Working together to find sustainable solutions
The COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on communities. The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of our society and highlighted the importance of all three orders of government working together to find sustainable solutions. The AMBM worked with its member municipalities and their community development corporations to prioritize targeted actions that will accelerate economic recovery and address long-standing challenges, such as:
- Renewing aging infrastructure
- Accelerating the shift to a green economy
- Maximizing the potential of Francophone and bilingual tourism
- Increasing rural connectivity
- Stimulating economic development and entrepreneurship
- Investing in the long-term vitality of Manitoba’s Francophone communities
Building stronger, more resilient Francophone and bilingual communities
There can be no economic recovery without directly supporting municipalities.
Municipalities are at the heart of communities, where families grow and businesses prosper. Our strategy’s targeted measures will contribute directly to an accelerated recovery and generate return on investment for stakeholders by giving municipalities the resources and tools they need to bounce back and thrive.
Collaboration is key.
Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities are joining forces with all orders of government to build strong, resilient Francophone and bilingual municipalities. The AMBM’s strategy is in line with the recovery plans of the governments of Manitoba and Canada and the World Trade Centre Winnipeg’s 2020 global trade strategy. It is the result of a broad consultation of its 15 member municipalities who identified priority projects for the next three years.
Bold action is required now.
Our strategy addresses COVID-19’s devastating impact on communities and more:
- Infrastructure investment is the most powerful and scalable driver for economic growth. Our investments will accelerate the shift to a green economy, maximize our communities’ Francophone and bilingual tourism potential, and increase rural connectivity while helping Manitoba’s bilingual communities grow and prosper.
- Economic development and entrepreneurship measures will ensure municipalities have the resources and tools they need to capitalize on their strengths and stimulate economic growth. We will invest in development, entrepreneur support and immigration, with an emphasis on certain disadvantaged groups.
- A new innovative endowment fund for infrastructure projects dedicated to Francophones will provide local governments with financial leverage to develop projects that contribute directly to the vitality of Manitoba’s Francophone minority communities, help protect the French language, and move towards substantive equality of Canada’s two official languages.
More on $259.3 M infrastructure investments
Infrastructure spending is the most powerful and scalable driver of economic growth and is the best way to build out of the recession towards a greener, more innovative, inclusive, and competitive economy. For every dollar invested in local infrastructure adds between $1.20 and $1.60 to Canada’s real GDP.
Sustainable Development
AMBM has identified $222 M in infrastructure projects that will accelerate the shift to a green economy in Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities. Ensuring quality of life for future generations is unthinkable without a solid strategy to counter climate change. The vitality and prosperity of Manitoba’s official language communities depends on sustainable development. Through our investments, Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities are set to turn their sustainable development response into a lever for economic growth.
Tourism
AMBM aims to invest $27 M in the continued development of tourism in Manitoba’s Francophone and bilingual communities. The tourism sector was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our investments will accelerate the tourism recovery by capitalizing on the competitive advantage of Francophone and bilingual tourism. We will support the implementation of tourism projects that create jobs, support local businesses, showcase Francophone Métis culture, and provide targeted support to women, immigrants, and French-speaking Métis entrepreneurs in our municipalities.
Digital Infrastructure
AMBM has identified $9.9 M in infrastructure projects that accelerate the connection of all rural Francophone and bilingual communities in Manitoba to fast, reliable, and affordable Internet and mobile services. The COVID crisis highlighted the urgent need for rural connectivity to fully participate in our society and economy. The pandemic also created an opportunity for rural communities, with a shift to home-based work and businesses. Our investments in digital infrastructure will strengthen our communities’ social fabric, attract new investments, and take full advantage of opportunities arising from the exodus from large cities and the shift to the new digital nomad lifestyle.
More on $11.6 M Economic Development & Entrepreneurship Investments
- Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities have great strengths. They are an integral part of a far-reaching trade and transportation corridor. We have a vibrant business sector and affordable business environment. Manitoba’s 15 bilingual municipalities represent all the key industry sectors identified in the World Trade Centre Winnipeg’s 2020 global trade strategy. However, these are often overlooked within Canada and on the international stage.
- Working together is key. The AMBM and its two economic development subsidiaries, CDEM and Eco-West Canada (EWC), are working with member municipalities to ensure they have the resources and tools they need to lead economic recovery efforts and be at the forefront of development in their territory.
- Our investments in economic development and entrepreneurship will support economic development and job creation with a focus on development, entrepreneurship support and immigration, with particular emphasis on women, Francophone Métis, racialized Canadians, and French-speaking young people.
More on the $70 M Endowment Fund for Infrastructure dedicated to Francophones
- The presence of dynamic Francophone communities is one of the greatest strengths of Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities. It is what sets us apart. The presence of Francophone language, culture and history adds value to the local economy and community and is crucial to building strong, diverse, and prosperous municipalities.
- Manitoba’s Francophone minority has been greatly weakened by the pandemic. The threat of assimilation is greater than ever before. Concrete action is required to protect the French language and culture in Manitoba.
- Promoting bilingualism benefits everyone. More than just a matter of culture, it is a key driver for post-COVID economic recovery in Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities. We aim to work together in a climate of cooperation and inclusion.
- A new innovative $70 M endowment fund for infrastructure projects dedicated to Francophones will provide local governments with the financial leverage to develop projects that contribute directly to the long-term vitality of Manitoba’s Francophone minority communities, help protect the French language, and move towards substantive equality of Canada’s two official languages.
Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities are ready to lead the province’s economic recovery through $340 M in targeted investments that:
- Renew aging infrastructure
- Accelerate the shift to a green economy
- Maximize the potential of Francophone and bilingual tourism
- Increase rural connectivity
- Stimulate economic development and entrepreneurship
- Invest in the long-term vitality of Manitoba’s Francophone communities.
The result:
stronger, more sustainable, and more prosperous bilingual municipalities.
We are ready to act boldly now.
We need your support to accelerate economic recovery.
A strategic investment in bilingual municipalities today will:
- Accelerate Manitoba’s and Canada’s economic recovery.
- Ensure the long-term vitality of Manitoba’s Francophone community.
- Create stronger, more sustainable, and more prosperous bilingual municipalities.