Municipal leaders from across the Interlake gathered in Stonewall last week for an Association of Manitoba Municipalities district meeting.
The organization aims to support member municipalities through advocacy, programs and services to achieve strong and effective municipal government. Two directors represent each of the seven districts: Interlake, Parkland, Midwestern, Central, Western, Eastern and Northern.
For the Interlake district, the two directors are Stonewall Mayor Sandra Smith and Selkirk Coun. Kelly Cook.
On Wednesday, June 19, the Interlake group gathered at the Heritage Arts Centre for a day of discussion, networking, engagement activities and more.
To start off the event, singers from Ecole Stonewall Centennial School performed an impressive rendition of O Canada.
Director Kelly Cook addressed the crowd, noting that he had recently returned from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Calgary.
“I’m really inspired by the work that’s going on nationally to redefine the role of FCM,” he said.
“And the work that we do in our province in reimaging what our communities could be and should be … is phenomenal.”
Kam Blight, president of Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and reeve of the RM of Portage la Prairie, explained that the June district meetings are significant for the organization’s executive and staff.
“Personally, I’m very thankful for the opportunity to serve our organization and connect with local communities across Manitoba,” he said.
“We understand the importance of gathering and prioritizing your feedback during these June district meetings.”
Blight also took a moment to reflect on the past year, which included policy advancements and a continued focus on four key priority areas: funding fairness, core infrastructure investments, social infrastructure investments and public safety.
These pillars were at the forefront of lobbying events in April when AMM representatives engaged with all three provincial political parties.
“While we welcome the modest two per cent boost to the municipal operating and strategic infrastructure baskets, our ultimate goal is to collaborate with the province to determine a predictable multi-year funding model with a built-in annual escalator that meets the needs of all municipalities,” Blight said.
“We recognize the importance of balancing our budgets and securing assurances that provide predictability and long-term funding.”
AMM’s executive team and board of directors will ensure this goal remains a top priority during their lobby day discussions, he added.
“We are working hard for all municipalities. With a new government comes new challenges and new opportunities,” Blight said.
“We are building relationships and ensuring Manitoba’s municipal needs are prioritized, whether it’s during our annual ministerial meetings or lobby day events. We know that strong municipalities promote a strong province.”
Kathy Valentino is the vice-president of AMM, third vice-president of FCM and deputy mayor of the City of Thompson. She shared that she loves the Interlake because of Highway 6 since it’s the road that takes her home and paves the way to the great north.
She noted that the AMM executive has visited multiple Interlake communities so far in 2024, including Rosser, Dunnottar, Bifrost-Riverton, Fisher and St. François Xavier.
Some topics of discussion in these communities included illegal drainage, recruitment and retention of medical staff, West Interlake Watershed District expansion, Bill 37, Highway 26, childcare and daycare issues, police funding and the role of the Municipal Board.
After several introductory speeches, the district meeting featured interactive elements to ensure an engaging experience for all.
The first session of the day was a “fireside chat” with Kam Blight and Ian Bushie, minister of Municipal and Northern Relations. Valentino moderated the discussion, which focused on topics that included the 2024 provincial budget, municipal operating funding, investment in water and wastewater infrastructure and economic growth across the province.
In addition, Valentino said that during last year’s June district meetings, AMM conducted an interactive survey session asking all members which piece of legislation they would most like to see changed.
“Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming response at each district meeting was Bill 37, the Planning Amendment and City of Winnipeg Charter Amendment Act,” she said.
“Therefore, we would like to thank Minister Bushie and the Manitoba government for expediting a statutory review of the planning legislation, which includes Bill 37.”
Then she asked Bushie and Blight to outline the priorities of the province and AMM under the review that’s being undertaken.
Blight said AMM has strongly contested the notion of the Municipal Board having authority to override decisions made by democratic leaders and local officials. He said another concern with Bill 37 is the impact of the appeal process, particularly in terms of municipal staff time and costs.
“We have to make sure that the Province of Manitoba, through this engagement process, fully understands and realizes the impact that this appeal process is having on municipalities’ bottom line,” Blight said. “Further to that, it leads to a sense of delays that have been created by the appeal process.”
Bushie said the provincial government is listening, and the topic has come up time and again.
“Any legislation put forward should be for the betterment of the communities, the betterment of the province and the betterment of the citizens,” Bushie said.
Valentino added that AMM would like to hear from any municipalities that are incurring costs because of the appeal process with the Municipal Board.
The event continued throughout the day, and participants enjoyed a lunch provided by Prairie Fusion Catering Co.
Stonewall Mayor Sandra Smith encouraged the attendees to explore Quarry Park if they had the chance. She also shared with them a few details about the project to rebuild the kilns, which she hopes will increase interest in the already popular tourist attraction.
“If you do get the opportunity, we’ve got 80 acres here. We’ve got a campground here, ball diamonds, splash pad, Kinsmen Lake,” Smith said.
“There’s an interpretive centre downstairs, so if you have the opportunity to give the grounds a tour today at some point, please do.”
To learn more about the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, visit amm.mb.ca.
Tribune Photos by Lana Meier
