The Rural Municipality of Dufferin is moving ahead with major infrastructure and emergency preparedness initiatives, approving an $800,000 bridge purchase and advancing updates to its emergency response planning during its Dec. 16 council meeting.
Council approved the purchase of the McEachern Bridge from ARMTEC at a cost of $801,965.39 plus applicable taxes, and authorized TTES Consulting to prepare the project’s tender package. Council also received an update on the Carman Concrete bridge project.
Emergency preparedness also moved forward with council’s approval of the municipality’s 2026 Emergency Response Plan. Chief Administrative Officer Sharla Murray said the plan includes only minor revisions at this stage.
“The 2026 Emergency Response Plan includes several minor updates, primarily to contact information, addresses, and available resources,” Murray said. “There were no major structural changes made at this time.”
Murray noted further improvements are anticipated under the guidance of the municipality’s new Emergency Coordinator, Melissa Cruickshank, who began in the role in September.
“Looking ahead, the RM anticipates further improvements to the plan under the guidance of the new Emergency Coordinator,” Murray said. “As part of this work, Melissa intends to test the plan in 2026 through a tabletop exercise to help identify opportunities for enhancement.”
Council also adopted updated water rates through second and third readings of By-law No. 2044. The bylaw reflects a pass-through rate increase from the Pembina Valley Water Cooperative in accordance with Public Utility Board Order No. 138/22.
Planning for recreational infrastructure advanced with council approving surveying work for the Carman–Dufferin Campground at an estimated cost of $4,500 to $5,500 plus disbursements. Murray said the surveying is required to facilitate subdivision of the property, allowing the municipalities to proceed with its purchase from the Dufferin Agricultural Society.
“The Carman–Dufferin Campground is an existing facility currently owned by the Dufferin Agricultural Society and leased by the two municipalities,” Murray said. “The current surveying work is being undertaken to facilitate the subdivision of the property, which would allow the municipalities to proceed with its purchase.”
She said no major improvements are planned for the campground in the coming year, noting previous upgrades have included washroom improvements, accessible sidewalks and railings, and electrical services. The facility will continue to be maintained at its current service level.
Road and drainage matters were also addressed, with council approving two project work orders and multiple tile drainage proposals in the Corduroy Plains area affecting more than 470 acres. Murray said the municipality monitors cumulative drainage impacts using long-term technical data and local expertise.
“The municipality monitors cumulative drainage impacts through a combination of long-term data collection, technical tools, and local knowledge,” she said. “The Public Works Foreman maintains a comprehensive GIS system that includes over 20 years of collected drainage data, along with other municipal asset information across the jurisdiction.”
She added that input from local farmers and councillors helps assess land conditions and historical drainage behaviour, while all tile drainage projects are also subject to licensing and review by Manitoba Stewardship.
Council approved accounts totalling $791,924.14 and authorized a $4,192 grant to the St. Claude Veterinary Board for 2026.
In other business, council approved a letter of intent to host the 2028 Manitoba Summer Games, endorsed Commissionaires rates and agreements for bylaw enforcement services in 2026, and approved a subdivision application allowing the separation of an existing residential parcel from agricultural land in the northwest quarter of Section 5-6-5 WPM.
