Manitoba Justice has appointed two new members to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and selected a new vice-chair. The MHRC is responsible for administering The Human Rights Code in the province, ensuring all Manitobans are treated solely on the basis of personal merit and free from discrimination. John Burchill, a current MHRC member, has been selected to serve as vice-chair.  He was reappointed to the MHRC in October 2017 and is currently a civilian manager with the Winnipeg Police Service.  He has over 25 years’ experience as a police officer, served as a Crown attorney for Manitoba Justice, and taken training related to hate crimes and human rights.  Burchill assumes the role of vice-chair from Loretta Ross, who remains on the board and has been reappointed to a one-year term. Ian Grant and Tracy Leipsic have been newly appointed as members of the MHRCC.  Grant is the former chief of police of the Brandon Police Service and has been a member of law enforcement since 1980.  Leipsic is a speed-skating coach, has worked as an insurance broker and served on many community and non-profit boards.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 8:20 p.m., Police responded to an alarm at a business in the 1600 Block of 18th Street. Officers observed two individuals inside the building and upon approaching, both suspects attempted to run away. Officers chased the suspects and apprehended them after a short foot pursuit. The suspects were in possession of BB guns and knives that had been stolen from the store. A 16-year-old male youth and a 14-year-old male youth were arrested for Break, Enter and Theft. They were released on conditions and scheduled to attend Court in February.  

Brandon Police Service Media Release A 43 year old Brandon man, who resides in the 400 block of 4th St, was arrested as a result of a search warrant being done at his house and the resulting search showing evidence of child pornography. The man was charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Access to Child Pornography, and Making Child Pornography Available. He was released for a later court date.

The Manitoba government has extended its moratorium on increases to park land lease and service fees for cottages in provincial parks for another two years, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced today. “We believe cottagers are prepared to pay a fair price for the services they receive and for the value of using provincial park land for their vacation retreats,” Squires said.  “We are continuing to explore the development of a fair and sustainable fee structure, and are working in partnership with cottagers to ensure Manitobans can enjoy their cottages and be able to pass them on to future generations.” Cottage service fees cover a variety of services including garbage disposal, water and wastewater, and road maintenance.  Lease fees are based on a percentage of assessed land values.  Service fees are calculated annually based on the cost of delivering services over the previous season. “Cottagers derive great joy from the year-round beauty and tranquility of Manitoba’s wonderful provincial park system,” said Daniel Klass, of the Manitoba Provincial Parks Cabin Owners Association.  “The extension of the current freeze is a positive indication of faith on the minister’s part that will provide an additional period of cost certainty for cottagers. “Also, it will allow the continuation of current productive discussions we’ve had with the minister to reach a funding formula that will support the park system and benefit the province, Manitobans and cabin owners in the long run.” The moratorium, initially established in 2016, had been set to expire in July.  This extension means cottagers in provincial parks will pay the same fees in 2019 and 2020 as they did in 2017.  Cottage owners and associations will continue to be consulted and future changes will be developed with their input, Squires noted.

January 12, 2018 – With the constant push for better online access, the Provincial Exhibition has launched a new look and format for their website to kick off the 2018 event season. “It’s a matter of efficiency and great customer service.” Said Karen Burton, Marketing Coordinator at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba. “Easy access to information and schedules is important to everyone, we hope our new ‘one-stop shop’ website will help exhibitors and visitors find everything they need for all of our annual fairs.” The Provincial Exhibition and Manitoba hosts the annual Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Manitoba Summer Fair, Manitoba AG EX and coming up February 15, the President’s Dinner a fundraiser gala for education in agriculture at the Victoria Inn. “As a non-profit ag society, we are the behind the scenes of three of Brandon’s biggest events but there is still a lot of people that don’t realize who the Provincial Ex is or what we do.” Ron Kristjansson, General Manager of the Provincial of Manitoba. “The new website brings everything together; you can enter classes, buy tickets, get schedules and keep up on all our latest news.” The new website can be access by any of the URLS previously connected to the fairs. royalmanitobawinterfair.com manitobasummerfair.com manitobaagex.com provincialexbition.com Learn more about the Provincial Exhibition at their annual shareholder & election of directors meeting on January 25, 7:30 PM at the Keystone Centre’s Q-Country Hall. This is open to the public, purchased share required to vote.