Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox recently chaired the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) City Caucus meeting, which gathered leaders from across the province to discuss common challenges and opportunities. She explains that the caucus serves as a forum to connect municipal leaders with one another and with senior levels of government.
Knox notes that, while each city has its differences, many concerns overlap. Bail reform emerged as a central issue, with communities across Manitoba voicing frustration over repeat offences and the perception that the justice system is failing residents.
“Bail reform is one of those issues every city and every community in our province is facing,” Knox says. “Crime issues, as well as the feeling of the justice system just not working for us, are concerns that we all share.”
She adds that the caucus recently heard from the federal Justice Department, including an assistant deputy minister who outlined steps Ottawa is taking. These include more ankle monitoring and layered policing initiatives, ranging from security officers to institutional safety staff, as well as potential funding supports for municipalities.
Push for federal action on crime
Knox continues by stressing that Manitoba’s cities are pressing the federal government to take their concerns seriously.
“I have been working with AMM president Kathy Valentino, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham, and Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett to push federal Justice Minister and Attorney General Arif Virani to visit Manitoba,” Knox says. “We feel we have a real story here for the need to change bail reform.”
She says Portage la Prairie has seen a modest decrease in crime, but emphasizes the need to keep the conversation alive.
“It’s the so-called petty crimes—retail theft and property offences—that repeat offenders commit again and again,” Knox adds. “People are losing faith in the justice system, and we need to see change there.”
Municipal perspectives on wildfires
The caucus also addressed wildfire response, with leaders from northern Manitoba sharing lessons learned from the evacuations that took place earlier this summer. Both the City of Thompson and the City of Flin Flon provided input, as they were directly affected by fires and the need to shelter evacuees.
Knox notes that the province has committed to an after-action review, with municipalities expected to play an active role.
“The city of Portage la Prairie hosted evacuees, while Thompson was under evacuation notice but also hosting people,” she says. “That gave us very different perspectives to bring forward.”
She continues that, despite the challenges, northern colleagues were deeply appreciative of the firefighters and emergency staff who risked their own safety to protect communities.
“Our colleagues from the North could not speak highly enough about the support they got,” Knox says. “Communities like ours welcomed evacuees and made them feel at home in very difficult circumstances. As much as there are lessons to learn, we also need to be proud of how our province responded.”
Ongoing role in AMM leadership
Knox was elected chair of the City Caucus at the AMM convention, a role she says is expected to last two years. The next caucus meeting will take place during the fall convention at the end of November.
“I will continue in my role with City Caucus, and as mayor of Portage la Prairie, to keep carrying these conversations forward until we see meaningful change,” Knox says.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com.
PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.