Due to an enthusiastic response from Manitobans to the provincial home and business security rebate, the NDP government is expanding its funding of the initiative this summer.
Introduced in April, the province announced $500,000 to help residents and business owners invest in security systems. The program, which opened in June, was set to provide enough funding for approximately 1,700 applicants.
Already it is clear that this wasn’t enough.
In August, Premier Wab Knew announced that an additional $1.5 million is being added to the program, marking a total of $2 million being set aside for public security assistance.
“Manitobans should be safe in their homes and communities and having a camera or an alarm can help with that,” Kinew says in a recent press release. “We’ve had a great response from Manitoba families and businesses over the summer, which is why we’re expanding the rebate so we can lower the cost of security equipment for more people.”
The maximum rebate per applicant is $300. Only one application is allowable per person, regardless of the number of homes or business locations they own, rent, or lease.
Funding is retroactive to any purchases made after September 1, 2023.
Eligible security upgrades include security cameras, doorbell cameras, alarm systems, motion detectors, reinforced doors or windows, anti-graffiti film and paints, security gates, roll-down protection shutters, and permanent security fencing.
The subsidy is only applicable to equipment associated with new security systems and will not cover ongoing subscriptions or monthly fees paid to monitoring companies.
Since funding is limited, the government advices that it’s important to act quickly. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebates for the original funding are already being processed.
