Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox aligns with the majority of municipalities in Manitoba calling for federal investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. A recent survey shows 82 per cent of respondents believe Ottawa should provide more funding to municipalities for these essential projects. Knox says the numbers confirm what local governments already know: upgrades are urgently needed.
This follfows thee Association of Manitoba Municipalities' agreement to lobby for the funding, and Knox couldn’t agree more.
She explains that Portage la Prairie is an example of this demand. The city is preparing for a $100-million water treatment plant expansion, which is on schedule to begin, alongside a wastewater project focused on nutrient removal. Both are considered crucial to meeting community needs.
Federal support needed
Knox emphasizes that municipal governments cannot tackle these major undertakings alone. The federal government, she argues, must be part of the solution and recognize that every community’s needs differ depending on geography and industry. For Portage la Prairie, both housing and business growth hinge on water capacity.
“You can't build houses without water. Can't build houses without waste,” notes Knox.
She adds that while Ottawa often announces housing initiatives, municipalities cannot accommodate new developments unless water and wastewater systems are expanded. The issue, she says, is not just about growth but also about replacing aging infrastructure.
Balancing growth and infrastructure
Knox points to Ottawa’s Community-Building Fund, which has been in place for some time, but she says it is geared mainly toward larger centres. Smaller municipalities still face the same challenges when working with developers and builders, particularly in ensuring there is adequate capacity for projects.
“That’s the first thing we look at; do we have the capacity to make those projects happen?” says Knox.
She continues that the city’s decision to expand its water treatment plant is part of preparing for housing growth, while also addressing the wear and tear of aging systems. Some projects, she explains, are not about growing the city into something larger but about ensuring existing services remain reliable, things people do not often see or are even aware of.
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