NDP pledge $300K for downtown safety

The Manitoba government is spending $300,000 to beef up security in downtown Brandon.

The funding was announced by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe and Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard on Thursday.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said the city is still determining exactly how the money will be used.

“This will ultimately be a decision for the council,” Fawcett told the Sun. “We know the $300,000 is coming for downtown safety, but the specifics — whether that’s expanded cadet programs, additional security or improved lighting — will be discussed at the council level.”

The funding will go directly to the city, he said, giving administration and council flexibility to prioritize initiatives that best address local needs.

Fawcett said the one-time investment could serve as a testing ground for future, sustained funding.

“It gives us an opportunity to show what we can do and demonstrate that this kind of investment can make a difference,” he said.

Downtown BIZ executive director Emmy Sanderson said the downtown business community sees the funding as a welcoming development.

“The funding is positive news,” she told the Sun. “What we’re seeing is that these efforts are working. With the recent declines in property crime and break-ins downtown … this additional funding helps keep that momentum going.”

She said that while the investment may not directly draw new businesses to the core, it contributes to a safer and more attractive environment over time.

“Every improvement, whether it’s fixing a broken window or adding lighting, makes downtown more appealing,” she said. “That has both a practical impact and a morale boost for businesses.”

The funding also aligns with ongoing work by community policing officers trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, who assist businesses in identifying security improvements, she said.

Sanderson said the timing is ideal, as new funding could help businesses act on those recommendations.

The funding is part of a broader $500,000 public safety initiative that also includes $200,000 for Portage la Prairie to help secure municipal facilities and support community safety initiatives.

Wiebe said the funding is aimed at enhancing safety in community spaces through upgrades such as lighting, surveillance systems and repairs tied to vandalism and property damage.

“This funding is about keeping people safe and supporting the organizations that do essential work in our communities,” Wiebe said. “By making these investments, we’re helping local partners strengthen safety while continuing the important work of preventing crime and addressing its root causes.”

Simard said Brandon and Portage la Prairie are growing communities, and investments like these make a real difference on the ground.

“This funding will help ensure residents feel safe and supported, and that community organizations and the cities have the resources they need to continue serving people effectively,” Simard, the MLA for Brandon East, said in a statement issued by the province on Thursday.

When contacted through their press secretaries, the ministers were not available for followup questions.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola