Following three enriching days at the 2025 Annual Conference and Trade Show of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), held under the theme Stronger, Together: Local Strength, National Prosperity, the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) extends its warmest congratulations and thanks to the FCM for a successful event in the nation’s capital. Bringing together over 2,000 municipal leaders from across the country, the event served as a true crossroads of collaboration and innovation for our communities, with active participation from several leaders of Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities.
Attendees took part in workshops, panels, and study tours addressing key topics such as housing, infrastructure, public safety, and sustainable development. The FCM used the occasion to call for a mature and pragmatic dialogue among all orders of government, emphasizing the importance of a national partnership for prosperity.
The presence of Prime Minister Mark Carney was a highlight of the event, reaffirming the importance of open and constructive dialogue to address the pressing challenges facing Canadian communities.
Solution-oriented engagements
“Alongside the FCM’s annual conference in Ottawa, we held over 10 strategic meetings between municipal officials, Members of Parliament, and government decision makers to present the priorities of Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities as outlined in our Prosperity Framework. These discussions were both constructive and hopeful; we are fully committed to working hand-in-hand with our partners to deliver concrete and innovative solutions that will drive economic development and prosperity in our communities,” said Justin Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the AMBM.
The AMBM joins the FCM in reaffirming the importance of a national partnership for prosperity. On the sidelines of the conference, the AMBM officially launched its Prosperity Framework for Manitoba’s Bilingual Municipalities—a strategic roadmap built around five key priorities: modernizing infrastructure; attracting and training a bilingual workforce; stimulating economic development, entrepreneurship, and investment; acelerating sustainable development and climate resilience; and strengthening bilingual services and intergovernmental collaboration.
“This conference once again demonstrated the strength and resilience of our bilingual municipalities. Through our Prosperity Framework, we are sending a clear message: we are ready to work collaboratively with all orders of government to build a more prosperous and inclusive future. The discussions held this week are encouraging, and we are determined to turn our priorities into tangible actions,” said Ivan Normandeau, President of the AMBM.
A report rooted in rural realities
The conference also featured the much-anticipated presentation of the report The Future of Rural Canada. Developed through extensive consultations with elected officials and key development partners, the report proposes a new approach to recognizing the essential role of rural municipalities in Canada’s prosperity. It addresses today’s challenges, including aging infrastructure, inadequate digital connectivity, growing public safety concerns, and a fiscal framework that no longer meets current needs.
The goal is to unlock the economic potential of rural regions, ensure reliable access to internet and cellular services for all communities, and enhance national safety and resilience. Achieving these goals requires recognizing and valuing the bilingual advantage that is a core part of Canada’s identity.
The AMBM expressed its readiness to work closely with the FCM to amplify the voices of Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) in the rural areas it serves. This perspective is vital to supporting the economic and social vitality of our rural Francophone and bilingual communities, which demonstrated their commitment in March 2024 by adopting the Municipal Maturity Model (3M)—an innovative tool for measuring and improving the delivery of municipal services in both official languages.
Strong Manitoba representation
FCM members also elected their new Board of Directors. Manitoba will have a strong voice on the Board with the election of:
- Kathy Valentino, Councillor for the City of Thompson, President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), and Second Vice-President of the FCM
- Laurent Tétrault, Deputy Reeve of the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie
- Joe Masi, Councillor for the City of Portage la Prairie
- Marvin Plett, Councillor for the City of Winkler
- Jeff Browaty, Councillor for the City of Winnipeg
Additionally, Scott Gillingham, Mayor of Winnipeg, will serve as Vice-Chair of the FCM’s Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC).
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all for this recognition of their leadership and dedication to Manitoba’s communities.
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.
