The Remembrance Day Ceremony has played a major role in Remembrance since 1931. Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we gather in memorial parks, community halls, workplaces, schools and homes to stand in honour of all who have fallen. Together, we observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve. 

Please note our office will be closed November 11, 2020 for Remembrance Day.

Bad Weather Ahead

It’s that time of year; rain, hail, lightning, maybe even tornadoes. Be ready by taking a few steps:

• Make sure drain spouts are in place to move water away from your foundation.  Remember, seepage is generally not covered by home insurance.  If you are not clear on what is, talk to us to understand sewer backup, overland water and what is covered in your policy.
• Know where your weeping tile drains to and follow the water.  Some rural systems have weeping tile draining into the septic tank which presents a problem if the septic pump fails or loses power.
• Think about what happens if you are without power for a few days.  Does your sump pump require backup?  Battery and generator backups are options. Will your septic system keep up? 
• Water alarms are inexpensive and a good pro-active measure to stop damage. See the Alarm and Security System section on the next page.
• Have an emergency plan for your family and anyone that may be vulnerable in case of severe weather.  Remember, in the last year we have been without cell phones, water and power.  Think ahead about what could go wrong if we were without basic services this summer.
• Remember the new saying in insurance; Water is the new fire.

Farm & Business Risk Management Systems

One of the most important things related to farm or business insurance is the measures in place to prevent loss.  Insurers are increasingly evaluating how well a farm or commercial policy holder manages risk.  This is becoming the best predictor of who will suffer a loss. More important than insurance rates are the effort to reduce accidents that can cause injury and eliminate loss.  For this reason, we have implemented a Risk Management System program to be proactive in preventing loss. 

This is a key business management practice because:

• You are taking proactive measures to reduce the chance of injury or fatality of your family, employees, customers, and suppliers.
• Avoiding claims is important in this environment.  By far the best measure is to avoid claims rather than deal with all the expense and hassle of a claim.
• Better loss history = better insurance rates.  Insurers will continue to offer better rates to those they consider to be better risks.  Having a Risk Management System in place is the best way to be that better risk.

Alarm and Security Systems

The rampant crime in rural Manitoba is bad and appears to be getting worse.  Every week we hear of another rash of break-ins or theft.  Protecting your family and property is important but where do you start?  To help with this we have aligned ourselves with Great White Tech Inc., the local provider of alarm, security, monitoring and home & business automation services. 

Did you know:

• There are insurance discounts for monitored alarm systems.
• The technology now can provide alarm systems for water damage, low temperature, carbon monoxide and much more in addition to the basic fire and intrusion.
• You can have surveillance systems designed specifically for your needs.
• Your phone app can allow you to control your home or business from anywhere.

Give Dean at Great White Tech Inc. a call at 431-803-0838, visit www.greatwhitetech.com or email info@greatwhitetech.com

Amid all the suffering from this pandemic we have cheap gas, even though we are not going anywhere, and now rebates on our vehicle insurance, because we are not going anywhere!
MPI announced that they will be returning $110 million to policyholders, an expected $140 to $160 on average.

Read all about it: https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/nr2020april23.aspx

I am writing this note to a group of business owners in Carman and area, both young people starting out in their first business venture and people that have been in the fight for a long time.  I can’t help but worry about the stress our current world may put on business owners so I think it is time to start talking about how we are going to get through this.  I can do little to help our health crisis but follow the rules. Addressing our financial challenges is my way of trying to help. First, to those who may face a huge challenge in the coming months; I know many of you have taken on
risk, debt, promises to employees and so on.  The stress of business combined with the stress brought about by our health issues can take a toll, so I want you to know:

You are not alone.  We have a strong business community and many people who understand your stress.  If you would like to talk to someone I will be happy to help you connect with someone that may have experience or insight that may help.

We cannot stress enough the importance of local businesses.  This will be especially important in the coming years as we emerge from this.  The challenge we face is not yours alone, it is our challenge and we will have to work together as a community.

If you want to talk please don’t hesitate to call.  There may be resources available, people that have been there or people that may have the capacity to help.

It may be just talking through a strategy, re-negotiating agreements, looking for financial help, whatever.  Sometimes just talking can help. To those of you who are not as impacted in your business:

Now is the time to shoulder some of the burden our younger entrepreneurs may be facing.  If you have capacity of any sort please make it known.

Please consider what we might do to help our financial situation as we emerge from our current status.  Maybe that purchase from a local business that has been put on hold is ever more important.  Maybe paying a bit extra for everything in the next year or two is ok if it helps stabilize a local business.  If you can offer business advice, services or anything that helps local business, please consider doing so.

There are wage earners who have been laid off, some may not be recalled.  If you have the capacity to hire, the time to do so is coming soon.

Please reach out to all those who you think might be under stress.  You never know how much they are suffering.

If you have the capacity to help but are not sure how to who to let me know. I might know someone that needs what you have to offer. I listened with great interest to the news last night that Linamar, based out of Guelph Ontario will be gearing up their auto parts manufacturing to produce ventilators for Canada as part of the $2 billion announcement.  I have met Frank & Linda Hasenfratz several times.  They are great business people and great philanthropists and there is nothing so uplifting as the thought of them turning some of their 18 (+/-) manufacturing plants to ventilator production.  That is a made-in-Canada solution.  We need to think along those lines.

Sincerely,
Robert Bryson

This combination of a global pandemic and global economic crisis is new and dangerous territory to us
all. We have a dilemma whereby we want to achieve the isolation / social distancing needed to lessen
the transmission of this virus and still support our local businesses that we need here for the long term.
To find the best way through this we would like the members of our community to consider these three
initiatives:

1. Social distancing and/or isolation. The best way to “flatten the curve” and get ahead of this
   pandemic is to quickly stop the spread by stopping human interaction. Some businesses may
   have to close their doors for a period, while some will need to stay open to serve you.
   a. Should you visit local businesses?
   i. If you have traveled outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks you are to be in self-
   isolation and should not interact with people. Please refer to the government
   guidelines to achieve this.
   ii. If you can do your business by phone, text or email you should.
   iii. You should call ahead to confirm if the business in question is prepared
   to serve you.
   iv. Options such as delivery, takeout or organized shopping times may
   help us to accommodate your needs and help us manage social contact.
2. Supporting local business. The coming months, maybe years may be very difficult for local
   businesses. Your support has never been as important as it is right now. We recognize that the
   economic crisis that is in parallel with this health crisis is severe and will undoubtedly hurt many
   people. Please be ready to support our local businesses now and especially as soon as this crisis
   passes.
3. Helping one another. Our business community has always worked with each other and with our
   citizens in time of need. This time we may face some new challenges and to most of us this is
   new territory. We as a business community want to begin by offering to help each other and
   helping any and all of our community members as we can. We will be working together to find
   solutions where people need:
   a. Supplies of any kind can be shared between businesses or members of the community
   should they be in short supply.
   b. Support for workers, replacement workers, technology and other ways to help
   businesses that have staffing challenges.
   c. Care and attention to the elderly. It is critical that they not be exposed and yet social
   interaction is important. Staying in contact by phone, making sure they have groceries
   and supplies, and generally accommodating their needs without exposing them is the
   most important thing we can do right now.
   d. Daycare may be a challenge in the coming weeks. We should consider how we can help
   those that rely on daycare if it is not available.
   e. Delivery of goods and services is one way we can help people remain somewhat
   isolated.

Robert Bryson