The President of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) and Reeve of the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie, Mr. Ivan Normandeau, issued the following statement following the 2025 Speech from the Throne delivered by His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada:
On behalf of Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership, we welcome the 2025 Speech from the Throne, which marks the opening of Canada’s 45th Parliament and emphasizes the country’s prosperity, Canadian identity, and collaboration. This speech also addresses crucial issues for the country’s future, such as security, environmental protection, and Canada’s sovereignty.
The federal government has expressed its intention to reduce the cost of living, stimulate the economy by removing interprovincial trade barriers, and restore Canada’s full presence on the international stage.
Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities are deeply committed to the priorities highlighted in the Speech from the Throne, particularly in advancing infrastructure, nurturing a skilled workforce, driving economic growth, promoting environmental sustainability, enhancing climate resilience, and fostering cooperative intergovernmental relations.
We particularly commend the federal government’s dedication to safeguarding linguistic duality, which stands as a cornerstone of Canadian identity. In alignment with this objective, Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities have already initiated impactful measures. Through the formal adoption and phased implementation of the Municipal Maturity Model (3M)—an innovative regulatory framework designed to enhance governance—our rural bilingual municipalities continue to elevate the provision of services in both official languages.
Through this proactive initiative, Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities affirm their role as indispensable partners in fostering Canada’s prosperity and in leveraging the unique advantage of Canada’s both official languages to its fullest potential.
As the order of government closest to residents, Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities are strategically positioned to mobilize local stakeholders, implement practical solutions, and turn national priorities into tangible, everyday results. Investing in Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities means investing in a stronger, more united, and more competitive Canada.
To achieve this, we must establish intergovernmental coordination based on recognizing the essential role of municipalities and fostering close collaboration among all orders of government. It is also crucial to provide strategic investments to municipalities to support targeted and tailored measures that meet their needs. Together, we can meet the challenges of our time and build a prosperous and inclusive future for all.
To further this vision, the AMBM has developed the Prosperity Framework for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities—a comprehensive strategic document that underscores the pivotal role of these municipalities in driving Canada’s economic, social, and cultural progress. This framework outlines an ambitious vision alongside actionable strategies to foster dynamic, resilient communities while solidifying their integral contribution to the nation’s fabric.
In addition, the AMBM and several of our municipal leaders will travel to Ottawa to participate in the 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), scheduled from May 29th to June 1st under the theme Stronger, Together: Local Strength, National Prosperity.
We will then begin a constructive and collaborative dialogue with the federal government to find concrete solutions to the issues affecting our communities.
By joining forces and working together, we can meet today’s challenges and build a promising future for all.
The AMBM is the voice of bilingual municipal leadership in the province of Manitoba. It represents 16 municipal governments committed to offering services in both official languages to their residents. Together, these municipalities represent the majority of Manitoba’s population. Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership also leads the AMBM Group, a consortium of three organizations with complementary mandates: the AMBM, the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba, or CDEM) and Eco-West Canada (EWC), which specializes in the green economy. Complementing each other, these three organizations actively contribute to the development, vitality and sustainability of the province’s Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) and the province as a whole.
Information: Office of the Chief Executive Officer (O-CEO), 204-289-4077, bcdd-oceo@ambm.ca.
