Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon Sanitation Section wishes to inform participants of its Green Cart Program that weekly pick-up for the year will conclude after Friday, November 10th.  Until then, participants are encouraged to have their compost carts placed out for collection no later than 6 a.m. on their scheduled day to ensure timely pick-up. Weather-permitting, the City of Brandon Green Cart collection program will start up again in late-spring of 2018. However, Green Cart program participants are encouraged to continue placing all kitchen waste and other accepted organics into their Green Bin during the winter months. If program participants find their bin fills up prior to the start of the 2018 program, they can empty it at any one of the City’s compost drop-off depots listed here or by taking their bin directly to the Eastview Landfill. Applications are still being accepted for new Green Cart participants in 2018. More information about the voluntary Green Cart Program can be found on the City of Brandon website or by calling 204-729-2281. A reminder for all residents of Brandon that as of November 1st, the Eastview Landfill operates on a winter schedule and is open Monday through Saturday, but closed Sundays and on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Remembrance Day. Detailed hours can be found by visiting http://www.brandon.ca/sanitation/landfill/landfill-overview.

Chicken Chef is making it's return to Brandon. BDNMB.CA has learned that the new home for the Chicken Chef franchise will be located inside the Trails West Motor Inn. The family oriented menu includes their famous pressure-fried chicken and fresh dough pizza. They also offer a variety of hamburgers, sandwiches, desserts, salads and snacks. Currently the restaurant space inside the Trails West Motor Inn is occupied by the Bistro 40.  Hotel Manager Elizabeth Lee tells bdnmb.ca that the the Chicken Chef will officially open on Wednesday, November the 8th with a grand opening scheduled for Thursday, November the 16th.

The Brandon School Division is undertaking a review of the Middle Years Options Programming available to our students in Grades 7 and 8. During the 2016-2017 school year, a consultant was hired to review our current Middle Years Options Programming. A report has been submitted to Senior Administration for review and it is now time to engage with our stakeholders to determine the direction we want for our Middle Years Options Programming. Students in our Division are suggesting and stating that they would like to see more program options for themselves. School Leaders are also stating that they would like to see more program options being held in the schools in which students attend, rather than having students transported to other locations. Therefore, we encourage Brandon School Division Staff to join us at the following meeting: Monday, October 30, 2017 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm) Green Acres School Gymnasium, 335 Queens Avenue East Therefore, we encourage Parents, Guardians and Students to join us at one of the two following meetings: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm) Riverheights School Gymnasium, 32 E. Fotheringham Drive, Brandon Thursday, November 2, 2017 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm) J.R. Reid School Gymnasium, 813 – 26th Street, Brandon

Manitoba Public Insurance News Release Manitoba Public Insurance reported a net income of $42.3 million for the six months of its fiscal year ending August 31, 2017 – an increase of $69.2 million over the same time period last year. This includes net income from the Basic insurance line of business of $9.2 million in the first six months of the 2017/18 fiscal year. Total earned revenues for the first six months rose by $33.5 million from the same period last year, driven mainly by increases in motor vehicle premium revenue due to an increase in the number of motor vehicles insured and the value of these vehicles as well as the approved Basic insurance rate increase of 3.7 per cent effective March 1, 2017. “The overall financial picture was affected by a decrease of $63.6 million in total claims costs – including a $28.5 million decrease in bodily injury claims caused mainly due to increases in interest rates and a $40.7 million decrease in physical damage claims compared to the first six months of 2016,” said Peter Yien, Acting Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Historically, the first six months of the Corporation’s fiscal year generate positive financial results, which are then offset by an increase in claims costs during the winter months. As such, the financial results for the remainder of the fiscal year will continue to be closely monitored and the Corporation remains committed to achieving its corporate goals and serving the best interests of our customers.” In June, Manitoba Public Insurance applied to the Public Utilities Board for an overall increase of 2.7 per cent in Basic insurance premiums for the 2018/19 insurance year. The proposed rate increase is linked to three factors affecting claims and claims costs; an increase in comprehensive claims costs, ongoing volatility in the financial markets, and changes to the design, construction and technological advances in vehicles that affect vehicle repair costs. In addition to the 2.7 per cent overall rate increase, the Corporation is proposing changes to premiums charged under the Driver Safety Rating program to better align the premiums high-risk drivers pay to their actual claims costs. To protect vehicle owners from future unpredictable rate increases, the Corporation is also committed to continue working collaboratively with the Public Utilities Board to establish an adequately-sized rate stabilization reserve that can be used to absorb variations in revenues, claims costs and ongoing volatility in the financial markets. The Corporation is optimistic consensus on this important issue can be reached through the upcoming GRA process for the benefit of ratepayers and all Manitobans.

STATEMENT FROM GROWTH, ENTERPRISE AND TRADE MINISTER BLAINE PEDERSEN ON SMALL BUSINESS WEEK Small Business Week in Manitoba kicks off today to showcase the many great achievements of small and medium-sized businesses across the province. This week is an opportunity to honour Manitoba’s entrepreneurs – the diverse, creative and passionate individuals whose successes are a significant part of our economy and the many great things this wonderful province has to offer. Small business owners in Manitoba have told us they are optimistic about the future, with confidence levels reaching a new five-year high of 68.9 points, according to the July CFIB Business Barometer Index. We share your optimism.  Small businesses employ 77 per cent of the workforce and are the fastest-growing business sector in this province.  Manitoba is home to over 120,000 small businesses, and I applaud each person who has made the choice to meet the challenges of growing and sustaining an enterprise. As we work together to generate growth and development in our economy, on behalf of the Manitoba government, I would like to wish all small and medium-sized business owners, employees and their families the very best as we pursue the shared goal of a bright, prosperous future here in Manitoba.