Regional Times SPRING 2018 Growing and Working Together winnipegmetroregion.ca Summer 2020 winnipegmetroregion.ca ‘Slide into Summer’ Building a stronger METRO Region for all Colleen Skar better protect and preserve agricultural land and other sensitive areas when we hese past few months have been work together, and we reach important deeply challenging for families, efficiencies and economies of scale when Tbusinesses, and communities. The we explore shared approaches to waste full impacts of COVID-19 are yet to be management and recycling. known, but we’re already reminded of Improve quality of life in our com- the importance of economic and com- munities. Our communities are more munity resiliency in weathering major connected than ever, and this trend will challenges. only grow as METRO Region municipali- Local leaders in the Winnipeg Metro- ties continue to see double-digit popula- politan Region have long understood the tion increases. A coordinated long-term importance of partnership and collabora- strategy to efficiently move people and tion in making our communities stronger. goods across the region, as one example, Continued collaboration will ensure we is essential from both an economic and can rebound as quickly as possible from quality-of-life standpoint. the pandemic, and will also leave us Similarly, a collaborative approach better positioned to harness future op- to common municipal services — from portunities that attract investment and waste management to broadband Inter- increase quality of life. net — can enhance our shared buying The METRO Region – which includes power, resulting in cost efficiencies that the City of Winnipeg and the fast-grow- can be reinvested in local services and ing municipalities that surround it – is amenities. already the population centre and eco- We owe our children When completed later this year, Plan nomic engine of our province. Two-thirds 2050 will give us an important long-term of Manitobans call the METRO Region framework for future collaboration. home, and the METRO Region accounts the opportunity to be Even the process of creating the plan has for 70 percent of provincial GDP. been collaborative: Over the past several Today, WMR leaders, together with successful here. months, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Re- the Province of Manitoba, are working gion has gathered input from hundreds on a long-term plan that will unite the Plan 20-50 will ensure that future generations can of stakeholders including local leaders, strengths of our municipalities and en- provincial and Indigenous governments, sure future success. maintain and build upon the economic, social and business groups, land planning profes- In plain terms: we’re stronger when we sionals, environmental interests, and work together. The long-term plan we’re environmental advantages we have today. individual citizens. developing now, Plan 2050, is a roadmap Now, we’re using this input to draft an for a stronger future for all of us. It’s not what we leave behind, it’s what we leave forward inclusive, broadly representative plan Plan 2050 will help us: that we’re excited to unveil and circulate Attract investment and create jobs. that counts. Through Plan 20-50, we are setting for public feedback later in 2020. Marketing the region as a whole means solid foundations in place for the next generation: The concept of a long-term plan isn’t being able to connect potential investors itself new – in fact, metro regions across and employers with insights into the la- a bustling economy; vibrant communities; and Canada and the United States already bour force, available land and resources, natural abundance. Getting all we need in place for a have plans in place and we must do planning and zoning information, and the same to keep up and compete – but other important information. prosperous, safe and sustainable future will take a few the plan we’re developing now will be Instead of municipalities competing uniquely our own. This plan will harness against each other, we compete together years, so there’s no better time to start than today. the best of what people and communities to make it easier and more attractive for across our METRO Region have to offer. investors to do business here. Become part of the conversation. Today, more than ever, we need to Protect our environment. A long-term work together to respond to our shared regional plan allows for a coordinated 20to50.ca challenges and capitalize on future op- approach in important areas like water portunities. Plan 2050 will help us do just management and protection. We can that, for the benefit of all. REGIONAL NEWS Vol.SPRING 2018 2, No. 1 Summer 2020 winnipegmetroregion.ca The Regional Times is a publication of the Message from the Executive Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. Director Colleen Sklar he Winnipeg METRO Region is a partnership. It allows municipalities to address common opportunities and Unit 1 - 1749 Portage Ave., challenges – job creation, future infrastructure needs, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0E6 T Phone: 1-204-989-2048 long-term environmental protection, and resilience to threats like climate change – in a coordinated way that amplifies the Web: winnipegmetroregion.ca benefits to member municipalities. Email: [email protected] The Winnipeg METRO Region is currently working on Plan 2050, a long-term regional growth plan that will strengthen FOLLOW US ONLINE the region’s economic competitiveness, facilitate sustainable future growth, create opportunities for more efficient service @winnipegmetroregion delivery, and enhance protections against flooding and other severe weather events. Plan 2050 is a roadmap for a stronger future for all of us. While COVID-19 has presented us with gathering restrictions @WinnipegMetro and social distancing challenges, the METRO Region leaders have adapted to these challenges to ensure that we continue to work hard and move forward with our work on Plan 2050 for Winnipeg Region Digital the benefit of all. As we approach the halfway mark in 2020, our vision has never been clearer. We will continue to work hard towards Strategic Initiative Concept building a strong, effective, and prosperous METRO Region. Dorothy Dobbie We are excited to provide you with our summer edition of The [email protected] Regional Times. We hope you enjoy this issue and encourage Art Direction and Layout you to send us your thoughts and ideas for our next issue sched- Colleen Sklar. Karl Thomsen uled to hit newsstands this fall. [email protected] President Ian Leatt [email protected] Contributors CONTENTS Tim Comack, Dorothy Dobbie, David Jopling, Chris Lorenc, Diane Roussin, Colleen Skar, Angelica Timtiman, Building a stronger METRO Region for all ...............................................................................................................1 METRO Region News Desk. Message from the Executive Director ................................................................................................................2 Advertising & Sponsorships Kelsey Schaefer Mayors and Reeves share roadmap for increasing investment in the Winnipeg METRO Region .............3 204-989-2048 [email protected] Turning Western Canada into a trade superpower ..............................................................................................3 Produced by: 10 f0un things to do in the WMR as restrictions begin lifting ............................................................................ 4 Pegasus Publications Inc. 138 Swan Lake Bay, Popular books for summer reading ..........................................................................................................................4 Winnipeg, MB R3T 4T8 1-888-680-2008 Living larger for less! ....................................................................................................................................................5 whatsupwinnipeg.ca Welcome to the Recyclepedia ....................................................................................................................................5 ISSN 2560-8894 WSP Canada – shaping Winnipeg’s future ............................................................................................................6 Distributed throughout the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. If you would like bulk Internet—more than just Netflix and emails, it’s our economy ......................................................................7 copies of this publication contact us at 1-204-989-2048 or Connecting communities to the digital economy ...............................................................................................7 [email protected] Clear Concepts helps organizations unlock possibilities and achieve more with collaboration, Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: automation, inclusion ............................................................................................................................................8 300-1600 Ness Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W7 The perfect plum ..........................................................................................................................................................9 Phone: (204) 940-2700 or Encouraging Manitobans to stay home & recycle ............................................................................................ 10 1-888-680-2008 Canadian Publications mail product A plant-based boom in the Winnipeg METRO Region ....................................................................................