With the 2026 Census underway, the Mayors and Reeves of Manitoba’s 16 bilingual municipalities—representing vibrant rural and urban communities across the province—are coming together with a shared message: take part, be counted, and help shape the future of our communities:
The census is far more than a routine exercise. It is a cornerstone of our collective future. It provides the reliable, representative data municipalities need to make informed decisions, plan effectively, and respond to the realities of a growing and evolving population. Strong participation doesn’t just inform—it empowers communities to grow stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous, today and for generations to come.
Participation also has a direct and tangible impact. Census results influence municipal funding and determine our ability to invest in infrastructure, enhance services, and meet the expectations of our residents. These data are recognized and relied upon by all levels of government, forming the backbone of program eligibility and long-term community planning.
That is why we are calling on every resident of Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities to take part. The census is simple, quick, secure, and confidential, yet its impact is profound. It helps shape priorities and guides decision-making across municipal, provincial, and federal governments. As Mayors and Reeves, we are proud to support the federal campaign, “Your Census. Your Community. Our Future.”
As outlined in the Prosperity Framework for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities, lasting prosperity is built on a foundation of strong data, disciplined strategic planning, and meaningful intergovernmental collaboration.
And the momentum is real. Our municipalities are growing. The 2021 Census showed an 8% population increase across Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities—outpacing the provincial growth rate of 5%.
With growth comes both rising demands and extraordinary opportunity. The outlook is clear and encouraging: 90% of residents report a high quality of life, and nearly 60% believe the best days of their community are still ahead, according to a recent Probe Research survey. Together, we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to build on this strength and continue shaping communities that are vibrant, sustainable, and full of promise.
Our Bilingual Advantage
Bilingualism is at the heart of our municipalities. Both official languages play a central role in how services are planned, delivered, and experienced.
The 2026 Census plays a critical supporting role in this effort—particularly through the Municipal Maturity Model (3M)—by providing the data needed to better understand the needs of residents in both English and French.
These insights allow municipalities to accurately reflect their linguistic reality, make informed decisions, and strengthen service delivery. They help us fully leverage our bilingual advantage and translate it into concrete, meaningful actions that benefit every resident.
Simply put: when residents complete their census accurately, our municipalities gain the tools they need to demonstrate real needs, advocate effectively, and deliver results—building stronger, more sustainable, and more prosperous bilingual communities for all.
Signatories – Mayors and Reeves of Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities
- Wayne Anderson, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Piney
- Les Barclay, Mayor, Town of Powerview-Pine Falls
- Jack Brisco, Mayor, Rural Municipality of Alexander
- Richard Chartrand, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Saint-Laurent
- Darrel Curé, Reeve, Rural Municipality of De Salaberry
- Chris Ewen, Mayor, Rural Municipality of Ritchot
- Scott Gillingham, Mayor, City of Winnipeg
- Paul Gilmore, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Montcalm
- Gail Johnson, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Grey
- Barry Lowes, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Ellice-Archie
- Raymond Maynard, Mayor, Village of Saint-Pierre-Jolys
- Ivan Normandeau, Reeve, Rural Municipality of La Broquerie
- Aurel Pantel, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Lorne
- Richard Pelletier, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Sainte-Anne
- Armand Poirier, Mayor, Rural Municipality of Taché
- Yvan St. Vincent, Mayor, Town of Sainte-Anne
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.
