Planning Manitoba's Capital Region: Next Steps

Manitoba's Vision for the Capital Region

C. Regional Co-operation

C.1 Boundaries

When the Capital Region Committee of provincial and municipal elected officials was established in 1989 (originally called the Winnipeg Region Committee), boundaries were based on what was defined at the time, as Winnipeg's commutershed, adjusted to take into account municipal boundaries.

The existing Capital Region as defined by the Government of Manitoba consists of 16 municipalities:

Cartier, RM
East St. Paul, RM
Headingley, RM
Macdonald, RM
Ritchot, RM
Rockwood, RM
Rosser, RM
Selkirk, City
Springfield, RM
St. Andrews, RM
St. Clements, RM
St. François Xavier, RM
Stonewall, Town
Taché, RM
West St. Paul, RM, and
Winnipeg, City.

The Province intends to retain these Capital Region boundaries for the time being (See attached map, Appendix B). However, the Regional Planning Advisory Committee, municipalities or the public may make recommendations to the Province to adjust these boundaries to better suit planning objectives in the region.

Actions
9. The Province will use the existing Capital Region boundaries in initiating the regional planning process (see map at Appendix B). The Regional Planning Advisory Committee will also solicit public views respecting the boundaries that best meet the region's planning objectives and make recommendations to the Province.

C.2 Inter-Municipal Mediation

Most inter-municipal disputes arise from the financial impacts associated with land use conflicts, and from disputes related to threats to resources, service cost sharing and uncoordinated development.

The Capital Region Review Panel noted in their report that current mediation mechanisms have not been wholly effective (page 45). The Municipal Board is a quasi-judicial body which is limited in its mandate, particularly with respect to Winnipeg. Planning districts tend to include only two or three municipalities. From time to time, Manitoba Local Government has made its services available to mediate inter-municipal disputes, with some degree of success.

A better approach to mediation is needed. This approach should apply broadly, focus on negotiation and mutual agreement rather than on imposing solutions, and be effective where jurisdictions are unable to negotiate a solution on their own but are prepared to accept the participation of an independent third party. The Manitoba Government believes that locally developed approaches to mediation offer the greatest prospect of positive outcomes. When requested, the Government can also assist in mediating issues among local authorities.

Actions
10. As a part of the regional planning process and in consultation with municipalities and the Regional Planning Advisory Committee, the Manitoba Government will develop strategies to resolve inter-municipal disputes.

C.3 Delivery of Provincial Public Services

The Capital Region Review Panel observed that the recent consolidation of the former departments of Urban Affairs and Rural Development should facilitate dialogue between the Province and the municipalities within the Capital Region. To strengthen this linkage further, the Panel proposed that a departmental unit be assigned responsibility for regional research, analysis and program delivery. The Province concurs with this recommendation. As stated above, the Department of Manitoba Local Government will dedicate professional planning staff to the Capital Region and will also assist in facilitating the regional delivery of services and mediation of issues among local authorities.

For more information contact
capitalregion@gov.mb.ca