The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region’s 18 municipalities account for over two-thirds of Manitoba’s population and about 70 per cent of its provincial GDP. The Winnipeg Metro Region is the fastest-growing area of the province—expected to reach 1.1 million residents by 2050.
To accommodate this growth and ensure we have what it takes to meet the needs of our growing communities, businesses, and industries, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR)—through its mandate by the Province of Manitoba—took on the challenge of developing a first draft of a long-term land use and servicing plan: Plan20-50.
Draft Plan20-50 will allow us to balance the needs of today while planning for investments in infrastructure and servicing in the future—meeting all challenges head on and providing a quality of life that is second-to-none.
Building on the success and best practice from other regions across Canada and North America, the expert project team engaged over 400 stakeholders and organizations—including local, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments; sector stakeholders; knowledge institutions; professional associations; the development community; planners; economic development professionals; and social and environmental non-government organizations—for input on the plan. Through a detailed research and analysis of our region, five key policy areas have been identified.
- Integrated Communities & Infrastructure
- One Environment
- Investment & Employment
- Resource Management
- Collaborative Governance
The first draft of Plan20-50 is expected to be complete by spring 2021. Through the five integrated policy areas, Plan20-50 allows municipalities to harness the benefits of regional collaboration while maintaining local character—creating a globally competitive Winnipeg Metro Region.
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There are two things that are essential to the success of Draft Plan20-50: The first is ongoing collaboration, so that the finished plan reflects the input, needs, and realities of all WMR municipalities. The second is good data—so that, as we move forward, we can do so with an accurate understanding of how the population, housing, labour, and land needs in our region are likely to evolve over the next 30 years.
Collaborative Governance
Regional planning creates opportunities for all municipalities and reduces the development of local economies in isolation—this improves the Winnipeg Metro Region’s position to participate in the global marketplace.
Across North America, successful regions have increased respect between individual municipalities while creating a clear, consistent framework to support all regional members. Good working relationships are the foundation to incorporate the needs of communities and build a prosperous Winnipeg Metro Region for all. Good governance and sound decision-making require access to shared data, an environment of trust, and systems for collaboration across all levels of government.
We’re building a plan to benefit all municipalities. Everyone knows the financial benefits of bulk purchasing. Regional collaboration means new opportunities to work together to improve the services citizens count on and bringing costs down for everyone.
Draft Plan20-50 will identify a framework to establish improved data sharing across the region, simplify the process of creating shared service agreements, improve collaboration between municipalities and Indigenous governments, manage common assets, and establish fair and consistent land use planning, servicing, and development processes.
That’s why Draft Plan20-50 is so important.
Become part of the conversation and keep up to date with all the latest.
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region’s 18 municipalities account for over two-thirds of Manitoba’s population and about 70 per cent of its provincial GDP. The Winnipeg Metro Region is the fastest-growing area of the province—expected to reach 1.1 million residents by 2050.
To accommodate this growth and ensure we have what it takes to meet the needs of our growing communities, businesses, and industries, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR)—through its mandate by the Province of Manitoba—took on the challenge of developing a first draft of a long-term land use and servicing plan: Plan20-50.
Draft Plan20-50 will allow us to balance the needs of today while planning for investments in infrastructure and servicing in the future—meeting all challenges head on and providing a quality of life that is second-to-none.
Building on the success and best practice from other regions across Canada and North America, the expert project team engaged over 400 stakeholders and organizations—including local, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments; sector stakeholders; knowledge institutions; professional associations; the development community; planners; economic development professionals; and social and environmental non-government organizations—for input on the plan. Through a detailed research and analysis of our region, five key policy areas have been identified.
- Integrated Communities & Infrastructure
- One Environment
- Investment & Employment
- Resource Management
- Collaborative Governance
The first draft of Plan20-50 is expected to be complete by spring 2021. Through the five integrated policy areas, Plan20-50 allows municipalities to harness the benefits of regional collaboration while maintaining local character—creating a globally competitive Winnipeg Metro Region.
***
There are two things that are essential to the success of Draft Plan20-50: The first is ongoing collaboration, so that the finished plan reflects the input, needs, and realities of all WMR municipalities. The second is good data—so that, as we move forward, we can do so with an accurate understanding of how the population, housing, labour, and land needs in our region are likely to evolve over the next 30 years.
Resource Management
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors for Manitoba’s economy, contributing approximately $1.6 billion annually and representing 35 per cent of the provincial labour force.
Resources provide substantial economic opportunities for the region as they generate income, employment, and export opportunities. A regional approach to resource management protects resource-related lands. It creates consistency and fairness, reduces friction between homeowners and agricultural/industrial operations, helps reduce fragmentation and conversion of prime agricultural lands, and supports economic growth and investment.
We’re building a plan to protect our resources. With the Winnipeg Metro Region being the fastest-growing area of the province, we must work together to balance growth with the need to protect our air, water, and soil for the future. Not only do resource lands support economic prosperity, but they are also vital to environmental stewardship and can be an important component to building a climate-resilient Region.
Draft Plan20-50 will advance efforts to preserve economic development resources, ensuring the agricultural industry supports the region’s food production, supply, and security in addition to being a strong and stable source of employment.
That’s why Draft Plan20-50 is so important.
Become part of the conversation and keep up to date with all the latest.
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region’s 18 municipalities account for over two-thirds of Manitoba’s population and about 70 per cent of its provincial GDP. The Winnipeg Metro Region is the fastest-growing area of the province—expected to reach 1.1 million residents by 2050.
To accommodate this growth and ensure we have what it takes to meet the needs of our growing communities, businesses, and industries, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR)—through its mandate by the Province of Manitoba—took on the challenge of developing a first draft of a long-term land use and servicing plan: Plan20-50.
Draft Plan20-50 will allow us to balance the needs of today while planning for investments in infrastructure and servicing in the future—meeting all challenges head on and providing a quality of life that is second-to-none.
Building on the success and best practice from other regions across Canada and North America, the expert project team engaged over 400 stakeholders and organizations—including local, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments; sector stakeholders; knowledge institutions; professional associations; the development community; planners; economic development professionals; and social and environmental non-government organizations—for input on the plan. Through a detailed research and analysis of our region, five key policy areas have been identified.
- Integrated Communities & Infrastructure
- One Environment
- Investment & Employment
- Resource Management
- Collaborative Governance
The first draft of Plan20-50 is expected to be complete by spring 2021. Through the five integrated policy areas, Plan20-50 allows municipalities to harness the benefits of regional collaboration while maintaining local character—creating a globally competitive Winnipeg Metro Region.
***
There are two things that are essential to the success of Draft Plan20-50: The first is ongoing collaboration, so that the finished plan reflects the input, needs, and realities of all WMR municipalities. The second is good data—so that, as we move forward, we can do so with an accurate understanding of how the population, housing, labour, and land needs in our region are likely to evolve over the next 30 years.
Investment & Employment
The Metro Region provided approximately 375,000 jobs in 2020 and is forecasted to add approximately 138,000 jobs as we move toward 2050.
We’re building a plan to attract investment and create jobs. Regional collaboration means being able to compete for new business in a way that municipalities could never do on their own. Draft Plan20-50 will support working together to plan for investment in critical infrastructure, strategic servicing, and human resources needed to be competitive.
Competing as a region means building a business-ready climate where investor expectations for real-time land, labour, resource, and planning data can consistently be met. Draft Plan20-50 will ensure the Winnipeg Metro Region has the tools to compete on the global stage.
That’s why Draft Plan20-50 is so important.
Become part of the conversation and keep up to date with all the latest.
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region’s 18 municipalities account for over two-thirds of Manitoba’s population and about 70 per cent of its provincial GDP. The Winnipeg Metro Region is the fastest-growing area of the province—expected to reach 1.1 million residents by 2050.
To accommodate this growth and ensure we have what it takes to meet the needs of our growing communities, businesses, and industries, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR)—through its mandate by the Province of Manitoba—took on the challenge of developing a first draft of a long-term land use and servicing plan: Plan20-50.
Draft Plan20-50 will allow us to balance the needs of today while planning for investments in infrastructure and servicing in the future—meeting all challenges head on and providing a quality of life that is second-to-none.
Building on the success and best practice from other regions across Canada and North America, the expert project team engaged over 400 stakeholders and organizations—including local, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments; sector stakeholders; knowledge institutions; professional associations; the development community; planners; economic development professionals; and social and environmental non-government organizations—for input on the plan. Through a detailed research and analysis of our region, five key policy areas have been identified.
- Integrated Communities & Infrastructure
- One Environment
- Investment & Employment
- Resource Management
- Collaborative Governance
The first draft of Plan20-50 is expected to be complete by spring 2021. Through the five integrated policy areas, Plan20-50 allows municipalities to harness the benefits of regional collaboration while maintaining local character—creating a globally competitive Winnipeg Metro Region.
***
There are two things that are essential to the success of Draft Plan20-50: The first is ongoing collaboration, so that the finished plan reflects the input, needs, and realities of all WMR municipalities. The second is good data—so that, as we move forward, we can do so with an accurate understanding of how the population, housing, labour, and land needs in our region are likely to evolve over the next 30 years.
One Environment
A watershed is a defined geographic area where all surface water drains into a common point. In efforts to best manage water, land, and biodiversity resources in Manitoba, watershed districts were developed in January 2020. There are five watershed districts and 18 sub-districts within the Winnipeg Metro Region. This means that all residents across the region have a direct impact on—and are directly impacted by—the quality of our freshwater resources, even those who do not live near a shoreline.
Over the years, it has become increasing clear that we must plan for climate change and build resiliency in our region. Municipalities must work together to respond to floods, droughts, and the effects of extreme weather events. Wise environmental stewardship supports healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and watersheds and ensures optimal water quality and quantity while balancing the needs of the natural environment, the needs of communities, and the needs of a growing economy.
We’re building a plan to protect our environment. Collaboration is vital to the long-term protection of the natural resources that we all share. As the Winnipeg Metro Region continues to grow, a collaborative approach is critical to preserving agricultural and sensitive lands while facilitating new development.
Draft Plan20-50 will provide effective and consistent approaches to protect, restore, and enhance our ecosystems, watersheds, and environmentally sensitive areas across the region. It will also recognize the social and economic importance of traditional lifestyles, recreation, and tourism for future generations. We are all connected by water and we will benefit by working together to protect it.
That’s why Draft Plan20-50 is so important.
Become part of the conversation and keep up to date with all the latest.
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region’s 18 municipalities account for over two-thirds of Manitoba’s population and about 70 per cent of its provincial GDP. The Winnipeg Metro Region is the fastest-growing area of the province—expected to reach 1.1 million residents by 2050.
To accommodate this growth and ensure we have what it takes to meet the needs of our growing communities, businesses, and industries, the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (WMR)—through its mandate by the Province of Manitoba—took on the challenge of developing a first draft of a long-term land use and servicing plan: Plan20-50.
Draft Plan20-50 will allow us to balance the needs of today while planning for investments in infrastructure and servicing in the future—meeting all challenges head on and providing a quality of life that is second-to-none.
Building on the success and best practice from other regions across Canada and North America, the expert project team engaged over 400 stakeholders and organizations—including local, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments; sector stakeholders; knowledge institutions; professional associations; the development community; planners; economic development professionals; and social and environmental non-government organizations—for input on the plan. Through a detailed research and analysis of our region, five key policy areas have been identified.
- Integrated Communities & Infrastructure
- One Environment
- Investment & Employment
- Resource Management
- Collaborative Governance
The first draft of Plan20-50 is expected to be complete by spring 2021. Through the five integrated policy areas, Plan20-50 allows municipalities to harness the benefits of regional collaboration while maintaining local character—creating a globally competitive Winnipeg Metro Region.
***
There are two things that are essential to the success of Draft Plan20-50: The first is ongoing collaboration, so that the finished plan reflects the input, needs, and realities of all WMR municipalities. The second is good data—so that, as we move forward, we can do so with an accurate understanding of how the population, housing, labour, and land needs in our region are likely to evolve over the next 30 years.
Integrated Communities & Infrastructure
A regional approach can identify and plan for infrastructure that is necessary to support our economy and way of life. It allows us to take a bird’s eye view of what’s happening on the ground today as well as what’s anticipated in the future.
Strong communities provide residents with housing choices, local employment opportunities, regional transportation networks, recreation, and leisure activities while protecting and preserving valuable resources—like agricultural lands and water—for future generations.
We’re building a plan to improve quality of life in our communities. Important economies of scale can be reached when municipalities explore shared approaches to service delivery—creating efficiencies and savings that can be locally reinvested. A regional plan is key to addressing future infrastructure needs that aren’t limited by municipal borders—such as next-generation Internet, transportation corridors, and sustainable sewer and water.
These infrastructure needs require regional collaboration. Draft Plan20-50 will support integrated planning and infrastructure investment to increase our economic competitiveness and create connected, safe, and vibrant communities.
That’s why Draft Plan20-50 is so important.
Become part of the conversation and keep up to date with all the latest.
As the devastation caused by extreme weather events continues to unfold in Texas, we imagine what could happen in Manitoba and the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region if we should experience such mass power outages combined with freezing temperatures.
The impacts of a changing climate are being felt across Canada and the globe—and building our capacity (resilience) to manage the extremes has become top of mind for leaders, planners, engineers, scientists, and environmental groups alike. Building resiliency requires a collaborative approach and a team effort—something we know is not always easy but is critical if we are going to protect communities, ecosystems, and our economy from challenges once thought far on the horizon.
Understanding and addressing the shocks and stresses extreme weather can produce is a foundational focus as the leaders at the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region develop the first draft of Plan20-50: a long-term land use and servicing plan that calls for collaboration across municipal boundaries.
Establishing climate change resiliency is essential to the region’s sustainable development. Through collaboration, innovation, and best practice, the first draft of Plan20-50 looks to facilitate economic competitiveness and growth while protecting land and water. This creates a high quality of life for residents in a way that supports a growing economy and cultivates sustainability.
Flood and drought resilience; climate change adaptation; and long-term protection of water, air, and soil are tasks require a collaborative approach. Wise environmental stewardship supports healthy ecosystems, biodiversity and watersheds, and ensures optimal water quality and quantity—balancing the needs of the natural environment, the needs of the communities, and the needs of a growing economy.
Our water is one of our greatest economic and environmental opportunities. To effectively plan our future and build our competitiveness, we must understand our strengths and our weaknesses and plan for a future that may throw us a few curve balls.
That’s what Plan20-50 intends to do.
“It has taken us generations to create the sustainability challenges we now face for ourselves in Canada and globally; and it will require generations to solve these problems,”
