Hundreds of businesses taking advantage of provincial security upgrade rebate program

New security cameras were at the top of Michael Paille’s wish list.

His shop — Cobra Collectibles — recently upgraded the interior cameras. The cameras outside are next.

The Sargent Avenue hub is the latest in a chain of enterprises to get a security refresh. Throughout Manitoba — over the course of a month — at least 650 businesses have applied for a provincial government rebate to cover security upgrades.

“I think every year it continues to grow,” said Tyler Slobogian, an analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, when considering the number of companies installing security measures.

Nearly all of the CFIB’s 5,000-plus Manitoba members have some form of security — cameras, locked doors, shields at the till, Slobogian said.

The CFIB was among the associations pushing for a security rebate program from the provincial government. The province announced such a program, with a $300 rebate, in June 2024.

Following popular demand, the government unveiled a new rebate program last month. Businesses can receive $2,500 rebates; homeowners and tenants are eligible for $300 cheques. The province slated $10 million for the program, to cover expenses such as broken windows and new security cameras.

Businesses had claimed about $698,000 as of Thursday.

An influx of restaurants is on the way, as the industry’s busy season has ended, said Shaun Jeffrey, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

“Businesses (are) able to support a safer… environment for their staff and patrons,” Jeffrey said. “Overall, (I’m) very, very happy.”

“Businesses (are) able to support a safer… environment for their staff and patrons.”

The restaurant association is a collaborator on the rebate program. It tracked a spike in crime against eateries during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to create a “seamless” rebate application process, Jeffrey said.

“I’m hearing (of) very little hiccups,” he added.

A day after the Dec. 11 provincial announcement, the cityissued a bulletin informing Winnipeggers of the need for electrical permits and inspections for alarm system installations.

Hiring licensed technicians could be “a bit of a hassle,” but ultimately, it’s a net positive to get government money for security systems, said Paille, who took advantage of the rebate to pay for his camera upgrades.

The $2,500 covers “a decent amount” of work, he said.

Several employees of local businesses the Free Press spoke to shared relief about having security measures in place.

“It’s made my safety here feel a lot better,” said Nicole Menzies, pointing to a week-old doorbell system at her Osborne Village cannabis shop.

Security cameras are a necessity, especially when dealing with insurance claims, added Spice Circle staffer Nikhil Dutt.

Some Manitoba businesses have shifted their models to keep up with demand for security products.

Ideal POS has grown its security wing over the past couple years; its clients have sought security cameras. Robby Ahuja, the company’s security and camera solutions specialist, said he’s called hundreds of customers over the past month, urging them to apply for the rebate, which is retroactive to Aug. 23, 2024.

“Businesses provide taxes, money and sustainability in our… city,” Ahuja said. “The fact that we’re giving back to those businesses and helping, I think, is great. Then they’re able to do more.

“Businesses aren’t going to expand if they’re losing money (and) constantly getting broken into.”

Glass Doctor’s sales have flipped: a decade ago, new windows took the bulk of sales. Now, a majority of customers seek replacements for vandalism or installations of RockGlass, clear security panels from a Rosser-headquartered company.

“It’s actually kind of forced us to take on this type of business just because there’s so many calls for it,” said co-owner Matthew Penner.

Security cameras, alarm systems and repairs are common security-rebate submissions, a provincial government spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Homeowners and renters had claimed $1.25 million in rebates through 6,377 applications as of Thursday.

The province began issuing rebate payments on Dec. 24; they’ll continue weekly until the program is fully subscribed, a government spokesperson wrote. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com