Manitoba’s Capital Planning Region: Winnipeg Metropolitan Region
Available in alternate formats, on request. Please call 204-290-9706 or email allison.bednarz@gov.mb.ca. For information about the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region, see the WMR website.
Regional planning is adopted world-wide and in major Canadian cities. Regional planning can deliver coordinated and cost-effective service delivery, improved consistency of planning policy, and more effective single window regional approaches to attract development.
Regional approaches supplement but do not replace local municipal planning authority and have the following broad public benefits:
- Housing affordability – allows for conscious planning of diverse housing options within a reasonable driving distance from places of employment
- Ease of transportation – regional approaches support easier movement of people, and reduced travel times between homes and jobs, for example
- Shared approach to attracting business – economic growth and investment brings higher paying and better jobs for residents of the region as a whole
- Poverty alleviation – inconsistent planning and infrastructure decisions can lead to housing and public transit gaps that can inadvertently separate people from employment areas
- Indigenous relations – regional planning can strengthen collaboration on services, land agreements and foster respect for treaty land rights
Capital Planning Region
The CPR currently operates as the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region and is comprised of 18 member municipalities: the Cities of Winnipeg and Selkirk, the Towns of Niverville and Stonewall, the Village of Dunnottar, and, the Rural Municipalities of Cartier, East St. Paul, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot, Rockwood, Rosser, Springfield, St. Andrews, St. Clements, St. François-Xavier, Taché, and West St. Paul. In addition to one representative for each member municipality on the Board of Directors, the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations may appoint up to four directors to the CPR Board, in accordance with Manitoba’s Agencies, Boards and Commissions appointment process
The CPR is mandated to enhance economic and social development by improving and coordinating sustainable land use and development in the region by:
- adopting a regional plan
- facilitating and promoting regional considerations in providing infrastructure and services
- leading the development of regional responses to the planning issues of its regional member municipalities
- identifying and promoting opportunities for the regional member municipalities to cooperate in the cost-effective development of infrastructure and the provision of services on a regional basis
In early 2025, a renewed regional planning process began, grounded in municipal and regional needs and aligned with provincial requirements. Work is now underway to engage a broad range of perspectives to help shape the strategic direction of a new regional plan.
On June 3, 2025 Bill 4 - The Planning Amendment Act – received royal assent. This new legislation resets the relationship of Manitoba’s municipalities in the Capital Region by providing a choice to sit at the regional table. The best way to build communities across the province is to bring willing partners together to help them develop a coordinated and sustainable long-term vision for the region.
For Bill 4 Frequently Asked Questions please click here.
