As 2025 came to a close, the RM of St. Laurent is reflecting on a year marked by significant accomplishments, ongoing challenges, and clear goals for the year ahead.
Chief administrative officer Billie Jean Oliver said the municipality has much to be proud of in 2025, including updated policies and internal procedures designed to better serve residents, as well as continued progress on the lagoon expansion project.
“One of our biggest accomplishments this year was joining the South Interlake Regional Library,” Oliver said. “We have a heritage building that we are working to transform into a fully functioning library, and in the meantime, the bookmobile has been visiting our community, stopping at locations such as the schools, the Neil Gaudry Health Centre and the RM office for story time.”
The RM recently received confirmation that it was successful in obtaining a grant to install an accessibility ramp and exterior door for the future library. Once complete, the library will offer trilingual services in English, French, and Michif. The library will have a small impact on the budget in addition to the annual levy. Oliver added, however, that it will be offset with the service that will be provided as well as create 1.5 staffing positions, with a goal of hiring local facilitators.
Another major decision made this year –– one that Oliver says will have a lasting impact on the community –– was the transition of the St. Laurent and District Recreation Commission to an advisory board.
“Through this change, the recreation director will become an official employee of the RM, and a parks and recreation department will be created under the municipal umbrella,” she explained. “This will allow for more direct working relationships between the school division and the RM.”
She added there will be little change to current programs, and the goal is to run programming at a minimal cost with plans to apply for grants to offset prices.
While several goals were met in 2025, Oliver noted the Metis Heritage Centre museum renovation project is still ongoing. The project has taken longer than anticipated, and the municipality plans to apply for additional funding to move it forward. Currently, only Phase 1 is complete with the post office and storage room. Phase 2 will include museum exhibits, washrooms, meeting room, mulit-purpose room and a gift shop.
This year also saw the RM join neighbouring municipalities –– Coldwell, West Interlake and Grahamdale –– in forming a health advisory committee. The committee meets bi-monthly to support local health initiatives and elevate discussions around improving medical services in rural communities. At this time, there are no shared service agreements but they are open to potential collaborations.
Community partnerships, Oliver emphasized, continue to be vital to the RM’s operations.
“These organizations have been instrumental in helping move our projects ahead,” she said.
Partnerships she highlighted include the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM), the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM), and the Manitoba Métis Federation. The RM also renewed its memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
From a financial perspective, Oliver said the municipality is ending the year on a positive note.
“We are always conscientious of our financial position and make adjustments to ensure we remain on track,” she explained.
On the public works side, the RM took advantage of dry conditions this year to clean out drainage systems and reduce the impacts of spring flooding. Oliver added the municipality has received positive feedback regarding road conditions throughout the RM, and several upgrades were made to public works equipment over the course of the year.
Emergency services also saw improvements. The fire department received equipment upgrades in 2025, and it was announced that a new fire truck will be delivered near the end of 2026. The truck will be partially funded through the Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities (GRO) grant and will further enhance fire department operations. Without funding, purchasing the new firetruck wouldn’t have been possible. Marsh fires also impacted the municipality –– both financially and physically –– this year and firefighters worked with the RM of Woodlands to ensure that flames didn’t reach housing. An advanced paramedic position this year was also added, providing better response times. Oliver explained advanced paramedics travel in a vehicle equipped like an ambulance and respond to emergencies when ambulances are not available.
Although not always present at St. Laurent’s emergency medical services station, “the advance paramedics are better trained and have additional equipment when they respond,” said Richard Chartrand, St. Laurent’s reeve. He added St. Laurent currently shares the advanced paramedic with Ashern.
“The RM of St.Laurent believes this is an added and needed emergency service for the Interlake,” he said. “The AMBM met with Minister Asagwara [Dec. 11] and I recommended that our local ambulance station be expanded with an additional bay for this response vehicle. The health minister took this information into consideration.”
On a personal level, Oliver said she was most surprised by the number of grants the municipality received this year, as well as the positive feedback from residents.
“We always work hard to provide a high level of service without having a huge impact on our overall budget, but it’s rewarding when ratepayers reach out with positive words about the work being done,” she said. “When you have several wins throughout the year, it’s always a reminder of why we serve our communities.”
She also acknowledged the efforts of RM staff, noting they worked tirelessly to enhance services by implementing the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP), applying for grants, re-establishing community partnerships and fostering a strong team environment.
Despite the successes, challenges remained. Oliver identified the lack of bylaw enforcement and animal control services as the municipality’s biggest hurdle this year. After exploring several options, the RM hired a local individual to handle animal control concerns and contracted Prairie By-law Enforcement for bylaw services.
Looking ahead to the new year, Oliver shared her excitement about the installation of a new cell tower, with construction expected to begin in the spring. Funded by Bell Communications, their tower will service the Twin Lakes Beach area and significantly improve connectivity and communications. Oliver explained the location was decided before she began working for the RM but said requests were made by customers complaining about current coverage, letters sent by the RM and lobbying efforts made by Member of Parliament James Bezan.
Oliver outlined the municipality’s top priorities for the coming year:
• Continuing positive budgeting practices and building reserve accounts
• Further developing a succession plan for the organization
• Advancing the lagoon expansion project
• Completing necessary renovations to the library and museum
• Creating an updated, community-driven strategic plan
“We will continue working on projects that are already underway,” she added. “Any additional initiatives will depend on what the community would like to see.”
She noted major projects are largely dependent on grants and funding, and the RM will continue pursuing opportunities that align with municipal priorities. In 2025, St. Laurent secured $472,500 from the Manitoba GRO program and $10,000 from Age-Friendly Community Collaboration.
Oliver mentioned residents and community partners can best support the municipality by attending meetings, staying informed through the monthly newsletter and website, and maintaining open communication with the RM.
“On a personal note, I’d like to share that communities grow and thrive when we work together,” she closed off. “Although there were issues and concerns raised throughout the year, 2025 was a year of success. It’s my hope that in 2026 we continue in this positive direction and keep working together to develop and grow our community.”
