STOP WMR PLAN20-50 & BILL 4
PROTECT LOCAL CONTROL IN MANITOBA
What’s Happening?
Bill 4, disguised as the "Freedom Bill," was supposed to allow Manitoba municipalities to opt out of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR). Instead, it introduces complex legal obstacles, tight deadlines, and bureaucratic red tape that make exiting nearly impossible.
Plan20-50 embeds global climate policies and sustainability goals into local governance, forcing municipalities to follow rigid planning frameworks that do not prioritize local autonomy in core oversight of housing development, infrastructure maintenance, or local economic needs.
Without action, municipalities will be locked into the WMR indefinitely—losing their ability to govern independently.
Why This Matters
Loss of Local Control: Municipalities must comply with Plan20-50 or face legal and financial penalties.
Tight Deadlines: Bill 4 requires action within 180 days of receiving WMR’s notice of review—failure to act means permanent inclusion.
Complex Bureaucracy: Public hearings, extensive documentation, and Ministerial approval are required just to consider opting out.
No Appeal Process: If a municipality fails to act in time, there is no second chance to withdraw.
Global Agenda Over Local Priorities: Plan20-50 prioritizes urban densification, net-zero targets, and climate mandates over pressing local needs like housing affordability and public safety.
Which Municipalities Are Affected?
The 18 municipalities included in the WMR will face long-term restrictions if Plan20-50 is fully implemented:
City of Winnipeg, City of Selkirk, Town of Niverville, Town of Stonewall, Village of Dunnottar, Rural Municipality of Cartier, Rural Municipality of East St. Paul, Rural Municipality of Headingley, Rural Municipality of Macdonald, Rural Municipality of Ritchot, Rural Municipality of Rockwood, Rural Municipality of Rosser, Rural Municipality of Springfield, Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, Rural Municipality of St. Clements, Rural Municipality of St. François Xavier, Rural Municipality of Taché, Rural Municipality of West St. Paul.
✅ 12 Municipalities Have Already Expressed Concerns or Desire to Opt Out!
Does your municipality understand the urgency? Do they know they have your Support in Withdrawing? Take action today!
What You Can Do to Help
Demand Action from Your Municipal Leaders
Your mayor, reeve, and councilors must take immediate steps to start the withdrawal process.
📩 Use our pre-written email template to contact them and provide the resolution they can pass to implement the withdrawal process now!
💬 Request a council resolution to reject Plan20-50 and Bill 4.
📞 Call your representatives—make your voice heard.
📅 Attend your local council meetings and speak out.
-
Copy and paste these emails into your email's "To:" field for quick contact.
City of Winnipeg
mayor@winnipeg.ca, mattallard@winnipeg.ca, jbrowaty@winnipeg.ca, markuschambers@winnipeg.ca, readie@winnipeg.ca, sdobson@winnipeg.ca, cgilroy@winnipeg.ca, eduncan@winnipeg.ca, jlukes@winnipeg.ca, bmayes@winnipeg.ca, rwyatt@winnipeg.ca, jorlikow@winnipeg.ca, srollins@winnipeg.ca, vsantos@winnipeg.ca
City of Selkirk
CitizenSupport@cityofselkirk.com, mayor@cityofselkirk.com, councillorasmith@cityofselkirk.com, councillorkcook@cityofselkirk.com, councillorlfiddler@cityofselkirk.com, councillorjbuffie@cityofselkirk.com, councillordswiderski@cityofselkirk.com, councillordpoirier@cityofselkirk.com
Town of Niverville
feedback@whereyoubelong.ca, myron.dyck@whereyoubelong.ca, chris.wiebe@whereyoubelong.ca, kevin.stott@whereyoubelong.ca, john.funk@whereyoubelong.ca, nathan.braun@whereyoubelong.ca
Town of Stonewall
info@stonewall.ca, ssmith@stonewall.ca, pbullivant@stonewall.ca, wbadger@stonewall.ca, rmaryniuk@stonewall.ca, knewman@stonewall.ca
Rural Municipality of Cartier
info@rmofcartier.ca, reeve.vannmitchell@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.krahn@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.nixon@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.lachance@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.bouchard@rmofcartier.ca, councillor.laramee@rmofcartier.ca
Rural Municipality of East St. Paul
info@eaststpaul.com, carla.devlin@eaststpaul.com, brian.imhoff@eaststpaul.com, orest.horechko@eaststpaul.com, brian.duval@eaststpaul.com, charles.posthumus@eaststpaul.com
Rural Municipality of Headingley
info@rmofheadingley.ca, jrbsn106@gmail.com, roche4headingley@gmail.com, yolandef@shaw.ca, greimer@shaw.ca
Village of Dunnottar
info@dunnottar.ca, rosalynhoward@dunnottar.ca, jimkotowich@dunnottar.ca, kathymagnusson@dunnottar.ca
Rural Municipality of Macdonald
reeve@rmofmacdonald.com, ward1@rmofmacdonald.com, ward2@rmofmacdonald.com, ward3@rmofmacdonald.com, ward4@rmofmacdonald.com, ward5@rmofmacdonald.com, ward6@rmofmacdonald.com
Rural Municipality of Ritchot
Ward1@ritchot.com, Ward2@ritchot.com, Ward3@ritchot.com, Ward4@ritchot.com
Rural Municipality of Rockwood
wes.taplin@rockwood.ca,
debbie.pansky@rockwood.ca,
curtis.mcclintock@rockwood.ca,
neal.wirgau@rockwood.ca,
lana.hintz@rockwood.ca,
miles.tarrant@rockwood.ca,
lwillis@rockwood.caRural Municipality of Rosser
reeve@rmofrosser.com, ward1@rmofrosser.com, ward2@rmofrosser.com, ward3@rmofrosser.com, ward4@rmofrosser.com
Rural Municipality of Springfield
ptherrien@rmofspringfield.ca, gfuhl@rmofspringfield.ca, akuczynski@rmofspringfield.ca, mmiller@rmofspringfield.ca, mwarren@rmofspringfield.ca
Rural Municipality of St. Andrews
info@rmofstandrews.com, joy@rmofstandrews.com, chris@rmofstandrews.com, ken@rmofstandrews.com, tracy@rmofstandrews.com, rob@rmofstandrews.com, justinf@rmofstandrews.com, laurie@rmofstandrews.com
Rural Municipality of St. Clements
info@rmofstclements.com, debbie@rmofstclements.com, glen@rmofstclements.com, scott@rmofstclements.com, sandra@rmofstclements.com, robert@rmofstclements.com, horbas@rmofstclements.com, david@rmofstclements.com
Rural Municipality of St. François Xavier
info@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, reeve@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward1@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward2@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward3@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca, ward4@rm-stfrancois.mb.ca
Rural Municipality of Taché
Info@rmtache.ca, apoirier@rmtache.ca, sbowker@rmtache.ca, gmcgregor@rmtache.ca, dbraden@rmtache.ca, cjolicoeur@rmtache.ca, sstein@rmtache.ca, mmanaigre@rmtache.ca, nlapeire@rmtache.ca
Rural Municipality of West St. Paul
reception@weststpaul.com, peter.truijen@weststpaul.com, peter.campbell@weststpaul.com, giorgioward2@gmail.com, mike.pagtakhan@weststpaul.com, klybr1@gmail.com
✅ Copy and paste these emails into your email's "To:" field for quick contact. Let me know if you need any modifications! 🚀
-
Updated Email Template for Municipal Councils
📌 This template can be sent individually to one council at a time or as a mass email to multiple councils. Adjust the greeting accordingly.
📨 Subject: Urgent Municipal Action Required – Withdrawal from WMR & Opposition to Plan20-50 and Bill 4
Dear [Mayor/Reeve Name] and Council Members,
I am writing as a concerned resident of [Municipality Name] regarding the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR), Plan20-50, and the restrictive measures introduced under Bill 4 (The Planning Amendment Act).
While Bill 4 was initially promoted as a “Freedom Bill” that allows municipalities to opt out of the WMR, it actually imposes severe bureaucratic hurdles, unrealistic deadlines, and legal entrapments that make withdrawal extremely difficult.
Key Concerns
Municipalities have 180-days retroactive from December 31, 2024, to complete complex procedural steps, including public hearings and Ministerial approval. If our municipality does not act within this period, we will be permanently locked into the WMR.
Bill 4 mandates multiple public hearings and extensive documentation, slowing down the withdrawal process. Ministerial approval is not guaranteed, and the province retains the power to deny withdrawal requests without appeal.
This regional plan forces municipalities to adopt high-density urban planning and restrictive climate policies that may not align with local needs. Affordable housing, infrastructure investment, and public services could be deprioritized in favor of global urbanization mandates.
The WMR may delay sending withdrawal notices, creating a last-minute time crunch for councils to act. If a withdrawal request is not formally submitted before the deadline, our municipality will lose its ability to exit the WMR forever.
Call to Action: Immediate Steps for Council
I urge council to take the following steps immediately:
Pass a formal resolution to withdraw from the WMR.
A pre-drafted withdrawal resolution is available here: [Link to Resolution].
Schedule and publicize a public hearing.
To comply with the mandated process, the public hearing should be scheduled immediately.
Demand amendments to Bill 4.
The Province of Manitoba must remove unnecessary procedural barriers and allow fair, transparent withdrawal.
Keep residents informed and provide transparency.
Many residents are unaware of the risks posed by Plan20-50 and Bill 4. I urge council to publish a statement outlining the next steps.
Final Thoughts
This issue is about more than just regional planning—it’s about preserving local decision-making. If our municipality fails to act, we risk permanent loss of control over land use, housing, and development decisions.
I respectfully request a formal response from council outlining what steps will be taken immediately to withdraw from the WMR and reject Plan20-50.
If you have any questions, please contact info@kiclei.ca for further details.
I appreciate your leadership on this critical issue and look forward to your swift action before it is too late.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information] -
SAMPLE MUNICIPAL RESOLUTION
Resolution to Withdraw from the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) and Oppose Plan20-50 & Bill 4
[Municipality Name]
Date: [Insert Date]WHEREAS the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) was created under The Capital Planning Region Regulation, 2023 (M.R. 90/2023) without meaningful public consultation and imposes regional planning decisions that do not reflect the unique needs of our municipality;
AND WHEREASThe Planning Act (C.C.S.M. c. P80), Section 8(3) previously allowed the Minister of Municipal Relations to modify the WMR’s membership by regulation without requiring public hearings, strict timelines, or ministerial approval for withdrawal;
AND WHEREASBill 4: The Planning Amendment Act now imposes rigid procedural requirements and a 180-day withdrawal deadline (Bill 4, Section 11) that significantly hinder municipalities’ ability to exit the WMR;
AND WHEREAS Bill 4’s enforcement is retroactive from December 31, 2024, as per Section 11(3) of Bill 4, meaning municipalities were subject to its terms before it was formally passed, violating principles of procedural fairness;
AND WHEREAS Plan20-50 embeds global urbanization policies, net-zero targets, and regional sustainability mandates that limit local flexibility on critical municipal issues, including housing affordability, infrastructure investment, and economic development;
AND WHEREASBill 4, Section 7(2) removes municipal discretion by requiring ministerial approval for withdrawal and grants the province authority to deny withdrawal requests with no clear appeal mechanism;
AND WHEREASThe Planning Act, Section 168 mandates public hearings and extensive procedural requirements before withdrawal, placing an administrative burden on small municipalities with limited resources;
AND WHEREAS municipal autonomy is a fundamental principle of local governance, and the ability to plan, develop, and manage municipal affairs should rest with locally elected representatives, not external regional bodies;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Council of [Municipality Name] formally declares its intent to withdraw from the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) in accordance with The Planning Act and directs municipal administration to begin the withdrawal process immediately.
The Council calls upon the Minister of Municipal Relations to approve our withdrawal request without unnecessary delays and to uphold municipal autonomy as per Section 92(8) of the Constitution Act, 1867, which vests local matters in the jurisdiction of municipalities.
The Council directs administration to schedule the required public hearing, as mandated under The Planning Act, Section 168, and submit the withdrawal resolution within the imposed timeline of 180 days.
The Council opposes the implementation of Plan20-50 within our municipality and urges the Province of Manitoba to repeal any statutory obligations that enforce compliance with the plan.
The Council formally requests that the Manitoba Government amend Bill 4 to:
Extend the withdrawal timeline beyond 180 days, allowing municipalities sufficient time to complete procedural requirements.
Remove the requirement for ministerial approval of municipal withdrawals from the WMR.
Restore the pre-Bill 4 framework that allowed municipalities to voluntarily opt in or out of the WMR.
A copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Premier of Manitoba, the Minister of Municipal Relations, our local MLA, and all municipalities within the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region.
Moved by: [Councillor Name]
Seconded by: [Councillor Name]
Vote: [Passed/Defeated]Legal Justification for the Resolution
C.C.S.M. c. P80 - The Planning Act(Section 8(3), Section 168): Governs municipal participation in regional planning bodies.
Bill 4: The Planning Amendment Act(Section 7(2), Section 11(3)): Imposes restrictive procedural barriers and grants the province authority to deny withdrawal requests.
M.R. 90/2023 - The Capital Planning Region Regulation: Established WMR as a statutory regional body.
Constitution Act, 1867 (Section 92(8)): Grants municipalities authority over local governance.
✔ Attach this resolution to campaign emails and send it to municipal councils.
Take Action – Sign the Petition!
To support these recommendations at the upcoming hearing, a petition is available for circulation. Your voice matters! Please sign to make an impact.
⚠️ Don’t wait—every day that passes makes it harder for your municipality to act! ⚠️
💡 Together, we can stop Plan20-50 and protect local governance in Manitoba!
Message from Maggie Braun, KICLEI Canada
📢Subscribe to the KICLEI Manitoba Substack (for campaign updates).
To the Residents and Councils of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region:
Supporting Your Opposition to the WMR Plan 2050
I am encouraged by, and fully support, your community’s efforts in opposing the WMR Plan 2050. Your advocacy for local governance, municipal autonomy, and prioritizing community-driven decision-making over externally imposed mandates is critical at this moment.
To aid in this fight, I have prepared detailed reports that critically examine Plan 2050 and the WMR, along with supplementary analyses. These reports have been sent to your local councils for review, providing the necessary information to reject Plan 2050 and preserve local governance.
Key Reports & Findings
📌 KICLEI Report: A Critique of Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR) Plan20-50 – A Call for Local Control and Prosperity
➡ Plan 2050 is NOT mandatory under the Provincial Planning Act. Municipalities have the right to opt out, yet pressure continues to be placed on councils to conform.
➡ The plan prioritizes global sustainability frameworks over pressing local concerns such as housing affordability, infrastructure, and public services.
➡ It introduces bureaucratic and legal burdens that undermine municipal flexibility, shifting governance away from locally elected councils.
📌 Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR): From Local Cooperation to Global Frameworks
➡ The WMR has shifted from voluntary local cooperation to enforcing global urbanization and climate policies that do not reflect the needs of rural and suburban communities.
➡ Plan20-50 embeds international climate targets and sustainability mandates that create financial and regulatory challenges for municipalities.
➡ The transition of the WMR into a statutory corporation in 2023 raises concerns about public accountability and the legal authority to enforce compliance on councils.
Next Steps for Action
📩 Sign the Petition to Withdraw from the WMR & Reject Plan20-50
📝 Encourage Your Council to Pass the Resolution
➡ A pre-drafted email template and resolution has been provided for councils to formally reject Plan 2050.
➡ Residents can send letters to their mayors and council members using the Letter Template above.
📢 Join the Movement with Manitoba Stronger Together
➡ Get involved in local advocacy efforts and community meetings
➡ Visit Manitoba Stronger Together for resources, reports, and updates.
💡 Together, we can protect local governance, reject the overreach of Plan20-50, and ensure that Manitoba municipalities prioritize the real needs of their communities.
🚀 Stay informed, take action, and stand up for local decision-making!
Maggie Braun
Founder, KICLEI Canada
Support Manitoba Stronger Together
📢 Join the Movement: Manitoba Stronger Together!
Manitoba Stronger Together has been leading the charge in exposing the risks of Plan20-50 and Bill 4, providing in-depth research, community organizing tools, and critical advocacy efforts to protect municipal autonomy.
We encourage all supporters to visit their website, stay informed, and join the fight to stop Plan20-50.
🔹 Why Join Manitoba Stronger Together?
✔ Access detailed reports on how Plan20-50 and Bill 4 affect your municipality
✔ Stay updated on council actions, petitions, and public hearings
✔ Connect with like-minded residents and municipal leaders
✔ Get involved in grassroots advocacy efforts across Manitoba
🔗 Visit Manitoba Stronger Together:
www.manitobastrongertogether.ca/wmr20-50
📩 Follow their updates & take action today!
💡 Together, we can stop Plan20-50 and protect local governance in Manitoba.
Thank You for Your Civic Engagement
I believe Manitoba is ready to lead the way in reclaiming local autonomy through local action.
Maggie Braun, KICLEI Canada