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 welcoming the federal government’s investment in Eco-West Canada (EWC), a subsidiary of the AMBM. This support, intended for the deployment of a structuring project in Saskatchewan, illustrates the importance of intergovernmental collaboration and recognizes EWC’s proven expertise in climate transition and sustainable mobility:
The AMBM congratulates the federal government on its $1 million investment in its subsidiary, Eco-West Canada, in Saskatchewan as part of its new automotive strategy, which focuses on developing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Since its creation, EWC has had a national mandate to support small and medium-sized Canadian municipalities in planning and implementing infrastructure related to climate adaptation and resilience.
This commitment reflects the importance placed on sustainable mobility and transportation electrification, issues that our municipalities in Manitoba are already facing. We would like to highlight the remarkable expertise of our subsidiary, Eco-West Canada, a true leader in the installation and management of electric vehicle charging stations.
Thanks to its close ties with the federal government and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), EWC is leveraging its influence in a decisive manner while playing a strategic role in supporting municipalities that are facing growing challenges related to climate resilience.
As a trusted partner of municipalities in implementing climate transition projects, EWC has been supporting the deployment of sustainable mobility solutions for several years, including the installation and management of electric vehicle chargers. By facilitating access to reliable infrastructure tailored to community needs, EWC encourages the adoption of electric vehicles and contributes directly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our provinces, all in line with the Prosperity Framework for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities.
The recent announcement in Saskatchewan illustrates the potential of intergovernmental collaboration when local expertise is recognized and mobilized. Similarly, we see significant opportunities right here in Manitoba. Manitoba municipalities have fertile ground to take full advantage of EWC’s unique expertise, particularly with regard to regional planning and the implementation of charging infrastructure. However, this reflection must be part of an approach that is respectful and aligned with Manitoba’s priorities.
Indeed, our province is not just starting out. The work already done clearly shows that Manitoba has a solid foundation for accelerating its transition to sustainable mobility. Among other things, EWC has conducted ready-to-use, turnkey studies backed by rigorous data, such as the feasibility study for the Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative (SERTi) and the Manitoba Rural Transport Initiative (MRTi). This work demonstrates that serious and experienced partners, including EWC, are ready to transform this vision into tangible actions on the ground. The southeastern region of Manitoba could, as of now, welcome the installation of strategic charging stations.
As the province moves forward with its carbon neutrality strategy, EWC stands ready to work closely with the provincial government to ensure its success. With its Canada-wide experience, proven credibility and deep commitment to bilingual communities, EWC is an essential partner in supporting Manitoba’s implementation of concrete solutions for transportation electrification and climate adaptation.
Our subsidiary’s expertise also extends to climate-resilient infrastructure. The organization supports municipalities at every stage of the process, from strategic planning to the development of robust, implementation-ready capital projects.
EWC also continues to strengthen this area of expertise, particularly through exploratory work with recognized national partners in the field, such as the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). These efforts demonstrate its ability to participate in large-scale projects aimed at providing municipalities with climate-friendly, forward-looking infrastructure.
The AMBM remains committed to supporting its member municipalities in climate adaptation, while promoting local expertise and strengthening the capacity of rural and urban communities in Manitoba to take action.
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.
