The combination of keen-eyed estimators, security cameras, highly-experienced investigators and tips from the general public all proved to be valuable in assisting Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) in its anti-fraud efforts in 2017. MPI’s annual top five fraud list is selected by reviewing a number of factors: sheer uniqueness of the fraud, financial savings for MPI and investigative excellence in unearthing the fraud. Suspicious claims are handled by MPI’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The efforts of this special unit resulted in claims savings last year of $6.2 million for Manitoba auto insurance rate payers. The SIU closed 2,560 investigations in 2017. Anyone with information about auto insurance fraud is encouraged to call the Manitoba Public Insurance TIPS Line: 204-985-8477 or toll-free 1-877-985-8477. All calls are anonymous. No. 1: “Muddy Situation” Thanks to the seasoned investigative skills of an SIU investigator, a fraudulent total loss claim was discovered, saving MPI and its ratepayers $36,000. The vehicle owner stated they were travelling on a gravel road and while attempting to turn around lost control and sped into a water-filled ditch. The investigation told another story: the vehicle had in fact been “drowned” while four-wheel mudding. In addition, a web page for a local Jeep club published a photo from a long weekend rally, showing the vehicle stuck and buried in deep mud. The investigation also discovered the vehicle owner had previously attempted to get the vehicle fixed at a dealership, where technicians explained the damage (water in engine oil) was not covered. Presented with all the facts, the vehicle owner withdrew their claim. No. 2: “One Hail of a Story” The keen eyes of Manitoba Public Insurance training and research staff led to the denial of a hail claim of nearly $6,000. The vehicle owner stated they went shopping and while their vehicle was parked outside it was damaged by a severe hail storm. In total, nearly 200 dents were on the vehicle. MPI staff, familiar with how vehicle paint is affected by hail stones, quickly confirmed the dents were not consistent with hail, but were, in fact, caused by a tool/object. When presented with the findings of the experts, the vehicle owner withdrew their claim. No. 3: “Doesn’t Always Pay to Advertise” On the surface, the collision claim didn’t appear to be out of the ordinary: the driver admitted they had gotten into a fender bender. And being a novice driver, they also indicated they had a supervising driver at the time of the crash. Soon after, an experienced employee with MPI noticed a classified ad in a foreign-language newspaper, asking for a “supervising driver”. With this information, the vehicle owner later confirmed to an SIU investigator that they did not have a supervising driver and withdrew their claim, in addition to signing a $2,500 promissory note for the total cost of repairs to the third-party vehicle. No. 4: “Camera Captures All” The vehicle owner opened a single-vehicle collision claim, stating he lent his vehicle to a friend, who accidently crashed the car into a cement pole after swerving to miss an animal. When attending to the scene, investigators noticed a closed circuit security camera mounted directly above the crash site. The video clearly showed the vehicle driven at a high speed directly into the cement pole ─ with no animal anywhere to be seen. The video also proved the driver was not a friend, but in fact, the owner of the vehicle. When presented with the evidence, the vehicle owner repaid MPI the costs of the repair: $7,000. No. 5: “Actively Injured” Stating they were too injured to return to work, the claimant began receiving income replacement payments from MPI. As the months passed, suspicions arose about how injured the claimant really was. An extensive investigation soon discovered the claimant led a very active life, including making regular trips to the gym where they were seen lifting heavy amounts of weights. Based on the evidence of the investigation and opinions of experienced medical experts, it was determined the claimant was physically fit to return to work without issue. As a result, MPI terminated the income replacement payments ─ an estimated saving of nearly $55,000.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon invites all members of the public to provide their feedback on th proposed 2018 municipal budget at a community forum on the evening of Wednesday, January 10th, 2018, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Main Foyer of Brandon City Hall, 410-9th Street. The evening forum will include a brief overview of the proposed budget led by City Administration, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session led by members of Brandon City Council. Mayor and Councillors will be asking for public feedback on this budget, as well as where the public would like Council to focus its future spending priorities. The 2018 proposed budget as presented by administration, would lead to an average municipal tax increase of 1.9% for Brandon properties. Proposed budget documents can be viewed on the City of Brandon’s webpage at: http://www.brandon.ca/budget/proposed-2018-budget Brandon City Council is scheduled to deliberate the 2018 proposed budget on Friday, January 19th and Saturday, January 20th, 2018. Deliberations will be held in Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Brandon City Hall and are open to the public and media to observe. Deliberations will also be live-streamed for the public via the City of Brandon YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofBrandonMB

The Manitoba government is beginning the next step in establishing a hybrid system for the distribution and retail of legal cannabis by evaluating proposals from applicants seeking to operate retail locations, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today. “Our hybrid distribution and retail model includes safeguards and responsible measures that will help keep cannabis out of the hands of our youth and away from the black market,” said Pedersen.  “While the public sector has a very important role to play in providing oversight and ensuring the integrity of the system, there is also a significant role here for the private sector in operating all cannabis retail locations.” To meet the July 2018 timeline mandated by the federal government to permit the recreational use of cannabis, the province has introduced measures that would authorize and regulate the retail sale in Manitoba as soon as it is permitted under federal law, and allow both the public and private sectors to do what they each do best. A request for proposals (RFP) was launched on Nov. 7 and the province received significant interest with over 100 submissions.  It is anticipated that successful applicants will be notified by February and are expected to enter into retail agreements in the spring. “Provincial officials will be evaluating applications based on the established criteria in the RFP and an independent fairness monitor has been appointed to ensure the integrity of the process,” said Pedersen.  “We remain committed to establishing a highly competitive retail environment that creates new economic opportunities at the community level.” Retail locations are projected to begin operating in Manitoba as early as July 2, 2018. Previous announcements can be viewed at: ·        news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=42711&posted=2017-12-05. ·        news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=42491&posted=2017-11-07. ·        news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=41158&posted=2017-03-20.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 10:20 PM Tuesday evening, Officers attended to a residence in the 1200 block of 5th St for a male causing a disturbance in the home and refusing to leave. Upon arrival, the male had already fled the residence and was no longer in the area.  At approximately 10:30 PM, a male matching his description was seen in the 500 block of 10th St.  When officers checked the male, he initially provided a false name.  When his identity was confirmed it was determined that he is currently the subject of an outstanding warrant for breaching his recognizance order and failing to attend for fingerprints.  A search subject to arrest resulted in the location of a knife concealed in his chest pocket, which is another breach of his recognizance, as he is not to possess weapons.  The 22-year-old Rolling River male was lodged at the Brandon Correctional Centre, he will appear in court on these charges as well as public mischief, for providing the false name, later this morning.

The Matt Calvert Charity Shootout Golf Tournament will be held June 28, with proceeds going to Kidsport Westman.   Kidsport is a national charity that provides athletes, under the age of 18, with financial support toward organized sports they otherwise would not be able to participate in without assistance. Outperforme Athletics & Dynamic Physiotherapy has once again singed on as the title sponsor for a 2nd year in a row. Last year's event raised just over $50,000 for Palliative Care.  The funds are being used to purchase greatly needed recliners, cots, and couches in each of the patient rooms, as well as the family room.   These upgrades will assist patients and their families to spend time in a more comfortable environment while dealing with the challenges of a terminal illness. Additional details on this year event van be found on their official Facebook page.