Manitoba's municipal leaders are eager to see the federal Liberal government follow through on key election platform promises that could affect local communities. From supporting economic growth to investing in infrastructure to achieving housing affordability and keeping communities safe, communities like Portage la Prairie could benefit.
FCM campaign sparks optimism
Joe Masi, councillor for the City of Portage la Prairie and chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Election Readiness Working Group, felt the FCM election campaign, Stronger Together, produced good results in these areas for municipalities. FCM looks forward to working with the new Liberal government and all opposition parties to transform the election promises into real legislation and programs that benefit municipalities like Portage la Prairie.
Trade barriers and infrastructure approvals
Under the FCM call for the removal of interprovincial trade barriers and streamlined infrastructure approvals, the federal Liberal party committed to eliminating all federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility through legislation by July 1, 2025. In addition, the Liberals committed to reducing red tape and duplication with provincial regulations to streamline federal administration. A further commitment was made to speed up federal approvals for infrastructure projects. These initiatives are expected to support economic development and attract skilled labour to communities.
Infrastructure investments for growth
Responding to FCM’s call for investment in infrastructure renewal, the Liberals pledged over $2 billion over two years to build community infrastructure, prioritizing municipalities making progress on housing.
"With the planned housing development on the former Agassiz lands, we hope Portage can take advantage of these dollars."
Existing programs to continue
The Liberals also committed to continuing programs initiated by the previous government, including the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund and the Canada Community Building Fund. Masi says these two programs are especially important for Portage la Prairie.
"We have applied to the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for assistance on our expansion of the water treatment plant, and the money we receive annually from the Canada Community Building Fund in the amount of $700,000—we have committed to putting those extra dollars into our municipal roads each year for the next three years. We are pleased those two programs are continuing."
Focus on housing affordability
On the issue of affordability, the Liberal government promised to reduce housing bureaucracy and work with municipalities to speed up permitting and approval timelines so more affordable homes can be built.
Safer communities through targeted investment
FCM also called on all parties during the election to address public safety, including meaningful bail reform, optimized RCMP staffing, and engagement with municipalities on policing costs and contracts. In response, the Liberals committed to over $1 billion in new RCMP funding to hire more personnel, strengthen sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders, and provide $500 million to support municipalities’ urgent responses to drug overdoses and mental health services for first responders.
Masi says these federal measures, alongside local efforts like Portage la Prairie’s Community Safety Officer program, will contribute to safer communities across Manitoba.
Expectations for the Throne Speech
Looking ahead, as Parliament prepares to open with a Throne Speech on May 27, Manitoba’s municipal leaders will be listening closely for these local priorities to be addressed by the federal government. Masi says that after months of discussion and advocacy during the recent federal election, municipal officials expect to hear clear commitments in the Throne Speech, followed by swift moves to introduce legislation or programs addressing their concerns.
Masi says, “We will be watching and hopefully, the election commitments that are beneficial to municipalities will be addressed. My message and the message of FCM is that we want to be good partners with the federal government in building strong and resilient communities throughout Canada.”