Weeks after settling a strike with a fair deal for Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) workers and ratepayers, Manitobans can expect more affordable auto insurance following a ruling this morning by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), Justice Minister Matt Wiebe, minister responsible for MPI, announced today. “Today’s announcement is a win for Manitobans trying to make ends meet,” said Wiebe. “This is one of the toughest economies we’ve seen in recent memory. People are feeling the pressure, particularly through the holiday season, and our government is pleased to see the board take steps toward making life more affordable for families.” The PUB ordered a five per cent decrease to the rates for compulsory auto insurance premiums in 2024-25, which will take effect April 1, 2024. Wiebe echoed the PUB’s concerns related to the overall costs of Project Nova, which is estimated to cost more than $290 million. “Under the previous government, we saw serious issues at MPI related to Project Nova,” said Wiebe. “We are trying to protect ratepayers from paying the price for their mismanagement. Our government and the new board at MPI will always fight to keep rates as low as possible so people can keep more money in their pockets.” The PUB’s notice of decision is available at http://pubmanitoba.ca/v1/contact-us/media/pubs/2021-2025-nr/nr-mpi-2024-rates.pdf.

On December 15, 2023, at 6:00 pm, police received a report of a motor vehicle collision in the 1500 block of Rosser Avenue. Further investigation revealed that a suspect vehicle was travelling the wrong way on the one way street causing another vehicle to become involved in a collision. The suspect vehicle then fled the scene. The operator then contacted police indicating his vehicle had been stolen but later recanted his report and admitted he was the one driving causing the collision. On December 18, 2023, the 19-year-old male turned himself in at Brandon Police Service. He was arrested and later released to attend court on February 8th on charges of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm and issued a HTA ticket for Failure to Exchange Particulars.

On December 17, 2023, at 8:00 pm, police responded to a report of theft from a business in the 900 block of Victoria Avenue. Further investigation revealed the 33-year-old male suspect was also wanted for a previous theft that took place at the same location on December 16, 2023. He was located, arrested, and later released to attend court on February 20, 2024, on charges of Theft Under $5000 and Fail to Comply with an Undertaking.

At 1:30 am, Police received a call of a male causing a disturbance at a residence on Westaway Bay. Upon Police arrival they located a 24 year old male who was causing the problems. When Police attempted to arrest the suspect he began fighting with them and during the process of this arrest the suspect spit on one of the officers. The suspect was charged with Resisting Arrest and Assaulting a Police Officer. He was held in custody until sober and then released for court at a later date.

The City of Brandon is taking sustainability actions to help get the city’s finances back on track over the coming years by striking a balance between affordability and sustainability – and calling on other levels of government to cover their fair share. One of City Council’s strategic goals is to look at alternate sources of revenue to help get Brandon’s finances back on track. With that goal in mind, the City contracted a sustainability report by one of Canada’s leading professional services company MNP. This report finds that low taxes and efficient operations are major strengths for Brandon, with Brandon households paying taxes 47% below the average of all cities MNP compared. After many years of low taxes, Brandon needs to adjust its course. MNP found that Brandon’s 2024 increase in municipal taxes could be unreasonably high if the City doesn’t take action to adjust the balance between taxation and its capital commitments. “Mayor Jeff Fawcett is committed to keeping taxes low and continuing to deliver clean water, safe policing, and a livable city. The Mayor has given City Hall clear direction: we’re taking action to keep the 2024 tax rate reasonable. We will avoid the worst-case-scenario in the MNP report by taking a smart, balanced approach to rebuilding Brandon’s finances, and rebuilding the City’s infrastructure. It took us 20 years to get into the tight financial position we’re in now, and it won’t be fixed in one budget,” said Ron Bowles, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. Bowles said revenues from other partners are a part of the solution. “We are considering increasing developer-paid development cost charges (DCC). We are finding other sources of revenue to take the pressure off property taxes. We are staying efficient and lean, but while City Hall is doing our part, we need other levels of government to do theirs,” said Bowles. “For seven years, the Province of Manitoba froze municipal funding. Our clean water system, snowplows, and other critical infrastructure aged and inflation soared while provincial funding was stagnant. Funding was unfrozen in early 2023, thanks in large part to advocacy from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, but the province hasn’t made up for what was lost. It’s Brandon’s belief that the province needs to cover its fair share.” Mayor Fawcett said he’s given the City team clear direction to present a budget that’s focused on being balanced and phased in over several years. “Brandon families need and deserve both affordability and sustainability,” said Fawcett. “We are going to work hard to develop other revenue sources and dig deep with our partners at the provincial and federal levels to make sure they are taking on their fair share. Brandon is one of the most livable cities in Canada, and we’re going to make sure it stays that way for generations to come.” Mayor Fawcett and City Council have a stellar track record when it comes to working with the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and industry partners to secure funding for Brandon while taking financial pressure off Brandon ratepayers. That includes wins like over $103 million from the provincial and federal governments for the water treatment plant expansion, almost $11 million from the provincial government for the Keystone Centre, $9 million from the provincial and federal governments for transitional housing, $2.2 million more for policing and safe communities from the provincial government, $2.2 million for paramedics to put Brandon’s third ambulance on the road from the provincial government, and $2 million for a Sobering Assessment Centre from the provincial government. In addition, a naming rights deal for the now Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex was secured from industries including Maple Leaf Foods and Heritage Co-op.