Empowering Businesses

Hello from Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group

Hi members and friends,

January is here — and so is the perfect moment to tighten up a few essentials (payroll, deadlines, planning) and grab a couple of opportunities that actually put money back in your pocket.

Here’s what matters most for local businesses across rural Southeast Manitoba this month.

 Manitoba Security Rebate — up to $2,500 per business location

If you’ve been meaning to upgrade cameras, alarms, lighting, locks, reinforced doors—or you’ve had to repair damage from criminal activity—this is one to jump on.

What it is: A Manitoba program that helps eligible businesses offset the cost of qualifying security upgrades and certain damage repairs. Eligible businesses can receive up to $2,500 (excluding tax) per location and applications are processed first-come, first-served.

Fast eligibility snapshot (business stream):

• Purchases/installation completed Aug 23, 2024 or later
• Manitoba location
• 75 FTE employees or fewer per location
• No formal deadline, but the program closes when the $10M fund is reached

Tip from the trenches: If you apply, have your receipts/invoices, photos of install/repairs, and direct deposit info ready — it speeds things up.

January Quick Hits

(payroll + standards + reminders)

EI (outside Quebec) — 2026:

• Rate: $1.63 per $100 of insurable earnings
• Maximum insurable earnings: $68,900
• Max employee premium: $1,123.07 (max employer: $1,572.30)

CPP — 2026:

• Maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE): $74,600
• Basic exemption: $3,500
• Rate: 5.95% (employee & employer)
• Max employee/employer contribution: $4,230.45

CPP2 (second additional CPP) — 2026:

• Additional maximum annual pensionable earnings: $85,000
• Rate: 4%
• Max employee/employer CPP2 contribution: $416

Manitoba minimum wage: $16.00/hour (effective Oct 1, 2025 and current)

WCB payroll reporting: Report before the last day in February

Two Manitoba programs with a Jan 26, 2026

(11:59 p.m.) deadline

If you’re involved with a non-profit, community group, municipality, or you sponsor/partner with local projects, these deadlines are worth sharing.

From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL (2026/27)

Deadline: Jan 26, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

Urban/Hometown Green Team (2026)

Deadline: Jan 26, 2026 by 11:59 p.m.

🤝 Chamber Corner: help us promote you (and help us grow)

1) Member Spotlight (free):

Send us your business name, town, 2–3 sentences on what you do, and a photo/logo. We’ll feature you on our channels.

Stay connected

Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group

info@southeastcommerce.com

PHONE 2044008419

P.S. If you’re not a member yet, January is the perfect time to join — visibility, connections, and practical business updates all year long.