The President of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM), Mr. Ivan Normandeau, issued the following statement in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

On this September 30, 2026, the AMBM joins Manitobans across the province in honouring residential school survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities.

This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the difficult truths of our shared history and on the lasting impacts of the residential school system.

The AMBM recognizes the importance of continuing the work that advances meaningful and lasting reconciliation, grounded in mutual respect and understanding. We believe that listening, learning, and dialogue remain essential to fostering greater awareness of our shared history and to strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Across Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities, individuals, families, and communities can contribute to this collective effort through actions that promote understanding, inclusion, and collaboration.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we encourage residents to take time to learn, listen, and reflect. Together, we can continue building a Manitoba where respect, collaboration, and reconciliation guide our actions and relationships.

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.