Province of Manitoba News release The Manitoba government is investing in capital upgrades for Brandon’s Keystone Centre, Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke and Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today. “The Keystone Centre is a significant part of the city of Brandon and the local economy,” said Clarke.  “We are investing in this facility to ensure it will continue to serve residents, businesses and visitors to the Westman region for years to come.” Clarke confirmed the Keystone Centre will receive $375,000 for capital upgrades in the 2017-18 fiscal year, in addition to a $375,000 operating grant, for a total of $750,000 from the province. “Our government recognizes the important economic and social contribution of the Keystone Centre for western Manitoba and especially for our agriculture industry,” said Eichler.  “Each year, the Keystone Centre becomes a hub for agriculture activity as the host venue of our province’s marquee industry events.  This investment by the province will enable the facility to continue as a leading event centre in western Canada.” Eichler noted that since 2005, the Manitoba government has provided over $9 million in capital funding directly to the Keystone Centre, with an additional $2.5 million for renovations and upgrades for hosting the 2010 Memorial Cup. “From one of our funding partners, we’re grateful for any contribution we receive to help with the ongoing Keystone capital needs," said Shawn Berry, board chair, Keystone Centre.  “We are hopeful this is a first step in long-term capital infrastructure funding for the Keystone Centre.” “The Keystone Centre plays a vitally important role in the success of not only Brandon’s economy, but the regional economy, as well.  In its 2015 – 2018 Strategic Plan, this city council listed the Keystone Centre’s long-term capital needs and an improved governance model as a major priority, so we are pleased to see the Province of Manitoba commit funding to the facility this year and we look forward to productive discussions with the province on the Keystone Centre’s future,” said Mayor Rick Chrest, City of Brandon. The Keystone Centre is located on 90 acres in the city of Brandon and offers 540,000 square feet of multi-use space.  It hosts more than 1,500 events annually.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon and Brandon Transit wish to inform the public that changes to the City’s public transit route network will come into effect at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 31st, 2017. While all routes will see some degree of change, Brandon Transit officials would like to assure the public that NO changes are being made to the current service hours, which are Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday and statutory holidays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Transit officials have finalized the new route network following a period of public consultation and review this spring. Detailed maps and route schedules for all finalized new routes can be found on the Brandon Transit website at http://brandontransit.ca/routes-schedules/route-changes. Through the consultation and review process, planners have adjusted multiple stop locations, have added requested sections, and have reversed the direction of travel on some routes to better meet the needs of riders. In addition, transit stops will be removed along Braecrest Drive and McDonald Avenue due to very low ridership along these streets. Brandon Transit will continue to provide public transit to this area via a Trans-Cab system. Riders who use the current stops along Braecrest Drive and McDonald Avenue are urged to contact Brandon Transit by phone at 204-729-2279 or by emailing transit@brandon.ca to learn more about the new method available for accessing transit services along those streets. New route names, chosen from a variety of suggestions submitted by Brandon Transit riders and staff, will also come into effect on Monday, July 31st, and are as follows: Route 4 – TransCanada Route 5 – Assiniboine Route 8 – Maryland West Route 14 – Victoria West Route 15 – East Hospital/ACC Route 16 – South End Link Route 17 – South Central Route 22 – Riverheights West Route 23 – 1st Street South New signage at all route stop locations will be in place in time for the new network’s implementation, and it is anticipated Brandon Transit’s Google Trip planner site will be updated one week in advance of the new route network’s start date. All questions relating to the new route network should be directed to Brandon Transit via email at transit@brandon.ca, by phone at 204-729-2279 or via online form at http://brandontransit.ca/contact-info/contact-us-online.

Manitoba Public Insurance News Release Manitoba Public Insurance reported a net income of $38.9 million for the first three months of its fiscal year ending May 31, 2017 – an increase of $31.4 million over the same time period last year. This includes net income from the Basic insurance line of business of $15.4 million in the first three months of the 2017/18 fiscal year. “We are pleased with these operational results, although we know that rising claims and their costs are dependent on seasonal and specific weather factors,” said Peter Yien, acting vice-president, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance. “Historically, the first two quarters of the Corporation’s fiscal year generate a positive net income, which is then offset by an increase in claims during the winter months. Every Manitoban can directly affect how much they pay for auto insurance through their daily driving behaviour. We will continue to monitor the Corporation’s financial results over the next three quarters.” Total earned revenues for the first three months rose by $17.0 million from the same period last year, driven mainly by a 3.7 per cent increase in overall premiums approved by the Public Utilities Board effective March 1, 2017, and increases in motor vehicle premium revenue due to an increase in the number of motor vehicles insured and the value of these vehicles. “The overall financial picture was affected by an increase of $33.7 million in total claims costs – including a $34.5 million increase in bodily injury claims and a $5.5 million decrease in physical damage claims compared to the first three months of 2016,” said Yien. The $34.5 million increase in bodily injury claims was impacted by an increase of $41.5 million in unpaid claims liabilities due to the interest rate adjustment on unpaid claims. The current interest rate continues to underperform against both the standard interest rate forecast ordered by the Public Utilities Board, and the flat interest rate forecast used by the Corporation. In June 2017, 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 losses – including hail claims, 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.

City of Brandon Media Release Brandon, MB – Safe, secure and efficient transportation are crucial to supporting economic activity, promoting tourism and providing greater access to global markets. Today, the Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba, joined Rick Chrest, Mayor of Brandon and community members to celebrate the completion of the Brandon Municipal Airport expansion project. The representatives also took the occasion to announce new federal-provincial-municipal funding of up to $2.5 million for the replacement of the airport maintenance building. The airport terminal has been renovated and expanded to three times its former size. Among the many features is a new arrival hall and departure lounge, a dedicated security screening area, as well as check-in, retail, washroom and office space. Along with upgrades to the mechanical systems, fibre optic cable was installed to improve reliability and increase capacity of airport operations, and the terminal now offers to passengers the convenience of free Wi-Fi for more reliable internet and social media connectivity. The aging existing maintenance building will be replaced with a larger, more modern building with improved structural features that will greatly increase the safety and efficiency of the space. These projects will contribute to increasing the overall safety and capacity of the airport and operations facilities. Passengers will enjoy a more comfortable and efficient travel experience. Quotes “Our government is committed to investing in strategic infrastructure projects that directly support economic growth and jobs for Manitobans. We are proud of our role in the redevelopment of the Brandon Municipal Airport as this project reflects our commitment to ensuring value for money as we rebuild our provincial infrastructure. The expanded airport terminal, along with the additional funding announced today for further upgrades, will enable Brandon to be a competitive force in attracting both business and leisure travelers to conventions, conferences and new sporting and regional events, injecting new dollars into the economy.” The Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba “The completion of this expansion project is great news for people traveling through Brandon – whether for work or leisure. The Government of Canada is pleased to have invested in the Brandon Municipal Airport, which created good paying jobs and opportunities for the middle class and those working to join it. I am confident that with the completion of this project, and the further upgrades announced today, we will increase the Airport’s capacity and efficiency, which will have a lasting, positive impact on the region's economic growth and development.” The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities “Our expanded airport facility will serve not only the residents of Brandon, but the entire southwestern Manitoba region in its growing desire for closer and more convenient air travel options. The much-needed expansion has now elevated Brandon’s capacity as a regional travel hub and we are confident it can be the catalyst for enhanced economic growth and continued prosperity for our region.” Rick Chrest, Mayor of Brandon Quick Facts The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. For the Airport Expansion Project the Government of Canada is contributing up to $2.9 million, while the Government of Manitoba is contributing up to $3.4 million to this project. The City of Brandon is contributing the balance of funding for a total estimated cost of $11.26 million. For the Airport Maintenance Building Replacement Project, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are each providing $833,333. The City of Brandon is also providing $833,333, bringing the total federal-provincial-municipal contribution to $2.5 million.

Is your vehicle covered in a sticky glue-type substance? Have you noticed the dark patches on the pavement under large trees or felt your shoes sticking to the sidewalk? At first, you might think that the trees are sapping, but according to horticulturalist Marci Bomford, the sticky substance is actually coming from aphids. In fact, it’s their poop. “It may be due to the drier weather this year or perhaps because of the milder temperatures during the winter months that there wasn’t much winter kill of the eggs. As a result, aphids are high in numbers and their only natural predator is lady bugs. And unfortunately, I haven’t seen a lot of lady bugs this year,” said Bomford. The aphids are feeding on the underside of the leaf on tree sap. The sugar-rich liquid, known as honeydew, is the secretion of the aphids. Once the aphids are done sucking or feeding on all the sap from a tree, they generally move on. The number of aphids increase rapidly because of asexual reproduction and their ability to lay eggs up to 60 times in their lifecycle. While Bombford said it doesn’t actually harm older, well established trees, it does stress them somewhat. In order to get rid of the aphids you would have to spray the entire tree, specifically the underside of the leaf, with a liquid insecticide soap. While this may be feasible for smaller trees and shrubs, it’s not always realistic for the towering species like Linden or Elm trees, which seem to be popular with the aphids this year. With any luck, we’ll start to see more lady bugs real soon so they can help control the aphids and we don’t have to deal with all this sticky poo much longer!