The reeve of the Municipality of West-Interlake feels they're making progress in discussions surrounding re-dividing the municipality to its pre-amalgamation state. Randy Helgason says meeting with the West-Interlake Citizens Group, and representatives from the Municipal Board and Indigenous and Municipal Relations went well, and everyone seems to be on the same page. The meeting was organized after a three-hour municipal board hearing on the WICG's proposal to dissolve the municipality led to no results, as both sides weren't aware of what the hearing would entail. However, what did come out of the meeting was an understanding that both sides wished to see the former RM of Eriksdale and RM of Siglunes boundaries reinstated to its pre-2014 state.

Helgason says it was a good meeting with the group, and it seems they'll be able to make some real progress. The only time before the recent meeting that the two groups met was at the Municipal Board Hearing, which was open to the public with hundreds in attendance.

"We had never really sat down as both groups together before last week, so that was a good beginning, I think."

While both sides want the same result, there's a difference of opinion on how to get there. The WICG feels dissolution is the best option, but the Council's concerned about the chance of simply having the area become unorganized Territory. Helgason says some options were discussed, but it's too early to say just what should happen.

"The discussions are going a lot better than at the outset. We both agree we want the same thing, for the province to allow Ward 1 --the former RM of Eriksdale-- to return to their original boundaries."

West-Interlake Council was initially discussing annexing the former RM of Eriksdale to another municipality, but with no positive response from surrounding communities that idea was quickly ruled out. A date to reconvene the Municipal Board hearing has not been set, but can be reinstated by the WICG if they decide to move forward with their call for dissolution.