As Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) begins its annual Public Utilities Board (PUB) hearing today, it requests no overall revenue or rate change for the basic insurance program in the upcoming 2024/25 insurance year. Despite no overall rate change requested, individual insurance rates would continue to vary based on vehicle type, vehicle use, rating territory, and driving record. In June, MPI filed its General Rate Application requesting the zero per cent overall rate change, in accordance with a directive issued by the Government of Manitoba. However, the directive does not apply to the PUB which operates independently, and has ultimate authority to establish basic insurance rates for the 2024/25 insurance year. The PUB relies on many factors in rate setting, one being Accepted Actuarial Practice (AAP). At the time of June’s filing, the provisional overall revenue requirement calculated in accordance with AAP was minus 0.13 per cent. In October, the overall requirement further decreased to minus 1.48 per cent, primarily driven by positive investment yields, which is great news for Manitobans. “MPI’s application, including the updated overall AAP indication of minus 1.48 per cent, demonstrates the positive overall financial position of the corporation,” said Marnie Kacher, MPI’s interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “MPI continues to focus on fiscal prudence for the year ahead, while providing Manitobans with affordable products and services to meet their needs.” MPI’s application is based, in part, on its fiscal year-end financials and current interest rates. As part of its application, MPI also proposes continued expansion of the Driver Safety Rating (DSR) scale, which provides premium discounts for the safest drivers. If approved, MPI will add an additional discount level to the top of the DSR scale, resulting in a 48 per cent vehicle premium discount for drivers at the newly established DSR Level +18. MPI would also apply greater discounts to all DSR levels over DSR Level +8, thereby offering larger premium discounts to more of Manitoba’s safest drivers. MPI expects the PUB to issue its order in December. Approved rates would become effective April 1, 2024, however because renewal dates are staggered, some vehicle owners will not pay their new rates until March 31, 2025. (MPI News Release)

On October 7, 2023, at approximately 1:22pm, police were dispatched to a break and enter that had occurred to a motel in the 1700 block of Middleton Avenue.  Police located and arrested 3 male individuals aged 28, 29, and 47 years, within a room.  The three males had forcibly entered a motel room via a window.  The males were found to be in possession of stolen property as well as a small amount of cocaine and methamphetamine.  The 29 and 47 year old were later released with a future court date.  The 28 year old was also found to be breaching condition of a court order and was lodged at the Brandon Police Service to appear before a Justice regarding the matter.

On October 7, 2023, at 4:03pm, police were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of 10th Street regarding a robbery that had transpired.  The female victim reported that 2 females and male had entered the residence and proceeded to assault her and steal her property, which included her pet kitten.  The investigation led police to a residence in the 600 block of 10th Street, where a 29 and 46 year old female, along with a 29 year old male were located and arrested.  A search warrant was obtained, which led to the recovery of some of the stolen items, including the kitten.  The male and females were released with several conditions and a future court date.

Prior to 2:00am on the morning of October 7th, police responded to BRHC with regards to a patient who was harassing other patients and had just asaulted a nurse.  As a result a result a 35 year old male was found to be intoxicated. He was charged with Assault and lodged at BPS cells to be released with an Undertaking when sober.  He is scheduled to appear in court on December 11th

On 2023-10-05, police conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 500 block of 10th Street.  Prior investigation identified the operator of the vehicle as being responsible for thefts of clothing on two separate occasions from a corral centre business.  A 50-year-old male was subsequently released with conditions to appear in court 2023-10-11 for the charges of Theft Under $5000 X2.