friday, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the 500 block of Middleton Ave for a garbage truck on fire, inside of a structure. A garbage truck was on fire inside the business, but it was able to be backed out into the business's lot to protect the structure. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the garbage truck, and immediately started fire suppression efforts. Workers were able to empty the truck's load onto the ground to allow firefighter/paramedics to gain access to the fire. Crews used a combination of water and foam to help douse the flames in the burning trash. There appeared to be no damage caused to the structure, and there were no reports of injuries. Fire crews cleared within approximately one hour.  Photos by Liam Pattison Photography.