Manitoba Sustainable Development advises the emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in Winnipeg. This highly destructive forest-pest is a wood-boring beetle that has been found in Quebec and part of Ontario, as well as throughout the eastern United States, and has now been found in Winnipeg.  The EAB attacks and kills all species of ash trees, and is most commonly spread through the movement of firewood. The province has been working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA, which regulates EAB in Canada and the city of Winnipeg.  Additional survey and surveillance measures are planned, as the partners work together to determine the extent of the invasion and what the most appropriate next steps are. Manitobans are encouraged to help prevent the spread of EAB: don’t move firewood, burn firewood where it has been purchased, plant a variety of tree species to increase diversity, learn how to identify an ash tree, and learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of EAB.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s Information Technology Department is pleased to announce that the latest update of its new “My City” app for Apple devices now includes push notification technology designed to send alerts directly to a user’s device in the event of an emergency. The updated “My City” app is now available for free download to iPhones and iPads via the Apple App Store by simply searching for “Brandon My City.” Designed to be used by the Brandon Police Service and other City of Brandon Emergency Response personnel only when a situation dictates it, the “My City” app’s new emergency push notification feature will send a notification from the City of Brandon directly to a user’s iPhone or iPad. The user can then simply tap the notification and open the app for more details. Within this new alert system, such emergency notifications pushed to the app will be simultaneously published to all City-affiliated websites, where non-Apple device users will be able to access the information. In addition, the alerts will be fed from the City of Brandon’s open data portal, http://opengov.brandon.ca, which will allow community developers and news organizations to tap into the information for timely use on respective websites and apps. “If an emergency unfolds, it is critical for the City of Brandon to be able to spread the information as quickly and as widely as possible,” notes City of Brandon Director of Information Technology Todd Burton. “With users of our ‘My City’ app now able to receive direct emergency notifications, along with the ability for community developers to leverage such important information on their own platforms, we are hopeful our proactive efforts will improve our efforts to inform our community when it most counts.” Other new features within the latest “My City” app update include native support of iPads, an improved display when using the City of Brandon’s interactive Snow Map, as well as access to the City of Brandon’s online “Report an Issue” web form. The app also allows users to view upcoming community events, access City of Brandon public notices, use the “My Community” portal to view and register for various rec programs, courses & facility bookings, launch Google Transit to plan a trip with Brandon Transit, access the City of Brandon’s YouTube channel, view Brandon City Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes and seek Brandon Municipal Airport information. App users are always encouraged to provide feedback on features they would like to see added into future builds of the app by submitting their comments within the app’s feedback form.

Manitoba Municipal Relations has appointed two new members to the Keystone Centre board of directors. Jeff Cristall (Brandon) is a valuations and corporate finance consultant with MNP.  Prior to June 2013, he was the regional managing partner of the southern Manitoba region of MNP and the partner in charge of valuation and litigation support services.  He has served as a member on various boards including the Brandon University board of governors and the Brandon Festival of the Arts, and also served as chair of the Brandon Airport Development Group from 2000 to 2010. Lori Rodych (Minnedosa) a certified general account (CGA) and certified professional accountant, has worked in the financial industry since 1986.  She has served on committees managing a variety of issues including organizing a CGA graduation, expansion projects, organizing fundraisers and setting up networking events.  She has also served on numerous boards including Certified General Accountants, Pine Falls Curling Club and the Minnedosa Ladies Curling Club, where she currently serves as chair. The minister thanked outgoing board members for their past service and dedication. The Keystone Centre is a multi-functional, community-minded facility in Brandon, which hosts numerous sporting and entertainment events, fairs and agricultural exhibitions and conferences, and is a significant part of the city of Brandon and the local area’s economy.

The Manitoba government is introducing new legislation today that would set out where and how legal cannabis may be sold, with additional measures to protect young Manitobans and empower municipal decision-making, Justice Minister Heather Stefanson announced today. “Manitoba continues to put responsible measures in place to respond to cannabis legalization, which includes ensuring the appropriate safeguards are there for legal retail sales,” said Stefanson.  “This new legislation sets out the regulatory framework, enforcement structures and compliance provisions that will help keep cannabis out of the hands of our youth and away from the black market.” The safe and responsible retailing of cannabis act would amend The Liquor and Gaming Control Act and The Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Control Act to authorize and regulate the retail sale of cannabis in Manitoba as soon as it is permitted under federal law.  Once in place, all businesses selling cannabis in storefronts or online must be provincially licensed. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) would be responsible for acquiring all cannabis for retail sale, and only cannabis sourced through them may be sold.  MBLL would be authorized to enter into agreements with licensed cannabis distributors.  The Liquor and Gaming Authority would be renamed the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority.  It would be responsible for licensing cannabis stores and distributors, and its inspectors would be responsible for compliance enforcement. The minister noted growing cannabis at home for recreational purposes will be prohibited.  Once retail cannabis sales are legal, individuals must be aged 19 or older to buy, possess and use it.  Similar to the provisions already in place for liquor sales, it would be illegal for retailers to sell cannabis to a person who is intoxicated. “By setting the legal minimum for purchase and recreational use of cannabis at 19 years of age, the Manitoba government has demonstrated its commitment to safe and healthy school communities where students can continue to grow and learn through to graduation,” said Ken Cam‎eron, president, Manitoba School Boards Association.  “Along with the power to consider the location of schools, parks and playgrounds as part of the process to approve cannabis retailers, government can ensure that all children are not unduly exposed to the potential harms of cannabis.” The new legislation would also include provisions that would: establish the ability of municipal governments to prohibit retail cannabis sales within their boundaries by holding a plebiscite, ensure only cannabis grown by federally authorized  producers is sold at retail locations, confirm all cannabis products sold in Manitoba are packaged and labelled according to federal requirements, and increase penalties for offences under The Liquor and Gaming Control Act, now proposed to be renamed the liquor, gaming and cannabis control act, to a maximum fine of $100,000 or one-year imprisonment or both for individuals and a maximum fine of $500,000 for corporations for offences such as selling product from an unlicensed producer or selling as an unlicensed retailer. A request for proposals for the private sector to operate one or more retail cannabis stores remains open until Dec. 22.  The Manitoba government has also introduced The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act to address impaired driving and other road safety issues related to cannabis legalization, which is expected to occur in July 2018

Public Utilities Board News Release In Order No. 130/17 dated December 4, 2017, the Manitoba Public Utilities Board (PUB) approved a 2.6% over-all general rate increase for Basic compulsory motor vehicle premiums to be effective March 1, 2018. The Board further orders a 1.8% rate increase to the demerit scale for driver premiums under the Driver Safety Rating (DSR) system. A 2.6% over-all general rate increase does not mean that rates for all motorists within each major class will experience a rate adjustment. Adjustments to specific classifications of vehicles will be determined based on MPI’s rate design. Rates paid by individual policyholders within each class will be determined based on their driving record, the registered vehicle (make and model and year), the purpose for which the vehicle is driven and the territory in which the policyholder resides. Policyholders’ premiums will also be impacted by actual claims experience. Major vehicles classes include: Private passenger Commercial Public (taxi) Motorcycle Trailers Off-road vehicles Total over-all 2.6% chang