Premier Brian Pallister and Finance Minister Cameron Friesen today announced the launch of Budget 2018’s pre-budget consultations that will give Manitoba families the opportunity to share their views on three key issues for Manitoba’s future:  sustaining health care, controlling marijuana use and balancing the budget. “Each of these issues directly affect Manitoba families,” said Pallister.  “These consultations give Manitobans a real voice in the choices their government makes on their behalf and we want to hear from everyone as we plan ahead.” The premier was joined by Finance Minister Cameron Friesen and Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen who, along with Justice Minister Heather Stefanson, will be leading the consultations. To ensure every Manitoban has the chance to give their input, the province has launched a survey at www.manitobansmakingchoices.ca.  Manitobans are encouraged to take the survey and have their say on a number of issues including: controlling marijuana use, with questions about the legal age of consumption, price, availability and public safety; balancing the budget including questions about the path government should take to balance the budget and ways to reduce government spending; and sustaining health care including questions about how to sustain services and the possibility of introducing health-care premiums. “We want Manitobans to look at a range of options and tell us what they think should be done to improve the government’s finances,” said Friesen.  “By taking this survey, people can make their views known as we work to balance the budget within a reasonable amount of time and in ways Manitobans support.” “Sustaining health care is the top priority of Manitobans.  Here is a chance to say directly what your suggestions are to secure health-care services for patients and families,” said Goertzen.  “A health-care premium is one option we want Manitobans to give their views on.” “With the federal government legalizing marijuana in Canada, it’s up to the provinces to make this work in a safe, accessible way,” said Stefanson.  “That begins with setting price and the right legal age of consumption that prevents underage use and gets the gangs out of the business.” In addition to the survey, Friesen will be holding Budget 2018 public consultation meetings in Winnipeg, Brandon, The Pas, Dauphin, Winkler and in the Dawson Trail and Interlake regions.  The town halls will start in Winnipeg on Oct. 11.  Telephone town halls will also be held in October to give Manitobans from across the province an opportunity to call in and join a conversation with the ministers of justice, health and finance on these issues. To encourage as broad an engagement as possible, stakeholders will have access to an online Town Hall Tool Kit to assist in holding their own public meetings, Friesen noted. “We must make choices about how we spend Manitobans’ tax dollars and we want to give as many people as possible the chance to have their say,” said Pallister.  “I want to encourage all Manitobans to take the survey, attend a meeting or participate in a call to share their views on how we can balance the budget, sustain health care and properly control marijuana use.” For more information on the dates of the town hall meetings or to take the survey, visit www.manitobansmakingchoices.ca.

Former Brandon Wheat King Goaltender Andrew Hayes has taken off the pads and moved into the world of selling coffee. The Sherwood Park former goalie had a brief stint in the ECHL – AHL and at University of Regina Cougars but stopped playing due to concussions.  “I just wasn’t able to do school or play hockey anymore and had to go home for treatments…I am trying to get back to a daily routine”. This led to starting his own business Roasti, a high end coffee blend.  “We are bringing in the beans from Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Mexico”.  So why run with this idea Andrew?   “Just for me, I wanted to find something that wasn’t say 9 – 5 because of my concussions...I could be in bed with serious migraines for hours, I needed something super flexible”. Would you say your product is on the higher end?  “ We are a real top end product and selling to cafes that want the best product possible”. “ We are fresh as you can get it…we roast it every two days”. Can you buy this in Brandon or can someone order it from you?  “Nobody in Brandon is selling it at the moment but you can order online”. Do you still follow the Wheat King and or stay in touch the coaches.  “Oh yeah for sure I have talked to Kelly many times and I still love to follow the team”. To order coffee or contact Andrew Hayes or visit their web site.

Premier Brian Pallister wants a ‘Team Manitoba’ effort to make Winnipeg the home of Amazon’s second North American headquarters. On Thursday, the Seattle-based company disclosed that it is seeking proposals from throughout North America to be the site of what it calls ‘HQ2’.  The company says it will invest US$5 billion to develop the new site, which will house as many as 50,000 workers in more than eight million square feet of space within a decade.  The site will be a “full equal” to the company’s current Seattle headquarters. “Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in up-front and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO. Today Pallister said he is aware of Amazon’s request for proposals and that Manitoba will be working hard to be the home of HQ2. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Winnipeg and Manitoba,” the premier said.  “With our central location in North America, our transportation infrastructure, our well-educated workforce, our plentiful green energy and the lowest cost of doing business in the continent, Winnipeg is the best choice to be the home of Amazon’s HQ2.  I have reached out to Mayor Brian Bowman and look forward to working with him, the business community and all other stakeholders to make this great opportunity a reality.” “Winnipeg’s geographic position in the centre of the country, history as a multi-modal hub, and advanced technology and manufacturing expertise makes it the perfect location for Amazon.  By partnering with the province and key stakeholders in the economic community, we will present a unified proposal for this significant opportunity,” said Mayor Brian Bowman, City of Winnipeg. “This will be a Team Manitoba effort!” said the premier.

Brandon, MB – Residents and visitors to Brandon can now easily view and register for the various recreational programs, courses, and facility bookings offered by the City of Brandon’s Community Services Department via a new central online portal located at http://mycommunity.brandon.ca/. Visitors to the My Community website can peruse the various scheduling, programs, and courses available at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex, as well as view all school gymnasium space available for after-hours bookings via the City of Brandon – Brandon School Division Joint Use of Schools program. Users can then sign in to the site to register for desired Sportsplex programming or use of Brandon School Division gym facilities. The site also allows users to purchase memberships or multi-use passes to Brandon’s Community Sportsplex. “Our new ‘My Community’ portal is mobile, tablet, and computer application-friendly, which means that you can search and register for a course at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex or submit your after-hours school gym booking request no matter where you are,” explains City of Brandon Director of Community Services Perry Roque. “We hope all of our current and future customers will appreciate the new ‘at-a-glance’ presentation for the recreational programming provided by the City of Brandon Community Services Department and will make good use of it.” Roque noted that the My Community Site has been developed by Innosoft Canada Inc. and implemented in partnership with the City of Brandon’s Information Technology Department, which will allow additional programming opportunities offered by the Community Services Department or other City of Brandon departments to be added to the site in the future. For more information on the recreation programming offered at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex, the public may call 204-729-2470. Questions about the City of Brandon – Brandon School Division Joint Use of Schools Agreement after-hours gym booking process may be directed to Sandy Jasper by calling 204-729-2150 or by emailing s.jasper@brandon.ca.

After 2 years Brown's Socialhouse in Brandon has closed effective this morning due to unforeseen circumstances. Sources close to BDNMB.CA have said they expect a new concept to open within 3 - 6 weeks. At this time this is all the information we have been able to acquire.