Premier Announces 2013 Community Places Program Applications Now Available. Left to Right:Lou Caci, President, Variety, the Children’s Charity, Premier Greg Selinger, Kerry Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development

 

October 1, 2012

PROVINCE ANNOUNCES 2013 COMMUNITY PLACES PROGRAM TO HELP UPGRADE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ACROSS MANITOBA

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Grants to Non-profit Groups to Help Improve Sports, Cultural Opportunities for Manitobans: Selinger

The province will help revitalize communities and improve recreational opportunities in towns and cities throughout Manitoba under the 2013 Community Places Program, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“In 2012, more than 270 non-profit community groups were able to create or upgrade local recreational, wellness or cultural facilities for Manitoba families as a result of Community Places grants,” said Selinger.  “Gathering places such as seniors’ centres, playgrounds and hockey rinks play an important role in enhancing the quality of life families have come to enjoy in communities throughout our province.”
The Community Places Program provides funding and planning assistance to non-profit community organizations for facility construction, upgrading, expansion or acquisition projects.  Eligible projects are those that provide sustainable recreation and wellness benefits to communities.
Eligible projects can receive up to 50 per cent of the first $15,000 of total project costs and up to
one-third of costs over that amount; the maximum grant is $50,000.  Applicants must contribute to project costs by providing additional resources from local fundraising, grants from local governments and other sources, or donated labour and materials.
Examples of Community Places Program projects approved in 2012 include:

• a playground development project for the Ryerson Association of Parents and Teachers,
• renovations to the Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities’ building in Elm Creek,
• stage lighting upgrades for the Pinawa Players,
• a wind-power electric turbine for Selkirk’s Manitoba Paddling Association,
• support to Opasquia Agricultural Society’s redevelopment project for The Pas and District Exhibition Grounds,
• kitchen renovations for the Waterhen Community Council,
• support to the Oak Lake Beach Playground Committee for construction of a natural playground,
• support to the Friends of Living Prairie Museum for construction of an outdoor education shelter, and
• upgrades to the Building Urban Industries for Local Development’s HVAC system.

Since its inception, Community Places has provided more than $104.3 million in grants to support more than 6,815 community construction projects provincewide, the premier said, adding these grants have leveraged an estimated $651.7 million in infrastructure improvements in both rural and urban communities.  Community Places has provided funding and planning assistance for 10,706 applicants from non-profit community organizations.
Grant applications under the 2013 Community Places Program are now being accepted until Dec. 15.  To receive a grant application or for more information, contact the Community Places Program office in Winnipeg at 204-945‑0502 or 1-800-894-3777 (toll-free), e-mail mcpp@gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp.

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Finding Backing and Credit Services for Low-Income Consumers

May 4, 2012

PROVINCE LOOKS FOR WAYS TO HELP LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS ACCESS BANKING, CREDIT SERVICES

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Conference to Explore Alternatives to Payday Lending for Manitobans Who Can't Access Mainstream Financial Services: Rondeau

The province will join with community partners in June to offer a conference that will explore alternatives to payday lending for consumers who may not be able to access mainstream financial services, Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.
“We have already introduced limits on payday lending fees to protect Manitobans from unfair charges,” said Rondeau.  “The next step is to help low-income people get appropriate financial services in their communities.  This conference will explore ways to do that.”
The conference, called Creating Community Options for Financial Services, will take place June 12 to 14 at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain in Winnipeg.  Conference partners will include:

• Community Financial Counselling Services;
• Community Financial Services Centre;
• Consumers’ Association of Canada (Manitoba);
• Manitoba Consumer Protection Office; and
• Public Interest Law Centre, Legal Aid Manitoba.

“Payday lending and other high-interest credit options create significant challenges for consumers who do not have access to mainstream financial services,” said John Silver, executive director of Community Financial Counselling Services.  “New ideas are needed about how to help people connect to lower-cost alternatives.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with the province and community and industry members in order to address this important issue” said Gloria Desorcy, executive director of the Consumers’ Association of Canada (Manitoba).  “Conference attendees will assist in facilitating the development of a strategy for creating accessible and local options for basic banking and credit services.”
Community groups, consumer advocates, industry representatives, credit counsellors, researchers and policy makers are all invited to attend.  The event will feature speakers with local, national and international experience in basic banking and credit alternatives as well as financial literacy programs.

The province has provided $10,000 for the conference through the Manitoba Payday Borrowers’ Financial Literacy Fund.  The fund is supported by a levy paid by Manitoba’s payday lenders, and aligns with the priorities of ALL Aboard, Manitoba’s poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy. 
More information about the conference is available at www.gov.mb.ca/finance/literacy/community  or by contacting the Consumer Protection Office at 204-945-3800 or 1-800-782-0067 (toll-free) in Manitoba, or via e-mail at consumers@gov.mb.ca.

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