Source: MGEU News Manitoba took a significant — and dangerous — step in privatizing the public home care program yesterday. The provincial government and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority unveiled the names of the two Ontario-based corporations (We Care and ParaMed) that will be given contracts to deliver home care services to patients transitioning out of hospital — similar to the service that was already offered within the public home care program until the government ceased the $1.7 million in funding required to run it this past spring. The Province will spend significantly more – $15.7 million – on the two private, three-year contracts. MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky says that Manitobans must see this for what it is: another ploy to privatize a strong public service and fill the pockets of for-profit providers. “Manitoba already has a comprehensive, universal public home care program that is among the best in Canada. We should be building on that system, not auctioning it off in pieces. Manitobans need to know just how serious this announcement is. It’s privatization, plain and simple.” Brenda Hasiuk – whose father receives home care – joined Gawronsky at an MGEU press conference on September 20. She cautioned the government against adding more for-profit services, which haven’t improved care in other provinces. “After my dad’s accident, I talked to friends in other provinces that had a hodge-podge of public and private home care options and they said there was no way my dad would be receiving the same quality or breadth of care. Not even if he was paying. In other provinces, we simply couldn’t have expected that an actual coordinated system of services would automatically be there for us,” said Hasiuk. “I’m here today to tell you that for us, who are living it, putting a private band-aid on our public system and seeing how it sticks like they have in other provinces? It doesn’t just seem misguided. It’s downright scary.” Gawronsky said that the Pallister government needs to look back at Manitoba’s failed attempts to privatize home care two decades ago and learn from those mistakes, not repeat them. “It’s twenty years later but it looks like they’re following the same privatization playbook. In fact, We Care was one of the companies involved in the Filmon government’s failed privatization scheme of the 90s and they’re part of today’s announcement,” said Gawronsky. “Manitobans were against private home care in the 90s and they still oppose it today,” she added in reference to a related Probe Research survey. The survey showed that 73 percent of Manitobans want the current not-for-profit home care program to continue delivering the service.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba On July 19, 2017 at approximately 10:00 am, this suspect stole A LOT of cigarettes from a gas station in Virden. Virden RCMP are trying to identify this Caucasian male with a moustache, 5'7"- 5'8" tall and was wearing a white T-shirt with a blue coloured jacket, Khaki shorts, black shoes and a Toronto Blue Jays baseball ball cap. If you recognize him or have information about this theft, please contact Virden RCMP at 204-748-2046.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s efforts to promote mental health and wellness in the workplace and in the community at-large have been recognized with a 2017 Award of Excellence from the Brandon and Area Suicide Prevention Implementation Network (SPIN). City representatives were presented with the award at SPIN’S annual World Suicide Prevention Day event, held earlier this month in Brandon. In presenting the award, SPIN applauded the City of Brandon’s efforts in building a healthier, resilient community via the various staff training, workplace wellness initiatives, and youth community programming it offers. In recent years, the City of Brandon established a Corporate Wellness committee, which has, among other initiatives, offered staff training on topics such as Mental Health First Aid and managing customer conflict. The organization also provides numerous specific training opportunities to its First Responders to better equip them for the traumatic events and complex situations they encounter. “In any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental health problem or illness and that is why the City of Brandon undertakes a number of initiatives with all staff to promote good mental health, along with suicide prevention and intervention,” explained City of Brandon Occupational Safety and Health Coordinator Greg Brown. “The skills learned through these initiatives creates healthier employees, families, and community.” Brown added that since research shows that 70% of mental health problems have their onset during childhood or adolescence, the City of Brandon Youth Centre has worked with local agencies to provide programming on the topics of good mental health and suicide prevention. “The City of Brandon’s organizational vision is one of Serving and Building Community through the core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence. We’re proud to reflect these values in our mental health and wellness programming and we are humbled that the Brandon and Area Suicide Prevention Implementation Network has recognized our collective efforts,” concluded Brown.

The Brandon and District United Way board members, sponsors and volunteers took aim during their campaign kick off with a hockey themed delivery live from centre Ice at Westman Communications Place. United Way Board Chair Terry Carlisle set the tone of the campaign kick off by putting things into perspective this way, “There are many people in our community who live with challenges each and every day. The Brandon and District United Way does its best to make sure that someone is there to lend a helping hand and to give these people a shot at a better life.” An estimated 1 in 3 Brandonites rely on the United Way and their services in some way shape or form. Whether it’s through Child and Family Services, CNIB, COR Enterprises, YMCA, YWCA or Helping Hands, the United Way is dedicated to identifying the greatest needs in our community and investing Community Fund dollars in evidence-based and preventative programs. All United Way partner programs and initiatives are dedicated to achieving positive results for our community and for local people in need. In keeping with the kick off event’s hockey theme and the United Way’s key statement of this year’s campaign which is “Everyone deserves a shot at a better life”, 100 pucks were scattered onto the ice and two teams were assembled to hit the ice and shoot the pucks into the nets. Ironically each of the 100 pucks represented eight people right here in Brandon who will be relying on the United Way’s services in order to make their lives better. The teams were captained by Kevin Martin from Branstone Financial and Bob Cey of Investors Group. This year’s campaign team takes aim at a lofty goal. In keeping with their 80th campaign the announced campaign goal was $808,080. UW Campaign Chair Scott Hlady (Former Wheat King Defenceman and Current Wheat King Equipment Manager ) said he has all the confidence in the world that this year’s team at the United Way has the ability to accomplish this tremendous financial feat.  As Hlady approached the podium he also mentioned it was a bit “surreal” to be in this position as United Way campaign chair but he is excited and ready for the challenge, “I have been fortunate to have this community support me over the years on a personal level, professionally and as an athlete. Now it’s time to join the United Way team and lend a helping hand to make a difference. Your contribution, whether it be financial, a few hours of your time to volunteer or a collection drive at your workplace, is your way to make a difference. Remember, all donations are 100% local. Money raised in our community stays in our community to help support the dozens of groups and services in Brandon such as: The John Howard Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, The Counselling Centre, MS Society of Westman Chapter, Family Visions and many more. To help out with the 2017-2018 United Way campaign please visit www.brandonuw.ca or facebook.com/unitedwayBrandon or call the campaign office at 204-571-8929. Another way to help make a difference with this year’s campaign is to visit your local Tim Horton’s as their smile cookie campaign is on throughout this weekend and all monies raised through sales of smile cookies goes to the United Way Brandon. Also, watch for the next big UW event which is Brandon’s Largest Garage Sale – Fall Edition. Going into its 7th year, our fall garage sale will be held on Saturday, October 7th, 2017 at the Keystone Centre in the Manitoba Room and UCT Pavilion. With over 2000 customers and over 200 vendors at our spring garage sale, we are expecting this one to be equally as successful. At the event there will be various items for sale such as baked goods, clothing, and even some home-based businesses have started participating. Call 204-571-8929 or email events@brandonuw.ca for more information.

The City of Brandon’s Community Services Department is pleased to inform the public that after an extended closure through the spring and summer, Queen Elizabeth Park (accessed from the intersection of 26th Street & McDonald Avenue) has officially re-opened to the public today. The park was initially closed in early April due to rising floodwaters in the area, at which time a large pipe was laid across the access road to the park to allow for continued operations at the nearby Water Treatment Plant amidst high water levels. Following the spring flood response, access to the park remained blocked off until this pipe could be buried underground. That permanent work has been completed this week, along with extensive removal of flood-impacted trees and debris. The City of Brandon thanks the public for its patience during this time of flood recovery and encourages park-goers to freely return to the area.