Several Portage la Prairie city council members now hold key positions on provincial and national municipal organizations, strengthening the city's voice in broader policy discussions.
Councillor Colin Doyle, recently elected as a district director with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), highlights the council’s growing influence.
"We have a bit of a stacked council right now," says Doyle. "Councillor Joe Masi is one of Manitoba’s representatives on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Our city manager, Nicole Chychota, is president of the Manitoba Municipal Administrators, and Mayor Knox chairs the city caucus with AMM. We have representation not just provincially, but nationally, which is great to see."
Local connections, broader impact
Doyle notes that these roles create valuable connections for Portage la Prairie. While each position represents a specific region or interest group, the collective influence benefits the city.
"When we become members of these organizations, we’re not just there for Portage," he adds. "Mayor Knox and I represent our respective groups within AMM—for me, it’s the central district; for her, it’s Manitoba’s larger cities. But the connectivity still helps Portage."
Strength in collaboration
The councillor emphasizes that council support makes this engagement possible.
"We wouldn’t be in these roles without our council’s backing," continues Doyle. "They encourage us and provide whatever support we need. What’s good for Portage is good for the province, and what’s good for the province is good for the country—it all starts at our level."
While no other councillors are currently taking on new external roles, Doyle doesn’t rule out future opportunities. For now, the city’s expanded representation ensures its concerns are heard where decisions are made.
Unprecedented Portage representation
Councillor and chair of finance Joe Masi weighs in as well.
"Our own Councillor Colin Doyle was elected as a Central District director," says Masi. "He'll be our voice at the AMM table, which deals mostly with the province on issues important for Portage la Prairie and all Central District municipalities."
Masi notes Portage now holds key positions at multiple levels of municipal governance.
"It's an interesting phenomenon," he continues. "We have myself on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Councillor Doyle now on the provincial board, Mayor Knox chairing the AMM Cities Caucus, and our City Manager Nicole Chychota as president of the Municipal Administrators Association. These are all very key positions."
Collaboration across jurisdictions
The councillor emphasizes how these roles create opportunities for coordinated advocacy.
"I mentioned to Councillor Doyle that many issues are federal-provincial in nature," adds Masi. "We can now work together on files to ensure good results for municipalities here and Portage specifically."
Selection based on merit
When asked if geography plays a role in these appointments, Masi explains the selection process.
"There are two directors elected, and while you like to see district representation, members are really looking for who can best represent us," he says. "The two directors elected were Councillor Doyle and Reeve Christa Vann Mitchell from RM of Cartier - the members clearly felt they were the best representatives."
Masi notes all Central District municipalities, including Winkler, Morden and RM of Macdonald, remain important, but the focus is increasingly on finding the most qualified candidates regardless of location.
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