Manitoba security system rebate stopped as program budget eaten up
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/08/2024 (408 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is ending its rebate program for security systems, as the program’s budget was quickly eaten up.
The province started offering rebates of up to $300 in June to homeowners, renters and small business owners who purchased security cameras and other anti-crime equipment.
Funding for the program was initially capped at $500,000, which was fully allotted within days. Earlier this month, the government quadrupled the funding to $2 million, and that total was reached at the end of last week.
The program is to be evaluated before the government decides whether to relaunch it, but Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said it appears to be successful in making streets safer.
“It seems like every single day I’m hearing another story in the media about law enforcement using the … footage that people have collected to have an impact on public safety,” Wiebe said Tuesday.
“We also have our own internal data, of course, that we’re going to be going through and evaluating.”
Applications submitted before the cutoff are still being processed, and the government estimates close to 8,800 applications will be approved in the end.
The head of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said the popularity of the program is a sign that crime is a major issue.
“It is the number one issue for our members … and that is something that is relatively new,” Loren Remillard said.
The structure of the rebate program caused some problems, Remillard said. He would like to see something permanent instead of a temporary first-come, first-serve method. A separate funding stream for businesses would also be welcome.
“With having a dedicated stream for business, it allows business to have a better sense as to what the potential success rate may be, given the … dollars available.” Remillard said.
The NDP promised the program as part of its crime-fighting platform before winning last October’s provincial election.
The government has also targeted retail theft by paying police overtime costs to have more officers in high-theft locations. The $1.1-million program is set to expire at the end of the month, and Wiebe said an announcement on next steps is expected Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2024.