Most Manitobans still waiting for security rebate months after applying to popular program
With only 15% of the money distributed, province says it's doubled staff to process the applications
The vast majority of Manitobans who've applied for a popular home security rebate program are still waiting for their money — and many don't even know whether they're eligible.
Of the $2 million worth of rebates the province is distributing, the government has only issued more than $300,000. The program began accepting applications in late June.
Assuming each person applied for the maximum rebate of $300, the province could have provided rebates to more than 1,000 of the nearly 8,800 applications it has received from people looking to be reimbursed for their purchase of a security system.
Kayla Oliver was losing hope she would get a rebate at all. Oliver, who lives in Warren, Man., with her husband and mother, inquired with the province about her application weeks ago, but nobody has responded to her calls or emails.
"I thought by now, especially for us who were in the initial round of applications, that we would have heard something regarding our application status," she said.
"It would have been nice for sure, but at this point we're not sure what to think."
Money snapped up quickly
The rebate program proved to be widely popular from the beginning: The initial allotment of $500,000, made available in late June, was spoken for within days.
In August, the province added an extra $1.5 million to the pool of money, but after just over a week, they stopped accepting more applications.
Oliver said she understands if it's taking government awhile to sift through the rebate requests, but she wishes the province was at least communicating its setbacks.
"If it takes a year to get reimbursed, that's OK," she said. "Just let me know what's going on."
WATCH | People left in the dark by security rebate program:
Premier Wab Kinew took responsibility Monday for the program's delays.
"This one is on me, the premier said. "This is a learning experience. This is a program I really believe in, and Manitobans are going to get their cheques by the holiday season. I wish you had all your cheques in hand for those who are eligible right away.
"This is a good reminder for me that we can come up with ideas that help with public safety and help with affordability, and we got to make sure there's the horsepower to turn around these initiatives with the upmost of urgency."
In an interview last week, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said 11 people were initially assigned to process applications, but now more than 23 people are working on the task full-time. The new staff have been reassigned or brought over from other government departments.
Wiebe said the additional staff is already paying dividends. He said more than $100,000 worth of rebates were approved in the last three days last week. That money still needs to be distributed.
The timeline to issue the remaining money is "as soon as possible," Wiebe said, "and right now, I can tell you that we're seeing an increased momentum in getting these funds out the door."
The rebate program was one of the NDP's election promises in last year's campaign. The party described the surveillance equipment as one way to make Manitoba safer in the face of rising crime rates.
The $300 rebate for home and business security equipment was retroactive to Sept. 1, 2023, and was available on a first-come, first-served basis.
It can be used for various security items, including cameras, alarms, motion detectors, reinforced doors or windows or anti-graffiti film. Alarm system subscriptions or monthly fees aren't eligible.
People with multiple homes or businesses could only apply for a rebate for one location, but at that location, multiple expenses up to $300 would be eligible.
Wiebe said the province is going through the applications "meticulously," which sometimes involves going back to the applicants with more questions.
That's what happened to Krista Friesen, who says the Oct. 18 email she received reassured her the money may be coming eventually.
"As long as I know that it's still in the process, I'm not really concerned about how much longer it takes," said Friesen, who bought three cameras for the Steinbach, Man., home she shares with her teenage daughter.
Before the province's email, she doubted if she'd receive any money. She saw social media posts about the rebate program where most respondents were questioning what was going on.
"So then you wonder … is this really happening? Are they really giving out the money?"
Whether she gets the rebate or not, Friesen is convinced buying the cameras — which she says she meant to do for months but only did once the rebate program was announced — was the right decision.
She appreciates that the security equipment alerts her phone to any sudden movements, even if it's as harmless as a wandering cat from her neighbour's yard.
"As a single parent with a teenager that's home alone often, you want to have that peace of mind," she said.
"You always want to know that your home is protected, your kid is protected and that you're safe in your own home."
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With files from Bartley Kives and The Canadian Press