Manitoba now taking applications for $300 security equipment rebate

Manitoba has launched a new program that will give businesses and homeowners a$300 rebate for security equipment.

The province announced Friday it's now taking application for the program, which was a promise made by the NDP during last year's election campaign and included in its budget this spring.

The one-time rebatewill cover upgrades like security and doorbell cameras, reinforced doors and windows, fencing, alarm systems and motion detectors. To be eligible, purchases must have been made after Sept. 1 of last year.

"Law enforcement has told us this is a really important tool for the work that they do," Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said.

"It can be an investigation that is something that happened on your property, or it might be just something that happened in the community. Now all of a sudden they have more points of information that they can gather."

The rebates will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with a total budget of$500,000 for the program.

The rebate can cover multiple expenses, up to the $300 maximum,for upgrades at a single location, but all expenseshave to be all submitted under the sameapplication.People can onlymake an application for one property, the province says.

Subscriptions and monthly fees aren't eligible.

Manitobans can apply for the rebate on the province's website.