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2015 ANNUAL REPORT Association of Manitoba Municipalities 1910 Saskatchewan Avenue W. Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 0P1 Telephone: 204-856-2366 Fax: 204-856-2370 Email: [email protected] Web: www.amm.mb.ca Association of Manitoba Municipalities AR2015-cover.indd 1 11/3/2015 3:44:26 PM Cover photo: Hartney, Manitoba, 1916 AR2015-cover.indd 2 11/3/2015 3:44:26 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS Map of Municipalities 2 AMM Members 3 President’s Message 4 Executive Director’s Message 5 Board of Directors 6 Executive 7 Staff 8 Top Issues 9 Lobbying Highlights 13 Provincial 13 Federal 24 Working with Cities 26 Lobby Day 27 Meeting with Provincial Cabinet 28 TLE Partnership Agreement 30 Legislative Update 31 Communications and Events 33 Communications 34 Member Events 36 Special Events 38 MTCML 39 Financial Statement 42 AMM ANNUAL REPORT | 1 MAP OF MUNICIPALITIES AMM MEMBERS Alexander, RM Headingley, RM Roblin, Municipality Alonsa, RM Kelsey, RM Rockwood, RM Altona, Town Killarney-Turtle Mountain, Roland, RM Arborg, Town Municipality Rosedale, RM Argyle, RM La Broquerie, RM Rossburn, Municipality Armstrong, RM Lac du Bonnet, RM Rosser, RM Beausejour, Town Lac du Bonnet, Town Russell-Binscarth, Municipality Bifrost-Riverton, Municipality Lakeshore, RM Selkirk, City Boissevain-Morton, Municipality Leaf Rapids, Town Sifton, RM Brandon, City Lorne, Municipality Snow Lake, Town Brenda-Waskada, Municipality Louise, Municipality Souris-Glenwood, Municipality Brokenhead, RM Lynn Lake,Town Springfield, RM Carberry,Town Macdonald, RM St. Andrews, RM Carman, Town McCreary, Municipality St. Clements, RM Cartier, RM Melita, Town St. François Xavier, RM Cartwright-Roblin, Municipality Minitonas-Bowsman, Municipality St. Laurent, RM Churchill, Town Minnedosa, Town St. Pierre-Jolys, Village Clanwilliam-Erickson, Municipality Minto-Odanah, RM Ste. Anne, RM Coldwell, RM Montcalm, RM Ste. Anne, Town Cornwallis, RM Morden, City Ste. Rose, Municipality Dauphin, City Morris, RM Stanley, RM Dauphin, RM Morris, Town Steinbach, City De Salaberry, RM Mossey River, Municipality Stonewall, Town Deloraine-Winchester, Municipality Mountain, RM Stuartburn, RM Dufferin, RM Mystery Lake, LGD Swan River, Town Dunnottar, Village Neepawa, Town Swan Valley West, Municipality East St. Paul, RM Niverville, Town Taché, RM Ellice-Archie, RM Norfolk Treherne, Municipality Teulon, Town Elton, RM North Cypress-Langford, The Pas, Town Emerson-Franklin, Municipality Municipality Thompson, City Ethelbert, Municipality North Norfolk, Municipality Thompson, RM Fisher, RM Oakland-Wawanesa, Municipality Two Borders, Municipality Flin Flon, City Oakview, RM Victoria, RM Gilbert Plains, Municipality Pembina, Municipality Victoria Beach, RM Gillam, Town Pinawa, LGD Virden, Town Gimli, RM Piney, RM Wallace-Woodworth, RM Glenboro-South Cypress, Pipestone, RM West Interlake, RM Municipality Portage la Prairie, RM West St. Paul, RM Glenella-Lansdowne, Municipality Portage la Prairie, City Westlake-Gladstone, Municipality Grahamdale, RM Powerview-Pine Falls, Town Whitehead, RM Grand Rapids, Town Prairie Lakes, RM Whitemouth, RM Grandview, Municipality Prairie View, Municipality Winkler, City Grassland, Municipality Reynolds, RM Winnipeg, City Grey, RM Rhineland, Municipality Winnipeg Beach, Town Hamiota, Municipality Riding Mountain West, RM Woodlands, RM Hanover, RM Ritchot, RM Yellowhead, RM Harrison Park, Municipality Riverdale, Municipality AMM ANNUAL REPORT | 3 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT heavy price tag for municipalities. The resulting regulatory changes and clar- ification are positive and an excellent “April’s provincial election example of how sustained pressure can is shaping up to be historic, indeed make a difference. and the AMM will be a vocal We enjoyed other successes as well, and highlights are sprinkled throughout participant, launching a the pages of this report. But the reality is most successes—particularly in terms campaign of its own in of infrastructure increases—represent early 2016.” just a fraction of what is needed. They also come with strings attached. For this reason, alternate revenue continued to of Manitoba (TRCM), and Treaty Land be a primary focus for the AMM this past Entitlement Committee of Manitoba year, particularly the need for a rebate of (TLEC). This relationship was already the more than $25 million in PST munici- working well, but the signing of this palities pay annually. The need for a pre- agreement further strengthens it and dictable, long-term source of alternate opens the door to enhanced future revenue has never been greater, and negotiations. a rebate would help municipal govern- n behalf of the Board of Directors ments chip away at Manitoba’s $11-bil- The past year has been exciting for me of the Association of Manitoba lion municipal infrastructure deficit. personally, having been elected to Vice- OMunicipalities (AMM), it is my President at last November’s Annual pleasure to submit the 2015 Annual Also becoming very apparent this year Convention, and then being appoint- Report. As you peruse its pages, you was the need to have a discussion about ed President in July. Former President will likely be, as I am, struck by both regulation. Often governments propose Doug Dobrowolski did an outstanding the successes Manitoba municipalities sweeping mandates without accompa- job during his tenure, and this transition enjoyed in 2015, and the amount of work nying funding. Although well-intentioned, has really highlighted what a strong, ahead of us in the coming year. inviting municipal input on proposed vibrant and professional association the changes and providing funding to pay AMM truly is. First, the New Building Canada Plan for them would certainly smooth the Small Communities Fund (SCF) process. We will certainly need a strong associa- announced dozens of infrastructure proj- tion in the coming year. April’s provincial ects across Manitoba, and the provincial This year was also historic on a variety election is shaping up to be historic, budget included increases in funding for of fronts. Back in January, history was and the AMM will be a vocal participant, municipal roads and bridges. The AMM made with the amalgamation of 107 launching a campaign of its own in early sits on selection committees tasked with municipalities into 47. Throughout the 2016. making recommendations for both the year, many AMM members continued SCF and municipal road and bridge to work through the challenges creat- With the support of the Board of programs, as well as the Manitoba ed by their forced amalgamation, and Directors, my two Vice-Presidents Ralph Water Services Board, so not only are some continue to struggle. However, Groening and Mel Klassen, Executive our members the beneficiaries of these the AMM also continued to lobby for Director Joe Masi and his excellent funds, we have a say in how they are support throughout the process and our staff, and of course you, our members, I distributed. members have benefited from additional assure you the AMM will make its voice resources that will help them complete heard. We also made headway with regard to this process. the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban. The AMM Chris Goertzen, President was very engaged in lobbying Manitoba Also noteworthy was the signing of a Conservation and Water Stewardship partnership agreement between the against this ban, which comes with a AMM, Treaty Relations Commission 4 | AMM ANNUAL REPORT MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ering to be sure. Our Mayors, Reeves and CAOs meetings also changed, taking place over one day to coincide “This level of upheaval— with the Municipal Officials Seminar which in turn began its new alternat- and the Board’s reaction ing schedule between Winnipeg and Brandon. to it—truly illustrates why our association is a leader The ability to adjust such significant events to meet our membership’s across Canada.” changing needs really speaks to not only the experience and professional- ism of our staff, but to members’ will- ingness to adapt to an ever-shifting It also goes without saying that the municipal landscape. We constantly programs and services we offer our strive to improve and enhance our members would simply not be possi- events to bring you the greatest val- ble without the excellent efforts of our ue, and I assure you we will continue staff, as they truly go above and be- to raise the bar in this area. yond to ensure our member benefits are of the highest quality. Their hard In terms of communications, our new work also ensured the success of the am pleased to provide the Executive website was well-received by mem- Board through this period of transition, Director’s message for the 2015 An- bers and visitors alike, seeing a signif- and I sincerely appreciate it. I nual Report of the AMM. We have icant jump in engagement. The AMM’s had a successful year that has not social media presence continued to I would also like to recognize the part- been without its challenges, but the grow with both Twitter and Facebook nership we enjoy with the Manitoba end result is to me an indication of our followers increasing in numbers. The Municipal Administrators’ Association. strength as an association. Municipal Leader magazine received President Daryl Hrehirchuk sits as an plenty of excellent reader feedback, ex-officio member and made a signifi- First and foremost, the Municipalities and in keeping with the theme of cant contribution at our Board table in Trading Company of Manitoba Limited change, our bi-weekly news bulletin 2015. We also appreciate the efforts of (MTCML) enjoyed a profitable year, was revamped—due to requests from Executive Director Mel Nott and all of with sales of approximately $33 mil- members—into a new digital format. the MMAA’s members throughout the lion. Due to the continued participation year. of our members and discount pricing In my opinion, our Board of Directors from MTCML Official Suppliers, the deserves extra recognition given that Finally, thank you to our members for MTCML was able to rebate $1,000,000 it operated at 50 percent capacity for their continued advice, support and to our members based on their sales.