$300 Manitoba home, business security rebate will be retroactive to September

The $300 rebate for home and business security equipment in the Manitoba budget will be retroactive to Sept. 1 and applications for it will launch in June, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced Monday.

The rebates will be delivered on a first-come, first-served basis, with the government budgeting $500,000 for the programwhich means if everyone applies for the maximum, fewer than 1,700 people will get rebates.

It can be used for various security items, including cameras, alarms, motion detectors, reinforced doors or windows or anti-graffiti film, the province said.

Alarm system subscriptions or monthly fees aren't eligible, a news release said.

Manitobans with multiple homes or businesses can only apply for a rebate for one location, but at that single location, multiple expenses up to $300 for example, multiple cameras can be rebated.

Wiebe made the announcement in the front yard of Anamika Deb, whose family bought a video doorbell for their front door after the back windshield of their car was broken at their home in Fort Richmond, a neighbourhood near the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

"It left us shocked and made us anxious," Deb said about the vandalism.

While the cost of repairs was claimed through Manitoba Public Insurance, it was the first time her family dealt with such a crime, and they decided to get the doorbell cam, which allows them to view what's happening in front of their house from their phones.

"It'll help to make our community safer," Deb said.

Ravi Ramberran, owner of the Four Crowns Inn on McPhillipsStreet in north Winnipeg, called the rebate a step in the right direction.

The Four Crowns restaurant has suffered multiple break-ins and "they still keep trying," said Ramberran, who plans to apply for the rebate.

"You wouldn't believe how many people get caught on camera, and then a month later, the police find them. It's awesome," he said.

"A lot of them are pretty dumb. They don't cover up, so they're easy to catch, and the police do a great job of actually finding these people."

Seorhin Yoo, policy analyst for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said more is needed.

"While we appreciate it, $300 is definitely a drop in the bucket for a lot of businesses, who are spending up to tens of thousands of dollars to up their security or to fix their windows and so on," Yoo said.

The funding should be increased and should include money for repairs after incidents as well as proactive measures, she said.

$300 Manitoba home, business security rebate will be retroactive to September

5 months ago

Duration 2:32

The $300 rebate for home and business security equipment in the Manitoba budget will be retroactive to Sept. 1 and applications for it will launch in June, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced Monday.