On October 12th, Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and Minister responsible CanNor Agency officially opened one of seven new PrairiesCan service locations.
A media release states, “the new location in Brandon will bring a sharper focus to southwestern Manitoba’s unique economic development opportunities. It complements PrairiesCan’s long-standing Winnipeg office and new Thompson location, which opened in August to serve economic development needs in northern Manitoba.
While in Brandon, Minister Vandal announced PrairiesCan investments totalling more than $3.6 million for five projects in the region. Projects supported in this announcement include:
– Assiniboine Community College received $2,200,000 to establish a Centre for Creative Media in Brandon to support digital industries in rural Manitoba.
– Power HV Inc. received $1,000,000 to increase high voltage bushing and bushing sensor production by introducing new equipment and hiring staff to augment the capacity of its existing manufacturing process.
– Municipality of Oakland – Wawanesa received $75,429 to enhance green space and revitalize Riverbend Park in Wawanesa.
– Municipality of Deloraine – Winchester received $178,875 to revitalize the downtown core of Deloraine.
– Fern Valley Recreation Commission / Municipality of Grasslands received $151,745 to upgrade campground facilities at Whitewater Recreation Park in Elgin.
The government said the announcement marks a new chapter for PrairiesCan. Southwestern Manitoba is a key part of that new chapter. PrairiesCan will continue to serve as an investor, convener and pathfinder supporting businesses, innovation, and communities to build a strong, competitive Prairie economy that benefits everyone.”
and Vandal also announced over $2 million in funding to the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC).
“The BNRC Apprentice Incentive Program will provide financial incentives to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so that they can hire at least 300 first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades found predominantly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. This includes apprentices from equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous people, newcomers, persons with disabilities, racialized communities (including Black Canadians) and 2SLGBTQI+.
First-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades will get the hands-on experience and training they need to progress toward becoming certified journeypersons in the Red Seal trades as a result of connecting with these job opportunities. The organizations that are being funded under the Apprenticeship Service will distribute financial incentives to SMEs and provide additional supports, such as help navigating the apprenticeship system. To help Canadians facing barriers to a career in the skilled trades, the incentives are doubled for SMEs who hire from equity-deserving groups.”
The government said the “announcement builds on the 15 Apprenticeship Service projects announced since May 2022. To date, the Government has invested over $393 million in 19 projects that will enable SMEs to create over 42,000 new apprenticeship positions across Canada, with the aim of launching meaningful, well-paying careers in the skilled trades from coast to coast to coast.
