The Manitoba government is investing up to $1.35 million for nine projects prioritized from the second intake of applications under the Municipal Service Delivery Improvement Program, which generate a return on investment through savings to municipalities and planning districts that receive advice on streamlining services or programs, finding efficiencies and getting better value for money.

“Manitobans depend on local governments to deliver important programs and services as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke. “This funding will help these municipalities and planning districts to identify areas of potential improvement and enhance services without raising taxes.”

Municipalities and planning districts can apply for provincial funding through the program to conduct service delivery reviews and identify actionable recommendations for service improvements and potential cost savings.

Service delivery programs eligible for review include the following areas:

  • transportation,
  • safety and protection,
  • water and sewer,
  • recreation and culture,
  • waste management,
  • planning,
  • general government administration, and
  • other core services.

Potential savings from initiatives can be reinvested toward other community-specific priorities in the municipality, the minister noted.

Municipalities and projects receiving program funding include:

  • Town of Neepawa, Rural Municipality (RM) of Rosedale, RM of North Cypress-Langford, RM of Glenella-Lansdowne – Yellowhead Community Recreation Centre operations review;
  • Town of Arborg – fiscal and shared services review;
  • RM of Ste. Anne – fire protection services delivery review;
  • RM of Two Borders – recreation and cultural services funding review;
  • RM of WestLake-Gladstone – regional recreation programming review;
  • RM of Lac du Bonnet – public works and transportation operations review;
  • City of Winnipeg – public works level of service review;
  • City of Dauphin – fire department operations review; and
  • RM of Gilbert Plains – office /administration / accounting processes review.

In March 2021, the Manitoba government committed up to $5 million to support this program. Last year, the first intake resulted in 11 successful projects receiving more than $1.1 million.