November 27, 2012
E-documents Would Make Courts More Efficient: Swan
Manitoba is proposing to allow the use of electronic documents in the court system, which would make police and courts more efficient, and continue to improve the justice system, Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced today.
“Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. We want to ensure that we use all the tools available to us to make the justice system more effective,” said Swan. “We want our police to spend less time on paperwork and more time keeping our communities safe.”
The current system of documents in provincial court is mostly paper based. The proposed changes would allow Manitoba Justice to take sworn statements or ‘informations’ electronically from police agencies. Eliminating or reducing the use of paper would increase the speed with which a case moves through the criminal justice system by significantly reducing paperwork, said Swan.
This proposed amendment to the Provincial Court Act specifies that electronic documents could be filed with and created by the provincial court. The amendment also specifies that an electronic signature as specified in the regulations would be considered valid. The change would support ongoing work to develop and implement an electronic system in court and eliminate most of the paper processes currently used, the minister said.
November 27, 2012
New Active Transportation Fund Launched
November 27, 2012
Residents to Benefit from Lower Utility Bills, More Efficient Homes, New Job Opportunities: Premier
The Power Smart Neighbourhood Project, a new energy and water efficiency initiative in the William Whyte neighbourhood of Winnipeg, will help local families save money by making their homes more efficient while creating jobs for local residents, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“Many homes in older communities have inefficient furnaces, poor insulation and old plumbing fixtures that waste water and energy, costing families more money,” said Selinger. “Making life more affordable remains a priority for our government. This project will help local families save money and improve their homes while creating jobs for local residents.”
The new project, a partnership between Manitoba Hydro and the North End Community Renewal Corporation, will give eligible William Whyte residents access to two programs that improve energy and water efficiency including:
“Similar to the successful BUILD program, this project will provide hands-on training and create meaningful employment opportunities for residents of the local community,” said Selinger.
The project will be promoted through an outreach campaign that will include community events, door‑to-door canvassing and direct contacts.
Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart Program is recognized internationally as a model energy efficiency program, which has saved Manitoba families and businesses more than $600 million on their utility bills to date, Selinger said.
MANITOBA JUSTICE PROPOSES TO ALLOW USE OF ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS
– – –E-documents Would Make Courts More Efficient: Swan
“Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. We want to ensure that we use all the tools available to us to make the justice system more effective,” said Swan. “We want our police to spend less time on paperwork and more time keeping our communities safe.”
The current system of documents in provincial court is mostly paper based. The proposed changes would allow Manitoba Justice to take sworn statements or ‘informations’ electronically from police agencies. Eliminating or reducing the use of paper would increase the speed with which a case moves through the criminal justice system by significantly reducing paperwork, said Swan.
This proposed amendment to the Provincial Court Act specifies that electronic documents could be filed with and created by the provincial court. The amendment also specifies that an electronic signature as specified in the regulations would be considered valid. The change would support ongoing work to develop and implement an electronic system in court and eliminate most of the paper processes currently used, the minister said.
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November 27, 2012
MANITOBA SUPPORTS ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
– – –New Active Transportation Fund Launched
Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 27, 2012 – New Active Transportation funding is now available to help rural communities start projects and improve local infrastructure designed to encourage people to use alternatives to motor vehicle transportation.
Municipalities and northern communities with populations of fewer than 50,000 residents are eligible to apply to the Active Transportation Fund, made possible by a $1-million investment from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
“This program builds on the Small Communities Transit Fund launched in 2010, making $1 million in federal Gas Tax funding available to cost-share active transportation projects with eligible municipalities over the next two years,” said the Honourable Ron Lemieux,Local Government Minister. “People are becoming more health and environmentally conscious and are switching to public transportation, bicycles and walking. As these activities increase, people will see improved health benefits, lower transportation costs and fewer cars and trucks on the road. Reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is good for us and for our environment.”
“Our Government is committed to supporting infrastructure projects in municipalities across Canada,” said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia. “We are proud of our $1-million investment in this program which will help municipalities across Manitoba promote environmentally friendly transportation. The Gas Tax fund is just one of the ways our Government is carrying out our promise to help create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the country.”
The program provides 50 per cent cost-shared funding for eligible projects up to a maximum of $50,000 per project. Eligible projects include:
Municipalities and northern communities with populations of fewer than 50,000 residents are eligible to apply to the Active Transportation Fund, made possible by a $1-million investment from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
“This program builds on the Small Communities Transit Fund launched in 2010, making $1 million in federal Gas Tax funding available to cost-share active transportation projects with eligible municipalities over the next two years,” said the Honourable Ron Lemieux,Local Government Minister. “People are becoming more health and environmentally conscious and are switching to public transportation, bicycles and walking. As these activities increase, people will see improved health benefits, lower transportation costs and fewer cars and trucks on the road. Reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is good for us and for our environment.”
“Our Government is committed to supporting infrastructure projects in municipalities across Canada,” said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia. “We are proud of our $1-million investment in this program which will help municipalities across Manitoba promote environmentally friendly transportation. The Gas Tax fund is just one of the ways our Government is carrying out our promise to help create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the country.”
The program provides 50 per cent cost-shared funding for eligible projects up to a maximum of $50,000 per project. Eligible projects include:
- bike racks/lockers;
- bike paths;
- sidewalks and other pathways for pedestrian use;
- lighting and signage on trails, sidewalks and bike paths; and
- active transportation design/project plans that lead to future active transportation development.
“The benefits of active transportation for Manitoba communities are wide ranging,” said Association of Manitoba Municipalities President Doug Dobrowolski. “This initiative will reduce pressure on our over-burdened municipal streets and roads. The health of our citizens is also important to local governments. That’s why active transportation options are a win-win – they reduce costs and improve our quality of life.”
The Manitoba government is launching a dedicated active transportation website to promote and support small communities in developing sustainable active transportation options. The website offers Manitoba success stories; resources and tools for municipalities, schools and community groups; information on safety; maps of trails and pathways around the province; and information on programs and agencies that support active transportation. The new provincial government web address is www.gov.mb.ca/ia/index.html.
Together, all these tools and resources will help municipalities integrate active transportation planning, design and implementation with land use and transportation planning. Today’s commitments are part of the Manitoba government’s three-year action plan to promote and improve active transportation across Manitoba.
The Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year. Through this fund alone, the federal government provides $66,157,000 in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Manitoba.
The Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. To improve infrastructure across Canada and ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term, the Government’s new plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships. This will help leverage new investments in infrastructure, while respecting Canadian taxpayers’ ability to pay.
Lemieux noted the Action Plan on Active Transportation is part of Manitoba’s green plan called TomorrowNow, which sets out an eight-year strategic action plan for mobilizing Manitobans to work together to protect the environment, while ensuring a prosperous and environmentally conscious economy. More information can be found at: www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrownowgreenplan/.The Manitoba government is launching a dedicated active transportation website to promote and support small communities in developing sustainable active transportation options. The website offers Manitoba success stories; resources and tools for municipalities, schools and community groups; information on safety; maps of trails and pathways around the province; and information on programs and agencies that support active transportation. The new provincial government web address is www.gov.mb.ca/ia/index.html.
Together, all these tools and resources will help municipalities integrate active transportation planning, design and implementation with land use and transportation planning. Today’s commitments are part of the Manitoba government’s three-year action plan to promote and improve active transportation across Manitoba.
The Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year. Through this fund alone, the federal government provides $66,157,000 in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Manitoba.
The Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. To improve infrastructure across Canada and ensure affordability and sustainability over the long term, the Government’s new plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships. This will help leverage new investments in infrastructure, while respecting Canadian taxpayers’ ability to pay.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHEDNovember 27, 2012
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES POWER SMART NEIGHBOURHOOD PROJECT IN WILLIAM WHYTE
– – –Residents to Benefit from Lower Utility Bills, More Efficient Homes, New Job Opportunities: Premier
“Many homes in older communities have inefficient furnaces, poor insulation and old plumbing fixtures that waste water and energy, costing families more money,” said Selinger. “Making life more affordable remains a priority for our government. This project will help local families save money and improve their homes while creating jobs for local residents.”
The new project, a partnership between Manitoba Hydro and the North End Community Renewal Corporation, will give eligible William Whyte residents access to two programs that improve energy and water efficiency including:
- Manitoba Hydro’s Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), which allows for no-cost insulation and low-cost furnaces; and
- for households ineligible for LIEEP, the Power Smart Pay-as-You-Save (PAYS) financing program, which will finance the upfront capital costs of eligible energy saving measures, using monthly bill savings as payment.
“Similar to the successful BUILD program, this project will provide hands-on training and create meaningful employment opportunities for residents of the local community,” said Selinger.
The project will be promoted through an outreach campaign that will include community events, door‑to-door canvassing and direct contacts.
Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart Program is recognized internationally as a model energy efficiency program, which has saved Manitoba families and businesses more than $600 million on their utility bills to date, Selinger said.
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