Province Protects More Small Businesses Through Manitoba Bridge Grant - PC Caucus

January 15, 2021

    Province Protects More Small Businesses Through Manitoba Bridge Grant
The PC government is increasing supports and protection for Manitoba businesses to assist through
these challenging times. The application deadline for the Manitoba Bridge Grant has been extended
until January 31, and eligibility requirements have been broadened to offer financial support for more
local businesses.
Eligibility has been expanded to include hotels, resorts, lodges and outfitters, travel agencies,
janitorial services companies and owner/operators of licensed passenger transportation businesses
that have seen demand for their services impacted by the public health orders. Starting this week,
new applicants to the Manitoba Bridge Grant that were ordered to close their premises are entitled
to a one-time payment of $10,000, helping to address the financial pressures brought on by the
pandemic. Eligible home-based business applicants will also receive a maximum payment of
$10,000.
The Manitoba Bridge Grant recognizes the sacrifices made by the Manitoba business community
to help keep Manitobans safe and stop the spread of COVID-19. The province first launched the
program last fall, providing $5,000 up-front to businesses, not-for-profits and charities directly
impacted by the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System and temporarily ordered to close their
storefronts to the public. To date, the Manitoba Bridge Grant program has provided $104 million
in direct supports to businesses across the province, representing one of the most generous and
accessible business support programs in Canada.

                                     The Manitoba Bridge Grant has
                                       been expanded to include
                                      hotels, lodges, travel agencies
                                         and janitorial services.

                                        Deadline extended
                                          to January 31

MLA Brad Michaleski Welcomes $4 million Investment in Best Western Dauphin
Brad Michaleski, MLA for Dauphin was pleased to announce a
$4.1 million rebate over 20 years to the Best Western Dauphin Ltd.
through the Manitoba Works Capital Incentive (MWCI) to support
construction costs and create jobs. The new 82 room hotel offers
additional lodging opportunities for travelers in the Parkland region,
enhancing the area’s tourism sector.
The project supported 35 short term construction jobs, and added
an additional 37 jobs in the community. This announcement
reflects the province’s commitment to supporting economic
                                                                         Brad Michaleski
development and job creation in Dauphin to help the community
                                                                         MLA for Dauphin
grow and prosper.

        Since the PC government took office in 2016, Dauphin has seen a number
      of provincial investments including a new $23 million emergency department
    at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre and a new MRI machine, providing better
                               healthcare closer to home.

     MLA Jon Reyes Recognizes Passage of Legislation to Protect Reservists’ Employment
Jon Reyes, Special Envoy for Military Affairs and MLA for Waverley
was pleased to highlight the recent passage of Bill 211 – The
Employment Standards Code Amendment Act (Unpaid Leave for
Reservists), modernizing the requirements for employment leaves
for reservists taking part in military training or active duty.
This Bill reduces the time that a person must be employed
from seven to three months before taking a leave of absence
to participate in military training or active duty, providing military
personnel with assurance that their job will be protected while
participating in service. It also expands the rights of military
                                                                           Jon Reyes
personnel to include an employment leave of absence to access
                                                                         MLA for Waverley
treatments for physical or mental health issues that result from
active training or duty.

Province Announces Historic Investment in Manitoba Housing Security Upgrades
The province announced a historic $4 million investment in security upgrades at Manitoba Housing
properties, the largest single annual investment in its history. This funding will strengthen security
services at Manitoba Housing through the Housing Communications Centre, which operates 24/7 to
respond to concerns from tenants about security issues.
In addition, Manitoba Housing provides security services at select properties throughout the province,
including a 23-member mobile security service. This announcement builds upon the PC government’s
strong record on investments in affordable housing, including more than $100 million in new social
and affordable rental units since 2016, and over $225 million through the 10-year National Housing
Strategy in partnership with the federal government.

                   Second Intake Opens for Caregiver Wage Support Program
The Manitoba government has opened the second intake for
the $35 million Caregiver Wage Support Program. This program
provides a $5/hour wage top up for eligible front-line workers who
provide direct care to vulnerable Manitobans at personal care                   Second intake
homes and other critical settings during the pandemic.                       for Caregiver Wage
                                                                            Support applications
The second intake is open for applications until January 18th.
To date, the program has provided over $16 million to front-line           Deadline January 18
workers to recognize their hard work and dedication by supporting
vulnerable Manitobans during these challenging times

                                        Social Media Corner

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