In June, 2011, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities launched a campaign to put communities first during the 2011 provincial election. The message was - and is - clear and simple: Our infrastructure deficit is crippling our communities, and downloading from other orders of government is just making matters worse. Municipalities cannot meet their new responsibilities without a steady, predictable revenue stream.

We developed this website to provide our members - the 197 incorporated municipalities of Manitoba - with the tools and information they needed to make this case with their residents, community partners and local candidates for provincial office.

Our members responded by passing 151 council resolutions calling on all parties to Put Communities First. They also issued news releases, wrote letters to the editor and shared the campaign throughout their local communities. And their voices were heard loud and clear.

However, the work is far from over.

While Putting Communities First was launched as our election advocacy plan the intent was never to use October 4th as the end date for the campaign. In many ways this election was really the starting point for the initiative.

Municipal infrastructure needs are not going away. Our communities are struggling and we need help.

What we have shown over the last couple of months is this is a real issue and one that impacts municipalities in every riding across the province.

Our membership has taken ownership of this initiative and over the next while the AMM Board and staff will be reviewing the campaign and setting a direction for the future.

One thing is certain: future success will require every municipality in Manitoba to demand the new Provincial Government to Put Communities First.

Sincerely,



Councillor Doug Dobrowolski
President