New fire trucks coming to St. Laurent, Winnipeg Beach
The Manitoba government is investing more than $500,000 to help two Interlake municipalities upgrade their fire protection services and improve emergency response times, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced Wednesday.
“We want to make sure that our first responders have the equipment they need to protect Manitoba families in communities across the province,” said Simard. “We’re proud to support municipalities in purchasing new fire trucks and equipment that will keep you safe.”
The Rural Municipality of St. Laurent will receive $472,500 to purchase a new 2026 fire truck, while the Town of Winnipeg Beach will receive $40,000 for a specialized fire truck with the capacity to tow its 16-foot boat. The vehicle is expected to enhance response times for water rescues and other water-related emergencies.
Reeve Richard Chartrand said the investment is a major step in improving safety and emergency response in the RM of St. Laurent, especially during the busy summer season when the population more than doubles.
“Our council has been diligently working to make our community safer and a place where ratepayers, as well as visitors, can enjoy,” said Chartrand. “A new fire truck provides a quicker response to various situations including vehicle collisions, grass or brush fires, and structure fires.”
Chartrand added the RM’s population grows from approximately 1,550 permanent residents to as many as 4,000 during the summer months.
“This investment will go a long way in helping our volunteer fire department keep up with demand,” he said. “We’ve not only applied for this vehicle but have also made improvements to our fire hall, along with purchasing equipment that keeps our firefighters safe and confident in their duties.”
Chartrand thanked Premier Wab Kinew and Minister Simard for approving the Manitoba GRO grant application, and noted the RM will continue to listen to community input as it grows.
“The ratepayers have a voice in how we run this municipality, and we continue to listen to their concerns and comments,” he said. “While we may not be able to answer all as quickly as possible, we are working to make St. Laurent a great place to live and visit.”
The funding is part of the $42-million Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunity (GRO) program, which supports critical infrastructure projects in growing and sustainable communities.
In total, the province is contributing $424.3 million in funding for municipalities and Northern Affairs communities.
Budget 2025 builds on a two per cent increase in municipal funding introduced in 2024, with another two per cent increase in 2025, along with four per cent of the gas tax allocated through the new One Manitoba Growth Revenue Fund.
More information about the Manitoba GRO program is available at: www.gov.mb.ca.
