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

A new report predicts more than 23,000 workers will join the labour force each year between 2017 and 2023, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen and Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today. “The findings this year support the growing sense of optimism that business owners have about our economy and its growth in the years to come,” said Pedersen.  “The Labour Market Occupational Forecasts report looks at a number of factors and provides projections about the future of Manitoba’s economic performance that support economic development planning.” The unemployment rate is expected to continue to decline over the same time period, while the provincial economy is expected to grow an average of 1.5 per cent per year. Nearly 54,000 new jobs are expected to be created between 2017 and 2023.  The majority are expected to require at least some post-secondary education and training including university, college or a trade certification. “This report speaks to the importance of post-secondary training programs that are innovative and aligned with the needs of today’s rapidly evolving labour market,” said Wishart.  “It predicts a bright future in our province for Manitobans who are enrolled in or considering post-secondary training.” The Labour Market Occupational Forecasts report and a series of regional profiles highlighting economic opportunities, demographics and local infrastructure are available online at www.gov.mb.ca/jec/lmi/forecasts.html and www.gov.mb.ca/jec/rned/index.html.

Families Minister Scott Fielding and Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart are inviting Manitobans to share their thoughts on how to prevent and reduce poverty as they announced the launch of consultations that will guide the development of a new poverty reduction strategy. “The reasons for poverty are complex and multi-dimensional and we want to hear Manitobans’ diverse experiences so we can develop an innovative, inclusive and people-focused strategy that includes meaningful measurement and targets,” said Fielding, who co-chairs the province’s Poverty Reduction Committee with Wishart.  “Consultations will focus on pathways to move Manitobans out of poverty, and input from citizens and stakeholders will help us identify priorities.” The process will start with targeted consultations of Manitobans who have experienced poverty to hear about the daily challenges and critical realities they face, as well as an invitation for all Manitobans to provide written submissions.  These conversations will inform the development of an online survey that will be available early in 2018. Beginning today, the province is consulting people with lived experience in Winnipeg, moving to Brandon, Selkirk, Thompson and other locations in the coming months.  The process will engage a variety of community organizations, advocates and experts to help guide the renewal of Manitoba’s poverty reduction strategy.  Key areas of discussion include basic needs, education and training, employment, health and well-being, and sense of belonging. “All Manitobans should have access to the resources and opportunities they need to achieve a better quality of life,” said Wishart.  “Poverty reduction requires a collaborative, co-ordinated effort across government and community.  We look forward to hearing from Manitobans on their ideas and experiences on how we can work across society to alleviate the impact of poverty.” The comprehensive approach supports The Poverty Reduction Strategy Act, which requires the Manitoba government to review and update its plan every five years. The ministers confirmed progress or stability on 17 out of the 21 indicators Manitoba had established to track progress on poverty reduction, as required by the act’s regulation.  They noted the forthcoming strategy will feature a renewed set of indicators to measure progress. Fielding also noted the Manitoba government is awaiting details of a federal poverty reduction plan to identify areas where alignment may be possible. For information on Manitoba’s poverty reduction strategy and what to include in written submissions, visit www.gov.mb.ca/allaboard or call 204-945-3469. Manitobans are invited to send feedback prior to Jan. 31, 2018, to povertyreduction@gov.mb.ca or by mail to: Poverty Reduction Strategy Team Manitoba Families 400 – 352 Donald Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8.

City of Portage News Release Portage la Prairie City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Peto as the new City Manager of the City of Portage la Prairie. Nathan will assume his responsibilities on December 11, 2017 and will succeed Jean-Marc Nadeau, who announced his departure last month. Nathan comes to the position with over ten years senior management experience within municipal and non-profit environments, coupled with an educational background in Political Science and Public Administration. Since 2011, he has worked with the City of Brandon as a Policy Analyst and Manager of Corporate Initiatives, directly supporting the City Manager in areas of corporate and strategic importance. He also served as General Manager of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce prior to 2011. Nathan has proven leadership abilities and brings in-depth knowledge and experience in data driven analysis, policy making, and strategic planning as well as being actively involved in the municipal budget process. As the City Manager, Nathan will report directly to Mayor and Council. He will be responsible for implementing strategic priorities to serve the citizens by identifying, evaluating, and meeting the community needs in accordance with policies and guidelines determined by Council under the provisions of the Municipal Act. The City Manager is responsible for the management of a $31 million budget and a dedicated senior leadership team who oversee all the departments within the City. “We want to welcome Nathan to the City of Possibilities” said Mayor Irvine Ferris. “We look forward to working with him to serve the needs of our Citizens.” “It is an honour to be joining the City of Portage la Prairie as its new City Manager.” Said Peto. “This is an opportunity for me to contribute my knowledge and experience toward the continuing growth and development of this great community. I look forward to working with Mayor Ferris and Council, as well as the dedicated staff, in serving the people of Portage la Prairie.”