The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) virtually met with Parkland municipalities this week.
AMM President Ralph Groening met with the RM of Alonsa, Municipality of Minitonas-Bowsman, Town of Swan River, Grandview Municipality, Gilbert Plains Municipality, RM of Dauphin, and the City of Dauphin.
“The intent of the visits are simply for us to develop a better sense of the concerns that these municipalities are working through and to find better ways to lobby and advocate on their behalf.”
Groening was joined in the Zoom calls by Vice-Presidents Kam Blight and Brad Saluk, Parkland District Directors Ron Kostyshyn and Jim Manchur, and Executive Director Denys Volkov.
Kostyshyn, who’s also the Reeve of Mossey River Municipality, says COVID-19 impacts and recent healthcare disruptions in the region were prominently featured in the discussions.
“This pandemic has certainly underscored the importance of maintaining services in local communities and building capacity closer to home, ensuring health resources in every community.”
Manchur, who’s a councillor with Gilbert Plains, says poor cell coverage and spotty broadband Internet was another topic brought up in the discussions.
“Several councils highlighted the need for an accelerated provincial broadband strategy. Connecting communities is vital for pursuing economic growth and investment opportunities, especially as more Manitobans are working from home and local businesses are relying more on e-commerce during this pandemic.”
Groening adds that municipalities shared their frustrations in the delay of the second phase of the federal-provincial-municipal economic development program that helps communities deal with infrastructure challenges and rural crime and concerns with policing costs were also brought up during the Zoom calls.
The AMM represents all 137 municipalities in Manitoba.
