Stonewall council news in brief
Now is your chance to share ideas about the future of Stonewall.
Everyone is invited to take an online survey at www.stonewall.ca to share opinions about the long-term vision for the town’s neighbourhoods, parks, recreation spaces and places to work and shop.
The survey is open from Sept. 11 to 30.
In other council news:
• Stonewall council approved a $415,813 transfer from the capital lot levy reserve to the general operating fund as recovery for the 2023 operating deficit. Last year, the town incurred a $586,301 deficit due to capital project expenditures. Community members learned more about the plan during a public hearing on Aug. 28.
• The town will contribute $500 to sponsor the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s 2024 family medicine resident retreat, which will take place Sept. 20 to 22 in Gimli.
• The mayor and CAO will endorse the capacity support proposal for Red River Métis citizen engagement for the Stonewall water treatment plant and distribution system between the town and MMF.
• The board of revision is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers. The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 24.
• The Sept. 11 committee of the whole meeting was cancelled. The Oct. 2 regular council meeting is changed to Oct. 9. The committee of the whole meeting is changed to Oct. 16. The Oct. 16 regular council meeting is changed to Oct. 23.
• Plans are in the works for open house events in October for the reverse osmosis regional water treatment project. The Town of Stonewall continues to work with the RM of Woodlands to submit environmental applications, finalize designs and test existing infrastructure. Dates and times for the public open house events will be set in the next couple weeks.
• The Town of Stonewall had a positive response to the FoodCycler pilot project, and it will likely be offered again in 2025.
Stonewall shares statement about Plan20-50
The Town of Stonewall posted a message on its website regarding its stance on the Winnipeg Metro Region’s Plan 20-50, which is a regional growth plan.
The post states that for decades Stonewall has been a member of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR), formerly known as the Manitoba Capital Region.
“The Town’s participation in the WMR was and remains so based on being able to benefit from the opportunities that are available through regional partnerships and coordination,” the post states.
“The collaborative spirit of the WMR changed when the province brought in new legislation, Bill 37, identifying municipal participation in the new Capital Planning Region and mandating adoption of a regional plan.”
The post continues to provide further details about the town’s viewpoint.
“While the Town supports the concept of regional planning to ensure efficiency, opportunities and progress for our town, our area and our province, we also recognize that Plan 2050 is not perfect,” it states.
“The vote in favour of first reading was intended to trigger public hearings and obtain public feedback on the plan. The process to date has accomplished the governments’ intended purpose; an opportunity to raise concerns and determine solutions to make the regional plan better. Regrettably, the hearing process has been interrupted without clear direction as to the next steps.”
There’s been a great deal of information and misinformation circulating about Plan20-50, the post adds.
“From the Town’s perspective, it has always taken a pragmatic approach to ensure its participation within the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region was beneficial to the community. In determining if it should leave, the Town will use the same logical measured approach,” the post says.
“The Council will review the province’s proposed new legislation providing an exit ramp for municipalities, when it is introduced this fall to determine the best course of action for the entire community. In the meantime, the Mayor and Council of Stonewall will do what they have always done, continue to work for the betterment of the community, its businesses and its citizens.”
To view the Town of Stonewall’s statement on plan 20-50, visit www.stonewall.ca. To learn more about Plan20-50, visit the Winnipeg Metro Region website at www.winnipegmetroregion.ca, email info@wmregion.ca or call 204-989-2048.
