Winnipeg non-profit thrift stores frustrated by security rebate timelines
Posted August 6, 2026 5:32 pm.
Winnipeg non-profit thrift stores are voicing their frustration over security rebate timelines, as they hear from the province after months of advocacy.
Charlotte Mctavish, the executive director of Canadian Goodwill Industries, says multiple locations have been the targets of break-ins over the past few years.
Their Pembina Highway location, for instance, was broken into twice in two days earlier this year.
“It’s saddening, it’s disheartening for the fact that the break-ins are targeting charitable organizations,” she said.
After the break-ins Canadian Goodwill Industries installed cameras and new locks. The only protective measure left is impact-resistant glass, which Mctavish says is a big financial burden for a non-profit.
“That is a huge expense,” she explained. “It’s triple the price to do that. And not many place places can afford that.”
The Manitoba government first announced the $2,500 rebate for small businesses under the Manitoba Security Rebate Program back in May, but non-profits were not initially included.
That eligibility was expanded July 16.
“For us to have to fight for it, writing letters for us to be included,” Mctavish said.
Now it will take four to six weeks for Mctavish to see the security rebate payments.
“It should not have take this long,” she said.
Minister of Justice Matt Wiebe says the province is “working diligently to ensure payments are received as soon as possible.”
“We understand the importance of this funding, and we encourage non-profit thrift stores and other eligible organizations to continue to apply so we can help make more Manitoban businesses safer,” Minister Wiebe said in a statement.
Like Mctavish, Susan Lockhart was a vocal advocate for expanding the security rebate to non-profits.
“I was actually very frustrated because I have done a lot of advocacy to get non-profits eligible,” said Lockhart, the president of thrift store Just Like New To You on Portage Avenue. “So I am very please that they’ve listened to that.”
Lockhart says over the years, the store has experienced numerous thefts, an arson, and a break-in, with the most recent incident costing the store about $13,000 – a third of their annual.
“So that’s $13,000 that couldn’t go to our charity,” she said. “So that to me was really important. $2,500 out of $13,000 is a drop in the bucket but at least it helps.”
