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 to highlight the confirmation of a $400,000 investment by the Manitoba government in support of Eco‑West Canada (EWC), a subsidiary of the AMBM. This critical investment will allow for the implementation of the initial phases of the Southeast Regional Transportation Initiative (SERTi):
On Earth Day, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Mike Moyes, confirmed a significant commitment by the Manitoba government in support of EWC, aimed at strengthening its operational capacity on the ground and ensuring continuity of work related to the planning and early implementation of the first phases of SERTi.
SERTi is an ambitious regional initiative designed to advance sustainable mobility in rural settings. It builds on a rigorous feasibility study and is rooted in close collaboration among municipalities, local communities, and on‑the‑ground partners.
The initiative includes, among other components, the installation of Level 2 and Level 3 electric‑vehicle charging stations across southeastern Manitoba; the acquisition of electric and plug‑in hybrid vehicles, as well as electric bicycles; and the development of sustainable mobility hubs integrating public transit and active transportation infrastructure. This represents a decisive step toward more accessible, affordable, and environmentally responsible mobility, fully aligned with the priorities set out in the Prosperity Framework for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities.
The AMBM wishes to recognize the leadership and vision of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Mike Moyes, as well as the Manitoba government’s commitment to advancing initiatives that directly contribute to the objectives of Manitoba’s Path to Net Zero. This announcement marks the beginning of substantive work to translate these strategic orientations into tangible benefits for local communities.
Committed to on March 19th by the Premier of Manitoba, the Honourable Wab Kinew, during an AMBM leadership meeting, this $400,000 investment demonstrates the provincial government’s clear willingness to support concrete, regionally adapted solutions to accelerate the transition toward low‑carbon, sustainable mobility in rural Manitoba. The AMBM wishes to acknowledge the Premier’s leadership and his tangible support for Eco‑West Canada’s work on the ground.
Building on a relationship of trust developed over several years with municipal administrations, Eco‑West Canada is well positioned to support communities in the delivery of structuring projects that respond to local needs while advancing provincial priorities related to greenhouse‑gas emission reductions.
At a time when the impacts of climate change are increasingly evident across Manitoba, it is essential to act not only on emissions reduction but also on climate adaptation. In this regard, Eco‑West Canada—through its recent partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)—stands out as a key partner to support municipalities in implementing practical, integrated solutions tailored to local realities.
The AMBM looks forward to continuing this collaborative work with the Manitoba government, Eco‑West Canada, and all partners involved. With provincial support now confirmed, its subsidiary is able to move from planning to action by launching the first implementation steps. That said, the work does not end here: AMBM and Eco‑West Canada will continue to work closely with the Manitoba government to mobilize additional investments, particularly at the federal level, with the goal of maximizing the scale and community benefits of these projects and building more resilient communities better equipped to meet today’s and tomorrow’s climate challenges.
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.
