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 in response to the provincial government’s launch of public consultations aimed at creating a truly bilingual province:
Announced on March 20th, during the International Day of La Francophonie, this long-term strategy offers all Manitobans—whether they are native French speakers, have French as an additional language, or are English speakers—the opportunity to share their vision for a truly bilingual province.
A core value of Manitoba
Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities welcome this initiative and are ready to actively contribute to the discussion. They are committed to supporting this collective project, in line with the province’s fundamentally bilingual character—a deeply Manitoban value inherited from Louis Riel and our Francophone and bilingual Métis ancestors.
This societal project aligns with a long-standing commitment of the AMBM and its members. Through their unanimous adoption of the Municipal Maturity Model (3M) regulatory framework, bilingual municipalities have affirmed their dedication to delivering high-quality municipal services in both official languages. They recognize the added value of the French language in all aspects of public life in their communities, while committing to the development, sustainability, and vitality of Francophone and bilingual communities within their jurisdictions.
The 3M provides a solid foundation for a truly bilingual Manitoba by equipping municipalities—the order of government closest to residents—with a clear and structured framework. Officially recognized by the provincial government, the 3M completes the continuum of government services in both official languages in Manitoba. It is a unique model in Canada that the provincial government can rely on to build the future.
Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities invest in official languages because they want their communities to thrive. By promoting both official languages, they actively contribute to building a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking Manitoba—core principles that should guide the development of the future strategy.
A distinctive asset
We recognize that our two official languages are a distinctive asset and a driver of social, cultural, and economic life in our communities. Our bilingualism is a fundamental pillar of Manitoban identity and prosperity. It also represents a major economic advantage—a lever for attracting investment, talent, building businesses, and enhancing our competitiveness. This asset positions Manitoba as a competitive and attractive province, capable of standing out on the Canadian and international stages through its linguistic openness and economic potential.
In the context of public consultations on the long-term bilingualism strategy, the partnership between municipalities and the provincial government is essential. By drawing on the on-the-ground expertise of municipal governments and the concrete needs of residents, the provincial government can build a strategy rooted in local and regional realities—coherent and meaningful for all of Manitoba.
The Manitoba government can fully count on our bilingual municipalities, which are firmly committed to playing an active role in the development of bilingual communities. By teaming up with municipalities, the government ensures the implementation of concrete and sustainable solutions tailored to people’s daily lives. This partnership—based on proximity, collaboration, and action—is essential to advancing a truly bilingual Manitoba together.
A unique opportunity to make your voice heard
Targeted consultations will be held over a period of nearly six months, giving Manitobans the opportunity to actively participate and share their ideas and detailed perspectives. We commend Manitoba’s adoption of a collaborative approach for this major initiative and are enthusiastic about working in partnership with the provincial government in developing this strategy.
The AMBM calls on all bilingual communities across Manitoba, from all backgrounds, to fully contribute to this foundational project: the development of a long-term strategy for a truly bilingual Manitoba. You can already share your thoughts by clicking here. Rural areas, which are the true engine of bilingual vitality in the province, have a crucial role to play in this process. This consultation is a unique opportunity to make our voices heard, share our expertise, and shape a future that reflects the richness and diversity of our linguistic reality.
We would like to personally acknowledge and commend Minister Glen Simard’s leadership in this initiative. His determination to engage in constructive dialogue with communities and lay the groundwork for a long-term strategy demonstrates strong political will. As Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs and Municipal and Northern Relations, he shows a genuine understanding of the issues and the potential that bilingualism represents for all of Manitoba.
About the AMBM
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.
