On November 26, 2013, delegates at the AMM Annual Convention carried a resolution calling on the AMM to oppose forced amalgamation through legal proceedings, representing those municipalities that do not wish to amalgamate.
The results were 65% for and 35% against the resolution.
The AMM has now begun a legal proceeding challenging the Province’s implementation of the Municipal Amalgamations Act.
“This was not an easy or a swift decision,” said AMM President Doug Dobrowolski. “The AMM has spent the past year lobbying not against amalgamation, but against the forced nature of this legislation. Municipalities deserve better.”
While the challenge is directed at two aspects of the amalgamation process, it is important to note that the AMM is not challenging the Act itself; but the implementation of the Act. “We believe this challenge is about fairness for our members,” explained Dobrowolski.
Although there are a number of municipalities named in the application, a positive outcome would not affect only those named-all 87 municipalities affected by the Amalgamations Act would be positively impacted.
“We are asking for, fundamentally, one thing: procedural fairness in accordance with the Act,” stressed Dobrowolski.
“It is unlikely AMM members would have come to this decision had they had any other options. Unfortunately, the Province of Manitoba has left us no choice.”
