December 7, 2012

NEW WORKER ADVOCACY CENTRE IN BRANDON WILL CONNECT WORKERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES: PREMIER

BRANDON-Premier Greg Selinger officially opened a new worker advocacy centre here today in partnership with members of the Brandon and District Labour Council.
“This centre will provide residents of Brandon and Westman with the information, advice and representation they need to tap into job opportunities,” said Selinger.  “The Brandon workforce is critical as we grow our economy toward our target of 75,000 more workers by 2020.  More good jobs in Westman mean more young families will choose to put down roots here and this centre will connect workers with opportunities.”
The Brandon and District Worker Advocacy Centre (BDWAC) provides a range of services including information on training opportunities through employment insurance, career counselling, access to benefits, and help with job searches and financial management.
“We’re sure our office will be of great value to the workers in the region who need help filing and presenting appeals when dealing with employment insurance or other benefits,” said Del Davidson, president, BDWAC.  “Over the years we have seen these programs become more difficult to navigate and the appeals process become more intimidating.”
The new centre is non-profit, run by a volunteer board and employs full-time worker advocate Curtis Martel.  The new office is open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
The new, community-based initiative complements existing provincial services such as employment standards services, a worker advisor office and a large Workplace Safety and Health Division presence in Brandon, said Selinger.
In February, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Manitoba opened a Brandon office to service workers and employers located in Brandon and Westman.  The Brandon office provides initial adjudication of claims and case management functions, and offers a range of services such as health-care examinations, vocational rehabilitation and SAFE Work services.  In the past, customers travelled to Winnipeg for these services or Winnipeg WCB staff travelled to Brandon.

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Non-profits prayer for stable funding has been answered

 

Premier Greg Selinger and Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross Announce Plans to Cut Red Tape and Provide Non-Profit Groups Stable Funding

April 8, 2011

TWO-YEAR PLAN CUTS RED TAPE, OFFERS NON-PROFIT GROUPS STABLE FUNDING: SELINGER

Manitoba non-profit groups will see stable funding and less red tape as part of a two-year strategy, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“From running local recreation centres where our kids play hockey and soccer to finding ways to improve health-care services for our families, non-profit groups are everyday heroes who help improve the quality of life for Manitobans,” Selinger said.  “They should be allowed to focus on programs not paperwork.  Our plan will make it easier for our non-profit partners to dedicate more of their energy and effort to the important services they deliver and communities they serve.”
The premier said, the four-point strategy cuts red tape and makes it easier for non-profits to provide valuable services for Manitobans by:

• Piloting multi-year, multi-program funding with a representative group of non-profits with proven track records of success.  Additional groups will be added after the pilot is evaluated.
• Launching an single-window application process and a target of spring 2012 for an online non‑profit web portal.
• Eliminating duplication in reporting requirements for organizations  dealing with multiple provincial programs while strengthening accountability standards.
• Helping organizations save money by sharing services such as legal, human resources and accounting functions with other organizations.

Many agencies already benefit from multi-year, stable provincial funding agreements, which assist them in recruiting and retaining appropriate staff and making long-term plans, the premier said.
This strategy builds on those successes by providing stable multi-year, multi-program funding, resulting in greater efficiencies and reduced duplication within government, he added.
“The government’s plan allows Art City to focus our attention on quality programs for youth rather than filling out forms.  This strategy acknowledges the work we do every day -and where our time is best spent -providing constructive activities for young people,” said Wanda Koop, artist and founder of Art City.
“This partnership improves the sector’s access to government and provides greater stability, allowing us to be more effective and make longer-term plans to build better communities for all Manitobans to enjoy,” said Martin Itzkow of the Manitoba Federation of Non-profit Organizations.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED