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Please join us for a virtual open house to learn about and provide feedback on a draft regional plan. Event Details Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Location: Virtual (Zoom) Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. About the Session This virtual open house is an opportunity to learn about a draft regional plan for the Capital Planning Region and share your feedback. The session will be held online to make it easier for participants across the region to take part. Registration To attend, please register using the button below. Once registered, you will receive a Zoom link (from no-reply@zoom.us) by email on the day of the event. Registration closes at 12:00 p.m. on June 25, 2026. About the Regional Plan The Province of Manitoba’s The Planning Act and the Capital Planning Region Regulation require the Capital Planning Region, operating as the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR), to adopt a regional plan. Over the past year, the WMR Board has reset its approach to better reflect current municipal priorities and provincial requirements. This work has been carried out collaboratively with municipalities, the Province of Manitoba, and informed by input from community members, industry, and other stakeholders. A regional plan guides growth, infrastructure, and servicing across municipal boundaries. It helps municipalities address shared challenges and opportunities and provides a framework for coordinating priorities across the region.

The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region has launched a public survey to support the development of a new regional plan for Manitoba’s capital region. The survey invites community members to share their perspectives on economic development, growth, housing, infrastructure, and the long-term future of the region. The Capital Planning Region is a statutory corporation established through provincial legislation and operates as the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. It is responsible for adopting a regional plan by January 1, 2027. Over the past year, work on the new regional plan has advanced in alignment with provincial requirements and through engagement with councils and regional stakeholders. This survey is one of the ways we’re engaging Manitobans in the planning process. Public input is a key part of this work. The survey will remain open until December 12, 2025. "The new regional plan is an important opportunity to consider how our region grows and how we plan for the future,” said Michael Moore, Chair of the Capital Planning Region. “Hearing from people across the region will support the board’s work as we continue developing a plan that supports strong communities and a strong economy." The survey is available through the following link: Responses will help shape and inform the new regional plan as this work continues. For inquiries, please visit the WMR’s contact page to submit any questions via our online form.

In 2024, it became clear that the perception and priorities for regional planning had shifted and that Plan20-50, developed under the WMR’s 2019 mandate, no longer met local needs or provincial expectations. On December 19, 2024, the WMR Board decided not to move forward with the plan. Early in 2025, the WMR began working with the Province of Manitoba to reset our approach and create a framework that truly reflects the priorities of municipalities, the region, and the province. Why Regional Planning Matters People expect safe roads, clean water, working sewer systems, and reliable services no matter which municipality they live in. But as the capital region continues to grow, the way development is happening puts pressure on those systems and stretches limited resources. Without a shared plan, infrastructure can become disconnected, investments may not line up with actual needs, and some communities may face bigger burdens than others. Regional planning helps communities work together to guide growth more effectively. It supports: Better use of existing infrastructure and services by avoiding duplication and making the most of what’s already in place. Smarter investment by creating more predictability for developers, businesses, and governments. A more coordinated response to region-wide challenges like housing pressures, limited transportation choices, natural hazards like floods, drought and fires, and environmental stewardship. A fairer and more balanced approach to growth across municipal boundaries. Regional planning does not replace local decision-making. It strengthens it by helping communities see how their choices connect to the region as a whole. Where the Process Stands In February 2025, the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations met with the WMR Board to share the Province’s priorities for collaboration and regional planning in the capital region. On the same day, the WMR Board began shaping the principles that would guide the reset to regional planning and move the region forward together. With the passing of Bill 4 - The Planning Amendment Act (Bill 4), the WMR Board is still responsible for preparing a regional plan. A new regional plan is now in development and is expected to be ready by spring 2026. Bill 4 also provides municipalities the ability to choose to stay at the WMR Board table; municipalities have until October 2026 to make that decision. The province is also reviewing the legislation that guides regional planning and a report is expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in October 2025. This timeline gives everyone time to understand the changes and make informed choices. This also gives the WMR a window of opportunity to shape what regional planning will mean for us and how we move forward together. Manitoba’s capital region is one of the few regions in Canada without a long-term regional plan. This is our chance to change that and to put in place a shared vision that supports growth, smart investment, and strong communities into the future. Looking Ahead Regional planning is a key part of the solution. It works alongside thoughtful economic development strategies, approaches to retain and expand businesses and jobs, and plans to address local needs. Regional planning creates the foundation for this important work across jurisdictions. It gives us a clearer picture of where growth is happening, informs sound infrastructure planning, and guides where investment makes sense and how we can use limited resources wisely. In the months ahead, we will be sharing clear, accessible materials to support a stronger understanding of regional planning and help ensure decisions are based on facts, not misinformation. This reset is a real opportunity to get it right, to work together, and to build something better for our region and for the province.

Reconciliation in Action Launch of shared online inventory signals a collaborative approach to stewardship and pathway to reconciliation Friday, 17th of March, 2023 The more we know about our land, water and other natural resources, the better able we are to restore, protect, and enhance these important natural features. Creating a shared inventory is the first step to ensure our communities have; habitat to support biodiversity, recharge areas for safe clean drinking water, land for food security, and build resilience to withstand flooding, drought, and extreme weather events. Participants of the Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) consisting of 28 Leaders—Chiefs from the Southern Chiefs’ Organizations and the mayors and reeves from the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region, first met in 2017 to find collaborative ways to work together for the benefit of all communities. These leaders understood that natural resources do not fold neatly into boundaries, and in 2021, formed a working group to explore approaches to developing a shared inventory. To get the process started, the working group met with the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR), the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), the Province of Manitoba and representatives from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health to assist in the development of guiding principles. Executive Director of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region, Colleen Sklar, explained “The project followed the working group’s primary principle to ensure that Indigenous perspectives and world views would be at the front and centre.” The working group then enlisted the help of experts from the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative, a Canadian NGO, to create an inventory of wetlands, lakes and rivers, grasslands, forests, shrub lands and agricultural lands. Such inventories are the basis for broader natural asset management efforts. This easy to use, up-to-date, online inventory covers the entire Treaty 1 Territory and beyond and is accessible to everyone. Roy Brooke from Municipal Natural Assets Initiative was present for the launch and commented on how “This project pushed the boundaries on the process for creating inventories with communities. The emphasis on integrating First Nations worldviews and knowledge will change the way we approach inventory development, and natural asset management more generally, in the future.” Jim Bear, one of the advisors on the project said, “Having access to this land, water and other natural resources inventory will allow for new insights and opportunities for integrated land use planning, shared investment in green and gray infrastructure, connected green corridors and enhanced recreation opportunities, and will encourage a team approach to protect sensitive areas and critical habitats.” This land, water and other natural resource inventory is the first of its kind in Canada and provides an important collaborative opportunity to support healthy ecosystems while building partnerships to honour our treaty relationships. ----- To access the Land, Water and Other Natural Resources Inventory please click the link below:

October 31, 2019– A three-point plan to economic growth in the Winnipeg METRO Region (METRO) was detailed today following the release of a new report entitled: For the Benefit of All: Regional Competitiveness & Collaboration in the Winnipeg METRO Region. The Report, authored by Robert W. Murray, Ph.D., Managing Director – Government Affairs and Public Policy at Dentons Canada LLP, provides an analysis of the current context and offers a starting place to move from debating regionalism to enacting steps necessary to increase economic investment in Manitoba. “Despite efforts of greater regional collaboration, the ongoing hesitancy relating to further collaboration and the fragmented planning processes among Metro Region municipalities is not only putting the region at risk in areas such as sustainable water supply and future prime agricultural land protection but is also hindering the Region’s ability to pursue economic opportunities vital to the Region’s growth,” Murray stated in the Report. He added, “Put simply – the status quo is unsustainable and needs to be fixed.” In March 2019, the Province of Manitoba mandated the METRO Region to coordinate economic development, reduce red tape and duplication, and develop a strategy to coordinate land use and servicing – an approach preferred by Murray to address challenges and capitalize on the potential immediate opportunities. “The time for action is now,” said the report, “and the way forward is clear if the METRO Region is to create the conditions for future economic success.” Step 1 – Develop a Culture of Regional Collaboration Highlights of recommended action steps include: Create a provincial Working Group to examine governance structures, policies, legislation and frameworks, and consult with task forces to provide input in regional land use planning and infrastructure, shared servicing, economic development, urban reserves and revenue sharing. Step 2 - Build a Foundation for Economic Success Highlights of recommended action steps include: Develop a regional land use and servicing plan, developed by WMR and partners, to be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Relations; Establish an Indigenous Advisory Council comprised of representatives to assist in all regional decisions; Create a single regional planning authority for the Region, appointed by the Province; Develop a regional asset inventory of land and its development readiness, services and infrastructure; Develop an accessible, shared, single-window regional database to assist development and investment; Develop criteria for prioritizing regional infrastructure projects for the Province, to assist in prioritizing regional funding and develop a process to streamline regulatory approvals; Explore the creation of a regional database on planning and permitting. Step 3 – Develop an Investor-Ready Climate Highlights of recommended action steps include: Develop and unite behind a single brand to increase overall economic competitiveness; Develop a regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction and export promotion plan and a talent attraction initiative, including the development of tools and incentives to increase investment; Commission an independent global competitiveness review; Develop a permanent business and industry partnership council of WMR and industry representatives; Collaborate to develop a regional innovation strategy to accelerate commercialization and integrate regional business and innovation opportunities into the global supply chain. “By developing regional systems around land use planning and infrastructure, shared servicing, and regional economic development, the region stands to benefit from proven approaches to increasing service levels to residents while becoming more globally economic competitive.”

The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region is a statutory corporation established under the Province of Manitoba’s Planning Act and governed by the Capital Planning Region Regulation. Membership changes occur through provincial regulation. The following municipalities have been formally released by the Capital Planning Region — Regional Member Municipalities Regulation: Selkirk St. Andrews West St. Paul Dunnottar Any municipalities that wish to withdraw will move a resolution to do so through their council and send the withdrawal request to the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, and formal release occurs through provincial legislation and regulation. The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region continues to carry out its legislative responsibilities under the Planning Act and the Capital Planning Region Regulation. The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region Board exists through provincial legislation. Any changes to the structure, mandate, or continuation fall within provincial authority.

With the passing of Bill 4, The Planning Amendment Act, the Province of Manitoba has extended the timeline for the Capital Planning Region (CPR) to submit a regional plan to January 1, 2027. It has also confirmed that municipalities have the choice to continue the collaborative work of the CPR. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the new CPR Membership Regulation went into effect and is now in force. This regulation formalizes the withdrawal of four municipalities from the CPR: the City of Selkirk, the Village of Dunnottar, and the Rural Municipalities of West St Paul and St. Andrews. Together, the remaining CPR member municipalities continue the work of developing a sustainable long-term vision for Manitoba’s Capital Region.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manitoba's Capital Planning Region Launches New Educational Resources August 13, 2025 WINNIPEG, August 13, 2025 — The Capital Planning Region, operating as the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR), has launched educational materials to support a greater understanding of regional planning and the work currently underway at the WMR. These resources are part of a broader effort to improve communication, build trust, and provide the public with clear, accessible information. Through Bill 4 – The Planning Amendment Act, the Province has extended the timeline to deliver a regional plan to January 1, 2027. As the WMR works toward creating a renewed regional plan, this release marks a renewed focus on transparency and public education. “We know regional planning can be complex and that people want clarity,” said Jennifer Freeman, Executive Director of the WMR. “These resources are designed to provide clear, reliable information to describe why this work matters and how it shapes the future of their communities.” Communication surrounding regional planning is a collaborative effort between the WMR and the Province of Manitoba, focused on making sure accurate, consistent information is available to the public. For additional information, visit the Province of Manitoba's official webpage. “Planning for the future means working together across municipalities and with the Province,” said Michael Moore, Chair of the WMR Board. “These tools help ensure everyone has the same facts so we can move forward with a shared understanding.” The materials include an information sheet and a short booklet designed to offer clear, accessible information about regional planning. Over the coming months, the WMR will share additional resources to support a deeper understanding of regional planning and to build knowledge across the region.

In 2017, Mayors and Reeves from municipalities in the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) and from the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg gathered at the University of Winnipeg to develop a framework to recognize, measure and account for natural assets. This year, leaders continue the process started in 2017. The WMR in association with its regional partners is taking the first steps to understanding our regional natural assets, such as rivers and water, wetlands, forests (including urban), agricultural land, parks, grasslands, and sunlight. Leaders have begun to inventory our regional natural resources with our partners at the Municipal Natural Asset Initiative (MNAI). Led by Roy Brooke and Michelle Molnar, the MNAI is developing tools and processes to help communities quantify and manage their natural assets. Natalie Lagasse, WMR Planner, has been working on this project since the first meeting and continues to work on it today. Natalie recently spoke with Sydney Lockhart at The Selkirk Record about the Municipal Natural Asset Initiative.

Municipal leaders of the Winnipeg METRO Region (WMR) and the Chiefs of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) made history on Friday March 1, 2019 at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site in St. Andrews, Manitoba - the location of the historic signing of Treaty 1 in 1871, 148 years ago. The 25 elected leaders working together in the Collaborative Leadership Initiative (CLI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing the considerable political value of First Nation and municipal governments formally agreeing to work together on common goals and interests. “This is the first ever Indigenous-municipal government MOU signed with this many partners anywhere that we know of,” said Brad Erb, Co-Chair of the WMR, “In the spirit of reconciliation and re-building trust between our governments, this demonstrates our commitment to working together.” This was the fourth gathering of the CLI, facilitated by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) which began in October 2017 when a number of the Chiefs of SCO and mayors and reeves of the WMR met for breakfast and agreed that the status quo was not good enough. The assembled CLI leadership agreed that they needed a better way forward - a collaborative and strategic approach towards reconciliation based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In addition to shared interests and overlapping territories between First Nations and municipalities, the leaders recognized a critical need for building positive relationships, identifying common interests and barriers, dispelling myths and providing critical fact-based information for decision-making and coordination. The leadership involved committed to these four collaboration sessions that were designed to transform relationships and establish trust. “Through the CLI, we have created a strong platform to further build our relationship by sharing the priorities and needs of our communities with each other,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of SCO, “By signing the MOU on Friday, we are formalizing our relationship, as two levels of government. This enables us to progressively lead our communities toward shared prosperity, sustainable economic development and healthy lands and waters, working with other levels of government and the business sector.”