Province makes good on pledge to rebate security equipment

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Manitobans who purchase security cameras and equipment for their homes and businesses are eligible to apply for a rebate online starting sometime in June.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said at a news conference Monday that it’s “first come, first served” to access the rebate of up to $300 per homeowner or small business for purchases made since Sept. 1.

Wiebe said $500,000 has been budgeted for the rebate program this year and the government will assess whether or not to extend it if it is over-subscribed.

“We hope that it’s well-subscribed,” he said in front of a home in Fort Richmond where the owners had a security camera installed after their car windshield was smashed two years ago.

“As we go through the year, we’ll have an opportunity to gauge the interest and the effectiveness of this program and to continue to offer this going forward is the idea,” the justice minister said.

“If we see that the money has gone out the door and that it’s making a real difference in community, I think that’s what we’ll be talking about — how can we keep this program going?”

The NDP promised the security equipment rebate during last summer’s election campaign, and included it in its first budget earlier this month.

Upgrades eligible for a rebate include security cameras, alarm systems, motion detectors, reinforced doors or windows, anti-graffiti film, paints, security gates, pull-down protection shutters and permanent security fencing.

Any purchase made after Sept. 1, 2023 is eligible to receive the $300 rebate. Manitobans can apply for the rebate on the Justice Department’s website sometime in June – a specific date hasn’t been determined yet, a spokesman for the minister said Monday.

Manitobans with multiple homes or business locations will be eligible to apply for only one location, but the rebate can apply to multiple expenses for a single property or business under the $300 threshold, he said.

Ongoing subscriptions or monthly fees for existing alarm systems are not eligible. Only equipment associated with the alarm is covered by the rebate.

“We want to make sure this system is rolled out to those who need it,” Wiebe said in front of Anamika Deb’s home.

Deb said her family installed a security camera after they were left “shocked” and “anxious” when their only vehicle was vandalized two years ago. The rebate will help with home security system upgrades.

“I know this will help to make our community safer and lower our family’s costs,” she said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca