Municipal governments want to pull from a broader pot of funding, rather than applying through specific programs. That's from Portage City Councillor Wayne Wall, following roundtable discussions with Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke in Headingley last week. Wall attended those meetings on behalf of the city, and says the message put forward by the 15 municipalities at that meeting was quite clear. 

Councillor Wayne Wall

"The consensus is more of a basket approach with fewer categories, more broad categories, and leaving it more up to us how we spend the money."

He says municipalities are now forced to apply for several different categories, making it hard to target funds toward a specific project. Wall feels the representatives in attendance are all looking for the same thing, which is the fair share and fair say lobbied for during the provincial election earlier this year.

"Very much so, that's because the AMM --the Association of Manitoba Municipalities-- we all belong too and they lobby for us. They speak very well for us too."

Wall feels the province is quite receptive to making those changes. Last week's meeting was one of four roundtable discussions with the minister taking place across the province, as the Progressive Conservative government aims to fulfill their promise to improve how funds are allocated for municipal infrastructure projects.