The province has announced that two new members, including Steinbach businessman Leonard Klassen, have been appointed to the Manitoba Municipal Board
“The two new appointees bring a wealth of relevant knowledge, skills and experience to the Manitoba Municipal Board,” said Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton. “We are confident that these individuals will ensure the board will continue to work effectively for Manitobans.”
Leonard Klassen owns and operates Klassen Financial in Steinbach. He has over 35 years in the financial industry, specializing in tax and estate planning. He has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and has served two terms as president of the local Rotary Club in Steinbach.
Lorie Lavoie served as the vice-chair of the Municipal Board from 2000 to 2004, and again starting in 2013 until retirement in January 2019. She has practiced as a lawyer for 25 years in both Manitoba and Yukon with a focus on municipal, planning and administrative law. She also served as the chair of the Yukon Employment Standards Board from 2005 to 2011.
The Municipal Board is a quasi-judicial tribunal established under The Municipal Board Act. The act sets out the general provisions respecting the board’s operations. Other provincial statutes, such as The Municipal Act, The Municipal Assessment Act and The Planning Act, also give the board jurisdiction to make decisions or recommendations about various matters.
The minister thanked the outgoing members for their valuable contributions to the board.
These appointments are part of the Manitoba government’s efforts to continue to refresh the agencies, boards, and commissions of the province, ensuring that Manitobans continue to be represented in these important positions by highly qualified and enthusiastic individuals, Wharton added.
