May 5, 2021

Province Reaches Significant Milestone of 500,000 Vaccine Doses Administered

Manitoba continues to make progress in the largest immunization campaign in the province’s history, as more than 500,000 doses have been administered and more than 40 per cent of people aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

There are currently six super sites operating in , Selkirk, Brandon, Morden and Thompson, with others scheduled to open in Dauphin, Steinbach and Gimli later this month. Five urban Indigenous clinics have also begun providing immunizations, providing better access to people who might otherwise face barriers. Vaccines have also been delivered to personal care homes and congregate living facilities by focused immunization teams and pop-up clinics continue to be offered in communities and First Nations across the province.

The province plans to open vaccine eligibility to everyone 12 and up by May 21. expanded age eligibility today for COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 45 and older, with plans for everyone 12 and up to be able to book within the next three weeks.

Social Media Corner

Minister Stefanson and Minister Ron R. Schuler proclaimed Minister Gordon receives her MLA Jon Reyes tour the new May as Motorcycle Safety Month vaccine and encourages others Leila Vaccine Supersite, which with the Coalition of Manitoba to get vaccinated as well! opens on May 7th Motorcycle Group. Province Provides over $500,000 in Green Team Grants to Support Sport, Arts and Culture Sectors

Andrew Smith, Legislative COVID-19 response and are eligible to receive 100 Assistant to the Minister of recovery efforts. per cent of wage costs and Sport, Culture and Heritage, Urban and Hometown Green $250 per position for support was pleased to highlight Team grants allow communities costs on a cost-shared basis $553,000 in provincial Green to hire youth aged 15 to 29 to These investments will help Team grants in the sport, arts work on community projects get more youth involved in our and culture sectors to help between May 1 and Sept. 30. communities while supporting young Manitobans find summer Non-profit organizations in sport, art and culture sector employment while supporting Winnipeg and rural Manitoba organizations from across the province. To view the full list of grant recipients, please click here

$553,000 in provincial Green Team grants in the sport, arts and culture sectors to help young Manitobans find summer employment.

Province Provides Additional $2 Million for Dine-in Restaurant Relief Program

The Manitoba government helps offset costs related to and catering businesses that did announced an additional $2 delivery services, whether a not have established delivery million to expand the Dine-in restaurant provides its own models or that experienced Restaurant Relief Program, delivery service or uses a third- significant revenue declines will administered by the Manitoba party delivery company. be able to apply for a financial Chambers of Commerce in rebate based on their decline The initial program launched partnership with the Manitoba in revenue compared to pre- in January, and to date, Restaurant and Foodservices pandemic sales. 513 applications have been Association. approved. As of March 31, The Dine-in Restaurant Relief approximately $4 million in We expanded the Program was designed to rebates have been allocated, Dine-in Restaurant provide a rebate to dine-in primarily in Winnipeg. Relief Program restaurants that shifted to a Under this expanded program, delivery model due to public restaurants in rural Manitoba health restrictions. The program Manitoba Provides Over $20 Million for Adult Education

The Manitoba government courses, which may lead to a The Manitoba Adult Literacy is providing more than $20 Manitoba high school diploma. Program funds organizations million in operating grants In 2021-22, 30 agencies will to deliver programming that toward Manitoba Adult Learning receive more than $17 million addresses the literacy needs of Centres and Adult Literacy in operating grants, including adult Manitobans. This year, 29 Programs, including a one-time an amalgamated MITT Adult agencies will receive more than COVID-19 relief grant. Learning Centre, which will $2.5 million in operating grants combine six separate Adult including a one-time COVID-19 The Adult Learning Centres Learning Centres in one centre relief grant totalling $50,400 to program offers tuition-free high with multiple programs. support additional operating school credits and upgrading or capital expenditures that may have occurred related to COVID-19 program pressures sites.

With an investment in adult learning programming, the government is ensuring people in Manitoba have the right skills, talent and knowledge at the right time to rebound from the effects of the pandemic and support economic resilience and growth.

Province Provides $1.3 million to Northern Healthy Foods Initiative

The Manitoba government is Food security projects and Collaborative, and the Child investing $1.3 million toward programming is delivered by Nutrition Council of Manitoba. the Northern Healthy Foods several community based This initiative targets Initiative (NHFI) to support organizations including Bayline communities in more than northern food security projects. Regional Roundtable, Four 80 per cent of the province. Facilitated by Manitoba Arrows Regional Health These 13 communities include Indigenous and Northern Authority, Frontier School First Nations, Northern Affairs Relations, the NHFI supports Division, Food Matters Manitoba communities and northern local and regional projects (FMM) and the Northern municipalities. that contribute to community Association of Community development efforts, increases Councils. Additionally, the access to resources and program supports initiatives opportunities, and ensures through partnerships with people are able to share the Northern Manitoba Food, knowledge and experiences. Culture and Community Governments Provide $8 million in -Manitoba Job Grants

This week, the province training costs delivered by a The application process for opened intake for the Canada– third party. Employers with 2021-22 has been streamlined Manitoba Job Grant and 100 or fewer employees must to make it even easier for increased investment to $8 contribute a minimum of 25 applicants to apply and million this year to help more per cent of training costs, shorten the grant approval employers with employee and employers with over 100 time. The first intake period training. employees must contribute of 2021 opens Monday, May The province’s $8 million a minimum of 50 per cent of 3 and a second intake period investment for 2021-22 is training costs. Employers can will open in August. Eligible an increase of $2.3 million apply for up to a maximum of employers are invited to from 2020-21. The Canada- $100,000 in funding. submit applications continually Manitoba Job Grant helps Eligible costs include: as training needs arise. employers offset the costs • Tuition fees; of training new employees, or costs associated with • Textbooks, software and developing the skills of their other required materials; existing workers to meet the • Exam fees; and requirements of their present • Travel costs for the training job, or to at Eligible employers of individuals in northern may apply for up to $10,000 and remote communities. per employee to assist with

Province Provides $2 million in Hunter Safety Programming

The Manitoba government will support the Manitoba by all resource users. For announced a historic Wildlife Federation in activities more information on hunter investment in support of hunter that educate, train and recruit education programming in education and safety, which hunters, and enhance safe Manitoba, visit: will enhance sustainable and sustainable hunting and https://mwf.mb.ca/hunter-ed. wildlife management and trapping of wildlife populations support the safe enjoyment within Manitoba. of Manitoba’s great hunting The Manitoba Wildlife opportunities. Federation delivers hunter The province will be education programming and committing a gift of $2 million provides instruction on hunter to endow the Hunter Education ethics and responsibilities, and Safety Fund, to be hunting laws and regulations, administered by The Winnipeg firearm safety, as well as other Foundation. The new Hunter topics that promote safe and Education and Safety Fund lawful hunting in Manitoba