On June 18th, 2026, at the initiative of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM), leaders from Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities gathered in the Winnipeg River region as part of a series of strategic discussions held under the theme Our Bilingual Advantage. Today, the AMBM is releasing a summary of this productive day, which marked the conclusion of a four-year municipal electoral cycle:
Following a guided tour of the region led by Les Barclay, Mayor of the Town of Powerview-Pine Falls, and Diane Dubé, Councillor for the Rural Municipality of Alexander, participants had the opportunity to discover the area’s many strengths. Organized in collaboration with the tourism and community economic development sectors of the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba, CDEM), an AMBM subsidiary, the activity highlighted signature attractions and initiatives from both rural communities.
Participants were welcomed to the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum by Mac Kinghorn, Deputy Mayor of the Rural Municipality of Alexander, and Les Barclay, Mayor of the Town of Powerview-Pine Falls, before taking part in a roundtable discussion with the Honourable Nellie Kennedy, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism.
Opening the discussion, Ivan Normandeau, President of the AMBM, delivered a thoughtful message as the municipal electoral cycle draws to a close, emphasizing both the privilege and responsibility of serving in local government. He also underscored the importance of collective action to advance municipal priorities and strengthen relations with the other two orders of government. This spirit of collaboration and dialogue set the tone for the discussion, providing municipal leaders with an opportunity to present the strategic priorities of their respective communities.
Discussions with the Minister and Municipal Priorities
The discussions identified several key shared priorities, particularly regarding recreational infrastructure, libraries, and museums.
Municipal leaders highlighted the critical importance of recreational facilities—including arenas, community centres, parks, and trail systems—as drivers of quality of life, family attraction, and economic vitality. However, aging infrastructure, community growth, and limited financial capacity continue to increase the need for stable investment and stronger intergovernmental collaboration.
Libraries and museums were also identified—both by municipal representatives and by the Minister in her opening remarks—as essential pillars for preserving culture, history, and local identity. Numerous modernization and development projects involving public libraries and heritage sites require enhanced support to ensure their long-term sustainability and accessibility, particularly in bilingual settings.
In this context, members also discussed the future of library services, including the potential development of a regional bilingual library model for Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities. Such an approach could strengthen service delivery in both official languages while fostering greater collaboration among communities.
With regard to museums specifically, discussions highlighted their strategic role beyond heritage preservation alone. Museums serve as important engines of cultural, educational, and tourism development while actively promoting Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual heritage. Facilities such as the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum demonstrate how these institutions can embody Manitoba’s bilingual advantage and contribute to vibrant communities. However, chronic underfunding of many community museums limits their ability to fully fulfil their mandates, reinforcing the need for more stable and predictable funding to support their critical role in bilingual municipalities.
The discussions also underscored the central role of recreational and cultural spaces as places of gathering, knowledge transfer, and community engagement.
In response, Minister Kennedy acknowledged the importance of these priorities, reaffirming that investments in libraries, museums, and recreational infrastructure directly contribute to the vitality and cohesion of communities. She also emphasized the value of interdepartmental collaboration in addressing infrastructure and funding challenges while highlighting the importance of presenting a united front in pursuing sustainable solutions for municipalities. The Minister encouraged the AMBM and its members to continue the dialogue in order to further advance these discussions.
Following the roundtable, municipal leaders toured the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum during a guided visit led by Diane Dubé, Curator and Executive Director, along with volunteers including Roger Bouvier and Noël Papineau. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the museum showcases the region’s rich heritage in both official languages, in alignment with the regulatory framework of the Municipal Maturity Model (3M) adopted by the Rural Municipality of Alexander. The museum also serves as a tangible indicator of the vitality of Manitoba’s bilingual communities, bringing their bilingual advantage to life and contributing to the vision of a truly bilingual Manitoba.
Looking Ahead: Future Directions for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities
The National Bank of Canada, represented by Tania Gevry, Director, Banking Services for Manitoba, delivered a presentation on financing options designed to support the capital projects required for the growth and development of Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities. She highlighted flexible solutions tailored to the realities and responsibilities of local governments.
To conclude the electoral cycle, Justin Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the AMBM, provided a strategic update on key files and progress achieved over the past several years.
In response to growing interest in regionalized services, the AMBM presented a discussion on a potential model for the regionalization of library services among Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities. This reflection was informed by a report examining the current state of rural public libraries providing French-language services. One recommendation emerging from the report calls on the AMBM and its members to explore opportunities for consolidating and regionalizing efforts and resources related to bilingual public library services. The objective is to improve efficiency in rural communities while incorporating safeguards to maintain local accessibility and preserve the autonomy of participating libraries. Members were invited to share their perspectives and reactions to this potential avenue for future exploration.
Mr. Johnson also presented governance considerations related to the AMBM following the municipal elections scheduled for October 28th, 2026. In addition, he outlined key legal considerations affecting municipalities, as well as those governing AMBM activities and operations during the municipal election period.
Building on the adoption of the Municipal Maturity Model (3M), the AMBM has developed an active offer toolkit for Manitoba’s bilingual municipal administrations. The toolkit includes physical items such as pins identifying leaders from Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities, countertop signage, and promotional materials for municipal offices, as well as digital tools, including email signature resources for municipal staff. All materials are branded under the Our Bilingual Advantage identity. The initiative is designed to provide municipalities with practical tools to demonstrate their commitment to Canada’s two official languages, in alignment with the objectives of the bilingual municipalities’ 3M action plans.
The day concluded with a reception and dinner at the Papertown Inn in the heart of Powerview-Pine Falls. The event provided an opportunity to recognize and thank elected officials for their commitment to their communities. In a context marked by ongoing challenges and a sometimes demanding political environment, the gathering offered a moment to honour their dedication and acknowledge their contributions over the past four years.
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 (OLMCs) and the province as a whole.
Information: Office of the Chief Executive Officer (O-CEO), 204-289-4077, bcdd-oceo@ambm.ca.
