Minister firm on amalgamations

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Published on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

By: Kate Jackman-Atkinson

myWestman.ca

When Local Government minister Ron Lemieux was in Neepawa to celebrate the recent upgrades to the Town of Neepawa water treatment plant, he answered a few questions about municipal amalgamations. 

Last fall, the provincial government announced that all municipalities must have a minimum population of 1,000 residents -- a move that will force 92 of the province’s 197 municipalities to find an amalgamation partner.

The announcement of forced amalgamations has been met with concern from numerous municipalities with populations below 1,000 residents. To date, few have complied with the timelines set forward in November.

Since the announcement, Lemieux said he has met with many municipalities and says some communities still have concerns and that the government is listening. He noted that people in many communities are passionate and have expressed strong views.

“We’re trying to get it right, we’re trying to get a made-in-Manitoba solution for made-in-Manitoba growth,” said Lemieux.

He noted that new legislation will be introduced shortly that will outline timelines and population levels required for amalgamation. He did however, make it clear the province won’t be backing down.

“It takes a government to lead, Manitobans want their government to lead… We feel very strongly that it’s a time when governments have to lead,” he said. “People will see through the legislation that we are serious.”

He noted that many municipalities already cost share when it comes to personal care homes and conservation districts and said amalgamation will be “progression to the next level”.