A new survey conducted by Probe Research on behalf of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) reveals that Manitobans overwhelmingly believe the federal government must step up and provide more funding to municipalities to build and upgrade critical water and wastewater infrastructure necessary to support housing.
83% of Manitobans strongly agree or somewhat agree that Ottawa needs to help municipalities fund essential water and wastewater projects, such as treatment plants, sewer pipes, and sewage lagoons.
“Manitoba municipalities are on the front lines of the housing crisis, but we cannot meet housing needs without the core infrastructure that makes new homes possible,” said AMM President Kathy Valentino. “This survey confirms what municipal leaders have been saying for years: the federal government must partner with municipalities to deliver the water and wastewater systems needed to unlock housing opportunities.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has signalled interest in investing in Canada’s industrial base, natural resources, and dual-use infrastructure, priorities which depend on strong water and wastewater systems. By funding these critical municipal projects, Ottawa can spur economic growth, support housing development, and advance its own stated national objectives.
The survey also found that seven in ten Manitobans (70%) believe federal housing and infrastructure policies should be flexible enough to account for the unique needs of different-sized communities, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Small, rural, and bilingual municipalities face different infrastructure challenges than larger urban centres,” noted AMBM President Ivan Normandeau. “Federal programs must recognize these differences so that every community–no matter its size–has the tools to build the housing Manitobans urgently need.”
A survey of 1,000 Manitobans, conducted by Probe Research between July 24 and August 11, 2025, delivers a clear message: Manitobans want the federal government to treat municipalities as genuine partners in tackling the housing crisis, with investments in vital water and wastewater infrastructure.
To view the poll results, click here.
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.
