View From the Legislature

Throughout the southeast, communities have experienced significant growth over the past decade. This is both well documented and it is seen in virtually all aspects of life and development in our communities. In all areas of development, the southeast is attracting both new businesses and new residents.

In past articles I have written about how this growth puts pressure on services such as education and healthcare and the way in which our government has responded to those pressures by building and expanding schools and increasing the number of healthcare spaces and services available locally. But among the limiting factors for growth, for both residential and commercial needs, is the availability of wastewater treatment.

This has been a growing concern in the southeast as many businesses have indicated they will be unable to expand, and communities would be unable to increase residential development, without increased wastewater treatment capacity.

While it would have been easy for individual communities and rural municipalities to focus solely on their own needs in this regard, several years ago the municipalities of Niverville, Tache, Hanover and Ritchot came together and decided to look at a regional solution. Hanover Reeve, Stan Toews, became the Chair of the Red-Seine-Rat (RSR) Wastewater Cooperative and planning began on a regional mechanical wastewater treatment facility.

Last month, it was announced that the federal and provincial governments were contributing about $40 million to this regional wastewater treatment facility. Combined with $70 million from the municipalities, work will now proceed on a $110 million wastewater treatment facility in the southeast. This announcement, that will involve 90 kilometres of pipe, is truly momentous for the region. It allows for continued commercial and residential growth. It is estimated to save $60 million in future costs for expanded lagoons and will attract $1.9 billion in new capital investment and 3,400 new jobs over the next 10 years. The new mechanical wastewater treatment facility will also be environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Taking a regional approach has been important to developing this project and addressing a significant concern. Each of the municipal councils who were involved deserve to feel proud of their role in this project. A special mention to Reeve Stan Toews who is retiring after this term of office. His leadership on this legacy project was vitally important. In addition, former Niverville Mayor, Gordon Daman, has put in tremendous work in supporting and developing this proposal for the region. He and so many others have shown their desire to work for the common good of the region and province.

The Manitoba government is proud to be a part of this project that will help the southeast continue to grow and develop. But ultimately, it is a credit to the people of the region who work, volunteer, donate and participate in our communities that make them successful. Congratulations to everyone who played a part in this important project.