Following two investigations into the sale of contraband cigarettes, members of the Manitoba Finance Taxation Special Investigations Unit and the RCMP have seized 1,176,600 contraband cigarettes. On Oct. 2, at approximately 4 p.m., the RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a westbound vehicle on the Trans-Canada Highway, three kilometres east of Richer.  Following a discussion with the driver, officers conducted a search of the vehicle.  The search uncovered 488,800 illegal cigarettes, as well as 149 1.75-litre bottles of non-duty paid alcohol. RCMP arrested Jason Michael Rondeau, a 37-year-old male from Thunder Bay, Ont.  The individual is facing charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for trafficking contraband tobacco and alcohol, as well as The Excise Act, The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act, and The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act. On Oct. 27, Manitoba Finance investigators approached three male subjects in a Winnipeg back lane who were in the process of transferring boxes clearly identifiable as contraband cigarettes from a business location into a vehicle. The investigators seized the cigarettes because they were not marked for Manitoba tax purposes.  In total, 687,800 cigarettes were seized along with $3,000 in cash. Currently, three men face charges under The Manitoba Tobacco Tax Act and The Tax Administration and Miscellaneous Taxes Act including possession of non-Manitoba marked tobacco and wilful evasion of paying Manitoba tobacco tax. Manitoba stood to lose $347,097 in tax revenue if these cigarettes had been sold.  If convicted, the individuals face fines between $1,000 and $10,000 and/or up to six months’ imprisonment.  In addition, they will face a mandatory triple tax penalty of $432,588 for the Oct. 2 seizure and $608,703 for the Oct. 27 seizure. The province urges anyone who has information on contraband tobacco to contact their local police department, call the Manitoba Finance Special Investigations Unit at 204-945-1137, email smuggling_manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or call Manitoba Crime Stoppers (toll-free) at 1 800 222 TIPS (8477). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Wayne Balcaen will become the 19th Chief of Police in the 135-year history of the Brandon Police Service. Balcaen has worked for the Brandon Police Service for 27 years, joining in October of 1990.  He has served in many operational and administrative roles within the police service and has volunteered extensively within our community.  He currently serves in the role of Deputy Chief, Support Services, to which he was appointed to in 2015. “In the spring the Board refreshed the strategic plan for the organization and we believe Chief Balcaen is a great fit to lead the service in pursuit of that renewed direction,” said Mark Frison, Chair, Brandon Police Board. Balcaen has been Acting Chief since Chief Ian Grant retired earlier this month. “It is an honour to be selected as Chief of the Brandon Police Service,” said Balcaen, a lifelong resident of Brandon. “I’m extremely proud of the work of the Brandon Police Service and the role we play in this great community and province.  I am inspired each and every day when witnessing the dedication and outstanding service the police members and civilian employees offer this community.” “The Police Service plays a vital role in our city and I am proud to see Chief Balcaen emerge as the new Chief,” added Mayor of Brandon, Rick Chrest, who also serves as Vice-Chair of Brandon Police Service Board. “I look forward to the collaborative spirit Chief Balcaen will bring to community initiatives, such as Community Mobilization, as well as with departments within our City of Brandon team.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The Manitoba government is proclaiming November as Domestic Violence Prevention Month and urging Manitobans to play a role in speaking out against abuse, Families Minister Scott Fielding and Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, announced today. “Every Manitoban must look for signs of domestic abuse and speak up to support both those who continue to suffer and those brave enough to break away,” said Fielding.  “In today’s modern age, victim blaming those who speak out is not acceptable.  We have a moral responsibility to support victims and at the same time, work to educate those who inflict violence on how to end the cycle.  But until that happens, domestic violence will continue to be an under-reported issue in Manitoba.” Fielding noted that individuals, communities and government must work together and take a comprehensive approach to understand and end family violence through public awareness, early education, prevention activities and responsive, co-ordinated services. “Women, men and children across Manitoba experience the traumatic impacts of family violence,” said Squires.  “Intimate partner violence ranges from verbal and emotional abuse, to physical or sexual assault including homicide, and this type of violence accounts for one in every four violent crimes reported to police.  We must create an environment where survivors feel supported as they bravely rebuild their lives free from abuse.  Our government values the dedicated, hardworking Manitobans who fight to end intimate partner violence.” Manitoba has the second-highest rate of intimate partner violence in Canada, with a police-reported rate of 896 victims per 100,000 citizens, nearly double the Canadian rate of 482 per 100,000, according to Statistics Canada’s Family Violence in Canada:  A Statistical Profile 2015. Enhanced efforts in November will complement ongoing work across the Department of Families and Manitoba Status of Women including: The Family Violence Prevention Program funding three events: ­$5,000 to the Family Violence Consortium of Manitoba for a free presentation on Domestic Violence and Health today; ­$500 to the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters for a presentation on the origins of women’s shelters Nov. 24 (visit maws.mb.ca for information); and $1,500 to the Challenge for Change dinner and social innovation lab event held by Willow Place Nov. 29 (visit willowplaceshelter.ca for information). Manitoba Housing’s ongoing upgrades worth $2.84 million to five regional shelters for victims of violence.  Part of the money comes through the Investment in Affordable Housing agreement with the federal government.  Upgrades are complete at Agape House – Eastman Crisis Centre in Steinbach and Genesis House in Winkler.  Construction is expected to wrap up in November at Portage Family Abuse Prevention Centre in Portage la Prairie and Westman Women’s Shelter in Brandon, while construction is expected to be complete in early 2018 at Thompson Crisis Centre.  Upgrades include new furnaces, hot water tanks, radiators, windows, emergency lighting and accessible washrooms. The Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence social media campaign Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, encouraging Manitobans to #speakout and #seekhelp.  Manitoba Status of Women has renewed its partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to provide $50,000 this year for the Break the Silence on Violence Against Women campaign that engages men as allies in the fight against abuse. Manitobans are encouraged to learn how to stop the violence by visiting the website at www.gov.mb.ca/stoptheviolence/index.html.  For resources and supports available in Manitoba, visit the Family Violence Prevention Program website at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fvpp/index.html. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

During the 2017-2018 curling season the Riverview Curling Club will once again support the theme of “SWEEPING CANCER FROM OUR HOUSE”.  This year will mark their fifth annual fundraising bonspiel which will be held November 17-19th, 2017. A major contributing factor to their most successful donation season was due to the incredible support they had from WestJet by raffling off two WestJet tickets, for anywhere WestJet flies!   As a result of generous donations they were able to donate a total of $15,000.00 from this past season alone, more than the previous years’ combined totals. With the help of local businesses, associations and organizations, their club has in just four years, donated an amazing $28,740.88 to support cancer patients here in western Manitoba.  A special fund has been established to provide assistance for patients who do not have the financial resources to cover the costs of basic necessities related to their treatment.  This could include the cost of non-prescription medications, food, transportation, or accommodation, and will be accessed when all other avenues of funding have been exhausted. For information on this years event, to enter a team, or to become a sponsor click here. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

On Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 671 Brandon School Division Grade 9 students will job shadow a parent, relative, friend or community host as part of The Learning Partnership’s Take Our Kids to Work Day. The program supports career development by helping students connect school, the world of work, and their own futures by providing them with an opportunity to experience and learn about the world of work as they begin to explore possible career paths and imagine the possibilities! Over 160 local businesses and organizations will be hosting BSD students. While most students will spend the day with one of their parents, a number of businesses and individuals have volunteered to host students looking for a new experience. Safety is an important topic and as part of the pre-day preparations for this event, Grade 9 students in the Brandon School Division will have participated in a Workplace Safety and Health presentation delivered by the SAFE Workers of Tomorrow organization. This year SAFE Work Manitoba provided 20 toques to participating schools to distribute to students to promote SAFE work. The following sites will be hosting 7 or more Brandon School Division Grade 9 students: Assiniboine Community College; Brandon School Division; Brandon University; CFB Shilo; City of Brandon; Koch Fertilizer; Maple Leaf; and Prairie Mountain Health. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});