The Association of Manitoba Municipalities fall convention in Winnipeg provided an opportunity for local governments from across the province to meet and discuss various issues surrounding their communities.
With the convention being held in Winnipeg, it also gave mayors, reeves and councillors a chance to meet with various provincial ministers, which was one of the highlights of the convention for Rural Municipality of Dauphin reeve Ernie Sirski.
“We had 17 of the 18 (ministers) at the head table, answering questions. And they had no idea who was going to ask what question and which minister was going to address it,” he said.
“That stood out in my mind more than anything. Those people stood up there, they answered some really tough questions.”
Sirski himself asked one of the toughest questions, asking what can Manitoba do to offset the 25 per cent tariff recently proposed by US President-elect Donald Trump.
“And (Manitoba Premier) Wab Kinew himself answered the question. Now he put a lot of the heat on the Feds, but the long and the short of it is he said we have to stand up to Trump, we have to seriously look at the two per cent defence spending that Trump keeps talking about and the premiers are totally behind trying to make sure we can deal with Trump on a united basis,” he said.
Among other highlights was the election of a new AMM executive, with Thompson city councillor Kathy Valentino being chosen for president.
“I think she’ll bring a different style to the leadership of AMM. And, especially her being from northern Manitoba even makes it a little more exciting. I think it’s going to be interesting to see how she handles things given where she is,” he said.
“She’s a long way from Winnipeg where all the meetings are. But from what I’ve been told, she’s very dedicated and she’ll do a great job.”
Sirski was also pleased to see an election for vice-president.
“People running for two positions. Democracy is always interesting to watch,” he said.
RM of Dauphin CAO Nicole Chychota is also on the AMM board of directors.
Sirski, along with City of Dauphin mayor David Bosiak had a chance to meet with Justice Minister Matt Wiebe regarding the proposed Justice Centre, which was promised during the last election campaign.
Sirski said it was a good three-hour discussion regarding the centre, but he noted Minister Wiebe would not provide a timeline.
“I asked a couple times. And three times he said, ‘we are committed to this project.’ So I had to leave it at that, being fairly comfortable saying they’re serious about going ahead with it,” he said.
Sirski noted the convention featured a list of good speakers, including the former Chief of Police of Winnipeg, who hosted a good discussion on how to deal with people and how to move things along with people,” he said.
There are always some good general topics that come up. One that Sirski attended was on municipal planning and issues that have to be dealt with, not only locally, but provincially, as well, and what to keep in mind when planning a subdivision or business area.
“It was an interesting discussion,” he said, adding there were 700 registered delegates for the convention.
“I ran into some old friends that I haven’t seen in quite a while, which was kind of nice. I got to renew some acquaintances and got to make some new ones. It’s always a pleasure to do that,” he said.
Sirski credits the AMM staff for putting together a good program for the convention.
