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 in response to the 2025 Throne Speech delivered by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Anita R. Neville. The AMBM reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the provincial government and to fully playing its role in contributing to the achievement of an ambitious vision for a strong, prosperous, and forward-looking Manitoba:
The 2025 Throne Speech officially opens the 43rd Legislature of Manitoba and outlines the province’s main directions for the coming year. Several themes addressed in this speech strongly resonate with the AMBM’s priorities and align with our Prosperity Framework for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities: strengthening infrastructure and rural economic development, building resilience to climate change, supporting the Francophonie and bilingualism, and fostering intergovernmental collaboration.
The Throne Speech highlights a concrete commitment to major water and wastewater infrastructure projects, such as the Red-Seine-Rat (RSR) Wastewater Cooperative in southeastern Manitoba and the North End Treatment Plant in Winnipeg. These strategic initiatives are essential steps to support sustainable development and enhance the province’s competitiveness. Facing significant needs both across Manitoba and within our bilingual municipalities, the AMBM stands ready to collaborate to maximize the impact of investments and optimize funding mechanisms, notably through the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB).
On the rural economic development front, the announced investments in capital projects reflect a clear understanding of the link between strategic municipal infrastructure and regional growth. Manitoba’s new economic development strategy represents a key tool for accelerating foundational projects. In this regard, the AMBM, the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM), and Eco-West Canada (EWC) remain prepared to support the government in implementing its priorities while leveraging our bilingual advantage.
We are also encouraged to see that the provincial government is renewing its commitment to building a truly bilingual Manitoba. The implementation of the Municipal Maturity Model (3M) regulatory framework, combined with stable and predictable funding, is a vital lever to strengthen and improve municipal services offered in both official languages, ensuring that our Francophone and bilingual communities have the resources they need to thrive.
The focus on climate resilience and the recognition of the essential role municipalities play in this effort are promising directions. The upcoming measures related to the net-zero strategy, expected this spring, will be decisive for the province’s energy future. Eco-West Canada (EWC), whose expertise is recognized by municipalities, wishes to offer its leadership to the provincial government to help implement this plan and achieve the announced legislative objectives, particularly in the areas of transportation and rural mobility.
The government’s commitment to implement all recommendations from the Statutory Review of Planning Legislation Report is also welcomed. Our association reiterates its readiness to work closely with the Province to ensure effective application of these recommendations and to contribute to the development of a robust action plan that will strengthen the planning framework while protecting municipal autonomy.
As the order of government closest to people, Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities occupy a strategic position to mobilize local stakeholders, implement practical solutions, and turn provincial priorities into tangible results for residents. Investing in Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities means investing in a stronger, more united, and more competitive Manitoba.
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.
