While many municipalities across the province share the same concerns, they sometimes go unheard by a larger entity, until now. 

Kam Blight, the President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), recently wrapped up week six of their tour across the province, meeting with local councils to understand their challenges and successes. Blight shared the highlights of the tour and the pressing issues facing Manitoba's communities. 

One major concern echoed across municipalities was the need for better infrastructure funding, especially for water and wastewater projects. With drought-like conditions, upgrading facilities became a top priority to ensure residents have access to clean water and support economic growth. 

Healthcare and public safety were also high on the agenda, with staffing shortages in hospitals and rising crime rates posing significant challenges. 

"These issues are hampering the municipalities’ ability to carry forward with necessary services and with some of the key projects for the municipality. These are all things that we're going to take into consideration and try and lobby and push the provincial and federal governments to assist our municipalities."

Despite these challenges, Blight praised the resilience of local leaders, who are working tirelessly to find solutions and drive community progress. He emphasized the vital role of municipal governance in shaping the future of Manitoba. 

"We've had a lot of positive experiences as well." Blight explained, "There's a lot of great initiatives that these municipal councils are taking on. These municipal councils are having to do more with less, and yet we're still moving our communities forward and that is a constant thing that we've seen across the province. These are solution-oriented councils, and they have the utmost respect for the work that the minister elected officials are doing here in Manitoba."

Blight reiterated the AMM's commitment to advocating for the needs of Manitoba municipalities. The insights gathered from the tour will inform lobbying efforts to secure essential support from provincial and federal governments.