The Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn says monthly meetings between southeastern Manitoba municipalities are helping move shared concerns forward—especially on key issues like healthcare, infrastructure, and cell service.
Michelle Gawronsky is a member of the Eastman Regional Municipal Committee, which recently held a meeting in Steinbach, and it was attended by provincial government representative Brandon Burley. She says the group meets regularly and represents a broad stretch of the province in eastern Manitoba.
“We just share what’s going on and come up with solutions,” Gawronsky explains. “We made a list of the major issues we’re all dealing with—healthcare, infrastructure, water, and economic development.”
Meetings build momentum and provincial connections
Gawronsky says having Burley at the table was meaningful for the group.
“He not only sat there and listened to what we had to say, he asked questions to make sure he had a good understanding. Knowing that we have a direct ear to government is huge.”
She adds that while municipalities north of the Trans-Canada Highway have had a similar committee for more than a decade, the southern group is newer and now formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding.
“Everybody wants their community to thrive, not just survive,” she says.
The group also discussed common concerns such as highway improvements and drainage projects. Gawronsky says a shared understanding between municipalities has already led to positive momentum on projects like the Sundown Ridge Forest initiative.
“Montcalm has committed money toward Sundown Ridge because they understand water movement needs to be controlled, and that benefits them too.”
Hope for Highway 201 and the Vita hospital
Gawronsky says RM of Stuartburn residents can expect to see some results from recent advocacy efforts, including reassurance from provincial officials that Highway 201 is on the radar.
“I’ve been reassured over and over the re-topping is coming,” she says. “They’re putting culverts in now, and you don’t spend that kind of money unless you’re planning something.”
Healthcare remains a top concern, particularly the need to restore services at the Vita ER and hospital. Gawronsky says the support of neighbouring communities like Steinbach is essential to making the case to the province.
“We shared with them that if they support us in the need for the Vita ER and hospital to be back up and running, it will take the pressure off Bethesda,” she explains. “We need Steinbach’s support, and they can count on ours.”
Long-standing cell service issues remain unresolved
The reeve also raised alarms about persistent gaps in cellular coverage in southeastern Manitoba.
“The RM of Piney has had this issue for 30 years, and it became worse when MTS was sold,” she says. “We’ve contacted Bell, and we were told the sales just aren’t there. They’re not a service company—they’re here to make money.”
Gawronsky suggested Manitobans need to rethink whether essential services like phone access should return to public hands.
“If that’s what it takes to get the recognition we need for emergencies, we’re all for it. It’s a matter of life and death.”
Attracting and retaining healthcare professionals a major hurdle
When asked about the state of medical staffing in Stuartburn, Gawronsky said turnover is common.
“We just welcomed another physician in the last year—congratulations to her, she’s expecting a baby—but they don’t tend to stay. Without ER or hospital services, they can’t keep their skills up.”
She says the RM is open to creative solutions, such as offering free clinic space or covering training costs in exchange for service commitments.
“We’ve done it before—we helped fund education for healthcare aides and they guaranteed five years of service to our seniors. Why not do the same for doctors?”
Gawronsky emphasized that she’s pleased with the progress made through collaboration and direct communication with government, but the work isn’t over.
“We just need to think outside the box, and we need to make sure that health dollars are spent on healthcare, not bureaucracy.”
-With files from Adi Loewen.